THE SONNETS
1
From fairest creatures we desire increase
That thereby beautys rose might never die
But as the riper should by time decease
His tender heir might bear his memory
But thou contracted to thine own bright eyes
Feedst thy lights flame with selfsubstantial fuel
Making a famine where abundance lies
Thyself thy foe to thy sweet self too cruel
Thou that art now the worlds fresh ornament
And only herald to the gaudy spring
Within thine own bud buriest thy content
And tender churl makst waste in niggarding
Pity the world or else this glutton be
To eat the worlds due by the grave and thee
2
When forty winters shall besiege thy brow
And dig deep trenches in thy beautys field
Thy youths proud livery so gazed on now
Will be a tattered weed of small worth held
Then being asked where all thy beauty lies
Where all the treasure of thy lusty days
To say within thine own deep sunken eyes
Were an alleating shame and thriftless praise
How much more praise deservd thy beautys use
If thou couldst answer This fair child of mine
Shall sum my count and make my old excuse
Proving his beauty by succession thine
This were to be new made when thou art old
And see thy blood warm when thou feelst it cold
3
Look in thy glass and tell the face thou viewest
Now is the time that face should form another
Whose fresh repair if now thou not renewest
Thou dost beguile the world unbless some mother
For where is she so fair whose uneared womb
Disdains the tillage of thy husbandry
Or who is he so fond will be the tomb
Of his selflove to stop posterity
Thou art thy mothers glass and she in thee
Calls back the lovely April of her prime
So thou through windows of thine age shalt see
Despite of wrinkles this thy golden time
But if thou live remembered not to be
Die single and thine image dies with thee
4
Unthrifty loveliness why dost thou spend
Upon thyself thy beautys legacy
Natures bequest gives nothing but doth lend
And being frank she lends to those are free
Then beauteous niggard why dost thou abuse
The bounteous largess given thee to give
Profitless usurer why dost thou use
So great a sum of sums yet canst not live
For having traffic with thyself alone
Thou of thyself thy sweet self dost deceive
Then how when nature calls thee to be gone
What acceptable audit canst thou leave
Thy unused beauty must be tombed with thee
Which used lives th executor to be
5
Those hours that with gentle work did frame
The lovely gaze where every eye doth dwell
Will play the tyrants to the very same
And that unfair which fairly doth excel
For neverresting time leads summer on
To hideous winter and confounds him there
Sap checked with frost and lusty leaves quite gone
Beauty oersnowed and bareness every where
Then were not summers distillation left
A liquid prisoner pent in walls of glass
Beautys effect with beauty were bereft
Nor it nor no remembrance what it was
But flowers distilled though they with winter meet
Leese but their show their substance still lives sweet
6
Then let not winters ragged hand deface
In thee thy summer ere thou be distilled
Make sweet some vial treasure thou some place
With beautys treasure ere it be selfkilled
That use is not forbidden usury
Which happies those that pay the willing loan
Thats for thyself to breed another thee
Or ten times happier be it ten for one
Ten times thyself were happier than thou art
If ten of thine ten times refigured thee
Then what could death do if thou shouldst depart
Leaving thee living in posterity
Be not selfwilled for thou art much too fair
To be deaths conquest and make worms thine heir
7
Lo in the orient when the gracious light
Lifts up his burning head each under eye
Doth homage to his newappearing sight
Serving with looks his sacred majesty
And having climbed the steepup heavenly hill
Resembling strong youth in his middle age
Yet mortal looks adore his beauty still
Attending on his golden pilgrimage
But when from highmost pitch with weary car
Like feeble age he reeleth from the day
The eyes fore duteous now converted are
From his low tract and look another way
So thou thyself outgoing in thy noon
Unlooked on diest unless thou get a son
8
Music to hear why hearst thou music sadly
Sweets with sweets war not joy delights in joy
Why lovst thou that which thou receivst not gladly
Or else receivst with pleasure thine annoy
If the true concord of welltuned sounds
By unions married do offend thine ear
They do but sweetly chide thee who confounds
In singleness the parts that thou shouldst bear
Mark how one string sweet husband to another
Strikes each in each by mutual ordering
Resembling sire and child and happy mother
Who all in one one pleasing note do sing
Whose speechless song being many seeming one
Sings this to thee Thou single wilt prove none
9
Is it for fear to wet a widows eye
That thou consumst thyself in single life
Ah if thou issueless shalt hap to die
The world will wail thee like a makeless wife
The world will be thy widow and still weep
That thou no form of thee hast left behind
When every private widow well may keep
By childrens eyes her husbands shape in mind
Look what an unthrift in the world doth spend
Shifts but his place for still the world enjoys it
But beautys waste hath in the world an end
And kept unused the user so destroys it
No love toward others in that bosom sits
That on himself such murdrous shame commits
10
For shame deny that thou bearst love to any
Who for thyself art so unprovident
Grant if thou wilt thou art beloved of many
But that thou none lovst is most evident
For thou art so possessed with murdrous hate
That gainst thyself thou stickst not to conspire
Seeking that beauteous roof to ruinate
Which to repair should be thy chief desire
O change thy thought that I may change my mind
Shall hate be fairer lodged than gentle love
Be as thy presence is gracious and kind
Or to thyself at least kindhearted prove
Make thee another self for love of me
That beauty still may live in thine or thee
11
As fast as thou shalt wane so fast thou growst
In one of thine from that which thou departest
And that fresh blood which youngly thou bestowst
Thou mayst call thine when thou from youth convertest
Herein lives wisdom beauty and increase
Without this folly age and cold decay
If all were minded so the times should cease
And threescore year would make the world away
Let those whom nature hath not made for store
Harsh featureless and rude barrenly perish
Look whom she best endowed she gave thee more
Which bounteous gift thou shouldst in bounty cherish
She carved thee for her seal and meant thereby
Thou shouldst print more not let that copy die
12
When I do count the clock that tells the time
And see the brave day sunk in hideous night
When I behold the violet past prime
And sable curls all silvered oer with white
When lofty trees I see barren of leaves
Which erst from heat did canopy the herd
And summers green all girded up in sheaves
Borne on the bier with white and bristly beard
Then of thy beauty do I question make
That thou among the wastes of time must go
Since sweets and beauties do themselves forsake
And die as fast as they see others grow
And nothing gainst Times scythe can make defence
Save breed to brave him when he takes thee hence
13
O that you were your self but love you are
No longer yours than you yourself here live
Against this coming end you should prepare
And your sweet semblance to some other give
So should that beauty which you hold in lease
Find no determination then you were
Yourself again after yourselfs decease
When your sweet issue your sweet form should bear
Who lets so fair a house fall to decay
Which husbandry in honour might uphold
Against the stormy gusts of winters day
And barren rage of deaths eternal cold
O none but unthrifts dear my love you know
You had a father let your son say so
14
Not from the stars do I my judgement pluck
And yet methinks I have astronomy
But not to tell of good or evil luck
Of plagues of dearths or seasons quality
Nor can I fortune to brief minutes tell
Pointing to each his thunder rain and wind
Or say with princes if it shall go well
By oft predict that I in heaven find
But from thine eyes my knowledge I derive
And constant stars in them I read such art
As truth and beauty shall together thrive
If from thyself to store thou wouldst convert
Or else of thee this I prognosticate
Thy end is truths and beautys doom and date
15
When I consider everything that grows
Holds in perfection but a little moment
That this huge stage presenteth nought but shows
Whereon the stars in secret influence comment
When I perceive that men as plants increase
Cheered and checked even by the selfsame sky
Vaunt in their youthful sap at height decrease
And wear their brave state out of memory
Then the conceit of this inconstant stay
Sets you most rich in youth before my sight
Where wasteful Time debateth with Decay
To change your day of youth to sullied night
And all in war with Time for love of you
As he takes from you I engraft you new
16
But wherefore do not you a mightier way
Make war upon this bloody tyrant Time
And fortify yourself in your decay
With means more blessed than my barren rhyme
Now stand you on the top of happy hours
And many maiden gardens yet unset
With virtuous wish would bear you living flowers
Much liker than your painted counterfeit
So should the lines of life that life repair
Which this Times pencil or my pupil pen
Neither in inward worth nor outward fair
Can make you live yourself in eyes of men
To give away yourself keeps yourself still
And you must live drawn by your own sweet skill
17
Who will believe my verse in time to come
If it were filled with your most high deserts
Though yet heaven knows it is but as a tomb
Which hides your life and shows not half your parts
If I could write the beauty of your eyes
And in fresh numbers number all your graces
The age to come would say this poet lies
Such heavenly touches neer touched earthly faces
So should my papers yellowed with their age
Be scorned like old men of less truth than tongue
And your true rights be termed a poets rage
And stretched metre of an antique song
But were some child of yours alive that time
You should live twicein it and in my rhyme
18
Shall I compare thee to a summers day
Thou art more lovely and more temperate
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May
And summers lease hath all too short a date
Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines
And often is his gold complexion dimmed
And every fair from fair sometime declines
By chance or natures changing course untrimmed
But thy eternal summer shall not fade
Nor lose possession of that fair thou owst
Nor shall death brag thou wandrest in his shade
When in eternal lines to time thou growst
So long as men can breathe or eyes can see
So long lives this and this gives life to thee
19
Devouring Time blunt thou the lions paws
And make the earth devour her own sweet brood
Pluck the keen teeth from the fierce tigers jaws
And burn the longlived phoenix in her blood
Make glad and sorry seasons as thou fleetst
And do whateer thou wilt swiftfooted Time
To the wide world and all her fading sweets
But I forbid thee one most heinous crime
O carve not with thy hours my loves fair brow
Nor draw no lines there with thine antique pen
Him in thy course untainted do allow
For beautys pattern to succeeding men
Yet do thy worst old Time despite thy wrong
My love shall in my verse ever live young
20
A womans face with natures own hand painted
Hast thou the master mistress of my passion
A womans gentle heart but not acquainted
With shifting change as is false womens fashion
An eye more bright than theirs less false in rolling
Gilding the object whereupon it gazeth
A man in hue all hues in his controlling
Which steals mens eyes and womens souls amazeth
And for a woman wert thou first created
Till nature as she wrought thee fell adoting
And by addition me of thee defeated
By adding one thing to my purpose nothing
But since she pricked thee out for womens pleasure
Mine be thy love and thy loves use their treasure
21
So is it not with me as with that muse
Stirred by a painted beauty to his verse
Who heaven it self for ornament doth use
And every fair with his fair doth rehearse
Making a couplement of proud compare
With sun and moon with earth and seas rich gems
With Aprils firstborn flowers and all things rare
That heavens air in this huge rondure hems
O let me true in love but truly write
And then believe me my love is as fair
As any mothers child though not so bright
As those gold candles fixed in heavens air
Let them say more that like of hearsay well
I will not praise that purpose not to sell
22
My glass shall not persuade me I am old
So long as youth and thou are of one date
But when in thee times furrows I behold
Then look I death my days should expiate
For all that beauty that doth cover thee
Is but the seemly raiment of my heart
Which in thy breast doth live as thine in me
How can I then be elder than thou art
O therefore love be of thyself so wary
As I not for my self but for thee will
Bearing thy heart which I will keep so chary
As tender nurse her babe from faring ill
Presume not on thy heart when mine is slain
Thou gavst me thine not to give back again
23
As an unperfect actor on the stage
Who with his fear is put beside his part
Or some fierce thing replete with too much rage
Whose strengths abundance weakens his own heart
So I for fear of trust forget to say
The perfect ceremony of loves rite
And in mine own loves strength seem to decay
Oercharged with burthen of mine own loves might
O let my looks be then the eloquence
And dumb presagers of my speaking breast
Who plead for love and look for recompense
More than that tongue that more hath more expressed
O learn to read what silent love hath writ
To hear with eyes belongs to loves fine wit
24
Mine eye hath played the painter and hath stelled
Thy beautys form in table of my heart
My body is the frame wherein tis held
And perspective it is best painters art
For through the painter must you see his skill
To find where your true image pictured lies
Which in my bosoms shop is hanging still
That hath his windows glazed with thine eyes
Now see what good turns eyes for eyes have done
Mine eyes have drawn thy shape and thine for me
Are windows to my breast wherethrough the sun
Delights to peep to gaze therein on thee
Yet eyes this cunning want to grace their art
They draw but what they see know not the heart
25
Let those who are in favour with their stars
Of public honour and proud titles boast
Whilst I whom fortune of such triumph bars
Unlooked for joy in that I honour most
Great princes favourites their fair leaves spread
But as the marigold at the suns eye
And in themselves their pride lies buried
For at a frown they in their glory die
The painful warrior famoused for fight
After a thousand victories once foiled
Is from the book of honour razed quite
And all the rest forgot for which he toiled
Then happy I that love and am beloved
Where I may not remove nor be removed
26
Lord of my love to whom in vassalage
Thy merit hath my duty strongly knit
To thee I send this written embassage
To witness duty not to show my wit
Duty so great which wit so poor as mine
May make seem bare in wanting words to show it
But that I hope some good conceit of thine
In thy souls thought all naked will bestow it
Till whatsoever star that guides my moving
Points on me graciously with fair aspect
And puts apparel on my tattered loving
To show me worthy of thy sweet respect
Then may I dare to boast how I do love thee
Till then not show my head where thou mayst prove me
27
Weary with toil I haste me to my bed
The dear respose for limbs with travel tired
But then begins a journey in my head
To work my mind when bodys works expired
For then my thoughts from far where I abide
Intend a zealous pilgrimage to thee
And keep my drooping eyelids open wide
Looking on darkness which the blind do see
Save that my souls imaginary sight
Presents thy shadow to my sightless view
Which like a jewel hung in ghastly night
Makes black night beauteous and her old face new
Lo thus by day my limbs by night my mind
For thee and for my self no quiet find
28
How can I then return in happy plight
That am debarred the benefit of rest
When days oppression is not eased by night
But day by night and night by day oppressed
And each though enemies to eithers reign
Do in consent shake hands to torture me
The one by toil the other to complain
How far I toil still farther off from thee
I tell the day to please him thou art bright
And dost him grace when clouds do blot the heaven
So flatter I the swartcomplexioned night
When sparkling stars twire not thou gildst the even
But day doth daily draw my sorrows longer
And night doth nightly make griefs length seem stronger
29
When in disgrace with fortune and mens eyes
I all alone beweep my outcast state
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries
And look upon my self and curse my fate
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope
Featured like him like him with friends possessed
Desiring this mans art and that mans scope
With what I most enjoy contented least
Yet in these thoughts my self almost despising
Haply I think on thee and then my state
Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth sings hymns at heavens gate
For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings
30
When to the sessions of sweet silent thought
I summon up remembrance of things past
I sigh the lack of many a thing I sought
And with old woes new wail my dear times waste
Then can I drown an eye unused to flow
For precious friends hid in deaths dateless night
And weep afresh loves long since cancelled woe
And moan th expense of many a vanished sight
Then can I grieve at grievances foregone
And heavily from woe to woe tell oer
The sad account of forebemoaned moan
Which I new pay as if not paid before
But if the while I think on thee dear friend
All losses are restored and sorrows end
31
Thy bosom is endeared with all hearts
Which I by lacking have supposed dead
And there reigns love and all loves loving parts
And all those friends which I thought buried
How many a holy and obsequious tear
Hath dear religious love stoln from mine eye
As interest of the dead which now appear
But things removed that hidden in thee lie
Thou art the grave where buried love doth live
Hung with the trophies of my lovers gone
Who all their parts of me to thee did give
That due of many now is thine alone
Their images I loved I view in thee
And thou all they hast all the all of me
32
If thou survive my wellcontented day
When that churl death my bones with dust shall cover
And shalt by fortune once more resurvey
These poor rude lines of thy deceased lover
Compare them with the bettring of the time
And though they be outstripped by every pen
Reserve them for my love not for their rhyme
Exceeded by the height of happier men
O then vouchsafe me but this loving thought
Had my friends Muse grown with this growing age
A dearer birth than this his love had brought
To march in ranks of better equipage
But since he died and poets better prove
Theirs for their style Ill read his for his love
33
Full many a glorious morning have I seen
Flatter the mountain tops with sovereign eye
Kissing with golden face the meadows green
Gilding pale streams with heavenly alchemy
Anon permit the basest clouds to ride
With ugly rack on his celestial face
And from the forlorn world his visage hide
Stealing unseen to west with this disgrace
Even so my sun one early morn did shine
With all triumphant splendour on my brow
But out alack he was but one hour mine
The region cloud hath masked him from me now
Yet him for this my love no whit disdaineth
Suns of the world may stain when heavens sun staineth
34
Why didst thou promise such a beauteous day
And make me travel forth without my cloak
To let base clouds oertake me in my way
Hiding thy bravry in their rotten smoke
Tis not enough that through the cloud thou break
To dry the rain on my stormbeaten face
For no man well of such a salve can speak
That heals the wound and cures not the disgrace
Nor can thy shame give physic to my grief
Though thou repent yet I have still the loss
Th offenders sorrow lends but weak relief
To him that bears the strong offences cross
Ah but those tears are pearl which thy love sheds
And they are rich and ransom all ill deeds
35
No more be grieved at that which thou hast done
Roses have thorns and silver fountains mud
Clouds and eclipses stain both moon and sun
And loathsome canker lives in sweetest bud
All men make faults and even I in this
Authorizing thy trespass with compare
My self corrupting salving thy amiss
Excusing thy sins more than thy sins are
For to thy sensual fault I bring in sense
Thy adverse party is thy advocate
And gainst my self a lawful plea commence
Such civil war is in my love and hate
That I an accessary needs must be
To that sweet thief which sourly robs from me
36
Let me confess that we two must be twain
Although our undivided loves are one
So shall those blots that do with me remain
Without thy help by me be borne alone
In our two loves there is but one respect
Though in our lives a separable spite
Which though it alter not loves sole effect
Yet doth it steal sweet hours from loves delight
I may not evermore acknowledge thee
Lest my bewailed guilt should do thee shame
Nor thou with public kindness honour me
Unless thou take that honour from thy name
But do not so I love thee in such sort
As thou being mine mine is thy good report
37
As a decrepit father takes delight
To see his active child do deeds of youth
So I made lame by Fortunes dearest spite
Take all my comfort of thy worth and truth
For whether beauty birth or wealth or wit
Or any of these all or all or more
Entitled in thy parts do crowned sit
I make my love engrafted to this store
So then I am not lame poor nor despised
Whilst that this shadow doth such substance give
That I in thy abundance am sufficed
And by a part of all thy glory live
Look what is best that best I wish in thee
This wish I have then ten times happy me
38
How can my Muse want subject to invent
While thou dost breathe that pourst into my verse
Thine own sweet argument too excellent
For every vulgar paper to rehearse
O give thyself the thanks if aught in me
Worthy perusal stand against thy sight
For whos so dumb that cannot write to thee
When thou thyself dost give invention light
Be thou the tenth Muse ten times more in worth
Than those old nine which rhymers invocate
And he that calls on thee let him bring forth
Eternal numbers to outlive long date
If my slight Muse do please these curious days
The pain be mine but thine shall be the praise
39
O how thy worth with manners may I sing
When thou art all the better part of me
What can mine own praise to mine own self bring
And what ist but mine own when I praise thee
Even for this let us divided live
And our dear love lose name of single one
That by this separation I may give
That due to thee which thou deservst alone
O absence what a torment wouldst thou prove
Were it not thy sour leisure gave sweet leave
To entertain the time with thoughts of love
Which time and thoughts so sweetly doth deceive
And that thou teachest how to make one twain
By praising him here who doth hence remain
40
Take all my loves my love yea take them all
What hast thou then more than thou hadst before
No love my love that thou mayst true love call
All mine was thine before thou hadst this more
Then if for my love thou my love receivest
I cannot blame thee for my love thou usest
But yet be blamed if thou thyself deceivest
By wilful taste of what thyself refusest
I do forgive thy robbery gentle thief
Although thou steal thee all my poverty
And yet love knows it is a greater grief
To bear greater wrong than hates known injury
Lascivious grace in whom all ill well shows
Kill me with spites yet we must not be foes
41
Those pretty wrongs that liberty commits
When I am sometime absent from thy heart
Thy beauty and thy years full well befits
For still temptation follows where thou art
Gentle thou art and therefore to be won
Beauteous thou art therefore to be assailed
And when a woman woos what womans son
Will sourly leave her till he have prevailed
Ay me but yet thou mightst my seat forbear
And chide thy beauty and thy straying youth
Who lead thee in their riot even there
Where thou art forced to break a twofold truth
Hers by thy beauty tempting her to thee
Thine by thy beauty being false to me
42
That thou hast her it is not all my grief
And yet it may be said I loved her dearly
That she hath thee is of my wailing chief
A loss in love that touches me more nearly
Loving offenders thus I will excuse ye
Thou dost love her because thou knowst I love her
And for my sake even so doth she abuse me
Suffring my friend for my sake to approve her
If I lose thee my loss is my loves gain
And losing her my friend hath found that loss
Both find each other and I lose both twain
And both for my sake lay on me this cross
But heres the joy my friend and I are one
Sweet flattery then she loves but me alone
43
When most I wink then do mine eyes best see
For all the day they view things unrespected
But when I sleep in dreams they look on thee
And darkly bright are bright in dark directed
Then thou whose shadow shadows doth make bright
How would thy shadows form form happy show
To the clear day with thy much clearer light
When to unseeing eyes thy shade shines so
How would I say mine eyes be blessed made
By looking on thee in the living day
When in dead night thy fair imperfect shade
Through heavy sleep on sightless eyes doth stay
All days are nights to see till I see thee
And nights bright days when dreams do show thee me
44
If the dull substance of my flesh were thought
Injurious distance should not stop my way
For then despite of space I would be brought
From limits far remote where thou dost stay
No matter then although my foot did stand
Upon the farthest earth removed from thee
For nimble thought can jump both sea and land
As soon as think the place where he would be
But ah thought kills me that I am not thought
To leap large lengths of miles when thou art gone
But that so much of earth and water wrought
I must attend times leisure with my moan
Receiving nought by elements so slow
But heavy tears badges of eithers woe
45
The other two slight air and purging fire
Are both with thee wherever I abide
The first my thought the other my desire
These presentabsent with swift motion slide
For when these quicker elements are gone
In tender embassy of love to thee
My life being made of four with two alone
Sinks down to death oppressed with melancholy
Until lifes composition be recured
By those swift messengers returned from thee
Who even but now come back again assured
Of thy fair health recounting it to me
This told I joy but then no longer glad
I send them back again and straight grow sad
46
Mine eye and heart are at a mortal war
How to divide the conquest of thy sight
Mine eye my heart thy pictures sight would bar
My heart mine eye the freedom of that right
My heart doth plead that thou in him dost lie
A closet never pierced with crystal eyes
But the defendant doth that plea deny
And says in him thy fair appearance lies
To side this title is impanelled
A quest of thoughts all tenants to the heart
And by their verdict is determined
The clear eyes moiety and the dear hearts part
As thus mine eyes due is thy outward part
And my hearts right thy inward love of heart
47
Betwixt mine eye and heart a league is took
And each doth good turns now unto the other
When that mine eye is famished for a look
Or heart in love with sighs himself doth smother
With my loves picture then my eye doth feast
And to the painted banquet bids my heart
Another time mine eye is my hearts guest
And in his thoughts of love doth share a part
So either by thy picture or my love
Thyself away art present still with me
For thou not farther than my thoughts canst move
And I am still with them and they with thee
Or if they sleep thy picture in my sight
Awakes my heart to hearts and eyes delight
48
How careful was I when I took my way
Each trifle under truest bars to thrust
That to my use it might unused stay
From hands of falsehood in sure wards of trust
But thou to whom my jewels trifles are
Most worthy comfort now my greatest grief
Thou best of dearest and mine only care
Art left the prey of every vulgar thief
Thee have I not locked up in any chest
Save where thou art not though I feel thou art
Within the gentle closure of my breast
From whence at pleasure thou mayst come and part
And even thence thou wilt be stoln I fear
For truth proves thievish for a prize so dear
49
Against that time if ever that time come
When I shall see thee frown on my defects
When as thy love hath cast his utmost sum
Called to that audit by advised respects
Against that time when thou shalt strangely pass
And scarcely greet me with that sun thine eye
When love converted from the thing it was
Shall reasons find of settled gravity
Against that time do I ensconce me here
Within the knowledge of mine own desert
And this my hand against my self uprear
To guard the lawful reasons on thy part
To leave poor me thou hast the strength of laws
Since why to love I can allege no cause
50
How heavy do I journey on the way
When what I seek my weary travels end
Doth teach that case and that repose to say
Thus far the miles are measured from thy friend
The beast that bears me tired with my woe
Plods dully on to bear that weight in me
As if by some instinct the wretch did know
His rider loved not speed being made from thee
The bloody spur cannot provoke him on
That sometimes anger thrusts into his hide
Which heavily he answers with a groan
More sharp to me than spurring to his side
For that same groan doth put this in my mind
My grief lies onward and my joy behind
51
Thus can my love excuse the slow offence
Of my dull bearer when from thee I speed
From where thou art why should I haste me thence
Till I return of posting is no need
O what excuse will my poor beast then find
When swift extremity can seem but slow
Then should I spur though mounted on the wind
In winged speed no motion shall I know
Then can no horse with my desire keep pace
Therefore desire of perfectst love being made
Shall neigh no dull flesh in his fiery race
But love for love thus shall excuse my jade
Since from thee going he went wilfulslow
Towards thee Ill run and give him leave to go
52
So am I as the rich whose blessed key
Can bring him to his sweet uplocked treasure
The which he will not every hour survey
For blunting the fine point of seldom pleasure
Therefore are feasts so solemn and so rare
Since seldom coming in that long year set
Like stones of worth they thinly placed are
Or captain jewels in the carcanet
So is the time that keeps you as my chest
Or as the wardrobe which the robe doth hide
To make some special instant specialblest
By new unfolding his imprisoned pride
Blessed are you whose worthiness gives scope
Being had to triumph being lacked to hope
53
What is your substance whereof are you made
That millions of strange shadows on you tend
Since every one hath every one one shade
And you but one can every shadow lend
Describe Adonis and the counterfeit
Is poorly imitated after you
On Helens cheek all art of beauty set
And you in Grecian tires are painted new
Speak of the spring and foison of the year
The one doth shadow of your beauty show
The other as your bounty doth appear
And you in every blessed shape we know
In all external grace you have some part
But you like none none you for constant heart
54
O how much more doth beauty beauteous seem
By that sweet ornament which truth doth give
The rose looks fair but fairer we it deem
For that sweet odour which doth in it live
The canker blooms have full as deep a dye
As the perfumed tincture of the roses
Hang on such thorns and play as wantonly
When summers breath their masked buds discloses
But for their virtue only is their show
They live unwooed and unrespected fade
Die to themselves Sweet roses do not so
Of their sweet deaths are sweetest odours made
And so of you beauteous and lovely youth
When that shall fade my verse distills your truth
55
Not marble nor the gilded monuments
Of princes shall outlive this powerful rhyme
But you shall shine more bright in these contents
Than unswept stone besmeared with sluttish time
When wasteful war shall statues overturn
And broils root out the work of masonry
Nor Mars his sword nor wars quick fire shall burn
The living record of your memory
Gainst death and alloblivious enmity
Shall you pace forth your praise shall still find room
Even in the eyes of all posterity
That wear this world out to the ending doom
So till the judgement that yourself arise
You live in this and dwell in lovers eyes
56
Sweet love renew thy force be it not said
Thy edge should blunter be than appetite
Which but today by feeding is allayed
Tomorrow sharpened in his former might
So love be thou although today thou fill
Thy hungry eyes even till they wink with fulness
Tomorrow see again and do not kill
The spirit of love with a perpetual dulness
Let this sad interim like the ocean be
Which parts the shore where two contracted new
Come daily to the banks that when they see
Return of love more blest may be the view
Or call it winter which being full of care
Makes summers welcome thrice more wished more rare
57
Being your slave what should I do but tend
Upon the hours and times of your desire
I have no precious time at all to spend
Nor services to do till you require
Nor dare I chide the worldwithoutend hour
Whilst I my sovereign watch the clock for you
Nor think the bitterness of absence sour
When you have bid your servant once adieu
Nor dare I question with my jealous thought
Where you may be or your affairs suppose
But like a sad slave stay and think of nought
Save where you are how happy you make those
So true a fool is love that in your will
Though you do any thing he thinks no ill
58
That god forbid that made me first your slave
I should in thought control your times of pleasure
Or at your hand th account of hours to crave
Being your vassal bound to stay your leisure
O let me suffer being at your beck
Th imprisoned absence of your liberty
And patience tame to sufferance bide each check
Without accusing you of injury
Be where you list your charter is so strong
That you yourself may privilage your time
To what you will to you it doth belong
Yourself to pardon of selfdoing crime
I am to wait though waiting so be hell
Not blame your pleasure be it ill or well
59
If there be nothing new but that which is
Hath been before how are our brains beguiled
Which labouring for invention bear amiss
The second burthen of a former child
O that record could with a backward look
Even of five hundred courses of the sun
Show me your image in some antique book
Since mind at first in character was done
That I might see what the old world could say
To this composed wonder of your frame
Whether we are mended or whether better they
Or whether revolution be the same
O sure I am the wits of former days
To subjects worse have given admiring praise
60
Like as the waves make towards the pebbled shore
So do our minutes hasten to their end
Each changing place with that which goes before
In sequent toil all forwards do contend
Nativity once in the main of light
Crawls to maturity wherewith being crowned
Crooked eclipses gainst his glory fight
And Time that gave doth now his gift confound
Time doth transfix the flourish set on youth
And delves the parallels in beautys brow
Feeds on the rarities of natures truth
And nothing stands but for his scythe to mow
And yet to times in hope my verse shall stand
Praising thy worth despite his cruel hand
61
Is it thy will thy image should keep open
My heavy eyelids to the weary night
Dost thou desire my slumbers should be broken
While shadows like to thee do mock my sight
Is it thy spirit that thou sendst from thee
So far from home into my deeds to pry
To find out shames and idle hours in me
The scope and tenure of thy jealousy
O no thy love though much is not so great
It is my love that keeps mine eye awake
Mine own true love that doth my rest defeat
To play the watchman ever for thy sake
For thee watch I whilst thou dost wake elsewhere
From me far off with others all too near
62
Sin of selflove possesseth all mine eye
And all my soul and all my every part
And for this sin there is no remedy
It is so grounded inward in my heart
Methinks no face so gracious is as mine
No shape so true no truth of such account
And for my self mine own worth do define
As I all other in all worths surmount
But when my glass shows me my self indeed
beated and chopt with tanned antiquity
Mine own selflove quite contrary I read
Self so selfloving were iniquity
Tis thee myself that for myself I praise
Painting my age with beauty of thy days
63
Against my love shall be as I am now
With Times injurious hand crushed and oerworn
When hours have drained his blood and filled his brow
With lines and wrinkles when his youthful morn
Hath travelled on to ages steepy night
And all those beauties whereof now hes king
Are vanishing or vanished out of sight
Stealing away the treasure of his spring
For such a time do I now fortify
Against confounding ages cruel knife
That he shall never cut from memory
My sweet loves beauty though my lovers life
His beauty shall in these black lines be seen
And they shall live and he in them still green
64
When I have seen by Times fell hand defaced
The richproud cost of outworn buried age
When sometime lofty towers I see downrased
And brass eternal slave to mortal rage
When I have seen the hungry ocean gain
Advantage on the kingdom of the shore
And the firm soil win of the watery main
Increasing store with loss and loss with store
When I have seen such interchange of State
Or state it self confounded to decay
Ruin hath taught me thus to ruminate
That Time will come and take my love away
This thought is as a death which cannot choose
But weep to have that which it fears to lose
65
Since brass nor stone nor earth nor boundless sea
But sad mortality oersways their power
How with this rage shall beauty hold a plea
Whose action is no stronger than a flower
O how shall summers honey breath hold out
Against the wrackful siege of battring days
When rocks impregnable are not so stout
Nor gates of steel so strong but time decays
O fearful meditation where alack
Shall Times best jewel from Times chest lie hid
Or what strong hand can hold his swift foot back
Or who his spoil of beauty can forbid
O none unless this miracle have might
That in black ink my love may still shine bright
66
Tired with all these for restful death I cry
As to behold desert a beggar born
And needy nothing trimmed in jollity
And purest faith unhappily forsworn
And gilded honour shamefully misplaced
And maiden virtue rudely strumpeted
And right perfection wrongfully disgraced
And strength by limping sway disabled
And art made tonguetied by authority
And folly doctorlike controlling skill
And simple truth miscalled simplicity
And captive good attending captain ill
Tired with all these from these would I be gone
Save that to die I leave my love alone
67
Ah wherefore with infection should he live
And with his presence grace impiety
That sin by him advantage should achieve
And lace it self with his society
Why should false painting imitate his cheek
And steal dead seeming of his living hue
Why should poor beauty indirectly seek
Roses of shadow since his rose is true
Why should he live now nature bankrupt is
Beggared of blood to blush through lively veins
For she hath no exchequer now but his
And proud of many lives upon his gains
O him she stores to show what wealth she had
In days long since before these last so bad
68
Thus is his cheek the map of days outworn
When beauty lived and died as flowers do now
Before these bastard signs of fair were born
Or durst inhabit on a living brow
Before the golden tresses of the dead
The right of sepulchres were shorn away
To live a second life on second head
Ere beautys dead fleece made another gay
In him those holy antique hours are seen
Without all ornament it self and true
Making no summer of anothers green
Robbing no old to dress his beauty new
And him as for a map doth Nature store
To show false Art what beauty was of yore
69
Those parts of thee that the worlds eye doth view
Want nothing that the thought of hearts can mend
All tongues the voice of souls give thee that due
Uttering bare truth even so as foes commend
Thy outward thus with outward praise is crowned
But those same tongues that give thee so thine own
In other accents do this praise confound
By seeing farther than the eye hath shown
They look into the beauty of thy mind
And that in guess they measure by thy deeds
Then churls their thoughts although their eyes were kind
To thy fair flower add the rank smell of weeds
But why thy odour matcheth not thy show
The soil is this that thou dost common grow
70
That thou art blamed shall not be thy defect
For slanders mark was ever yet the fair
The ornament of beauty is suspect
A crow that flies in heavens sweetest air
So thou be good slander doth but approve
Thy worth the greater being wooed of time
For canker vice the sweetest buds doth love
And thou presentst a pure unstained prime
Thou hast passed by the ambush of young days
Either not assailed or victor being charged
Yet this thy praise cannot be so thy praise
To tie up envy evermore enlarged
If some suspect of ill masked not thy show
Then thou alone kingdoms of hearts shouldst owe
71
No longer mourn for me when I am dead
Than you shall hear the surly sullen bell
Give warning to the world that I am fled
From this vile world with vilest worms to dwell
Nay if you read this line remember not
The hand that writ it for I love you so
That I in your sweet thoughts would be forgot
If thinking on me then should make you woe
O if I say you look upon this verse
When I perhaps compounded am with clay
Do not so much as my poor name rehearse
But let your love even with my life decay
Lest the wise world should look into your moan
And mock you with me after I am gone
72
O lest the world should task you to recite
What merit lived in me that you should love
After my death dear love forget me quite
For you in me can nothing worthy prove
Unless you would devise some virtuous lie
To do more for me than mine own desert
And hang more praise upon deceased I
Than niggard truth would willingly impart
O lest your true love may seem false in this
That you for love speak well of me untrue
My name be buried where my body is
And live no more to shame nor me nor you
For I am shamed by that which I bring forth
And so should you to love things nothing worth
73
That time of year thou mayst in me behold
When yellow leaves or none or few do hang
Upon those boughs which shake against the cold
Bare ruined choirs where late the sweet birds sang
In me thou seest the twilight of such day
As after sunset fadeth in the west
Which by and by black night doth take away
Deaths second self that seals up all in rest
In me thou seest the glowing of such fire
That on the ashes of his youth doth lie
As the deathbed whereon it must expire
Consumed with that which it was nourished by
This thou perceivst which makes thy love more strong
To love that well which thou must leave ere long
74
But be contented when that fell arrest
Without all bail shall carry me away
My life hath in this line some interest
Which for memorial still with thee shall stay
When thou reviewest this thou dost review
The very part was consecrate to thee
The earth can have but earth which is his due
My spirit is thine the better part of me
So then thou hast but lost the dregs of life
The prey of worms my body being dead
The coward conquest of a wretchs knife
Too base of thee to be remembered
The worth of that is that which it contains
And that is this and this with thee remains
75
So are you to my thoughts as food to life
Or as sweetseasoned showers are to the ground
And for the peace of you I hold such strife
As twixt a miser and his wealth is found
Now proud as an enjoyer and anon
Doubting the filching age will steal his treasure
Now counting best to be with you alone
Then bettered that the world may see my pleasure
Sometime all full with feasting on your sight
And by and by clean starved for a look
Possessing or pursuing no delight
Save what is had or must from you be took
Thus do I pine and surfeit day by day
Or gluttoning on all or all away
76
Why is my verse so barren of new pride
So far from variation or quick change
Why with the time do I not glance aside
To newfound methods and to compounds strange
Why write I still all one ever the same
And keep invention in a noted weed
That every word doth almost tell my name
Showing their birth and where they did proceed
O know sweet love I always write of you
And you and love are still my argument
So all my best is dressing old words new
Spending again what is already spent
For as the sun is daily new and old
So is my love still telling what is told
77
Thy glass will show thee how thy beauties wear
Thy dial how thy precious minutes waste
These vacant leaves thy minds imprint will bear
And of this book this learning mayst thou taste
The wrinkles which thy glass will truly show
Of mouthed graves will give thee memory
Thou by thy dials shady stealth mayst know
Times thievish progress to eternity
Look what thy memory cannot contain
Commit to these waste blanks and thou shalt find
Those children nursed delivered from thy brain
To take a new acquaintance of thy mind
These offices so oft as thou wilt look
Shall profit thee and much enrich thy book
78
So oft have I invoked thee for my muse
And found such fair assistance in my verse
As every alien pen hath got my use
And under thee their poesy disperse
Thine eyes that taught the dumb on high to sing
And heavy ignorance aloft to fly
Have added feathers to the learneds wing
And given grace a double majesty
Yet be most proud of that which I compile
Whose influence is thine and born of thee
In others works thou dost but mend the style
And arts with thy sweet graces graced be
But thou art all my art and dost advance
As high as learning my rude ignorance
79
Whilst I alone did call upon thy aid
My verse alone had all thy gentle grace
But now my gracious numbers are decayed
And my sick muse doth give an other place
I grant sweet love thy lovely argument
Deserves the travail of a worthier pen
Yet what of thee thy poet doth invent
He robs thee of and pays it thee again
He lends thee virtue and he stole that word
From thy behaviour beauty doth he give
And found it in thy cheek he can afford
No praise to thee but what in thee doth live
Then thank him not for that which he doth say
Since what he owes thee thou thyself dost pay
80
O how I faint when I of you do write
Knowing a better spirit doth use your name
And in the praise thereof spends all his might
To make me tonguetied speaking of your fame
But since your worth wide as the ocean is
The humble as the proudest sail doth bear
My saucy bark inferior far to his
On your broad main doth wilfully appear
Your shallowest help will hold me up afloat
Whilst he upon your soundless deep doth ride
Or being wrecked I am a worthless boat
He of tall building and of goodly pride
Then if he thrive and I be cast away
The worst was this my love was my decay
81
Or I shall live your epitaph to make
Or you survive when I in earth am rotten
From hence your memory death cannot take
Although in me each part will be forgotten
Your name from hence immortal life shall have
Though I once gone to all the world must die
The earth can yield me but a common grave
When you entombed in mens eyes shall lie
Your monument shall be my gentle verse
Which eyes not yet created shall oerread
And tongues to be your being shall rehearse
When all the breathers of this world are dead
You still shall live such virtue hath my pen
Where breath most breathes even in the mouths of men
82
I grant thou wert not married to my muse
And therefore mayst without attaint oerlook
The dedicated words which writers use
Of their fair subject blessing every book
Thou art as fair in knowledge as in hue
Finding thy worth a limit past my praise
And therefore art enforced to seek anew
Some fresher stamp of the timebettering days
And do so love yet when they have devised
What strained touches rhetoric can lend
Thou truly fair wert truly sympathized
In true plain words by thy truetelling friend
And their gross painting might be better used
Where cheeks need blood in thee it is abused
83
I never saw that you did painting need
And therefore to your fair no painting set
I found or thought I found you did exceed
That barren tender of a poets debt
And therefore have I slept in your report
That you yourself being extant well might show
How far a modern quill doth come too short
Speaking of worth what worth in you doth grow
This silence for my sin you did impute
Which shall be most my glory being dumb
For I impair not beauty being mute
When others would give life and bring a tomb
There lives more life in one of your fair eyes
Than both your poets can in praise devise
84
Who is it that says most which can say more
Than this rich praise that you alone are you
In whose confine immured is the store
Which should example where your equal grew
Lean penury within that pen doth dwell
That to his subject lends not some small glory
But he that writes of you if he can tell
That you are you so dignifies his story
Let him but copy what in you is writ
Not making worse what nature made so clear
And such a counterpart shall fame his wit
Making his style admired every where
You to your beauteous blessings add a curse
Being fond on praise which makes your praises worse
85
My tonguetied muse in manners holds her still
While comments of your praise richly compiled
Reserve their character with golden quill
And precious phrase by all the Muses filed
I think good thoughts whilst other write good words
And like unlettered clerk still cry Amen
To every hymn that able spirit affords
In polished form of well refined pen
Hearing you praised I say tis so tis true
And to the most of praise add something more
But that is in my thought whose love to you
Though words come hindmost holds his rank before
Then others for the breath of words respect
Me for my dumb thoughts speaking in effect
86
Was it the proud full sail of his great verse
Bound for the prize of all too precious you
That did my ripe thoughts in my brain inhearse
Making their tomb the womb wherein they grew
Was it his spirit by spirits taught to write
Above a mortal pitch that struck me dead
No neither he nor his compeers by night
Giving him aid my verse astonished
He nor that affable familiar ghost
Which nightly gulls him with intelligence
As victors of my silence cannot boast
I was not sick of any fear from thence
But when your countenance filled up his line
Then lacked I matter that enfeebled mine
87
Farewell thou art too dear for my possessing
And like enough thou knowst thy estimate
The charter of thy worth gives thee releasing
My bonds in thee are all determinate
For how do I hold thee but by thy granting
And for that riches where is my deserving
The cause of this fair gift in me is wanting
And so my patent back again is swerving
Thyself thou gavst thy own worth then not knowing
Or me to whom thou gavst it else mistaking
So thy great gift upon misprision growing
Comes home again on better judgement making
Thus have I had thee as a dream doth flatter
In sleep a king but waking no such matter
88
When thou shalt be disposed to set me light
And place my merit in the eye of scorn
Upon thy side against my self Ill fight
And prove thee virtuous though thou art forsworn
With mine own weakness being best acquainted
Upon thy part I can set down a story
Of faults concealed wherein I am attainted
That thou in losing me shalt win much glory
And I by this will be a gainer too
For bending all my loving thoughts on thee
The injuries that to my self I do
Doing thee vantage doublevantage me
Such is my love to thee I so belong
That for thy right my self will bear all wrong
89
Say that thou didst forsake me for some fault
And I will comment upon that offence
Speak of my lameness and I straight will halt
Against thy reasons making no defence
Thou canst not love disgrace me half so ill
To set a form upon desired change
As Ill my self disgrace knowing thy will
I will acquaintance strangle and look strange
Be absent from thy walks and in my tongue
Thy sweet beloved name no more shall dwell
Lest I too much profane should do it wrong
And haply of our old acquaintance tell
For thee against my self Ill vow debate
For I must neer love him whom thou dost hate
90
Then hate me when thou wilt if ever now
Now while the world is bent my deeds to cross
join with the spite of fortune make me bow
And do not drop in for an afterloss
Ah do not when my heart hath scaped this sorrow
Come in the rearward of a conquered woe
Give not a windy night a rainy morrow
To linger out a purposed overthrow
If thou wilt leave me do not leave me last
When other petty griefs have done their spite
But in the onset come so shall I taste
At first the very worst of fortunes might
And other strains of woe which now seem woe
Compared with loss of thee will not seem so
91
Some glory in their birth some in their skill
Some in their wealth some in their bodys force
Some in their garments though newfangled ill
Some in their hawks and hounds some in their horse
And every humour hath his adjunct pleasure
Wherein it finds a joy above the rest
But these particulars are not my measure
All these I better in one general best
Thy love is better than high birth to me
Richer than wealth prouder than garments costs
Of more delight than hawks and horses be
And having thee of all mens pride I boast
Wretched in this alone that thou mayst take
All this away and me most wretched make
92
But do thy worst to steal thyself away
For term of life thou art assured mine
And life no longer than thy love will stay
For it depends upon that love of thine
Then need I not to fear the worst of wrongs
When in the least of them my life hath end
I see a better state to me belongs
Than that which on thy humour doth depend
Thou canst not vex me with inconstant mind
Since that my life on thy revolt doth lie
O what a happy title do I find
Happy to have thy love happy to die
But whats so blessedfair that fears no blot
Thou mayst be false and yet I know it not
93
So shall I live supposing thou art true
Like a deceived husband so loves face
May still seem love to me though altered new
Thy looks with me thy heart in other place
For there can live no hatred in thine eye
Therefore in that I cannot know thy change
In manys looks the false hearts history
Is writ in moods and frowns and wrinkles strange
But heaven in thy creation did decree
That in thy face sweet love should ever dwell
Whateer thy thoughts or thy hearts workings be
Thy looks should nothing thence but sweetness tell
How like Eves apple doth thy beauty grow
If thy sweet virtue answer not thy show
94
They that have power to hurt and will do none
That do not do the thing they most do show
Who moving others are themselves as stone
Unmoved cold and to temptation slow
They rightly do inherit heavens graces
And husband natures riches from expense
They are the lords and owners of their faces
Others but stewards of their excellence
The summers flower is to the summer sweet
Though to it self it only live and die
But if that flower with base infection meet
The basest weed outbraves his dignity
For sweetest things turn sourest by their deeds
Lilies that fester smell far worse than weeds
95
How sweet and lovely dost thou make the shame
Which like a canker in the fragrant rose
Doth spot the beauty of thy budding name
O in what sweets dost thou thy sins enclose
That tongue that tells the story of thy days
Making lascivious comments on thy sport
Cannot dispraise but in a kind of praise
Naming thy name blesses an ill report
O what a mansion have those vices got
Which for their habitation chose out thee
Where beautys veil doth cover every blot
And all things turns to fair that eyes can see
Take heed dear heart of this large privilege
The hardest knife illused doth lose his edge
96
Some say thy fault is youth some wantonness
Some say thy grace is youth and gentle sport
Both grace and faults are loved of more and less
Thou makst faults graces that to thee resort
As on the finger of a throned queen
The basest jewel will be well esteemed
So are those errors that in thee are seen
To truths translated and for true things deemed
How many lambs might the stern wolf betray
If like a lamb he could his looks translate
How many gazers mightst thou lead away
If thou wouldst use the strength of all thy state
But do not so I love thee in such sort
As thou being mine mine is thy good report
97
How like a winter hath my absence been
From thee the pleasure of the fleeting year
What freezings have I felt what dark days seen
What old Decembers bareness everywhere
And yet this time removed was summers time
The teeming autumn big with rich increase
Bearing the wanton burden of the prime
Like widowed wombs after their lords decease
Yet this abundant issue seemed to me
But hope of orphans and unfathered fruit
For summer and his pleasures wait on thee
And thou away the very birds are mute
Or if they sing tis with so dull a cheer
That leaves look pale dreading the winters near
98
From you have I been absent in the spring
When proudpied April dressed in all his trim
Hath put a spirit of youth in every thing
That heavy Saturn laughed and leaped with him
Yet nor the lays of birds nor the sweet smell
Of different flowers in odour and in hue
Could make me any summers story tell
Or from their proud lap pluck them where they grew
Nor did I wonder at the lilys white
Nor praise the deep vermilion in the rose
They were but sweet but figures of delight
Drawn after you you pattern of all those
Yet seemed it winter still and you away
As with your shadow I with these did play
99
The forward violet thus did I chide
Sweet thief whence didst thou steal thy sweet that smells
If not from my loves breath The purple pride
Which on thy soft cheek for complexion dwells
In my loves veins thou hast too grossly dyed
The lily I condemned for thy hand
And buds of marjoram had stoln thy hair
The roses fearfully on thorns did stand
One blushing shame another white despair
A third nor red nor white had stoln of both
And to his robbery had annexed thy breath
But for his theft in pride of all his growth
A vengeful canker eat him up to death
More flowers I noted yet I none could see
But sweet or colour it had stoln from thee
100
Where art thou Muse that thou forgetst so long
To speak of that which gives thee all thy might
Spendst thou thy fury on some worthless song
Darkening thy power to lend base subjects light
Return forgetful Muse and straight redeem
In gentle numbers time so idly spent
Sing to the ear that doth thy lays esteem
And gives thy pen both skill and argument
Rise resty Muse my loves sweet face survey
If time have any wrinkle graven there
If any be a satire to decay
And make times spoils despised everywhere
Give my love fame faster than Time wastes life
So thou preventst his scythe and crooked knife
101
O truant Muse what shall be thy amends
For thy neglect of truth in beauty dyed
Both truth and beauty on my love depends
So dost thou too and therein dignified
Make answer Muse wilt thou not haply say
Truth needs no colour with his colour fixed
Beauty no pencil beautys truth to lay
But best is best if never intermixed
Because he needs no praise wilt thou be dumb
Excuse not silence so fort lies in thee
To make him much outlive a gilded tomb
And to be praised of ages yet to be
Then do thy office Muse I teach thee how
To make him seem long hence as he shows now
102
My love is strengthened though more weak in seeming
I love not less though less the show appear
That love is merchandized whose rich esteeming
The owners tongue doth publish every where
Our love was new and then but in the spring
When I was wont to greet it with my lays
As Philomel in summers front doth sing
And stops her pipe in growth of riper days
Not that the summer is less pleasant now
Than when her mournful hymns did hush the night
But that wild music burthens every bough
And sweets grown common lose their dear delight
Therefore like her I sometime hold my tongue
Because I would not dull you with my song
103
Alack what poverty my muse brings forth
That having such a scope to show her pride
The argument all bare is of more worth
Than when it hath my added praise beside
O blame me not if I no more can write
Look in your glass and there appears a face
That overgoes my blunt invention quite
Dulling my lines and doing me disgrace
Were it not sinful then striving to mend
To mar the subject that before was well
For to no other pass my verses tend
Than of your graces and your gifts to tell
And more much more than in my verse can sit
Your own glass shows you when you look in it
104
To me fair friend you never can be old
For as you were when first your eye I eyed
Such seems your beauty still three winters cold
Have from the forests shook three summers pride
Three beauteous springs to yellow autumn turned
In process of the seasons have I seen
Three April perfumes in three hot Junes burned
Since first I saw you fresh which yet are green
Ah yet doth beauty like a dial hand
Steal from his figure and no pace perceived
So your sweet hue which methinks still doth stand
Hath motion and mine eye may be deceived
For fear of which hear this thou age unbred
Ere you were born was beautys summer dead
105
Let not my love be called idolatry
Nor my beloved as an idol show
Since all alike my songs and praises be
To one of one still such and ever so
Kind is my love today tomorrow kind
Still constant in a wondrous excellence
Therefore my verse to constancy confined
One thing expressing leaves out difference
Fair kind and true is all my argument
Fair kind and true varying to other words
And in this change is my invention spent
Three themes in one which wondrous scope affords
Fair kind and true have often lived alone
Which three till now never kept seat in one
106
When in the chronicle of wasted time
I see descriptions of the fairest wights
And beauty making beautiful old rhyme
In praise of ladies dead and lovely knights
Then in the blazon of sweet beautys best
Of hand of foot of lip of eye of brow
I see their antique pen would have expressed
Even such a beauty as you master now
So all their praises are but prophecies
Of this our time all you prefiguring
And for they looked but with divining eyes
They had not skill enough your worth to sing
For we which now behold these present days
Have eyes to wonder but lack tongues to praise
107
Not mine own fears nor the prophetic soul
Of the wide world dreaming on things to come
Can yet the lease of my true love control
Supposed as forfeit to a confined doom
The mortal moon hath her eclipse endured
And the sad augurs mock their own presage
Incertainties now crown themselves assured
And peace proclaims olives of endless age
Now with the drops of this most balmy time
My love looks fresh and death to me subscribes
Since spite of him Ill live in this poor rhyme
While he insults oer dull and speechless tribes
And thou in this shalt find thy monument
When tyrants crests and tombs of brass are spent
108
Whats in the brain that ink may character
Which hath not figured to thee my true spirit
Whats new to speak what now to register
That may express my love or thy dear merit
Nothing sweet boy but yet like prayers divine
I must each day say oer the very same
Counting no old thing old thou mine I thine
Even as when first I hallowed thy fair name
So that eternal love in loves fresh case
Weighs not the dust and injury of age
Nor gives to necessary wrinkles place
But makes antiquity for aye his page
Finding the first conceit of love there bred
Where time and outward form would show it dead
109
O never say that I was false of heart
Though absence seemed my flame to qualify
As easy might I from my self depart
As from my soul which in thy breast doth lie
That is my home of love if I have ranged
Like him that travels I return again
Just to the time not with the time exchanged
So that my self bring water for my stain
Never believe though in my nature reigned
All frailties that besiege all kinds of blood
That it could so preposterously be stained
To leave for nothing all thy sum of good
For nothing this wide universe I call
Save thou my rose in it thou art my all
110
Alas tis true I have gone here and there
And made my self a motley to the view
Gored mine own thoughts sold cheap what is most dear
Made old offences of affections new
Most true it is that I have looked on truth
Askance and strangely but by all above
These blenches gave my heart another youth
And worse essays proved thee my best of love
Now all is done have what shall have no end
Mine appetite I never more will grind
On newer proof to try an older friend
A god in love to whom I am confined
Then give me welcome next my heaven the best
Even to thy pure and most most loving breast
111
O for my sake do you with Fortune chide
The guilty goddess of my harmful deeds
That did not better for my life provide
Than public means which public manners breeds
Thence comes it that my name receives a brand
And almost thence my nature is subdued
To what it works in like the dyers hand
Pity me then and wish I were renewed
Whilst like a willing patient I will drink
Potions of eisel gainst my strong infection
No bitterness that I will bitter think
Nor double penance to correct correction
Pity me then dear friend and I assure ye
Even that your pity is enough to cure me
112
Your love and pity doth th impression fill
Which vulgar scandal stamped upon my brow
For what care I who calls me well or ill
So you oergreen my bad my good allow
You are my all the world and I must strive
To know my shames and praises from your tongue
None else to me nor I to none alive
That my steeled sense or changes right or wrong
In so profound abysm I throw all care
Of others voices that my adders sense
To critic and to flatterer stopped are
Mark how with my neglect I do dispense
You are so strongly in my purpose bred
That all the world besides methinks are dead
113
Since I left you mine eye is in my mind
And that which governs me to go about
Doth part his function and is partly blind
Seems seeing but effectually is out
For it no form delivers to the heart
Of bird of flower or shape which it doth latch
Of his quick objects hath the mind no part
Nor his own vision holds what it doth catch
For if it see the rudst or gentlest sight
The most sweet favour or deformedst creature
The mountain or the sea the day or night
The crow or dove it shapes them to your feature
Incapable of more replete with you
My most true mind thus maketh mine untrue
114
Or whether doth my mind being crowned with you
Drink up the monarchs plague this flattery
Or whether shall I say mine eye saith true
And that your love taught it this alchemy
To make of monsters and things indigest
Such cherubins as your sweet self resemble
Creating every bad a perfect best
As fast as objects to his beams assemble
O tis the first tis flattery in my seeing
And my great mind most kingly drinks it up
Mine eye well knows what with his gust is greeing
And to his palate doth prepare the cup
If it be poisoned tis the lesser sin
That mine eye loves it and doth first begin
115
Those lines that I before have writ do lie
Even those that said I could not love you dearer
Yet then my judgement knew no reason why
My most full flame should afterwards burn clearer
But reckoning time whose millioned accidents
Creep in twixt vows and change decrees of kings
Tan sacred beauty blunt the sharpst intents
Divert strong minds to the course of altring things
Alas why fearing of times tyranny
Might I not then say Now I love you best
When I was certain oer incertainty
Crowning the present doubting of the rest
Love is a babe then might I not say so
To give full growth to that which still doth grow
116
Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds
Or bends with the remover to remove
O no it is an everfixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken
It is the star to every wandring bark
Whose worths unknown although his height be taken
Loves not Times fool though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickles compass come
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks
But bears it out even to the edge of doom
If this be error and upon me proved
I never writ nor no man ever loved
117
Accuse me thus that I have scanted all
Wherein I should your great deserts repay
Forgot upon your dearest love to call
Whereto all bonds do tie me day by day
That I have frequent been with unknown minds
And given to time your own dearpurchased right
That I have hoisted sail to all the winds
Which should transport me farthest from your sight
Book both my wilfulness and errors down
And on just proof surmise accumulate
Bring me within the level of your frown
But shoot not at me in your wakened hate
Since my appeal says I did strive to prove
The constancy and virtue of your love
118
Like as to make our appetite more keen
With eager compounds we our palate urge
As to prevent our maladies unseen
We sicken to shun sickness when we purge
Even so being full of your neercloying sweetness
To bitter sauces did I frame my feeding
And sick of welfare found a kind of meetness
To be diseased ere that there was true needing
Thus policy in love t anticipate
The ills that were not grew to faults assured
And brought to medicine a healthful state
Which rank of goodness would by ill be cured
But thence I learn and find the lesson true
Drugs poison him that so fell sick of you
119
What potions have I drunk of Siren tears
Distilled from limbecks foul as hell within
Applying fears to hopes and hopes to fears
Still losing when I saw my self to win
What wretched errors hath my heart committed
Whilst it hath thought it self so blessed never
How have mine eyes out of their spheres been fitted
In the distraction of this madding fever
O benefit of ill now I find true
That better is by evil still made better
And ruined love when it is built anew
Grows fairer than at first more strong far greater
So I return rebuked to my content
And gain by ills thrice more than I have spent
120
That you were once unkind befriends me now
And for that sorrow which I then did feel
Needs must I under my transgression bow
Unless my nerves were brass or hammered steel
For if you were by my unkindness shaken
As I by yours yhave passed a hell of time
And I a tyrant have no leisure taken
To weigh how once I suffered in your crime
O that our night of woe might have remembered
My deepest sense how hard true sorrow hits
And soon to you as you to me then tendered
The humble salve which wounded bosoms fits
But that your trespass now becomes a fee
Mine ransoms yours and yours must ransom me
121
Tis better to be vile than vile esteemed
When not to be receives reproach of being
And the just pleasure lost which is so deemed
Not by our feeling but by others seeing
For why should others false adulterate eyes
Give salutation to my sportive blood
Or on my frailties why are frailer spies
Which in their wills count bad what I think good
No I am that I am and they that level
At my abuses reckon up their own
I may be straight though they themselves be bevel
By their rank thoughts my deeds must not be shown
Unless this general evil they maintain
All men are bad and in their badness reign
122
Thy gift thy tables are within my brain
Full charactered with lasting memory
Which shall above that idle rank remain
Beyond all date even to eternity
Or at the least so long as brain and heart
Have faculty by nature to subsist
Till each to razed oblivion yield his part
Of thee thy record never can be missed
That poor retention could not so much hold
Nor need I tallies thy dear love to score
Therefore to give them from me was I bold
To trust those tables that receive thee more
To keep an adjunct to remember thee
Were to import forgetfulness in me
123
No Time thou shalt not boast that I do change
Thy pyramids built up with newer might
To me are nothing novel nothing strange
They are but dressings of a former sight
Our dates are brief and therefore we admire
What thou dost foist upon us that is old
And rather make them born to our desire
Than think that we before have heard them told
Thy registers and thee I both defy
Not wondring at the present nor the past
For thy records and what we see doth lie
Made more or less by thy continual haste
This I do vow and this shall ever be
I will be true despite thy scythe and thee
124
If my dear love were but the child of state
It might for Fortunes bastard be unfathered
As subject to times love or to times hate
Weeds among weeds or flowers with flowers gathered
No it was builded far from accident
It suffers not in smiling pomp nor falls
Under the blow of thralled discontent
Whereto th inviting time our fashion calls
It fears not policy that heretic
Which works on leases of shortnumbered hours
But all alone stands hugely politic
That it nor grows with heat nor drowns with showers
To this I witness call the fools of time
Which die for goodness who have lived for crime
125
Weret aught to me I bore the canopy
With my extern the outward honouring
Or laid great bases for eternity
Which proves more short than waste or ruining
Have I not seen dwellers on form and favour
Lose all and more by paying too much rent
For compound sweet forgoing simple savour
Pitiful thrivers in their gazing spent
No let me be obsequious in thy heart
And take thou my oblation poor but free
Which is not mixed with seconds knows no art
But mutual render only me for thee
Hence thou suborned informer a true soul
When most impeached stands least in thy control
126
O thou my lovely boy who in thy power
Dost hold Times fickle glass his fickle hour
Who hast by waning grown and therein showst
Thy lovers withering as thy sweet self growst
If Nature sovereign mistress over wrack
As thou goest onwards still will pluck thee back
She keeps thee to this purpose that her skill
May time disgrace and wretched minutes kill
Yet fear her O thou minion of her pleasure
She may detain but not still keep her treasure
Her audit though delayed answered must be
And her quietus is to render thee
127
In the old age black was not counted fair
Or if it were it bore not beautys name
But now is black beautys successive heir
And beauty slandered with a bastard shame
For since each hand hath put on natures power
Fairing the foul with arts false borrowed face
Sweet beauty hath no name no holy bower
But is profaned if not lives in disgrace
Therefore my mistress eyes are raven black
Her eyes so suited and they mourners seem
At such who not born fair no beauty lack
Slandering creation with a false esteem
Yet so they mourn becoming of their woe
That every tongue says beauty should look so
128
How oft when thou my music music playst
Upon that blessed wood whose motion sounds
With thy sweet fingers when thou gently swayst
The wiry concord that mine ear confounds
Do I envy those jacks that nimble leap
To kiss the tender inward of thy hand
Whilst my poor lips which should that harvest reap
At the woods boldness by thee blushing stand
To be so tickled they would change their state
And situation with those dancing chips
Oer whom thy fingers walk with gentle gait
Making dead wood more blest than living lips
Since saucy jacks so happy are in this
Give them thy fingers me thy lips to kiss
129
Th expense of spirit in a waste of shame
Is lust in action and till action lust
Is perjured murdrous bloody full of blame
Savage extreme rude cruel not to trust
Enjoyed no sooner but despised straight
Past reason hunted and no sooner had
Past reason hated as a swallowed bait
On purpose laid to make the taker mad
Mad in pursuit and in possession so
Had having and in quest to have extreme
A bliss in proof and proved a very woe
Before a joy proposed behind a dream
All this the world well knows yet none knows well
To shun the heaven that leads men to this hell
130
My mistress eyes are nothing like the sun
Coral is far more red than her lips red
If snow be white why then her breasts are dun
If hairs be wires black wires grow on her head
I have seen roses damasked red and white
But no such roses see I in her cheeks
And in some perfumes is there more delight
Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks
I love to hear her speak yet well I know
That music hath a far more pleasing sound
I grant I never saw a goddess go
My mistress when she walks treads on the ground
And yet by heaven I think my love as rare
As any she belied with false compare
131
Thou art as tyrannous so as thou art
As those whose beauties proudly make them cruel
For well thou knowst to my dear doting heart
Thou art the fairest and most precious jewel
Yet in good faith some say that thee behold
Thy face hath not the power to make love groan
To say they err I dare not be so bold
Although I swear it to my self alone
And to be sure that is not false I swear
A thousand groans but thinking on thy face
One on anothers neck do witness bear
Thy black is fairest in my judgements place
In nothing art thou black save in thy deeds
And thence this slander as I think proceeds
132
Thine eyes I love and they as pitying me
Knowing thy heart torment me with disdain
Have put on black and loving mourners be
Looking with pretty ruth upon my pain
And truly not the morning sun of heaven
Better becomes the grey cheeks of the east
Nor that full star that ushers in the even
Doth half that glory to the sober west
As those two mourning eyes become thy face
O let it then as well beseem thy heart
To mourn for me since mourning doth thee grace
And suit thy pity like in every part
Then will I swear beauty herself is black
And all they foul that thy complexion lack
133
Beshrew that heart that makes my heart to groan
For that deep wound it gives my friend and me
Ist not enough to torture me alone
But slave to slavery my sweetst friend must be
Me from my self thy cruel eye hath taken
And my next self thou harder hast engrossed
Of him my self and thee I am forsaken
A torment thrice threefold thus to be crossed
Prison my heart in thy steel bosoms ward
But then my friends heart let my poor heart bail
Whoeer keeps me let my heart be his guard
Thou canst not then use rigour in my gaol
And yet thou wilt for I being pent in thee
Perforce am thine and all that is in me
134
So now I have confessed that he is thine
And I my self am mortgaged to thy will
My self Ill forfeit so that other mine
Thou wilt restore to be my comfort still
But thou wilt not nor he will not be free
For thou art covetous and he is kind
He learned but suretylike to write for me
Under that bond that him as fist doth bind
The statute of thy beauty thou wilt take
Thou usurer that putst forth all to use
And sue a friend came debtor for my sake
So him I lose through my unkind abuse
Him have I lost thou hast both him and me
He pays the whole and yet am I not free
135
Whoever hath her wish thou hast thy will
And Will to boot and Will in overplus
More than enough am I that vex thee still
To thy sweet will making addition thus
Wilt thou whose will is large and spacious
Not once vouchsafe to hide my will in thine
Shall will in others seem right gracious
And in my will no fair acceptance shine
The sea all water yet receives rain still
And in abundance addeth to his store
So thou being rich in will add to thy will
One will of mine to make thy large will more
Let no unkind no fair beseechers kill
Think all but one and me in that one Will
136
If thy soul check thee that I come so near
Swear to thy blind soul that I was thy Will
And will thy soul knows is admitted there
Thus far for love my lovesuit sweet fulfil
Will will fulfil the treasure of thy love
Ay fill it full with wills and my will one
In things of great receipt with case we prove
Among a number one is reckoned none
Then in the number let me pass untold
Though in thy stores account I one must be
For nothing hold me so it please thee hold
That nothing me a something sweet to thee
Make but my name thy love and love that still
And then thou lovst me for my name is Will
137
Thou blind fool Love what dost thou to mine eyes
That they behold and see not what they see
They know what beauty is see where it lies
Yet what the best is take the worst to be
If eyes corrupt by overpartial looks
Be anchored in the bay where all men ride
Why of eyes falsehood hast thou forged hooks
Whereto the judgement of my heart is tied
Why should my heart think that a several plot
Which my heart knows the wide worlds common place
Or mine eyes seeing this say this is not
To put fair truth upon so foul a face
In things right true my heart and eyes have erred
And to this false plague are they now transferred
138
When my love swears that she is made of truth
I do believe her though I know she lies
That she might think me some untutored youth
Unlearned in the worlds false subtleties
Thus vainly thinking that she thinks me young
Although she knows my days are past the best
Simply I credit her falsespeaking tongue
On both sides thus is simple truth suppressed
But wherefore says she not she is unjust
And wherefore say not I that I am old
O loves best habit is in seeming trust
And age in love loves not to have years told
Therefore I lie with her and she with me
And in our faults by lies we flattered be
139
O call not me to justify the wrong
That thy unkindness lays upon my heart
Wound me not with thine eye but with thy tongue
Use power with power and slay me not by art
Tell me thou lovst elsewhere but in my sight
Dear heart forbear to glance thine eye aside
What needst thou wound with cunning when thy might
Is more than my oerpressed defence can bide
Let me excuse thee ah my love well knows
Her pretty looks have been mine enemies
And therefore from my face she turns my foes
That they elsewhere might dart their injuries
Yet do not so but since I am near slain
Kill me outright with looks and rid my pain
140
Be wise as thou art cruel do not press
My tonguetied patience with too much disdain
Lest sorrow lend me words and words express
The manner of my pitywanting pain
If I might teach thee wit better it were
Though not to love yet love to tell me so
As testy sick men when their deaths be near
No news but health from their physicians know
For if I should despair I should grow mad
And in my madness might speak ill of thee
Now this illwresting world is grown so bad
Mad slanderers by mad ears believed be
That I may not be so nor thou belied
Bear thine eyes straight though thy proud heart go wide
141
In faith I do not love thee with mine eyes
For they in thee a thousand errors note
But tis my heart that loves what they despise
Who in despite of view is pleased to dote
Nor are mine ears with thy tongues tune delighted
Nor tender feeling to base touches prone
Nor taste nor smell desire to be invited
To any sensual feast with thee alone
But my five wits nor my five senses can
Dissuade one foolish heart from serving thee
Who leaves unswayed the likeness of a man
Thy proud hearts slave and vassal wretch to be
Only my plague thus far I count my gain
That she that makes me sin awards me pain
142
Love is my sin and thy dear virtue hate
Hate of my sin grounded on sinful loving
O but with mine compare thou thine own state
And thou shalt find it merits not reproving
Or if it do not from those lips of thine
That have profaned their scarlet ornaments
And sealed false bonds of love as oft as mine
Robbed others beds revenues of their rents
Be it lawful I love thee as thou lovst those
Whom thine eyes woo as mine importune thee
Root pity in thy heart that when it grows
Thy pity may deserve to pitied be
If thou dost seek to have what thou dost hide
By selfexample mayst thou be denied
143
Lo as a careful huswife runs to catch
One of her feathered creatures broke away
Sets down her babe and makes all swift dispatch
In pursuit of the thing she would have stay
Whilst her neglected child holds her in chase
Cries to catch her whose busy care is bent
To follow that which flies before her face
Not prizing her poor infants discontent
So runst thou after that which flies from thee
Whilst I thy babe chase thee afar behind
But if thou catch thy hope turn back to me
And play the mothers part kiss me be kind
So will I pray that thou mayst have thy Will
If thou turn back and my loud crying still
144
Two loves I have of comfort and despair
Which like two spirits do suggest me still
The better angel is a man right fair
The worser spirit a woman coloured ill
To win me soon to hell my female evil
Tempteth my better angel from my side
And would corrupt my saint to be a devil
Wooing his purity with her foul pride
And whether that my angel be turned fiend
Suspect I may yet not directly tell
But being both from me both to each friend
I guess one angel in anothers hell
Yet this shall I neer know but live in doubt
Till my bad angel fire my good one out
145
Those lips that Loves own hand did make
Breathed forth the sound that said I hate
To me that languished for her sake
But when she saw my woeful state
Straight in her heart did mercy come
Chiding that tongue that ever sweet
Was used in giving gentle doom
And taught it thus anew to greet
I hate she altered with an end
That followed it as gentle day
Doth follow night who like a fiend
From heaven to hell is flown away
I hate from hate away she threw
And saved my life saying not you
146
Poor soul the centre of my sinful earth
My sinful earth these rebel powers array
Why dost thou pine within and suffer dearth
Painting thy outward walls so costly gay
Why so large cost having so short a lease
Dost thou upon thy fading mansion spend
Shall worms inheritors of this excess
Eat up thy charge is this thy bodys end
Then soul live thou upon thy servants loss
And let that pine to aggravate thy store
Buy terms divine in selling hours of dross
Within be fed without be rich no more
So shall thou feed on death that feeds on men
And death once dead theres no more dying then
147
My love is as a fever longing still
For that which longer nurseth the disease
Feeding on that which doth preserve the ill
Th uncertain sickly appetite to please
My reason the physician to my love
Angry that his prescriptions are not kept
Hath left me and I desperate now approve
Desire is death which physic did except
Past cure I am now reason is past care
And franticmad with evermore unrest
My thoughts and my discourse as mad mens are
At random from the truth vainly expressed
For I have sworn thee fair and thought thee bright
Who art as black as hell as dark as night
148
O me what eyes hath love put in my head
Which have no correspondence with true sight
Or if they have where is my judgement fled
That censures falsely what they see aright
If that be fair whereon my false eyes dote
What means the world to say it is not so
If it be not then love doth well denote
Loves eye is not so true as all mens no
How can it O how can loves eye be true
That is so vexed with watching and with tears
No marvel then though I mistake my view
The sun it self sees not till heaven clears
O cunning love with tears thou keepst me blind
Lest eyes wellseeing thy foul faults should find
149
Canst thou O cruel say I love thee not
When I against my self with thee partake
Do I not think on thee when I forgot
Am of my self alltyrant for thy sake
Who hateth thee that I do call my friend
On whom frownst thou that I do fawn upon
Nay if thou lourst on me do I not spend
Revenge upon my self with present moan
What merit do I in my self respect
That is so proud thy service to despise
When all my best doth worship thy defect
Commanded by the motion of thine eyes
But love hate on for now I know thy mind
Those that can see thou lovst and I am blind
150
O from what power hast thou this powerful might
With insufficiency my heart to sway
To make me give the lie to my true sight
And swear that brightness doth not grace the day
Whence hast thou this becoming of things ill
That in the very refuse of thy deeds
There is such strength and warrantise of skill
That in my mind thy worst all best exceeds
Who taught thee how to make me love thee more
The more I hear and see just cause of hate
O though I love what others do abhor
With others thou shouldst not abhor my state
If thy unworthiness raised love in me
More worthy I to be beloved of thee
151
Love is too young to know what conscience is
Yet who knows not conscience is born of love
Then gentle cheater urge not my amiss
Lest guilty of my faults thy sweet self prove
For thou betraying me I do betray
My nobler part to my gross bodys treason
My soul doth tell my body that he may
Triumph in love flesh stays no farther reason
But rising at thy name doth point out thee
As his triumphant prize proud of this pride
He is contented thy poor drudge to be
To stand in thy affairs fall by thy side
No want of conscience hold it that I call
Her love for whose dear love I rise and fall
152
In loving thee thou knowst I am forsworn
But thou art twice forsworn to me love swearing
In act thy bedvow broke and new faith torn
In vowing new hate after new love bearing
But why of two oaths breach do I accuse thee
When I break twenty I am perjured most
For all my vows are oaths but to misuse thee
And all my honest faith in thee is lost
For I have sworn deep oaths of thy deep kindness
Oaths of thy love thy truth thy constancy
And to enlighten thee gave eyes to blindness
Or made them swear against the thing they see
For I have sworn thee fair more perjured I
To swear against the truth so foul a lie
153
Cupid laid by his brand and fell asleep
A maid of Dians this advantage found
And his lovekindling fire did quickly steep
In a cold valleyfountain of that ground
Which borrowed from this holy fire of Love
A dateless lively heat still to endure
And grew a seething bath which yet men prove
Against strange maladies a sovereign cure
But at my mistress eye Loves brand newfired
The boy for trial needs would touch my breast
I sick withal the help of bath desired
And thither hied a sad distempered guest
But found no cure the bath for my help lies
Where Cupid got new fire my mistress eyes
154
The little Lovegod lying once asleep
Laid by his side his heartinflaming brand
Whilst many nymphs that vowed chaste life to keep
Came tripping by but in her maiden hand
The fairest votary took up that fire
Which many legions of true hearts had warmed
And so the general of hot desire
Was sleeping by a virgin hand disarmed
This brand she quenched in a cool well by
Which from Loves fire took heat perpetual
Growing a bath and healthful remedy
For men diseased but I my mistress thrall
Came there for cure and this by that I prove
Loves fire heats water water cools not love
THE END
ALLS WELL THAT ENDS WELL
Contents
ACT I
Scene I Rossillon A room in the Countesss palace
Scene II Paris A room in the Kings palace
Scene III Rossillon A Room in the Palace
ACT II
Scene I Paris A room in the Kings palace
Scene II Rossillon A room in the Countesss palace
Scene III Paris The Kings palace
Scene IV Paris The Kings palace
Scene V Another room in the same
ACT III
Scene I Florence A room in the Dukes palace
Scene II Rossillon A room in the Countesss palace
Scene III Florence Before the Dukes palace
Scene IV Rossillon A room in the Countesss palace
Scene V Without the walls of Florence
Scene VI Camp before Florence
Scene VII Florence A room in the Widows house
ACT IV
Scene I Without the Florentine camp
Scene II Florence A room in the Widows house
Scene III The Florentine camp
Scene IV Florence A room in the Widows house
Scene V Rossillon A room in the Countesss palace
ACT V
Scene I Marseilles A street
Scene II Rossillon The inner court of the Countesss palace
Scene III The same A room in the Countesss palace
Dramatis Person
KING OF FRANCE
THE DUKE OF FLORENCE
BERTRAM Count of Rossillon
LAFEW an old Lord
PAROLLES a follower of Bertram
Several young French Lords that serve with Bertram in the Florentine War
RYNALDO servant to the Countess of Rossillon
Clown servant to the Countess of Rossillon
A Page servant to the Countess of Rossillon
COUNTESS OF ROSSILLON mother to Bertram
HELENA a Gentlewoman protected by the Countess
An old WIDOW of Florence
DIANA daughter to the Widow
VIOLENTA neighbour and friend to the Widow
MARIANA neighbour and friend to the Widow
Lords attending on the KING Officers Soldiers c French and Florentine
SCENE Partly in France and partly in Tuscany
ACT I
SCENE I Rossillon A room in the Countesss palace
Enter Bertram the Countess of Rossillon Helena and Lafew all in black
COUNTESS
In delivering my son from me I bury a second husband
BERTRAM
And I in going madam weep oer my fathers death anew but I must attend his majestys command to whom I am now in ward evermore in subjection
LAFEW
You shall find of the king a husband madam you sir a father He that so generally is at all times good must of necessity hold his virtue to you whose worthiness would stir it up where it wanted rather than lack it where there is such abundance
COUNTESS
What hope is there of his majestys amendment
LAFEW
He hath abandond his physicians madam under whose practices he hath persecuted time with hope and finds no other advantage in the process but only the losing of hope by time
COUNTESS
This young gentlewoman had a fatherO that had how sad a passage tiswhose skill was almost as great as his honesty had it stretchd so far would have made nature immortal and death should have play for lack of work Would for the kings sake he were living I think it would be the death of the kings disease
LAFEW
How called you the man you speak of madam
COUNTESS
He was famous sir in his profession and it was his great right to be so Gerard de Narbon
LAFEW
He was excellent indeed madam the king very lately spoke of him admiringly and mourningly he was skilful enough to have livd still if knowledge could be set up against mortality
BERTRAM
What is it my good lord the king languishes of
LAFEW
A fistula my lord
BERTRAM
I heard not of it before
LAFEW
I would it were not notorious Was this gentlewoman the daughter of Gerard de Narbon
COUNTESS
His sole child my lord and bequeathed to my overlooking I have those hopes of her good that her education promises her dispositions she inherits which makes fair gifts fairer for where an unclean mind carries virtuous qualities there commendations go with pity they are virtues and traitors too In her they are the better for their simpleness she derives her honesty and achieves her goodness
LAFEW
Your commendations madam get from her tears
COUNTESS
Tis the best brine a maiden can season her praise in The remembrance of her father never approaches her heart but the tyranny of her sorrows takes all livelihood from her cheek No more of this Helena go to no more lest it be rather thought you affect a sorrow than to have
HELENA
I do affect a sorrow indeed but I have it too
LAFEW
Moderate lamentation is the right of the dead excessive grief the enemy to the living
COUNTESS
If the living be enemy to the grief the excess makes it soon mortal
BERTRAM
Madam I desire your holy wishes
LAFEW
How understand we that
COUNTESS
Be thou blest Bertram and succeed thy father
In manners as in shape Thy blood and virtue
Contend for empire in thee and thy goodness
Share with thy birthright Love all trust a few
Do wrong to none Be able for thine enemy
Rather in power than use and keep thy friend
Under thy own lifes key Be checkd for silence
But never taxd for speech What heaven more will
That thee may furnish and my prayers pluck down
Fall on thy head Farewell My lord
Tis an unseasond courtier good my lord
Advise him
LAFEW
He cannot want the best
That shall attend his love
COUNTESS
Heaven bless him Farewell Bertram
Exit Countess
BERTRAM
The best wishes that can be forgd in your thoughts be servants to you To Helena Be comfortable to my mother your mistress and make much of her
LAFEW
Farewell pretty lady you must hold the credit of your father
Exeunt Bertram and Lafew
HELENA
O were that all I think not on my father
And these great tears grace his remembrance more
Than those I shed for him What was he like
I have forgot him my imagination
Carries no favour int but Bertrams
I am undone there is no living none
If Bertram be away Twere all one
That I should love a bright particular star
And think to wed it he is so above me
In his bright radiance and collateral light
Must I be comforted not in his sphere
Thambition in my love thus plagues itself
The hind that would be mated by the lion
Must die for love Twas pretty though a plague
To see him every hour to sit and draw
His arched brows his hawking eye his curls
In our hearts tableheart too capable
Of every line and trick of his sweet favour
But now hes gone and my idolatrous fancy
Must sanctify his relics Who comes here
Enter Parolles
One that goes with him I love him for his sake
And yet I know him a notorious liar
Think him a great way fool solely a coward
Yet these fixd evils sit so fit in him
That they take place when virtues steely bones
Looks bleak i th cold wind withal full oft we see
Cold wisdom waiting on superfluous folly
PAROLLES
Save you fair queen
HELENA
And you monarch
PAROLLES
No
HELENA
And no
PAROLLES
Are you meditating on virginity
HELENA
Ay You have some stain of soldier in you let me ask you a question Man is enemy to virginity how may we barricado it against him
PAROLLES
Keep him out
HELENA
But he assails and our virginity though valiant in the defence yet is weak Unfold to us some warlike resistance
PAROLLES
There is none Man setting down before you will undermine you and blow you up
HELENA
Bless our poor virginity from underminers and blowersup Is there no military policy how virgins might blow up men
PAROLLES
Virginity being blown down man will quicklier be blown up marry in blowing him down again with the breach yourselves made you lose your city It is not politic in the commonwealth of nature to preserve virginity Loss of virginity is rational increase and there was never virgin got till virginity was first lost That you were made of is metal to make virgins Virginity by being once lost may be ten times found by being ever kept it is ever lost Tis too cold a companion Away with it
HELENA
I will stand fort a little though therefore I die a virgin
PAROLLES
Theres little can be said int tis against the rule of nature To speak on the part of virginity is to accuse your mothers which is most infallible disobedience He that hangs himself is a virgin virginity murders itself and should be buried in highways out of all sanctified limit as a desperate offendress against nature Virginity breeds mites much like a cheese consumes itself to the very paring and so dies with feeding his own stomach Besides virginity is peevish proud idle made of selflove which is the most inhibited sin in the canon Keep it not you cannot choose but lose byt Out witht Within the year it will make itself two which is a goodly increase and the principal itself not much the worse Away with it
HELENA
How might one do sir to lose it to her own liking
PAROLLES
Let me see Marry ill to like him that neer it likes Tis a commodity will lose the gloss with lying the longer kept the less worth Off witht while tis vendible answer the time of request Virginity like an old courtier wears her cap out of fashion richly suited but unsuitable just like the brooch and the toothpick which wear not now Your date is better in your pie and your porridge than in your cheek And your virginity your old virginity is like one of our French witherd pears it looks ill it eats drily marry tis a witherd pear it was formerly better marry yet tis a witherd pear Will you anything with it
HELENA
Not my virginity yet
There shall your master have a thousand loves
A mother and a mistress and a friend
A phoenix captain and an enemy
A guide a goddess and a sovereign
A counsellor a traitress and a dear
His humble ambition proud humility
His jarring concord and his discord dulcet
His faith his sweet disaster with a world
Of pretty fond adoptious christendoms
That blinking Cupid gossips Now shall he
I know not what he shall God send him well
The courts a learningplace and he is one
PAROLLES
What one i faith
HELENA
That I wish well Tis pity
PAROLLES
Whats pity
HELENA
That wishing well had not a body int
Which might be felt that we the poorer born
Whose baser stars do shut us up in wishes
Might with effects of them follow our friends
And show what we alone must think which never
Returns us thanks
Enter a Page
PAGE
Monsieur Parolles my lord calls for you
Exit Page
PAROLLES
Little Helen farewell If I can remember thee I will think of thee at court
HELENA
Monsieur Parolles you were born under a charitable star
PAROLLES
Under Mars I
HELENA
I especially think under Mars
PAROLLES
Why under Mars
HELENA
The wars hath so kept you under that you must needs be born under Mars
PAROLLES
When he was predominant
HELENA
When he was retrograde I think rather
PAROLLES
Why think you so
HELENA
You go so much backward when you fight
PAROLLES
Thats for advantage
HELENA
So is running away when fear proposes the safety but the composition that your valour and fear makes in you is a virtue of a good wing and I like the wear well
PAROLLES
I am so full of business I cannot answer thee acutely I will return perfect courtier in the which my instruction shall serve to naturalize thee so thou wilt be capable of a courtiers counsel and understand what advice shall thrust upon thee else thou diest in thine unthankfulness and thine ignorance makes thee away Farewell When thou hast leisure say thy prayers when thou hast none remember thy friends Get thee a good husband and use him as he uses thee So farewell
Exit
HELENA
Our remedies oft in ourselves do lie
Which we ascribe to heaven the fated sky
Gives us free scope only doth backward pull
Our slow designs when we ourselves are dull
What power is it which mounts my love so high
That makes me see and cannot feed mine eye
The mightiest space in fortune nature brings
To join like likes and kiss like native things
Impossible be strange attempts to those
That weigh their pains in sense and do suppose
What hath been cannot be Who ever strove
To show her merit that did miss her love
The kings diseasemy project may deceive me
But my intents are fixd and will not leave me
Exit
SCENE II Paris A room in the Kings palace
Flourish of cornets Enter the King of France with letters Lords and others attending
KING
The Florentines and Senoys are by th ears
Have fought with equal fortune and continue
A braving war
FIRST LORD
So tis reported sir
KING
Nay tis most credible we here receive it
A certainty vouchd from our cousin Austria
With caution that the Florentine will move us
For speedy aid wherein our dearest friend
Prejudicates the business and would seem
To have us make denial
FIRST LORD
His love and wisdom
Approvd so to your majesty may plead
For amplest credence
KING
He hath armd our answer
And Florence is denied before he comes
Yet for our gentlemen that mean to see
The Tuscan service freely have they leave
To stand on either part
SECOND LORD
It well may serve
A nursery to our gentry who are sick
For breathing and exploit
KING
Whats he comes here
Enter Bertram Lafew and Parolles
FIRST LORD
It is the Count Rossillon my good lord
Young Bertram
KING
Youth thou bearst thy fathers face
Frank nature rather curious than in haste
Hath well composd thee Thy fathers moral parts
Mayst thou inherit too Welcome to Paris
BERTRAM
My thanks and duty are your majestys
KING
I would I had that corporal soundness now
As when thy father and myself in friendship
First tried our soldiership He did look far
Into the service of the time and was
Discipled of the bravest He lasted long
But on us both did haggish age steal on
And wore us out of act It much repairs me
To talk of your good father in his youth
He had the wit which I can well observe
Today in our young lords but they may jest
Till their own scorn return to them unnoted
Ere they can hide their levity in honour
So like a courtier contempt nor bitterness
Were in his pride or sharpness if they were
His equal had awakd them and his honour
Clock to itself knew the true minute when
Exception bid him speak and at this time
His tongue obeyd his hand Who were below him
He usd as creatures of another place
And bowd his eminent top to their low ranks
Making them proud of his humility
In their poor praise he humbled Such a man
Might be a copy to these younger times
Which followed well would demonstrate them now
But goers backward
BERTRAM
His good remembrance sir
Lies richer in your thoughts than on his tomb
So in approof lives not his epitaph
As in your royal speech
KING
Would I were with him He would always say
Methinks I hear him now his plausive words
He scatterd not in ears but grafted them
To grow there and to bearLet me not live
This his good melancholy oft began
On the catastrophe and heel of pastime
When it was outLet me not live quoth he
After my flame lacks oil to be the snuff
Of younger spirits whose apprehensive senses
All but new things disdain whose judgments are
Mere fathers of their garments whose constancies
Expire before their fashions This he wishd
I after him do after him wish too
Since I nor wax nor honey can bring home
I quickly were dissolved from my hive
To give some labourers room
SECOND LORD
Youre lovd sir
They that least lend it you shall lack you first
KING
I fill a place I knowt How long ist Count
Since the physician at your fathers died
He was much famd
BERTRAM
Some six months since my lord
KING
If he were living I would try him yet
Lend me an armthe rest have worn me out
With several applications nature and sickness
Debate it at their leisure Welcome Count
My sons no dearer
BERTRAM
Thank your majesty
Exeunt Flourish
SCENE III Rossillon A Room in the Palace
Enter Countess Steward and Clown
COUNTESS
I will now hear What say you of this gentlewoman
STEWARD
Madam the care I have had to even your content I wish might be found in the calendar of my past endeavours for then we wound our modesty and make foul the clearness of our deservings when of ourselves we publish them
COUNTESS
What does this knave here Get you gone sirrah The complaints I have heard of you I do not all believe tis my slowness that I do not for I know you lack not folly to commit them and have ability enough to make such knaveries yours
CLOWN
Tis not unknown to you madam I am a poor fellow
COUNTESS
Well sir
CLOWN
No madam tis not so well that I am poor though many of the rich are damned but if I may have your ladyships good will to go to the world Isbel the woman and I will do as we may
COUNTESS
Wilt thou needs be a beggar
CLOWN
I do beg your good will in this case
COUNTESS
In what case
CLOWN
In Isbels case and mine own Service is no heritage and I think I shall never have the blessing of God till I have issue of my body for they say barnes are blessings
COUNTESS
Tell me thy reason why thou wilt marry
CLOWN
My poor body madam requires it I am driven on by the flesh and he must needs go that the devil drives
COUNTESS
Is this all your worships reason
CLOWN
Faith madam I have other holy reasons such as they are
COUNTESS
May the world know them
CLOWN
I have been madam a wicked creature as you and all flesh and blood are and indeed I do marry that I may repent
COUNTESS
Thy marriage sooner than thy wickedness
CLOWN
I am out of friends madam and I hope to have friends for my wifes sake
COUNTESS
Such friends are thine enemies knave
CLOWN
Yare shallow madam in great friends for the knaves come to do that for me which I am aweary of He that ears my land spares my team and gives me leave to in the crop if I be his cuckold hes my drudge He that comforts my wife is the cherisher of my flesh and blood he that cherishes my flesh and blood loves my flesh and blood he that loves my flesh and blood is my friend ergo he that kisses my wife is my friend If men could be contented to be what they are there were no fear in marriage for young Charbon the puritan and old Poysam the papist howsomeer their hearts are severd in religion their heads are both one they may jowl horns together like any deer i the herd
COUNTESS
Wilt thou ever be a foulmouthd and calumnious knave
CLOWN
A prophet I madam and I speak the truth the next way
For I the ballad will repeat
Which men full true shall find
Your marriage comes by destiny
Your cuckoo sings by kind
COUNTESS
Get you gone sir Ill talk with you more anon
STEWARD
May it please you madam that he bid Helen come to you of her I am to speak
COUNTESS
Sirrah tell my gentlewoman I would speak with her Helen I mean
CLOWN
Sings
Was this fair face the cause quoth she
Why the Grecians sacked Troy
Fond done done fond
Was this King Priams joy
With that she sighed as she stood
With that she sighed as she stood
And gave this sentence then
Among nine bad if one be good
Among nine bad if one be good
Theres yet one good in ten
COUNTESS
What one good in ten You corrupt the song sirrah
CLOWN
One good woman in ten madam which is a purifying o the song Would God would serve the world so all the year Wed find no fault with the tithewoman if I were the parson One in ten quoth a And we might have a good woman born but or every blazing star or at an earthquake twould mend the lottery well a man may draw his heart out ere he pluck one
COUNTESS
Youll be gone sir knave and do as I command you
CLOWN
That man should be at womans command and yet no hurt done Though honesty be no puritan yet it will do no hurt it will wear the surplice of humility over the black gown of a big heart I am going forsooth the business is for Helen to come hither
Exit
COUNTESS
Well now
STEWARD
I know madam you love your gentlewoman entirely
COUNTESS
Faith I do Her father bequeathd her to me and she herself without other advantage may lawfully make title to as much love as she finds there is more owing her than is paid and more shall be paid her than shell demand
STEWARD
Madam I was very late more near her than I think she wishd me alone she was and did communicate to herself her own words to her own ears she thought I dare vow for her they touchd not any stranger sense Her matter was she loved your son Fortune she said was no goddess that had put such difference betwixt their two estates Love no god that would not extend his might only where qualities were level Diana no queen of virgins that would suffer her poor knight surprisd without rescue in the first assault or ransom afterward This she deliverd in the most bitter touch of sorrow that eer I heard virgin exclaim in which I held my duty speedily to acquaint you withal sithence in the loss that may happen it concerns you something to know it
COUNTESS
You have dischargd this honestly keep it to yourself many likelihoods informd me of this before which hung so tottering in the balance that I could neither believe nor misdoubt Pray you leave me stall this in your bosom and I thank you for your honest care I will speak with you further anon
Exit Steward
Enter Helena
Even so it was with me when I was young
If ever we are natures these are ours this thorn
Doth to our rose of youth rightly belong
Our blood to us this to our blood is born
It is the show and seal of natures truth
Where loves strong passion is impressd in youth
By our remembrances of days foregone
Such were our faults or then we thought them none
Her eye is sick ont I observe her now
HELENA
What is your pleasure madam
COUNTESS
You know Helen
I am a mother to you
HELENA
Mine honourable mistress
COUNTESS
Nay a mother
Why not a mother When I said a mother
Methought you saw a serpent Whats in mother
That you start at it I say I am your mother
And put you in the catalogue of those
That were enwombed mine Tis often seen
Adoption strives with nature and choice breeds
A native slip to us from foreign seeds
You neer oppressd me with a mothers groan
Yet I express to you a mothers care
Gods mercy maiden does it curd thy blood
To say I am thy mother Whats the matter
That this distempered messenger of wet
The manycolourd Iris rounds thine eye
Why that you are my daughter
HELENA
That I am not
COUNTESS
I say I am your mother
HELENA
Pardon madam
The Count Rossillon cannot be my brother
I am from humble he from honoured name
No note upon my parents his all noble
My master my dear lord he is and I
His servant live and will his vassal die
He must not be my brother
COUNTESS
Nor I your mother
HELENA
You are my mother madam would you were
So that my lord your son were not my brother
Indeed my mother or were you both our mothers
I care no more for than I do for heaven
So I were not his sister Cant no other
But I your daughter he must be my brother
COUNTESS
Yes Helen you might be my daughterinlaw
God shield you mean it not daughter and mother
So strive upon your pulse What pale again
My fear hath catchd your fondness now I see
The mystery of your loneliness and find
Your salt tears head Now to all sense tis gross
You love my son invention is ashamd
Against the proclamation of thy passion
To say thou dost not Therefore tell me true
But tell me then tis so for look thy cheeks
Confess it tone to thother and thine eyes
See it so grossly shown in thy behaviours
That in their kind they speak it only sin
And hellish obstinacy tie thy tongue
That truth should be suspected Speak ist so
If it be so you have wound a goodly clew
If it be not forsweart howeer I charge thee
As heaven shall work in me for thine avail
To tell me truly
HELENA
Good madam pardon me
COUNTESS
Do you love my son
HELENA
Your pardon noble mistress
COUNTESS
Love you my son
HELENA
Do not you love him madam
COUNTESS
Go not about my love hath int a bond
Whereof the world takes note Come come disclose
The state of your affection for your passions
Have to the full appeachd
HELENA
Then I confess
Here on my knee before high heaven and you
That before you and next unto high heaven
I love your son
My friends were poor but honest sos my love
Be not offended for it hurts not him
That he is lovd of me I follow him not
By any token of presumptuous suit
Nor would I have him till I do deserve him
Yet never know how that desert should be
I know I love in vain strive against hope
Yet in this captious and inteemable sieve
I still pour in the waters of my love
And lack not to lose still Thus Indianlike
Religious in mine error I adore
The sun that looks upon his worshipper
But knows of him no more My dearest madam
Let not your hate encounter with my love
For loving where you do but if yourself
Whose aged honour cites a virtuous youth
Did ever in so true a flame of liking
Wish chastely and love dearly that your Dian
Was both herself and love O then give pity
To her whose state is such that cannot choose
But lend and give where she is sure to lose
That seeks not to find that her search implies
But riddlelike lives sweetly where she dies
COUNTESS
Had you not lately an intentspeak truly
To go to Paris
HELENA
Madam I had
COUNTESS
Wherefore tell true
HELENA
I will tell truth by grace itself I swear
You know my father left me some prescriptions
Of rare and provd effects such as his reading
And manifest experience had collected
For general sovereignty and that he willd me
In heedfullst reservation to bestow them
As notes whose faculties inclusive were
More than they were in note Amongst the rest
There is a remedy approvd set down
To cure the desperate languishings whereof
The king is renderd lost
COUNTESS
This was your motive
For Paris was it Speak
HELENA
My lord your son made me to think of this
Else Paris and the medicine and the king
Had from the conversation of my thoughts
Haply been absent then
COUNTESS
But think you Helen
If you should tender your supposed aid
He would receive it He and his physicians
Are of a mind he that they cannot help him
They that they cannot help How shall they credit
A poor unlearned virgin when the schools
Embowelld of their doctrine have let off
The danger to itself
HELENA
Theres something int
More than my fathers skill which was the greatst
Of his profession that his good receipt
Shall for my legacy be sanctified
By th luckiest stars in heaven and would your honour
But give me leave to try success Id venture
The welllost life of mine on his graces cure
By such a day an hour
COUNTESS
Dost thou believet
HELENA
Ay madam knowingly
COUNTESS
Why Helen thou shalt have my leave and love
Means and attendants and my loving greetings
To those of mine in court Ill stay at home
And pray Gods blessing into thy attempt
Be gone tomorrow and be sure of this
What I can help thee to thou shalt not miss
Exeunt
ACT II
SCENE I Paris A room in the Kings palace
Flourish Enter the King with young Lords taking leave for the Florentine war Bertram Parolles and Attendants
KING
Farewell young lords these warlike principles
Do not throw from you and you my lords farewell
Share the advice betwixt you if both gain all
The gift doth stretch itself as tis receivd
And is enough for both
FIRST LORD
Tis our hope sir
After wellentred soldiers to return
And find your grace in health
KING
No no it cannot be and yet my heart
Will not confess he owes the malady
That doth my life besiege Farewell young lords
Whether I live or die be you the sons
Of worthy Frenchmen let higher Italy
Those bated that inherit but the fall
Of the last monarchysee that you come
Not to woo honour but to wed it when
The bravest questant shrinks find what you seek
That fame may cry you loud I say farewell
SECOND LORD
Health at your bidding serve your majesty
KING
Those girls of Italy take heed of them
They say our French lack language to deny
If they demand beware of being captives
Before you serve
BOTH
Our hearts receive your warnings
KING
FarewellCome hither to me
The King retires to a couch
FIRST LORD
O my sweet lord that you will stay behind us
PAROLLES
Tis not his fault the spark
SECOND LORD
O tis brave wars
PAROLLES
Most admirable I have seen those wars
BERTRAM
I am commanded here and kept a coil with
Too young and the next year and tis too early
PAROLLES
An thy mind stand tot boy steal away bravely
BERTRAM
I shall stay here the forehorse to a smock
Creaking my shoes on the plain masonry
Till honour be bought up and no sword worn
But one to dance with By heaven Ill steal away
FIRST LORD
Theres honour in the theft
PAROLLES
Commit it count
SECOND LORD
I am your accessary and so farewell
BERTRAM
I grow to you and our parting is a torturd body
FIRST LORD
Farewell captain
SECOND LORD
Sweet Monsieur Parolles
PAROLLES
Noble heroes my sword and yours are kin Good sparks and lustrous a word good metals You shall find in the regiment of the Spinii one Captain Spurio with his cicatrice an emblem of war here on his sinister cheek it was this very sword entrenchd it Say to him I live and observe his reports for me
FIRST LORD
We shall noble captain
PAROLLES
Mars dote on you for his novices
Exeunt Lords
What will ye do
BERTRAM
Stay the king
PAROLLES
Use a more spacious ceremony to the noble lords you have restraind yourself within the list of too cold an adieu Be more expressive to them for they wear themselves in the cap of the time there do muster true gait eat speak and move under the influence of the most receivd star and though the devil lead the measure such are to be followed After them and take a more dilated farewell
BERTRAM
And I will do so
PAROLLES
Worthy fellows and like to prove most sinewy swordmen
Exeunt Bertram and Parolles
Enter Lafew
LAFEW
Pardon my lord kneeling for me and for my tidings
KING
Ill fee thee to stand up
LAFEW
Then heres a man stands that has brought his pardon
I would you had kneeld my lord to ask me mercy
And that at my bidding you could so stand up
KING
I would I had so I had broke thy pate
And askd thee mercy fort
LAFEW
Good faith across
But my good lord tis thus will you be curd
Of your infirmity
KING
No
LAFEW
O will you eat
No grapes my royal fox Yes but you will
My noble grapes and if my royal fox
Could reach them I have seen a medicine
Thats able to breathe life into a stone
Quicken a rock and make you dance canary
With sprightly fire and motion whose simple touch
Is powerful to araise King Pippen nay
To give great Charlemain a pen ins hand
And write to her a loveline
KING
What her is this
LAFEW
Why doctor she My lord theres one arrivd
If you will see her Now by my faith and honour
If seriously I may convey my thoughts
In this my light deliverance I have spoke
With one that in her sex her years profession
Wisdom and constancy hath amazd me more
Than I dare blame my weakness Will you see her
For that is her demand and know her business
That done laugh well at me
KING
Now good Lafew
Bring in the admiration that we with thee
May spend our wonder too or take off thine
By wondring how thou tookst it
LAFEW
Nay Ill fit you
And not be all day neither
Exit Lafew
KING
Thus he his special nothing ever prologues
Enter Lafew with Helena
LAFEW
Nay come your ways
KING
This haste hath wings indeed
LAFEW
Nay come your ways
This is his majesty say your mind to him
A traitor you do look like but such traitors
His majesty seldom fears I am Cressids uncle
That dare leave two together Fare you well
Exit
KING
Now fair one does your business follow us
HELENA
Ay my good lord
Gerard de Narbon was my father
In what he did profess well found
KING
I knew him
HELENA
The rather will I spare my praises towards him
Knowing him is enough On his bed of death
Many receipts he gave me chiefly one
Which as the dearest issue of his practice
And of his old experience the only darling
He bade me store up as a triple eye
Safer than mine own two more dear I have so
And hearing your high majesty is touchd
With that malignant cause wherein the honour
Of my dear fathers gift stands chief in power
I come to tender it and my appliance
With all bound humbleness
KING
We thank you maiden
But may not be so credulous of cure
When our most learned doctors leave us and
The congregated college have concluded
That labouring art can never ransom nature
From her inaidable estate I say we must not
So stain our judgment or corrupt our hope
To prostitute our pastcure malady
To empirics or to dissever so
Our great self and our credit to esteem
A senseless help when help past sense we deem
HELENA
My duty then shall pay me for my pains
I will no more enforce mine office on you
Humbly entreating from your royal thoughts
A modest one to bear me back again
KING
I cannot give thee less to be calld grateful
Thou thoughtst to help me and such thanks I give
As one near death to those that wish him live
But what at full I know thou knowst no part
I knowing all my peril thou no art
HELENA
What I can do can do no hurt to try
Since you set up your rest gainst remedy
He that of greatest works is finisher
Oft does them by the weakest minister
So holy writ in babes hath judgment shown
When judges have been babes Great floods have flown
From simple sources and great seas have dried
When miracles have by the greatst been denied
Oft expectation fails and most oft there
Where most it promises and oft it hits
Where hope is coldest and despair most fits
KING
I must not hear thee Fare thee well kind maid
Thy pains not usd must by thyself be paid
Proffers not took reap thanks for their reward
HELENA
Inspired merit so by breath is barrd
It is not so with Him that all things knows
As tis with us that square our guess by shows
But most it is presumption in us when
The help of heaven we count the act of men
Dear sir to my endeavours give consent
Of heaven not me make an experiment
I am not an impostor that proclaim
Myself against the level of mine aim
But know I think and think I know most sure
My art is not past power nor you past cure
KING
Art thou so confident Within what space
Hopst thou my cure
HELENA
The greatest grace lending grace
Ere twice the horses of the sun shall bring
Their fiery torcher his diurnal ring
Ere twice in murk and occidental damp
Moist Hesperus hath quenchd her sleepy lamp
Or four and twenty times the pilots glass
Hath told the thievish minutes how they pass
What is infirm from your sound parts shall fly
Health shall live free and sickness freely die
KING
Upon thy certainty and confidence
What darst thou venture
HELENA
Tax of impudence
A strumpets boldness a divulged shame
Traducd by odious ballads my maidens name
Seard otherwise nay worse of worst extended
With vilest torture let my life be ended
KING
Methinks in thee some blessed spirit doth speak
His powerful sound within an organ weak
And what impossibility would slay
In common sense sense saves another way
Thy life is dear for all that life can rate
Worth name of life in thee hath estimate
Youth beauty wisdom courage all
That happiness and prime can happy call
Thou this to hazard needs must intimate
Skill infinite or monstrous desperate
Sweet practiser thy physic I will try
That ministers thine own death if I die
HELENA
If I break time or flinch in property
Of what I spoke unpitied let me die
And well deservd Not helping deaths my fee
But if I help what do you promise me
KING
Make thy demand
HELENA
But will you make it even
KING
Ay by my sceptre and my hopes of heaven
HELENA
Then shalt thou give me with thy kingly hand
What husband in thy power I will command
Exempted be from me the arrogance
To choose from forth the royal blood of France
My low and humble name to propagate
With any branch or image of thy state
But such a one thy vassal whom I know
Is free for me to ask thee to bestow
KING
Here is my hand the premises observd
Thy will by my performance shall be servd
So make the choice of thy own time for I
Thy resolvd patient on thee still rely
More should I question thee and more I must
Though more to know could not be more to trust
From whence thou camst how tended on but rest
Unquestiond welcome and undoubted blessd
Give me some help here ho If thou proceed
As high as word my deed shall match thy deed
Flourish Exeunt
SCENE II Rossillon A room in the Countesss palace
Enter Countess and Clown
COUNTESS
Come on sir I shall now put you to the height of your breeding
CLOWN
I will show myself highly fed and lowly taught I know my business is but to the court
COUNTESS
To the court Why what place make you special when you put off that with such contempt But to the court
CLOWN
Truly madam if God have lent a man any manners he may easily put it off at court he that cannot make a leg put offs cap kiss his hand and say nothing has neither leg hands lip nor cap and indeed such a fellow to say precisely were not for the court but for me I have an answer will serve all men
COUNTESS
Marry thats a bountiful answer that fits all questions
CLOWN
It is like a barbers chair that fits all buttocksthe pinbuttock the quatchbuttock the brawnbuttock or any buttock
COUNTESS
Will your answer serve fit to all questions
CLOWN
As fit as ten groats is for the hand of an attorney as your French crown for your taffety punk as Tibs rush for Toms forefinger as a pancake for ShroveTuesday a morris for Mayday as the nail to his hole the cuckold to his horn as a scolding quean to a wrangling knave as the nuns lip to the friars mouth nay as the pudding to his skin
COUNTESS
Have you I say an answer of such fitness for all questions
CLOWN
From below your duke to beneath your constable it will fit any question
COUNTESS
It must be an answer of most monstrous size that must fit all demands
CLOWN
But a trifle neither in good faith if the learned should speak truth of it Here it is and all that belongs tot Ask me if I am a courtier it shall do you no harm to learn
COUNTESS
To be young again if we could I will be a fool in question hoping to be the wiser by your answer I pray you sir are you a courtier
CLOWN
O Lord sir Theres a simple putting off More more a hundred of them
COUNTESS
Sir I am a poor friend of yours that loves you
CLOWN
O Lord sir Thick thick spare not me
COUNTESS
I think sir you can eat none of this homely meat
CLOWN
O Lord sir Nay put me tot I warrant you
COUNTESS
You were lately whippd sir as I think
CLOWN
O Lord sir Spare not me
COUNTESS
Do you cry O Lord sir at your whipping and spare not me Indeed your O Lord sir is very sequent to your whipping You would answer very well to a whipping if you were but bound tot
CLOWN
I neer had worse luck in my life in my O Lord sir I see things may serve long but not serve ever
COUNTESS
I play the noble housewife with the time to entertain it so merrily with a fool
CLOWN
O Lord sir Why theret serves well again
COUNTESS
An end sir To your business Give Helen this
And urge her to a present answer back
Commend me to my kinsmen and my son
This is not much
CLOWN
Not much commendation to them
COUNTESS
Not much employment for you You understand me
CLOWN
Most fruitfully I am there before my legs
COUNTESS
Haste you again
Exeunt severally
SCENE III Paris The Kings palace
Enter Bertram Lafew and Parolles
LAFEW
They say miracles are past and we have our philosophical persons to make modern and familiar things supernatural and causeless Hence is it that we make trifles of terrors ensconcing ourselves into seeming knowledge when we should submit ourselves to an unknown fear
PAROLLES
Why tis the rarest argument of wonder that hath shot out in our latter times
BERTRAM
And so tis
LAFEW
To be relinquishd of the artists
PAROLLES
So I say both of Galen and Paracelsus
LAFEW
Of all the learned and authentic fellows
PAROLLES
Right so I say
LAFEW
That gave him out incurable
PAROLLES
Why there tis so say I too
LAFEW
Not to be helped
PAROLLES
Right as twere a man assurd of a
LAFEW
Uncertain life and sure death
PAROLLES
Just you say well So would I have said
LAFEW
I may truly say it is a novelty to the world
PAROLLES
It is indeed if you will have it in showing you shall read it in what do you call there
LAFEW
A showing of a heavenly effect in an earthly actor
PAROLLES
Thats it I would have said the very same
LAFEW
Why your dolphin is not lustier fore me I speak in respect
PAROLLES
Nay tis strange tis very strange that is the brief and the tedious of it and hes of a most facinerious spirit that will not acknowledge it to be the
LAFEW
Very hand of heaven
PAROLLES
Ay so I say
LAFEW
In a most weak
PAROLLES
And debile minister great power great transcendence which should indeed give us a further use to be made than alone the recovry of the king as to be
LAFEW
Generally thankful
PAROLLES
I would have said it you say well Here comes the king
Enter King Helena and Attendants
LAFEW
Lustique as the Dutchman says Ill like a maid the better whilst I have a tooth in my head Why hes able to lead her a coranto
PAROLLES
Mor du vinager is not this Helen
LAFEW
Fore God I think so
KING
Go call before me all the lords in court
Exit an Attendant
Sit my preserver by thy patients side
And with this healthful hand whose banishd sense
Thou has repeald a second time receive
The confirmation of my promisd gift
Which but attends thy naming
Enter several Lords
Fair maid send forth thine eye This youthful parcel
Of noble bachelors stand at my bestowing
Oer whom both sovereign power and fathers voice
I have to use Thy frank election make
Thou hast power to choose and they none to forsake
HELENA
To each of you one fair and virtuous mistress
Fall when love please Marry to each but one
LAFEW
Id give bay curtal and his furniture
My mouth no more were broken than these boys
And writ as little beard
KING
Peruse them well
Not one of those but had a noble father
She addresses her to a Lord
HELENA
Gentlemen
Heaven hath through me restord the king to health
ALL
We understand it and thank heaven for you
HELENA
I am a simple maid and therein wealthiest
That I protest I simply am a maid
Please it your majesty I have done already
The blushes in my cheeks thus whisper me
We blush that thou shouldst choose but be refused
Let the white death sit on thy cheek for ever
Well neer come there again
KING
Make choice and see
Who shuns thy love shuns all his love in me
HELENA
Now Dian from thy altar do I fly
And to imperial Love that god most high
Do my sighs stream To first Lord Sir will you hear my suit
FIRST LORD
And grant it
HELENA
Thanks sir all the rest is mute
LAFEW
I had rather be in this choice than throw amesace for my life
HELENA
To second Lord The honour sir that flames in your fair eyes
Before I speak too threatningly replies
Love make your fortunes twenty times above
Her that so wishes and her humble love
SECOND LORD
No better if you please
HELENA
My wish receive
Which great Love grant and so I take my leave
LAFEW
Do all they deny her An they were sons of mine Id have them whippd or I would send them to th Turk to make eunuchs of
HELENA
To third Lord Be not afraid that I your hand should take
Ill never do you wrong for your own sake
Blessing upon your vows and in your bed
Find fairer fortune if you ever wed
LAFEW
These boys are boys of ice theyll none have her Sure they are bastards to the English the French neer got em
HELENA
To fourth Lord You are too young too happy and too good
To make yourself a son out of my blood
FOURTH LORD
Fair one I think not so
LAFEW
Theres one grape yet I am sure thy father drank wine But if thou beest not an ass I am a youth of fourteen I have known thee already
HELENA
To Bertram I dare not say I take you but I give
Me and my service ever whilst I live
Into your guiding power This is the man
KING
Why then young Bertram take her shes thy wife
BERTRAM
My wife my liege I shall beseech your highness
In such a business give me leave to use
The help of mine own eyes
KING
Knowst thou not Bertram
What she has done for me
BERTRAM
Yes my good lord
But never hope to know why I should marry her
KING
Thou knowst she has raisd me from my sickly bed
BERTRAM
But follows it my lord to bring me down
Must answer for your raising I know her well
She had her breeding at my fathers charge
A poor physicians daughter my wife Disdain
Rather corrupt me ever
KING
Tis only title thou disdainst in her the which
I can build up Strange is it that our bloods
Of colour weight and heat pourd all together
Would quite confound distinction yet stands off
In differences so mighty If she be
All that is virtuous save what thou dislikst
A poor physicians daughterthou dislikst
Of virtue for the name But do not so
From lowest place when virtuous things proceed
The place is dignified by the doers deed
Where great additions swells and virtue none
It is a dropsied honour Good alone
Is good without a name vileness is so
The property by what it is should go
Not by the title She is young wise fair
In these to nature shes immediate heir
And these breed honour that is honours scorn
Which challenges itself as honours born
And is not like the sire Honours thrive
When rather from our acts we them derive
Than our foregoers The mere words a slave
Debauchd on every tomb on every grave
A lying trophy and as oft is dumb
Where dust and damnd oblivion is the tomb
Of honourd bones indeed What should be said
If thou canst like this creature as a maid
I can create the rest Virtue and she
Is her own dower honour and wealth from me
BERTRAM
I cannot love her nor will strive to do t
KING
Thou wrongst thyself if thou shouldst strive to choose
HELENA
That you are well restord my lord I am glad
Let the rest go
KING
My honours at the stake which to defeat
I must produce my power Here take her hand
Proud scornful boy unworthy this good gift
That dost in vile misprision shackle up
My love and her desert that canst not dream
We poising us in her defective scale
Shall weigh thee to the beam that wilt not know
It is in us to plant thine honour where
We please to have it grow Check thy contempt
Obey our will which travails in thy good
Believe not thy disdain but presently
Do thine own fortunes that obedient right
Which both thy duty owes and our power claims
Or I will throw thee from my care for ever
Into the staggers and the careless lapse
Of youth and ignorance both my revenge and hate
Loosing upon thee in the name of justice
Without all terms of pity Speak Thine answer
BERTRAM
Pardon my gracious lord for I submit
My fancy to your eyes When I consider
What great creation and what dole of honour
Flies where you bid it I find that she which late
Was in my nobler thoughts most base is now
The praised of the king who so ennobled
Is as twere born so
KING
Take her by the hand
And tell her she is thine to whom I promise
A counterpoise if not to thy estate
A balance more replete
BERTRAM
I take her hand
KING
Good fortune and the favour of the king
Smile upon this contract whose ceremony
Shall seem expedient on the nowborn brief
And be performd tonight The solemn feast
Shall more attend upon the coming space
Expecting absent friends As thou lovst her
Thy loves to me religious else does err
Exeunt King Bertram Helena Lords and Attendants
LAFEW
Do you hear monsieur A word with you
PAROLLES
Your pleasure sir
LAFEW
Your lord and master did well to make his recantation
PAROLLES
Recantation My lord My master
LAFEW
Ay Is it not a language I speak
PAROLLES
A most harsh one and not to be understood without bloody succeeding My master
LAFEW
Are you companion to the Count Rossillon
PAROLLES
To any count to all counts to what is man
LAFEW
To what is counts man counts master is of another style
PAROLLES
You are too old sir let it satisfy you you are too old
LAFEW
I must tell thee sirrah I write man to which title age cannot bring thee
PAROLLES
What I dare too well do I dare not do
LAFEW
I did think thee for two ordinaries to be a pretty wise fellow thou didst make tolerable vent of thy travel it might pass Yet the scarfs and the bannerets about thee did manifoldly dissuade me from believing thee a vessel of too great a burden I have now found thee when I lose thee again I care not Yet art thou good for nothing but taking up and that thou art scarce worth
PAROLLES
Hadst thou not the privilege of antiquity upon thee
LAFEW
Do not plunge thyself too far in anger lest thou hasten thy trial which ifLord have mercy on thee for a hen So my good window of lattice fare thee well thy casement I need not open for I look through thee Give me thy hand
PAROLLES
My lord you give me most egregious indignity
LAFEW
Ay with all my heart and thou art worthy of it
PAROLLES
I have not my lord deservd it
LAFEW
Yes good faith every dram of it and I will not bate thee a scruple
PAROLLES
Well I shall be wiser
LAFEW
Evn as soon as thou canst for thou hast to pull at a smack o th contrary If ever thou beest bound in thy scarf and beaten thou shalt find what it is to be proud of thy bondage I have a desire to hold my acquaintance with thee or rather my knowledge that I may say in the default He is a man I know
PAROLLES
My lord you do me most insupportable vexation
LAFEW
I would it were hellpains for thy sake and my poor doing eternal for doing I am past as I will by thee in what motion age will give me leave
Exit
PAROLLES
Well thou hast a son shall take this disgrace off me scurvy old filthy scurvy lord Well I must be patient there is no fettering of authority Ill beat him by my life if I can meet him with any convenience an he were double and double a lord Ill have no more pity of his age than I would have ofIll beat him and if I could but meet him again
Enter Lafew
LAFEW
Sirrah your lord and masters married theres news for you you have a new mistress
PAROLLES
I most unfeignedly beseech your lordship to make some reservation of your wrongs He is my good lord whom I serve above is my master
LAFEW
Who God
PAROLLES
Ay sir
LAFEW
The devil it is thats thy master Why dost thou garter up thy arms o this fashion Dost make hose of thy sleeves Do other servants so Thou wert best set thy lower part where thy nose stands By mine honour if I were but two hours younger Id beat thee Methinkst thou art a general offence and every man should beat thee I think thou wast created for men to breathe themselves upon thee
PAROLLES
This is hard and undeserved measure my lord
LAFEW
Go to sir you were beaten in Italy for picking a kernel out of a pomegranate you are a vagabond and no true traveller You are more saucy with lords and honourable personages than the commission of your birth and virtue gives you heraldry You are not worth another word else Id call you knave I leave you
Exit
Enter Bertram
PAROLLES
Good very good it is so then Good very good let it be conceald awhile
BERTRAM
Undone and forfeited to cares for ever
PAROLLES
Whats the matter sweetheart
BERTRAM
Although before the solemn priest I have sworn
I will not bed her
PAROLLES
What what sweetheart
BERTRAM
O my Parolles they have married me
Ill to the Tuscan wars and never bed her
PAROLLES
France is a doghole and it no more merits
The tread of a mans foot to the wars
BERTRAM
Theres letters from my mother what th import is
I know not yet
PAROLLES
Ay that would be known To th wars my boy to th wars
He wears his honour in a box unseen
That hugs his kickywicky here at home
Spending his manly marrow in her arms
Which should sustain the bound and high curvet
Of Marss fiery steed To other regions
France is a stable we that dwell int jades
Therefore to th war
BERTRAM
It shall be so Ill send her to my house
Acquaint my mother with my hate to her
And wherefore I am fled write to the king
That which I durst not speak His present gift
Shall furnish me to those Italian fields
Where noble fellows strike War is no strife
To the dark house and the detested wife
PAROLLES
Will this caprichio hold in thee art sure
BERTRAM
Go with me to my chamber and advise me
Ill send her straight away Tomorrow
Ill to the wars she to her single sorrow
PAROLLES
Why these balls bound theres noise in it Tis hard
A young man married is a man thats marrd
Therefore away and leave her bravely go
The king has done you wrong but hush tis so
Exeunt
SCENE IV Paris The Kings palace
Enter Helena and Clown
HELENA
My mother greets me kindly is she well
CLOWN
She is not well but yet she has her health shes very merry but yet she is not well But thanks be given shes very well and wants nothing i the world but yet she is not well
HELENA
If she be very well what does she ail that shes not very well
CLOWN
Truly shes very well indeed but for two things
HELENA
What two things
CLOWN
One that shes not in heaven whither God send her quickly The other that shes in earth from whence God send her quickly
Enter Parolles
PAROLLES
Bless you my fortunate lady
HELENA
I hope sir I have your good will to have mine own good fortune
PAROLLES
You had my prayers to lead them on and to keep them on have them still O my knave how does my old lady
CLOWN
So that you had her wrinkles and I her money I would she did as you say
PAROLLES
Why I say nothing
CLOWN
Marry you are the wiser man for many a mans tongue shakes out his masters undoing To say nothing to do nothing to know nothing and to have nothing is to be a great part of your title which is within a very little of nothing
PAROLLES
Away Thou art a knave
CLOWN
You should have said sir before a knave thou art a knave that is before me thou art a knave This had been truth sir
PAROLLES
Go to thou art a witty fool I have found thee
CLOWN
Did you find me in yourself sir or were you taught to find me The search sir was profitable and much fool may you find in you even to the worlds pleasure and the increase of laughter
PAROLLES
A good knave i faith and well fed
Madam my lord will go away tonight
A very serious business calls on him
The great prerogative and right of love
Which as your due time claims he does acknowledge
But puts it off to a compelld restraint
Whose want and whose delay is strewd with sweets
Which they distil now in the curbed time
To make the coming hour oerflow with joy
And pleasure drown the brim
HELENA
Whats his will else
PAROLLES
That you will take your instant leave o the king
And make this haste as your own good proceeding
Strengthend with what apology you think
May make it probable need
HELENA
What more commands he
PAROLLES
That having this obtaind you presently
Attend his further pleasure
HELENA
In everything I wait upon his will
PAROLLES
I shall report it so
HELENA
I pray you Come sirrah
Exeunt
SCENE V Another room in the same
Enter Lafew and Bertram
LAFEW
But I hope your lordship thinks not him a soldier
BERTRAM
Yes my lord and of very valiant approof
LAFEW
You have it from his own deliverance
BERTRAM
And by other warranted testimony
LAFEW
Then my dial goes not true I took this lark for a bunting
BERTRAM
I do assure you my lord he is very great in knowledge and accordingly valiant
LAFEW
I have then sinned against his experience and transgressed against his valour and my state that way is dangerous since I cannot yet find in my heart to repent Here he comes I pray you make us friends I will pursue the amity
Enter Parolles
PAROLLES
To Bertram These things shall be done sir
LAFEW
Pray you sir whos his tailor
PAROLLES
Sir
LAFEW
O I know him well I sir he sir is a good workman a very good tailor
BERTRAM
Aside to Parolles Is she gone to the king
PAROLLES
She is
BERTRAM
Will she away tonight
PAROLLES
As youll have her
BERTRAM
I have writ my letters casketed my treasure
Given order for our horses and tonight
When I should take possession of the bride
End ere I do begin
LAFEW
A good traveller is something at the latter end of a dinner but one that lies threethirds and uses a known truth to pass a thousand nothings with should be once heard and thrice beaten God save you Captain
BERTRAM
Is there any unkindness between my lord and you monsieur
PAROLLES
I know not how I have deserved to run into my lords displeasure
LAFEW
You have made shift to run into t boots and spurs and all like him that leapt into the custard and out of it youll run again rather than suffer question for your residence
BERTRAM
It may be you have mistaken him my lord
LAFEW
And shall do so ever though I took him at his prayers Fare you well my lord and believe this of me there can be no kernal in this light nut the soul of this man is his clothes trust him not in matter of heavy consequence I have kept of them tame and know their natures Farewell monsieur I have spoken better of you than you have or will to deserve at my hand but we must do good against evil
Exit
PAROLLES
An idle lord I swear
BERTRAM
I think so
PAROLLES
Why do you not know him
BERTRAM
Yes I do know him well and common speech
Gives him a worthy pass Here comes my clog
Enter Helena
HELENA
I have sir as I was commanded from you
Spoke with the king and have procurd his leave
For present parting only he desires
Some private speech with you
BERTRAM
I shall obey his will
You must not marvel Helen at my course
Which holds not colour with the time nor does
The ministration and required office
On my particular Prepared I was not
For such a business therefore am I found
So much unsettled this drives me to entreat you
That presently you take your way for home
And rather muse than ask why I entreat you
For my respects are better than they seem
And my appointments have in them a need
Greater than shows itself at the first view
To you that know them not This to my mother
Giving a letter
Twill be two days ere I shall see you so
I leave you to your wisdom
HELENA
Sir I can nothing say
But that I am your most obedient servant
BERTRAM
Come come no more of that
HELENA
And ever shall
With true observance seek to eke out that
Wherein toward me my homely stars have faild
To equal my great fortune
BERTRAM
Let that go
My haste is very great Farewell hie home
HELENA
Pray sir your pardon
BERTRAM
Well what would you say
HELENA
I am not worthy of the wealth I owe
Nor dare I say tis mine and yet it is
But like a timorous thief most fain would steal
What law does vouch mine own
BERTRAM
What would you have
HELENA
Something and scarce so much nothing indeed
I would not tell you what I would my lord Faith yes
Strangers and foes do sunder and not kiss
BERTRAM
I pray you stay not but in haste to horse
HELENA
I shall not break your bidding good my lord
Where are my other men monsieur
Farewell
Exit Helena
BERTRAM
Go thou toward home where I will never come
Whilst I can shake my sword or hear the drum
Away and for our flight
PAROLLES
Bravely coragio
Exeunt
ACT III
SCENE I Florence A room in the Dukes palace
Flourish Enter the Duke of Florence attended two French Lords and Soldiers
DUKE
So that from point to point now have you heard
The fundamental reasons of this war
Whose great decision hath much blood let forth
And more thirsts after
FIRST LORD
Holy seems the quarrel
Upon your Graces part black and fearful
On the opposer
DUKE
Therefore we marvel much our cousin France
Would in so just a business shut his bosom
Against our borrowing prayers
SECOND LORD
Good my lord
The reasons of our state I cannot yield
But like a common and an outward man
That the great figure of a council frames
By selfunable motion therefore dare not
Say what I think of it since I have found
Myself in my incertain grounds to fail
As often as I guessd
DUKE
Be it his pleasure
FIRST LORD
But I am sure the younger of our nature
That surfeit on their ease will day by day
Come here for physic
DUKE
Welcome shall they be
And all the honours that can fly from us
Shall on them settle You know your places well
When better fall for your avails they fell
Tomorrow to the field
Flourish Exeunt
SCENE II Rossillon A room in the Countesss palace
Enter Countess and Clown
COUNTESS
It hath happend all as I would have had it save that he comes not along with her
CLOWN
By my troth I take my young lord to be a very melancholy man
COUNTESS
By what observance I pray you
CLOWN
Why he will look upon his boot and sing mend the ruff and sing ask questions and sing pick his teeth and sing I know a man that had this trick of melancholy sold a goodly manor for a song
COUNTESS
Let me see what he writes and when he means to come
Opening a letter
CLOWN
I have no mind to Isbel since I was at court Our old lings and our Isbels o th country are nothing like your old ling and your Isbels o th court The brains of my Cupids knockd out and I begin to love as an old man loves money with no stomach
COUNTESS
What have we here
CLOWN
Een that you have there
Exit
COUNTESS
Reads I have sent you a daughterinlaw she hath recovered the king and undone me I have wedded her not bedded her and sworn to make the not eternal You shall hear I am run away know it before the report come If there be breadth enough in the world I will hold a long distance My duty to you
Your unfortunate son
BERTRAM
This is not well rash and unbridled boy
To fly the favours of so good a king
To pluck his indignation on thy head
By the misprizing of a maid too virtuous
For the contempt of empire
Enter Clown
CLOWN
O madam yonder is heavy news within between two soldiers and my young lady
COUNTESS
What is the matter
CLOWN
Nay there is some comfort in the news some comfort your son will not be killd so soon as I thought he would
COUNTESS
Why should he be killd
CLOWN
So say I madam if he run away as I hear he does the danger is in standing tot thats the loss of men though it be the getting of children Here they come will tell you more For my part I only hear your son was run away
Exit
Enter Helena and the two Gentlemen
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Save you good madam
HELENA
Madam my lord is gone for ever gone
SECOND GENTLEMAN
Do not say so
COUNTESS
Think upon patience Pray you gentlemen
I have felt so many quirks of joy and grief
That the first face of neither on the start
Can woman me unto t Where is my son I pray you
SECOND GENTLEMAN
Madam hes gone to serve the Duke of Florence
We met him thitherward for thence we came
And after some despatch in hand at court
Thither we bend again
HELENA
Look on this letter madam heres my passport
Reads When thou canst get the ring upon my finger which never shall come off and show me a child begotten of thy body that I am father to then call me husband but in such a then I write a never
This is a dreadful sentence
COUNTESS
Brought you this letter gentlemen
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Ay madam And for the contents sake are sorry for our pains
COUNTESS
I prythee lady have a better cheer
If thou engrossest all the griefs are thine
Thou robbst me of a moiety He was my son
But I do wash his name out of my blood
And thou art all my child Towards Florence is he
SECOND GENTLEMAN
Ay madam
COUNTESS
And to be a soldier
SECOND GENTLEMAN
Such is his noble purpose and believet
The duke will lay upon him all the honour
That good convenience claims
COUNTESS
Return you thither
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Ay madam with the swiftest wing of speed
HELENA
Reads Till I have no wife I have nothing in France
Tis bitter
COUNTESS
Find you that there
HELENA
Ay madam
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Tis but the boldness of his hand haply which his heart was not consenting to
COUNTESS
Nothing in France until he have no wife
Theres nothing here that is too good for him
But only she and she deserves a lord
That twenty such rude boys might tend upon
And call her hourly mistress Who was with him
FIRST GENTLEMAN
A servant only and a gentleman which I have sometime known
COUNTESS
Parolles was it not
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Ay my good lady he
COUNTESS
A very tainted fellow and full of wickedness
My son corrupts a wellderived nature
With his inducement
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Indeed good lady
The fellow has a deal of that too much
Which holds him much to have
COUNTESS
Yare welcome gentlemen
I will entreat you when you see my son
To tell him that his sword can never win
The honour that he loses more Ill entreat you
Written to bear along
SECOND GENTLEMAN
We serve you madam
In that and all your worthiest affairs
COUNTESS
Not so but as we change our courtesies
Will you draw near
Exeunt Countess and Gentlemen
HELENA
Till I have no wife I have nothing in France
Nothing in France until he has no wife
Thou shalt have none Rossillon none in France
Then hast thou all again Poor lord ist I
That chase thee from thy country and expose
Those tender limbs of thine to the event
Of the nonesparing war And is it I
That drive thee from the sportive court where thou
Wast shot at with fair eyes to be the mark
Of smoky muskets O you leaden messengers
That ride upon the violent speed of fire
Fly with false aim move the stillpeering air
That sings with piercing do not touch my lord
Whoever shoots at him I set him there
Whoever charges on his forward breast
I am the caitiff that do hold him tot
And though I kill him not I am the cause
His death was so effected Better twere
I met the ravin lion when he roard
With sharp constraint of hunger better twere
That all the miseries which nature owes
Were mine at once No come thou home Rossillon
Whence honour but of danger wins a scar
As oft it loses all I will be gone
My being here it is that holds thee hence
Shall I stay here to dot No no although
The air of paradise did fan the house
And angels officd all I will be gone
That pitiful rumour may report my flight
To consolate thine ear Come night end day
For with the dark poor thief Ill steal away
Exit
SCENE III Florence Before the Dukes palace
Flourish Enter the Duke of Florence Bertram drum and trumpets Soldiers Parolles
DUKE
The general of our horse thou art and we
Great in our hope lay our best love and credence
Upon thy promising fortune
BERTRAM
Sir it is
A charge too heavy for my strength but yet
Well strive to bear it for your worthy sake
To thextreme edge of hazard
DUKE
Then go thou forth
And fortune play upon thy prosperous helm
As thy auspicious mistress
BERTRAM
This very day
Great Mars I put myself into thy file
Make me but like my thoughts and I shall prove
A lover of thy drum hater of love
Exeunt
SCENE IV Rossillon A room in the Countesss palace
Enter Countess and Steward
COUNTESS
Alas and would you take the letter of her
Might you not know she would do as she has done
By sending me a letter Read it again
STEWARD
Reads I am Saint Jaques pilgrim thither gone
Ambitious love hath so in me offended
That barefoot plod I the cold ground upon
With sainted vow my faults to have amended
Write write that from the bloody course of war
My dearest master your dear son may hie
Bless him at home in peace whilst I from far
His name with zealous fervour sanctify
His taken labours bid him me forgive
I his despiteful Juno sent him forth
From courtly friends with camping foes to live
Where death and danger dog the heels of worth
He is too good and fair for death and me
Whom I myself embrace to set him free
COUNTESS
Ah what sharp stings are in her mildest words
Rynaldo you did never lack advice so much
As letting her pass so had I spoke with her
I could have well diverted her intents
Which thus she hath prevented
STEWARD
Pardon me madam
If I had given you this at overnight
She might have been oertaen and yet she writes
Pursuit would be but vain
COUNTESS
What angel shall
Bless this unworthy husband He cannot thrive
Unless her prayers whom heaven delights to hear
And loves to grant reprieve him from the wrath
Of greatest justice Write write Rynaldo
To this unworthy husband of his wife
Let every word weigh heavy of her worth
That he does weigh too light my greatest grief
Though little he do feel it set down sharply
Dispatch the most convenient messenger
When haply he shall hear that she is gone
He will return and hope I may that she
Hearing so much will speed her foot again
Led hither by pure love Which of them both
Is dearest to me I have no skill in sense
To make distinction Provide this messenger
My heart is heavy and mine age is weak
Grief would have tears and sorrow bids me speak
Exeunt
SCENE V Without the walls of Florence
Enter an old Widow of Florence Diana Violenta Mariana and other Citizens
WIDOW
Nay come for if they do approach the city we shall lose all the sight
DIANA
They say the French count has done most honourable service
WIDOW
It is reported that he has taken their greatst commander and that with his own hand he slew the dukes brother
A tucket afar off
We have lost our labour they are gone a contrary way Hark you may know by their trumpets
MARIANA
Come lets return again and suffice ourselves with the report of it Well Diana take heed of this French earl the honour of a maid is her name and no legacy is so rich as honesty
WIDOW
I have told my neighbour how you have been solicited by a gentleman his companion
MARIANA
I know that knave hang him one Parolles a filthy officer he is in those suggestions for the young earl Beware of them Diana their promises enticements oaths tokens and all these engines of lust are not the things they go under many a maid hath been seduced by them and the misery is example that so terrible shows in the wreck of maidenhood cannot for all that dissuade succession but that they are limed with the twigs that threaten them I hope I need not to advise you further but I hope your own grace will keep you where you are though there were no further danger known but the modesty which is so lost
DIANA
You shall not need to fear me
Enter Helena in the dress of a pilgrim
WIDOW
I hope so Look here comes a pilgrim I know she will lie at my house thither they send one another Ill question her God save you pilgrim Whither are bound
HELENA
To Saint Jaques le Grand
Where do the palmers lodge I do beseech you
WIDOW
At the Saint Francis here beside the port
HELENA
Is this the way
A march afar
WIDOW
Ay marry ist Hark you they come this way
If you will tarry holy pilgrim
But till the troops come by
I will conduct you where you shall be lodgd
The rather for I think I know your hostess
As ample as myself
HELENA
Is it yourself
WIDOW
If you shall please so pilgrim
HELENA
I thank you and will stay upon your leisure
WIDOW
You came I think from France
HELENA
I did so
WIDOW
Here you shall see a countryman of yours
That has done worthy service
HELENA
His name I pray you
DIANA
The Count Rossillon Know you such a one
HELENA
But by the ear that hears most nobly of him
His face I know not
DIANA
Whatsomeer he is
Hes bravely taken here He stole from France
As tis reported for the king had married him
Against his liking Think you it is so
HELENA
Ay surely mere the truth I know his lady
DIANA
There is a gentleman that serves the count
Reports but coarsely of her
HELENA
Whats his name
DIANA
Monsieur Parolles
HELENA
O I believe with him
In argument of praise or to the worth
Of the great count himself she is too mean
To have her name repeated all her deserving
Is a reserved honesty and that
I have not heard examind
DIANA
Alas poor lady
Tis a hard bondage to become the wife
Of a detesting lord
WIDOW
Ay right good creature wheresoeer she is
Her heart weighs sadly This young maid might do her
A shrewd turn if she pleasd
HELENA
How do you mean
Maybe the amorous count solicits her
In the unlawful purpose
WIDOW
He does indeed
And brokes with all that can in such a suit
Corrupt the tender honour of a maid
But she is armd for him and keeps her guard
In honestest defence
Enter with a drum and colours a party of the Florentine army Bertram and Parolles
MARIANA
The gods forbid else
WIDOW
So now they come
That is Antonio the Dukes eldest son
That Escalus
HELENA
Which is the Frenchman
DIANA
He
That with the plume tis a most gallant fellow
I would he lovd his wife if he were honester
He were much goodlier Ist not a handsome gentleman
HELENA
I like him well
DIANA
Tis pity he is not honest Yonds that same knave
That leads him to these places Were I his lady
I would poison that vile rascal
HELENA
Which is he
DIANA
That jackanapes with scarfs Why is he melancholy
HELENA
Perchance hes hurt i the battle
PAROLLES
Lose our drum Well
MARIANA
Hes shrewdly vexd at something Look he has spied us
WIDOW
Marry hang you
MARIANA
And your courtesy for a ringcarrier
Exeunt Bertram Parolles Officers and Soldiers
WIDOW
The troop is past Come pilgrim I will bring you
Where you shall host of enjoind penitents
Theres four or five to great Saint Jaques bound
Already at my house
HELENA
I humbly thank you
Please it this matron and this gentle maid
To eat with us tonight the charge and thanking
Shall be for me and to requite you further
I will bestow some precepts of this virgin
Worthy the note
BOTH
Well take your offer kindly
Exeunt
SCENE VI Camp before Florence
Enter Bertram and the two French Lords
FIRST LORD
Nay good my lord put him tot let him have his way
SECOND LORD
If your lordship find him not a hilding hold me no more in your respect
FIRST LORD
On my life my lord a bubble
BERTRAM
Do you think I am so far deceived in him
FIRST LORD
Believe it my lord in mine own direct knowledge without any malice but to speak of him as my kinsman hes a most notable coward an infinite and endless liar an hourly promisebreaker the owner of no one good quality worthy your lordships entertainment
SECOND LORD
It were fit you knew him lest reposing too far in his virtue which he hath not he might at some great and trusty business in a main danger fail you
BERTRAM
I would I knew in what particular action to try him
SECOND LORD
None better than to let him fetch off his drum which you hear him so confidently undertake to do
FIRST LORD
I with a troop of Florentines will suddenly surprise him such I will have whom I am sure he knows not from the enemy we will bind and hoodwink him so that he shall suppose no other but that he is carried into the leaguer of the adversaries when we bring him to our own tents Be but your lordship present at his examination if he do not for the promise of his life and in the highest compulsion of base fear offer to betray you and deliver all the intelligence in his power against you and that with the divine forfeit of his soul upon oath never trust my judgment in anything
SECOND LORD
O for the love of laughter let him fetch his drum he says he has a stratagem fort When your lordship sees the bottom of his success int and to what metal this counterfeit lump of ore will be melted if you give him not John Drums entertainment your inclining cannot be removed Here he comes
Enter Parolles
FIRST LORD
O for the love of laughter hinder not the honour of his design let him fetch off his drum in any hand
BERTRAM
How now monsieur This drum sticks sorely in your disposition
SECOND LORD
A pox on t let it go tis but a drum
PAROLLES
But a drum Ist but a drum A drum so lost There was excellent command to charge in with our horse upon our own wings and to rend our own soldiers
SECOND LORD
That was not to be blamd in the command of the service it was a disaster of war that Caesar himself could not have prevented if he had been there to command
BERTRAM
Well we cannot greatly condemn our success some dishonour we had in the loss of that drum but it is not to be recovered
PAROLLES
It might have been recovered
BERTRAM
It might but it is not now
PAROLLES
It is to be recovered But that the merit of service is seldom attributed to the true and exact performer I would have that drum or another or hic jacet
BERTRAM
Why if you have a stomach tot monsieur if you think your mystery in stratagem can bring this instrument of honour again into his native quarter be magnanimous in the enterprise and go on I will grace the attempt for a worthy exploit if you speed well in it the duke shall both speak of it and extend to you what further becomes his greatness even to the utmost syllable of your worthiness
PAROLLES
By the hand of a soldier I will undertake it
BERTRAM
But you must not now slumber in it
PAROLLES
Ill about it this evening and I will presently pen down my dilemmas encourage myself in my certainty put myself into my mortal preparation and by midnight look to hear further from me
BERTRAM
May I be bold to acquaint his grace you are gone about it
PAROLLES
I know not what the success will be my lord but the attempt I vow
BERTRAM
I know thart valiant and to the possibility of thy soldiership will subscribe for thee Farewell
PAROLLES
I love not many words
Exit
FIRST LORD
No more than a fish loves water Is not this a strange fellow my lord that so confidently seems to undertake this business which he knows is not to be done damns himself to do and dares better be damnd than to dot
SECOND LORD
You do not know him my lord as we do certain it is that he will steal himself into a mans favour and for a week escape a great deal of discoveries but when you find him out you have him ever after
BERTRAM
Why do you think he will make no deed at all of this that so seriously he does address himself unto
FIRST LORD
None in the world but return with an invention and clap upon you two or three probable lies but we have almost embossed him you shall see his fall tonight for indeed he is not for your lordships respect
SECOND LORD
Well make you some sport with the fox ere we case him He was first smokd by the old Lord Lafew when his disguise and he is parted tell me what a sprat you shall find him which you shall see this very night
FIRST LORD
I must go look my twigs He shall be caught
BERTRAM
Your brother he shall go along with me
FIRST LORD
Ast please your lordship Ill leave you
Exit
BERTRAM
Now will I lead you to the house and show you
The lass I spoke of
SECOND LORD
But you say shes honest
BERTRAM
Thats all the fault I spoke with her but once
And found her wondrous cold but I sent to her
By this same coxcomb that we have i the wind
Tokens and letters which she did resend
And this is all I have done Shes a fair creature
Will you go see her
SECOND LORD
With all my heart my lord
Exeunt
SCENE VII Florence A room in the Widows house
Enter Helena and Widow
HELENA
If you misdoubt me that I am not she
I know not how I shall assure you further
But I shall lose the grounds I work upon
WIDOW
Though my estate be falln I was well born
Nothing acquainted with these businesses
And would not put my reputation now
In any staining act
HELENA
Nor would I wish you
First give me trust the count he is my husband
And what to your sworn counsel I have spoken
Is so from word to word and then you cannot
By the good aid that I of you shall borrow
Err in bestowing it
WIDOW
I should believe you
For you have showd me that which well approves
Yare great in fortune
HELENA
Take this purse of gold
And let me buy your friendly help thus far
Which I will overpay and pay again
When I have found it The count he woos your daughter
Lays down his wanton siege before her beauty
Resolvd to carry her let her in fine consent
As well direct her how tis best to bear it
Now his important blood will naught deny
That shell demand a ring the county wears
That downward hath succeeded in his house
From son to son some four or five descents
Since the first father wore it This ring he holds
In most rich choice yet in his idle fire
To buy his will it would not seem too dear
Howeer repented after
WIDOW
Now I see
The bottom of your purpose
HELENA
You see it lawful then it is no more
But that your daughter ere she seems as won
Desires this ring appoints him an encounter
In fine delivers me to fill the time
Herself most chastely absent After
To marry her Ill add three thousand crowns
To what is passd already
WIDOW
I have yielded
Instruct my daughter how she shall persever
That time and place with this deceit so lawful
May prove coherent Every night he comes
With musics of all sorts and songs composd
To her unworthiness it nothing steads us
To chide him from our eaves for he persists
As if his life lay on t
HELENA
Why then tonight
Let us assay our plot which if it speed
Is wicked meaning in a lawful deed
And lawful meaning in a lawful act
Where both not sin and yet a sinful fact
But lets about it
Exeunt
ACT IV
SCENE I Without the Florentine camp
Enter first Lord with five or six Soldiers in ambush
FIRST LORD
He can come no other way but by this hedgecorner When you sally upon him speak what terrible language you will though you understand it not yourselves no matter for we must not seem to understand him unless someone among us whom we must produce for an interpreter
FIRST SOLDIER
Good captain let me be th interpreter
FIRST LORD
Art not acquainted with him Knows he not thy voice
FIRST SOLDIER
No sir I warrant you
FIRST LORD
But what linseywoolsey has thou to speak to us again
FIRST SOLDIER
Een such as you speak to me
FIRST LORD
He must think us some band of strangers i the adversarys entertainment Now he hath a smack of all neighbouring languages therefore we must every one be a man of his own fancy not to know what we speak one to another so we seem to know is to know straight our purpose choughs language gabble enough and good enough As for you interpreter you must seem very politic But couch ho Here he comes to beguile two hours in a sleep and then to return and swear the lies he forges
Enter Parolles
PAROLLES
Ten oclock Within these three hours twill be time enough to go home What shall I say I have done It must be a very plausive invention that carries it They begin to smoke me and disgraces have of late knockd too often at my door I find my tongue is too foolhardy but my heart hath the fear of Mars before it and of his creatures not daring the reports of my tongue
FIRST LORD
Aside This is the first truth that eer thine own tongue was guilty of
PAROLLES
What the devil should move me to undertake the recovery of this drum being not ignorant of the impossibility and knowing I had no such purpose I must give myself some hurts and say I got them in exploit yet slight ones will not carry it They will say Came you off with so little and great ones I dare not give Wherefore whats the instance Tongue I must put you into a butterwomans mouth and buy myself another of Bajazets mule if you prattle me into these perils
FIRST LORD
Aside Is it possible he should know what he is and be that he is
PAROLLES
I would the cutting of my garments would serve the turn or the breaking of my Spanish sword
FIRST LORD
Aside We cannot afford you so
PAROLLES
Or the baring of my beard and to say it was in stratagem
FIRST LORD
Aside Twould not do
PAROLLES
Or to drown my clothes and say I was stripped
FIRST LORD
Aside Hardly serve
PAROLLES
Though I swore I leapd from the window of the citadel
FIRST LORD
Aside How deep
PAROLLES
Thirty fathom
FIRST LORD
Aside Three great oaths would scarce make that be believed
PAROLLES
I would I had any drum of the enemys I would swear I recoverd it
FIRST LORD
Aside You shall hear one anon
PAROLLES
A drum now of the enemys
Alarum within
FIRST LORD
Throca movousus cargo cargo cargo
ALL
Cargo cargo cargo villianda par corbo cargo
They seize and blindfold him
PAROLLES
O ransom ransom Do not hide mine eyes
FIRST SOLDIER
Boskos thromuldo boskos
PAROLLES
I know you are the Muskos regiment
And I shall lose my life for want of language
If there be here German or Dane Low Dutch
Italian or French let him speak to me
Ill discover that which shall undo the Florentine
FIRST SOLDIER
Boskos vauvado I understand thee and can speak thy tongue Kerelybonto Sir Betake thee to thy faith for seventeen poniards are at thy bosom
PAROLLES
O
FIRST SOLDIER
O pray pray pray
Manka revania dulche
FIRST LORD
Oscorbidulchos volivorco
FIRST SOLDIER
The General is content to spare thee yet
And hoodwinkd as thou art will lead thee on
To gather from thee Haply thou mayst inform
Something to save thy life
PAROLLES
O let me live
And all the secrets of our camp Ill show
Their force their purposes nay Ill speak that
Which you will wonder at
FIRST SOLDIER
But wilt thou faithfully
PAROLLES
If I do not damn me
FIRST SOLDIER
Acordo linta
Come on thou art granted space
Exit with Parolles guarded
A short alarum within
FIRST LORD
Go tell the Count Rossillon and my brother
We have caught the woodcock and will keep him muffled
Till we do hear from them
SECOND SOLDIER
Captain I will
FIRST LORD
A will betray us all unto ourselves
Inform on that
SECOND SOLDIER
So I will sir
FIRST LORD
Till then Ill keep him dark and safely lockd
Exeunt
SCENE II Florence A room in the Widows house
Enter Bertram and Diana
BERTRAM
They told me that your name was Fontybell
DIANA
No my good lord Diana
BERTRAM
Titled goddess
And worth it with addition But fair soul
In your fine frame hath love no quality
If the quick fire of youth light not your mind
You are no maiden but a monument
When you are dead you should be such a one
As you are now for you are cold and stern
And now you should be as your mother was
When your sweet self was got
DIANA
She then was honest
BERTRAM
So should you be
DIANA
No
My mother did but duty such my lord
As you owe to your wife
BERTRAM
No more a that
I prythee do not strive against my vows
I was compelld to her but I love thee
By loves own sweet constraint and will for ever
Do thee all rights of service
DIANA
Ay so you serve us
Till we serve you but when you have our roses
You barely leave our thorns to prick ourselves
And mock us with our bareness
BERTRAM
How have I sworn
DIANA
Tis not the many oaths that makes the truth
But the plain single vow that is vowd true
What is not holy that we swear not by
But take the highest to witness then pray you tell me
If I should swear by Joves great attributes
I lovd you dearly would you believe my oaths
When I did love you ill This has no holding
To swear by him whom I protest to love
That I will work against him Therefore your oaths
Are words and poor conditions but unseald
At least in my opinion
BERTRAM
Change it change it
Be not so holycruel Love is holy
And my integrity neer knew the crafts
That you do charge men with Stand no more off
But give thyself unto my sick desires
Who then recovers Say thou art mine and ever
My love as it begins shall so persever
DIANA
I see that men make hopes in such a case
That well forsake ourselves Give me that ring
BERTRAM
Ill lend it thee my dear but have no power
To give it from me
DIANA
Will you not my lord
BERTRAM
It is an honour longing to our house
Bequeathed down from many ancestors
Which were the greatest obloquy i the world
In me to lose
DIANA
Mine honours such a ring
My chastitys the jewel of our house
Bequeathed down from many ancestors
Which were the greatest obloquy i the world
In me to lose Thus your own proper wisdom
Brings in the champion honour on my part
Against your vain assault
BERTRAM
Here take my ring
My house mine honour yea my life be thine
And Ill be bid by thee
DIANA
When midnight comes knock at my chamber window
Ill order take my mother shall not hear
Now will I charge you in the band of truth
When you have conquerd my yet maidenbed
Remain there but an hour nor speak to me
My reasons are most strong and you shall know them
When back again this ring shall be deliverd
And on your finger in the night Ill put
Another ring that what in time proceeds
May token to the future our past deeds
Adieu till then then fail not You have won
A wife of me though there my hope be done
BERTRAM
A heaven on earth I have won by wooing thee
Exit
DIANA
For which live long to thank both heaven and me
You may so in the end
My mother told me just how he would woo
As if she sat ins heart She says all men
Have the like oaths He had sworn to marry me
When his wifes dead therefore Ill lie with him
When I am buried Since Frenchmen are so braid
Marry that will I live and die a maid
Only in this disguise I thinkt no sin
To cozen him that would unjustly win
Exit
SCENE III The Florentine camp
Enter the two French Lords and two or three Soldiers
FIRST LORD
You have not given him his mothers letter
SECOND LORD
I have delivred it an hour since there is something int that stings his nature for on the reading it he changd almost into another man
FIRST LORD
He has much worthy blame laid upon him for shaking off so good a wife and so sweet a lady
SECOND LORD
Especially he hath incurred the everlasting displeasure of the king who had even tund his bounty to sing happiness to him I will tell you a thing but you shall let it dwell darkly with you
FIRST LORD
When you have spoken it tis dead and I am the grave of it
SECOND LORD
He hath perverted a young gentlewoman here in Florence of a most chaste renown and this night he fleshes his will in the spoil of her honour he hath given her his monumental ring and thinks himself made in the unchaste composition
FIRST LORD
Now God delay our rebellion As we are ourselves what things are we
SECOND LORD
Merely our own traitors And as in the common course of all treasons we still see them reveal themselves till they attain to their abhorrd ends so he that in this action contrives against his own nobility in his proper stream oerflows himself
FIRST LORD
Is it not meant damnable in us to be trumpeters of our unlawful intents We shall not then have his company tonight
SECOND LORD
Not till after midnight for he is dieted to his hour
FIRST LORD
That approaches apace I would gladly have him see his company anatomized that he might take a measure of his own judgments wherein so curiously he had set this counterfeit
SECOND LORD
We will not meddle with him till he come for his presence must be the whip of the other
FIRST LORD
In the meantime what hear you of these wars
SECOND LORD
I hear there is an overture of peace
FIRST LORD
Nay I assure you a peace concluded
SECOND LORD
What will Count Rossillon do then Will he travel higher or return again into France
FIRST LORD
I perceive by this demand you are not altogether of his council
SECOND LORD
Let it be forbid sir So should I be a great deal of his act
FIRST LORD
Sir his wife some two months since fled from his house Her pretence is a pilgrimage to Saint Jaques le Grand which holy undertaking with most austere sanctimony she accomplished and there residing the tenderness of her nature became as a prey to her grief in fine made a groan of her last breath and now she sings in heaven
SECOND LORD
How is this justified
FIRST LORD
The stronger part of it by her own letters which makes her story true even to the point of her death Her death itself which could not be her office to say is come was faithfully confirmd by the rector of the place
SECOND LORD
Hath the count all this intelligence
FIRST LORD
Ay and the particular confirmations point from point to the full arming of the verity
SECOND LORD
I am heartily sorry that hell be glad of this
FIRST LORD
How mightily sometimes we make us comforts of our losses
SECOND LORD
And how mightily some other times we drown our gain in tears The great dignity that his valour hath here acquird for him shall at home be encountered with a shame as ample
FIRST LORD
The web of our life is of a mingled yarn good and ill together our virtues would be proud if our faults whipped them not and our crimes would despair if they were not cherishd by our virtues
Enter a Messenger
How now Wheres your master
MESSENGER
He met the duke in the street sir of whom he hath taken a solemn leave his lordship will next morning for France The duke hath offered him letters of commendations to the king
SECOND LORD
They shall be no more than needful there if they were more than they can commend
Enter Bertram
FIRST LORD
They cannot be too sweet for the kings tartness Heres his lordship now How now my lord ist not after midnight
BERTRAM
I have tonight despatchd sixteen businesses a months length apiece by an abstract of success I have congied with the duke done my adieu with his nearest buried a wife mournd for her writ to my lady mother I am returning entertained my convoy and between these main parcels of despatch effected many nicer needs the last was the greatest but that I have not ended yet
SECOND LORD
If the business be of any difficulty and this morning your departure hence it requires haste of your lordship
BERTRAM
I mean the business is not ended as fearing to hear of it hereafter But shall we have this dialogue between the Fool and the Soldier Come bring forth this counterfeit module has deceivd me like a doublemeaning prophesier
SECOND LORD
Bring him forth
Exeunt Soldiers
Has sat i the stocks all night poor gallant knave
BERTRAM
No matter his heels have deservd it in usurping his spurs so long How does he carry himself
FIRST LORD
I have told your lordship already the stocks carry him But to answer you as you would be understood he weeps like a wench that had shed her milk he hath confessed himself to Morgan whom he supposes to be a friar from the time of his remembrance to this very instant disaster of his setting i the stocks And what think you he hath confessed
BERTRAM
Nothing of me has he
SECOND LORD
His confession is taken and it shall be read to his face if your lordship be int as I believe you are you must have the patience to hear it
Enter Soldiers with Parolles
BERTRAM
A plague upon him muffled he can say nothing of me hush hush
FIRST LORD
Hoodman comes Portotartarossa
FIRST SOLDIER
He calls for the tortures What will you say without em
PAROLLES
I will confess what I know without constraint If ye pinch me like a pasty I can say no more
FIRST SOLDIER
Bosko chimurcho
FIRST LORD
Boblibindo chicurmurco
FIRST SOLDIER
You are a merciful general Our general bids you answer to what I shall ask you out of a note
PAROLLES
And truly as I hope to live
FIRST SOLDIER
First demand of him how many horse the duke is strong What say you to that
PAROLLES
Five or six thousand but very weak and unserviceable the troops are all scattered and the commanders very poor rogues upon my reputation and credit and as I hope to live
FIRST SOLDIER
Shall I set down your answer so
PAROLLES
Do Ill take the sacrament on t how and which way you will
BERTRAM
Alls one to him What a pastsaving slave is this
FIRST LORD
You are deceived my lord this is Monsieur Parolles the gallant militarist that was his own phrase that had the whole theoric of war in the knot of his scarf and the practice in the chape of his dagger
SECOND LORD
I will never trust a man again for keeping his sword clean nor believe he can have everything in him by wearing his apparel neatly
FIRST SOLDIER
Well thats set down
PAROLLES
Five or six thousand horse I saidI will say trueor thereabouts set downfor Ill speak truth
FIRST LORD
Hes very near the truth in this
BERTRAM
But I con him no thanks fort in the nature he delivers it
PAROLLES
Poor rogues I pray you say
FIRST SOLDIER
Well thats set down
PAROLLES
I humbly thank you sir a truths a truth the rogues are marvellous poor
FIRST SOLDIER
Demand of him of what strength they are afoot What say you to that
PAROLLES
By my troth sir if I were to live this present hour I will tell true Let me see Spurio a hundred and fifty Sebastian so many Corambus so many Jaques so many Guiltian Cosmo Lodowick and Gratii two hundred fifty each mine own company Chitopher Vaumond Bentii two hundred fifty each so that the musterfile rotten and sound upon my life amounts not to fifteen thousand poll half of the which dare not shake the snow from off their cassocks lest they shake themselves to pieces
BERTRAM
What shall be done to him
FIRST LORD
Nothing but let him have thanks Demand of him my condition and what credit I have with the duke
FIRST SOLDIER
Well thats set down You shall demand of him whether one Captain Dumaine be i the camp a Frenchman what his reputation is with the duke what his valour honesty and expertness in wars or whether he thinks it were not possible with wellweighing sums of gold to corrupt him to a revolt What say you to this What do you know of it
PAROLLES
I beseech you let me answer to the particular of the intergatories Demand them singly
FIRST SOLDIER
Do you know this Captain Dumaine
PAROLLES
I know him he was a botchers prentice in Paris from whence he was whipped for getting the shrieves fool with child a dumb innocent that could not say him nay
First Lord lifts up his hand in anger
BERTRAM
Nay by your leave hold your hands though I know his brains are forfeit to the next tile that falls
FIRST SOLDIER
Well is this captain in the Duke of Florences camp
PAROLLES
Upon my knowledge he is and lousy
FIRST LORD
Nay look not so upon me we shall hear of your lordship anon
FIRST SOLDIER
What is his reputation with the duke
PAROLLES
The duke knows him for no other but a poor officer of mine and writ to me this other day to turn him out o the band I think I have his letter in my pocket
FIRST SOLDIER
Marry well search
PAROLLES
In good sadness I do not know either it is there or it is upon a file with the dukes other letters in my tent
FIRST SOLDIER
Here tis heres a paper shall I read it to you
PAROLLES
I do not know if it be it or no
BERTRAM
Our interpreter does it well
FIRST LORD
Excellently
FIRST SOLDIER
Reads Dian the Counts a fool and full of gold
PAROLLES
That is not the dukes letter sir that is an advertisement to a proper maid in Florence one Diana to take heed of the allurement of one Count Rossillon a foolish idle boy but for all that very ruttish I pray you sir put it up again
FIRST SOLDIER
Nay Ill read it first by your favour
PAROLLES
My meaning int I protest was very honest in the behalf of the maid for I knew the young count to be a dangerous and lascivious boy who is a whale to virginity and devours up all the fry it finds
BERTRAM
Damnable both sides rogue
FIRST SOLDIER
Reads
When he swears oaths bid him drop gold and take it
After he scores he never pays the score
Half won is match well made match and well make it
He neer pays afterdebts take it before
And say a soldier Dian told thee this
Men are to mell with boys are not to kiss
For count of this the counts a fool I know it
Who pays before but not when he does owe it
Thine as he vowd to thee in thine ear
PAROLLES
BERTRAM
He shall be whipped through the army with this rhyme ins forehead
SECOND LORD
This is your devoted friend sir the manifold linguist and the armipotent soldier
BERTRAM
I could endure anything before but a cat and now hes a cat to me
FIRST SOLDIER
I perceive sir by our generals looks we shall be fain to hang you
PAROLLES
My life sir in any case Not that I am afraid to die but that my offences being many I would repent out the remainder of nature Let me live sir in a dungeon i the stocks or anywhere so I may live
FIRST SOLDIER
Well see what may be done so you confess freely Therefore once more to this Captain Dumaine you have answerd to his reputation with the duke and to his valour What is his honesty
PAROLLES
He will steal sir an egg out of a cloister for rapes and ravishments he parallels Nessus He professes not keeping of oaths in breaking them he is stronger than Hercules He will lie sir with such volubility that you would think truth were a fool drunkenness is his best virtue for he will be swinedrunk and in his sleep he does little harm save to his bedclothes about him but they know his conditions and lay him in straw I have but little more to say sir of his honesty he has everything that an honest man should not have what an honest man should have he has nothing
FIRST LORD
I begin to love him for this
BERTRAM
For this description of thine honesty A pox upon him for me hes more and more a cat
FIRST SOLDIER
What say you to his expertness in war
PAROLLES
Faith sir has led the drum before the English tragediansto belie him I will notand more of his soldiership I know not except in that country he had the honour to be the officer at a place there called Mileend to instruct for the doubling of files I would do the man what honour I can but of this I am not certain
FIRST LORD
He hath outvillaind villainy so far that the rarity redeems him
BERTRAM
A pox on him Hes a cat still
FIRST SOLDIER
His qualities being at this poor price I need not to ask you if gold will corrupt him to revolt
PAROLLES
Sir for a quart decu he will sell the feesimple of his salvation the inheritance of it and cut the entail from all remainders and a perpetual succession for it perpetually
FIRST SOLDIER
Whats his brother the other Captain Dumaine
SECOND LORD
Why does he ask him of me
FIRST SOLDIER
Whats he
PAROLLES
Een a crow o the same nest not altogether so great as the first in goodness but greater a great deal in evil He excels his brother for a coward yet his brother is reputed one of the best that is In a retreat he outruns any lackey marry in coming on he has the cramp
FIRST SOLDIER
If your life be saved will you undertake to betray the Florentine
PAROLLES
Ay and the captain of his horse Count Rossillon
FIRST SOLDIER
Ill whisper with the general and know his pleasure
PAROLLES
Aside Ill no more drumming a plague of all drums Only to seem to deserve well and to beguile the supposition of that lascivious young boy the count have I run into this danger yet who would have suspected an ambush where I was taken
FIRST SOLDIER
There is no remedy sir but you must die The general says you that have so traitorously discovered the secrets of your army and made such pestiferous reports of men very nobly held can serve the world for no honest use therefore you must die Come headsman off with his head
PAROLLES
O Lord sir let me live or let me see my death
FIRST SOLDIER
That shall you and take your leave of all your friends
Unmuffling him
So look about you know you any here
BERTRAM
Good morrow noble captain
SECOND LORD
God bless you Captain Parolles
FIRST LORD
God save you noble captain
SECOND LORD
Captain what greeting will you to my Lord Lafew I am for France
FIRST LORD
Good Captain will you give me a copy of the sonnet you writ to Diana in behalf of the Count Rossillon And I were not a very coward Id compel it of you but fare you well
Exeunt Bertram Lords c
FIRST SOLDIER
You are undone captain all but your scarf that has a knot ont yet
PAROLLES
Who cannot be crushed with a plot
FIRST SOLDIER
If you could find out a country where but women were that had received so much shame you might begin an impudent nation Fare ye well sir I am for France too we shall speak of you there
Exeunt
PAROLLES
Yet am I thankful If my heart were great
Twould burst at this Captain Ill be no more
But I will eat and drink and sleep as soft
As captain shall Simply the thing I am
Shall make me live Who knows himself a braggart
Let him fear this for it will come to pass
That every braggart shall be found an ass
Rust sword cool blushes and Parolles live
Safest in shame being foold by foolery thrive
Theres place and means for every man alive
Ill after them
Exit
SCENE IV Florence A room in the Widows house
Enter Helena Widow and Diana
HELENA
That you may well perceive I have not wrongd you
One of the greatest in the Christian world
Shall be my surety fore whose throne tis needful
Ere I can perfect mine intents to kneel
Time was I did him a desired office
Dear almost as his life which gratitude
Through flinty Tartars bosom would peep forth
And answer thanks I duly am informd
His grace is at Marseilles to which place
We have convenient convoy You must know
I am supposed dead The army breaking
My husband hies him home where heaven aiding
And by the leave of my good lord the king
Well be before our welcome
WIDOW
Gentle madam
You never had a servant to whose trust
Your business was more welcome
HELENA
Nor you mistress
Ever a friend whose thoughts more truly labour
To recompense your love Doubt not but heaven
Hath brought me up to be your daughters dower
As it hath fated her to be my motive
And helper to a husband But O strange men
That can such sweet use make of what they hate
When saucy trusting of the cozend thoughts
Defiles the pitchy night so lust doth play
With what it loathes for that which is away
But more of this hereafter You Diana
Under my poor instructions yet must suffer
Something in my behalf
DIANA
Let death and honesty
Go with your impositions I am yours
Upon your will to suffer
HELENA
Yet I pray you
But with the word the time will bring on summer
When briers shall have leaves as well as thorns
And be as sweet as sharp We must away
Our waggon is prepard and time revives us
Alls well that ends well still the fines the crown
Whateer the course the end is the renown
Exeunt
SCENE V Rossillon A room in the Countesss palace
Enter Clown Countess and Lafew
LAFEW
No no no your son was misled with a snipttaffeta fellow there whose villanous saffron would have made all the unbakd and doughy youth of a nation in his colour Your daughterinlaw had been alive at this hour and your son here at home more advancd by the king than by that redtaild humblebee I speak of
COUNTESS
I would I had not known him it was the death of the most virtuous gentlewoman that ever nature had praise for creating If she had partaken of my flesh and cost me the dearest groans of a mother I could not have owed her a more rooted love
LAFEW
Twas a good lady twas a good lady We may pick a thousand salads ere we light on such another herb
CLOWN
Indeed sir she was the sweet marjoram of the salad or rather the herb of grace
LAFEW
They are not herbs you knave they are noseherbs
CLOWN
I am no great Nebuchadnezzar sir I have not much skill in grass
LAFEW
Whether dost thou profess thyselfa knave or a fool
CLOWN
A fool sir at a womans service and a knave at a mans
LAFEW
Your distinction
CLOWN
I would cozen the man of his wife and do his service
LAFEW
So you were a knave at his service indeed
CLOWN
And I would give his wife my bauble sir to do her service
LAFEW
I will subscribe for thee thou art both knave and fool
CLOWN
At your service
LAFEW
No no no
CLOWN
Why sir if I cannot serve you I can serve as great a prince as you are
LAFEW
Whos that a Frenchman
CLOWN
Faith sir a has an English name but his phisnomy is more hotter in France than there
LAFEW
What prince is that
CLOWN
The black prince sir alias the prince of darkness alias the devil
LAFEW
Hold thee theres my purse I give thee not this to suggest thee from thy master thou talkst of serve him still
CLOWN
I am a woodland fellow sir that always loved a great fire and the master I speak of ever keeps a good fire But sure he is the prince of the world let his nobility remain ins court I am for the house with the narrow gate which I take to be too little for pomp to enter some that humble themselves may but the many will be too chill and tender and theyll be for the flowry way that leads to the broad gate and the great fire
LAFEW
Go thy ways I begin to be aweary of thee and I tell thee so before because I would not fall out with thee Go thy ways let my horses be well lookd to without any tricks
CLOWN
If I put any tricks upon em sir they shall be jades tricks which are their own right by the law of nature
Exit
LAFEW
A shrewd knave and an unhappy
COUNTESS
So he is My lord thats gone made himself much sport out of him by his authority he remains here which he thinks is a patent for his sauciness and indeed he has no pace but runs where he will
LAFEW
I like him well tis not amiss And I was about to tell you since I heard of the good ladys death and that my lord your son was upon his return home I moved the king my master to speak in the behalf of my daughter which in the minority of them both his majesty out of a selfgracious remembrance did first propose His highness hath promisd me to do it and to stop up the displeasure he hath conceived against your son there is no fitter matter How does your ladyship like it
COUNTESS
With very much content my lord and I wish it happily effected
LAFEW
His highness comes post from Marseilles of as able body as when he numberd thirty he will be here tomorrow or I am deceived by him that in such intelligence hath seldom faild
COUNTESS
It rejoices me that I hope I shall see him ere I die I have letters that my son will be here tonight I shall beseech your lordship to remain with me till they meet together
LAFEW
Madam I was thinking with what manners I might safely be admitted
COUNTESS
You need but plead your honourable privilege
LAFEW
Lady of that I have made a bold charter but I thank my God it holds yet
Enter Clown
CLOWN
O madam yonders my lord your son with a patch of velvet ons face whether there be a scar undert or no the velvet knows but tis a goodly patch of velvet His left cheek is a cheek of two pile and a half but his right cheek is worn bare
LAFEW
A scar nobly got or a noble scar is a good livery of honour so belike is that
CLOWN
But it is your carbonadod face
LAFEW
Let us go see your son I pray you I long to talk with the young noble soldier
CLOWN
Faith theres a dozen of em with delicate fine hats and most courteous feathers which bow the head and nod at every man
Exeunt
ACT V
SCENE I Marseilles A street
Enter Helena Widow and Diana with two Attendants
HELENA
But this exceeding posting day and night
Must wear your spirits low We cannot help it
But since you have made the days and nights as one
To wear your gentle limbs in my affairs
Be bold you do so grow in my requital
As nothing can unroot you In happy time
Enter a Gentleman
This man may help me to his majestys ear
If he would spend his power God save you sir
GENTLEMAN
And you
HELENA
Sir I have seen you in the court of France
GENTLEMAN
I have been sometimes there
HELENA
I do presume sir that you are not fallen
From the report that goes upon your goodness
And therefore goaded with most sharp occasions
Which lay nice manners by I put you to
The use of your own virtues for the which
I shall continue thankful
GENTLEMAN
Whats your will
HELENA
That it will please you
To give this poor petition to the king
And aid me with that store of power you have
To come into his presence
GENTLEMAN
The kings not here
HELENA
Not here sir
GENTLEMAN
Not indeed
He hence removd last night and with more haste
Than is his use
WIDOW
Lord how we lose our pains
HELENA
Alls well that ends well yet
Though time seem so adverse and means unfit
I do beseech you whither is he gone
GENTLEMAN
Marry as I take it to Rossillon
Whither I am going
HELENA
I do beseech you sir
Since you are like to see the king before me
Commend the paper to his gracious hand
Which I presume shall render you no blame
But rather make you thank your pains for it
I will come after you with what good speed
Our means will make us means
GENTLEMAN
This Ill do for you
HELENA
And you shall find yourself to be well thankd
Whateer falls more We must to horse again
Go go provide
Exeunt
SCENE II Rossillon The inner court of the Countesss palace
Enter Clown and Parolles
PAROLLES
Good Monsieur Lavache give my Lord Lafew this letter I have ere now sir been better known to you when I have held familiarity with fresher clothes but I am now sir muddied in Fortunes mood and smell somewhat strong of her strong displeasure
CLOWN
Truly Fortunes displeasure is but sluttish if it smell so strongly as thou speakst of I will henceforth eat no fish of Fortunes buttering Prythee allow the wind
PAROLLES
Nay you need not to stop your nose sir I spake but by a metaphor
CLOWN
Indeed sir if your metaphor stink I will stop my nose or against any mans metaphor Prythee get thee further
PAROLLES
Pray you sir deliver me this paper
CLOWN
Foh prythee stand away A paper from Fortunes closestool to give to a nobleman Look here he comes himself
Enter Lafew
Here is a pur of Fortunes sir or of Fortunes cat but not a muskcat that has fallen into the unclean fishpond of her displeasure and as he says is muddied withal Pray you sir use the carp as you may for he looks like a poor decayed ingenious foolish rascally knave I do pity his distress in my similes of comfort and leave him to your lordship
Exit
PAROLLES
My lord I am a man whom Fortune hath cruelly scratchd
LAFEW
And what would you have me to do Tis too late to pare her nails now Wherein have you played the knave with Fortune that she should scratch you who of herself is a good lady and would not have knaves thrive long under her Theres a quart decu for you Let the justices make you and Fortune friends I am for other business
PAROLLES
I beseech your honour to hear me one single word
LAFEW
You beg a single penny more Come you shall hat save your word
PAROLLES
My name my good lord is Parolles
LAFEW
You beg more than word then Cox my passion Give me your hand How does your drum
PAROLLES
O my good lord you were the first that found me
LAFEW
Was I in sooth And I was the first that lost thee
PAROLLES
It lies in you my lord to bring me in some grace for you did bring me out
LAFEW
Out upon thee knave dost thou put upon me at once both the office of God and the devil One brings thee in grace and the other brings thee out
Trumpets sound
The kings coming I know by his trumpets Sirrah inquire further after me I had talk of you last night though you are a fool and a knave you shall eat Go to follow
PAROLLES
I praise God for you
Exeunt
SCENE III The same A room in the Countesss palace
Flourish Enter King Countess Lafew Lords Gentlemen Guards c
KING
We lost a jewel of her and our esteem
Was made much poorer by it but your son
As mad in folly lackd the sense to know
Her estimation home
COUNTESS
Tis past my liege
And I beseech your majesty to make it
Natural rebellion done i the blaze of youth
When oil and fire too strong for reasons force
Oerbears it and burns on
KING
My honourd lady
I have forgiven and forgotten all
Though my revenges were high bent upon him
And watchd the time to shoot
LAFEW
This I must say
But first I beg my pardonthe young lord
Did to his majesty his mother and his lady
Offence of mighty note but to himself
The greatest wrong of all He lost a wife
Whose beauty did astonish the survey
Of richest eyes whose words all ears took captive
Whose dear perfection hearts that scornd to serve
Humbly calld mistress
KING
Praising what is lost
Makes the remembrance dear Well call him hither
We are reconcild and the first view shall kill
All repetition Let him not ask our pardon
The nature of his great offence is dead
And deeper than oblivion do we bury
Th incensing relics of it Let him approach
A stranger no offender and inform him
So tis our will he should
GENTLEMAN
I shall my liege
Exit Gentleman
KING
What says he to your daughter Have you spoke
LAFEW
All that he is hath reference to your highness
KING
Then shall we have a match I have letters sent me
That sets him high in fame
Enter Bertram
LAFEW
He looks well on t
KING
I am not a day of season
For thou mayst see a sunshine and a hail
In me at once But to the brightest beams
Distracted clouds give way so stand thou forth
The time is fair again
BERTRAM
My highrepented blames
Dear sovereign pardon to me
KING
All is whole
Not one word more of the consumed time
Lets take the instant by the forward top
For we are old and on our quickst decrees
Thinaudible and noiseless foot of time
Steals ere we can effect them You remember
The daughter of this lord
BERTRAM
Admiringly my liege At first
I stuck my choice upon her ere my heart
Durst make too bold herald of my tongue
Where the impression of mine eye infixing
Contempt his scornful perspective did lend me
Which warpd the line of every other favour
Scornd a fair colour or expressd it stolen
Extended or contracted all proportions
To a most hideous object Thence it came
That she whom all men praisd and whom myself
Since I have lost have lovd was in mine eye
The dust that did offend it
KING
Well excusd
That thou didst love her strikes some scores away
From the great compt but love that comes too late
Like a remorseful pardon slowly carried
To the great sender turns a sour offence
Crying Thats good thats gone Our rash faults
Make trivial price of serious things we have
Not knowing them until we know their grave
Oft our displeasures to ourselves unjust
Destroy our friends and after weep their dust
Our own love waking cries to see whats done
While shameful hate sleeps out the afternoon
Be this sweet Helens knell and now forget her
Send forth your amorous token for fair Maudlin
The main consents are had and here well stay
To see our widowers second marriageday
COUNTESS
Which better than the first O dear heaven bless
Or ere they meet in me O nature cesse
LAFEW
Come on my son in whom my houses name
Must be digested give a favour from you
To sparkle in the spirits of my daughter
That she may quickly come
Bertram gives a ring to Lafew
By my old beard
And evry hair thats on t Helen thats dead
Was a sweet creature such a ring as this
The last that eer I took her leave at court
I saw upon her finger
BERTRAM
Hers it was not
KING
Now pray you let me see it for mine eye
While I was speaking oft was fastend to it
This ring was mine and when I gave it Helen
I bade her if her fortunes ever stood
Necessitied to help that by this token
I would relieve her Had you that craft to reave her
Of what should stead her most
BERTRAM
My gracious sovereign
Howeer it pleases you to take it so
The ring was never hers
COUNTESS
Son on my life
I have seen her wear it and she reckond it
At her lifes rate
LAFEW
I am sure I saw her wear it
BERTRAM
You are deceivd my lord she never saw it
In Florence was it from a casement thrown me
Wrappd in a paper which containd the name
Of her that threw it Noble she was and thought
I stood engagd but when I had subscribd
To mine own fortune and informd her fully
I could not answer in that course of honour
As she had made the overture she ceasd
In heavy satisfaction and would never
Receive the ring again
KING
Plutus himself
That knows the tinct and multiplying medicine
Hath not in natures mystery more science
Than I have in this ring Twas mine twas Helens
Whoever gave it you Then if you know
That you are well acquainted with yourself
Confess twas hers and by what rough enforcement
You got it from her She calld the saints to surety
That she would never put it from her finger
Unless she gave it to yourself in bed
Where you have never come or sent it us
Upon her great disaster
BERTRAM
She never saw it
KING
Thou speakst it falsely as I love mine honour
And makst conjectural fears to come into me
Which I would fain shut out If it should prove
That thou art so inhumantwill not prove so
And yet I know not thou didst hate her deadly
And she is dead which nothing but to close
Her eyes myself could win me to believe
More than to see this ring Take him away
Guards seize Bertram
My forepast proofs howeer the matter fall
Shall tax my fears of little vanity
Having vainly feard too little Away with him
Well sift this matter further
BERTRAM
If you shall prove
This ring was ever hers you shall as easy
Prove that I husbanded her bed in Florence
Where she yet never was
Exit guarded
KING
I am wrappd in dismal thinkings
Enter a Gentleman
GENTLEMAN
Gracious sovereign
Whether I have been to blame or no I know not
Heres a petition from a Florentine
Who hath for four or five removes come short
To tender it herself I undertook it
Vanquishd thereto by the fair grace and speech
Of the poor suppliant who by this I know
Is here attending her business looks in her
With an importing visage and she told me
In a sweet verbal brief it did concern
Your highness with herself
KING
Reads Upon his many protestations to marry me when his wife was dead I blush to say it he won me Now is the Count Rossillon a widower his vows are forfeited to me and my honours paid to him He stole from Florence taking no leave and I follow him to his country for justice Grant it me O king in you it best lies otherwise a seducer flourishes and a poor maid is undone
DIANA CAPILET
LAFEW
I will buy me a soninlaw in a fair and toll for this Ill none of him
KING
The heavens have thought well on thee Lafew
To bring forth this discovery Seek these suitors
Go speedily and bring again the count
Exeunt Gentleman and some Attendants
I am afeard the life of Helen lady
Was foully snatchd
COUNTESS
Now justice on the doers
Enter Bertram guarded
KING
I wonder sir since wives are monsters to you
And that you fly them as you swear them lordship
Yet you desire to marry What womans that
Enter Widow and Diana
DIANA
I am my lord a wretched Florentine
Derived from the ancient Capilet
My suit as I do understand you know
And therefore know how far I may be pitied
WIDOW
I am her mother sir whose age and honour
Both suffer under this complaint we bring
And both shall cease without your remedy
KING
Come hither count do you know these women
BERTRAM
My lord I neither can nor will deny
But that I know them Do they charge me further
DIANA
Why do you look so strange upon your wife
BERTRAM
Shes none of mine my lord
DIANA
If you shall marry
You give away this hand and that is mine
You give away heavens vows and those are mine
You give away myself which is known mine
For I by vow am so embodied yours
That she which marries you must marry me
Either both or none
LAFEW
To Bertram Your reputation comes too short for my daughter you are no husband for her
BERTRAM
My lord this is a fond and desperate creature
Whom sometime I have laughd with Let your highness
Lay a more noble thought upon mine honour
Than for to think that I would sink it here
KING
Sir for my thoughts you have them ill to friend
Till your deeds gain them fairer prove your honour
Than in my thought it lies
DIANA
Good my lord
Ask him upon his oath if he does think
He had not my virginity
KING
What sayst thou to her
BERTRAM
Shes impudent my lord
And was a common gamester to the camp
DIANA
He does me wrong my lord if I were so
He might have bought me at a common price
Do not believe him O behold this ring
Whose high respect and rich validity
Did lack a parallel yet for all that
He gave it to a commoner o the camp
If I be one
COUNTESS
He blushes and tis it
Of six preceding ancestors that gem
Conferrd by testament to th sequent issue
Hath it been owed and worn This is his wife
That rings a thousand proofs
KING
Methought you said
You saw one here in court could witness it
DIANA
I did my lord but loath am to produce
So bad an instrument his names Parolles
LAFEW
I saw the man today if man he be
KING
Find him and bring him hither
Exit an Attendant
BERTRAM
What of him
Hes quoted for a most perfidious slave
With all the spots o the world taxd and debauchd
Whose nature sickens but to speak a truth
Am I or that or this for what hell utter
That will speak anything
KING
She hath that ring of yours
BERTRAM
I think she has Certain it is I likd her
And boarded her i the wanton way of youth
She knew her distance and did angle for me
Madding my eagerness with her restraint
As all impediments in fancys course
Are motives of more fancy and in fine
Her infinite cunning with her modern grace
Subdud me to her rate she got the ring
And I had that which any inferior might
At marketprice have bought
DIANA
I must be patient
You that have turnd off a first so noble wife
May justly diet me I pray you yet
Since you lack virtue I will lose a husband
Send for your ring I will return it home
And give me mine again
BERTRAM
I have it not
KING
What ring was yours I pray you
DIANA
Sir much like
The same upon your finger
KING
Know you this ring This ring was his of late
DIANA
And this was it I gave him being abed
KING
The story then goes false you threw it him
Out of a casement
DIANA
I have spoke the truth
Enter Attendant with Parolles
BERTRAM
My lord I do confess the ring was hers
KING
You boggle shrewdly every feather starts you
Is this the man you speak of
DIANA
Ay my lord
KING
Tell me sirrah but tell me true I charge you
Not fearing the displeasure of your master
Which on your just proceeding Ill keep off
By him and by this woman here what know you
PAROLLES
So please your majesty my master hath been an honourable gentleman Tricks he hath had in him which gentlemen have
KING
Come come to the purpose Did he love this woman
PAROLLES
Faith sir he did love her but how
KING
How I pray you
PAROLLES
He did love her sir as a gentleman loves a woman
KING
How is that
PAROLLES
He lovd her sir and lovd her not
KING
As thou art a knave and no knave
What an equivocal companion is this
PAROLLES
I am a poor man and at your majestys command
LAFEW
Hes a good drum my lord but a naughty orator
DIANA
Do you know he promised me marriage
PAROLLES
Faith I know more than Ill speak
KING
But wilt thou not speak all thou knowst
PAROLLES
Yes so please your majesty I did go between them as I said but more than that he loved her for indeed he was mad for her and talked of Satan and of Limbo and of furies and I know not what yet I was in that credit with them at that time that I knew of their going to bed and of other motions as promising her marriage and things which would derive me ill will to speak of therefore I will not speak what I know
KING
Thou hast spoken all already unless thou canst say they are married but thou art too fine in thy evidence therefore stand aside This ring you say was yours
DIANA
Ay my good lord
KING
Where did you buy it Or who gave it you
DIANA
It was not given me nor I did not buy it
KING
Who lent it you
DIANA
It was not lent me neither
KING
Where did you find it then
DIANA
I found it not
KING
If it were yours by none of all these ways
How could you give it him
DIANA
I never gave it him
LAFEW
This womans an easy glove my lord she goes off and on at pleasure
KING
This ring was mine I gave it his first wife
DIANA
It might be yours or hers for ought I know
KING
Take her away I do not like her now
To prison with her And away with him
Unless thou tellst me where thou hadst this ring
Thou diest within this hour
DIANA
Ill never tell you
KING
Take her away
DIANA
Ill put in bail my liege
KING
I think thee now some common customer
DIANA
By Jove if ever I knew man twas you
KING
Wherefore hast thou accusd him all this while
DIANA
Because hes guilty and he is not guilty
He knows I am no maid and hell swear tot
Ill swear I am a maid and he knows not
Great King I am no strumpet by my life
I am either maid or else this old mans wife
Pointing to Lafew
KING
She does abuse our ears to prison with her
DIANA
Good mother fetch my bail Stay royal sir
Exit Widow
The jeweller that owes the ring is sent for
And he shall surety me But for this lord
Who hath abusd me as he knows himself
Though yet he never harmd me here I quit him
He knows himself my bed he hath defild
And at that time he got his wife with child
Dead though she be she feels her young one kick
So theres my riddle one thats dead is quick
And now behold the meaning
Enter Widow with Helena
KING
Is there no exorcist
Beguiles the truer office of mine eyes
Ist real that I see
HELENA
No my good lord
Tis but the shadow of a wife you see
The name and not the thing
BERTRAM
Both both O pardon
HELENA
O my good lord when I was like this maid
I found you wondrous kind There is your ring
And look you heres your letter This it says
When from my finger you can get this ring
And is by me with child c This is done
Will you be mine now you are doubly won
BERTRAM
If she my liege can make me know this clearly
Ill love her dearly ever ever dearly
HELENA
If it appear not plain and prove untrue
Deadly divorce step between me and you
O my dear mother do I see you living
LAFEW
Mine eyes smell onions I shall weep anon
to Parolles Good Tom Drum lend me a handkercher
So I thank thee Wait on me home Ill make sport with thee
Let thy courtesies alone they are scurvy ones
KING
Let us from point to point this story know
To make the even truth in pleasure flow
To Diana If thou beest yet a fresh uncropped flower
Choose thou thy husband and Ill pay thy dower
For I can guess that by thy honest aid
Thou keptst a wife herself thyself a maid
Of that and all the progress more and less
Resolvedly more leisure shall express
All yet seems well and if it end so meet
The bitter past more welcome is the sweet
Flourish
EPILOGUE
The kings a beggar now the play is done
All is well ended if this suit be won
That you express content which we will pay
With strife to please you day exceeding day
Ours be your patience then and yours our parts
Your gentle hands lend us and take our hearts
Exeunt omnes
THE TRAGEDY OF ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
Contents
ACT I
Scene I Alexandria A Room in Cleopatras palace
Scene II Alexandria Another Room in Cleopatras palace
Scene III Alexandria A Room in Cleopatras palace
Scene IV Rome An Apartment in Caesars House
Scene V Alexandria A Room in the Palace
ACT II
Scene I Messina A Room in Pompeys house
Scene II Rome A Room in the House of Lepidus
Scene III Rome A Room in Caesars House
Scene IV Rome A street
Scene V Alexandria A Room in the Palace
Scene VI Near Misenum
Scene VII On board Pompeys Galley lying near Misenum
ACT III
Scene I A plain in Syria
Scene II Rome An Antechamber in Caesars house
Scene III Alexandria A Room in the Palace
Scene IV Athens A Room in Antonys House
Scene V Athens Another Room in Antonys House
Scene VI Rome A Room in Caesars House
Scene VII Antonys Camp near the Promontory of Actium
Scene VIII A plain near Actium
Scene IX Another part of the Plain
Scene X Another part of the Plain
Scene XI Alexandria A Room in the Palace
Scene XII Caesars camp in Egypt
Scene XIII Alexandria A Room in the Palace
ACT IV
Scene I Caesars Camp at Alexandria
Scene II Alexandria A Room in the Palace
Scene III Alexandria Before the Palace
Scene IV Alexandria A Room in the Palace
Scene V Antonys camp near Alexandria
Scene VI Alexandria Caesars camp
Scene VII Field of battle between the Camps
Scene VIII Under the Walls of Alexandria
Scene IX Caesars camp
Scene X Ground between the two Camps
Scene XI Another part of the Ground
Scene XII Another part of the Ground
Scene XIII Alexandria A Room in the Palace
Scene XIV Alexandria Another Room
Scene XV Alexandria A monument
ACT V
Scene I Caesars Camp before Alexandria
Scene II Alexandria A Room in the Monument
Dramatis Person
MARK ANTONY Triumvir
OCTAVIUS CAESAR Triumvir
LEPIDUS Triumvir
SEXTUS POMPEIUS
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS friend to Antony
VENTIDIUS friend to Antony
EROS friend to Antony
SCARUS friend to Antony
DERCETUS friend to Antony
DEMETRIUS friend to Antony
PHILO friend to Antony
MAECENAS friend to Caesar
AGRIPPA friend to Caesar
DOLABELLA friend to Caesar
PROCULEIUS friend to Caesar
THIDIAS friend to Caesar
GALLUS friend to Caesar
MENAS friend to Pompey
MENECRATES friend to Pompey
VARRIUS friend to Pompey
TAURUS LieutenantGeneral to Caesar
CANIDIUS LieutenantGeneral to Antony
SILIUS an Officer in Ventidiuss army
EUPHRONIUS an Ambassador from Antony to Caesar
ALEXAS attendant on Cleopatra
MARDIAN attendant on Cleopatra
SELEUCUS attendant on Cleopatra
DIOMEDES attendant on Cleopatra
A SOOTHSAYER
A CLOWN
CLEOPATRA Queen of Egypt
OCTAVIA sister to Caesar and wife to Antony
CHARMIAN Attendant on Cleopatra
IRAS Attendant on Cleopatra
Officers Soldiers Messengers and other Attendants
SCENE Dispersed in several parts of the Roman Empire
ACT I
SCENE I Alexandria A Room in Cleopatras palace
Enter Demetrius and Philo
PHILO
Nay but this dotage of our generals
Oerflows the measure Those his goodly eyes
That oer the files and musters of the war
Have glowed like plated Mars now bend now turn
The office and devotion of their view
Upon a tawny front His captains heart
Which in the scuffles of great fights hath burst
The buckles on his breast reneges all temper
And is become the bellows and the fan
To cool a gipsys lust
Flourish Enter Antony and Cleopatra her Ladies the Train with Eunuchs fanning her
Look where they come
Take but good note and you shall see in him
The triple pillar of the world transformd
Into a strumpets fool Behold and see
CLEOPATRA
If it be love indeed tell me how much
ANTONY
Theres beggary in the love that can be reckoned
CLEOPATRA
Ill set a bourn how far to be beloved
ANTONY
Then must thou needs find out new heaven new earth
Enter a Messenger
MESSENGER
News my good lord from Rome
ANTONY
Grates me the sum
CLEOPATRA
Nay hear them Antony
Fulvia perchance is angry or who knows
If the scarcebearded Caesar have not sent
His powerful mandate to you Do this or this
Take in that kingdom and enfranchise that
Performt or else we damn thee
ANTONY
How my love
CLEOPATRA
Perchance Nay and most like
You must not stay here longer your dismission
Is come from Caesar therefore hear it Antony
Wheres Fulvias processCaesars I would say Both
Call in the messengers As I am Egypts queen
Thou blushest Antony and that blood of thine
Is Caesars homager else so thy cheek pays shame
When shrilltongued Fulvia scolds The messengers
ANTONY
Let Rome in Tiber melt and the wide arch
Of the ranged empire fall Here is my space
Kingdoms are clay Our dungy earth alike
Feeds beast as man The nobleness of life
Is to do thus Embracing when such a mutual pair
And such a twain can dot in which I bind
On pain of punishment the world to weet
We stand up peerless
CLEOPATRA
Excellent falsehood
Why did he marry Fulvia and not love her
Ill seem the fool I am not Antony
Will be himself
ANTONY
But stirred by Cleopatra
Now for the love of Love and her soft hours
Lets not confound the time with conference harsh
Theres not a minute of our lives should stretch
Without some pleasure now What sport tonight
CLEOPATRA
Hear the ambassadors
ANTONY
Fie wrangling queen
Whom everything becomesto chide to laugh
To weep whose every passion fully strives
To make itself in thee fair and admired
No messenger but thine and all alone
Tonight well wander through the streets and note
The qualities of people Come my queen
Last night you did desire it Speak not to us
Exeunt Antony and Cleopatra with the Train
DEMETRIUS
Is Caesar with Antonius prized so slight
PHILO
Sir sometimes when he is not Antony
He comes too short of that great property
Which still should go with Antony
DEMETRIUS
I am full sorry
That he approves the common liar who
Thus speaks of him at Rome but I will hope
Of better deeds tomorrow Rest you happy
Exeunt
SCENE II Alexandria Another Room in Cleopatras palace
Enter Enobarbus a Soothsayer Charmian Iras Mardian and Alexas
CHARMIAN
Lord Alexas sweet Alexas most anything Alexas almost most absolute Alexas wheres the soothsayer that you praised so to th queen O that I knew this husband which you say must charge his horns with garlands
ALEXAS
Soothsayer
SOOTHSAYER
Your will
CHARMIAN
Is this the man Ist you sir that know things
SOOTHSAYER
In natures infinite book of secrecy
A little I can read
ALEXAS
Show him your hand
ENOBARBUS
Bring in the banquet quickly wine enough
Cleopatras health to drink
CHARMIAN
Good sir give me good fortune
SOOTHSAYER
I make not but foresee
CHARMIAN
Pray then foresee me one
SOOTHSAYER
You shall be yet far fairer than you are
CHARMIAN
He means in flesh
IRAS
No you shall paint when you are old
CHARMIAN
Wrinkles forbid
ALEXAS
Vex not his prescience Be attentive
CHARMIAN
Hush
SOOTHSAYER
You shall be more beloving than beloved
CHARMIAN
I had rather heat my liver with drinking
ALEXAS
Nay hear him
CHARMIAN
Good now some excellent fortune Let me be married to three kings in a forenoon and widow them all Let me have a child at fifty to whom Herod of Jewry may do homage Find me to marry me with Octavius Caesar and companion me with my mistress
SOOTHSAYER
You shall outlive the lady whom you serve
CHARMIAN
O excellent I love long life better than figs
SOOTHSAYER
You have seen and proved a fairer former fortune
Than that which is to approach
CHARMIAN
Then belike my children shall have no names Prithee how many boys and wenches must I have
SOOTHSAYER
If every of your wishes had a womb
And fertile every wish a million
CHARMIAN
Out fool I forgive thee for a witch
ALEXAS
You think none but your sheets are privy to your wishes
CHARMIAN
Nay come tell Iras hers
ALEXAS
Well know all our fortunes
ENOBARBUS
Mine and most of our fortunes tonight shall be drunk to bed
IRAS
Theres a palm presages chastity if nothing else
CHARMIAN
Een as the oerflowing Nilus presageth famine
IRAS
Go you wild bedfellow you cannot soothsay
CHARMIAN
Nay if an oily palm be not a fruitful prognostication I cannot scratch mine ear Prithee tell her but workaday fortune
SOOTHSAYER
Your fortunes are alike
IRAS
But how but how give me particulars
SOOTHSAYER
I have said
IRAS
Am I not an inch of fortune better than she
CHARMIAN
Well if you were but an inch of fortune better than I where would you choose it
IRAS
Not in my husbands nose
CHARMIAN
Our worser thoughts heavens mend Alexascome his fortune his fortune O let him marry a woman that cannot go sweet Isis I beseech thee and let her die too and give him a worse and let worse follow worse till the worst of all follow him laughing to his grave fiftyfold a cuckold Good Isis hear me this prayer though thou deny me a matter of more weight good Isis I beseech thee
IRAS
Amen Dear goddess hear that prayer of the people For as it is a heartbreaking to see a handsome man loosewived so it is a deadly sorrow to behold a foul knave uncuckolded Therefore dear Isis keep decorum and fortune him accordingly
CHARMIAN
Amen
ALEXAS
Lo now if it lay in their hands to make me a cuckold they would make themselves whores but theyd dot
Enter Cleopatra
ENOBARBUS
Hush Here comes Antony
CHARMIAN
Not he the queen
CLEOPATRA
Saw you my lord
ENOBARBUS
No lady
CLEOPATRA
Was he not here
CHARMIAN
No madam
CLEOPATRA
He was disposed to mirth but on the sudden
A Roman thought hath struck him Enobarbus
ENOBARBUS
Madam
CLEOPATRA
Seek him and bring him hither Wheres Alexas
ALEXAS
Here at your service My lord approaches
Enter Antony with a Messenger
CLEOPATRA
We will not look upon him Go with us
Exeunt Cleopatra Enobarbus Charmian Iras Alexas and Soothsayer
MESSENGER
Fulvia thy wife first came into the field
ANTONY
Against my brother Lucius
MESSENGER
Ay
But soon that war had end and the times state
Made friends of them jointing their force gainst Caesar
Whose better issue in the war from Italy
Upon the first encounter drave them
ANTONY
Well what worst
MESSENGER
The nature of bad news infects the teller
ANTONY
When it concerns the fool or coward On
Things that are past are done with me Tis thus
Who tells me true though in his tale lie death
I hear him as he flattered
MESSENGER
Labienus
This is stiff newshath with his Parthian force
Extended Asia from Euphrates
His conquering banner shook from Syria
To Lydia and to Ionia
Whilst
ANTONY
Antony thou wouldst say
MESSENGER
O my lord
ANTONY
Speak to me home mince not the general tongue
Name Cleopatra as she is called in Rome
Rail thou in Fulvias phrase and taunt my faults
With such full licence as both truth and malice
Have power to utter O then we bring forth weeds
When our quick minds lie still and our ills told us
Is as our earing Fare thee well awhile
MESSENGER
At your noble pleasure
Exit Messenger
Enter another Messenger
ANTONY
From Sicyon ho the news Speak there
SECOND MESSENGER
The man from Sicyon
ANTONY
Is there such a one
SECOND MESSENGER
He stays upon your will
ANTONY
Let him appear
Exit second Messenger
These strong Egyptian fetters I must break
Or lose myself in dotage
Enter another Messenger with a letter
What are you
THIRD MESSENGER
Fulvia thy wife is dead
ANTONY
Where died she
THIRD MESSENGER
In Sicyon
Her length of sickness with what else more serious
Importeth thee to know this bears
Gives a letter
ANTONY
Forbear me
Exit third Messenger
Theres a great spirit gone Thus did I desire it
What our contempts doth often hurl from us
We wish it ours again The present pleasure
By revolution lowering does become
The opposite of itself Shes good being gone
The hand could pluck her back that shoved her on
I must from this enchanting queen break off
Ten thousand harms more than the ills I know
My idleness doth hatch How now Enobarbus
Enter Enobarbus
ENOBARBUS
Whats your pleasure sir
ANTONY
I must with haste from hence
ENOBARBUS
Why then we kill all our women We see how mortal an unkindness is to them If they suffer our departure deaths the word
ANTONY
I must be gone
ENOBARBUS
Under a compelling occasion let women die It were pity to cast them away for nothing though between them and a great cause they should be esteemed nothing Cleopatra catching but the least noise of this dies instantly I have seen her die twenty times upon far poorer moment I do think there is mettle in death which commits some loving act upon her she hath such a celerity in dying
ANTONY
She is cunning past mans thought
ENOBARBUS
Alack sir no her passions are made of nothing but the finest part of pure love We cannot call her winds and waters sighs and tears they are greater storms and tempests than almanacs can report This cannot be cunning in her if it be she makes a shower of rain as well as Jove
ANTONY
Would I had never seen her
ENOBARBUS
O sir you had then left unseen a wonderful piece of work which not to have been blest withal would have discredited your travel
ANTONY
Fulvia is dead
ENOBARBUS
Sir
ANTONY
Fulvia is dead
ENOBARBUS
Fulvia
ANTONY
Dead
ENOBARBUS
Why sir give the gods a thankful sacrifice When it pleaseth their deities to take the wife of a man from him it shows to man the tailors of the earth comforting therein that when old robes are worn out there are members to make new If there were no more women but Fulvia then had you indeed a cut and the case to be lamented This grief is crowned with consolation your old smock brings forth a new petticoat and indeed the tears live in an onion that should water this sorrow
ANTONY
The business she hath broached in the state
Cannot endure my absence
ENOBARBUS
And the business you have broached here cannot be without you especially that of Cleopatras which wholly depends on your abode
ANTONY
No more light answers Let our officers
Have notice what we purpose I shall break
The cause of our expedience to the Queen
And get her leave to part For not alone
The death of Fulvia with more urgent touches
Do strongly speak to us but the letters too
Of many our contriving friends in Rome
Petition us at home Sextus Pompeius
Hath given the dare to Caesar and commands
The empire of the sea Our slippery people
Whose love is never linked to the deserver
Till his deserts are past begin to throw
Pompey the Great and all his dignities
Upon his son who high in name and power
Higher than both in blood and life stands up
For the main soldier whose quality going on
The sides o th world may danger Much is breeding
Which like the coursers hair hath yet but life
And not a serpents poison Say our pleasure
To such whose place is under us requires
Our quick remove from hence
ENOBARBUS
I shall dot
Exeunt
SCENE III Alexandria A Room in Cleopatras palace
Enter Cleopatra Charmian Alexas and Iras
CLEOPATRA
Where is he
CHARMIAN
I did not see him since
CLEOPATRA
See where he is whos with him what he does
I did not send you If you find him sad
Say I am dancing if in mirth report
That I am sudden sick Quick and return
Exit Alexas
CHARMIAN
Madam methinks if you did love him dearly
You do not hold the method to enforce
The like from him
CLEOPATRA
What should I do I do not
CHARMIAN
In each thing give him way cross him in nothing
CLEOPATRA
Thou teachest like a fool the way to lose him
CHARMIAN
Tempt him not so too far I wish forbear
In time we hate that which we often fear
But here comes Antony
Enter Antony
CLEOPATRA
I am sick and sullen
ANTONY
I am sorry to give breathing to my purpose
CLEOPATRA
Help me away dear Charmian I shall fall
It cannot be thus long the sides of nature
Will not sustain it
ANTONY
Now my dearest queen
CLEOPATRA
Pray you stand farther from me
ANTONY
Whats the matter
CLEOPATRA
I know by that same eye theres some good news
What says the married woman you may go
Would she had never given you leave to come
Let her not say tis I that keep you here
I have no power upon you hers you are
ANTONY
The gods best know
CLEOPATRA
O never was there queen
So mightily betrayed Yet at the first
I saw the treasons planted
ANTONY
Cleopatra
CLEOPATRA
Why should I think you can be mine and true
Though you in swearing shake the throned gods
Who have been false to Fulvia Riotous madness
To be entangled with those mouthmade vows
Which break themselves in swearing
ANTONY
Most sweet queen
CLEOPATRA
Nay pray you seek no colour for your going
But bid farewell and go When you sued staying
Then was the time for words No going then
Eternity was in our lips and eyes
Bliss in our brows bent none our parts so poor
But was a race of heaven They are so still
Or thou the greatest soldier of the world
Art turned the greatest liar
ANTONY
How now lady
CLEOPATRA
I would I had thy inches thou shouldst know
There were a heart in Egypt
ANTONY
Hear me queen
The strong necessity of time commands
Our services awhile but my full heart
Remains in use with you Our Italy
Shines oer with civil swords Sextus Pompeius
Makes his approaches to the port of Rome
Equality of two domestic powers
Breed scrupulous faction the hated grown to strength
Are newly grown to love the condemned Pompey
Rich in his fathers honour creeps apace
Into the hearts of such as have not thrived
Upon the present state whose numbers threaten
And quietness grown sick of rest would purge
By any desperate change My more particular
And that which most with you should safe my going
Is Fulvias death
CLEOPATRA
Though age from folly could not give me freedom
It does from childishness Can Fulvia die
ANTONY
Shes dead my queen
Look here and at thy sovereign leisure read
The garboils she awaked at the last best
See when and where she died
CLEOPATRA
O most false love
Where be the sacred vials thou shouldst fill
With sorrowful water Now I see I see
In Fulvias death how mine received shall be
ANTONY
Quarrel no more but be prepared to know
The purposes I bear which are or cease
As you shall give th advice By the fire
That quickens Nilus slime I go from hence
Thy soldier servant making peace or war
As thou affects
CLEOPATRA
Cut my lace Charmian come
But let it be I am quickly ill and well
So Antony loves
ANTONY
My precious queen forbear
And give true evidence to his love which stands
An honourable trial
CLEOPATRA
So Fulvia told me
I prithee turn aside and weep for her
Then bid adieu to me and say the tears
Belong to Egypt Good now play one scene
Of excellent dissembling and let it look
Like perfect honour
ANTONY
Youll heat my blood No more
CLEOPATRA
You can do better yet but this is meetly
ANTONY
Now by my sword
CLEOPATRA
And target Still he mends
But this is not the best Look prithee Charmian
How this Herculean Roman does become
The carriage of his chafe
ANTONY
Ill leave you lady
CLEOPATRA
Courteous lord one word
Sir you and I must part but thats not it
Sir you and I have loved but theres not it
That you know well Something it is I would
O my oblivion is a very Antony
And I am all forgotten
ANTONY
But that your royalty
Holds idleness your subject I should take you
For idleness itself
CLEOPATRA
Tis sweating labour
To bear such idleness so near the heart
As Cleopatra this But sir forgive me
Since my becomings kill me when they do not
Eye well to you Your honour calls you hence
Therefore be deaf to my unpitied folly
And all the gods go with you Upon your sword
Sit laurel victory and smooth success
Be strewed before your feet
ANTONY
Let us go Come
Our separation so abides and flies
That thou residing here goes yet with me
And I hence fleeting here remain with thee
Away
Exeunt
SCENE IV Rome An Apartment in Caesars House
Enter Octavius Caesar Lepidus and their train
CAESAR
You may see Lepidus and henceforth know
It is not Caesars natural vice to hate
Our great competitor From Alexandria
This is the news he fishes drinks and wastes
The lamps of night in revel is not more manlike
Than Cleopatra nor the queen of Ptolemy
More womanly than he hardly gave audience or
Vouchsafed to think he had partners You shall find there
A man who is the abstract of all faults
That all men follow
LEPIDUS
I must not think there are
Evils enough to darken all his goodness
His faults in him seem as the spots of heaven
More fiery by nights blackness hereditary
Rather than purchased what he cannot change
Than what he chooses
CAESAR
You are too indulgent Lets grant it is not
Amiss to tumble on the bed of Ptolemy
To give a kingdom for a mirth to sit
And keep the turn of tippling with a slave
To reel the streets at noon and stand the buffet
With knaves that smell of sweat Say this becomes him
As his composure must be rare indeed
Whom these things cannot blemishyet must Antony
No way excuse his foils when we do bear
So great weight in his lightness If he filled
His vacancy with his voluptuousness
Full surfeits and the dryness of his bones
Call on him fort But to confound such time
That drums him from his sport and speaks as loud
As his own state and ours tis to be chid
As we rate boys who being mature in knowledge
Pawn their experience to their present pleasure
And so rebel to judgment
Enter a Messenger
LEPIDUS
Heres more news
MESSENGER
Thy biddings have been done and every hour
Most noble Caesar shalt thou have report
How tis abroad Pompey is strong at sea
And it appears he is beloved of those
That only have feared Caesar To the ports
The discontents repair and mens reports
Give him much wronged
CAESAR
I should have known no less
It hath been taught us from the primal state
That he which is was wished until he were
And the ebbed man neer loved till neer worth love
Comes deared by being lacked This common body
Like to a vagabond flag upon the stream
Goes to and back lackeying the varying tide
To rot itself with motion
Enter a second Messenger
SECOND MESSENGER
Caesar I bring thee word
Menecrates and Menas famous pirates
Make the sea serve them which they ear and wound
With keels of every kind Many hot inroads
They make in Italythe borders maritime
Lack blood to think ontand flush youth revolt
No vessel can peep forth but tis as soon
Taken as seen for Pompeys name strikes more
Than could his war resisted
CAESAR
Antony
Leave thy lascivious wassails When thou once
Was beaten from Modena where thou slewst
Hirtius and Pansa consuls at thy heel
Did famine follow whom thou foughtst against
Though daintily brought up with patience more
Than savages could suffer Thou didst drink
The stale of horses and the gilded puddle
Which beasts would cough at Thy palate then did deign
The roughest berry on the rudest hedge
Yea like the stag when snow the pasture sheets
The barks of trees thou browsed On the Alps
It is reported thou didst eat strange flesh
Which some did die to look on And all this
It wounds thine honour that I speak it now
Was borne so like a soldier that thy cheek
So much as lanked not
LEPIDUS
Tis pity of him
CAESAR
Let his shames quickly
Drive him to Rome Tis time we twain
Did show ourselves i th field and to that end
Assemble we immediate council Pompey
Thrives in our idleness
LEPIDUS
Tomorrow Caesar
I shall be furnished to inform you rightly
Both what by sea and land I can be able
To front this present time
CAESAR
Till which encounter
It is my business too Farewell
LEPIDUS
Farewell my lord What you shall know meantime
Of stirs abroad I shall beseech you sir
To let me be partaker
CAESAR
Doubt not sir
I knew it for my bond
Exeunt
SCENE V Alexandria A Room in the Palace
Enter Cleopatra Charmian Iras and Mardian
CLEOPATRA
Charmian
CHARMIAN
Madam
CLEOPATRA
Ha ha
Give me to drink mandragora
CHARMIAN
Why madam
CLEOPATRA
That I might sleep out this great gap of time
My Antony is away
CHARMIAN
You think of him too much
CLEOPATRA
O tis treason
CHARMIAN
Madam I trust not so
CLEOPATRA
Thou eunuch Mardian
MARDIAN
Whats your highness pleasure
CLEOPATRA
Not now to hear thee sing I take no pleasure
In aught an eunuch has Tis well for thee
That being unseminared thy freer thoughts
May not fly forth of Egypt Hast thou affections
MARDIAN
Yes gracious madam
CLEOPATRA
Indeed
MARDIAN
Not in deed madam for I can do nothing
But what indeed is honest to be done
Yet have I fierce affections and think
What Venus did with Mars
CLEOPATRA
O Charmian
Where thinkst thou he is now Stands he or sits he
Or does he walk Or is he on his horse
O happy horse to bear the weight of Antony
Do bravely horse for wotst thou whom thou movst
The demiAtlas of this earth the arm
And burgonet of men Hes speaking now
Or murmuring Wheres my serpent of old Nile
For so he calls me Now I feed myself
With most delicious poison Think on me
That am with Phbus amorous pinches black
And wrinkled deep in time Broadfronted Caesar
When thou wast here above the ground I was
A morsel for a monarch And great Pompey
Would stand and make his eyes grow in my brow
There would he anchor his aspect and die
With looking on his life
Enter Alexas
ALEXAS
Sovereign of Egypt hail
CLEOPATRA
How much unlike art thou Mark Antony
Yet coming from him that great medicine hath
With his tinct gilded thee
How goes it with my brave Mark Antony
ALEXAS
Last thing he did dear queen
He kissedthe last of many doubled kisses
This orient pearl His speech sticks in my heart
CLEOPATRA
Mine ear must pluck it thence
ALEXAS
Good friend quoth he
Say the firm Roman to great Egypt sends
This treasure of an oyster at whose foot
To mend the petty present I will piece
Her opulent throne with kingdoms All the east
Say thou shall call her mistress So he nodded
And soberly did mount an armgaunt steed
Who neighed so high that what I would have spoke
Was beastly dumbed by him
CLEOPATRA
What was he sad or merry
ALEXAS
Like to the time o th year between the extremes
Of hot and cold he was nor sad nor merry
CLEOPATRA
O welldivided dispositionNote him
Note him good Charmian tis the man but note him
He was not sad for he would shine on those
That make their looks by his he was not merry
Which seemed to tell them his remembrance lay
In Egypt with his joy but between both
O heavenly mingleBest thou sad or merry
The violence of either thee becomes
So does it no man elseMetst thou my posts
ALEXAS
Ay madam twenty several messengers
Why do you send so thick
CLEOPATRA
Whos born that day
When I forget to send to Antony
Shall die a beggarInk and paper Charmian
Welcome my good AlexasDid I Charmian
Ever love Caesar so
CHARMIAN
O that brave Caesar
CLEOPATRA
Be choked with such another emphasis
Say the brave Antony
CHARMIAN
The valiant Caesar
CLEOPATRA
By Isis I will give thee bloody teeth
If thou with Caesar paragon again
My man of men
CHARMIAN
By your most gracious pardon
I sing but after you
CLEOPATRA
My salad days
When I was green in judgment cold in blood
To say as I said then But come away
Get me ink and paper
He shall have every day a several greeting
Or Ill unpeople Egypt
Exeunt
ACT II
SCENE I Messina A Room in Pompeys house
Enter Pompey Menecrates and Menas in warlike manner
POMPEY
If the great gods be just they shall assist
The deeds of justest men
MENECRATES
Know worthy Pompey
That what they do delay they not deny
POMPEY
Whiles we are suitors to their throne decays
The thing we sue for
MENECRATES
We ignorant of ourselves
Beg often our own harms which the wise powers
Deny us for our good so find we profit
By losing of our prayers
POMPEY
I shall do well
The people love me and the sea is mine
My powers are crescent and my auguring hope
Says it will come to th full Mark Antony
In Egypt sits at dinner and will make
No wars without doors Caesar gets money where
He loses hearts Lepidus flatters both
Of both is flattered but he neither loves
Nor either cares for him
MENAS
Caesar and Lepidus
Are in the field A mighty strength they carry
POMPEY
Where have you this Tis false
MENAS
From Silvius sir
POMPEY
He dreams I know they are in Rome together
Looking for Antony But all the charms of love
Salt Cleopatra soften thy waned lip
Let witchcraft join with beauty lust with both
Tie up the libertine in a field of feasts
Keep his brain fuming Epicurean cooks
Sharpen with cloyless sauce his appetite
That sleep and feeding may prorogue his honour
Even till a Lethed dullness
Enter Varrius
How now Varrius
VARRIUS
This is most certain that I shall deliver
Mark Antony is every hour in Rome
Expected Since he went from Egypt tis
A space for farther travel
POMPEY
I could have given less matter
A better earMenas I did not think
This amorous surfeiter would have donned his helm
For such a petty war His soldiership
Is twice the other twain But let us rear
The higher our opinion that our stirring
Can from the lap of Egypts widow pluck
The neer lustwearied Antony
MENAS
I cannot hope
Caesar and Antony shall well greet together
His wife thats dead did trespasses to Caesar
His brother warred upon him although I think
Not moved by Antony
POMPEY
I know not Menas
How lesser enmities may give way to greater
Weret not that we stand up against them all
Twere pregnant they should square between themselves
For they have entertained cause enough
To draw their swords But how the fear of us
May cement their divisions and bind up
The petty difference we yet not know
Bet as our gods will havet It only stands
Our lives upon to use our strongest hands
Come Menas
Exeunt
SCENE II Rome A Room in the House of Lepidus
Enter Enobarbus and Lepidus
LEPIDUS
Good Enobarbus tis a worthy deed
And shall become you well to entreat your captain
To soft and gentle speech
ENOBARBUS
I shall entreat him
To answer like himself If Caesar move him
Let Antony look over Caesars head
And speak as loud as Mars By Jupiter
Were I the wearer of Antonius beard
I would not shavet today
LEPIDUS
Tis not a time
For private stomaching
ENOBARBUS
Every time
Serves for the matter that is then born int
LEPIDUS
But small to greater matters must give way
ENOBARBUS
Not if the small come first
LEPIDUS
Your speech is passion
But pray you stir no embers up Here comes
The noble Antony
Enter Antony and Ventidius
ENOBARBUS
And yonder Caesar
Enter Caesar Maecenas and Agrippa
ANTONY
If we compose well here to Parthia
Hark Ventidius
CAESAR
I do not know Maecenas Ask Agrippa
LEPIDUS
Noble friends
That which combined us was most great and let not
A leaner action rend us Whats amiss
May it be gently heard When we debate
Our trivial difference loud we do commit
Murder in healing wounds Then noble partners
The rather for I earnestly beseech
Touch you the sourest points with sweetest terms
Nor curstness grow to th matter
ANTONY
Tis spoken well
Were we before our armies and to fight
I should do thus
CAESAR
Welcome to Rome
ANTONY
Thank you
CAESAR
Sit
ANTONY
Sit sir
CAESAR
Nay then
ANTONY
I learn you take things ill which are not so
Or being concern you not
CAESAR
I must be laughed at
If or for nothing or a little I
Should say myself offended and with you
Chiefly i th world more laughed at that I should
Once name you derogately when to sound your name
It not concerned me
ANTONY
My being in Egypt Caesar
What wast to you
CAESAR
No more than my residing here at Rome
Might be to you in Egypt Yet if you there
Did practise on my state your being in Egypt
Might be my question
ANTONY
How intend you practised
CAESAR
You may be pleased to catch at mine intent
By what did here befall me Your wife and brother
Made wars upon me and their contestation
Was theme for you you were the word of war
ANTONY
You do mistake your business My brother never
Did urge me in his act I did inquire it
And have my learning from some true reports
That drew their swords with you Did he not rather
Discredit my authority with yours
And make the wars alike against my stomach
Having alike your cause Of this my letters
Before did satisfy you If youll patch a quarrel
As matter whole you have not to make it with
It must not be with this
CAESAR
You praise yourself
By laying defects of judgment to me but
You patched up your excuses
ANTONY
Not so not so
I know you could not lackI am certain ont
Very necessity of this thought that I
Your partner in the cause gainst which he fought
Could not with graceful eyes attend those wars
Which fronted mine own peace As for my wife
I would you had her spirit in such another
The third o th world is yours which with a snaffle
You may pace easy but not such a wife
ENOBARBUS
Would we had all such wives that the men
Might go to wars with the women
ANTONY
So much uncurbable her garboils Caesar
Made out of her impatiencewhich not wanted
Shrewdness of policy tooI grieving grant
Did you too much disquiet For that you must
But say I could not help it
CAESAR
I wrote to you
When rioting in Alexandria you
Did pocket up my letters and with taunts
Did gibe my missive out of audience
ANTONY
Sir
He fell upon me ere admitted then
Three kings I had newly feasted and did want
Of what I was i th morning But next day
I told him of myself which was as much
As to have asked him pardon Let this fellow
Be nothing of our strife if we contend
Out of our question wipe him
CAESAR
You have broken
The article of your oath which you shall never
Have tongue to charge me with
LEPIDUS
Soft Caesar
ANTONY
No Lepidus let him speak
The honour is sacred which he talks on now
Supposing that I lacked it But on Caesar
The article of my oath
CAESAR
To lend me arms and aid when I required them
The which you both denied
ANTONY
Neglected rather
And then when poisoned hours had bound me up
From mine own knowledge As nearly as I may
Ill play the penitent to you But mine honesty
Shall not make poor my greatness nor my power
Work without it Truth is that Fulvia
To have me out of Egypt made wars here
For which myself the ignorant motive do
So far ask pardon as befits mine honour
To stoop in such a case
LEPIDUS
Tis noble spoken
MAECENAS
If it might please you to enforce no further
The griefs between ye to forget them quite
Were to remember that the present need
Speaks to atone you
LEPIDUS
Worthily spoken Maecenas
ENOBARBUS
Or if you borrow one anothers love for the instant you may when you hear no more words of Pompey return it again You shall have time to wrangle in when you have nothing else to do
ANTONY
Thou art a soldier only Speak no more
ENOBARBUS
That truth should be silent I had almost forgot
ANTONY
You wrong this presence therefore speak no more
ENOBARBUS
Go to then Your considerate stone
CAESAR
I do not much dislike the matter but
The manner of his speech fort cannot be
We shall remain in friendship our conditions
So differing in their acts Yet if I knew
What hoop should hold us staunch from edge to edge
O th world I would pursue it
AGRIPPA
Give me leave Caesar
CAESAR
Speak Agrippa
AGRIPPA
Thou hast a sister by the mothers side
Admired Octavia Great Mark Antony
Is now a widower
CAESAR
Say not so Agrippa
If Cleopatra heard you your reproof
Were well deserved of rashness
ANTONY
I am not married Caesar Let me hear
Agrippa further speak
AGRIPPA
To hold you in perpetual amity
To make you brothers and to knit your hearts
With an unslipping knot take Antony
Octavia to his wife whose beauty claims
No worse a husband than the best of men
Whose virtue and whose general graces speak
That which none else can utter By this marriage
All little jealousies which now seem great
And all great fears which now import their dangers
Would then be nothing Truths would be tales
Where now halftales be truths Her love to both
Would each to other and all loves to both
Draw after her Pardon what I have spoke
For tis a studied not a present thought
By duty ruminated
ANTONY
Will Caesar speak
CAESAR
Not till he hears how Antony is touched
With what is spoke already
ANTONY
What power is in Agrippa
If I would say Agrippa be it so
To make this good
CAESAR
The power of Caesar and
His power unto Octavia
ANTONY
May I never
To this good purpose that so fairly shows
Dream of impediment Let me have thy hand
Further this act of grace and from this hour
The heart of brothers govern in our loves
And sway our great designs
CAESAR
Theres my hand
A sister I bequeath you whom no brother
Did ever love so dearly Let her live
To join our kingdoms and our hearts and never
Fly off our loves again
LEPIDUS
Happily amen
ANTONY
I did not think to draw my sword gainst Pompey
For he hath laid strange courtesies and great
Of late upon me I must thank him only
Lest my remembrance suffer ill report
At heel of that defy him
LEPIDUS
Time calls upon s
Of us must Pompey presently be sought
Or else he seeks out us
ANTONY
Where lies he
CAESAR
About the Mount Misena
ANTONY
What is his strength by land
CAESAR
Great and increasing but by sea
He is an absolute master
ANTONY
So is the fame
Would we had spoke together Haste we for it
Yet ere we put ourselves in arms dispatch we
The business we have talked of
CAESAR
With most gladness
And do invite you to my sisters view
Whither straight Ill lead you
ANTONY
Let us Lepidus not lack your company
LEPIDUS
Noble Antony not sickness should detain me
Flourish Exeunt all except Enobarbus Agrippa and Maecenas
MAECENAS
Welcome from Egypt sir
ENOBARBUS
Half the heart of Caesar worthy Maecenas My honourable friend Agrippa
AGRIPPA
Good Enobarbus
MAECENAS
We have cause to be glad that matters are so well digested You stayed well by t in Egypt
ENOBARBUS
Ay sir we did sleep day out of countenance and made the night light with drinking
MAECENAS
Eight wild boars roasted whole at a breakfast and but twelve persons there Is this true
ENOBARBUS
This was but as a fly by an eagle We had much more monstrous matter of feast which worthily deserved noting
MAECENAS
Shes a most triumphant lady if report be square to her
ENOBARBUS
When she first met Mark Antony she pursed up his heart upon the river of Cydnus
AGRIPPA
There she appeared indeed or my reporter devised well for her
ENOBARBUS
I will tell you
The barge she sat in like a burnished throne
Burned on the water The poop was beaten gold
Purple the sails and so perfumed that
The winds were lovesick with them the oars were silver
Which to the tune of flutes kept stroke and made
The water which they beat to follow faster
As amorous of their strokes For her own person
It beggared all description she did lie
In her pavilion clothofgold of tissue
Oerpicturing that Venus where we see
The fancy outwork nature On each side her
Stood pretty dimpled boys like smiling Cupids
With diverscoloured fans whose wind did seem
To glow the delicate cheeks which they did cool
And what they undid did
AGRIPPA
O rare for Antony
ENOBARBUS
Her gentlewomen like the Nereides
So many mermaids tended her i th eyes
And made their bends adornings At the helm
A seeming mermaid steers The silken tackle
Swell with the touches of those flowersoft hands
That yarely frame the office From the barge
A strange invisible perfume hits the sense
Of the adjacent wharfs The city cast
Her people out upon her and Antony
Enthroned i th marketplace did sit alone
Whistling to th air which but for vacancy
Had gone to gaze on Cleopatra too
And made a gap in nature
AGRIPPA
Rare Egyptian
ENOBARBUS
Upon her landing Antony sent to her
Invited her to supper She replied
It should be better he became her guest
Which she entreated Our courteous Antony
Whom neer the word of No woman heard speak
Being barbered ten times oer goes to the feast
And for his ordinary pays his heart
For what his eyes eat only
AGRIPPA
Royal wench
She made great Caesar lay his sword to bed
He ploughed her and she cropped
ENOBARBUS
I saw her once
Hop forty paces through the public street
And having lost her breath she spoke and panted
That she did make defect perfection
And breathless pour breath forth
MAECENAS
Now Antony must leave her utterly
ENOBARBUS
Never He will not
Age cannot wither her nor custom stale
Her infinite variety Other women cloy
The appetites they feed but she makes hungry
Where most she satisfies For vilest things
Become themselves in her that the holy priests
Bless her when she is riggish
MAECENAS
If beauty wisdom modesty can settle
The heart of Antony Octavia is
A blessed lottery to him
AGRIPPA
Let us go
Good Enobarbus make yourself my guest
Whilst you abide here
ENOBARBUS
Humbly sir I thank you
Exeunt
SCENE III Rome A Room in Caesars House
Enter Antony Caesar Octavia between them
ANTONY
The world and my great office will sometimes
Divide me from your bosom
OCTAVIA
All which time
Before the gods my knee shall bow my prayers
To them for you
ANTONY
Good night sirMy Octavia
Read not my blemishes in the worlds report
I have not kept my square but that to come
Shall all be done by th rule Good night dear lady
OCTAVIA
Good night sir
CAESAR
Good night
Exeunt Caesar and Octavia
Enter Soothsayer
ANTONY
Now sirrah you do wish yourself in Egypt
SOOTHSAYER
Would I had never come from thence nor you thither
ANTONY
If you can your reason
SOOTHSAYER
I see it in my motion have it not in my tongue
But yet hie you to Egypt again
ANTONY
Say to me
Whose fortunes shall rise higher Caesars or mine
SOOTHSAYER
Caesars
Therefore O Antony stay not by his side
Thy dmonthat thy spirit which keeps theeis
Noble courageous high unmatchable
Where Caesars is not But near him thy angel
Becomes afeard as being oerpowered Therefore
Make space enough between you
ANTONY
Speak this no more
SOOTHSAYER
To none but thee no more but when to thee
If thou dost play with him at any game
Thou art sure to lose and of that natural luck
He beats thee gainst the odds Thy lustre thickens
When he shines by I say again thy spirit
Is all afraid to govern thee near him
But he away tis noble
ANTONY
Get thee gone
Say to Ventidius I would speak with him
Exit Soothsayer
He shall to Parthia Be it art or hap
He hath spoken true The very dice obey him
And in our sports my better cunning faints
Under his chance If we draw lots he speeds
His cocks do win the battle still of mine
When it is all to naught and his quails ever
Beat mine inhooped at odds I will to Egypt
And though I make this marriage for my peace
I th East my pleasure lies
Enter Ventidius
O come Ventidius
You must to Parthia Your commissions ready
Follow me and receive t
Exeunt
SCENE IV Rome A street
Enter Lepidus Maecenas and Agrippa
LEPIDUS
Trouble yourselves no further Pray you hasten
Your generals after
AGRIPPA
Sir Mark Antony
Will een but kiss Octavia and well follow
LEPIDUS
Till I shall see you in your soldiers dress
Which will become you both farewell
MAECENAS
We shall
As I conceive the journey be at the Mount
Before you Lepidus
LEPIDUS
Your way is shorter
My purposes do draw me much about
Youll win two days upon me
BOTH
Sir good success
LEPIDUS
Farewell
Exeunt
SCENE V Alexandria A Room in the Palace
Enter Cleopatra Charmian Iras Alexas
CLEOPATRA
Give me some musicmusic moody food
Of us that trade in love
ALL
The music ho
Enter Mardian the eunuch
CLEOPATRA
Let it alone Lets to billiards Come Charmian
CHARMIAN
My arm is sore Best play with Mardian
CLEOPATRA
As well a woman with an eunuch played
As with a woman Come youll play with me sir
MARDIAN
As well as I can madam
CLEOPATRA
And when good will is showed thought come too short
The actor may plead pardon Ill none now
Give me mine angle well to the river There
My music playing far off I will betray
Tawnyfinned fishes My bended hook shall pierce
Their slimy jaws and as I draw them up
Ill think them every one an Antony
And say Ah ha Youre caught
CHARMIAN
Twas merry when
You wagered on your angling when your diver
Did hang a salt fish on his hook which he
With fervency drew up
CLEOPATRA
That timeO times
I laughed him out of patience and that night
I laughed him into patience and next morn
Ere the ninth hour I drunk him to his bed
Then put my tires and mantles on him whilst
I wore his sword Philippan
Enter Messenger
O from Italy
Ram thou thy fruitful tidings in mine ears
That long time have been barren
MESSENGER
Madam madam
CLEOPATRA
Antonys dead If thou say so villain
Thou killst thy mistress But well and free
If thou so yield him there is gold and here
My bluest veins to kiss a hand that kings
Have lipped and trembled kissing
MESSENGER
First madam hes well
CLEOPATRA
Why theres more gold
But sirrah mark we use
To say the dead are well Bring it to that
The gold I give thee will I melt and pour
Down thy illuttering throat
MESSENGER
Good madam hear me
CLEOPATRA
Well go to I will
But theres no goodness in thy face if Antony
Be free and healthful So tart a favour
To trumpet such good tidings If not well
Thou shouldst come like a Fury crowned with snakes
Not like a formal man
MESSENGER
Willt please you hear me
CLEOPATRA
I have a mind to strike thee ere thou speakst
Yet if thou say Antony lives is well
Or friends with Caesar or not captive to him
Ill set thee in a shower of gold and hail
Rich pearls upon thee
MESSENGER
Madam hes well
CLEOPATRA
Well said
MESSENGER
And friends with Caesar
CLEOPATRA
Th art an honest man
MESSENGER
Caesar and he are greater friends than ever
CLEOPATRA
Make thee a fortune from me
MESSENGER
But yet madam
CLEOPATRA
I do not like But yet it does allay
The good precedence Fie upon But yet
But yet is as a gaoler to bring forth
Some monstrous malefactor Prithee friend
Pour out the pack of matter to mine ear
The good and bad together hes friends with Caesar
In state of health thou sayst and thou sayst free
MESSENGER
Free madam No I made no such report
Hes bound unto Octavia
CLEOPATRA
For what good turn
MESSENGER
For the best turn i th bed
CLEOPATRA
I am pale Charmian
MESSENGER
Madam hes married to Octavia
CLEOPATRA
The most infectious pestilence upon thee
Strikes him down
MESSENGER
Good madam patience
CLEOPATRA
What say you
Strikes him again
Hence horrible villain or Ill spurn thine eyes
Like balls before me Ill unhair thy head
She hales him up and down
Thou shalt be whipped with wire and stewed in brine
Smarting in lingring pickle
MESSENGER
Gracious madam
I that do bring the news made not the match
CLEOPATRA
Say tis not so a province I will give thee
And make thy fortunes proud The blow thou hadst
Shall make thy peace for moving me to rage
And I will boot thee with what gift beside
Thy modesty can beg
MESSENGER
Hes married madam
CLEOPATRA
Rogue thou hast lived too long
Draws a knife
MESSENGER
Nay then Ill run
What mean you madam I have made no fault
Exit
CHARMIAN
Good madam keep yourself within yourself
The man is innocent
CLEOPATRA
Some innocents scape not the thunderbolt
Melt Egypt into Nile and kindly creatures
Turn all to serpents Call the slave again
Though I am mad I will not bite him Call
CHARMIAN
He is afeard to come
CLEOPATRA
I will not hurt him
Exit Charmian
These hands do lack nobility that they strike
A meaner than myself since I myself
Have given myself the cause
Enter the Messenger again with Charmian
Come hither sir
Though it be honest it is never good
To bring bad news Give to a gracious message
An host of tongues but let ill tidings tell
Themselves when they be felt
MESSENGER
I have done my duty
CLEOPATRA
Is he married
I cannot hate thee worser than I do
If thou again say Yes
MESSENGER
Hes married madam
CLEOPATRA
The gods confound thee Dost thou hold there still
MESSENGER
Should I lie madam
CLEOPATRA
O I would thou didst
So half my Egypt were submerged and made
A cistern for scaled snakes Go get thee hence
Hadst thou Narcissus in thy face to me
Thou wouldst appear most ugly He is married
MESSENGER
I crave your highness pardon
CLEOPATRA
He is married
MESSENGER
Take no offence that I would not offend you
To punish me for what you make me do
Seems much unequal Hes married to Octavia
CLEOPATRA
O that his fault should make a knave of thee
That art not what thourt sure of Get thee hence
The merchandise which thou hast brought from Rome
Are all too dear for me Lie they upon thy hand
And be undone by em
Exit Messenger
CHARMIAN
Good your highness patience
CLEOPATRA
In praising Antony I have dispraised Caesar
CHARMIAN
Many times madam
CLEOPATRA
I am paid fort now
Lead me from hence
I faint O Iras Charmian Tis no matter
Go to the fellow good Alexas bid him
Report the feature of Octavia her years
Her inclination let him not leave out
The colour of her hair Bring me word quickly
Exit Alexas
Let him for ever golet him not Charmian
Though he be painted one way like a Gorgon
The other way s a Mars To Mardian Bid you Alexas
Bring me word how tall she is Pity me Charmian
But do not speak to me Lead me to my chamber
Exeunt
SCENE VI Near Misenum
Flourish Enter Pompey and Menas at one door with drum and trumpet at another Caesar Lepidus Antony Enobarbus Maecenas Agrippa with Soldiers marching
POMPEY
Your hostages I have so have you mine
And we shall talk before we fight
CAESAR
Most meet
That first we come to words and therefore have we
Our written purposes before us sent
Which if thou hast considered let us know
If twill tie up thy discontented sword
And carry back to Sicily much tall youth
That else must perish here
POMPEY
To you all three
The senators alone of this great world
Chief factors for the gods I do not know
Wherefore my father should revengers want
Having a son and friends since Julius Caesar
Who at Philippi the good Brutus ghosted
There saw you labouring for him What wast
That moved pale Cassius to conspire And what
Made the allhonoured honest Roman Brutus
With the armed rest courtiers of beauteous freedom
To drench the Capitol but that they would
Have one man but a man And that is it
Hath made me rig my navy at whose burden
The angered ocean foams with which I meant
To scourge th ingratitude that despiteful Rome
Cast on my noble father
CAESAR
Take your time
ANTONY
Thou canst not fear us Pompey with thy sails
Well speak with thee at sea At land thou knowst
How much we do oercount thee
POMPEY
At land indeed
Thou dost oercount me of my fathers house
But since the cuckoo builds not for himself
Remain int as thou mayst
LEPIDUS
Be pleased to tell us
For this is from the presenthow you take
The offers we have sent you
CAESAR
Theres the point
ANTONY
Which do not be entreated to but weigh
What it is worth embraced
CAESAR
And what may follow
To try a larger fortune
POMPEY
You have made me offer
Of Sicily Sardinia and I must
Rid all the sea of pirates then to send
Measures of wheat to Rome This greed upon
To part with unhacked edges and bear back
Our targes undinted
CAESAR ANTONY and LEPIDUS
Thats our offer
POMPEY
Know then
I came before you here a man prepared
To take this offer But Mark Antony
Put me to some impatience Though I lose
The praise of it by telling you must know
When Caesar and your brother were at blows
Your mother came to Sicily and did find
Her welcome friendly
ANTONY
I have heard it Pompey
And am well studied for a liberal thanks
Which I do owe you
POMPEY
Let me have your hand
I did not think sir to have met you here
ANTONY
The beds i th East are soft and thanks to you
That called me timelier than my purpose hither
For I have gained by t
CAESAR
Since I saw you last
There is a change upon you
POMPEY
Well I know not
What counts harsh Fortune casts upon my face
But in my bosom shall she never come
To make my heart her vassal
LEPIDUS
Well met here
POMPEY
I hope so Lepidus Thus we are agreed
I crave our composition may be written
And sealed between us
CAESAR
Thats the next to do
POMPEY
Well feast each other ere we part and lets
Draw lots who shall begin
ANTONY
That will I Pompey
POMPEY
No Antony take the lot
But first or last your fine Egyptian cookery
Shall have the fame I have heard that Julius Caesar
Grew fat with feasting there
ANTONY
You have heard much
POMPEY
I have fair meanings sir
ANTONY
And fair words to them
POMPEY
Then so much have I heard
And I have heard Apollodorus carried
ENOBARBUS
No more of that He did so
POMPEY
What I pray you
ENOBARBUS
A certain queen to Caesar in a mattress
POMPEY
I know thee now How farst thou soldier
ENOBARBUS
Well
And well am like to do for I perceive
Four feasts are toward
POMPEY
Let me shake thy hand
I never hated thee I have seen thee fight
When I have envied thy behaviour
ENOBARBUS
Sir
I never loved you much but I ha praised ye
When you have well deserved ten times as much
As I have said you did
POMPEY
Enjoy thy plainness
It nothing ill becomes thee
Aboard my galley I invite you all
Will you lead lords
CAESAR ANTONY and LEPIDUS
Shows the way sir
POMPEY
Come
Exeunt all but Enobarbus and Menas
MENAS
Aside Thy father Pompey would neer have made this treaty
You and I have known sir
ENOBARBUS
At sea I think
MENAS
We have sir
ENOBARBUS
You have done well by water
MENAS
And you by land
ENOBARBUS
I will praise any man that will praise me though it cannot be denied what I have done by land
MENAS
Nor what I have done by water
ENOBARBUS
Yes something you can deny for your own safety you have been a great thief by sea
MENAS
And you by land
ENOBARBUS
There I deny my land service But give me your hand Menas If our eyes had authority here they might take two thieves kissing
MENAS
All mens faces are true whatsomeer their hands are
ENOBARBUS
But there is never a fair woman has a true face
MENAS
No slander They steal hearts
ENOBARBUS
We came hither to fight with you
MENAS
For my part I am sorry it is turned to a drinking Pompey doth this day laugh away his fortune
ENOBARBUS
If he do sure he cannot weep t back again
MENAS
You have said sir We looked not for Mark Antony here Pray you is he married to Cleopatra
ENOBARBUS
Caesars sister is called Octavia
MENAS
True sir She was the wife of Caius Marcellus
ENOBARBUS
But she is now the wife of Marcus Antonius
MENAS
Pray you sir
ENOBARBUS
Tis true
MENAS
Then is Caesar and he for ever knit together
ENOBARBUS
If I were bound to divine of this unity I would not prophesy so
MENAS
I think the policy of that purpose made more in the marriage than the love of the parties
ENOBARBUS
I think so too But you shall find the band that seems to tie their friendship together will be the very strangler of their amity Octavia is of a holy cold and still conversation
MENAS
Who would not have his wife so
ENOBARBUS
Not he that himself is not so which is Mark Antony He will to his Egyptian dish again Then shall the sighs of Octavia blow the fire up in Caesar and as I said before that which is the strength of their amity shall prove the immediate author of their variance Antony will use his affection where it is He married but his occasion here
MENAS
And thus it may be Come sir will you aboard I have a health for you
ENOBARBUS
I shall take it sir We have used our throats in Egypt
MENAS
Come lets away
Exeunt
SCENE VII On board Pompeys Galley lying near Misenum
Music Enter two or three Servants with a banquet
FIRST SERVANT
Here theyll be man Some o their plants are illrooted already the least wind i th world will blow them down
SECOND SERVANT
Lepidus is highcoloured
FIRST SERVANT
They have made him drink almsdrink
SECOND SERVANT
As they pinch one another by the disposition he cries out no more reconciles them to his entreaty and himself to th drink
FIRST SERVANT
But it raises the greater war between him and his discretion
SECOND SERVANT
Why this it is to have a name in great mens fellowship I had as lief have a reed that will do me no service as a partisan I could not heave
FIRST SERVANT
To be called into a huge sphere and not to be seen to move in t are the holes where eyes should be which pitifully disaster the cheeks
A sennet sounded Enter Caesar Antony Pompey Lepidus Agrippa Maecenas Enobarbus Menas with other Captains
ANTONY
To Caesar Thus do they sir they take the flow o th Nile
By certain scales i th pyramid they know
By th height the lowness or the mean if dearth
Or foison follow The higher Nilus swells
The more it promises As it ebbs the seedsman
Upon the slime and ooze scatters his grain
And shortly comes to harvest
LEPIDUS
Youve strange serpents there
ANTONY
Ay Lepidus
LEPIDUS
Your serpent of Egypt is bred now of your mud by the operation of your sun so is your crocodile
ANTONY
They are so
POMPEY
Sit and some wine A health to Lepidus
LEPIDUS
I am not so well as I should be but Ill neer out
ENOBARBUS
Not till you have slept I fear me youll be in till then
LEPIDUS
Nay certainly I have heard the Ptolemies pyramises are very goodly things Without contradiction I have heard that
MENAS
Aside to Pompey Pompey a word
POMPEY
Aside to Menas Say in mine ear what is t
MENAS
Whispers in s ear Forsake thy seat I do beseech thee captain
And hear me speak a word
POMPEY
Aside to Menas Forbear me till anon
This wine for Lepidus
LEPIDUS
What manner o thing is your crocodile
ANTONY
It is shaped sir like itself and it is as broad as it hath breadth It is just so high as it is and moves with it own organs It lives by that which nourisheth it and the elements once out of it it transmigrates
LEPIDUS
What colour is it of
ANTONY
Of its own colour too
LEPIDUS
Tis a strange serpent
ANTONY
Tis so and the tears of it are wet
CAESAR
Will this description satisfy him
ANTONY
With the health that Pompey gives him else he is a very epicure
POMPEY
Aside to Menas Go hang sir hang Tell me of that Away
Do as I bid youWheres this cup I called for
MENAS
Aside to Pompey If for the sake of merit thou wilt hear me
Rise from thy stool
POMPEY
Aside to Menas I think thourt mad
Rises and walks aside
The matter
MENAS
I have ever held my cap off to thy fortunes
POMPEY
Thou hast served me with much faith Whats else to say
Be jolly lords
ANTONY
These quicksands Lepidus
Keep off them for you sink
MENAS
Wilt thou be lord of all the world
POMPEY
What sayst thou
MENAS
Wilt thou be lord of the whole world
Thats twice
POMPEY
How should that be
MENAS
But entertain it
And though you think me poor I am the man
Will give thee all the world
POMPEY
Hast thou drunk well
MENAS
No Pompey I have kept me from the cup
Thou art if thou darst be the earthly Jove
Whateer the ocean pales or sky inclips
Is thine if thou wilt havet
POMPEY
Show me which way
MENAS
These three worldsharers these competitors
Are in thy vessel Let me cut the cable
And when we are put off fall to their throats
All then is thine
POMPEY
Ah this thou shouldst have done
And not have spoke on t In me tis villainy
In thee t had been good service Thou must know
Tis not my profit that does lead mine honour
Mine honour it Repent that eer thy tongue
Hath so betrayd thine act Being done unknown
I should have found it afterwards well done
But must condemn it now Desist and drink
MENAS
Aside For this
Ill never follow thy palled fortunes more
Who seeks and will not take when once tis offered
Shall never find it more
POMPEY
This health to Lepidus
ANTONY
Bear him ashore Ill pledge it for him Pompey
ENOBARBUS
Heres to thee Menas
MENAS
Enobarbus welcome
POMPEY
Fill till the cup be hid
ENOBARBUS
Theres a strong fellow Menas
Pointing to the servant who carries off Lepidus
MENAS
Why
ENOBARBUS
A bears the third part of the world man Seest not
MENAS
The third part then is drunk Would it were all
That it might go on wheels
ENOBARBUS
Drink thou Increase the reels
MENAS
Come
POMPEY
This is not yet an Alexandrian feast
ANTONY
It ripens towards it Strike the vessels ho
Here is to Caesar
CAESAR
I could well forbeart
Its monstrous labour when I wash my brain
And it grows fouler
ANTONY
Be a child o the time
CAESAR
Possess it Ill make answer
But I had rather fast from all four days
Than drink so much in one
ENOBARBUS
To Antony Ha my brave emperor
Shall we dance now the Egyptian Bacchanals
And celebrate our drink
POMPEY
Lets hat good soldier
ANTONY
Come lets all take hands
Till that the conquering wine hath steeped our sense
In soft and delicate Lethe
ENOBARBUS
All take hands
Make battery to our ears with the loud music
The while Ill place you then the boy shall sing
The holding every man shall beat as loud
As his strong sides can volley
Music plays Enobarbus places them hand in hand
THE SONG
Come thou monarch of the vine
Plumpy Bacchus with pink eyne
In thy vats our cares be drowned
With thy grapes our hairs be crowned
Cup us till the world go round
Cup us till the world go round
CAESAR
What would you more Pompey good night Good brother
Let me request you off Our graver business
Frowns at this levityGentle lords lets part
You see we have burnt our cheeks Strong Enobarb
Is weaker than the wine and mine own tongue
Splits what it speaks The wild disguise hath almost
Anticked us all What needs more words Good night
Good Antony your hand
POMPEY
Ill try you on the shore
ANTONY
And shall sir Gives your hand
POMPEY
O Antony
You have my fathers house
But what We are friends Come down into the boat
ENOBARBUS
Take heed you fall not
Exeunt Pompey Caesar Antony and Attendants
Menas Ill not on shore
MENAS
No to my cabin These drums these trumpets flutes What
Let Neptune hear we bid a loud farewell
To these great fellows Sound and be hanged sound out
Sound a flourish with drums
ENOBARBUS
Hoo says a Theres my cap
MENAS
Hoo Noble captain come
Exeunt
ACT III
SCENE I A plain in Syria
Enter Ventidius as it were in triumph with Silius and other Romans Officers and Soldiers the dead body of Pacorus borne before him
VENTIDIUS
Now darting Parthia art thou struck and now
Pleased Fortune does of Marcus Crassus death
Make me revenger Bear the kings sons body
Before our army Thy Pacorus Orodes
Pays this for Marcus Crassus
SILIUS
Noble Ventidius
Whilst yet with Parthian blood thy sword is warm
The fugitive Parthians follow Spur through Media
Mesopotamia and the shelters whither
The routed fly So thy grand captain Antony
Shall set thee on triumphant chariots and
Put garlands on thy head
VENTIDIUS
O Silius Silius
I have done enough A lower place note well
May make too great an act For learn this Silius
Better to leave undone than by our deed
Acquire too high a fame when him we serves away
Caesar and Antony have ever won
More in their officer than person Sossius
One of my place in Syria his lieutenant
For quick accumulation of renown
Which he achieved by th minute lost his favour
Who does i th wars more than his captain can
Becomes his captains captain and ambition
The soldiers virtue rather makes choice of loss
Than gain which darkens him
I could do more to do Antonius good
But twould offend him and in his offence
Should my performance perish
SILIUS
Thou hast Ventidius that
Without the which a soldier and his sword
Grants scarce distinction Thou wilt write to Antony
VENTIDIUS
Ill humbly signify what in his name
That magical word of war we have effected
How with his banners and his wellpaid ranks
The neeryetbeaten horse of Parthia
We have jaded out o th field
SILIUS
Where is he now
VENTIDIUS
He purposeth to Athens whither with what haste
The weight we must convey with s will permit
We shall appear before himOn there pass along
Exeunt
SCENE II Rome An Antechamber in Caesars house
Enter Agrippa at one door Enobarbus at another
AGRIPPA
What are the brothers parted
ENOBARBUS
They have dispatched with Pompey he is gone
The other three are sealing Octavia weeps
To part from Rome Caesar is sad and Lepidus
Since Pompeys feast as Menas says is troubled
With the greensickness
AGRIPPA
Tis a noble Lepidus
ENOBARBUS
A very fine one O how he loves Caesar
AGRIPPA
Nay but how dearly he adores Mark Antony
ENOBARBUS
Caesar Why hes the Jupiter of men
AGRIPPA
Whats Antony The god of Jupiter
ENOBARBUS
Spake you of Caesar How the nonpareil
AGRIPPA
O Antony O thou Arabian bird
ENOBARBUS
Would you praise Caesar say Caesar Go no further
AGRIPPA
Indeed he plied them both with excellent praises
ENOBARBUS
But he loves Caesar best yet he loves Antony
Hoo Hearts tongues figures scribes bards poets cannot
Think speak cast write sing numberhoo
His love to Antony But as for Caesar
Kneel down kneel down and wonder
AGRIPPA
Both he loves
ENOBARBUS
They are his shards and he their beetle
Trumpets within
So
This is to horse Adieu noble Agrippa
AGRIPPA
Good fortune worthy soldier and farewell
Enter Caesar Antony Lepidus and Octavia
ANTONY
No further sir
CAESAR
You take from me a great part of myself
Use me well int Sister prove such a wife
As my thoughts make thee and as my farthest bond
Shall pass on thy approof Most noble Antony
Let not the piece of virtue which is set
Betwixt us as the cement of our love
To keep it builded be the ram to batter
The fortress of it For better might we
Have loved without this mean if on both parts
This be not cherished
ANTONY
Make me not offended
In your distrust
CAESAR
I have said
ANTONY
You shall not find
Though you be therein curious the least cause
For what you seem to fear So the gods keep you
And make the hearts of Romans serve your ends
We will here part
CAESAR
Farewell my dearest sister fare thee well
The elements be kind to thee and make
Thy spirits all of comfort Fare thee well
OCTAVIA
My noble brother
ANTONY
The Aprils in her eyes It is loves spring
And these the showers to bring it onBe cheerful
OCTAVIA
Sir look well to my husbands house and
CAESAR
What Octavia
OCTAVIA
Ill tell you in your ear
ANTONY
Her tongue will not obey her heart nor can
Her heart inform her tonguethe swansdown feather
That stands upon the swell at the full of tide
And neither way inclines
ENOBARBUS
Aside to Agrippa Will Caesar weep
AGRIPPA
Aside to Enobarbus He has a cloud in s face
ENOBARBUS
Aside to Agrippa He were the worse for that were he a horse
So is he being a man
AGRIPPA
Aside to Enobarbus Why Enobarbus
When Antony found Julius Caesar dead
He cried almost to roaring and he wept
When at Philippi he found Brutus slain
ENOBARBUS
Aside to Agrippa That year indeed he was troubled with a rheum
What willingly he did confound he wailed
Believe t till I weep too
CAESAR
No sweet Octavia
You shall hear from me still The time shall not
Outgo my thinking on you
ANTONY
Come sir come
Ill wrestle with you in my strength of love
Look here I have you thus I let you go
And give you to the gods
CAESAR
Adieu be happy
LEPIDUS
Let all the number of the stars give light
To thy fair way
CAESAR
Farewell farewell
Kisses Octavia
ANTONY
Farewell
Trumpets sound Exeunt
SCENE III Alexandria A Room in the Palace
Enter Cleopatra Charmian Iras and Alexas
CLEOPATRA
Where is the fellow
ALEXAS
Half afeared to come
CLEOPATRA
Go to go to
Enter a Messenger as before
Come hither sir
ALEXAS
Good majesty
Herod of Jewry dare not look upon you
But when you are well pleased
CLEOPATRA
That Herods head
Ill have But how when Antony is gone
Through whom I might command itCome thou near
MESSENGER
Most gracious majesty
CLEOPATRA
Didst thou behold Octavia
MESSENGER
Ay dread queen
CLEOPATRA
Where
MESSENGER
Madam in Rome
I looked her in the face and saw her led
Between her brother and Mark Antony
CLEOPATRA
Is she as tall as me
MESSENGER
She is not madam
CLEOPATRA
Didst hear her speak Is she shrilltongued or low
MESSENGER
Madam I heard her speak She is lowvoiced
CLEOPATRA
Thats not so good He cannot like her long
CHARMIAN
Like her O Isis Tis impossible
CLEOPATRA
I think so Charmian dull of tongue and dwarfish
What majesty is in her gait Remember
If eer thou lookdst on majesty
MESSENGER
She creeps
Her motion and her station are as one
She shows a body rather than a life
A statue than a breather
CLEOPATRA
Is this certain
MESSENGER
Or I have no observance
CHARMIAN
Three in Egypt
Cannot make better note
CLEOPATRA
Hes very knowing
I do perceivet Theres nothing in her yet
The fellow has good judgment
CHARMIAN
Excellent
CLEOPATRA
Guess at her years I prithee
MESSENGER
Madam
She was a widow
CLEOPATRA
Widow Charmian hark
MESSENGER
And I do think shes thirty
CLEOPATRA
Bearst thou her face in mind Ist long or round
MESSENGER
Round even to faultiness
CLEOPATRA
For the most part too they are foolish that are so
Her hair what colour
MESSENGER
Brown madam and her forehead
As low as she would wish it
CLEOPATRA
Theres gold for thee
Thou must not take my former sharpness ill
I will employ thee back again I find thee
Most fit for business Go make thee ready
Our letters are prepared
Exit Messenger
CHARMIAN
A proper man
CLEOPATRA
Indeed he is so I repent me much
That so I harried him Why methinks by him
This creatures no such thing
CHARMIAN
Nothing madam
CLEOPATRA
The man hath seen some majesty and should know
CHARMIAN
Hath he seen majesty Isis else defend
And serving you so long
CLEOPATRA
I have one thing more to ask him yet good Charmian
But tis no matter thou shalt bring him to me
Where I will write All may be well enough
CHARMIAN
I warrant you madam
Exeunt
SCENE IV Athens A Room in Antonys House
Enter Antony and Octavia
ANTONY
Nay nay Octavia not only that
That were excusable that and thousands more
Of semblable importbut he hath waged
New wars gainst Pompey made his will and read it
To public ear
Spoke scantly of me when perforce he could not
But pay me terms of honour cold and sickly
He vented them most narrow measure lent me
When the best hint was given him he not took t
Or did it from his teeth
OCTAVIA
O my good lord
Believe not all or if you must believe
Stomach not all A more unhappy lady
If this division chance neer stood between
Praying for both parts
The good gods will mock me presently
When I shall pray O bless my lord and husband
Undo that prayer by crying out as loud
O bless my brother Husband win win brother
Prays and destroys the prayer no midway
Twixt these extremes at all
ANTONY
Gentle Octavia
Let your best love draw to that point which seeks
Best to preserve it If I lose mine honour
I lose myself better I were not yours
Than yours so branchless But as you requested
Yourself shall go betweens The meantime lady
Ill raise the preparation of a war
Shall stain your brother Make your soonest haste
So your desires are yours
OCTAVIA
Thanks to my lord
The Jove of power make me most weak most weak
Your reconciler Wars twixt you twain would be
As if the world should cleave and that slain men
Should solder up the rift
ANTONY
When it appears to you where this begins
Turn your displeasure that way for our faults
Can never be so equal that your love
Can equally move with them Provide your going
Choose your own company and command what cost
Your heart has mind to
Exeunt
SCENE V Athens Another Room in Antonys House
Enter Enobarbus and Eros meeting
ENOBARBUS
How now friend Eros
EROS
Theres strange news come sir
ENOBARBUS
What man
EROS
Caesar and Lepidus have made wars upon Pompey
ENOBARBUS
This is old What is the success
EROS
Caesar having made use of him in the wars gainst Pompey presently denied him rivality would not let him partake in the glory of the action and not resting here accuses him of letters he had formerly wrote to Pompey upon his own appeal seizes him So the poor third is up till death enlarge his confine
ENOBARBUS
Then world thou hast a pair of chaps no more
And throw between them all the food thou hast
Theyll grind the one the other Wheres Antony
EROS
Hes walking in the garden thus and spurns
The rush that lies before him cries Fool Lepidus
And threats the throat of that his officer
That murdered Pompey
ENOBARBUS
Our great navys rigged
EROS
For Italy and Caesar More Domitius
My lord desires you presently My news
I might have told hereafter
ENOBARBUS
Twill be naught
But let it be Bring me to Antony
EROS
Come sir
Exeunt
SCENE VI Rome A Room in Caesars House
Enter Agrippa Maecenas and Caesar
CAESAR
Contemning Rome he has done all this and more
In Alexandria Heres the manner of t
I th marketplace on a tribunal silvered
Cleopatra and himself in chairs of gold
Were publicly enthroned At the feet sat
Caesarion whom they call my fathers son
And all the unlawful issue that their lust
Since then hath made between them Unto her
He gave the stablishment of Egypt made her
Of lower Syria Cyprus Lydia
Absolute queen
MAECENAS
This in the public eye
CAESAR
I th common showplace where they exercise
His sons he there proclaimed the kings of kings
Great Media Parthia and Armenia
He gave to Alexander to Ptolemy he assigned
Syria Cilicia and Phoenicia She
In th habiliments of the goddess Isis
That day appeared and oft before gave audience
As tis reported so
MAECENAS
Let Rome be thus informed
AGRIPPA
Who queasy with his insolence already
Will their good thoughts call from him
CAESAR
The people knows it and have now received
His accusations
AGRIPPA
Who does he accuse
CAESAR
Caesar and that having in Sicily
Sextus Pompeius spoiled we had not rated him
His part o th isle Then does he say he lent me
Some shipping unrestored Lastly he frets
That Lepidus of the triumvirate
Should be deposed and being that we detain
All his revenue
AGRIPPA
Sir this should be answered
CAESAR
Tis done already and messenger gone
I have told him Lepidus was grown too cruel
That he his high authority abused
And did deserve his change For what I have conquered
I grant him part but then in his Armenia
And other of his conquered kingdoms I
Demand the like
MAECENAS
Hell never yield to that
CAESAR
Nor must not then be yielded to in this
Enter Octavia with her train
OCTAVIA
Hail Caesar and my lord Hail most dear Caesar
CAESAR
That ever I should call thee castaway
OCTAVIA
You have not called me so nor have you cause
CAESAR
Why have you stolen upon us thus You come not
Like Caesars sister The wife of Antony
Should have an army for an usher and
The neighs of horse to tell of her approach
Long ere she did appear The trees by th way
Should have borne men and expectation fainted
Longing for what it had not Nay the dust
Should have ascended to the roof of heaven
Raised by your populous troops But you are come
A marketmaid to Rome and have prevented
The ostentation of our love which left unshown
Is often left unloved We should have met you
By sea and land supplying every stage
With an augmented greeting
OCTAVIA
Good my lord
To come thus was I not constrained but did it
On my free will My lord Mark Antony
Hearing that you prepared for war acquainted
My grieved ear withal whereon I begged
His pardon for return
CAESAR
Which soon he granted
Being an abstract tween his lust and him
OCTAVIA
Do not say so my lord
CAESAR
I have eyes upon him
And his affairs come to me on the wind
Where is he now
OCTAVIA
My lord in Athens
CAESAR
No my most wronged sister Cleopatra
Hath nodded him to her He hath given his empire
Up to a whore who now are levying
The kings o th earth for war He hath assembled
Bocchus the king of Libya Archelaus
Of Cappadocia Philadelphos king
Of Paphlagonia the Thracian king Adallas
King Manchus of Arabia King of Pont
Herod of Jewry Mithridates king
Of Comagene Polemon and Amyntas
The kings of Mede and Lycaonia
With a more larger list of sceptres
OCTAVIA
Ay me most wretched
That have my heart parted betwixt two friends
That does afflict each other
CAESAR
Welcome hither
Your letters did withhold our breaking forth
Till we perceived both how you were wrong led
And we in negligent danger Cheer your heart
Be you not troubled with the time which drives
Oer your content these strong necessities
But let determined things to destiny
Hold unbewailed their way Welcome to Rome
Nothing more dear to me You are abused
Beyond the mark of thought and the high gods
To do you justice make their ministers
Of us and those that love you Best of comfort
And ever welcome to us
AGRIPPA
Welcome lady
MAECENAS
Welcome dear madam
Each heart in Rome does love and pity you
Only th adulterous Antony most large
In his abominations turns you off
And gives his potent regiment to a trull
That noises it against us
OCTAVIA
Is it so sir
CAESAR
Most certain Sister welcome Pray you
Be ever known to patience My dearst sister
Exeunt
SCENE VII Antonys Camp near the Promontory of Actium
Enter Cleopatra and Enobarbus
CLEOPATRA
I will be even with thee doubt it not
ENOBARBUS
But why why why
CLEOPATRA
Thou hast forspoke my being in these wars
And sayst it is not fit
ENOBARBUS
Well is it is it
CLEOPATRA
Is t not denounced against us Why should not we
Be there in person
ENOBARBUS
Well I could reply
If we should serve with horse and mares together
The horse were merely lost The mares would bear
A soldier and his horse
CLEOPATRA
What ist you say
ENOBARBUS
Your presence needs must puzzle Antony
Take from his heart take from his brain from s time
What should not then be spared He is already
Traduced for levity and tis said in Rome
That Photinus an eunuch and your maids
Manage this war
CLEOPATRA
Sink Rome and their tongues rot
That speak against us A charge we bear i th war
And as the president of my kingdom will
Appear there for a man Speak not against it
I will not stay behind
Enter Antony and Canidius
ENOBARBUS
Nay I have done
Here comes the Emperor
ANTONY
Is it not strange Canidius
That from Tarentum and Brundusium
He could so quickly cut the Ionian sea
And take in ToryneYou have heard on t sweet
CLEOPATRA
Celerity is never more admired
Than by the negligent
ANTONY
A good rebuke
Which might have well becomed the best of men
To taunt at slacknessCanidius we
Will fight with him by sea
CLEOPATRA
By sea what else
CANIDIUS
Why will my lord do so
ANTONY
For that he dares us to t
ENOBARBUS
So hath my lord dared him to single fight
CANIDIUS
Ay and to wage this battle at Pharsalia
Where Caesar fought with Pompey But these offers
Which serve not for his vantage he shakes off
And so should you
ENOBARBUS
Your ships are not well manned
Your mariners are muleteers reapers people
Engrossed by swift impress In Caesars fleet
Are those that often have gainst Pompey fought
Their ships are yare yours heavy No disgrace
Shall fall you for refusing him at sea
Being prepared for land
ANTONY
By sea by sea
ENOBARBUS
Most worthy sir you therein throw away
The absolute soldiership you have by land
Distract your army which doth most consist
Of warmarked footmen leave unexecuted
Your own renowned knowledge quite forgo
The way which promises assurance and
Give up yourself merely to chance and hazard
From firm security
ANTONY
Ill fight at sea
CLEOPATRA
I have sixty sails Caesar none better
ANTONY
Our overplus of shipping will we burn
And with the rest fullmanned from th head of Actium
Beat th approaching Caesar But if we fail
We then can do t at land
Enter a Messenger
Thy business
MESSENGER
The news is true my lord he is descried
Caesar has taken Toryne
ANTONY
Can he be there in person Tis impossible
Strange that his power should be Canidius
Our nineteen legions thou shalt hold by land
And our twelve thousand horse Well to our ship
Away my Thetis
Enter a Soldier
How now worthy soldier
SOLDIER
O noble emperor do not fight by sea
Trust not to rotten planks Do you misdoubt
This sword and these my wounds Let th Egyptians
And the Phoenicians go aducking We
Have used to conquer standing on the earth
And fighting foot to foot
ANTONY
Well well away
Exeunt Antony Cleopatra and Enobarbus
SOLDIER
By Hercules I think I am i th right
CANIDIUS
Soldier thou art But his whole action grows
Not in the power on t So our leaders led
And we are womens men
SOLDIER
You keep by land
The legions and the horse whole do you not
CANIDIUS
Marcus Octavius Marcus Justeius
Publicola and Caelius are for sea
But we keep whole by land This speed of Caesars
Carries beyond belief
SOLDIER
While he was yet in Rome
His power went out in such distractions as
Beguiled all spies
CANIDIUS
Whos his lieutenant hear you
SOLDIER
They say one Taurus
CANIDIUS
Well I know the man
Enter a Messenger
MESSENGER
The Emperor calls Canidius
CANIDIUS
With news the times with labour and throes forth
Each minute some
Exeunt
SCENE VIII A plain near Actium
Enter Caesar with his army and Taurus marching
CAESAR
Taurus
TAURUS
My lord
CAESAR
Strike not by land keep whole provoke not battle
Till we have done at sea Do not exceed
The prescript of this scroll Our fortune lies
Upon this jump
Exeunt
SCENE IX Another part of the Plain
Enter Antony and Enobarbus
ANTONY
Set we our squadrons on yon side o th hill
In eye of Caesars battle from which place
We may the number of the ships behold
And so proceed accordingly
Exeunt
SCENE X Another part of the Plain
Canidius marching with his land army one way over the stage and Taurus the Lieutenant of Caesar with his Army the other way After their going in is heard the noise of a sea fight
Alarum Enter Enobarbus
ENOBARBUS
Naught naught all naught I can behold no longer
Th Antoniad the Egyptian admiral
With all their sixty fly and turn the rudder
To see t mine eyes are blasted
Enter Scarus
SCARUS
Gods and goddesses
All the whole synod of them
ENOBARBUS
Whats thy passion
SCARUS
The greater cantle of the world is lost
With very ignorance We have kissed away
Kingdoms and provinces
ENOBARBUS
How appears the fight
SCARUS
On our side like the tokened pestilence
Where death is sure Yon ribaudred nag of Egypt
Whom leprosy oertake i th midst o th fight
When vantage like a pair of twins appeared
Both as the sameor rather ours the elder
The breeze upon her like a cow in June
Hoists sails and flies
ENOBARBUS
That I beheld
Mine eyes did sicken at the sight and could not
Endure a further view
SCARUS
She once being loofed
The noble ruin of her magic Antony
Claps on his seawing and like a doting mallard
Leaving the fight in height flies after her
I never saw an action of such shame
Experience manhood honour neer before
Did violate so itself
ENOBARBUS
Alack alack
Enter Canidius
CANIDIUS
Our fortune on the sea is out of breath
And sinks most lamentably Had our general
Been what he knew himself it had gone well
O he has given example for our flight
Most grossly by his own
ENOBARBUS
Ay are you thereabouts
Why then good night indeed
CANIDIUS
Toward Peloponnesus are they fled
SCARUS
Tis easy tot and there I will attend
What further comes
CANIDIUS
To Caesar will I render
My legions and my horse Six kings already
Show me the way of yielding
ENOBARBUS
Ill yet follow
The wounded chance of Antony though my reason
Sits in the wind against me
Exeunt
SCENE XI Alexandria A Room in the Palace
Enter Antony with attendants
ANTONY
Hark the land bids me tread no more upont
It is ashamed to bear me Friends come hither
I am so lated in the world that I
Have lost my way for ever I have a ship
Laden with gold Take that divide it Fly
And make your peace with Caesar
ALL
Fly Not we
ANTONY
I have fled myself and have instructed cowards
To run and show their shoulders Friends be gone
I have myself resolved upon a course
Which has no need of you Be gone
My treasures in the harbour Take it O
I followed that I blush to look upon
My very hairs do mutiny for the white
Reprove the brown for rashness and they them
For fear and doting Friends be gone You shall
Have letters from me to some friends that will
Sweep your way for you Pray you look not sad
Nor make replies of loathness Take the hint
Which my despair proclaims Let that be left
Which leaves itself To the seaside straightway
I will possess you of that ship and treasure
Leave me I pray a littlepray you now
Nay do so for indeed I have lost command
Therefore I pray you Ill see you by and by
Sits down
Enter Cleopatra led by Charmian Iras and Eros
EROS
Nay gentle madam to him Comfort him
IRAS
Do most dear queen
CHARMIAN
Do Why what else
CLEOPATRA
Let me sit down O Juno
ANTONY
No no no no no
EROS
See you here sir
ANTONY
O fie fie fie
CHARMIAN
Madam
IRAS
Madam O good empress
EROS
Sir sir
ANTONY
Yes my lord yes He at Philippi kept
His sword een like a dancer while I struck
The lean and wrinkled Cassius and twas I
That the mad Brutus ended He alone
Dealt on lieutenantry and no practice had
In the brave squares of war Yet nowno matter
CLEOPATRA
Ah stand by
EROS
The Queen my lord the Queen
IRAS
Go to him madam speak to him
He is unqualitied with very shame
CLEOPATRA
Well then sustain me O
EROS
Most noble sir arise The Queen approaches
Her heads declined and death will seize her but
Your comfort makes the rescue
ANTONY
I have offended reputation
A most unnoble swerving
EROS
Sir the Queen
ANTONY
O whither hast thou led me Egypt See
How I convey my shame out of thine eyes
By looking back what I have left behind
Stroyed in dishonour
CLEOPATRA
O my lord my lord
Forgive my fearful sails I little thought
You would have followed
ANTONY
Egypt thou knewst too well
My heart was to thy rudder tied by th strings
And thou shouldst tow me after Oer my spirit
Thy full supremacy thou knewst and that
Thy beck might from the bidding of the gods
Command me
CLEOPATRA
O my pardon
ANTONY
Now I must
To the young man send humble treaties dodge
And palter in the shifts of lowness who
With half the bulk o th world played as I pleased
Making and marring fortunes You did know
How much you were my conqueror and that
My sword made weak by my affection would
Obey it on all cause
CLEOPATRA
Pardon pardon
ANTONY
Fall not a tear I say one of them rates
All that is won and lost Give me a kiss
Even this repays me
We sent our schoolmaster Is he come back
Love I am full of lead Some wine
Within there and our viands Fortune knows
We scorn her most when most she offers blows
Exeunt
SCENE XII Caesars camp in Egypt
Enter Caesar Agrippa Dolabella with others
CAESAR
Let him appear thats come from Antony
Know you him
DOLABELLA
Caesar tis his schoolmaster
An argument that he is plucked when hither
He sends so poor a pinion of his wing
Which had superfluous kings for messengers
Not many moons gone by
Enter Ambassador from Anthony
CAESAR
Approach and speak
AMBASSADOR
Such as I am I come from Antony
I was of late as petty to his ends
As is the morndew on the myrtle leaf
To his grand sea
CAESAR
Bet so Declare thine office
AMBASSADOR
Lord of his fortunes he salutes thee and
Requires to live in Egypt which not granted
He lessens his requests and to thee sues
To let him breathe between the heavens and earth
A private man in Athens This for him
Next Cleopatra does confess thy greatness
Submits her to thy might and of thee craves
The circle of the Ptolemies for her heirs
Now hazarded to thy grace
CAESAR
For Antony
I have no ears to his request The queen
Of audience nor desire shall fail so she
From Egypt drive her alldisgraced friend
Or take his life there This if she perform
She shall not sue unheard So to them both
AMBASSADOR
Fortune pursue thee
CAESAR
Bring him through the bands
Exit Ambassador attended
To Thidias To try thy eloquence now tis time Dispatch
From Antony win Cleopatra Promise
And in our name what she requires add more
From thine invention offers Women are not
In their best fortunes strong but want will perjure
The neertouchd vestal Try thy cunning Thidias
Make thine own edict for thy pains which we
Will answer as a law
THIDIAS
Caesar I go
CAESAR
Observe how Antony becomes his flaw
And what thou thinkst his very action speaks
In every power that moves
THIDIAS
Caesar I shall
Exeunt
SCENE XIII Alexandria A Room in the Palace
Enter Cleopatra Enobarbus Charmian and Iras
CLEOPATRA
What shall we do Enobarbus
ENOBARBUS
Think and die
CLEOPATRA
Is Antony or we in fault for this
ENOBARBUS
Antony only that would make his will
Lord of his reason What though you fled
From that great face of war whose several ranges
Frighted each other Why should he follow
The itch of his affection should not then
Have nicked his captainship at such a point
When half to half the world opposed he being
The mered question Twas a shame no less
Than was his loss to course your flying flags
And leave his navy gazing
CLEOPATRA
Prithee peace
Enter the Ambassador with Antony
ANTONY
Is that his answer
AMBASSADOR
Ay my lord
ANTONY
The Queen shall then have courtesy so she
Will yield us up
AMBASSADOR
He says so
ANTONY
Let her knowt
To the boy Caesar send this grizzled head
And he will fill thy wishes to the brim
With principalities
CLEOPATRA
That head my lord
ANTONY
To him again Tell him he wears the rose
Of youth upon him from which the world should note
Something particular his coin ships legions
May be a cowards whose ministers would prevail
Under the service of a child as soon
As i th command of Caesar I dare him therefore
To lay his gay comparisons apart
And answer me declined sword against sword
Ourselves alone Ill write it Follow me
Exeunt Antony and Ambassador
ENOBARBUS
Yes like enough highbattled Caesar will
Unstate his happiness and be staged to th show
Against a sworder I see mens judgments are
A parcel of their fortunes and things outward
Do draw the inward quality after them
To suffer all alike That he should dream
Knowing all measures the full Caesar will
Answer his emptiness Caesar thou hast subdued
His judgment too
Enter a Servant
SERVANT
A messenger from Caesar
CLEOPATRA
What no more ceremony See my women
Against the blown rose may they stop their nose
That kneeled unto the buds Admit him sir
Exit Servant
ENOBARBUS
Aside Mine honesty and I begin to square
The loyalty well held to fools does make
Our faith mere folly Yet he that can endure
To follow with allegiance a fallen lord
Does conquer him that did his master conquer
And earns a place i th story
Enter Thidias
CLEOPATRA
Caesars will
THIDIAS
Hear it apart
CLEOPATRA
None but friends Say boldly
THIDIAS
So haply are they friends to Antony
ENOBARBUS
He needs as many sir as Caesar has
Or needs not us If Caesar please our master
Will leap to be his friend For us you know
Whose he is we are and that is Caesars
THIDIAS
So
Thus then thou most renowned Caesar entreats
Not to consider in what case thou standst
Further than he is Caesar
CLEOPATRA
Go on right royal
THIDIAS
He knows that you embrace not Antony
As you did love but as you feared him
CLEOPATRA
O
THIDIAS
The scars upon your honour therefore he
Does pity as constrained blemishes
Not as deserved
CLEOPATRA
He is a god and knows
What is most right Mine honour was not yielded
But conquered merely
ENOBARBUS
Aside To be sure of that
I will ask Antony Sir sir thou art so leaky
That we must leave thee to thy sinking for
Thy dearest quit thee
Exit Enobarbus
THIDIAS
Shall I say to Caesar
What you require of him For he partly begs
To be desired to give It much would please him
That of his fortunes you should make a staff
To lean upon But it would warm his spirits
To hear from me you had left Antony
And put yourself under his shroud
The universal landlord
CLEOPATRA
Whats your name
THIDIAS
My name is Thidias
CLEOPATRA
Most kind messenger
Say to great Caesar this in deputation
I kiss his conquring hand Tell him I am prompt
To lay my crown ats feet and there to kneel
Tell him from his allobeying breath I hear
The doom of Egypt
THIDIAS
Tis your noblest course
Wisdom and fortune combating together
If that the former dare but what it can
No chance may shake it Give me grace to lay
My duty on your hand
CLEOPATRA
Your Caesars father oft
When he hath mused of taking kingdoms in
Bestowed his lips on that unworthy place
As it rained kisses
Enter Antony and Enobarbus
ANTONY
Favours by Jove that thunders
What art thou fellow
THIDIAS
One that but performs
The bidding of the fullest man and worthiest
To have command obeyed
ENOBARBUS
Aside You will be whipped
ANTONY
Approach thereAh you kiteNow gods and devils
Authority melts from me Of late when I cried Ho
Like boys unto a muss kings would start forth
And cry Your will Have you no ears I am
Antony yet
Enter Servants
Take hence this jack and whip him
ENOBARBUS
Tis better playing with a lions whelp
Than with an old one dying
ANTONY
Moon and stars
Whip him Weret twenty of the greatest tributaries
That do acknowledge Caesar should I find them
So saucy with the hand of she herewhats her name
Since she was Cleopatra Whip him fellows
Till like a boy you see him cringe his face
And whine aloud for mercy Take him hence
THIDIAS
Mark Antony
ANTONY
Tug him away Being whippd
Bring him again This jack of Caesars shall
Bear us an errand to him
Exeunt Servants with Thidias
You were half blasted ere I knew you Ha
Have I my pillow left unpressed in Rome
Forborne the getting of a lawful race
And by a gem of women to be abused
By one that looks on feeders
CLEOPATRA
Good my lord
ANTONY
You have been a boggler ever
But when we in our viciousness grow hard
O misery ontthe wise gods seal our eyes
In our own filth drop our clear judgments make us
Adore our errors laugh ats while we strut
To our confusion
CLEOPATRA
O ist come to this
ANTONY
I found you as a morsel cold upon
Dead Caesars trencher nay you were a fragment
Of Gneius Pompeys besides what hotter hours
Unregistered in vulgar fame you have
Luxuriously pickd out For I am sure
Though you can guess what temperance should be
You know not what it is
CLEOPATRA
Wherefore is this
ANTONY
To let a fellow that will take rewards
And say God quit you be familiar with
My playfellow your hand this kingly seal
And plighter of high hearts O that I were
Upon the hill of Basan to outroar
The horned herd For I have savage cause
And to proclaim it civilly were like
A haltered neck which does the hangman thank
For being yare about him
Enter a Servant with Thidias
Is he whipped
SERVANT
Soundly my lord
ANTONY
Cried he And begged he pardon
SERVANT
He did ask favour
ANTONY
If that thy father live let him repent
Thou wast not made his daughter and be thou sorry
To follow Caesar in his triumph since
Thou hast been whipped for following him Henceforth
The white hand of a lady fever thee
Shake thou to look ont Get thee back to Caesar
Tell him thy entertainment Look thou say
He makes me angry with him for he seems
Proud and disdainful harping on what I am
Not what he knew I was He makes me angry
And at this time most easy tis to dot
When my good stars that were my former guides
Have empty left their orbs and shot their fires
Into th abysm of hell If he mislike
My speech and what is done tell him he has
Hipparchus my enfranched bondman whom
He may at pleasure whip or hang or torture
As he shall like to quit me Urge it thou
Hence with thy stripes be gone
Exit Thidias
CLEOPATRA
Have you done yet
ANTONY
Alack our terrene moon is now eclipsed
And it portends alone the fall of Antony
CLEOPATRA
I must stay his time
ANTONY
To flatter Caesar would you mingle eyes
With one that ties his points
CLEOPATRA
Not know me yet
ANTONY
Coldhearted toward me
CLEOPATRA
Ah dear if I be so
From my cold heart let heaven engender hail
And poison it in the source and the first stone
Drop in my neck as it determines so
Dissolve my life The next Caesarion smite
Till by degrees the memory of my womb
Together with my brave Egyptians all
By the discandying of this pelleted storm
Lie graveless till the flies and gnats of Nile
Have buried them for prey
ANTONY
I am satisfied
Caesar sits down in Alexandria where
I will oppose his fate Our force by land
Hath nobly held our severed navy too
Have knit again and fleet threatning most sealike
Where hast thou been my heart Dost thou hear lady
If from the field I shall return once more
To kiss these lips I will appear in blood
I and my sword will earn our chronicle
Theres hope int yet
CLEOPATRA
Thats my brave lord
ANTONY
I will be treblesinewed hearted breathed
And fight maliciously For when mine hours
Were nice and lucky men did ransom lives
Of me for jests But now Ill set my teeth
And send to darkness all that stop me Come
Lets have one other gaudy night Call to me
All my sad captains Fill our bowls once more
Lets mock the midnight bell
CLEOPATRA
It is my birthday
I had thought thave held it poor but since my lord
Is Antony again I will be Cleopatra
ANTONY
We will yet do well
CLEOPATRA
Call all his noble captains to my lord
ANTONY
Do so well speak to them and tonight Ill force
The wine peep through their scars Come on my queen
Theres sap int yet The next time I do fight
Ill make Death love me for I will contend
Even with his pestilent scythe
Exeunt all but Enobarbus
ENOBARBUS
Now hell outstare the lightning To be furious
Is to be frighted out of fear and in that mood
The dove will peck the estridge and I see still
A diminution in our captains brain
Restores his heart When valour preys on reason
It eats the sword it fights with I will seek
Some way to leave him
Exit
ACT IV
SCENE I Caesars Camp at Alexandria
Enter Caesar Agrippa and Maecenas with his army
Caesar reading a letter
CAESAR
He calls me boy and chides as he had power
To beat me out of Egypt My messenger
He hath whipped with rods dares me to personal combat
Caesar to Antony Let the old ruffian know
I have many other ways to die meantime
Laugh at his challenge
MAECENAS
Caesar must think
When one so great begins to rage hes hunted
Even to falling Give him no breath but now
Make boot of his distraction Never anger
Made good guard for itself
CAESAR
Let our best heads
Know that tomorrow the last of many battles
We mean to fight Within our files there are
Of those that served Mark Antony but late
Enough to fetch him in See it done
And feast the army we have store to dot
And they have earned the waste Poor Antony
Exeunt
SCENE II Alexandria A Room in the Palace
Enter Antony Cleopatra Enobarbus Charmian Iras Alexas with others
ANTONY
He will not fight with me Domitius
ENOBARBUS
No
ANTONY
Why should he not
ENOBARBUS
He thinks being twenty times of better fortune
He is twenty men to one
ANTONY
Tomorrow soldier
By sea and land Ill fight Or I will live
Or bathe my dying honour in the blood
Shall make it live again Woot thou fight well
ENOBARBUS
Ill strike and cry Take all
ANTONY
Well said Come on
Call forth my household servants Lets tonight
Be bounteous at our meal
Enter Servants
Give me thy hand
Thou has been rightly honest so hast thou
Thou and thou and thou You have served me well
And kings have been your fellows
CLEOPATRA
Aside to Enobarbus What means this
ENOBARBUS
Aside to Cleopatra Tis one of those odd tricks which sorrow shoots
Out of the mind
ANTONY
And thou art honest too
I wish I could be made so many men
And all of you clapped up together in
An Antony that I might do you service
So good as you have done
ALL THE SERVANTS
The gods forbid
ANTONY
Well my good fellows wait on me tonight
Scant not my cups and make as much of me
As when mine empire was your fellow too
And suffered my command
CLEOPATRA
Aside to Enobarbus What does he mean
ENOBARBUS
Aside to Cleopatra To make his followers weep
ANTONY
Tend me tonight
May be it is the period of your duty
Haply you shall not see me more or if
A mangled shadow Perchance tomorrow
Youll serve another master I look on you
As one that takes his leave Mine honest friends
I turn you not away but like a master
Married to your good service stay till death
Tend me tonight two hours I ask no more
And the gods yield you fort
ENOBARBUS
What mean you sir
To give them this discomfort Look they weep
And I an ass am onioneyed For shame
Transform us not to women
ANTONY
Ho ho ho
Now the witch take me if I meant it thus
Grace grow where those drops fall My hearty friends
You take me in too dolorous a sense
For I spake to you for your comfort did desire you
To burn this night with torches Know my hearts
I hope well of tomorrow and will lead you
Where rather Ill expect victorious life
Than death and honour Lets to supper come
And drown consideration
Exeunt
SCENE III Alexandria Before the Palace
Enter a Company of Soldiers
FIRST SOLDIER
Brother good night Tomorrow is the day
SECOND SOLDIER
It will determine one way Fare you well
Heard you of nothing strange about the streets
FIRST SOLDIER
Nothing What news
SECOND SOLDIER
Belike tis but a rumour Good night to you
FIRST SOLDIER
Well sir good night
Enter two other Soldiers
SECOND SOLDIER
Soldiers have careful watch
THIRD SOLDIER
And you Good night good night
They place themselves in every corner of the stage
SECOND SOLDIER
Here we And if tomorrow
Our navy thrive I have an absolute hope
Our landmen will stand up
FIRST SOLDIER
Tis a brave army and full of purpose
Music of the hautboys under the stage
SECOND SOLDIER
Peace what noise
FIRST SOLDIER
List list
SECOND SOLDIER
Hark
FIRST SOLDIER
Music i th air
THIRD SOLDIER
Under the earth
FOURTH SOLDIER
It signs well does it not
THIRD SOLDIER
No
FIRST SOLDIER
Peace I say What should this mean
SECOND SOLDIER
Tis the god Hercules whom Antony loved
Now leaves him
FIRST SOLDIER
Walk Lets see if other watchmen
Do hear what we do
They advance to another post
SECOND SOLDIER
How now masters
ALL
How now How now Do you hear this
FIRST SOLDIER
Ay Ist not strange
THIRD SOLDIER
Do you hear masters Do you hear
FIRST SOLDIER
Follow the noise so far as we have quarter
Lets see how it will give off
ALL
Content Tis strange
Exeunt
SCENE IV Alexandria A Room in the Palace
Enter Antony and Cleopatra with others
ANTONY
Eros Mine armour Eros
CLEOPATRA
Sleep a little
ANTONY
No my chuckEros Come mine armour Eros
Enter Eros with armour
Come good fellow put thine iron on
If fortune be not ours today it is
Because we brave her Come
CLEOPATRA
Nay Ill help too
Whats this for
ANTONY
Ah let be let be Thou art
The armourer of my heart False false This this
CLEOPATRA
Sooth la Ill help Thus it must be
ANTONY
Well well
We shall thrive now Seest thou my good fellow
Go put on thy defences
EROS
Briefly sir
CLEOPATRA
Is not this buckled well
ANTONY
Rarely rarely
He that unbuckles this till we do please
To dafft for our repose shall hear a storm
Thou fumblest Eros and my queens a squire
More tight at this than thou Dispatch O love
That thou couldst see my wars today and knewst
The royal occupation thou shouldst see
A workman int
Enter an Officer armed
Good morrow to thee Welcome
Thou lookst like him that knows a warlike charge
To business that we love we rise betime
And go tot with delight
OFFICER
A thousand sir
Early thought be have on their riveted trim
And at the port expect you
Shout Trumpets flourish
Enter other Captains and Soldiers
CAPTAIN
The morn is fair Good morrow general
ALL
Good morrow general
ANTONY
Tis well blown lads
This morning like the spirit of a youth
That means to be of note begins betimes
So so Come give me that This way Well said
Fare thee well dame
Whateer becomes of me
This is a soldiers kiss Kisses her Rebukeable
And worthy shameful check it were to stand
On more mechanic compliment Ill leave thee
Now like a man of steelYou that will fight
Follow me close Ill bring you tot Adieu
Exeunt Antony Eros Captains and Soldiers
CHARMIAN
Please you retire to your chamber
CLEOPATRA
Lead me
He goes forth gallantly That he and Caesar might
Determine this great war in single fight
Then Antonybut now Well on
Exeunt
SCENE V Antonys camp near Alexandria
Trumpets sound Enter Antony and Eros a Soldier meeting them
SOLDIER
The gods make this a happy day to Antony
ANTONY
Would thou and those thy scars had once prevailed
To make me fight at land
SOLDIER
Hadst thou done so
The kings that have revolted and the soldier
That has this morning left thee would have still
Followed thy heels
ANTONY
Whos gone this morning
SOLDIER
Who
One ever near thee Call for Enobarbus
He shall not hear thee or from Caesars camp
Say I am none of thine
ANTONY
What sayest thou
SOLDIER
Sir
He is with Caesar
EROS
Sir his chests and treasure
He has not with him
ANTONY
Is he gone
SOLDIER
Most certain
ANTONY
Go Eros send his treasure after Do it
Detain no jot I charge thee Write to him
I will subscribegentle adieus and greetings
Say that I wish he never find more cause
To change a master O my fortunes have
Corrupted honest men DispatchEnobarbus
Exeunt
SCENE VI Alexandria Caesars camp
Flourish Enter Agrippa Caesar with Enobarbus and Dolabella
CAESAR
Go forth Agrippa and begin the fight
Our will is Antony be took alive
Make it so known
AGRIPPA
Caesar I shall
Exit
CAESAR
The time of universal peace is near
Prove this a prosprous day the threenooked world
Shall bear the olive freely
Enter a Messenger
MESSENGER
Antony
Is come into the field
CAESAR
Go charge Agrippa
Plant those that have revolted in the van
That Antony may seem to spend his fury
Upon himself
Exeunt Caesar and his Train
ENOBARBUS
Alexas did revolt and went to Jewry on
Affairs of Antony there did dissuade
Great Herod to incline himself to Caesar
And leave his master Antony For this pains
Caesar hath hanged him Canidius and the rest
That fell away have entertainment but
No honourable trust I have done ill
Of which I do accuse myself so sorely
That I will joy no more
Enter a Soldier of Caesars
SOLDIER
Enobarbus Antony
Hath after thee sent all thy treasure with
His bounty overplus The messenger
Came on my guard and at thy tent is now
Unloading of his mules
ENOBARBUS
I give it you
SOLDIER
Mock not Enobarbus
I tell you true Best you safed the bringer
Out of the host I must attend mine office
Or would have donet myself Your emperor
Continues still a Jove
Exit
ENOBARBUS
I am alone the villain of the earth
And feel I am so most O Antony
Thou mine of bounty how wouldst thou have paid
My better service when my turpitude
Thou dost so crown with gold This blows my heart
If swift thought break it not a swifter mean
Shall outstrike thought but thought will dot I feel
I fight against thee No I will go seek
Some ditch wherein to die the foulst best fits
My latter part of life
Exit
SCENE VII Field of battle between the Camps
Alarum Drums and Trumpets Enter Agrippa and others
AGRIPPA
Retire We have engaged ourselves too far
Caesar himself has work and our oppression
Exceeds what we expected
Exeunt
Alarums Enter Antony and Scarus wounded
SCARUS
O my brave emperor this is fought indeed
Had we done so at first we had droven them home
With clouts about their heads
ANTONY
Thou bleedst apace
SCARUS
I had a wound here that was like a T
But now tis made an H
Sounds retreat far off
ANTONY
They do retire
SCARUS
Well beat em into benchholes I have yet
Room for six scotches more
Enter Eros
EROS
They are beaten sir and our advantage serves
For a fair victory
SCARUS
Let us score their backs
And snatch em up as we take hares behind
Tis sport to maul a runner
ANTONY
I will reward thee
Once for thy sprightly comfort and tenfold
For thy good valour Come thee on
SCARUS
Ill halt after
Exeunt
SCENE VIII Under the Walls of Alexandria
Alarum Enter Antony again in a march Scarus with others
ANTONY
We have beat him to his camp Run one before
And let the Queen know of our gests
Tomorrow
Before the sun shall sees well spill the blood
That has today escaped I thank you all
For doughtyhanded are you and have fought
Not as you served the cause but ast had been
Each mans like mine You have shown all Hectors
Enter the city clip your wives your friends
Tell them your feats whilst they with joyful tears
Wash the congealment from your wounds and kiss
The honoured gashes whole
Enter Cleopatra
To Scarus Give me thy hand
To this great fairy Ill commend thy acts
Make her thanks bless thee O thou day o th world
Chain mine armed neck Leap thou attire and all
Through proof of harness to my heart and there
Ride on the pants triumphing
CLEOPATRA
Lord of lords
O infinite virtue comst thou smiling from
The worlds great snare uncaught
ANTONY
Mine nightingale
We have beat them to their beds What girl Though grey
Do something mingle with our younger brown yet ha we
A brain that nourishes our nerves and can
Get goal for goal of youth Behold this man
Commend unto his lips thy favouring hand
Kiss it my warrior He hath fought today
As if a god in hate of mankind had
Destroyed in such a shape
CLEOPATRA
Ill give thee friend
An armour all of gold It was a kings
ANTONY
He has deserved it were it carbuncled
Like holy Phbus car Give me thy hand
Through Alexandria make a jolly march
Bear our hacked targets like the men that owe them
Had our great palace the capacity
To camp this host we all would sup together
And drink carouses to the next days fate
Which promises royal perilTrumpeters
With brazen din blast you the citys ear
Make mingle with our rattling tabourines
That heaven and earth may strike their sounds together
Applauding our approach
Exeunt
SCENE IX Caesars camp
Enter a Sentry and his company Enobarbus follows
SENTRY
If we be not relieved within this hour
We must return to th court of guard The night
Is shiny and they say we shall embattle
By th second hour i th morn
FIRST WATCH
This last day was a shrewd one tos
ENOBARBUS
O bear me witness night
SECOND WATCH
What man is this
FIRST WATCH
Stand close and list him
ENOBARBUS
Be witness to me O thou blessed moon
When men revolted shall upon record
Bear hateful memory poor Enobarbus did
Before thy face repent
SENTRY
Enobarbus
SECOND WATCH
Peace Hark further
ENOBARBUS
O sovereign mistress of true melancholy
The poisonous damp of night disponge upon me
That life a very rebel to my will
May hang no longer on me Throw my heart
Against the flint and hardness of my fault
Which being dried with grief will break to powder
And finish all foul thoughts O Antony
Nobler than my revolt is infamous
Forgive me in thine own particular
But let the world rank me in register
A masterleaver and a fugitive
O Antony O Antony
Dies
FIRST WATCH
Lets speak to him
SENTRY
Lets hear him for the things he speaks may concern Caesar
SECOND WATCH
Lets do so But he sleeps
SENTRY
Swoons rather for so bad a prayer as his
Was never yet for sleep
FIRST WATCH
Go we to him
SECOND WATCH
Awake sir awake Speak to us
FIRST WATCH
Hear you sir
SENTRY
The hand of death hath raught him
Drums afar off
Hark The drums
Demurely wake the sleepers Let us bear him
To th court of guard he is of note Our hour
Is fully out
SECOND WATCH
Come on then He may recover yet
Exeunt with the body
SCENE X Ground between the two Camps
Enter Antony and Scarus with their army
ANTONY
Their preparation is today by sea
We please them not by land
SCARUS
For both my lord
ANTONY
I would theyd fight i th fire or i th air
Wed fight there too But this it is our foot
Upon the hills adjoining to the city
Shall stay with usorder for sea is given
They have put forth the haven
Where their appointment we may best discover
And look on their endeavour
Exeunt
SCENE XI Another part of the Ground
Enter Caesar and his army
CAESAR
But being charged we will be still by land
Which as I taket we shall for his best force
Is forth to man his galleys To the vales
And hold our best advantage
Exeunt
SCENE XII Another part of the Ground
Alarum afar off as at a sea fight Enter Antony and Scarus
ANTONY
Yet they are not joined Where yond pine does stand
I shall discover all Ill bring thee word
Straight how tis like to go
Exit
SCARUS
Swallows have built
In Cleopatras sails their nests The augurs
Say they know not they cannot tell look grimly
And dare not speak their knowledge Antony
Is valiant and dejected and by starts
His fretted fortunes give him hope and fear
Of what he has and has not
Enter Antony
ANTONY
All is lost
This foul Egyptian hath betrayed me
My fleet hath yielded to the foe and yonder
They cast their caps up and carouse together
Like friends long lost Tripleturned whore Tis thou
Hast sold me to this novice and my heart
Makes only wars on thee Bid them all fly
For when I am revenged upon my charm
I have done all Bid them all fly Be gone
Exit Scarus
O sun thy uprise shall I see no more
Fortune and Antony part here even here
Do we shake hands All come to this The hearts
That spanieled me at heels to whom I gave
Their wishes do discandy melt their sweets
On blossoming Caesar and this pine is barked
That overtopped them all Betrayd I am
O this false soul of Egypt This grave charm
Whose eye becked forth my wars and called them home
Whose bosom was my crownet my chief end
Like a right gypsy hath at fast and loose
Beguiled me to the very heart of loss
What Eros Eros
Enter Cleopatra
Ah thou spell Avaunt
CLEOPATRA
Why is my lord enraged against his love
ANTONY
Vanish or I shall give thee thy deserving
And blemish Caesars triumph Let him take thee
And hoist thee up to the shouting plebeians
Follow his chariot like the greatest spot
Of all thy sex most monsterlike be shown
For poorst diminutives for dolts and let
Patient Octavia plough thy visage up
With her prepared nails
Exit Cleopatra
Tis well thourt gone
If it be well to live but better twere
Thou fellst into my fury for one death
Might have prevented manyEros ho
The shirt of Nessus is upon me Teach me
Alcides thou mine ancestor thy rage
Let me lodge Lichas on the horns o th moon
And with those hands that grasped the heaviest club
Subdue my worthiest self The witch shall die
To the young Roman boy she hath sold me and I fall
Under this plot She dies fortEros ho
Exit
SCENE XIII Alexandria A Room in the Palace
Enter Cleopatra Charmian Iras and Mardian
CLEOPATRA
Help me my women O he is more mad
Than Telamon for his shield the boar of Thessaly
Was never so embossed
CHARMIAN
To th monument
There lock yourself and send him word you are dead
The soul and body rive not more in parting
Than greatness going off
CLEOPATRA
To th monument
Mardian go tell him I have slain myself
Say that the last I spoke was Antony
And word it prithee piteously Hence Mardian
And bring me how he takes my deathTo th monument
Exeunt
SCENE XIV Alexandria Another Room
Enter Antony and Eros
ANTONY
Eros thou yet beholdst me
EROS
Ay noble lord
ANTONY
Sometime we see a cloud thats dragonish
A vapour sometime like a bear or lion
A towered citadel a pendant rock
A forked mountain or blue promontory
With trees upont that nod unto the world
And mock our eyes with air Thou hast seen these signs
They are black vespers pageants
EROS
Ay my lord
ANTONY
That which is now a horse even with a thought
The rack dislimns and makes it indistinct
As water is in water
EROS
It does my lord
ANTONY
My good knave Eros now thy captain is
Even such a body Here I am Antony
Yet cannot hold this visible shape my knave
I made these wars for Egypt and the Queen
Whose heart I thought I had for she had mine
Which whilst it was mine had annexed untot
A million more now lostshe Eros has
Packed cards with Caesar and falseplayed my glory
Unto an enemys triumph
Nay weep not gentle Eros There is left us
Ourselves to end ourselves
Enter Mardian
O thy vile lady
She has robbed me of my sword
MARDIAN
No Antony
My mistress loved thee and her fortunes mingled
With thine entirely
ANTONY
Hence saucy eunuch Peace
She hath betrayed me and shall die the death
MARDIAN
Death of one person can be paid but once
And that she has discharged What thou wouldst do
Is done unto thy hand The last she spake
Was Antony Most noble Antony
Then in the midst a tearing groan did break
The name of Antony it was divided
Between her heart and lips She rendered life
Thy name so buried in her
ANTONY
Dead then
MARDIAN
Dead
ANTONY
Unarm Eros The long days task is done
And we must sleepThat thou departst hence safe
Does pay thy labour richly Go
Exit Mardian
Off pluck off
The sevenfold shield of Ajax cannot keep
The battery from my heart O cleave my sides
Heart once be stronger than thy continent
Crack thy frail case Apace Eros apace
No more a soldier Bruised pieces go
You have been nobly borne From me awhile
Exit Eros
I will oertake thee Cleopatra and
Weep for my pardon So it must be for now
All length is torture Since the torch is out
Lie down and stray no farther Now all labour
Mars what it does yea very force entangles
Itself with strength Seal then and all is done
ErosI come my queenErosStay for me
Where souls do couch on flowers well hand in hand
And with our sprightly port make the ghosts gaze
Dido and her Aeneas shall want troops
And all the haunt be oursCome Eros Eros
Enter Eros
EROS
What would my lord
ANTONY
Since Cleopatra died
I have lived in such dishonour that the gods
Detest my baseness I that with my sword
Quartered the world and oer green Neptunes back
With ships made cities condemn myself to lack
The courage of a woman less noble mind
Than she which by her death our Caesar tells
I am conqueror of myself Thou art sworn Eros
That when the exigent should come which now
Is come indeed when I should see behind me
Th inevitable prosecution of
Disgrace and horror that on my command
Thou then wouldst kill me Dot The time is come
Thou strikst not me tis Caesar thou defeatst
Put colour in thy cheek
EROS
The gods withhold me
Shall I do that which all the Parthian darts
Though enemy lost aim and could not
ANTONY
Eros
Wouldst thou be windowed in great Rome and see
Thy master thus with pleached arms bending down
His corrigible neck his face subdued
To penetrative shame whilst the wheeled seat
Of fortunate Caesar drawn before him branded
His baseness that ensued
EROS
I would not seet
ANTONY
Come then for with a wound I must be cured
Draw that thy honest sword which thou hast worn
Most useful for thy country
EROS
O sir pardon me
ANTONY
When I did make thee free sworst thou not then
To do this when I bade thee Do it at once
Or thy precedent services are all
But accidents unpurposed Draw and come
EROS
Turn from me then that noble countenance
Wherein the worship of the whole world lies
ANTONY
Lo thee
Turning from him
EROS
My sword is drawn
ANTONY
Then let it do at once
The thing why thou hast drawn it
EROS
My dear master
My captain and my emperor let me say
Before I strike this bloody stroke farewell
ANTONY
Tis said man and farewell
EROS
Farewell great chief Shall I strike now
ANTONY
Now Eros
EROS
Why there then kills himself
Thus do I escape the sorrow
Of Antonys death
Dies
ANTONY
Thrice nobler than myself
Thou teachest me O valiant Eros what
I should and thou couldst not My queen and Eros
Have by their brave instruction got upon me
A nobleness in record But I will be
A bridegroom in my death and run intot
As to a lovers bed Come then and Eros
Thy master dies thy scholar To do thus
Falling on his sword
I learned of thee How Not dead Not dead
The guard ho O dispatch me
Enter a company of the Guard one of them Dercetus
FIRST GUARD
Whats the noise
ANTONY
I have done my work ill friends O make an end
Of what I have begun
SECOND GUARD
The star is fallen
FIRST GUARD
And time is at his period
ALL
Alas and woe
ANTONY
Let him that loves me strike me dead
FIRST GUARD
Not I
SECOND GUARD
Nor I
THIRD GUARD
Nor anyone
Exeunt guard
DERCETUS
Thy death and fortunes bid thy followers fly
This sword but shown to Caesar with this tidings
Shall enter me with him
Enter Diomedes
DIOMEDES
Wheres Antony
DERCETUS
There Diomed there
DIOMEDES
Lives he Wilt thou not answer man
Exit Dercetus
ANTONY
Art thou there Diomed Draw thy sword and give me
Sufficing strokes for death
DIOMEDES
Most absolute lord
My mistress Cleopatra sent me to thee
ANTONY
When did she send thee
DIOMEDES
Now my lord
ANTONY
Where is she
DIOMEDES
Locked in her monument She had a prophesying fear
Of what hath come to pass For when she saw
Which never shall be foundyou did suspect
She had disposed with Caesar and that your rage
Would not be purged she sent you word she was dead
But fearing since how it might work hath sent
Me to proclaim the truth and I am come
I dread too late
ANTONY
Too late good Diomed Call my guard I prithee
DIOMEDES
What ho The emperors guard The guard what ho
Come your lord calls
Enter four or five of the Guard of Antony
ANTONY
Bear me good friends where Cleopatra bides
Tis the last service that I shall command you
FIRST GUARD
Woe woe are we sir you may not live to wear
All your true followers out
ALL
Most heavy day
ANTONY
Nay good my fellows do not please sharp fate
To grace it with your sorrows Bid that welcome
Which comes to punish us and we punish it
Seeming to bear it lightly Take me up
I have led you oft carry me now good friends
And have my thanks for all
Exeunt bearing Antony
SCENE XV Alexandria A monument
Enter Cleopatra and her maids aloft with Charmian and Iras
CLEOPATRA
O Charmian I will never go from hence
CHARMIAN
Be comforted dear madam
CLEOPATRA
No I will not
All strange and terrible events are welcome
But comforts we despise Our size of sorrow
Proportioned to our cause must be as great
As that which makes it
Enter below Diomedes
How now Is he dead
DIOMEDES
His deaths upon him but not dead
Look out o th other side your monument
His guard have brought him thither
Enter below Antony borne by the Guard
CLEOPATRA
O sun
Burn the great sphere thou movst in Darkling stand
The varying shore o th world O Antony
Antony Antony Help Charmian Help Iras help
Help friends below Lets draw him hither
ANTONY
Peace
Not Caesars valour hath oerthrown Antony
But Antonys hath triumphed on itself
CLEOPATRA
So it should be that none but Antony
Should conquer Antony but woe tis so
ANTONY
I am dying Egypt dying Only
I here importune death awhile until
Of many thousand kisses the poor last
I lay upon thy lips
CLEOPATRA
I dare not dear
Dear my lord pardon I dare not
Lest I be taken Not th imperious show
Of the fullfortuned Caesar ever shall
Be brooched with me if knife drugs serpents have
Edge sting or operation I am safe
Your wife Octavia with her modest eyes
And still conclusion shall acquire no honour
Demuring upon me But come come Antony
Help me my womenwe must draw thee up
Assist good friends
ANTONY
O quick or I am gone
CLEOPATRA
Heres sport indeed How heavy weighs my lord
Our strength is all gone into heaviness
That makes the weight Had I great Junos power
The strongwinged Mercury should fetch thee up
And set thee by Joves side Yet come a little
Wishers were ever fools O come come come
They heave Antony aloft to Cleopatra
And welcome welcome Die where thou hast lived
Quicken with kissing Had my lips that power
Thus would I wear them out
ALL
A heavy sight
ANTONY
I am dying Egypt dying
Give me some wine and let me speak a little
CLEOPATRA
No let me speak and let me rail so high
That the false huswife Fortune break her wheel
Provoked by my offence
ANTONY
One word sweet queen
Of Caesar seek your honour with your safety O
CLEOPATRA
They do not go together
ANTONY
Gentle hear me
None about Caesar trust but Proculeius
CLEOPATRA
My resolution and my hands Ill trust
None about Caesar
ANTONY
The miserable change now at my end
Lament nor sorrow at but please your thoughts
In feeding them with those my former fortunes
Wherein I lived the greatest prince o th world
The noblest and do now not basely die
Not cowardly put off my helmet to
My countryman a Roman by a Roman
Valiantly vanquished Now my spirit is going
I can no more
CLEOPATRA
Noblest of men woot die
Hast thou no care of me Shall I abide
In this dull world which in thy absence is
No better than a sty O see my women
Antony dies
The crown o th earth doth meltMy lord
O withered is the garland of the war
The soldiers pole is fallen young boys and girls
Are level now with men The odds is gone
And there is nothing left remarkable
Beneath the visiting moon
Faints
CHARMIAN
O quietness lady
IRAS
She is dead too our sovereign
CHARMIAN
Lady
IRAS
Madam
CHARMIAN
O madam madam madam
IRAS
Royal Egypt Empress
CHARMIAN
Peace peace Iras
CLEOPATRA
No more but een a woman and commanded
By such poor passion as the maid that milks
And does the meanest chares It were for me
To throw my sceptre at the injurious gods
To tell them that this world did equal theirs
Till they had stolen our jewel Alls but naught
Patience is sottish and impatience does
Become a dog thats mad Then is it sin
To rush into the secret house of death
Ere death dare come to us How do you women
What what good cheer Why how now Charmian
My noble girls Ah women women Look
Our lamp is spent its out Good sirs take heart
Well bury him and then whats brave whats noble
Lets do it after the high Roman fashion
And make death proud to take us Come away
This case of that huge spirit now is cold
Ah women women Come we have no friend
But resolution and the briefest end
Exeunt bearing off Antonys body
ACT V
SCENE I Caesars Camp before Alexandria
Enter Caesar Agrippa Dolabella Maecenas Gallus Proculeius with his council of war
CAESAR
Go to him Dolabella bid him yield
Being so frustrate tell him he mocks
The pauses that he makes
DOLABELLA
Caesar I shall
Exit
Enter Dercetus with the sword of Antony
CAESAR
Wherefore is that And what art thou that darst
Appear thus to us
DERCETUS
I am called Dercetus
Mark Antony I served who best was worthy
Best to be served Whilst he stood up and spoke
He was my master and I wore my life
To spend upon his haters If thou please
To take me to thee as I was to him
Ill be to Caesar if thou pleasest not
I yield thee up my life
CAESAR
What ist thou sayst
DERCETUS
I say O Caesar Antony is dead
CAESAR
The breaking of so great a thing should make
A greater crack The round world
Should have shook lions into civil streets
And citizens to their dens The death of Antony
Is not a single doom in the name lay
A moiety of the world
DERCETUS
He is dead Caesar
Not by a public minister of justice
Nor by a hired knife but that self hand
Which writ his honour in the acts it did
Hath with the courage which the heart did lend it
Splitted the heart This is his sword
I robbed his wound of it Behold it stained
With his most noble blood
CAESAR
Look you sad friends
The gods rebuke me but it is tidings
To wash the eyes of kings
AGRIPPA
And strange it is
That nature must compel us to lament
Our most persisted deeds
MAECENAS
His taints and honours
Waged equal with him
AGRIPPA
A rarer spirit never
Did steer humanity but you gods will give us
Some faults to make us men Caesar is touched
MAECENAS
When such a spacious mirrors set before him
He needs must see himself
CAESAR
O Antony
I have followed thee to this but we do lance
Diseases in our bodies I must perforce
Have shown to thee such a declining day
Or look on thine We could not stall together
In the whole world But yet let me lament
With tears as sovereign as the blood of hearts
That thou my brother my competitor
In top of all design my mate in empire
Friend and companion in the front of war
The arm of mine own body and the heart
Where mine his thoughts did kindle that our stars
Unreconciliable should divide
Our equalness to this Hear me good friends
Enter an Egyptian
But I will tell you at some meeter season
The business of this man looks out of him
Well hear him what he says Whence are you
EGYPTIAN
A poor Egyptian yet The queen my mistress
Confined in all she has her monument
Of thy intents desires instruction
That she preparedly may frame herself
To the way shes forced to
CAESAR
Bid her have good heart
She soon shall know of us by some of ours
How honourable and how kindly we
Determine for her For Caesar cannot lean
To be ungentle
EGYPTIAN
So the gods preserve thee
Exit
CAESAR
Come hither Proculeius Go and say
We purpose her no shame Give her what comforts
The quality of her passion shall require
Lest in her greatness by some mortal stroke
She do defeat us for her life in Rome
Would be eternal in our triumph Go
And with your speediest bring us what she says
And how you find of her
PROCULEIUS
Caesar I shall
Exit Proculeius
CAESAR
Gallus go you along
Exit Gallus
Wheres Dolabella to second Proculeius
ALL
Dolabella
CAESAR
Let him alone for I remember now
How hes employed He shall in time be ready
Go with me to my tent where you shall see
How hardly I was drawn into this war
How calm and gentle I proceeded still
In all my writings Go with me and see
What I can show in this
Exeunt
SCENE II Alexandria A Room in the Monument
Enter Cleopatra Charmian and Iras
CLEOPATRA
My desolation does begin to make
A better life Tis paltry to be Caesar
Not being Fortune hes but Fortunes knave
A minister of her will And it is great
To do that thing that ends all other deeds
Which shackles accidents and bolts up change
Which sleeps and never palates more the dung
The beggars nurse and Caesars
Enter Proculeius
PROCULEIUS
Caesar sends greetings to the queen of Egypt
And bids thee study on what fair demands
Thou meanst to have him grant thee
CLEOPATRA
Whats thy name
PROCULEIUS
My name is Proculeius
CLEOPATRA
Antony
Did tell me of you bade me trust you but
I do not greatly care to be deceived
That have no use for trusting If your master
Would have a queen his beggar you must tell him
That majesty to keep decorum must
No less beg than a kingdom If he please
To give me conquered Egypt for my son
He gives me so much of mine own as I
Will kneel to him with thanks
PROCULEIUS
Be of good cheer
You are fallen into a princely hand fear nothing
Make your full reference freely to my lord
Who is so full of grace that it flows over
On all that need Let me report to him
Your sweet dependency and you shall find
A conqueror that will pray in aid for kindness
Where he for grace is kneeled to
CLEOPATRA
Pray you tell him
I am his fortunes vassal and I send him
The greatness he has got I hourly learn
A doctrine of obedience and would gladly
Look him i th face
PROCULEIUS
This Ill report dear lady
Have comfort for I know your plight is pitied
Of him that caused it
Enter Gallus and Roman Soldiers
You see how easily she may be surprised
Guard her till Caesar come
IRAS
Royal queen
CHARMIAN
O Cleopatra thou art taken queen
CLEOPATRA
Quick quick good hands
Drawing a dagger
PROCULEIUS
Hold worthy lady hold
Seizes and disarms her
Do not yourself such wrong who are in this
Relieved but not betrayed
CLEOPATRA
What of death too
That rids our dogs of languish
PROCULEIUS
Cleopatra
Do not abuse my masters bounty by
Th undoing of yourself Let the world see
His nobleness well acted which your death
Will never let come forth
CLEOPATRA
Where art thou Death
Come hither come Come come and take a queen
Worth many babes and beggars
PROCULEIUS
O temperance lady
CLEOPATRA
Sir I will eat no meat Ill not drink sir
If idle talk will once be necessary
Ill not sleep neither This mortal house Ill ruin
Do Caesar what he can Know sir that I
Will not wait pinioned at your masters court
Nor once be chastised with the sober eye
Of dull Octavia Shall they hoist me up
And show me to the shouting varletry
Of censuring Rome Rather a ditch in Egypt
Be gentle grave unto me Rather on Nilus mud
Lay me starknaked and let the waterflies
Blow me into abhorring Rather make
My countrys high pyramides my gibbet
And hang me up in chains
PROCULEIUS
You do extend
These thoughts of horror further than you shall
Find cause in Caesar
Enter Dolabella
DOLABELLA
Proculeius
What thou hast done thy master Caesar knows
And he hath sent for thee For the queen
Ill take her to my guard
PROCULEIUS
So Dolabella
It shall content me best Be gentle to her
To Cleopatra To Caesar I will speak what you shall please
If youll employ me to him
CLEOPATRA
Say I would die
Exeunt Proculeius and Soldiers
DOLABELLA
Most noble empress you have heard of me
CLEOPATRA
I cannot tell
DOLABELLA
Assuredly you know me
CLEOPATRA
No matter sir what I have heard or known
You laugh when boys or women tell their dreams
Ist not your trick
DOLABELLA
I understand not madam
CLEOPATRA
I dreamt there was an Emperor Antony
O such another sleep that I might see
But such another man
DOLABELLA
If it might please you
CLEOPATRA
His face was as the heavens and therein stuck
A sun and moon which kept their course and lighted
The little O the earth
DOLABELLA
Most sovereign creature
CLEOPATRA
His legs bestrid the ocean his reared arm
Crested the world his voice was propertied
As all the tuned spheres and that to friends
But when he meant to quail and shake the orb
He was as rattling thunder For his bounty
There was no winter int an autumn twas
That grew the more by reaping His delights
Were dolphinlike they showed his back above
The element they lived in In his livery
Walked crowns and crownets realms and islands were
As plates dropped from his pocket
DOLABELLA
Cleopatra
CLEOPATRA
Think you there was or might be such a man
As this I dreamt of
DOLABELLA
Gentle madam no
CLEOPATRA
You lie up to the hearing of the gods
But if there be nor ever were one such
Its past the size of dreaming Nature wants stuff
To vie strange forms with fancy yet t imagine
An Antony were natures piece gainst fancy
Condemning shadows quite
DOLABELLA
Hear me good madam
Your loss is as yourself great and you bear it
As answering to the weight Would I might never
Oertake pursued success but I do feel
By the rebound of yours a grief that smites
My very heart at root
CLEOPATRA
I thank you sir
Know you what Caesar means to do with me
DOLABELLA
I am loath to tell you what I would you knew
CLEOPATRA
Nay pray you sir
DOLABELLA
Though he be honourable
CLEOPATRA
Hell lead me then in triumph
DOLABELLA
Madam he will I know it
Flourish Enter Caesar Proculeius Gallus Maecenas and others of his train
ALL
Make way there Caesar
CAESAR
Which is the Queen of Egypt
DOLABELLA
It is the Emperor madam
Cleopatra kneels
CAESAR
Arise you shall not kneel
I pray you rise Rise Egypt
CLEOPATRA
Sir the gods
Will have it thus My master and my lord
I must obey
CAESAR
Take to you no hard thoughts
The record of what injuries you did us
Though written in our flesh we shall remember
As things but done by chance
CLEOPATRA
Sole sir o th world
I cannot project mine own cause so well
To make it clear but do confess I have
Been laden with like frailties which before
Have often shamed our sex
CAESAR
Cleopatra know
We will extenuate rather than enforce
If you apply yourself to our intents
Which towards you are most gentle you shall find
A benefit in this change but if you seek
To lay on me a cruelty by taking
Antonys course you shall bereave yourself
Of my good purposes and put your children
To that destruction which Ill guard them from
If thereon you rely Ill take my leave
CLEOPATRA
And may through all the world Tis yours and we
Your scutcheons and your signs of conquest shall
Hang in what place you please Here my good lord
CAESAR
You shall advise me in all for Cleopatra
CLEOPATRA
This is the brief of money plate and jewels
I am possessed of Tis exactly valued
Not petty things admitted Wheres Seleucus
Enter Seleucus
SELEUCUS
Here madam
CLEOPATRA
This is my treasurer Let him speak my lord
Upon his peril that I have reserved
To myself nothing Speak the truth Seleucus
SELEUCUS
Madam I had rather seal my lips
Than to my peril speak that which is not
CLEOPATRA
What have I kept back
SELEUCUS
Enough to purchase what you have made known
CAESAR
Nay blush not Cleopatra I approve
Your wisdom in the deed
CLEOPATRA
See Caesar O behold
How pomp is followed Mine will now be yours
And should we shift estates yours would be mine
The ingratitude of this Seleucus does
Even make me wild O slave of no more trust
Than love thats hired What goest thou back Thou shalt
Go back I warrant thee But Ill catch thine eyes
Though they had wings Slave soulless villain dog
O rarely base
CAESAR
Good queen let us entreat you
CLEOPATRA
O Caesar what a wounding shame is this
That thou vouchsafing here to visit me
Doing the honour of thy lordliness
To one so meek that mine own servant should
Parcel the sum of my disgraces by
Addition of his envy Say good Caesar
That I some lady trifles have reserved
Immoment toys things of such dignity
As we greet modern friends withal and say
Some nobler token I have kept apart
For Livia and Octavia to induce
Their mediation must I be unfolded
With one that I have bred The gods It smites me
Beneath the fall I have
To Seleucus Prithee go hence
Or I shall show the cinders of my spirits
Through th ashes of my chance Wert thou a man
Thou wouldst have mercy on me
CAESAR
Forbear Seleucus
Exit Seleucus
CLEOPATRA
Be it known that we the greatest are misthought
For things that others do and when we fall
We answer others merits in our name
Are therefore to be pitied
CAESAR
Cleopatra
Not what you have reserved nor what acknowledged
Put we i th roll of conquest Still bet yours
Bestow it at your pleasure and believe
Caesars no merchant to make prize with you
Of things that merchants sold Therefore be cheered
Make not your thoughts your prisons No dear queen
For we intend so to dispose you as
Yourself shall give us counsel Feed and sleep
Our care and pity is so much upon you
That we remain your friend and so adieu
CLEOPATRA
My master and my lord
CAESAR
Not so Adieu
Flourish Exeunt Caesar and his train
CLEOPATRA
He words me girls he words me that I should not
Be noble to myself But hark thee Charmian
Whispers to Charmian
IRAS
Finish good lady The bright day is done
And we are for the dark
CLEOPATRA
Hie thee again
I have spoke already and it is provided
Go put it to the haste
CHARMIAN
Madam I will
Enter Dolabella
DOLABELLA
Wheres the Queen
CHARMIAN
Behold sir
Exit
CLEOPATRA
Dolabella
DOLABELLA
Madam as thereto sworn by your command
Which my love makes religion to obey
I tell you this Caesar through Syria
Intends his journey and within three days
You with your children will he send before
Make your best use of this I have performed
Your pleasure and my promise
CLEOPATRA
Dolabella
I shall remain your debtor
DOLABELLA
I your servant
Adieu good queen I must attend on Caesar
CLEOPATRA
Farewell and thanks
Exit Dolabella
Now Iras what thinkst thou
Thou an Egyptian puppet shall be shown
In Rome as well as I Mechanic slaves
With greasy aprons rules and hammers shall
Uplift us to the view In their thick breaths
Rank of gross diet shall we be enclouded
And forced to drink their vapour
IRAS
The gods forbid
CLEOPATRA
Nay tis most certain Iras Saucy lictors
Will catch at us like strumpets and scald rhymers
Ballad us out o tune The quick comedians
Extemporally will stage us and present
Our Alexandrian revels Antony
Shall be brought drunken forth and I shall see
Some squeaking Cleopatra boy my greatness
I th posture of a whore
IRAS
O the good gods
CLEOPATRA
Nay thats certain
IRAS
Ill never seet for I am sure mine nails
Are stronger than mine eyes
CLEOPATRA
Why thats the way
To fool their preparation and to conquer
Their most absurd intents
Enter Charmian
Now Charmian
Show me my women like a queen Go fetch
My best attires I am again for Cydnus
To meet Mark Antony Sirrah Iras go
Now noble Charmian well dispatch indeed
And when thou hast done this chare Ill give thee leave
To play till doomsday Bring our crown and all
Exit Iras A noise within
Wherefores this noise
Enter a Guardsman
GUARDSMAN
Here is a rural fellow
That will not be denied your highness presence
He brings you figs
CLEOPATRA
Let him come in
Exit Guardsman
What poor an instrument
May do a noble deed He brings me liberty
My resolutions placed and I have nothing
Of woman in me Now from head to foot
I am marbleconstant Now the fleeting moon
No planet is of mine
Enter Guardsman and Clown with a basket
GUARDSMAN
This is the man
CLEOPATRA
Avoid and leave him
Exit Guardsman
Hast thou the pretty worm of Nilus there
That kills and pains not
CLOWN
Truly I have him but I would not be the party that should desire you to touch him for his biting is immortal Those that do die of it do seldom or never recover
CLEOPATRA
Rememberst thou any that have died ont
CLOWN
Very many men and women too I heard of one of them no longer than yesterdaya very honest woman but something given to lie as a woman should not do but in the way of honestyhow she died of the biting of it what pain she felt Truly she makes a very good report o th worm but he that will believe all that they say shall never be saved by half that they do But this is most falliable the worms an odd worm
CLEOPATRA
Get thee hence Farewell
CLOWN
I wish you all joy of the worm
Sets down the basket
CLEOPATRA
Farewell
CLOWN
You must think this look you that the worm will do his kind
CLEOPATRA
Ay ay farewell
CLOWN
Look you the worm is not to be trusted but in the keeping of wise people for indeed there is no goodness in the worm
CLEOPATRA
Take thou no care it shall be heeded
CLOWN
Very good Give it nothing I pray you for it is not worth the feeding
CLEOPATRA
Will it eat me
CLOWN
You must not think I am so simple but I know the devil himself will not eat a woman I know that a woman is a dish for the gods if the devil dress her not But truly these same whoreson devils do the gods great harm in their women for in every ten that they make the devils mar five
CLEOPATRA
Well get thee gone Farewell
CLOWN
Yes forsooth I wish you joy o th worm
Exit
Enter Iras with a robe crown c
CLEOPATRA
Give me my robe Put on my crown I have
Immortal longings in me Now no more
The juice of Egypts grape shall moist this lip
Yare yare good Iras quick Methinks I hear
Antony call I see him rouse himself
To praise my noble act I hear him mock
The luck of Caesar which the gods give men
To excuse their after wrath Husband I come
Now to that name my courage prove my title
I am fire and air my other elements
I give to baser lifeSo have you done
Come then and take the last warmth of my lips
Farewell kind Charmian Iras long farewell
Kisses them Iras falls and dies
Have I the aspic in my lips Dost fall
If thou and nature can so gently part
The stroke of death is as a lovers pinch
Which hurts and is desired Dost thou lie still
If thus thou vanishest thou tellst the world
It is not worth leavetaking
CHARMIAN
Dissolve thick cloud and rain that I may say
The gods themselves do weep
CLEOPATRA
This proves me base
If she first meet the curled Antony
Hell make demand of her and spend that kiss
Which is my heaven to haveCome thou mortal wretch
To an asp which she applies to her breast
With thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate
Of life at once untie Poor venomous fool
Be angry and dispatch O couldst thou speak
That I might hear thee call great Caesar ass
Unpolicied
CHARMIAN
O eastern star
CLEOPATRA
Peace peace
Dost thou not see my baby at my breast
That sucks the nurse asleep
CHARMIAN
O break O break
CLEOPATRA
As sweet as balm as soft as air as gentle
O AntonyNay I will take thee too
Applying another asp to her arm
What should I stay
Dies
CHARMIAN
In this vile world So fare thee well
Now boast thee Death in thy possession lies
A lass unparalleled Downy windows close
And golden Phbus never be beheld
Of eyes again so royal Your crowns awry
Ill mend it and then play
Enter the Guard rustling in
FIRST GUARD
Wheres the queen
CHARMIAN
Speak softly Wake her not
FIRST GUARD
Caesar hath sent
CHARMIAN
Too slow a messenger
Applies an asp
O come apace dispatch I partly feel thee
FIRST GUARD
Approach ho Alls not well Caesars beguiled
SECOND GUARD
Theres Dolabella sent from Caesar Call him
FIRST GUARD
What work is here Charmian Is this well done
CHARMIAN
It is well done and fitting for a princess
Descended of so many royal kings
Ah soldier
Charmian dies
Enter Dolabella
DOLABELLA
How goes it here
SECOND GUARD
All dead
DOLABELLA
Caesar thy thoughts
Touch their effects in this Thyself art coming
To see performed the dreaded act which thou
So soughtst to hinder
Enter Caesar and all his train marching
ALL
A way there a way for Caesar
DOLABELLA
O sir you are too sure an augurer
That you did fear is done
CAESAR
Bravest at the last
She levelled at our purposes and being royal
Took her own way The manner of their deaths
I do not see them bleed
DOLABELLA
Who was last with them
FIRST GUARD
A simple countryman that brought her figs
This was his basket
CAESAR
Poisoned then
FIRST GUARD
O Caesar
This Charmian lived but now she stood and spake
I found her trimming up the diadem
On her dead mistress tremblingly she stood
And on the sudden dropped
CAESAR
O noble weakness
If they had swallowed poison twould appear
By external swelling but she looks like sleep
As she would catch another Antony
In her strong toil of grace
DOLABELLA
Here on her breast
There is a vent of blood and something blown
The like is on her arm
FIRST GUARD
This is an aspics trail and these fig leaves
Have slime upon them such as th aspic leaves
Upon the caves of Nile
CAESAR
Most probable
That so she died for her physician tells me
She hath pursued conclusions infinite
Of easy ways to die Take up her bed
And bear her women from the monument
She shall be buried by her Antony
No grave upon the earth shall clip in it
A pair so famous High events as these
Strike those that make them and their story is
No less in pity than his glory which
Brought them to be lamented Our army shall
In solemn show attend this funeral
And then to Rome Come Dolabella see
High order in this great solemnity
Exeunt omnes
AS YOU LIKE IT
Contents
ACT I
Scene I An Orchard near Olivers house
Scene II A Lawn before the Dukes Palace
Scene III A Room in the Palace
ACT II
Scene I The Forest of Arden
Scene II A Room in the Palace
Scene III Before Olivers House
Scene IV The Forest of Arden
Scene V Another part of the Forest
Scene VI Another part of the Forest
Scene VII Another part of the Forest
ACT III
Scene I A Room in the Palace
Scene II The Forest of Arden
Scene III Another part of the Forest
Scene IV Another part of the Forest Before a Cottage
Scene V Another part of the Forest
ACT IV
Scene I The Forest of Arden
Scene II Another part of the Forest
Scene III Another part of the Forest
ACT V
Scene I The Forest of Arden
Scene II Another part of the Forest
Scene III Another part of the Forest
Scene IV Another part of the Forest
Epilogue
Dramatis Person
ORLANDO youngest son of Sir Rowland de Boys
OLIVER eldest son of Sir Rowland de Boys
JAQUES DE BOYS second son of Sir Rowland de Boys
ADAM Servant to Oliver
DENNIS Servant to Oliver
ROSALIND Daughter of Duke Senior
CELIA Daughter of Duke Frederick
TOUCHSTONE a Clown
DUKE SENIOR Ferdinand living in exile
JAQUES Lord attending on the Duke Senior
AMIENS Lord attending on the Duke Senior
DUKE FREDERICK Brother to the Duke and Usurper of his Dominions
CHARLES his Wrestler
LE BEAU a Courtier attending upon Frederick
CORIN Shepherd
SILVIUS Shepherd
PHOEBE a Shepherdess
AUDREY a Country Wench
WILLIAM a Country Fellow in love with Audrey
SIR OLIVER MARTEXT a Vicar
A person representing HYMEN
Lords belonging to the two Dukes Pages Foresters and other Attendants
The scene lies first near Olivers house afterwards partly in the Usurpers court and partly in the Forest of Arden
ACT I
SCENE I An Orchard near Olivers house
Enter Orlando and Adam
ORLANDO
As I remember Adam it was upon this fashion bequeathed me by will but poor a thousand crowns and as thou sayst charged my brother on his blessing to breed me well and there begins my sadness My brother Jaques he keeps at school and report speaks goldenly of his profit For my part he keeps me rustically at home or to speak more properly stays me here at home unkept for call you that keeping for a gentleman of my birth that differs not from the stalling of an ox His horses are bred better for besides that they are fair with their feeding they are taught their manage and to that end riders dearly hired but I his brother gain nothing under him but growth for the which his animals on his dunghills are as much bound to him as I Besides this nothing that he so plentifully gives me the something that nature gave me his countenance seems to take from me He lets me feed with his hinds bars me the place of a brother and as much as in him lies mines my gentility with my education This is it Adam that grieves me and the spirit of my father which I think is within me begins to mutiny against this servitude I will no longer endure it though yet I know no wise remedy how to avoid it
Enter Oliver
ADAM
Yonder comes my master your brother
ORLANDO
Go apart Adam and thou shalt hear how he will shake me up
Adam retires
OLIVER
Now sir what make you here
ORLANDO
Nothing I am not taught to make anything
OLIVER
What mar you then sir
ORLANDO
Marry sir I am helping you to mar that which God made a poor unworthy brother of yours with idleness
OLIVER
Marry sir be better employed and be naught awhile
ORLANDO
Shall I keep your hogs and eat husks with them What prodigal portion have I spent that I should come to such penury
OLIVER
Know you where you are sir
ORLANDO
O sir very well here in your orchard
OLIVER
Know you before whom sir
ORLANDO
Ay better than him I am before knows me I know you are my eldest brother and in the gentle condition of blood you should so know me The courtesy of nations allows you my better in that you are the firstborn but the same tradition takes not away my blood were there twenty brothers betwixt us I have as much of my father in me as you albeit I confess your coming before me is nearer to his reverence
OLIVER
What boy
ORLANDO
Come come elder brother you are too young in this
OLIVER
Wilt thou lay hands on me villain
ORLANDO
I am no villain I am the youngest son of Sir Rowland de Boys he was my father and he is thrice a villain that says such a father begot villains Wert thou not my brother I would not take this hand from thy throat till this other had pulled out thy tongue for saying so Thou has railed on thyself
ADAM
Coming forward Sweet masters be patient For your fathers remembrance be at accord
OLIVER
Let me go I say
ORLANDO
I will not till I please You shall hear me My father charged you in his will to give me good education You have trained me like a peasant obscuring and hiding from me all gentlemanlike qualities The spirit of my father grows strong in me and I will no longer endure it Therefore allow me such exercises as may become a gentleman or give me the poor allottery my father left me by testament with that I will go buy my fortunes
OLIVER
And what wilt thou do Beg when that is spent Well sir get you in I will not long be troubled with you You shall have some part of your will I pray you leave me
ORLANDO
I no further offend you than becomes me for my good
OLIVER
Get you with him you old dog
ADAM
Is old dog my reward Most true I have lost my teeth in your service God be with my old master He would not have spoke such a word
Exeunt Orlando and Adam
OLIVER
Is it even so Begin you to grow upon me I will physic your rankness and yet give no thousand crowns neither Holla Dennis
Enter Dennis
DENNIS
Calls your worship
OLIVER
Was not Charles the Dukes wrestler here to speak with me
DENNIS
So please you he is here at the door and importunes access to you
OLIVER
Call him in
Exit Dennis
Twill be a good way and tomorrow the wrestling is
Enter Charles
CHARLES
Good morrow to your worship
OLIVER
Good Monsieur Charles Whats the new news at the new court
CHARLES
Theres no news at the court sir but the old news That is the old Duke is banished by his younger brother the new Duke and three or four loving lords have put themselves into voluntary exile with him whose lands and revenues enrich the new Duke therefore he gives them good leave to wander
OLIVER
Can you tell if Rosalind the Dukes daughter be banished with her father
CHARLES
O no for the Dukes daughter her cousin so loves her being ever from their cradles bred together that she would have followed her exile or have died to stay behind her She is at the court and no less beloved of her uncle than his own daughter and never two ladies loved as they do
OLIVER
Where will the old Duke live
CHARLES
They say he is already in the Forest of Arden and a many merry men with him and there they live like the old Robin Hood of England They say many young gentlemen flock to him every day and fleet the time carelessly as they did in the golden world
OLIVER
What you wrestle tomorrow before the new Duke
CHARLES
Marry do I sir and I came to acquaint you with a matter I am given sir secretly to understand that your younger brother Orlando hath a disposition to come in disguised against me to try a fall Tomorrow sir I wrestle for my credit and he that escapes me without some broken limb shall acquit him well Your brother is but young and tender and for your love I would be loath to foil him as I must for my own honour if he come in Therefore out of my love to you I came hither to acquaint you withal that either you might stay him from his intendment or brook such disgrace well as he shall run into in that it is a thing of his own search and altogether against my will
OLIVER
Charles I thank thee for thy love to me which thou shalt find I will most kindly requite I had myself notice of my brothers purpose herein and have by underhand means laboured to dissuade him from it but he is resolute Ill tell thee Charles it is the stubbornest young fellow of France full of ambition an envious emulator of every mans good parts a secret and villainous contriver against me his natural brother Therefore use thy discretion I had as lief thou didst break his neck as his finger And thou wert best look tot for if thou dost him any slight disgrace or if he do not mightily grace himself on thee he will practise against thee by poison entrap thee by some treacherous device and never leave thee till he hath taen thy life by some indirect means or other For I assure thee and almost with tears I speak it there is not one so young and so villainous this day living I speak but brotherly of him but should I anatomize him to thee as he is I must blush and weep and thou must look pale and wonder
CHARLES
I am heartily glad I came hither to you If he come tomorrow Ill give him his payment If ever he go alone again Ill never wrestle for prize more And so God keep your worship
Exit
OLIVER
Farewell good Charles Now will I stir this gamester I hope I shall see an end of him for my soulyet I know not whyhates nothing more than he Yet hes gentle never schooled and yet learned full of noble device of all sorts enchantingly beloved and indeed so much in the heart of the world and especially of my own people who best know him that I am altogether misprized But it shall not be so long this wrestler shall clear all Nothing remains but that I kindle the boy thither which now Ill go about
Exit
SCENE II A Lawn before the Dukes Palace
Enter Rosalind and Celia
CELIA
I pray thee Rosalind sweet my coz be merry
ROSALIND
Dear Celia I show more mirth than I am mistress of and would you yet I were merrier Unless you could teach me to forget a banished father you must not learn me how to remember any extraordinary pleasure
CELIA
Herein I see thou lovst me not with the full weight that I love thee If my uncle thy banished father had banished thy uncle the Duke my father so thou hadst been still with me I could have taught my love to take thy father for mine So wouldst thou if the truth of thy love to me were so righteously tempered as mine is to thee
ROSALIND
Well I will forget the condition of my estate to rejoice in yours
CELIA
You know my father hath no child but I nor none is like to have and truly when he dies thou shalt be his heir for what he hath taken away from thy father perforce I will render thee again in affection By mine honour I will And when I break that oath let me turn monster Therefore my sweet Rose my dear Rose be merry
ROSALIND
From henceforth I will coz and devise sports Let me seewhat think you of falling in love
CELIA
Marry I prithee do to make sport withal but love no man in good earnest nor no further in sport neither than with safety of a pure blush thou mayst in honour come off again
ROSALIND
What shall be our sport then
CELIA
Let us sit and mock the good housewife Fortune from her wheel that her gifts may henceforth be bestowed equally
ROSALIND
I would we could do so for her benefits are mightily misplaced and the bountiful blind woman doth most mistake in her gifts to women
CELIA
Tis true for those that she makes fair she scarce makes honest and those that she makes honest she makes very illfavouredly
ROSALIND
Nay now thou goest from Fortunes office to Natures Fortune reigns in gifts of the world not in the lineaments of Nature
Enter Touchstone
CELIA
No When Nature hath made a fair creature may she not by Fortune fall into the fire Though Nature hath given us wit to flout at Fortune hath not Fortune sent in this fool to cut off the argument
ROSALIND
Indeed there is Fortune too hard for Nature when Fortune makes Natures natural the cutteroff of Natures wit
CELIA
Peradventure this is not Fortunes work neither but Natures who perceiveth our natural wits too dull to reason of such goddesses and hath sent this natural for our whetstone for always the dullness of the fool is the whetstone of the witsHow now wit whither wander you
TOUCHSTONE
Mistress you must come away to your father
CELIA
Were you made the messenger
TOUCHSTONE
No by mine honour but I was bid to come for you
ROSALIND
Where learned you that oath fool
TOUCHSTONE
Of a certain knight that swore by his honour they were good pancakes and swore by his honour the mustard was naught Now Ill stand to it the pancakes were naught and the mustard was good and yet was not the knight forsworn
CELIA
How prove you that in the great heap of your knowledge
ROSALIND
Ay marry now unmuzzle your wisdom
TOUCHSTONE
Stand you both forth now stroke your chins and swear by your beards that I am a knave
CELIA
By our beards if we had them thou art
TOUCHSTONE
By my knavery if I had it then I were But if you swear by that that is not you are not forsworn No more was this knight swearing by his honour for he never had any or if he had he had sworn it away before ever he saw those pancackes or that mustard
CELIA
Prithee who ist that thou meanst
TOUCHSTONE
One that old Frederick your father loves
CELIA
My fathers love is enough to honour him Enough Speak no more of him Youll be whipped for taxation one of these days
TOUCHSTONE
The more pity that fools may not speak wisely what wise men do foolishly
CELIA
By my troth thou sayest true For since the little wit that fools have was silenced the little foolery that wise men have makes a great show Here comes Monsieur Le Beau
Enter Le Beau
ROSALIND
With his mouth full of news
CELIA
Which he will put on us as pigeons feed their young
ROSALIND
Then shall we be newscrammed
CELIA
All the better we shall be the more marketable
Bonjour Monsieur Le Beau Whats the news
LE BEAU
Fair princess you have lost much good sport
CELIA
Sport Of what colour
LE BEAU
What colour madam How shall I answer you
ROSALIND
As wit and fortune will
TOUCHSTONE
Or as the destinies decrees
CELIA
Well said That was laid on with a trowel
TOUCHSTONE
Nay if I keep not my rank
ROSALIND
Thou losest thy old smell
LE BEAU
You amaze me ladies I would have told you of good wrestling which you have lost the sight of
ROSALIND
Yet tell us the manner of the wrestling
LE BEAU
I will tell you the beginning and if it please your ladyships you may see the end for the best is yet to do and here where you are they are coming to perform it
CELIA
Well the beginning that is dead and buried
LE BEAU
There comes an old man and his three sons
CELIA
I could match this beginning with an old tale
LE BEAU
Three proper young men of excellent growth and presence
ROSALIND
With bills on their necks Be it known unto all men by these presents
LE BEAU
The eldest of the three wrestled with Charles the Dukes wrestler which Charles in a moment threw him and broke three of his ribs that there is little hope of life in him So he served the second and so the third Yonder they lie the poor old man their father making such pitiful dole over them that all the beholders take his part with weeping
ROSALIND
Alas
TOUCHSTONE
But what is the sport monsieur that the ladies have lost
LE BEAU
Why this that I speak of
TOUCHSTONE
Thus men may grow wiser every day It is the first time that ever I heard breaking of ribs was sport for ladies
CELIA
Or I I promise thee
ROSALIND
But is there any else longs to see this broken music in his sides Is there yet another dotes upon ribbreaking Shall we see this wrestling cousin
LE BEAU
You must if you stay here for here is the place appointed for the wrestling and they are ready to perform it
CELIA
Yonder sure they are coming Let us now stay and see it
Flourish Enter Duke Frederick Lords Orlando Charles and Attendants
DUKE FREDERICK
Come on Since the youth will not be entreated his own peril on his forwardness
ROSALIND
Is yonder the man
LE BEAU
Even he madam
CELIA
Alas he is too young Yet he looks successfully
DUKE FREDERICK
How now daughter and cousin Are you crept hither to see the wrestling
ROSALIND
Ay my liege so please you give us leave
DUKE FREDERICK
You will take little delight in it I can tell you there is such odds in the man In pity of the challengers youth I would fain dissuade him but he will not be entreated Speak to him ladies see if you can move him
CELIA
Call him hither good Monsieur Le Beau
DUKE FREDERICK
Do so Ill not be by
Duke Frederick steps aside
LE BEAU
Monsieur the challenger the Princess calls for you
ORLANDO
I attend them with all respect and duty
ROSALIND
Young man have you challenged Charles the wrestler
ORLANDO
No fair princess He is the general challenger I come but in as others do to try with him the strength of my youth
CELIA
Young gentleman your spirits are too bold for your years You have seen cruel proof of this mans strength If you saw yourself with your eyes or knew yourself with your judgement the fear of your adventure would counsel you to a more equal enterprise We pray you for your own sake to embrace your own safety and give over this attempt
ROSALIND
Do young sir Your reputation shall not therefore be misprized We will make it our suit to the Duke that the wrestling might not go forward
ORLANDO
I beseech you punish me not with your hard thoughts wherein I confess me much guilty to deny so fair and excellent ladies anything But let your fair eyes and gentle wishes go with me to my trial wherein if I be foiled there is but one shamed that was never gracious if killed but one dead that is willing to be so I shall do my friends no wrong for I have none to lament me the world no injury for in it I have nothing Only in the world I fill up a place which may be better supplied when I have made it empty
ROSALIND
The little strength that I have I would it were with you
CELIA
And mine to eke out hers
ROSALIND
Fare you well Pray heaven I be deceived in you
CELIA
Your hearts desires be with you
CHARLES
Come where is this young gallant that is so desirous to lie with his mother earth
ORLANDO
Ready sir but his will hath in it a more modest working
DUKE FREDERICK
You shall try but one fall
CHARLES
No I warrant your grace you shall not entreat him to a second that have so mightily persuaded him from a first
ORLANDO
You mean to mock me after you should not have mocked me before But come your ways
ROSALIND
Now Hercules be thy speed young man
CELIA
I would I were invisible to catch the strong fellow by the leg
Orlando and Charles wrestle
ROSALIND
O excellent young man
CELIA
If I had a thunderbolt in mine eye I can tell who should down
Charles is thrown Shout
DUKE FREDERICK
No more no more
ORLANDO
Yes I beseech your grace I am not yet well breathed
DUKE FREDERICK
How dost thou Charles
LE BEAU
He cannot speak my lord
DUKE FREDERICK
Bear him away
Charles is carried off by Attendants
What is thy name young man
ORLANDO
Orlando my liege the youngest son of Sir Rowland de Boys
DUKE FREDERICK
I would thou hadst been son to some man else
The world esteemed thy father honourable
But I did find him still mine enemy
Thou shouldst have better pleased me with this deed
Hadst thou descended from another house
But fare thee well thou art a gallant youth
I would thou hadst told me of another father
Exeunt Duke Frederick Le Beau and Lords
CELIA
Were I my father coz would I do this
ORLANDO
I am more proud to be Sir Rowlands son
His youngest son and would not change that calling
To be adopted heir to Frederick
ROSALIND
My father loved Sir Rowland as his soul
And all the world was of my fathers mind
Had I before known this young man his son
I should have given him tears unto entreaties
Ere he should thus have ventured
CELIA
Gentle cousin
Let us go thank him and encourage him
My fathers rough and envious disposition
Sticks me at heartSir you have well deserved
If you do keep your promises in love
But justly as you have exceeded promise
Your mistress shall be happy
ROSALIND
Gentleman
Giving him a chain from her neck
Wear this for meone out of suits with Fortune
That could give more but that her hand lacks means
Shall we go coz
CELIA
AyFare you well fair gentleman
ORLANDO
Can I not say I thank you My better parts
Are all thrown down and that which here stands up
Is but a quintain a mere lifeless block
ROSALIND
He calls us back My pride fell with my fortunes
Ill ask him what he wouldDid you call sir
Sir you have wrestled well and overthrown
More than your enemies
CELIA
Will you go coz
ROSALIND
Have with youFare you well
Exeunt Rosalind and Celia
ORLANDO
What passion hangs these weights upon my tongue
I cannot speak to her yet she urged conference
O poor Orlando thou art overthrown
Or Charles or something weaker masters thee
Enter Le Beau
LE BEAU
Good sir I do in friendship counsel you
To leave this place Albeit you have deserved
High commendation true applause and love
Yet such is now the Dukes condition
That he misconsters all that you have done
The Duke is humorous what he is indeed
More suits you to conceive than I to speak of
ORLANDO
I thank you sir and pray you tell me this
Which of the two was daughter of the Duke
That here was at the wrestling
LE BEAU
Neither his daughter if we judge by manners
But yet indeed the smaller is his daughter
The other is daughter to the banished Duke
And here detained by her usurping uncle
To keep his daughter company whose loves
Are dearer than the natural bond of sisters
But I can tell you that of late this Duke
Hath taen displeasure gainst his gentle niece
Grounded upon no other argument
But that the people praise her for her virtues
And pity her for her good fathers sake
And on my life his malice gainst the lady
Will suddenly break forth Sir fare you well
Hereafter in a better world than this
I shall desire more love and knowledge of you
ORLANDO
I rest much bounden to you fare you well
Exit Le Beau
Thus must I from the smoke into the smother
From tyrant Duke unto a tyrant brother
But heavenly Rosalind
Exit
SCENE III A Room in the Palace
Enter Celia and Rosalind
CELIA
Why cousin why Rosalind Cupid have mercy Not a word
ROSALIND
Not one to throw at a dog
CELIA
No thy words are too precious to be cast away upon curs Throw some of them at me Come lame me with reasons
ROSALIND
Then there were two cousins laid up when the one should be lamed with reasons and the other mad without any
CELIA
But is all this for your father
ROSALIND
No some of it is for my childs father O how full of briers is this workingday world
CELIA
They are but burs cousin thrown upon thee in holiday foolery If we walk not in the trodden paths our very petticoats will catch them
ROSALIND
I could shake them off my coat these burs are in my heart
CELIA
Hem them away
ROSALIND
I would try if I could cry hem and have him
CELIA
Come come wrestle with thy affections
ROSALIND
O they take the part of a better wrestler than myself
CELIA
O a good wish upon you You will try in time in despite of a fall But turning these jests out of service let us talk in good earnest Is it possible on such a sudden you should fall into so strong a liking with old Sir Rowlands youngest son
ROSALIND
The Duke my father loved his father dearly
CELIA
Doth it therefore ensue that you should love his son dearly By this kind of chase I should hate him for my father hated his father dearly yet I hate not Orlando
ROSALIND
No faith hate him not for my sake
CELIA
Why should I not Doth he not deserve well
Enter Duke Frederick with Lords
ROSALIND
Let me love him for that and do you love him because I doLook here comes the Duke
CELIA
With his eyes full of anger
DUKE FREDERICK
Mistress dispatch you with your safest haste
And get you from our court
ROSALIND
Me uncle
DUKE FREDERICK
You cousin
Within these ten days if that thou best found
So near our public court as twenty miles
Thou diest for it
ROSALIND
I do beseech your Grace
Let me the knowledge of my fault bear with me
If with myself I hold intelligence
Or have acquaintance with mine own desires
If that I do not dream or be not frantic
As I do trust I am notthen dear uncle
Never so much as in a thought unborn
Did I offend your Highness
DUKE FREDERICK
Thus do all traitors
If their purgation did consist in words
They are as innocent as grace itself
Let it suffice thee that I trust thee not
ROSALIND
Yet your mistrust cannot make me a traitor
Tell me whereon the likelihood depends
DUKE FREDERICK
Thou art thy fathers daughter theres enough
ROSALIND
So was I when your highness took his dukedom
So was I when your highness banished him
Treason is not inherited my lord
Or if we did derive it from our friends
Whats that to me My father was no traitor
Then good my liege mistake me not so much
To think my poverty is treacherous
CELIA
Dear sovereign hear me speak
DUKE FREDERICK
Ay Celia we stayed her for your sake
Else had she with her father ranged along
CELIA
I did not then entreat to have her stay
It was your pleasure and your own remorse
I was too young that time to value her
But now I know her If she be a traitor
Why so am I We still have slept together
Rose at an instant learned played ate together
And wheresoeer we went like Junos swans
Still we went coupled and inseparable
DUKE FREDERICK
She is too subtle for thee and her smoothness
Her very silence and her patience
Speak to the people and they pity her
Thou art a fool She robs thee of thy name
And thou wilt show more bright and seem more virtuous
When she is gone Then open not thy lips
Firm and irrevocable is my doom
Which I have passed upon her She is banished
CELIA
Pronounce that sentence then on me my liege
I cannot live out of her company
DUKE FREDERICK
You are a fool You niece provide yourself
If you outstay the time upon mine honour
And in the greatness of my word you die
Exeunt Duke Frederick and Lords
CELIA
O my poor Rosalind whither wilt thou go
Wilt thou change fathers I will give thee mine
I charge thee be not thou more grieved than I am
ROSALIND
I have more cause
CELIA
Thou hast not cousin
Prithee be cheerful Knowst thou not the Duke
Hath banished me his daughter
ROSALIND
That he hath not
CELIA
No hath not Rosalind lacks then the love
Which teacheth thee that thou and I am one
Shall we be sundered Shall we part sweet girl
No let my father seek another heir
Therefore devise with me how we may fly
Whither to go and what to bear with us
And do not seek to take your change upon you
To bear your griefs yourself and leave me out
For by this heaven now at our sorrows pale
Say what thou canst Ill go along with thee
ROSALIND
Why whither shall we go
CELIA
To seek my uncle in the Forest of Arden
ROSALIND
Alas what danger will it be to us
Maids as we are to travel forth so far
Beauty provoketh thieves sooner than gold
CELIA
Ill put myself in poor and mean attire
And with a kind of umber smirch my face
The like do you so shall we pass along
And never stir assailants
ROSALIND
Were it not better
Because that I am more than common tall
That I did suit me all points like a man
A gallant curtalaxe upon my thigh
A boarspear in my hand and in my heart
Lie there what hidden womans fear there will
Well have a swashing and a martial outside
As many other mannish cowards have
That do outface it with their semblances
CELIA
What shall I call thee when thou art a man
ROSALIND
Ill have no worse a name than Joves own page
And therefore look you call me Ganymede
But what will you be called
CELIA
Something that hath a reference to my state
No longer Celia but Aliena
ROSALIND
But cousin what if we assayed to steal
The clownish fool out of your fathers court
Would he not be a comfort to our travel
CELIA
Hell go along oer the wide world with me
Leave me alone to woo him Lets away
And get our jewels and our wealth together
Devise the fittest time and safest way
To hide us from pursuit that will be made
After my flight Now go we in content
To liberty and not to banishment
Exeunt
ACT II
SCENE I The Forest of Arden
Enter Duke Senior Amiens and two or three Lords dressed as foresters
DUKE SENIOR
Now my comates and brothers in exile
Hath not old custom made this life more sweet
Than that of painted pomp Are not these woods
More free from peril than the envious court
Here feel we not the penalty of Adam
The seasons difference as the icy fang
And churlish chiding of the winters wind
Which when it bites and blows upon my body
Even till I shrink with cold I smile and say
This is no flattery These are counsellors
That feelingly persuade me what I am
Sweet are the uses of adversity
Which like the toad ugly and venomous
Wears yet a precious jewel in his head
And this our life exempt from public haunt
Finds tongues in trees books in the running brooks
Sermons in stones and good in everything
AMIENS
I would not change it Happy is your grace
That can translate the stubbornness of fortune
Into so quiet and so sweet a style
DUKE SENIOR
Come shall we go and kill us venison
And yet it irks me the poor dappled fools
Being native burghers of this desert city
Should in their own confines with forked heads
Have their round haunches gored
FIRST LORD
Indeed my lord
The melancholy Jaques grieves at that
And in that kind swears you do more usurp
Than doth your brother that hath banished you
Today my lord of Amiens and myself
Did steal behind him as he lay along
Under an oak whose antique root peeps out
Upon the brook that brawls along this wood
To the which place a poor sequestered stag
That from the hunters aim had taen a hurt
Did come to languish and indeed my lord
The wretched animal heaved forth such groans
That their discharge did stretch his leathern coat
Almost to bursting and the big round tears
Coursed one another down his innocent nose
In piteous chase And thus the hairy fool
Much marked of the melancholy Jaques
Stood on th extremest verge of the swift brook
Augmenting it with tears
DUKE SENIOR
But what said Jaques
Did he not moralize this spectacle
FIRST LORD
O yes into a thousand similes
First for his weeping into the needless stream
Poor deer quoth he thou makst a testament
As worldlings do giving thy sum of more
To that which had too much Then being there alone
Left and abandoned of his velvet friends
Tis right quoth he thus misery doth part
The flux of company Anon a careless herd
Full of the pasture jumps along by him
And never stays to greet him Ay quoth Jaques
Sweep on you fat and greasy citizens
Tis just the fashion Wherefore do you look
Upon that poor and broken bankrupt there
Thus most invectively he pierceth through
The body of the country city court
Yea and of this our life swearing that we
Are mere usurpers tyrants and whats worse
To fright the animals and to kill them up
In their assigned and native dwellingplace
DUKE SENIOR
And did you leave him in this contemplation
SECOND LORD
We did my lord weeping and commenting
Upon the sobbing deer
DUKE SENIOR
Show me the place
I love to cope him in these sullen fits
For then hes full of matter
FIRST LORD
Ill bring you to him straight
Exeunt
SCENE II A Room in the Palace
Enter Duke Frederick with Lords
DUKE FREDERICK
Can it be possible that no man saw them
It cannot be Some villains of my court
Are of consent and sufferance in this
FIRST LORD
I cannot hear of any that did see her
The ladies her attendants of her chamber
Saw her abed and in the morning early
They found the bed untreasured of their mistress
SECOND LORD
My lord the roynish clown at whom so oft
Your grace was wont to laugh is also missing
Hesperia the princess gentlewoman
Confesses that she secretly oerheard
Your daughter and her cousin much commend
The parts and graces of the wrestler
That did but lately foil the sinewy Charles
And she believes wherever they are gone
That youth is surely in their company
DUKE FREDERICK
Send to his brother fetch that gallant hither
If he be absent bring his brother to me
Ill make him find him Do this suddenly
And let not search and inquisition quail
To bring again these foolish runaways
Exeunt
SCENE III Before Olivers House
Enter Orlando and Adam meeting
ORLANDO
Whos there
ADAM
What my young master O my gentle master
O my sweet master O you memory
Of old Sir Rowland Why what make you here
Why are you virtuous Why do people love you
And wherefore are you gentle strong and valiant
Why would you be so fond to overcome
The bonny prizer of the humorous Duke
Your praise is come too swiftly home before you
Know you not master to some kind of men
Their graces serve them but as enemies
No more do yours Your virtues gentle master
Are sanctified and holy traitors to you
O what a world is this when what is comely
Envenoms him that bears it
ORLANDO
Why whats the matter
ADAM
O unhappy youth
Come not within these doors Within this roof
The enemy of all your graces lives
Your brotherno no brother yet the son
Yet not the son I will not call him son
Of him I was about to call his father
Hath heard your praises and this night he means
To burn the lodging where you use to lie
And you within it If he fail of that
He will have other means to cut you off
I overheard him and his practices
This is no place this house is but a butchery
Abhor it fear it do not enter it
ORLANDO
Why whither Adam wouldst thou have me go
ADAM
No matter whither so you come not here
ORLANDO
What wouldst thou have me go and beg my food
Or with a base and boisterous sword enforce
A thievish living on the common road
This I must do or know not what to do
Yet this I will not do do how I can
I rather will subject me to the malice
Of a diverted blood and bloody brother
ADAM
But do not so I have five hundred crowns
The thrifty hire I saved under your father
Which I did store to be my fosternurse
When service should in my old limbs lie lame
And unregarded age in corners thrown
Take that and He that doth the ravens feed
Yea providently caters for the sparrow
Be comfort to my age Here is the gold
All this I give you Let me be your servant
Though I look old yet I am strong and lusty
For in my youth I never did apply
Hot and rebellious liquors in my blood
Nor did not with unbashful forehead woo
The means of weakness and debility
Therefore my age is as a lusty winter
Frosty but kindly Let me go with you
Ill do the service of a younger man
In all your business and necessities
ORLANDO
O good old man how well in thee appears
The constant service of the antique world
When service sweat for duty not for meed
Thou art not for the fashion of these times
Where none will sweat but for promotion
And having that do choke their service up
Even with the having It is not so with thee
But poor old man thou prunst a rotten tree
That cannot so much as a blossom yield
In lieu of all thy pains and husbandry
But come thy ways well go along together
And ere we have thy youthful wages spent
Well light upon some settled low content
ADAM
Master go on and I will follow thee
To the last gasp with truth and loyalty
From seventeen years till now almost fourscore
Here lived I but now live here no more
At seventeen years many their fortunes seek
But at fourscore it is too late a week
Yet fortune cannot recompense me better
Than to die well and not my masters debtor
Exeunt
SCENE IV The Forest of Arden
Enter Rosalind as Ganymede Celia as Aliena and Touchstone
ROSALIND
O Jupiter how weary are my spirits
TOUCHSTONE
I care not for my spirits if my legs were not weary
ROSALIND
I could find in my heart to disgrace my mans apparel and to cry like a woman but I must comfort the weaker vessel as doublet and hose ought to show itself courageous to petticoat Therefore courage good Aliena
CELIA
I pray you bear with me I cannot go no further
TOUCHSTONE
For my part I had rather bear with you than bear you Yet I should bear no cross if I did bear you for I think you have no money in your purse
ROSALIND
Well this is the forest of Arden
TOUCHSTONE
Ay now am I in Arden the more fool I When I was at home I was in a better place but travellers must be content
Enter Corin and Silvius
ROSALIND
Ay be so good Touchstone Look you who comes here A young man and an old in solemn talk
CORIN
That is the way to make her scorn you still
SILVIUS
O Corin that thou knewst how I do love her
CORIN
I partly guess for I have loved ere now
SILVIUS
No Corin being old thou canst not guess
Though in thy youth thou wast as true a lover
As ever sighed upon a midnight pillow
But if thy love were ever like to mine
As sure I think did never man love so
How many actions most ridiculous
Hast thou been drawn to by thy fantasy
CORIN
Into a thousand that I have forgotten
SILVIUS
O thou didst then never love so heartily
If thou remembrest not the slightest folly
That ever love did make thee run into
Thou hast not loved
Or if thou hast not sat as I do now
Wearing thy hearer in thy mistress praise
Thou hast not loved
Or if thou hast not broke from company
Abruptly as my passion now makes me
Thou hast not loved
O Phoebe Phoebe Phoebe
Exit Silvius
ROSALIND
Alas poor shepherd searching of thy wound
I have by hard adventure found mine own
TOUCHSTONE
And I mine I remember when I was in love I broke my sword upon a stone and bid him take that for coming anight to Jane Smile and I remember the kissing of her batlet and the cows dugs that her pretty chopped hands had milked and I remember the wooing of a peascod instead of her from whom I took two cods and giving her them again said with weeping tears Wear these for my sake We that are true lovers run into strange capers But as all is mortal in nature so is all nature in love mortal in folly
ROSALIND
Thou speakst wiser than thou art ware of
TOUCHSTONE
Nay I shall neer be ware of mine own wit till I break my shins against it
ROSALIND
Jove Jove this shepherds passion
Is much upon my fashion
TOUCHSTONE
And mine but it grows something stale with me
CELIA
I pray you one of you question yond man
If he for gold will give us any food
I faint almost to death
TOUCHSTONE
Holla you clown
ROSALIND
Peace fool hes not thy kinsman
CORIN
Who calls
TOUCHSTONE
Your betters sir
CORIN
Else are they very wretched
ROSALIND
Peace I sayGood even to you friend
CORIN
And to you gentle sir and to you all
ROSALIND
I prithee shepherd if that love or gold
Can in this desert place buy entertainment
Bring us where we may rest ourselves and feed
Heres a young maid with travel much oppressed
And faints for succour
CORIN
Fair sir I pity her
And wish for her sake more than for mine own
My fortunes were more able to relieve her
But I am shepherd to another man
And do not shear the fleeces that I graze
My master is of churlish disposition
And little recks to find the way to heaven
By doing deeds of hospitality
Besides his cote his flocks and bounds of feed
Are now on sale and at our sheepcote now
By reason of his absence there is nothing
That you will feed on But what is come see
And in my voice most welcome shall you be
ROSALIND
What is he that shall buy his flock and pasture
CORIN
That young swain that you saw here but erewhile
That little cares for buying anything
ROSALIND
I pray thee if it stand with honesty
Buy thou the cottage pasture and the flock
And thou shalt have to pay for it of us
CELIA
And we will mend thy wages I like this place
And willingly could waste my time in it
CORIN
Assuredly the thing is to be sold
Go with me If you like upon report
The soil the profit and this kind of life
I will your very faithful feeder be
And buy it with your gold right suddenly
Exeunt
SCENE V Another part of the Forest
Enter Amiens Jaques and others
AMIENS
Sings
Under the greenwood tree
Who loves to lie with me
And turn his merry note
Unto the sweet birds throat
Come hither come hither come hither
Here shall he see
No enemy
But winter and rough weather
JAQUES
More more I prithee more
AMIENS
It will make you melancholy Monsieur Jaques
JAQUES
I thank it More I prithee more I can suck melancholy out of a song as a weasel sucks eggs More I prithee more
AMIENS
My voice is ragged I know I cannot please you
JAQUES
I do not desire you to please me I do desire you to sing Come more another stanzo Call you em stanzos
AMIENS
What you will Monsieur Jaques
JAQUES
Nay I care not for their names They owe me nothing Will you sing
AMIENS
More at your request than to please myself
JAQUES
Well then if ever I thank any man Ill thank you but that they call compliment is like th encounter of two dogapes And when a man thanks me heartily methinks I have given him a penny and he renders me the beggarly thanks Come sing and you that will not hold your tongues
AMIENS
Well Ill end the songSirs cover the while The Duke will drink under this tree he hath been all this day to look you
JAQUES
And I have been all this day to avoid him He is too disputable for my company I think of as many matters as he but I give heaven thanks and make no boast of them Come warble come
AMIENS
Sings
Who doth ambition shun
And loves to live i th sun
Seeking the food he eats
And pleased with what he gets
Come hither come hither come hither
Here shall he see
No enemy
But winter and rough weather
JAQUES
Ill give you a verse to this note that I made yesterday in despite of my invention
AMIENS
And Ill sing it
JAQUES
Thus it goes
If it do come to pass
That any man turn ass
Leaving his wealth and ease
A stubborn will to please
Ducdame ducdame ducdame
Here shall he see
Gross fools as he
An if he will come to me
AMIENS
Whats that ducdame
JAQUES
Tis a Greek invocation to call fools into a circle Ill go sleep if I can if I cannot Ill rail against all the firstborn of Egypt
AMIENS
And Ill go seek the Duke his banquet is prepared
Exeunt severally
SCENE VI Another part of the Forest
Enter Orlando and Adam
ADAM
Dear master I can go no further O I die for food Here lie I down and measure out my grave Farewell kind master
ORLANDO
Why how now Adam No greater heart in thee Live a little comfort a little cheer thyself a little If this uncouth forest yield anything savage I will either be food for it or bring it for food to thee Thy conceit is nearer death than thy powers For my sake be comfortable Hold death awhile at the arms end I will here be with thee presently and if I bring thee not something to eat Ill give thee leave to die But if thou diest before I come thou art a mocker of my labour Well said thou lookst cheerly and Ill be with thee quickly Yet thou liest in the bleak air Come I will bear thee to some shelter and thou shalt not die for lack of a dinner if there live anything in this desert Cheerly good Adam
Exeunt
SCENE VII Another part of the Forest
Enter Duke Senior Amiens and Lords as outlaws
DUKE SENIOR
I think he be transformed into a beast
For I can nowhere find him like a man
FIRST LORD
My lord he is but even now gone hence
Here was he merry hearing of a song
DUKE SENIOR
If he compact of jars grow musical
We shall have shortly discord in the spheres
Go seek him tell him I would speak with him
Enter Jaques
FIRST LORD
He saves my labour by his own approach
DUKE SENIOR
Why how now monsieur What a life is this
That your poor friends must woo your company
What you look merrily
JAQUES
A fool a fool I met a fool i th forest
A motley fool A miserable world
As I do live by food I met a fool
Who laid him down and basked him in the sun
And railed on Lady Fortune in good terms
In good set terms and yet a motley fool
Good morrow fool quoth I No sir quoth he
Call me not fool till heaven hath sent me fortune
And then he drew a dial from his poke
And looking on it with lacklustre eye
Says very wisely It is ten oclock
Thus we may see quoth he how the world wags
Tis but an hour ago since it was nine
And after one hour more twill be eleven
And so from hour to hour we ripe and ripe
And then from hour to hour we rot and rot
And thereby hangs a tale When I did hear
The motley fool thus moral on the time
My lungs began to crow like chanticleer
That fools should be so deepcontemplative
And I did laugh sans intermission
An hour by his dial O noble fool
A worthy fool Motleys the only wear
DUKE SENIOR
What fool is this
JAQUES
O worthy foolOne that hath been a courtier
And says if ladies be but young and fair
They have the gift to know it And in his brain
Which is as dry as the remainder biscuit
After a voyage he hath strange places crammed
With observation the which he vents
In mangled forms O that I were a fool
I am ambitious for a motley coat
DUKE SENIOR
Thou shalt have one
JAQUES
It is my only suit
Provided that you weed your better judgements
Of all opinion that grows rank in them
That I am wise I must have liberty
Withal as large a charter as the wind
To blow on whom I please for so fools have
And they that are most galled with my folly
They most must laugh And why sir must they so
The why is plain as way to parish church
He that a fool doth very wisely hit
Doth very foolishly although he smart
Not to seem senseless of the bob If not
The wise mans folly is anatomized
Even by the squandering glances of the fool
Invest me in my motley Give me leave
To speak my mind and I will through and through
Cleanse the foul body of th infected world
If they will patiently receive my medicine
DUKE SENIOR
Fie on thee I can tell what thou wouldst do
JAQUES
What for a counter would I do but good
DUKE SENIOR
Most mischievous foul sin in chiding sin
For thou thyself hast been a libertine
As sensual as the brutish sting itself
And all th embossed sores and headed evils
That thou with license of free foot hast caught
Wouldst thou disgorge into the general world
JAQUES
Why who cries out on pride
That can therein tax any private party
Doth it not flow as hugely as the sea
Till that the weary very means do ebb
What woman in the city do I name
When that I say the citywoman bears
The cost of princes on unworthy shoulders
Who can come in and say that I mean her
When such a one as she such is her neighbour
Or what is he of basest function
That says his bravery is not on my cost
Thinking that I mean him but therein suits
His folly to the mettle of my speech
There then How then what then Let me see wherein
My tongue hath wronged him If it do him right
Then he hath wronged himself If he be free
Why then my taxing like a wildgoose flies
Unclaimed of any man But who comes here
Enter Orlando with sword drawn
ORLANDO
Forbear and eat no more
JAQUES
Why I have eat none yet
ORLANDO
Nor shalt not till necessity be served
JAQUES
Of what kind should this cock come of
DUKE SENIOR
Art thou thus boldened man by thy distress
Or else a rude despiser of good manners
That in civility thou seemst so empty
ORLANDO
You touched my vein at first The thorny point
Of bare distress hath taen from me the show
Of smooth civility yet am I inland bred
And know some nurture But forbear I say
He dies that touches any of this fruit
Till I and my affairs are answered
JAQUES
An you will not be answered with reason I must die
DUKE SENIOR
What would you have Your gentleness shall force
More than your force move us to gentleness
ORLANDO
I almost die for food and let me have it
DUKE SENIOR
Sit down and feed and welcome to our table
ORLANDO
Speak you so gently Pardon me I pray you
I thought that all things had been savage here
And therefore put I on the countenance
Of stern commandment But whateer you are
That in this desert inaccessible
Under the shade of melancholy boughs
Lose and neglect the creeping hours of time
If ever you have looked on better days
If ever been where bells have knolled to church
If ever sat at any good mans feast
If ever from your eyelids wiped a tear
And know what tis to pity and be pitied
Let gentleness my strong enforcement be
In the which hope I blush and hide my sword
DUKE SENIOR
True is it that we have seen better days
And have with holy bell been knolled to church
And sat at good mens feasts and wiped our eyes
Of drops that sacred pity hath engendered
And therefore sit you down in gentleness
And take upon command what help we have
That to your wanting may be ministered
ORLANDO
Then but forbear your food a little while
Whiles like a doe I go to find my fawn
And give it food There is an old poor man
Who after me hath many a weary step
Limped in pure love Till he be first sufficed
Oppressed with two weak evils age and hunger
I will not touch a bit
DUKE SENIOR
Go find him out
And we will nothing waste till you return
ORLANDO
I thank ye and be blest for your good comfort
Exit
DUKE SENIOR
Thou seest we are not all alone unhappy
This wide and universal theatre
Presents more woeful pageants than the scene
Wherein we play in
JAQUES
All the worlds a stage
And all the men and women merely players
They have their exits and their entrances
And one man in his time plays many parts
His acts being seven ages At first the infant
Mewling and puking in the nurses arms
Then the whining schoolboy with his satchel
And shining morning face creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school And then the lover
Sighing like furnace with a woeful ballad
Made to his mistress eyebrow Then a soldier
Full of strange oaths and bearded like the pard
Jealous in honour sudden and quick in quarrel
Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannons mouth And then the justice
In fair round belly with good capon lined
With eyes severe and beard of formal cut
Full of wise saws and modern instances
And so he plays his part The sixth age shifts
Into the lean and slippered pantaloon
With spectacles on nose and pouch on side
His youthful hose well saved a world too wide
For his shrunk shank and his big manly voice
Turning again toward childish treble pipes
And whistles in his sound Last scene of all
That ends this strange eventful history
Is second childishness and mere oblivion
Sans teeth sans eyes sans taste sans everything
Enter Orlando bearing Adam
DUKE SENIOR
Welcome Set down your venerable burden
And let him feed
ORLANDO
I thank you most for him
ADAM
So had you need
I scarce can speak to thank you for myself
DUKE SENIOR
Welcome fall to I will not trouble you
As yet to question you about your fortunes
Give us some music and good cousin sing
SONG
AMIENS Sings
Blow blow thou winter wind
Thou art not so unkind
As mans ingratitude
Thy tooth is not so keen
Because thou art not seen
Although thy breath be rude
Heighho sing heighho unto the green holly
Most friendship is feigning most loving mere folly
Then heighho the holly
This life is most jolly
Freeze freeze thou bitter sky
That dost not bite so nigh
As benefits forgot
Though thou the waters warp
Thy sting is not so sharp
As friend remembered not
Heighho sing heighho unto the green holly
Most friendship is feigning most loving mere folly
Then heighho the holly
This life is most jolly
DUKE SENIOR
If that you were the good Sir Rowlands son
As you have whispered faithfully you were
And as mine eye doth his effigies witness
Most truly limned and living in your face
Be truly welcome hither I am the Duke
That loved your father The residue of your fortune
Go to my cave and tell meGood old man
Thou art right welcome as thy master is
Support him by the arm To Orlando Give me your hand
And let me all your fortunes understand
Exeunt
ACT III
SCENE I A Room in the Palace
Enter Duke Frederick Lords and Oliver
DUKE FREDERICK
Not see him since Sir sir that cannot be
But were I not the better part made mercy
I should not seek an absent argument
Of my revenge thou present But look to it
Find out thy brother wheresoeer he is
Seek him with candle Bring him dead or living
Within this twelvemonth or turn thou no more
To seek a living in our territory
Thy lands and all things that thou dost call thine
Worth seizure do we seize into our hands
Till thou canst quit thee by thy brothers mouth
Of what we think against thee
OLIVER
O that your highness knew my heart in this
I never loved my brother in my life
DUKE FREDERICK
More villain thou Well push him out of doors
And let my officers of such a nature
Make an extent upon his house and lands
Do this expediently and turn him going
Exeunt
SCENE II The Forest of Arden
Enter Orlando with a paper
ORLANDO
Hang there my verse in witness of my love
And thou thricecrowned queen of night survey
With thy chaste eye from thy pale sphere above
Thy huntress name that my full life doth sway
O Rosalind these trees shall be my books
And in their barks my thoughts Ill character
That every eye which in this forest looks
Shall see thy virtue witnessed everywhere
Run run Orlando carve on every tree
The fair the chaste and unexpressive she
Exit
Enter Corin and Touchstone
CORIN
And how like you this shepherds life Master Touchstone
TOUCHSTONE
Truly shepherd in respect of itself it is a good life but in respect that it is a shepherds life it is naught In respect that it is solitary I like it very well but in respect that it is private it is a very vile life Now in respect it is in the fields it pleaseth me well but in respect it is not in the court it is tedious As it is a spare life look you it fits my humour well but as there is no more plenty in it it goes much against my stomach Hast any philosophy in thee shepherd
CORIN
No more but that I know the more one sickens the worse at ease he is and that he that wants money means and content is without three good friends that the property of rain is to wet and fire to burn that good pasture makes fat sheep and that a great cause of the night is lack of the sun that he that hath learned no wit by nature nor art may complain of good breeding or comes of a very dull kindred
TOUCHSTONE
Such a one is a natural philosopher Wast ever in court shepherd
CORIN
No truly
TOUCHSTONE
Then thou art damned
CORIN
Nay I hope
TOUCHSTONE
Truly thou art damned like an illroasted egg all on one side
CORIN
For not being at court Your reason
TOUCHSTONE
Why if thou never wast at court thou never sawst good manners if thou never sawst good manners then thy manners must be wicked and wickedness is sin and sin is damnation Thou art in a parlous state shepherd
CORIN
Not a whit Touchstone Those that are good manners at the court are as ridiculous in the country as the behaviour of the country is most mockable at the court You told me you salute not at the court but you kiss your hands That courtesy would be uncleanly if courtiers were shepherds
TOUCHSTONE
Instance briefly Come instance
CORIN
Why we are still handling our ewes and their fells you know are greasy
TOUCHSTONE
Why do not your courtiers hands sweat And is not the grease of a mutton as wholesome as the sweat of a man Shallow shallow A better instance I say Come
CORIN
Besides our hands are hard
TOUCHSTONE
Your lips will feel them the sooner Shallow again A more sounder instance come
CORIN
And they are often tarred over with the surgery of our sheep and would you have us kiss tar The courtiers hands are perfumed with civet
TOUCHSTONE
Most shallow man Thou worms meat in respect of a good piece of flesh indeed Learn of the wise and perpend Civet is of a baser birth than tar the very uncleanly flux of a cat Mend the instance shepherd
CORIN
You have too courtly a wit for me Ill rest
TOUCHSTONE
Wilt thou rest damned God help thee shallow man God make incision in thee thou art raw
CORIN
Sir I am a true labourer I earn that I eat get that I wear owe no man hate envy no mans happiness glad of other mens good content with my harm and the greatest of my pride is to see my ewes graze and my lambs suck
TOUCHSTONE
That is another simple sin in you to bring the ewes and the rams together and to offer to get your living by the copulation of cattle to be bawd to a bellwether and to betray a shelamb of a twelvemonth to crookedpated old cuckoldly ram out of all reasonable match If thou best not damned for this the devil himself will have no shepherds I cannot see else how thou shouldst scape
Enter Rosalind as Ganymede
CORIN
Here comes young Master Ganymede my new mistresss brother
ROSALIND
Reads
From the east to western Inde
No jewel is like Rosalind
Her worth being mounted on the wind
Through all the world bears Rosalind
All the pictures fairest lined
Are but black to Rosalind
Let no face be kept in mind
But the fair of Rosalind
TOUCHSTONE
Ill rhyme you so eight years together dinners and suppers and sleeping hours excepted It is the right butterwomens rank to market
ROSALIND
Out fool
TOUCHSTONE
For a taste
If a hart do lack a hind
Let him seek out Rosalind
If the cat will after kind
So be sure will Rosalind
Winter garments must be lined
So must slender Rosalind
They that reap must sheaf and bind
Then to cart with Rosalind
Sweetest nut hath sourest rind
Such a nut is Rosalind
He that sweetest rose will find
Must find loves prick and Rosalind
This is the very false gallop of verses Why do you infect yourself with them
ROSALIND
Peace you dull fool I found them on a tree
TOUCHSTONE
Truly the tree yields bad fruit
ROSALIND
Ill graft it with you and then I shall graft it with a medlar Then it will be the earliest fruit i th country for youll be rotten ere you be half ripe and thats the right virtue of the medlar
TOUCHSTONE
You have said but whether wisely or no let the forest judge
Enter Celia as Aliena reading a paper
ROSALIND
Peace here comes my sister reading Stand aside
CELIA
Reads
Why should this a desert be
For it is unpeopled No
Tongues Ill hang on every tree
That shall civil sayings show
Some how brief the life of man
Runs his erring pilgrimage
That the streching of a span
Buckles in his sum of age
Some of violated vows
Twixt the souls of friend and friend
But upon the fairest boughs
Or at every sentence end
Will I Rosalinda write
Teaching all that read to know
The quintessence of every sprite
Heaven would in little show
Therefore heaven nature charged
That one body should be filled
With all graces wideenlarged
Nature presently distilled
Helens cheek but not her heart
Cleopatras majesty
Atalantas better part
Sad Lucretias modesty
Thus Rosalind of many parts
By heavenly synod was devised
Of many faces eyes and hearts
To have the touches dearest prized
Heaven would that she these gifts should have
And I to live and die her slave
ROSALIND
O most gentle Jupiter what tedious homily of love have you wearied your parishioners withal and never cried Have patience good people
CELIA
How now Back friends Shepherd go off a little Go with him sirrah
TOUCHSTONE
Come shepherd let us make an honourable retreat though not with bag and baggage yet with scrip and scrippage
Exeunt Corin and Touchstone
CELIA
Didst thou hear these verses
ROSALIND
O yes I heard them all and more too for some of them had in them more feet than the verses would bear
CELIA
Thats no matter The feet might bear the verses
ROSALIND
Ay but the feet were lame and could not bear themselves without the verse and therefore stood lamely in the verse
CELIA
But didst thou hear without wondering how thy name should be hanged and carved upon these trees
ROSALIND
I was seven of the nine days out of the wonder before you came for look here what I found on a palmtree I was never so berhymed since Pythagoras time that I was an Irish rat which I can hardly remember
CELIA
Trow you who hath done this
ROSALIND
Is it a man
CELIA
And a chain that you once wore about his neck Change you colour
ROSALIND
I prithee who
CELIA
O Lord Lord it is a hard matter for friends to meet but mountains may be removed with earthquakes and so encounter
ROSALIND
Nay but who is it
CELIA
Is it possible
ROSALIND
Nay I prithee now with most petitionary vehemence tell me who it is
CELIA
O wonderful wonderful most wonderful wonderful and yet again wonderful and after that out of all whooping
ROSALIND
Good my complexion Dost thou think though I am caparisoned like a man I have a doublet and hose in my disposition One inch of delay more is a South Sea of discovery I prithee tell me who is it quickly and speak apace I would thou couldst stammer that thou mightst pour this concealed man out of thy mouth as wine comes out of narrowmouthed bottleeither too much at once or none at all I prithee take the cork out of thy mouth that I may drink thy tidings
CELIA
So you may put a man in your belly
ROSALIND
Is he of Gods making What manner of man Is his head worth a hat or his chin worth a beard
CELIA
Nay he hath but a little beard
ROSALIND
Why God will send more if the man will be thankful Let me stay the growth of his beard if thou delay me not the knowledge of his chin
CELIA
It is young Orlando that tripped up the wrestlers heels and your heart both in an instant
ROSALIND
Nay but the devil take mocking Speak sad brow and true maid
CELIA
I faith coz tis he
ROSALIND
Orlando
CELIA
Orlando
ROSALIND
Alas the day what shall I do with my doublet and hose What did he when thou sawst him What said he How looked he Wherein went he What makes he here Did he ask for me Where remains he How parted he with thee And when shalt thou see him again Answer me in one word
CELIA
You must borrow me Gargantuas mouth first Tis a word too great for any mouth of this ages size To say ay and no to these particulars is more than to answer in a catechism
ROSALIND
But doth he know that I am in this forest and in mans apparel Looks he as freshly as he did the day he wrestled
CELIA
It is as easy to count atomies as to resolve the propositions of a lover But take a taste of my finding him and relish it with good observance I found him under a tree like a dropped acorn
ROSALIND
It may well be called Joves tree when it drops forth such fruit
CELIA
Give me audience good madam
ROSALIND
Proceed
CELIA
There lay he stretched along like a wounded knight
ROSALIND
Though it be pity to see such a sight it well becomes the ground
CELIA
Cry holla to thy tongue I prithee It curvets unseasonably He was furnished like a hunter
ROSALIND
O ominous He comes to kill my heart
CELIA
I would sing my song without a burden Thou bringst me out of tune
ROSALIND
Do you not know I am a woman When I think I must speak Sweet say on
Enter Orlando and Jaques
CELIA
You bring me out Soft comes he not here
ROSALIND
Tis he Slink by and note him
Rosalind and Celia step aside
JAQUES
I thank you for your company but good faith I had as lief have been myself alone
ORLANDO
And so had I but yet for fashion sake I thank you too for your society
JAQUES
God be wi you lets meet as little as we can
ORLANDO
I do desire we may be better strangers
JAQUES
I pray you mar no more trees with writing love songs in their barks
ORLANDO
I pray you mar no more of my verses with reading them illfavouredly
JAQUES
Rosalind is your loves name
ORLANDO
Yes just
JAQUES
I do not like her name
ORLANDO
There was no thought of pleasing you when she was christened
JAQUES
What stature is she of
ORLANDO
Just as high as my heart
JAQUES
You are full of pretty answers Have you not been acquainted with goldsmiths wives and conned them out of rings
ORLANDO
Not so but I answer you right painted cloth from whence you have studied your questions
JAQUES
You have a nimble wit I think twas made of Atalantas heels Will you sit down with me And we two will rail against our mistress the world and all our misery
ORLANDO
I will chide no breather in the world but myself against whom I know most faults
JAQUES
The worst fault you have is to be in love
ORLANDO
Tis a fault I will not change for your best virtue I am weary of you
JAQUES
By my troth I was seeking for a fool when I found you
ORLANDO
He is drowned in the brook Look but in and you shall see him
JAQUES
There I shall see mine own figure
ORLANDO
Which I take to be either a fool or a cipher
JAQUES
Ill tarry no longer with you Farewell good Signior Love
ORLANDO
I am glad of your departure Adieu good Monsieur Melancholy
Exit JaquesCelia and Rosalind come forward
ROSALIND
I will speak to him like a saucy lackey and under that habit play the knave with him
Do you hear forester
ORLANDO
Very well What would you
ROSALIND
I pray you what ist oclock
ORLANDO
You should ask me what time o day Theres no clock in the forest
ROSALIND
Then there is no true lover in the forest else sighing every minute and groaning every hour would detect the lazy foot of time as well as a clock
ORLANDO
And why not the swift foot of time Had not that been as proper
ROSALIND
By no means sir Time travels in divers paces with divers persons Ill tell you who time ambles withal who time trots withal who time gallops withal and who he stands still withal
ORLANDO
I prithee who doth he trot withal
ROSALIND
Marry he trots hard with a young maid between the contract of her marriage and the day it is solemnized If the interim be but a sennight times pace is so hard that it seems the length of seven year
ORLANDO
Who ambles time withal
ROSALIND
With a priest that lacks Latin and a rich man that hath not the gout for the one sleeps easily because he cannot study and the other lives merrily because he feels no pain the one lacking the burden of lean and wasteful learning the other knowing no burden of heavy tedious penury These time ambles withal
ORLANDO
Who doth he gallop withal
ROSALIND
With a thief to the gallows for though he go as softly as foot can fall he thinks himself too soon there
ORLANDO
Who stays it still withal
ROSALIND
With lawyers in the vacation for they sleep between term and term and then they perceive not how time moves
ORLANDO
Where dwell you pretty youth
ROSALIND
With this shepherdess my sister here in the skirts of the forest like fringe upon a petticoat
ORLANDO
Are you native of this place
ROSALIND
As the coney that you see dwell where she is kindled
ORLANDO
Your accent is something finer than you could purchase in so removed a dwelling
ROSALIND
I have been told so of many But indeed an old religious uncle of mine taught me to speak who was in his youth an inland man one that knew courtship too well for there he fell in love I have heard him read many lectures against it and I thank God I am not a woman to be touched with so many giddy offences as he hath generally taxed their whole sex withal
ORLANDO
Can you remember any of the principal evils that he laid to the charge of women
ROSALIND
There were none principal They were all like one another as halfpence are every one fault seeming monstrous till his fellow fault came to match it
ORLANDO
I prithee recount some of them
ROSALIND
No I will not cast away my physic but on those that are sick There is a man haunts the forest that abuses our young plants with carving Rosalind on their barks hangs odes upon hawthorns and elegies on brambles all forsooth deifying the name of Rosalind If I could meet that fancymonger I would give him some good counsel for he seems to have the quotidian of love upon him
ORLANDO
I am he that is so loveshaked I pray you tell me your remedy
ROSALIND
There is none of my uncles marks upon you He taught me how to know a man in love in which cage of rushes I am sure you are not prisoner
ORLANDO
What were his marks
ROSALIND
A lean cheek which you have not a blue eye and sunken which you have not an unquestionable spirit which you have not a beard neglected which you have notbut I pardon you for that for simply your having in beard is a younger brothers revenue Then your hose should be ungartered your bonnet unbanded your sleeve unbuttoned your shoe untied and everything about you demonstrating a careless desolation But you are no such man You are rather pointdevice in your accoutrements as loving yourself than seeming the lover of any other
ORLANDO
Fair youth I would I could make thee believe I love
ROSALIND
Me believe it You may as soon make her that you love believe it which I warrant she is apter to do than to confess she does That is one of the points in the which women still give the lie to their consciences But in good sooth are you he that hangs the verses on the trees wherein Rosalind is so admired
ORLANDO
I swear to thee youth by the white hand of Rosalind I am that he that unfortunate he
ROSALIND
But are you so much in love as your rhymes speak
ORLANDO
Neither rhyme nor reason can express how much
ROSALIND
Love is merely a madness and I tell you deserves as well a dark house and a whip as madmen do and the reason why they are not so punished and cured is that the lunacy is so ordinary that the whippers are in love too Yet I profess curing it by counsel
ORLANDO
Did you ever cure any so
ROSALIND
Yes one and in this manner He was to imagine me his love his mistress and I set him every day to woo me at which time would I being but a moonish youth grieve be effeminate changeable longing and liking proud fantastical apish shallow inconstant full of tears full of smiles for every passion something and for no passion truly anything as boys and women are for the most part cattle of this colour would now like him now loathe him then entertain him then forswear him now weep for him then spit at him that I drave my suitor from his mad humour of love to a living humour of madness which was to forswear the full stream of the world and to live in a nook merely monastic And thus I cured him and this way will I take upon me to wash your liver as clean as a sound sheeps heart that there shall not be one spot of love in t
ORLANDO
I would not be cured youth
ROSALIND
I would cure you if you would but call me Rosalind and come every day to my cote and woo me
ORLANDO
Now by the faith of my love I will Tell me where it is
ROSALIND
Go with me to it and Ill show it you and by the way you shall tell me where in the forest you live Will you go
ORLANDO
With all my heart good youth
ROSALIND
Nay you must call me Rosalind Come sister will you go
Exeunt
SCENE III Another part of the Forest
Enter Touchstone and Audrey Jaques at a distance observing them
TOUCHSTONE
Come apace good Audrey I will fetch up your goats Audrey And how Audrey Am I the man yet Doth my simple feature content you
AUDREY
Your features Lord warrant us What features
TOUCHSTONE
I am here with thee and thy goats as the most capricious poet honest Ovid was among the Goths
JAQUES
Aside O knowledge illinhabited worse than Jove in a thatched house
TOUCHSTONE
When a mans verses cannot be understood nor a mans good wit seconded with the forward child understanding it strikes a man more dead than a great reckoning in a little room Truly I would the gods had made thee poetical
AUDREY
I do not know what poetical is Is it honest in deed and word Is it a true thing
TOUCHSTONE
No truly for the truest poetry is the most feigning and lovers are given to poetry and what they swear in poetry may be said as lovers they do feign
AUDREY
Do you wish then that the gods had made me poetical
TOUCHSTONE
I do truly for thou swearst to me thou art honest Now if thou wert a poet I might have some hope thou didst feign
AUDREY
Would you not have me honest
TOUCHSTONE
No truly unless thou wert hardfavoured for honesty coupled to beauty is to have honey a sauce to sugar
JAQUES
Aside A material fool
AUDREY
Well I am not fair and therefore I pray the gods make me honest
TOUCHSTONE
Truly and to cast away honesty upon a foul slut were to put good meat into an unclean dish
AUDREY
I am not a slut though I thank the gods I am foul
TOUCHSTONE
Well praised be the gods for thy foulness sluttishness may come hereafter But be it as it may be I will marry thee And to that end I have been with Sir Oliver Martext the vicar of the next village who hath promised to meet me in this place of the forest and to couple us
JAQUES
Aside I would fain see this meeting
AUDREY
Well the gods give us joy
TOUCHSTONE
Amen A man may if he were of a fearful heart stagger in this attempt for here we have no temple but the wood no assembly but hornbeasts But what though Courage As horns are odious they are necessary It is said Many a man knows no end of his goods Right Many a man has good horns and knows no end of them Well that is the dowry of his wife tis none of his own getting Horns Even so Poor men alone No no the noblest deer hath them as huge as the rascal Is the single man therefore blessed No As a walled town is more worthier than a village so is the forehead of a married man more honourable than the bare brow of a bachelor And by how much defence is better than no skill by so much is horn more precious than to want
Enter Sir Oliver Martext
Here comes Sir Oliver Sir Oliver Martext you are well met Will you dispatch us here under this tree or shall we go with you to your chapel
MARTEXT
Is there none here to give the woman
TOUCHSTONE
I will not take her on gift of any man
MARTEXT
Truly she must be given or the marriage is not lawful
JAQUES
Coming forward Proceed proceed Ill give her
TOUCHSTONE
Good even good Master Whatyecallt how do you sir You are very well met God ild you for your last company I am very glad to see you Even a toy in hand here sir Nay pray be covered
JAQUES
Will you be married motley
TOUCHSTONE
As the ox hath his bow sir the horse his curb and the falcon her bells so man hath his desires and as pigeons bill so wedlock would be nibbling
JAQUES
And will you being a man of your breeding be married under a bush like a beggar Get you to church and have a good priest that can tell you what marriage is This fellow will but join you together as they join wainscot then one of you will prove a shrunk panel and like green timber warp warp
TOUCHSTONE
Aside I am not in the mind but I were better to be married of him than of another for he is not like to marry me well and not being well married it will be a good excuse for me hereafter to leave my wife
JAQUES
Go thou with me and let me counsel thee
TOUCHSTONE
Come sweet Audrey We must be married or we must live in bawdry
Farewell good Master Oliver Not
O sweet Oliver
O brave Oliver
Leave me not behind thee
But
Wind away
Begone I say
I will not to wedding with thee
Exeunt Touchstone Audrey and Jaques
MARTEXT
Tis no matter Neer a fantastical knave of them all shall flout me out of my calling
Exit
SCENE IV Another part of the Forest Before a Cottage
Enter Rosalind and Celia
ROSALIND
Never talk to me I will weep
CELIA
Do I prithee but yet have the grace to consider that tears do not become a man
ROSALIND
But have I not cause to weep
CELIA
As good cause as one would desire therefore weep
ROSALIND
His very hair is of the dissembling colour
CELIA
Something browner than Judass Marry his kisses are Judass own children
ROSALIND
I faith his hair is of a good colour
CELIA
An excellent colour Your chestnut was ever the only colour
ROSALIND
And his kissing is as full of sanctity as the touch of holy bread
CELIA
He hath bought a pair of cast lips of Diana A nun of winters sisterhood kisses not more religiously the very ice of chastity is in them
ROSALIND
But why did he swear he would come this morning and comes not
CELIA
Nay certainly there is no truth in him
ROSALIND
Do you think so
CELIA
Yes I think he is not a pickpurse nor a horsestealer but for his verity in love I do think him as concave as a covered goblet or a wormeaten nut
ROSALIND
Not true in love
CELIA
Yes when he is in but I think he is not in
ROSALIND
You have heard him swear downright he was
CELIA
Was is not is Besides the oath of a lover is no stronger than the word of a tapster They are both the confirmer of false reckonings He attends here in the forest on the Duke your father
ROSALIND
I met the Duke yesterday and had much question with him He asked me of what parentage I was I told him of as good as he so he laughed and let me go But what talk we of fathers when there is such a man as Orlando
CELIA
O thats a brave man He writes brave verses speaks brave words swears brave oaths and breaks them bravely quite traverse athwart the heart of his lover as a puny tilter that spurs his horse but on one side breaks his staff like a noble goose But alls brave that youth mounts and folly guides Who comes here
Enter Corin
CORIN
Mistress and master you have oft enquired
After the shepherd that complained of love
Who you saw sitting by me on the turf
Praising the proud disdainful shepherdess
That was his mistress
CELIA
Well and what of him
CORIN
If you will see a pageant truly played
Between the pale complexion of true love
And the red glow of scorn and proud disdain
Go hence a little and I shall conduct you
If you will mark it
ROSALIND
O come let us remove
The sight of lovers feedeth those in love
Bring us to this sight and you shall say
Ill prove a busy actor in their play
Exeunt
SCENE V Another part of the Forest
Enter Silvius and Phoebe
SILVIUS
Sweet Phoebe do not scorn me do not Phoebe
Say that you love me not but say not so
In bitterness The common executioner
Whose heart th accustomed sight of death makes hard
Falls not the axe upon the humbled neck
But first begs pardon Will you sterner be
Than he that dies and lives by bloody drops
Enter Rosalind Celia and Corin at a distance
PHOEBE
I would not be thy executioner
I fly thee for I would not injure thee
Thou tellst me there is murder in mine eye
Tis pretty sure and very probable
That eyes that are the frailst and softest things
Who shut their coward gates on atomies
Should be called tyrants butchers murderers
Now I do frown on thee with all my heart
And if mine eyes can wound now let them kill thee
Now counterfeit to swoon why now fall down
Or if thou canst not O for shame for shame
Lie not to say mine eyes are murderers
Now show the wound mine eye hath made in thee
Scratch thee but with a pin and there remains
Some scar of it lean upon a rush
The cicatrice and capable impressure
Thy palm some moment keeps But now mine eyes
Which I have darted at thee hurt thee not
Nor I am sure there is not force in eyes
That can do hurt
SILVIUS
O dear Phoebe
If everas that ever may be near
You meet in some fresh cheek the power of fancy
Then shall you know the wounds invisible
That loves keen arrows make
PHOEBE
But till that time
Come not thou near me And when that time comes
Afflict me with thy mocks pity me not
As till that time I shall not pity thee
ROSALIND
Advancing And why I pray you Who might be your mother
That you insult exult and all at once
Over the wretched What though you have no beauty
As by my faith I see no more in you
Than without candle may go dark to bed
Must you be therefore proud and pitiless
Why what means this Why do you look on me
I see no more in you than in the ordinary
Of natures salework Ods my little life
I think she means to tangle my eyes too
No faith proud mistress hope not after it
Tis not your inky brows your black silk hair
Your bugle eyeballs nor your cheek of cream
That can entame my spirits to your worship
You foolish shepherd wherefore do you follow her
Like foggy south puffing with wind and rain
You are a thousand times a properer man
Than she a woman Tis such fools as you
That makes the world full of illfavoured children
Tis not her glass but you that flatters her
And out of you she sees herself more proper
Than any of her lineaments can show her
But mistress know yourself down on your knees
And thank heaven fasting for a good mans love
For I must tell you friendly in your ear
Sell when you can you are not for all markets
Cry the man mercy love him take his offer
Foul is most foul being foul to be a scoffer
So take her to thee shepherd Fare you well
PHOEBE
Sweet youth I pray you chide a year together
I had rather hear you chide than this man woo
ROSALIND
Hes falln in love with your foulness and shell fall in love with my anger If it be so as fast as she answers thee with frowning looks Ill sauce her with bitter words Why look you so upon me
PHOEBE
For no ill will I bear you
ROSALIND
I pray you do not fall in love with me
For I am falser than vows made in wine
Besides I like you not If you will know my house
Tis at the tuft of olives here hard by
Will you go sister Shepherd ply her hard
Come sister Shepherdess look on him better
And be not proud Though all the world could see
None could be so abused in sight as he
Come to our flock
Exeunt Rosalind Celia and Corin
PHOEBE
Dead shepherd now I find thy saw of might
Who ever loved that loved not at first sight
SILVIUS
Sweet Phoebe
PHOEBE
Ha what sayst thou Silvius
SILVIUS
Sweet Phoebe pity me
PHOEBE
Why I am sorry for thee gentle Silvius
SILVIUS
Wherever sorrow is relief would be
If you do sorrow at my grief in love
By giving love your sorrow and my grief
Were both extermined
PHOEBE
Thou hast my love Is not that neighbourly
SILVIUS
I would have you
PHOEBE
Why that were covetousness
Silvius the time was that I hated thee
And yet it is not that I bear thee love
But since that thou canst talk of love so well
Thy company which erst was irksome to me
I will endure and Ill employ thee too
But do not look for further recompense
Than thine own gladness that thou art employed
SILVIUS
So holy and so perfect is my love
And I in such a poverty of grace
That I shall think it a most plenteous crop
To glean the broken ears after the man
That the main harvest reaps Loose now and then
A scattered smile and that Ill live upon
PHOEBE
Knowst thou the youth that spoke to me erewhile
SILVIUS
Not very well but I have met him oft
And he hath bought the cottage and the bounds
That the old carlot once was master of
PHOEBE
Think not I love him though I ask for him
Tis but a peevish boyyet he talks well
But what care I for words Yet words do well
When he that speaks them pleases those that hear
It is a pretty youthnot very pretty
But sure hes proud and yet his pride becomes him
Hell make a proper man The best thing in him
Is his complexion and faster than his tongue
Did make offence his eye did heal it up
He is not very tall yet for his years hes tall
His leg is but soso and yet tis well
There was a pretty redness in his lip
A little riper and more lusty red
Than that mixed in his cheek Twas just the difference
Betwixt the constant red and mingled damask
There be some women Silvius had they marked him
In parcels as I did would have gone near
To fall in love with him but for my part
I love him not nor hate him not and yet
I have more cause to hate him than to love him
For what had he to do to chide at me
He said mine eyes were black and my hair black
And now I am remembered scorned at me
I marvel why I answered not again
But thats all one omittance is no quittance
Ill write to him a very taunting letter
And thou shalt bear it Wilt thou Silvius
SILVIUS
Phoebe with all my heart
PHOEBE
Ill write it straight
The matters in my head and in my heart
I will be bitter with him and passing short
Go with me Silvius
Exeunt
ACT IV
SCENE I The Forest of Arden
Enter Rosalind Celia and Jaques
JAQUES
I prithee pretty youth let me be better acquainted with thee
ROSALIND
They say you are a melancholy fellow
JAQUES
I am so I do love it better than laughing
ROSALIND
Those that are in extremity of either are abominable fellows and betray themselves to every modern censure worse than drunkards
JAQUES
Why tis good to be sad and say nothing
ROSALIND
Why then tis good to be a post
JAQUES
I have neither the scholars melancholy which is emulation nor the musicians which is fantastical nor the courtiers which is proud nor the soldiers which is ambitious nor the lawyers which is politic nor the ladys which is nice nor the lovers which is all these but it is a melancholy of mine own compounded of many simples extracted from many objects and indeed the sundry contemplation of my travels in which my often rumination wraps me in a most humorous sadness
ROSALIND
A traveller By my faith you have great reason to be sad I fear you have sold your own lands to see other mens Then to have seen much and to have nothing is to have rich eyes and poor hands
JAQUES
Yes I have gained my experience
ROSALIND
And your experience makes you sad I had rather have a fool to make me merry than experience to make me sadand to travel for it too
Enter Orlando
ORLANDO
Good day and happiness dear Rosalind
JAQUES
Nay then God be wi you an you talk in blank verse
ROSALIND
Farewell Monsieur Traveller Look you lisp and wear strange suits disable all the benefits of your own country be out of love with your nativity and almost chide God for making you that countenance you are or I will scarce think you have swam in a gondola
Exit Jaques
Why how now Orlando where have you been all this while You a lover An you serve me such another trick never come in my sight more
ORLANDO
My fair Rosalind I come within an hour of my promise
ROSALIND
Break an hours promise in love He that will divide a minute into a thousand parts and break but a part of the thousand part of a minute in the affairs of love it may be said of him that Cupid hath clapped him o the shoulder but Ill warrant him heartwhole
ORLANDO
Pardon me dear Rosalind
ROSALIND
Nay an you be so tardy come no more in my sight I had as lief be wooed of a snail
ORLANDO
Of a snail
ROSALIND
Ay of a snail for though he comes slowly he carries his house on his heada better jointure I think than you make a woman Besides he brings his destiny with him
ORLANDO
Whats that
ROSALIND
Why horns which such as you are fain to be beholding to your wives for But he comes armed in his fortune and prevents the slander of his wife
ORLANDO
Virtue is no hornmaker and my Rosalind is virtuous
ROSALIND
And I am your Rosalind
CELIA
It pleases him to call you so but he hath a Rosalind of a better leer than you
ROSALIND
Come woo me woo me for now I am in a holiday humour and like enough to consent What would you say to me now an I were your very very Rosalind
ORLANDO
I would kiss before I spoke
ROSALIND
Nay you were better speak first and when you were gravelled for lack of matter you might take occasion to kiss Very good orators when they are out they will spit and for lovers lackingGod warn usmatter the cleanliest shift is to kiss
ORLANDO
How if the kiss be denied
ROSALIND
Then she puts you to entreaty and there begins new matter
ORLANDO
Who could be out being before his beloved mistress
ROSALIND
Marry that should you if I were your mistress or I should think my honesty ranker than my wit
ORLANDO
What of my suit
ROSALIND
Not out of your apparel and yet out of your suit Am not I your Rosalind
ORLANDO
I take some joy to say you are because I would be talking of her
ROSALIND
Well in her person I say I will not have you
ORLANDO
Then in mine own person I die
ROSALIND
No faith die by attorney The poor world is almost six thousand years old and in all this time there was not any man died in his own person videlicet in a lovecause Troilus had his brains dashed out with a Grecian club yet he did what he could to die before and he is one of the patterns of love Leander he would have lived many a fair year though Hero had turned nun if it had not been for a hot midsummer night for good youth he went but forth to wash him in the Hellespont and being taken with the cramp was drowned and the foolish chroniclers of that age found it was Hero of Sestos But these are all lies Men have died from time to time and worms have eaten them but not for love
ORLANDO
I would not have my right Rosalind of this mind for I protest her frown might kill me
ROSALIND
By this hand it will not kill a fly But come now I will be your Rosalind in a more comingon disposition and ask me what you will I will grant it
ORLANDO
Then love me Rosalind
ROSALIND
Yes faith will I Fridays and Saturdays and all
ORLANDO
And wilt thou have me
ROSALIND
Ay and twenty such
ORLANDO
What sayest thou
ROSALIND
Are you not good
ORLANDO
I hope so
ROSALIND
Why then can one desire too much of a good thingCome sister you shall be the priest and marry usGive me your hand OrlandoWhat do you say sister
ORLANDO
Pray thee marry us
CELIA
I cannot say the words
ROSALIND
You must begin Will you Orlando
CELIA
Go toWill you Orlando have to wife this Rosalind
ORLANDO
I will
ROSALIND
Ay but when
ORLANDO
Why now as fast as she can marry us
ROSALIND
Then you must say I take thee Rosalind for wife
ORLANDO
I take thee Rosalind for wife
ROSALIND
I might ask you for your commission But I do take thee Orlando for my husband Theres a girl goes before the priest and certainly a womans thought runs before her actions
ORLANDO
So do all thoughts They are winged
ROSALIND
Now tell me how long you would have her after you have possessed her
ORLANDO
For ever and a day
ROSALIND
Say a day without the ever No no Orlando men are April when they woo December when they wed Maids are May when they are maids but the sky changes when they are wives I will be more jealous of thee than a Barbary cockpigeon over his hen more clamorous than a parrot against rain more newfangled than an ape more giddy in my desires than a monkey I will weep for nothing like Diana in the fountain and I will do that when you are disposed to be merry I will laugh like a hyena and that when thou are inclined to sleep
ORLANDO
But will my Rosalind do so
ROSALIND
By my life she will do as I do
ORLANDO
O but she is wise
ROSALIND
Or else she could not have the wit to do this The wiser the waywarder Make the doors upon a womans wit and it will out at the casement Shut that and twill out at the keyhole Stop that twill fly with the smoke out at the chimney
ORLANDO
A man that had a wife with such a wit he might say Wit whither wilt
ROSALIND
Nay you might keep that check for it till you met your wifes wit going to your neighbours bed
ORLANDO
And what wit could wit have to excuse that
ROSALIND
Marry to say she came to seek you there You shall never take her without her answer unless you take her without her tongue O that woman that cannot make her fault her husbands occasion let her never nurse her child herself for she will breed it like a fool
ORLANDO
For these two hours Rosalind I will leave thee
ROSALIND
Alas dear love I cannot lack thee two hours
ORLANDO
I must attend the Duke at dinner By two oclock I will be with thee again
ROSALIND
Ay go your ways go your ways I knew what you would prove My friends told me as much and I thought no less That flattering tongue of yours won me Tis but one cast away and so come death Two oclock is your hour
ORLANDO
Ay sweet Rosalind
ROSALIND
By my troth and in good earnest and so God mend me and by all pretty oaths that are not dangerous if you break one jot of your promise or come one minute behind your hour I will think you the most pathetical breakpromise and the most hollow lover and the most unworthy of her you call Rosalind that may be chosen out of the gross band of the unfaithful Therefore beware my censure and keep your promise
ORLANDO
With no less religion than if thou wert indeed my Rosalind So adieu
ROSALIND
Well Time is the old justice that examines all such offenders and let time try Adieu
Exit Orlando
CELIA
You have simply misused our sex in your loveprate We must have your doublet and hose plucked over your head and show the world what the bird hath done to her own nest
ROSALIND
O coz coz coz my pretty little coz that thou didst know how many fathom deep I am in love But it cannot be sounded my affection hath an unknown bottom like the Bay of Portugal
CELIA
Or rather bottomless that as fast as you pour affection in it runs out
ROSALIND
No that same wicked bastard of Venus that was begot of thought conceived of spleen and born of madness that blind rascally boy that abuses everyones eyes because his own are out let him be judge how deep I am in love Ill tell thee Aliena I cannot be out of the sight of Orlando Ill go find a shadow and sigh till he come
CELIA
And Ill sleep
Exeunt
SCENE II Another part of the Forest
Enter Jaques and Lords like foresters
JAQUES
Which is he that killed the deer
FIRST LORD
Sir it was I
JAQUES
Lets present him to the Duke like a Roman conqueror and it would do well to set the deers horns upon his head for a branch of victory Have you no song forester for this purpose
SECOND LORD
Yes sir
JAQUES
Sing it Tis no matter how it be in tune so it make noise enough
SONG
SECOND LORD
Sings
What shall he have that killed the deer
His leather skin and horns to wear
Then sing him home
The rest shall bear this burden
Take thou no scorn to wear the horn
It was a crest ere thou wast born
Thy fathers father wore it
And thy father bore it
The horn the horn the lusty horn
Is not a thing to laugh to scorn
Exeunt
SCENE III Another part of the Forest
Enter Rosalind and Celia
ROSALIND
How say you now Is it not past two oclock And here much Orlando
CELIA
I warrant you with pure love and troubled brain he hath taen his bow and arrows and is gone forth to sleep
Enter Silvius
Look who comes here
SILVIUS
My errand is to you fair youth
My gentle Phoebe did bid me give you this
Giving a letter
I know not the contents but as I guess
By the stern brow and waspish action
Which she did use as she was writing of it
It bears an angry tenor Pardon me
I am but as a guiltless messenger
ROSALIND
Patience herself would startle at this letter
And play the swaggerer Bear this bear all
She says I am not fair that I lack manners
She calls me proud and that she could not love me
Were man as rare as phoenix Ods my will
Her love is not the hare that I do hunt
Why writes she so to me Well shepherd well
This is a letter of your own device
SILVIUS
No I protest I know not the contents
Phoebe did write it
ROSALIND
Come come you are a fool
And turned into the extremity of love
I saw her hand She has a leathern hand
A freestonecoloured hand I verily did think
That her old gloves were on but twas her hands
She has a huswifes handbut thats no matter
I say she never did invent this letter
This is a mans invention and his hand
SILVIUS
Sure it is hers
ROSALIND
Why tis a boisterous and a cruel style
A style for challengers Why she defies me
Like Turk to Christian Womens gentle brain
Could not drop forth such giantrude invention
Such Ethiop words blacker in their effect
Than in their countenance Will you hear the letter
SILVIUS
So please you for I never heard it yet
Yet heard too much of Phoebes cruelty
ROSALIND
She Phoebes me Mark how the tyrant writes
Reads
Art thou god to shepherd turned
That a maidens heart hath burned
Can a woman rail thus
SILVIUS
Call you this railing
ROSALIND
Why thy godhead laid apart
Warrst thou with a womans heart
Did you ever hear such railing
Whiles the eye of man did woo me
That could do no vengeance to me
Meaning me a beast
If the scorn of your bright eyne
Have power to raise such love in mine
Alack in me what strange effect
Would they work in mild aspect
Whiles you chid me I did love
How then might your prayers move
He that brings this love to thee
Little knows this love in me
And by him seal up thy mind
Whether that thy youth and kind
Will the faithful offer take
Of me and all that I can make
Or else by him my love deny
And then Ill study how to die
SILVIUS
Call you this chiding
CELIA
Alas poor shepherd
ROSALIND
Do you pity him No he deserves no pityWilt thou love such a woman What to make thee an instrument and play false strains upon thee Not to be endured Well go your way to her for I see love hath made thee a tame snake and say this to her that if she love me I charge her to love thee if she will not I will never have her unless thou entreat for her If you be a true lover hence and not a word for here comes more company
Exit Silvius
Enter Oliver
OLIVER
Good morrow fair ones Pray you if you know
Where in the purlieus of this forest stands
A sheepcote fenced about with olive trees
CELIA
West of this place down in the neighbour bottom
The rank of osiers by the murmuring stream
Left on your right hand brings you to the place
But at this hour the house doth keep itself
Theres none within
OLIVER
If that an eye may profit by a tongue
Then should I know you by description
Such garments and such years The boy is fair
Of female favour and bestows himself
Like a ripe sister the woman low
And browner than her brother Are not you
The owner of the house I did inquire for
CELIA
It is no boast being asked to say we are
OLIVER
Orlando doth commend him to you both
And to that youth he calls his Rosalind
He sends this bloody napkin Are you he
ROSALIND
I am What must we understand by this
OLIVER
Some of my shame if you will know of me
What man I am and how and why and where
This handkerchief was stained
CELIA
I pray you tell it
OLIVER
When last the young Orlando parted from you
He left a promise to return again
Within an hour and pacing through the forest
Chewing the food of sweet and bitter fancy
Lo what befell He threw his eye aside
And mark what object did present itself
Under an oak whose boughs were mossed with age
And high top bald with dry antiquity
A wretched ragged man oergrown with hair
Lay sleeping on his back about his neck
A green and gilded snake had wreathed itself
Who with her head nimble in threats approached
The opening of his mouth But suddenly
Seeing Orlando it unlinked itself
And with indented glides did slip away
Into a bush under which bushs shade
A lioness with udders all drawn dry
Lay couching head on ground with catlike watch
When that the sleeping man should stir For tis
The royal disposition of that beast
To prey on nothing that doth seem as dead
This seen Orlando did approach the man
And found it was his brother his elder brother
CELIA
O I have heard him speak of that same brother
And he did render him the most unnatural
That lived amongst men
OLIVER
And well he might so do
For well I know he was unnatural
ROSALIND
But to Orlando did he leave him there
Food to the sucked and hungry lioness
OLIVER
Twice did he turn his back and purposed so
But kindness nobler ever than revenge
And nature stronger than his just occasion
Made him give battle to the lioness
Who quickly fell before him in which hurtling
From miserable slumber I awaked
CELIA
Are you his brother
ROSALIND
Was it you he rescued
CELIA
Wast you that did so oft contrive to kill him
OLIVER
Twas I but tis not I I do not shame
To tell you what I was since my conversion
So sweetly tastes being the thing I am
ROSALIND
But for the bloody napkin
OLIVER
By and by
When from the first to last betwixt us two
Tears our recountments had most kindly bathed
As how I came into that desert place
In brief he led me to the gentle Duke
Who gave me fresh array and entertainment
Committing me unto my brothers love
Who led me instantly unto his cave
There stripped himself and here upon his arm
The lioness had torn some flesh away
Which all this while had bled and now he fainted
And cried in fainting upon Rosalind
Brief I recovered him bound up his wound
And after some small space being strong at heart
He sent me hither stranger as I am
To tell this story that you might excuse
His broken promise and to give this napkin
Dyed in his blood unto the shepherd youth
That he in sport doth call his Rosalind
Rosalind faints
CELIA
Why how now Ganymede sweet Ganymede
OLIVER
Many will swoon when they do look on blood
CELIA
There is more in it CousinGanymede
OLIVER
Look he recovers
ROSALIND
I would I were at home
CELIA
Well lead you thither
I pray you will you take him by the arm
OLIVER
Be of good cheer youth You a man You lack a mans heart
ROSALIND
I do so I confess it Ah sirrah a body would think this was well counterfeited I pray you tell your brother how well I counterfeited Heighho
OLIVER
This was not counterfeit There is too great testimony in your complexion that it was a passion of earnest
ROSALIND
Counterfeit I assure you
OLIVER
Well then take a good heart and counterfeit to be a man
ROSALIND
So I do But i faith I should have been a woman by right
CELIA
Come you look paler and paler Pray you draw homewards Good sir go with us
OLIVER
That will I for I must bear answer back
How you excuse my brother Rosalind
ROSALIND
I shall devise something But I pray you commend my counterfeiting to him Will you go
Exeunt
ACT V
SCENE I The Forest of Arden
Enter Touchstone and Audrey
TOUCHSTONE
We shall find a time Audrey patience gentle Audrey
AUDREY
Faith the priest was good enough for all the old gentlemans saying
TOUCHSTONE
A most wicked Sir Oliver Audrey a most vile Martext But Audrey there is a youth here in the forest lays claim to you
AUDREY
Ay I know who tis He hath no interest in me in the world
Enter William
Here comes the man you mean
TOUCHSTONE
It is meat and drink to me to see a clown By my troth we that have good wits have much to answer for We shall be flouting we cannot hold
WILLIAM
Good evn Audrey
AUDREY
God ye good evn William
WILLIAM
And good evn to you sir
TOUCHSTONE
Good evn gentle friend Cover thy head cover thy head Nay prithee be covered How old are you friend
WILLIAM
Fiveandtwenty sir
TOUCHSTONE
A ripe age Is thy name William
WILLIAM
William sir
TOUCHSTONE
A fair name Wast born i th forest here
WILLIAM
Ay sir I thank God
TOUCHSTONE
Thank God A good answer Art rich
WILLIAM
Faith sir soso
TOUCHSTONE
Soso is good very good very excellent good And yet it is not it is but soso Art thou wise
WILLIAM
Ay sir I have a pretty wit
TOUCHSTONE
Why thou sayst well I do now remember a saying The fool doth think he is wise but the wise man knows himself to be a fool The heathen philosopher when he had a desire to eat a grape would open his lips when he put it into his mouth meaning thereby that grapes were made to eat and lips to open You do love this maid
WILLIAM
I do sir
TOUCHSTONE
Give me your hand Art thou learned
WILLIAM
No sir
TOUCHSTONE
Then learn this of me to have is to have For it is a figure in rhetoric that drink being poured out of cup into a glass by filling the one doth empty the other For all your writers do consent that ipse is he Now you are not ipse for I am he
WILLIAM
Which he sir
TOUCHSTONE
He sir that must marry this woman Therefore you clown abandonwhich is in the vulgar leavethe societywhich in the boorish is companyof this femalewhich in the common is woman which together is abandon the society of this female or clown thou perishest or to thy better understanding diest or to wit I kill thee make thee away translate thy life into death thy liberty into bondage I will deal in poison with thee or in bastinado or in steel I will bandy with thee in faction will oerrun thee with policy I will kill thee a hundred and fifty ways Therefore tremble and depart
AUDREY
Do good William
WILLIAM
God rest you merry sir
Exit
Enter Corin
CORIN
Our master and mistress seek you Come away away
TOUCHSTONE
Trip Audrey trip Audrey I attend I attend
Exeunt
SCENE II Another part of the Forest
Enter Orlando and Oliver
ORLANDO
Ist possible that on so little acquaintance you should like her That but seeing you should love her And loving woo And wooing she should grant And will you persever to enjoy her
OLIVER
Neither call the giddiness of it in question the poverty of her the small acquaintance my sudden wooing nor her sudden consenting But say with me I love Aliena say with her that she loves me consent with both that we may enjoy each other It shall be to your good for my fathers house and all the revenue that was old Sir Rowlands will I estate upon you and here live and die a shepherd
Enter Rosalind
ORLANDO
You have my consent Let your wedding be tomorrow Thither will I invite the Duke and alls contented followers Go you and prepare Aliena for look you here comes my Rosalind
ROSALIND
God save you brother
OLIVER
And you fair sister
Exit
ROSALIND
O my dear Orlando how it grieves me to see thee wear thy heart in a scarf
ORLANDO
It is my arm
ROSALIND
I thought thy heart had been wounded with the claws of a lion
ORLANDO
Wounded it is but with the eyes of a lady
ROSALIND
Did your brother tell you how I counterfeited to swoon when he showed me your handkercher
ORLANDO
Ay and greater wonders than that
ROSALIND
O I know where you are Nay tis true There was never anything so sudden but the fight of two rams and Caesars thrasonical brag of I came saw and overcame For your brother and my sister no sooner met but they looked no sooner looked but they loved no sooner loved but they sighed no sooner sighed but they asked one another the reason no sooner knew the reason but they sought the remedy and in these degrees have they made pair of stairs to marriage which they will climb incontinent or else be incontinent before marriage They are in the very wrath of love and they will together Clubs cannot part them
ORLANDO
They shall be married tomorrow and I will bid the Duke to the nuptial But O how bitter a thing it is to look into happiness through another mans eyes By so much the more shall I tomorrow be at the height of heartheaviness by how much I shall think my brother happy in having what he wishes for
ROSALIND
Why then tomorrow I cannot serve your turn for Rosalind
ORLANDO
I can live no longer by thinking
ROSALIND
I will weary you then no longer with idle talking Know of me thenfor now I speak to some purposethat I know you are a gentleman of good conceit I speak not this that you should bear a good opinion of my knowledge insomuch I say I know you are Neither do I labour for a greater esteem than may in some little measure draw a belief from you to do yourself good and not to grace me Believe then if you please that I can do strange things I have since I was three year old conversed with a magician most profound in his art and yet not damnable If you do love Rosalind so near the heart as your gesture cries it out when your brother marries Aliena shall you marry her I know into what straits of fortune she is driven and it is not impossible to me if it appear not inconvenient to you to set her before your eyes tomorrow human as she is and without any danger
ORLANDO
Speakst thou in sober meanings
ROSALIND
By my life I do which I tender dearly though I say I am a magician Therefore put you in your best array bid your friends for if you will be married tomorrow you shall and to Rosalind if you will
Enter Silvius and Phoebe
Look here comes a lover of mine and a lover of hers
PHOEBE
Youth you have done me much ungentleness
To show the letter that I writ to you
ROSALIND
I care not if I have it is my study
To seem despiteful and ungentle to you
You are there followed by a faithful shepherd
Look upon him love him he worships you
PHOEBE
Good shepherd tell this youth what tis to love
SILVIUS
It is to be all made of sighs and tears
And so am I for Phoebe
PHOEBE
And I for Ganymede
ORLANDO
And I for Rosalind
ROSALIND
And I for no woman
SILVIUS
It is to be all made of faith and service
And so am I for Phoebe
PHOEBE
And I for Ganymede
ORLANDO
And I for Rosalind
ROSALIND
And I for no woman
SILVIUS
It is to be all made of fantasy
All made of passion and all made of wishes
All adoration duty and observance
All humbleness all patience and impatience
All purity all trial all observance
And so am I for Phoebe
PHOEBE
And so am I for Ganymede
ORLANDO
And so am I for Rosalind
ROSALIND
And so am I for no woman
PHOEBE
To Rosalind If this be so why blame you me to love you
SILVIUS
To Phoebe If this be so why blame you me to love you
ORLANDO
If this be so why blame you me to love you
ROSALIND
Why do you speak too Why blame you me to love you
ORLANDO
To her that is not here nor doth not hear
ROSALIND
Pray you no more of this tis like the howling of Irish wolves against the moon
to Silvius I will help you if I can
to Phoebe I would love you if I couldTomorrow meet me all together
to Phoebe I will marry you if ever I marry woman and Ill be married tomorrow
to Orlando I will satisfy you if ever I satisfied man and you shall be married tomorrow
to Silvius I will content you if what pleases you contents you and you shall be married tomorrow
to Orlando As you love Rosalind meet
to Silvius As you love Phoebe meetAnd as I love no woman Ill meet So fare you well I have left you commands
SILVIUS
Ill not fail if I live
PHOEBE
Nor I
ORLANDO
Nor I
Exeunt
SCENE III Another part of the Forest
Enter Touchstone and Audrey
TOUCHSTONE
Tomorrow is the joyful day Audrey tomorrow will we be married
AUDREY
I do desire it with all my heart and I hope it is no dishonest desire to desire to be a woman of the world
Enter two Pages
Here come two of the banished Dukes pages
FIRST PAGE
Well met honest gentleman
TOUCHSTONE
By my troth well met Come sit sit and a song
SECOND PAGE
We are for you sit i th middle
FIRST PAGE
Shall we clap intot roundly without hawking or spitting or saying we are hoarse which are the only prologues to a bad voice
SECOND PAGE
Ifaith ifaith and both in a tune like two gipsies on a horse
SONG
PAGES
Sing
It was a lover and his lass
With a hey and a ho and a hey nonino
That oer the green cornfield did pass
In the springtime the only pretty ring time
When birds do sing hey ding a ding ding
Sweet lovers love the spring
Between the acres of the rye
With a hey and a ho and a hey nonino
These pretty country folks would lie
In the springtime the only pretty ring time
When birds do sing hey ding a ding ding
Sweet lovers love the spring
This carol they began that hour
With a hey and a ho and a hey nonino
How that a life was but a flower
In the springtime the only pretty ring time
When birds do sing hey ding a ding ding
Sweet lovers love the spring
And therefore take the present time
With a hey and a ho and a hey nonino
For love is crowned with the prime
In the springtime the only pretty ring time
When birds do sing hey ding a ding ding
Sweet lovers love the spring
TOUCHSTONE
Truly young gentlemen though there was no great matter in the ditty yet the note was very untuneable
FIRST PAGE
You are deceived sir we kept time we lost not our time
TOUCHSTONE
By my troth yes I count it but time lost to hear such a foolish song God be wi you and God mend your voices Come Audrey
Exeunt
SCENE IV Another part of the Forest
Enter Duke Senior Amiens Jaques Orlando Oliver and Celia
DUKE SENIOR
Dost thou believe Orlando that the boy
Can do all this that he hath promised
ORLANDO
I sometimes do believe and sometimes do not
As those that fear they hope and know they fear
Enter Rosalind Silvius and Phoebe
ROSALIND
Patience once more whiles our compact is urged
To the Duke You say if I bring in your Rosalind
You will bestow her on Orlando here
DUKE SENIOR
That would I had I kingdoms to give with her
ROSALIND
To Orlando And you say you will have her when I bring her
ORLANDO
That would I were I of all kingdoms king
ROSALIND
To Phoebe You say youll marry me if I be willing
PHOEBE
That will I should I die the hour after
ROSALIND
But if you do refuse to marry me
Youll give yourself to this most faithful shepherd
PHOEBE
So is the bargain
ROSALIND
To Silvius You say that youll have Phoebe if she will
SILVIUS
Though to have her and death were both one thing
ROSALIND
I have promised to make all this matter even
Keep you your word O Duke to give your daughter
You yours Orlando to receive his daughter
Keep your word Phoebe that youll marry me
Or else refusing me to wed this shepherd
Keep your word Silvius that youll marry her
If she refuse me And from hence I go
To make these doubts all even
Exeunt Rosalind and Celia
DUKE SENIOR
I do remember in this shepherd boy
Some lively touches of my daughters favour
ORLANDO
My lord the first time that I ever saw him
Methought he was a brother to your daughter
But my good lord this boy is forestborn
And hath been tutored in the rudiments
Of many desperate studies by his uncle
Whom he reports to be a great magician
Obscured in the circle of this forest
Enter Touchstone and Audrey
JAQUES
There is sure another flood toward and these couples are coming to the ark Here comes a pair of very strange beasts which in all tongues are called fools
TOUCHSTONE
Salutation and greeting to you all
JAQUES
Good my lord bid him welcome This is the motleyminded gentleman that I have so often met in the forest He hath been a courtier he swears
TOUCHSTONE
If any man doubt that let him put me to my purgation I have trod a measure I have flattered a lady I have been politic with my friend smooth with mine enemy I have undone three tailors I have had four quarrels and like to have fought one
JAQUES
And how was that taen up
TOUCHSTONE
Faith we met and found the quarrel was upon the seventh cause
JAQUES
How seventh causeGood my lord like this fellow
DUKE SENIOR
I like him very well
TOUCHSTONE
God ild you sir I desire you of the like I press in here sir amongst the rest of the country copulatives to swear and to forswear according as marriage binds and blood breaks A poor virgin sir an illfavoured thing sir but mine own a poor humour of mine sir to take that that no man else will Rich honesty dwells like a miser sir in a poor house as your pearl in your foul oyster
DUKE SENIOR
By my faith he is very swift and sententious
TOUCHSTONE
According to the fools bolt sir and such dulcet diseases
JAQUES
But for the seventh cause How did you find the quarrel on the seventh cause
TOUCHSTONE
Upon a lie seven times removedbear your body more seeming Audreyas thus sir I did dislike the cut of a certain courtiers beard He sent me word if I said his beard was not cut well he was in the mind it was This is called the retort courteous If I sent him word again it was not well cut he would send me word he cut it to please himself This is called the quip modest If again it was not well cut he disabled my judgement This is called the reply churlish If again it was not well cut he would answer I spake not true This is called the reproof valiant If again it was not well cut he would say I lie This is called the countercheck quarrelsome and so to the lie circumstantial and the lie direct
JAQUES
And how oft did you say his beard was not well cut
TOUCHSTONE
I durst go no further than the lie circumstantial nor he durst not give me the lie direct and so we measured swords and parted
JAQUES
Can you nominate in order now the degrees of the lie
TOUCHSTONE
O sir we quarrel in print by the book as you have books for good manners I will name you the degrees the first the retort courteous the second the quip modest the third the reply churlish the fourth the reproof valiant the fifth the countercheck quarrelsome the sixth the lie with circumstance the seventh the lie direct All these you may avoid but the lie direct and you may avoid that too with an if I knew when seven justices could not take up a quarrel but when the parties were met themselves one of them thought but of an if as if you said so then I said so and they shook hands and swore brothers Your if is the only peacemaker much virtue in if
JAQUES
Is not this a rare fellow my lord Hes as good at anything and yet a fool
DUKE SENIOR
He uses his folly like a stalkinghorse and under the presentation of that he shoots his wit
Enter Hymen Rosalind in womans clothes and Celia Still music
HYMEN
Then is there mirth in heaven
When earthly things made even
Atone together
Good Duke receive thy daughter
Hymen from heaven brought her
Yea brought her hither
That thou mightst join her hand with his
Whose heart within his bosom is
ROSALIND
To Duke Senior To you I give myself for I am yours
To Orlando To you I give myself for I am yours
DUKE SENIOR
If there be truth in sight you are my daughter
ORLANDO
If there be truth in sight you are my Rosalind
PHOEBE
If sight and shape be true
Why then my love adieu
ROSALIND
To Duke Senior Ill have no father if you be not he
To Orlando Ill have no husband if you be not he
To Phoebe Nor neer wed woman if you be not she
HYMEN
Peace ho I bar confusion
Tis I must make conclusion
Of these most strange events
Heres eight that must take hands
To join in Hymens bands
If truth holds true contents
To Orlando and Rosalind You and you no cross shall part
To Celia and Oliver You and you are heart in heart
To Phoebe You to his love must accord
Or have a woman to your lord
To Audrey and Touchstone You and you are sure together
As the winter to foul weather
Whiles a wedlock hymn we sing
Feed yourselves with questioning
That reason wonder may diminish
How thus we met and these things finish
SONG
Wedding is great Junos crown
O blessed bond of board and bed
Tis Hymen peoples every town
High wedlock then be honoured
Honour high honour and renown
To Hymen god of every town
DUKE SENIOR
O my dear niece welcome thou art to me
Even daughter welcome in no less degree
PHOEBE
To Silvius I will not eat my word now thou art mine
Thy faith my fancy to thee doth combine
Enter Jaques de Boys
JAQUES DE BOYS
Let me have audience for a word or two
I am the second son of old Sir Rowland
That bring these tidings to this fair assembly
Duke Frederick hearing how that every day
Men of great worth resorted to this forest
Addressed a mighty power which were on foot
In his own conduct purposely to take
His brother here and put him to the sword
And to the skirts of this wild wood he came
Where meeting with an old religious man
After some question with him was converted
Both from his enterprise and from the world
His crown bequeathing to his banished brother
And all their lands restored to them again
That were with him exiled This to be true
I do engage my life
DUKE SENIOR
Welcome young man
Thou offerst fairly to thy brothers wedding
To one his lands withheld and to the other
A land itself at large a potent dukedom
First in this forest let us do those ends
That here were well begun and well begot
And after every of this happy number
That have endured shrewd days and nights with us
Shall share the good of our returned fortune
According to the measure of their states
Meantime forget this newfalln dignity
And fall into our rustic revelry
Play music And you brides and bridegrooms all
With measure heaped in joy to th measures fall
JAQUES
Sir by your patience If I heard you rightly
The Duke hath put on a religious life
And thrown into neglect the pompous court
JAQUES DE BOYS
He hath
JAQUES
To him will I Out of these convertites
There is much matter to be heard and learned
To Duke Senior You to your former honour I bequeath
Your patience and your virtue well deserves it
To Orlando You to a love that your true faith doth merit
To Oliver You to your land and love and great allies
To Silvius You to a long and welldeserved bed
To Touchstone And you to wrangling for thy loving voyage
Is but for two months victualledSo to your pleasures
I am for other than for dancing measures
DUKE SENIOR
Stay Jaques stay
JAQUES
To see no pastime I What you would have
Ill stay to know at your abandoned cave
Exit
DUKE SENIOR
Proceed proceed We will begin these rites
As we do trust theyll end in true delights
Dance Exeunt all but Rosalind
EPILOGUE
ROSALIND
It is not the fashion to see the lady the epilogue but it is no more unhandsome than to see the lord the prologue If it be true that good wine needs no bush tis true that a good play needs no epilogue Yet to good wine they do use good bushes and good plays prove the better by the help of good epilogues What a case am I in then that am neither a good epilogue nor cannot insinuate with you in the behalf of a good play I am not furnished like a beggar therefore to beg will not become me My way is to conjure you and Ill begin with the women I charge you O women for the love you bear to men to like as much of this play as please you And I charge you O men for the love you bear to womenas I perceive by your simpering none of you hates themthat between you and the women the play may please If I were a woman I would kiss as many of you as had beards that pleased me complexions that liked me and breaths that I defied not And I am sure as many as have good beards or good faces or sweet breaths will for my kind offer when I make curtsy bid me farewell
Exit
THE COMEDY OF ERRORS
Contents
ACT I
Scene I A hall in the Dukes palace
Scene II A public place
ACT II
Scene I A public place
Scene II The same
ACT III
Scene I The same
Scene II The same
ACT IV
Scene I The same
Scene II The same
Scene III The same
Scene IV The same
ACT V
Scene I The same
Dramatis Person
SOLINUS Duke of Ephesus
EGEON a Merchant of Syracuse
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS Twin brothers and sons to Egeon and
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Emilia but unknown to each other
DROMIO OF EPHESUS Twin brothers and attendants on
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE the two Antipholuses
BALTHASAR a Merchant
ANGELO a Goldsmith
A MERCHANT friend to Antipholus of Syracuse
PINCH a Schoolmaster and a Conjurer
EMILIA Wife to Egeon an Abbess at Ephesus
ADRIANA Wife to Antipholus of Ephesus
LUCIANA her Sister
LUCE her Servant
A COURTESAN
Messenger Jailer Officers Attendants
SCENE Ephesus
ACT I
SCENE I A hall in the Dukes palace
Enter Duke Egeon Jailer Officers and other Attendants
EGEON
Proceed Solinus to procure my fall
And by the doom of death end woes and all
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 welldealing countrymen
Who wanting guilders to redeem their lives
Have seald his rigorous statutes with their bloods
Excludes all pity from our threatning looks
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 Syracusian marts and fairs
Again if any Syracusian born
Come to the bay of Ephesus he dies
His goods confiscate to the Dukes 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 condemnd to die
EGEON
Yet this my comfort when your words are done
My woes end likewise with the evening sun
DUKE
Well Syracusian say in brief the cause
Why thou departedst from thy native home
And for what cause thou camst to Ephesus
EGEON
A heavier task could not have been imposd
Than I to speak my griefs unspeakable
Yet that the world may witness that my end
Was wrought by nature not by vile offence
Ill utter what my sorrow gives me leave
In Syracusa was I born and wed
Unto a woman happy but for me
And by me had not our hap been bad
With her I livd in joy our wealth increasd
By prosperous voyages I often made
To Epidamnum till my factors 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 other
As could not be distinguishd but by names
That very hour and in the selfsame inn
A mean woman was delivered
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 saild
Before the alwayswindobeying deep
Gave any tragic instance of our harm
But longer did we not retain much hope
For what obscured light the heavens did grant
Did but convey unto our fearful minds
A doubtful warrant of immediate death
Which though myself would gladly have embracd
Yet the incessant weepings of my wife
Weeping before for what she saw must come
And piteous plainings of the pretty babes
That mournd for fashion ignorant what to fear
Forcd 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 sinkingripe to us
My wife more careful for the latterborn
Had fastned him unto a small spare mast
Such as seafaring men provide for storms
To him one of the other twins was bound
Whilst I had been like heedful of the other
The children thus disposd my wife and I
Fixing our eyes on whom our care was fixd
Fastned ourselves at either end the mast
And floating straight obedient to the stream
Was carried towards Corinth as we thought
At length the sun gazing upon the earth
Dispersd those vapours that offended us
And by the benefit of his wished light
The seas waxd calm and we discovered
Two ships from far making amain to us
Of Corinth that of Epidaurus this
But ere they cameO 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
EGEON
O had the gods done so I had not now
Worthily termd them merciless to us
For ere the ships could meet by twice five leagues
We were encountered by a mighty rock
Which being violently borne upon
Our helpful ship was splitted in the midst
So that in this unjust divorce of us
Fortune had left to both of us alike
What to delight in what to sorrow for
Her part poor soul seeming as burdened
With lesser weight but not with lesser woe
Was carried with more speed before the wind
And in our sight they three were taken up
By fishermen of Corinth as we thought
At length another ship had seizd on us
And knowing whom it was their hap to save
Gave healthful welcome to their shipwrackd guests
And would have reft the fishers of their prey
Had not their bark been very slow of sail
And therefore homeward did they bend their course
Thus have you heard me severd from my bliss
That by misfortunes was my life prolongd
To tell sad stories of my own mishaps
DUKE
And for the sake of them thou sorrowest for
Do me the favour to dilate at full
What have befalln of them and thee till now
EGEON
My youngest boy and yet my eldest care
At eighteen years became inquisitive
After his brother and importund me
That his attendant so his case was like
Reft of his brother but retaind his name
Might bear him company in the quest of him
Whom whilst I laboured of a love to see
I hazarded the loss of whom I lovd
Five summers have I spent in farthest Greece
Roaming clean through the bounds of Asia
And coasting homeward came to Ephesus
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
DUKE
Hapless Egeon whom the fates have markd
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 would they may not disannul
My soul should sue as advocate for thee
But though thou art adjudged to the death
And passed sentence may not be recalld
But to our honours great disparagement
Yet will I favour thee in what I can
Therefore merchant Ill limit thee this day
To seek thy health 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 doomd to die
Jailer take him to thy custody
JAILER
I will my lord
EGEON
Hopeless and helpless doth Egeon wend
But to procrastinate his lifeless end
Exeunt
SCENE II A public place
Enter Antipholus and Dromio of Syracuse and a Merchant
MERCHANT
Therefore give out you are of Epidamnum
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
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
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Go bear it to the Centaur where we host
And stay there Dromio till I come to thee
Within this hour it will be dinnertime
Till that Ill 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
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Many a man would take you at your word
And go indeed having so good a mean
Exit Dromio
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
A trusty villain sir that very oft
When I am dull with care and melancholy
Lightens my humour with his merry jests
What will you walk with me about the town
And then go to my inn and dine with me
MERCHANT
I am invited sir to certain merchants
Of whom I hope to make much benefit
I crave your pardon Soon at five oclock
Please you Ill meet with you upon the mart
And afterward consort you till bedtime
My present business calls me from you now
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Farewell till then I will go lose myself
And wander up and down to view the city
MERCHANT
Sir I commend you to your own content
Exit Merchant
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
He that commends me to mine own content
Commends me to the thing I cannot get
I to the world am like a drop of water
That in the ocean seeks another drop
Who failing 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
Enter Dromio of Ephesus
Here comes the almanac of my true date
What now How chance thou art returnd so soon
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
Returnd so soon rather approachd too late
The capon burns the pig falls from the spit
The clock hath strucken twelve upon the bell
My mistress made it one upon my cheek
She is so hot because the meat is cold
The meat is cold because you come not home
You come not home because you have no stomach
You have no stomach having broke your fast
But we that know what tis to fast and pray
Are penitent for your default today
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Stop in your wind sir tell me this I pray
Where have you left the money that I gave you
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
O sixpence that I had o Wednesday last
To pay the saddler for my mistress crupper
The saddler had it sir I kept it not
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
I am not in a sportive humour now
Tell me and dally not where is the money
We being strangers here how darst thou trust
So great a charge from thine own custody
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
I pray you jest sir as you sit at dinner
I from 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
And strike you home without a messenger
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Come Dromio come these jests are out of season
Reserve them till a merrier hour than this
Where is the gold I gave in charge to thee
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
To me sir why you gave no gold to me
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Come on sir knave have done your foolishness
And tell me how thou hast disposd thy charge
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
My charge was but to fetch you from the mart
Home to your house the Phoenix sir to dinner
My mistress and her sister stay for you
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Now as I am a Christian answer me
In what safe place you have bestowd my money
Or I shall break that merry sconce of yours
That stands on tricks when I am undisposd
Where is the thousand marks thou hadst of me
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
I have some marks of yours upon my pate
Some of my mistress marks upon my shoulders
But not a thousand marks between you both
If I should pay your worship those again
Perchance you will not bear them patiently
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Thy mistress marks what mistress slave hast thou
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
Your worships wife my mistress at the Phoenix
She that doth fast till you come home to dinner
And prays that you will hie you home to dinner
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
What wilt thou flout me thus unto my face
Being forbid There take you that sir knave
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
What mean you sir for Gods sake hold your hands
Nay an you will not sir Ill take my heels
Exit Dromio
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Upon my life by some device or other
The villain is oerraught of all my money
They say this town is full of cozenage
As nimble jugglers that deceive the eye
Darkworking sorcerers that change the mind
Soulkilling witches that deform the body
Disguised cheaters prating mountebanks
And many suchlike liberties of sin
If it prove so I will be gone the sooner
Ill to the Centaur to go seek this slave
I greatly fear my money is not safe
Exit
ACT II
SCENE I A public place
Enter Adriana wife to Antipholus of Ephesus with Luciana her sister
ADRIANA
Neither my husband nor the slave returnd
That in such haste I sent to seek his master
Sure Luciana it is two oclock
LUCIANA
Perhaps some merchant hath invited him
And from the mart hes somewhere gone to dinner
Good sister let us dine and never fret
A man is master of his liberty
Time is their master and when they see time
Theyll go or come If so be patient sister
ADRIANA
Why should their liberty than ours be more
LUCIANA
Because their business still lies out o door
ADRIANA
Look when I serve him so he takes it ill
LUCIANA
O know he is the bridle of your will
ADRIANA
Theres none but asses will be bridled so
LUCIANA
Why headstrong liberty is lashd with woe
Theres nothing situate under heavens eye
But hath his bound in earth in sea in sky
The beasts the fishes and the winged fowls
Are their males subjects and at their controls
Man more divine the masters of all these
Lord of the wide world and wild watry seas
Indued with intellectual sense and souls
Of more preeminence than fish and fowls
Are masters to their females and their lords
Then let your will attend on their accords
ADRIANA
This servitude makes you to keep unwed
LUCIANA
Not this but troubles of the marriagebed
ADRIANA
But were you wedded you would bear some sway
LUCIANA
Ere I learn love Ill practise to obey
ADRIANA
How if your husband start some other where
LUCIANA
Till he come home again I would forbear
ADRIANA
Patience unmovd No marvel though she pause
They can be meek that have no other cause
A wretched soul bruisd with adversity
We bid be quiet when we hear it cry
But were we burdned with like weight of pain
As much or more we should ourselves complain
So thou that hast no unkind mate to grieve thee
With urging helpless patience would relieve me
But if thou live to see like right bereft
This foolbeggd patience in thee will be left
LUCIANA
Well I will marry one day but to try
Here comes your man now is your husband nigh
Enter Dromio of Ephesus
ADRIANA
Say is your tardy master now at hand
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
Nay hes at two hands with me and that my two ears can witness
ADRIANA
Say didst thou speak with him knowst thou his mind
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
Ay ay he told his mind upon mine ear
Beshrew his hand I scarce could understand it
LUCIANA
Spake he so doubtfully thou couldst not feel his meaning
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
Nay he struck so plainly I could too well feel his blows and withal so doubtfully that I could scarce understand them
ADRIANA
But say I prithee is he coming home
It seems he hath great care to please his wife
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
Why mistress sure my master is hornmad
ADRIANA
Hornmad thou villain
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
I mean not cuckoldmad
But sure hes stark mad
When I desird him to come home to dinner
He askd me for a thousand marks in gold
Tis dinner time quoth I My gold quoth he
Your meat doth burn quoth I My gold quoth he
Will you come home quoth I My gold quoth he
Where is the thousand marks I gave thee villain
The pig quoth I is burnd My gold quoth he
My mistress sir quoth I Hang up thy mistress
I know not thy mistress out on thy mistress
LUCIANA
Quoth who
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
Quoth my master
I know quoth he no house no wife no mistress
So that my errand due unto my tongue
I thank him I bare home upon my shoulders
For in conclusion he did beat me there
ADRIANA
Go back again thou slave and fetch him home
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
Go back again and be new beaten home
For Gods sake send some other messenger
ADRIANA
Back slave or I will break thy pate across
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
And he will bless that cross with other beating
Between you I shall have a holy head
ADRIANA
Hence prating peasant Fetch thy master home
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
Am I so round with you as you with me
That like a football you do spurn me thus
You spurn me hence and he will spurn me hither
If I last in this service you must case me in leather
Exit
LUCIANA
Fie how impatience loureth in your face
ADRIANA
His company must do his minions grace
Whilst I at home starve for a merry look
Hath homely age th alluring beauty took
From my poor cheek then he hath wasted it
Are my discourses dull barren my wit
If voluble and sharp discourse be marrd
Unkindness blunts it more than marble hard
Do their gay vestments his affections bait
Thats not my fault hes master of my state
What ruins are in me that can be found
By him not ruind Then is he the ground
Of my defeatures My decayed fair
A sunny look of his would soon repair
But too unruly deer he breaks the pale
And feeds from home poor I am but his stale
LUCIANA
Selfharming jealousy fie beat it hence
ADRIANA
Unfeeling fools can with such wrongs dispense
I know his eye doth homage otherwhere
Or else what lets it but he would be here
Sister you know he promisd me a chain
Would that alone a love he would detain
So he would keep fair quarter with his bed
I see the jewel best enamelled
Will lose his beauty yet the gold bides still
That others touch yet often touching will
Wear gold and no man that hath a name
By falsehood and corruption doth it shame
Since that my beauty cannot please his eye
Ill weep whats left away and weeping die
LUCIANA
How many fond fools serve mad jealousy
Exeunt
SCENE II The same
Enter Antipholus of Syracuse
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
The gold I gave to Dromio is laid up
Safe at the Centaur and the heedful slave
Is wanderd forth in care to seek me out
By computation and mine hosts report
I could not speak with Dromio since at first
I sent him from the mart See here he comes
Enter Dromio of Syracuse
How now sir is your merry humour alterd
As you love strokes so jest with me again
You know no Centaur you receivd no gold
Your mistress sent to have me home to dinner
My house was at the Phoenix Wast thou mad
That thus so madly thou didst answer me
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
What answer sir when spake I such a word
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Even now even here not half an hour since
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
I did not see you since you sent me hence
Home to the Centaur with the gold you gave me
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Villain thou didst deny the golds receipt
And toldst me of a mistress and a dinner
For which I hope thou feltst I was displeasd
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
I am glad to see you in this merry vein
What means this jest I pray you master tell me
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Yea dost thou jeer and flout me in the teeth
Thinkst thou I jest Hold take thou that and that
Beats Dromio
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Hold sir for Gods sake now your jest is earnest
Upon what bargain do you give it me
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Because that I familiarly sometimes
Do use you for my fool and chat with you
Your sauciness will jest upon my love
And make a common of my serious hours
When the sun shines let foolish gnats make sport
But creep in crannies when he hides his beams
If you will jest with me know my aspect
And fashion your demeanour to my looks
Or I will beat this method in your sconce
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Sconce call you it so you would leave battering I had rather have it a head And you use these blows long I must get a sconce for my head and ensconce it too or else I shall seek my wit in my shoulders But I pray sir why am I beaten
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Dost thou not know
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Nothing sir but that I am beaten
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Shall I tell you why
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Ay sir and wherefore for they say every why hath a wherefore
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Why first for flouting me and then wherefore
For urging it the second time to me
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Was there ever any man thus beaten out of season
When in the why and the wherefore is neither rhyme nor reason
Well sir I thank you
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Thank me sir for what
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Marry sir for this something that you gave me for nothing
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Ill make you amends next to give you nothing for something
But say sir is it dinnertime
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
No sir I think the meat wants that I have
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
In good time sir whats that
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Basting
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Well sir then twill be dry
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
If it be sir I pray you eat none of it
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Your reason
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Lest it make you choleric and purchase me another dry basting
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Well sir learn to jest in good time
Theres a time for all things
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
I durst have denied that before you were so choleric
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
By what rule sir
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Marry sir by a rule as plain as the plain bald pate of Father Time himself
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Lets hear it
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Theres no time for a man to recover his hair that grows bald by nature
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
May he not do it by fine and recovery
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Yes to pay a fine for a periwig and recover the lost hair of another man
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Why is Time such a niggard of hair being as it is so plentiful an excrement
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Because it is a blessing that he bestows on beasts and what he hath scanted men in hair he hath given them in wit
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Why but theres many a man hath more hair than wit
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Not a man of those but he hath the wit to lose his hair
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Why thou didst conclude hairy men plain dealers without wit
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
The plainer dealer the sooner lost Yet he loseth it in a kind of jollity
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
For what reason
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
For two and sound ones too
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Nay not sound I pray you
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Sure ones then
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Nay not sure in a thing falsing
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Certain ones then
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Name them
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
The one to save the money that he spends in tiring the other that at dinner they should not drop in his porridge
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
You would all this time have proved there is no time for all things
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Marry and did sir namely een no time to recover hair lost by nature
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
But your reason was not substantial why there is no time to recover
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Thus I mend it Time himself is bald and therefore to the worlds end will have bald followers
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
I knew twould be a bald conclusion
But soft who wafts us yonder
Enter Adriana and Luciana
ADRIANA
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 unurgd wouldst vow
That never words were music to thine ear
That never object pleasing in thine eye
That never touch well welcome to thy hand
That never meat sweetsavourd in thy taste
Unless I spake or lookd or touchd or carvd to thee
How comes it now my husband O how comes it
That thou art then estranged from thyself
Thyself I call it being strange to me
That undividable incorporate
Am better than thy dear selfs better part
Ah do not tear away thyself from me
For 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
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 staind skin off my harlot brow
And from my false hand cut the weddingring
And break it with a deepdivorcing vow
I know thou canst and therefore see thou do it
I am possessd 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 distaind thou undishonoured
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Plead you to me fair dame I know you not
In Ephesus I am but two hours old
As strange unto your town as to your talk
Who every word by all my wit being scannd
Wants wit in all one word to understand
LUCIANA
Fie brother how the world is changd with you
When were you wont to use my sister thus
She sent for you by Dromio home to dinner
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
By Dromio
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
By me
ADRIANA
By thee and this thou didst return from him
That he did buffet thee and in his blows
Denied my house for his me for his wife
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Did you converse sir with this gentlewoman
What is the course and drift of your compact
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
I sir I never saw her till this time
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Villain thou liest for even her very words
Didst thou deliver to me on the mart
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
I never spake with her in all my life
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
How can she thus then call us by our names
Unless it be by inspiration
ADRIANA
How ill agrees it with your gravity
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
Who all for want of pruning with intrusion
Infect thy sap and live on thy confusion
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
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 know this sure uncertainty
Ill entertain the offerd fallacy
LUCIANA
Dromio go bid the servants spread for dinner
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
O for my beads I cross me for a sinner
This is the fairy land O spite of spites
We talk with goblins owls and sprites
If we obey them not this will ensue
Theyll suck our breath or pinch us black and blue
LUCIANA
Why pratst thou to thyself and answerst not
Dromio thou drone thou snail thou slug thou sot
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
I am transformed master am I not
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
I think thou art in mind and so am I
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Nay master both in mind and in my shape
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Thou hast thine own form
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
No I am an ape
LUCIANA
If thou art changd to aught tis to an ass
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Tis true she rides me and I long for grass
Tis so I am an ass else it could never be
But I should know her as well as she knows me
ADRIANA
Come come no longer will I be a fool
To put the finger in the eye and weep
Whilst man and master laughs my woes to scorn
Come sir to dinner Dromio keep the gate
Husband Ill dine above with you today
And shrive you of a thousand idle pranks
Sirrah if any ask you for your master
Say he dines forth and let no creature enter
Come sister Dromio play the porter well
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Am I in earth in heaven or in hell
Sleeping or waking mad or welladvisd
Known unto these and to myself disguisd
Ill say as they say and persever so
And in this mist at all adventures go
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Master shall I be porter at the gate
ADRIANA
Ay and let none enter lest I break your pate
LUCIANA
Come come Antipholus we dine too late
Exeunt
ACT III
SCENE I The same
Enter Antipholus of Ephesus his man Dromio of Ephesus Angelo the goldsmith and Balthasar the merchant
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
Good Signior Angelo you must excuse us all
My wife is shrewish when I keep not hours
Say that I lingerd with you at your shop
To see the making of her carcanet
And that tomorrow you will bring it home
But heres a villain that would face me down
He met me on the mart and that I beat him
And chargd him with a thousand marks in gold
And that I did deny my wife and house
Thou drunkard thou what didst thou mean by this
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
Say what you will sir but I know what I know
That you beat me at the mart I have your hand to show
If the skin were parchment and the blows you gave were ink
Your own handwriting would tell you what I think
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
I think thou art an ass
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
Marry so it doth appear
By the wrongs I suffer and the blows I bear
I should kick being kickd and being at that pass
You would keep from my heels and beware of an ass
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
Youre sad Signior Balthasar pray God our cheer
May answer my good will and your good welcome here
BALTHASAR
I hold your dainties cheap sir and your welcome dear
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
O Signior Balthasar either at flesh or fish
A table full of welcome makes scarce one dainty dish
BALTHASAR
Good meat sir is common that every churl affords
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
And welcome more common for thats nothing but words
BALTHASAR
Small cheer and great welcome makes a merry feast
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
Ay to a niggardly host and more sparing guest
But though my cates be mean take them in good part
Better cheer may you have but not with better heart
But soft my door is lockd Go bid them let us in
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
Maud Bridget Marian Cicely Gillian Ginn
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Within Mome malthorse capon coxcomb idiot patch
Either get thee from the door or sit down at the hatch
Dost thou conjure for wenches that thou callst for such store
When one is one too many Go get thee from the door
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
What patch is made our porter My master stays in the street
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Let him walk from whence he came lest he catch cold ons feet
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
Who talks within there Ho open the door
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Right sir Ill tell you when an youll tell me wherefore
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
Wherefore For my dinner I have not dined today
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Nor today here you must not come again when you may
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
What art thou that keepst me out from the house I owe
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
The porter for this time sir and my name is Dromio
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
O villain thou hast stolen both mine office and my name
The one neer got me credit the other mickle blame
If thou hadst been Dromio today in my place
Thou wouldst have changd thy face for a name or thy name for an ass
Enter Luce concealed from Antipholus of Ephesus and his companions
LUCE
Within What a coil is there Dromio who are those at the gate
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
Let my master in Luce
LUCE
Faith no he comes too late
And so tell your master
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
O Lord I must laugh
Have at you with a proverbShall I set in my staff
LUCE
Have at you with another thatsWhen can you tell
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
If thy name be called LuceLuce thou hast answerd him well
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
Do you hear you minion youll let us in I hope
LUCE
I thought to have askd you
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
And you said no
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
So come help Well struck there was blow for blow
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
Thou baggage let me in
LUCE
Can you tell for whose sake
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
Master knock the door hard
LUCE
Let him knock till it ache
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
Youll cry for this minion if I beat the door down
LUCE
What needs all that and a pair of stocks in the town
Enter Adriana concealed from Antipholus of Ephesus and his companions
ADRIANA
Within Who is that at the door that keeps all this noise
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
By my troth your town is troubled with unruly boys
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
Are you there wife you might have come before
ADRIANA
Your wife sir knave go get you from the door
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
If you went in pain master this knave would go sore
ANGELO
Here is neither cheer sir nor welcome We would fain have either
BALTHASAR
In debating which was best we shall part with neither
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
They stand at the door master bid them welcome hither
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
There is something in the wind that we cannot get in
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
You would say so master if your garments were thin
Your cake here is warm within you stand here in the cold
It would make a man mad as a buck to be so bought and sold
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
Go fetch me something Ill break ope the gate
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Break any breaking here and Ill break your knaves pate
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
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 behind
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
It seems thou wantst breaking out upon thee hind
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
Heres too much out upon thee I pray thee let me in
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Ay when fowls have no feathers and fish have no fin
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
Well Ill break in go borrow me a crow
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
A crow without feather master mean you so
For a fish without a fin theres a fowl without a feather
If a crow help us in sirrah well pluck a crow together
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
Go get thee gone fetch me an iron crow
BALTHASAR
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 thisyour long experience of her wisdom
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 you
Be ruld by me depart in patience
And let us to the Tiger all to dinner
And about evening come yourself alone
To know the reason of this strange restraint
If by strong hand you offer to break in
Now in the stirring passage of the day
A vulgar comment will be made of it
And that supposed by the common rout
Against your yet ungalled estimation
That may with foul intrusion enter in
And dwell upon your grave when you are dead
For slander lives upon succession
For ever housd where it gets possession
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
You have prevaild I will depart in quiet
And in despite of mirth mean to be merry
I know a wench of excellent discourse
Pretty and witty wild and yet too gentle
There will we dine This woman that I mean
My wife but I protest without desert
Hath oftentimes upbraided me withal
To her will we to dinnerGet you home
And fetch the chain by this I know tis made
Bring it I pray you to the Porpentine
For theres the house That chain will I bestow
Be it for nothing but to spite my wife
Upon mine hostess there Good sir make haste
Since mine own doors refuse to entertain me
Ill knock elsewhere to see if theyll disdain me
ANGELO
Ill meet you at that place some hour hence
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
Do so this jest shall cost me some expense
Exeunt
SCENE II The same
Enter Luciana with Antipholus of Syracuse
LUCIANA
And may it be that you have quite forgot
A husbands office Shall Antipholus
Even in the spring of love thy lovesprings rot
Shall love in building grow so ruinous
If you did wed my sister for her wealth
Then for her wealths sake use her with more kindness
Or if you like elsewhere do it by stealth
Muffle your false love with some show of blindness
Let not my sister read it in your eye
Be not thy tongue thy own shames orator
Look sweet speak fair become disloyalty
Apparel vice like virtues harbinger
Bear a fair presence though your heart be tainted
Teach sin the carriage of a holy saint
Be secretfalse What need she be acquainted
What simple thief brags of his own attaint
Tis double wrong to truant with your bed
And let her read it in thy looks at board
Shame hath a bastard fame well managed
Ill deeds is 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
We in your motion turn and you may move us
Then gentle brother get you in again
Comfort my sister cheer her call her wife
Tis holy sport to be a little vain
When the sweet breath of flattery conquers strife
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Sweet mistress what your name is else I know not
Nor by what wonder you do hit on mine
Less in your knowledge and your grace you show not
Than our earths wonder more than earth divine
Teach me dear creature how to think and speak
Lay open to my earthy gross conceit
Smotherd in errors feeble shallow weak
The folded meaning of your words deceit
Against my souls pure truth why labour you
To make it wander in an unknown field
Are you a god would you create me new
Transform me then and to your power Ill yield
But if that I am I then well I know
Your weeping sister is 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 sisters flood of tears
Sing siren for thyself and I will dote
Spread oer the silver waves thy golden hairs
And as a bed Ill take thee and there lie
And in that glorious supposition think
He gains by death that hath such means to die
Let love being light be drowned if she sink
LUCIANA
What are you mad that you do reason so
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Not mad but mated how I do not know
LUCIANA
It is a fault that springeth from your eye
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
For gazing on your beams fair sun being by
LUCIANA
Gaze where you should and that will clear your sight
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
As good to wink sweet love as look on night
LUCIANA
Why call you me love Call my sister so
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Thy sisters sister
LUCIANA
Thats my sister
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
No
It is thyself mine own selfs better part
Mine eyes clear eye my dear hearts dearer heart
My food my fortune and my sweet hopes aim
My sole earths heaven and my heavens claim
LUCIANA
All this my sister is or else should be
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Call thyself sister sweet for I aim thee
Thee will I love and with thee lead my life
Thou hast no husband yet nor I no wife
Give me thy hand
LUCIANA
O soft sir hold you still
Ill fetch my sister to get her goodwill
Exit Luciana
Enter Dromio of Syracuse
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Why how now Dromio where runnst thou so fast
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Do you know me sir Am I Dromio Am I your man Am I myself
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Thou art Dromio thou art my man thou art thyself
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
I am an ass I am a womans man and besides myself
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
What womans man and how besides thyself
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Marry sir besides myself I am due to a woman one that claims me one that haunts me one that will have me
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
What claim lays she to thee
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Marry sir such claim as you would lay to your horse and she would have me as a beast not that I being a beast she would have me but that she being a very beastly creature lays claim to me
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
What is she
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
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
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
How dost thou mean a fat marriage
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Marry sir shes 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 shell burn a week longer than the whole world
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
What complexion is she of
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Swart like my shoe but her face nothing like so clean kept For why she sweats a man may go overshoes in the grime of it
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Thats a fault that water will mend
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
No sir tis in grain Noahs flood could not do it
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Whats her name
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Nell sir but her name and three quarters thats an ell and three quarters will not measure her from hip to hip
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Then she bears some breadth
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
No longer from head to foot than from hip to hip She is spherical like a globe I could find out countries in her
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
In what part of her body stands Ireland
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Marry sir in her buttocks I found it out by the bogs
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Where Scotland
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
I found it by the barrenness hard in the palm of the hand
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Where France
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
In her forehead armed and reverted making war against her hair
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Where England
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
I looked for the chalky cliffs but I could find no whiteness in them But I guess it stood in her chin by the salt rheum that ran between France and it
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Where Spain
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Faith I saw it not but I felt it hot in her breath
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Where America the Indies
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
O sir upon her nose all oerembellished with rubies carbuncles sapphires declining their rich aspect to the hot breath of Spain who sent whole armadoes of carracks to be ballast at her nose
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Where stood Belgia the Netherlands
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
O sir I did not look so low To conclude this drudge or diviner laid claim to me called me Dromio swore I was assured to her told me what privy marks I had about me as the mark of my shoulder the mole in my neck the great wart on my left arm that I amazed ran from her as a witch And I think if my breast had not been made of faith and my heart of steel she had transformed me to a curtal dog and made me turn i the wheel
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Go hie thee presently post to the road
And if the wind blow any way from shore
I will not harbour in this town tonight
If any bark put forth come to the mart
Where I will walk till thou return to me
If everyone knows us and we know none
Tis time I think to trudge pack and be gone
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
As from a bear a man would run for life
So fly I from her that would be my wife
Exit
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Theres none but witches do inhabit here
And therefore tis high time that I were hence
She that doth call me husband even my soul
Doth for a wife abhor But her fair sister
Possessd 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 selfwrong
Ill stop mine ears against the mermaids song
Enter Angelo with the chain
ANGELO
Master Antipholus
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Ay thats my name
ANGELO
I know it well sir Lo here is the chain
I thought to have taen you at the Porpentine
The chain unfinishd made me stay thus long
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
What is your will that I shall do with this
ANGELO
What please yourself sir I have made it for you
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Made it for me sir I bespoke it not
ANGELO
Not once nor twice but twenty times you have
Go home with it and please your wife withal
And soon at suppertime Ill visit you
And then receive my money for the chain
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
I pray you sir receive the money now
For fear you neer see chain nor money more
ANGELO
You are a merry man sir fare you well
Exit
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
What I should think of this I cannot tell
But this I think theres no man is so vain
That would refuse so fair an offerd chain
I see a man here needs not live by shifts
When in the streets he meets such golden gifts
Ill to the mart and there for Dromio stay
If any ship put out then straight away
Exit
ACT IV
SCENE I The same
Enter Merchant Angelo and an Officer
MERCHANT
You know since Pentecost the sum is due
And since I have not much importund you
Nor now I had not but that I am bound
To Persia and want guilders for my voyage
Therefore make present satisfaction
Or Ill attach you by this officer
ANGELO
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 oclock
I shall receive the money for the same
Pleaseth you walk with me down to his house
I will discharge my bond and thank you too
Enter Antipholus of Ephesus and Dromio of Ephesus from the Courtesans
OFFICER
That labour may you save See where he comes
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
While I go to the goldsmiths house go thou
And buy a ropes end that will I bestow
Among my wife and her confederates
For locking me out of my doors by day
But soft I see the goldsmith get thee gone
Buy thou a rope and bring it home to me
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
I buy a thousand pound a year I buy a rope
Exit Dromio
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
A man is well holp up that trusts to you
I 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 chaind together and therefore came not
ANGELO
Saving your merry humour heres the 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
Than I stand debted to this gentleman
I pray you see him presently dischargd
For he is bound to sea and stays but for it
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
I am not furnished with the present 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
ANGELO
Then you will bring the chain to her yourself
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
No bear it with you lest I come not time enough
ANGELO
Well sir I will Have you the chain about you
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
And if I have not sir I hope you have
Or else you may return without your money
ANGELO
Nay come I pray you sir give me the chain
Both wind and tide stays for this gentleman
And I to blame have held him here too long
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
Good Lord you use this dalliance to excuse
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
MERCHANT
The hour steals on I pray you sir dispatch
ANGELO
You hear how he importunes me The chain
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
Why give it to my wife and fetch your money
ANGELO
Come come you know I gave it you even now
Either send the chain or send by me some token
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
Fie now you run this humour out of breath
Come wheres the chain I pray you let me see it
MERCHANT
My business cannot brook this dalliance
Good sir say wheer youll answer me or no
If not Ill leave him to the officer
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
I answer you What should I answer you
ANGELO
The money that you owe me for the chain
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
I owe you none till I receive the chain
ANGELO
You know I gave it you half an hour since
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
You gave me none You wrong me much to say so
ANGELO
You wrong me more sir in denying it
Consider how it stands upon my credit
MERCHANT
Well officer arrest him at my suit
OFFICER
I do and charge you in the dukes name to obey me
ANGELO
This touches me in reputation
Either consent to pay this sum for me
Or I attach you by this officer
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
Consent to pay thee that I never had
Arrest me foolish fellow if thou darst
ANGELO
Here is thy fee arrest him officer
I would not spare my brother in this case
If he should scorn me so apparently
OFFICER
I do arrest you sir You hear the suit
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
I 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
ANGELO
Sir sir I shall have law in Ephesus
To your notorious shame I doubt it not
Enter Dromio of Syracuse from the bay
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Master theres a bark of Epidamnum
That stays but till her owner comes aboard
And then sir bears away Our fraughtage sir
I have conveyd aboard and I have bought
The oil the balsamum and aquavitae
The ship is in her trim the merry wind
Blows fair from land they stay for nought at all
But for their owner master and yourself
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
How now a madman Why thou peevish sheep
What ship of Epidamnum stays for me
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
A ship you sent me to to hire waftage
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
Thou drunken slave I sent thee for a rope
And told thee to what purpose and what end
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
You sent me for a ropes end as soon
You sent me to the bay sir for a bark
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
I will debate this matter at more leisure
And teach your ears to list me with more heed
To Adriana villain hie thee straight
Give her this key and tell her in the desk
Thats coverd oer with Turkish tapestry
There is a purse of ducats let her send it
Tell her I am arrested in the street
And that shall bail me Hie thee slave be gone
On officer to prison till it come
Exeunt Merchant Angelo Officer and Antipholus of Ephesus
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
To Adriana that is where we dind
Where Dowsabel did claim me for her husband
She is too big I hope for me to compass
Thither I must although against my will
For servants must their masters minds fulfil
Exit
SCENE II The same
Enter Adriana and Luciana
ADRIANA
Ah Luciana did he tempt thee so
Mightst thou perceive austerely in his eye
That he did plead in earnest yea or no
Lookd he or red or pale or sad or merrily
What observation madst thou in this case
Of his hearts meteors tilting in his face
LUCIANA
First he denied you had in him no right
ADRIANA
He meant he did me none the more my spite
LUCIANA
Then swore he that he was a stranger here
ADRIANA
And true he swore though yet forsworn he were
LUCIANA
Then pleaded I for you
ADRIANA
And what said he
LUCIANA
That love I beggd for you he beggd of me
ADRIANA
With what persuasion did he tempt thy love
LUCIANA
With words that in an honest suit might move
First he did praise my beauty then my speech
ADRIANA
Didst speak him fair
LUCIANA
Have patience I beseech
ADRIANA
I cannot nor I will not hold me still
My tongue though not my heart shall have his will
He is deformed crooked old and sere
Illfacd worse bodied shapeless everywhere
Vicious ungentle foolish blunt unkind
Stigmatical in making worse in mind
LUCIANA
Who would be jealous then of such a one
No evil lost is waild when it is gone
ADRIANA
Ah but I think him better than I say
And yet would herein others eyes were worse
Far from her nest the lapwing cries away
My heart prays for him though my tongue do curse
Enter Dromio of Syracuse
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Here go the desk the purse sweet now make haste
LUCIANA
How hast thou lost thy breath
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
By running fast
ADRIANA
Where is thy master Dromio is he well
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
No hes in Tartar limbo worse than hell
A devil in an everlasting garment hath him
One whose hard heart is buttond up with steel
A fiend a fairy pitiless and rough
A wolf nay worse a fellow all in buff
A backfriend a shoulderclapper one that countermands
The passages of alleys creeks and narrow lands
A hound that runs counter and yet draws dryfoot well
One that before the judgement carries poor souls to hell
ADRIANA
Why man what is the matter
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
I do not know the matter He is rested on the case
ADRIANA
What is he arrested Tell me at whose suit
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
I know not at whose suit he is arrested well
But hes in a suit of buff which rested him that can I tell
Will you send him mistress redemption the money in his desk
ADRIANA
Go fetch it sister This I wonder at
Exit Luciana
Thus he unknown to me should be in debt
Tell me was he arrested on a band
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Not on a band but on a stronger thing
A chain a chain Do you not hear it ring
ADRIANA
What the chain
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
No no the bell tis time that I were gone
It was two ere I left him and now the clock strikes one
ADRIANA
The hours come back That did I never hear
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
O yes if any hour meet a sergeant a turns back for very fear
ADRIANA
As if time were in debt How fondly dost thou reason
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Time is a very bankrupt and owes more than hes worth to season
Nay hes a thief too Have you not heard men say
That time comes stealing on by night and day
If he be in debt and theft and a sergeant in the way
Hath he not reason to turn back an hour in a day
Enter Luciana
ADRIANA
Go Dromio theres the money bear it straight
And bring thy master home immediately
Come sister I am pressd down with conceit
Conceit my comfort and my injury
Exeunt
SCENE III The same
Enter Antipholus of Syracuse
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Theres not a man I meet but doth salute me
As if I were their wellacquainted friend
And everyone 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 calld me in his shop
And showd me silks that he had bought for me
And therewithal took measure of my body
Sure these are but imaginary wiles
And Lapland sorcerers inhabit here
Enter Dromio of Syracuse
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Master heres the gold you sent me for
What have you got the picture of old Adam new apparelled
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
What gold is this What Adam dost thou mean
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Not that Adam that kept the paradise but that Adam that keeps the prison he that goes in the calfs skin that was killed for the Prodigal he that came behind you sir like an evil angel and bid you forsake your liberty
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
I understand thee not
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
No Why tis a plain case he that went like a bassviol 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 morrispike
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
What thou meanst an officer
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Ay sir the sergeant of the band he that brings any man to answer it that breaks his band one that thinks a man always going to bed and says God give you good rest
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Well sir there rest in your foolery Is there any ship puts forth tonight may we be gone
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Why sir I brought you word an hour since that the bark Expedition put forth tonight 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
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
The fellow is distract and so am I
And here we wander in illusions
Some blessed power deliver us from hence
Enter a Courtesan
COURTESAN
Well met well met Master Antipholus
I see sir you have found the goldsmith now
Is that the chain you promisd me today
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Satan avoid I charge thee tempt me not
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Master is this Mistress Satan
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
It is the devil
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Nay she is worse she is the devils dam and here she comes in the habit of a light wench and thereof comes that the wenches say God damn me thats 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 will burn Come not near her
COURTESAN
Your man and you are marvellous merry sir
Will you go with me Well mend our dinner here
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Master if you do expect spoonmeat or bespeak a long spoon
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Why Dromio
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Marry he must have a long spoon that must eat with the devil
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Avoid then fiend What tellst thou me of supping
Thou art as you are all a sorceress
I conjure thee to leave me and be gone
COURTESAN
Give me the ring of mine you had at dinner
Or for my diamond the chain you promisd
And Ill be gone sir and not trouble you
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Some devils ask but the paring of ones nail
A rush a hair a drop of blood a pin
A nut a cherrystone but she more covetous
Would have a chain
Master be wise and if you give it her
The devil will shake her chain and fright us with it
COURTESAN
I pray you sir my ring or else the chain
I hope you do not mean to cheat me so
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Avaunt thou witch Come Dromio let us go
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Fly pride says the peacock Mistress that you know
Exeunt Antipholus of Syracuse and Dromio of Syracuse
COURTESAN
Now out of doubt Antipholus is mad
Else would he never so demean himself
A ring he hath of mine worth forty ducats
And for the same he promisd me a chain
Both one and other he denies me now
The reason that I gather he is mad
Besides this present instance of his rage
Is a mad tale he told today at dinner
Of his own doors being shut against his entrance
Belike his wife acquainted with his fits
On purpose shut the doors against his way
My way is now to hie home to his house
And tell his wife that being lunatic
He rushd into my house and took perforce
My ring away This course I fittest choose
For forty ducats is too much to lose
Exit
SCENE IV The same
Enter Antipholus of Ephesus with an Officer
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
Fear me not man I will not break away
Ill give thee ere I leave thee so much money
To warrant thee as I am rested for
My wife is in a wayward mood today
And will not lightly trust the messenger
That I should be attachd in Ephesus
I tell you twill sound harshly in her ears
Enter Dromio of Ephesus with a ropes end
Here comes my man I think he brings the money
How now sir have you that I sent you for
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
Heres that I warrant you will pay them all
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
But wheres the money
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
Why sir I gave the money for the rope
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
Five hundred ducats villain for a rope
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
Ill serve you sir five hundred at the rate
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
To what end did I bid thee hie thee home
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
To a ropes end sir and to that end am I returnd
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
And to that end sir I will welcome you
Beating him
OFFICER
Good sir be patient
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
Nay tis for me to be patient I am in adversity
OFFICER
Good now hold thy tongue
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
Nay rather persuade him to hold his hands
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
Thou whoreson senseless villain
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
I would I were senseless sir that I might not feel your blows
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
Thou art sensible in nothing but blows and so is an ass
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
I am an ass indeed you may prove it by my long ears I have served him from the hour of my nativity to this instant and have nothing at his hands for my service but blows When I am cold 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
Enter Adriana Luciana Courtesan and a Schoolmaster called Pinch
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
Come go along my wife is coming yonder
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
Mistress respice finem respect your end or rather the prophesy like the parrot Beware the ropes end
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
Wilt thou still talk
Beats him
COURTESAN
How say you now Is not your husband mad
ADRIANA
His incivility confirms no less
Good Doctor Pinch you are a conjurer
Establish him in his true sense again
And I will please you what you will demand
LUCIANA
Alas how fiery and how sharp he looks
COURTESAN
Mark how he trembles in his ecstasy
PINCH
Give me your hand and let me feel your pulse
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
There is my hand and let it feel your ear
PINCH
I charge thee Satan housd within this man
To yield possession to my holy prayers
And to thy state of darkness hie thee straight
I conjure thee by all the saints in heaven
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
Peace doting wizard peace I am not mad
ADRIANA
O that thou wert not poor distressed soul
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
You minion you are these your customers
Did this companion with the saffron face
Revel and feast it at my house today
Whilst upon me the guilty doors were shut
And I denied to enter in my house
ADRIANA
O husband God doth know you dind at home
Where would you had remaind until this time
Free from these slanders and this open shame
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
Dind at home Thou villain what sayest thou
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
Sir sooth to say you did not dine at home
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
Were not my doors lockd up and I shut out
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
Perdy your doors were lockd and you shut out
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
And did not she herself revile me there
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
Sans fable she herself revild you there
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
Did not her kitchenmaid rail taunt and scorn me
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
Certes she did the kitchenvestal scornd you
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
And did not I in rage depart from thence
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
In verity you did my bones bear witness
That since have felt the vigour of his rage
ADRIANA
Ist good to soothe him in these contraries
PINCH
It is no shame the fellow finds his vein
And yielding to him humours well his frenzy
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
Thou hast subornd the goldsmith to arrest me
ADRIANA
Alas I sent you money to redeem you
By Dromio here who came in haste for it
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
Money by me Heart and goodwill you might
But surely master not a rag of money
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
Wentst not thou to her for a purse of ducats
ADRIANA
He came to me and I deliverd it
LUCIANA
And I am witness with her that she did
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
God and the ropemaker bear me witness
That I was sent for nothing but a rope
PINCH
Mistress both man and master is possessd
I know it by their pale and deadly looks
They must be bound and laid in some dark room
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
Say wherefore didst thou lock me forth today
And why dost thou deny the bag of gold
ADRIANA
I did not gentle husband lock thee forth
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
And gentle master I receivd no gold
But I confess sir that we were lockd out
ADRIANA
Dissembling villain thou speakst false in both
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
Dissembling harlot thou art false in all
And art confederate with a damned pack
To make a loathsome abject scorn of me
But with these nails Ill pluck out these false eyes
That would behold in me this shameful sport
Enter three or four and offer to bind him He strives
ADRIANA
O bind him bind him let him not come near me
PINCH
More company the fiend is strong within him
LUCIANA
Ay me poor man how pale and wan he looks
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
What will you murder me Thou jailer thou
I am thy prisoner Wilt thou suffer them
To make a rescue
OFFICER
Masters let him go
He is my prisoner and you shall not have him
PINCH
Go bind this man for he is frantic too
ADRIANA
What wilt thou do thou peevish officer
Hast thou delight to see a wretched man
Do outrage and displeasure to himself
OFFICER
He is my prisoner If I let him go
The debt he owes will be requird of me
ADRIANA
I will discharge thee ere I go from thee
Bear me forthwith unto his creditor
And knowing how the debt grows I will pay it
Good master doctor see him safe conveyd
Home to my house O most unhappy day
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
O most unhappy strumpet
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
Master I am here enterd in bond for you
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
Out on thee villain wherefore dost thou mad me
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
Will you be bound for nothing Be mad good master cry the devil
LUCIANA
God help poor souls how idly do they talk
ADRIANA
Go bear him hence Sister go you with me
Exeunt Pinch and Assistants with Antipholus of Ephesus and Dromio of Ephesus
Say now whose suit is he arrested at
OFFICER
One Angelo a goldsmith do you know him
ADRIANA
I know the man What is the sum he owes
OFFICER
Two hundred ducats
ADRIANA
Say how grows it due
OFFICER
Due for a chain your husband had of him
ADRIANA
He did bespeak a chain for me but had it not
COURTESAN
When as your husband all in rage today
Came to my house and took away my ring
The ring I saw upon his finger now
Straight after did I meet him with a chain
ADRIANA
It may be so but I did never see it
Come jailer bring me where the goldsmith is
I long to know the truth hereof at large
Enter Antipholus of Syracuse with his rapier drawn and Dromio of Syracuse
LUCIANA
God for thy mercy they are loose again
ADRIANA
And come with naked swords Lets call more help
To have them bound again
OFFICER
Away theyll kill us
Exeunt as fast as may be frighted
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
I see these witches are afraid of swords
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
She that would be your wife now ran from you
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Come to the Centaur fetch our stuff from thence
I long that we were safe and sound aboard
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Faith stay here this night they will surely do us no harm you saw they speak us fair give us gold Methinks they are such a gentle nation that but for the mountain of mad flesh that claims marriage of me I could find in my heart to stay here still and turn witch
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
I will not stay tonight for all the town
Therefore away to get our stuff aboard
Exeunt
ACT V
SCENE I The same
Enter Merchant and Angelo
ANGELO
I am sorry sir that I have hinderd you
But I protest he had the chain of me
Though most dishonestly he doth deny it
MERCHANT
How is the man esteemd here in the city
ANGELO
Of very reverend reputation sir
Of credit infinite highly belovd
Second to none that lives here in the city
His word might bear my wealth at any time
MERCHANT
Speak softly Yonder as I think he walks
Enter Antipholus of Syracuse and Dromio of Syracuse
ANGELO
Tis so and that self chain about his neck
Which he forswore most monstrously to have
Good sir draw near to me Ill speak to him
Signior Antipholus 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
Beside the charge the shame imprisonment
You have done wrong to this my honest friend
Who but for staying on our controversy
Had hoisted sail and put to sea today
This chain you had of me can you deny it
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
I think I had I never did deny it
MERCHANT
Yes that you did sir and forswore it too
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Who heard me to deny it or forswear it
MERCHANT
These ears of mine thou knowst did hear thee
Fie on thee wretch Tis pity that thou livst
To walk where any honest men resort
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Thou art a villain to impeach me thus
Ill prove mine honour and mine honesty
Against thee presently if thou darst stand
MERCHANT
I dare and do defy thee for a villain
They draw
Enter Adriana Luciana Courtesan and others
ADRIANA
Hold hurt him not for Gods sake he is mad
Some get within him take his sword away
Bind Dromio too and bear them to my house
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Run master run for Gods sake take a house
This is some priory in or we are spoild
Exeunt Antipholus of Syracuse and Dromio of Syracuse to the priory
Enter Lady Abbess
ABBESS
Be quiet people Wherefore throng you hither
ADRIANA
To fetch my poor distracted husband hence
Let us come in that we may bind him fast
And bear him home for his recovery
ANGELO
I knew he was not in his perfect wits
MERCHANT
I am sorry now that I did draw on him
ABBESS
How long hath this possession held the man
ADRIANA
This week he hath been heavy sour sad
And much different from the man he was
But till this afternoon his passion
Neer brake into extremity of rage
ABBESS
Hath he not lost much wealth by wreck of sea
Buried some dear friend Hath not else his eye
Strayd his affection in unlawful love
A sin prevailing much in youthful men
Who give their eyes the liberty of gazing
Which of these sorrows is he subject to
ADRIANA
To none of these except it be the last
Namely some love that drew him oft from home
ABBESS
You should for that have reprehended him
ADRIANA
Why so I did
ABBESS
Ay but not rough enough
ADRIANA
As roughly as my modesty would let me
ABBESS
Haply in private
ADRIANA
And in assemblies too
ABBESS
Ay but not enough
ADRIANA
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
ABBESS
And thereof came it that the man was mad
The venom clamours of a jealous woman
Poisons more deadly than a mad dogs tooth
It seems his sleeps were hindered by thy railing
And thereof comes it that his head is light
Thou sayst his meat was saucd with thy upbraidings
Unquiet meals make ill digestions
Thereof the raging fire of fever bred
And whats a fever but a fit of madness
Thou sayst his sports were hinderd by thy brawls
Sweet recreation barrd what doth ensue
But moody and dull melancholy
Kinsman 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 lifepreserving rest
To be disturbd would mad or man or beast
The consequence is then thy jealous fits
Hath scard thy husband from the use ofs wits
LUCIANA
She never reprehended him but mildly
When he demeand himself rough rude and wildly
Why bear you these rebukes and answer not
ADRIANA
She did betray me to my own reproof
Good people enter and lay hold on him
ABBESS
No not a creature enters in my house
ADRIANA
Then let your servants bring my husband forth
ABBESS
Neither He took this place for sanctuary
And it shall privilege him from your hands
Till I have brought him to his wits again
Or lose my labour in assaying it
ADRIANA
I will attend my husband be his nurse
Diet his sickness for it is my office
And will have no attorney but myself
And therefore let me have him home with me
ABBESS
Be patient for I will not let him stir
Till I 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
A charitable duty of my order
Therefore depart and leave him here with me
ADRIANA
I will not hence and leave my husband here
And ill it doth beseem your holiness
To separate the husband and the wife
ABBESS
Be quiet and depart Thou shalt not have him
Exit Abbess
LUCIANA
Complain unto the duke of this indignity
ADRIANA
Come go I will fall prostrate at his feet
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
MERCHANT
By this I think the dial points at five
Anon Im sure the Duke himself in person
Comes this way to the melancholy vale
The place of death and sorry execution
Behind the ditches of the abbey here
ANGELO
Upon what cause
MERCHANT
To see a reverend Syracusian merchant
Who put unluckily into this bay
Against the laws and statutes of this town
Beheaded publicly for his offence
ANGELO
See where they come We will behold his death
LUCIANA
Kneel to the Duke before he pass the abbey
Enter the Duke attended Egeon bareheaded with the Headsman and other Officers
DUKE
Yet once again proclaim it publicly
If any friend will pay the sum for him
He shall not die so much we tender him
ADRIANA
Justice most sacred duke against the abbess
DUKE
She is a virtuous and a reverend lady
It cannot be that she hath done thee wrong
ADRIANA
May it please your grace Antipholus my husband
Who I made lord of me and all I had
At your important letters this ill day
A most outrageous fit of madness took him
That desprately he hurried through the street
With him his bondman all as mad as he
Doing displeasure to the citizens
By rushing in their houses bearing thence
Rings jewels anything his rage did like
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
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 command
Let him be brought forth and borne hence for help
DUKE
Long since thy husband servd me in my wars
And I to thee engagd a princes word
When thou didst make him master of thy bed
To do him all the grace and good I could
Go some of you knock at the abbey gate
And bid the lady abbess come to me
I will determine this before I stir
Enter a Messenger
MESSENGER
O mistress mistress shift and save yourself
My master and his man are both broke loose
Beaten the maids arow and bound the doctor
Whose beard they have singed off with brands of fire
And ever as it blazed they threw on him
Great pails 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
ADRIANA
Peace fool thy master and his man are here
And that is false thou dost report to us
MESSENGER
Mistress upon my life I tell you true
I have not breathd 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
DUKE
Come stand by me fear nothing Guard with halberds
ADRIANA
Ay me it is my husband Witness you
That he is borne about invisible
Even now we housd him in the abbey here
And now hes there past thought of human reason
Enter Antipholus and Dromio of Ephesus
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
Justice most gracious duke O grant me justice
Even for the service that long since I did thee
When I bestrid thee in the wars and took
Deep scars to save thy life even for the blood
That then I lost for thee now grant me justice
EGEON
Unless the fear of death doth make me dote
I see my son Antipholus and Dromio
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
Justice sweet prince against that woman there
She whom thou gavst to me to be my wife
That hath abused and dishonourd me
Even in the strength and height of injury
Beyond imagination is the wrong
That she this day hath shameless thrown on me
DUKE
Discover how and thou shalt find me just
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
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 so
ADRIANA
No my good lord Myself he and my sister
Today did dine together So befall my soul
As this is false he burdens me withal
LUCIANA
Neer may I look on day nor sleep on night
But she tells to your highness simple truth
ANGELO
O perjurd woman They are both forsworn
In this the madman justly chargeth them
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
My liege I am advised what I say
Neither disturbd with the effect of wine
Nor headyrash provokd with raging ire
Albeit my wrongs might make one wiser mad
This woman lockd me out this day from dinner
That goldsmith there were he not packd with her
Could witness it for he was with me then
Who parted with me to go fetch a chain
Promising to bring it to the Porpentine
Where Balthasar and I did dine together
Our dinner done and he not coming thither
I went to seek him In the street I met him
And in his company that gentleman
There did this perjurd goldsmith swear me down
That I this day of him receivd the chain
Which God he knows I saw not For the which
He did arrest me with an officer
I did obey and sent my peasant home
For certain ducats He with none returnd
Then fairly I bespoke the officer
To go in person with me to my house
By th way we met
My wife her sister and a rabble more
Of vile confederates Along with them
They brought one Pinch a hungry leanfaced villain
A mere anatomy a mountebank
A threadbare juggler and a fortuneteller
A needy holloweyd sharplooking wretch
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 possessd Then altogether
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
Till gnawing with my teeth my bonds in sunder
I gaind my freedom and immediately
Ran hither to your Grace whom I beseech
To give me ample satisfaction
For these deep shames and great indignities
ANGELO
My lord in truth thus far I witness with him
That he dind not at home but was lockd out
DUKE
But had he such a chain of thee or no
ANGELO
He had my lord and when he ran in here
These people saw the chain about his neck
MERCHANT
Besides I will be sworn these ears of mine
Heard you confess you had the chain of him
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
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
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
DUKE
Why what an intricate impeach is this
I think you all have drunk of Circes cup
If here you housd him here he would have been
If he were mad he would not plead so coldly
You say he dind at home the goldsmith here
Denies that saying Sirrah what say you
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
Sir he dined with her there at the Porpentine
COURTESAN
He did and from my finger snatchd that ring
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
Tis true my liege this ring I had of her
DUKE
Sawst thou him enter at the abbey here
COURTESAN
As sure my liege as I do see your grace
DUKE
Why this is strange Go call the abbess hither
I think you are all mated or stark mad
Exit one to the Abbess
EGEON
Most mighty Duke vouchsafe me speak a word
Haply I see a friend will save my life
And pay the sum that may deliver me
DUKE
Speak freely Syracusian what thou wilt
EGEON
Is not your name sir calld Antipholus
And is not that your bondman Dromio
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
Within this hour I was his bondman sir
But he I thank him gnawd in two my cords
Now am I Dromio and his man unbound
EGEON
I am sure you both of you remember me
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
Ourselves we do remember sir by you
For lately we were bound as you are now
You are not Pinchs patient are you sir
EGEON
Why look you strange on me you know me well
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
I never saw you in my life till now
EGEON
O grief hath changd me since you saw me last
And careful hours with times deformed hand
Have written strange defeatures in my face
But tell me yet dost thou not know my voice
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
Neither
EGEON
Dromio nor thou
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
No trust me sir nor I
EGEON
I am sure thou dost
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
Ay sir but I am sure I do not and whatsoever a man denies you are now bound to believe him
EGEON
Not know my voice O times extremity
Hast thou so crackd and splitted my poor tongue
In seven short years that here my only son
Knows not my feeble key of untund cares
Though now this grained face of mine be hid
In sapconsuming winters drizzled snow
And all the conduits of my blood froze up
Yet hath my night of life some memory
My wasting lamps some fading glimmer left
My dull deaf ears a little use to hear
All these old witnesses I cannot err
Tell me thou art my son Antipholus
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
I never saw my father in my life
EGEON
But seven years since in Syracusa boy
Thou knowst we parted but perhaps my son
Thou shamst to acknowledge me in misery
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
The duke and all that know me in the city
Can witness with me that it is not so
I neer saw Syracusa in my life
DUKE
I tell thee Syracusian twenty years
Have I been patron to Antipholus
During which time he neer saw Syracusa
I see thy age and dangers make thee dote
Enter the Abbess with Antipholus of Syracuse and Dromio of Syracuse
ABBESS
Most mighty duke behold a man much wrongd
All gather to see them
ADRIANA
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
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
I sir am Dromio command him away
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
I sir am Dromio pray let me stay
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
Egeon art thou not or else his ghost
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
O my old master who hath bound him here
ABBESS
Whoever bound him I will loose his bonds
And gain a husband by his liberty
Speak old Egeon if thou best the man
That hadst a wife once called Emilia
That bore thee at a burden two fair sons
O if thou best the same Egeon speak
And speak unto the same Emilia
DUKE
Why here begins his morning story right
These two Antipholus 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
Which accidentally are met together
EGEON
If I dream not thou art Emilia
If thou art she tell me where is that son
That floated with thee on the fatal raft
ABBESS
By men of Epidamnum he and I
And the twin Dromio all were taken up
But by and by rude fishermen of Corinth
By force took Dromio and my son from them
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
Antipholus thou camst from Corinth first
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
No sir not I I came from Syracuse
DUKE
Stay stand apart I know not which is which
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
I came from Corinth my most gracious lord
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
And I with him
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
Brought to this town by that most famous warrior
Duke Menaphon your most renowned uncle
ADRIANA
Which of you two did dine with me today
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
I gentle mistress
ADRIANA
And are not you my husband
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
No I say nay to that
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
And so do I yet did she call me so
And this fair gentlewoman her sister here
Did call me brother What I told you then
I hope I shall have leisure to make good
If this be not a dream I see and hear
ANGELO
That is the chain sir which you had of me
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
I think it be sir I deny it not
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
And you sir for this chain arrested me
ANGELO
I think I did sir I deny it not
ADRIANA
I sent you money sir to be your bail
By Dromio but I think he brought it not
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
No none by me
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
This purse of ducats I receivd from you
And Dromio my man did bring them me
I see we still did meet each others man
And I was taen for him and he for me
And thereupon these errors are arose
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
These ducats pawn I for my father here
DUKE
It shall not need thy father hath his life
COURTESAN
Sir I must have that diamond from you
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
There take it and much thanks for my good cheer
ABBESS
Renowned duke vouchsafe to take the pains
To go with us into the abbey here
And hear at large discoursed all our fortunes
And all that are assembled in this place
That by this sympathised one days error
Have sufferd wrong go keep us company
And we shall make full satisfaction
Thirtythree years have I but gone in travail
Of you my sons and till this present hour
My heavy burden neer 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 nativity
DUKE
With all my heart Ill gossip at this feast
Exeunt except the two Dromios and two Brothers
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Master shall I fetch your stuff from shipboard
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
Dromio what stuff of mine hast thou embarkd
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Your goods that lay at host sir in the Centaur
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
He speaks to me I am your master Dromio
Come go with us Well look to that anon
Embrace thy brother there rejoice with him
Exeunt Antipholus of Syracuse and Antipholus of Ephesus
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
There is a fat friend at your masters house
That kitchend me for you today at dinner
She now shall be my sister not my wife
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
Methinks you are my glass and not my brother
I see by you I am a sweetfaced youth
Will you walk in to see their gossiping
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Not I sir you are my elder
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
Thats a question how shall we try it
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Well draw cuts for the senior Till then lead thou first
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
Nay then thus
We came into the world like brother and brother
And now lets go hand in hand not one before another
Exeunt
THE TRAGEDY OF CORIOLANUS
Contents
ACT I
Scene I Rome A street
Scene II Corioles The Senate House
Scene III Rome An apartment in Martius house
Scene IV Before Corioles
Scene V Within Corioles A street
Scene VI Near the camp of Cominius
Scene VII The gates of Corioles
Scene VIII A field of battle between the Roman and the Volscian camps
Scene IX The Roman camp
Scene X The camp of the Volsces
ACT II
Scene I Rome A public place
Scene II Rome The Capitol
Scene III Rome The Forum
ACT III
Scene I Rome A street
Scene II Rome A room in Coriolanuss house
Scene III Rome The Forum
ACT IV
Scene I Rome Before a gate of the city
Scene II Rome A street near the gate
Scene III A highway between Rome and Antium
Scene IV Antium Before Aufidiuss house
Scene V Antium A hall in Aufidiuss house
Scene VI Rome A public place
Scene VII A camp at a short distance from Rome
ACT V
Scene I Rome A public place
Scene II An Advanced post of the Volscian camp before Rome
Scene III The tent of Coriolanus
Scene IV Rome A public place
Scene V Rome A street near the gate
Scene VI Antium A public place
Dramatis Person
CAIUS MARTIUS CORIOLANUS a noble Roman
VOLUMNIA his mother
VIRGILIA his wife
YOUNG MARTIUS their son
VALERIA friend to Volumnia and Virgilia
A GENTLEWOMAN Volumnias attendant
MENENIUS AGRIPPA Friend to Coriolanus
COMINIUS General against the Volscians
TITUS LARTIUS General against the Volscians
SICINIUS VELUTUS Tribune of the People
JUNIUS BRUTUS Tribune of the People
A ROMAN HERALD
TULLUS AUFIDIUS General of the Volscians
LIEUTENANT to Aufidius
Conspirators with Aufidius
A CITIZEN of Antium
TWO VOLSCIAN GUARDS
Roman and Volscian Senators Patricians Aediles Lictors Soldiers Citizens Messengers Servants to Aufidius and other Attendants
SCENE Partly in Rome and partly in the territories of the Volscians and Antiates
ACT I
SCENE I Rome A street
Enter a company of mutinous Citizens with staves clubs and other weapons
FIRST CITIZEN
Before we proceed any further hear me speak
ALL
Speak speak
FIRST CITIZEN
You are all resolved rather to die than to famish
ALL
Resolved resolved
FIRST CITIZEN
First you know Caius Martius is chief enemy to the people
ALL
We knowt we knowt
FIRST CITIZEN
Let us kill him and well have corn at our own price Ist a verdict
ALL
No more talking ont let it be done Away away
SECOND CITIZEN
One word good citizens
FIRST CITIZEN
We are accounted poor citizens the patricians good What authority surfeits on would relieve us If they would yield us but the superfluity while it were wholesome we might guess they relieved us humanely But they think we are too dear The leanness that afflicts us the object of our misery is as an inventory to particularize their abundance our sufferance is a gain to them Let us revenge this with our pikes ere we become rakes for the gods know I speak this in hunger for bread not in thirst for revenge
SECOND CITIZEN
Would you proceed especially against Caius Martius
FIRST CITIZEN
Against him first Hes a very dog to the commonalty
SECOND CITIZEN
Consider you what services he has done for his country
FIRST CITIZEN
Very well and could be content to give him good report fort but that he pays himself with being proud
SECOND CITIZEN
Nay but speak not maliciously
FIRST CITIZEN
I say unto you what he hath done famously he did it to that end Though softconscienced men can be content to say it was for his country he did it to please his mother and to be partly proud which he is even to the altitude of his virtue
SECOND CITIZEN
What he cannot help in his nature you account a vice in him You must in no way say he is covetous
FIRST CITIZEN
If I must not I need not be barren of accusations He hath faults with surplus to tire in repetition Shouts within What shouts are these The other side o th city is risen Why stay we prating here To th Capitol
ALL
Come come
Enter Menenius Agrippa
FIRST CITIZEN
Soft who comes here
SECOND CITIZEN
Worthy Menenius Agrippa one that hath always loved the people
FIRST CITIZEN
Hes one honest enough Would all the rest were so
MENENIUS
What works my countrymen in hand Where go you
With bats and clubs The matter Speak I pray you
FIRST CITIZEN
Our business is not unknown to th Senate They have had inkling this fortnight what we intend to do which now well show em in deeds They say poor suitors have strong breaths they shall know we have strong arms too
MENENIUS
Why masters my good friends mine honest neighbours
Will you undo yourselves
FIRST CITIZEN
We cannot sir we are undone already
MENENIUS
I tell you friends most charitable care
Have the patricians of you For your wants
Your suffering in this dearth you may as well
Strike at the heaven with your staves as lift them
Against the Roman state whose course will on
The way it takes cracking ten thousand curbs
Of more strong link asunder than can ever
Appear in your impediment For the dearth
The gods not the patricians make it and
Your knees to them not arms must help Alack
You are transported by calamity
Thither where more attends you and you slander
The helms o th state who care for you like fathers
When you curse them as enemies
FIRST CITIZEN
Care for us True indeed They neer cared for us yet Suffer us to famish and their storehouses crammed with grain make edicts for usury to support usurers repeal daily any wholesome act established against the rich and provide more piercing statutes daily to chain up and restrain the poor If the wars eat us not up they will and theres all the love they bear us
MENENIUS
Either you must confess yourselves wondrous malicious
Or be accused of folly I shall tell you
A pretty tale It may be you have heard it
But since it serves my purpose I will venture
To stalet a little more
FIRST CITIZEN
Well Ill hear it sir yet you must not think to fob off our disgrace with a tale But ant please you deliver
MENENIUS
There was a time when all the bodys members
Rebelled against the belly thus accused it
That only like a gulf it did remain
I th midst o th body idle and unactive
Still cupboarding the viand never bearing
Like labour with the rest where th other instruments
Did see and hear devise instruct walk feel
And mutually participate did minister
Unto the appetite and affection common
Of the whole body The belly answered
FIRST CITIZEN
Well sir what answer made the belly
MENENIUS
Sir I shall tell you With a kind of smile
Which neer came from the lungs but even thus
For look you I may make the belly smile
As well as speakit tauntingly replied
To th discontented members the mutinous parts
That envied his receipt even so most fitly
As you malign our senators for that
They are not such as you
FIRST CITIZEN
Your bellys answerwhat
The kingly crowned head the vigilant eye
The counsellor heart the arm our soldier
Our steed the leg the tongue our trumpeter
With other muniments and petty helps
Is this our fabric if that they
MENENIUS
What then
Fore me this fellow speaks What then What then
FIRST CITIZEN
Should by the cormorant belly be restrained
Who is the sink o th body
MENENIUS
Well what then
FIRST CITIZEN
The former agents if they did complain
What could the belly answer
MENENIUS
I will tell you
If youll bestow a smallof what you have little
Patience awhile youst hear the bellys answer
FIRST CITIZEN
You are long about it
MENENIUS
Note me this good friend
Your most grave belly was deliberate
Not rash like his accusers and thus answered
True is it my incorporate friends quoth he
That I receive the general food at first
Which you do live upon and fit it is
Because I am the storehouse and the shop
Of the whole body But if you do remember
I send it through the rivers of your blood
Even to the court the heart to th seat o th brain
And through the cranks and offices of man
The strongest nerves and small inferior veins
From me receive that natural competency
Whereby they live And though that all at once
You my good friendsthis says the belly mark me
FIRST CITIZEN
Ay sir well well
MENENIUS
Though all at once cannot
See what I do deliver out to each
Yet I can make my audit up that all
From me do back receive the flour of all
And leave me but the bran What say you tot
FIRST CITIZEN
It was an answer How apply you this
MENENIUS
The senators of Rome are this good belly
And you the mutinous members For examine
Their counsels and their cares digest things rightly
Touching the weal o th common you shall find
No public benefit which you receive
But it proceeds or comes from them to you
And no way from yourselves What do you think
You the great toe of this assembly
FIRST CITIZEN
I the great toe Why the great toe
MENENIUS
For that being one o th lowest basest poorest
Of this most wise rebellion thou goest foremost
Thou rascal that art worst in blood to run
Leadst first to win some vantage
But make you ready your stiff bats and clubs
Rome and her rats are at the point of battle
The one side must have bale
Enter Caius Martius
Hail noble Martius
MARTIUS
ThanksWhats the matter you dissentious rogues
That rubbing the poor itch of your opinion
Make yourselves scabs
FIRST CITIZEN
We have ever your good word
MARTIUS
He that will give good words to thee will flatter
Beneath abhorring What would you have you curs
That like nor peace nor war The one affrights you
The other makes you proud He that trusts to you
Where he should find you lions finds you hares
Where foxes geese You are no surer no
Than is the coal of fire upon the ice
Or hailstone in the sun Your virtue is
To make him worthy whose offence subdues him
And curse that justice did it Who deserves greatness
Deserves your hate and your affections are
A sick mans appetite who desires most that
Which would increase his evil He that depends
Upon your favours swims with fins of lead
And hews down oaks with rushes Hang ye Trust ye
With every minute you do change a mind
And call him noble that was now your hate
Him vile that was your garland Whats the matter
That in these several places of the city
You cry against the noble senate who
Under the gods keep you in awe which else
Would feed on one anotherWhats their seeking
MENENIUS
For corn at their own rates whereof they say
The city is well stored
MARTIUS
Hang em They say
Theyll sit by th fire and presume to know
Whats done i th Capitol whos like to rise
Who thrives and who declines side factions and give out
Conjectural marriages making parties strong
And feebling such as stand not in their liking
Below their cobbled shoes They say theres grain enough
Would the nobility lay aside their ruth
And let me use my sword Id make a quarry
With thousands of these quartered slaves as high
As I could pick my lance
MENENIUS
Nay these are almost thoroughly persuaded
For though abundantly they lack discretion
Yet are they passing cowardly But I beseech you
What says the other troop
MARTIUS
They are dissolved Hang em
They said they were anhungry sighed forth proverbs
That hunger broke stone walls that dogs must eat
That meat was made for mouths that the gods sent not
Corn for the rich men only With these shreds
They vented their complainings which being answered
And a petition granted thema strange one
To break the heart of generosity
And make bold power look palethey threw their caps
As they would hang them on the horns o th moon
Shouting their emulation
MENENIUS
What is granted them
MARTIUS
Five tribunes to defend their vulgar wisdoms
Of their own choice Ones Junius Brutus
Sicinius Velutus and I know not Sdeath
The rabble should have first unroofed the city
Ere so prevailed with me It will in time
Win upon power and throw forth greater themes
For insurrections arguing
MENENIUS
This is strange
MARTIUS
Go get you home you fragments
Enter a Messenger hastily
MESSENGER
Wheres Caius Martius
MARTIUS
Here Whats the matter
MESSENGER
The news is sir the Volsces are in arms
MARTIUS
I am glad ont Then we shall ha means to vent
Our musty superfluity
Enter Sicinius Velutus Junius Brutus two Tribunes Cominius Titus Lartius with other Senators
See our best elders
FIRST SENATOR
Martius tis true that you have lately told us
The Volsces are in arms
MARTIUS
They have a leader
Tullus Aufidius that will put you tot
I sin in envying his nobility
And were I anything but what I am
I would wish me only he
COMINIUS
You have fought together
MARTIUS
Were half to half the world by th ears and he
Upon my party Id revolt to make
Only my wars with him He is a lion
That I am proud to hunt
FIRST SENATOR
Then worthy Martius
Attend upon Cominius to these wars
COMINIUS
It is your former promise
MARTIUS
Sir it is
And I am constantTitus Lartius thou
Shalt see me once more strike at Tullus face
What art thou stiff Standst out
TITUS LARTIUS
No Caius Martius
Ill lean upon one crutch and fight with th other
Ere stay behind this business
MENENIUS
O true bred
FIRST SENATOR
Your company to th Capitol where I know
Our greatest friends attend us
TITUS LARTIUS
Lead you on
Follow Cominius We must follow you
Right worthy your priority
COMINIUS
Noble Martius
FIRST SENATOR
To the Citizens
Hence to your homes begone
MARTIUS
Nay let them follow
The Volsces have much corn take these rats thither
To gnaw their garners Worshipful mutineers
Your valour puts well forth Pray follow
Exeunt Sicinius and Brutus remain
SICINIUS
Was ever man so proud as is this Martius
BRUTUS
He has no equal
SICINIUS
When we were chosen tribunes for the people
BRUTUS
Marked you his lip and eyes
SICINIUS
Nay but his taunts
BRUTUS
Being moved he will not spare to gird the gods
SICINIUS
Bemock the modest moon
BRUTUS
The present wars devour him He is grown
Too proud to be so valiant
SICINIUS
Such a nature
Tickled with good success disdains the shadow
Which he treads on at noon But I do wonder
His insolence can brook to be commanded
Under Cominius
BRUTUS
Fame at the which he aims
In whom already hes well graced cannot
Better be held nor more attained than by
A place below the first for what miscarries
Shall be the Generals fault though he perform
To th utmost of a man and giddy censure
Will then cry out of Martius O if he
Had borne the business
SICINIUS
Besides if things go well
Opinion that so sticks on Martius shall
Of his demerits rob Cominius
BRUTUS
Come
Half all Cominius honours are to Martius
Though Martius earned them not and all his faults
To Martius shall be honours though indeed
In aught he merit not
SICINIUS
Lets hence and hear
How the dispatch is made and in what fashion
More than in singularity he goes
Upon this present action
BRUTUS
Lets along
Exeunt
SCENE II Corioles The Senate House
Enter Tullus Aufidius with Senators of Corioles
FIRST SENATOR
So your opinion is Aufidius
That they of Rome are entered in our counsels
And know how we proceed
AUFIDIUS
Is it not yours
What ever have been thought on in this state
That could be brought to bodily act ere Rome
Had circumvention Tis not four days gone
Since I heard thence These are the wordsI think
I have the letter here Yes here it is
Reads They have pressed a power but it is not known
Whether for east or west The dearth is great
The people mutinous and it is rumoured
Cominius Martius your old enemy
Who is of Rome worse hated than of you
And Titus Lartius a most valiant Roman
These three lead on this preparation
Whither tis bent Most likely tis for you
Consider of it
FIRST SENATOR
Our armys in the field
We never yet made doubt but Rome was ready
To answer us
AUFIDIUS
Nor did you think it folly
To keep your great pretences veiled till when
They needs must show themselves which in the hatching
It seemed appeared to Rome By the discovery
We shall be shortened in our aim which was
To take in many towns ere almost Rome
Should know we were afoot
SECOND SENATOR
Noble Aufidius
Take your commission hie you to your bands
Let us alone to guard Corioles
If they set down befores for the remove
Bring up your army But I think youll find
Theyve not prepared for us
AUFIDIUS
O doubt not that
I speak from certainties Nay more
Some parcels of their power are forth already
And only hitherward I leave your Honours
If we and Caius Martius chance to meet
Tis sworn between us we shall ever strike
Till one can do no more
ALL
The gods assist you
AUFIDIUS
And keep your Honours safe
FIRST SENATOR
Farewell
SECOND SENATOR
Farewell
ALL
Farewell
Exeunt
SCENE III Rome An apartment in Martius house
Enter Volumnia and Virgilia mother and wife to Martius They set them down on two low stools and sew
VOLUMNIA
I pray you daughter sing or express yourself in a more comfortable sort If my son were my husband I should freelier rejoice in that absence wherein he won honour than in the embracements of his bed where he would show most love When yet he was but tenderbodied and the only son of my womb when youth with comeliness plucked all gaze his way when for a day of kings entreaties a mother should not sell him an hour from her beholding I considering how honour would become such a personthat it was no better than picturelike to hang by th wall if renown made it not stirwas pleased to let him seek danger where he was like to find fame To a cruel war I sent him from whence he returned his brows bound with oak I tell thee daughter I sprang not more in joy at first hearing he was a manchild than now in first seeing he had proved himself a man
VIRGILIA
But had he died in the business madam how then
VOLUMNIA
Then his good report should have been my son I therein would have found issue Hear me profess sincerely had I a dozen sons each in my love alike and none less dear than thine and my good Martius I had rather had eleven die nobly for their country than one voluptuously surfeit out of action
Enter a Gentlewoman
GENTLEWOMAN
Madam the Lady Valeria is come to visit you
VIRGILIA
Beseech you give me leave to retire myself
VOLUMNIA
Indeed you shall not
Methinks I hear hither your husbands drum
See him pluck Aufidius down by th hair
As children from a bear the Volsces shunning him
Methinks I see him stamp thus and call thus
Come on you cowards You were got in fear
Though you were born in Rome His bloody brow
With his mailed hand then wiping forth he goes
Like to a harvestman thats tasked to mow
Or all or lose his hire
VIRGILIA
His bloody brow O Jupiter no blood
VOLUMNIA
Away you fool It more becomes a man
Than gilt his trophy The breasts of Hecuba
When she did suckle Hector looked not lovelier
Than Hectors forehead when it spit forth blood
At Grecian sword contemningTell Valeria
We are fit to bid her welcome
Exit Gentlewoman
VIRGILIA
Heavens bless my lord from fell Aufidius
VOLUMNIA
Hell beat Aufidius head below his knee
And tread upon his neck
Enter Valeria with an Usher and a Gentlewoman
VALERIA
My ladies both good day to you
VOLUMNIA
Sweet madam
VIRGILIA
I am glad to see your Ladyship
VALERIA
How do you both You are manifest housekeepers What are you sewing here A fine spot in good faith How does your little son
VIRGILIA
I thank your Ladyship well good madam
VOLUMNIA
He had rather see the swords and hear a drum than look upon his schoolmaster
VALERIA
O my word the fathers son Ill swear tis a very pretty boy O my troth I looked upon him o Wednesday half an hour together Has such a confirmed countenance I saw him run after a gilded butterfly and when he caught it he let it go again and after it again and over and over he comes and up again catched it again Or whether his fall enraged him or how twas he did so set his teeth and tear it O I warrant how he mammocked it
VOLUMNIA
One ons fathers moods
VALERIA
Indeed la tis a noble child
VIRGILIA
A crack madam
VALERIA
Come lay aside your stitchery I must have you play the idle huswife with me this afternoon
VIRGILIA
No good madam I will not out of doors
VALERIA
Not out of doors
VOLUMNIA
She shall she shall
VIRGILIA
Indeed no by your patience Ill not over the threshold till my lord return from the wars
VALERIA
Fie you confine yourself most unreasonably Come you must go visit the good lady that lies in
VIRGILIA
I will wish her speedy strength and visit her with my prayers but I cannot go thither
VOLUMNIA
Why I pray you
VIRGILIA
Tis not to save labour nor that I want love
VALERIA
You would be another Penelope Yet they say all the yarn she spun in Ulysses absence did but fill Ithaca full of moths Come I would your cambric were sensible as your finger that you might leave pricking it for pity Come you shall go with us
VIRGILIA
No good madam pardon me indeed I will not forth
VALERIA
In truth la go with me and Ill tell you excellent news of your husband
VIRGILIA
O good madam there can be none yet
VALERIA
Verily I do not jest with you There came news from him last night
VIRGILIA
Indeed madam
VALERIA
In earnest its true I heard a senator speak it Thus it is the Volsces have an army forth against whom Cominius the General is gone with one part of our Roman power Your lord and Titus Lartius are set down before their city Corioles They nothing doubt prevailing and to make it brief wars This is true on mine honour and so I pray go with us
VIRGILIA
Give me excuse good madam I will obey you in everything hereafter
VOLUMNIA
Let her alone lady As she is now she will but disease our better mirth
VALERIA
In troth I think she wouldFare you well thenCome good sweet ladyPrithee Virgilia turn thy solemness out o door and go along with us
VIRGILIA
No at a word madam Indeed I must not I wish you much mirth
VALERIA
Well then farewell
Exeunt
SCENE IV Before Corioles
Enter Martius Titus Lartius with drum and colours with Captains and Soldiers as before the city of Corioles To them a Messenger
MARTIUS
Yonder comes news A wager they have met
LARTIUS
My horse to yours no
MARTIUS
Tis done
LARTIUS
Agreed
MARTIUS
To Messenger Say has our general met the enemy
MESSENGER
They lie in view but have not spoke as yet
LARTIUS
So the good horse is mine
MARTIUS
Ill buy him of you
LARTIUS
No Ill nor sell nor give him Lend you him I will
For half a hundred yearsSummon the town
MARTIUS
How far off lie these armies
MESSENGER
Within this mile and half
MARTIUS
Then shall we hear their larum and they ours
Now Mars I prithee make us quick in work
That we with smoking swords may march from hence
To help our fielded friendsCome blow thy blast
They sound a parley
Enter two Senators with others on the walls of Corioles
Tullus Aufidius is he within your walls
FIRST SENATOR
No nor a man that fears you less than he
Thats lesser than a little
Drum afar off
Hark our drums
Are bringing forth our youth Well break our walls
Rather than they shall pound us up Our gates
Which yet seem shut we have but pinned with rushes
Theyll open of themselves
Alarum far off
Hark you far off
There is Aufidius List what work he makes
Amongst your cloven army
MARTIUS
O they are at it
LARTIUS
Their noise be our instructionLadders ho
Enter the Army of the Volsces as through the city gates
MARTIUS
They fear us not but issue forth their city
Now put your shields before your hearts and fight
With hearts more proof than shieldsAdvance brave Titus
They do disdain us much beyond our thoughts
Which makes me sweat with wrathCome on my fellows
He that retires Ill take him for a Volsce
And he shall feel mine edge
Alarums The Romans are beat back to their trenches They exit with the Volsces following
Enter Martius cursing with Roman soldiers
MARTIUS
All the contagion of the south light on you
You shames of Rome You herd ofBoils and plagues
Plaster you oer that you may be abhorred
Farther than seen and one infect another
Against the wind a mile You souls of geese
That bear the shapes of men how have you run
From slaves that apes would beat Pluto and hell
All hurt behind Backs red and faces pale
With flight and agued fear Mend and charge home
Or by the fires of heaven Ill leave the foe
And make my wars on you Look tot Come on
If youll stand fast well beat them to their wives
As they us to our trenches Follows
Another alarum The Volsces reenter and are driven back to the gates of Corioles which open to admit them
So now the gates are ope Now prove good seconds
Tis for the followers fortune widens them
Not for the fliers Mark me and do the like
Martius follows the fleeing Volsces through the gates and is shut in
FIRST SOLDIER
Foolhardiness not I
SECOND SOLDIER
Nor I
FIRST SOLDIER
See they have shut him in
Alarum continues
ALL
To th pot I warrant him
Enter Titus Lartius
LARTIUS
What is become of Martius
ALL
Slain sir doubtless
FIRST SOLDIER
Following the fliers at the very heels
With them he enters who upon the sudden
Clapped to their gates He is himself alone
To answer all the city
LARTIUS
O noble fellow
Who sensibly outdares his senseless sword
And when it bows standst up Thou art left Martius
A carbuncle entire as big as thou art
Were not so rich a jewel Thou wast a soldier
Even to Catos wish not fierce and terrible
Only in strokes but with thy grim looks and
The thunderlike percussion of thy sounds
Thou madst thine enemies shake as if the world
Were feverous and did tremble
Enter Martius bleeding assaulted by the enemy
FIRST SOLDIER
Look sir
LARTIUS
O tis Martius
Lets fetch him off or make remain alike
They fight and all enter the city
SCENE V Within Corioles A street
Enter certain Romans with spoils
FIRST ROMAN
This will I carry to Rome
SECOND ROMAN
And I this
THIRD ROMAN
A murrain ont I took this for silver
Enter Martius and Titus Lartius with a Trumpet
MARTIUS
See here these movers that do prize their hours
At a cracked drachma Cushions leaden spoons
Irons of a doit doublets that hangmen would
Bury with those that wore them these base slaves
Ere yet the fight be done pack up Down with them
Exit the Romans with spoils
Alarum continues still afar off
And hark what noise the General makes To him
There is the man of my souls hate Aufidius
Piercing our Romans Then valiant Titus take
Convenient numbers to make good the city
Whilst I with those that have the spirit will haste
To help Cominius
LARTIUS
Worthy sir thou bleedst
Thy exercise hath been too violent
For a second course of fight
MARTIUS
Sir praise me not
My work hath yet not warmed me Fare you well
The blood I drop is rather physical
Than dangerous to me To Aufidius thus
I will appear and fight
LARTIUS
Now the fair goddess Fortune
Fall deep in love with thee and her great charms
Misguide thy opposers swords Bold gentleman
Prosperity be thy page
MARTIUS
Thy friend no less
Than those she placeth highest So farewell
LARTIUS
Thou worthiest Martius
Exit Martius
Go sound thy trumpet in the marketplace
Call thither all the officers o th town
Where they shall know our mind Away
Exeunt
SCENE VI Near the camp of Cominius
Enter Cominius as it were in retire with Soldiers
COMINIUS
Breathe you my friends Well fought We are come off
Like Romans neither foolish in our stands
Nor cowardly in retire Believe me sirs
We shall be charged again Whiles we have struck
By interims and conveying gusts we have heard
The charges of our friends The Roman gods
Lead their successes as we wish our own
That both our powers with smiling fronts encountring
May give you thankful sacrifice
Enter a Messenger
Thy news
MESSENGER
The citizens of Corioles have issued
And given to Lartius and to Martius battle
I saw our party to their trenches driven
And then I came away
COMINIUS
Though thou speakest truth
Methinks thou speakst not well How long ist since
MESSENGER
Above an hour my lord
COMINIUS
Tis not a mile briefly we heard their drums
How couldst thou in a mile confound an hour
And bring thy news so late
MESSENGER
Spies of the Volsces
Held me in chase that I was forced to wheel
Three or four miles about else had I sir
Half an hour since brought my report
Exit Messenger
Enter Martius bloody
COMINIUS
Whos yonder
That does appear as he were flayed O gods
He has the stamp of Martius and I have
Beforetime seen him thus
MARTIUS
Come I too late
COMINIUS
The shepherd knows not thunder from a tabor
More than I know the sound of Martius tongue
From every meaner man
MARTIUS
Come I too late
COMINIUS
Ay if you come not in the blood of others
But mantled in your own
MARTIUS
O let me clip you
In arms as sound as when I wooed in heart
As merry as when our nuptial day was done
And tapers burned to bedward
COMINIUS
Flower of warriors how ist with Titus Lartius
MARTIUS
As with a man busied about decrees
Condemning some to death and some to exile
Ransoming him or pitying threatning the other
Holding Corioles in the name of Rome
Even like a fawning greyhound in the leash
To let him slip at will
COMINIUS
Where is that slave
Which told me they had beat you to your trenches
Wheres he Call him hither
MARTIUS
Let him alone
He did inform the truth But for our gentlemen
The common filea plague Tribunes for them
The mouse neer shunned the cat as they did budge
From rascals worse than they
COMINIUS
But how prevailed you
MARTIUS
Will the time serve to tell I do not think
Where is the enemy Are you lords o th field
If not why cease you till you are so
COMINIUS
Martius we have at disadvantage fought
And did retire to win our purpose
MARTIUS
How lies their battle Know you on which side
They have placed their men of trust
COMINIUS
As I guess Martius
Their bands i th vaward are the Antiates
Of their best trust oer them Aufidius
Their very heart of hope
MARTIUS
I do beseech you
By all the battles wherein we have fought
By th blood we have shed together by th vows we have made
To endure friends that you directly set me
Against Aufidius and his Antiates
And that you not delay the present but
Filling the air with swords advanced and darts
We prove this very hour
COMINIUS
Though I could wish
You were conducted to a gentle bath
And balms applied to you yet dare I never
Deny your asking Take your choice of those
That best can aid your action
MARTIUS
Those are they
That most are willing If any such be here
As it were sin to doubtthat love this painting
Wherein you see me smeared if any fear
Lesser his person than an ill report
If any think brave death outweighs bad life
And that his countrys dearer than himself
Let him alone or so many so minded
Wave thus to express his disposition
And follow Martius
He waves his sword
They all shout and wave their swords take him up in their arms and cast up their caps
O me alone Make you a sword of me
If these shows be not outward which of you
But is four Volsces None of you but is
Able to bear against the great Aufidius
A shield as hard as his A certain number
Though thanks to all must I select from all
The rest shall bear the business in some other fight
As cause will be obeyed Please you to march
And I shall quickly draw out my command
Which men are best inclined
COMINIUS
March on my fellows
Make good this ostentation and you shall
Divide in all with us
Exeunt
SCENE VII The gates of Corioles
Titus Lartius having set a guard upon Corioles going with drum and trumpet toward Cominius and Caius Martius enters with a Lieutenant other Soldiers and a Scout
LARTIUS
So let the ports be guarded Keep your duties
As I have set them down If I do send dispatch
Those centuries to our aid the rest will serve
For a short holding If we lose the field
We cannot keep the town
LIEUTENANT
Fear not our care sir
LARTIUS
Hence and shut your gates upons
Our guider come To th Roman camp conduct us
Exeunt
SCENE VIII A field of battle between the Roman and the Volscian camps
Alarum as in battle Enter Martius and Aufidius at several doors
MARTIUS
Ill fight with none but thee for I do hate thee
Worse than a promisebreaker
AUFIDIUS
We hate alike
Not Afric owns a serpent I abhor
More than thy fame and envy Fix thy foot
MARTIUS
Let the first budger die the others slave
And the gods doom him after
AUFIDIUS
If I fly Martius
Hollo me like a hare
MARTIUS
Within these three hours Tullus
Alone I fought in your Corioles walls
And made what work I pleased Tis not my blood
Wherein thou seest me masked For thy revenge
Wrench up thy power to th highest
AUFIDIUS
Wert thou the Hector
That was the whip of your bragged progeny
Thou shouldst not scape me here
Here they fight and certain Volsces come to the aid of Aufidius
Officious and not valiant you have shamed me
In your condemned seconds
Martius fights till they be driven in breathless Aufidius and Martius exit separately
SCENE IX The Roman camp
Alarum A retreat is sounded Flourish Enter at one door Cominius with the Romans at another door Martius with his arm in a scarf
COMINIUS
If I should tell thee oer this thy days work
Thout not believe thy deeds But Ill report it
Where senators shall mingle tears with smiles
Where great patricians shall attend and shrug
I th end admire where ladies shall be frighted
And gladly quaked hear more where the dull tribunes
That with the fusty plebeians hate thine honours
Shall say against their hearts We thank the gods
Our Rome hath such a soldier
Yet camst thou to a morsel of this feast
Having fully dined before
Enter Titus Lartius with his power from the pursuit
LARTIUS
O general
Here is the steed we the caparison
Hadst thou beheld
MARTIUS
Pray now no more My mother
Who has a charter to extol her blood
When she does praise me grieves me I have done
As you have donethats what I can
Induced as you have beenthats for my country
He that has but effected his good will
Hath overtaen mine act
COMINIUS
You shall not be
The grave of your deserving Rome must know
The value of her own Twere a concealment
Worse than a theft no less than a traducement
To hide your doings and to silence that
Which to the spire and top of praises vouched
Would seem but modest Therefore I beseech you
In sign of what you are not to reward
What you have donebefore our army hear me
MARTIUS
I have some wounds upon me and they smart
To hear themselves remembered
COMINIUS
Should they not
Well might they fester gainst ingratitude
And tent themselves with death Of all the horses
Whereof we have taen good and good storeof all
The treasure in this field achieved and city
We render you the tenth to be taen forth
Before the common distribution
At your only choice
MARTIUS
I thank you general
But cannot make my heart consent to take
A bribe to pay my sword I do refuse it
And stand upon my common part with those
That have beheld the doing
A long flourish They all cry Martius Martius and cast up their caps and lances Cominius and Lartius stand bare
May these same instruments which you profane
Never sound more When drums and trumpets shall
I th field prove flatterers let courts and cities be
Made all of falsefaced soothing When steel grows soft
Soft as the parasites silk let him be made
An ovator for the wars No more I say
For that I have not washed my nose that bled
Or foiled some debile wretchwhich without note
Heres many else have doneyou shout me forth
In acclamations hyperbolical
As if I loved my little should be dieted
In praises sauced with lies
COMINIUS
Too modest are you
More cruel to your good report than grateful
To us that give you truly By your patience
If gainst yourself you be incensed well put you
Like one that means his proper harm in manacles
Then reason safely with you Therefore be it known
As to us to all the world that Caius Martius
Wears this wars garland in token of the which
My noble steed known to the camp I give him
With all his trim belonging And from this time
For what he did before Corioles call him
With all th applause and clamour of the host
Caius Martius Coriolanus Bear
Th addition nobly ever
Flourish Trumpets sound and drums
ALL
Caius Martius Coriolanus
CORIOLANUS
I will go wash
And when my face is fair you shall perceive
Whether I blush or no Howbeit I thank you
I mean to stride your steed and at all times
To undercrest your good addition
To th fairness of my power
COMINIUS
So to our tent
Where ere we do repose us we will write
To Rome of our successYou Titus Lartius
Must to Corioles back Send us to Rome
The best with whom we may articulate
For their own good and ours
LARTIUS
I shall my lord
CORIOLANUS
The gods begin to mock me I that now
Refused most princely gifts am bound to beg
Of my lord general
COMINIUS
Taket tis yours What ist
CORIOLANUS
I sometime lay here in Corioles
At a poor mans house he used me kindly
He cried to me I saw him prisoner
But then Aufidius was within my view
And wrath oerwhelmed my pity I request you
To give my poor host freedom
COMINIUS
O well begged
Were he the butcher of my son he should
Be free as is the windDeliver him Titus
LARTIUS
Martius his name
CORIOLANUS
By Jupiter forgot
I am weary yea my memory is tired
Have we no wine here
COMINIUS
Go we to our tent
The blood upon your visage dries tis time
It should be looked to Come
A flourish of cornets Exeunt
SCENE X The camp of the Volsces
A flourish Cornets Enter Tullus Aufidius bloody with two or three soldiers
AUFIDIUS
The town is taen
SOLDIER
Twill be delivered back on good condition
AUFIDIUS
Condition
I would I were a Roman for I cannot
Being a Volsce be that I am Condition
What good condition can a treaty find
I th part that is at mercy Five times Martius
I have fought with thee so often hast thou beat me
And wouldst do so I think should we encounter
As often as we eat By th elements
If eer again I meet him beard to beard
Hes mine or I am his Mine emulation
Hath not that honour int it had for where
I thought to crush him in an equal force
True sword to sword Ill potch at him some way
Or wrath or craft may get him
SOLDIER
Hes the devil
AUFIDIUS
Bolder though not so subtle My valours poisoned
With only suffring stain by him for him
Shall fly out of itself Nor sleep nor sanctuary
Being naked sick nor fane nor Capitol
The prayers of priests nor times of sacrifice
Embarquements all of fury shall lift up
Their rotten privilege and custom gainst
My hate to Martius Where I find him were it
At home upon my brothers guard even there
Against the hospitable canon would I
Wash my fierce hand ins heart Go you to th city
Learn how tis held and what they are that must
Be hostages for Rome
SOLDIER
Will not you go
AUFIDIUS
I am attended at the cypress grove I pray you
Tis south the city millsbring me word thither
How the world goes that to the pace of it
I may spur on my journey
SOLDIER
I shall sir
Exeunt
ACT II
SCENE I Rome A public place
Enter Menenius with the two Tribunes of the people Sicinius and Brutus
MENENIUS
The augurer tells me we shall have news tonight
BRUTUS
Good or bad
MENENIUS
Not according to the prayer of the people for they love not Martius
SICINIUS
Nature teaches beasts to know their friends
MENENIUS
Pray you who does the wolf love
SICINIUS
The lamb
MENENIUS
Ay to devour him as the hungry plebeians would the noble Martius
BRUTUS
Hes a lamb indeed that baas like a bear
MENENIUS
Hes a bear indeed that lives like a lamb You two are old men tell me one thing that I shall ask you
BOTH TRIBUNES
Well sir
MENENIUS
In what enormity is Martius poor in that you two have not in abundance
BRUTUS
Hes poor in no one fault but stored with all
SICINIUS
Especially in pride
BRUTUS
And topping all others in boasting
MENENIUS
This is strange now Do you two know how you are censured here in the city I mean of us o th righthand file do you
BOTH TRIBUNES
Why how are we censured
MENENIUS
Because you talk of pride now will you not be angry
BOTH TRIBUNES
Well well sir well
MENENIUS
Why tis no great matter for a very little thief of occasion will rob you of a great deal of patience Give your dispositions the reins and be angry at your pleasures at the least if you take it as a pleasure to you in being so You blame Martius for being proud
BRUTUS
We do it not alone sir
MENENIUS
I know you can do very little alone for your helps are many or else your actions would grow wondrous single Your abilities are too infantlike for doing much alone You talk of pride O that you could turn your eyes toward the napes of your necks and make but an interior survey of your good selves O that you could
BOTH TRIBUNES
What then sir
MENENIUS
Why then you should discover a brace of unmeriting proud violent testy magistrates alias fools as any in Rome
SICINIUS
Menenius you are known well enough too
MENENIUS
I am known to be a humorous patrician and one that loves a cup of hot wine with not a drop of allaying Tiber int said to be something imperfect in favouring the first complaint hasty and tinderlike upon too trivial motion one that converses more with the buttock of the night than with the forehead of the morning What I think I utter and spend my malice in my breath Meeting two such wealsmen as you areI cannot call you Lycurgusesif the drink you give me touch my palate adversely I make a crooked face at it I cannot say your Worships have delivered the matter well when I find the ass in compound with the major part of your syllables And though I must be content to bear with those that say you are reverend grave men yet they lie deadly that tell you have good faces If you see this in the map of my microcosm follows it that I am known well enough too What harm can your bisson conspectuities glean out of this character if I be known well enough too
BRUTUS
Come sir come we know you well enough
MENENIUS
You know neither me yourselves nor anything You are ambitious for poor knaves caps and legs You wear out a good wholesome forenoon in hearing a cause between an orangewife and a faucetseller and then rejourn the controversy of threepence to a second day of audience When you are hearing a matter between party and party if you chance to be pinched with the colic you make faces like mummers set up the bloody flag against all patience and in roaring for a chamber pot dismiss the controversy bleeding the more entangled by your hearing All the peace you make in their cause is calling both the parties knaves You are a pair of strange ones
BRUTUS
Come come You are well understood to be a perfecter giber for the table than a necessary bencher in the Capitol
MENENIUS
Our very priests must become mockers if they shall encounter such ridiculous subjects as you are When you speak best unto the purpose it is not worth the wagging of your beards and your beards deserve not so honourable a grave as to stuff a botchers cushion or to be entombed in an asss packsaddle Yet you must be saying Martius is proud who in a cheap estimation is worth all your predecessors since Deucalion though peradventure some of the best of em were hereditary hangmen Good een to your Worships More of your conversation would infect my brain being the herdsmen of the beastly plebeians I will be bold to take my leave of you
He begins to exit Brutus and Sicinius stand aside
Enter Volumnia Virgilia and Valeria
How now my as fair as noble ladiesand the moon were she earthly no noblerwhither do you follow your eyes so fast
VOLUMNIA
Honourable Menenius my boy Martius approaches For the love of Juno lets go
MENENIUS
Ha Martius coming home
VOLUMNIA
Ay worthy Menenius and with most prosperous approbation
MENENIUS
Take my cap Jupiter and I thank thee Hoo Martius coming home
VALERIA VIRGILIA
Nay tis true
VOLUMNIA
Look heres a letter from him The state hath another his wife another and I think theres one at home for you
MENENIUS
I will make my very house reel tonight A letter for me
VIRGILIA
Yes certain theres a letter for you I saw it
MENENIUS
A letter for me It gives me an estate of seven years health in which time I will make a lip at the physician The most sovereign prescription in Galen is but empiricutic and to this preservative of no better report than a horse drench Is he not wounded He was wont to come home wounded
VIRGILIA
O no no no
VOLUMNIA
O he is wounded I thank the gods fort
MENENIUS
So do I too if it be not too much Brings he victory in his pocket the wounds become him
VOLUMNIA
Ons brows Menenius He comes the third time home with the oaken garland
MENENIUS
Has he disciplined Aufidius soundly
VOLUMNIA
Titus Lartius writes they fought together but Aufidius got off
MENENIUS
And twas time for him too Ill warrant him that An he had stayed by him I would not have been so fidiused for all the chests in Corioles and the gold thats in them Is the Senate possessed of this
VOLUMNIA
Good ladies lets goYes yes yes The Senate has letters from the General wherein he gives my son the whole name of the war He hath in this action outdone his former deeds doubly
VALERIA
In troth theres wondrous things spoke of him
MENENIUS
Wondrous Ay I warrant you and not without his true purchasing
VIRGILIA
The gods grant them true
VOLUMNIA
True Pow waw
MENENIUS
True Ill be sworn they are true Where is he wounded To the Tribunes God save your good Worships Martius is coming home he has more cause to be proudWhere is he wounded
VOLUMNIA
I th shoulder and i th left arm There will be large cicatrices to show the people when he shall stand for his place He received in the repulse of Tarquin seven hurts i th body
MENENIUS
One i th neck and two i th thightheres nine that I know
VOLUMNIA
He had before this last expedition twentyfive wounds upon him
MENENIUS
Now its twentyseven Every gash was an enemys grave
A shout and flourish
Hark the trumpets
VOLUMNIA
These are the ushers of Martius before him he carries noise and behind him he leaves tears
Death that dark spirit ins nervy arm doth lie
Which being advanced declines and then men die
A sennet
Enter Cominius the General and Titus Lartius between them Coriolanus crowned with an oaken garland with Captains and Soldiers and a Herald Trumpets sound
HERALD
Know Rome that all alone Martius did fight
Within Corioles gates where he hath won
With fame a name to Caius Martius these
In honour follows Coriolanus
Welcome to Rome renowned Coriolanus
Sound flourish
ALL
Welcome to Rome renowned Coriolanus
CORIOLANUS
No more of this it does offend my heart
Pray now no more
COMINIUS
Look sir your mother
CORIOLANUS
O
You have I know petitioned all the gods
For my prosperity
Kneels
VOLUMNIA
Nay my good soldier up
He stands
My gentle Martius worthy Caius and
By deedachieving honour newly named
What is it Coriolanus must I call thee
But O thy wife
CORIOLANUS
My gracious silence hail
Wouldst thou have laughed had I come coffined home
That weepst to see me triumph Ah my dear
Such eyes the widows in Corioles wear
And mothers that lack sons
MENENIUS
Now the gods crown thee
CORIOLANUS
And live you yet To Valeria O my sweet lady pardon
VOLUMNIA
I know not where to turn O welcome home
And welcome generalAnd youre welcome all
MENENIUS
A hundred thousand welcomes I could weep
And I could laugh I am light and heavy Welcome
A curse begin at very root ons heart
That is not glad to see thee You are three
That Rome should dote on yet by the faith of men
We have some old crab trees here at home that will not
Be grafted to your relish Yet welcome warriors
We call a nettle but a nettle and
The faults of fools but folly
COMINIUS
Ever right
CORIOLANUS
Menenius ever ever
HERALD
Give way there and go on
CORIOLANUS
To Volumnia and Virgilia Your hand and yours
Ere in our own house I do shade my head
The good patricians must be visited
From whom I have received not only greetings
But with them change of honours
VOLUMNIA
I have lived
To see inherited my very wishes
And the buildings of my fancy Only
Theres one thing wanting which I doubt not but
Our Rome will cast upon thee
CORIOLANUS
Know good mother
I had rather be their servant in my way
Than sway with them in theirs
COMINIUS
On to the Capitol
Flourish of cornets Exeunt in state as before
Brutus and Sicinius come forward
BRUTUS
All tongues speak of him and the bleared sights
Are spectacled to see him Your prattling nurse
Into a rapture lets her baby cry
While she chats him The kitchen malkin pins
Her richest lockram bout her reechy neck
Clambring the walls to eye him Stalls bulks windows
Are smothered up leads filled and ridges horsed
With variable complexions all agreeing
In earnestness to see him Seldshown flamens
Do press among the popular throngs and puff
To win a vulgar station Our veiled dames
Commit the war of white and damask in
Their nicelygauded cheeks to th wanton spoil
Of Phoebus burning kisses Such a pother
As if that whatsoever god who leads him
Were slyly crept into his human powers
And gave him graceful posture
SICINIUS
On the sudden
I warrant him consul
BRUTUS
Then our office may
During his power go sleep
SICINIUS
He cannot temprately transport his honours
From where he should begin and end but will
Lose those he hath won
BRUTUS
In that theres comfort
SICINIUS
Doubt not the commoners for whom we stand
But they upon their ancient malice will forget
With the least cause these his new honourswhich
That he will give them make as little question
As he is proud to dot
BRUTUS
I heard him swear
Were he to stand for consul never would he
Appear i th marketplace nor on him put
The napless vesture of humility
Nor showing as the manner is his wounds
To th people beg their stinking breaths
SICINIUS
Tis right
BRUTUS
It was his word O he would miss it rather
Than carry it but by the suit of the gentry to him
And the desire of the nobles
SICINIUS
I wish no better
Than have him hold that purpose and to put it
In execution
BRUTUS
Tis most like he will
SICINIUS
It shall be to him then as our good wills
A sure destruction
BRUTUS
So it must fall out
To him or our authorities for an end
We must suggest the people in what hatred
He still hath held them that tos power he would
Have made them mules silenced their pleaders and
Dispropertied their freedoms holding them
In human action and capacity
Of no more soul nor fitness for the world
Than camels in their war who have their provand
Only for bearing burdens and sore blows
For sinking under them
SICINIUS
This as you say suggested
At some time when his soaring insolence
Shall touch the peoplewhich time shall not want
If it be put upont and thats as easy
As to set dogs on sheepwill be his fire
To kindle their dry stubble and their blaze
Shall darken him for ever
Enter a Messenger
BRUTUS
Whats the matter
MESSENGER
You are sent for to the Capitol Tis thought
That Martius shall be consul I have seen
The dumb men throng to see him and the blind
to hear him speak matrons flung gloves
Ladies and maids their scarves and handkerchiefs
Upon him as he passed the nobles bended
As to Joves statue and the Commons made
A shower and thunder with their caps and shouts
I never saw the like
BRUTUS
Lets to the Capitol
And carry with us ears and eyes for th time
But hearts for the event
SICINIUS
Have with you
Exeunt
SCENE II Rome The Capitol
Enter two Officers to lay cushions as it were in the Capitol
FIRST OFFICER
Come come They are almost here How many stand for consulships
SECOND OFFICER
Three they say but tis thought of everyone Coriolanus will carry it
FIRST OFFICER
Thats a brave fellow but hes vengeance proud and loves not the common people
SECOND OFFICER
Faith there have been many great men that have flattered the people who neer loved them and there be many that they have loved they know not wherefore so that if they love they know not why they hate upon no better a ground Therefore for Coriolanus neither to care whether they love or hate him manifests the true knowledge he has in their disposition and out of his noble carelessness lets them plainly seet
FIRST OFFICER
If he did not care whether he had their love or no he waved indifferently twixt doing them neither good nor harm but he seeks their hate with greater devotion than they can render it him and leaves nothing undone that may fully discover him their opposite Now to seem to affect the malice and displeasure of the people is as bad as that which he dislikes to flatter them for their love
SECOND OFFICER
He hath deserved worthily of his country and his ascent is not by such easy degrees as those who having been supple and courteous to the people bonnetted without any further deed to have them at all into their estimation and report but he hath so planted his honours in their eyes and his actions in their hearts that for their tongues to be silent and not confess so much were a kind of ingrateful injury To report otherwise were a malice that giving itself the lie would pluck reproof and rebuke from every ear that heard it
FIRST OFFICER
No more of him hes a worthy man Make way They are coming
A sennet Enter the Patricians and the Tribunes of the people Lictors before them Coriolanus Menenius Cominius the consul The Patricians sit Sicinius and Brutus take their places by themselves Coriolanus stands
MENENIUS
Having determined of the Volsces and
To send for Titus Lartius it remains
As the main point of this our aftermeeting
To gratify his noble service that
Hath thus stood for his country Therefore please you
Most reverend and grave elders to desire
The present consul and last general
In our wellfound successes to report
A little of that worthy work performed
By Martius Caius Coriolanus whom
We met here both to thank and to remember
With honours like himself
Coriolanus sits
FIRST SENATOR
Speak good Cominius
Leave nothing out for length and make us think
Rather our states defective for requital
Than we to stretch it out Masters o th people
We do request your kindest ears and after
Your loving motion toward the common body
To yield what passes here
SICINIUS
We are convented
Upon a pleasing treaty and have hearts
Inclinable to honour and advance
The theme of our assembly
BRUTUS
Which the rather
We shall be blest to do if he remember
A kinder value of the people than
He hath hereto prized them at
MENENIUS
Thats off thats off
I would you rather had been silent Please you
To hear Cominius speak
BRUTUS
Most willingly
But yet my caution was more pertinent
Than the rebuke you give it
MENENIUS
He loves your people
But tie him not to be their bedfellow
Worthy Cominius speak
Coriolanus rises and offers to go away
Nay keep your place
FIRST SENATOR
Sit Coriolanus Never shame to hear
What you have nobly done
CORIOLANUS
Your Honours pardon
I had rather have my wounds to heal again
Than hear say how I got them
BRUTUS
Sir I hope
My words disbenched you not
CORIOLANUS
No sir Yet oft
When blows have made me stay I fled from words
You soothed not therefore hurt not but your people
I love them as they weigh
MENENIUS
Pray now sit down
CORIOLANUS
I had rather have one scratch my head i th sun
When the alarum were struck than idly sit
To hear my nothings monstered
Exit
MENENIUS
Masters of the people
Your multiplying spawn how can he flatter
Thats thousand to one good onewhen you now see
He had rather venture all his limbs for honour
Than one ons ears to hear itProceed Cominius
COMINIUS
I shall lack voice The deeds of Coriolanus
Should not be uttered feebly It is held
That valour is the chiefest virtue and
Most dignifies the haver if it be
The man I speak of cannot in the world
Be singly counterpoised At sixteen years
When Tarquin made a head for Rome he fought
Beyond the mark of others Our then dictator
Whom with all praise I point at saw him fight
When with his Amazonian chin he drove
The bristled lips before him He bestrid
An oerpressed Roman and i th Consuls view
Slew three opposers Tarquins self he met
And struck him on his knee In that days feats
When he might act the woman in the scene
He proved best man i th field and for his meed
Was browbound with the oak His pupil age
Manentered thus he waxed like a sea
And in the brunt of seventeen battles since
He lurched all swords of the garland For this last
Before and in Corioles let me say
I cannot speak him home He stopped the flyers
And by his rare example made the coward
Turn terror into sport As weeds before
A vessel under sail so men obeyed
And fell below his stem His sword Deaths stamp
Where it did mark it took from face to foot
He was a thing of blood whose every motion
Was timed with dying cries Alone he entered
The mortal gate o th city which he painted
With shunless destiny aidless came off
And with a sudden reinforcement struck
Corioles like a planet Now alls his
When by and by the din of war gan pierce
His ready sense then straight his doubled spirit
Requickened what in flesh was fatigate
And to the battle came he where he did
Run reeking oer the lives of men as if
Twere a perpetual spoil and till we called
Both field and city ours he never stood
To ease his breast with panting
MENENIUS
Worthy man
FIRST SENATOR
He cannot but with measure fit the honours
Which we devise him
COMINIUS
Our spoils he kicked at
And looked upon things precious as they were
The common muck of the world He covets less
Than misery itself would give rewards
His deeds with doing them and is content
To spend the time to end it
MENENIUS
Hes right noble
Let him be called for
FIRST SENATOR
Call Coriolanus
OFFICER
He doth appear
Enter Coriolanus
MENENIUS
The Senate Coriolanus are well pleased
To make thee consul
CORIOLANUS
I do owe them still
My life and services
MENENIUS
It then remains
That you do speak to the people
CORIOLANUS
I do beseech you
Let me oerleap that custom for I cannot
Put on the gown stand naked and entreat them
For my wounds sake to give their suffrage Please you
That I may pass this doing
SICINIUS
Sir the people
Must have their voices neither will they bate
One jot of ceremony
MENENIUS
Put them not tot
Pray you go fit you to the custom and
Take to you as your predecessors have
Your honour with your form
CORIOLANUS
It is a part
That I shall blush in acting and might well
Be taken from the people
BRUTUS
Mark you that
CORIOLANUS
To brag unto them thus I did and thus
Show them th unaching scars which I should hide
As if I had received them for the hire
Of their breath only
MENENIUS
Do not stand upont
We recommend to you tribunes of the people
Our purpose to them and to our noble consul
Wish we all joy and honour
SENATORS
To Coriolanus come all joy and honour
Flourish cornets Exeunt all but Sicinius and Brutus
BRUTUS
You see how he intends to use the people
SICINIUS
May they perceives intent He will require them
As if he did contemn what he requested
Should be in them to give
BRUTUS
Come well inform them
Of our proceedings here On th marketplace
I know they do attend us
Exeunt
SCENE III Rome The Forum
Enter seven or eight Citizens
FIRST CITIZEN
Once if he do require our voices we ought not to deny him
SECOND CITIZEN
We may sir if we will
THIRD CITIZEN
We have power in ourselves to do it but it is a power that we have no power to do for if he show us his wounds and tell us his deeds we are to put our tongues into those wounds and speak for them So if he tell us his noble deeds we must also tell him our noble acceptance of them Ingratitude is monstrous and for the multitude to be ingrateful were to make a monster of the multitude of the which we being members should bring ourselves to be monstrous members
FIRST CITIZEN
And to make us no better thought of a little help will serve for once we stood up about the corn he himself stuck not to call us the manyheaded multitude
THIRD CITIZEN
We have been called so of many not that our heads are some brown some black some auburn some bald but that our wits are so diversely coloured and truly I think if all our wits were to issue out of one skull they would fly east west north south and their consent of one direct way should be at once to all the points o th compass
SECOND CITIZEN
Think you so Which way do you judge my wit would fly
THIRD CITIZEN
Nay your wit will not so soon out as another mans will tis strongly wedged up in a blockhead But if it were at liberty twould sure southward
SECOND CITIZEN
Why that way
THIRD CITIZEN
To lose itself in a fog where being three parts melted away with rotten dews the fourth would return for conscience sake to help to get thee a wife
SECOND CITIZEN
You are never without your tricks You may you may
THIRD CITIZEN
Are you all resolved to give your voices But thats no matter the greater part carries it I say if he would incline to the people there was never a worthier man
Enter Coriolanus in a gown of humility with Menenius
Here he comes and in the gown of humility Mark his behaviour We are not to stay all together but to come by him where he stands by ones by twos and by threes Hes to make his requests by particulars wherein everyone of us has a single honour in giving him our own voices with our own tongues Therefore follow me and Ill direct you how you shall go by him
ALL
Content content
Exeunt
MENENIUS
O sir you are not right Have you not known
The worthiest men have donet
CORIOLANUS
What must I say
I pray sirplague upont I cannot bring
My tongue to such a pace Look sir my wounds
I got them in my countrys service when
Some certain of your brethren roared and ran
From th noise of our own drums
MENENIUS
O me the gods
You must not speak of that You must desire them
To think upon you
CORIOLANUS
Think upon me Hang em
I would they would forget me like the virtues
Which our divines lose by em
MENENIUS
Youll mar all
Ill leave you Pray you speak to em I pray you
In wholesome manner
Exit Menenius
CORIOLANUS
Bid them wash their faces
And keep their teeth clean
Enter three of the Citizens
So here comes a brace
You know the cause sirs of my standing here
THIRD CITIZEN
We do sir Tell us what hath brought you tot
CORIOLANUS
Mine own desert
SECOND CITIZEN
Your own desert
CORIOLANUS
Ay but not mine own desire
THIRD CITIZEN
How not your own desire
CORIOLANUS
No sir twas never my desire yet to trouble the poor with begging
THIRD CITIZEN
You must think if we give you anything we hope to gain by you
CORIOLANUS
Well then I pray your price o th consulship
FIRST CITIZEN
The price is to ask it kindly
CORIOLANUS
Kindly sir I pray let me hat I have wounds to show you which shall be yours in privateYour good voice sir What say you
SECOND CITIZEN
You shall ha it worthy sir
CORIOLANUS
A match sir Theres in all two worthy voices begged I have your alms Adieu
THIRD CITIZEN
But this is something odd
SECOND CITIZEN
An twere to give againbut tis no matter
Exeunt two citizens
Enter two other Citizens
CORIOLANUS
Pray you now if it may stand with the tune of your voices that I may be consul I have here the customary gown
FOURTH CITIZEN
You have deserved nobly of your country and you have not deserved nobly
CORIOLANUS
Your enigma
FOURTH CITIZEN
You have been a scourge to her enemies you have been a rod to her friends You have not indeed loved the common people
CORIOLANUS
You should account me the more virtuous that I have not been common in my love I will sir flatter my sworn brother the people to earn a dearer estimation of them tis a condition they account gentle And since the wisdom of their choice is rather to have my hat than my heart I will practise the insinuating nod and be off to them most counterfeitly That is sir I will counterfeit the bewitchment of some popular man and give it bountiful to the desirers Therefore beseech you I may be consul
FIFTH CITIZEN
We hope to find you our friend and therefore give you our voices heartily
FOURTH CITIZEN
You have received many wounds for your country
CORIOLANUS
I will not seal your knowledge with showing them I will make much of your voices and so trouble you no farther
BOTH CITIZENS
The gods give you joy sir heartily
Exeunt citizens
CORIOLANUS
Most sweet voices
Better it is to die better to starve
Than crave the hire which first we do deserve
Why in this wolvish toge should I stand here
To beg of Hob and Dick that does appear
Their needless vouches Custom calls me tot
What custom wills in all things should we dot
The dust on antique time would lie unswept
And mountainous error be too highly heaped
For truth to oerpeer Rather than fool it so
Let the high office and the honour go
To one that would do thus I am half through
The one part suffered the other will I do
Enter three Citizens more
Here come more voices
Your voices For your voices I have fought
Watched for your voices for your voices bear
Of wounds two dozen odd Battles thrice six
I have seen and heard of for your voices have
Done many things some less some more Your voices
Indeed I would be consul
SIXTH CITIZEN
He has done nobly and cannot go without any honest mans voice
SEVENTH CITIZEN
Therefore let him be consul The gods give him joy and make him good friend to the people
ALL THREE CITIZENS
Amen amen God save thee noble consul
Exeunt citizens
CORIOLANUS
Worthy voices
Enter Menenius with Brutus and Sicinius
MENENIUS
You have stood your limitation and the Tribunes
Endue you with the peoples voice Remains
That in th official marks invested you
Anon do meet the Senate
CORIOLANUS
Is this done
SICINIUS
The custom of request you have discharged
The people do admit you and are summoned
To meet anon upon your approbation
CORIOLANUS
Where At the Senate House
SICINIUS
There Coriolanus
CORIOLANUS
May I change these garments
SICINIUS
You may sir
CORIOLANUS
That Ill straight do and knowing myself again
Repair to th Senate House
MENENIUS
Ill keep you companyWill you along
BRUTUS
We stay here for the people
SICINIUS
Fare you well
Exeunt Coriolanus and Menenius
He has it now and by his looks methinks
Tis warm at his heart
BRUTUS
With a proud heart he wore
His humble weeds Will you dismiss the people
Enter the Pebleians
SICINIUS
How now my masters have you chose this man
FIRST CITIZEN
He has our voices sir
BRUTUS
We pray the gods he may deserve your loves
SECOND CITIZEN
Amen sir To my poor unworthy notice
He mocked us when he begged our voices
THIRD CITIZEN
Certainly he flouted us downright
FIRST CITIZEN
No tis his kind of speech He did not mock us
SECOND CITIZEN
Not one amongst us save yourself but says
He used us scornfully He should have showed us
His marks of merit wounds received fors country
SICINIUS
Why so he did I am sure
ALL
No no No man saw em
THIRD CITIZEN
He said he had wounds which he could show in private
And with his hat thus waving it in scorn
I would be consul says he aged custom
But by your voices will not so permit me
Your voices therefore When we granted that
Here was I thank you for your voices Thank you
Your most sweet voices Now you have left your voices
I have no further with you Was not this mockery
SICINIUS
Why either were you ignorant to seet
Or seeing it of such childish friendliness
To yield your voices
BRUTUS
Could you not have told him
As you were lessoned When he had no power
But was a petty servant to the state
He was your enemy ever spake against
Your liberties and the charters that you bear
I th body of the weal and now arriving
A place of potency and sway o th state
If he should still malignantly remain
Fast foe to th plebeii your voices might
Be curses to yourselves You should have said
That as his worthy deeds did claim no less
Than what he stood for so his gracious nature
Would think upon you for your voices and
Translate his malice towards you into love
Standing your friendly lord
SICINIUS
Thus to have said
As you were foreadvised had touched his spirit
And tried his inclination from him plucked
Either his gracious promise which you might
As cause had called you up have held him to
Or else it would have galled his surly nature
Which easily endures not article
Tying him to aught So putting him to rage
You should have taen th advantage of his choler
And passed him unelected
BRUTUS
Did you perceive
He did solicit you in free contempt
When he did need your loves and do you think
That his contempt shall not be bruising to you
When he hath power to crush Why had your bodies
No heart among you Or had you tongues to cry
Against the rectorship of judgment
SICINIUS
Have you ere now denied the asker and now
Again of him that did not ask but mock
Bestow your suedfor tongues
THIRD CITIZEN
Hes not confirmed
We may deny him yet
SECOND CITIZEN
And will deny him
Ill have five hundred voices of that sound
FIRST CITIZEN
I twice five hundred and their friends to piece em
BRUTUS
Get you hence instantly and tell those friends
They have chose a consul that will from them take
Their liberties make them of no more voice
Than dogs that are as often beat for barking
As therefore kept to do so
SICINIUS
Let them assemble
And on a safer judgment all revoke
Your ignorant election Enforce his pride
And his old hate unto you Besides forget not
With what contempt he wore the humble weed
How in his suit he scorned you but your loves
Thinking upon his services took from you
Th apprehension of his present portance
Which most gibingly ungravely he did fashion
After the inveterate hate he bears you
BRUTUS
Lay
A fault on us your tribunes that we laboured
No impediment between but that you must
Cast your election on him
SICINIUS
Say you chose him
More after our commandment than as guided
By your own true affections and that your minds
Preoccupied with what you rather must do
Than what you should made you against the grain
To voice him consul Lay the fault on us
BRUTUS
Ay spare us not Say we read lectures to you
How youngly he began to serve his country
How long continued and what stock he springs of
The noble house o th Martians from whence came
That Ancus Martius Numas daughters son
Who after great Hostilius here was king
Of the same house Publius and Quintus were
That our best water brought by conduits hither
And Censorinus that was so surnamed
And nobly named so twice being censor
Was his great ancestor
SICINIUS
One thus descended
That hath beside well in his person wrought
To be set high in place we did commend
To your remembrances but you have found
Scaling his present bearing with his past
That hes your fixed enemy and revoke
Your sudden approbation
BRUTUS
Say you neer had donet
Harp on that stillbut by our putting on
And presently when you have drawn your number
Repair to th Capitol
ALL
We will so Almost all
Repent in their election
Exeunt Plebeians
BRUTUS
Let them go on
This mutiny were better put in hazard
Than stay past doubt for greater
If as his nature is he fall in rage
With their refusal both observe and answer
The vantage of his anger
SICINIUS
To th Capitol come
We will be there before the stream o th people
And this shall seem as partly tis their own
Which we have goaded onward
Exeunt
ACT III
SCENE I Rome A street
Cornets Enter Coriolanus Menenius all the Gentry Cominius Titus Lartius and other Senators
CORIOLANUS
Tullus Aufidius then had made new head
LARTIUS
He had my lord and that it was which caused
Our swifter composition
CORIOLANUS
So then the Volsces stand but as at first
Ready when time shall prompt them to make road
Upons again
COMINIUS
They are worn lord consul so
That we shall hardly in our ages see
Their banners wave again
CORIOLANUS
Saw you Aufidius
LARTIUS
On safeguard he came to me and did curse
Against the Volsces for they had so vilely
Yielded the town He is retired to Antium
CORIOLANUS
Spoke he of me
LARTIUS
He did my lord
CORIOLANUS
How What
LARTIUS
How often he had met you sword to sword
That of all things upon the earth he hated
Your person most that he would pawn his fortunes
To hopeless restitution so he might
Be called your vanquisher
CORIOLANUS
At Antium lives he
LARTIUS
At Antium
CORIOLANUS
I wish I had a cause to seek him there
To oppose his hatred fully Welcome home
Enter Sicinius and Brutus
Behold these are the tribunes of the people
The tongues o th common mouth I do despise them
For they do prank them in authority
Against all noble sufferance
SICINIUS
Pass no further
CORIOLANUS
Ha What is that
BRUTUS
It will be dangerous to go on No further
CORIOLANUS
What makes this change
MENENIUS
The matter
COMINIUS
Hath he not passed the noble and the common
BRUTUS
Cominius no
CORIOLANUS
Have I had childrens voices
FIRST SENATOR
Tribunes give way He shall to the marketplace
BRUTUS
The people are incensed against him
SICINIUS
Stop
Or all will fall in broil
CORIOLANUS
Are these your herd
Must these have voices that can yield them now
And straight disclaim their tongues What are your offices
You being their mouths why rule you not their teeth
Have you not set them on
MENENIUS
Be calm be calm
CORIOLANUS
It is a purposed thing and grows by plot
To curb the will of the nobility
Suffert and live with such as cannot rule
Nor ever will be ruled
BRUTUS
Callt not a plot
The people cry you mocked them and of late
When corn was given them gratis you repined
Scandaled the suppliants for the people called them
Timepleasers flatterers foes to nobleness
CORIOLANUS
Why this was known before
BRUTUS
Not to them all
CORIOLANUS
Have you informed them sithence
BRUTUS
How I inform them
COMINIUS
You are like to do such business
BRUTUS
Not unlike each way to better yours
CORIOLANUS
Why then should I be consul By yond clouds
Let me deserve so ill as you and make me
Your fellow tribune
SICINIUS
You show too much of that
For which the people stir If you will pass
To where you are bound you must inquire your way
Which you are out of with a gentler spirit
Or never be so noble as a consul
Nor yoke with him for tribune
MENENIUS
Lets be calm
COMINIUS
The people are abused set on This paltring
Becomes not Rome nor has Coriolanus
Deserved this so dishonoured rub laid falsely
I th plain way of his merit
CORIOLANUS
Tell me of corn
This was my speech and I will speakt again
MENENIUS
Not now not now
FIRST SENATOR
Not in this heat sir now
CORIOLANUS
Now as I live I will
My nobler friends I crave their pardons For
The mutable rankscented many let them
Regard me as I do not flatter and
Therein behold themselves I say again
In soothing them we nourish gainst our senate
The cockle of rebellion insolence sedition
Which we ourselves have ploughed for sowed and scattered
By mingling them with us the honoured number
Who lack not virtue no nor power but that
Which they have given to beggars
MENENIUS
Well no more
FIRST SENATOR
No more words we beseech you
CORIOLANUS
How No more
As for my country I have shed my blood
Not fearing outward force so shall my lungs
Coin words till their decay against those measles
Which we disdain should tetter us yet sought
The very way to catch them
BRUTUS
You speak o th people
As if you were a god to punish not
A man of their infirmity
SICINIUS
Twere well
We let the people knowt
MENENIUS
What what His choler
CORIOLANUS
Choler
Were I as patient as the midnight sleep
By Jove twould be my mind
SICINIUS
It is a mind
That shall remain a poison where it is
Not poison any further
CORIOLANUS
Shall remain
Hear you this Triton of the minnows Mark you
His absolute shall
COMINIUS
Twas from the canon
CORIOLANUS
Shall
O good but most unwise patricians why
You grave but reckless senators have you thus
Given Hydra leave to choose an officer
That with his peremptory shall being but
The horn and noise o th monsters wants not spirit
To say hell turn your current in a ditch
And make your channel his If he have power
Then vail your ignorance if none awake
Your dangerous lenity If you are learned
Be not as common fools if you are not
Let them have cushions by you You are plebeians
If they be senators and they are no less
When both your voices blended the greatst taste
Most palates theirs They choose their magistrate
And such a one as he who puts his shall
His popular shall against a graver bench
Than ever frowned in Greece By Jove himself
It makes the consuls base And my soul aches
To know when two authorities are up
Neither supreme how soon confusion
May enter twixt the gap of both and take
The one by th other
COMINIUS
Well on to th marketplace
CORIOLANUS
Whoever gave that counsel to give forth
The corn o th storehouse gratis as twas used
Sometime in Greece
MENENIUS
Well well no more of that
CORIOLANUS
Though there the people had more absolute power
I say they nourished disobedience fed
The ruin of the state
BRUTUS
Why shall the people give
One that speaks thus their voice
CORIOLANUS
Ill give my reasons
More worthier than their voices They know the corn
Was not our recompense resting well assured
They neer did service fort Being pressed to th war
Even when the navel of the state was touched
They would not thread the gates This kind of service
Did not deserve corn gratis Being i th war
Their mutinies and revolts wherein they showed
Most valour spoke not for them Th accusation
Which they have often made against the Senate
All cause unborn could never be the native
Of our so frank donation Well what then
How shall this bosom multitude digest
The senates courtesy Let deeds express
Whats like to be their words We did request it
We are the greater poll and in true fear
They gave us our demands Thus we debase
The nature of our seats and make the rabble
Call our cares fears which will in time
Break ope the locks o th Senate and bring in
The crows to peck the eagles
MENENIUS
Come enough
BRUTUS
Enough with overmeasure
CORIOLANUS
No take more
What may be sworn by both divine and human
Seal what I end withal This double worship
Where one part does disdain with cause the other
Insult without all reason where gentry title wisdom
Cannot conclude but by the yea and no
Of general ignoranceit must omit
Real necessities and give way the while
To unstable slightness Purpose so barred it follows
Nothing is done to purpose Therefore beseech you
You that will be less fearful than discreet
That love the fundamental part of state
More than you doubt the change ont that prefer
A noble life before a long and wish
To jump a body with a dangerous physic
Thats sure of death without itat once pluck out
The multitudinous tongue let them not lick
The sweet which is their poison Your dishonour
Mangles true judgment and bereaves the state
Of that integrity which should becomet
Not having the power to do the good it would
For th ill which doth controlt
BRUTUS
Has said enough
SICINIUS
Has spoken like a traitor and shall answer
As traitors do
CORIOLANUS
Thou wretch despite oerwhelm thee
What should the people do with these bald tribunes
On whom depending their obedience fails
To th greater bench In a rebellion
When whats not meet but what must be was law
Then were they chosen In a better hour
Let what is meet be said it must be meet
And throw their power i th dust
BRUTUS
Manifest treason
SICINIUS
This a consul No
BRUTUS
The aediles ho Let him be apprehended
Enter an Aedile
SICINIUS
Go call the people
Exit Aedile
in whose name myself
Attach thee as a traitorous innovator
A foe to th public weal Obey I charge thee
And follow to thine answer
CORIOLANUS
Hence old goat
ALL PATRICIANS
Well surety him
COMINIUS
to Sicinius Aged sir hands off
CORIOLANUS
to Sicinius Hence rotten thing or I shall shake thy bones
Out of thy garments
SICINIUS
Help ye citizens
Enter a rabble of Plebeians with the Aediles
MENENIUS
On both sides more respect
SICINIUS
Heres he that would take from you all your power
BRUTUS
Seize him aediles
ALL PLEBEIANS
Down with him down with him
SECOND SENATOR
Weapons weapons weapons
They all bustle about Coriolanus
Tribunes patricians citizens what ho
Sicinius Brutus Coriolanus citizens
ALL
Peace peace peace Stay hold peace
MENENIUS
What is about to be I am out of breath
Confusions near I cannot speak You tribunes
To th peopleCoriolanus patience
Speak good Sicinius
SICINIUS
Hear me people Peace
ALL PLEBEIANS
Lets hear our tribune Peace Speak speak speak
SICINIUS
You are at point to lose your liberties
Martius would have all from you Martius
Whom late you have named for consul
MENENIUS
Fie fie fie
This is the way to kindle not to quench
FIRST SENATOR
To unbuild the city and to lay all flat
SICINIUS
What is the city but the people
ALL PLEBEIANS
True
The people are the city
BRUTUS
By the consent of all we were established
The peoples magistrates
ALL PLEBEIANS
You so remain
MENENIUS
And so are like to do
COMINIUS
That is the way to lay the city flat
To bring the roof to the foundation
And bury all which yet distinctly ranges
In heaps and piles of ruin
SICINIUS
This deserves death
BRUTUS
Or let us stand to our authority
Or let us lose it We do here pronounce
Upon the part o th people in whose power
We were elected theirs Martius is worthy
Of present death
SICINIUS
Therefore lay hold of him
Bear him to th rock Tarpeian and from thence
Into destruction cast him
BRUTUS
Aediles seize him
ALL PLEBEIANS
Yield Martius yield
MENENIUS
Hear me one word
Beseech you tribunes hear me but a word
AEDILES
Peace peace
MENENIUS
Be that you seem truly your countrys friend
And temprately proceed to what you would
Thus violently redress
BRUTUS
Sir those cold ways
That seem like prudent helps are very poisonous
Where the disease is violentLay hands upon him
And bear him to the rock
Coriolanus draws his sword
CORIOLANUS
No Ill die here
Theres some among you have beheld me fighting
Come try upon yourselves what you have seen me
MENENIUS
Down with that swordTribunes withdraw awhile
BRUTUS
Lay hands upon him
MENENIUS
Help Martius help
You that be noble help him young and old
ALL PLEBEIANS
Down with him down with him
In this mutiny the Tribunes the Aediles and the People are beat in
MENENIUS
Go get you to your house Begone away
All will be naught else
SECOND SENATOR
Get you gone
CORIOLANUS
Stand fast
We have as many friends as enemies
MENENIUS
Shall it be put to that
FIRST SENATOR
The gods forbid
I prithee noble friend home to thy house
Leave us to cure this cause
MENENIUS
For tis a sore upon us
You cannot tent yourself Begone beseech you
COMINIUS
Come sir along with us
CORIOLANUS
I would they were barbarians as they are
Though in Rome littered not Romans as they are not
Though calved i th porch o th Capitol
MENENIUS
Begone
Put not your worthy rage into your tongue
One time will owe another
CORIOLANUS
On fair ground
I could beat forty of them
MENENIUS
I could myself
Take up a brace o th best of them yea the two tribunes
COMINIUS
But now tis odds beyond arithmetic
And manhood is called foolery when it stands
Against a falling fabric Will you hence
Before the tag return whose rage doth rend
Like interrupted waters and oerbear
What they are used to bear
MENENIUS
Pray you begone
Ill try whether my old wit be in request
With those that have but little This must be patched
With cloth of any colour
COMINIUS
Nay come away
Exeunt Coriolanus and Cominius
PATRICIAN
This man has marred his fortune
MENENIUS
His nature is too noble for the world
He would not flatter Neptune for his trident
Or Jove fors power to thunder His hearts his mouth
What his breast forges that his tongue must vent
And being angry does forget that ever
He heard the name of death
A noise within
Heres goodly work
PATRICIAN
I would they were abed
MENENIUS
I would they were in Tiber What the vengeance
Could he not speak em fair
Enter Brutus and Sicinius with the rabble again
SICINIUS
Where is this viper
That would depopulate the city and
Be every man himself
MENENIUS
You worthy tribunes
SICINIUS
He shall be thrown down the Tarpeian rock
With rigorous hands He hath resisted law
And therefore law shall scorn him further trial
Than the severity of the public power
Which he so sets at naught
FIRST CITIZEN
He shall well know
The noble tribunes are the peoples mouths
And we their hands
ALL PLEBEIANS
He shall sure ont
MENENIUS
Sir sir
SICINIUS
Peace
MENENIUS
Do not cry havoc where you should but hunt
With modest warrant
SICINIUS
Sir how comest that you
Have holp to make this rescue
MENENIUS
Hear me speak
As I do know the Consuls worthiness
So can I name his faults
SICINIUS
Consul What consul
MENENIUS
The consul Coriolanus
BRUTUS
He consul
ALL PLEBEIANS
No no no no no
MENENIUS
If by the Tribunes leave and yours good people
I may be heard I would crave a word or two
The which shall turn you to no further harm
Than so much loss of time
SICINIUS
Speak briefly then
For we are peremptory to dispatch
This viperous traitor To eject him hence
Were but one danger and to keep him here
Our certain death Therefore it is decreed
He dies tonight
MENENIUS
Now the good gods forbid
That our renowned Rome whose gratitude
Towards her deserved children is enrolled
In Joves own book like an unnatural dam
Should now eat up her own
SICINIUS
Hes a disease that must be cut away
MENENIUS
O hes a limb that has but a disease
Mortal to cut it off to cure it easy
What has he done to Rome thats worthy death
Killing our enemies the blood he hath lost
Which I dare vouch is more than that he hath
By many an ouncehe dropt it for his country
And what is left to lose it by his country
Were to us all that dot and suffer it
A brand to th end o th world
SICINIUS
This is clean cam
BRUTUS
Merely awry When he did love his country
It honoured him
MENENIUS
The service of the foot
Being once gangrened is not then respected
For what before it was
BRUTUS
Well hear no more
Pursue him to his house and pluck him thence
Lest his infection being of catching nature
Spread further
MENENIUS
One word more one word
This tigerfooted rage when it shall find
The harm of unscanned swiftness will too late
Tie leaden pounds tos heels Proceed by process
Lest partiesas he is belovedbreak out
And sack great Rome with Romans
BRUTUS
If it were so
SICINIUS
What do ye talk
Have we not had a taste of his obedience
Our aediles smote Ourselves resisted Come
MENENIUS
Consider this he has been bred i th wars
Since he could draw a sword and is ill schooled
In bolted language meal and bran together
He throws without distinction Give me leave
Ill go to him and undertake to bring him
Where he shall answer by a lawful form
In peace to his utmost peril
FIRST SENATOR
Noble tribunes
It is the humane way the other course
Will prove too bloody and the end of it
Unknown to the beginning
SICINIUS
Noble Menenius
Be you then as the peoples officer
Masters lay down your weapons
BRUTUS
Go not home
SICINIUS
Meet on the marketplace Well attend you there
Where if you bring not Martius well proceed
In our first way
MENENIUS
Ill bring him to you
To Senators Let me desire your company He must come
Or what is worst will follow
FIRST SENATOR
Pray you lets to him
Exeunt
SCENE II Rome A room in Coriolanuss house
Enter Coriolanus with Nobles
CORIOLANUS
Let them pull all about mine ears present me
Death on the wheel or at wild horses heels
Or pile ten hills on the Tarpeian rock
That the precipitation might down stretch
Below the beam of sight yet will I still
Be thus to them
FIRST PATRICIAN
You do the nobler
CORIOLANUS
I muse my mother
Does not approve me further who was wont
To call them woollen vassals things created
To buy and sell with groats to show bare heads
In congregations to yawn be still and wonder
When one but of my ordinance stood up
To speak of peace or war
Enter Volumnia
I talk of you
Why did you wish me milder Would you have me
False to my nature Rather say I play
The man I am
VOLUMNIA
O sir sir sir
I would have had you put your power well on
Before you had worn it out
CORIOLANUS
Let go
VOLUMNIA
You might have been enough the man you are
With striving less to be so Lesser had been
The thwartings of your dispositions if
You had not showed them how ye were disposed
Ere they lacked power to cross you
CORIOLANUS
Let them hang
VOLUMNIA
Ay and burn too
Enter Menenius with the Senators
MENENIUS
Come come you have been too rough something too rough
You must return and mend it
FIRST SENATOR
Theres no remedy
Unless by not so doing our good city
Cleave in the midst and perish
VOLUMNIA
Pray be counselled
I have a heart as little apt as yours
But yet a brain that leads my use of anger
To better vantage
MENENIUS
Well said noble woman
Before he should thus stoop to th herdbut that
The violent fit o th time craves it as physic
For the whole stateI would put mine armour on
Which I can scarcely bear
CORIOLANUS
What must I do
MENENIUS
Return to th Tribunes
CORIOLANUS
Well what then What then
MENENIUS
Repent what you have spoke
CORIOLANUS
For them I cannot do it to the gods
Must I then dot to them
VOLUMNIA
You are too absolute
Though therein you can never be too noble
But when extremities speak I have heard you say
Honour and policy like unsevered friends
I th war do grow together Grant that and tell me
In peace what each of them by th other lose
That they combine not there
CORIOLANUS
Tush tush
MENENIUS
A good demand
VOLUMNIA
If it be honour in your wars to seem
The same you are not which for your best ends
You adopt your policy how is it less or worse
That it shall hold companionship in peace
With honour as in war since that to both
It stands in like request
CORIOLANUS
Why force you this
VOLUMNIA
Because that now it lies you on to speak
To th people not by your own instruction
Nor by th matter which your heart prompts you
But with such words that are but rooted in
Your tongue though but bastards and syllables
Of no allowance to your bosoms truth
Now this no more dishonours you at all
Than to take in a town with gentle words
Which else would put you to your fortune and
The hazard of much blood
I would dissemble with my nature where
My fortunes and my friends at stake required
I should do so in honour I am in this
Your wife your son these senators the nobles
And you will rather show our general louts
How you can frown than spend a fawn upon em
For the inheritance of their loves and safeguard
Of what that want might ruin
MENENIUS
Noble lady
Come go with us speak fair You may salve so
Not what is dangerous present but the loss
Of what is past
VOLUMNIA
I prithee now my son
Go to them with this bonnet in thy hand
And thus far having stretched ithere be with them
Thy knee bussing the stonesfor in such busines
Action is eloquence and the eyes of th ignorant
More learned than the earswaving thy head
Which often thus correcting thy stout heart
Now humble as the ripest mulberry
That will not hold the handling Or say to them
Thou art their soldier and being bred in broils
Hast not the soft way which thou dost confess
Were fit for thee to use as they to claim
In asking their good loves but thou wilt frame
Thyself forsooth hereafter theirs so far
As thou hast power and person
MENENIUS
This but done
Even as she speaks why their hearts were yours
For they have pardons being asked as free
As words to little purpose
VOLUMNIA
Prithee now
Go and be ruled although I know thou hadst rather
Follow thine enemy in a fiery gulf
Than flatter him in a bower
Enter Cominius
Here is Cominius
COMINIUS
I have been i th marketplace and sir tis fit
You make strong party or defend yourself
By calmness or by absence Alls in anger
MENENIUS
Only fair speech
COMINIUS
I think twill serve if he
Can thereto frame his spirit
VOLUMNIA
He must and will
Prithee now say you will and go about it
CORIOLANUS
Must I go show them my unbarbed sconce Must I
With my base tongue give to my noble heart
A lie that it must bear Well I will dot
Yet were there but this single plot to lose
This mould of Martius they to dust should grind it
And throwt against the wind To th marketplace
You have put me now to such a part which never
I shall discharge to th life
COMINIUS
Come come well prompt you
VOLUMNIA
I prithee now sweet son as thou hast said
My praises made thee first a soldier so
To have my praise for this perform a part
Thou hast not done before
CORIOLANUS
Well I must dot
Away my disposition and possess me
Some harlots spirit My throat of war be turned
Which choired with my drum into a pipe
Small as an eunuch or the virgin voice
That babies lulls asleep The smiles of knaves
Tent in my cheeks and schoolboys tears take up
The glasses of my sight A beggars tongue
Make motion through my lips and my armed knees
Who bowed but in my stirrup bend like his
That hath received an alms I will not dot
Lest I surcease to honour mine own truth
And by my bodys action teach my mind
A most inherent baseness
VOLUMNIA
At thy choice then
To beg of thee it is my more dishonour
Than thou of them Come all to ruin Let
Thy mother rather feel thy pride than fear
Thy dangerous stoutness for I mock at death
With as big heart as thou Do as thou list
Thy valiantness was mine thou suckdst it from me
But owe thy pride thyself
CORIOLANUS
Pray be content
Mother I am going to the marketplace
Chide me no more Ill mountebank their loves
Cog their hearts from them and come home beloved
Of all the trades in Rome Look I am going
Commend me to my wife Ill return consul
Or never trust to what my tongue can do
I th way of flattery further
VOLUMNIA
Do your will
Exit Volumnia
COMINIUS
Away The Tribunes do attend you Arm yourself
To answer mildly for they are prepared
With accusations as I hear more strong
Than are upon you yet
CORIOLANUS
The word is mildly Pray you let us go
Let them accuse me by invention I
Will answer in mine honour
MENENIUS
Ay but mildly
CORIOLANUS
Well mildly be it then Mildly
Exeunt
SCENE III Rome The Forum
Enter Sicinius and Brutus
BRUTUS
In this point charge him home that he affects
Tyrannical power If he evade us there
Enforce him with his envy to the people
And that the spoil got on the Antiates
Was neer distributed
Enter an Aedile
What will he come
AEDILE
Hes coming
BRUTUS
How accompanied
AEDILE
With old Menenius and those senators
That always favoured him
SICINIUS
Have you a catalogue
Of all the voices that we have procured
Set down by th poll
AEDILE
I have Tis ready
SICINIUS
Have you collected them by tribes
AEDILE
I have
SICINIUS
Assemble presently the people hither
And when they hear me say It shall be so
I th right and strength o th commons be it either
For death for fine or banishment then let them
If I say Fine cry Fine if Death cry Death
Insisting on the old prerogative
And power i th truth o th cause
AEDILE
I shall inform them
BRUTUS
And when such time they have begun to cry
Let them not cease but with a din confused
Enforce the present execution
Of what we chance to sentence
AEDILE
Very well
SICINIUS
Make them be strong and ready for this hint
When we shall hap to givet them
BRUTUS
Go about it
Exit Aedile
Put him to choler straight He hath been used
Ever to conquer and to have his worth
Of contradiction Being once chafed he cannot
Be reined again to temperance then he speaks
Whats in his heart and that is there which looks
With us to break his neck
Enter Coriolanus Menenius and Cominius with other Senators
SICINIUS
Well here he comes
MENENIUS
Calmly I do beseech you
CORIOLANUS
Ay as an ostler that for th poorest piece
Will bear the knave by th volumeTh honoured gods
Keep Rome in safety and the chairs of justice
Supplied with worthy men Plant love amongs
Throng our large temples with the shows of peace
And not our streets with war
FIRST SENATOR
Amen amen
MENENIUS
A noble wish
Enter the Aedile with the Plebeians
SICINIUS
Draw near ye people
AEDILE
List to your tribunes Audience Peace I say
CORIOLANUS
First hear me speak
BOTH TRIBUNES
Well sayPeace ho
CORIOLANUS
Shall I be charged no further than this present
Must all determine here
SICINIUS
I do demand
If you submit you to the peoples voices
Allow their officers and are content
To suffer lawful censure for such faults
As shall be proved upon you
CORIOLANUS
I am content
MENENIUS
Lo citizens he says he is content
The warlike service he has done consider Think
Upon the wounds his body bears which show
Like graves i th holy churchyard
CORIOLANUS
Scratches with briars
Scars to move laughter only
MENENIUS
Consider further
That when he speaks not like a citizen
You find him like a soldier Do not take
His rougher accents for malicious sounds
But as I say such as become a soldier
Rather than envy you
COMINIUS
Well well no more
CORIOLANUS
What is the matter
That being passed for consul with full voice
I am so dishonoured that the very hour
You take it off again
SICINIUS
Answer to us
CORIOLANUS
Say then Tis true I ought so
SICINIUS
We charge you that you have contrived to take
From Rome all seasoned office and to wind
Yourself into a power tyrannical
For which you are a traitor to the people
CORIOLANUS
How Traitor
MENENIUS
Nay temperately Your promise
CORIOLANUS
The fires i th lowest hell fold in the people
Call me their traitor Thou injurious tribune
Within thine eyes sat twenty thousand deaths
In thy hands clutched as many millions in
Thy lying tongue both numbers I would say
Thou liest unto thee with a voice as free
As I do pray the gods
SICINIUS
Mark you this people
ALL PLEBEIANS
To th rock to th rock with him
SICINIUS
Peace
We need not put new matter to his charge
What you have seen him do and heard him speak
Beating your officers cursing yourselves
Opposing laws with strokes and here defying
Those whose great power must try himeven this
So criminal and in such capital kind
Deserves th extremest death
BRUTUS
But since he hath
Served well for Rome
CORIOLANUS
What do you prate of service
BRUTUS
I talk of that that know it
CORIOLANUS
You
MENENIUS
Is this the promise that you made your mother
COMINIUS
Know I pray you
CORIOLANUS
Ill know no further
Let them pronounce the steep Tarpeian death
Vagabond exile flaying pent to linger
But with a grain a day I would not buy
Their mercy at the price of one fair word
Nor check my courage for what they can give
To havet with saying Good morrow
SICINIUS
For that he has
As much as in him lies from time to time
Envied against the people seeking means
To pluck away their power as now at last
Given hostile strokes and that not in the presence
Of dreaded justice but on the ministers
That do distribute it in the name o th people
And in the power of us the Tribunes we
Even from this instant banish him our city
In peril of precipitation
From off the rock Tarpeian never more
To enter our Rome gates I th peoples name
I say it shall be so
ALL PLEBEIANS
It shall be so it shall be so Let him away
Hes banished and it shall be so
COMINIUS
Hear me my masters and my common friends
SICINIUS
Hes sentenced No more hearing
COMINIUS
Let me speak
I have been consul and can show for Rome
Her enemies marks upon me I do love
My countrys good with a respect more tender
More holy and profound than mine own life
My dear wifes estimate her wombs increase
And treasure of my loins Then if I would
Speak that
SICINIUS
We know your drift Speak what
BRUTUS
Theres no more to be said but he is banished
As enemy to the people and his country
It shall be so
ALL PLEBEIANS
It shall be so it shall be so
CORIOLANUS
You common cry of curs whose breath I hate
As reek o th rotten fens whose loves I prize
As the dead carcasses of unburied men
That do corrupt my air I banish you
And here remain with your uncertainty
Let every feeble rumour shake your hearts
Your enemies with nodding of their plumes
Fan you into despair Have the power still
To banish your defenders till at length
Your ignorancewhich finds not till it feels
Making but reservation of yourselves
Still your own foesdeliver you
As most abated captives to some nation
That won you without blows Despising
For you the city thus I turn my back
There is a world elsewhere
Exeunt Coriolanus Cominius with other Senators
AEDILE
The peoples enemy is gone is gone
ALL PLEBEIANS
Our enemy is banished he is gone Hoo hoo
They all shout and throw up their caps
SICINIUS
Go see him out at gates and follow him
As he hath followed you with all despite
Give him deserved vexation Let a guard
Attend us through the city
ALL PLEBEIANS
Come come lets see him out at gates Come
The gods preserve our noble tribunes Come
Exeunt
ACT IV
SCENE I Rome Before a gate of the city
Enter Coriolanus Volumnia Virgilia Menenius Cominius with the young nobility of Rome
CORIOLANUS
Come leave your tears A brief farewell The beast
With many heads butts me away Nay mother
Where is your ancient courage You were used
To say extremities was the trier of spirits
That common chances common men could bear
That when the sea was calm all boats alike
Showed mastership in floating fortunes blows
When most struck home being gentle wounded craves
A noble cunning You were used to load me
With precepts that would make invincible
The heart that conned them
VIRGILIA
O heavens O heavens
CORIOLANUS
Nay I prithee woman
VOLUMNIA
Now the red pestilence strike all trades in Rome
And occupations perish
CORIOLANUS
What what what
I shall be loved when I am lacked Nay mother
Resume that spirit when you were wont to say
If you had been the wife of Hercules
Six of his labours youd have done and saved
Your husband so much sweatCominius
Droop not AdieuFarewell my wife my mother
Ill do well yetThou old and true Menenius
Thy tears are salter than a younger mans
And venomous to thine eyesMy sometime general
I have seen thee stern and thou hast oft beheld
Hearthardning spectacles Tell these sad women
Tis fond to wail inevitable strokes
As tis to laugh at emMy mother you wot well
My hazards still have been your solace and
Believet not lightlythough I go alone
Like to a lonely dragon that his fen
Makes feared and talked of more than seen your son
Will or exceed the common or be caught
With cautelous baits and practice
VOLUMNIA
My first son
Whither wilt thou go Take good Cominius
With thee awhile Determine on some course
More than a wild exposture to each chance
That starts i th way before thee
VIRGILIA
O the gods
COMINIUS
Ill follow thee a month devise with thee
Where thou shalt rest that thou mayst hear of us
And we of thee so if the time thrust forth
A cause for thy repeal we shall not send
Oer the vast world to seek a single man
And lose advantage which doth ever cool
I th absence of the needer
CORIOLANUS
Fare ye well
Thou hast years upon thee and thou art too full
Of the wars surfeits to go rove with one
Thats yet unbruised Bring me but out at gate
Come my sweet wife my dearest mother and
My friends of noble touch When I am forth
Bid me farewell and smile I pray you come
While I remain above the ground you shall
Hear from me still and never of me aught
But what is like me formerly
MENENIUS
Thats worthily
As any ear can hear Come lets not weep
If I could shake off but one seven years
From these old arms and legs by the good gods
Id with thee every foot
CORIOLANUS
Give me thy hand
Come
Exeunt
SCENE II Rome A street near the gate
Enter two Tribunes Sicinius Brutus with the Aedile
SICINIUS
Bid them all home Hes gone and well no further
The nobility are vexed whom we see have sided
In his behalf
BRUTUS
Now we have shown our power
Let us seem humbler after it is done
Than when it was adoing
SICINIUS
Bid them home
Say their great enemy is gone and they
Stand in their ancient strength
BRUTUS
Dismiss them home
Exit Aedile
Here comes his mother
Enter Volumnia Virgilia and Menenius
SICINIUS
Lets not meet her
BRUTUS
Why
SICINIUS
They say shes mad
BRUTUS
They have taen note of us Keep on your way
VOLUMNIA
O youre well met The hoarded plague o th gods
Requite your love
MENENIUS
Peace peace Be not so loud
VOLUMNIA
If that I could for weeping you should hear
Nay and you shall hear some To Sicinius Will you be gone
VIRGILIA
To Brutus You shall stay too I would I had the power
To say so to my husband
SICINIUS
Are you mankind
VOLUMNIA
Ay fool is that a shame Note but this fool
Was not a man my father Hadst thou foxship
To banish him that struck more blows for Rome
Than thou hast spoken words
SICINIUS
O blessed heavens
VOLUMNIA
More noble blows than ever thou wise words
And for Romes good Ill tell thee whatyet go
Nay but thou shalt stay too I would my son
Were in Arabia and thy tribe before him
His good sword in his hand
SICINIUS
What then
VIRGILIA
What then
Hed make an end of thy posterity
VOLUMNIA
Bastards and all
Good man the wounds that he does bear for Rome
MENENIUS
Come come peace
SICINIUS
I would he had continued to his country
As he began and not unknit himself
The noble knot he made
BRUTUS
I would he had
VOLUMNIA
I would he had Twas you incensed the rabble
Cats that can judge as fitly of his worth
As I can of those mysteries which heaven
Will not have Earth to know
BRUTUS
Pray lets go
VOLUMNIA
Now pray sir get you gone
You have done a brave deed Ere you go hear this
As far as doth the Capitol exceed
The meanest house in Rome so far my son
This ladys husband here this do you see
Whom you have banished does exceed you all
BRUTUS
Well well well leave you
SICINIUS
Why stay we to be baited
With one that wants her wits
Exeunt Tribunes
VOLUMNIA
Take my prayers with you
I would the gods had nothing else to do
But to confirm my curses Could I meet em
But once a day it would unclog my heart
Of what lies heavy tot
MENENIUS
You have told them home
And by my troth you have cause Youll sup with me
VOLUMNIA
Angers my meat I sup upon myself
And so shall starve with feeding Come lets go
Leave this faint puling and lament as I do
In anger Junolike Come come come
Exeunt
MENENIUS
Fie fie fie
Exit Menenius
SCENE III A highway between Rome and Antium
Enter a Roman and a Volsce
ROMAN
I know you well sir and you know me Your name I think is Adrian
VOLSCE
It is so sir Truly I have forgot you
ROMAN
I am a Roman and my services are as you are against em Know you me yet
VOLSCE
Nicanor no
ROMAN
The same sir
VOLSCE
You had more beard when I last saw you but your favour is well approved by your tongue Whats the news in Rome I have a note from the Volscian state to find you out there You have well saved me a days journey
ROMAN
There hath been in Rome strange insurrections the people against the senators patricians and nobles
VOLSCE
Hath been Is it ended then Our state thinks not so They are in a most warlike preparation and hope to come upon them in the heat of their division
ROMAN
The main blaze of it is past but a small thing would make it flame again for the nobles receive so to heart the banishment of that worthy Coriolanus that they are in a ripe aptness to take all power from the people and to pluck from them their tribunes for ever This lies glowing I can tell you and is almost mature for the violent breaking out
VOLSCE
Coriolanus banished
ROMAN
Banished sir
VOLSCE
You will be welcome with this intelligence Nicanor
ROMAN
The day serves well for them now I have heard it said the fittest time to corrupt a mans wife is when shes fallen out with her husband Your noble Tullus Aufidius will appear well in these wars his great opposer Coriolanus being now in no request of his country
VOLSCE
He cannot choose I am most fortunate thus accidentally to encounter you You have ended my business and I will merrily accompany you home
ROMAN
I shall between this and supper tell you most strange things from Rome all tending to the good of their adversaries Have you an army ready say you
VOLSCE
A most royal one The centurions and their charges distinctly billeted already in th entertainment and to be on foot at an hours warning
ROMAN
I am joyful to hear of their readiness and am the man I think that shall set them in present action So sir heartily well met and most glad of your company
VOLSCE
You take my part from me sir I have the most cause to be glad of yours
ROMAN
Well let us go together
Exeunt
SCENE IV Antium Before Aufidiuss house
Enter Coriolanus in mean apparel disguised and muffled
CORIOLANUS
A goodly city is this Antium City
Tis I that made thy widows Many an heir
Of these fair edifices fore my wars
Have I heard groan and drop Then know me not
Lest that thy wives with spits and boys with stones
In puny battle slay me
Enter a Citizen
Save you sir
CITIZEN
And you
CORIOLANUS
Direct me if it be your will
Where great Aufidius lies Is he in Antium
CITIZEN
He is and feasts the nobles of the state
At his house this night
CORIOLANUS
Which is his house beseech you
CITIZEN
This here before you
CORIOLANUS
Thank you sir Farewell
Exit Citizen
O world thy slippery turns Friends now fast sworn
Whose double bosoms seems to wear one heart
Whose hours whose bed whose meal and exercise
Are still together who twin as twere in love
Unseparable shall within this hour
On a dissension of a doit break out
To bitterest enmity so fellest foes
Whose passions and whose plots have broke their sleep
To take the one the other by some chance
Some trick not worth an egg shall grow dear friends
And interjoin their issues So with me
My birthplace hate I and my loves upon
This enemy town Ill enter If he slay me
He does fair justice if he give me way
Ill do his country service
Exit
SCENE V Antium A hall in Aufidiuss house
Music plays Enter a Servingman
FIRST SERVINGMAN
Wine wine wine What service is here I think our fellows are asleep
Exit
Enter another Servingman
SECOND SERVINGMAN
Wheres Cotus My master calls for him Cotus
Exit
Enter Coriolanus
CORIOLANUS
A goodly house The feast smells well but I
Appear not like a guest
Enter the First Servingman
FIRST SERVINGMAN
What would you have friend Whence are you Heres no place for you Pray go to the door
Exit
CORIOLANUS
I have deserved no better entertainment
In being Coriolanus
Enter Second Servingman
SECOND SERVINGMAN
Whence are you sirHas the porter his eyes in his head that he gives entrance to such companionsPray get you out
CORIOLANUS
Away
SECOND SERVINGMAN
Away Get you away
CORIOLANUS
Now th art troublesome
SECOND SERVINGMAN
Are you so brave Ill have you talked with anon
Enter Third Servingman the First entering meets him
THIRD SERVINGMAN
What fellows this
FIRST SERVINGMAN
A strange one as ever I looked on I cannot get him out o th house Prithee call my master to him
THIRD SERVINGMAN
What have you to do here fellow Pray you avoid the house
CORIOLANUS
Let me but stand I will not hurt your hearth
THIRD SERVINGMAN
What are you
CORIOLANUS
A gentleman
THIRD SERVINGMAN
A marvllous poor one
CORIOLANUS
True so I am
THIRD SERVINGMAN
Pray you poor gentleman take up some other station Heres no place for you Pray you avoid Come
CORIOLANUS
Follow your function go and batten on cold bits
Pushes him away from him
THIRD SERVINGMAN
What you will notPrithee tell my master what a strange guest he has here
SECOND SERVINGMAN
And I shall
Exit
THIRD SERVINGMAN
Where dwellst thou
CORIOLANUS
Under the canopy
THIRD SERVINGMAN
Under the canopy
CORIOLANUS
Ay
THIRD SERVINGMAN
Wheres that
CORIOLANUS
I th city of kites and crows
THIRD SERVINGMAN
I th city of kites and crows What an ass it is Then thou dwellst with daws too
CORIOLANUS
No I serve not thy master
THIRD SERVINGMAN
How sir Do you meddle with my master
CORIOLANUS
Ay tis an honester service than to meddle with thy mistress Thou pratst and pratst Serve with thy trencher hence
Beats him away
Exit Third Servingman
Enter Aufidius with the Second Servingman
AUFIDIUS
Where is this fellow
SECOND SERVINGMAN
Here sir Id have beaten him like a dog but for disturbing the lords within
AUFIDIUS
Whence comst thou What wouldst thou
Thy name Why speakst not Speak man Whats thy name
CORIOLANUS
Removing his muffler If Tullus
Not yet thou knowst me and seeing me dost not
Think me for the man I am necessity
Commands me name myself
AUFIDIUS
What is thy name
CORIOLANUS
A name unmusical to the Volscians ears
And harsh in sound to thine
AUFIDIUS
Say whats thy name
Thou has a grim appearance and thy face
Bears a command int Though thy tackles torn
Thou showst a noble vessel Whats thy name
CORIOLANUS
Prepare thy brow to frown Knowst thou me yet
AUFIDIUS
I know thee not Thy name
CORIOLANUS
My name is Caius Martius who hath done
To thee particularly and to all the Volsces
Great hurt and mischief thereto witness may
My surname Coriolanus The painful service
The extreme dangers and the drops of blood
Shed for my thankless country are requited
But with that surname a good memory
And witness of the malice and displeasure
Which thou shouldst bear me Only that name remains
The cruelty and envy of the people
Permitted by our dastard nobles who
Have all forsook me hath devoured the rest
And suffered me by th voice of slaves to be
Whooped out of Rome Now this extremity
Hath brought me to thy hearth not out of hope
Mistake me notto save my life for if
I had feared death of all the men i th world
I would have voided thee but in mere spite
To be full quit of those my banishers
Stand I before thee here Then if thou hast
A heart of wreak in thee that wilt revenge
Thine own particular wrongs and stop those maims
Of shame seen through thy country speed thee straight
And make my misery serve thy turn So use it
That my revengeful services may prove
As benefits to thee for I will fight
Against my cankered country with the spleen
Of all the under fiends But if so be
Thou darst not this and that to prove more fortunes
Thou rt tired then in a word I also am
Longer to live most weary and present
My throat to thee and to thy ancient malice
Which not to cut would show thee but a fool
Since I have ever followed thee with hate
Drawn tuns of blood out of thy countrys breast
And cannot live but to thy shame unless
It be to do thee service
AUFIDIUS
O Martius Martius
Each word thou hast spoke hath weeded from my heart
A root of ancient envy If Jupiter
Should from yond cloud speak divine things
And say tis true Id not believe them more
Than thee allnoble Martius Let me twine
Mine arms about that body whereagainst
My grained ash an hundred times hath broke
And scarred the moon with splinters Here I clip
The anvil of my sword and do contest
As hotly and as nobly with thy love
As ever in ambitious strength I did
Contend against thy valour Know thou first
I loved the maid I married never man
Sighed truer breath But that I see thee here
Thou noble thing more dances my rapt heart
Than when I first my wedded mistress saw
Bestride my threshold Why thou Mars I tell thee
We have a power on foot and I had purpose
Once more to hew thy target from thy brawn
Or lose mine arm fort Thou hast beat me out
Twelve several times and I have nightly since
Dreamt of encounters twixt thyself and me
We have been down together in my sleep
Unbuckling helms fisting each others throat
And waked half dead with nothing Worthy Martius
Had we no other quarrel else to Rome but that
Thou art thence banished we would muster all
From twelve to seventy and pouring war
Into the bowels of ungrateful Rome
Like a bold flood oerbear t O come go in
And take our friendly senators by th hands
Who now are here taking their leaves of me
Who am prepared against your territories
Though not for Rome itself
CORIOLANUS
You bless me gods
AUFIDIUS
Therefore most absolute sir if thou wilt have
The leading of thine own revenges take
Th one half of my commission and set down
As best thou art experienced since thou knowst
Thy countrys strength and weaknessthine own ways
Whether to knock against the gates of Rome
Or rudely visit them in parts remote
To fright them ere destroy But come in
Let me commend thee first to those that shall
Say yea to thy desires A thousand welcomes
And more a friend than eer an enemy
Yet Martius that was much Your hand Most welcome
Exeunt Coriolanus and Aufidius
Two of the Servingmen come forward
FIRST SERVINGMAN
Heres a strange alteration
SECOND SERVINGMAN
By my hand I had thought to have strucken him with a cudgel and yet my mind gave me his clothes made a false report of him
FIRST SERVINGMAN
What an arm he has He turned me about with his finger and his thumb as one would set up a top
SECOND SERVINGMAN
Nay I knew by his face that there was something in him He had sir a kind of face methoughtI cannot tell how to term it
FIRST SERVINGMAN
He had so looking as it wereWould I were hanged but I thought there was more in him than I could think
SECOND SERVINGMAN
So did I Ill be sworn He is simply the rarest man i th world
FIRST SERVINGMAN
I think he is But a greater soldier than he you wot one
SECOND SERVINGMAN
Who my master
FIRST SERVINGMAN
Nay its no matter for that
SECOND SERVINGMAN
Worth six on him
FIRST SERVINGMAN
Nay not so neither But I take him to be the greater soldier
SECOND SERVINGMAN
Faith look you one cannot tell how to say that For the defence of a town our general is excellent
FIRST SERVINGMAN
Ay and for an assault too
Enter the Third Servingman
THIRD SERVINGMAN
O slaves I can tell you news news you rascals
FIRST and SECOND SERVINGMAN
What what what Lets partake
THIRD SERVINGMAN
I would not be a Roman of all nations I had as lief be a condemned man
FIRST and SECOND SERVINGMAN
Wherefore Wherefore
THIRD SERVINGMAN
Why heres he that was wont to thwack our general Caius Martius
FIRST SERVINGMAN
Why do you say thwack our general
THIRD SERVINGMAN
I do not say thwack our general but he was always good enough for him
SECOND SERVINGMAN
Come we are fellows and friends He was ever too hard for him I have heard him say so himself
FIRST SERVINGMAN
He was too hard for him directly to say the troth ont before Corioles he scotched him and notched him like a carbonado
SECOND SERVINGMAN
An he had been cannibally given he might have boiled and eaten him too
FIRST SERVINGMAN
But more of thy news
THIRD SERVINGMAN
Why he is so made on here within as if he were son and heir to Mars set at upper end o th table no question asked him by any of the senators but they stand bald before him Our general himself makes a mistress of him sanctifies himself withs hand and turns up the white o th eye to his discourse But the bottom of the news is our general is cut i th middle and but one half of what he was yesterday for the other has half by the entreaty and grant of the whole table Hell go he says and sowl the porter of Rome gates by th ears He will mow all down before him and leave his passage polled
SECOND SERVINGMAN
And hes as like to dot as any man I can imagine
THIRD SERVINGMAN
Dot He will dot For look you sir he has as many friends as enemies which friends sir as it were durst not look you sir show themselves as we term it his friends whilest hes in directitude
FIRST SERVINGMAN
Directitude Whats that
THIRD SERVINGMAN
But when they shall see sir his crest up again and the man in blood they will out of their burrows like coneys after rain and revel all with him
FIRST SERVINGMAN
But when goes this forward
THIRD SERVINGMAN
Tomorrow today presently You shall have the drum struck up this afternoon Tis as it were parcel of their feast and to be executed ere they wipe their lips
SECOND SERVINGMAN
Why then we shall have a stirring world again This peace is nothing but to rust iron increase tailors and breed balladmakers
FIRST SERVINGMAN
Let me have war say I It exceeds peace as far as day does night Its sprightly walking audible and full of vent Peace is a very apoplexy lethargy mulled deaf sleepy insensible a getter of more bastard children than wars a destroyer of men
SECOND SERVINGMAN
Tis so and as war in some sort may be said to be a ravisher so it cannot be denied but peace is a great maker of cuckolds
FIRST SERVINGMAN
Ay and it makes men hate one another
THIRD SERVINGMAN
Reason because they then less need one another The wars for my money I hope to see Romans as cheap as Volscians They are rising they are rising
ALL
In in in in
Exeunt
SCENE VI Rome A public place
Enter the two Tribunes Sicinius and Brutus
SICINIUS
We hear not of him neither need we fear him
His remedies are tamethe present peace
And quietness of the people which before
Were in wild hurry Here do we make his friends
Blush that the world goes well who rather had
Though they themselves did suffer byt behold
Dissentious numbers pestring streets than see
Our tradesmen singing in their shops and going
About their functions friendly
BRUTUS
We stood tot in good time
Enter Menenius
Is this Menenius
SICINIUS
Tis he tis he O he is grown most kind
Of lateHail sir
MENENIUS
Hail to you both
SICINIUS
Your Coriolanus is not much missed
But with his friends The commonwealth doth stand
And so would do were he more angry at it
MENENIUS
Alls well and might have been much better if
He could have temporized
SICINIUS
Where is he hear you
MENENIUS
Nay I hear nothing
His mother and his wife hear nothing from him
Enter three or four Citizens
ALL CITIZENS
The gods preserve you both
SICINIUS
Good een our neighbours
BRUTUS
Good een to you all good een to you all
FIRST CITIZEN
Ourselves our wives and children on our knees
Are bound to pray for you both
SICINIUS
Live and thrive
BRUTUS
Farewell kind neighbours We wished Coriolanus
Had loved you as we did
CITIZENS
Now the gods keep you
BOTH TRIBUNES
Farewell farewell
Exeunt Citizens
SICINIUS
This is a happier and more comely time
Than when these fellows ran about the streets
Crying confusion
BRUTUS
Caius Martius was
A worthy officer i th war but insolent
Oercome with pride ambitious past all thinking
Selfloving
SICINIUS
And affecting one sole throne without assistance
MENENIUS
I think not so
SICINIUS
We should by this to all our lamentation
If he had gone forth consul found it so
BRUTUS
The gods have well prevented it and Rome
Sits safe and still without him
Enter an Aedile
AEDILE
Worthy tribunes
There is a slave whom we have put in prison
Reports the Volsces with two several powers
Are entered in the Roman territories
And with the deepest malice of the war
Destroy what lies before em
MENENIUS
Tis Aufidius
Who hearing of our Martius banishment
Thrusts forth his horns again into the world
Which were inshelled when Martius stood for Rome
And durst not once peep out
SICINIUS
Come what talk you of Martius
BRUTUS
Go see this rumourer whipped It cannot be
The Volsces dare break with us
MENENIUS
Cannot be
We have record that very well it can
And three examples of the like hath been
Within my age But reason with the fellow
Before you punish him where he heard this
Lest you shall chance to whip your information
And beat the messenger who bids beware
Of what is to be dreaded
SICINIUS
Tell not me
I know this cannot be
BRUTUS
Not possible
Enter a Messenger
MESSENGER
The nobles in great earnestness are going
All to the Senate House Some news is coming
That turns their countenances
SICINIUS
Tis this slave
Go whip him fore the peoples eyeshis raising
Nothing but his report
MESSENGER
Yes worthy sir
The slaves report is seconded and more
More fearful is delivered
SICINIUS
What more fearful
MESSENGER
It is spoke freely out of many mouths
How probable I do not knowthat Martius
Joined with Aufidius leads a power gainst Rome
And vows revenge as spacious as between
The youngst and oldest thing
SICINIUS
This is most likely
BRUTUS
Raised only that the weaker sort may wish
Good Martius home again
SICINIUS
The very trick on t
MENENIUS
This is unlikely
He and Aufidius can no more atone
Than violentst contrariety
Enter a Second Messenger
SECOND MESSENGER
You are sent for to the Senate
A fearful army led by Caius Martius
Associated with Aufidius rages
Upon our territories and have already
Oerborne their way consumed with fire and took
What lay before them
Enter Cominius
COMINIUS
O you have made good work
MENENIUS
What news What news
COMINIUS
You have holp to ravish your own daughters and
To melt the city leads upon your pates
To see your wives dishonoured to your noses
MENENIUS
Whats the news Whats the news
COMINIUS
Your temples burned in their cement and
Your franchises whereon you stood confined
Into an augers bore
MENENIUS
Pray now your news
You have made fair work I fear mePray your news
If Martius should be joined with Volscians
COMINIUS
If
He is their god he leads them like a thing
Made by some other deity than Nature
That shapes man better and they follow him
Against us brats with no less confidence
Than boys pursuing summer butterflies
Or butchers killing flies
MENENIUS
You have made good work
You and your apronmen you that stood so much
Upon the voice of occupation and
The breath of garlic eaters
COMINIUS
Hell shake your Rome about your ears
MENENIUS
As Hercules did shake down mellow fruit
You have made fair work
BRUTUS
But is this true sir
COMINIUS
Ay and youll look pale
Before you find it other All the regions
Do smilingly revolt and who resists
Are mocked for valiant ignorance
And perish constant fools Who ist can blame him
Your enemies and his find something in him
MENENIUS
We are all undone unless
The noble man have mercy
COMINIUS
Who shall ask it
The Tribunes cannot dot for shame the people
Deserve such pity of him as the wolf
Does of the shepherds For his best friends if they
Should say Be good to Rome they charged him even
As those should do that had deserved his hate
And therein showed like enemies
MENENIUS
Tis true
If he were putting to my house the brand
That should consume it I have not the face
To say Beseech you ceaseYou have made fair hands
You and your crafts You have crafted fair
COMINIUS
You have brought
A trembling upon Rome such as was never
S incapable of help
TRIBUNES
Say not we brought it
MENENIUS
How Was it we We loved him but like beasts
And cowardly nobles gave way unto your clusters
Who did hoot him out o th city
COMINIUS
But I fear
Theyll roar him in again Tullus Aufidius
The second name of men obeys his points
As if he were his officer Desperation
Is all the policy strength and defence
That Rome can make against them
Enter a troop of Citizens
MENENIUS
Here comes the clusters
And is Aufidius with him You are they
That made the air unwholesome when you cast
Your stinking greasy caps in hooting at
Coriolanus exile Now hes coming
And not a hair upon a soldiers head
Which will not prove a whip As many coxcombs
As you threw caps up will he tumble down
And pay you for your voices Tis no matter
If he could burn us all into one coal
We have deserved it
ALL CITIZENS
Faith we hear fearful news
FIRST CITIZEN
For mine own part
When I said banish him I said twas pity
SECOND CITIZEN
And so did I
THIRD CITIZEN
And so did I And to say the truth so did very many of us That we did we did for the best and though we willingly consented to his banishment yet it was against our will
COMINIUS
You are goodly things you voices
MENENIUS
You have made good work you and your cry
Shalls to the Capitol
COMINIUS
O ay what else
Exeunt Cominius and Menenius
SICINIUS
Go masters get you home Be not dismayed
These are a side that would be glad to have
This true which they so seem to fear Go home
And show no sign of fear
FIRST CITIZEN
The gods be good to us Come masters lets home I ever said we were i th wrong when we banished him
SECOND CITIZEN
So did we all But come lets home
Exeunt Citizens
BRUTUS
I do not like this news
SICINIUS
Nor I
BRUTUS
Lets to the Capitol Would half my wealth
Would buy this for a lie
SICINIUS
Pray lets go
Exeunt
SCENE VII A camp at a short distance from Rome
Enter Aufidius with his Lieutenant
AUFIDIUS
Do they still fly to th Roman
LIEUTENANT
I do not know what witchcrafts in him but
Your soldiers use him as the grace fore meat
Their talk at table and their thanks at end
And you are darkned in this action sir
Even by your own
AUFIDIUS
I cannot help it now
Unless by using means I lame the foot
Of our design He bears himself more proudlier
Even to my person than I thought he would
When first I did embrace him Yet his nature
In thats no changeling and I must excuse
What cannot be amended
LIEUTENANT
Yet I wish sir
I mean for your particularyou had not
Joined in commission with him but either
Had borne the action of yourself or else
To him had left it solely
AUFIDIUS
I understand thee well and be thou sure
When he shall come to his account he knows not
What I can urge against him although it seems
And so he thinks and is no less apparent
To th vulgar eye that he bears all things fairly
And shows good husbandry for the Volscian state
Fights dragonlike and does achieve as soon
As draw his sword yet he hath left undone
That which shall break his neck or hazard mine
Wheneer we come to our account
LIEUTENANT
Sir I beseech you think you hell carry Rome
AUFIDIUS
All places yield to him ere he sits down
And the nobility of Rome are his
The Senators and Patricians love him too
The Tribunes are no soldiers and their people
Will be as rash in the repeal as hasty
To expel him thence I think hell be to Rome
As is the osprey to the fish who takes it
By sovereignty of nature First he was
A noble servant to them but he could not
Carry his honours even Whether twas pride
Which out of daily fortune ever taints
The happy man whether defect of judgment
To fail in the disposing of those chances
Which he was lord of or whether nature
Not to be other than one thing not moving
From th casque to th cushion but commanding peace
Even with the same austerity and garb
As he controlled the war but one of these
As he hath spices of them allnot all
For I dare so far free himmade him feared
So hated and so banished But he has a merit
To choke it in the uttrance So our virtues
Lie in th interpretation of the time
And power unto itself most commendable
Hath not a tomb so evident as a chair
T extol what it hath done
One fire drives out one fire one nail one nail
Rights by rights falter strengths by strengths do fail
Come lets away When Caius Rome is thine
Thou art poorst of all then shortly art thou mine
Exeunt
ACT V
SCENE I Rome A public place
Enter Menenius Cominius Sicinius Brutus the two Tribunes with others
MENENIUS
No Ill not go You hear what he hath said
Which was sometime his general who loved him
In a most dear particular He called me father
But what o that Go you that banished him
A mile before his tent fall down and knee
The way into his mercy Nay if he coyed
To hear Cominius speak Ill keep at home
COMINIUS
He would not seem to know me
MENENIUS
Do you hear
COMINIUS
Yet one time he did call me by my name
I urged our old acquaintance and the drops
That we have bled together Coriolanus
He would not answer to forbade all names
He was a kind of nothing titleless
Till he had forged himself a name i th fire
Of burning Rome
MENENIUS
Why so you have made good work
A pair of tribunes that have wracked Rome
To make coals cheap A noble memory
COMINIUS
I minded him how royal twas to pardon
When it was less expected He replied
It was a bare petition of a state
To one whom they had punished
MENENIUS
Very well
Could he say less
COMINIUS
I offered to awaken his regard
Fors private friends His answer to me was
He could not stay to pick them in a pile
Of noisome musty chaff He said twas folly
For one poor grain or two to leave unburnt
And still to nose th offence
MENENIUS
For one poor grain or two
I am one of those His mother wife his child
And this brave fellow too we are the grains
You are the musty chaff and you are smelt
Above the moon We must be burnt for you
SICINIUS
Nay pray be patient If you refuse your aid
In this soneverneeded help yet do not
Upbraids with our distress But sure if you
Would be your countrys pleader your good tongue
More than the instant army we can make
Might stop our countryman
MENENIUS
No Ill not meddle
SICINIUS
Pray you go to him
MENENIUS
What should I do
BRUTUS
Only make trial what your love can do
For Rome towards Martius
MENENIUS
Well and say that Martius
Return me as Cominius is returned unheard
What then But as a discontented friend
Griefshot with his unkindness Sayt be so
SICINIUS
Yet your good will
Must have that thanks from Rome after the measure
As you intended well
MENENIUS
Ill undertaket
I think hell hear me Yet to bite his lip
And hum at good Cominius much unhearts me
He was not taken well he had not dined
The veins unfilled our blood is cold and then
We pout upon the morning are unapt
To give or to forgive but when we have stuffed
These pipes and these conveyances of our blood
With wine and feeding we have suppler souls
Than in our priestlike fasts Therefore Ill watch him
Till he be dieted to my request
And then Ill set upon him
BRUTUS
You know the very road into his kindness
And cannot lose your way
MENENIUS
Good faith Ill prove him
Speed how it will I shall ere long have knowledge
Of my success
Exit
COMINIUS
Hell never hear him
SICINIUS
Not
COMINIUS
I tell you he does sit in gold his eye
Red as twould burn Rome and his injury
The jailer to his pity I kneeled before him
Twas very faintly he said Rise dismissed me
Thus with his speechless hand What he would do
He sent in writing after me what he
Would not bound with an oath to yield to his
Conditions So that all hope is vain
Unless his noble mother and his wife
Who as I hear mean to solicit him
For mercy to his country Therefore lets hence
And with our fair entreaties haste them on
Exeunt
SCENE II An Advanced post of the Volscian camp before Rome
Enter Menenius to the Watch or Guard
FIRST WATCH
Stay Whence are you
SECOND WATCH
Stand and go back
MENENIUS
You guard like men tis well But by your leave
I am an officer of state and come
To speak with Coriolanus
FIRST WATCH
From whence
MENENIUS
From Rome
FIRST WATCH
You may not pass you must return Our general
Will no more hear from thence
SECOND WATCH
Youll see your Rome embraced with fire before
Youll speak with Coriolanus
MENENIUS
Good my friends
If you have heard your general talk of Rome
And of his friends there it is lots to blanks
My name hath touched your ears It is Menenius
FIRST WATCH
Be it so go back The virtue of your name
Is not here passable
MENENIUS
I tell thee fellow
Thy general is my lover I have been
The book of his good acts whence men have read
His fame unparalleled happily amplified
For I have ever verified my friends
Of whom hes chiefwith all the size that verity
Would without lapsing suffer Nay sometimes
Like to a bowl upon a subtle ground
I have tumbled past the throw and in his praise
Have almost stamped the leasing Therefore fellow
I must have leave to pass
FIRST WATCH
Faith sir if you had told as many lies in his behalf as you have uttered words in your own you should not pass here no though it were as virtuous to lie as to live chastely Therefore go back
MENENIUS
Prithee fellow remember my name is Menenius always factionary on the party of your general
SECOND WATCH
Howsoever you have been his liar as you say you have I am one that telling true under him must say you cannot pass Therefore go back
MENENIUS
Has he dined canst thou tell For I would not speak with him till after dinner
FIRST WATCH
You are a Roman are you
MENENIUS
I am as thy general is
FIRST WATCH
Then you should hate Rome as he does Can you when you have pushed out your gates the very defender of them and in a violent popular ignorance given your enemy your shield think to front his revenges with the easy groans of old women the virginal palms of your daughters or with the palsied intercession of such a decayed dotant as you seem to be Can you think to blow out the intended fire your city is ready to flame in with such weak breath as this No you are deceived Therefore back to Rome and prepare for your execution You are condemned Our general has sworn you out of reprieve and pardon
MENENIUS
Sirrah if thy captain knew I were here he would use me with estimation
SECOND WATCH
Come my captain knows you not
MENENIUS
I mean thy general
FIRST WATCH
My general cares not for you Back I say go lest I let forth your half pint of blood Back Thats the utmost of your having Back
MENENIUS
Nay but fellow fellow
Enter Coriolanus with Aufidius
CORIOLANUS
Whats the matter
MENENIUS
Now you companion Ill say an errand for you You shall know now that I am in estimation you shall perceive that a Jack guardant cannot office me from my son Coriolanus Guess but by my entertainment with him if thou standst not i th state of hanging or of some death more long in spectatorship and crueller in suffering behold now presently and swoon for whats to come upon thee to Coriolanus The glorious gods sit in hourly synod about thy particular prosperity and love thee no worse than thy old father Menenius does O my son my son Thou art preparing fire for us look thee heres water to quench it I was hardly moved to come to thee but being assured none but myself could move thee I have been blown out of your gates with sighs and conjure thee to pardon Rome and thy petitionary countrymen The good gods assuage thy wrath and turn the dregs of it upon this varlet here this who like a block hath denied my access to thee
CORIOLANUS
Away
MENENIUS
How Away
CORIOLANUS
Wife mother child I know not My affairs
Are servanted to others Though I owe
My revenge properly my remission lies
In Volscian breasts That we have been familiar
Ingrate forgetfulness shall poison rather
Than pity note how much Therefore begone
Mine ears against your suits are stronger than
Your gates against my force Yet for I loved thee
Take this along I writ it for thy sake
He gives Menenius a paper
And would have sent it Another word Menenius
I will not hear thee speakThis man Aufidius
Was my beloved in Rome yet thou beholdst
AUFIDIUS
You keep a constant temper
They exit
The Guard and Menenius remain
FIRST WATCH
Now sir is your name Menenius
SECOND WATCH
Tis a spell you see of much power You know the way home again
FIRST WATCH
Do you hear how we are shent for keeping your Greatness back
SECOND WATCH
What cause do you think I have to swoon
MENENIUS
I neither care for th world nor your general For such things as you I can scarce think theres any youre so slight He that hath a will to die by himself fears it not from another Let your general do his worst For you be that you are long and your misery increase with your age I say to you as I was said to away
Exit
FIRST WATCH
A noble fellow I warrant him
SECOND WATCH
The worthy fellow is our general He is the rock the oak not to be windshaken
Exeunt
SCENE III The tent of Coriolanus
Enter Coriolanus and Aufidius
CORIOLANUS
We will before the walls of Rome tomorrow
Set down our host My partner in this action
You must report to th Volscian lords how plainly
I have borne this business
AUFIDIUS
Only their ends
You have respected stopped your ears against
The general suit of Rome never admitted
A private whisper no not with such friends
That thought them sure of you
CORIOLANUS
This last old man
Whom with cracked heart I have sent to Rome
Loved me above the measure of a father
Nay godded me indeed Their latest refuge
Was to send him for whose old love I have
Though I showed sourly to himonce more offered
The first conditions which they did refuse
And cannot now accept to grace him only
That thought he could do more A very little
I have yielded to Fresh embassies and suits
Nor from the state nor private friends hereafter
Will I lend ear to
Shout within
Ha What shout is this
Shall I be tempted to infringe my vow
In the same time tis made I will not
Enter Virgilia Volumnia Valeria young Martius with attendants
My wife comes foremost then the honoured mold
Wherein this trunk was framed and in her hand
The grandchild to her blood But out affection
All bond and privilege of nature break
Let it be virtuous to be obstinate
What is that curtsy worth Or those doves eyes
Which can make gods forsworn I melt and am not
Of stronger earth than others My mother bows
As if Olympus to a molehill should
In supplication nod and my young boy
Hath an aspect of intercession which
Great Nature cries Deny not Let the Volsces
Plough Rome and harrow Italy Ill never
Be such a gosling to obey instinct but stand
As if a man were author of himself
And knew no other kin
VIRGILIA
My lord and husband
CORIOLANUS
These eyes are not the same I wore in Rome
VIRGILIA
The sorrow that delivers us thus changed
Makes you think so
CORIOLANUS
Like a dull actor now
I have forgot my part and I am out
Even to a full disgrace Best of my flesh
Forgive my tyranny but do not say
For that Forgive our Romans
They kiss
O a kiss
Long as my exile sweet as my revenge
Now by the jealous queen of heaven that kiss
I carried from thee dear and my true lip
Hath virgined it eer since You gods I prate
And the most noble mother of the world
Leave unsaluted Sink my knee i th earth
Kneels
Of thy deep duty more impression show
Than that of common sons
VOLUMNIA
O stand up blest
He rises
Whilst with no softer cushion than the flint
I kneel before thee and unproperly
Show duty as mistaken all this while
Between the child and parent
She kneels
CORIOLANUS
What is this
Your knees to me To your corrected son
He raises her up
Then let the pebbles on the hungry beach
Fillip the stars Then let the mutinous winds
Strike the proud cedars gainst the fiery sun
Murdering impossibility to make
What cannot be slight work
VOLUMNIA
Thou art my warrior
I holp to frame thee Do you know this lady
CORIOLANUS
The noble sister of Publicola
The moon of Rome chaste as the icicle
Thats curdied by the frost from purest snow
And hangs on Dians templeDear Valeria
VOLUMNIA
This is a poor epitome of yours
Which by th interpretation of full time
May show like all yourself
CORIOLANUS
The god of soldiers
With the consent of supreme Jove inform
Thy thoughts with nobleness that thou mayst prove
To shame unvulnerable and stick i th wars
Like a great seamark standing every flaw
And saving those that eye thee
VOLUMNIA
To young Martius Your knee sirrah
He kneels
CORIOLANUS
Thats my brave boy
VOLUMNIA
Even he your wife this lady and myself
Are suitors to you
Young Martius rises
CORIOLANUS
I beseech you peace
Or if youd ask remember this before
The thing I have forsworn to grant may never
Be held by you denials Do not bid me
Dismiss my soldiers or capitulate
Again with Romes mechanics Tell me not
Wherein I seem unnatural desire not
T allay my rages and revenges with
Your colder reasons
VOLUMNIA
O no more no more
You have said you will not grant us anything
For we have nothing else to ask but that
Which you deny already Yet we will ask
That if you fail in our request the blame
May hang upon your hardness Therefore hear us
CORIOLANUS
Aufidius and you Volsces mark for well
Hear naught from Rome in private Your request
VOLUMNIA
Should we be silent and not speak our raiment
And state of bodies would bewray what life
We have led since thy exile Think with thyself
How more unfortunate than all living women
Are we come hither since that thy sight which should
Make our eyes flow with joy hearts dance with comforts
Constrains them weep and shake with fear and sorrow
Making the mother wife and child to see
The son the husband and the father tearing
His countrys bowels out And to poor we
Thine enmitys most capital Thou barrst us
Our prayers to the gods which is a comfort
That all but we enjoy For how can we
Alas how can wefor our country pray
Whereto we are bound together with thy victory
Whereto we are bound Alack or we must lose
The country our dear nurse or else thy person
Our comfort in the country We must find
An evident calamity though we had
Our wish which side should win for either thou
Must as a foreign recreant be led
With manacles through our streets or else
Triumphantly tread on thy countrys ruin
And bear the palm for having bravely shed
Thy wife and childrens blood For myself son
I purpose not to wait on fortune till
These wars determine If I cannot persuade thee
Rather to show a noble grace to both parts
Than seek the end of one thou shalt no sooner
March to assault thy country than to tread
Trust tot thou shalt noton thy mothers womb
That brought thee to this world
VIRGILIA
Ay and mine
That brought you forth this boy to keep your name
Living to time
YOUNG MARTIUS
He shall not tread on me
Ill run away till I am bigger but then Ill fight
CORIOLANUS
Not of a womans tenderness to be
Requires nor child nor womans face to see
I have sat too long
He rises
VOLUMNIA
Nay go not from us thus
If it were so that our request did tend
To save the Romans thereby to destroy
The Volsces whom you serve you might condemn us
As poisonous of your honour No our suit
Is that you reconcile them while the Volsces
May say This mercy we have showed the Romans
This we received and each in either side
Give the allhail to thee and cry Be blessed
For making up this peace Thou knowst great son
The end of wars uncertain but this certain
That if thou conquer Rome the benefit
Which thou shalt thereby reap is such a name
Whose repetition will be dogged with curses
Whose chronicle thus writ The man was noble
But with his last attempt he wiped it out
Destroyed his country and his name remains
To th ensuing age abhorred Speak to me son
Thou hast affected the fine strains of honour
To imitate the graces of the gods
To tear with thunder the wide cheeks o th air
And yet to charge thy sulphur with a bolt
That should but rive an oak Why dost not speak
Thinkst thou it honourable for a noble man
Still to remember wrongsDaughter speak you
He cares not for your weepingSpeak thou boy
Perhaps thy childishness will move him more
Than can our reasonsTheres no man in the world
More bound tos mother yet here he lets me prate
Like one i th stocks Thou hast never in thy life
Showed thy dear mother any courtesy
When she poor hen fond of no second brood
Has clucked thee to the wars and safely home
Loaden with honour Say my requests unjust
And spurn me back but if it be not so
Thou art not honest and the gods will plague thee
That thou restrainst from me the duty which
To a mothers part belongsHe turns away
Down ladies Let us shame him with our knees
To his surname Coriolanus longs more pride
Than pity to our prayers Down An end
They kneel
This is the last So we will home to Rome
And die among our neighboursNay beholds
This boy that cannot tell what he would have
But kneels and holds up hands for fellowship
Does reason our petition with more strength
Than thou hast to denytCome let us go
They rise
This fellow had a Volscian to his mother
His wife is in Corioles and his child
Like him by chanceYet give us our dispatch
I am hushed until our city be afire
And then Ill speak a little
He holds her by the hand silent
CORIOLANUS
O mother mother
What have you done Behold the heavens do ope
The gods look down and this unnatural scene
They laugh at O my mother mother O
You have won a happy victory to Rome
But for your sonbelieve it O believe it
Most dangerously you have with him prevailed
If not most mortal to him But let it come
Aufidius though I cannot make true wars
Ill frame convenient peace Now good Aufidius
Were you in my stead would you have heard
A mother less Or granted less Aufidius
AUFIDIUS
I was moved withal
CORIOLANUS
I dare be sworn you were
And sir it is no little thing to make
Mine eyes to sweat compassion But good sir
What peace youll make advise me For my part
Ill not to Rome Ill back with you and pray you
Stand to me in this causeO motherWife
He speaks with them aside
AUFIDIUS
Aside I am glad thou hast set thy mercy and thy honour
At difference in thee Out of that Ill work
Myself a former fortune
CORIOLANUS
To the Women Ay by and by
But well drink together and you shall bear
A better witness back than words which we
On like conditions will have countersealed
Come enter with us Ladies you deserve
To have a temple built you All the swords
In Italy and her confederate arms
Could not have made this peace
Exeunt
SCENE IV Rome A public place
Enter Menenius and Sicinius
MENENIUS
See you yond coign o the Capitol yond cornerstone
SICINIUS
Why what of that
MENENIUS
If it be possible for you to displace it with your little finger there is some hope the ladies of Rome especially his mother may prevail with him But I say there is no hope int Our throats are sentenced and stay upon execution
SICINIUS
Ist possible that so short a time can alter the condition of a man
MENENIUS
There is differency between a grub and a butterfly yet your butterfly was a grub This Martius is grown from man to dragon He has wings hes more than a creeping thing
SICINIUS
He loved his mother dearly
MENENIUS
So did he me and he no more remembers his mother now than an eightyearold horse The tartness of his face sours ripe grapes When he walks he moves like an engine and the ground shrinks before his treading He is able to pierce a corslet with his eye talks like a knell and his hum is a battery He sits in his state as a thing made for Alexander What he bids be done is finished with his bidding He wants nothing of a god but eternity and a heaven to throne in
SICINIUS
Yes mercy if you report him truly
MENENIUS
I paint him in the character Mark what mercy his mother shall bring from him There is no more mercy in him than there is milk in a male tiger That shall our poor city find and all this is long of you
SICINIUS
The gods be good unto us
MENENIUS
No in such a case the gods will not be good unto us When we banished him we respected not them and he returning to break our necks they respect not us
Enter a Messenger
MESSENGER
Sir if youd save your life fly to your house
The plebeians have got your fellow tribune
And hale him up and down all swearing if
The Roman ladies bring not comfort home
Theyll give him death by inches
Enter another Messenger
SICINIUS
Whats the news
SECOND MESSENGER
Good news good news The ladies have prevailed
The Volscians are dislodged and Martius gone
A merrier day did never yet greet Rome
No not th expulsion of the Tarquins
SICINIUS
Friend
Art thou certain this is true Ist most certain
SECOND MESSENGER
As certain as I know the sun is fire
Where have you lurked that you make doubt of it
Neer through an arch so hurried the blown tide
As the recomforted through th gates Why hark you
Trumpets hautboys drums beat all together
The trumpets sackbuts psalteries and fifes
Tabors and cymbals and the shouting Romans
Make the sun dance Hark you
A shout within
MENENIUS
This is good news
I will go meet the ladies This Volumnia
Is worth of consuls senators patricians
A city full of tribunes such as you
A sea and land full You have prayed well today
This morning for ten thousand of your throats
Id not have given a doit Hark how they joy
Sound still with the shouts
SICINIUS
First the gods bless you for your tidings next accept my thankfulness
SECOND MESSENGER
Sir we have all great cause to give great thanks
SICINIUS
They are near the city
MESSENGER
Almost at point to enter
SICINIUS
Well meet them and help the joy
Exeunt
SCENE V Rome A street near the gate
Enter two Senators with Ladies Volumnia Virgilia Valeria passing over the stage with other Lords
SENATOR
Behold our patroness the life of Rome
Call all your tribes together praise the gods
And make triumphant fires Strew flowers before them
Unshout the noise that banished Martius
Repeal him with the welcome of his mother
Cry Welcome ladies welcome
ALL
Welcome ladies welcome
A flourish with drums and trumpets
Exeunt
SCENE VI Antium A public place
Enter Tullus Aufidius with Attendants
AUFIDIUS
Go tell the lords o th city I am here
Deliver them this paper
He gives them a paper
Having read it
Bid them repair to th marketplace where I
Even in theirs and in the commons ears
Will vouch the truth of it Him I accuse
The city ports by this hath entered and
Intends t appear before the people hoping
To purge himself with words Dispatch
Exeunt Attendants
Enter three or four Conspirators of Aufidiuss faction
Most welcome
FIRST CONSPIRATOR
How is it with our general
AUFIDIUS
Even so
As with a man by his own alms empoisoned
And with his charity slain
SECOND CONSPIRATOR
Most noble sir
If you do hold the same intent wherein
You wished us parties well deliver you
Of your great danger
AUFIDIUS
Sir I cannot tell
We must proceed as we do find the people
THIRD CONSPIRATOR
The people will remain uncertain whilst
Twixt you theres difference but the fall of either
Makes the survivor heir of all
AUFIDIUS
I know it
And my pretext to strike at him admits
A good construction I raised him and I pawned
Mine honour for his truth who being so heightened
He watered his new plants with dews of flattery
Seducing so my friends and to this end
He bowed his nature never known before
But to be rough unswayable and free
THIRD CONSPIRATOR
Sir his stoutness
When he did stand for consul which he lost
By lack of stooping
AUFIDIUS
That I would have spoke of
Being banished fort he came unto my hearth
Presented to my knife his throat I took him
Made him joint servant with me gave him way
In all his own desires nay let him choose
Out of my files his projects to accomplish
My best and freshest men served his designments
In mine own person holp to reap the fame
Which he did end all his and took some pride
To do myself this wrong till at the last
I seemed his follower not partner and
He waged me with his countenance as if
I had been mercenary
FIRST CONSPIRATOR
So he did my lord
The army marvelled at it and in the last
When he had carried Rome and that we looked
For no less spoil than glory
AUFIDIUS
There was it
For which my sinews shall be stretched upon him
At a few drops of womens rheum which are
As cheap as lies he sold the blood and labour
Of our great action Therefore shall he die
And Ill renew me in his fall But hark
Drums and trumpets sound with great shouts of the people
FIRST CONSPIRATOR
Your native town you entered like a post
And had no welcomes home but he returns
Splitting the air with noise
SECOND CONSPIRATOR
And patient fools
Whose children he hath slain their base throats tear
With giving him glory
THIRD CONSPIRATOR
Therefore at your vantage
Ere he express himself or move the people
With what he would say let him feel your sword
Which we will second When he lies along
After your way his tale pronounced shall bury
His reasons with his body
AUFIDIUS
Say no more
Here come the lords
Enter the Lords of the city
ALL LORDS
You are most welcome home
AUFIDIUS
I have not deserved it
But worthy lords have you with heed perused
What I have written to you
ALL LORDS
We have
FIRST LORD
And grieve to heart
What faults he made before the last I think
Might have found easy fines but there to end
Where he was to begin and give away
The benefit of our levies answering us
With our own charge making a treaty where
There was a yieldingthis admits no excuse
Enter Coriolanus marching with Drum and Colours the Commoners being with him
AUFIDIUS
He approaches You shall hear him
CORIOLANUS
Hail lords I am returned your soldier
No more infected with my countrys love
Than when I parted hence but still subsisting
Under your great command You are to know
That prosperously I have attempted and
With bloody passage led your wars even to
The gates of Rome Our spoils we have brought home
Doth more than counterpoise a full third part
The charges of the action We have made peace
With no less honour to the Antiates
Than shame to th Romans and we here deliver
Subscribed by th Consuls and patricians
Together with the seal o th Senate what
We have compounded on
He offers the lords a paper
AUFIDIUS
Read it not noble lords
But tell the traitor in the highest degree
He hath abused your powers
CORIOLANUS
Traitor How now
AUFIDIUS
Ay traitor Martius
CORIOLANUS
Martius
AUFIDIUS
Ay Martius Caius Martius Dost thou think
Ill grace thee with that robbery thy stoln name
Coriolanus in Corioles
You lords and heads o th state perfidiously
He has betrayed your business and given up
For certain drops of salt your city Rome
I say your cityto his wife and mother
Breaking his oath and resolution like
A twist of rotten silk never admitting
Counsel o th war but at his nurses tears
He whined and roared away your victory
That pages blushed at him and men of heart
Looked wondring each at other
CORIOLANUS
Hearst thou Mars
AUFIDIUS
Name not the god thou boy of tears
CORIOLANUS
Ha
AUFIDIUS
No more
CORIOLANUS
Measureless liar thou hast made my heart
Too great for what contains it Boy O slave
Pardon me lords tis the first time that ever
I was forced to scold Your judgments my grave lords
Must give this cur the lie and his own notion
Who wears my stripes impressed upon him that
Must bear my beating to his graveshall join
To thrust the lie unto him
FIRST LORD
Peace both and hear me speak
CORIOLANUS
Cut me to pieces Volsces Men and lads
Stain all your edges on me Boy False hound
If you have writ your annals true tis there
That like an eagle in a dovecote I
Fluttered your Volscians in Corioles
Alone I did it Boy
AUFIDIUS
Why noble lords
Will you be put in mind of his blind fortune
Which was your shame by this unholy braggart
Fore your own eyes and ears
ALL CONSPIRATORS
Let him die fort
ALL PEOPLE
Tear him to pieces Do it presently He killed my son My daughter He killed my cousin Marcus He killed my father
SECOND LORD
Peace ho No outrage Peace
The man is noble and his fame folds in
This orb o th Earth His last offences to us
Shall have judicious hearing Stand Aufidius
And trouble not the peace
CORIOLANUS
O that I had him
With six Aufidiuses or more his tribe
To use my lawful sword
AUFIDIUS
Insolent villain
ALL CONSPIRATORS
Kill kill kill kill kill him
Draw the Conspirators and kills Martius who falls Aufidius stands on him
LORDS
Hold hold hold hold
AUFIDIUS
My noble masters hear me speak
FIRST LORD
O Tullus
SECOND LORD
Thou hast done a deed whereat valour will weep
THIRD LORD
Tread not upon himMasters all be quiet
Put up your swords
AUFIDIUS
My lords when you shall knowas in this rage
Provoked by him you cannotthe great danger
Which this mans life did owe you youll rejoice
That he is thus cut off Please it your Honours
To call me to your senate Ill deliver
Myself your loyal servant or endure
Your heaviest censure
FIRST LORD
Bear from hence his body
And mourn you for him Let him be regarded
As the most noble corse that ever herald
Did follow to his urn
SECOND LORD
His own impatience
Takes from Aufidius a great part of blame
Lets make the best of it
AUFIDIUS
My rage is gone
And I am struck with sorrowTake him up
Help three o th chiefest soldiers Ill be one
Beat thou the drum that it speak mournfully
Trail your steel pikes Though in this city he
Hath widowed and unchilded many a one
Which to this hour bewail the injury
Yet he shall have a noble memory
Assist
Exeunt bearing the body of Martius A dead march sounded
CYMBELINE
Contents
ACT I
Scene I Britain The garden of Cymbelines palace
Scene II The same
Scene III Britain A public place
Scene IV Britain Cymbelines palace
Scene V Rome Philarios house
Scene VI Britain Cymbelines palace
Scene VII Britain The palace
ACT II
Scene I Britain Before Cymbelines palace
Scene II Britain Imogens bedchamber in Cymbelines palace a trunk in one corner
Scene III Cymbelines palace An antechamber adjoining Imogens apartments
Scene IV Rome Philarios house
Scene V Rome Another room in Philarios house
ACT III
Scene I Britain A hall in Cymbelines palace
Scene II Britain Another room in Cymbelines palace
Scene III Wales A mountainous country with a cave
Scene IV Wales near Milford Haven
Scene V Britain Cymbelines palace
Scene VI Wales Before the cave of Belarius
Scene VII The same
Scene VIII Rome A public place
ACT IV
Scene I Wales Near the cave of Belarius
Scene II Wales Before the cave of Belarius
Scene III Britain Cymbelines palace
Scene IV Wales Before the cave of Belarius
ACT V
Scene I Britain The Roman camp
Scene II Britain A field of battle between the British and Roman camps
Scene III Another part of the field
Scene IV Britain A prison
Scene V Britain Cymbelines tent
Dramatis Person
CYMBELINE King of Britain
CLOTEN son to the Queen by a former husband
POSTHUMUS LEONATUS a gentleman husband to Imogen
BELARIUS a banished lord disguised under the name of Morgan
GUIDERIUS and ARVIRAGUS sons to Cymbeline disguised under the names of POLYDORE and CADWAL supposed sons to Belarius
PHILARIO Italian friend to Posthumus
IACHIMO Italian friend to Philario
CAIUS LUCIUS General of the Roman forces
PISANIO servant to Posthumus
CORNELIUS a physician
A SOOTHSAYER
A ROMAN CAPTAIN
TWO BRITISH CAPTAINS
A FRENCH GENTLEMAN friend to Philario
TWO LORDS of Cymbelines court
TWO GENTLEMEN of the same
TWO GAOLERS
QUEEN wife to Cymbeline
IMOGEN daughter to Cymbeline by a former queen
HELEN a lady attending on Imogen
APPARITIONS
Lords Ladies Roman Senators Tribunes a Dutch Gentleman a Spanish Gentleman Musicians Officers Captains Soldiers Messengers and Attendants
SCENE Britain Italy
ACT I
SCENE I Britain The garden of Cymbelines palace
Enter two Gentlemen
FIRST GENTLEMAN
You do not meet a man but frowns our bloods
No more obey the heavens than our courtiers
Still seem as does the Kings
SECOND GENTLEMAN
But whats the matter
FIRST GENTLEMAN
His daughter and the heir ofs kingdom whom
He purposd to his wifes sole sona widow
That late he marriedhath referrd herself
Unto a poor but worthy gentleman Shes wedded
Her husband banishd she imprisond All
Is outward sorrow though I think the King
Be touchd at very heart
SECOND GENTLEMAN
None but the King
FIRST GENTLEMAN
He that hath lost her too So is the Queen
That most desird the match But not a courtier
Although they wear their faces to the bent
Of the Kings looks hath a heart that is not
Glad at the thing they scowl at
SECOND GENTLEMAN
And why so
FIRST GENTLEMAN
He that hath missd the Princess is a thing
Too bad for bad report and he that hath her
I mean that married her alack good man
And therefore banishdis a creature such
As to seek through the regions of the earth
For one his like there would be something failing
In him that should compare I do not think
So fair an outward and such stuff within
Endows a man but he
SECOND GENTLEMAN
You speak him far
FIRST GENTLEMAN
I do extend him sir within himself
Crush him together rather than unfold
His measure duly
SECOND GENTLEMAN
Whats his name and birth
FIRST GENTLEMAN
I cannot delve him to the root his father
Was calld Sicilius who did join his honour
Against the Romans with Cassibelan
But had his titles by Tenantius whom
He servd with glory and admird success
So gaind the suraddition Leonatus
And had besides this gentleman in question
Two other sons who in the wars o th time
Died with their swords in hand for which their father
Then old and fond of issue took such sorrow
That he quit being and his gentle lady
Big of this gentleman our theme deceasd
As he was born The King he takes the babe
To his protection calls him Posthumus Leonatus
Breeds him and makes him of his bedchamber
Puts to him all the learnings that his time
Could make him the receiver of which he took
As we do air fast as twas ministred
And ins spring became a harvest livd in court
Which rare it is to domost praisd most lovd
A sample to the youngest to th more mature
A glass that feated them and to the graver
A child that guided dotards To his mistress
For whom he now is banishd her own price
Proclaims how she esteemd him and his virtue
By her election may be truly read
What kind of man he is
SECOND GENTLEMAN
I honour him
Even out of your report But pray you tell me
Is she sole child to th King
FIRST GENTLEMAN
His only child
He had two sonsif this be worth your hearing
Mark itthe eldest of them at three years old
I th swathing clothes the other from their nursery
Were stoln and to this hour no guess in knowledge
Which way they went
SECOND GENTLEMAN
How long is this ago
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Some twenty years
SECOND GENTLEMAN
That a kings children should be so conveyd
So slackly guarded and the search so slow
That could not trace them
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Howsoeer tis strange
Or that the negligence may well be laughd at
Yet is it true sir
SECOND GENTLEMAN
I do well believe you
FIRST GENTLEMAN
We must forbear here comes the gentleman
The Queen and Princess
Exeunt
SCENE II The same
Enter Queen Posthumus and Imogen
QUEEN
No be assurd you shall not find me daughter
After the slander of most stepmothers
Evileyd unto you Youre my prisoner but
Your gaoler shall deliver you the keys
That lock up your restraint For you Posthumus
So soon as I can win th offended King
I will be known your advocate Marry yet
The fire of rage is in him and twere good
You leand unto his sentence with what patience
Your wisdom may inform you
POSTHUMUS
Please your Highness
I will from hence today
QUEEN
You know the peril
Ill fetch a turn about the garden pitying
The pangs of barrd affections though the King
Hath chargd you should not speak together
Exit
IMOGEN
O dissembling courtesy How fine this tyrant
Can tickle where she wounds My dearest husband
I something fear my fathers wrath but nothing
Always reservd my holy duty what
His rage can do on me You must be gone
And I shall here abide the hourly shot
Of angry eyes not comforted to live
But that there is this jewel in the world
That I may see again
POSTHUMUS
My queen my mistress
O lady weep no more lest I give cause
To be suspected of more tenderness
Than doth become a man I will remain
The loyalst husband that did eer plight troth
My residence in Rome at one Philarios
Who to my father was a friend to me
Known but by letter thither write my queen
And with mine eyes Ill drink the words you send
Though ink be made of gall
Enter Queen
QUEEN
Be brief I pray you
If the King come I shall incur I know not
How much of his displeasure Aside Yet Ill move him
To walk this way I never do him wrong
But he does buy my injuries to be friends
Pays dear for my offences
Exit
POSTHUMUS
Should we be taking leave
As long a term as yet we have to live
The loathness to depart would grow Adieu
IMOGEN
Nay stay a little
Were you but riding forth to air yourself
Such parting were too petty Look here love
This diamond was my mothers take it heart
But keep it till you woo another wife
When Imogen is dead
POSTHUMUS
How how Another
You gentle gods give me but this I have
And sear up my embracements from a next
With bonds of death Remain remain thou here
Puts on the ring
While sense can keep it on And sweetest fairest
As I my poor self did exchange for you
To your so infinite loss so in our trifles
I still win of you For my sake wear this
It is a manacle of love Ill place it
Upon this fairest prisoner
Puts a bracelet on her arm
IMOGEN
O the gods
When shall we see again
Enter Cymbeline and Lords
POSTHUMUS
Alack the King
CYMBELINE
Thou basest thing avoid hence from my sight
If after this command thou fraught the court
With thy unworthiness thou diest Away
Thourt poison to my blood
POSTHUMUS
The gods protect you
And bless the good remainders of the court
I am gone
Exit
IMOGEN
There cannot be a pinch in death
More sharp than this is
CYMBELINE
O disloyal thing
That shouldst repair my youth thou heapst
A years age on me
IMOGEN
I beseech you sir
Harm not yourself with your vexation
I am senseless of your wrath a touch more rare
Subdues all pangs all fears
CYMBELINE
Past grace obedience
IMOGEN
Past hope and in despair that way past grace
CYMBELINE
That mightst have had the sole son of my queen
IMOGEN
O blessed that I might not I chose an eagle
And did avoid a puttock
CYMBELINE
Thou tookst a beggar wouldst have made my throne
A seat for baseness
IMOGEN
No I rather added
A lustre to it
CYMBELINE
O thou vile one
IMOGEN
Sir
It is your fault that I have lovd Posthumus
You bred him as my playfellow and he is
A man worth any woman overbuys me
Almost the sum he pays
CYMBELINE
What art thou mad
IMOGEN
Almost sir Heaven restore me Would I were
A neatherds daughter and my Leonatus
Our neighbour shepherds son
Enter Queen
CYMBELINE
Thou foolish thing
To the Queen They were again together You have done
Not after our command Away with her
And pen her up
QUEEN
Beseech your patience Peace
Dear lady daughter peaceSweet sovereign
Leave us to ourselves and make yourself some comfort
Out of your best advice
CYMBELINE
Nay let her languish
A drop of blood a day and being aged
Die of this folly
Exit with Lords
Enter Pisanio
QUEEN
Fie you must give way
Here is your servant How now sir What news
PISANIO
My lord your son drew on my master
QUEEN
Ha
No harm I trust is done
PISANIO
There might have been
But that my master rather playd than fought
And had no help of anger they were parted
By gentlemen at hand
QUEEN
I am very glad ont
IMOGEN
Your sons my fathers friend he takes his part
To draw upon an exile O brave sir
I would they were in Afric both together
Myself by with a needle that I might prick
The goerback Why came you from your master
PISANIO
On his command He would not suffer me
To bring him to the haven left these notes
Of what commands I should be subject to
Whent pleasd you to employ me
QUEEN
This hath been
Your faithful servant I dare lay mine honour
He will remain so
PISANIO
I humbly thank your Highness
QUEEN
Pray walk awhile
IMOGEN
About some halfhour hence
Pray you speak with me
You shall at least go see my lord aboard
For this time leave me
Exeunt
SCENE III Britain A public place
Enter Cloten and two Lords
FIRST LORD
Sir I would advise you to shift a shirt the violence of action hath made you reek as a sacrifice Where air comes out air comes in theres none abroad so wholesome as that you vent
CLOTEN
If my shirt were bloody then to shift it Have I hurt him
SECOND LORD
Aside No faith not so much as his patience
FIRST LORD
Hurt him His bodys a passable carcass if he be not hurt It is a throughfare for steel if it be not hurt
SECOND LORD
Aside His steel was in debt it went o th backside the town
CLOTEN
The villain would not stand me
SECOND LORD
Aside No but he fled forward still toward your face
FIRST LORD
Stand you You have land enough of your own but he added to your having gave you some ground
SECOND LORD
Aside As many inches as you have oceans
Puppies
CLOTEN
I would they had not come between us
SECOND LORD
Aside So would I till you had measurd how long a fool you were upon the ground
CLOTEN
And that she should love this fellow and refuse me
SECOND LORD
Aside If it be a sin to make a true election she is damnd
FIRST LORD
Sir as I told you always her beauty and her brain go not together shes a good sign but I have seen small reflection of her wit
SECOND LORD
Aside She shines not upon fools lest the reflection should hurt her
CLOTEN
Come Ill to my chamber Would there had been some hurt done
SECOND LORD
Aside I wish not so unless it had been the fall of an ass which is no great hurt
CLOTEN
Youll go with us
FIRST LORD
Ill attend your lordship
CLOTEN
Nay come lets go together
SECOND LORD
Well my lord
Exeunt
SCENE IV Britain Cymbelines palace
Enter Imogen and Pisanio
IMOGEN
I would thou grewst unto the shores o th haven
And questionedst every sail if he should write
And I not have it twere a paper lost
As offerd mercy is What was the last
That he spake to thee
PISANIO
It was his queen his queen
IMOGEN
Then wavd his handkerchief
PISANIO
And kissd it madam
IMOGEN
Senseless linen happier therein than I
And that was all
PISANIO
No madam for so long
As he could make me with his eye or ear
Distinguish him from others he did keep
The deck with glove or hat or handkerchief
Still waving as the fits and stirs ofs mind
Could best express how slow his soul saild on
How swift his ship
IMOGEN
Thou shouldst have made him
As little as a crow or less ere left
To aftereye him
PISANIO
Madam so I did
IMOGEN
I would have broke mine eyestrings crackd them but
To look upon him till the diminution
Of space had pointed him sharp as my needle
Nay followed him till he had melted from
The smallness of a gnat to air and then
Have turnd mine eye and wept But good Pisanio
When shall we hear from him
PISANIO
Be assurd madam
With his next vantage
IMOGEN
I did not take my leave of him but had
Most pretty things to say Ere I could tell him
How I would think on him at certain hours
Such thoughts and such or I could make him swear
The shes of Italy should not betray
Mine interest and his honour or have chargd him
At the sixth hour of morn at noon at midnight
T encounter me with orisons for then
I am in heaven for him or ere I could
Give him that parting kiss which I had set
Betwixt two charming words comes in my father
And like the tyrannous breathing of the north
Shakes all our buds from growing
Enter a Lady
LADY
The Queen madam
Desires your Highness company
IMOGEN
Those things I bid you do get them dispatchd
I will attend the Queen
PISANIO
Madam I shall
Exeunt
SCENE V Rome Philarios house
Enter Philario Iachimo a Frenchman a Dutchman and a Spaniard
IACHIMO
Believe it sir I have seen him in Britain He was then of a crescent note expected to prove so worthy as since he hath been allowed the name of But I could then have lookd on him without the help of admiration though the catalogue of his endowments had been tabled by his side and I to peruse him by items
PHILARIO
You speak of him when he was less furnishd than now he is with that which makes him both without and within
FRENCHMAN
I have seen him in France we had very many there could behold the sun with as firm eyes as he
IACHIMO
This matter of marrying his kings daughter wherein he must be weighed rather by her value than his own words him I doubt not a great deal from the matter
FRENCHMAN
And then his banishment
IACHIMO
Ay and the approbation of those that weep this lamentable divorce under her colours are wonderfully to extend him be it but to fortify her judgement which else an easy battery might lay flat for taking a beggar without less quality But how comes it he is to sojourn with you How creeps acquaintance
PHILARIO
His father and I were soldiers together to whom I have been often bound for no less than my life
Enter Posthumus
Here comes the Briton Let him be so entertained amongst you as suits with gentlemen of your knowing to a stranger of his quality I beseech you all be better known to this gentleman whom I commend to you as a noble friend of mine How worthy he is I will leave to appear hereafter rather than story him in his own hearing
FRENCHMAN
Sir we have known together in Orleans
POSTHUMUS
Since when I have been debtor to you for courtesies which I will be ever to pay and yet pay still
FRENCHMAN
Sir you oerrate my poor kindness I was glad I did atone my countryman and you it had been pity you should have been put together with so mortal a purpose as then each bore upon importance of so slight and trivial a nature
POSTHUMUS
By your pardon sir I was then a young traveller rather shunnd to go even with what I heard than in my every action to be guided by others experiences but upon my mended judgement if I offend not to say it is mended my quarrel was not altogether slight
FRENCHMAN
Faith yes to be put to the arbitrement of swords and by such two that would by all likelihood have confounded one the other or have falln both
IACHIMO
Can we with manners ask what was the difference
FRENCHMAN
Safely I think Twas a contention in public which may without contradiction suffer the report It was much like an argument that fell out last night where each of us fell in praise of our country mistresses this gentleman at that time vouching and upon warrant of bloody affirmation his to be more fair virtuous wise chaste constant qualified and less attemptable than any the rarest of our ladies in France
IACHIMO
That lady is not now living or this gentlemans opinion by this worn out
POSTHUMUS
She holds her virtue still and I my mind
IACHIMO
You must not so far prefer her fore ours of Italy
POSTHUMUS
Being so far provokd as I was in France I would abate her nothing though I profess myself her adorer not her friend
IACHIMO
As fair and as gooda kind of handinhand comparisonhad been something too fair and too good for any lady in Britain If she went before others I have seen as that diamond of yours outlustres many I have beheld I could not but believe she excelled many but I have not seen the most precious diamond that is nor you the lady
POSTHUMUS
I praisd her as I rated her So do I my stone
IACHIMO
What do you esteem it at
POSTHUMUS
More than the world enjoys
IACHIMO
Either your unparagond mistress is dead or shes outprizd by a trifle
POSTHUMUS
You are mistaken the one may be sold or given if there were wealth enough for the purchase or merit for the gift the other is not a thing for sale and only the gift of the gods
IACHIMO
Which the gods have given you
POSTHUMUS
Which by their graces I will keep
IACHIMO
You may wear her in title yours but you know strange fowl light upon neighbouring ponds Your ring may be stoln too So your brace of unprizable estimations the one is but frail and the other casual a cunning thief or a thatwayaccomplishd courtier would hazard the winning both of first and last
POSTHUMUS
Your Italy contains none so accomplishd a courtier to convince the honour of my mistress if in the holding or loss of that you term her frail I do nothing doubt you have store of thieves notwithstanding I fear not my ring
PHILARIO
Let us leave here gentlemen
POSTHUMUS
Sir with all my heart This worthy signior I thank him makes no stranger of me we are familiar at first
IACHIMO
With five times so much conversation I should get ground of your fair mistress make her go back even to the yielding had I admittance and opportunity to friend
POSTHUMUS
No no
IACHIMO
I dare thereupon pawn the moiety of my estate to your ring which in my opinion oervalues it something But I make my wager rather against your confidence than her reputation and to bar your offence herein too I durst attempt it against any lady in the world
POSTHUMUS
You are a great deal abusd in too bold a persuasion and I doubt not you sustain what yare worthy of by your attempt
IACHIMO
Whats that
POSTHUMUS
A repulse though your attempt as you call it deserve more a punishment too
PHILARIO
Gentlemen enough of this It came in too suddenly let it die as it was born and I pray you be better acquainted
IACHIMO
Would I had put my estate and my neighbours on th approbation of what I have spoke
POSTHUMUS
What lady would you choose to assail
IACHIMO
Yours whom in constancy you think stands so safe I will lay you ten thousand ducats to your ring that commend me to the court where your lady is with no more advantage than the opportunity of a second conference and I will bring from thence that honour of hers which you imagine so reservd
POSTHUMUS
I will wage against your gold gold to it My ring I hold dear as my finger tis part of it
IACHIMO
You are a friend and therein the wiser If you buy ladies flesh at a million a dram you cannot preserve it from tainting But I see you have some religion in you that you fear
POSTHUMUS
This is but a custom in your tongue you bear a graver purpose I hope
IACHIMO
I am the master of my speeches and would undergo whats spoken I swear
POSTHUMUS
Will you I shall but lend my diamond till your return Let there be covenants drawn betweens My mistress exceeds in goodness the hugeness of your unworthy thinking I dare you to this match heres my ring
PHILARIO
I will have it no lay
IACHIMO
By the gods it is one If I bring you no sufficient testimony that I have enjoyd the dearest bodily part of your mistress my ten thousand ducats are yours so is your diamond too If I come off and leave her in such honour as you have trust in she your jewel this your jewel and my gold are yours provided I have your commendation for my more free entertainment
POSTHUMUS
I embrace these conditions let us have articles betwixt us Only thus far you shall answer if you make your voyage upon her and give me directly to understand you have prevaild I am no further your enemy she is not worth our debate if she remain unseducd you not making it appear otherwise for your ill opinion and th assault you have made to her chastity you shall answer me with your sword
IACHIMO
Your hand a covenant We will have these things set down by lawful counsel and straight away for Britain lest the bargain should catch cold and starve I will fetch my gold and have our two wagers recorded
POSTHUMUS
Agreed
Exeunt Posthumus and Iachimo
FRENCHMAN
Will this hold think you
PHILARIO
Signior Iachimo will not from it Pray let us follow em
Exeunt
SCENE VI Britain Cymbelines palace
Enter Queen Ladies and Cornelius
QUEEN
Whiles yet the dews on ground gather those flowers
Make haste who has the note of them
LADY
I madam
QUEEN
Dispatch
Exeunt Ladies
Now Master Doctor have you brought those drugs
CORNELIUS
Pleaseth your Highness ay Here they are madam
Presenting a box
But I beseech your Grace without offence
My conscience bids me ask wherefore you have
Commanded of me these most poisonous compounds
Which are the movers of a languishing death
But though slow deadly
QUEEN
I wonder Doctor
Thou askst me such a question Have I not been
Thy pupil long Hast thou not learnd me how
To make perfumes distil preserve yea so
That our great king himself doth woo me oft
For my confections Having thus far proceeded
Unless thou thinkst me devilish ist not meet
That I did amplify my judgement in
Other conclusions I will try the forces
Of these thy compounds on such creatures as
We count not worth the hanging but none human
To try the vigour of them and apply
Allayments to their act and by them gather
Their several virtues and effects
CORNELIUS
Your Highness
Shall from this practice but make hard your heart
Besides the seeing these effects will be
Both noisome and infectious
QUEEN
O content thee
Enter Pisanio
Aside Here comes a flattering rascal upon him
Will I first work Hes for his master
An enemy to my son How now Pisanio
Doctor your service for this time is ended
Take your own way
CORNELIUS
Aside I do suspect you madam
But you shall do no harm
QUEEN
To Pisanio Hark thee a word
CORNELIUS
Aside I do not like her She doth think she has
Strange lingring poisons I do know her spirit
And will not trust one of her malice with
A drug of such damnd nature Those she has
Will stupefy and dull the sense awhile
Which first perchance shell prove on cats and dogs
Then afterward up higher but there is
No danger in what show of death it makes
More than the locking up the spirits a time
To be more fresh reviving She is foold
With a most false effect and I the truer
So to be false with her
QUEEN
No further service Doctor
Until I send for thee
CORNELIUS
I humbly take my leave
Exit
QUEEN
Weeps she still sayst thou Dost thou think in time
She will not quench and let instructions enter
Where folly now possesses Do thou work
When thou shalt bring me word she loves my son
Ill tell thee on the instant thou art then
As great as is thy master greater for
His fortunes all lie speechless and his name
Is at last gasp Return he cannot nor
Continue where he is To shift his being
Is to exchange one misery with another
And every day that comes comes to decay
A days work in him What shalt thou expect
To be depender on a thing that leans
Who cannot be new built nor has no friends
So much as but to prop him
The Queen drops the box Pisanio takes it up
Thou takst up
Thou knowst not what but take it for thy labour
It is a thing I made which hath the King
Five times redeemd from death I do not know
What is more cordial Nay I prithee take it
It is an earnest of a further good
That I mean to thee Tell thy mistress how
The case stands with her dot as from thyself
Think what a chance thou changest on but think
Thou hast thy mistress still to boot my son
Who shall take notice of thee Ill move the King
To any shape of thy preferment such
As thoult desire and then myself I chiefly
That set thee on to this desert am bound
To load thy merit richly Call my women
Think on my words
Exit Pisanio
A sly and constant knave
Not to be shakd the agent for his master
And the remembrancer of her to hold
The handfast to her lord I have given him that
Which if he take shall quite unpeople her
Of liegers for her sweet and which she after
Except she bend her humour shall be assurd
To taste of too
Enter Pisanio and Ladies
So so Well done well done
The violets cowslips and the primroses
Bear to my closet Fare thee well Pisanio
Think on my words
Exeunt Queen and Ladies
PISANIO
And shall do
But when to my good lord I prove untrue
Ill choke myself theres all Ill do for you
Exit
SCENE VII Britain The palace
Enter Imogen alone
IMOGEN
A father cruel and a stepdame false
A foolish suitor to a wedded lady
That hath her husband banishd O that husband
My supreme crown of grief and those repeated
Vexations of it Had I been thiefstoln
As my two brothers happy but most miserable
Is the desire thats glorious Blessed be those
How mean soeer that have their honest wills
Which seasons comfort Who may this be Fie
Enter Pisanio and Iachimo
PISANIO
Madam a noble gentleman of Rome
Comes from my lord with letters
IACHIMO
Change you madam
The worthy Leonatus is in safety
And greets your Highness dearly
Presents a letter
IMOGEN
Thanks good sir
Youre kindly welcome
IACHIMO
Aside All of her that is out of door most rich
If she be furnishd with a mind so rare
She is alone th Arabian bird and I
Have lost the wager Boldness be my friend
Arm me audacity from head to foot
Or like the Parthian I shall flying fight
Rather directly fly
IMOGEN
Reads He is one of the noblest note to whose kindnesses I am most infinitely tied Reflect upon him accordingly as you value your trust
LEONATUS
So far I read aloud
But even the very middle of my heart
Is warmd by th rest and takes it thankfully
You are as welcome worthy sir as I
Have words to bid you and shall find it so
In all that I can do
IACHIMO
Thanks fairest lady
What are men mad Hath nature given them eyes
To see this vaulted arch and the rich crop
Of sea and land which can distinguish twixt
The fiery orbs above and the twinnd stones
Upon the numberd beach and can we not
Partition make with spectacles so precious
Twixt fair and foul
IMOGEN
What makes your admiration
IACHIMO
It cannot be i th eye for apes and monkeys
Twixt two such shes would chatter this way and
Contemn with mows the other nor i th judgement
For idiots in this case of favour would
Be wisely definite nor i th appetite
Sluttery to such neat excellence opposd
Should make desire vomit emptiness
Not so allurd to feed
IMOGEN
What is the matter trow
IACHIMO
The cloyed will
That satiate yet unsatisfied desire that tub
Both filld and runningravening first the lamb
Longs after for the garbage
IMOGEN
What dear sir
Thus raps you Are you well
IACHIMO
Thanks madam well Beseech you sir
Desire my mans abode where I did leave him
Hes strange and peevish
PISANIO
I was going sir
To give him welcome
Exit
IMOGEN
Continues well my lord His health beseech you
IACHIMO
Well madam
IMOGEN
Is he disposd to mirth I hope he is
IACHIMO
Exceeding pleasant none a stranger there
So merry and so gamesome He is calld
The Briton reveller
IMOGEN
When he was here
He did incline to sadness and ofttimes
Not knowing why
IACHIMO
I never saw him sad
There is a Frenchman his companion one
An eminent monsieur that it seems much loves
A Gallian girl at home He furnaces
The thick sighs from him whiles the jolly Briton
Your lord I mean laughs froms free lungs cries O
Can my sides hold to think that man who knows
By history report or his own proof
What woman is yea what she cannot choose
But must be wills free hours languish for
Assured bondage
IMOGEN
Will my lord say so
IACHIMO
Ay madam with his eyes in flood with laughter
It is a recreation to be by
And hear him mock the Frenchman But heavens know
Some men are much to blame
IMOGEN
Not he I hope
IACHIMO
Not he but yet heavens bounty towards him might
Be usd more thankfully In himself tis much
In you which I account his beyond all talents
Whilst I am bound to wonder I am bound
To pity too
IMOGEN
What do you pity sir
IACHIMO
Two creatures heartily
IMOGEN
Am I one sir
You look on me what wreck discern you in me
Deserves your pity
IACHIMO
Lamentable What
To hide me from the radiant sun and solace
I th dungeon by a snuff
IMOGEN
I pray you sir
Deliver with more openness your answers
To my demands Why do you pity me
IACHIMO
That others do
I was about to say enjoy yourBut
It is an office of the gods to venge it
Not mine to speak ont
IMOGEN
You do seem to know
Something of me or what concerns me pray you
Since doubting things go ill often hurts more
Than to be sure they do for certainties
Either are past remedies or timely knowing
The remedy then borndiscover to me
What both you spur and stop
IACHIMO
Had I this cheek
To bathe my lips upon this hand whose touch
Whose every touch would force the feelers soul
To th oath of loyalty this object which
Takes prisoner the wild motion of mine eye
Fixing it only here should I damnd then
Slaver with lips as common as the stairs
That mount the Capitol join gripes with hands
Made hard with hourly falsehood falsehood as
With labour then bypeeping in an eye
Base and illustrious as the smoky light
Thats fed with stinking tallow it were fit
That all the plagues of hell should at one time
Encounter such revolt
IMOGEN
My lord I fear
Has forgot Britain
IACHIMO
And himself Not I
Inclind to this intelligence pronounce
The beggary of his change but tis your graces
That from my mutest conscience to my tongue
Charms this report out
IMOGEN
Let me hear no more
IACHIMO
O dearest soul your cause doth strike my heart
With pity that doth make me sick A lady
So fair and fastend to an empery
Would make the greatst king double to be partnerd
With tomboys hird with that self exhibition
Which your own coffers yield with diseasd ventures
That play with all infirmities for gold
Which rottenness can lend nature Such boild stuff
As well might poison poison Be revengd
Or she that bore you was no queen and you
Recoil from your great stock
IMOGEN
Revengd
How should I be revengd If this be true
As I have such a heart that both mine ears
Must not in haste abuse if it be true
How should I be revengd
IACHIMO
Should he make me
Live like Dianas priest betwixt cold sheets
Whiles he is vaulting variable ramps
In your despite upon your purse Revenge it
I dedicate myself to your sweet pleasure
More noble than that runagate to your bed
And will continue fast to your affection
Still close as sure
IMOGEN
What ho Pisanio
IACHIMO
Let me my service tender on your lips
IMOGEN
Away I do condemn mine ears that have
So long attended thee If thou wert honourable
Thou wouldst have told this tale for virtue not
For such an end thou seekst as base as strange
Thou wrongst a gentleman who is as far
From thy report as thou from honour and
Solicits here a lady that disdains
Thee and the devil alike What ho Pisanio
The King my father shall be made acquainted
Of thy assault If he shall think it fit
A saucy stranger in his court to mart
As in a Romish stew and to expound
His beastly mind to us he hath a court
He little cares for and a daughter who
He not respects at all What ho Pisanio
IACHIMO
O happy Leonatus I may say
The credit that thy lady hath of thee
Deserves thy trust and thy most perfect goodness
Her assurd credit Blessed live you long
A lady to the worthiest sir that ever
Country calld his and you his mistress only
For the most worthiest fit Give me your pardon
I have spoke this to know if your affiance
Were deeply rooted and shall make your lord
That which he is new oer and he is one
The truest mannerd such a holy witch
That he enchants societies into him
Half all mens hearts are his
IMOGEN
You make amends
IACHIMO
He sits mongst men like a descended god
He hath a kind of honour sets him off
More than a mortal seeming Be not angry
Most mighty Princess that I have adventurd
To try your taking of a false report which hath
Honourd with confirmation your great judgement
In the election of a sir so rare
Which you know cannot err The love I bear him
Made me to fan you thus but the gods made you
Unlike all others chaffless Pray your pardon
IMOGEN
Alls well sir take my powr i th court for yours
IACHIMO
My humble thanks I had almost forgot
T entreat your Grace but in a small request
And yet of moment too for it concerns
Your lord myself and other noble friends
Are partners in the business
IMOGEN
Pray what ist
IACHIMO
Some dozen Romans of us and your lord
The best feather of our wing have mingled sums
To buy a present for the Emperor
Which I the factor for the rest have done
In France Tis plate of rare device and jewels
Of rich and exquisite form their values great
And I am something curious being strange
To have them in safe stowage May it please you
To take them in protection
IMOGEN
Willingly
And pawn mine honour for their safety Since
My lord hath interest in them I will keep them
In my bedchamber
IACHIMO
They are in a trunk
Attended by my men I will make bold
To send them to you only for this night
I must aboard tomorrow
IMOGEN
O no no
IACHIMO
Yes I beseech or I shall short my word
By lengthning my return From Gallia
I crossd the seas on purpose and on promise
To see your Grace
IMOGEN
I thank you for your pains
But not away tomorrow
IACHIMO
O I must madam
Therefore I shall beseech you if you please
To greet your lord with writing dot tonight
I have outstood my time which is material
To th tender of our present
IMOGEN
I will write
Send your trunk to me it shall safe be kept
And truly yielded you Youre very welcome
Exeunt
ACT II
SCENE I Britain Before Cymbelines palace
Enter Cloten and the two Lords
CLOTEN
Was there ever man had such luck When I kissd the jack upon an upcast to be hit away I had a hundred pound ont and then a whoreson jackanapes must take me up for swearing as if I borrowed mine oaths of him and might not spend them at my pleasure
FIRST LORD
What got he by that You have broke his pate with your bowl
SECOND LORD
Aside If his wit had been like him that broke it it would have run all out
CLOTEN
When a gentleman is disposd to swear it is not for any standersby to curtail his oaths Ha
SECOND LORD
No my lord Aside nor crop the ears of them
CLOTEN
Whoreson dog I gave him satisfaction Would he had been one of my rank
SECOND LORD
Aside To have smelld like a fool
CLOTEN
I am not vexd more at anything in th earth A pox ont I had rather not be so noble as I am they dare not fight with me because of the Queen my mother Every jackslave hath his bellyful of fighting and I must go up and down like a cock that nobody can match
SECOND LORD
Aside You are cock and capon too and you crow cock with your comb on
CLOTEN
Sayest thou
SECOND LORD
It is not fit your lordship should undertake every companion that you give offence to
CLOTEN
No I know that but it is fit I should commit offence to my inferiors
SECOND LORD
Ay it is fit for your lordship only
CLOTEN
Why so I say
FIRST LORD
Did you hear of a stranger thats come to court tonight
CLOTEN
A stranger and I not known ont
SECOND LORD
Aside Hes a strange fellow himself and knows it not
FIRST LORD
Theres an Italian come and tis thought one of Leonatus friends
CLOTEN
Leonatus A banishd rascal and hes another whatsoever he be Who told you of this stranger
FIRST LORD
One of your lordships pages
CLOTEN
Is it fit I went to look upon him Is there no derogation int
SECOND LORD
You cannot derogate my lord
CLOTEN
Not easily I think
SECOND LORD
Aside You are a fool granted therefore your issues being foolish do not derogate
CLOTEN
Come Ill go see this Italian What I have lost today at bowls Ill win tonight of him Come go
SECOND LORD
Ill attend your lordship
Exeunt Cloten and First Lord
That such a crafty devil as is his mother
Should yield the world this ass A woman that
Bears all down with her brain and this her son
Cannot take two from twenty for his heart
And leave eighteen Alas poor princess
Thou divine Imogen what thou endurst
Betwixt a father by thy stepdame governd
A mother hourly coining plots a wooer
More hateful than the foul expulsion is
Of thy dear husband than that horrid act
Of the divorce hed make The heavens hold firm
The walls of thy dear honour keep unshakd
That temple thy fair mind that thou mayst stand
T enjoy thy banishd lord and this great land
Exit
SCENE II Britain Imogens bedchamber in Cymbelines palace a trunk in one corner
Enter Imogen in her bed and a Lady attending
IMOGEN
Whos there My woman Helen
LADY
Please you madam
IMOGEN
What hour is it
LADY
Almost midnight madam
IMOGEN
I have read three hours then Mine eyes are weak
Fold down the leaf where I have left To bed
Take not away the taper leave it burning
And if thou canst awake by four o th clock
I prithee call me Sleep hath seizd me wholly
Exit Lady
To your protection I commend me gods
From fairies and the tempters of the night
Guard me beseech ye
Sleeps Iachimo comes from the trunk
IACHIMO
The crickets sing and mans oerlabourd sense
Repairs itself by rest Our Tarquin thus
Did softly press the rushes ere he wakend
The chastity he wounded Cytherea
How bravely thou becomst thy bed fresh lily
And whiter than the sheets That I might touch
But kiss one kiss Rubies unparagond
How dearly they dot Tis her breathing that
Perfumes the chamber thus The flame o th taper
Bows toward her and would underpeep her lids
To see th enclosed lights now canopied
Under these windows white and azure lacd
With blue of heavens own tinct But my design
To note the chamber I will write all down
Such and such pictures there the window such
Th adornment of her bed the arras figures
Why such and such and the contents o th story
Ah but some natural notes about her body
Above ten thousand meaner movables
Would testify t enrich mine inventory
O sleep thou ape of death lie dull upon her
And be her sense but as a monument
Thus in a chapel lying Come off come off
Taking off her bracelet
As slippery as the Gordian knot was hard
Tis mine and this will witness outwardly
As strongly as the conscience does within
To th madding of her lord On her left breast
A mole cinquespotted like the crimson drops
I th bottom of a cowslip Heres a voucher
Stronger than ever law could make this secret
Will force him think I have pickd the lock and taen
The treasure of her honour No more To what end
Why should I write this down thats riveted
Screwd to my memory She hath been reading late
The tale of Tereus here the leafs turnd down
Where Philomel gave up I have enough
To th trunk again and shut the spring of it
Swift swift you dragons of the night that dawning
May bare the ravens eye I lodge in fear
Though this a heavenly angel hell is here
Clock strikes
One two three Time time
Exit into the trunk
SCENE III Cymbelines palace An antechamber adjoining Imogens apartments
Enter Cloten and Lords
FIRST LORD
Your lordship is the most patient man in loss the most coldest that ever turnd up ace
CLOTEN
It would make any man cold to lose
FIRST LORD
But not every man patient after the noble temper of your lordship You are most hot and furious when you win
CLOTEN
Winning will put any man into courage If I could get this foolish Imogen I should have gold enough Its almost morning ist not
FIRST LORD
Day my lord
CLOTEN
I would this music would come I am advised to give her music a mornings they say it will penetrate
Enter Musicians
Come on tune If you can penetrate her with your fingering so Well try with tongue too If none will do let her remain but Ill never give oer First a very excellent goodconceited thing after a wonderful sweet air with admirable rich words to it and then let her consider
SONG
Hark hark the lark at heavens gate sings
And Phbus gins arise
His steeds to water at those springs
On chalicd flowrs that lies
And winking Marybuds begin
To ope their golden eyes
With everything that pretty is
My lady sweet arise
Arise arise
CLOTEN
So get you gone If this penetrate I will consider your music the better if it do not it is a vice in her ears which horsehairs and calves guts nor the voice of unpaved eunuch to boot can never amend
Exeunt Musicians
Enter Cymbeline and Queen
SECOND LORD
Here comes the King
CLOTEN
I am glad I was up so late for thats the reason I was up so early He cannot choose but take this service I have done fatherlyGood morrow to your Majesty and to my gracious mother
CYMBELINE
Attend you here the door of our stern daughter
Will she not forth
CLOTEN
I have assaild her with musics but she vouchsafes no notice
CYMBELINE
The exile of her minion is too new
She hath not yet forgot him some more time
Must wear the print of his remembrance ont
And then shes yours
QUEEN
You are most bound to th King
Who lets go by no vantages that may
Prefer you to his daughter Frame yourself
To orderly solicits and be friended
With aptness of the season make denials
Increase your services so seem as if
You were inspird to do those duties which
You tender to her that you in all obey her
Save when command to your dismission tends
And therein you are senseless
CLOTEN
Senseless Not so
Enter a Messenger
MESSENGER
So like you sir ambassadors from Rome
The one is Caius Lucius
CYMBELINE
A worthy fellow
Albeit he comes on angry purpose now
But thats no fault of his We must receive him
According to the honour of his sender
And towards himself his goodness forespent on us
We must extend our notice Our dear son
When you have given good morning to your mistress
Attend the Queen and us we shall have need
T employ you towards this Roman Come our queen
Exeunt all but Cloten
CLOTEN
If she be up Ill speak with her if not
Let her lie still and dream By your leave ho
Knocks
I know her women are about her what
If I do line one of their hands Tis gold
Which buys admittance oft it doth yea and makes
Dianas rangers false themselves yield up
Their deer to th stand o th stealer and tis gold
Which makes the true man killd and saves the thief
Nay sometime hangs both thief and true man What
Can it not do and undo I will make
One of her women lawyer to me for
I yet not understand the case myself
By your leave
Knocks
Enter a Lady
LADY
Whos there that knocks
CLOTEN
A gentleman
LADY
No more
CLOTEN
Yes and a gentlewomans son
LADY
Thats more
Than some whose tailors are as dear as yours
Can justly boast of Whats your lordships pleasure
CLOTEN
Your ladys person is she ready
LADY
Ay
To keep her chamber
CLOTEN
There is gold for you sell me your good report
LADY
How My good name or to report of you
What I shall think is good The Princess
Enter Imogen
CLOTEN
Good morrow fairest sister Your sweet hand
Exit Lady
IMOGEN
Good morrow sir You lay out too much pains
For purchasing but trouble The thanks I give
Is telling you that I am poor of thanks
And scarce can spare them
CLOTEN
Still I swear I love you
IMOGEN
If you but said so twere as deep with me
If you swear still your recompense is still
That I regard it not
CLOTEN
This is no answer
IMOGEN
But that you shall not say I yield being silent
I would not speak I pray you spare me Faith
I shall unfold equal discourtesy
To your best kindness one of your great knowing
Should learn being taught forbearance
CLOTEN
To leave you in your madness twere my sin
I will not
IMOGEN
Fools are not mad folks
CLOTEN
Do you call me fool
IMOGEN
As I am mad I do
If youll be patient Ill no more be mad
That cures us both I am much sorry sir
You put me to forget a ladys manners
By being so verbal and learn now for all
That I which know my heart do here pronounce
By th very truth of it I care not for you
And am so near the lack of charity
To accuse myself I hate you which I had rather
You felt than maket my boast
CLOTEN
You sin against
Obedience which you owe your father For
The contract you pretend with that base wretch
One bred of alms and fosterd with cold dishes
With scraps o th court it is no contract none
And though it be allowed in meaner parties
Yet who than he more mean to knit their souls
On whom there is no more dependency
But brats and beggary in selffigurd knot
Yet you are curbd from that enlargement by
The consequence o th crown and must not foil
The precious note of it with a base slave
A hilding for a livery a squires cloth
A pantler not so eminent
IMOGEN
Profane fellow
Wert thou the son of Jupiter and no more
But what thou art besides thou wert too base
To be his groom Thou wert dignified enough
Even to the point of envy if twere made
Comparative for your virtues to be styld
The underhangman of his kingdom and hated
For being preferrd so well
CLOTEN
The south fog rot him
IMOGEN
He never can meet more mischance than come
To be but namd of thee His meanst garment
That ever hath but clippd his body is dearer
In my respect than all the hairs above thee
Were they all made such men How now Pisanio
Enter Pisanio
CLOTEN
His garment Now the devil
IMOGEN
To Dorothy my woman hie thee presently
CLOTEN
His garment
IMOGEN
I am sprited with a fool
Frighted and angred worse Go bid my woman
Search for a jewel that too casually
Hath left mine arm It was thy masters shrew me
If I would lose it for a revenue
Of any kings in Europe I do think
I sawt this morning confident I am
Last night twas on mine arm I kissd it
I hope it be not gone to tell my lord
That I kiss aught but he
PISANIO
Twill not be lost
IMOGEN
I hope so Go and search
Exit Pisanio
CLOTEN
You have abusd me
His meanest garment
IMOGEN
Ay I said so sir
If you will make t an action call witness to t
CLOTEN
I will inform your father
IMOGEN
Your mother too
Shes my good lady and will conceive I hope
But the worst of me So I leave you sir
To th worst of discontent
Exit
CLOTEN
Ill be revengd
His meanst garment Well
Exit
SCENE IV Rome Philarios house
Enter Posthumus and Philario
POSTHUMUS
Fear it not sir I would I were so sure
To win the King as I am bold her honour
Will remain hers
PHILARIO
What means do you make to him
POSTHUMUS
Not any but abide the change of time
Quake in the present winters state and wish
That warmer days would come In these feard hopes
I barely gratify your love they failing
I must die much your debtor
PHILARIO
Your very goodness and your company
Oerpays all I can do By this your king
Hath heard of great Augustus Caius Lucius
Will dos commission throughly and I think
Hell grant the tribute send th arrearages
Or look upon our Romans whose remembrance
Is yet fresh in their grief
POSTHUMUS
I do believe
Statist though I am none nor like to be
That this will prove a war and you shall hear
The legions now in Gallia sooner landed
In our notfearing Britain than have tidings
Of any penny tribute paid Our countrymen
Are men more orderd than when Julius Csar
Smild at their lack of skill but found their courage
Worthy his frowning at Their discipline
Now mingled with their courages will make known
To their approvers they are people such
That mend upon the world
Enter Iachimo
PHILARIO
See Iachimo
POSTHUMUS
The swiftest harts have posted you by land
And winds of all the corners kissd your sails
To make your vessel nimble
PHILARIO
Welcome sir
POSTHUMUS
I hope the briefness of your answer made
The speediness of your return
IACHIMO
Your lady
Is one of the fairest that I have lookd upon
POSTHUMUS
And therewithal the best or let her beauty
Look through a casement to allure false hearts
And be false with them
IACHIMO
Here are letters for you
POSTHUMUS
Their tenour good I trust
IACHIMO
Tis very like
PHILARIO
Was Caius Lucius in the Britain court
When you were there
IACHIMO
He was expected then
But not approachd
POSTHUMUS
All is well yet
Sparkles this stone as it was wont or ist not
Too dull for your good wearing
IACHIMO
If I have lost it
I should have lost the worth of it in gold
Ill make a journey twice as far t enjoy
A second night of such sweet shortness which
Was mine in Britain for the ring is won
POSTHUMUS
The stones too hard to come by
IACHIMO
Not a whit
Your lady being so easy
POSTHUMUS
Make not sir
Your loss your sport I hope you know that we
Must not continue friends
IACHIMO
Good sir we must
If you keep covenant Had I not brought
The knowledge of your mistress home I grant
We were to question farther but I now
Profess myself the winner of her honour
Together with your ring and not the wronger
Of her or you having proceeded but
By both your wills
POSTHUMUS
If you can maket apparent
That you have tasted her in bed my hand
And ring is yours If not the foul opinion
You had of her pure honour gains or loses
Your sword or mine or masterless leaves both
To who shall find them
IACHIMO
Sir my circumstances
Being so near the truth as I will make them
Must first induce you to believe whose strength
I will confirm with oath which I doubt not
Youll give me leave to spare when you shall find
You need it not
POSTHUMUS
Proceed
IACHIMO
First her bedchamber
Where I confess I slept not but profess
Had that was well worth watching it was hangd
With tapestry of silk and silver the story
Proud Cleopatra when she met her Roman
And Cydnus swelld above the banks or for
The press of boats or pride A piece of work
So bravely done so rich that it did strive
In workmanship and value which I wonderd
Could be so rarely and exactly wrought
Since the true life ont was
POSTHUMUS
This is true
And this you might have heard of here by me
Or by some other
IACHIMO
More particulars
Must justify my knowledge
POSTHUMUS
So they must
Or do your honour injury
IACHIMO
The chimney
Is south the chamber and the chimneypiece
Chaste Dian bathing Never saw I figures
So likely to report themselves The cutter
Was as another nature dumb outwent her
Motion and breath left out
POSTHUMUS
This is a thing
Which you might from relation likewise reap
Being as it is much spoke of
IACHIMO
The roof o th chamber
With golden cherubins is fretted her andirons
I had forgot them were two winking Cupids
Of silver each on one foot standing nicely
Depending on their brands
POSTHUMUS
This is her honour
Let it be granted you have seen all this and praise
Be given to your remembrance the description
Of what is in her chamber nothing saves
The wager you have laid
IACHIMO
Then if you can Shows the bracelet
Be pale I beg but leave to air this jewel See
And now tis up again It must be married
To that your diamond Ill keep them
POSTHUMUS
Jove
Once more let me behold it Is it that
Which I left with her
IACHIMO
Sir I thank her that
She strippd it from her arm I see her yet
Her pretty action did outsell her gift
And yet enrichd it too She gave it me and said
She prizd it once
POSTHUMUS
May be she pluckd it off
To send it me
IACHIMO
She writes so to you doth she
POSTHUMUS
O no no no tis true Here take this too
Gives the ring
It is a basilisk unto mine eye
Kills me to look ont Let there be no honour
Where there is beauty truth where semblance love
Where theres another man The vows of women
Of no more bondage be to where they are made
Than they are to their virtues which is nothing
O above measure false
PHILARIO
Have patience sir
And take your ring again tis not yet won
It may be probable she lost it or
Who knows if one her women being corrupted
Hath stoln it from her
POSTHUMUS
Very true
And so I hope he came byt Back my ring
Render to me some corporal sign about her
More evident than this for this was stoln
IACHIMO
By Jupiter I had it from her arm
POSTHUMUS
Hark you he swears by Jupiter he swears
Tis true nay keep the ring tis true I am sure
She would not lose it Her attendants are
All sworn and honourablethey inducd to steal it
And by a stranger No he hath enjoyd her
The cognizance of her incontinency
Is this she hath bought the name of whore thus dearly
There take thy hire and all the fiends of hell
Divide themselves between you
PHILARIO
Sir be patient
This is not strong enough to be believd
Of one persuaded well of
POSTHUMUS
Never talk ont
She hath been colted by him
IACHIMO
If you seek
For further satisfying under her breast
Worthy the pressing lies a mole right proud
Of that most delicate lodging By my life
I kissd it and it gave me present hunger
To feed again though full You do remember
This stain upon her
POSTHUMUS
Ay and it doth confirm
Another stain as big as hell can hold
Were there no more but it
IACHIMO
Will you hear more
POSTHUMUS
Spare your arithmetic never count the turns
Once and a million
IACHIMO
Ill be sworn
POSTHUMUS
No swearing
If you will swear you have not donet you lie
And I will kill thee if thou dost deny
Thoust made me cuckold
IACHIMO
Ill deny nothing
POSTHUMUS
O that I had her here to tear her limbmeal
I will go there and dot i th court before
Her father Ill do something
Exit
PHILARIO
Quite besides
The government of patience You have won
Lets follow him and pervert the present wrath
He hath against himself
IACHIMO
With all my heart
Exeunt
SCENE V Rome Another room in Philarios house
Enter Posthumus
POSTHUMUS
Is there no way for men to be but women
Must be halfworkers We are all bastards
And that most venerable man which I
Did call my father was I know not where
When I was stampd Some coiner with his tools
Made me a counterfeit yet my mother seemd
The Dian of that time So doth my wife
The nonpareil of this O vengeance vengeance
Me of my lawful pleasure she restraind
And prayd me oft forbearance did it with
A pudency so rosy the sweet view ont
Might well have warmd old Saturn that I thought her
As chaste as unsunnd snow O all the devils
This yellow Iachimo in an hour wast not
Or less at first Perchance he spoke not but
Like a fullacornd boar a German one
Cried O and mounted found no opposition
But what he lookd for should oppose and she
Should from encounter guard Could I find out
The womans part in me For theres no motion
That tends to vice in man but I affirm
It is the womans part Be it lying note it
The womans flattering hers deceiving hers
Lust and rank thoughts hers hers revenges hers
Ambitions covetings change of prides disdain
Nice longing slanders mutability
All faults that man may name nay that hell knows
Why hers in part or all but rather all
For even to vice
They are not constant but are changing still
One vice but of a minute old for one
Not half so old as that Ill write against them
Detest them curse them Yet tis greater skill
In a true hate to pray they have their will
The very devils cannot plague them better
Exit
ACT III
SCENE I Britain A hall in Cymbelines palace
Enter in state Cymbeline Queen Cloten and Lords at one door and at another Caius Lucius and Attendants
CYMBELINE
Now say what would Augustus Csar with us
LUCIUS
When Julius Csar whose remembrance yet
Lives in mens eyes and will to ears and tongues
Be theme and hearing ever was in this Britain
And conquerd it Cassibelan thine uncle
Famous in Csars praises no whit less
Than in his feats deserving it for him
And his succession granted Rome a tribute
Yearly three thousand pounds which by thee lately
Is left untenderd
QUEEN
And to kill the marvel
Shall be so ever
CLOTEN
There be many Csars ere such another Julius Britain is a world by itself and we will nothing pay for wearing our own noses
QUEEN
That opportunity
Which then they had to take froms to resume
We have again Remember sir my liege
The kings your ancestors together with
The natural bravery of your isle which stands
As Neptunes park ribbd and pald in
With rocks unscaleable and roaring waters
With sands that will not bear your enemies boats
But suck them up to th topmast A kind of conquest
Csar made here but made not here his brag
Of Came and saw and overcame With shame
The first that ever touchd him he was carried
From off our coast twice beaten and his shipping
Poor ignorant baubles on our terrible seas
Like eggshells movd upon their surges crackd
As easily gainst our rocks for joy whereof
The famd Cassibelan who was once at point
O giglot fortune to master Csars sword
Made Luds Town with rejoicing fires bright
And Britons strut with courage
CLOTEN
Come theres no more tribute to be paid Our kingdom is stronger than it was at that time and as I said there is no moe such Csars Other of them may have crookd noses but to owe such straight arms none
CYMBELINE
Son let your mother end
CLOTEN
We have yet many among us can gripe as hard as Cassibelan I do not say I am one but I have a hand Why tribute Why should we pay tribute If Csar can hide the sun from us with a blanket or put the moon in his pocket we will pay him tribute for light else sir no more tribute pray you now
CYMBELINE
You must know
Till the injurious Romans did extort
This tribute from us we were free Csars ambition
Which swelld so much that it did almost stretch
The sides o th world against all colour here
Did put the yoke upons which to shake off
Becomes a warlike people whom we reckon
Ourselves to be
CLOTEN
We do
CYMBELINE
Say then to Csar
Our ancestor was that Mulmutius which
Ordaind our laws whose use the sword of Csar
Hath too much mangled whose repair and franchise
Shall by the power we hold be our good deed
Though Rome be therefore angry Mulmutius made our laws
Who was the first of Britain which did put
His brows within a golden crown and calld
Himself a king
LUCIUS
I am sorry Cymbeline
That I am to pronounce Augustus Csar
Csar that hath moe kings his servants than
Thyself domestic officers thine enemy
Receive it from me then war and confusion
In Csars name pronounce I gainst thee look
For fury not to be resisted Thus defied
I thank thee for myself
CYMBELINE
Thou art welcome Caius
Thy Csar knighted me my youth I spent
Much under him of him I gatherd honour
Which he to seek of me again perforce
Behoves me keep at utterance I am perfect
That the Pannonians and Dalmatians for
Their liberties are now in arms a precedent
Which not to read would show the Britons cold
So Csar shall not find them
LUCIUS
Let proof speak
CLOTEN
His majesty bids you welcome Make pastime with us a day or two or longer If you seek us afterwards in other terms you shall find us in our saltwater girdle If you beat us out of it it is yours if you fall in the adventure our crows shall fare the better for you and theres an end
LUCIUS
So sir
CYMBELINE
I know your masters pleasure and he mine
All the remain is welcome
Exeunt
SCENE II Britain Another room in Cymbelines palace
Enter Pisanio reading of a letter
PISANIO
How of adultery Wherefore write you not
What monsters her accuse Leonatus
O master what a strange infection
Is falln into thy ear What false Italian
As poisonoustongud as handed hath prevaild
On thy too ready hearing Disloyal No
Shes punishd for her truth and undergoes
More goddesslike than wifelike such assaults
As would take in some virtue O my master
Thy mind to her is now as low as were
Thy fortunes How that I should murder her
Upon the love and truth and vows which I
Have made to thy command I her Her blood
If it be so to do good service never
Let me be counted serviceable How look I
That I should seem to lack humanity
So much as this fact comes to
Reads
Dot The letter
That I have sent her by her own command
Shall give thee opportunity O damnd paper
Black as the ink thats on thee Senseless bauble
Art thou a fedary for this act and lookst
So virginlike without Lo here she comes
Enter Imogen
I am ignorant in what I am commanded
IMOGEN
How now Pisanio
PISANIO
Madam here is a letter from my lord
IMOGEN
Who thy lord That is my lord Leonatus
O learnd indeed were that astronomer
That knew the stars as I his characters
Hed lay the future open You good gods
Let what is here containd relish of love
Of my lords health of his content yet not
That we two are asunder let that grieve him
Some griefs are medcinable that is one of them
For it doth physic love of his content
All but in that Good wax thy leave Blest be
You bees that make these locks of counsel Lovers
And men in dangerous bonds pray not alike
Though forfeiters you cast in prison yet
You clasp young Cupids tables Good news gods
Reads
Justice and your fathers wrath should he take me in his dominion could not be so cruel to me as you O the dearest of creatures would even renew me with your eyes Take notice that I am in Cambria at Milford Haven What your own love will out of this advise you follow So he wishes you all happiness that remains loyal to his vow and your increasing in love
LEONATUS POSTHUMUS
O for a horse with wings Hearst thou Pisanio
He is at Milford Haven Read and tell me
How far tis thither If one of mean affairs
May plod it in a week why may not I
Glide thither in a day Then true Pisanio
Who longst like me to see thy lord who longst
O let me bate but not like me yet longst
But in a fainter kind O not like me
For mines beyond beyond say and speak thick
Loves counsellor should fill the bores of hearing
To th smothering of the sense how far it is
To this same blessed Milford And by th way
Tell me how Wales was made so happy as
T inherit such a haven But first of all
How we may steal from hence and for the gap
That we shall make in time from our hencegoing
And our return to excuse But first how get hence
Why should excuse be born or ere begot
Well talk of that hereafter Prithee speak
How many score of miles may we well rid
Twixt hour and hour
PISANIO
One score twixt sun and sun
Madam s enough for you and too much too
IMOGEN
Why one that rode tos execution man
Could never go so slow I have heard of riding wagers
Where horses have been nimbler than the sands
That run i th clocks behalf But this is foolry
Go bid my woman feign a sickness say
Shell home to her father and provide me presently
A riding suit no costlier than would fit
A franklins huswife
PISANIO
Madam youre best consider
IMOGEN
I see before me man Nor here nor here
Nor what ensues but have a fog in them
That I cannot look through Away I prithee
Do as I bid thee Theres no more to say
Accessible is none but Milford way
Exeunt
SCENE III Wales A mountainous country with a cave
Enter from the cave Belarius Guiderius and Arviragus
BELARIUS
A goodly day not to keep house with such
Whose roofs as low as ours Stoop boys this gate
Instructs you how t adore the heavens and bows you
To a mornings holy office The gates of monarchs
Are archd so high that giants may jet through
And keep their impious turbans on without
Good morrow to the sun Hail thou fair heaven
We house i th rock yet use thee not so hardly
As prouder livers do
GUIDERIUS
Hail heaven
ARVIRAGUS
Hail heaven
BELARIUS
Now for our mountain sport Up to yond hill
Your legs are young Ill tread these flats Consider
When you above perceive me like a crow
That it is place which lessens and sets off
And you may then revolve what tales I have told you
Of courts of princes of the tricks in war
This service is not service so being done
But being so allowd To apprehend thus
Draws us a profit from all things we see
And often to our comfort shall we find
The sharded beetle in a safer hold
Than is the fullwingd eagle O this life
Is nobler than attending for a check
Richer than doing nothing for a robe
Prouder than rustling in unpaidfor silk
Such gain the cap of him that makes him fine
Yet keeps his book uncrossd No life to ours
GUIDERIUS
Out of your proof you speak We poor unfledgd
Have never wingd from view o th nest nor know not
What airs from home Haply this life is best
If quiet life be best sweeter to you
That have a sharper known well corresponding
With your stiff age But unto us it is
A cell of ignorance travelling abed
A prison for a debtor that not dares
To stride a limit
ARVIRAGUS
What should we speak of
When we are old as you When we shall hear
The rain and wind beat dark December how
In this our pinching cave shall we discourse
The freezing hours away We have seen nothing
We are beastly subtle as the fox for prey
Like warlike as the wolf for what we eat
Our valour is to chase what flies our cage
We make a choir as doth the prisond bird
And sing our bondage freely
BELARIUS
How you speak
Did you but know the citys usuries
And felt them knowingly the art o th court
As hard to leave as keep whose top to climb
Is certain falling or so slippry that
The fears as bad as falling the toil o th war
A pain that only seems to seek out danger
I th name of fame and honour which dies i th search
And hath as oft a slandrous epitaph
As record of fair act nay many times
Doth ill deserve by doing well whats worse
Must curtsy at the censure O boys this story
The world may read in me my bodys markd
With Roman swords and my report was once
First with the best of note Cymbeline lovd me
And when a soldier was the theme my name
Was not far off Then was I as a tree
Whose boughs did bend with fruit But in one night
A storm or robbery call it what you will
Shook down my mellow hangings nay my leaves
And left me bare to weather
GUIDERIUS
Uncertain favour
BELARIUS
My fault being nothing as I have told you oft
But that two villains whose false oaths prevaild
Before my perfect honour swore to Cymbeline
I was confederate with the Romans So
Followd my banishment and this twenty years
This rock and these demesnes have been my world
Where I have livd at honest freedom paid
More pious debts to heaven than in all
The foreend of my time But up to th mountains
This is not hunters language He that strikes
The venison first shall be the lord o th feast
To him the other two shall minister
And we will fear no poison which attends
In place of greater state Ill meet you in the valleys
Exeunt Guiderius and Arviragus
How hard it is to hide the sparks of nature
These boys know little they are sons to th King
Nor Cymbeline dreams that they are alive
They think they are mine and though traind up thus meanly
I th cave wherein they bow their thoughts do hit
The roofs of palaces and nature prompts them
In simple and low things to prince it much
Beyond the trick of others This Polydore
The heir of Cymbeline and Britain who
The King his father calld GuideriusJove
When on my threefoot stool I sit and tell
The warlike feats I have done his spirits fly out
Into my story say Thus mine enemy fell
And thus I set my foot ons neck even then
The princely blood flows in his cheek he sweats
Strains his young nerves and puts himself in posture
That acts my words The younger brother Cadwal
Once Arviragus in as like a figure
Strikes life into my speech and shows much more
His own conceiving Hark the game is rousd
O Cymbeline heaven and my conscience knows
Thou didst unjustly banish me Whereon
At three and two years old I stole these babes
Thinking to bar thee of succession as
Thou refts me of my lands Euriphile
Thou wast their nurse they took thee for their mother
And every day do honour to her grave
Myself Belarius that am Morgan calld
They take for natural father The game is up
Exit
SCENE IV Wales near Milford Haven
Enter Pisanio and Imogen
IMOGEN
Thou toldst me when we came from horse the place
Was near at hand Neer longd my mother so
To see me first as I have now Pisanio Man
Where is Posthumus What is in thy mind
That makes thee stare thus Wherefore breaks that sigh
From th inward of thee One but painted thus
Would be interpreted a thing perplexd
Beyond selfexplication Put thyself
Into a haviour of less fear ere wildness
Vanquish my staider senses Whats the matter
Why tenderst thou that paper to me with
A look untender Ift be summer news
Smile tot before if winterly thou needst
But keep that countnance still My husbands hand
That drugdamnd Italy hath outcraftied him
And hes at some hard point Speak man thy tongue
May take off some extremity which to read
Would be even mortal to me
PISANIO
Please you read
And you shall find me wretched man a thing
The most disdaind of fortune
IMOGEN
Reads Thy mistress Pisanio hath playd the strumpet in my bed the testimonies whereof lie bleeding in me I speak not out of weak surmises but from proof as strong as my grief and as certain as I expect my revenge That part thou Pisanio must act for me if thy faith be not tainted with the breach of hers Let thine own hands take away her life I shall give thee opportunity at Milford Haven she hath my letter for the purpose where if thou fear to strike and to make me certain it is done thou art the pandar to her dishonour and equally to me disloyal
PISANIO
What shall I need to draw my sword The paper
Hath cut her throat already No tis slander
Whose edge is sharper than the sword whose tongue
Outvenoms all the worms of Nile whose breath
Rides on the posting winds and doth belie
All corners of the world Kings queens and states
Maids matrons nay the secrets of the grave
This viperous slander enters What cheer madam
IMOGEN
False to his bed What is it to be false
To lie in watch there and to think on him
To weep twixt clock and clock If sleep charge nature
To break it with a fearful dream of him
And cry myself awake Thats false tos bed
Is it
PISANIO
Alas good lady
IMOGEN
I false Thy conscience witness Iachimo
Thou didst accuse him of incontinency
Thou then lookdst like a villain now methinks
Thy favours good enough Some jay of Italy
Whose mother was her painting hath betrayd him
Poor I am stale a garment out of fashion
And for I am richer than to hang by th walls
I must be rippd To pieces with me O
Mens vows are womens traitors All good seeming
By thy revolt O husband shall be thought
Put on for villainy not born wheret grows
But worn a bait for ladies
PISANIO
Good madam hear me
IMOGEN
True honest men being heard like false neas
Were in his time thought false and Sinons weeping
Did scandal many a holy tear took pity
From most true wretchedness So thou Posthumus
Wilt lay the leaven on all proper men
Goodly and gallant shall be false and perjurd
From thy great fail Come fellow be thou honest
Do thou thy masters bidding when thou seest him
A little witness my obedience Look
I draw the sword myself take it and hit
The innocent mansion of my love my heart
Fear not tis empty of all things but grief
Thy master is not there who was indeed
The riches of it Do his bidding strike
Thou mayst be valiant in a better cause
But now thou seemst a coward
PISANIO
Hence vile instrument
Thou shalt not damn my hand
IMOGEN
Why I must die
And if I do not by thy hand thou art
No servant of thy masters Against selfslaughter
There is a prohibition so divine
That cravens my weak hand Come heres my heart
Somethings aforet Soft soft well no defence
Obedient as the scabbard What is here
The scriptures of the loyal Leonatus
All turnd to heresy Away away
Corrupters of my faith you shall no more
Be stomachers to my heart Thus may poor fools
Believe false teachers though those that are betrayd
Do feel the treason sharply yet the traitor
Stands in worse case of woe And thou Posthumus
That didst set up my disobedience gainst the King
My father and make me put into contempt the suits
Of princely fellows shalt hereafter find
It is no act of common passage but
A strain of rareness and I grieve myself
To think when thou shalt be disedgd by her
That now thou tirest on how thy memory
Will then be pangd by me Prithee dispatch
The lamb entreats the butcher Wheres thy knife
Thou art too slow to do thy masters bidding
When I desire it too
PISANIO
O gracious lady
Since I receivd command to do this busines
I have not slept one wink
IMOGEN
Dot and to bed then
PISANIO
Ill wake mine eyeballs first
IMOGEN
Wherefore then
Didst undertake it Why hast thou abusd
So many miles with a pretence This place
Mine action and thine own our horses labour
The time inviting thee The perturbd court
For my being absent whereunto I never
Purpose return Why hast thou gone so far
To be unbent when thou hast taen thy stand
Th elected deer before thee
PISANIO
But to win time
To lose so bad employment in the which
I have considerd of a course Good lady
Hear me with patience
IMOGEN
Talk thy tongue weary speak
I have heard I am a strumpet and mine ear
Therein false struck can take no greater wound
Nor tent to bottom that But speak
PISANIO
Then madam
I thought you would not back again
IMOGEN
Most like
Bringing me here to kill me
PISANIO
Not so neither
But if I were as wise as honest then
My purpose would prove well It cannot be
But that my master is abusd Some villain
Ay and singular in his art hath done you both
This cursed injury
IMOGEN
Some Roman courtezan
PISANIO
No on my life
Ill give but notice you are dead and send him
Some bloody sign of it for tis commanded
I should do so You shall be missd at court
And that will well confirm it
IMOGEN
Why good fellow
What shall I do the while Where bide How live
Or in my life what comfort when I am
Dead to my husband
PISANIO
If youll back to th court
IMOGEN
No court no father nor no more ado
With that harsh noble simple nothing
That Cloten whose lovesuit hath been to me
As fearful as a siege
PISANIO
If not at court
Then not in Britain must you bide
IMOGEN
Where then
Hath Britain all the sun that shines Day night
Are they not but in Britain I th worlds volume
Our Britain seems as of it but not int
In a great pool a swans nest Prithee think
Theres livers out of Britain
PISANIO
I am most glad
You think of other place Th ambassador
Lucius the Roman comes to Milford Haven
Tomorrow Now if you could wear a mind
Dark as your fortune is and but disguise
That which t appear itself must not yet be
But by selfdanger you should tread a course
Pretty and full of view yea happily near
The residence of Posthumus so nigh at least
That though his actions were not visible yet
Report should render him hourly to your ear
As truly as he moves
IMOGEN
O for such means
Though peril to my modesty not death ont
I would adventure
PISANIO
Well then heres the point
You must forget to be a woman change
Command into obedience fear and niceness
The handmaids of all women or more truly
Woman it pretty self into a waggish courage
Ready in gibes quickanswerd saucy and
As quarrelous as the weasel Nay you must
Forget that rarest treasure of your cheek
Exposing it but O the harder heart
Alack no remedy to the greedy touch
Of commonkissing Titan and forget
Your laboursome and dainty trims wherein
You made great Juno angry
IMOGEN
Nay be brief
I see into thy end and am almost
A man already
PISANIO
First make yourself but like one
Forethinking this I have already fit
Tis in my cloakbag doublet hat hose all
That answer to them Would you in their serving
And with what imitation you can borrow
From youth of such a season fore noble Lucius
Present yourself desire his service tell him
Wherein youre happy which will make him know
If that his head have ear in music doubtless
With joy he will embrace you for hes honourable
And doubling that most holy Your means abroad
You have me rich and I will never fail
Beginning nor supplyment
IMOGEN
Thou art all the comfort
The gods will diet me with Prithee away
Theres more to be considerd but well even
All that good time will give us This attempt
I am soldier to and will abide it with
A princes courage Away I prithee
PISANIO
Well madam we must take a short farewell
Lest being missd I be suspected of
Your carriage from the court My noble mistress
Here is a box I had it from the Queen
Whats int is precious If you are sick at sea
Or stomachqualmd at land a dram of this
Will drive away distemper To some shade
And fit you to your manhood May the gods
Direct you to the best
IMOGEN
Amen I thank thee
Exeunt severally
SCENE V Britain Cymbelines palace
Enter Cymbeline Queen Cloten Lucius and Lords
CYMBELINE
Thus far and so farewell
LUCIUS
Thanks royal sir
My emperor hath wrote I must from hence
And am right sorry that I must report ye
My masters enemy
CYMBELINE
Our subjects sir
Will not endure his yoke and for ourself
To show less sovereignty than they must needs
Appear unkinglike
LUCIUS
So sir I desire of you
A conduct overland to Milford Haven
Madam all joy befall your Grace and you
CYMBELINE
My lords you are appointed for that office
The due of honour in no point omit
So farewell noble Lucius
LUCIUS
Your hand my lord
CLOTEN
Receive it friendly but from this time forth
I wear it as your enemy
LUCIUS
Sir the event
Is yet to name the winner Fare you well
CYMBELINE
Leave not the worthy Lucius good my lords
Till he have crossd the Severn Happiness
Exeunt Lucius and Lords
QUEEN
He goes hence frowning but it honours us
That we have given him cause
CLOTEN
Tis all the better
Your valiant Britons have their wishes in it
CYMBELINE
Lucius hath wrote already to the Emperor
How it goes here It fits us therefore ripely
Our chariots and our horsemen be in readiness
The powrs that he already hath in Gallia
Will soon be drawn to head from whence he moves
His war for Britain
QUEEN
Tis not sleepy business
But must be lookd to speedily and strongly
CYMBELINE
Our expectation that it would be thus
Hath made us forward But my gentle queen
Where is our daughter She hath not appeard
Before the Roman nor to us hath tenderd
The duty of the day She looks us like
A thing more made of malice than of duty
We have noted it Call her before us for
We have been too slight in sufferance
Exit an Attendant
QUEEN
Royal sir
Since the exile of Posthumus most retird
Hath her life been the cure whereof my lord
Tis time must do Beseech your Majesty
Forbear sharp speeches to her shes a lady
So tender of rebukes that words are strokes
And strokes death to her
Enter Attendant
CYMBELINE
Where is she sir How
Can her contempt be answerd
ATTENDANT
Please you sir
Her chambers are all lockd and theres no answer
That will be given to th loud of noise we make
QUEEN
My lord when last I went to visit her
She prayd me to excuse her keeping close
Whereto constraind by her infirmity
She should that duty leave unpaid to you
Which daily she was bound to proffer This
She wishd me to make known but our great court
Made me to blame in memory
CYMBELINE
Her doors lockd
Not seen of late Grant heavens that which I fear
Prove false
Exit
QUEEN
Son I say follow the King
CLOTEN
That man of hers Pisanio her old servant
I have not seen these two days
QUEEN
Go look after
Exit Cloten
Pisanio thou that standst so for Posthumus
He hath a drug of mine I pray his absence
Proceed by swallowing that for he believes
It is a thing most precious But for her
Where is she gone Haply despair hath seizd her
Or wingd with fervour of her love shes flown
To her desird Posthumus Gone she is
To death or to dishonour and my end
Can make good use of either She being down
I have the placing of the British crown
Enter Cloten
How now my son
CLOTEN
Tis certain she is fled
Go in and cheer the King He rages none
Dare come about him
QUEEN
All the better May
This night forestall him of the coming day
Exit
CLOTEN
I love and hate her for shes fair and royal
And that she hath all courtly parts more exquisite
Than lady ladies woman From every one
The best she hath and she of all compounded
Outsells them all I love her therefore but
Disdaining me and throwing favours on
The low Posthumus slanders so her judgement
That whats else rare is chokd and in that point
I will conclude to hate her nay indeed
To be revengd upon her For when fools
Shall
Enter Pisanio
Who is here What are you packing sirrah
Come hither Ah you precious pandar Villain
Where is thy lady In a word or else
Thou art straightway with the fiends
PISANIO
O good my lord
CLOTEN
Where is thy lady or by Jupiter
I will not ask again Close villain
Ill have this secret from thy heart or rip
Thy heart to find it Is she with Posthumus
From whose so many weights of baseness cannot
A dram of worth be drawn
PISANIO
Alas my lord
How can she be with him When was she missd
He is in Rome
CLOTEN
Where is she sir Come nearer
No farther halting Satisfy me home
What is become of her
PISANIO
O my allworthy lord
CLOTEN
Allworthy villain
Discover where thy mistress is at once
At the next word No more of worthy lord
Speak or thy silence on the instant is
Thy condemnation and thy death
PISANIO
Then sir
This paper is the history of my knowledge
Touching her flight
Presenting a letter
CLOTEN
Lets seet I will pursue her
Even to Augustus throne
PISANIO
Aside Or this or perish
Shes far enough and what he learns by this
May prove his travel not her danger
CLOTEN
Humh
PISANIO
Aside Ill write to my lord shes dead O Imogen
Safe mayst thou wander safe return again
CLOTEN
Sirrah is this letter true
PISANIO
Sir as I think
CLOTEN
It is Posthumus hand I knowt Sirrah if thou wouldst not be a villain but do me true service undergo those employments wherein I should have cause to use thee with a serious industrythat is what villainy soeer I bid thee do to perform it directly and trulyI would think thee an honest man thou shouldst neither want my means for thy relief nor my voice for thy preferment
PISANIO
Well my good lord
CLOTEN
Wilt thou serve me For since patiently and constantly thou hast stuck to the bare fortune of that beggar Posthumus thou canst not in the course of gratitude but be a diligent follower of mine Wilt thou serve me
PISANIO
Sir I will
CLOTEN
Give me thy hand heres my purse Hast any of thy late masters garments in thy possession
PISANIO
I have my lord at my lodging the same suit he wore when he took leave of my lady and mistress
CLOTEN
The first service thou dost me fetch that suit hither Let it be thy first service go
PISANIO
I shall my lord
Exit
CLOTEN
Meet thee at Milford Haven I forgot to ask him one thing Ill remembert anon Even there thou villain Posthumus will I kill thee I would these garments were come She said upon a timethe bitterness of it I now belch from my heartthat she held the very garment of Posthumus in more respect than my noble and natural person together with the adornment of my qualities With that suit upon my back will I ravish her first kill him and in her eyes There shall she see my valour which will then be a torment to her contempt He on the ground my speech of insultment ended on his dead body and when my lust hath dinedwhich as I say to vex her I will execute in the clothes that she so praisdto the court Ill knock her back foot her home again She hath despisd me rejoicingly and Ill be merry in my revenge
Enter Pisanio with the clothes
Be those the garments
PISANIO
Ay my noble lord
CLOTEN
How long ist since she went to Milford Haven
PISANIO
She can scarce be there yet
CLOTEN
Bring this apparel to my chamber that is the second thing that I have commanded thee The third is that thou wilt be a voluntary mute to my design Be but duteous and true preferment shall tender itself to thee My revenge is now at Milford would I had wings to follow it Come and be true
Exit
PISANIO
Thou bidst me to my loss for true to thee
Were to prove false which I will never be
To him that is most true To Milford go
And find not her whom thou pursuest Flow flow
You heavenly blessings on her This fools speed
Be crossd with slowness Labour be his meed
Exit
SCENE VI Wales Before the cave of Belarius
Enter Imogen alone in boys clothes
IMOGEN
I see a mans life is a tedious one
I have tird myself and for two nights together
Have made the ground my bed I should be sick
But that my resolution helps me Milford
When from the mountaintop Pisanio showd thee
Thou wast within a ken O Jove I think
Foundations fly the wretched such I mean
Where they should be relievd Two beggars told me
I could not miss my way Will poor folks lie
That have afflictions on them knowing tis
A punishment or trial Yes no wonder
When rich ones scarce tell true To lapse in fulness
Is sorer than to lie for need and falsehood
Is worse in kings than beggars My dear lord
Thou art one o th false ones Now I think on thee
My hungers gone but even before I was
At point to sink for food But what is this
Here is a path tot tis some savage hold
I were best not call I dare not call Yet famine
Ere clean it oerthrow nature makes it valiant
Plenty and peace breeds cowards hardness ever
Of hardiness is mother Ho whos here
If anything thats civil speak if savage
Take or lend Ho No answer Then Ill enter
Best draw my sword and if mine enemy
But fear the sword like me hell scarcely look ont
Such a foe good heavens
Exit into the cave
SCENE VII The same
Enter Belarius Guiderius and Arviragus
BELARIUS
You Polydore have provd best woodman and
Are master of the feast Cadwal and I
Will play the cook and servant tis our match
The sweat of industry would dry and die
But for the end it works to Come our stomachs
Will make whats homely savoury weariness
Can snore upon the flint when resty sloth
Finds the down pillow hard Now peace be here
Poor house that keepst thyself
GUIDERIUS
I am thoroughly weary
ARVIRAGUS
I am weak with toil yet strong in appetite
GUIDERIUS
There is cold meat i th cave well browse on that
Whilst what we have killd be cookd
BELARIUS
Looking into the cave Stay come not in
But that it eats our victuals I should think
Here were a fairy
GUIDERIUS
Whats the matter sir
BELARIUS
By Jupiter an angel or if not
An earthly paragon Behold divineness
No elder than a boy
Enter Imogen
IMOGEN
Good masters harm me not
Before I enterd here I calld and thought
To have beggd or bought what I have took Good troth
I have stoln nought nor would not though I had found
Gold strewd i th floor Heres money for my meat
I would have left it on the board so soon
As I had made my meal and parted
With prayrs for the provider
GUIDERIUS
Money youth
ARVIRAGUS
All gold and silver rather turn to dirt
As tis no better reckond but of those
Who worship dirty gods
IMOGEN
I see youre angry
Know if you kill me for my fault I should
Have died had I not made it
BELARIUS
Whither bound
IMOGEN
To Milford Haven
BELARIUS
Whats your name
IMOGEN
Fidele sir I have a kinsman who
Is bound for Italy he embarkd at Milford
To whom being going almost spent with hunger
I am falln in this offence
BELARIUS
Prithee fair youth
Think us no churls nor measure our good minds
By this rude place we live in Well encounterd
Tis almost night you shall have better cheer
Ere you depart and thanks to stay and eat it
Boys bid him welcome
GUIDERIUS
Were you a woman youth
I should woo hard but be your groom In honesty
I bid for you as Id buy
ARVIRAGUS
Ill maket my comfort
He is a man Ill love him as my brother
And such a welcome as Id give to him
After long absence such is yours Most welcome
Be sprightly for you fall mongst friends
IMOGEN
Mongst friends
If brothers Aside Would it had been so that they
Had been my fathers sons Then had my prize
Been less and so more equal ballasting
To thee Posthumus
BELARIUS
He wrings at some distress
GUIDERIUS
Would I could freet
ARVIRAGUS
Or I whateer it be
What pain it cost what danger Gods
BELARIUS
Whispering Hark boys
IMOGEN
Aside Great men
That had a court no bigger than this cave
That did attend themselves and had the virtue
Which their own conscience seald them laying by
That nothinggift of differing multitudes
Could not outpeer these twain Pardon me gods
Id change my sex to be companion with them
Since Leonatus false
BELARIUS
It shall be so
Boys well go dress our hunt Fair youth come in
Discourse is heavy fasting when we have suppd
Well mannerly demand thee of thy story
So far as thou wilt speak it
GUIDERIUS
Pray draw near
ARVIRAGUS
The night to th owl and morn to th lark less
welcome
IMOGEN
Thanks sir
ARVIRAGUS
I pray draw near
Exeunt
SCENE VIII Rome A public place
Enter two Roman Senators and Tribunes
FIRST SENATOR
This is the tenour of the Emperors writ
That since the common men are now in action
Gainst the Pannonians and Dalmatians
And that the legions now in Gallia are
Full weak to undertake our wars against
The fallnoff Britons that we do incite
The gentry to this business He creates
Lucius proconsul and to you the tribunes
For this immediate levy he commands
His absolute commission Long live Csar
TRIBUNE
Is Lucius general of the forces
SECOND SENATOR
Ay
TRIBUNE
Remaining now in Gallia
FIRST SENATOR
With those legions
Which I have spoke of whereunto your levy
Must be supplyant The words of your commission
Will tie you to the numbers and the time
Of their dispatch
TRIBUNE
We will discharge our duty
Exeunt
ACT IV
SCENE I Wales Near the cave of Belarius
Enter Cloten alone
CLOTEN
I am near to th place where they should meet if Pisanio have mappd it truly How fit his garments serve me Why should his mistress who was made by him that made the tailor not be fit too The rather saving reverence of the word for tis said a womans fitness comes by fits Therein I must play the workman I dare speak it to myself for it is not vainglory for a man and his glass to confer in his own chamber I mean the lines of my body are as well drawn as his no less young more strong not beneath him in fortunes beyond him in the advantage of the time above him in birth alike conversant in general services and more remarkable in single oppositions Yet this imperceiverant thing loves him in my despite What mortality is Posthumus thy head which now is growing upon thy shoulders shall within this hour be off thy mistress enforced thy garments cut to pieces before her face and all this done spurn her home to her father who may haply be a little angry for my so rough usage but my mother having power of his testiness shall turn all into my commendations My horse is tied up safe Out sword and to a sore purpose Fortune put them into my hand This is the very description of their meetingplace and the fellow dares not deceive me
Exit
SCENE II Wales Before the cave of Belarius
Enter from the cave Belarius Guiderius Arviragus and Imogen
BELARIUS
To Imogen You are not well Remain here in the cave
Well come to you after hunting
ARVIRAGUS
To Imogen Brother stay here
Are we not brothers
IMOGEN
So man and man should be
But clay and clay differs in dignity
Whose dust is both alike I am very sick
GUIDERIUS
Go you to hunting Ill abide with him
IMOGEN
So sick I am not yet I am not well
But not so citizen a wanton as
To seem to die ere sick So please you leave me
Stick to your journal course The breach of custom
Is breach of all I am ill but your being by me
Cannot amend me society is no comfort
To one not sociable I am not very sick
Since I can reason of it Pray you trust me here
Ill rob none but myself and let me die
Stealing so poorly
GUIDERIUS
I love thee I have spoke it
How much the quantity the weight as much
As I do love my father
BELARIUS
What how how
ARVIRAGUS
If it be sin to say so sir I yoke me
In my good brothers fault I know not why
I love this youth and I have heard you say
Loves reasons without reason The bier at door
And a demand who ist shall die Id say
My father not this youth
BELARIUS
Aside O noble strain
O worthiness of nature breed of greatness
Cowards father cowards and base things sire base
Nature hath meal and bran contempt and grace
Im not their father yet who this should be
Doth miracle itself lovd before me
Tis the ninth hour o th morn
ARVIRAGUS
Brother farewell
IMOGEN
I wish ye sport
ARVIRAGUS
Your health To Belarius So please you sir
IMOGEN
Aside These are kind creatures Gods what lies I
have heard
Our courtiers say alls savage but at court
Experience O thou disprovst report
Th imperious seas breed monsters for the dish
Poor tributary rivers as sweet fish
I am sick still heartsick Pisanio
Ill now taste of thy drug
Swallows some
GUIDERIUS
I could not stir him
He said he was gentle but unfortunate
Dishonestly afflicted but yet honest
ARVIRAGUS
Thus did he answer me yet said hereafter
I might know more
BELARIUS
To th field to th field
Well leave you for this time Go in and rest
ARVIRAGUS
Well not be long away
BELARIUS
Pray be not sick
For you must be our huswife
IMOGEN
Well or ill
I am bound to you
BELARIUS
And shalt be ever
Exit Imogen into the cave
This youth howeer distressd appears he hath had
Good ancestors
ARVIRAGUS
How angellike he sings
GUIDERIUS
But his neat cookery He cut our roots in characters
And saucd our broths as Juno had been sick
And he her dieter
ARVIRAGUS
Nobly he yokes
A smiling with a sigh as if the sigh
Was that it was for not being such a smile
The smile mocking the sigh that it would fly
From so divine a temple to commix
With winds that sailors rail at
GUIDERIUS
I do note
That grief and patience rooted in him both
Mingle their spurs together
ARVIRAGUS
Grow patience
And let the stinking elder grief untwine
His perishing root with the increasing vine
BELARIUS
It is great morning Come away Whos there
Enter Cloten
CLOTEN
I cannot find those runagates that villain
Hath mockd me I am faint
BELARIUS
Those runagates
Means he not us I partly know him tis
Cloten the son o th Queen I fear some ambush
I saw him not these many years and yet
I know tis he We are held as outlaws Hence
GUIDERIUS
He is but one you and my brother search
What companies are near Pray you away
Let me alone with him
Exeunt Belarius and Arviragus
CLOTEN
Soft What are you
That fly me thus Some villain mountaineers
I have heard of such What slave art thou
GUIDERIUS
A thing
More slavish did I neer than answering
A slave without a knock
CLOTEN
Thou art a robber
A lawbreaker a villain Yield thee thief
GUIDERIUS
To who To thee What art thou Have not I
An arm as big as thine a heart as big
Thy words I grant are bigger for I wear not
My dagger in my mouth Say what thou art
Why I should yield to thee
CLOTEN
Thou villain base
Knowst me not by my clothes
GUIDERIUS
No nor thy tailor rascal
Who is thy grandfather he made those clothes
Which as it seems make thee
CLOTEN
Thou precious varlet
My tailor made them not
GUIDERIUS
Hence then and thank
The man that gave them thee Thou art some fool
I am loath to beat thee
CLOTEN
Thou injurious thief
Hear but my name and tremble
GUIDERIUS
Whats thy name
CLOTEN
Cloten thou villain
GUIDERIUS
Cloten thou double villain be thy name
I cannot tremble at it Were it Toad or Adder Spider
Twould move me sooner
CLOTEN
To thy further fear
Nay to thy mere confusion thou shalt know
I am son to th Queen
GUIDERIUS
Im sorry fort not seeming
So worthy as thy birth
CLOTEN
Art not afeard
GUIDERIUS
Those that I reverence those I fearthe wise
At fools I laugh not fear them
CLOTEN
Die the death
When I have slain thee with my proper hand
Ill follow those that even now fled hence
And on the gates of Luds Town set your heads
Yield rustic mountaineer
Exeunt fighting
Enter Belarius and Arviragus
BELARIUS
No companys abroad
ARVIRAGUS
None in the world you did mistake him sure
BELARIUS
I cannot tell long is it since I saw him
But time hath nothing blurrd those lines of favour
Which then he wore the snatches in his voice
And burst of speaking were as his I am absolute
Twas very Cloten
ARVIRAGUS
In this place we left them
I wish my brother make good time with him
You say he is so fell
BELARIUS
Being scarce made up
I mean to man he had not apprehension
Or roaring terrors for defect of judgement
Is oft the cease of fear
Enter Guiderius with Clotens head
But see thy brother
GUIDERIUS
This Cloten was a fool an empty purse
There was no money int Not Hercules
Could have knockd out his brains for he had none
Yet I not doing this the fool had borne
My head as I do his
BELARIUS
What hast thou done
GUIDERIUS
I am perfect what cut off one Clotens head
Son to the Queen after his own report
Who calld me traitor mountaineer and swore
With his own single hand hed take us in
Displace our heads where thank the gods they grow
And set them on Luds Town
BELARIUS
We are all undone
GUIDERIUS
Why worthy father what have we to lose
But that he swore to take our lives The law
Protects not us then why should we be tender
To let an arrogant piece of flesh threat us
Play judge and executioner all himself
For we do fear the law What company
Discover you abroad
BELARIUS
No single soul
Can we set eye on but in all safe reason
He must have some attendants Though his humour
Was nothing but mutation ay and that
From one bad thing to worse not frenzy not
Absolute madness could so far have ravd
To bring him here alone Although perhaps
It may be heard at court that such as we
Cave here hunt here are outlaws and in time
May make some stronger head the which he hearing
As it is like him might break out and swear
Hed fetch us in yet ist not probable
To come alone either he so undertaking
Or they so suffering Then on good ground we fear
If we do fear this body hath a tail
More perilous than the head
ARVIRAGUS
Let ordinance
Come as the gods foresay it Howsoeer
My brother hath done well
BELARIUS
I had no mind
To hunt this day the boy Fideles sickness
Did make my way long forth
GUIDERIUS
With his own sword
Which he did wave against my throat I have taen
His head from him Ill throwt into the creek
Behind our rock and let it to the sea
And tell the fishes hes the Queens son Cloten
Thats all I reck
Exit
BELARIUS
I fear twill be revengd
Would Polydore thou hadst not donet though valour
Becomes thee well enough
ARVIRAGUS
Would I had donet
So the revenge alone pursud me Polydore
I love thee brotherly but envy much
Thou hast robbd me of this deed I would revenges
That possible strength might meet would seek us through
And put us to our answer
BELARIUS
Well tis done
Well hunt no more today nor seek for danger
Where theres no profit I prithee to our rock
You and Fidele play the cooks Ill stay
Till hasty Polydore return and bring him
To dinner presently
ARVIRAGUS
Poor sick Fidele
Ill willingly to him to gain his colour
Id let a parish of such Clotens blood
And praise myself for charity
Exit
BELARIUS
O thou goddess
Thou divine Nature thou thyself thou blazonst
In these two princely boys They are as gentle
As zephyrs blowing below the violet
Not wagging his sweet head and yet as rough
Their royal blood enchafd as the rudst wind
That by the top doth take the mountain pine
And make him stoop to th vale Tis wonder
That an invisible instinct should frame them
To royalty unlearnd honour untaught
Civility not seen from other valour
That wildly grows in them but yields a crop
As if it had been sowd Yet still its strange
What Clotens being here to us portends
Or what his death will bring us
Enter Guiderius
GUIDERIUS
Wheres my brother
I have sent Clotens clotpoll down the stream
In embassy to his mother his bodys hostage
For his return
Solemn music
BELARIUS
My ingenious instrument
Hark Polydore it sounds But what occasion
Hath Cadwal now to give it motion Hark
GUIDERIUS
Is he at home
BELARIUS
He went hence even now
GUIDERIUS
What does he mean Since death of my dearst mother
It did not speak before All solemn things
Should answer solemn accidents The matter
Triumphs for nothing and lamenting toys
Is jollity for apes and grief for boys
Is Cadwal mad
Enter Arviragus with Imogen as dead bearing her in his arms
BELARIUS
Look here he comes
And brings the dire occasion in his arms
Of what we blame him for
ARVIRAGUS
The bird is dead
That we have made so much on I had rather
Have skippd from sixteen years of age to sixty
To have turnd my leaping time into a crutch
Than have seen this
GUIDERIUS
O sweetest fairest lily
My brother wears thee not the one half so well
As when thou grewst thyself
BELARIUS
O melancholy
Who ever yet could sound thy bottom find
The ooze to show what coast thy sluggish crare
Mightst easiliest harbour in Thou blessed thing
Jove knows what man thou mightst have made but I
Thou diedst a most rare boy of melancholy
How found you him
ARVIRAGUS
Stark as you see
Thus smiling as some fly had tickled slumber
Not as deaths dart being laughd at his right cheek
Reposing on a cushion
GUIDERIUS
Where
ARVIRAGUS
O th floor
His arms thus leagud I thought he slept and put
My clouted brogues from off my feet whose rudeness
Answerd my steps too loud
GUIDERIUS
Why he but sleeps
If he be gone hell make his grave a bed
With female fairies will his tomb be haunted
And worms will not come to thee
ARVIRAGUS
With fairest flowers
Whilst summer lasts and I live here Fidele
Ill sweeten thy sad grave Thou shalt not lack
The flower thats like thy face pale primrose nor
The azurd harebell like thy veins no nor
The leaf of eglantine whom not to slander
Outsweetned not thy breath The ruddock would
With charitable bill O bill sore shaming
Those richleft heirs that let their fathers lie
Without a monument bring thee all this
Yea and furrd moss besides when flowrs are none
To winterground thy corse
GUIDERIUS
Prithee have done
And do not play in wenchlike words with that
Which is so serious Let us bury him
And not protract with admiration what
Is now due debt To th grave
ARVIRAGUS
Say where shalls lay him
GUIDERIUS
By good Euriphile our mother
ARVIRAGUS
Bet so
And let us Polydore though now our voices
Have got the mannish crack sing him to th ground
As once to our mother use like note and words
Save that Euriphile must be Fidele
GUIDERIUS
Cadwal
I cannot sing Ill weep and word it with thee
For notes of sorrow out of tune are worse
Than priests and fanes that lie
ARVIRAGUS
Well speak it then
BELARIUS
Great griefs I see medcine the less for Cloten
Is quite forgot He was a queens son boys
And though he came our enemy remember
He was paid for that Though mean and mighty rotting
Together have one dust yet reverence
That angel of the world doth make distinction
Of place tween high and low Our foe was princely
And though you took his life as being our foe
Yet bury him as a prince
GUIDERIUS
Pray you fetch him hither
Thersites body is as good as Ajax
When neither are alive
ARVIRAGUS
If youll go fetch him
Well say our song the whilst Brother begin
Exit Belarius
GUIDERIUS
Nay Cadwal we must lay his head to th East
My father hath a reason fort
ARVIRAGUS
Tis true
GUIDERIUS
Come on then and remove him
ARVIRAGUS
So Begin
SONG
GUIDERIUS
Fear no more the heat o th sun
Nor the furious winters rages
Thou thy worldly task hast done
Home art gone and taen thy wages
Golden lads and girls all must
As chimneysweepers come to dust
ARVIRAGUS
Fear no more the frown o th great
Thou art past the tyrants stroke
Care no more to clothe and eat
To thee the reed is as the oak
The sceptre learning physic must
All follow this and come to dust
GUIDERIUS
Fear no more the lightning flash
ARVIRAGUS
Nor th alldreaded thunderstone
GUIDERIUS
Fear not slander censure rash
ARVIRAGUS
Thou hast finishd joy and moan
BOTH
All lovers young all lovers must
Consign to thee and come to dust
GUIDERIUS
No exorciser harm thee
ARVIRAGUS
Nor no witchcraft charm thee
GUIDERIUS
Ghost unlaid forbear thee
ARVIRAGUS
Nothing ill come near thee
BOTH
Quiet consummation have
And renowned be thy grave
Enter Belarius with the body of Cloten
GUIDERIUS
We have done our obsequies Come lay him down
BELARIUS
Heres a few flowers but bout midnight more
The herbs that have on them cold dew o th night
Are strewings fitst for graves Upon their faces
You were as flowrs now witherd Even so
These herblets shall which we upon you strew
Come on away Apart upon our knees
The ground that gave them first has them again
Their pleasures here are past so is their pain
Exeunt all but Imogen
IMOGEN
Awaking Yes sir to Milford Haven Which is the way
I thank you By yond bush Pray how far thither
Ods pittikins can it be six mile yet
I have gone all night Faith Ill lie down and sleep
But soft no bedfellow O gods and goddesses
Seeing the body
These flowrs are like the pleasures of the world
This bloody man the care ont I hope I dream
For so I thought I was a cavekeeper
And cook to honest creatures But tis not so
Twas but a bolt of nothing shot at nothing
Which the brain makes of fumes Our very eyes
Are sometimes like our judgements blind Good faith
I tremble still with fear but if there be
Yet left in heaven as small a drop of pity
As a wrens eye feard gods a part of it
The dreams here still Even when I wake it is
Without me as within me not imagind felt
A headless man The garments of Posthumus
I know the shape ofs leg this is his hand
His foot Mercurial his Martial thigh
The brawns of Hercules but his Jovial face
Murder in heaven How Tis gone Pisanio
All curses madded Hecuba gave the Greeks
And mine to boot be darted on thee Thou
Conspird with that irregulous devil Cloten
Hath here cut off my lord To write and read
Be henceforth treacherous Damnd Pisanio
Hath with his forged letters damnd Pisanio
From this most bravest vessel of the world
Struck the maintop O Posthumus alas
Where is thy head Wheres that Ay me wheres that
Pisanio might have killd thee at the heart
And left this head on How should this be Pisanio
Tis he and Cloten malice and lucre in them
Have laid this woe here O tis pregnant pregnant
The drug he gave me which he said was precious
And cordial to me have I not found it
Murdrous to th senses That confirms it home
This is Pisanios deed and Cloten O
Give colour to my pale cheek with thy blood
That we the horrider may seem to those
Which chance to find us O my lord my lord
Falls fainting on the body
Enter Lucius Captains and a Soothsayer
CAPTAIN
To them the legions garrisond in Gallia
After your will have crossd the sea attending
You here at Milford Haven with your ships
They are in readiness
LUCIUS
But what from Rome
CAPTAIN
The Senate hath stirrd up the confiners
And gentlemen of Italy most willing spirits
That promise noble service and they come
Under the conduct of bold Iachimo
Siennas brother
LUCIUS
When expect you them
CAPTAIN
With the next benefit o th wind
LUCIUS
This forwardness
Makes our hopes fair Command our present numbers
Be musterd bid the captains look tot Now sir
What have you dreamd of late of this wars purpose
SOOTHSAYER
Last night the very gods showd me a vision
I fast and prayd for their intelligence thus
I saw Joves bird the Roman eagle wingd
From the spongy south to this part of the west
There vanishd in the sunbeams which portends
Unless my sins abuse my divination
Success to th Roman host
LUCIUS
Dream often so
And never false Soft ho what trunk is here
Without his top The ruin speaks that sometime
It was a worthy building How a page
Or dead or sleeping on him But dead rather
For nature doth abhor to make his bed
With the defunct or sleep upon the dead
Lets see the boys face
CAPTAIN
Hes alive my lord
LUCIUS
Hell then instruct us of this body Young one
Inform us of thy fortunes for it seems
They crave to be demanded Who is this
Thou makst thy bloody pillow Or who was he
That otherwise than noble nature did
Hath alterd that good picture Whats thy interest
In this sad wreck How camet Who ist
What art thou
IMOGEN
I am nothing or if not
Nothing to be were better This was my master
A very valiant Briton and a good
That here by mountaineers lies slain Alas
There is no more such masters I may wander
From east to occident cry out for service
Try many all good serve truly never
Find such another master
LUCIUS
Lack good youth
Thou movst no less with thy complaining than
Thy master in bleeding Say his name good friend
IMOGEN
Richard du Champ Aside If I do lie and do
No harm by it though the gods hear I hope
Theyll pardon itSay you sir
LUCIUS
Thy name
IMOGEN
Fidele sir
LUCIUS
Thou dost approve thyself the very same
Thy name well fits thy faith thy faith thy name
Wilt take thy chance with me I will not say
Thou shalt be so well masterd but be sure
No less belovd The Roman Emperors letters
Sent by a consul to me should not sooner
Than thine own worth prefer thee Go with me
IMOGEN
Ill follow sir But first ant please the gods
Ill hide my master from the flies as deep
As these poor pickaxes can dig and when
With wild woodleaves and weeds I ha strewd his grave
And on it said a century of prayers
Such as I can twice oer Ill weep and sigh
And leaving so his service follow you
So please you entertain me
LUCIUS
Ay good youth
And rather father thee than master thee
My friends
The boy hath taught us manly duties let us
Find out the prettiest daisied plot we can
And make him with our pikes and partisans
A grave Come arm him Boy he is preferrd
By thee to us and he shall be interrd
As soldiers can Be cheerful wipe thine eyes
Some falls are means the happier to arise
Exeunt
SCENE III Britain Cymbelines palace
Enter Cymbeline Lords Pisanio and Attendants
CYMBELINE
Again and bring me word how tis with her
Exit an Attendant
A fever with the absence of her son
A madness of which her lifes in danger Heavens
How deeply you at once do touch me Imogen
The great part of my comfort gone my queen
Upon a desperate bed and in a time
When fearful wars point at me her son gone
So needful for this present It strikes me past
The hope of comfort But for thee fellow
Who needs must know of her departure and
Dost seem so ignorant well enforce it from thee
By a sharp torture
PISANIO
Sir my life is yours
I humbly set it at your will but for my mistress
I nothing know where she remains why gone
Nor when she purposes return Beseech your Highness
Hold me your loyal servant
LORD
Good my liege
The day that she was missing he was here
I dare be bound hes true and shall perform
All parts of his subjection loyally For Cloten
There wants no diligence in seeking him
And will no doubt be found
CYMBELINE
The time is troublesome
To Pisanio Well slip you for a season but our jealousy
Does yet depend
LORD
So please your Majesty
The Roman legions all from Gallia drawn
Are landed on your coast with a supply
Of Roman gentlemen by the Senate sent
CYMBELINE
Now for the counsel of my son and queen
I am amazd with matter
LORD
Good my liege
Your preparation can affront no less
Than what you hear of Come more for more youre ready
The want is but to put those powrs in motion
That long to move
CYMBELINE
I thank you Lets withdraw
And meet the time as it seeks us We fear not
What can from Italy annoy us but
We grieve at chances here Away
Exeunt all but Pisanio
PISANIO
I heard no letter from my master since
I wrote him Imogen was slain Tis strange
Nor hear I from my mistress who did promise
To yield me often tidings Neither know I
What is betid to Cloten but remain
Perplexd in all The heavens still must work
Wherein I am false I am honest not true to be true
These present wars shall find I love my country
Even to the note o th King or Ill fall in them
All other doubts by time let them be cleard
Fortune brings in some boats that are not steerd
Exit
SCENE IV Wales Before the cave of Belarius
Enter Belarius Guiderius and Arviragus
GUIDERIUS
The noise is round about us
BELARIUS
Let us from it
ARVIRAGUS
What pleasure sir find we in life to lock it
From action and adventure
GUIDERIUS
Nay what hope
Have we in hiding us This way the Romans
Must or for Britons slay us or receive us
For barbarous and unnatural revolts
During their use and slay us after
BELARIUS
Sons
Well higher to the mountains there secure us
To the Kings party theres no going Newness
Of Clotens death we being not known not musterd
Among the bands may drive us to a render
Where we have livd and so extort froms that
Which we have done whose answer would be death
Drawn on with torture
GUIDERIUS
This is sir a doubt
In such a time nothing becoming you
Nor satisfying us
ARVIRAGUS
It is not likely
That when they hear the Roman horses neigh
Behold their quarterd fires have both their eyes
And ears so cloyd importantly as now
That they will waste their time upon our note
To know from whence we are
BELARIUS
O I am known
Of many in the army Many years
Though Cloten then but young you see not wore him
From my remembrance And besides the King
Hath not deservd my service nor your loves
Who find in my exile the want of breeding
The certainty of this hard life aye hopeless
To have the courtesy your cradle promisd
But to be still hot summers tanlings and
The shrinking slaves of winter
GUIDERIUS
Than be so
Better to cease to be Pray sir to th army
I and my brother are not known yourself
So out of thought and thereto so oergrown
Cannot be questioned
ARVIRAGUS
By this sun that shines
Ill thither What thing ist that I never
Did see man die scarce ever lookd on blood
But that of coward hares hot goats and venison
Never bestrid a horse save one that had
A rider like myself who neer wore rowel
Nor iron on his heel I am ashamd
To look upon the holy sun to have
The benefit of his blest beams remaining
So long a poor unknown
GUIDERIUS
By heavens Ill go
If you will bless me sir and give me leave
Ill take the better care but if you will not
The hazard therefore due fall on me by
The hands of Romans
ARVIRAGUS
So say I Amen
BELARIUS
No reason I since of your lives you set
So slight a valuation should reserve
My crackd one to more care Have with you boys
If in your country wars you chance to die
That is my bed too lads and there Ill lie
Lead lead Aside The time seems long their blood thinks scorn
Till it fly out and show them princes born
Exeunt
ACT V
SCENE I Britain The Roman camp
Enter Posthumus alone with a bloody handkerchief
POSTHUMUS
Yea bloody cloth Ill keep thee for I wishd
Thou shouldst be colourd thus You married ones
If each of you should take this course how many
Must murder wives much better than themselves
For wrying but a little O Pisanio
Every good servant does not all commands
No bond but to do just ones Gods if you
Should have taen vengeance on my faults I never
Had livd to put on this so had you saved
The noble Imogen to repent and struck
Me wretch more worth your vengeance But alack
You snatch some hence for little faults thats love
To have them fall no more You some permit
To second ills with ills each elder worse
And make them dread it to the doers thrift
But Imogen is your own Do your best wills
And make me blest to obey I am brought hither
Among th Italian gentry and to fight
Against my ladys kingdom Tis enough
That Britain I have killd thy mistress peace
Ill give no wound to thee Therefore good heavens
Hear patiently my purpose Ill disrobe me
Of these Italian weeds and suit myself
As does a Britain peasant So Ill fight
Against the part I come with so Ill die
For thee O Imogen even for whom my life
Is every breath a death And thus unknown
Pitied nor hated to the face of peril
Myself Ill dedicate Let me make men know
More valour in me than my habits show
Gods put the strength o th Leonati in me
To shame the guise o th world I will begin
The fashion less without and more within
Exit
SCENE II Britain A field of battle between the British and Roman camps
Enter Lucius Iachimo and the Roman army at one door and the British army at another Leonatus Posthumus following like a poor soldier They march over and go out Alarums Then enter again in skirmish Iachimo and Posthumus He vanquisheth and disarmeth Iachimo and then leaves him
IACHIMO
The heaviness and guilt within my bosom
Takes off my manhood I have belied a lady
The Princess of this country and the air ont
Revengingly enfeebles me or could this carl
A very drudge of natures have subdud me
In my profession Knighthoods and honours borne
As I wear mine are titles but of scorn
If that thy gentry Britain go before
This lout as he exceeds our lords the odds
Is that we scarce are men and you are gods
Exit
The battle continues the Britons fly Cymbeline is taken Then enter to his rescue Belarius Guiderius and Arviragus
BELARIUS
Stand stand We have th advantage of the ground
The lane is guarded nothing routs us but
The villainy of our fears
GUIDERIUS and ARVIRAGUS
Stand stand and fight
Enter Posthumus and seconds the Britons they rescue Cymbeline and exeunt Then reenter Lucius and Iachimo with Imogen
LUCIUS
Away boy from the troops and save thyself
For friends kill friends and the disorders such
As war were hoodwinkd
IACHIMO
Tis their fresh supplies
LUCIUS
It is a day turnd strangely Or betimes
Lets reinforce or fly
Exeunt
SCENE III Another part of the field
Enter Posthumus and a Briton Lord
LORD
Camst thou from where they made the stand
POSTHUMUS
I did
Though you it seems come from the fliers
LORD
I did
POSTHUMUS
No blame be to you sir for all was lost
But that the heavens fought The King himself
Of his wings destitute the army broken
And but the backs of Britons seen all flying
Through a strait lane the enemy fullhearted
Lolling the tongue with slaughtring having work
More plentiful than tools to dot struck down
Some mortally some slightly touchd some falling
Merely through fear that the strait pass was dammd
With dead men hurt behind and cowards living
To die with lengthned shame
LORD
Where was this lane
POSTHUMUS
Close by the battle ditchd and walld with turf
Which gave advantage to an ancient soldier
An honest one I warrant who deservd
So long a breeding as his white beard came to
In doing this fors country Athwart the lane
He with two striplings lads more like to run
The country base than to commit such slaughter
With faces fit for masks or rather fairer
Than those for preservation casd or shame
Made good the passage cried to those that fled
Our Britains harts die flying not our men
To darkness fleet souls that fly backwards Stand
Or we are Romans and will give you that
Like beasts which you shun beastly and may save
But to look back in frown Stand stand These three
Three thousand confident in act as many
For three performers are the file when all
The rest do nothingwith this word Stand stand
Accommodated by the place more charming
With their own nobleness which could have turnd
A distaff to a lance gilded pale looks
Part shame part spirit renewd that some turnd coward
But by example O a sin in war
Damnd in the first beginners gan to look
The way that they did and to grin like lions
Upon the pikes o th hunters Then began
A stop i th chaser a retire anon
A rout confusion thick Forthwith they fly
Chickens the way which they stoopd eagles slaves
The strides they victors made and now our cowards
Like fragments in hard voyages became
The life o th need Having found the backdoor open
Of the unguarded hearts heavens how they wound
Some slain before some dying some their friends
Oerborne i th former wave Ten chasd by one
Are now each one the slaughterman of twenty
Those that would die or ere resist are grown
The mortal bugs o th field
LORD
This was strange chance
A narrow lane an old man and two boys
POSTHUMUS
Nay do not wonder at it you are made
Rather to wonder at the things you hear
Than to work any Will you rhyme upont
And vent it for a mockry Here is one
Two boys an old man twice a boy a lane
Preservd the Britons was the Romans bane
LORD
Nay be not angry sir
POSTHUMUS
Lack to what end
Who dares not stand his foe Ill be his friend
For if hell do as he is made to do
I know hell quickly fly my friendship too
You have put me into rhyme
LORD
Farewell youre angry
Exit
POSTHUMUS
Still going This is a lord O noble misery
To be i th field and ask What news of me
Today how many would have given their honours
To have savd their carcasses took heel to dot
And yet died too I in mine own woe charmd
Could not find death where I did hear him groan
Nor feel him where he struck Being an ugly monster
Tis strange he hides him in fresh cups soft beds
Sweet words or hath moe ministers than we
That draw his knives i th war Well I will find him
For being now a favourer to the Briton
No more a Briton I have resumd again
The part I came in Fight I will no more
But yield me to the veriest hind that shall
Once touch my shoulder Great the slaughter is
Here made by th Roman great the answer be
Britons must take For me my ransoms death
On either side I come to spend my breath
Which neither here Ill keep nor bear again
But end it by some means for Imogen
Enter two British Captains and soldiers
FIRST CAPTAIN
Great Jupiter be praisd Lucius is taken
Tis thought the old man and his sons were angels
SECOND CAPTAIN
There was a fourth man in a silly habit
That gave th affront with them
FIRST CAPTAIN
So tis reported
But none of em can be found Stand whos there
POSTHUMUS
A Roman
Who had not now been drooping here if seconds
Had answerd him
SECOND CAPTAIN
Lay hands on him a dog
A leg of Rome shall not return to tell
What crows have peckd them here He brags his service
As if he were of note Bring him to th King
Enter Cymbeline Belarius Guiderius Arviragus Pisanio and Roman captives The Captains present Posthumus to Cymbeline who delivers him over to a gaoler
Exeunt omnes
SCENE IV Britain A prison
Enter Posthumus and two Gaolers
FIRST GAOLER You shall not now be stoln you have locks upon you
So graze as you find pasture
SECOND GAOLER
Ay or a stomach
Exeunt Gaolers
POSTHUMUS
Most welcome bondage for thou art a way
I think to liberty Yet am I better
Than one thats sick o th gout since he had rather
Groan so in perpetuity than be curd
By th sure physician death who is the key
T unbar these locks My conscience thou art fetterd
More than my shanks and wrists you good gods give me
The penitent instrument to pick that bolt
Then free for ever Ist enough I am sorry
So children temporal fathers do appease
Gods are more full of mercy Must I repent
I cannot do it better than in gyves
Desird more than constraind To satisfy
If of my freedom tis the main part take
No stricter render of me than my all
I know you are more clement than vile men
Who of their broken debtors take a third
A sixth a tenth letting them thrive again
On their abatement thats not my desire
For Imogens dear life take mine and though
Tis not so dear yet tis a life you coind it
Tween man and man they weigh not every stamp
Though light take pieces for the figures sake
You rather mine being yours And so great powrs
If you will take this audit take this life
And cancel these cold bonds O Imogen
Ill speak to thee in silence
Sleeps
Solemn music Enter as in an apparition Sicilius Leonatus father to Posthumus an old man attired like a warrior leading in his hand an ancient matron his wife and Mother to Posthumus with music before them Then after other music follows the two young Leonati brothers to Posthumus with wounds as they died in the wars They circle Posthumus round as he lies sleeping
SICILIUS
No more thou thundermaster show
Thy spite on mortal flies
With Mars fall out with Juno chide
That thy adulteries
Rates and revenges
Hath my poor boy done aught but well
Whose face I never saw
I died whilst in the womb he stayd
Attending natures law
Whose father then as men report
Thou orphans father art
Thou shouldst have been and shielded him
From this earthvexing smart
MOTHER
Lucina lent not me her aid
But took me in my throes
That from me was Posthumus rippd
Came crying mongst his foes
A thing of pity
SICILIUS
Great Nature like his ancestry
Moulded the stuff so fair
That he deservd the praise o th world
As great Sicilius heir
FIRST BROTHER
When once he was mature for man
In Britain where was he
That could stand up his parallel
Or fruitful object be
In eye of Imogen that best
Could deem his dignity
MOTHER
With marriage wherefore was he mockd
To be exild and thrown
From Leonati seat and cast
From her his dearest one
Sweet Imogen
SICILIUS
Why did you suffer Iachimo
Slight thing of Italy
To taint his nobler heart and brain
With needless jealousy
And to become the geck and scorn
O th others villainy
SECOND BROTHER
For this from stiller seats we came
Our parents and us twain
That striking in our countrys cause
Fell bravely and were slain
Our fealty and Tenantius right
With honour to maintain
FIRST BROTHER
Like hardiment Posthumus hath
To Cymbeline performd
Then Jupiter thou king of gods
Why hast thou thus adjournd
The graces for his merits due
Being all to dolours turnd
SICILIUS
Thy crystal window ope look out
No longer exercise
Upon a valiant race thy harsh
And potent injuries
MOTHER
Since Jupiter our son is good
Take off his miseries
SICILIUS
Peep through thy marble mansion Help
Or we poor ghosts will cry
To th shining synod of the rest
Against thy deity
BROTHERS
Help Jupiter or we appeal
And from thy justice fly
Jupiter descends in thunder and lightning sitting upon an eagle He throws a thunderbolt The Ghosts fall on their knees
JUPITER
No more you petty spirits of region low
Offend our hearing hush How dare you ghosts
Accuse the Thunderer whose bolt you know
Skyplanted batters all rebelling coasts
Poor shadows of Elysium hence and rest
Upon your neverwithering banks of flowrs
Be not with mortal accidents opprest
No care of yours it is you know tis ours
Whom best I love I cross to make my gift
The more delayd delighted Be content
Your lowlaid son our godhead will uplift
His comforts thrive his trials well are spent
Our Jovial star reignd at his birth and in
Our temple was he married Rise and fade
He shall be lord of Lady Imogen
And happier much by his affliction made
This tablet lay upon his breast wherein
Our pleasure his full fortune doth confine
And so away no farther with your din
Express impatience lest you stir up mine
Mount eagle to my palace crystalline
Ascends
SICILIUS
He came in thunder his celestial breath
Was sulphurous to smell the holy eagle
Stoopd as to foot us His ascension is
More sweet than our blest fields His royal bird
Prunes the immortal wing and cloys his beak
As when his god is pleasd
ALL
Thanks Jupiter
SICILIUS
The marble pavement closes he is enterd
His radiant roof Away and to be blest
Let us with care perform his great behest
Ghosts vanish
POSTHUMUS
Waking Sleep thou has been a grandsire and begot
A father to me and thou hast created
A mother and two brothers But O scorn
Gone They went hence so soon as they were born
And so I am awake Poor wretches that depend
On greatness favour dream as I have done
Wake and find nothing But alas I swerve
Many dream not to find neither deserve
And yet are steepd in favours so am I
That have this golden chance and know not why
What fairies haunt this ground A book O rare one
Be not as is our fangled world a garment
Nobler than that it covers Let thy effects
So follow to be most unlike our courtiers
As good as promise
Reads When as a lions whelp shall to himself unknown without seeking find and be embracd by a piece of tender air and when from a stately cedar shall be loppd branches which being dead many years shall after revive be jointed to the old stock and freshly grow then shall Posthumus end his miseries Britain be fortunate and flourish in peace and plenty
Tis still a dream or else such stuff as madmen
Tongue and brain not either both or nothing
Or senseless speaking or a speaking such
As sense cannot untie Be what it is
The action of my life is like it which
Ill keep if but for sympathy
Enter Gaoler
GAOLER
Come sir are you ready for death
POSTHUMUS
Overroasted rather ready long ago
GAOLER
Hanging is the word sir if you be ready for that you are well cookd
POSTHUMUS
So if I prove a good repast to the spectators the dish pays the shot
GAOLER
A heavy reckoning for you sir But the comfort is you shall be called to no more payments fear no more tavern bills which are often the sadness of parting as the procuring of mirth You come in faint for want of meat depart reeling with too much drink sorry that you have paid too much and sorry that you are paid too much purse and brain both empty the brain the heavier for being too light the purse too light being drawn of heaviness O of this contradiction you shall now be quit O the charity of a penny cord It sums up thousands in a trice You have no true debitor and creditor but it of whats past is and to come the discharge Your neck sir is pen book and counters so the acquittance follows
POSTHUMUS
I am merrier to die than thou art to live
GAOLER
Indeed sir he that sleeps feels not the toothache But a man that were to sleep your sleep and a hangman to help him to bed I think he would change places with his officer for look you sir you know not which way you shall go
POSTHUMUS
Yes indeed do I fellow
GAOLER
Your death has eyes ins head then I have not seen him so picturd You must either be directed by some that take upon them to know or to take upon yourself that which I am sure you do not know or jump the afterinquiry on your own peril And how you shall speed in your journeys end I think youll never return to tell one
POSTHUMUS
I tell thee fellow there are none want eyes to direct them the way I am going but such as wink and will not use them
GAOLER
What an infinite mock is this that a man should have the best use of eyes to see the way of blindness I am sure hangings the way of winking
Enter a Messenger
MESSENGER
Knock off his manacles bring your prisoner to the King
POSTHUMUS
Thou bringst good news I am calld to be made free
GAOLER
Ill be hangd then
POSTHUMUS
Thou shalt be then freer than a gaoler no bolts for the dead
Exeunt Posthumus and Messenger
GAOLER
Unless a man would marry a gallows and beget young gibbets I never saw one so prone Yet on my conscience there are verier knaves desire to live for all he be a Roman and there be some of them too that die against their wills so should I if I were one I would we were all of one mind and one mind good O there were desolation of gaolers and gallowses I speak against my present profit but my wish hath a preferment int
Exit
SCENE V Britain Cymbelines tent
Enter Cymbeline Belarius Guiderius Arviragus Pisanio Lords Officers and Attendants
CYMBELINE
Stand by my side you whom the gods have made
Preservers of my throne Woe is my heart
That the poor soldier that so richly fought
Whose rags shamd gilded arms whose naked breast
Steppd before targes of proof cannot be found
He shall be happy that can find him if
Our grace can make him so
BELARIUS
I never saw
Such noble fury in so poor a thing
Such precious deeds in one that promisd nought
But beggary and poor looks
CYMBELINE
No tidings of him
PISANIO
He hath been searchd among the dead and living
But no trace of him
CYMBELINE
To my grief I am
The heir of his reward To Belarius Guiderius and Arviragus which I will add
To you the liver heart and brain of Britain
By whom I grant she lives Tis now the time
To ask of whence you are Report it
BELARIUS
Sir
In Cambria are we born and gentlemen
Further to boast were neither true nor modest
Unless I add we are honest
CYMBELINE
Bow your knees
Arise my knights o th battle I create you
Companions to our person and will fit you
With dignities becoming your estates
Enter Cornelius and Ladies
Theres business in these faces Why so sadly
Greet you our victory You look like Romans
And not o th court of Britain
CORNELIUS
Hail great King
To sour your happiness I must report
The Queen is dead
CYMBELINE
Who worse than a physician
Would this report become But I consider
By medcine life may be prolongd yet death
Will seize the doctor too How ended she
CORNELIUS
With horror madly dying like her life
Which being cruel to the world concluded
Most cruel to herself What she confessd
I will report so please you these her women
Can trip me if I err who with wet cheeks
Were present when she finishd
CYMBELINE
Prithee say
CORNELIUS
First she confessd she never lovd you only
Affected greatness got by you not you
Married your royalty was wife to your place
Abhorrd your person
CYMBELINE
She alone knew this
And but she spoke it dying I would not
Believe her lips in opening it Proceed
CORNELIUS
Your daughter whom she bore in hand to love
With such integrity she did confess
Was as a scorpion to her sight whose life
But that her flight prevented it she had
Taen off by poison
CYMBELINE
O most delicate fiend
Who ist can read a woman Is there more
CORNELIUS
More sir and worse She did confess she had
For you a mortal mineral which being took
Should by the minute feed on life and lingring
By inches waste you In which time she purposd
By watching weeping tendance kissing to
Oercome you with her show and in time
When she had fitted you with her craft to work
Her son into th adoption of the crown
But failing of her end by his strange absence
Grew shamelessdesperate opend in despite
Of heaven and men her purposes repented
The evils she hatchd were not effected so
Despairing died
CYMBELINE
Heard you all this her women
LADIES
We did so please your Highness
CYMBELINE
Mine eyes
Were not in fault for she was beautiful
Mine ears that heard her flattery nor my heart
That thought her like her seeming It had been vicious
To have mistrusted her yet O my daughter
That it was folly in me thou mayst say
And prove it in thy feeling Heaven mend all
Enter Lucius Iachimo the Soothsayer and other Roman prisoners guarded Posthumus behind and Imogen
Thou comst not Caius now for tribute that
The Britons have razd out though with the loss
Of many a bold one whose kinsmen have made suit
That their good souls may be appeasd with slaughter
Of you their captives which ourself have granted
So think of your estate
LUCIUS
Consider sir the chance of war The day
Was yours by accident had it gone with us
We should not when the blood was cool have threatend
Our prisoners with the sword But since the gods
Will have it thus that nothing but our lives
May be calld ransom let it come Sufficeth
A Roman with a Romans heart can suffer
Augustus lives to think ont and so much
For my peculiar care This one thing only
I will entreat my boy a Briton born
Let him be ransomd Never master had
A page so kind so duteous diligent
So tender over his occasions true
So feat so nurselike let his virtue join
With my request which Ill make bold your Highness
Cannot deny he hath done no Briton harm
Though he have servd a Roman Save him sir
And spare no blood beside
CYMBELINE
I have surely seen him
His favour is familiar to me Boy
Thou hast lookd thyself into my grace
And art mine own I know not why wherefore
To say Live boy Neer thank thy master Live
And ask of Cymbeline what boon thou wilt
Fitting my bounty and thy state Ill give it
Yea though thou do demand a prisoner
The noblest taen
IMOGEN
I humbly thank your Highness
LUCIUS
I do not bid thee beg my life good lad
And yet I know thou wilt
IMOGEN
No no Alack
Theres other work in hand I see a thing
Bitter to me as death your life good master
Must shuffle for itself
LUCIUS
The boy disdains me
He leaves me scorns me Briefly die their joys
That place them on the truth of girls and boys
Why stands he so perplexd
CYMBELINE
What wouldst thou boy
I love thee more and more think more and more
Whats best to ask Knowst him thou lookst on Speak
Wilt have him live Is he thy kin thy friend
IMOGEN
He is a Roman no more kin to me
Than I to your Highness who being born your vassal
Am something nearer
CYMBELINE
Wherefore eyst him so
IMOGEN
Ill tell you sir in private if you please
To give me hearing
CYMBELINE
Ay with all my heart
And lend my best attention Whats thy name
IMOGEN
Fidele sir
CYMBELINE
Thourt my good youth my page
Ill be thy master Walk with me speak freely
Cymbeline and Imogen converse apart
BELARIUS
Is not this boy revivd from death
ARVIRAGUS
One sand another
Not more resembles that sweet rosy lad
Who died and was Fidele What think you
GUIDERIUS
The same dead thing alive
BELARIUS
Peace peace see further He eyes us not forbear
Creatures may be alike weret he I am sure
He would have spoke to us
GUIDERIUS
But we see him dead
BELARIUS
Be silent lets see further
PISANIO
Aside It is my mistress
Since she is living let the time run on
To good or bad
Cymbeline and Imogen advance
CYMBELINE
Come stand thou by our side
Make thy demand aloud To Iachimo Sir step you forth
Give answer to this boy and do it freely
Or by our greatness and the grace of it
Which is our honour bitter torture shall
Winnow the truth from falsehood On speak to him
IMOGEN
My boon is that this gentleman may render
Of whom he had this ring
POSTHUMUS
Aside Whats that to him
CYMBELINE
That diamond upon your finger say
How came it yours
IACHIMO
Thoult torture me to leave unspoken that
Which to be spoke would torture thee
CYMBELINE
How me
IACHIMO
I am glad to be constraind to utter that
Which torments me to conceal By villainy
I got this ring twas Leonatus jewel
Whom thou didst banish andwhich more may grieve thee
As it doth mea nobler sir neer livd
Twixt sky and ground Wilt thou hear more my lord
CYMBELINE
All that belongs to this
IACHIMO
That paragon thy daughter
For whom my heart drops blood and my false spirits
Quail to rememberGive me leave I faint
CYMBELINE
My daughter What of her Renew thy strength
I had rather thou shouldst live while nature will
Than die ere I hear more Strive man and speak
IACHIMO
Upon a time unhappy was the clock
That struck the hour was in Rome accursd
The mansion where twas at a feast O would
Our viands had been poisond or at least
Those which I heavd to head the good Posthumus
What should I say he was too good to be
Where ill men were and was the best of all
Amongst the rarst of good ones sitting sadly
Hearing us praise our loves of Italy
For beauty that made barren the swelld boast
Of him that best could speak for feature laming
The shrine of Venus or straightpight Minerva
Postures beyond brief nature for condition
A shop of all the qualities that man
Loves woman for besides that hook of wiving
Fairness which strikes the eye
CYMBELINE
I stand on fire
Come to the matter
IACHIMO
All too soon I shall
Unless thou wouldst grieve quickly This Posthumus
Most like a noble lord in love and one
That had a royal lover took his hint
And not dispraising whom we praisd therein
He was as calm as virtue he began
His mistress picture which by his tongue being made
And then a mind put int either our brags
Were crackd of kitchen trulls or his description
Provd us unspeaking sots
CYMBELINE
Nay nay to th purpose
IACHIMO
Your daughters chastity there it begins
He spake of her as Dian had hot dreams
And she alone were cold whereat I wretch
Made scruple of his praise and wagerd with him
Pieces of gold gainst this which then he wore
Upon his honourd finger to attain
In suit the place ofs bed and win this ring
By hers and mine adultery He true knight
No lesser of her honour confident
Than I did truly find her stakes this ring
And would so had it been a carbuncle
Of Phoebus wheel and might so safely had it
Been all the worth ofs car Away to Britain
Post I in this design Well may you sir
Remember me at court where I was taught
Of your chaste daughter the wide difference
Twixt amorous and villainous Being thus quenchd
Of hope not longing mine Italian brain
Gan in your duller Britain operate
Most vilely for my vantage excellent
And to be brief my practice so prevaild
That I returnd with simular proof enough
To make the noble Leonatus mad
By wounding his belief in her renown
With tokens thus and thus averring notes
Of chamberhanging pictures this her bracelet
O cunning how I got it nay some marks
Of secret on her person that he could not
But think her bond of chastity quite crackd
I having taen the forfeit Whereupon
Methinks I see him now
POSTHUMUS
Coming forward Ay so thou dost
Italian fiend Ay me most credulous fool
Egregious murderer thief anything
Thats due to all the villains past in being
To come O give me cord or knife or poison
Some upright justicer Thou King send out
For torturers ingenious It is I
That all th abhorred things o th earth amend
By being worse than they I am Posthumus
That killd thy daughter villainlike I lie
That causd a lesser villain than myself
A sacrilegious thief to dot The temple
Of virtue was she yea and she herself
Spit and throw stones cast mire upon me set
The dogs o th street to bay me Every villain
Be calld Posthumus Leonatus and
Be villainy less than twas O Imogen
My queen my life my wife O Imogen
Imogen Imogen
IMOGEN
Peace my lord Hear hear
POSTHUMUS
Shalls have a play of this Thou scornful page
There lies thy part
Strikes her She falls
PISANIO
O gentlemen help
Mine and your mistress O my lord Posthumus
You neer killd Imogen till now Help help
Mine honourd lady
CYMBELINE
Does the world go round
POSTHUMUS
How comes these staggers on me
PISANIO
Wake my mistress
CYMBELINE
If this be so the gods do mean to strike me
To death with mortal joy
PISANIO
How fares my mistress
IMOGEN
O get thee from my sight
Thou gavst me poison Dangerous fellow hence
Breathe not where princes are
CYMBELINE
The tune of Imogen
PISANIO
Lady
The gods throw stones of sulphur on me if
That box I gave you was not thought by me
A precious thing I had it from the Queen
CYMBELINE
New matter still
IMOGEN
It poisond me
CORNELIUS
O gods
I left out one thing which the Queen confessd
Which must approve thee honest If Pisanio
Have said she given his mistress that confection
Which I gave him for cordial she is servd
As I would serve a rat
CYMBELINE
Whats this Cornelius
CORNELIUS
The Queen sir very oft importund me
To temper poisons for her still pretending
The satisfaction of her knowledge only
In killing creatures vile as cats and dogs
Of no esteem I dreading that her purpose
Was of more danger did compound for her
A certain stuff which being taen would cease
The present powr of life but in short time
All offices of nature should again
Do their due functions Have you taen of it
IMOGEN
Most like I did for I was dead
BELARIUS
My boys
There was our error
GUIDERIUS
This is sure Fidele
IMOGEN
Why did you throw your wedded lady from you
Think that you are upon a rock and now
Throw me again
Embracing him
POSTHUMUS
Hang there like fruit my soul
Till the tree die
CYMBELINE
How now my flesh my child
What makst thou me a dullard in this act
Wilt thou not speak to me
IMOGEN
Kneeling Your blessing sir
BELARIUS
To Guiderius and Arviragus Though you did love this youth I blame ye not
You had a motive fort
CYMBELINE
My tears that fall
Prove holy water on thee Imogen
Thy mothers dead
IMOGEN
I am sorry fort my lord
CYMBELINE
O she was naught and long of her it was
That we meet here so strangely but her son
Is gone we know not how nor where
PISANIO
My lord
Now fear is from me Ill speak troth Lord Cloten
Upon my ladys missing came to me
With his sword drawn foamd at the mouth and swore
If I discoverd not which way she was gone
It was my instant death By accident
I had a feigned letter of my masters
Then in my pocket which directed him
To seek her on the mountains near to Milford
Where in a frenzy in my masters garments
Which he enforcd from me away he posts
With unchaste purpose and with oath to violate
My ladys honour What became of him
I further know not
GUIDERIUS
Let me end the story
I slew him there
CYMBELINE
Marry the gods forfend
I would not thy good deeds should from my lips
Pluck a hard sentence Prithee valiant youth
Denyt again
GUIDERIUS
I have spoke it and I did it
CYMBELINE
He was a prince
GUIDERIUS
A most incivil one The wrongs he did me
Were nothing princelike for he did provoke me
With language that would make me spurn the sea
If it could so roar to me I cut offs head
And am right glad he is not standing here
To tell this tale of mine
CYMBELINE
I am sorry for thee
By thine own tongue thou art condemnd and must
Endure our law Thourt dead
IMOGEN
That headless man
I thought had been my lord
CYMBELINE
Bind the offender
And take him from our presence
BELARIUS
Stay sir King
This man is better than the man he slew
As well descended as thyself and hath
More of thee merited than a band of Clotens
Had ever scar for To the guard Let his arms alone
They were not born for bondage
CYMBELINE
Why old soldier
Wilt thou undo the worth thou art unpaid for
By tasting of our wrath How of descent
As good as we
ARVIRAGUS
In that he spake too far
CYMBELINE
And thou shalt die fort
BELARIUS
We will die all three
But I will prove that two ons are as good
As I have given out him My sons I must
For mine own part unfold a dangerous speech
Though haply well for you
ARVIRAGUS
Your dangers ours
GUIDERIUS
And our good his
BELARIUS
Have at it then by leave
Thou hadst great King a subject who
Was calld Belarius
CYMBELINE
What of him He is
A banishd traitor
BELARIUS
He it is that hath
Assumd this age indeed a banishd man
I know not how a traitor
CYMBELINE
Take him hence
The whole world shall not save him
BELARIUS
Not too hot
First pay me for the nursing of thy sons
And let it be confiscate all so soon
As I have receivd it
CYMBELINE
Nursing of my sons
BELARIUS
I am too blunt and saucy heres my knee
Ere I arise I will prefer my sons
Then spare not the old father Mighty sir
These two young gentlemen that call me father
And think they are my sons are none of mine
They are the issue of your loins my liege
And blood of your begetting
CYMBELINE
How my issue
BELARIUS
So sure as you your fathers I old Morgan
Am that Belarius whom you sometime banishd
Your pleasure was my mere offence my punishment
Itself and all my treason that I sufferd
Was all the harm I did These gentle princes
For such and so they are these twenty years
Have I traind up those arts they have as I
Could put into them My breeding was sir as
Your Highness knows Their nurse Euriphile
Whom for the theft I wedded stole these children
Upon my banishment I movd her tot
Having receivd the punishment before
For that which I did then Beaten for loyalty
Excited me to treason Their dear loss
The more of you twas felt the more it shapd
Unto my end of stealing them But gracious sir
Here are your sons again and I must lose
Two of the sweetst companions in the world
The benediction of these covering heavens
Fall on their heads like dew for they are worthy
To inlay heaven with stars
CYMBELINE
Thou weepst and speakst
The service that you three have done is more
Unlike than this thou tellst I lost my children
If these be they I know not how to wish
A pair of worthier sons
BELARIUS
Be pleasd awhile
This gentleman whom I call Polydore
Most worthy prince as yours is true Guiderius
This gentleman my Cadwal Arviragus
Your younger princely son he sir was lappd
In a most curious mantle wrought by th hand
Of his queen mother which for more probation
I can with ease produce
CYMBELINE
Guiderius had
Upon his neck a mole a sanguine star
It was a mark of wonder
BELARIUS
This is he
Who hath upon him still that natural stamp
It was wise natures end in the donation
To be his evidence now
CYMBELINE
O what am I
A mother to the birth of three Neer mother
Rejoicd deliverance more Blest pray you be
That after this strange starting from your orbs
You may reign in them now O Imogen
Thou hast lost by this a kingdom
IMOGEN
No my lord
I have got two worlds byt O my gentle brothers
Have we thus met O never say hereafter
But I am truest speaker You calld me brother
When I was but your sister I you brothers
When we were so indeed
CYMBELINE
Did you eer meet
ARVIRAGUS
Ay my good lord
GUIDERIUS
And at first meeting lovd
Continud so until we thought he died
CORNELIUS
By the Queens dram she swallowd
CYMBELINE
O rare instinct
When shall I hear all through This fierce abridgement
Hath to it circumstantial branches which
Distinction should be rich in Where how livd you
And when came you to serve our Roman captive
How parted with your brothers how first met them
Why fled you from the court and whither These
And your three motives to the battle with
I know not how much more should be demanded
And all the other bydependances
From chance to chance but nor the time nor place
Will serve our long interrogatories See
Posthumus anchors upon Imogen
And she like harmless lightning throws her eye
On him her brothers me her master hitting
Each object with a joy the counterchange
Is severally in all Lets quit this ground
And smoke the temple with our sacrifices
To Belarius Thou art my brother so well hold thee ever
IMOGEN
You are my father too and did relieve me
To see this gracious season
CYMBELINE
All oerjoyd
Save these in bonds Let them be joyful too
For they shall taste our comfort
IMOGEN
My good master
I will yet do you service
LUCIUS
Happy be you
CYMBELINE
The forlorn soldier that so nobly fought
He would have well becomd this place and gracd
The thankings of a king
POSTHUMUS
I am sir
The soldier that did company these three
In poor beseeming twas a fitment for
The purpose I then followd That I was he
Speak Iachimo I had you down and might
Have made you finish
IACHIMO
Kneeling I am down again
But now my heavy conscience sinks my knee
As then your force did Take that life beseech you
Which I so often owe but your ring first
And here the bracelet of the truest princess
That ever swore her faith
POSTHUMUS
Kneel not to me
The powr that I have on you is to spare you
The malice towards you to forgive you Live
And deal with others better
CYMBELINE
Nobly doomd
Well learn our freeness of a soninlaw
Pardons the word to all
ARVIRAGUS
You holp us sir
As you did mean indeed to be our brother
Joyd are we that you are
POSTHUMUS
Your servant Princes Good my lord of Rome
Call forth your soothsayer As I slept methought
Great Jupiter upon his eagle backd
Appeard to me with other spritely shows
Of mine own kindred When I wakd I found
This label on my bosom whose containing
Is so from sense in hardness that I can
Make no collection of it Let him show
His skill in the construction
LUCIUS
Philarmonus
SOOTHSAYER
Here my good lord
LUCIUS
Read and declare the meaning
SOOTHSAYER
Reads When as a lions whelp shall to himself unknown without seeking find and be embracd by a piece of tender air and when from a stately cedar shall be loppd branches which being dead many years shall after revive be jointed to the old stock and freshly grow then shall Posthumus end his miseries Britain be fortunate and flourish in peace and plenty
Thou Leonatus art the lions whelp
The fit and apt construction of thy name
Being Leonatus doth import so much
To Cymbeline The piece of tender air thy virtuous daughter
Which we call mollis aer and mollis aer
We term it mulier which mulier I divine
Is this most constant wife who even now
Answering the letter of the oracle
Unknown to you unsought were clippd about
With this most tender air
CYMBELINE
This hath some seeming
SOOTHSAYER
The lofty cedar royal Cymbeline
Personates thee and thy loppd branches point
Thy two sons forth who by Belarius stoln
For many years thought dead are now revivd
To the majestic cedar joind whose issue
Promises Britain peace and plenty
CYMBELINE
Well
My peace we will begin And Caius Lucius
Although the victor we submit to Csar
And to the Roman empire promising
To pay our wonted tribute from the which
We were dissuaded by our wicked queen
Whom heavens in justice both on her and hers
Have laid most heavy hand
SOOTHSAYER
The fingers of the powrs above do tune
The harmony of this peace The vision
Which I made known to Lucius ere the stroke
Of yet this scarcecold battle at this instant
Is full accomplishd for the Roman eagle
From south to west on wing soaring aloft
Lessend herself and in the beams o th sun
So vanishd which foreshowd our princely eagle
Th imperial Csar should again unite
His favour with the radiant Cymbeline
Which shines here in the west
CYMBELINE
Laud we the gods
And let our crooked smokes climb to their nostrils
From our blessd altars Publish we this peace
To all our subjects Set we forward let
A Roman and a British ensign wave
Friendly together So through Luds Town march
And in the temple of great Jupiter
Our peace well ratify seal it with feasts
Set on there Never was a war did cease
Ere bloody hands were washd with such a peace
Exeunt
THE TRAGEDY OF HAMLET PRINCE OF DENMARK
Contents
ACT I
Scene I Elsinore A platform before the Castle
Scene II Elsinore A room of state in the Castle
Scene III A room in Poloniuss house
Scene IV The platform
Scene V A more remote part of the Castle
ACT II
Scene I A room in Poloniuss house
Scene II A room in the Castle
ACT III
Scene I A room in the Castle
Scene II A hall in the Castle
Scene III A room in the Castle
Scene IV Another room in the Castle
ACT IV
Scene I A room in the Castle
Scene II Another room in the Castle
Scene III Another room in the Castle
Scene IV A plain in Denmark
Scene V Elsinore A room in the Castle
Scene VI Another room in the Castle
Scene VII Another room in the Castle
ACT V
Scene I A churchyard
Scene II A hall in the Castle
Dramatis Person
HAMLET Prince of Denmark
CLAUDIUS King of Denmark Hamlets uncle
The GHOST of the late king Hamlets father
GERTRUDE the Queen Hamlets mother now wife of Claudius
POLONIUS Lord Chamberlain
LAERTES Son to Polonius
OPHELIA Daughter to Polonius
HORATIO Friend to Hamlet
FORTINBRAS Prince of Norway
VOLTEMAND Courtier
CORNELIUS Courtier
ROSENCRANTZ Courtier
GUILDENSTERN Courtier
MARCELLUS Officer
BARNARDO Officer
FRANCISCO a Soldier
OSRIC Courtier
REYNALDO Servant to Polonius
Players
A Gentleman Courtier
A Priest
Two Clowns Gravediggers
A Captain
English Ambassadors
Lords Ladies Officers Soldiers Sailors Messengers and Attendants
SCENE Elsinore
ACT I
SCENE I Elsinore A platform before the Castle
Enter Francisco and Barnardo two sentinels
BARNARDO
Whos there
FRANCISCO
Nay answer me Stand and unfold yourself
BARNARDO
Long live the King
FRANCISCO
Barnardo
BARNARDO
He
FRANCISCO
You come most carefully upon your hour
BARNARDO
Tis now struck twelve Get thee to bed Francisco
FRANCISCO
For this relief much thanks Tis bitter cold
And I am sick at heart
BARNARDO
Have you had quiet guard
FRANCISCO
Not a mouse stirring
BARNARDO
Well good night
If you do meet Horatio and Marcellus
The rivals of my watch bid them make haste
Enter Horatio and Marcellus
FRANCISCO
I think I hear them Stand ho Who is there
HORATIO
Friends to this ground
MARCELLUS
And liegemen to the Dane
FRANCISCO
Give you good night
MARCELLUS
O farewell honest soldier who hath relievd you
FRANCISCO
Barnardo has my place Give you goodnight
Exit
MARCELLUS
Holla Barnardo
BARNARDO
Say what is Horatio there
HORATIO
A piece of him
BARNARDO
Welcome Horatio Welcome good Marcellus
MARCELLUS
What has this thing appeard again tonight
BARNARDO
I have seen nothing
MARCELLUS
Horatio says tis but our fantasy
And will not let belief take hold of him
Touching this dreaded sight twice seen of us
Therefore I have entreated him along
With us to watch the minutes of this night
That if again this apparition come
He may approve our eyes and speak to it
HORATIO
Tush tush twill not appear
BARNARDO
Sit down awhile
And let us once again assail your ears
That are so fortified against our story
What we two nights have seen
HORATIO
Well sit we down
And let us hear Barnardo speak of this
BARNARDO
Last night of all
When yond same star thats westward from the pole
Had made his course tillume that part of heaven
Where now it burns Marcellus and myself
The bell then beating one
MARCELLUS
Peace break thee off Look where it comes again
Enter Ghost
BARNARDO
In the same figure like the King thats dead
MARCELLUS
Thou art a scholar speak to it Horatio
BARNARDO
Looks it not like the King Mark it Horatio
HORATIO
Most like It harrows me with fear and wonder
BARNARDO
It would be spoke to
MARCELLUS
Question it Horatio
HORATIO
What art thou that usurpst this time of night
Together with that fair and warlike form
In which the majesty of buried Denmark
Did sometimes march By heaven I charge thee speak
MARCELLUS
It is offended
BARNARDO
See it stalks away
HORATIO
Stay speak speak I charge thee speak
Exit Ghost
MARCELLUS
Tis gone and will not answer
BARNARDO
How now Horatio You tremble and look pale
Is not this something more than fantasy
What think you ont
HORATIO
Before my God I might not this believe
Without the sensible and true avouch
Of mine own eyes
MARCELLUS
Is it not like the King
HORATIO
As thou art to thyself
Such was the very armour he had on
When he thambitious Norway combated
So frownd he once when in an angry parle
He smote the sledded Polacks on the ice
Tis strange
MARCELLUS
Thus twice before and jump at this dead hour
With martial stalk hath he gone by our watch
HORATIO
In what particular thought to work I know not
But in the gross and scope of my opinion
This bodes some strange eruption to our state
MARCELLUS
Good now sit down and tell me he that knows
Why this same strict and most observant watch
So nightly toils the subject of the land
And why such daily cast of brazen cannon
And foreign mart for implements of war
Why such impress of shipwrights whose sore task
Does not divide the Sunday from the week
What might be toward that this sweaty haste
Doth make the night jointlabourer with the day
Who ist that can inform me
HORATIO
That can I
At least the whisper goes so Our last King
Whose image even but now appeard to us
Was as you know by Fortinbras of Norway
Thereto prickd on by a most emulate pride
Dard to the combat in which our valiant Hamlet
For so this side of our known world esteemd him
Did slay this Fortinbras who by a seald compact
Well ratified by law and heraldry
Did forfeit with his life all those his lands
Which he stood seizd of to the conqueror
Against the which a moiety competent
Was gaged by our King which had returnd
To the inheritance of Fortinbras
Had he been vanquisher as by the same covnant
And carriage of the article designd
His fell to Hamlet Now sir young Fortinbras
Of unimproved mettle hot and full
Hath in the skirts of Norway here and there
Sharkd up a list of lawless resolutes
For food and diet to some enterprise
That hath a stomach int which is no other
As it doth well appear unto our state
But to recover of us by strong hand
And terms compulsatory those foresaid lands
So by his father lost And this I take it
Is the main motive of our preparations
The source of this our watch and the chief head
Of this posthaste and rummage in the land
BARNARDO
I think it be no other but een so
Well may it sort that this portentous figure
Comes armed through our watch so like the King
That was and is the question of these wars
HORATIO
A mote it is to trouble the minds eye
In the most high and palmy state of Rome
A little ere the mightiest Julius fell
The graves stood tenantless and the sheeted dead
Did squeak and gibber in the Roman streets
As stars with trains of fire and dews of blood
Disasters in the sun and the moist star
Upon whose influence Neptunes empire stands
Was sick almost to doomsday with eclipse
And even the like precurse of fierce events
As harbingers preceding still the fates
And prologue to the omen coming on
Have heaven and earth together demonstrated
Unto our climatures and countrymen
Reenter Ghost
But soft behold Lo where it comes again
Ill cross it though it blast me Stay illusion
If thou hast any sound or use of voice
Speak to me
If there be any good thing to be done
That may to thee do ease and grace to me
Speak to me
If thou art privy to thy countrys fate
Which happily foreknowing may avoid
O speak
Or if thou hast uphoarded in thy life
Extorted treasure in the womb of earth
For which they say you spirits oft walk in death
Speak of it Stay and speak
The cock crows
Stop it Marcellus
MARCELLUS
Shall I strike at it with my partisan
HORATIO
Do if it will not stand
BARNARDO
Tis here
HORATIO
Tis here
Exit Ghost
MARCELLUS
Tis gone
We do it wrong being so majestical
To offer it the show of violence
For it is as the air invulnerable
And our vain blows malicious mockery
BARNARDO
It was about to speak when the cock crew
HORATIO
And then it started like a guilty thing
Upon a fearful summons I have heard
The cock that is the trumpet to the morn
Doth with his lofty and shrillsounding throat
Awake the god of day and at his warning
Whether in sea or fire in earth or air
Thextravagant and erring spirit hies
To his confine And of the truth herein
This present object made probation
MARCELLUS
It faded on the crowing of the cock
Some say that ever gainst that season comes
Wherein our Saviours birth is celebrated
The bird of dawning singeth all night long
And then they say no spirit dare stir abroad
The nights are wholesome then no planets strike
No fairy takes nor witch hath power to charm
So hallowd and so gracious is the time
HORATIO
So have I heard and do in part believe it
But look the morn in russet mantle clad
Walks oer the dew of yon high eastward hill
Break we our watch up and by my advice
Let us impart what we have seen tonight
Unto young Hamlet for upon my life
This spirit dumb to us will speak to him
Do you consent we shall acquaint him with it
As needful in our loves fitting our duty
MARCELLUS
Lets dot I pray and I this morning know
Where we shall find him most conveniently
Exeunt
SCENE II Elsinore A room of state in the Castle
Enter Claudius King of Denmark Gertrude the Queen Hamlet Polonius Laertes Voltemand
Cornelius Lords and Attendant
KING
Though yet of Hamlet our dear brothers death
The memory be green and that it us befitted
To bear our hearts in grief and our whole kingdom
To be contracted in one brow of woe
Yet so far hath discretion fought with nature
That we with wisest sorrow think on him
Together with remembrance of ourselves
Therefore our sometime sister now our queen
Thimperial jointress to this warlike state
Have we as twere with a defeated joy
With one auspicious and one dropping eye
With mirth in funeral and with dirge in marriage
In equal scale weighing delight and dole
Taken to wife nor have we herein barrd
Your better wisdoms which have freely gone
With this affair along For all our thanks
Now follows that you know young Fortinbras
Holding a weak supposal of our worth
Or thinking by our late dear brothers death
Our state to be disjoint and out of frame
Colleagued with this dream of his advantage
He hath not faild to pester us with message
Importing the surrender of those lands
Lost by his father with all bonds of law
To our most valiant brother So much for him
Now for ourself and for this time of meeting
Thus much the business is we have here writ
To Norway uncle of young Fortinbras
Who impotent and bedrid scarcely hears
Of this his nephews purpose to suppress
His further gait herein in that the levies
The lists and full proportions are all made
Out of his subject and we here dispatch
You good Cornelius and you Voltemand
For bearers of this greeting to old Norway
Giving to you no further personal power
To business with the King more than the scope
Of these dilated articles allow
Farewell and let your haste commend your duty
CORNELIUS and VOLTEMAND
In that and all things will we show our duty
KING
We doubt it nothing heartily farewell
Exeunt Voltemand and Cornelius
And now Laertes whats the news with you
You told us of some suit What ist Laertes
You cannot speak of reason to the Dane
And lose your voice What wouldst thou beg Laertes
That shall not be my offer not thy asking
The head is not more native to the heart
The hand more instrumental to the mouth
Than is the throne of Denmark to thy father
What wouldst thou have Laertes
LAERTES
Dread my lord
Your leave and favour to return to France
From whence though willingly I came to Denmark
To show my duty in your coronation
Yet now I must confess that duty done
My thoughts and wishes bend again toward France
And bow them to your gracious leave and pardon
KING
Have you your fathers leave What says Polonius
POLONIUS
He hath my lord wrung from me my slow leave
By laboursome petition and at last
Upon his will I seald my hard consent
I do beseech you give him leave to go
KING
Take thy fair hour Laertes time be thine
And thy best graces spend it at thy will
But now my cousin Hamlet and my son
HAMLET
Aside A little more than kin and less than kind
KING
How is it that the clouds still hang on you
HAMLET
Not so my lord I am too much i the sun
QUEEN
Good Hamlet cast thy nighted colour off
And let thine eye look like a friend on Denmark
Do not for ever with thy vailed lids
Seek for thy noble father in the dust
Thou knowst tis common all that lives must die
Passing through nature to eternity
HAMLET
Ay madam it is common
QUEEN
If it be
Why seems it so particular with thee
HAMLET
Seems madam Nay it is I know not seems
Tis not alone my inky cloak good mother
Nor customary suits of solemn black
Nor windy suspiration of forcd breath
No nor the fruitful river in the eye
Nor the dejected haviour of the visage
Together with all forms moods shows of grief
That can denote me truly These indeed seem
For they are actions that a man might play
But I have that within which passeth show
These but the trappings and the suits of woe
KING
Tis sweet and commendable in your nature Hamlet
To give these mourning duties to your father
But you must know your father lost a father
That father lost lost his and the survivor bound
In filial obligation for some term
To do obsequious sorrow But to persevere
In obstinate condolement is a course
Of impious stubbornness Tis unmanly grief
It shows a will most incorrect to heaven
A heart unfortified a mind impatient
An understanding simple and unschoold
For what we know must be and is as common
As any the most vulgar thing to sense
Why should we in our peevish opposition
Take it to heart Fie tis a fault to heaven
A fault against the dead a fault to nature
To reason most absurd whose common theme
Is death of fathers and who still hath cried
From the first corse till he that died today
This must be so We pray you throw to earth
This unprevailing woe and think of us
As of a father for let the world take note
You are the most immediate to our throne
And with no less nobility of love
Than that which dearest father bears his son
Do I impart toward you For your intent
In going back to school in Wittenberg
It is most retrograde to our desire
And we beseech you bend you to remain
Here in the cheer and comfort of our eye
Our chiefest courtier cousin and our son
QUEEN
Let not thy mother lose her prayers Hamlet
I pray thee stay with us go not to Wittenberg
HAMLET
I shall in all my best obey you madam
KING
Why tis a loving and a fair reply
Be as ourself in Denmark Madam come
This gentle and unforcd accord of Hamlet
Sits smiling to my heart in grace whereof
No jocund health that Denmark drinks today
But the great cannon to the clouds shall tell
And the Kings rouse the heaven shall bruit again
Respeaking earthly thunder Come away
Exeunt all but Hamlet
HAMLET
O that this too too solid flesh would melt
Thaw and resolve itself into a dew
Or that the Everlasting had not fixd
His canon gainst selfslaughter O God O God
How weary stale flat and unprofitable
Seem to me all the uses of this world
Fie ont Oh fie tis an unweeded garden
That grows to seed things rank and gross in nature
Possess it merely That it should come to this
But two months deadnay not so much not two
So excellent a king that was to this
Hyperion to a satyr so loving to my mother
That he might not beteem the winds of heaven
Visit her face too roughly Heaven and earth
Must I remember Why she would hang on him
As if increase of appetite had grown
By what it fed on and yet within a month
Let me not think ontFrailty thy name is woman
A little month or ere those shoes were old
With which she followed my poor fathers body
Like Niobe all tearsWhy she even she
O God A beast that wants discourse of reason
Would have mournd longermarried with mine uncle
My fathers brother but no more like my father
Than I to Hercules Within a month
Ere yet the salt of most unrighteous tears
Had left the flushing in her galled eyes
She married O most wicked speed to post
With such dexterity to incestuous sheets
It is not nor it cannot come to good
But break my heart for I must hold my tongue
Enter Horatio Marcellus and Barnardo
HORATIO
Hail to your lordship
HAMLET
I am glad to see you well
Horatio or I do forget myself
HORATIO
The same my lord
And your poor servant ever
HAMLET
Sir my good friend
Ill change that name with you
And what make you from Wittenberg Horatio
Marcellus
MARCELLUS
My good lord
HAMLET
I am very glad to see youGood even sir
But what in faith make you from Wittenberg
HORATIO
A truant disposition good my lord
HAMLET
I would not hear your enemy say so
Nor shall you do my ear that violence
To make it truster of your own report
Against yourself I know you are no truant
But what is your affair in Elsinore
Well teach you to drink deep ere you depart
HORATIO
My lord I came to see your fathers funeral
HAMLET
I prithee do not mock me fellowstudent
I think it was to see my mothers wedding
HORATIO
Indeed my lord it followd hard upon
HAMLET
Thrift thrift Horatio The funeral bakd meats
Did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables
Would I had met my dearest foe in heaven
Or ever I had seen that day Horatio
My fathermethinks I see my father
HORATIO
Where my lord
HAMLET
In my minds eye Horatio
HORATIO
I saw him once he was a goodly king
HAMLET
He was a man take him for all in all
I shall not look upon his like again
HORATIO
My lord I think I saw him yesternight
HAMLET
Saw Who
HORATIO
My lord the King your father
HAMLET
The King my father
HORATIO
Season your admiration for a while
With an attent ear till I may deliver
Upon the witness of these gentlemen
This marvel to you
HAMLET
For Gods love let me hear
HORATIO
Two nights together had these gentlemen
Marcellus and Barnardo on their watch
In the dead waste and middle of the night
Been thus encounterd A figure like your father
Armed at point exactly cappie
Appears before them and with solemn march
Goes slow and stately by them thrice he walkd
By their oppressd and fearsurprised eyes
Within his truncheons length whilst they distilld
Almost to jelly with the act of fear
Stand dumb and speak not to him This to me
In dreadful secrecy impart they did
And I with them the third night kept the watch
Where as they had deliverd both in time
Form of the thing each word made true and good
The apparition comes I knew your father
These hands are not more like
HAMLET
But where was this
MARCELLUS
My lord upon the platform where we watch
HAMLET
Did you not speak to it
HORATIO
My lord I did
But answer made it none yet once methought
It lifted up it head and did address
Itself to motion like as it would speak
But even then the morning cock crew loud
And at the sound it shrunk in haste away
And vanishd from our sight
HAMLET
Tis very strange
HORATIO
As I do live my honourd lord tis true
And we did think it writ down in our duty
To let you know of it
HAMLET
Indeed indeed sirs but this troubles me
Hold you the watch tonight
MARCELLUS and BARNARDO
We do my lord
HAMLET
Armd say you
Both
Armd my lord
HAMLET
From top to toe
BOTH
My lord from head to foot
HAMLET
Then saw you not his face
HORATIO
O yes my lord he wore his beaver up
HAMLET
What lookd he frowningly
HORATIO
A countenance more in sorrow than in anger
HAMLET
Pale or red
HORATIO
Nay very pale
HAMLET
And fixd his eyes upon you
HORATIO
Most constantly
HAMLET
I would I had been there
HORATIO
It would have much amazd you
HAMLET
Very like very like Stayd it long
HORATIO
While one with moderate haste might tell a hundred
MARCELLUS and BARNARDO
Longer longer
HORATIO
Not when I sawt
HAMLET
His beard was grizzled no
HORATIO
It was as I have seen it in his life
A sable silverd
HAMLET
I will watch tonight
Perchance twill walk again
HORATIO
I warrant you it will
HAMLET
If it assume my noble fathers person
Ill speak to it though hell itself should gape
And bid me hold my peace I pray you all
If you have hitherto conceald this sight
Let it be tenable in your silence still
And whatsoever else shall hap tonight
Give it an understanding but no tongue
I will requite your loves So fare ye well
Upon the platform twixt eleven and twelve
Ill visit you
ALL
Our duty to your honour
HAMLET
Your loves as mine to you farewell
Exeunt Horatio Marcellus and Barnardo
My fathers spirit in arms All is not well
I doubt some foul play would the night were come
Till then sit still my soul foul deeds will rise
Though all the earth oerwhelm them to mens eyes
Exit
SCENE III A room in Poloniuss house
Enter Laertes and Ophelia
LAERTES
My necessaries are embarkd Farewell
And sister as the winds give benefit
And convoy is assistant do not sleep
But let me hear from you
OPHELIA
Do you doubt that
LAERTES
For Hamlet and the trifling of his favour
Hold it a fashion and a toy in blood
A violet in the youth of primy nature
Forward not permanent sweet not lasting
The perfume and suppliance of a minute
No more
OPHELIA
No more but so
LAERTES
Think it no more
For nature crescent does not grow alone
In thews and bulk but as this temple waxes
The inward service of the mind and soul
Grows wide withal Perhaps he loves you now
And now no soil nor cautel doth besmirch
The virtue of his will but you must fear
His greatness weighd his will is not his own
For he himself is subject to his birth
He may not as unvalud persons do
Carve for himself for on his choice depends
The sanctity and health of this whole state
And therefore must his choice be circumscribd
Unto the voice and yielding of that body
Whereof he is the head Then if he says he loves you
It fits your wisdom so far to believe it
As he in his particular act and place
May give his saying deed which is no further
Than the main voice of Denmark goes withal
Then weigh what loss your honour may sustain
If with too credent ear you list his songs
Or lose your heart or your chaste treasure open
To his unmasterd importunity
Fear it Ophelia fear it my dear sister
And keep you in the rear of your affection
Out of the shot and danger of desire
The chariest maid is prodigal enough
If she unmask her beauty to the moon
Virtue itself scapes not calumnious strokes
The canker galls the infants of the spring
Too oft before their buttons be disclosd
And in the morn and liquid dew of youth
Contagious blastments are most imminent
Be wary then best safety lies in fear
Youth to itself rebels though none else near
OPHELIA
I shall theffect of this good lesson keep
As watchman to my heart But good my brother
Do not as some ungracious pastors do
Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven
Whilst like a puffd and reckless libertine
Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads
And recks not his own rede
LAERTES
O fear me not
I stay too long But here my father comes
Enter Polonius
A double blessing is a double grace
Occasion smiles upon a second leave
POLONIUS
Yet here Laertes Aboard aboard for shame
The wind sits in the shoulder of your sail
And you are stayd for There my blessing with you
Laying his hand on Laertess head
And these few precepts in thy memory
Look thou character Give thy thoughts no tongue
Nor any unproportiond thought his act
Be thou familiar but by no means vulgar
Those friends thou hast and their adoption tried
Grapple them unto thy soul with hoops of steel
But do not dull thy palm with entertainment
Of each newhatchd unfledgd comrade Beware
Of entrance to a quarrel but being in
Beart that thopposed may beware of thee
Give every man thine ear but few thy voice
Take each mans censure but reserve thy judgement
Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy
But not expressd in fancy rich not gaudy
For the apparel oft proclaims the man
And they in France of the best rank and station
Are of a most select and generous chief in that
Neither a borrower nor a lender be
For loan oft loses both itself and friend
And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry
This above all to thine own self be true
And it must follow as the night the day
Thou canst not then be false to any man
Farewell my blessing season this in thee
LAERTES
Most humbly do I take my leave my lord
POLONIUS
The time invites you go your servants tend
LAERTES
Farewell Ophelia and remember well
What I have said to you
OPHELIA
Tis in my memory lockd
And you yourself shall keep the key of it
LAERTES
Farewell
Exit
POLONIUS
What ist Ophelia he hath said to you
OPHELIA
So please you something touching the Lord Hamlet
POLONIUS
Marry well bethought
Tis told me he hath very oft of late
Given private time to you and you yourself
Have of your audience been most free and bounteous
If it be soas so tis put on me
And that in way of cautionI must tell you
You do not understand yourself so clearly
As it behoves my daughter and your honour
What is between you Give me up the truth
OPHELIA
He hath my lord of late made many tenders
Of his affection to me
POLONIUS
Affection Pooh You speak like a green girl
Unsifted in such perilous circumstance
Do you believe his tenders as you call them
OPHELIA
I do not know my lord what I should think
POLONIUS
Marry Ill teach you think yourself a baby
That you have taen these tenders for true pay
Which are not sterling Tender yourself more dearly
Ornot to crack the wind of the poor phrase
Running it thusyoull tender me a fool
OPHELIA
My lord he hath importund me with love
In honourable fashion
POLONIUS
Ay fashion you may call it go to go to
OPHELIA
And hath given countenance to his speech my lord
With almost all the holy vows of heaven
POLONIUS
Ay springes to catch woodcocks I do know
When the blood burns how prodigal the soul
Lends the tongue vows these blazes daughter
Giving more light than heat extinct in both
Even in their promise as it is amaking
You must not take for fire From this time
Be something scanter of your maiden presence
Set your entreatments at a higher rate
Than a command to parley For Lord Hamlet
Believe so much in him that he is young
And with a larger tether may he walk
Than may be given you In few Ophelia
Do not believe his vows for they are brokers
Not of that dye which their investments show
But mere implorators of unholy suits
Breathing like sanctified and pious bawds
The better to beguile This is for all
I would not in plain terms from this time forth
Have you so slander any moment leisure
As to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet
Look tot I charge you come your ways
OPHELIA
I shall obey my lord
Exeunt
SCENE IV The platform
Enter Hamlet Horatio and Marcellus
HAMLET
The air bites shrewdly it is very cold
HORATIO
It is a nipping and an eager air
HAMLET
What hour now
HORATIO
I think it lacks of twelve
MARCELLUS
No it is struck
HORATIO
Indeed I heard it not It then draws near the season
Wherein the spirit held his wont to walk
A flourish of trumpets and ordnance shot off within
What does this mean my lord
HAMLET
The King doth wake tonight and takes his rouse
Keeps wassail and the swaggering upspring reels
And as he drains his draughts of Rhenish down
The kettledrum and trumpet thus bray out
The triumph of his pledge
HORATIO
Is it a custom
HAMLET
Ay marry ist
And to my mind though I am native here
And to the manner born it is a custom
More honourd in the breach than the observance
This heavyheaded revel east and west
Makes us traducd and taxd of other nations
They clepe us drunkards and with swinish phrase
Soil our addition and indeed it takes
From our achievements though performd at height
The pith and marrow of our attribute
So oft it chances in particular men
That for some vicious mole of nature in them
As in their birth wherein they are not guilty
Since nature cannot choose his origin
By their oergrowth of some complexion
Oft breaking down the pales and forts of reason
Or by some habit that too much oerleavens
The form of plausive mannersthat these men
Carrying I say the stamp of one defect
Being Natures livery or Fortunes star
His virtues elsebe they as pure as grace
As infinite as man may undergo
Shall in the general censure take corruption
From that particular fault The dram of evil
Doth all the noble substance of a doubt
To his own scandal
HORATIO
Look my lord it comes
Enter Ghost
HAMLET
Angels and ministers of grace defend us
Be thou a spirit of health or goblin damnd
Bring with thee airs from heaven or blasts from hell
Be thy intents wicked or charitable
Thou comst in such a questionable shape
That I will speak to thee Ill call thee Hamlet
King father royal Dane O answer me
Let me not burst in ignorance but tell
Why thy canonizd bones hearsed in death
Have burst their cerements why the sepulchre
Wherein we saw thee quietly inurnd
Hath opd his ponderous and marble jaws
To cast thee up again What may this mean
That thou dead corse again in complete steel
Revisitst thus the glimpses of the moon
Making night hideous and we fools of nature
So horridly to shake our disposition
With thoughts beyond the reaches of our souls
Say why is this Wherefore What should we do
Ghost beckons Hamlet
HORATIO
It beckons you to go away with it
As if it some impartment did desire
To you alone
MARCELLUS
Look with what courteous action
It waves you to a more removed ground
But do not go with it
HORATIO
No by no means
HAMLET
It will not speak then will I follow it
HORATIO
Do not my lord
HAMLET
Why what should be the fear
I do not set my life at a pins fee
And for my soul what can it do to that
Being a thing immortal as itself
It waves me forth again Ill follow it
HORATIO
What if it tempt you toward the flood my lord
Or to the dreadful summit of the cliff
That beetles oer his base into the sea
And there assume some other horrible form
Which might deprive your sovereignty of reason
And draw you into madness Think of it
The very place puts toys of desperation
Without more motive into every brain
That looks so many fathoms to the sea
And hears it roar beneath
HAMLET
It waves me still
Go on Ill follow thee
MARCELLUS
You shall not go my lord
HAMLET
Hold off your hands
HORATIO
Be ruld you shall not go
HAMLET
My fate cries out
And makes each petty artery in this body
As hardy as the Nemean lions nerve
Ghost beckons
Still am I calld Unhand me gentlemen
Breaking free from them
By heaven Ill make a ghost of him that lets me
I say awayGo on Ill follow thee
Exeunt Ghost and Hamlet
HORATIO
He waxes desperate with imagination
MARCELLUS
Lets follow tis not fit thus to obey him
HORATIO
Have after To what issue will this come
MARCELLUS
Something is rotten in the state of Denmark
HORATIO
Heaven will direct it
MARCELLUS
Nay lets follow him
Exeunt
SCENE V A more remote part of the Castle
Enter Ghost and Hamlet
HAMLET
Whither wilt thou lead me Speak Ill go no further
GHOST
Mark me
HAMLET
I will
GHOST
My hour is almost come
When I to sulphrous and tormenting flames
Must render up myself
HAMLET
Alas poor ghost
GHOST
Pity me not but lend thy serious hearing
To what I shall unfold
HAMLET
Speak I am bound to hear
GHOST
So art thou to revenge when thou shalt hear
HAMLET
What
GHOST
I am thy fathers spirit
Doomd for a certain term to walk the night
And for the day confind to fast in fires
Till the foul crimes done in my days of nature
Are burnt and purgd away But that I am forbid
To tell the secrets of my prisonhouse
I could a tale unfold whose lightest word
Would harrow up thy soul freeze thy young blood
Make thy two eyes like stars start from their spheres
Thy knotted and combined locks to part
And each particular hair to stand on end
Like quills upon the fretful porpentine
But this eternal blazon must not be
To ears of flesh and blood List list O list
If thou didst ever thy dear father love
HAMLET
O God
GHOST
Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder
HAMLET
Murder
GHOST
Murder most foul as in the best it is
But this most foul strange and unnatural
HAMLET
Haste me to knowt that I with wings as swift
As meditation or the thoughts of love
May sweep to my revenge
GHOST
I find thee apt
And duller shouldst thou be than the fat weed
That rots itself in ease on Lethe wharf
Wouldst thou not stir in this Now Hamlet hear
Tis given out that sleeping in my orchard
A serpent stung me so the whole ear of Denmark
Is by a forged process of my death
Rankly abusd but know thou noble youth
The serpent that did sting thy fathers life
Now wears his crown
HAMLET
O my prophetic soul
Mine uncle
GHOST
Ay that incestuous that adulterate beast
With witchcraft of his wit with traitorous gifts
O wicked wit and gifts that have the power
So to seducewon to his shameful lust
The will of my most seemingvirtuous queen
O Hamlet what a falling off was there
From me whose love was of that dignity
That it went hand in hand even with the vow
I made to her in marriage and to decline
Upon a wretch whose natural gifts were poor
To those of mine But virtue as it never will be movd
Though lewdness court it in a shape of heaven
So lust though to a radiant angel linkd
Will sate itself in a celestial bed
And prey on garbage
But soft methinks I scent the morning air
Brief let me be Sleeping within my orchard
My custom always of the afternoon
Upon my secure hour thy uncle stole
With juice of cursed hebenon in a vial
And in the porches of my ears did pour
The leperous distilment whose effect
Holds such an enmity with blood of man
That swift as quicksilver it courses through
The natural gates and alleys of the body
And with a sudden vigour it doth posset
And curd like eager droppings into milk
The thin and wholesome blood So did it mine
And a most instant tetter barkd about
Most lazarlike with vile and loathsome crust
All my smooth body
Thus was I sleeping by a brothers hand
Of life of crown of queen at once dispatchd
Cut off even in the blossoms of my sin
Unhousled disappointed unaneld
No reckoning made but sent to my account
With all my imperfections on my head
O horrible O horrible most horrible
If thou hast nature in thee bear it not
Let not the royal bed of Denmark be
A couch for luxury and damned incest
But howsoever thou pursust this act
Taint not thy mind nor let thy soul contrive
Against thy mother aught leave her to heaven
And to those thorns that in her bosom lodge
To prick and sting her Fare thee well at once
The glowworm shows the matin to be near
And gins to pale his uneffectual fire
Adieu adieu adieu Remember me
Exit
HAMLET
O all you host of heaven O earth What else
And shall I couple hell O fie Hold my heart
And you my sinews grow not instant old
But bear me stiffly up Remember thee
Ay thou poor ghost while memory holds a seat
In this distracted globe Remember thee
Yea from the table of my memory
Ill wipe away all trivial fond records
All saws of books all forms all pressures past
That youth and observation copied there
And thy commandment all alone shall live
Within the book and volume of my brain
Unmixd with baser matter Yes by heaven
O most pernicious woman
O villain villain smiling damned villain
My tables Meet it is I set it down
That one may smile and smile and be a villain
At least I am sure it may be so in Denmark
Writing
So uncle there you are Now to my word
It is Adieu adieu remember me
I have swornt
HORATIO and MARCELLUS
Within My lord my lord
MARCELLUS
Within Lord Hamlet
HORATIO
Within Heaven secure him
HAMLET
So be it
MARCELLUS
Within Illo ho ho my lord
HAMLET
Hillo ho ho boy Come bird come
Enter Horatio and Marcellus
MARCELLUS
How ist my noble lord
HORATIO
What news my lord
HAMLET
O wonderful
HORATIO
Good my lord tell it
HAMLET
No youll reveal it
HORATIO
Not I my lord by heaven
MARCELLUS
Nor I my lord
HAMLET
How say you then would heart of man once think it
But youll be secret
HORATIO and MARCELLUS
Ay by heaven my lord
HAMLET
Theres neer a villain dwelling in all Denmark
But hes an arrant knave
HORATIO
There needs no ghost my lord come from the grave
To tell us this
HAMLET
Why right you are i the right
And so without more circumstance at all
I hold it fit that we shake hands and part
You as your business and desire shall point you
For every man hath business and desire
Such as it isand for my own poor part
Look you Ill go pray
HORATIO
These are but wild and whirling words my lord
HAMLET
Im sorry they offend you heartily
Yes faith heartily
HORATIO
Theres no offence my lord
HAMLET
Yes by Saint Patrick but there is Horatio
And much offence too Touching this vision here
It is an honest ghost that let me tell you
For your desire to know what is between us
Oermastert as you may And now good friends
As you are friends scholars and soldiers
Give me one poor request
HORATIO
What ist my lord We will
HAMLET
Never make known what you have seen tonight
HORATIO and MARCELLUS
My lord we will not
HAMLET
Nay but sweart
HORATIO
In faith my lord not I
MARCELLUS
Nor I my lord in faith
HAMLET
Upon my sword
MARCELLUS
We have sworn my lord already
HAMLET
Indeed upon my sword indeed
GHOST
Cries under the stage Swear
HAMLET
Ha ha boy sayst thou so Art thou there truepenny
Come on you hear this fellow in the cellarage
Consent to swear
HORATIO
Propose the oath my lord
HAMLET
Never to speak of this that you have seen
Swear by my sword
GHOST
Beneath Swear
HAMLET
Hic et ubique Then well shift our ground
Come hither gentlemen
And lay your hands again upon my sword
Never to speak of this that you have heard
Swear by my sword
GHOST
Beneath Swear
HAMLET
Well said old mole Canst work i thearth so fast
A worthy pioner Once more remove good friends
HORATIO
O day and night but this is wondrous strange
HAMLET
And therefore as a stranger give it welcome
There are more things in heaven and earth Horatio
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy But come
Here as before never so help you mercy
How strange or odd soeer I bear myself
As I perchance hereafter shall think meet
To put an antic disposition on
That you at such times seeing me never shall
With arms encumberd thus or this headshake
Or by pronouncing of some doubtful phrase
As Well we know or We could and if we would
Or If we list to speak or There be and if they might
Or such ambiguous giving out to note
That you know aught of methis not to do
So grace and mercy at your most need help you
Swear
GHOST
Beneath Swear
HAMLET
Rest rest perturbed spirit So gentlemen
With all my love I do commend me to you
And what so poor a man as Hamlet is
May do texpress his love and friending to you
God willing shall not lack Let us go in together
And still your fingers on your lips I pray
The time is out of joint O cursed spite
That ever I was born to set it right
Nay come lets go together
Exeunt
ACT II
SCENE I A room in Poloniuss house
Enter Polonius and Reynaldo
POLONIUS
Give him this money and these notes Reynaldo
REYNALDO
I will my lord
POLONIUS
You shall do marvellous wisely good Reynaldo
Before you visit him to make inquiry
Of his behaviour
REYNALDO
My lord I did intend it
POLONIUS
Marry well said very well said Look you sir
Enquire me first what Danskers are in Paris
And how and who what means and where they keep
What company at what expense and finding
By this encompassment and drift of question
That they do know my son come you more nearer
Than your particular demands will touch it
Take you as twere some distant knowledge of him
As thus I know his father and his friends
And in part himdo you mark this Reynaldo
REYNALDO
Ay very well my lord
POLONIUS
And in part him but you may say not well
But ift be he I mean hes very wild
Addicted so and so and there put on him
What forgeries you please marry none so rank
As may dishonour him take heed of that
But sir such wanton wild and usual slips
As are companions noted and most known
To youth and liberty
REYNALDO
As gaming my lord
POLONIUS
Ay or drinking fencing swearing
Quarrelling drabbing You may go so far
REYNALDO
My lord that would dishonour him
POLONIUS
Faith no as you may season it in the charge
You must not put another scandal on him
That he is open to incontinency
Thats not my meaning but breathe his faults so quaintly
That they may seem the taints of liberty
The flash and outbreak of a fiery mind
A savageness in unreclaimed blood
Of general assault
REYNALDO
But my good lord
POLONIUS
Wherefore should you do this
REYNALDO
Ay my lord I would know that
POLONIUS
Marry sir heres my drift
And I believe it is a fetch of warrant
You laying these slight sullies on my son
As twere a thing a little soild i th working
Mark you
Your party in converse him you would sound
Having ever seen in the prenominate crimes
The youth you breathe of guilty be assurd
He closes with you in this consequence
Good sir or so or friend or gentleman
According to the phrase or the addition
Of man and country
REYNALDO
Very good my lord
POLONIUS
And then sir does he this
He doesWhat was I about to say
By the mass I was about to say something Where did I leave
REYNALDO
At closes in the consequence
At friend or so and gentleman
POLONIUS
At closes in the consequence ay marry
He closes with you thus I know the gentleman
I saw him yesterday or tother day
Or then or then with such and such and as you say
There was he gaming there oertook ins rouse
There falling out at tennis or perchance
I saw him enter such a house of sale
Videlicet a brothel or so forth See you now
Your bait of falsehood takes this carp of truth
And thus do we of wisdom and of reach
With windlasses and with assays of bias
By indirections find directions out
So by my former lecture and advice
Shall you my son You have me have you not
REYNALDO
My lord I have
POLONIUS
God b wi you fare you well
REYNALDO
Good my lord
POLONIUS
Observe his inclination in yourself
REYNALDO
I shall my lord
POLONIUS
And let him ply his music
REYNALDO
Well my lord
POLONIUS
Farewell
Exit Reynaldo
Enter Ophelia
How now Ophelia whats the matter
OPHELIA
Alas my lord I have been so affrighted
POLONIUS
With what in the name of God
OPHELIA
My lord as I was sewing in my chamber
Lord Hamlet with his doublet all unbracd
No hat upon his head his stockings fould
Ungartred and downgyved to his ankle
Pale as his shirt his knees knocking each other
And with a look so piteous in purport
As if he had been loosed out of hell
To speak of horrors he comes before me
POLONIUS
Mad for thy love
OPHELIA
My lord I do not know but truly I do fear it
POLONIUS
What said he
OPHELIA
He took me by the wrist and held me hard
Then goes he to the length of all his arm
And with his other hand thus oer his brow
He falls to such perusal of my face
As he would draw it Long stayd he so
At lasta little shaking of mine arm
And thrice his head thus waving up and down
He raisd a sigh so piteous and profound
As it did seem to shatter all his bulk
And end his being That done he lets me go
And with his head over his shoulder turnd
He seemd to find his way without his eyes
For out o doors he went without their help
And to the last bended their light on me
POLONIUS
Come go with me I will go seek the King
This is the very ecstasy of love
Whose violent property fordoes itself
And leads the will to desperate undertakings
As oft as any passion under heaven
That does afflict our natures I am sorry
What have you given him any hard words of late
OPHELIA
No my good lord but as you did command
I did repel his letters and denied
His access to me
POLONIUS
That hath made him mad
I am sorry that with better heed and judgement
I had not quoted him I feard he did but trifle
And meant to wreck thee But beshrew my jealousy
It seems it is as proper to our age
To cast beyond ourselves in our opinions
As it is common for the younger sort
To lack discretion Come go we to the King
This must be known which being kept close might move
More grief to hide than hate to utter love
Exeunt
SCENE II A room in the Castle
Enter King Queen Rosencrantz Guildenstern and Attendants
KING
Welcome dear Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
Moreover that we much did long to see you
The need we have to use you did provoke
Our hasty sending Something have you heard
Of Hamlets transformation so I call it
Since nor thexterior nor the inward man
Resembles that it was What it should be
More than his fathers death that thus hath put him
So much from thunderstanding of himself
I cannot dream of I entreat you both
That being of so young days brought up with him
And since so neighbourd to his youth and humour
That you vouchsafe your rest here in our court
Some little time so by your companies
To draw him on to pleasures and to gather
So much as from occasion you may glean
Whether aught to us unknown afflicts him thus
That opend lies within our remedy
QUEEN
Good gentlemen he hath much talkd of you
And sure I am two men there are not living
To whom he more adheres If it will please you
To show us so much gentry and good will
As to expend your time with us awhile
For the supply and profit of our hope
Your visitation shall receive such thanks
As fits a kings remembrance
ROSENCRANTZ
Both your majesties
Might by the sovereign power you have of us
Put your dread pleasures more into command
Than to entreaty
GUILDENSTERN
We both obey
And here give up ourselves in the full bent
To lay our service freely at your feet
To be commanded
KING
Thanks Rosencrantz and gentle Guildenstern
QUEEN
Thanks Guildenstern and gentle Rosencrantz
And I beseech you instantly to visit
My too much changed son Go some of you
And bring these gentlemen where Hamlet is
GUILDENSTERN
Heavens make our presence and our practices
Pleasant and helpful to him
QUEEN
Ay amen
Exeunt Rosencrantz Guildenstern and some Attendants
Enter Polonius
POLONIUS
Thambassadors from Norway my good lord
Are joyfully returnd
KING
Thou still hast been the father of good news
POLONIUS
Have I my lord Assure you my good liege
I hold my duty as I hold my soul
Both to my God and to my gracious King
And I do thinkor else this brain of mine
Hunts not the trail of policy so sure
As it hath usd to dothat I have found
The very cause of Hamlets lunacy
KING
O speak of that that do I long to hear
POLONIUS
Give first admittance to thambassadors
My news shall be the fruit to that great feast
KING
Thyself do grace to them and bring them in
Exit Polonius
He tells me my sweet queen that he hath found
The head and source of all your sons distemper
QUEEN
I doubt it is no other but the main
His fathers death and our oerhasty marriage
KING
Well we shall sift him
Enter Polonius with Voltemand and Cornelius
Welcome my good friends
Say Voltemand what from our brother Norway
VOLTEMAND
Most fair return of greetings and desires
Upon our first he sent out to suppress
His nephews levies which to him appeard
To be a preparation gainst the Polack
But better lookd into he truly found
It was against your Highness whereat grievd
That so his sickness age and impotence
Was falsely borne in hand sends out arrests
On Fortinbras which he in brief obeys
Receives rebuke from Norway and in fine
Makes vow before his uncle never more
To give thassay of arms against your Majesty
Whereon old Norway overcome with joy
Gives him three thousand crowns in annual fee
And his commission to employ those soldiers
So levied as before against the Polack
With an entreaty herein further shown
Gives a paper
That it might please you to give quiet pass
Through your dominions for this enterprise
On such regards of safety and allowance
As therein are set down
KING
It likes us well
And at our more considerd time well read
Answer and think upon this business
Meantime we thank you for your welltook labour
Go to your rest at night well feast together
Most welcome home
Exeunt Voltemand and Cornelius
POLONIUS
This business is well ended
My liege and madam to expostulate
What majesty should be what duty is
Why day is day night night and time is time
Were nothing but to waste night day and time
Therefore since brevity is the soul of wit
And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes
I will be brief Your noble son is mad
Mad call I it for to define true madness
What ist but to be nothing else but mad
But let that go
QUEEN
More matter with less art
POLONIUS
Madam I swear I use no art at all
That he is mad tis true tis true tis pity
And pity tis tis true A foolish figure
But farewell it for I will use no art
Mad let us grant him then And now remains
That we find out the cause of this effect
Or rather say the cause of this defect
For this effect defective comes by cause
Thus it remains and the remainder thus Perpend
I have a daughterhave whilst she is mine
Who in her duty and obedience mark
Hath given me this Now gather and surmise
Reads
To the celestial and my souls idol the most beautified Ophelia
Thats an ill phrase a vile phrase beautified is a vile
phrase but you shall hear
Reads
these in her excellent white bosom these c
QUEEN
Came this from Hamlet to her
POLONIUS
Good madam stay awhile I will be faithful
Reads
Doubt thou the stars are fire
Doubt that the sun doth move
Doubt truth to be a liar
But never doubt I love
O dear Ophelia I am ill at these numbers I have not art to reckon my groans But that I love thee best O most best believe it Adieu
Thine evermore most dear lady whilst this machine is to him
HAMLET
This in obedience hath my daughter showd me
And more above hath his solicitings
As they fell out by time by means and place
All given to mine ear
KING
But how hath she receivd his love
POLONIUS
What do you think of me
KING
As of a man faithful and honourable
POLONIUS
I would fain prove so But what might you think
When I had seen this hot love on the wing
As I perceivd it I must tell you that
Before my daughter told me what might you
Or my dear Majesty your queen here think
If I had playd the desk or tablebook
Or given my heart a winking mute and dumb
Or lookd upon this love with idle sight
What might you think No I went round to work
And my young mistress thus I did bespeak
Lord Hamlet is a prince out of thy star
This must not be And then I precepts gave her
That she should lock herself from his resort
Admit no messengers receive no tokens
Which done she took the fruits of my advice
And he repulseda short tale to make
Fell into a sadness then into a fast
Thence to a watch thence into a weakness
Thence to a lightness and by this declension
Into the madness wherein now he raves
And all we wail for
KING
Do you think tis this
QUEEN
It may be very likely
POLONIUS
Hath there been such a time Id fain know that
That I have positively said Tis so
When it provd otherwise
KING
Not that I know
POLONIUS
Take this from this if this be otherwise
Points to his head and shoulder
If circumstances lead me I will find
Where truth is hid though it were hid indeed
Within the centre
KING
How may we try it further
POLONIUS
You know sometimes he walks four hours together
Here in the lobby
QUEEN
So he does indeed
POLONIUS
At such a time Ill loose my daughter to him
Be you and I behind an arras then
Mark the encounter If he love her not
And be not from his reason falln thereon
Let me be no assistant for a state
But keep a farm and carters
KING
We will try it
Enter Hamlet reading
QUEEN
But look where sadly the poor wretch comes reading
POLONIUS
Away I do beseech you both away
Ill board him presently O give me leave
Exeunt King Queen and Attendants
How does my good Lord Hamlet
HAMLET
Well Godamercy
POLONIUS
Do you know me my lord
HAMLET
Excellent well You are a fishmonger
POLONIUS
Not I my lord
HAMLET
Then I would you were so honest a man
POLONIUS
Honest my lord
HAMLET
Ay sir to be honest as this world goes is to be one man picked out of ten thousand
POLONIUS
Thats very true my lord
HAMLET
For if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog being a good kissing carrion
Have you a daughter
POLONIUS
I have my lord
HAMLET
Let her not walk i th sun Conception is a blessing but not as your daughter may conceive Friend look tot
POLONIUS
How say you by that Aside Still harping on my daughter Yet he knew me not at first he said I was a fishmonger He is far gone far gone And truly in my youth I suffered much extremity for love very near this Ill speak to him againWhat do you read my lord
HAMLET
Words words words
POLONIUS
What is the matter my lord
HAMLET
Between who
POLONIUS
I mean the matter that you read my lord
HAMLET
Slanders sir For the satirical slave says here that old men have grey beards that their faces are wrinkled their eyes purging thick amber and plumtree gum and that they have a plentiful lack of wit together with most weak hams All which sir though I most powerfully and potently believe yet I hold it not honesty to have it thus set down For you yourself sir should be old as I am if like a crab you could go backward
POLONIUS
Aside Though this be madness yet there is method int
Will you walk out of the air my lord
HAMLET
Into my grave
POLONIUS
Indeed that is out o the air Aside How pregnant sometimes his replies are A happiness that often madness hits on which reason and sanity could not so prosperously be delivered of I will leave him and suddenly contrive the means of meeting between him and my daughter
My honourable lord I will most humbly take my leave of you
HAMLET
You cannot sir take from me anything that I will more willingly part withal except my life except my life except my life
POLONIUS
Fare you well my lord
HAMLET
These tedious old fools
Enter Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
POLONIUS
You go to seek the Lord Hamlet there he is
ROSENCRANTZ
To Polonius God save you sir
Exit Polonius
GUILDENSTERN
My honoured lord
ROSENCRANTZ
My most dear lord
HAMLET
My excellent good friends How dost thou Guildenstern Ah Rosencrantz Good lads how do ye both
ROSENCRANTZ
As the indifferent children of the earth
GUILDENSTERN
Happy in that we are not overhappy
On Fortunes cap we are not the very button
HAMLET
Nor the soles of her shoe
ROSENCRANTZ
Neither my lord
HAMLET
Then you live about her waist or in the middle of her favours
GUILDENSTERN
Faith her privates we
HAMLET
In the secret parts of Fortune O most true she is a strumpet Whats the news
ROSENCRANTZ
None my lord but that the worlds grown honest
HAMLET
Then is doomsday near But your news is not true Let me question more in particular What have you my good friends deserved at the hands of Fortune that she sends you to prison hither
GUILDENSTERN
Prison my lord
HAMLET
Denmarks a prison
ROSENCRANTZ
Then is the world one
HAMLET
A goodly one in which there are many confines wards and dungeons Denmark being one o th worst
ROSENCRANTZ
We think not so my lord
HAMLET
Why then tis none to you for there is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so To me it is a prison
ROSENCRANTZ
Why then your ambition makes it one tis too narrow for your mind
HAMLET
O God I could be bounded in a nutshell and count myself a king of infinite space were it not that I have bad dreams
GUILDENSTERN
Which dreams indeed are ambition for the very substance of the ambitious is merely the shadow of a dream
HAMLET
A dream itself is but a shadow
ROSENCRANTZ
Truly and I hold ambition of so airy and light a quality that it is but a shadows shadow
HAMLET
Then are our beggars bodies and our monarchs and outstretchd heroes the beggars shadows Shall we to th court For by my fay I cannot reason
ROSENCRANTZ and GUILDENSTERN
Well wait upon you
HAMLET
No such matter I will not sort you with the rest of my servants for to speak to you like an honest man I am most dreadfully attended But in the beaten way of friendship what make you at Elsinore
ROSENCRANTZ
To visit you my lord no other occasion
HAMLET
Beggar that I am I am even poor in thanks but I thank you And sure dear friends my thanks are too dear a halfpenny Were you not sent for Is it your own inclining Is it a free visitation Come deal justly with me Come come nay speak
GUILDENSTERN
What should we say my lord
HAMLET
Why anything But to the purpose You were sent for and there is a kind of confession in your looks which your modesties have not craft enough to colour I know the good King and Queen have sent for you
ROSENCRANTZ
To what end my lord
HAMLET
That you must teach me But let me conjure you by the rights of our fellowship by the consonancy of our youth by the obligation of our everpreserved love and by what more dear a better proposer could charge you withal be even and direct with me whether you were sent for or no
ROSENCRANTZ
To Guildenstern What say you
HAMLET
Aside Nay then I have an eye of you If you love me hold not off
GUILDENSTERN
My lord we were sent for
HAMLET
I will tell you why so shall my anticipation prevent your discovery and your secrecy to the King and Queen moult no feather I have of late but wherefore I know not lost all my mirth forgone all custom of exercises and indeed it goes so heavily with my disposition that this goodly frame the earth seems to me a sterile promontory this most excellent canopy the air look you this brave oerhanging firmament this majestical roof fretted with golden fire why it appears no other thing to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of vapours What a piece of work is man how noble in reason how infinite in faculties in form and moving how express and admirable in action how like an angel in apprehension how like a god the beauty of the world the paragon of animals And yet to me what is this quintessence of dust Man delights not me no nor woman neither though by your smiling you seem to say so
ROSENCRANTZ
My lord there was no such stuff in my thoughts
HAMLET
Why did you laugh then when I said Man delights not me
ROSENCRANTZ
To think my lord if you delight not in man what Lenten entertainment the players shall receive from you We coted them on the way and hither are they coming to offer you service
HAMLET
He that plays the king shall be welcomehis Majesty shall have tribute of me the adventurous knight shall use his foil and target the lover shall not sigh gratis the humorous man shall end his part in peace the clown shall make those laugh whose lungs are tickle o th sere and the lady shall say her mind freely or the blank verse shall halt fort What players are they
ROSENCRANTZ
Even those you were wont to take such delight inthe tragedians of the city
HAMLET
How chances it they travel Their residence both in reputation and profit was better both ways
ROSENCRANTZ
I think their inhibition comes by the means of the late innovation
HAMLET
Do they hold the same estimation they did when I was in the city Are they so followed
ROSENCRANTZ
No indeed they are not
HAMLET
How comes it Do they grow rusty
ROSENCRANTZ
Nay their endeavour keeps in the wonted pace but there is sir an aerie of children little eyases that cry out on the top of question and are most tyrannically clapped fort These are now the fashion and so berattle the common stagesso they call themthat many wearing rapiers are afraid of goosequills and dare scarce come thither
HAMLET
What are they children Who maintains em How are they escoted Will they pursue the quality no longer than they can sing Will they not say afterwards if they should grow themselves to common playersas it is most like if their means are no bettertheir writers do them wrong to make them exclaim against their own succession
ROSENCRANTZ
Faith there has been much to do on both sides and the nation holds it no sin to tarre them to controversy There was for a while no money bid for argument unless the poet and the player went to cuffs in the question
HAMLET
Ist possible
GUILDENSTERN
O there has been much throwing about of brains
HAMLET
Do the boys carry it away
ROSENCRANTZ
Ay that they do my lord Hercules and his load too
HAMLET
It is not very strange for my uncle is King of Denmark and those that would make mouths at him while my father lived give twenty forty fifty a hundred ducats apiece for his picture in little Sblood there is something in this more than natural if philosophy could find it out
Flourish of trumpets within
GUILDENSTERN
There are the players
HAMLET
Gentlemen you are welcome to Elsinore Your hands come The appurtenance of welcome is fashion and ceremony Let me comply with you in this garb lest my extent to the players which I tell you must show fairly outward should more appear like entertainment than yours You are welcome But my unclefather and auntmother are deceived
GUILDENSTERN
In what my dear lord
HAMLET
I am but mad northnorthwest When the wind is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw
Enter Polonius
POLONIUS
Well be with you gentlemen
HAMLET
Hark you Guildenstern and you too at each ear a hearer That great baby you see there is not yet out of his swaddling clouts
ROSENCRANTZ
Happily hes the second time come to them for they say an old man is twice a child
HAMLET
I will prophesy he comes to tell me of the players Mark itYou say right sir for a Monday morning twas so indeed
POLONIUS
My lord I have news to tell you
HAMLET
My lord I have news to tell you When Roscius was an actor in Rome
POLONIUS
The actors are come hither my lord
HAMLET
Buzz buzz
POLONIUS
Upon my honour
HAMLET
Then came each actor on his ass
POLONIUS
The best actors in the world either for tragedy comedy history pastoral pastoralcomical historicalpastoral tragicalhistorical tragicalcomicalhistoricalpastoral scene individable or poem unlimited Seneca cannot be too heavy nor Plautus too light for the law of writ and the liberty These are the only men
HAMLET
O Jephthah judge of Israel what a treasure hadst thou
POLONIUS
What treasure had he my lord
HAMLET
Why
One fair daughter and no more
The which he loved passing well
POLONIUS
Aside Still on my daughter
HAMLET
Am I not i th right old Jephthah
POLONIUS
If you call me Jephthah my lord I have a daughter that I love passing well
HAMLET
Nay that follows not
POLONIUS
What follows then my lord
HAMLET
Why
As by lot God wot
and then you know
It came to pass as most like it was
The first row of the pious chanson will show you more For look where my abridgement comes
Enter four or five Players
You are welcome masters welcome all I am glad to see thee well Welcome good friends O my old friend Thy face is valancd since I saw thee last Comst thou to beard me in Denmark What my young lady and mistress Byr lady your ladyship is nearer to heaven than when I saw you last by the altitude of a chopine Pray God your voice like a piece of uncurrent gold be not cracked within the ring Masters you are all welcome Well een tot like French falconers fly at anything we see Well have a speech straight Come give us a taste of your quality Come a passionate speech
FIRST PLAYER
What speech my lord
HAMLET
I heard thee speak me a speech once but it was never acted or if it was not above once for the play I remember pleased not the million twas caviare to the general But it wasas I received it and others whose judgements in such matters cried in the top of minean excellent play well digested in the scenes set down with as much modesty as cunning I remember one said there were no sallets in the lines to make the matter savoury nor no matter in the phrase that might indite the author of affectation but called it an honest method as wholesome as sweet and by very much more handsome than fine One speech in it I chiefly loved Twas Aeneas tale to Dido and thereabout of it especially where he speaks of Priams slaughter If it live in your memory begin at this line let me see let me see
The rugged Pyrrhus like th Hyrcanian beast
It is not so it begins with Pyrrhus
The rugged Pyrrhus he whose sable arms
Black as his purpose did the night resemble
When he lay couched in the ominous horse
Hath now this dread and black complexion smeard
With heraldry more dismal Head to foot
Now is he total gules horridly trickd
With blood of fathers mothers daughters sons
Bakd and impasted with the parching streets
That lend a tyrannous and a damned light
To their vile murders Roasted in wrath and fire
And thus oersized with coagulate gore
With eyes like carbuncles the hellish Pyrrhus
Old grandsire Priam seeks
So proceed you
POLONIUS
Fore God my lord well spoken with good accent and good discretion
FIRST PLAYER
Anon he finds him
Striking too short at Greeks His antique sword
Rebellious to his arm lies where it falls
Repugnant to command Unequal matchd
Pyrrhus at Priam drives in rage strikes wide
But with the whiff and wind of his fell sword
Thunnerved father falls Then senseless Ilium
Seeming to feel this blow with flaming top
Stoops to his base and with a hideous crash
Takes prisoner Pyrrhus ear For lo his sword
Which was declining on the milky head
Of reverend Priam seemd i thair to stick
So as a painted tyrant Pyrrhus stood
And like a neutral to his will and matter
Did nothing
But as we often see against some storm
A silence in the heavens the rack stand still
The bold winds speechless and the orb below
As hush as death anon the dreadful thunder
Doth rend the region so after Pyrrhus pause
Aroused vengeance sets him new awork
And never did the Cyclops hammers fall
On Marss armour forgd for proof eterne
With less remorse than Pyrrhus bleeding sword
Now falls on Priam
Out out thou strumpet Fortune All you gods
In general synod take away her power
Break all the spokes and fellies from her wheel
And bowl the round nave down the hill of heaven
As low as to the fiends
POLONIUS
This is too long
HAMLET
It shall to the barbers with your beardPrithee say on
Hes for a jig or a tale of bawdry or he sleeps
Say on come to Hecuba
FIRST PLAYER
But who O who had seen the mobled queen
HAMLET
The mobled queen
POLONIUS
Thats good Mobled queen is good
FIRST PLAYER
Run barefoot up and down threatning the flames
With bisson rheum A clout upon that head
Where late the diadem stood and for a robe
About her lank and all oerteemed loins
A blanket in thalarm of fear caught up
Who this had seen with tongue in venom steepd
Gainst Fortunes state would treason have pronouncd
But if the gods themselves did see her then
When she saw Pyrrhus make malicious sport
In mincing with his sword her husbands limbs
The instant burst of clamour that she made
Unless things mortal move them not at all
Would have made milch the burning eyes of heaven
And passion in the gods
POLONIUS
Look where he has not turnd his colour and has tears ins eyes Pray you no more
HAMLET
Tis well Ill have thee speak out the rest of this soonGood my lord will you see the players well bestowed Do you hear let them be well used for they are the abstracts and brief chronicles of the time After your death you were better have a bad epitaph than their ill report while you live
POLONIUS
My lord I will use them according to their desert
HAMLET
Gods bodikin man much better Use every man after his desert and who should scape whipping Use them after your own honour and dignity The less they deserve the more merit is in your bounty Take them in
POLONIUS
Come sirs
HAMLET
Follow him friends Well hear a play tomorrow
Exeunt Polonius with all the Players but the First
Dost thou hear me old friend Can you play The Murder of Gonzago
FIRST PLAYER
Ay my lord
HAMLET
Well hat tomorrow night You could for a need study a speech of some dozen or sixteen lines which I would set down and insert int could you not
FIRST PLAYER
Ay my lord
HAMLET
Very well Follow that lord and look you mock him not
Exit First Player
To Rosencrantz and Guildenstern My good friends Ill leave you till night You are welcome to Elsinore
ROSENCRANTZ
Good my lord
Exeunt Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
HAMLET
Ay so God b wi ye Now I am alone
O what a rogue and peasant slave am I
Is it not monstrous that this player here
But in a fiction in a dream of passion
Could force his soul so to his own conceit
That from her working all his visage wand
Tears in his eyes distraction ins aspect
A broken voice and his whole function suiting
With forms to his conceit And all for nothing
For Hecuba
Whats Hecuba to him or he to Hecuba
That he should weep for her What would he do
Had he the motive and the cue for passion
That I have He would drown the stage with tears
And cleave the general ear with horrid speech
Make mad the guilty and appal the free
Confound the ignorant and amaze indeed
The very faculties of eyes and ears Yet I
A dull and muddymettled rascal peak
Like Johnadreams unpregnant of my cause
And can say nothing No not for a king
Upon whose property and most dear life
A damnd defeat was made Am I a coward
Who calls me villain breaks my pate across
Plucks off my beard and blows it in my face
Tweaks me by the nose gives me the lie i th throat
As deep as to the lungs Who does me this
Ha Swounds I should take it for it cannot be
But I am pigeonliverd and lack gall
To make oppression bitter or ere this
I should have fatted all the region kites
With this slaves offal Bloody bawdy villain
Remorseless treacherous lecherous kindless villain
Oh vengeance
Why what an ass am I This is most brave
That I the son of a dear father murderd
Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell
Must like a whore unpack my heart with words
And fall acursing like a very drab
A scullion Fie upont Foh
About my brain I have heard
That guilty creatures sitting at a play
Have by the very cunning of the scene
Been struck so to the soul that presently
They have proclaimd their malefactions
For murder though it have no tongue will speak
With most miraculous organ Ill have these players
Play something like the murder of my father
Before mine uncle Ill observe his looks
Ill tent him to the quick If he but blench
I know my course The spirit that I have seen
May be the devil and the devil hath power
Tassume a pleasing shape yea and perhaps
Out of my weakness and my melancholy
As he is very potent with such spirits
Abuses me to damn me Ill have grounds
More relative than this The plays the thing
Wherein Ill catch the conscience of the King
Exit
ACT III
SCENE I A room in the Castle
Enter King Queen Polonius Ophelia Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
KING
And can you by no drift of circumstance
Get from him why he puts on this confusion
Grating so harshly all his days of quiet
With turbulent and dangerous lunacy
ROSENCRANTZ
He does confess he feels himself distracted
But from what cause he will by no means speak
GUILDENSTERN
Nor do we find him forward to be sounded
But with a crafty madness keeps aloof
When we would bring him on to some confession
Of his true state
QUEEN
Did he receive you well
ROSENCRANTZ
Most like a gentleman
GUILDENSTERN
But with much forcing of his disposition
ROSENCRANTZ
Niggard of question but of our demands
Most free in his reply
QUEEN
Did you assay him to any pastime
ROSENCRANTZ
Madam it so fell out that certain players
We oerraught on the way Of these we told him
And there did seem in him a kind of joy
To hear of it They are about the court
And as I think they have already order
This night to play before him
POLONIUS
Tis most true
And he beseechd me to entreat your Majesties
To hear and see the matter
KING
With all my heart and it doth much content me
To hear him so inclind
Good gentlemen give him a further edge
And drive his purpose on to these delights
ROSENCRANTZ
We shall my lord
Exeunt Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
KING
Sweet Gertrude leave us too
For we have closely sent for Hamlet hither
That he as twere by accident may here
Affront Ophelia
Her father and myself lawful espials
Will so bestow ourselves that seeing unseen
We may of their encounter frankly judge
And gather by him as he is behavd
Ift be thaffliction of his love or no
That thus he suffers for
QUEEN
I shall obey you
And for your part Ophelia I do wish
That your good beauties be the happy cause
Of Hamlets wildness so shall I hope your virtues
Will bring him to his wonted way again
To both your honours
OPHELIA
Madam I wish it may
Exit Queen
POLONIUS
Ophelia walk you hereGracious so please you
We will bestow ourselvesTo Ophelia Read on this book
That show of such an exercise may colour
Your lonelinessWe are oft to blame in this
Tis too much provd that with devotions visage
And pious action we do sugar oer
The devil himself
KING
Aside O tis too true
How smart a lash that speech doth give my conscience
The harlots cheek beautied with plastering art
Is not more ugly to the thing that helps it
Than is my deed to my most painted word
O heavy burden
POLONIUS
I hear him coming Lets withdraw my lord
Exeunt King and Polonius
Enter Hamlet
HAMLET
To be or not to be that is the question
Whether tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles
And by opposing end them To dieto sleep
No more and by a sleep to say we end
The heartache and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wishd To die to sleep
To sleep perchance to dreamay theres the rub
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil
Must give us pause Theres the respect
That makes calamity of so long life
For who would bear the whips and scorns of time
The oppressors wrong the proud mans contumely
The pangs of disprizd love the laws delay
The insolence of office and the spurns
That patient merit of the unworthy takes
When he himself might his quietus make
With a bare bodkin Who would these fardels bear
To grunt and sweat under a weary life
But that the dread of something after death
The undiscoverd country from whose bourn
No traveller returns puzzles the will
And makes us rather bear those ills we have
Than fly to others that we know not of
Thus conscience does make cowards of us all
And thus the native hue of resolution
Is sicklied oer with the pale cast of thought
And enterprises of great pith and moment
With this regard their currents turn awry
And lose the name of action Soft you now
The fair Ophelia Nymph in thy orisons
Be all my sins rememberd
OPHELIA
Good my lord
How does your honour for this many a day
HAMLET
I humbly thank you well well well
OPHELIA
My lord I have remembrances of yours
That I have longed long to redeliver
I pray you now receive them
HAMLET
No not I
I never gave you aught
OPHELIA
My honourd lord you know right well you did
And with them words of so sweet breath composd
As made the things more rich their perfume lost
Take these again for to the noble mind
Rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind
There my lord
HAMLET
Ha ha Are you honest
OPHELIA
My lord
HAMLET
Are you fair
OPHELIA
What means your lordship
HAMLET
That if you be honest and fair your honesty should admit no discourse to your beauty
OPHELIA
Could beauty my lord have better commerce than with honesty
HAMLET
Ay truly for the power of beauty will sooner transform honesty from what it is to a bawd than the force of honesty can translate beauty into his likeness This was sometime a paradox but now the time gives it proof I did love you once
OPHELIA
Indeed my lord you made me believe so
HAMLET
You should not have believed me for virtue cannot so inoculate our old stock but we shall relish of it I loved you not
OPHELIA
I was the more deceived
HAMLET
Get thee to a nunnery Why wouldst thou be a breeder of sinners I am myself indifferent honest but yet I could accuse me of such things that it were better my mother had not borne me I am very proud revengeful ambitious with more offences at my beck than I have thoughts to put them in imagination to give them shape or time to act them in What should such fellows as I do crawling between earth and heaven We are arrant knaves all believe none of us Go thy ways to a nunnery Wheres your father
OPHELIA
At home my lord
HAMLET
Let the doors be shut upon him that he may play the fool nowhere but ins own house Farewell
OPHELIA
O help him you sweet heavens
HAMLET
If thou dost marry Ill give thee this plague for thy dowry Be thou as chaste as ice as pure as snow thou shalt not escape calumny Get thee to a nunnery go farewell Or if thou wilt needs marry marry a fool for wise men know well enough what monsters you make of them To a nunnery go and quickly too Farewell
OPHELIA
O heavenly powers restore him
HAMLET
I have heard of your paintings too well enough God hath given you one face and you make yourselves another You jig you amble and you lisp and nickname Gods creatures and make your wantonness your ignorance Go to Ill no more ont it hath made me mad I say we will have no more marriages Those that are married already all but one shall live the rest shall keep as they are To a nunnery go
Exit
OPHELIA
O what a noble mind is here oerthrown
The courtiers soldiers scholars eye tongue sword
Thexpectancy and rose of the fair state
The glass of fashion and the mould of form
Thobservd of all observers quite quite down
And I of ladies most deject and wretched
That suckd the honey of his music vows
Now see that noble and most sovereign reason
Like sweet bells jangled out of tune and harsh
That unmatchd form and feature of blown youth
Blasted with ecstasy O woe is me
Thave seen what I have seen see what I see
Enter King and Polonius
KING
Love His affections do not that way tend
Nor what he spake though it lackd form a little
Was not like madness Theres something in his soul
Oer which his melancholy sits on brood
And I do doubt the hatch and the disclose
Will be some danger which for to prevent
I have in quick determination
Thus set it down he shall with speed to England
For the demand of our neglected tribute
Haply the seas and countries different
With variable objects shall expel
This something settled matter in his heart
Whereon his brains still beating puts him thus
From fashion of himself What think you ont
POLONIUS
It shall do well But yet do I believe
The origin and commencement of his grief
Sprung from neglected love How now Ophelia
You need not tell us what Lord Hamlet said
We heard it all My lord do as you please
But if you hold it fit after the play
Let his queen mother all alone entreat him
To show his grief let her be round with him
And Ill be placd so please you in the ear
Of all their conference If she find him not
To England send him or confine him where
Your wisdom best shall think
KING
It shall be so
Madness in great ones must not unwatchd go
Exeunt
SCENE II A hall in the Castle
Enter Hamlet and certain Players
HAMLET
Speak the speech I pray you as I pronounced it to you trippingly on the tongue But if you mouth it as many of your players do I had as lief the towncrier spoke my lines Nor do not saw the air too much with your hand thus but use all gently for in the very torrent tempest and as I may say whirlwind of passion you must acquire and beget a temperance that may give it smoothness O it offends me to the soul to hear a robustious periwigpated fellow tear a passion to tatters to very rags to split the ears of the groundlings who for the most part are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumb shows and noise I would have such a fellow whipped for oerdoing Termagant It outHerods Herod Pray you avoid it
FIRST PLAYER
I warrant your honour
HAMLET
Be not too tame neither but let your own discretion be your tutor Suit the action to the word the word to the action with this special observance that you oerstep not the modesty of nature for anything so overdone is from the purpose of playing whose end both at the first and now was and is to hold as twere the mirror up to nature to show virtue her own feature scorn her own image and the very age and body of the time his form and pressure Now this overdone or come tardy off though it make the unskilful laugh cannot but make the judicious grieve the censure of the which one must in your allowance oerweigh a whole theatre of others O there be players that I have seen playand heard others praise and that highlynot to speak it profanely that neither having the accent of Christians nor the gait of Christian pagan nor man have so strutted and bellowed that I have thought some of Natures journeymen had made men and not made them well they imitated humanity so abominably
FIRST PLAYER
I hope we have reformd that indifferently with us sir
HAMLET
O reform it altogether And let those that play your clowns speak no more than is set down for them For there be of them that will themselves laugh to set on some quantity of barren spectators to laugh too though in the meantime some necessary question of the play be then to be considered Thats villainous and shows a most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it Go make you ready
Exeunt Players
Enter Polonius Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
How now my lord
Will the King hear this piece of work
POLONIUS
And the Queen too and that presently
HAMLET
Bid the players make haste
Exit Polonius
Will you two help to hasten them
ROSENCRANTZ and GUILDENSTERN
We will my lord
Exeunt Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
HAMLET
What ho Horatio
Enter Horatio
HORATIO
Here sweet lord at your service
HAMLET
Horatio thou art een as just a man
As eer my conversation copd withal
HORATIO
O my dear lord
HAMLET
Nay do not think I flatter
For what advancement may I hope from thee
That no revenue hast but thy good spirits
To feed and clothe thee Why should the poor be flatterd
No let the candied tongue lick absurd pomp
And crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
Where thrift may follow fawning Dost thou hear
Since my dear soul was mistress of her choice
And could of men distinguish her election
Hath seald thee for herself For thou hast been
As one in suffering all that suffers nothing
A man that Fortunes buffets and rewards
Hast taen with equal thanks And blessed are those
Whose blood and judgement are so well comingled
That they are not a pipe for Fortunes finger
To sound what stop she please Give me that man
That is not passions slave and I will wear him
In my hearts core ay in my heart of heart
As I do thee Something too much of this
There is a play tonight before the King
One scene of it comes near the circumstance
Which I have told thee of my fathers death
I prithee when thou seest that act afoot
Even with the very comment of thy soul
Observe mine uncle If his occulted guilt
Do not itself unkennel in one speech
It is a damned ghost that we have seen
And my imaginations are as foul
As Vulcans stithy Give him heedful note
For I mine eyes will rivet to his face
And after we will both our judgements join
In censure of his seeming
HORATIO
Well my lord
If he steal aught the whilst this play is playing
And scape detecting I will pay the theft
HAMLET
They are coming to the play I must be idle
Get you a place
Danish march A flourish Enter King Queen Polonius Ophelia Rosencrantz Guildenstern and others
KING
How fares our cousin Hamlet
HAMLET
Excellent i faith of the chameleons dish I eat the air promisecrammed you cannot feed capons so
KING
I have nothing with this answer Hamlet these words are not mine
HAMLET
No nor mine now To Polonius My lord you playd once i thuniversity you say
POLONIUS
That did I my lord and was accounted a good actor
HAMLET
What did you enact
POLONIUS
I did enact Julius Caesar I was killd i th Capitol Brutus killed me
HAMLET
It was a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf there Be the players ready
ROSENCRANTZ
Ay my lord they stay upon your patience
QUEEN
Come hither my dear Hamlet sit by me
HAMLET
No good mother heres metal more attractive
POLONIUS
To the King O ho do you mark that
HAMLET
Lady shall I lie in your lap
Lying down at Ophelias feet
OPHELIA
No my lord
HAMLET
I mean my head upon your lap
OPHELIA
Ay my lord
HAMLET
Do you think I meant country matters
OPHELIA
I think nothing my lord
HAMLET
Thats a fair thought to lie between maids legs
OPHELIA
What is my lord
HAMLET
Nothing
OPHELIA
You are merry my lord
HAMLET
Who I
OPHELIA
Ay my lord
HAMLET
O God your only jigmaker What should a man do but be merry For look you how cheerfully my mother looks and my father died withins two hours
OPHELIA
Nay tis twice two months my lord
HAMLET
So long Nay then let the devil wear black for Ill have a suit of sables O heavens die two months ago and not forgotten yet Then theres hope a great mans memory may outlive his life half a year But byr lady he must build churches then or else shall he suffer not thinking on with the hobbyhorse whose epitaph is For O for O the hobbyhorse is forgot
Trumpets sound The dumb show enters
Enter a King and a Queen very lovingly the Queen embracing him and he her She kneels and makes show of protestation unto him He takes her up and declines his head upon her neck Lays him down upon a bank of flowers She seeing him asleep leaves him Anon comes in a fellow takes off his crown kisses it pours poison in the Kings ears and exits The Queen returns finds the King dead and makes passionate action The Poisoner with some three or four Mutes comes in again seeming to lament with her The dead body is carried away The Poisoner woos the Queen with gifts She seems loth and unwilling awhile but in the end accepts his love
Exeunt
OPHELIA
What means this my lord
HAMLET
Marry this is miching mallecho it means mischief
OPHELIA
Belike this show imports the argument of the play
Enter Prologue
HAMLET
We shall know by this fellow the players cannot keep counsel theyll tell all
OPHELIA
Will they tell us what this show meant
HAMLET
Ay or any show that youll show him Be not you ashamed to show hell not shame to tell you what it means
OPHELIA
You are naught you are naught Ill mark the play
PROLOGUE
For us and for our tragedy
Here stooping to your clemency
We beg your hearing patiently
HAMLET
Is this a prologue or the posy of a ring
OPHELIA
Tis brief my lord
HAMLET
As womans love
Enter a King and a Queen
PLAYER KING
Full thirty times hath Phoebus cart gone round
Neptunes salt wash and Tellus orbed ground
And thirty dozen moons with borrowd sheen
About the world have times twelve thirties been
Since love our hearts and Hymen did our hands
Unite commutual in most sacred bands
PLAYER QUEEN
So many journeys may the sun and moon
Make us again count oer ere love be done
But woe is me you are so sick of late
So far from cheer and from your former state
That I distrust you Yet though I distrust
Discomfort you my lord it nothing must
For womens fear and love holds quantity
In neither aught or in extremity
Now what my love is proof hath made you know
And as my love is sizd my fear is so
Where love is great the littlest doubts are fear
Where little fears grow great great love grows there
PLAYER KING
Faith I must leave thee love and shortly too
My operant powers their functions leave to do
And thou shalt live in this fair world behind
Honourd belovd and haply one as kind
For husband shalt thou
PLAYER QUEEN
O confound the rest
Such love must needs be treason in my breast
In second husband let me be accurst
None wed the second but who killd the first
HAMLET
Aside Wormwood wormwood
PLAYER QUEEN
The instances that second marriage move
Are base respects of thrift but none of love
A second time I kill my husband dead
When second husband kisses me in bed
PLAYER KING
I do believe you think what now you speak
But what we do determine oft we break
Purpose is but the slave to memory
Of violent birth but poor validity
Which now like fruit unripe sticks on the tree
But fall unshaken when they mellow be
Most necessary tis that we forget
To pay ourselves what to ourselves is debt
What to ourselves in passion we propose
The passion ending doth the purpose lose
The violence of either grief or joy
Their own enactures with themselves destroy
Where joy most revels grief doth most lament
Grief joys joy grieves on slender accident
This world is not for aye nor tis not strange
That even our loves should with our fortunes change
For tis a question left us yet to prove
Whether love lead fortune or else fortune love
The great man down you mark his favourite flies
The poor advancd makes friends of enemies
And hitherto doth love on fortune tend
For who not needs shall never lack a friend
And who in want a hollow friend doth try
Directly seasons him his enemy
But orderly to end where I begun
Our wills and fates do so contrary run
That our devices still are overthrown
Our thoughts are ours their ends none of our own
So think thou wilt no second husband wed
But die thy thoughts when thy first lord is dead
PLAYER QUEEN
Nor earth to me give food nor heaven light
Sport and repose lock from me day and night
To desperation turn my trust and hope
An anchors cheer in prison be my scope
Each opposite that blanks the face of joy
Meet what I would have well and it destroy
Both here and hence pursue me lasting strife
If once a widow ever I be wife
HAMLET
To Ophelia If she should break it now
PLAYER KING
Tis deeply sworn Sweet leave me here awhile
My spirits grow dull and fain I would beguile
The tedious day with sleep
Sleeps
PLAYER QUEEN
Sleep rock thy brain
And never come mischance between us twain
Exit
HAMLET
Madam how like you this play
QUEEN
The lady protests too much methinks
HAMLET
O but shell keep her word
KING
Have you heard the argument Is there no offence int
HAMLET
No no they do but jest poison in jest no offence i th world
KING
What do you call the play
HAMLET
The Mousetrap Marry how Tropically This play is the image of a murder done in Vienna Gonzago is the Dukes name his wife Baptista you shall see anon tis a knavish piece of work but what o that Your majesty and we that have free souls it touches us not Let the galld jade wince our withers are unwrung
Enter Lucianus
This is one Lucianus nephew to the King
OPHELIA
You are a good chorus my lord
HAMLET
I could interpret between you and your love if I could see the puppets dallying
OPHELIA
You are keen my lord you are keen
HAMLET
It would cost you a groaning to take off my edge
OPHELIA
Still better and worse
HAMLET
So you mistake your husbandsBegin murderer Pox leave thy damnable faces and begin Come the croaking raven doth bellow for revenge
LUCIANUS
Thoughts black hands apt drugs fit and time agreeing
Confederate season else no creature seeing
Thou mixture rank of midnight weeds collected
With Hecates ban thrice blasted thrice infected
Thy natural magic and dire property
On wholesome life usurp immediately
Pours the poison into the sleepers ears
HAMLET
He poisons him i thgarden fors estate His names Gonzago The story is extant and written in very choice Italian You shall see anon how the murderer gets the love of Gonzagos wife
OPHELIA
The King rises
HAMLET
What frighted with false fire
QUEEN
How fares my lord
POLONIUS
Give oer the play
KING
Give me some light Away
All
Lights lights lights
Exeunt all but Hamlet and Horatio
HAMLET
Why let the strucken deer go weep
The hart ungalled play
For some must watch while some must sleep
So runs the world away
Would not this sir and a forest of feathers if the rest of my fortunes turn Turk with me with two Provincial roses on my razed shoes get me a fellowship in a cry of players sir
HORATIO
Half a share
HAMLET
A whole one I
For thou dost know O Damon dear
This realm dismantled was
Of Jove himself and now reigns here
A very verypajock
HORATIO
You might have rhymed
HAMLET
O good Horatio Ill take the ghosts word for a thousand pound Didst perceive
HORATIO
Very well my lord
HAMLET
Upon the talk of the poisoning
HORATIO
I did very well note him
HAMLET
Ah ha Come some music Come the recorders
For if the king like not the comedy
Why then belike he likes it not perdie
Come some music
Enter Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
GUILDENSTERN
Good my lord vouchsafe me a word with you
HAMLET
Sir a whole history
GUILDENSTERN
The King sir
HAMLET
Ay sir what of him
GUILDENSTERN
Is in his retirement marvellous distempered
HAMLET
With drink sir
GUILDENSTERN
No my lord rather with choler
HAMLET
Your wisdom should show itself more richer to signify this to the doctor for me to put him to his purgation would perhaps plunge him into far more choler
GUILDENSTERN
Good my lord put your discourse into some frame and start not so wildly from my affair
HAMLET
I am tame sir pronounce
GUILDENSTERN
The Queen your mother in most great affliction of spirit hath sent me to you
HAMLET
You are welcome
GUILDENSTERN
Nay good my lord this courtesy is not of the right breed If it shall please you to make me a wholesome answer I will do your mothers commandment if not your pardon and my return shall be the end of my business
HAMLET
Sir I cannot
GUILDENSTERN
What my lord
HAMLET
Make you a wholesome answer My wits diseased But sir such answer as I can make you shall command or rather as you say my mother Therefore no more but to the matter My mother you say
ROSENCRANTZ
Then thus she says your behaviour hath struck her into amazement and admiration
HAMLET
O wonderful son that can so stonish a mother But is there no sequel at the heels of this mothers admiration
ROSENCRANTZ
She desires to speak with you in her closet ere you go to bed
HAMLET
We shall obey were she ten times our mother Have you any further trade with us
ROSENCRANTZ
My lord you once did love me
HAMLET
And so I do still by these pickers and stealers
ROSENCRANTZ
Good my lord what is your cause of distemper You do surely bar the door upon your own liberty if you deny your griefs to your friend
HAMLET
Sir I lack advancement
ROSENCRANTZ
How can that be when you have the voice of the King himself for your succession in Denmark
HAMLET
Ay sir but while the grass growsthe proverb is something musty
Reenter the Players with recorders
O the recorders Let me see oneTo withdraw with you why do you go about to recover the wind of me as if you would drive me into a toil
GUILDENSTERN
O my lord if my duty be too bold my love is too unmannerly
HAMLET
I do not well understand that Will you play upon this pipe
GUILDENSTERN
My lord I cannot
HAMLET
I pray you
GUILDENSTERN
Believe me I cannot
HAMLET
I do beseech you
GUILDENSTERN
I know no touch of it my lord
HAMLET
Tis as easy as lying govern these ventages with your finger and thumb give it breath with your mouth and it will discourse most eloquent music Look you these are the stops
GUILDENSTERN
But these cannot I command to any utterance of harmony I have not the skill
HAMLET
Why look you now how unworthy a thing you make of me You would play upon me you would seem to know my stops you would pluck out the heart of my mystery you would sound me from my lowest note to the top of my compass and there is much music excellent voice in this little organ yet cannot you make it speak Sblood do you think I am easier to be played on than a pipe Call me what instrument you will though you can fret me you cannot play upon me
Enter Polonius
God bless you sir
POLONIUS
My lord the Queen would speak with you and presently
HAMLET
Do you see yonder cloud thats almost in shape of a camel
POLONIUS
By the mass and tis like a camel indeed
HAMLET
Methinks it is like a weasel
POLONIUS
It is backed like a weasel
HAMLET
Or like a whale
POLONIUS
Very like a whale
HAMLET
Then will I come to my mother by and byThey fool me to the top of my bentI will come by and by
POLONIUS
I will say so
Exit
HAMLET
By and by is easily said Leave me friends
Exeunt all but Hamlet
Tis now the very witching time of night
When churchyards yawn and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this world Now could I drink hot blood
And do such bitter business as the day
Would quake to look on Soft now to my mother
O heart lose not thy nature let not ever
The soul of Nero enter this firm bosom
Let me be cruel not unnatural
I will speak daggers to her but use none
My tongue and soul in this be hypocrites
How in my words somever she be shent
To give them seals never my soul consent
Exit
SCENE III A room in the Castle
Enter King Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
KING
I like him not nor stands it safe with us
To let his madness range Therefore prepare you
I your commission will forthwith dispatch
And he to England shall along with you
The terms of our estate may not endure
Hazard so near us as doth hourly grow
Out of his lunacies
GUILDENSTERN
We will ourselves provide
Most holy and religious fear it is
To keep those many many bodies safe
That live and feed upon your Majesty
ROSENCRANTZ
The single and peculiar life is bound
With all the strength and armour of the mind
To keep itself from noyance but much more
That spirit upon whose weal depend and rest
The lives of many The cease of majesty
Dies not alone but like a gulf doth draw
Whats near it with it It is a massy wheel
Fixd on the summit of the highest mount
To whose huge spokes ten thousand lesser things
Are mortisd and adjoind which when it falls
Each small annexment petty consequence
Attends the boistrous ruin Never alone
Did the King sigh but with a general groan
KING
Arm you I pray you to this speedy voyage
For we will fetters put upon this fear
Which now goes too freefooted
ROSENCRANTZ and GUILDENSTERN
We will haste us
Exeunt Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
Enter Polonius
POLONIUS
My lord hes going to his mothers closet
Behind the arras Ill convey myself
To hear the process Ill warrant shell tax him home
And as you said and wisely was it said
Tis meet that some more audience than a mother
Since nature makes them partial should oerhear
The speech of vantage Fare you well my liege
Ill call upon you ere you go to bed
And tell you what I know
KING
Thanks dear my lord
Exit Polonius
O my offence is rank it smells to heaven
It hath the primal eldest curse upont
A brothers murder Pray can I not
Though inclination be as sharp as will
My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent
And like a man to double business bound
I stand in pause where I shall first begin
And both neglect What if this cursed hand
Were thicker than itself with brothers blood
Is there not rain enough in the sweet heavens
To wash it white as snow Whereto serves mercy
But to confront the visage of offence
And whats in prayer but this twofold force
To be forestalled ere we come to fall
Or pardond being down Then Ill look up
My fault is past But O what form of prayer
Can serve my turn Forgive me my foul murder
That cannot be since I am still possessd
Of those effects for which I did the murder
My crown mine own ambition and my queen
May one be pardond and retain thoffence
In the corrupted currents of this world
Offences gilded hand may shove by justice
And oft tis seen the wicked prize itself
Buys out the law But tis not so above
There is no shuffling there the action lies
In his true nature and we ourselves compelld
Even to the teeth and forehead of our faults
To give in evidence What then What rests
Try what repentance can What can it not
Yet what can it when one cannot repent
O wretched state O bosom black as death
O limed soul that struggling to be free
Art more engagd Help angels Make assay
Bow stubborn knees and heart with strings of steel
Be soft as sinews of the newborn babe
All may be well
Retires and kneels
Enter Hamlet
HAMLET
Now might I do it pat now he is praying
And now Ill dot And so he goes to heaven
And so am I revengd That would be scannd
A villain kills my father and for that
I his sole son do this same villain send
To heaven O this is hire and salary not revenge
He took my father grossly full of bread
With all his crimes broad blown as flush as May
And how his audit stands who knows save heaven
But in our circumstance and course of thought
Tis heavy with him And am I then revengd
To take him in the purging of his soul
When he is fit and seasond for his passage No
Up sword and know thou a more horrid hent
When he is drunk asleep or in his rage
Or in thincestuous pleasure of his bed
At gaming swearing or about some act
That has no relish of salvation int
Then trip him that his heels may kick at heaven
And that his soul may be as damnd and black
As hell whereto it goes My mother stays
This physic but prolongs thy sickly days
Exit
The King rises and advances
KING
My words fly up my thoughts remain below
Words without thoughts never to heaven go
Exit
SCENE IV Another room in the Castle
Enter Queen and Polonius
POLONIUS
He will come straight Look you lay home to him
Tell him his pranks have been too broad to bear with
And that your Grace hath screend and stood between
Much heat and him Ill silence me een here
Pray you be round with him
HAMLET
Within Mother mother mother
QUEEN
Ill warrant you Fear me not
Withdraw I hear him coming
Polonius goes behind the arras
Enter Hamlet
HAMLET
Now mother whats the matter
QUEEN
Hamlet thou hast thy father much offended
HAMLET
Mother you have my father much offended
QUEEN
Come come you answer with an idle tongue
HAMLET
Go go you question with a wicked tongue
QUEEN
Why how now Hamlet
HAMLET
Whats the matter now
QUEEN
Have you forgot me
HAMLET
No by the rood not so
You are the Queen your husbands brothers wife
And would it were not so You are my mother
QUEEN
Nay then Ill set those to you that can speak
HAMLET
Come come and sit you down you shall not budge
You go not till I set you up a glass
Where you may see the inmost part of you
QUEEN
What wilt thou do Thou wilt not murder me
Help help ho
POLONIUS
Behind What ho help help help
HAMLET
How now A rat Draws
Dead for a ducat dead
Makes a pass through the arras
POLONIUS
Behind O I am slain
Falls and dies
QUEEN
O me what hast thou done
HAMLET
Nay I know not Is it the King
Draws forth Polonius
QUEEN
O what a rash and bloody deed is this
HAMLET
A bloody deed Almost as bad good mother
As kill a king and marry with his brother
QUEEN
As kill a king
HAMLET
Ay lady twas my word
To Polonius Thou wretched rash intruding fool farewell
I took thee for thy better Take thy fortune
Thou findst to be too busy is some danger
Leave wringing of your hands Peace sit you down
And let me wring your heart for so I shall
If it be made of penetrable stuff
If damned custom have not brazd it so
That it is proof and bulwark against sense
QUEEN
What have I done that thou darst wag thy tongue
In noise so rude against me
HAMLET
Such an act
That blurs the grace and blush of modesty
Calls virtue hypocrite takes off the rose
From the fair forehead of an innocent love
And sets a blister there Makes marriage vows
As false as dicers oaths O such a deed
As from the body of contraction plucks
The very soul and sweet religion makes
A rhapsody of words Heavens face doth glow
Yea this solidity and compound mass
With tristful visage as against the doom
Is thoughtsick at the act
QUEEN
Ay me what act
That roars so loud and thunders in the index
HAMLET
Look here upon this picture and on this
The counterfeit presentment of two brothers
See what a grace was seated on this brow
Hyperions curls the front of Jove himself
An eye like Mars to threaten and command
A station like the herald Mercury
New lighted on a heavenkissing hill
A combination and a form indeed
Where every god did seem to set his seal
To give the world assurance of a man
This was your husband Look you now what follows
Here is your husband like a mildewd ear
Blasting his wholesome brother Have you eyes
Could you on this fair mountain leave to feed
And batten on this moor Ha have you eyes
You cannot call it love for at your age
The heyday in the blood is tame its humble
And waits upon the judgement and what judgement
Would step from this to this Sense sure you have
Else could you not have motion but sure that sense
Is apoplexd for madness would not err
Nor sense to ecstacy was neer so thralld
But it reservd some quantity of choice
To serve in such a difference What devil wast
That thus hath cozend you at hoodmanblind
Eyes without feeling feeling without sight
Ears without hands or eyes smelling sans all
Or but a sickly part of one true sense
Could not so mope O shame where is thy blush
Rebellious hell
If thou canst mutine in a matrons bones
To flaming youth let virtue be as wax
And melt in her own fire Proclaim no shame
When the compulsive ardour gives the charge
Since frost itself as actively doth burn
And reason panders will
QUEEN
O Hamlet speak no more
Thou turnst mine eyes into my very soul
And there I see such black and grained spots
As will not leave their tinct
HAMLET
Nay but to live
In the rank sweat of an enseamed bed
Stewd in corruption honeying and making love
Over the nasty sty
QUEEN
O speak to me no more
These words like daggers enter in mine ears
No more sweet Hamlet
HAMLET
A murderer and a villain
A slave that is not twentieth part the tithe
Of your precedent lord A vice of kings
A cutpurse of the empire and the rule
That from a shelf the precious diadem stole
And put it in his pocket
QUEEN
No more
HAMLET
A king of shreds and patches
Enter Ghost
Save me and hover oer me with your wings
You heavenly guards What would your gracious figure
QUEEN
Alas hes mad
HAMLET
Do you not come your tardy son to chide
That lapsd in time and passion lets go by
The important acting of your dread command
O say
GHOST
Do not forget This visitation
Is but to whet thy almost blunted purpose
But look amazement on thy mother sits
O step between her and her fighting soul
Conceit in weakest bodies strongest works
Speak to her Hamlet
HAMLET
How is it with you lady
QUEEN
Alas how ist with you
That you do bend your eye on vacancy
And with the incorporal air do hold discourse
Forth at your eyes your spirits wildly peep
And as the sleeping soldiers in the alarm
Your bedded hairs like life in excrements
Start up and stand an end O gentle son
Upon the heat and flame of thy distemper
Sprinkle cool patience Whereon do you look
HAMLET
On him on him Look you how pale he glares
His form and cause conjoind preaching to stones
Would make them capableDo not look upon me
Lest with this piteous action you convert
My stern effects Then what I have to do
Will want true colour tears perchance for blood
QUEEN
To whom do you speak this
HAMLET
Do you see nothing there
QUEEN
Nothing at all yet all that is I see
HAMLET
Nor did you nothing hear
QUEEN
No nothing but ourselves
HAMLET
Why look you there look how it steals away
My father in his habit as he livd
Look where he goes even now out at the portal
Exit Ghost
QUEEN
This is the very coinage of your brain
This bodiless creation ecstasy
Is very cunning in
HAMLET
Ecstasy
My pulse as yours doth temperately keep time
And makes as healthful music It is not madness
That I have utterd Bring me to the test
And I the matter will reword which madness
Would gambol from Mother for love of grace
Lay not that flattering unction to your soul
That not your trespass but my madness speaks
It will but skin and film the ulcerous place
Whilst rank corruption mining all within
Infects unseen Confess yourself to heaven
Repent whats past avoid what is to come
And do not spread the compost on the weeds
To make them ranker Forgive me this my virtue
For in the fatness of these pursy times
Virtue itself of vice must pardon beg
Yea curb and woo for leave to do him good
QUEEN
O Hamlet thou hast cleft my heart in twain
HAMLET
O throw away the worser part of it
And live the purer with the other half
Good night But go not to mine uncles bed
Assume a virtue if you have it not
That monster custom who all sense doth eat
Of habits evil is angel yet in this
That to the use of actions fair and good
He likewise gives a frock or livery
That aptly is put on Refrain tonight
And that shall lend a kind of easiness
To the next abstinence The next more easy
For use almost can change the stamp of nature
And either curb the devil or throw him out
With wondrous potency Once more good night
And when you are desirous to be blesd
Ill blessing beg of you For this same lord
Pointing to Polonius
I do repent but heaven hath pleasd it so
To punish me with this and this with me
That I must be their scourge and minister
I will bestow him and will answer well
The death I gave him So again good night
I must be cruel only to be kind
Thus bad begins and worse remains behind
One word more good lady
QUEEN
What shall I do
HAMLET
Not this by no means that I bid you do
Let the bloat King tempt you again to bed
Pinch wanton on your cheek call you his mouse
And let him for a pair of reechy kisses
Or paddling in your neck with his damnd fingers
Make you to ravel all this matter out
That I essentially am not in madness
But mad in craft Twere good you let him know
For who thats but a queen fair sober wise
Would from a paddock from a bat a gib
Such dear concernings hide Who would do so
No in despite of sense and secrecy
Unpeg the basket on the houses top
Let the birds fly and like the famous ape
To try conclusions in the basket creep
And break your own neck down
QUEEN
Be thou assurd if words be made of breath
And breath of life I have no life to breathe
What thou hast said to me
HAMLET
I must to England you know that
QUEEN
Alack
I had forgot Tis so concluded on
HAMLET
Theres letters seald and my two schoolfellows
Whom I will trust as I will adders fangd
They bear the mandate they must sweep my way
And marshal me to knavery Let it work
For tis the sport to have the enginer
Hoist with his own petard and t shall go hard
But I will delve one yard below their mines
And blow them at the moon O tis most sweet
When in one line two crafts directly meet
This man shall set me packing
Ill lug the guts into the neighbour room
Mother good night Indeed this counsellor
Is now most still most secret and most grave
Who was in life a foolish prating knave
Come sir to draw toward an end with you
Good night mother
Exit Hamlet dragging out Polonius
ACT IV
SCENE I A room in the Castle
Enter King Queen Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
KING
Theres matter in these sighs These profound heaves
You must translate tis fit we understand them
Where is your son
QUEEN
Bestow this place on us a little while
To Rosencrantz and Guildenstern who go out
Ah my good lord what have I seen tonight
KING
What Gertrude How does Hamlet
QUEEN
Mad as the sea and wind when both contend
Which is the mightier In his lawless fit
Behind the arras hearing something stir
Whips out his rapier cries A rat a rat
And in this brainish apprehension kills
The unseen good old man
KING
O heavy deed
It had been so with us had we been there
His liberty is full of threats to all
To you yourself to us to everyone
Alas how shall this bloody deed be answerd
It will be laid to us whose providence
Should have kept short restraind and out of haunt
This mad young man But so much was our love
We would not understand what was most fit
But like the owner of a foul disease
To keep it from divulging let it feed
Even on the pith of life Where is he gone
QUEEN
To draw apart the body he hath killd
Oer whom his very madness like some ore
Among a mineral of metals base
Shows itself pure He weeps for what is done
KING
O Gertrude come away
The sun no sooner shall the mountains touch
But we will ship him hence and this vile deed
We must with all our majesty and skill
Both countenance and excuseHo Guildenstern
Reenter Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
Friends both go join you with some further aid
Hamlet in madness hath Polonius slain
And from his mothers closet hath he draggd him
Go seek him out speak fair and bring the body
Into the chapel I pray you haste in this
Exeunt Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
Come Gertrude well call up our wisest friends
And let them know both what we mean to do
And whats untimely done so haply slander
Whose whisper oer the worlds diameter
As level as the cannon to his blank
Transports his poisond shot may miss our name
And hit the woundless air O come away
My soul is full of discord and dismay
Exeunt
SCENE II Another room in the Castle
Enter Hamlet
HAMLET
Safely stowed
ROSENCRANTZ and GUILDENSTERN
Within Hamlet Lord Hamlet
HAMLET
What noise Who calls on Hamlet O here they come
Enter Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
ROSENCRANTZ
What have you done my lord with the dead body
HAMLET
Compounded it with dust whereto tis kin
ROSENCRANTZ
Tell us where tis that we may take it thence
And bear it to the chapel
HAMLET
Do not believe it
ROSENCRANTZ
Believe what
HAMLET
That I can keep your counsel and not mine own Besides to be demanded of a spongewhat replication should be made by the son of a king
ROSENCRANTZ
Take you me for a sponge my lord
HAMLET
Ay sir that soaks up the Kings countenance his rewards his authorities But such officers do the King best service in the end he keeps them like an ape in the corner of his jaw first mouthed to be last swallowed when he needs what you have gleaned it is but squeezing you and sponge you shall be dry again
ROSENCRANTZ
I understand you not my lord
HAMLET
I am glad of it A knavish speech sleeps in a foolish ear
ROSENCRANTZ
My lord you must tell us where the body is and go with us to the King
HAMLET
The body is with the King but the King is not with the body The King is a thing
GUILDENSTERN
A thing my lord
HAMLET
Of nothing Bring me to him Hide fox and all after
Exeunt
SCENE III Another room in the Castle
Enter King attended
KING
I have sent to seek him and to find the body
How dangerous is it that this man goes loose
Yet must not we put the strong law on him
Hes lovd of the distracted multitude
Who like not in their judgement but their eyes
And where tis so thoffenders scourge is weighd
But never the offence To bear all smooth and even
This sudden sending him away must seem
Deliberate pause Diseases desperate grown
By desperate appliance are relievd
Or not at all
Enter Rosencrantz
How now What hath befalln
ROSENCRANTZ
Where the dead body is bestowd my lord
We cannot get from him
KING
But where is he
ROSENCRANTZ
Without my lord guarded to know your pleasure
KING
Bring him before us
ROSENCRANTZ
Ho Guildenstern Bring in my lord
Enter Hamlet and Guildenstern
KING
Now Hamlet wheres Polonius
HAMLET
At supper
KING
At supper Where
HAMLET
Not where he eats but where he is eaten A certain convocation of politic worms are een at him Your worm is your only emperor for diet We fat all creatures else to fat us and we fat ourselves for maggots Your fat king and your lean beggar is but variable servicetwo dishes but to one table Thats the end
KING
Alas alas
HAMLET
A man may fish with the worm that hath eat of a king and eat of the fish that hath fed of that worm
KING
What dost thou mean by this
HAMLET
Nothing but to show you how a king may go a progress through the guts of a beggar
KING
Where is Polonius
HAMLET
In heaven Send thither to see If your messenger find him not there seek him i thother place yourself But indeed if you find him not within this month you shall nose him as you go up the stairs into the lobby
KING
To some Attendants Go seek him there
HAMLET
He will stay till you come
Exeunt Attendants
KING
Hamlet this deed for thine especial safety
Which we do tender as we dearly grieve
For that which thou hast donemust send thee hence
With fiery quickness Therefore prepare thyself
The bark is ready and the wind at help
Thassociates tend and everything is bent
For England
HAMLET
For England
KING
Ay Hamlet
HAMLET
Good
KING
So is it if thou knewst our purposes
HAMLET
I see a cherub that sees them But come for England Farewell dear mother
KING
Thy loving father Hamlet
HAMLET
My mother Father and mother is man and wife man and wife is one flesh and so my mother Come for England
Exit
KING
Follow him at foot Tempt him with speed aboard
Delay it not Ill have him hence tonight
Away for everything is seald and done
That else leans on thaffair Pray you make haste
Exeunt Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
And England if my love thou holdst at aught
As my great power thereof may give thee sense
Since yet thy cicatrice looks raw and red
After the Danish sword and thy free awe
Pays homage to usthou mayst not coldly set
Our sovereign process which imports at full
By letters conjuring to that effect
The present death of Hamlet Do it England
For like the hectic in my blood he rages
And thou must cure me Till I know tis done
Howeer my haps my joys were neer begun
Exit
SCENE IV A plain in Denmark
Enter Fortinbras and Forces marching
FORTINBRAS
Go Captain from me greet the Danish king
Tell him that by his license Fortinbras
Craves the conveyance of a promisd march
Over his kingdom You know the rendezvous
If that his Majesty would aught with us
We shall express our duty in his eye
And let him know so
CAPTAIN
I will dot my lord
FORTINBRAS
Go softly on
Exeunt all but the Captain
Enter Hamlet Rosencrantz Guildenstern c
HAMLET
Good sir whose powers are these
CAPTAIN
They are of Norway sir
HAMLET
How purposd sir I pray you
CAPTAIN
Against some part of Poland
HAMLET
Who commands them sir
CAPTAIN
The nephew to old Norway Fortinbras
HAMLET
Goes it against the main of Poland sir
Or for some frontier
CAPTAIN
Truly to speak and with no addition
We go to gain a little patch of ground
That hath in it no profit but the name
To pay five ducats five I would not farm it
Nor will it yield to Norway or the Pole
A ranker rate should it be sold in fee
HAMLET
Why then the Polack never will defend it
CAPTAIN
Yes it is already garrisond
HAMLET
Two thousand souls and twenty thousand ducats
Will not debate the question of this straw
This is thimposthume of much wealth and peace
That inward breaks and shows no cause without
Why the man dies I humbly thank you sir
CAPTAIN
God b wi you sir
Exit
ROSENCRANTZ
Willt please you go my lord
HAMLET
Ill be with you straight Go a little before
Exeunt all but Hamlet
How all occasions do inform against me
And spur my dull revenge What is a man
If his chief good and market of his time
Be but to sleep and feed A beast no more
Sure he that made us with such large discourse
Looking before and after gave us not
That capability and godlike reason
To fust in us unusd Now whether it be
Bestial oblivion or some craven scruple
Of thinking too precisely on thevent
A thought which quarterd hath but one part wisdom
And ever three parts cowardI do not know
Why yet I live to say this things to do
Sith I have cause and will and strength and means
To dot Examples gross as earth exhort me
Witness this army of such mass and charge
Led by a delicate and tender prince
Whose spirit with divine ambition puffd
Makes mouths at the invisible event
Exposing what is mortal and unsure
To all that fortune death and danger dare
Even for an eggshell Rightly to be great
Is not to stir without great argument
But greatly to find quarrel in a straw
When honours at the stake How stand I then
That have a father killd a mother staind
Excitements of my reason and my blood
And let all sleep while to my shame I see
The imminent death of twenty thousand men
That for a fantasy and trick of fame
Go to their graves like beds fight for a plot
Whereon the numbers cannot try the cause
Which is not tomb enough and continent
To hide the slain O from this time forth
My thoughts be bloody or be nothing worth
Exit
SCENE V Elsinore A room in the Castle
Enter Queen Horatio and a Gentleman
QUEEN
I will not speak with her
GENTLEMAN
She is importunate indeed distract
Her mood will needs be pitied
QUEEN
What would she have
GENTLEMAN
She speaks much of her father says she hears
Theres tricks i th world and hems and beats her heart
Spurns enviously at straws speaks things in doubt
That carry but half sense Her speech is nothing
Yet the unshaped use of it doth move
The hearers to collection they aim at it
And botch the words up fit to their own thoughts
Which as her winks and nods and gestures yield them
Indeed would make one think there might be thought
Though nothing sure yet much unhappily
Twere good she were spoken with for she may strew
Dangerous conjectures in illbreeding minds
QUEEN
Let her come in
Exit Gentleman
To my sick soul as sins true nature is
Each toy seems prologue to some great amiss
So full of artless jealousy is guilt
It spills itself in fearing to be spilt
Enter Ophelia
OPHELIA
Where is the beauteous Majesty of Denmark
QUEEN
How now Ophelia
OPHELIA
Sings
How should I your true love know
From another one
By his cockle hat and staff
And his sandal shoon
QUEEN
Alas sweet lady what imports this song
OPHELIA
Say you Nay pray you mark
Sings
He is dead and gone lady
He is dead and gone
At his head a grass green turf
At his heels a stone
QUEEN
Nay but Ophelia
OPHELIA
Pray you mark
Sings
White his shroud as the mountain snow
Enter King
QUEEN
Alas look here my lord
OPHELIA
Sings
Larded all with sweet flowers
Which bewept to the grave did not go
With truelove showers
KING
How do you pretty lady
OPHELIA
Well God dild you They say the owl was a bakers daughter Lord we know what we are but know not what we may be God be at your table
KING
Conceit upon her father
OPHELIA
Pray you lets have no words of this but when they ask you what it means say you this
Sings
Tomorrow is Saint Valentines day
All in the morning betime
And I a maid at your window
To be your Valentine
Then up he rose and donnd his clothes
And duppd the chamber door
Let in the maid that out a maid
Never departed more
KING
Pretty Ophelia
OPHELIA
Indeed la without an oath Ill make an end ont
Sings
By Gis and by Saint Charity
Alack and fie for shame
Young men will dot if they come tot
By Cock they are to blame
Quoth she before you tumbled me
You promisd me to wed
So would I ha done by yonder sun
An thou hadst not come to my bed
KING
How long hath she been thus
OPHELIA
I hope all will be well We must be patient But I cannot choose but weep to think they would lay him i th cold ground My brother shall know of it And so I thank you for your good counsel Come my coach Good night ladies good night sweet ladies good night good night
Exit
KING
Follow her close give her good watch I pray you
Exit Horatio
O this is the poison of deep grief it springs
All from her fathers death O Gertrude Gertrude
When sorrows come they come not single spies
But in battalions First her father slain
Next your son gone and he most violent author
Of his own just remove the people muddied
Thick and unwholesome in their thoughts and whispers
For good Polonius death and we have done but greenly
In huggermugger to inter him Poor Ophelia
Divided from herself and her fair judgement
Without the which we are pictures or mere beasts
Last and as much containing as all these
Her brother is in secret come from France
Feeds on his wonder keeps himself in clouds
And wants not buzzers to infect his ear
With pestilent speeches of his fathers death
Wherein necessity of matter beggard
Will nothing stick our person to arraign
In ear and ear O my dear Gertrude this
Like to a murdering piece in many places
Gives me superfluous death
A noise within
QUEEN
Alack what noise is this
KING
Where are my Switzers Let them guard the door
Enter a Gentleman
What is the matter
GENTLEMAN
Save yourself my lord
The ocean overpeering of his list
Eats not the flats with more impetuous haste
Than young Laertes in a riotous head
Oerbears your offices The rabble call him lord
And as the world were now but to begin
Antiquity forgot custom not known
The ratifiers and props of every word
They cry Choose we Laertes shall be king
Caps hands and tongues applaud it to the clouds
Laertes shall be king Laertes king
QUEEN
How cheerfully on the false trail they cry
O this is counter you false Danish dogs
A noise within
KING
The doors are broke
Enter Laertes armed Danes following
LAERTES
Where is this kingSirs stand you all without
Danes
No lets come in
LAERTES
I pray you give me leave
DANES
We will we will
They retire without the door
LAERTES
I thank you Keep the door O thou vile king
Give me my father
QUEEN
Calmly good Laertes
LAERTES
That drop of blood thats calm proclaims me bastard
Cries cuckold to my father brands the harlot
Even here between the chaste unsmirched brow
Of my true mother
KING
What is the cause Laertes
That thy rebellion looks so giantlike
Let him go Gertrude Do not fear our person
Theres such divinity doth hedge a king
That treason can but peep to what it would
Acts little of his willTell me Laertes
Why thou art thus incensdLet him go Gertrude
Speak man
LAERTES
Where is my father
KING
Dead
QUEEN
But not by him
KING
Let him demand his fill
LAERTES
How came he dead Ill not be juggled with
To hell allegiance Vows to the blackest devil
Conscience and grace to the profoundest pit
I dare damnation To this point I stand
That both the worlds I give to negligence
Let come what comes only Ill be revengd
Most throughly for my father
KING
Who shall stay you
LAERTES
My will not all the world
And for my means Ill husband them so well
They shall go far with little
KING
Good Laertes
If you desire to know the certainty
Of your dear fathers death ist writ in your revenge
That sweepstake you will draw both friend and foe
Winner and loser
LAERTES
None but his enemies
KING
Will you know them then
LAERTES
To his good friends thus wide Ill ope my arms
And like the kind liferendering pelican
Repast them with my blood
KING
Why now you speak
Like a good child and a true gentleman
That I am guiltless of your fathers death
And am most sensibly in grief for it
It shall as level to your judgement pear
As day does to your eye
DANES
Within Let her come in
LAERTES
How now What noise is that
Reenter Ophelia fantastically dressed with straws and flowers
O heat dry up my brains Tears seven times salt
Burn out the sense and virtue of mine eye
By heaven thy madness shall be paid by weight
Till our scale turn the beam O rose of May
Dear maid kind sister sweet Ophelia
O heavens ist possible a young maids wits
Should be as mortal as an old mans life
Nature is fine in love and where tis fine
It sends some precious instance of itself
After the thing it loves
OPHELIA
Sings
They bore him barefacd on the bier
Hey non nonny nonny hey nonny
And on his grave raind many a tear
Fare you well my dove
LAERTES
Hadst thou thy wits and didst persuade revenge
It could not move thus
OPHELIA
You must sing Down adown and you call him adowna O how the wheel becomes it It is the false steward that stole his masters daughter
LAERTES
This nothings more than matter
OPHELIA
Theres rosemary thats for remembrance pray love remember And there is pansies thats for thoughts
LAERTES
A document in madness thoughts and remembrance fitted
OPHELIA
Theres fennel for you and columbines Theres rue for you and heres some for me We may call it herb of grace o Sundays O you must wear your rue with a difference Theres a daisy I would give you some violets but they witherd all when my father died They say he made a good end
Sings
For bonny sweet Robin is all my joy
LAERTES
Thought and affliction passion hell itself
She turns to favour and to prettiness
OPHELIA
Sings
And will he not come again
And will he not come again
No no he is dead
Go to thy deathbed
He never will come again
His beard was as white as snow
All flaxen was his poll
He is gone he is gone
And we cast away moan
God ha mercy on his soul
And of all Christian souls I pray God God b wi ye
Exit
LAERTES
Do you see this O God
KING
Laertes I must commune with your grief
Or you deny me right Go but apart
Make choice of whom your wisest friends you will
And they shall hear and judge twixt you and me
If by direct or by collateral hand
They find us touchd we will our kingdom give
Our crown our life and all that we call ours
To you in satisfaction but if not
Be you content to lend your patience to us
And we shall jointly labour with your soul
To give it due content
LAERTES
Let this be so
His means of death his obscure burial
No trophy sword nor hatchment oer his bones
No noble rite nor formal ostentation
Cry to be heard as twere from heaven to earth
That I must callt in question
KING
So you shall
And where thoffence is let the great axe fall
I pray you go with me
Exeunt
SCENE VI Another room in the Castle
Enter Horatio and a Servant
HORATIO
What are they that would speak with me
SERVANT
Sailors sir They say they have letters for you
HORATIO
Let them come in
Exit Servant
I do not know from what part of the world
I should be greeted if not from Lord Hamlet
Enter Sailors
FIRST SAILOR
God bless you sir
HORATIO
Let him bless thee too
FIRST SAILOR
He shall sir andt please him Theres a letter for you sir It comes from thambassador that was bound for England if your name be Horatio as I am let to know it is
HORATIO
Reads Horatio when thou shalt have overlooked this give these fellows some means to the King They have letters for him Ere we were two days old at sea a pirate of very warlike appointment gave us chase Finding ourselves too slow of sail we put on a compelled valour and in the grapple I boarded them On the instant they got clear of our ship so I alone became their prisoner They have dealt with me like thieves of mercy But they knew what they did I am to do a good turn for them Let the King have the letters I have sent and repair thou to me with as much haste as thou wouldst fly death I have words to speak in thine ear will make thee dumb yet are they much too light for the bore of the matter These good fellows will bring thee where I am Rosencrantz and Guildenstern hold their course for England of them I have much to tell thee Farewell
He that thou knowest thine
HAMLET
Come I will give you way for these your letters
And dot the speedier that you may direct me
To him from whom you brought them
Exeunt
SCENE VII Another room in the Castle
Enter King and Laertes
KING
Now must your conscience my acquittance seal
And you must put me in your heart for friend
Sith you have heard and with a knowing ear
That he which hath your noble father slain
Pursud my life
LAERTES
It well appears But tell me
Why you proceeded not against these feats
So crimeful and so capital in nature
As by your safety wisdom all things else
You mainly were stirrd up
KING
O for two special reasons
Which may to you perhaps seem much unsinewd
But yet to me they are strong The Queen his mother
Lives almost by his looks and for myself
My virtue or my plague be it either which
Shes so conjunctive to my life and soul
That as the star moves not but in his sphere
I could not but by her The other motive
Why to a public count I might not go
Is the great love the general gender bear him
Who dipping all his faults in their affection
Would like the spring that turneth wood to stone
Convert his gyves to graces so that my arrows
Too slightly timberd for so loud a wind
Would have reverted to my bow again
And not where I had aimd them
LAERTES
And so have I a noble father lost
A sister driven into desperate terms
Whose worth if praises may go back again
Stood challenger on mount of all the age
For her perfections But my revenge will come
KING
Break not your sleeps for that You must not think
That we are made of stuff so flat and dull
That we can let our beard be shook with danger
And think it pastime You shortly shall hear more
I lovd your father and we love ourself
And that I hope will teach you to imagine
Enter a Messenger
How now What news
MESSENGER
Letters my lord from Hamlet
This to your Majesty this to the Queen
KING
From Hamlet Who brought them
MESSENGER
Sailors my lord they say I saw them not
They were given me by Claudio He receivd them
Of him that brought them
KING
Laertes you shall hear them
Leave us
Exit Messenger
Reads High and mighty you shall know I am set naked on your kingdom Tomorrow shall I beg leave to see your kingly eyes When I shall first asking your pardon thereunto recount the occasions of my sudden and more strange return
HAMLET
What should this mean Are all the rest come back
Or is it some abuse and no such thing
LAERTES
Know you the hand
KING
Tis Hamlets character Naked
And in a postscript here he says alone
Can you advise me
LAERTES
I am lost in it my lord But let him come
It warms the very sickness in my heart
That I shall live and tell him to his teeth
Thus diest thou
KING
If it be so Laertes
As how should it be so How otherwise
Will you be ruld by me
LAERTES
Ay my lord
So you will not oerrule me to a peace
KING
To thine own peace If he be now returnd
As checking at his voyage and that he means
No more to undertake it I will work him
To an exploit now ripe in my device
Under the which he shall not choose but fall
And for his death no wind shall breathe
But even his mother shall uncharge the practice
And call it accident
LAERTES
My lord I will be ruld
The rather if you could devise it so
That I might be the organ
KING
It falls right
You have been talkd of since your travel much
And that in Hamlets hearing for a quality
Wherein they say you shine Your sum of parts
Did not together pluck such envy from him
As did that one and that in my regard
Of the unworthiest siege
LAERTES
What part is that my lord
KING
A very riband in the cap of youth
Yet needful too for youth no less becomes
The light and careless livery that it wears
Than settled age his sables and his weeds
Importing health and graveness Two months since
Here was a gentleman of Normandy
Ive seen myself and servd against the French
And they can well on horseback but this gallant
Had witchcraft int He grew unto his seat
And to such wondrous doing brought his horse
As had he been incorpsd and deminaturd
With the brave beast So far he toppd my thought
That I in forgery of shapes and tricks
Come short of what he did
LAERTES
A Norman wast
KING
A Norman
LAERTES
Upon my life Lamord
KING
The very same
LAERTES
I know him well He is the brooch indeed
And gem of all the nation
KING
He made confession of you
And gave you such a masterly report
For art and exercise in your defence
And for your rapier most especially
That he cried out twould be a sight indeed
If one could match you The scrimers of their nation
He swore had neither motion guard nor eye
If you opposd them Sir this report of his
Did Hamlet so envenom with his envy
That he could nothing do but wish and beg
Your sudden coming oer to play with him
Now out of this
LAERTES
What out of this my lord
KING
Laertes was your father dear to you
Or are you like the painting of a sorrow
A face without a heart
LAERTES
Why ask you this
KING
Not that I think you did not love your father
But that I know love is begun by time
And that I see in passages of proof
Time qualifies the spark and fire of it
There lives within the very flame of love
A kind of wick or snuff that will abate it
And nothing is at a like goodness still
For goodness growing to a pleurisy
Dies in his own too much That we would do
We should do when we would for this would changes
And hath abatements and delays as many
As there are tongues are hands are accidents
And then this should is like a spendthrift sigh
That hurts by easing But to the quick o thulcer
Hamlet comes back what would you undertake
To show yourself your fathers son in deed
More than in words
LAERTES
To cut his throat i th church
KING
No place indeed should murder sanctuarize
Revenge should have no bounds But good Laertes
Will you do this keep close within your chamber
Hamlet returnd shall know you are come home
Well put on those shall praise your excellence
And set a double varnish on the fame
The Frenchman gave you bring you in fine together
And wager on your heads He being remiss
Most generous and free from all contriving
Will not peruse the foils so that with ease
Or with a little shuffling you may choose
A sword unbated and in a pass of practice
Requite him for your father
LAERTES
I will dot
And for that purpose Ill anoint my sword
I bought an unction of a mountebank
So mortal that but dip a knife in it
Where it draws blood no cataplasm so rare
Collected from all simples that have virtue
Under the moon can save the thing from death
This is but scratchd withal Ill touch my point
With this contagion that if I gall him slightly
It may be death
KING
Lets further think of this
Weigh what convenience both of time and means
May fit us to our shape If this should fail
And that our drift look through our bad performance
Twere better not assayd Therefore this project
Should have a back or second that might hold
If this did blast in proof Soft let me see
Well make a solemn wager on your cunnings
I hat When in your motion you are hot and dry
As make your bouts more violent to that end
And that he calls for drink Ill have prepard him
A chalice for the nonce whereon but sipping
If he by chance escape your venomd stuck
Our purpose may hold there
Enter Queen
How now sweet Queen
QUEEN
One woe doth tread upon anothers heel
So fast they follow Your sisters drownd Laertes
LAERTES
Drownd O where
QUEEN
There is a willow grows aslant a brook
That shows his hoary leaves in the glassy stream
There with fantastic garlands did she make
Of crowflowers nettles daisies and long purples
That liberal shepherds give a grosser name
But our cold maids do dead mens fingers call them
There on the pendant boughs her coronet weeds
Clambring to hang an envious sliver broke
When down her weedy trophies and herself
Fell in the weeping brook Her clothes spread wide
And mermaidlike awhile they bore her up
Which time she chaunted snatches of old tunes
As one incapable of her own distress
Or like a creature native and indued
Unto that element But long it could not be
Till that her garments heavy with their drink
Pulld the poor wretch from her melodious lay
To muddy death
LAERTES
Alas then she is drownd
QUEEN
Drownd drownd
LAERTES
Too much of water hast thou poor Ophelia
And therefore I forbid my tears But yet
It is our trick nature her custom holds
Let shame say what it will When these are gone
The woman will be out Adieu my lord
I have a speech of fire that fain would blaze
But that this folly douts it
Exit
KING
Lets follow Gertrude
How much I had to do to calm his rage
Now fear I this will give it start again
Therefore lets follow
Exeunt
ACT V
SCENE I A churchyard
Enter two Clowns with spades c
FIRST CLOWN
Is she to be buried in Christian burial when she wilfully seeks her own salvation
SECOND CLOWN
I tell thee she is and therefore make her grave straight The crowner hath sat on her and finds it Christian burial
FIRST CLOWN
How can that be unless she drowned herself in her own defence
SECOND CLOWN
Why tis found so
FIRST CLOWN
It must be se offendendo it cannot be else For here lies the point if I drown myself wittingly it argues an act and an act hath three branches It is to act to do and to perform argal she drowned herself wittingly
SECOND CLOWN
Nay but hear you goodman delver
FIRST CLOWN
Give me leave Here lies the water good Here stands the man good If the man go to this water and drown himself it is will he nill he he goesmark you that But if the water come to him and drown him he drowns not himself Argal he that is not guilty of his own death shortens not his own life
SECOND CLOWN
But is this law
FIRST CLOWN
Ay marry ist crowners quest law
SECOND CLOWN
Will you ha the truth ont If this had not been a gentlewoman she should have been buried out o Christian burial
FIRST CLOWN
Why there thou sayst And the more pity that great folk should have countenance in this world to drown or hang themselves more than their even Christian Come my spade There is no ancient gentlemen but gardeners ditchers and gravemakers they hold up Adams profession
SECOND CLOWN
Was he a gentleman
FIRST CLOWN
He was the first that ever bore arms
SECOND CLOWN
Why he had none
FIRST CLOWN
What art a heathen How dost thou understand the Scripture The Scripture says Adam diggd Could he dig without arms Ill put another question to thee If thou answerest me not to the purpose confess thyself
SECOND CLOWN
Go to
FIRST CLOWN
What is he that builds stronger than either the mason the shipwright or the carpenter
SECOND CLOWN
The gallowsmaker for that frame outlives a thousand tenants
FIRST CLOWN
I like thy wit well in good faith the gallows does well But how does it well It does well to those that do ill Now thou dost ill to say the gallows is built stronger than the church argal the gallows may do well to thee Tot again come
SECOND CLOWN
Who builds stronger than a mason a shipwright or a carpenter
FIRST CLOWN
Ay tell me that and unyoke
SECOND CLOWN
Marry now I can tell
FIRST CLOWN
Tot
SECOND CLOWN
Mass I cannot tell
Enter Hamlet and Horatio at a distance
FIRST CLOWN
Cudgel thy brains no more about it for your dull ass will not mend his pace with beating and when you are asked this question next say a gravemaker The houses he makes last till doomsday Go get thee to Yaughan fetch me a stoup of liquor
Exit Second Clown
Digs and sings
In youth when I did love did love
Methought it was very sweet
To contract O the time for a my behove
O methought there was nothing meet
HAMLET
Has this fellow no feeling of his business that he sings at gravemaking
HORATIO
Custom hath made it in him a property of easiness
HAMLET
Tis een so the hand of little employment hath the daintier sense
FIRST CLOWN
Sings
But age with his stealing steps
Hath clawd me in his clutch
And hath shippd me into the land
As if I had never been such
Throws up a skull
HAMLET
That skull had a tongue in it and could sing once How the knave jowls it to th ground as if twere Cains jawbone that did the first murder This might be the pate of a politician which this ass now oeroffices one that would circumvent God might it not
HORATIO
It might my lord
HAMLET
Or of a courtier which could say Good morrow sweet lord How dost thou good lord This might be my lord suchaone that praised my lord suchaones horse when he meant to beg it might it not
HORATIO
Ay my lord
HAMLET
Why een so and now my Lady Worms chapless and knocked about the mazard with a sextons spade Heres fine revolution an we had the trick to seet Did these bones cost no more the breeding but to play at loggets with em Mine ache to think ont
FIRST CLOWN
Sings
A pickaxe and a spade a spade
For and a shroudingsheet
O a pit of clay for to be made
For such a guest is meet
Throws up another skull
HAMLET
Theres another Why may not that be the skull of a lawyer Where be his quiddits now his quillets his cases his tenures and his tricks Why does he suffer this rude knave now to knock him about the sconce with a dirty shovel and will not tell him of his action of battery Hum This fellow might be ins time a great buyer of land with his statutes his recognizances his fines his double vouchers his recoveries Is this the fine of his fines and the recovery of his recoveries to have his fine pate full of fine dirt Will his vouchers vouch him no more of his purchases and double ones too than the length and breadth of a pair of indentures The very conveyances of his lands will scarcely lie in this box and must the inheritor himself have no more ha
HORATIO
Not a jot more my lord
HAMLET
Is not parchment made of sheepskins
HORATIO
Ay my lord and of calfskins too
HAMLET
They are sheep and calves which seek out assurance in that I will speak to this fellowWhose graves this sir
FIRST CLOWN
Mine sir
Sings
O a pit of clay for to be made
For such a guest is meet
HAMLET
I think it be thine indeed for thou liest int
FIRST CLOWN
You lie out ont sir and therefore tis not yours
For my part I do not lie int yet it is mine
HAMLET
Thou dost lie int to be int and say it is thine Tis for the dead not for the quick therefore thou liest
FIRST CLOWN
Tis a quick lie sir t will away again from me to you
HAMLET
What man dost thou dig it for
FIRST CLOWN
For no man sir
HAMLET
What woman then
FIRST CLOWN
For none neither
HAMLET
Who is to be buried int
FIRST CLOWN
One that was a woman sir but rest her soul shes dead
HAMLET
How absolute the knave is We must speak by the card or equivocation will undo us By the Lord Horatio these three years I have taken note of it the age is grown so picked that the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier he galls his kibeHow long hast thou been a gravemaker
FIRST CLOWN
Of all the days i th year I came tot that day that our last King Hamlet oercame Fortinbras
HAMLET
How long is that since
FIRST CLOWN
Cannot you tell that Every fool can tell that It was the very day that young Hamlet was bornhe that is mad and sent into England
HAMLET
Ay marry why was he sent into England
FIRST CLOWN
Why because he was mad he shall recover his wits there or if he do not its no great matter there
HAMLET
Why
FIRST CLOWN
Twill not be seen in him there there the men are as mad as he
HAMLET
How came he mad
FIRST CLOWN
Very strangely they say
HAMLET
How strangely
FIRST CLOWN
Faith een with losing his wits
HAMLET
Upon what ground
FIRST CLOWN
Why here in Denmark I have been sexton here man and boy thirty years
HAMLET
How long will a man lie i thearth ere he rot
FIRST CLOWN
Faith if he be not rotten before he dieas we have many pocky corses nowadays that will scarce hold the laying inhe will last you some eight year or nine year A tanner will last you nine year
HAMLET
Why he more than another
FIRST CLOWN
Why sir his hide is so tannd with his trade that he will keep out water a great while And your water is a sore decayer of your whoreson dead body Heres a skull now this skull hath lain in the earth threeandtwenty years
HAMLET
Whose was it
FIRST CLOWN
A whoreson mad fellows it was Whose do you think it was
HAMLET
Nay I know not
FIRST CLOWN
A pestilence on him for a mad rogue A pourd a flagon of Rhenish on my head once This same skull sir was Yoricks skull the Kings jester
HAMLET
This
FIRST CLOWN
Een that
HAMLET
Let me see Takes the skull Alas poor Yorick I knew him Horatio a fellow of infinite jest of most excellent fancy He hath borne me on his back a thousand times and now how abhorred in my imagination it is My gorge rises at it Here hung those lips that I have kissd I know not how oft Where be your gibes now your gambols your songs your flashes of merriment that were wont to set the table on a roar Not one now to mock your own grinning Quite chopfallen Now get you to my ladys chamber and tell her let her paint an inch thick to this favour she must come Make her laugh at thatPrithee Horatio tell me one thing
HORATIO
Whats that my lord
HAMLET
Dost thou think Alexander looked o this fashion i thearth
HORATIO
Een so
HAMLET
And smelt so Pah
Throws down the skull
HORATIO
Een so my lord
HAMLET
To what base uses we may return Horatio Why may not imagination trace the noble dust of Alexander till he find it stopping a bunghole
HORATIO
Twere to consider too curiously to consider so
HAMLET
No faith not a jot But to follow him thither with modesty enough and likelihood to lead it as thus Alexander died Alexander was buried Alexander returneth into dust the dust is earth of earth we make loam and why of that loam whereto he was converted might they not stop a beerbarrel
Imperious Caesar dead and turnd to clay
Might stop a hole to keep the wind away
O that that earth which kept the world in awe
Should patch a wall texpel the winters flaw
But soft but soft aside Here comes the King
Enter priests c in procession the corpse of Ophelia Laertes and Mourners following King Queen their Trains c
The Queen the courtiers Who is that they follow
And with such maimed rites This doth betoken
The corse they follow did with desperate hand
Fordo it own life Twas of some estate
Couch we awhile and mark
Retiring with Horatio
LAERTES
What ceremony else
HAMLET
That is Laertes a very noble youth Mark
LAERTES
What ceremony else
PRIEST
Her obsequies have been as far enlargd
As we have warranties Her death was doubtful
And but that great command oersways the order
She should in ground unsanctified have lodgd
Till the last trumpet For charitable prayers
Shards flints and pebbles should be thrown on her
Yet here she is allowed her virgin rites
Her maiden strewments and the bringing home
Of bell and burial
LAERTES
Must there no more be done
PRIEST
No more be done
We should profane the service of the dead
To sing sage requiem and such rest to her
As to peaceparted souls
LAERTES
Lay her i thearth
And from her fair and unpolluted flesh
May violets spring I tell thee churlish priest
A ministring angel shall my sister be
When thou liest howling
HAMLET
What the fair Ophelia
QUEEN
Scattering flowers Sweets to the sweet Farewell
I hopd thou shouldst have been my Hamlets wife
I thought thy bridebed to have deckd sweet maid
And not have strewd thy grave
LAERTES
O treble woe
Fall ten times treble on that cursed head
Whose wicked deed thy most ingenious sense
Deprivd thee of Hold off the earth a while
Till I have caught her once more in mine arms
Leaps into the grave
Now pile your dust upon the quick and dead
Till of this flat a mountain you have made
To oertop old Pelion or the skyish head
Of blue Olympus
HAMLET
Advancing
What is he whose grief
Bears such an emphasis whose phrase of sorrow
Conjures the wandring stars and makes them stand
Like wonderwounded hearers This is I
Hamlet the Dane
Leaps into the grave
LAERTES
Grappling with him The devil take thy soul
HAMLET
Thou prayst not well
I prithee take thy fingers from my throat
For though I am not splenative and rash
Yet have I in me something dangerous
Which let thy wiseness fear Away thy hand
KING
Pluck them asunder
QUEEN
Hamlet Hamlet
All
Gentlemen
HORATIO
Good my lord be quiet
The Attendants part them and they come out of the grave
HAMLET
Why I will fight with him upon this theme
Until my eyelids will no longer wag
QUEEN
O my son what theme
HAMLET
I lovd Ophelia forty thousand brothers
Could not with all their quantity of love
Make up my sum What wilt thou do for her
KING
O he is mad Laertes
QUEEN
For love of God forbear him
HAMLET
Swounds show me what thoult do
Woult weep woult fight woult fast woult tear thyself
Woult drink up eisel eat a crocodile
Ill dot Dost thou come here to whine
To outface me with leaping in her grave
Be buried quick with her and so will I
And if thou prate of mountains let them throw
Millions of acres on us till our ground
Singeing his pate against the burning zone
Make Ossa like a wart Nay an thoult mouth
Ill rant as well as thou
QUEEN
This is mere madness
And thus awhile the fit will work on him
Anon as patient as the female dove
When that her golden couplets are disclosd
His silence will sit drooping
HAMLET
Hear you sir
What is the reason that you use me thus
I lovd you ever But it is no matter
Let Hercules himself do what he may
The cat will mew and dog will have his day
Exit
KING
I pray thee good Horatio wait upon him
Exit Horatio
To Laertes
Strengthen your patience in our last nights speech
Well put the matter to the present push
Good Gertrude set some watch over your son
This grave shall have a living monument
An hour of quiet shortly shall we see
Till then in patience our proceeding be
Exeunt
SCENE II A hall in the Castle
Enter Hamlet and Horatio
HAMLET
So much for this sir Now let me see the other
You do remember all the circumstance
HORATIO
Remember it my lord
HAMLET
Sir in my heart there was a kind of fighting
That would not let me sleep Methought I lay
Worse than the mutinies in the bilboes Rashly
And praisd be rashness for itlet us know
Our indiscretion sometime serves us well
When our deep plots do pall and that should teach us
Theres a divinity that shapes our ends
Roughhew them how we will
HORATIO
That is most certain
HAMLET
Up from my cabin
My seagown scarfd about me in the dark
Gropd I to find out them had my desire
Fingerd their packet and in fine withdrew
To mine own room again making so bold
My fears forgetting manners to unseal
Their grand commission where I found Horatio
Oh royal knavery an exact command
Larded with many several sorts of reasons
Importing Denmarks health and Englands too
With ho such bugs and goblins in my life
That on the supervise no leisure bated
No not to stay the grinding of the axe
My head should be struck off
HORATIO
Ist possible
HAMLET
Heres the commission read it at more leisure
But wilt thou hear me how I did proceed
HORATIO
I beseech you
HAMLET
Being thus benetted round with villanies
Or I could make a prologue to my brains
They had begun the playI sat me down
Devisd a new commission wrote it fair
I once did hold it as our statists do
A baseness to write fair and labourd much
How to forget that learning but sir now
It did me yeomans service Wilt thou know
The effect of what I wrote
HORATIO
Ay good my lord
HAMLET
An earnest conjuration from the King
As England was his faithful tributary
As love between them like the palm might flourish
As peace should still her wheaten garland wear
And stand a comma tween their amities
And many suchlike ases of great charge
That on the view and know of these contents
Without debatement further more or less
He should the bearers put to sudden death
Not shrivingtime allowd
HORATIO
How was this seald
HAMLET
Why even in that was heaven ordinant
I had my fathers signet in my purse
Which was the model of that Danish seal
Folded the writ up in the form of the other
Subscribd it gavet thimpression placd it safely
The changeling never known Now the next day
Was our seafight and what to this was sequent
Thou knowst already
HORATIO
So Guildenstern and Rosencrantz go tot
HAMLET
Why man they did make love to this employment
They are not near my conscience their defeat
Does by their own insinuation grow
Tis dangerous when the baser nature comes
Between the pass and fell incensed points
Of mighty opposites
HORATIO
Why what a king is this
HAMLET
Does it not thinkst thee stand me now upon
He that hath killd my king and whord my mother
Poppd in between thelection and my hopes
Thrown out his angle for my proper life
And with such cozenageist not perfect conscience
To quit him with this arm And ist not to be damnd
To let this canker of our nature come
In further evil
HORATIO
It must be shortly known to him from England
What is the issue of the business there
HAMLET
It will be short The interim is mine
And a mans lifes no more than to say One
But I am very sorry good Horatio
That to Laertes I forgot myself
For by the image of my cause I see
The portraiture of his Ill court his favours
But sure the bravery of his grief did put me
Into a towring passion
HORATIO
Peace who comes here
Enter Osric
OSRIC
Your lordship is right welcome back to Denmark
HAMLET
I humbly thank you sir Dost know this waterfly
HORATIO
No my good lord
HAMLET
Thy state is the more gracious for tis a vice to know him He hath much land and fertile let a beast be lord of beasts and his crib shall stand at the kings mess tis a chough but as I say spacious in the possession of dirt
OSRIC
Sweet lord if your lordship were at leisure I should impart a thing to you from his Majesty
HAMLET
I will receive it with all diligence of spirit Put your bonnet to his right use tis for the head
OSRIC
I thank your lordship tis very hot
HAMLET
No believe me tis very cold the wind is northerly
OSRIC
It is indifferent cold my lord indeed
HAMLET
Methinks it is very sultry and hot for my complexion
OSRIC
Exceedingly my lord it is very sultryas twereI cannot tell how But my lord his Majesty bade me signify to you that he has laid a great wager on your head Sir this is the matter
HAMLET
I beseech you remember
Hamlet moves him to put on his hat
OSRIC
Nay in good faith for mine ease in good faith Sir here is newly come to court Laertes believe me an absolute gentleman full of most excellent differences of very soft society and great showing Indeed to speak feelingly of him he is the card or calendar of gentry for you shall find in him the continent of what part a gentleman would see
HAMLET
Sir his definement suffers no perdition in you though I know to divide him inventorially would dizzy tharithmetic of memory and yet but yaw neither in respect of his quick sail But in the verity of extolment I take him to be a soul of great article and his infusion of such dearth and rareness as to make true diction of him his semblable is his mirror and who else would trace him his umbrage nothing more
OSRIC
Your lordship speaks most infallibly of him
HAMLET
The concernancy sir Why do we wrap the gentleman in our more rawer breath
OSRIC
Sir
HORATIO
Ist not possible to understand in another tongue You will dot sir really
HAMLET
What imports the nomination of this gentleman
OSRIC
Of Laertes
HORATIO
His purse is empty already alls golden words are spent
HAMLET
Of him sir
OSRIC
I know you are not ignorant
HAMLET
I would you did sir yet in faith if you did it would not much approve me Well sir
OSRIC
You are not ignorant of what excellence Laertes is
HAMLET
I dare not confess that lest I should compare with him in excellence but to know a man well were to know himself
OSRIC
I mean sir for his weapon but in the imputation laid on him by them in his meed hes unfellowed
HAMLET
Whats his weapon
OSRIC
Rapier and dagger
HAMLET
Thats two of his weapons But well
OSRIC
The King sir hath wagerd with him six Barbary horses against the which he has imponed as I take it six French rapiers and poniards with their assigns as girdle hangers and so Three of the carriages in faith are very dear to fancy very responsive to the hilts most delicate carriages and of very liberal conceit
HAMLET
What call you the carriages
HORATIO
I knew you must be edified by the margin ere you had done
OSRIC
The carriages sir are the hangers
HAMLET
The phrase would be more german to the matter if we could carry cannon by our sides I would it might be hangers till then But on Six Barbary horses against six French swords their assigns and three liberal conceited carriages thats the French bet against the Danish Why is this all imponed as you call it
OSRIC
The King sir hath laid that in a dozen passes between you and him he shall not exceed you three hits He hath laid on twelve for nine And it would come to immediate trial if your lordship would vouchsafe the answer
HAMLET
How if I answer no
OSRIC
I mean my lord the opposition of your person in trial
HAMLET
Sir I will walk here in the hall If it please his Majesty it is the breathing time of day with me Let the foils be brought the gentleman willing and the King hold his purpose I will win for him if I can if not I will gain nothing but my shame and the odd hits
OSRIC
Shall I redeliver you een so
HAMLET
To this effect sir after what flourish your nature will
OSRIC
I commend my duty to your lordship
HAMLET
Yours yours
Exit Osric
He does well to commend it himself there are no tongues else fors turn
HORATIO
This lapwing runs away with the shell on his head
HAMLET
He did comply with his dug before he suckd it Thus has heand many more of the same bevy that I know the drossy age dotes on only got the tune of the time and outward habit of encounter a kind of yeasty collection which carries them through and through the most fanned and winnowed opinions and do but blow them to their trial the bubbles are out
Enter a Lord
LORD
My lord his Majesty commended him to you by young Osric who brings back to him that you attend him in the hall He sends to know if your pleasure hold to play with Laertes or that you will take longer time
HAMLET
I am constant to my purposes they follow the Kings pleasure If his fitness speaks mine is ready Now or whensoever provided I be so able as now
LORD
The King and Queen and all are coming down
HAMLET
In happy time
LORD
The Queen desires you to use some gentle entertainment to Laertes before you fall to play
HAMLET
She well instructs me
Exit Lord
HORATIO
You will lose this wager my lord
HAMLET
I do not think so Since he went into France I have been in continual practice I shall win at the odds But thou wouldst not think how ill alls here about my heart but it is no matter
HORATIO
Nay good my lord
HAMLET
It is but foolery but it is such a kind of gaingiving as would perhaps trouble a woman
HORATIO
If your mind dislike anything obey it I will forestall their repair hither and say you are not fit
HAMLET
Not a whit we defy augury Theres a special providence in the fall of a sparrow If it be now tis not to come if it be not to come it will be now if it be not now yet it will come The readiness is all Since no man has aught of what he leaves what ist to leave betimes
Enter King Queen Laertes Lords Osric and Attendants with foils c
KING
Come Hamlet come and take this hand from me
The King puts Laertess hand into Hamlets
HAMLET
Give me your pardon sir I have done you wrong
But pardont as you are a gentleman
This presence knows and you must needs have heard
How I am punishd with sore distraction
What I have done
That might your nature honour and exception
Roughly awake I here proclaim was madness
Wast Hamlet wrongd Laertes Never Hamlet
If Hamlet from himself be taen away
And when hes not himself does wrong Laertes
Then Hamlet does it not Hamlet denies it
Who does it then His madness Ift be so
Hamlet is of the faction that is wrongd
His madness is poor Hamlets enemy
Sir in this audience
Let my disclaiming from a purposd evil
Free me so far in your most generous thoughts
That I have shot my arrow oer the house
And hurt my brother
LAERTES
I am satisfied in nature
Whose motive in this case should stir me most
To my revenge But in my terms of honour
I stand aloof and will no reconcilement
Till by some elder masters of known honour
I have a voice and precedent of peace
To keep my name ungord But till that time
I do receive your offerd love like love
And will not wrong it
HAMLET
I embrace it freely
And will this brothers wager frankly play
Give us the foils come on
LAERTES
Come one for me
HAMLET
Ill be your foil Laertes in mine ignorance
Your skill shall like a star i th darkest night
Stick fiery off indeed
LAERTES
You mock me sir
HAMLET
No by this hand
KING
Give them the foils young Osric Cousin Hamlet
You know the wager
HAMLET
Very well my lord
Your Grace has laid the odds o the weaker side
KING
I do not fear it I have seen you both
But since he is betterd we have therefore odds
LAERTES
This is too heavy Let me see another
HAMLET
This likes me well These foils have all a length
They prepare to play
OSRIC
Ay my good lord
KING
Set me the stoups of wine upon that table
If Hamlet give the first or second hit
Or quit in answer of the third exchange
Let all the battlements their ordnance fire
The King shall drink to Hamlets better breath
And in the cup an union shall he throw
Richer than that which four successive kings
In Denmarks crown have worn Give me the cups
And let the kettle to the trumpet speak
The trumpet to the cannoneer without
The cannons to the heavens the heavens to earth
Now the King drinks to Hamlet Come begin
And you the judges bear a wary eye
HAMLET
Come on sir
LAERTES
Come my lord
They play
HAMLET
One
LAERTES
No
HAMLET
Judgement
OSRIC
A hit a very palpable hit
LAERTES
Well again
KING
Stay give me drink Hamlet this pearl is thine
Heres to thy health
Trumpets sound and cannon shot off within
Give him the cup
HAMLET
Ill play this bout first set it by awhile
They play
Come Another hit what say you
LAERTES
A touch a touch I do confess
KING
Our son shall win
QUEEN
Hes fat and scant of breath
Here Hamlet take my napkin rub thy brows
The Queen carouses to thy fortune Hamlet
HAMLET
Good madam
KING
Gertrude do not drink
QUEEN
I will my lord I pray you pardon me
KING
Aside It is the poisond cup it is too late
HAMLET
I dare not drink yet madam By and by
QUEEN
Come let me wipe thy face
LAERTES
My lord Ill hit him now
KING
I do not thinkt
LAERTES
Aside And yet tis almost gainst my conscience
HAMLET
Come for the third Laertes You do but dally
I pray you pass with your best violence
I am afeard you make a wanton of me
LAERTES
Say you so Come on
They play
OSRIC
Nothing neither way
LAERTES
Have at you now
Laertes wounds Hamlet then in scuffling they change rapiers and Hamlet wounds Laertes
KING
Part them they are incensd
HAMLET
Nay come again
The Queen falls
OSRIC
Look to the Queen there ho
HORATIO
They bleed on both sides How is it my lord
OSRIC
How ist Laertes
LAERTES
Why as a woodcock to my own springe Osric
I am justly killd with mine own treachery
HAMLET
How does the Queen
KING
She swoons to see them bleed
QUEEN
No no the drink the drink O my dear Hamlet
The drink the drink I am poisond
Dies
HAMLET
O villany Ho Let the door be lockd
Treachery Seek it out
Laertes falls
LAERTES
It is here Hamlet Hamlet thou art slain
No medicine in the world can do thee good
In thee there is not half an hour of life
The treacherous instrument is in thy hand
Unbated and envenomd The foul practice
Hath turnd itself on me Lo here I lie
Never to rise again Thy mothers poisond
I can no more The King the Kings to blame
HAMLET
The point envenomd too
Then venom to thy work
Stabs the King
OSRIC and LORDS
Treason treason
KING
O yet defend me friends I am but hurt
HAMLET
Here thou incestuous murderous damned Dane
Drink off this potion Is thy union here
Follow my mother
King dies
LAERTES
He is justly servd
It is a poison temperd by himself
Exchange forgiveness with me noble Hamlet
Mine and my fathers death come not upon thee
Nor thine on me
Dies
HAMLET
Heaven make thee free of it I follow thee
I am dead Horatio Wretched Queen adieu
You that look pale and tremble at this chance
That are but mutes or audience to this act
Had I but timeas this fell sergeant death
Is strict in his arrestO I could tell you
But let it be Horatio I am dead
Thou livst report me and my cause aright
To the unsatisfied
HORATIO
Never believe it
I am more an antique Roman than a Dane
Heres yet some liquor left
HAMLET
As thart a man
Give me the cup Let go by Heaven Ill havet
O good Horatio what a wounded name
Things standing thus unknown shall live behind me
If thou didst ever hold me in thy heart
Absent thee from felicity awhile
And in this harsh world draw thy breath in pain
To tell my story
March afar off and shot within
What warlike noise is this
OSRIC
Young Fortinbras with conquest come from Poland
To the ambassadors of England gives
This warlike volley
HAMLET
O I die Horatio
The potent poison quite oercrows my spirit
I cannot live to hear the news from England
But I do prophesy thelection lights
On Fortinbras He has my dying voice
So tell him with the occurrents more and less
Which have solicited The rest is silence
Dies
HORATIO
Now cracks a noble heart Good night sweet prince
And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest
Why does the drum come hither
March within
Enter Fortinbras the English Ambassadors and others
FORTINBRAS
Where is this sight
HORATIO
What is it you would see
If aught of woe or wonder cease your search
FORTINBRAS
This quarry cries on havoc O proud death
What feast is toward in thine eternal cell
That thou so many princes at a shot
So bloodily hast struck
FIRST AMBASSADOR
The sight is dismal
And our affairs from England come too late
The ears are senseless that should give us hearing
To tell him his commandment is fulfilld
That Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead
Where should we have our thanks
HORATIO
Not from his mouth
Had it thability of life to thank you
He never gave commandment for their death
But since so jump upon this bloody question
You from the Polack wars and you from England
Are here arrivd give order that these bodies
High on a stage be placed to the view
And let me speak to th yet unknowing world
How these things came about So shall you hear
Of carnal bloody and unnatural acts
Of accidental judgements casual slaughters
Of deaths put on by cunning and forcd cause
And in this upshot purposes mistook
Falln on the inventors heads All this can I
Truly deliver
FORTINBRAS
Let us haste to hear it
And call the noblest to the audience
For me with sorrow I embrace my fortune
I have some rights of memory in this kingdom
Which now to claim my vantage doth invite me
HORATIO
Of that I shall have also cause to speak
And from his mouth whose voice will draw on more
But let this same be presently performd
Even while mens minds are wild lest more mischance
On plots and errors happen
FORTINBRAS
Let four captains
Bear Hamlet like a soldier to the stage
For he was likely had he been put on
To have provd most royally and for his passage
The soldiers music and the rites of war
Speak loudly for him
Take up the bodies Such a sight as this
Becomes the field but here shows much amiss
Go bid the soldiers shoot
A dead march
Exeunt bearing off the bodies after which a peal of ordnance is shot off
THE FIRST PART OF KING HENRY THE FOURTH
Contents
ACT I
Scene I London A Room in the Palace
Scene II The same An Apartment of Prince Henrys
Scene III The Same A Room in the Palace
ACT II
Scene I Rochester An InnYard
Scene II The Road by Gadshill
Scene III Warkworth A Room in the Castle
Scene IV Eastcheap A Room in the Boars Head Tavern
ACT III
Scene I Bangor A Room in the Archdeacons House
Scene II London A Room in the Palace
Scene III Eastcheap A Room in the Boars Head Tavern
ACT IV
Scene I The Rebel Camp near Shrewsbury
Scene II A public Road near Coventry
Scene III The Rebel Camp near Shrewsbury
Scene IV York A Room in the Archbishops Palace
ACT V
Scene I The Kings Camp near Shrewsbury
Scene II The Rebel Camp
Scene III Plain between the Camps
Scene IV Another Part of the Field
Scene V Another Part of the Field
Dramatis Person
KING HENRY the Fourth
HENRY PRINCE of Wales son to the King
Prince John of LANCASTER son to the King
Earl of WESTMORELAND
Sir Walter BLUNT
Thomas Percy Earl of WORCESTER
Henry Percy Earl of NORTHUMBERLAND
Henry Percy surnamed HOTSPUR his son
Edmund MORTIMER Earl of March
Scroop ARCHBISHOP of York
SIR MICHAEL a friend to the archbishop of York
Archibald Earl of DOUGLAS
Owen GLENDOWER
Sir Richard VERNON
Sir John FALSTAFF
POINS
GADSHILL
PETO
BARDOLPH
LADY PERCY Wife to Hotspur
Lady Mortimer Daughter to Glendower
Mrs Quickly Hostess in Eastcheap
Lords Officers Sheriff Vintner Chamberlain Drawers Carriers Ostler Messengers Servant Travellers and Attendants
SCENE England and Wales
ACT I
SCENE I London A Room in the Palace
Enter the King Lord John of Lancaster Earl of Westmoreland with others
KING
So shaken as we are so wan with care
Find we a time for frighted peace to pant
And breathe shortwinded accents of new broils
To be commenced in strands afar remote
No more the thirsty entrance of this soil
Shall daub her lips with her own childrens blood
No more shall trenching war channel her fields
Nor bruise her flowrets with the armed hoofs
Of hostile paces those opposed eyes
Which like the meteors of a troubled heaven
All of one nature of one substance bred
Did lately meet in the intestine shock
And furious close of civil butchery
Shall now in mutual wellbeseeming ranks
March all one way and be no more opposed
Against acquaintance kindred and allies
The edge of war like an illsheathed knife
No more shall cut his master Therefore friends
As far as to the sepulchre of Christ
Whose soldier now under whose blessed cross
We are impressed and engaged to fight
Forthwith a power of English shall we levy
Whose arms were molded in their mothers womb
To chase these pagans in those holy fields
Over whose acres walked those blessed feet
Which fourteen hundred years ago were nailed
For our advantage on the bitter cross
But this our purpose now is twelve month old
And bootless tis to tell you we will go
Therefore we meet not now Then let me hear
Of you my gentle cousin Westmoreland
What yesternight our Council did decree
In forwarding this dear expedience
WESTMORELAND
My liege this haste was hot in question
And many limits of the charge set down
But yesternight when all athwart there came
A post from Wales loaden with heavy news
Whose worst was that the noble Mortimer
Leading the men of Herefordshire to fight
Against the irregular and wild Glendower
Was by the rude hands of that Welshman taken
A thousand of his people butchered
Upon whose dead corpse there was such misuse
Such beastly shameless transformation
By those Welshwomen done as may not be
Without much shame retold or spoken of
KING
It seems then that the tidings of this broil
Brake off our business for the Holy Land
WESTMORELAND
This matched with other did my gracious lord
For more uneven and unwelcome news
Came from the North and thus it did import
On Holyrood day the gallant Hotspur there
Young Harry Percy and brave Archibald
That evervaliant and approved Scot
At Holmedon met where they did spend
A sad and bloody hour
As by discharge of their artillery
And shape of likelihood the news was told
For he that brought them in the very heat
And pride of their contention did take horse
Uncertain of the issue any way
KING
Here is a dear and trueindustrious friend
Sir Walter Blunt new lighted from his horse
Stained with the variation of each soil
Betwixt that Holmedon and this seat of ours
And he hath brought us smooth and welcome news
The Earl of Douglas is discomfited
Ten thousand bold Scots twoandtwenty knights
Balked in their own blood did Sir Walter see
On Holmedons plains of prisoners Hotspur took
Mordake Earl of Fife and eldest son
To beaten Douglas and the Earl of Athol
Of Murray Angus and Menteith
And is not this an honourable spoil
A gallant prize Ha cousin is it not
WESTMORELAND
In faith it is a conquest for a prince to boast of
KING
Yea there thou makst me sad and makst me sin
In envy that my Lord Northumberland
Should be the father to so blest a son
A son who is the theme of honours tongue
Amongst a grove the very straightest plant
Who is sweet Fortunes minion and her pride
Whilst I by looking on the praise of him
See riot and dishonour stain the brow
Of my young Harry O that it could be proved
That some nighttripping fairy had exchanged
In cradleclothes our children where they lay
And called mine Percy his Plantagenet
Then would I have his Harry and he mine
But let him from my thoughts What think you coz
Of this young Percys pride The prisoners
Which he in this adventure hath surprised
To his own use he keeps and sends me word
I shall have none but Mordake Earl of Fife
WESTMORELAND
This is his uncles teaching this is Worcester
Malevolent to you in all aspects
Which makes him prune himself and bristle up
The crest of youth against your dignity
KING
But I have sent for him to answer this
And for this cause awhile we must neglect
Our holy purpose to Jerusalem
Cousin on Wednesday next our Council we
Will hold at Windsor so inform the lords
But come yourself with speed to us again
For more is to be said and to be done
Than out of anger can be uttered
WESTMORELAND
I will my liege
Exeunt
SCENE II The same An Apartment of Prince Henrys
Enter Prince Henry and Sir John Falstaff
FALSTAFF
Now Hal what time of day is it lad
PRINCE
Thou art so fatwitted with drinking of old sack and unbuttoning thee after supper and sleeping upon benches after noon that thou hast forgotten to demand that truly which thou wouldst truly know What a devil hast thou to do with the time of the day Unless hours were cups of sack and minutes capons and clocks the tongues of bawds and dials the signs of leapinghouses and the blessed sun himself a fair hot wench in flamecoloured taffeta I see no reason why thou shouldst be so superfluous to demand the time of the day
FALSTAFF
Indeed you come near me now Hal for we that take purses go by the moon and the seven stars and not by Phbus he that wandring knight so fair And I prithee sweet wag when thou art king as God save thy GraceMajesty I should say for grace thou wilt have none
PRINCE
What none
FALSTAFF
No by my troth not so much as will serve to be prologue to an egg and butter
PRINCE
Well how then Come roundly roundly
FALSTAFF
Marry then sweet wag when thou art king let not us that are squires of the nights body be called thieves of the days beauty let us be Dianas foresters gentlemen of the shade minions of the moon and let men say we be men of good government being governed as the sea is by our noble and chaste mistress the moon under whose countenance we steal
PRINCE
Thou sayest well and it holds well too for the fortune of us that are the moons men doth ebb and flow like the sea being governed as the sea is by the moon As for proof now a purse of gold most resolutely snatched on Monday night and most dissolutely spent on Tuesday morning got with swearing Lay by and spent with crying Bring in now in as low an ebb as the foot of the ladder and by and by in as high a flow as the ridge of the gallows
FALSTAFF
By the Lord thou sayst true lad And is not my hostess of the tavern a most sweet wench
PRINCE
As the honey of Hybla my old lad of the castle And is not a buff jerkin a most sweet robe of durance
FALSTAFF
How now how now mad wag What in thy quips and thy quiddities What a plague have I to do with a buff jerkin
PRINCE
Why what a pox have I to do with my hostess of the tavern
FALSTAFF
Well thou hast called her to a reckoning many a time and oft
PRINCE
Did I ever call for thee to pay thy part
FALSTAFF
No Ill give thee thy due thou hast paid all there
PRINCE
Yea and elsewhere so far as my coin would stretch and where it would not I have used my credit
FALSTAFF
Yea and so used it that were it not here apparent that thou art heir apparentBut I prithee sweet wag shall there be gallows standing in England when thou art king And resolution thus fubbed as it is with the rusty curb of old father Antic the law Do not thou when thou art king hang a thief
PRINCE
No thou shalt
FALSTAFF
Shall I O rare By the Lord Ill be a brave judge
PRINCE
Thou judgest false already I mean thou shalt have the hanging of the thieves and so become a rare hangman
FALSTAFF
Well Hal well and in some sort it jumps with my humour as well as waiting in the court I can tell you
PRINCE
For obtaining of suits
FALSTAFF
Yea for obtaining of suits whereof the hangman hath no lean wardrobe Sblood I am as melancholy as a gib cat or a lugged bear
PRINCE
Or an old lion or a lovers lute
FALSTAFF
Yea or the drone of a Lincolnshire bagpipe
PRINCE
What sayest thou to a hare or the melancholy of Moorditch
FALSTAFF
Thou hast the most unsavoury similes and art indeed the most comparative rascalliest sweet young prince But Hal I prithee trouble me no more with vanity I would to God thou and I knew where a commodity of good names were to be bought An old lord of the Council rated me the other day in the street about you sir but I marked him not and yet he talked very wisely but I regarded him not and yet he talked wisely and in the street too
PRINCE
Thou didst well for wisdom cries out in the streets and no man regards it
FALSTAFF
O thou hast damnable iteration and art indeed able to corrupt a saint Thou hast done much harm upon me Hal God forgive thee for it Before I knew thee Hal I knew nothing and now am I if a man should speak truly little better than one of the wicked I must give over this life and I will give it over By the Lord an I do not I am a villain Ill be damned for never a kings son in Christendom
PRINCE
Where shall we take a purse tomorrow Jack
FALSTAFF
Zounds where thou wilt lad Ill make one An I do not call me villain and baffle me
PRINCE
I see a good amendment of life in thee from praying to pursetaking
FALSTAFF
Why Hal tis my vocation Hal tis no sin for a man to labour in his vocation
Enter Poins
PoinsNow shall we know if Gadshill have set a match O if men were to be saved by merit what hole in hell were hot enough for him This is the most omnipotent villain that ever cried Stand to a true man
PRINCE
Good morrow Ned
POINS
Good morrow sweet HalWhat says Monsieur Remorse What says Sir John Sackandsugar Jack how agrees the devil and thee about thy soul that thou soldest him on Good Friday last for a cup of Madeira and a cold capons leg
PRINCE
Sir John stands to his word the devil shall have his bargain for he was never yet a breaker of proverbs He will give the devil his due
POINS
Then art thou damned for keeping thy word with the devil
PRINCE
Else he had been damned for cozening the devil
POINS
But my lads my lads tomorrow morning by four oclock early at Gads Hill there are pilgrims going to Canterbury with rich offerings and traders riding to London with fat purses I have visards for you all you have horses for yourselves Gadshill lies tonight in Rochester I have bespoke supper tomorrow night in Eastcheap We may do it as secure as sleep If you will go I will stuff your purses full of crowns If you will not tarry at home and be hanged
FALSTAFF
Hear ye Yedward if I tarry at home and go not Ill hang you for going
POINS
You will chops
FALSTAFF
Hal wilt thou make one
PRINCE
Who I rob I a thief Not I by my faith
FALSTAFF
Theres neither honesty manhood nor good fellowship in thee nor thou camst not of the blood royal if thou darest not stand for ten shillings
PRINCE
Well then once in my days Ill be a madcap
FALSTAFF
Why thats well said
PRINCE
Well come what will Ill tarry at home
FALSTAFF
By the Lord Ill be a traitor then when thou art king
PRINCE
I care not
POINS
Sir John I prithee leave the Prince and me alone I will lay him down such reasons for this adventure that he shall go
FALSTAFF
Well God give thee the spirit of persuasion and him the ears of profiting that what thou speakest may move and what he hears may be believed that the true prince may for recreation sake prove a false thief for the poor abuses of the time want countenance Farewell you shall find me in Eastcheap
PRINCE
Farewell thou latter spring Farewell Allhallown summer
Exit Falstaff
POINS
Now my good sweet honey lord ride with us tomorrow I have a jest to execute that I cannot manage alone Falstaff Bardolph Peto and Gadshill shall rob those men that we have already waylaid Yourself and I will not be there And when they have the booty if you and I do not rob them cut this head off from my shoulders
PRINCE
But how shall we part with them in setting forth
POINS
Why we will set forth before or after them and appoint them a place of meeting wherein it is at our pleasure to fail and then will they adventure upon the exploit themselves which they shall have no sooner achieved but well set upon them
PRINCE
Yea but tis like that they will know us by our horses by our habits and by every other appointment to be ourselves
POINS
Tut our horses they shall not see Ill tie them in the wood our visards we will change after we leave them and sirrah I have cases of buckram for the nonce to immask our noted outward garments
PRINCE
Yea but I doubt they will be too hard for us
POINS
Well for two of them I know them to be as truebred cowards as ever turned back and for the third if he fight longer than he sees reason Ill forswear arms The virtue of this jest will be the incomprehensible lies that this same fat rogue will tell us when we meet at supper how thirty at least he fought with what wards what blows what extremities he endured and in the reproof of this lives the jest
PRINCE
Well Ill go with thee Provide us all things necessary and meet me tomorrow night in Eastcheap there Ill sup Farewell
POINS
Farewell my lord
Exit
PRINCE
I know you all and will awhile uphold
The unyokd humour of your idleness
Yet herein will I imitate the sun
Who doth permit the base contagious clouds
To smother up his beauty from the world
That when he please again to be himself
Being wanted he may be more wonderd at
By breaking through the foul and ugly mists
Of vapours that did seem to strangle him
If all the year were playing holidays
To sport would be as tedious as to work
But when they seldom come they wishdfor come
And nothing pleaseth but rare accidents
So when this loose behaviour I throw off
And pay the debt I never promised
By how much better than my word I am
By so much shall I falsify mens hopes
And like bright metal on a sullen ground
My reformation glittring oer my fault
Shall show more goodly and attract more eyes
Than that which hath no foil to set it off
Ill so offend to make offence a skill
Redeeming time when men think least I will
Exit
SCENE III The Same A Room in the Palace
Enter King Henry Northumberland Worcester Hotspur Sir Walter Blunt and others
KING
My blood hath been too cold and temperate
Unapt to stir at these indignities
And you have found me for accordingly
You tread upon my patience but be sure
I will from henceforth rather be myself
Mighty and to be feard than my condition
Which hath been smooth as oil soft as young down
And therefore lost that title of respect
Which the proud soul neer pays but to the proud
WORCESTER
Our house my sovereign liege little deserves
The scourge of greatness to be used on it
And that same greatness too which our own hands
Have holp to make so portly
NORTHUMBERLAND
My lord
KING
Worcester get thee gone for I do see
Danger and disobedience in thine eye
O sir your presence is too bold and peremptory
And majesty might never yet endure
The moody frontier of a servant brow
You have good leave to leave us When we need
Your use and counsel we shall send for you
Exit Worcester
To Northumberland
You were about to speak
NORTHUMBERLAND
Yea my good lord
Those prisoners in your Highness name demanded
Which Harry Percy here at Holmedon took
Were as he says not with such strength denied
As is deliverd to your Majesty
Either envy therefore or misprision
Is guilty of this fault and not my son
HOTSPUR
My liege I did deny no prisoners
But I remember when the fight was done
When I was dry with rage and extreme toil
Breathless and faint leaning upon my sword
Came there a certain lord neat and trimly dressd
Fresh as a bridegroom and his chin new reapd
Showd like a stubbleland at harvesthome
He was perfumed like a milliner
And twixt his finger and his thumb he held
A pouncetbox which ever and anon
He gave his nose and tookt away again
Who therewith angry when it next came there
Took it in snuff and still he smiled and talkd
And as the soldiers bore dead bodies by
He calld them untaught knaves unmannerly
To bring a slovenly unhandsome corse
Betwixt the wind and his nobility
With many holiday and lady terms
He questiond me amongst the rest demanded
My prisoners in your Majestys behalf
I then all smarting with my wounds being cold
Out of my grief and my impatience
To be so pesterd with a popinjay
Answerd neglectingly I know not what
He should or he should not for he made me mad
To see him shine so brisk and smell so sweet
And talk so like a waitinggentlewoman
Of guns and drums and wounds God save the mark
And telling me the sovereignest thing on Earth
Was parmacety for an inward bruise
And that it was great pity so it was
This villainous saltpetre should be diggd
Out of the bowels of the harmless earth
Which many a good tall fellow had destroyd
So cowardly and but for these vile guns
He would himself have been a soldier
This bald unjointed chat of his my lord
I answered indirectly as I said
And I beseech you let not his report
Come current for an accusation
Betwixt my love and your high Majesty
BLUNT
The circumstance considerd good my lord
Whatever Harry Percy then had said
To such a person and in such a place
At such a time with all the rest retold
May reasonably die and never rise
To do him wrong or any way impeach
What then he said so he unsay it now
KING
Why yet he doth deny his prisoners
But with proviso and exception
That we at our own charge shall ransom straight
His brotherinlaw the foolish Mortimer
Who on my soul hath wilfully betrayd
The lives of those that he did lead to fight
Against that great magician damnd Glendower
Whose daughter as we hear the Earl of March
Hath lately married Shall our coffers then
Be emptied to redeem a traitor home
Shall we buy treason and indent with fears
When they have lost and forfeited themselves
No on the barren mountains let him starve
For I shall never hold that man my friend
Whose tongue shall ask me for one penny cost
To ransom home revolted Mortimer
HOTSPUR
Revolted Mortimer
He never did fall off my sovereign liege
But by the chance of war To prove that true
Needs no more but one tongue for all those wounds
Those mouthed wounds which valiantly he took
When on the gentle Severns sedgy bank
In single opposition hand to hand
He did confound the best part of an hour
In changing hardiment with great Glendower
Three times they breathed and three times did they drink
Upon agreement of swift Severns flood
Who then affrighted with their bloody looks
Ran fearfully among the trembling reeds
And hid his crisp head in the hollow bank
Bloodstained with these valiant combatants
Never did bare and rotten policy
Colour her working with such deadly wounds
Nor never could the noble Mortimer
Receive so many and all willingly
Then let not him be slanderd with revolt
KING
Thou dost belie him Percy thou dost belie him
He never did encounter with Glendower
I tell thee he durst as well have met the devil alone
As Owen Glendower for an enemy
Art not ashamed But sirrah henceforth
Let me not hear you speak of Mortimer
Send me your prisoners with the speediest means
Or you shall hear in such a kind from me
As will displease youMy Lord Northumberland
We license your departure with your son
Send us your prisoners or youll hear of it
Exit King Henry Blunt and train
HOTSPUR
An if the devil come and roar for them
I will not send them I will after straight
And tell him so for I will ease my heart
Albeit I make a hazard of my head
NORTHUMBERLAND
What drunk with choler Stay and pause awhile
Here comes your uncle
Enter Worcester
HOTSPUR
Speak of Mortimer
Zounds I will speak of him and let my soul
Want mercy if I do not join with him
Yea on his part Ill empty all these veins
And shed my dear blood drop by drop in the dust
But I will lift the downtrod Mortimer
As high in the air as this unthankful King
As this ingrate and cankerd Bolingbroke
NORTHUMBERLAND
To Worcester
Brother the King hath made your nephew mad
WORCESTER
Who struck this heat up after I was gone
HOTSPUR
He will forsooth have all my prisoners
And when I urged the ransom once again
Of my wifes brother then his cheek lookd pale
And on my face he turnd an eye of death
Trembling even at the name of Mortimer
WORCESTER
I cannot blame him Was not he proclaimd
By Richard that dead is the next of blood
NORTHUMBERLAND
He was I heard the proclamation
And then it was when the unhappy King
Whose wrongs in us God pardondid set forth
Upon his Irish expedition
From whence he intercepted did return
To be deposed and shortly murdered
WORCESTER
And for whose death we in the worlds wide mouth
Live scandalized and foully spoken of
HOTSPUR
But soft I pray you did King Richard then
Proclaim my brother Edmund Mortimer
Heir to the crown
NORTHUMBERLAND
He did myself did hear it
HOTSPUR
Nay then I cannot blame his cousin King
That wishd him on the barren mountains starve
But shall it be that you that set the crown
Upon the head of this forgetful man
And for his sake wear the detested blot
Of murderous subornationshall it be
That you a world of curses undergo
Being the agents or base second means
The cords the ladder or the hangman rather
O pardon me that I descend so low
To show the line and the predicament
Wherein you range under this subtle King
Shall it for shame be spoken in these days
Or fill up chronicles in time to come
That men of your nobility and power
Did gage them both in an unjust behalf
As both of you God pardon it have done
To put down Richard that sweet lovely rose
And plant this thorn this canker Bolingbroke
And shall it in more shame be further spoken
That you are foold discarded and shook off
By him for whom these shames ye underwent
No yet time serves wherein you may redeem
Your banishd honours and restore yourselves
Into the good thoughts of the world again
Revenge the jeering and disdaind contempt
Of this proud King who studies day and night
To answer all the debt he owes to you
Even with the bloody payment of your deaths
Therefore I say
WORCESTER
Peace cousin say no more
And now I will unclasp a secret book
And to your quickconceiving discontents
Ill read you matter deep and dangerous
As full of peril and adventurous spirit
As to oerwalk a current roaring loud
On the unsteadfast footing of a spear
HOTSPUR
If we fall in good night or sink or swim
Send danger from the east unto the west
So honour cross it from the north to south
And let them grapple O the blood more stirs
To rouse a lion than to start a hare
NORTHUMBERLAND
Imagination of some great exploit
Drives him beyond the bounds of patience
HOTSPUR
By Heaven methinks it were an easy leap
To pluck bright honour from the palefaced moon
Or dive into the bottom of the deep
Where fathomline could never touch the ground
And pluck up drowned honour by the locks
So he that doth redeem her thence might wear
Without corrival all her dignities
But out upon this halffaced fellowship
WORCESTER
He apprehends a world of figures here
But not the form of what he should attend
Good cousin give me audience for a while
HOTSPUR
I cry you mercy
WORCESTER
Those same noble Scots
That are your prisoners
HOTSPUR
Ill keep them all
By God he shall not have a Scot of them
No if a Scot would save his soul he shall not
Ill keep them by this hand
WORCESTER
You start away
And lend no ear unto my purposes
Those prisoners you shall keep
HOTSPUR
Nay I will thats flat
He said he would not ransom Mortimer
Forbade my tongue to speak of Mortimer
But I will find him when he lies asleep
And in his ear Ill holla Mortimer
Nay Ill have a starling shall be taught to speak
Nothing but Mortimer and give it him
To keep his anger still in motion
WORCESTER
Hear you cousin a word
HOTSPUR
All studies here I solemnly defy
Save how to gall and pinch this Bolingbroke
And that same swordandbuckler Prince of Wales
But that I think his father loves him not
And would be glad he met with some mischance
I would have him poisond with a pot of ale
WORCESTER
Farewell kinsman I will talk to you
When you are better temperd to attend
NORTHUMBERLAND
Why what a waspstung and impatient fool
Art thou to break into this womans mood
Tying thine ear to no tongue but thine own
HOTSPUR
Why look you I am whippd and scourged with rods
Nettled and stung with pismires when I hear
Of this vile politician Bolingbroke
In Richards timewhat do you call the place
A plague upont It is in Gloucestershire
Twas where the madcap Duke his uncle kept
His uncle York where I first bowd my knee
Unto this king of smiles this Bolingbroke
Sblood when you and he came back from Ravenspurgh
NORTHUMBERLAND
At Berkeley castle
HOTSPUR
You say true
Why what a candy deal of courtesy
This fawning greyhound then did proffer me
Look when his infant fortune came to age
And Gentle Harry Percy and kind cousin
O the devil take such cozenersGod forgive me
Good uncle tell your tale I have done
WORCESTER
Nay if you have not to it again
We will stay your leisure
HOTSPUR
I have done ifaith
WORCESTER
Then once more to your Scottish prisoners
Deliver them up without their ransom straight
And make the Douglas son your only mean
For powers in Scotland which for divers reasons
Which I shall send you written be assured
Will easily be grantedTo Northumberland You my lord
Your son in Scotland being thus employd
Shall secretly into the bosom creep
Of that same noble prelate well beloved
The Archbishop
HOTSPUR
Of York is it not
WORCESTER
True who bears hard
His brothers death at Bristol the Lord Scroop
I speak not this in estimation
As what I think might be but what I know
Is ruminated plotted and set down
And only stays but to behold the face
Of that occasion that shall bring it on
HOTSPUR
I smell it Upon my life it will do well
NORTHUMBERLAND
Before the game is afoot thou still letst slip
HOTSPUR
Why it cannot choose but be a noble plot
And then the power of Scotland and of York
To join with Mortimer ha
WORCESTER
And so they shall
HOTSPUR
In faith it is exceedingly well aimd
WORCESTER
And tis no little reason bids us speed
To save our heads by raising of a head
For bear ourselves as even as we can
The King will always think him in our debt
And think we think ourselves unsatisfied
Till he hath found a time to pay us home
And see already how he doth begin
To make us strangers to his looks of love
HOTSPUR
He does he does well be revenged on him
WORCESTER
Cousin farewell No further go in this
Than I by letters shall direct your course
When time is ripe which will be suddenly
Ill steal to Glendower and Lord Mortimer
Where you and Douglas and our powers at once
As I will fashion it shall happily meet
To bear our fortunes in our own strong arms
Which now we hold at much uncertainty
NORTHUMBERLAND
Farewell good brother we shall thrive I trust
HOTSPUR
Uncle adieu O let the hours be short
Till fields and blows and groans applaud our sport
Exeunt
ACT II
SCENE I Rochester An InnYard
Enter a Carrier with a lantern in his hand
FIRST CARRIER
Heighho an it be not four by the day Ill be hangd Charles wain is over the new chimney and yet our horse not packdWhat ostler
OSTLER
within Anon anon
FIRST CARRIER
I prithee Tom beat Cuts saddle put a few flocks in the point poor jade is wrung in the withers out of all cess
Enter another Carrier
SECOND CARRIER
Peas and beans are as dank here as a dog and that is the next way to give poor jades the bots This house is turned upside down since Robin ostler died
FIRST CARRIER
Poor fellow never joyed since the price of oats rose it was the death of him
SECOND CARRIER
I think this be the most villainous house in all London road for fleas I am stung like a tench
FIRST CARRIER
Like a tench By the Mass there is neer a king christen could be better bit than I have been since the first cock
SECOND CARRIER
Why they will allow us neer a jordan and then we leak in your chimney and your chamberlye breeds fleas like a loach
FIRST CARRIER
What ostler Come away and be hanged come away
SECOND CARRIER
I have a gammon of bacon and two razes of ginger to be delivered as far as Charing Cross
FIRST CARRIER
Gods body The turkeys in my pannier are quite starvedWhat ostler A plague on thee Hast thou never an eye in thy head Canst not hear An twere not as good deed as drink to break the pate on thee I am a very villain Come and be hanged Hast no faith in thee
Enter Gadshill
GADSHILL
Good morrow carriers Whats oclock
FIRST CARRIER
I think it be two oclock
GADSHILL
I prithee lend me thy lantern to see my gelding in the stable
FIRST CARRIER
Nay by God soft I know a trick worth two of that ifaith
GADSHILL
I pray thee lend me thine
SECOND CARRIER
Ay when Canst tell Lend me thy lantern quoth he Marry Ill see thee hanged first
GADSHILL
Sirrah carrier what time do you mean to come to London
SECOND CARRIER
Time enough to go to bed with a candle I warrant thee Come neighbour Mugs well call up the gentlemen They will along with company for they have great charge
Exeunt Carriers
GADSHILL
What ho Chamberlain
Enter Chamberlain
CHAMBERLAIN
At hand quoth pickpurse
GADSHILL
Thats even as fair as at hand quoth the chamberlain for thou variest no more from picking of purses than giving direction doth from labouring thou layest the plot how
CHAMBERLAIN
Good morrow Master Gadshill It holds current that I told you yesternight theres a franklin in the Wild of Kent hath brought three hundred marks with him in gold I heard him tell it to one of his company last night at supper a kind of auditor one that hath abundance of charge too God knows what They are up already and call for eggs and butter They will away presently
GADSHILL
Sirrah if they meet not with Saint Nicholas clerks Ill give thee this neck
CHAMBERLAIN
No Ill none of it I pray thee keep that for the hangman for I know thou worshippest Saint Nicholas as truly as a man of falsehood may
GADSHILL
What talkest thou to me of the hangman If I hang Ill make a fat pair of gallows for if I hang old Sir John hangs with me and thou knowest he is no starveling Tut there are other Troyans that thou dreamst not of the which for sport sake are content to do the profession some grace that would if matters should be looked into for their own credit sake make all whole I am joined with no footlandrakers no longstaff sixpenny strikers none of these mad mustachio purplehued maltworms but with nobility and tranquillity burgomasters and great oneyers such as can hold in such as will strike sooner than speak and speak sooner than drink and drink sooner than pray and yet zounds I lie for they pray continually to their saint the commonwealth or rather not pray to her but prey on her for they ride up and down on her and make her their boots
CHAMBERLAIN
What the commonwealth their boots Will she hold out water in foul way
GADSHILL
She will she will justice hath liquored her We steal as in a castle cocksure we have the receipt of fernseed we walk invisible
CHAMBERLAIN
Nay by my faith I think you are more beholding to the night than to fernseed for your walking invisible
GADSHILL
Give me thy hand Thou shalt have a share in our purchase as I am a true man
CHAMBERLAIN
Nay rather let me have it as you are a false thief
GADSHILL
Go to homo is a common name to all men Bid the ostler bring my gelding out of the stable Farewell you muddy knave
Exeunt
SCENE II The Road by Gadshill
Enter Prince Henry and Poins Bardolph and Peto at some distance
POINS
Come shelter shelter I have removed Falstaffs horse and he frets like a gummed velvet
PRINCE
Stand close
They retire
Enter Falstaff
FALSTAFF
Poins Poins and be hanged Poins
PRINCE
Coming forward
Peace ye fatkidneyed rascal What a brawling dost thou keep
FALSTAFF
Wheres Poins Hal
PRINCE
He is walked up to the top of the hill Ill go seek him
Retires
FALSTAFF
I am accursed to rob in that thiefs company The rascal hath removed my horse and tied him I know not where If I travel but four foot by the square further afoot I shall break my wind Well I doubt not but to die a fair death for all this if I scape hanging for killing that rogue I have forsworn his company hourly any time this twoandtwenty years and yet I am bewitched with the rogues company If the rascal have not given me medicines to make me love him Ill be hanged It could not be else I have drunk medicines Poins Hal A plague upon you both Bardolph Peto Ill starve ere Ill rob a foot further An twere not as good a deed as drink to turn true man and to leave these rogues I am the veriest varlet that ever chewed with a tooth Eight yards of uneven ground is threescore and ten miles afoot with me and the stonyhearted villains know it well enough A plague upon it when thieves cannot be true one to another They whistle Whew A plague upon you all Give me my horse you rogues give me my horse and be hanged
PRINCE
Coming forward Peace you fat guts lie down lay thine ear close to the ground and list if thou canst hear the tread of travellers
FALSTAFF
Have you any levers to lift me up again being down Sblood Ill not bear my own flesh so far afoot again for all the coin in thy fathers exchequer What a plague mean ye to colt me thus
PRINCE
Thou liest thou art not colted thou art uncolted
FALSTAFF
I prithee good Prince Hal help me to my horse good kings son
PRINCE
Out ye rogue Shall I be your ostler
FALSTAFF
Hang thyself in thine own heirapparent garters If I be taen Ill peach for this An I have not ballads made on you all and sung to filthy tunes let a cup of sack be my poisonwhen a jest is so forward and afoot too I hate it
Enter Gadshill
GADSHILL
Stand
FALSTAFF
So I do against my will
POINS
O tis our setter I know his voice
Comes forward with Bardolph and Peto
BARDOLPH
What news
GADSHILL
Case ye case ye on with your visards Theres money of the Kings coming down the hill tis going to the Kings exchequer
FALSTAFF
You lie ye rogue tis going to the Kings tavern
GADSHILL
Theres enough to make us all
FALSTAFF
To be hanged
PRINCE
Sirs you four shall front them in the narrow lane Ned Poins and I will walk lower if they scape from your encounter then they light on us
PETO
How many be there of them
GADSHILL
Some eight or ten
FALSTAFF
Zounds will they not rob us
PRINCE
What a coward Sir John Paunch
FALSTAFF
Indeed I am not John of Gaunt your grandfather but yet no coward Hal
PRINCE
Well we leave that to the proof
POINS
Sirrah Jack thy horse stands behind the hedge When thou needst him there thou shalt find him Farewell and stand fast
FALSTAFF
Now cannot I strike him if I should be hanged
PRINCE
aside to Poins Ned where are our disguises
POINS
aside to Prince Henry Here hard by Stand close
Exeunt Prince and Poins
FALSTAFF
Now my masters happy man be his dole say I Every man to his business
Enter the Travellers
FIRST TRAVELLER
Come neighbour the boy shall lead our horses down the hill well walk afoot awhile and ease our legs
THIEVES
Stand
SECOND TRAVELLER
Jesu bless us
FALSTAFF
Strike down with them cut the villains throats Ah whoreson caterpillars baconfed knaves they hate us youth Down with them fleece them
FIRST TRAVELLER
O we are undone both we and ours for ever
FALSTAFF
Hang ye gorbellied knaves are ye undone No ye fat chuffs I would your store were here On bacons on What ye knaves young men must live You are grandjurors are ye Well jure ye faith
Here they rob them and bind them Exeunt
Enter Prince Henry and Poins in buckram suits
PRINCE
The thieves have bound the true men Now could thou and I rob the thieves and go merrily to London it would be argument for a week laughter for a month and a good jest for ever
POINS
Stand close I hear them coming
They retire
Enter the Thieves again
FALSTAFF
Come my masters let us share and then to horse before day An the Prince and Poins be not two arrant cowards theres no equity stirring Theres no more valour in that Poins than in a wild duck
As they are sharing the Prince and Poins set upon them
PRINCE
Your money
POINS
Villains
Falstaff after a blow or two and the others run away leaving the booty behind them
PRINCE
Got with much ease Now merrily to horse
The thieves are all scatterd and possessd with fear
So strongly that they dare not meet each other
Each takes his fellow for an officer
Away good Ned Falstaff sweats to death
And lards the lean earth as he walks along
Weret not for laughing I should pity him
POINS
How the fat rogue roared
Exeunt
SCENE III Warkworth A Room in the Castle
Enter Hotspur reading a letter
HOTSPUR
But for mine own part my lord I could be well contented to be there in respect of the love I bear your house He could be contented why is he not then In respect of the love he bears our househe shows in this he loves his own barn better than he loves our house Let me see some more The purpose you undertake is dangerousWhy thats certain Tis dangerous to take a cold to sleep to drink but I tell you my lord fool out of this nettle danger we pluck this flower safety The purpose you undertake is dangerous the friends you have named uncertain the time itself unsorted and your whole plot too light for the counterpoise of so great an opposition Say you so say you so I say unto you again you are a shallow cowardly hind and you lie What a lackbrain is this By the Lord our plot is a good plot as ever was laid our friends true and constant a good plot good friends and full of expectation an excellent plot very good friends What a frostyspirited rogue is this Why my Lord of York commends the plot and the general course of the action Zounds an I were now by this rascal I could brain him with his ladys fan Is there not my father my uncle and myself Lord Edmund Mortimer my Lord of York and Owen Glendower Is there not besides the Douglas Have I not all their letters to meet me in arms by the ninth of the next month and are they not some of them set forward already What a pagan rascal is this an infidel Ha You shall see now in very sincerity of fear and cold heart will he to the King and lay open all our proceedings O I could divide myself and go to buffets for moving such a dish of skim milk with so honourable an action Hang him let him tell the King we are prepared I will set forward tonight
Enter Lady Percy
How now Kate I must leave you within these two hours
LADY PERCY
O my good lord why are you thus alone
For what offence have I this fortnight been
A banishd woman from my Harrys bed
Tell me sweet lord what ist that takes from thee
Thy stomach pleasure and thy golden sleep
Why dost thou bend thine eyes upon the earth
And start so often when thou sitst alone
Why hast thou lost the fresh blood in thy cheeks
And given my treasures and my rights of thee
To thickeyed musing and curst melancholy
In thy faint slumbers I by thee have watchd
And heard thee murmur tales of iron wars
Speak terms of manage to thy bounding steed
Cry Courage To the field And thou hast talkd
Of sallies and retires of trenches tents
Of palisadoes frontiers parapets
Of basilisks of cannon culverin
Of prisoners ransom and of soldiers slain
And all the currents of a heady fight
Thy spirit within thee hath been so at war
And thus hath so bestirrd thee in thy sleep
That beads of sweat have stood upon thy brow
Like bubbles in a latedisturbed stream
And in thy face strange motions have appeard
Such as we see when men restrain their breath
On some great sudden hest O what portents are these
Some heavy business hath my lord in hand
And I must know it else he loves me not
HOTSPUR
What ho
Enter a Servant
Is Gilliams with the packet gone
SERVANT
He is my lord an hour ago
HOTSPUR
Hath Butler brought those horses from the sheriff
SERVANT
One horse my lord he brought even now
HOTSPUR
What horse A roan a cropear is it not
SERVANT
It is my lord
HOTSPUR
That roan shall be my throne
Well I will back him straight O Esperance
Bid Butler lead him forth into the park
Exit Servant
LADY PERCY
But hear you my lord
HOTSPUR
What sayst thou my lady
LADY PERCY
What is it carries you away
HOTSPUR
Why my horse my love my horse
LADY PERCY
Out you madheaded ape
A weasel hath not such a deal of spleen
As you are tossd with In faith
Ill know your business Harry that I will
I fear my brother Mortimer doth stir
About his title and hath sent for you
To line his enterprise But if you go
HOTSPUR
So far afoot I shall be weary love
LADY PERCY
Come come you paraquito answer me
Directly unto this question that I ask
In faith Ill break thy little finger Harry
If thou wilt not tell me all things true
HOTSPUR
Away
Away you trifler Love I love thee not
I care not for thee Kate This is no world
To play with mammets and to tilt with lips
We must have bloody noses and crackd crowns
And pass them current tooGods me my horse
What sayst thou Kate What wouldst thou have with me
LADY PERCY
Do you not love me Do you not indeed
Well do not then for since you love me not
I will not love myself Do you not love me
Nay tell me if you speak in jest or no
HOTSPUR
Come wilt thou see me ride
And when I am ahorseback I will swear
I love thee infinitely But hark you Kate
I must not have you henceforth question me
Whither I go nor reason whereabout
Whither I must I must and to conclude
This evening must I leave you gentle Kate
I know you wise but yet no farther wise
Than Harry Percys wife constant you are
But yet a woman and for secrecy
No lady closer for I well believe
Thou wilt not utter what thou dost not know
And so far will I trust thee gentle Kate
LADY PERCY
How So far
HOTSPUR
Not an inch further But hark you Kate
Whither I go thither shall you go too
Today will I set forth tomorrow you
Will this content you Kate
LADY PERCY
It must of force
Exeunt
SCENE IV Eastcheap A Room in the Boars Head Tavern
Enter Prince Henry
PRINCE
Ned prithee come out of that fat room and lend me thy hand to laugh a little
Enter Poins
POINS
Where hast been Hal
PRINCE
With three or four loggerheads amongst three or fourscore hogsheads I have sounded the very basestring of humility Sirrah I am sworn brother to a leash of drawers and can call them all by their Christian names as Tom Dick and Francis They take it already upon their salvation that though I be but Prince of Wales yet I am the king of courtesy and tell me flatly I am no proud Jack like Falstaff but a Corinthian a lad of mettle a good boyby the Lord so they call meand when I am King of England I shall command all the good lads in Eastcheap They call drinking deep dyeing scarlet and when you breathe in your watering they cry Hem and bid you Play it off To conclude I am so good a proficient in one quarter of an hour that I can drink with any tinker in his own language during my life I tell thee Ned thou hast lost much honour that thou wert not with me in this action but sweet Nedto sweeten which name of Ned I give thee this pennyworth of sugar clapped even now into my hand by an underskinker one that never spake other English in his life than Eight shillings and sixpence and You are welcome with this shrill addition Anon anon sir Score a pint of bastard in the Halfmoon or so But Ned to drive away the time till Falstaff come I prithee do thou stand in some byroom while I question my puny drawer to what end he gave me the sugar and do thou never leave calling Francis that his tale to me may be nothing but Anon Step aside and Ill show thee a precedent
Exit Poins
POINS
Within Francis
PRINCE
Thou art perfect
POINS
Within Francis
Enter Francis
FRANCIS
Anon anon sirLook down into the Pomegarnet Ralph
PRINCE
Come hither Francis
FRANCIS
My lord
PRINCE
How long hast thou to serve Francis
FRANCIS
Forsooth five years and as much as to
POINS
within Francis
FRANCIS
Anon anon sir
PRINCE
Five year Byr Lady a long lease for the clinking of pewter But Francis darest thou be so valiant as to play the coward with thy indenture and show it a fair pair of heels and run from it
FRANCIS
O Lord sir Ill be sworn upon all the books in England I could find in my heart
POINS
within Francis
FRANCIS
Anon sir
PRINCE
How old art thou Francis
FRANCIS
Let me see about Michaelmas next I shall be
POINS
within Francis
FRANCIS
Anon sirPray stay a little my lord
PRINCE
Nay but hark you Francis for the sugar thou gavest me twas a pennyworth wast not
FRANCIS
O Lord I would it had been two
PRINCE
I will give thee for it a thousand pound Ask me when thou wilt and thou shalt have it
POINS
within Francis
FRANCIS
Anon anon
PRINCE
Anon Francis No Francis but tomorrow Francis or Francis a Thursday or indeed Francis when thou wilt But Francis
FRANCIS
My lord
PRINCE
Wilt thou rob this leathernjerkin crystalbutton notpated agatering pukestocking caddisgarter smoothtongue Spanishpouch
FRANCIS
O Lord sir who do you mean
PRINCE
Why then your brown bastard is your only drink for look you Francis your white canvas doublet will sully In Barbary sir it cannot come to so much
FRANCIS
What sir
POINS
within Francis
PRINCE
Away you rogue Dost thou not hear them call
Here they both call him the Drawer stands amazed not knowing which way to go
Enter Vintner
VINTNER
What standst thou still and hearst such a calling Look to the guests within
Exit Francis
My lord old Sir John with halfadozen more are at the door Shall I let them in
PRINCE
Let them alone awhile and then open the door
Exit Vintner
Poins
Enter Poins
POINS
Anon anon sir
PRINCE
Sirrah Falstaff and the rest of the thieves are at the door shall we be merry
POINS
As merry as crickets my lad But hark ye what cunning match have you made with this jest of the drawer Come whats the issue
PRINCE
I am now of all humours that have showed themselves humours since the old days of goodman Adam to the pupil age of this present twelve oclock at midnight
Enter Francis
Whats oclock Francis
FRANCIS
Anon anon sir
Exit Francis
PRINCE
That ever this fellow should have fewer words than a parrot and yet the son of a woman His industry is upstairs and downstairs his eloquence the parcel of a reckoning I am not yet of Percys mind the Hotspur of the north he that kills me some six or seven dozen of Scots at a breakfast washes his hands and says to his wife Fie upon this quiet life I want work O my sweet Harry says she how many hast thou killed today Give my roan horse a drench says he and answers Some fourteen an hour after a trifle a trifle I prithee call in Falstaff Ill play Percy and that damned brawn shall play Dame Mortimer his wife Rivo says the drunkard Call in Ribs call in Tallow
Enter Falstaff Gadshill Bardolph and Peto followed by Francis with wine
POINS
Welcome Jack Where hast thou been
FALSTAFF
A plague of all cowards I say and a vengeance too Marry and amen Give me a cup of sack boy Ere I lead this life long Ill sew netherstocks and mend them and foot them too A plague of all cowards Give me a cup of sack rogue Is there no virtue extant
Drinks
PRINCE
Didst thou never see Titan kiss a dish of butter pitifulhearted Titan that melted at the sweet tale of the suns If thou didst then behold that compound
FALSTAFF
You rogue heres lime in this sack too there is nothing but roguery to be found in villainous man yet a coward is worse than a cup of sack with lime in it A villanous coward Go thy ways old Jack Die when thou wilt if manhood good manhood be not forgot upon the face of the Earth then am I a shotten herring There lives not three good men unhanged in England and one of them is fat and grows old God help the while a bad world I say I would I were a weaver I could sing psalms or anything A plague of all cowards I say still
PRINCE
How now woolsack what mutter you
FALSTAFF
A kings son If I do not beat thee out of thy kingdom with a dagger of lath and drive all thy subjects afore thee like a flock of wildgeese Ill never wear hair on my face more You Prince of Wales
PRINCE
Why you whoreson round man whats the matter
FALSTAFF
Are not you a coward Answer me to thatand Poins there
POINS
Zounds ye fat paunch an ye call me coward by the Lord Ill stab thee
FALSTAFF
I call thee coward Ill see thee damned ere I call thee coward but I would give a thousand pound I could run as fast as thou canst You are straight enough in the shoulders you care not who sees your back Call you that backing of your friends A plague upon such backing Give me them that will face meGive me a cup of sack I am a rogue if I drunk today
PRINCE
O villain Thy lips are scarce wiped since thou drunkst last
FALSTAFF
All is one for that A plague of all cowards still say I
Drinks
PRINCE
Whats the matter
FALSTAFF
Whats the matter There be four of us here have taen a thousand pound this day morning
PRINCE
Where is it Jack where is it
FALSTAFF
Where is it Taken from us it is a hundred upon poor four of us
PRINCE
What a hundred man
FALSTAFF
I am a rogue if I were not at halfsword with a dozen of them two hours together I have scaped by miracle I am eight times thrust through the doublet four through the hose my buckler cut through and through my sword hacked like a handsaw Ecce signum I never dealt better since I was a man all would not do A plague of all cowards Let them speak If they speak more or less than truth they are villains and the sons of darkness
PRINCE
Speak sirs how was it
GADSHILL
We four set upon some dozen
FALSTAFF
Sixteen at least my lord
GADSHILL
And bound them
PETO
No no they were not bound
FALSTAFF
You rogue they were bound every man of them or I am a Jew else an Ebrew Jew
GADSHILL
As we were sharing some six or seven fresh men set upon us
FALSTAFF
And unbound the rest and then come in the other
PRINCE
What fought you with them all
FALSTAFF
All I know not what you call all but if I fought not with fifty of them I am a bunch of radish If there were not two or three and fifty upon poor old Jack then am I no twolegged creature
PRINCE
Pray God you have not murdered some of them
FALSTAFF
Nay thats past praying for I have peppered two of them Two I am sure I have paid two rogues in buckram suits I tell thee what Hal if I tell thee a lie spit in my face call me horse Thou knowest my old ward Here I lay and thus I bore my point Four rogues in buckram let drive at me
PRINCE
What four Thou saidst but two even now
FALSTAFF
Four Hal I told thee four
POINS
Ay ay he said four
FALSTAFF
These four came all afront and mainly thrust at me I made me no more ado but took all their seven points in my target thus
PRINCE
Seven Why there were but four even now
FALSTAFF
In buckram
POINS
Ay four in buckram suits
FALSTAFF
Seven by these hilts or I am a villain else
PRINCE
aside to Poins Prithee let him alone we shall have more anon
FALSTAFF
Dost thou hear me Hal
PRINCE
Ay and mark thee too Jack
FALSTAFF
Do so for it is worth the listening to These nine in buckram that I told thee of
PRINCE
So two more already
FALSTAFF
Their points being broken
POINS
Down fell their hose
FALSTAFF
Began to give me ground but I followed me close came in foot and hand and with a thought seven of the eleven I paid
PRINCE
O monstrous Eleven buckram men grown out of two
FALSTAFF
But as the devil would have it three misbegotten knaves in Kendal green came at my back and let drive at me for it was so dark Hal that thou couldst not see thy hand
PRINCE
These lies are like the father that begets them gross as a mountain open palpable Why thou claybrained guts thou knottypated fool thou whoreson obscene greasy tallowcatch
FALSTAFF
What art thou mad Art thou mad Is not the truth the truth
PRINCE
Why how couldst thou know these men in Kendal green when it was so dark thou couldst not see thy hand Come tell us your reason What sayest thou to this
POINS
Come your reason Jack your reason
FALSTAFF
What upon compulsion Zounds an I were at the strappado or all the racks in the world I would not tell you on compulsion Give you a reason on compulsion If reasons were as plentiful as blackberries I would give no man a reason upon compulsion I
PRINCE
Ill be no longer guilty of this sin This sanguine coward this bedpresser this horsebackbreaker this huge hill of flesh
FALSTAFF
Sblood you starveling you eelskin you dried neatstongue you bulls pizzle you stockfishO for breath to utter what is like thee You tailorsyard you sheath you bowcase you vile standing tuck
PRINCE
Well breathe awhile and then to it again and when thou hast tired thyself in base comparisons hear me speak but this
POINS
Mark Jack
PRINCE
We two saw you four set on four and bound them and were masters of their wealth Mark now how a plain tale shall put you down Then did we two set on you four and with a word outfaced you from your prize and have it yea and can show it you here in the house And Falstaff you carried your guts away as nimbly with as quick dexterity and roared for mercy and still ran and roared as ever I heard bullcalf What a slave art thou to hack thy sword as thou hast done and then say it was in fight What trick what device what startinghole canst thou now find out to hide thee from this open and apparent shame
POINS
Come lets hear Jack what trick hast thou now
FALSTAFF
By the Lord I knew ye as well as he that made ye Why hear you my masters was it for me to kill the heirapparent Should I turn upon the true prince Why thou knowest I am as valiant as Hercules but beware instinct The lion will not touch the true prince Instinct is a great matter I was now a coward on instinct I shall think the better of myself and thee during my lifeI for a valiant lion and thou for a true prince But by the Lord lads I am glad you have the moneyHostess clap to the doors Watch tonight pray tomorrow Gallants lads boys hearts of gold all the titles of good fellowship come to you What shall we be merry Shall we have a play extempore
PRINCE
Content and the argument shall be thy running away
FALSTAFF
Ah no more of that Hal an thou lovest me
Enter the Hostess
HOSTESS
O Jesu my lord the Prince
PRINCE
How now my lady the hostess What sayst thou to me
HOSTESS
Marry my lord there is a nobleman of the court at door would speak with you he says he comes from your father
PRINCE
Give him as much as will make him a royal man and send him back again to my mother
FALSTAFF
What manner of man is he
HOSTESS
An old man
FALSTAFF
What doth gravity out of his bed at midnight Shall I give him his answer
PRINCE
Prithee do Jack
FALSTAFF
Faith and Ill send him packing
Exit
PRINCE
Now sirs byr Lady you fought fair so did you Peto So did you Bardolph You are lions too you ran away upon instinct you will not touch the true prince no fie
BARDOLPH
Faith I ran when I saw others run
PRINCE
Faith tell me now in earnest how came Falstaffs sword so hacked
PETO
Why he hacked it with his dagger and said he would swear truth out of England but he would make you believe it was done in fight and persuaded us to do the like
BARDOLPH
Yea and to tickle our noses with speargrass to make them bleed and then to beslubber our garments with it and swear it was the blood of true men I did that I did not this seven year before I blushed to hear his monstrous devices
PRINCE
O villain thou stolest a cup of sack eighteen years ago and wert taken with the manner and ever since thou hast blushed extempore Thou hadst fire and sword on thy side and yet thou ranst away What instinct hadst thou for it
BARDOLPH
My lord do you see these meteors Do you behold these exhalations
PRINCE
I do
BARDOLPH
What think you they portend
PRINCE
Hot livers and cold purses
BARDOLPH
Choler my lord if rightly taken
PRINCE
No if rightly taken halter
Enter Falstaff
Here comes lean Jack here comes barebone How now my sweet creature of bombast How long ist ago Jack since thou sawest thine own knee
FALSTAFF
My own knee When I was about thy years Hal I was not an eagles talon in the waist I could have crept into any aldermans thumbring a plague of sighing and grief It blows a man up like a bladder Theres villanous news abroad here was Sir John Bracy from your father you must to the court in the morning That same mad fellow of the north Percy and he of Wales that gave Amamon the bastinado and made Lucifer cuckold and swore the devil his true liegeman upon the cross of a Welsh hookwhat a plague call you him
POINS
O Glendower
FALSTAFF
Owen Owen the same and his soninlaw Mortimer and old Northumberland and that sprightly Scot of Scots Douglas that runs ahorseback up a hill perpendicular
PRINCE
He that rides at high speed and with his pistol kills a sparrow flying
FALSTAFF
You have hit it
PRINCE
So did he never the sparrow
FALSTAFF
Well that rascal hath good metal in him he will not run
PRINCE
Why what a rascal art thou then to praise him so for running
FALSTAFF
Ahorseback ye cuckoo but afoot he will not budge a foot
PRINCE
Yes Jack upon instinct
FALSTAFF
I grant ye upon instinct Well he is there too and one Mordake and a thousand bluecaps more Worcester is stolen away tonight thy fathers beard is turned white with the news You may buy land now as cheap as stinking mackerel
PRINCE
Why then it is like if there come a hot June and this civil buffeting hold we shall buy maidenheads as they buy hobnails by the hundreds
FALSTAFF
By the mass lad thou sayest true It is like we shall have good trading that way But tell me Hal art not thou horrible afeard Thou being heirapparent could the world pick thee out three such enemies again as that fiend Douglas that spirit Percy and that devil Glendower Art thou not horribly afraid Doth not thy blood thrill at it
PRINCE
Not a whit ifaith I lack some of thy instinct
FALSTAFF
Well thou wilt be horribly chid tomorrow when thou comest to thy father If thou love me practise an answer
PRINCE
Do thou stand for my father and examine me upon the particulars of my life
FALSTAFF
Shall I Content This chair shall be my state this dagger my sceptre and this cushion my crown
PRINCE
Thy state is taken for a jointstool thy golden sceptre for a leaden dagger and thy precious rich crown for a pitiful bald crown
FALSTAFF
Well an the fire of grace be not quite out of thee now shalt thou be moved Give me a cup of sack to make my eyes look red that it may be thought I have wept for I must speak in passion and I will do it in King Cambyses vein
PRINCE
Well here is my leg
FALSTAFF
And here is my speech Stand aside nobility
HOSTESS
O Jesu this is excellent sport i faith
FALSTAFF
Weep not sweet Queen for trickling tears are vain
HOSTESS
O the Father how he holds his countenance
FALSTAFF
For Gods sake lords convey my tristful Queen
For tears do stop the floodgates of her eyes
HOSTESS
O Jesu he doth it as like one of these harlotry players as ever I see
FALSTAFF
Peace good pintpot peace good ticklebrainHarry I do not only marvel where thou spendest thy time but also how thou art accompanied For though the camomile the more it is trodden on the faster it grows yet youth the more it is wasted the sooner it wears That thou art my son I have partly thy mothers word partly my own opinion but chiefly a villainous trick of thine eye and a foolish hanging of thy nether lip that doth warrant me If then thou be son to me here lies the point why being son to me art thou so pointed at Shall the blessed sun of heaven prove a micher and eat blackberries A question not to be asked Shall the son of England prove a thief and take purses A question to be asked There is a thing Harry which thou hast often heard of and it is known to many in our land by the name of pitch This pitch as ancient writers do report doth defile so doth the company thou keepest For Harry now I do not speak to thee in drink but in tears not in pleasure but in passion not in words only but in woes also And yet there is a virtuous man whom I have often noted in thy company but I know not his name
PRINCE
What manner of man an it like your Majesty
FALSTAFF
A goodly portly man ifaith and a corpulent of a cheerful look a pleasing eye and a most noble carriage and as I think his age some fifty or byr Lady inclining to threescore and now I remember me his name is Falstaff If that man should be lewdly given he deceiveth me for Harry I see virtue in his looks If then the tree may be known by the fruit as the fruit by the tree then peremptorily I speak it there is virtue in that Falstaff him keep with the rest banish And tell me now thou naughty varlet tell me where hast thou been this month
PRINCE
Dost thou speak like a king Do thou stand for me and Ill play my father
FALSTAFF
Depose me If thou dost it half so gravely so majestically both in word and matter hang me up by the heels for a rabbitsucker or a poulters hare
PRINCE
Well here I am set
FALSTAFF
And here I stand Judge my masters
PRINCE
Now Harry whence come you
FALSTAFF
My noble lord from Eastcheap
PRINCE
The complaints I hear of thee are grievous
FALSTAFF
Sblood my lord they are falseNay Ill tickle ye for a young prince ifaith
PRINCE
Swearest thou ungracious boy Henceforth neer look on me Thou art violently carried away from grace There is a devil haunts thee in the likeness of an old fat man A tun of man is thy companion Why dost thou converse with that trunk of humours that boltinghutch of beastliness that swollen parcel of dropsies that huge bombard of sack that stuffed cloakbag of guts that roasted Manningtree ox with the pudding in his belly that reverend Vice that grey iniquity that father ruffian that vanity in years Wherein is he good but to taste sack and drink it Wherein neat and cleanly but to carve a capon and eat it Wherein cunning but in craft Wherein crafty but in villany Wherein villainous but in all things Wherein worthy but in nothing
FALSTAFF
I would your Grace would take me with you Whom means your Grace
PRINCE
That villainous abominable misleader of youth Falstaff that old whitebearded Satan
FALSTAFF
My lord the man I know
PRINCE
I know thou dost
FALSTAFF
But to say I know more harm in him than in myself were to say more than I know That he is old the more the pity his white hairs do witness it But that he is saving your reverence a whoremaster that I utterly deny If sack and sugar be a fault God help the wicked If to be old and merry be a sin then many an old host that I know is damned If to be fat be to be hated then Pharaohs lean kine are to be loved No my good lord banish Peto banish Bardolph banish Poins but for sweet Jack Falstaff kind Jack Falstaff true Jack Falstaff valiant Jack Falstaff and therefore more valiant being as he is old Jack Falstaff banish not him thy Harrys company banish not him thy Harrys company Banish plump Jack and banish all the world
PRINCE
I do I will
A knocking heard
Exeunt Hostess Francis and Bardolph
Enter Bardolph running
BARDOLPH
O my lord my lord the sheriff with a most monstrous watch is at the door
FALSTAFF
Out ye rogue Play out the play I have much to say in the behalf of that Falstaff
Enter the Hostess hastily
HOSTESS
O Jesu my lord my lord
PRINCE
Heigh heigh the devil rides upon a fiddlestick Whats the matter
HOSTESS
The sheriff and all the watch are at the door They are come to search the house Shall I let them in
FALSTAFF
Dost thou hear Hal Never call a true piece of gold a counterfeit thou art essentially made without seeming so
PRINCE
And thou a natural coward without instinct
FALSTAFF
I deny your major If you will deny the sheriff so if not let him enter If I become not a cart as well as another man a plague on my bringing up I hope I shall as soon be strangled with a halter as another
PRINCE
Go hide thee behind the arras The rest walk up above Now my masters for a true face and good conscience
FALSTAFF
Both which I have had but their date is out and therefore Ill hide me
PRINCE
Call in the sheriff
Exeunt all but the Prince and Peto
Enter Sheriff and the Carrier
Now master sheriff what is your will with me
SHERIFF
First pardon me my lord A hue and cry
Hath followed certain men unto this house
PRINCE
What men
SHERIFF
One of them is well known my gracious lord
A gross fat man
CARRIER
As fat as butter
PRINCE
The man I do assure you is not here
For I myself at this time have employd him
And sheriff I will engage my word to thee
That I will by tomorrow dinnertime
Send him to answer thee or any man
For anything he shall be charged withal
And so let me entreat you leave the house
SHERIFF
I will my lord There are two gentlemen
Have in this robbery lost three hundred marks
PRINCE
It may be so If he have robbd these men
He shall be answerable and so farewell
SHERIFF
Good night my noble lord
PRINCE
I think it is good morrow is it not
SHERIFF
Indeed my lord I think it be two oclock
Exit Sheriff with the Carrier
PRINCE
This oily rascal is known as well as Pauls Go call him forth
PETO
FalstaffFast asleep behind the arras and snorting like a horse
PRINCE
Hark how hard he fetches breath Search his pockets
He searcheth his pocket and findeth certain papers
What hast thou found
PETO
Nothing but papers my lord
PRINCE
Lets see what they be Read them
PETO
reads
Item a capon 2s 2d
Item sauce 4d
Item sack two gallons 5s 8d
Item anchovies and sack after supper 2s 6d
Item bread ob
PRINCE
O monstrous But one halfpennyworth of bread to this intolerable deal of sack What there is else keep close Well read it at more advantage There let him sleep till day Ill to the court in the morning We must all to the wars and thy place shall be honourable Ill procure this fat rogue a charge of foot and I know his death will be a march of twelve score The money shall be paid back again with advantage Be with me betimes in the morning and so good morrow Peto
PETO
Good morrow good my lord
Exeunt
ACT III
SCENE I Bangor A Room in the Archdeacons House
Enter Hotspur Worcester Mortimer and Glendower
MORTIMER
These promises are fair the parties sure
And our induction full of prosperous hope
HOTSPUR
Lord Mortimer and cousin Glendower
Will you sit down And uncle Worcester
A plague upon it I have forgot the map
GLENDOWER
No here it is
Sit cousin Percy sit good cousin Hotspur
For by that name as oft as Lancaster doth speak of you
His cheek looks pale and with a rising sigh
He wisheth you in heaven
HOTSPUR
And you in hell
As oft as he hears Owen Glendower spoke of
GLENDOWER
I cannot blame him At my nativity
The front of heaven was full of fiery shapes
Of burning cressets and at my birth
The frame and huge foundation of the Earth
Shaked like a coward
HOTSPUR
Why so it would have done
At the same season if your mothers cat
Had but kittend though yourself had never been born
GLENDOWER
I say the Earth did shake when I was born
HOTSPUR
And I say the Earth was not of my mind
If you suppose as fearing you it shook
GLENDOWER
The heavens were all on fire the Earth did tremble
HOTSPUR
O then th Earth shook to see the heavens on fire
And not in fear of your nativity
Diseased nature oftentimes breaks forth
In strange eruptions oft the teeming Earth
Is with a kind of colic pinchd and vexd
By the imprisoning of unruly wind
Within her womb which for enlargement striving
Shakes the old beldam Earth and topples down
Steeples and mossgrown towers At your birth
Our grandam Earth having this distemprature
In passion shook
GLENDOWER
Cousin of many men
I do not bear these crossings Give me leave
To tell you once again that at my birth
The front of heaven was full of fiery shapes
The goats ran from the mountains and the herds
Were strangely clamorous to the frighted fields
These signs have markd me extraordinary
And all the courses of my life do show
I am not in the roll of common men
Where is he living clippd in with the sea
That chides the banks of England Scotland Wales
Which calls me pupil or hath read to me
And bring him out that is but womans son
Can trace me in the tedious ways of art
And hold me pace in deep experiments
HOTSPUR
I think there is no man speaks better Welsh
Ill to dinner
MORTIMER
Peace cousin Percy you will make him mad
GLENDOWER
I can call spirits from the vasty deep
HOTSPUR
Why so can I or so can any man
But will they come when you do call for them
GLENDOWER
Why I can teach you cousin to command the devil
HOTSPUR
And I can teach thee coz to shame the devil
By telling truth tell truth and shame the devil
If thou have power to raise him bring him hither
And Ill be sworn I have power to shame him hence
O while you live tell truth and shame the devil
MORTIMER
Come come no more of this unprofitable chat
GLENDOWER
Three times hath Henry Bolingbroke made head
Against my power thrice from the banks of Wye
And sandybottomd Severn have I sent him
Bootless home and weatherbeaten back
HOTSPUR
Home without boots and in foul weather too
How scapes he agues in the devils name
GLENDOWER
Come heres the map shall we divide our right
According to our threefold order taen
MORTIMER
The archdeacon hath divided it
Into three limits very equally
England from Trent and Severn hitherto
By south and east is to my part assignd
All westward Wales beyond the Severn shore
And all the fertile land within that bound
To Owen Glendower and dear coz to you
The remnant northward lying off from Trent
And our indentures tripartite are drawn
Which being sealed interchangeably
A business that this night may execute
Tomorrow cousin Percy you and I
And my good Lord of Worcester will set forth
To meet your father and the Scottish power
As is appointed us at Shrewsbury
My father Glendower is not ready yet
Nor shall we need his help these fourteen days
To Glendower Within that space you may have drawn together
Your tenants friends and neighbouring gentlemen
GLENDOWER
A shorter time shall send me to you lords
And in my conduct shall your ladies come
From whom you now must steal and take no leave
For there will be a world of water shed
Upon the parting of your wives and you
HOTSPUR
Methinks my moiety north from Burton here
In quantity equals not one of yours
See how this river comes me cranking in
And cuts me from the best of all my land
A huge halfmoon a monstrous cantle out
Ill have the current in this place dammed up
And here the smug and silver Trent shall run
In a new channel fair and evenly
It shall not wind with such a deep indent
To rob me of so rich a bottom here
GLENDOWER
Not wind It shall it must You see it doth
MORTIMER
Yea but mark how he bears his course and runs me up
With like advantage on the other side
Gelding the opposed continent as much
As on the other side it takes from you
WORCESTER
Yea but a little charge will trench him here
And on this north side win this cape of land
And then he runs straight and even
HOTSPUR
Ill have it so a little charge will do it
GLENDOWER
Ill not have it altered
HOTSPUR
Will not you
GLENDOWER
No nor you shall not
HOTSPUR
Who shall say me nay
GLENDOWER
Why that will I
HOTSPUR
Let me not understand you then speak it in Welsh
GLENDOWER
I can speak English lord as well as you
For I was traind up in the English Court
Where being but young I framed to the harp
Many an English ditty lovely well
And gave the tongue a helpful ornament
A virtue that was never seen in you
HOTSPUR
Marry and I am glad of it with all my heart
I had rather be a kitten and cry mew
Than one of these same metre balladmongers
I had rather hear a brazen canstick turnd
Or a dry wheel grate on the axletree
And that would set my teeth nothing on edge
Nothing so much as mincing poetry
Tis like the forced gait of a shuffling nag
GLENDOWER
Come you shall have Trent turnd
HOTSPUR
I do not care Ill give thrice so much land
To any welldeserving friend
But in the way of bargain mark ye me
Ill cavil on the ninth part of a hair
Are the indentures drawn Shall we be gone
GLENDOWER
The moon shines fair you may away by night
Ill haste the writer and withal
Break with your wives of your departure hence
I am afraid my daughter will run mad
So much she doteth on her Mortimer
Exit
MORTIMER
Fie cousin Percy how you cross my father
HOTSPUR
I cannot choose Sometimes he angers me
With telling me of the moldwarp and the ant
Of the dreamer Merlin and his prophecies
And of a dragon and a finless fish
A clipwingd griffin and a moulten raven
A couching lion and a ramping cat
And such a deal of skimbleskamble stuff
As puts me from my faith I tell you what
He held me last night at least nine hours
In reckoning up the several devils names
That were his lackeys I cried Hum and Well go to
But markd him not a word O he is as tedious
As a tired horse a railing wife
Worse than a smoky house I had rather live
With cheese and garlic in a windmill far
Than feed on cates and have him talk to me
In any summer house in Christendom
MORTIMER
In faith he is a worthy gentleman
Exceedingly well read and profited
In strange concealments valiant as a lion
And wondrous affable and as bountiful
As mines of India Shall I tell you cousin
He holds your temper in a high respect
And curbs himself even of his natural scope
When you come cross his humour faith he does
I warrant you that man is not alive
Might so have tempted him as you have done
Without the taste of danger and reproof
But do not use it oft let me entreat you
WORCESTER
In faith my lord you are too wilfulblame
And since your coming hither have done enough
To put him quite besides his patience
You must needs learn lord to amend this fault
Though sometimes it show greatness courage blood
And thats the dearest grace it renders you
Yet oftentimes it doth present harsh rage
Defect of manners want of government
Pride haughtiness opinion and disdain
The least of which haunting a nobleman
Loseth mens hearts and leaves behind a stain
Upon the beauty of all parts besides
Beguiling them of commendation
HOTSPUR
Well I am schoold Good manners be your speed
Here come our wives and let us take our leave
Enter Glendower with Lady Mortimer and Lady Percy
MORTIMER
This is the deadly spite that angers me
My wife can speak no English I no Welsh
GLENDOWER
My daughter weeps shell not part with you
Shell be a soldier too shell to the wars
MORTIMER
Good father tell her that she and my aunt Percy
Shall follow in your conduct speedily
Glendower speaks to Lady Mortimer in Welsh and she answers him in the same
GLENDOWER
She is desperate here a peevish selfwilled harlotry
One that no persuasion can do good upon
Lady Mortimer speaks to Mortimer in Welsh
MORTIMER
I understand thy looks that pretty Welsh
Which thou pourest down from these swelling heavens
I am too perfect in and but for shame
In such a parley should I answer thee
Lady Mortimer speaks to him again in Welsh
I understand thy kisses and thou mine
And thats a feeling disputation
But I will never be a truant love
Till I have learnt thy language for thy tongue
Makes Welsh as sweet as ditties highly pennd
Sung by a fair queen in a summers bower
With ravishing division to her lute
GLENDOWER
Nay if you melt then will she run mad
Lady Mortimer speaks to Mortimer again in Welsh
MORTIMER
O I am ignorance itself in this
GLENDOWER
She bids you on the wanton rushes lay you down
And rest your gentle head upon her lap
And she will sing the song that pleaseth you
And on your eyelids crown the god of sleep
Charming your blood with pleasing heaviness
Making such difference twixt wake and sleep
As is the difference betwixt day and night
The hour before the heavenlyharnessd team
Begins his golden progress in the east
MORTIMER
With all my heart Ill sit and hear her sing
By that time will our book I think be drawn
GLENDOWER
Do so and those musicians that shall play to you
Hang in the air a thousand leagues from hence
And straight they shall be here sit and attend
HOTSPUR
Come Kate thou art perfect in lying down
Come quick quick that I may lay my head in thy lap
LADY PERCY
Go ye giddy goose
The music plays
HOTSPUR
Now I perceive the devil understands Welsh
And tis no marvel hes so humorous
Byr Lady hes a good musician
LADY PERCY
Then should you be nothing but musical
For you are altogether governed by humours
Lie still ye thief and hear the lady sing in Welsh
HOTSPUR
I had rather hear Lady my brach howl in Irish
LADY PERCY
Wouldst thou have thy head broken
HOTSPUR
No
LADY PERCY
Then be still
HOTSPUR
Neither tis a womans fault
LADY PERCY
Now God help thee
HOTSPUR
To the Welsh ladys bed
LADY PERCY
Whats that
HOTSPUR
Peace she sings
Here the lady sings a Welsh song
Come Kate Ill have your song too
LADY PERCY
Not mine in good sooth
HOTSPUR
Not yours in good sooth Heart you swear like a comfitmakers wife Not you in good sooth and As true as I live and As God shall mend me and As sure as day
And givest such sarcenet surety for thy oaths
As if thou never walkdst further than Finsbury
Swear me Kate like a lady as thou art
A good mouthfilling oath and leave In sooth
And such protest of peppergingerbread
To velvetguards and Sunday citizens
Come sing
LADY PERCY
I will not sing
HOTSPUR
Tis the next way to turn tailor or be redbreastteacher An the indentures be drawn Ill away within these two hours and so come in when ye will
Exit
GLENDOWER
Come come Lord Mortimer you are as slow
As hot Lord Percy is on fire to go
By this our book is drawn Well but seal
And then to horse immediately
MORTIMER
With all my heart
Exeunt
SCENE II London A Room in the Palace
Enter King Henry Prince Henry and Lords
KING
Lords give us leave the Prince of Wales and I
Must have some private conference but be near at hand
For we shall presently have need of you
Exeunt Lords
I know not whether God will have it so
For some displeasing service I have done
That in His secret doom out of my blood
Hell breed revengement and a scourge for me
But thou dost in thy passages of life
Make me believe that thou art only markd
For the hot vengeance and the rod of heaven
To punish my mistreadings Tell me else
Could such inordinate and low desires
Such poor such bare such lewd such mean attempts
Such barren pleasures rude society
As thou art matchd withal and grafted to
Accompany the greatness of thy blood
And hold their level with thy princely heart
PRINCE
So please your Majesty I would I could
Quit all offences with as clear excuse
As well as I am doubtless I can purge
Myself of many I am charged withal
Yet such extenuation let me beg
As in reproof of many tales devised
By smiling pickthanks and base newsmongers
Which oft the ear of greatness needs must hear
I may for some things true wherein my youth
Hath faulty wanderd and irregular
Find pardon on my true submission
KING
God pardon thee Yet let me wonder Harry
At thy affections which do hold a wing
Quite from the flight of all thy ancestors
Thy place in Council thou hast rudely lost
Which by thy younger brother is supplied
And art almost an alien to the hearts
Of all the court and princes of my blood
The hope and expectation of thy time
Is ruind and the soul of every man
Prophetically do forethink thy fall
Had I so lavish of my presence been
So commonhackneyd in the eyes of men
So stale and cheap to vulgar company
Opinion that did help me to the crown
Had still kept loyal to possession
And left me in reputeless banishment
A fellow of no mark nor likelihood
By being seldom seen I could not stir
But like a comet I was wonderd at
That men would tell their children This is he
Others would say Where which is Bolingbroke
And then I stole all courtesy from heaven
And dressd myself in such humility
That I did pluck allegiance from mens hearts
Loud shouts and salutations from their mouths
Even in the presence of the crowned King
Thus did I keep my person fresh and new
My presence like a robe pontifical
Neer seen but wonderd at and so my state
Seldom but sumptuous showed like a feast
And won by rareness such solemnity
The skipping King he ambled up and down
With shallow jesters and rash bavin wits
Soon kindled and soon burnt carded his state
Mingled his royalty with capring fools
Had his great name profaned with their scorns
And gave his countenance against his name
To laugh at gibing boys and stand the push
Of every beardless vain comparative
Grew a companion to the common streets
Enfeoffd himself to popularity
That being daily swallowd by mens eyes
They surfeited with honey and began
To loathe the taste of sweetness whereof a little
More than a little is by much too much
So when he had occasion to be seen
He was but as the cuckoo is in June
Heard not regarded seen but with such eyes
As sick and blunted with community
Afford no extraordinary gaze
Such as is bent on sunlike majesty
When it shines seldom in admiring eyes
But rather drowsed and hung their eyelids down
Slept in his face and renderd such aspect
As cloudy men use to their adversaries
Being with his presence glutted gorged and full
And in that very line Harry standest thou
For thou hast lost thy princely privilege
With vile participation Not an eye
But is aweary of thy common sight
Save mine which hath desired to see thee more
Which now doth that I would not have it do
Make blind itself with foolish tenderness
PRINCE
I shall hereafter my thrice gracious lord
Be more myself
KING
For all the world
As thou art to this hour was Richard then
When I from France set foot at Ravenspurgh
And even as I was then is Percy now
Now by my sceptre and my soul to boot
He hath more worthy interest to the state
Than thou the shadow of succession
For of no right nor colour like to right
He doth fill fields with harness in the realm
Turns head against the lions armed jaws
And being no more in debt to years than thou
Leads ancient lords and reverend bishops on
To bloody battles and to bruising arms
What neverdying honour hath he got
Against renowned Douglas whose high deeds
Whose hot incursions and great name in arms
Holds from all soldiers chief majority
And military title capital
Through all the kingdoms that acknowledge Christ
Thrice hath this Hotspur Mars in swathing clothes
This infant warrior in his enterprises
Discomfited great Douglas taen him once
Enlarged him and made a friend of him
To fill the mouth of deep defiance up
And shake the peace and safety of our throne
And what say you to this Percy Northumberland
The Archbishops Grace of York Douglas Mortimer
Capitulate against us and are up
But wherefore do I tell these news to thee
Why Harry do I tell thee of my foes
Which art my nearest and dearest enemy
Thou that art like enough through vassal fear
Base inclination and the start of spleen
To fight against me under Percys pay
To dog his heels and curtsy at his frowns
To show how much thou art degenerate
PRINCE
Do not think so you shall not find it so
And God forgive them that so much have swayd
Your Majestys good thoughts away from me
I will redeem all this on Percys head
And in the closing of some glorious day
Be bold to tell you that I am your son
When I will wear a garment all of blood
And stain my favours in a bloody mask
Which washd away shall scour my shame with it
And that shall be the day wheneer it lights
That this same child of honour and renown
This gallant Hotspur this allpraised knight
And your unthoughtof Harry chance to meet
For every honour sitting on his helm
Would they were multitudes and on my head
My shames redoubled For the time will come
That I shall make this northern youth exchange
His glorious deeds for my indignities
Percy is but my factor good my lord
To engross up glorious deeds on my behalf
And I will call him to so strict account
That he shall render every glory up
Yea even the slightest worship of his time
Or I will tear the reckoning from his heart
This in the name of God I promise here
The which if He be pleased I shall perform
I do beseech your Majesty may salve
The longgrown wounds of my intemperance
If not the end of life cancels all bands
And I will die a hundred thousand deaths
Ere break the smallest parcel of this vow
KING
A hundred thousand rebels die in this
Thou shalt have charge and sovereign trust herein
Enter Sir Walter Blunt
How now good Blunt Thy looks are full of speed
BLUNT
So hath the business that I come to speak of
Lord Mortimer of Scotland hath sent word
That Douglas and the English rebels met
The eleventh of this month at Shrewsbury
A mighty and a fearful head they are
If promises be kept on every hand
As ever offerd foul play in a state
KING
The Earl of Westmoreland set forth today
With him my son Lord John of Lancaster
For this advertisement is five days old
On Wednesday next you Harry shall set forward
On Thursday we ourselves will march
Our meeting is Bridgenorth And Harry you
Shall march through Gloustershire by which account
Our business valued some twelve days hence
Our general forces at Bridgenorth shall meet
Our hands are full of business Lets away
Advantage feeds him fat while men delay
Exeunt
SCENE III Eastcheap A Room in the Boars Head Tavern
Enter Falstaff and Bardolph
FALSTAFF
Bardolph am I not fallen away vilely since this last action Do I not bate Do I not dwindle Why my skin hangs about me like an old ladys loose gown I am withered like an old applejohn Well Ill repent and that suddenly while I am in some liking I shall be out of heart shortly and then I shall have no strength to repent An I have not forgotten what the inside of a church is made of I am a peppercorn a brewers horse The inside of a church Company villainous company hath been the spoil of me
BARDOLPH
Sir John you are so fretful you cannot live long
FALSTAFF
Why there is it Come sing me a song make me merry I was as virtuously given as a gentleman need to be virtuous enough swore little diced not above seven timesa week went to a bawdy house not above once in a quarterin an hour paid money that I borrowedthree or four times lived well and in good compass and now I live out of all order out of all compass
BARDOLPH
Why you are so fat Sir John that you must needs be out of all compass out of all reasonable compass Sir John
FALSTAFF
Do thou amend thy face and Ill amend my life Thou art our admiral thou bearest the lantern in the poop but tis in the nose of thee Thou art the Knight of the Burning Lamp
BARDOLPH
Why Sir John my face does you no harm
FALSTAFF
No Ill be sworn I make as good use of it as many a man doth of a deathshead or a memento mori I never see thy face but I think upon hellfire and Dives that lived in purple for there he is in his robes burning burning If thou wert any way given to virtue I would swear by thy face My oath should be By this fire thats Gods angel But thou art altogether given over and wert indeed but for the light in thy face the son of utter darkness When thou ranst up Gads Hill in the night to catch my horse if I did not think thou hadst been an ignis fatuus or a ball of wildfire theres no purchase in money O thou art a perpetual triumph an everlasting bonfirelight Thou hast saved me a thousand marks in links and torches walking with thee in the night betwixt tavern and tavern but the sack that thou hast drunk me would have bought me lights as good cheap at the dearest chandlers in Europe I have maintained that salamander of yours with fire any time this twoandthirty years God reward me for it
BARDOLPH
Sblood I would my face were in your belly
FALSTAFF
Godamercy so should I be sure to be heartburnt
Enter the Hostess
How now Dame Partlet the hen have you enquired yet who picked my pocket
HOSTESS
Why Sir John what do you think Sir John do you think I keep thieves in my house I have searched I have enquired so has my husband man by man boy by boy servant by servant The tithe of a hair was never lost in my house before
FALSTAFF
Ye lie hostess Bardolph was shaved and lost many a hair and Ill be sworn my pocket was picked Go to you are a woman go
HOSTESS
Who I No I defy thee Gods light I was never called so in mine own house before
FALSTAFF
Go to I know you well enough
HOSTESS
No Sir John you do not know me Sir John I know you Sir John you owe me money Sir John and now you pick a quarrel to beguile me of it I bought you a dozen of shirts to your back
FALSTAFF
Dowlas filthy dowlas I have given them away to bakers wives and they have made bolters of them
HOSTESS
Now as I am a true woman holland of eight shillings an ell You owe money here besides Sir John for your diet and bydrinkings and money lent you fourandtwenty pound
FALSTAFF
He had his part of it let him pay
HOSTESS
He Alas he is poor he hath nothing
FALSTAFF
How Poor Look upon his face What call you rich Let them coin his nose let them coin his cheeks Ill not pay a denier What will you make a younker of me Shall I not take mine ease in mine inn but I shall have my pocket picked I have lost a sealring of my grandfathers worth forty mark
HOSTESS
O Jesu I have heard the Prince tell him I know not how oft that that ring was copper
FALSTAFF
How The Prince is a Jack a sneakup Sblood an he were here I would cudgel him like a dog if he would say so
Enter Prince Henry with Peto marching Falstaff meets him playing on his truncheon like a fife
How now lad Is the wind in that door ifaith Must we all march
BARDOLPH
Yea two and two Newgate fashion
HOSTESS
My lord I pray you hear me
PRINCE
What sayst thou Mistress Quickly How doth thy husband I love him well he is an honest man
HOSTESS
Good my lord hear me
FALSTAFF
Prithee let her alone and list to me
PRINCE
What sayst thou Jack
FALSTAFF
The other night I fell asleep here behind the arras and had my pocket picked This house is turned bawdyhouse they pick pockets
PRINCE
What didst thou lose Jack
FALSTAFF
Wilt thou believe me Hal three or four bonds of forty pound apiece and a sealring of my grandfathers
PRINCE
A trifle some eightpenny matter
HOSTESS
So I told him my lord and I said I heard your Grace say so And my lord he speaks most vilely of you like a foulmouthed man as he is and said he would cudgel you
PRINCE
What he did not
HOSTESS
Theres neither faith truth nor womanhood in me else
FALSTAFF
Theres no more faith in thee than in a stewed prune nor no more truth in thee than in a drawn fox and for womanhood Maid Marian may be the deputys wife of the ward to thee Go you thing go
HOSTESS
Say what thing what thing
FALSTAFF
What thing Why a thing to thank God on
HOSTESS
I am no thing to thank God on I would thou shouldst know it I am an honest mans wife and setting thy knighthood aside thou art a knave to call me so
FALSTAFF
Setting thy womanhood aside thou art a beast to say otherwise
HOSTESS
Say what beast thou knave thou
FALSTAFF
What beast Why an otter
PRINCE
An otter Sir John Why an otter
FALSTAFF
Why shes neither fish nor flesh a man knows not where to have her
HOSTESS
Thou art an unjust man in saying so thou or any man knows where to have me thou knave thou
PRINCE
Thou sayst true hostess and he slanders thee most grossly
HOSTESS
So he doth you my lord and said this other day you ought him a thousand pound
PRINCE
Sirrah do I owe you a thousand pound
FALSTAFF
A thousand pound Hal A million Thy love is worth a million thou owest me thy love
HOSTESS
Nay my lord he calld you Jack and said he would cudgel you
FALSTAFF
Did I Bardolph
BARDOLPH
Indeed Sir John you said so
FALSTAFF
Yea if he said my ring was copper
PRINCE
I say tis copper Darest thou be as good as thy word now
FALSTAFF
Why Hal thou knowest as thou art but man I dare but as thou art prince I fear thee as I fear the roaring of the lions whelp
PRINCE
And why not as the lion
FALSTAFF
The King himself is to be feared as the lion Dost thou think Ill fear thee as I fear thy father Nay an I do I pray God my girdle break
PRINCE
O if it should how would thy guts fall about thy knees But sirrah theres no room for faith truth nor honesty in this bosom of thine it is all filled up with midriff Charge an honest woman with picking thy pocket Why thou whoreson impudent embossed rascal if there were anything in thy pocket but tavern reckonings memorandums of bawdy houses and one poor pennyworth of sugarcandy to make thee longwinded if thy pocket were enriched with any other injuries but these I am a villain And yet you will stand to it you will not pocket up wrong Art thou not ashamed
FALSTAFF
Dost thou hear Hal Thou knowest in the state of innocency Adam fell and what should poor Jack Falstaff do in the days of villainy Thou seest I have more flesh than another man and therefore more frailty You confess then you picked my pocket
PRINCE
It appears so by the story
FALSTAFF
Hostess I forgive thee Go make ready breakfast love thy husband look to thy servants cherish thy guests Thou shalt find me tractable to any honest reason Thou seest I am pacified still Nay prithee be gone
Exit Hostess
Now Hal to the news at court For the robbery lad how is that answered
PRINCE
O my sweet beef I must still be good angel to thee The money is paid back again
FALSTAFF
O I do not like that paying back tis a double labour
PRINCE
I am good friends with my father and may do anything
FALSTAFF
Rob me the exchequer the first thing thou dost and do it with unwashed hands too
BARDOLPH
Do my lord
PRINCE
I have procured thee Jack a charge of foot
FALSTAFF
I would it had been of horse Where shall I find one that can steal well O for a fine thief of the age of twoandtwenty or thereabouts I am heinously unprovided Well God be thanked for these rebels they offend none but the virtuous I laud them I praise them
PRINCE
Bardolph
BARDOLPH
My lord
PRINCE
Go bear this letter to Lord John of Lancaster
To my brother John this to my Lord of Westmoreland
Exit Bardolph
Go Peto to horse to horse for thou and I
Have thirty miles to ride yet ere dinnertime
Exit Peto
Jack meet me tomorrow in the Temple hall
At two oclock in the afternoon
There shalt thou know thy charge and there receive
Money and order for their furniture
The land is burning Percy stands on high
And either we or they must lower lie
Exit
FALSTAFF
Rare words Brave worldHostess my breakfast come
O I could wish this tavern were my drum
Exit
ACT IV
SCENE I The Rebel Camp near Shrewsbury
Enter Hotspur Worcester and Douglas
HOTSPUR
Well said my noble Scot If speaking truth
In this fine age were not thought flattery
Such attribution should the Douglas have
As not a soldier of this seasons stamp
Should go so general current through the world
By God I cannot flatter I do defy
The tongues of soothers but a braver place
In my hearts love hath no man than yourself
Nay task me to my word approve me lord
DOUGLAS
Thou art the king of honour
No man so potent breathes upon the ground
But I will beard him
HOTSPUR
Do so and tis well
Enter a Messenger with letters
What letters hast thou there I can but thank you
MESSENGER
These letters come from your father
HOTSPUR
Letters from him Why comes he not himself
MESSENGER
He cannot come my lord he is grievous sick
HOTSPUR
Zounds how has he the leisure to be sick
In such a justling time Who leads his power
Under whose government come they along
MESSENGER
His letters bear his mind not I my lord
WORCESTER
I prithee tell me doth he keep his bed
MESSENGER
He did my lord four days ere I set forth
And at the time of my departure thence
He was much feard by his physicians
WORCESTER
I would the state of time had first been whole
Ere he by sickness had been visited
His health was never better worth than now
HOTSPUR
Sick now Droop now This sickness doth infect
The very lifeblood of our enterprise
Tis catching hither even to our camp
He writes me here that inward sickness
And that his friends by deputation could not
So soon be drawn nor did he think it meet
To lay so dangerous and dear a trust
On any soul removed but on his own
Yet doth he give us bold advertisement
That with our small conjunction we should on
To see how fortune is disposed to us
For as he writes there is no quailing now
Because the King is certainly possessd
Of all our purposes What say you to it
WORCESTER
Your fathers sickness is a maim to us
HOTSPUR
A perilous gash a very limb loppd off
And yet in faith it is not His present want
Seems more than we shall find it Were it good
To set the exact wealth of all our states
All at one cast To set so rich a main
On the nice hazard of one doubtful hour
It were not good for therein should we read
The very bottom and the soul of hope
The very list the very utmost bound
Of all our fortunes
DOUGLAS
Faith and so we should where now remains
A sweet reversion We may boldly spend
Upon the hope of what is to come in
A comfort of retirement lives in this
HOTSPUR
A rendezvous a home to fly unto
If that the devil and mischance look big
Upon the maidenhead of our affairs
WORCESTER
But yet I would your father had been here
The quality and hair of our attempt
Brooks no division It will be thought
By some that know not why he is away
That wisdom loyalty and mere dislike
Of our proceedings kept the Earl from hence
And think how such an apprehension
May turn the tide of fearful faction
And breed a kind of question in our cause
For well you know we of the offring side
Must keep aloof from strict arbitrement
And stop all sightholes every loop from whence
The eye of reason may pry in upon us
This absence of your fathers draws a curtain
That shows the ignorant a kind of fear
Before not dreamt of
HOTSPUR
You strain too far
I rather of his absence make this use
It lends a lustre and more great opinion
A larger dare to our great enterprise
Than if the Earl were here for men must think
If we without his help can make a head
To push against the kingdom with his help
We shall oerturn it topsyturvy down
Yet all goes well yet all our joints are whole
DOUGLAS
As heart can think There is not such a word
Spoke in Scotland as this term of fear
Enter Sir Richard Vernon
HOTSPUR
My cousin Vernon Welcome by my soul
VERNON
Pray God my news be worth a welcome lord
The Earl of Westmoreland seven thousand strong
Is marching hitherwards with him Prince John
HOTSPUR
No harm what more
VERNON
And further I have learnd
The King himself in person is set forth
Or hitherwards intended speedily
With strong and mighty preparation
HOTSPUR
He shall be welcome too Where is his son
The nimblefooted madcap Prince of Wales
And his comrades that daffed the world aside
And bid it pass
VERNON
All furnishd all in arms
All plumed like estridges that with the wind
Bated like eagles having lately bathed
Glittering in golden coats like images
As full of spirit as the month of May
And gorgeous as the sun at midsummer
Wanton as youthful goats wild as young bulls
I saw young Harry with his beaver on
His cuisses on his thighs gallantly armd
Rise from the ground like featherd Mercury
And vaulted with such ease into his seat
As if an angel droppd down from the clouds
To turn and wind a fiery Pegasus
And witch the world with noble horsemanship
HOTSPUR
No more no more Worse than the sun in March
This praise doth nourish agues Let them come
They come like sacrifices in their trim
And to the fireeyed maid of smoky war
All hot and bleeding will we offer them
The mailed Mars shall on his altar sit
Up to the ears in blood I am on fire
To hear this rich reprisal is so nigh
And yet not ours Come let me taste my horse
Who is to bear me like a thunderbolt
Against the bosom of the Prince of Wales
Harry to Harry shall hot horse to horse
Meet and neer part till one drop down a corse
O that Glendower were come
VERNON
There is more news
I learnd in Worcester as I rode along
He cannot draw his power this fourteen days
DOUGLAS
Thats the worst tidings that I hear of yet
WORCESTER
Ay by my faith that bears a frosty sound
HOTSPUR
What may the Kings whole battle reach unto
VERNON
To thirty thousand
HOTSPUR
Forty let it be
My father and Glendower being both away
The powers of us may serve so great a day
Come let us take a muster speedily
Doomsday is near die all die merrily
DOUGLAS
Talk not of dying I am out of fear
Of death or deaths hand for this one half year
Exeunt
SCENE II A public Road near Coventry
Enter Falstaff and Bardolph
FALSTAFF
Bardolph get thee before to Coventry fill me a bottle of sack Our soldiers shall march through well to Sutton Cofil tonight
BARDOLPH
Will you give me money captain
FALSTAFF
Lay out lay out
BARDOLPH
This bottle makes an angel
FALSTAFF
An if it do take it for thy labour An if it make twenty take them all Ill answer the coinage Bid my lieutenant Peto meet me at towns end
BARDOLPH
I will captain farewell
Exit
FALSTAFF
If I be not ashamed of my soldiers I am a soused gurnet I have misused the Kings press damnably I have got in exchange of a hundred and fifty soldiers three hundred and odd pounds I press me none but good householders yeomens sons inquire me out contracted bachelors such as had been asked twice on the banns such a commodity of warm slaves as had as lief hear the devil as a drum such as fear the report of a caliver worse than a struck fowl or a hurt wild duck I pressed me none but such toastsandbutter with hearts in their bellies no bigger than pins heads and they have bought out their services and now my whole charge consists of ancients corporals lieutenants gentlemen of companiesslaves as ragged as Lazarus in the painted cloth where the gluttons dogs licked his sores and such as indeed were never soldiers but discarded unjust servingmen younger sons to younger brothers revolted tapsters and ostlers tradefallen the cankers of a calm world and a long peace ten times more dishonourableragged than an old fazed ancient and such have I to fill up the rooms of them that have bought out their services that you would think that I had a hundred and fifty tattered prodigals lately come from swinekeeping from eating draff and husks A mad fellow met me on the way and told me I had unloaded all the gibbets and pressed the dead bodies No eye hath seen such scarecrows Ill not march through Coventry with them thats flat Nay and the villains march wide betwixt the legs as if they had gyves on for indeed I had the most of them out of prison Theres not a shirt and a half in all my company and the half shirt is two napkins tacked together and thrown over the shoulders like a heralds coat without sleeves and the shirt to say the truth stolen from my host at Saint Albans or the rednose innkeeper of Daventry But thats all one theyll find linen enough on every hedge
Enter Prince Henry and the Lord of Westmoreland
PRINCE
How now blown Jack How now quilt
FALSTAFF
What Hal How now mad wag What a devil dost thou in Warwickshire My good Lord of Westmoreland I cry you mercy I thought your honour had already been at Shrewsbury
WESTMORELAND
Faith Sir John tis more than time that I were there and you too but my powers are there already The King I can tell you looks for us all We must away all night
FALSTAFF
Tut never fear me I am as vigilant as a cat to steal cream
PRINCE
I think to steal cream indeed for thy theft hath already made thee butter But tell me Jack whose fellows are these that come after
FALSTAFF
Mine Hal mine
PRINCE
I did never see such pitiful rascals
FALSTAFF
Tut tut good enough to toss food for powder food for powder theyll fill a pit as well as better Tush man mortal men mortal men
WESTMORELAND
Ay but Sir John methinks they are exceeding poor and bare too beggarly
FALSTAFF
Faith for their poverty I know not where they had that and for their bareness I am sure they never learned that of me
PRINCE
No Ill be sworn unless you call three fingers on the ribs bare But sirrah make haste Percy is already in the field
Exit
FALSTAFF
What is the King encamped
WESTMORELAND
He is Sir John I fear we shall stay too long
Exit
FALSTAFF
Well
To the latter end of a fray and the beginning of a feast
Fits a dull fighter and a keen guest
Exit
SCENE III The Rebel Camp near Shrewsbury
Enter Hotspur Worcester Douglas and Vernon
HOTSPUR
Well fight with him tonight
WORCESTER
It may not be
DOUGLAS
You give him then advantage
VERNON
Not a whit
HOTSPUR
Why say you so Looks he not for supply
VERNON
So do we
HOTSPUR
His is certain ours is doubtful
WORCESTER
Good cousin be advised stir not tonight
VERNON
Do not my lord
DOUGLAS
You do not counsel well
You speak it out of fear and cold heart
VERNON
Do me no slander Douglas by my life
And I dare well maintain it with my life
If wellrespected honour bid me on
I hold as little counsel with weak fear
As you my lord or any Scot that this day lives
Let it be seen tomorrow in the battle
Which of us fears
DOUGLAS
Yea or tonight
VERNON
Content
HOTSPUR
Tonight say I
VERNON
Come come it may not be I wonder much
Being men of such great leading as you are
That you foresee not what impediments
Drag back our expedition Certain horse
Of my cousin Vernons are not yet come up
Your uncle Worcesters horse came but today
And now their pride and mettle is asleep
Their courage with hard labour tame and dull
That not a horse is half the half himself
HOTSPUR
So are the horses of the enemy
In general journeybated and brought low
The better part of ours are full of rest
WORCESTER
The number of the King exceedeth ours
For Gods sake cousin stay till all come in
The trumpet sounds a parley
Enter Sir Walter Blunt
BLUNT
I come with gracious offers from the King
If you vouchsafe me hearing and respect
HOTSPUR
Welcome Sir Walter Blunt and would to God
You were of our determination
Some of us love you well and even those some
Envy your great deservings and good name
Because you are not of our quality
But stand against us like an enemy
BLUNT
And God defend but still I should stand so
So long as out of limit and true rule
You stand against anointed majesty
But to my charge The King hath sent to know
The nature of your griefs and whereupon
You conjure from the breast of civil peace
Such bold hostility teaching his duteous land
Audacious cruelty If that the King
Have any way your good deserts forgot
Which he confesseth to be manifold
He bids you name your griefs and with all speed
You shall have your desires with interest
And pardon absolute for yourself and these
Herein misled by your suggestion
HOTSPUR
The King is kind and well we know the King
Knows at what time to promise when to pay
My father and my uncle and myself
Did give him that same royalty he wears
And when he was not sixandtwenty strong
Sick in the worlds regard wretched and low
A poor unminded outlaw sneaking home
My father gave him welcome to the shore
And when he heard him swear and vow to God
He came but to be Duke of Lancaster
To sue his livery and beg his peace
With tears of innocence and terms of zeal
My father in kind heart and pity moved
Swore him assistance and performed it too
Now when the lords and barons of the realm
Perceived Northumberland did lean to him
The more and less came in with cap and knee
Met him in boroughs cities villages
Attended him on bridges stood in lanes
Laid gifts before him profferd him their oaths
Give him their heirs as pages followd him
Even at the heels in golden multitudes
He presently as greatness knows itself
Steps me a little higher than his vow
Made to my father while his blood was poor
Upon the naked shore at Ravenspurgh
And now forsooth takes on him to reform
Some certain edicts and some strait decrees
That lie too heavy on the commonwealth
Cries out upon abuses seems to weep
Over his countrys wrongs and by this face
This seeming brow of justice did he win
The hearts of all that he did angle for
Proceeded furthercut me off the heads
Of all the favourites that the absent King
In deputation left behind him here
When he was personal in the Irish war
BLUNT
Tut I came not to hear this
HOTSPUR
Then to the point
In short time after he deposed the King
Soon after that deprived him of his life
And in the neck of that taskd the whole state
To make that worse sufferd his kinsman March
Who is if every owner were well placed
Indeed his king to be engaged in Wales
There without ransom to lie forfeited
Disgraced me in my happy victories
Sought to entrap me by intelligence
Rated mine uncle from the Councilboard
In rage dismissd my father from the court
Broke oath on oath committed wrong on wrong
And in conclusion drove us to seek out
This head of safety and withal to pry
Into his title the which now we find
Too indirect for long continuance
BLUNT
Shall I return this answer to the King
HOTSPUR
Not so Sir Walter Well withdraw awhile
Go to the King and let there be impawnd
Some surety for a safe return again
And in the morning early shall my uncle
Bring him our purposes And so farewell
BLUNT
I would you would accept of grace and love
HOTSPUR
And maybe so we shall
BLUNT
Pray God you do
Exeunt
SCENE IV York A Room in the Archbishops Palace
Enter the Archbishop of York and Sir Michael
ARCHBISHOP
Hie good Sir Michael bear this sealed brief
With winged haste to the Lord Marshal
This to my cousin Scroop and all the rest
To whom they are directed If you knew
How much they do import you would make haste
SIR MICHAEL
My good lord
I guess their tenour
ARCHBISHOP
Like enough you do
Tomorrow good Sir Michael is a day
Wherein the fortune of ten thousand men
Must bide the touch for sir at Shrewsbury
As I am truly given to understand
The King with mighty and quickraised power
Meets with Lord Harry And I fear Sir Michael
What with the sickness of Northumberland
Whose power was in the first proportion
And what with Owen Glendowers absence thence
Who with them was a rated sinew too
And comes not in oerruld by prophecies
I fear the power of Percy is too weak
To wage an instant trial with the King
SIR MICHAEL
Why my good lord you need not fear
There is Douglas and Lord Mortimer
ARCHBISHOP
No Mortimer is not there
SIR MICHAEL
But there is Mordake Vernon Lord Harry Percy
And there is my Lord of Worcester and a head
Of gallant warriors noble gentlemen
ARCHBISHOP
And so there is But yet the King hath drawn
The special head of all the land together
The Prince of Wales Lord John of Lancaster
The noble Westmoreland and warlike Blunt
And many more corrivals and dear men
Of estimation and command in arms
SIR MICHAEL
Doubt not my lord they shall be well opposed
ARCHBISHOP
I hope no less yet needful tis to fear
And to prevent the worst Sir Michael speed
For if Lord Percy thrive not ere the King
Dismiss his power he means to visit us
For he hath heard of our confederacy
And tis but wisdom to make strong against him
Therefore make haste I must go write again
To other friends and so farewell Sir Michael
Exeunt
ACT V
SCENE I The Kings Camp near Shrewsbury
Enter King Henry Prince Henry Lancaster Sir Walter Blunt and Sir John Falstaff
KING
How bloodily the sun begins to peer
Above yon bulky hill The day looks pale
At his distemprature
PRINCE
The southern wind
Doth play the trumpet to his purposes
And by his hollow whistling in the leaves
Foretells a tempest and a blustring day
KING
Then with the losers let it sympathize
For nothing can seem foul to those that win
The trumpet sounds
Enter Worcester and Vernon
How now my Lord of Worcester Tis not well
That you and I should meet upon such terms
As now we meet You have deceived our trust
And made us doff our easy robes of peace
To crush our old limbs in ungentle steel
This is not well my lord this is not well
What say you to it Will you again unknit
This churlish knot of allabhorred war
And move in that obedient orb again
Where you did give a fair and natural light
And be no more an exhaled meteor
A prodigy of fear and a portent
Of broached mischief to the unborn times
WORCESTER
Hear me my liege
For mine own part I could be well content
To entertain the lag end of my life
With quiet hours For I do protest
I have not sought the day of this dislike
KING
You have not sought it How comes it then
FALSTAFF
Rebellion lay in his way and he found it
PRINCE
Peace chewet peace
WORCESTER
It pleased your Majesty to turn your looks
Of favour from myself and all our house
And yet I must remember you my lord
We were the first and dearest of your friends
For you my staff of office did I break
In Richards time and posted day and night
To meet you on the way and kiss your hand
When yet you were in place and in account
Nothing so strong and fortunate as I
It was myself my brother and his son
That brought you home and boldly did outdare
The dangers of the time You swore to us
And you did swear that oath at Doncaster
That you did nothing purpose gainst the state
Nor claim no further than your newfalln right
The seat of Gaunt dukedom of Lancaster
To this we swore our aid But in short space
It raind down fortune showring on your head
And such a flood of greatness fell on you
What with our help what with the absent King
What with the injuries of a wanton time
The seeming sufferances that you had borne
And the contrarious winds that held the King
So long in his unlucky Irish wars
That all in England did repute him dead
And from this swarm of fair advantages
You took occasion to be quickly wood
To gripe the general sway into your hand
Forgot your oath to us at Doncaster
And being fed by us you used us so
As that ungentle gull the cuckoos bird
Useth the sparrowdid oppress our nest
Grew by our feeding to so great a bulk
That even our love durst not come near your sight
For fear of swallowing but with nimble wing
We were enforced for safety sake to fly
Out of your sight and raise this present head
Whereby we stand opposed by such means
As you yourself have forged against yourself
By unkind usage dangerous countenance
And violation of all faith and troth
Sworn to us in your younger enterprise
KING
These things indeed you have articulate
Proclaimd at market crosses read in churches
To face the garment of rebellion
With some fine colour that may please the eye
Of fickle changelings and poor discontents
Which gape and rub the elbow at the news
Of hurlyburly innovation
And never yet did insurrection want
Such watercolours to impaint his cause
Nor moody beggars starving for a time
Of pellmell havoc and confusion
PRINCE
In both your armies there is many a soul
Shall pay full dearly for this encounter
If once they join in trial Tell your nephew
The Prince of Wales doth join with all the world
In praise of Henry Percy By my hopes
This present enterprise set off his head
I do not think a braver gentleman
More activevaliant or more valiantyoung
More daring or more bold is now alive
To grace this latter age with noble deeds
For my part I may speak it to my shame
I have a truant been to chivalry
And so I hear he doth account me too
Yet this before my fathers Majesty
I am content that he shall take the odds
Of his great name and estimation
And will to save the blood on either side
Try fortune with him in a single fight
KING
And Prince of Wales so dare we venture thee
Albeit considerations infinite
Do make against itNo good Worcester no
We love our people well even those we love
That are misled upon your cousins part
And will they take the offer of our grace
Both he and they and you yea every man
Shall be my friend again and Ill be his
So tell your cousin and then bring me word
What he will do But if he will not yield
Rebuke and dread correction wait on us
And they shall do their office So be gone
We will not now be troubled with reply
We offer fair take it advisedly
Exit Worcester with Vernon
PRINCE
It will not be accepted on my life
The Douglas and the Hotspur both together
Are confident against the world in arms
KING
Hence therefore every leader to his charge
For on their answer will we set on them
And God befriend us as our cause is just
Exeunt the King Blunt and Prince John
FALSTAFF
Hal if thou see me down in the battle and bestride me so tis a point of friendship
PRINCE
Nothing but a colossus can do thee that friendship
Say thy prayers and farewell
FALSTAFF
I would twere bedtime Hal and all well
PRINCE
Why thou owest God a death
Exit
FALSTAFF
Tis not due yet I would be loth to pay Him before His day What need I be so forward with Him that calls not on me Well tis no matter honour pricks me on Yea but how if honour prick me off when I come on How then Can honor set to a leg No Or an arm No Or take away the grief of a wound No Honour hath no skill in surgery then No What is honour A word What is in that word honour What is that honour Air A trim reckoning Who hath it He that died o Wednesday Doth he feel it No Doth be hear it No Tis insensible then Yea to the dead But will it not live with the living No Why Detraction will not suffer it Therefore Ill none of it Honour is a mere scutcheon And so ends my catechism
Exit
SCENE II The Rebel Camp
Enter Worcester and Vernon
WORCESTER
O no my nephew must not know Sir Richard
The liberal and kind offer of the King
VERNON
Twere best he did
WORCESTER
Then are we all undone
It is not possible it cannot be
The King should keep his word in loving us
He will suspect us still and find a time
To punish this offence in other faults
Suspicion all our lives shall be stuck full of eyes
For treason is but trusted like the fox
Who neer so tame so cherishd and lockd up
Will have a wild trick of his ancestors
Look how we can or sad or merrily
Interpretation will misquote our looks
And we shall feed like oxen at a stall
The better cherishd still the nearer death
My nephews trespass may be well forgot
It hath the excuse of youth and heat of blood
And an adopted name of privilege
A harebraind Hotspur governd by a spleen
All his offences live upon my head
And on his fathers We did train him on
And his corruption being taen from us
We as the spring of all shall pay for all
Therefore good cousin let not Harry know
In any case the offer of the King
VERNON
Deliver what you will Ill say tis so
Here comes your cousin
Enter Hotspur and Douglas Officers and Soldiers behind
HOTSPUR
My uncle is returnd
Deliver up my Lord of Westmoreland
Uncle what news
WORCESTER
The King will bid you battle presently
DOUGLAS
Defy him by the Lord Of Westmoreland
HOTSPUR
Lord Douglas go you and tell him so
DOUGLAS
Marry I shall and very willingly
Exit
WORCESTER
There is no seeming mercy in the King
HOTSPUR
Did you beg any God forbid
WORCESTER
I told him gently of our grievances
Of his oathbreaking which he mended thus
By now forswearing that he is forsworn
He calls us rebels traitors and will scourge
With haughty arms this hateful name in us
Enter Douglas
DOUGLAS
Arm gentlemen to arms For I have thrown
A brave defiance in King Henrys teeth
And Westmoreland that was engaged did bear it
Which cannot choose but bring him quickly on
WORCESTER
The Prince of Wales steppd forth before the King
And nephew challenged you to single fight
HOTSPUR
O would the quarrel lay upon our heads
And that no man might draw short breath today
But I and Harry Monmouth Tell me tell me
How showd his tasking Seemd it in contempt
VERNON
No by my soul I never in my life
Did hear a challenge urged more modestly
Unless a brother should a brother dare
To gentle exercise and proof of arms
He gave you all the duties of a man
Trimmd up your praises with a princely tongue
Spoke your deservings like a chronicle
Making you ever better than his praise
By still dispraising praise valued with you
And which became him like a prince indeed
He made a blushing cital of himself
And chid his truant youth with such a grace
As if he masterd there a double spirit
Of teaching and of learning instantly
There did he pause but let me tell the world
If he outlive the envy of this day
England did never owe so sweet a hope
So much misconstrued in his wantonness
HOTSPUR
Cousin I think thou art enamoured
Upon his follies Never did I hear
Of any prince so wild a liberty
But be he as he will yet once ere night
I will embrace him with a soldiers arm
That he shall shrink under my courtesy
Arm arm with speed And fellows soldiers friends
Better consider what you have to do
Than I that have not well the gift of tongue
Can lift your blood up with persuasion
Enter a Messenger
MESSENGER
My lord here are letters for you
HOTSPUR
I cannot read them now
O gentlemen the time of life is short
To spend that shortness basely were too long
If life did ride upon a dials point
Still ending at the arrival of an hour
And if we live we live to tread on kings
If die brave death when princes die with us
Now for our consciences the arms are fair
When the intent of bearing them is just
Enter another Messenger
MESSENGER
My lord prepare The King comes on apace
HOTSPUR
I thank him that he cuts me from my tale
For I profess not talking Only this
Let each man do his best And here draw I
A sword whose temper I intend to stain
With the best blood that I can meet withal
In the adventure of this perilous day
Now Esperance Percy And set on
Sound all the lofty instruments of war
And by that music let us all embrace
For Heaven to Earth some of us never shall
A second time do such a courtesy
The trumpets sound They embrace and exeunt
SCENE III Plain between the Camps
The King enters with his power Alarum to the battle
Then enter Douglas and Sir Walter Blunt
BLUNT
What is thy name that in the battle thus
Thou crossest me What honour dost thou seek
Upon my head
DOUGLAS
Know then my name is Douglas
And I do haunt thee in the battle thus
Because some tell me that thou art a king
BLUNT
They tell thee true
DOUGLAS
The Lord of Stafford dear today hath bought
Thy likeness for instead of thee King Harry
This sword hath ended him So shall it thee
Unless thou yield thee as my prisoner
BLUNT
I was not born a yielder thou proud Scot
And thou shalt find a king that will revenge
Lord Staffords death
They fight and Blunt is slain
Enter Hotspur
HOTSPUR
O Douglas hadst thou fought at Holmedon thus
I never had triumphed upon a Scot
DOUGLAS
Alls done alls won here breathless lies the King
HOTSPUR
Where
DOUGLAS
Here
HOTSPUR
This Douglas No I know this face full well
A gallant knight he was his name was Blunt
Semblably furnishd like the King himself
DOUGLAS
A fool go with thy soul whither it goes
A borrowd title hast thou bought too dear
Why didst thou tell me that thou wert a king
HOTSPUR
The King hath many marching in his coats
DOUGLAS
Now by my sword I will kill all his coats
Ill murder all his wardrobe piece by piece
Until I meet the King
HOTSPUR
Up and away
Our soldiers stand full fairly for the day
Exeunt
Alarums Enter Falstaff solus
FALSTAFF
Though I could scape shotfree at London I fear the shot here Heres no scoring but upon the pateSoft who are you Sir Walter Blunt Theres honour for you Heres no vanity I am as hot as molten lead and as heavy too God keep lead out of me I need no more weight than mine own bowels I have led my ragamuffins where they are peppered Theres not three of my hundred and fifty left alive and they are for the towns end to beg during life But who comes here
Enter Prince Henry
PRINCE
What standst thou idle here Lend me thy sword
Many a nobleman lies stark and stiff
Under the hoofs of vaunting enemies
Whose deaths are yet unrevenged I prithee
Lend me thy sword
FALSTAFF
O Hal I prithee give me leave to breathe awhile Turk Gregory never did such deeds in arms as I have done this day I have paid Percy I have made him sure
PRINCE
He is indeed and living to kill thee
I prithee lend me thy sword
FALSTAFF
Nay before God Hal if Percy be alive thou gettst not my sword but take my pistol if thou wilt
PRINCE
Give it me What is it in the case
FALSTAFF
Ay Hal tis hot tis hot Theres that will sack a city
The Prince draws out a bottle of sack
PRINCE
What is it a time to jest and dally now
Throws it at him and exit
FALSTAFF
Well if Percy be alive Ill pierce him If he do come in my way so if he do not if I come in his willingly let him make a carbonado of me I like not such grinning honour as Sir Walter hath Give me life which if I can save so if not honour comes unlooked for and theres an end
Exit
SCENE IV Another Part of the Field
Alarums Excursions Enter King Henry Prince Henry Lancaster and Westmoreland
KING
I prithee Harry withdraw thyself thou bleedest too much
Lord John of Lancaster go you with him
LANCASTER
Not I my lord unless I did bleed too
PRINCE
I do beseech your Majesty make up
Lest your retirement do amaze your friends
KING
I will do so My Lord of Westmoreland
Lead him to his tent
WESTMORELAND
Come my lord Ill lead you to your tent
PRINCE
Lead me my lord I do not need your help
And God forbid a shallow scratch should drive
The Prince of Wales from such a field as this
Where staind nobility lies trodden on
And rebels arms triumph in massacres
LANCASTER
We breathe too long Come cousin Westmoreland
Our duty this way lies For Gods sake come
Exeunt Lancaster and Westmoreland
PRINCE
By Heaven thou hast deceived me Lancaster
I did not think thee lord of such a spirit
Before I loved thee as a brother John
But now I do respect thee as my soul
KING
I saw him hold Lord Percy at the point
With lustier maintenance than I did look for
Of such an ungrown warrior
PRINCE
O this boy
Lends mettle to us all
Exit
Enter Douglas
DOUGLAS
Another king They grow like Hydras heads
I am the Douglas fatal to all those
That wear those colours on them What art thou
That counterfeitst the person of a king
KING
The King himself who Douglas grieves at heart
So many of his shadows thou hast met
And not the very King I have two boys
Seek Percy and thyself about the field
But seeing thou fallst on me so luckily
I will assay thee and defend thyself
DOUGLAS
I fear thou art another counterfeit
And yet in faith thou bearest thee like a king
But mine I am sure thou art whoeer thou be
And thus I win thee
They fight the King being in danger enter Prince Henry
PRINCE
Hold up thy head vile Scot or thou art like
Never to hold it up again The spirits
Of valiant Shirley Stafford Blunt are in my arms
It is the Prince of Wales that threatens thee
Who never promiseth but he means to pay
They fight Douglas flies
Cheerly my lord How fares your Grace
Sir Nicholas Gawsey hath for succour sent
And so hath Clifton Ill to Clifton straight
KING
Stay and breathe awhile
Thou hast redeemd thy lost opinion
And showd thou makst some tender of my life
In this fair rescue thou hast brought to me
PRINCE
O God they did me too much injury
That ever said I hearkend for your death
If it were so I might have let alone
The insulting hand of Douglas over you
Which would have been as speedy in your end
As all the poisonous potions in the world
And saved the treacherous labour of your son
KING
Make up to Clifton Ill to Sir Nicholas Gawsey
Exit
Enter Hotspur
HOTSPUR
If I mistake not thou art Harry Monmouth
PRINCE
Thou speakst as if I would deny my name
HOTSPUR
My name is Harry Percy
PRINCE
Why then I see
A very valiant rebel of the name
I am the Prince of Wales and think not Percy
To share with me in glory any more
Two stars keep not their motion in one sphere
Nor can one England brook a double reign
Of Harry Percy and the Prince of Wales
HOTSPUR
Nor shall it Harry for the hour is come
To end the one of us and would to God
Thy name in arms were now as great as mine
PRINCE
Ill make it greater ere I part from thee
And all the budding honours on thy crest
Ill crop to make a garland for my head
HOTSPUR
I can no longer brook thy vanities
They fight
Enter Falstaff
FALSTAFF
Well said Hal To it Hal Nay you shall find no boys play here I can tell you
Enter Douglas He fights with Falstaff who falls down as if he were dead and exit Douglas The Prince kills Hotspur
HOTSPUR
O Harry thou hast robbd me of my youth
I better brook the loss of brittle life
Than those proud titles thou hast won of me
They wound my thoughts worse than thy sword my flesh
But thoughts the slaves of life and life times fool
And time that takes survey of all the world
Must have a stop O I could prophesy
But that the earthy and cold hand of death
Lies on my tongue No Percy thou art dust
And food for
Dies
PRINCE
For worms brave Percy Fare thee well great heart
Illweaved ambition how much art thou shrunk
When that this body did contain a spirit
A kingdom for it was too small a bound
But now two paces of the vilest earth
Is room enough This earth that bears thee dead
Bears not alive so stout a gentleman
If thou wert sensible of courtesy
I should not make so dear a show of zeal
But let my favours hide thy mangled face
And even in thy behalf Ill thank myself
For doing these fair rites of tenderness
Adieu and take thy praise with thee to heaven
Thy ignominy sleep with thee in the grave
But not rememberd in thy epitaph
Sees Falstaff on the ground
What old acquaintance could not all this flesh
Keep in a little life Poor Jack farewell
I could have better spared a better man
O I should have a heavy miss of thee
If I were much in love with vanity
Death hath not struck so fat a deer today
Though many dearer in this bloody fray
Embowelld will I see thee by and by
Till then in blood by noble Percy lie
Exit
Falstaff rises up
FALSTAFF
Embowelld If thou embowel me today Ill give you leave to powder me and eat me too tomorrow Sblood twas time to counterfeit or that hot termagant Scot had paid me scot and lot too Counterfeit I lie I am no counterfeit To die is to be a counterfeit for he is but the counterfeit of a man who hath not the life of a man but to counterfeit dying when a man thereby liveth is to be no counterfeit but the true and perfect image of life indeed The better part of valour is discretion in the which better part I have saved my life Zounds I am afraid of this gunpowder Percy though he be dead How if he should counterfeit too and rise By my faith I am afraid he would prove the better counterfeit Therefore Ill make him sure yea and Ill swear I killed him Why may not he rise as well as I Nothing confutes me but eyes and nobody sees me Therefore sirrah with a new wound in your thigh come you along with me
Takes Hotspur on his back
Enter Prince Henry and Lancaster
PRINCE
Come brother John full bravely hast thou fleshd
Thy maiden sword
LANCASTER
But soft whom have we here
Did you not tell me this fat man was dead
PRINCE
I did I saw him dead
Breathless and bleeding on the groundArt thou alive
Or is it fantasy that plays upon our eyesight
I prithee speak we will not trust our eyes
Without our ears Thou art not what thou seemst
FALSTAFF
No thats certain I am not a double man But if I be not Jack Falstaff then am I a Jack There is Percy Throwing the body down If your father will do me any honour so if not let him kill the next Percy himself I look to be either earl or duke I can assure you
PRINCE
Why Percy I killd myself and saw thee dead
FALSTAFF
Didst thou Lord Lord how this world is given to lying I grant you I was down and out of breath and so was he but we rose both at an instant and fought a long hour by Shrewsbury clock If I may be believed so if not let them that should reward valour bear the sin upon their own heads Ill take it upon my death I gave him this wound in the thigh If the man were alive and would deny it zounds I would make him eat a piece of my sword
LANCASTER
This is the strangest tale that ever I heard
PRINCE
This is the strangest fellow brother John
Come bring your luggage nobly on your back
For my part if a lie may do thee grace
Ill gild it with the happiest terms I have
A retreat is sounded
The trumpet sounds retreat the day is ours
Come brother let us to the highest of the field
To see what friends are living who are dead
Exeunt Prince Henry and Lancaster
FALSTAFF
Ill follow as they say for reward He that rewards me God reward him If I do grow great Ill grow less for Ill purge and leave sack and live cleanly as a nobleman should do
Exit bearing off the body
SCENE V Another Part of the Field
The trumpets sound Enter King Henry Prince Henry Lancaster Westmoreland and others with Worcester and Vernon prisoners
KING
Thus ever did rebellion find rebuke
Illspirited Worcester did not we send grace
Pardon and terms of love to all of you
And wouldst thou turn our offers contrary
Misuse the tenour of thy kinsmans trust
Three knights upon our party slain today
A noble earl and many a creature else
Had been alive this hour
If like a Christian thou hadst truly borne
Betwixt our armies true intelligence
WORCESTER
What I have done my safety urged me to
And I embrace this fortune patiently
Since not to be avoided it falls on me
KING
Bear Worcester to the death and Vernon too
Other offenders we will pause upon
Exeunt Worcester and Vernon guarded
How goes the field
PRINCE
The noble Scot Lord Douglas when he saw
The fortune of the day quite turnd from him
The noble Percy slain and all his men
Upon the foot of fear fled with the rest
And falling from a hill he was so bruised
That the pursuers took him At my tent
The Douglas is and I beseech your Grace
I may dispose of him
KING
With all my heart
PRINCE
Then brother John of Lancaster to you
This honourable bounty shall belong
Go to the Douglas and deliver him
Up to his pleasure ransomless and free
His valours shown upon our crests today
Hath taught us how to cherish such high deeds
Even in the bosom of our adversaries
LANCASTER
I thank your Grace for this high courtesy
Which I shall give away immediately
KING
Then this remains that we divide our power
You son John and my cousin Westmoreland
Towards York shall bend you with your dearest speed
To meet Northumberland and the prelate Scroop
Who as we hear are busily in arms
Myself and you son Harry will towards Wales
To fight with Glendower and the Earl of March
Rebellion in this land shall lose his sway
Meeting the check of such another day
And since this business so fair is done
Let us not leave till all our own be won
Exeunt
THE SECOND PART OF KING HENRY THE FOURTH
Contents
INDUCTION
ACT I
Scene I The same
Scene II London A street
Scene III York The Archbishops palace
ACT II
Scene I London A street
Scene II London Another street
Scene III Warkworth Before the castle
Scene IV The Boars head Tavern in Eastcheap
ACT III
Scene I Westminster The palace
Scene II Gloucestershire Before Justice Shallows house
ACT IV
Scene I Yorkshire Gaultree Forest
Scene II Another part of the forest
Scene III Another part of the forest
Scene IV Westminster The Jerusalem Chamber
Scene V Another chamber
ACT V
Scene I Gloucestershire Shallows house
Scene II Westminster The palace
Scene III Gloucestershire Shallows orchard
Scene IV London A street
Scene V A public place near Westminster Abbey
EPILOGUE
Dramatis Person
RUMOUR the Presenter
KING HENRY the Fourth
HENRY PRINCE OF WALES afterwards King Henry the Fifth
THOMAS DUKE OF CLARENCE
PRINCE JOHN OF LANCASTER
PRINCE HUMPHREY OF GLOUCESTER
EARL OF WARWICK
EARL OF WESTMORELAND
EARL OF SURREY
GOWER
HARCOURT
SIR JOHN BLUNT
Lord CHIEF JUSTICE of the Kings Bench
A SERVANT of the Chief Justice
Henry Percy Earl of NORTHUMBERLAND
Scroop ARCHBISHOP of York
Lord MOWBRAY
Lord HASTINGS
LORD BARDOLPH
SIR JOHN COLEVILLE
TRAVERS and MORTON retainers of Northumberland
SIR JOHN FALSTAFF
His Page
BARDOLPH
PISTOL
POINS
PETO
SHALLOW and SILENCE country justices
DAVY Servant to Shallow
MOULDY SHADOW WART FEEBLE and BULLCALF recruits
FANG and SNARE sheriffs officers
LADY NORTHUMBERLAND
LADY PERCY
MISTRESS QUICKLY hostess of a tavern in Eastcheap
DOLL TEARSHEET
Lords and Attendants Porter Drawers Musicians Beadles Grooms etc
A Dancer speaker of the epilogue
SCENE England
INDUCTION
Warkworth Before the castle
Enter Rumour painted full of tongues
RUMOUR
Open your ears for which of you will stop
The vent of hearing when loud Rumour speaks
I from the orient to the drooping west
Making the wind my posthorse still unfold
The acts commenced on this ball of earth
Upon my tongues continual slanders ride
The which in every language I pronounce
Stuffing the ears of men with false reports
I speak of peace while covert enmity
Under the smile of safety wounds the world
And who but Rumour who but only I
Make fearful musters and prepared defence
Whiles the big year swoln with some other grief
Is thought with child by the stern tyrant war
And no such matter Rumour is a pipe
Blown by surmises jealousies conjectures
And of so easy and so plain a stop
That the blunt monster with uncounted heads
The stilldiscordant wavring multitude
Can play upon it But what need I thus
My wellknown body to anatomize
Among my household Why is Rumour here
I run before King Harrys victory
Who in a bloody field by Shrewsbury
Hath beaten down young Hotspur and his troops
Quenching the flame of bold rebellion
Even with the rebels blood But what mean I
To speak so true at first My office is
To noise abroad that Harry Monmouth fell
Under the wrath of noble Hotspurs sword
And that the King before the Douglas rage
Stoopd his anointed head as low as death
This have I rumourd through the peasant towns
Between that royal field of Shrewsbury
And this wormeaten hold of ragged stone
Where Hotspurs father old Northumberland
Lies craftysick The posts come tiring on
And not a man of them brings other news
Than they have learnt of me From Rumours tongues
They bring smooth comforts false worse than true wrongs
Exit
ACT I
SCENE I The same
Enter Lord Bardolph
LORD BARDOLPH
Who keeps the gate here ho
The Porter opens the gate
Where is the Earl
PORTER
What shall I say you are
LORD BARDOLPH
Tell thou the Earl
That the Lord Bardolph doth attend him here
PORTER
His lordship is walkd forth into the orchard
Please it your honour knock but at the gate
And he himself will answer
Enter Northumberland
LORD BARDOLPH
Here comes the Earl
Exit Porter
NORTHUMBERLAND
What news Lord Bardolph Every minute now
Should be the father of some stratagem
The times are wild contention like a horse
Full of high feeding madly hath broke loose
And bears down all before him
LORD BARDOLPH
Noble earl
I bring you certain news from Shrewsbury
NORTHUMBERLAND
Good an God will
LORD BARDOLPH
As good as heart can wish
The King is almost wounded to the death
And in the fortune of my lord your son
Prince Harry slain outright and both the Blunts
Killd by the hand of Douglas young Prince John
And Westmoreland and Stafford fled the field
And Harry Monmouths brawn the hulk Sir John
Is prisoner to your son O such a day
So fought so followd and so fairly won
Came not till now to dignify the times
Since Caesars fortunes
NORTHUMBERLAND
How is this derived
Saw you the field Came you from Shrewsbury
LORD BARDOLPH
I spake with one my lord that came from thence
A gentleman well bred and of good name
That freely renderd me these news for true
NORTHUMBERLAND
Here comes my servant Travers whom I sent
On Tuesday last to listen after news
Enter Travers
LORD BARDOLPH
My lord I overrode him on the way
And he is furnishd with no certainties
More than he haply may retail from me
NORTHUMBERLAND
Now Travers what good tidings comes with you
TRAVERS
My lord Sir John Umfrevile turnd me back
With joyful tidings and being better horsed
Outrode me After him came spurring hard
A gentleman almost forspent with speed
That stoppd by me to breathe his bloodied horse
He askd the way to Chester and of him
I did demand what news from Shrewsbury
He told me that rebellion had bad luck
And that young Harry Percys spur was cold
With that he gave his able horse the head
And bending forward struck his armed heels
Against the panting sides of his poor jade
Up to the rowelhead and starting so
He seemd in running to devour the way
Staying no longer question
NORTHUMBERLAND
Ha Again
Said he young Harry Percys spur was cold
Of Hotspur Coldspur That rebellion
Had met ill luck
LORD BARDOLPH
My lord Ill tell you what
If my young lord your son have not the day
Upon mine honour for a silken point
Ill give my barony never talk of it
NORTHUMBERLAND
Why should that gentleman that rode by Travers
Give then such instances of loss
LORD BARDOLPH
Who he
He was some hilding fellow that had stolen
The horse he rode on and upon my life
Spoke at a venture Look here comes more news
Enter Morton
NORTHUMBERLAND
Yea this mans brow like to a titleleaf
Foretells the nature of a tragic volume
So looks the strand whereon the imperious flood
Hath left a witnessd usurpation
Say Morton didst thou come from Shrewsbury
MORTON
I ran from Shrewsbury my noble lord
Where hateful death put on his ugliest mask
To fright our party
NORTHUMBERLAND
How doth my son and brother
Thou tremblest and the whiteness in thy cheek
Is apter than thy tongue to tell thy errand
Even such a man so faint so spiritless
So dull so dread in look so woebegone
Drew Priams curtain in the dead of night
And would have told him half his Troy was burnt
But Priam found the fire ere he his tongue
And I my Percys death ere thou reportst it
This thou wouldst say Your son did thus and thus
Your brother thus so fought the noble Douglas
Stopping my greedy ear with their bold deeds
But in the end to stop my ear indeed
Thou hast a sigh to blow away this praise
Ending with Brother son and all are dead
MORTON
Douglas is living and your brother yet
But for my lord your son
NORTHUMBERLAND
Why he is dead
See what a ready tongue suspicion hath
He that but fears the thing he would not know
Hath by instinct knowledge from others eyes
That what he feard is chanced Yet speak Morton
Tell thou an earl his divination lies
And I will take it as a sweet disgrace
And make thee rich for doing me such wrong
MORTON
You are too great to be by me gainsaid
Your spirit is too true your fears too certain
NORTHUMBERLAND
Yet for all this say not that Percys dead
I see a strange confession in thine eye
Thou shakest thy head and holdst it fear or sin
To speak a truth If he be slain say so
The tongue offends not that reports his death
And he doth sin that doth belie the dead
Not he which says the dead is not alive
Yet the first bringer of unwelcome news
Hath but a losing office and his tongue
Sounds ever after as a sullen bell
Rememberd tolling a departing friend
LORD BARDOLPH
I cannot think my lord your son is dead
MORTON
I am sorry I should force you to believe
That which I would to God I had not seen
But these mine eyes saw him in bloody state
Rendring faint quittance wearied and outbreathed
To Harry Monmouth whose swift wrath beat down
The neverdaunted Percy to the earth
From whence with life he never more sprung up
In few his death whose spirit lent a fire
Even to the dullest peasant in his camp
Being bruited once took fire and heat away
From the besttemperd courage in his troops
For from his metal was his party steeld
Which once in him abated all the rest
Turnd on themselves like dull and heavy lead
And as the thing thats heavy in itself
Upon enforcement flies with greatest speed
So did our men heavy in Hotspurs loss
Lend to this weight such lightness with their fear
That arrows fled not swifter toward their aim
Than did our soldiers aiming at their safety
Fly from the field Then was that noble Worcester
Too soon taen prisoner and that furious Scot
The bloody Douglas whose welllabouring sword
Had three times slain th appearance of the King
Gan vail his stomach and did grace the shame
Of those that turnd their backs and in his flight
Stumbling in fear was took The sum of all
Is that the King hath won and hath sent out
A speedy power to encounter you my lord
Under the conduct of young Lancaster
And Westmoreland This is the news at full
NORTHUMBERLAND
For this I shall have time enough to mourn
In poison there is physic and these news
Having been well that would have made me sick
Being sick have in some measure made me well
And as the wretch whose feverweakend joints
Like strengthless hinges buckle under life
Impatient of his fit breaks like a fire
Out of his keepers arms even so my limbs
Weakend with grief being now enraged with grief
Are thrice themselves Hence therefore thou nice crutch
A scaly gauntlet now with joints of steel
Must glove this hand And hence thou sickly coif
Thou art a guard too wanton for the head
Which princes fleshd with conquest aim to hit
Now bind my brows with iron and approach
The raggedst hour that time and spite dare bring
To frown upon th enraged Northumberland
Let heaven kiss earth Now let not Natures hand
Keep the wild flood confined Let order die
And let this world no longer be a stage
To feed contention in a lingering act
But let one spirit of the firstborn Cain
Reign in all bosoms that each heart being set
On bloody courses the rude scene may end
And darkness be the burier of the dead
LORD BARDOLPH
This strained passion doth you wrong my lord
MORTON
Sweet earl divorce not wisdom from your honour
The lives of all your loving complices
Lean on your health the which if you give oer
To stormy passion must perforce decay
You cast th event of war my noble lord
And summd the account of chance before you said
Let us make head It was your presurmise
That in the dole of blows your son might drop
You knew he walkd oer perils on an edge
More likely to fall in than to get oer
You were advised his flesh was capable
Of wounds and scars and that his forward spirit
Would lift him where most trade of danger ranged
Yet did you say Go forth and none of this
Though strongly apprehended could restrain
The stiffborne action What hath then befalln
Or what hath this bold enterprise brought forth
More than that being which was like to be
LORD BARDOLPH
We all that are engaged to this loss
Knew that we ventured on such dangerous seas
That if we wrought out life twas ten to one
And yet we ventured for the gain proposed
Choked the respect of likely peril feard
And since we are oerset venture again
Come we will put forth body and goods
MORTON
Tis more than time And my most noble lord
I hear for certain and dare speak the truth
The gentle Archbishop of York is up
With wellappointed powers He is a man
Who with a double surety binds his followers
My lord your son had only but the corpse
But shadows and the shows of men to fight
For that same word rebellion did divide
The action of their bodies from their souls
And they did fight with queasiness constraind
As men drink potions that their weapons only
Seemd on our side but for their spirits and souls
This word rebellion it had froze them up
As fish are in a pond But now the bishop
Turns insurrection to religion
Supposed sincere and holy in his thoughts
Hes followd both with body and with mind
And doth enlarge his rising with the blood
Of fair King Richard scraped from Pomfret stones
Derives from heaven his quarrel and his cause
Tells them he doth bestride a bleeding land
Gasping for life under great Bolingbroke
And more and less do flock to follow him
NORTHUMBERLAND
I knew of this before but to speak truth
This present grief had wiped it from my mind
Go in with me and counsel every man
The aptest way for safety and revenge
Get posts and letters and make friends with speed
Never so few and never yet more need
Exeunt
SCENE II London A street
Enter Falstaff with his Page bearing his sword and buckler
FALSTAFF
Sirrah you giant what says the doctor to my water
PAGE
He said sir the water itself was a good healthy water but for the party that owed it he might have moe diseases than he knew for
FALSTAFF
Men of all sorts take a pride to gird at me The brain of this foolishcompounded clay man is not able to invent anything that tends to laughter more than I invent or is invented on me I am not only witty in myself but the cause that wit is in other men I do here walk before thee like a sow that hath overwhelmed all her litter but one If the Prince put thee into my service for any other reason than to set me off why then I have no judgement Thou whoreson mandrake thou art fitter to be worn in my cap than to wait at my heels I was never manned with an agate till now but I will inset you neither in gold nor silver but in vile apparel and send you back again to your master for a jewelthe juvenal the Prince your master whose chin is not yet fledge I will sooner have a beard grow in the palm of my hand than he shall get one off his cheek and yet he will not stick to say his face is a faceroyal God may finish it when He will tis not a hair amiss yet He may keep it still at a faceroyal for a barber shall never earn sixpence out of it And yet hell be crowing as if he had writ man ever since his father was a bachelor He may keep his own grace but hes almost out of mine I can assure him What said Master Dommelton about the satin for my short cloak and my slops
PAGE
He said sir you should procure him better assurance than Bardolph He would not take his band and yours he liked not the security
FALSTAFF
Let him be damned like the glutton Pray God his tongue be hotter A whoreson Achitophel A rascally yeaforsooth knave to bear a gentleman in hand and then stand upon security The whoreson smoothpates do now wear nothing but high shoes and bunches of keys at their girdles and if a man is through with them in honest taking up then they must stand upon security I had as lief they would put ratsbane in my mouth as offer to stop it with security I looked he should have sent me two and twenty yards of satin as I am a true knight and he sends me security Well he may sleep in security for he hath the horn of abundance and the lightness of his wife shines through it and yet cannot he see though he have his own lanthorn to light him Wheres Bardolph
PAGE
Hes gone into Smithfield to buy your worship a horse
FALSTAFF
I bought him in Pauls and hell buy me a horse in Smithfield An I could get me but a wife in the stews I were manned horsed and wived
Enter the Lord Chief Justice and Servant
PAGE
Sir here comes the nobleman that committed the Prince for striking him about Bardolph
FALSTAFF
Wait close I will not see him
CHIEF JUSTICE
Whats he that goes there
SERVANT
Falstaff an t please your lordship
CHIEF JUSTICE
He that was in question for the robbery
SERVANT
He my lord but he hath since done good service at Shrewsbury and as I hear is now going with some charge to the Lord John of Lancaster
CHIEF JUSTICE
What to York Call him back again
SERVANT
Sir John Falstaff
FALSTAFF
Boy tell him I am deaf
PAGE
You must speak louder my master is deaf
CHIEF JUSTICE
I am sure he is to the hearing of anything good
Go pluck him by the elbow I must speak with him
SERVANT
Sir John
FALSTAFF
What A young knave and begging Is there not wars Is there not employment Doth not the King lack subjects Do not the rebels need soldiers Though it be a shame to be on any side but one it is worse shame to beg than to be on the worst side were it worse than the name of rebellion can tell how to make it
SERVANT
You mistake me sir
FALSTAFF
Why sir did I say you were an honest man Setting my knighthood and my soldiership aside I had lied in my throat if I had said so
SERVANT
I pray you sir then set your knighthood and your soldiership aside and give me leave to tell you you lie in your throat if you say I am any other than an honest man
FALSTAFF
I give thee leave to tell me so I lay aside that which grows to me If thou getst any leave of me hang me if thou takst leave thou wert better be hanged You hunt counter Hence Avaunt
SERVANT
Sir my lord would speak with you
CHIEF JUSTICE
Sir John Falstaff a word with you
FALSTAFF
My good lord God give your lordship good time of day I am glad to see your lordship abroad I heard say your lordship was sick I hope your lordship goes abroad by advice Your lordship though not clean past your youth hath yet some smack of age in you some relish of the saltness of time and I most humbly beseech your lordship to have a reverend care of your health
CHIEF JUSTICE
Sir John I sent for you before your expedition to Shrewsbury
FALSTAFF
An t please your lordship I hear his Majesty is returned with some discomfort from Wales
CHIEF JUSTICE
I talk not of his Majesty You would not come when I sent for you
FALSTAFF
And I hear moreover his Highness is fallen into this same whoreson apoplexy
CHIEF JUSTICE
Well God mend him I pray you let me speak with you
FALSTAFF
This apoplexy as I take it is a kind of lethargy an t please your lordship a kind of sleeping in the blood a whoreson tingling
CHIEF JUSTICE
What tell you me of it Be it as it is
FALSTAFF
It hath it original from much grief from study and perturbation of the brain I have read the cause of his effects in Galen It is a kind of deafness
CHIEF JUSTICE
I think you are fallen into the disease for you hear not what I say to you
FALSTAFF
Very well my lord very well Rather an t please you it is the disease of not listening the malady of not marking that I am troubled withal
CHIEF JUSTICE
To punish you by the heels would amend the attention of your ears and I care not if I do become your physician
FALSTAFF
I am as poor as Job my lord but not so patient Your lordship may minister the potion of imprisonment to me in respect of poverty but how I should be your patient to follow your prescriptions the wise may make some dram of a scruple or indeed a scruple itself
CHIEF JUSTICE
I sent for you when there were matters against you for your life to come speak with me
FALSTAFF
As I was then advised by my learned counsel in the laws of this landservice I did not come
CHIEF JUSTICE
Well the truth is Sir John you live in great infamy
FALSTAFF
He that buckles himself in my belt cannot live in less
CHIEF JUSTICE
Your means are very slender and your waste is great
FALSTAFF
I would it were otherwise I would my means were greater and my waist slenderer
CHIEF JUSTICE
You have misled the youthful prince
FALSTAFF
The young prince hath misled me I am the fellow with the great belly and he my dog
CHIEF JUSTICE
Well I am loath to gall a newhealed wound Your days service at Shrewsbury hath a little gilded over your nights exploit on Gads Hill You may thank th unquiet time for your quiet oerposting that action
FALSTAFF
My lord
CHIEF JUSTICE
But since all is well keep it so wake not a sleeping wolf
FALSTAFF
To wake a wolf is as bad as smell a fox
CHIEF JUSTICE
What You are as a candle the better part burnt out
FALSTAFF
A wassail candle my lord all tallow If I did say of wax my growth would approve the truth
CHIEF JUSTICE
There is not a white hair in your face but should have his effect of gravity
FALSTAFF
His effect of gravy gravy gravy
CHIEF JUSTICE
You follow the young prince up and down like his ill angel
FALSTAFF
Not so my lord your ill angel is light but I hope he that looks upon me will take me without weighing And yet in some respects I grant I cannot go I cannot tell Virtue is of so little regard in these costermongers times that true valour is turned bearherd pregnancy is made a tapster and hath his quick wit wasted in giving reckonings All the other gifts appertinent to man as the malice of this age shapes them are not worth a gooseberry You that are old consider not the capacities of us that are young you do measure the heat of our livers with the bitterness of your galls and we that are in the vaward of our youth I must confess are wags too
CHIEF JUSTICE
Do you set down your name in the scroll of youth that are written down old with all the characters of age Have you not a moist eye a dry hand a yellow cheek a white beard a decreasing leg an increasing belly Is not your voice broken your wind short your chin double your wit single and every part about you blasted with antiquity And will you yet call yourself young Fie fie fie Sir John
FALSTAFF
My lord I was born about three of the clock in the afternoon with a white head and something a round belly For my voice I have lost it with halloing and singing of anthems To approve my youth further I will not The truth is I am only old in judgement and understanding and he that will caper with me for a thousand marks let him lend me the money and have at him For the box of the ear that the Prince gave you he gave it like a rude prince and you took it like a sensible lord I have checked him for it and the young lion repents Marry not in ashes and sackcloth but in new silk and old sack
CHIEF JUSTICE
Well God send the Prince a better companion
FALSTAFF
God send the companion a better prince I cannot rid my hands of him
CHIEF JUSTICE
Well the King hath severed you and Prince Harry I hear you are going with Lord John of Lancaster against the Archbishop and the Earl of Northumberland
FALSTAFF
Yea I thank your pretty sweet wit for it But look you pray all you that kiss my lady Peace at home that our armies join not in a hot day for by the Lord I take but two shirts out with me and I mean not to sweat extraordinarily If it be a hot day and I brandish anything but a bottle I would I might never spit white again There is not a dangerous action can peep out his head but I am thrust upon it Well I cannot last ever But it was alway yet the trick of our English nation if they have a good thing to make it too common If ye will needs say I am an old man you should give me rest I would to God my name were not so terrible to the enemy as it is I were better to be eaten to death with a rust than to be scoured to nothing with perpetual motion
CHIEF JUSTICE
Well be honest be honest and God bless your expedition
FALSTAFF
Will your lordship lend me a thousand pound to furnish me forth
CHIEF JUSTICE
Not a penny not a penny you are too impatient to bear crosses Fare you well commend me to my cousin Westmoreland
Exeunt Chief Justice and Servant
FALSTAFF
If I do fillip me with a threeman beetle A man can no more separate age and covetousness than he can part young limbs and lechery but the gout galls the one and the pox pinches the other and so both the degrees prevent my curses Boy
PAGE
Sir
FALSTAFF
What money is in my purse
PAGE
Seven groats and two pence
FALSTAFF
I can get no remedy against this consumption of the purse Borrowing only lingers and lingers it out but the disease is incurable Go bear this letter to my Lord of Lancaster this to the Prince this to the Earl of Westmoreland and this to old Mistress Ursula whom I have weekly sworn to marry since I perceived the first white hair of my chin About it You know where to find me Exit Page A pox of this gout or a gout of this pox for the one or the other plays the rogue with my great toe Tis no matter if I do halt I have the wars for my colour and my pension shall seem the more reasonable A good wit will make use of anything I will turn diseases to commodity
Exit
SCENE III York The Archbishops palace
Enter the Archbishop the Lords Hastings Mowbray and Bardolph
ARCHBISHOP
Thus have you heard our cause and known our means
And my most noble friends I pray you all
Speak plainly your opinions of our hopes
And first Lord Marshal what say you to it
MOWBRAY
I well allow the occasion of our arms
But gladly would be better satisfied
How in our means we should advance ourselves
To look with forehead bold and big enough
Upon the power and puissance of the King
HASTINGS
Our present musters grow upon the file
To five and twenty thousand men of choice
And our supplies live largely in the hope
Of great Northumberland whose bosom burns
With an incensed fire of injuries
LORD BARDOLPH
The question then Lord Hastings standeth thus
Whether our present five and twenty thousand
May hold up head without Northumberland
HASTINGS
With him we may
LORD BARDOLPH
Yea marry theres the point
But if without him we be thought too feeble
My judgement is we should not step too far
Till we had his assistance by the hand
For in a theme so bloodyfaced as this
Conjecture expectation and surmise
Of aids incertain should not be admitted
ARCHBISHOP
Tis very true Lord Bardolph for indeed
It was young Hotspurs case at Shrewsbury
LORD BARDOLPH
It was my lord who lined himself with hope
Eating the air on promise of supply
Flattring himself in project of a power
Much smaller than the smallest of his thoughts
And so with great imagination
Proper to madmen led his powers to death
And winking leapd into destruction
HASTINGS
But by your leave it never yet did hurt
To lay down likelihoods and forms of hope
LORD BARDOLPH
Yes if this present quality of war
Indeed the instant action a cause on foot
Lives so in hope as in an early spring
We see th appearing buds which to prove fruit
Hope gives not so much warrant as despair
That frosts will bite them When we mean to build
We first survey the plot then draw the model
And when we see the figure of the house
Then we must rate the cost of the erection
Which if we find outweighs ability
What do we then but draw anew the model
In fewer offices or at least desist
To build at all Much more in this great work
Which is almost to pluck a kingdom down
And set another up should we survey
The plot of situation and the model
Consent upon a sure foundation
Question surveyors know our own estate
How able such a work to undergo
To weigh against his opposite or else
We fortify in paper and in figures
Using the names of men instead of men
Like one that draws the model of a house
Beyond his power to build it who half through
Gives oer and leaves his partcreated cost
A naked subject to the weeping clouds
And waste for churlish winters tyranny
HASTINGS
Grant that our hopes yet likely of fair birth
Should be stillborn and that we now possessd
The utmost man of expectation
I think we are a body strong enough
Even as we are to equal with the King
LORD BARDOLPH
What is the King but five and twenty thousand
HASTINGS
To us no more nay not so much Lord Bardolph
For his divisions as the times do brawl
Are in three heads one power against the French
And one against Glendower perforce a third
Must take up us So is the unfirm king
In three divided and his coffers sound
With hollow poverty and emptiness
ARCHBISHOP
That he should draw his several strengths together
And come against us in full puissance
Need not be dreaded
HASTINGS
If he should do so
He leaves his back unarmd the French and Welsh
Baying him at the heels never fear that
LORD BARDOLPH
Who is it like should lead his forces hither
HASTINGS
The Duke of Lancaster and Westmoreland
Against the Welsh himself and Harry Monmouth
But who is substituted gainst the French
I have no certain notice
ARCHBISHOP
Let us on
And publish the occasion of our arms
The commonwealth is sick of their own choice
Their overgreedy love hath surfeited
An habitation giddy and unsure
Hath he that buildeth on the vulgar heart
O thou fond many with what loud applause
Didst thou beat heaven with blessing Bolingbroke
Before he was what thou wouldst have him be
And being now trimmd in thine own desires
Thou beastly feeder art so full of him
That thou provokst thyself to cast him up
So so thou common dog didst thou disgorge
Thy glutton bosom of the royal Richard
And now thou wouldst eat thy dead vomit up
And howlst to find it What trust is in these times
They that when Richard lived would have him die
Are now become enamourd on his grave
Thou that threwst dust upon his goodly head
When through proud London he came sighing on
After th admired heels of Bolingbroke
Criest now O earth yield us that king again
And take thou this O thoughts of men accursed
Past and to come seems best things present worst
MOWBRAY
Shall we go draw our numbers and set on
HASTINGS
We are times subjects and time bids be gone
Exeunt
ACT II
SCENE I London A street
Enter Hostess with two Officers Fang and Snare following
HOSTESS
Master Fang have you entered the action
FANG
It is entered
HOSTESS
Wheres your yeoman Is t a lusty yeoman Will he stand to t
FANG
Sirrah wheres Snare
HOSTESS
O Lord ay Good Master Snare
SNARE
Here here
FANG
Snare we must arrest Sir John Falstaff
HOSTESS
Yea good Master Snare I have entered him and all
SNARE
It may chance cost some of our lives for he will stab
HOSTESS
Alas the day take heed of him He stabbed me in mine own house and that most beastly in good faith He cares not what mischief he does if his weapon be out he will foin like any devil He will spare neither man woman nor child
FANG
If I can close with him I care not for his thrust
HOSTESS
No nor I neither Ill be at your elbow
FANG
An I but fist him once an he come but within my vice
HOSTESS
I am undone by his going I warrant you hes an infinitive thing upon my score Good Master Fang hold him sure Good Master Snare let him not scape He comes continuantly to Pie Cornersaving your manhoodsto buy a saddle and he is indited to dinner to the Lubbers Head in Lumbert Street to Master Smooths the silkman I pray you since my exion is entered and my case so openly known to the world let him be brought in to his answer A hundred mark is a long one for a poor lone woman to bear and I have borne and borne and borne and have been fubbed off and fubbed off and fubbed off from this day to that day that it is a shame to be thought on There is no honesty in such dealing unless a woman should be made an ass and a beast to bear every knaves wrong Yonder he comes and that arrant malmseynose knave Bardolph with him Do your offices do your offices Master Fang and Master Snare do me do me do me your offices
Enter Falstaff Bardolph and Page
FALSTAFF
How now whose mares dead Whats the matter
FANG
Sir John I arrest you at the suit of Mistress Quickly
FALSTAFF
Away varlets Draw Bardolph Cut me off the villains head Throw the quean in the channel
HOSTESS
Throw me in the channel Ill throw thee in the channel Wilt thou wilt thou thou bastardly rogue Murder murder Ah thou honeysuckle villain wilt thou kill Gods officers and the Kings Ah thou honeyseed rogue thou art a honeyseed a manqueller and a womanqueller
FALSTAFF
Keep them off Bardolph
FANG
A rescue A rescue
HOSTESS
Good people bring a rescue or two Thou wot wot thou Thou wot wot ta Do do thou rogue Do thou hempseed
PAGE
Away you scullion you rampallian you fustilarian Ill tickle your catastrophe
Enter the Lord Chief Justice and his men
CHIEF JUSTICE
What is the matter Keep the peace here ho
HOSTESS
Good my lord be good to me I beseech you stand to me
CHIEF JUSTICE
How now Sir John What are you brawling here
Doth this become your place your time and business
You should have been well on your way to York
Stand from him fellow Wherefore hangst thou upon him
HOSTESS
O my most worshipful lord ant please your Grace I am a poor widow of Eastcheap and he is arrested at my suit
CHIEF JUSTICE
For what sum
HOSTESS
It is more than for some my lord it is for all all I have He hath eaten me out of house and home He hath put all my substance into that fat belly of his but I will have some of it out again or I will ride thee o nights like the mare
FALSTAFF
I think I am as like to ride the mare if I have any vantage of ground to get up
CHIEF JUSTICE
How comes this Sir John Fie what man of good temper would endure this tempest of exclamation Are you not ashamed to enforce a poor widow to so rough a course to come by her own
FALSTAFF
What is the gross sum that I owe thee
HOSTESS
Marry if thou wert an honest man thyself and the money too Thou didst swear to me upon a parcelgilt goblet sitting in my Dolphin chamber at the round table by a seacoal fire upon Wednesday in Wheeson week when the Prince broke thy head for liking his father to a singingman of Windsor thou didst swear to me then as I was washing thy wound to marry me and make me my lady thy wife Canst thou deny it Did not goodwife Keech the butchers wife come in then and call me gossip Quickly coming in to borrow a mess of vinegar telling us she had a good dish of prawns whereby thou didst desire to eat some whereby I told thee they were ill for green wound And didst thou not when she was gone downstairs desire me to be no more so familiarity with such poor people saying that ere long they should call me madam And didst thou not kiss me and bid me fetch thee thirty shillings I put thee now to thy bookoath Deny it if thou canst
FALSTAFF
My lord this is a poor mad soul and she says up and down the town that her eldest son is like you She hath been in good case and the truth is poverty hath distracted her But for these foolish officers I beseech you I may have redress against them
CHIEF JUSTICE
Sir John Sir John I am well acquainted with your manner of wrenching the true cause the false way It is not a confident brow nor the throng of words that come with such more than impudent sauciness from you can thrust me from a level consideration You have as it appears to me practised upon the easyyielding spirit of this woman and made her serve your uses both in purse and in person
HOSTESS
Yea in truth my lord
CHIEF JUSTICE
Pray thee peace Pay her the debt you owe her and unpay the villany you have done with her The one you may do with sterling money and the other with current repentance
FALSTAFF
My lord I will not undergo this sneap without reply You call honourable boldness impudent sauciness if a man will make curtsy and say nothing he is virtuous No my lord my humble duty remembered I will not be your suitor I say to you I do desire deliverance from these officers being upon hasty employment in the Kings affairs
CHIEF JUSTICE
You speak as having power to do wrong but answer in th effect of your reputation and satisfy the poor woman
FALSTAFF
Come hither hostess
Enter Gower
CHIEF JUSTICE
Now Master Gower what news
GOWER
The King my lord and Harry Prince of Wales
Are near at hand the rest the paper tells
FALSTAFF
As I am a gentleman
HOSTESS
Faith you said so before
FALSTAFF
As I am a gentleman Come no more words of it
HOSTESS
By this heavenly ground I tread on I must be fain to pawn both my plate and the tapestry of my diningchambers
FALSTAFF
Glasses glasses is the only drinking And for thy walls a pretty slight drollery or the story of the Prodigal or the German hunting in waterwork is worth a thousand of these bedhangers and these flybitten tapestries Let it be ten pound if thou canst Come an twere not for thy humours theres not a better wench in England Go wash thy face and draw the action Come thou must not be in this humour with me dost not know me Come come I know thou wast set on to this
HOSTESS
Pray thee Sir John let it be but twenty nobles I faith I am loath to pawn my plate so God save me la
FALSTAFF
Let it alone Ill make other shift youll be a fool still
HOSTESS
Well you shall have it though I pawn my gown I hope youll come to supper Youll pay me all together
FALSTAFF
Will I live To Bardolph Go with her with her Hook on hook on
HOSTESS
Will you have Doll Tearsheet meet you at supper
FALSTAFF
No more words lets have her
Exeunt Hostess Fang Snare Bardolph and Page
CHIEF JUSTICE
I have heard better news
FALSTAFF
Whats the news my lord
CHIEF JUSTICE
Where lay the King tonight
GOWER
At Basingstoke my lord
FALSTAFF
I hope my lord alls well What is the news my lord
CHIEF JUSTICE
Come all his forces back
GOWER
No fifteen hundred foot five hundred horse
Are marchd up to my Lord of Lancaster
Against Northumberland and the Archbishop
FALSTAFF
Comes the King back from Wales my noble lord
CHIEF JUSTICE
You shall have letters of me presently
Come go along with me good Master Gower
FALSTAFF
My lord
CHIEF JUSTICE
Whats the matter
FALSTAFF
Master Gower shall I entreat you with me to dinner
GOWER
I must wait upon my good lord here I thank you good Sir John
CHIEF JUSTICE
Sir John you loiter here too long being you are to take soldiers up in counties as you go
FALSTAFF
Will you sup with me Master Gower
CHIEF JUSTICE
What foolish master taught you these manners Sir John
FALSTAFF
Master Gower if they become me not he was a fool that taught them me This is the right fencing grace my lord tap for tap and so part fair
CHIEF JUSTICE
Now the Lord lighten thee thou art a great fool
Exeunt
SCENE II London Another street
Enter Prince Henry and Poins
PRINCE
Before God I am exceeding weary
POINS
Is t come to that I had thought weariness durst not have attached one of so high blood
PRINCE
Faith it does me though it discolours the complexion of my greatness to acknowledge it Doth it not show vilely in me to desire small beer
POINS
Why a prince should not be so loosely studied as to remember so weak a composition
PRINCE
Belike then my appetite was not princely got for by my troth I do now remember the poor creature small beer But indeed these humble considerations make me out of love with my greatness What a disgrace is it to me to remember thy name or to know thy face tomorrow or to take note how many pair of silk stockings thou hastviz these and those that were thy peachcoloured ones or to bear the inventory of thy shirts as one for superfluity and another for use But that the tenniscourt keeper knows better than I for it is a low ebb of linen with thee when thou keepest not racket there as thou hast not done a great while because the rest of thy low countries have made a shift to eat up thy holland And God knows whether those that bawl out of the ruins of thy linen shall inherit his kingdom but the midwives say the children are not in the fault whereupon the world increases and kindreds are mightily strengthened
POINS
How ill it follows after you have laboured so hard you should talk so idly Tell me how many good young princes would do so their fathers being so sick as yours at this time is
PRINCE
Shall I tell thee one thing Poins
POINS
Yes faith and let it be an excellent good thing
PRINCE
It shall serve among wits of no higher breeding than thine
POINS
Go to I stand the push of your one thing that you will tell
PRINCE
Marry I tell thee it is not meet that I should be sad now my father is sick albeit I could tell to thee as to one it pleases me for fault of a better to call my friend I could be sad and sad indeed too
POINS
Very hardly upon such a subject
PRINCE
By this hand thou thinkest me as far in the devils book as thou and Falstaff for obduracy and persistency Let the end try the man But I tell thee my heart bleeds inwardly that my father is so sick and keeping such vile company as thou art hath in reason taken from me all ostentation of sorrow
POINS
The reason
PRINCE
What wouldst thou think of me if I should weep
POINS
I would think thee a most princely hypocrite
PRINCE
It would be every mans thought and thou art a blessed fellow to think as every man thinks Never a mans thought in the world keeps the roadway better than thine every man would think me an hypocrite indeed And what accites your most worshipful thought to think so
POINS
Why because you have been so lewd and so much engraffed to Falstaff
PRINCE
And to thee
POINS
By this light I am well spoke on I can hear it with mine own ears The worst that they can say of me is that I am a second brother and that I am a proper fellow of my hands and those two things I confess I cannot help By the mass here comes Bardolph
Enter Bardolph and Page
PRINCE
And the boy that I gave Falstaff He had him from me Christian and look if the fat villain have not transformed him ape
BARDOLPH
God save your Grace
PRINCE
And yours most noble Bardolph
POINS
Come you virtuous ass you bashful fool must you be blushing Wherefore blush you now What a maidenly manatarms are you become Is t such a matter to get a pottlepots maidenhead
PAGE
He calls me een now my lord through a red lattice and I could discern no part of his face from the window At last I spied his eyes and methought he had made two holes in the alewifes new petticoat and so peeped through
PRINCE
Has not the boy profited
BARDOLPH
Away you whoreson upright rabbit away
PAGE
Away you rascally Althaeas dream away
PRINCE
Instruct us boy what dream boy
PAGE
Marry my lord Althaea dreamt she was delivered of a firebrand and therefore I call him her dream
PRINCE
A crowns worth of good interpretation There tis boy
POINS
O that this blossom could be kept from cankers Well there is sixpence to preserve thee
BARDOLPH
An you do not make him be hanged among you the gallows shall have wrong
PRINCE
And how doth thy master Bardolph
BARDOLPH
Well my lord He heard of your Graces coming to town Theres a letter for you
POINS
Delivered with good respect And how doth the martlemas your master
BARDOLPH
In bodily health sir
POINS
Marry the immortal part needs a physician but that moves not him Though that be sick it dies not
PRINCE
I do allow this wen to be as familiar with me as my dog and he holds his place for look you how he writes
POINS
Reads John Falstaff knight Every man must know that as oft as he has occasion to name himself even like those that are kin to the King for they never prick their finger but they say Theres some of the Kings blood spilt How comes that says he that takes upon him not to conceive The answer is as ready as a borrowers cap I am the Kings poor cousin sir
PRINCE
Nay they will be kin to us or they will fetch it from Japhet But to the letter Sir John Falstaff knight to the son of the King nearest his father Harry Prince of Wales greeting
POINS
Why this is a certificate
PRINCE
Peace I will imitate the honourable Romans in brevity
POINS
He sure means brevity in breath shortwinded
PRINCE
I commend me to thee I commend thee and I leave thee Be not too familiar with Poins for he misuses thy favours so much that he swears thou art to marry his sister Nell Repent at idle times as thou mayst and so farewell
Thine by yea and no which is as much as to say as thou usest himJack Falstaff with my familiars John with my brothers and sisters and Sir John with all Europe
POINS
My lord Ill steep this letter in sack and make him eat it
PRINCE
Thats to make him eat twenty of his words But do you use me thus Ned Must I marry your sister
POINS
God send the wench no worse fortune But I never said so
PRINCE
Well thus we play the fools with the time and the spirits of the wise sit in the clouds and mock us Is your master here in London
BARDOLPH
Yea my lord
PRINCE
Where sups he Doth the old boar feed in the old frank
BARDOLPH
At the old place my lord in Eastcheap
PRINCE
What company
PAGE
Ephesians my lord of the old church
PRINCE
Sup any women with him
PAGE
None my lord but old Mistress Quickly and Mistress Doll Tearsheet
PRINCE
What pagan may that be
PAGE
A proper gentlewoman sir and a kinswoman of my masters
PRINCE
Even such kin as the parish heifers are to the town bull Shall we steal upon them Ned at supper
POINS
I am your shadow my lord Ill follow you
PRINCE
Sirrah you boy and Bardolph no word to your master that I am yet come to town Theres for your silence
BARDOLPH
I have no tongue sir
PAGE
And for mine sir I will govern it
PRINCE
Fare you well go
Exeunt Bardolph and Page
This Doll Tearsheet should be some road
POINS
I warrant you as common as the way between Saint Albans and London
PRINCE
How might we see Falstaff bestow himself tonight in his true colours and not ourselves be seen
POINS
Put on two leathern jerkins and aprons and wait upon him at his table as drawers
PRINCE
From a god to a bull A heavy descension It was Joves case From a prince to a prentice A low transformation that shall be mine for in everything the purpose must weigh with the folly Follow me Ned
Exeunt
SCENE III Warkworth Before the castle
Enter Northumberland Lady Northumberland and Lady Percy
NORTHUMBERLAND
I pray thee loving wife and gentle daughter
Give even way unto my rough affairs
Put not you on the visage of the times
And be like them to Percy troublesome
LADY NORTHUMBERLAND
I have given over I will speak no more
Do what you will your wisdom be your guide
NORTHUMBERLAND
Alas sweet wife my honour is at pawn
And but my going nothing can redeem it
LADY PERCY
O yet for Gods sake go not to these wars
The time was father that you broke your word
When you were more endeard to it than now
When your own Percy when my hearts dear Harry
Threw many a northward look to see his father
Bring up his powers but he did long in vain
Who then persuaded you to stay at home
There were two honours lost yours and your sons
For yours the God of heaven brighten it
For his it stuck upon him as the sun
In the grey vault of heaven and by his light
Did all the chivalry of England move
To do brave acts He was indeed the glass
Wherein the noble youth did dress themselves
He had no legs that practisd not his gait
And speaking thick which nature made his blemish
Became the accents of the valiant
For those who could speak low and tardily
Would turn their own perfection to abuse
To seem like him So that in speech in gait
In diet in affections of delight
In military rules humours of blood
He was the mark and glass copy and book
That fashiond others And himO wondrous him
O miracle of menhim did you leave
Second to none unseconded by you
To look upon the hideous god of war
In disadvantage to abide a field
Where nothing but the sound of Hotspurs name
Did seem defensible so you left him
Never O never do his ghost the wrong
To hold your honour more precise and nice
With others than with him Let them alone
The Marshal and the Archbishop are strong
Had my sweet Harry had but half their numbers
Today might I hanging on Hotspurs neck
Have talkd of Monmouths grave
NORTHUMBERLAND
Beshrew your heart
Fair daughter you do draw my spirits from me
With new lamenting ancient oversights
But I must go and meet with danger there
Or it will seek me in another place
And find me worse provided
LADY NORTHUMBERLAND
O fly to Scotland
Till that the nobles and the armed commons
Have of their puissance made a little taste
LADY PERCY
If they get ground and vantage of the King
Then join you with them like a rib of steel
To make strength stronger but for all our loves
First let them try themselves So did your son
He was so sufferd So came I a widow
And never shall have length of life enough
To rain upon remembrance with mine eyes
That it may grow and sprout as high as heaven
For recordation to my noble husband
NORTHUMBERLAND
Come come go in with me Tis with my mind
As with the tide swelld up unto his height
That makes a stillstand running neither way
Fain would I go to meet the Archbishop
But many thousand reasons hold me back
I will resolve for Scotland There am I
Till time and vantage crave my company
Exeunt
SCENE IV London The Boars head Tavern in Eastcheap
Enter two Drawers
FIRST DRAWER
What the devil hast thou brought thereapplejohns Thou knowest Sir John cannot endure an applejohn
SECOND DRAWER
Mass thou sayest true The Prince once set a dish of applejohns before him and told him there were five more Sir Johns and putting off his hat said I will now take my leave of these six dry round old withered knights It angered him to the heart But he hath forgot that
FIRST DRAWER
Why then cover and set them down and see if thou canst find out Sneaks noise Mistress Tearsheet would fain hear some music Dispatch The room where they supped is too hot theyll come in straight
SECOND DRAWER
Sirrah here will be the Prince and Master Poins anon and they will put on two of our jerkins and aprons and Sir John must not know of it Bardolph hath brought word
FIRST DRAWER
By the mass here will be old utis It will be an excellent stratagem
SECOND DRAWER
Ill see if I can find out Sneak
Exit
Enter Hostess and Doll Tearsheet
HOSTESS
I faith sweetheart methinks now you are in an excellent good temperality Your pulsidge beats as extraordinarily as heart would desire and your colour I warrant you is as red as any rose in good truth la But i faith you have drunk too much canaries and thats a marvellous searching wine and it perfumes the blood ere one can say Whats this How do you now
DOLL
Better than I was Hem
HOSTESS
Why thats well said A good hearts worth gold Lo here comes Sir John
Enter Falstaff
FALSTAFF
Singing When Arthur first in courtEmpty the jordan
Exit First DrawerSinging And was a worthy king
How now Mistress Doll
HOSTESS
Sick of a calm yea good faith
FALSTAFF
So is all her sect an they be once in a calm they are sick
DOLL
A pox damn you you muddy rascal is that all the comfort you give me
FALSTAFF
You make fat rascals Mistress Doll
DOLL
I make them Gluttony and diseases make them I make them not
FALSTAFF
If the cook help to make the gluttony you help to make the diseases Doll we catch of you Doll We catch of you grant that my poor virtue grant that
DOLL
Yea joy our chains and our jewels
FALSTAFF
Your brooches pearls and ouchesfor to serve bravely is to come halting off you know to come off the breach with his pike bent bravely and to surgery bravely to venture upon the charged chambers bravely
DOLL
Hang yourself you muddy conger hang yourself
HOSTESS
By my troth this is the old fashion you two never meet but you fall to some discord You are both i good truth as rheumatic as two dry toasts You cannot one bear with anothers confirmities What the goodyear One must bear and that must be you You are the weaker vessel as as they say the emptier vessel
DOLL
Can a weak empty vessel bear such a huge full hogshead Theres a whole merchants venture of Bourdeaux stuff in him you have not seen a hulk better stuffed in the hold Come Ill be friends with thee Jack Thou art going to the wars and whether I shall ever see thee again or no there is nobody cares
Enter First Drawer
FIRST DRAWER
Sir Ancient Pistols below and would speak with you
DOLL
Hang him swaggering rascal Let him not come hither it is the foulmouthedst rogue in England
HOSTESS
If he swagger let him not come here No by my faith I must live among my neighbours Ill no swaggerers I am in good name and fame with the very best Shut the door there comes no swaggerers here I have not lived all this while to have swaggering now Shut the door I pray you
FALSTAFF
Dost thou hear hostess
HOSTESS
Pray ye pacify yourself Sir John There comes no swaggerers here
FALSTAFF
Dost thou hear It is mine ancient
HOSTESS
Tillyfally Sir John neer tell me And our ancient swaggerer comes not in my doors I was before Master Tisick the debuty tother day and as he said to metwas no longer ago than Wednesday last i good faithNeighbour Quickly says heMaster Dumb our minister was by thenNeighbour Quickly says he receive those that are civil for said he you are in an ill name Now he said so I can tell whereupon For says he you are an honest woman and well thought on Therefore take heed what guests you receive Receive says he no swaggering companions There comes none here You would bless you to hear what he said No Ill no swaggerers
FALSTAFF
Hes no swaggerer hostess a tame cheater i faith you may stroke him as gently as a puppy greyhound Hell not swagger with a Barbary hen if her feathers turn back in any show of resistance Call him up drawer
Exit First Drawer
HOSTESS
Cheater call you him I will bar no honest man my house nor no cheater but I do not love swaggering by my troth I am the worse when one says swagger Feel masters how I shake look you I warrant you
DOLL
So you do hostess
HOSTESS
Do I Yea in very truth do I an twere an aspen leaf I cannot abide swaggerers
Enter Pistol Bardolph and Page
PISTOL
God save you Sir John
FALSTAFF
Welcome Ancient Pistol Here Pistol I charge you with a cup of sack Do you discharge upon mine hostess
PISTOL
I will discharge upon her Sir John with two bullets
FALSTAFF
She is pistolproof sir you shall not hardly offend her
HOSTESS
Come Ill drink no proofs nor no bullets Ill drink no more than will do me good for no mans pleasure I
PISTOL
Then to you Mistress Dorothy I will charge you
DOLL
Charge me I scorn you scurvy companion What you poor base rascally cheating lacklinen mate Away you mouldy rogue away I am meat for your master
PISTOL
I know you Mistress Dorothy
DOLL
Away you cutpurse rascal you filthy bung away By this wine Ill thrust my knife in your mouldy chaps an you play the saucy cuttle with me Away you bottleale rascal you baskethilt stale juggler you Since when I pray you sir Gods light with two points on your shoulder Much
PISTOL
God let me not live but I will murder your ruff for this
FALSTAFF
No more Pistol I would not have you go off here Discharge yourself of our company Pistol
HOSTESS
No good Captain Pistol not here sweet captain
DOLL
Captain Thou abominable damned cheater art thou not ashamed to be called captain An captains were of my mind they would truncheon you out for taking their names upon you before you have earned them You a captain You slave for what For tearing a poor whores ruff in a bawdyhouse He a captain Hang him rogue he lives upon mouldy stewed prunes and dried cakes A captain Gods light these villains will make the word as odious as the word occupy which was an excellent good word before it was ill sorted Therefore captains had need look tot
BARDOLPH
Pray thee go down good ancient
FALSTAFF
Hark thee hither Mistress Doll
PISTOL
Not I I tell thee what Corporal Bardolph I could tear her Ill be revenged of her
PAGE
Pray thee go down
PISTOL
Ill see her damned first to Plutos damned lake by this hand to th infernal deep with Erebus and tortures vile also Hold hook and line say I Down down dogs Down faitors Have we not Hiren here
HOSTESS
Good Captain Peesel be quiet tis very late i faith I beseek you now aggravate your choler
PISTOL
These be good humours indeed Shall packhorses
And hollow pamperd jades of Asia
Which cannot go but thirty mile a day
Compare with Caesars and with Cannibals
And Trojant Greeks Nay rather damn them with
King Cerberus and let the welkin roar
Shall we fall foul for toys
HOSTESS
By my troth captain these are very bitter words
BARDOLPH
Be gone good ancient This will grow to a brawl anon
PISTOL
Die men like dogs Give crowns like pins Have we not Hiren here
HOSTESS
O my word captain theres none such here What the goodyear do you think I would deny her For Gods sake be quiet
PISTOL
Then feed and be fat my fair Calipolis
Come give s some sack
Si fortune me tormente sperato me contento
Fear we broadsides No let the fiend give fire
Give me some sack and sweetheart lie thou there
Laying down his sword
Come we to full points here And are etceteras nothings
FALSTAFF
Pistol I would be quiet
PISTOL
Sweet knight I kiss thy neaf What we have seen the seven stars
DOLL
For Gods sake thrust him downstairs I cannot endure such a fustian rascal
PISTOL
Thrust him downstairs Know we not Galloway nags
FALSTAFF
Quoit him down Bardolph like a shovegroat shilling Nay an he do nothing but speak nothing he shall be nothing here
BARDOLPH
Come get you downstairs
PISTOL
What shall we have incision Shall we imbrue
Snatching up his sword
Then death rock me asleep abridge my doleful days
Why then let grievous ghastly gaping wounds
Untwind the Sisters Three Come Atropos I say
HOSTESS
Heres goodly stuff toward
FALSTAFF
Give me my rapier boy
DOLL
I pray thee Jack I pray thee do not draw
FALSTAFF
Get you downstairs
Drawing and driving Pistol out
HOSTESS
Heres a goodly tumult Ill forswear keeping house afore Ill be in these tirrits and frights So murder I warrant now Alas alas put up your naked weapons put up your naked weapons
Exeunt Bardolph and Pistol
DOLL
I pray thee Jack be quiet The rascals gone Ah you whoreson little valiant villain you
HOSTESS
Are you not hurt i th groin Methought he made a shrewd thrust at your belly
Enter Bardolph
FALSTAFF
Have you turned him out o doors
BARDOLPH
Yea sir The rascals drunk You have hurt him sir i th shoulder
FALSTAFF
A rascal to brave me
DOLL
Ah you sweet little rogue you Alas poor ape how thou sweatst Come let me wipe thy face Come on you whoreson chops Ah rogue i faith I love thee Thou art as valorous as Hector of Troy worth five of Agamemnon and ten times better than the Nine Worthies Ah villain
FALSTAFF
A rascally slave I will toss the rogue in a blanket
DOLL
Do an thou darest for thy heart An thou dost Ill canvass thee between a pair of sheets
Enter Music
PAGE
The music is come sir
FALSTAFF
Let them play Play sirs Sit on my knee Doll A rascal bragging slave The rogue fled from me like quicksilver
DOLL
I faith and thou followedst him like a church Thou whoreson little tidy Bartholomew boarpig when wilt thou leave fighting adays and foining anights and begin to patch up thine old body for heaven
Enter behind Prince Henry and Poins disguised as drawers
FALSTAFF
Peace good Doll do not speak like a deathshead do not bid me remember mine end
DOLL
Sirrah what humour s the Prince of
FALSTAFF
A good shallow young fellow he would have made a good pantler he would ha chipped bread well
DOLL
They say Poins has a good wit
FALSTAFF
He a good wit Hang him baboon His wits as thick as Tewksbury mustard theres no more conceit in him than is in a mallet
DOLL
Why does the Prince love him so then
FALSTAFF
Because their legs are both of a bigness and he plays at quoits well and eats conger and fennel and drinks off candles ends for flapdragons and rides the wild mare with the boys and jumps upon joint stools and swears with a good grace and wears his boots very smooth like unto the sign of the Leg and breeds no bate with telling of discreet stories and such other gambol faculties he has that show a weak mind and an able body for the which the Prince admits him for the Prince himself is such another The weight of a hair will turn the scales between their avoirdupois
PRINCE
Would not this nave of a wheel have his ears cut off
POINS
Lets beat him before his whore
PRINCE
Look wheer the withered elder hath not his poll clawed like a parrot
POINS
Is it not strange that desire should so many years outlive performance
FALSTAFF
Kiss me Doll
PRINCE
Saturn and Venus this year in conjunction What says th almanac to that
POINS
And look whether the fiery Trigon his man be not lisping to his masters old tables his notebook his counselkeeper
FALSTAFF
Thou dost give me flattering busses
DOLL
By my troth I kiss thee with a most constant heart
FALSTAFF
I am old I am old
DOLL
I love thee better than I love eer a scurvy young boy of them all
FALSTAFF
What stuff wilt have a kirtle of I shall receive money o Thursday shalt have a cap tomorrow A merry song Come it grows late well to bed Thoult forget me when I am gone
DOLL
By my troth thoult set me aweeping an thou sayest so Prove that ever I dress myself handsome till thy return Well hearken a th end
FALSTAFF
Some sack Francis
PRINCE POINS
Anon anon sir
Coming forward
FALSTAFF
Ha A bastard son of the Kings And art thou not Poins his brother
PRINCE
Why thou globe of sinful continents what a life dost thou lead
FALSTAFF
A better than thou I am a gentleman thou art a drawer
PRINCE
Very true sir and I come to draw you out by the ears
HOSTESS
O the Lord preserve thy Grace By my troth welcome to London Now the Lord bless that sweet face of thine O Jesu are you come from Wales
FALSTAFF
Thou whoreson mad compound of majesty by this light flesh and corrupt blood thou art welcome
DOLL
How You fat fool I scorn you
POINS
My lord he will drive you out of your revenge and turn all to a merriment if you take not the heat
PRINCE
You whoreson candlemine you how vilely did you speak of me even now before this honest virtuous civil gentlewoman
HOSTESS
Gods blessing of your good heart and so she is by my troth
FALSTAFF
Didst thou hear me
PRINCE
Yea and you knew me as you did when you ran away by Gads Hill You knew I was at your back and spoke it on purpose to try my patience
FALSTAFF
No no no not so I did not think thou wast within hearing
PRINCE
I shall drive you then to confess the wilful abuse and then I know how to handle you
FALSTAFF
No abuse Hal o mine honour no abuse
PRINCE
Not to dispraise me and call me pantler and breadchipper and I know not what
FALSTAFF
No abuse Hal
POINS
No abuse
FALSTAFF
No abuse Ned i th world honest Ned none I dispraised him before the wicked that the wicked might not fall in love with thee in which doing I have done the part of a careful friend and a true subject and thy father is to give me thanks for it No abuse Hal none Ned none no faith boys none
PRINCE
See now whether pure fear and entire cowardice doth not make thee wrong this virtuous gentlewoman to close with us Is she of the wicked Is thine hostess here of the wicked Or is thy boy of the wicked Or honest Bardolph whose zeal burns in his nose of the wicked
POINS
Answer thou dead elm answer
FALSTAFF
The fiend hath pricked down Bardolph irrecoverable and his face is Lucifers privykitchen where he doth nothing but roast maltworms For the boy there is a good angel about him but the devil outbids him too
PRINCE
For the women
FALSTAFF
For one of them shes in hell already and burns poor souls For th other I owe her money and whether she be damned for that I know not
HOSTESS
No I warrant you
FALSTAFF
No I think thou art not I think thou art quit for that Marry there is another indictment upon thee for suffering flesh to be eaten in thy house contrary to the law for the which I think thou wilt howl
HOSTESS
All victuallers do so Whats a joint of mutton or two in a whole Lent
PRINCE
You gentlewoman
DOLL
What says your Grace
FALSTAFF
His grace says that which his flesh rebels against
Peto knocks at door
HOSTESS
Who knocks so loud at door Look to th door there Francis
Enter Peto
PRINCE
Peto how now what news
PETO
The King your father is at Westminster
And there are twenty weak and wearied posts
Come from the north and as I came along
I met and overtook a dozen captains
Bareheaded sweating knocking at the taverns
And asking everyone for Sir John Falstaff
PRINCE
By heaven Poins I feel me much to blame
So idly to profane the precious time
When tempest of commotion like the south
Borne with black vapour doth begin to melt
And drop upon our bare unarmed heads
Give me my sword and cloak Falstaff good night
Exeunt Prince Poins Peto and Bardolph
FALSTAFF
Now comes in the sweetest morsel of the night and we must hence and leave it unpicked
Knocking within More knocking at the door
Enter Bardolph
How now whats the matter
BARDOLPH
You must away to court sir presently
A dozen captains stay at door for you
FALSTAFF
To the Page Pay the musicians sirrah Farewell hostess farewell Doll You see my good wenches how men of merit are sought after The undeserver may sleep when the man of action is called on Farewell good wenches If I be not sent away post I will see you again ere I go
DOLL
I cannot speak if my heart be not ready to burstwell sweet Jack have a care of thyself
FALSTAFF
Farewell farewell
Exeunt Falstaff and Bardolph
HOSTESS
Well fare thee well I have known thee these twentynine years come peascodtime but an honester and truerhearted manwell fare thee well
BARDOLPH
Within Mistress Tearsheet
HOSTESS
Whats the matter
BARDOLPH
Within Bid Mistress Tearsheet come to my master
HOSTESS
O run Doll run run good Doll come She comes blubbered Yea will you come Doll
Exeunt
ACT III
SCENE I Westminster The palace
Enter the King in his nightgown with a Page
KING
Go call the Earls of Surrey and of Warwick
But ere they come bid them oerread these letters
And well consider of them Make good speed
Exit Page
How many thousands of my poorest subjects
Are at this hour asleep O sleep O gentle sleep
Natures soft nurse how have I frighted thee
That thou no more wilt weigh my eyelids down
And steep my senses in forgetfulness
Why rather sleep liest thou in smoky cribs
Upon uneasy pallets stretching thee
And hushed with buzzing nightflies to thy slumber
Than in the perfumed chambers of the great
Under the canopies of costly state
And lulld with sound of sweetest melody
O thou dull god why liest thou with the vile
In loathsome beds and leavest the kingly couch
A watchcase or a common larumbell
Wilt thou upon the high and giddy mast
Seal up the shipboys eyes and rock his brains
In cradle of the rude imperious surge
And in the visitation of the winds
Who take the ruffian billows by the top
Curling their monstrous heads and hanging them
With deafing clamour in the slippery clouds
That with the hurly death itself awakes
Canst thou O partial sleep give thy repose
To the wet seaboy in an hour so rude
And in the calmest and most stillest night
With all appliances and means to boot
Deny it to a King Then happy low lie down
Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown
Enter Warwick and Surrey
WARWICK
Many good morrows to your Majesty
KING
Is it good morrow lords
WARWICK
Tis one oclock and past
KING
Why then good morrow to you all my lords
Have you read oer the letters that I sent you
WARWICK
We have my liege
KING
Then you perceive the body of our kingdom
How foul it is what rank diseases grow
And with what danger near the heart of it
WARWICK
It is but as a body yet distemperd
Which to his former strength may be restored
With good advice and little medicine
My Lord Northumberland will soon be coold
KING
O God that one might read the book of fate
And see the revolution of the times
Make mountains level and the continent
Weary of solid firmness melt itself
Into the sea and other times to see
The beachy girdle of the ocean
Too wide for Neptunes hips how chances mocks
And changes fill the cup of alteration
With divers liquors O if this were seen
The happiest youth viewing his progress through
What perils past what crosses to ensue
Would shut the book and sit him down and die
Tis not ten years gone
Since Richard and Northumberland great friends
Did feast together and in two years after
Were they at wars It is but eight years since
This Percy was the man nearest my soul
Who like a brother toild in my affairs
And laid his love and life under my foot
Yea for my sake even to the eyes of Richard
Gave him defiance But which of you was by
To Warwick You cousin Nevil as I may remember
When Richard with his eye brimful of tears
Then checkd and rated by Northumberland
Did speak these words now proved a prophecy
Northumberland thou ladder by the which
My cousin Bolingbroke ascends my throne
Though then God knows I had no such intent
But that necessity so bowd the state
That I and greatness were compelld to kiss
The time shall come thus did he follow it
The time will come that foul sin gathering head
Shall break into corruptionso went on
Foretelling this same times condition
And the division of our amity
WARWICK
There is a history in all mens lives
Figuring the natures of the times deceased
The which observed a man may prophesy
With a near aim of the main chance of things
As yet not come to life who in their seeds
And weak beginning lie intreasured
Such things become the hatch and brood of time
And by the necessary form of this
King Richard might create a perfect guess
That great Northumberland then false to him
Would of that seed grow to a greater falseness
Which should not find a ground to root upon
Unless on you
KING
Are these things then necessities
Then let us meet them like necessities
And that same word even now cries out on us
They say the bishop and Northumberland
Are fifty thousand strong
WARWICK
It cannot be my lord
Rumour doth double like the voice and echo
The numbers of the feared Please it your Grace
To go to bed Upon my soul my lord
The powers that you already have sent forth
Shall bring this prize in very easily
To comfort you the more I have received
A certain instance that Glendower is dead
Your majesty hath been this fortnight ill
And these unseasond hours perforce must add
Unto your sickness
KING
I will take your counsel
And were these inward wars once out of hand
We would dear lords unto the Holy Land
Exeunt
SCENE II Gloucestershire Before Justice Shallows house
Enter Shallow and Silence meeting Mouldy Shadow Wart Feeble Bullcalf a Servant or two with them
SHALLOW
Come on come on come on Give me your hand sir give me your hand sir An early stirrer by the rood And how doth my good cousin Silence
SILENCE
Good morrow good cousin Shallow
SHALLOW
And how doth my cousin your bedfellow And your fairest daughter and mine my goddaughter Ellen
SILENCE
Alas a black ousel cousin Shallow
SHALLOW
By yea and no sir I dare say my cousin William is become a good scholar He is at Oxford still is he not
SILENCE
Indeed sir to my cost
SHALLOW
He must then to the Inns o Court shortly I was once of Clements Inn where I think they will talk of mad Shallow yet
SILENCE
You were called lusty Shallow then cousin
SHALLOW
By the mass I was called anything and I would have done anything indeed too and roundly too There was I and little John Doit of Staffordshire and black George Barnes and Francis Pickbone and Will Squele a Cotswold man You had not four such swingebucklers in all the Inns o Court again And I may say to you we knew where the bonarobas were and had the best of them all at commandment Then was Jack Falstaff now Sir John a boy and page to Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolk
SILENCE
This Sir John cousin that comes hither anon about soldiers
SHALLOW
The same Sir John the very same I see him break Scoggins head at the court gate when he was a crack not thus high and the very same day did I fight with one Sampson Stockfish a fruiterer behind Grays Inn Jesu Jesu the mad days that I have spent And to see how many of my old acquaintance are dead
SILENCE
We shall all follow cousin
SHALLOW
Certain tis certain very sure very sure Death as the Psalmist saith is certain to all all shall die How a good yoke of bullocks at Stamford fair
SILENCE
By my troth I was not there
SHALLOW
Death is certain Is old Double of your town living yet
SILENCE
Dead sir
SHALLOW
Jesu Jesu dead He drew a good bow and dead He shot a fine shoot John a Gaunt loved him well and betted much money on his head Dead He would have clapped i th clout at twelve score and carried you a forehand shaft a fourteen and fourteen and a half that it would have done a mans heart good to see How a score of ewes now
SILENCE
Thereafter as they be a score of good ewes may be worth ten pounds
SHALLOW
And is old Double dead
SILENCE
Here come two of Sir John Falstaffs men as I think
Enter Bardolph and one with him
SHALLOW
Good morrow honest gentlemen
BARDOLPH
I beseech you which is Justice Shallow
SHALLOW
I am Robert Shallow sir a poor esquire of this county and one of the Kings justices of the peace What is your good pleasure with me
BARDOLPH
My captain sir commends him to you my captain Sir John Falstaff a tall gentleman by heaven and a most gallant leader
SHALLOW
He greets me well sir I knew him a good backsword man How doth the good knight May I ask how my lady his wife doth
BARDOLPH
Sir pardon A soldier is better accommodated than with a wife
SHALLOW
It is well said in faith sir and it is well said indeed too Better accommodated It is good yea indeed is it Good phrases are surely and ever were very commendable Accommodated It comes of accommodo Very good a good phrase
BARDOLPH
Pardon sir I have heard the wordphrase call you it By this day I know not the phrase but I will maintain the word with my sword to be a soldierlike word and a word of exceeding good command by heaven Accommodated that is when a man is as they say accommodated or when a man is being whereby he may be thought to be accommodated which is an excellent thing
SHALLOW
It is very just
Enter Falstaff
Look here comes good Sir John Give me your good hand give me your worships good hand By my troth you like well and bear your years very well Welcome good Sir John
FALSTAFF
I am glad to see you well good Master Robert Shallow Master Surecard as I think
SHALLOW
No Sir John it is my cousin Silence in commission with me
FALSTAFF
Good Master Silence it well befits you should be of the peace
SILENCE
Your good worship is welcome
FALSTAFF
Fie this is hot weather gentlemen Have you provided me here half a dozen sufficient men
SHALLOW
Marry have we sir Will you sit
FALSTAFF
Let me see them I beseech you
SHALLOW
Wheres the roll Wheres the roll Wheres the roll Let me see let me see let me see So so so so so so so Yea marry sir Ralph Mouldy Let them appear as I call let them do so let them do so Let me see where is Mouldy
MOULDY
Here an it please you
SHALLOW
What think you Sir John A goodlimbed fellow young strong and of good friends
FALSTAFF
Is thy name Mouldy
MOULDY
Yea ant please you
FALSTAFF
Tis the more time thou wert used
SHALLOW
Ha ha ha most excellent i faith Things that are mouldy lack use Very singular good in faith well said Sir John very well said
FALSTAFF
Prick him
MOULDY
I was pricked well enough before an you could have let me alone My old dame will be undone now for one to do her husbandry and her drudgery You need not to have pricked me there are other men fitter to go out than I
FALSTAFF
Go to Peace Mouldy you shall go Mouldy it is time you were spent
MOULDY
Spent
SHALLOW
Peace fellow peace Stand aside Know you where you are For thother Sir John Let me see Simon Shadow
FALSTAFF
Yea marry let me have him to sit under Hes like to be a cold soldier
SHALLOW
Wheres Shadow
SHADOW
Here sir
FALSTAFF
Shadow whose son art thou
SHADOW
My mothers son sir
FALSTAFF
Thy mothers son Like enough and thy fathers shadow So the son of the female is the shadow of the male It is often so indeed but much of the fathers substance
SHALLOW
Do you like him Sir John
FALSTAFF
Shadow will serve for summer Prick him for we have a number of shadows to fill up the musterbook
SHALLOW
Thomas Wart
FALSTAFF
Wheres he
WART
Here sir
FALSTAFF
Is thy name Wart
WART
Yea sir
FALSTAFF
Thou art a very ragged wart
SHALLOW
Shall I prick him Sir John
FALSTAFF
It were superfluous for his apparel is built upon his back and the whole frame stands upon pins Prick him no more
SHALLOW
Ha ha ha You can do it sir you can do it I commend you well Francis Feeble
FEEBLE
Here sir
FALSTAFF
What trade art thou Feeble
FEEBLE
A womans tailor sir
SHALLOW
Shall I prick him sir
FALSTAFF
You may but if he had been a mans tailor hed ha pricked you Wilt thou make as many holes in an enemys battle as thou hast done in a womans petticoat
FEEBLE
I will do my good will sir you can have no more
FALSTAFF
Well said good womans tailor Well said courageous Feeble Thou wilt be as valiant as the wrathful dove or most magnanimous mouse Prick the womans tailor well Master Shallow deep Master Shallow
FEEBLE
I would Wart might have gone sir
FALSTAFF
I would thou wert a mans tailor that thou mightst mend him and make him fit to go I cannot put him to a private soldier that is the leader of so many thousands Let that suffice most forcible Feeble
FEEBLE
It shall suffice sir
FALSTAFF
I am bound to thee reverend Feeble Who is next
SHALLOW
Peter Bullcalf o th green
FALSTAFF
Yea marry lets see Bullcalf
BULLCALF
Here sir
FALSTAFF
Fore God a likely fellow Come prick me Bullcalf till he roar again
BULLCALF
O Lord good my lord captain
FALSTAFF
What dost thou roar before thou art pricked
BULLCALF
O Lord sir I am a diseased man
FALSTAFF
What disease hast thou
BULLCALF
A whoreson cold sir a cough sir which I caught with ringing in the Kings affairs upon his coronation day sir
FALSTAFF
Come thou shalt go to the wars in a gown we will have away thy cold and I will take such order that thy friends shall ring for thee Is here all
SHALLOW
Here is two more called than your number you must have but four here sir and so I pray you go in with me to dinner
FALSTAFF
Come I will go drink with you but I cannot tarry dinner I am glad to see you by my troth Master Shallow
SHALLOW
O Sir John do you remember since we lay all night in the windmill in Saint Georges Field
FALSTAFF
No more of that good Master Shallow no more of that
SHALLOW
Ha twas a merry night And is Jane Nightwork alive
FALSTAFF
She lives Master Shallow
SHALLOW
She never could away with me
FALSTAFF
Never never she would always say she could not abide Master Shallow
SHALLOW
By the mass I could anger her to th heart She was then a bonaroba Doth she hold her own well
FALSTAFF
Old old Master Shallow
SHALLOW
Nay she must be old she cannot choose but be old certain shes old and had Robin Nightwork by old Nightwork before I came to Clements Inn
SILENCE
Thats fiftyfive year ago
SHALLOW
Ha cousin Silence that thou hadst seen that that this knight and I have seen Ha Sir John said I well
FALSTAFF
We have heard the chimes at midnight Master Shallow
SHALLOW
That we have that we have that we have in faith Sir John we have Our watchword was Hem boys Come lets to dinner come lets to dinner Jesus the days that we have seen Come come
Exeunt Falstaff Shallow and Silence
BULLCALF
Good Master Corporate Bardolph stand my friend and heres four Harry ten shillings in French crowns for you In very truth sir I had as lief be hanged sir as go And yet for mine own part sir I do not care but rather because I am unwilling and for mine own part have a desire to stay with my friends else sir I did not care for mine own part so much
BARDOLPH
Go to stand aside
MOULDY
And good Master Corporal Captain for my old dames sake stand my friend She has nobody to do anything about her when I am gone and she is old and cannot help herself You shall have forty sir
BARDOLPH
Go to stand aside
FEEBLE
By my troth I care not A man can die but once We owe God a death Ill neer bear a base mind An t be my destiny so an t be not so No mans too good to serves prince and let it go which way it will he that dies this year is quit for the next
BARDOLPH
Well said thart a good fellow
FEEBLE
Faith Ill bear no base mind
Enter Falstaff and the Justices
FALSTAFF
Come sir which men shall I have
SHALLOW
Four of which you please
BARDOLPH
Sir a word with you I have three pound to free Mouldy and Bullcalf
FALSTAFF
Go to well
SHALLOW
Come Sir John which four will you have
FALSTAFF
Do you choose for me
SHALLOW
Marry then Mouldy Bullcalf Feeble and Shadow
FALSTAFF
Mouldy and Bullcalf for you Mouldy stay at home till you are past service and for your part Bullcalf grow till you come unto it I will none of you
SHALLOW
Sir John Sir John do not yourself wrong They are your likeliest men and I would have you served with the best
FALSTAFF
Will you tell me Master Shallow how to choose a man Care I for the limb the thews the stature bulk and big assemblance of a man Give me the spirit Master Shallow Heres Wart You see what a ragged appearance it is He shall charge you and discharge you with the motion of a pewterers hammer come off and on swifter than he that gibbets on the brewers bucket And this same halffaced fellow Shadow give me this man He presents no mark to the enemy The foeman may with as great aim level at the edge of a penknife And for a retreat how swiftly will this Feeble the womans tailor run off O give me the spare men and spare me the great ones Put me a caliver into Warts hand Bardolph
BARDOLPH
Hold Wart Traverse Thas thas thas
FALSTAFF
Come manage me your caliver So very well go to very good exceeding good O give me always a little lean old chopt bald shot Well said i faith Wart Thart a good scab Hold theres a tester for thee
SHALLOW
He is not his crafts master he doth not do it right I remember at MileEnd Green when I lay at Clements InnI was then Sir Dagonet in Arthurs showthere was a little quiver fellow and he would manage you his piece thus And he would about and about and come you in and come you in Rah tah tah would he say Bounce would he say and away again would he go and again would he come I shall neer see such a fellow
FALSTAFF
These fellows will do well Master Shallow God keep you Master Silence I will not use many words with you Fare you well gentlemen both I thank you I must a dozen mile tonight Bardolph give the soldiers coats
SHALLOW
Sir John the Lord bless you God prosper your affairs God send us peace At your return visit our house let our old acquaintance be renewed Peradventure I will with ye to the court
FALSTAFF
Fore God I would you would Master Shallow
SHALLOW
Go to I have spoke at a word God keep you
FALSTAFF
Fare you well gentle gentlemen Exeunt Justices On Bardolph lead the men away Exeunt Bardolph recruits c As I return I will fetch off these justices I do see the bottom of Justice Shallow Lord Lord how subject we old men are to this vice of lying This same starved justice hath done nothing but prate to me of the wildness of his youth and the feats he hath done about Turnbull Street and every third word a lie duer paid to the hearer than the Turks tribute I do remember him at Clements Inn like a man made after supper of a cheeseparing When he was naked he was for all the world like a forked radish with a head fantastically carved upon it with a knife He was so forlorn that his dimensions to any thick sight were invincible He was the very genius of famine yet lecherous as a monkey and the whores called him mandrake He came ever in the rearward of the fashion and sung those tunes to the overscutched huswives that he heard the carmen whistle and sware they were his fancies or his goodnights And now is this Vices dagger become a squire and talks as familiarly of John a Gaunt as if he had been sworn brother to him and Ill be sworn he neer saw him but once in the tiltyard and then he burst his head for crowding among the marshals men I saw it and told John a Gaunt he beat his own name for you might have thrust him and all his apparel into an eelskin the case of a treble hautboy was a mansion for him a court And now has he land and beefs Well Ill be acquainted with him if I return and t shall go hard but Ill make him a philosophers two stones to me If the young dace be a bait for the old pike I see no reason in the law of nature but I may snap at him Let time shape and there an end
Exit
ACT IV
SCENE I Yorkshire Gaultree Forest
Enter the Archbishop of York Mowbray Hastings and others
ARCHBISHOP
What is this forest calld
HASTINGS
Tis Gaultree Forest an t shall please your Grace
ARCHBISHOP
Here stand my lords and send discoverers forth
To know the numbers of our enemies
HASTINGS
We have sent forth already
ARCHBISHOP
Tis well done
My friends and brethren in these great affairs
I must acquaint you that I have received
Newdated letters from Northumberland
Their cold intent tenor and substance thus
Here doth he wish his person with such powers
As might hold sortance with his quality
The which he could not levy whereupon
He is retired to ripe his growing fortunes
To Scotland and concludes in hearty prayers
That your attempts may overlive the hazard
And fearful meeting of their opposite
MOWBRAY
Thus do the hopes we have in him touch ground
And dash themselves to pieces
Enter a Messenger
HASTINGS
Now what news
MESSENGER
West of this forest scarcely off a mile
In goodly form comes on the enemy
And by the ground they hide I judge their number
Upon or near the rate of thirty thousand
MOWBRAY
The just proportion that we gave them out
Let us sway on and face them in the field
Enter Westmoreland
ARCHBISHOP
What wellappointed leader fronts us here
MOWBRAY
I think it is my Lord of Westmoreland
WESTMORELAND
Health and fair greeting from our general
The prince Lord John and Duke of Lancaster
ARCHBISHOP
Say on my Lord of Westmoreland in peace
What doth concern your coming
WESTMORELAND
Then my lord
Unto your Grace do I in chief address
The substance of my speech If that rebellion
Came like itself in base and abject routs
Led on by bloody youth guarded with rags
And countenanced by boys and beggary
I say if damnd commotion so appeard
In his true native and most proper shape
You reverend father and these noble lords
Had not been here to dress the ugly form
Of base and bloody insurrection
With your fair honours You Lord Archbishop
Whose see is by a civil peace maintaind
Whose beard the silver hand of peace hath touchd
Whose learning and good letters peace hath tutord
Whose white investments figure innocence
The dove and very blessed spirit of peace
Wherefore you do so ill translate yourself
Out of the speech of peace that bears such grace
Into the harsh and boisterous tongue of war
Turning your books to graves your ink to blood
Your pens to lances and your tongue divine
To a loud trumpet and a point of war
ARCHBISHOP
Wherefore do I this So the question stands
Briefly to this end we are all diseased
And with our surfeiting and wanton hours
Have brought ourselves into a burning fever
And we must bleed for it of which disease
Our late King Richard being infected died
But my most noble Lord of Westmoreland
I take not on me here as a physician
Nor do I as an enemy to peace
Troop in the throngs of military men
But rather show awhile like fearful war
To diet rank minds sick of happiness
And purge th obstructions which begin to stop
Our very veins of life Hear me more plainly
I have in equal balance justly weighd
What wrongs our arms may do what wrongs we suffer
And find our griefs heavier than our offences
We see which way the stream of time doth run
And are enforced from our most quiet there
By the rough torrent of occasion
And have the summary of all our griefs
When time shall serve to show in articles
Which long ere this we offerd to the King
And might by no suit gain our audience
When we are wrongd and would unfold our griefs
We are denied access unto his person
Even by those men that most have done us wrong
The dangers of the days but newly gone
Whose memory is written on the earth
With yetappearing blood and the examples
Of every minutes instance present now
Hath put us in these illbeseeming arms
Not to break peace or any branch of it
But to establish here a peace indeed
Concurring both in name and quality
WESTMORELAND
Whenever yet was your appeal denied
Wherein have you been galled by the King
What peer hath been subornd to grate on you
That you should seal this lawless bloody book
Of forged rebellion with a seal divine
And consecrate commotions bitter edge
ARCHBISHOP
My brother general the commonwealth
To brother born an household cruelty
I make my quarrel in particular
WESTMORELAND
There is no need of any such redress
Or if there were it not belongs to you
MOWBRAY
Why not to him in part and to us all
That feel the bruises of the days before
And suffer the condition of these times
To lay a heavy and unequal hand
Upon our honours
WESTMORELAND
O my good Lord Mowbray
Construe the times to their necessities
And you shall say indeed it is the time
And not the King that doth you injuries
Yet for your part it not appears to me
Either from the King or in the present time
That you should have an inch of any ground
To build a grief on Were you not restored
To all the Duke of Norfolks signories
Your noble and right well remembred fathers
MOWBRAY
What thing in honour had my father lost
That need to be revived and breathed in me
The King that loved him as the state stood then
Was force perforce compelld to banish him
And then that Henry Bolingbroke and he
Being mounted and both roused in their seats
Their neighing coursers daring of the spur
Their armed staves in charge their beavers down
Their eyes of fire sparkling through sights of steel
And the loud trumpet blowing them together
Then then when there was nothing could have stayd
My father from the breast of Bolingbroke
O when the King did throw his warder down
His own life hung upon the staff he threw
Then threw he down himself and all their lives
That by indictment and by dint of sword
Have since miscarried under Bolingbroke
WESTMORELAND
You speak Lord Mowbray now you know not what
The Earl of Hereford was reputed then
In England the most valiant gentleman
Who knows on whom fortune would then have smiled
But if your father had been victor there
He neer had borne it out of Coventry
For all the country in a general voice
Cried hate upon him and all their prayers and love
Were set on Hereford whom they doted on
And blessd and graced indeed more than the King
But this is mere digression from my purpose
Here come I from our princely general
To know your griefs to tell you from his Grace
That he will give you audience and wherein
It shall appear that your demands are just
You shall enjoy them everything set off
That might so much as think you enemies
MOWBRAY
But he hath forcd us to compel this offer
And it proceeds from policy not love
WESTMORELAND
Mowbray you overween to take it so
This offer comes from mercy not from fear
For lo within a ken our army lies
Upon mine honour all too confident
To give admittance to a thought of fear
Our battle is more full of names than yours
Our men more perfect in the use of arms
Our armour all as strong our cause the best
Then reason will our hearts should be as good
Say you not then our offer is compelld
MOWBRAY
Well by my will we shall admit no parley
WESTMORELAND
That argues but the shame of your offence
A rotten case abides no handling
HASTINGS
Hath the Prince John a full commission
In very ample virtue of his father
To hear and absolutely to determine
Of what conditions we shall stand upon
WESTMORELAND
That is intended in the generals name
I muse you make so slight a question
ARCHBISHOP
Then take my Lord of Westmoreland this schedule
For this contains our general grievances
Each several article herein redressd
All members of our cause both here and hence
That are insinewd to this action
Acquitted by a true substantial form
And present execution of our wills
To us and to our purposes confined
We come within our awful banks again
And knit our powers to the arm of peace
WESTMORELAND
This will I show the general Please you lords
In sight of both our battles we may meet
And either end in peace which God so frame
Or to the place of difference call the swords
Which must decide it
ARCHBISHOP
My lord we will do so
Exit Westmoreland
MOWBRAY
There is a thing within my bosom tells me
That no conditions of our peace can stand
HASTINGS
Fear you not that if we can make our peace
Upon such large terms and so absolute
As our conditions shall consist upon
Our peace shall stand as firm as rocky mountains
MOWBRAY
Yea but our valuation shall be such
That every slight and falsederived cause
Yea every idle nice and wanton reason
Shall to the King taste of this action
That were our royal faiths martyrs in love
We shall be winnowd with so rough a wind
That even our corn shall seem as light as chaff
And good from bad find no partition
ARCHBISHOP
No no my lord Note this the King is weary
Of dainty and such picking grievances
For he hath found to end one doubt by death
Revives two greater in the heirs of life
And therefore will he wipe his tables clean
And keep no telltale to his memory
That may repeat and history his loss
To new remembrance For full well he knows
He cannot so precisely weed this land
As his misdoubts present occasion
His foes are so enrooted with his friends
That plucking to unfix an enemy
He doth unfasten so and shake a friend
So that this land like an offensive wife
That hath enraged him on to offer strokes
As he is striking holds his infant up
And hangs resolved correction in the arm
That was upreard to execution
HASTINGS
Besides the King hath wasted all his rods
On late offenders that he now doth lack
The very instruments of chastisement
So that his power like to a fangless lion
May offer but not hold
ARCHBISHOP
Tis very true
And therefore be assured my good Lord Marshal
If we do now make our atonement well
Our peace will like a broken limb united
Grow stronger for the breaking
MOWBRAY
Be it so
Here is returnd my Lord of Westmoreland
Enter Westmoreland
WESTMORELAND
The prince is here at hand Pleaseth your lordship
To meet his Grace just distance tween our armies
MOWBRAY
Your Grace of York in Gods name then set forward
ARCHBISHOP
Before and greet his Grace My lord we come
Exeunt
SCENE II Another part of the forest
Enter from one side Mowbray attended afterwards the Archbishop Hastings and others from the other side Prince John of Lancaster and Westmoreland Officers and others with them
LANCASTER
You are well encounterd here my cousin Mowbray
Good day to you gentle Lord Archbishop
And so to you Lord Hastings and to all
My Lord of York it better showd with you
When that your flock assembled by the bell
Encircled you to hear with reverence
Your exposition on the holy text
Than now to see you here an iron man
Cheering a rout of rebels with your drum
Turning the word to sword and life to death
That man that sits within a monarchs heart
And ripens in the sunshine of his favour
Would he abuse the countenance of the king
Alack what mischiefs might he set abroach
In shadow of such greatness With you Lord Bishop
It is even so Who hath not heard it spoken
How deep you were within the books of God
To us the speaker in his parliament
To us th imagined voice of God himself
The very opener and intelligencer
Between the grace the sanctities of heaven
And our dull workings O who shall believe
But you misuse the reverence of your place
Employ the countenance and grace of heaven
As a false favourite doth his princes name
In deeds dishonourable You have taen up
Under the counterfeited zeal of God
The subjects of his substitute my father
And both against the peace of heaven and him
Have here upswarmd them
ARCHBISHOP
Good my Lord of Lancaster
I am not here against your fathers peace
But as I told my Lord of Westmoreland
The time misorderd doth in common sense
Crowd us and crush us to this monstrous form
To hold our safety up I sent your Grace
The parcels and particulars of our grief
The which hath been with scorn shoved from the court
Whereon this Hydra son of war is born
Whose dangerous eyes may well be charmd asleep
With grant of our most just and right desires
And true obedience of this madness cured
Stoop tamely to the foot of majesty
MOWBRAY
If not we ready are to try our fortunes
To the last man
HASTINGS
And though we here fall down
We have supplies to second our attempt
If they miscarry theirs shall second them
And so success of mischief shall be born
And heir from heir shall hold this quarrel up
Whiles England shall have generation
LANCASTER
You are too shallow Hastings much too shallow
To sound the bottom of the aftertimes
WESTMORELAND
Pleaseth your Grace to answer them directly
How far forth you do like their articles
LANCASTER
I like them all and do allow them well
And swear here by the honour of my blood
My fathers purposes have been mistook
And some about him have too lavishly
Wrested his meaning and authority
My lord these griefs shall be with speed redressd
Upon my soul they shall If this may please you
Discharge your powers unto their several counties
As we will ours and here between the armies
Lets drink together friendly and embrace
That all their eyes may bear those tokens home
Of our restored love and amity
ARCHBISHOP
I take your princely word for these redresses
LANCASTER
I give it you and will maintain my word
And thereupon I drink unto your Grace
HASTINGS
Go captain and deliver to the army
This news of peace Let them have pay and part
I know it will please them Hie thee captain
Exit Officer
ARCHBISHOP
To you my noble Lord of Westmoreland
WESTMORELAND
I pledge your Grace and if you knew what pains
I have bestowd to breed this present peace
You would drink freely but my love to ye
Shall show itself more openly hereafter
ARCHBISHOP
I do not doubt you
WESTMORELAND
I am glad of it
Health to my lord and gentle cousin Mowbray
MOWBRAY
You wish me health in very happy season
For I am on the sudden something ill
ARCHBISHOP
Against ill chances men are ever merry
But heaviness foreruns the good event
WESTMORELAND
Therefore be merry coz since sudden sorrow
Serves to say thus Some good thing comes tomorrow
ARCHBISHOP
Believe me I am passing light in spirit
MOWBRAY
So much the worse if your own rule be true
Shouts within
LANCASTER
The word of peace is renderd Hark how they shout
MOWBRAY
This had been cheerful after victory
ARCHBISHOP
A peace is of the nature of a conquest
For then both parties nobly are subdued
And neither party loser
LANCASTER
Go my lord
And let our army be discharged too
Exit Westmoreland
And good my lord so please you let our trains
March by us that we may peruse the men
We should have coped withal
ARCHBISHOP
Go good Lord Hastings
And ere they be dismissd let them march by
Exit Hastings
LANCASTER
I trust lords we shall lie tonight together
Enter Westmoreland
Now cousin wherefore stands our army still
WESTMORELAND
The leaders having charge from you to stand
Will not go off until they hear you speak
LANCASTER
They know their duties
Enter Hastings
HASTINGS
My lord our army is dispersed already
Like youthful steers unyoked they take their courses
East west north south or like a school broke up
Each hurries toward his home and sportingplace
WESTMORELAND
Good tidings my Lord Hastings for the which
I do arrest thee traitor of high treason
And you Lord Archbishop and you Lord Mowbray
Of capital treason I attach you both
MOWBRAY
Is this proceeding just and honourable
WESTMORELAND
Is your assembly so
ARCHBISHOP
Will you thus break your faith
LANCASTER
I pawnd thee none
I promised you redress of these same grievances
Whereof you did complain which by mine honour
I will perform with a most Christian care
But for you rebels look to taste the due
Meet for rebellion and such acts as yours
Most shallowly did you these arms commence
Fondly brought here and foolishly sent hence
Strike up our drums pursue the scattrd stray
God and not we hath safely fought today
Some guard these traitors to the block of death
Treasons true bed and yielderup of breath
Exeunt
SCENE III Another part of the forest
Alarum Excursions Enter Falstaff and Colevile meeting
FALSTAFF
Whats your name sir Of what condition are you and of what place I pray
COLEVILE
I am a knight sir and my name is Colevile of the Dale
FALSTAFF
Well then Colevile is your name a knight is your degree and your place the Dale Colevile shall be still your name a traitor your degree and the dungeon your place a place deep enough so shall you be still Colevile of the Dale
COLEVILE
Are not you Sir John Falstaff
FALSTAFF
As good a man as he sir whoeer I am Do ye yield sir or shall I sweat for you If I do sweat they are the drops of thy lovers and they weep for thy death Therefore rouse up fear and trembling and do observance to my mercy
COLEVILE
I think you are Sir John Falstaff and in that thought yield me
FALSTAFF
I have a whole school of tongues in this belly of mine and not a tongue of them all speaks any other word but my name An I had but a belly of any indifferency I were simply the most active fellow in Europe My womb my womb my womb undoes me Here comes our general
Enter Prince John of Lancaster Westmoreland Blunt and others
LANCASTER
The heat is past follow no further now
Call in the powers good cousin Westmoreland
Exit Westmoreland
Now Falstaff where have you been all this while
When everything is ended then you come
These tardy tricks of yours will on my life
One time or other break some gallows back
FALSTAFF
I would be sorry my lord but it should be thus I never knew yet but rebuke and check was the reward of valour Do you think me a swallow an arrow or a bullet Have I in my poor and old motion the expedition of thought I have speeded hither with the very extremest inch of possibility I have foundered nine score and odd posts and here traveltainted as I am have in my pure and immaculate valour taken Sir John Colevile of the Dale a most furious knight and valorous enemy But what of that He saw me and yielded that I may justly say with the hooknosed fellow of Rome I came saw and overcame
LANCASTER
It was more of his courtesy than your deserving
FALSTAFF
I know not Here he is and here I yield him And I beseech your Grace let it be booked with the rest of this days deeds or by the Lord I will have it in a particular ballad else with mine own picture on the top ont Colevile kissing my foot to the which course if I be enforced if you do not all show like gilt twopences to me and I in the clear sky of fame oershine you as much as the full moon doth the cinders of the element which show like pins heads to her believe not the word of the noble Therefore let me have right and let desert mount
LANCASTER
Thines too heavy to mount
FALSTAFF
Let it shine then
LANCASTER
Thines too thick to shine
FALSTAFF
Let it do something my good lord that may do me good and call it what you will
LANCASTER
Is thy name Colevile
COLEVILE
It is my lord
LANCASTER
A famous rebel art thou Colevile
FALSTAFF
And a famous true subject took him
COLEVILE
I am my lord but as my betters are
That led me hither Had they been ruled by me
You should have won them dearer than you have
FALSTAFF
I know not how they sold themselves but thou like a kind fellow gavest thyself away gratis and I thank thee for thee
Enter Westmoreland
LANCASTER
Now have you left pursuit
WESTMORELAND
Retreat is made and execution stayd
LANCASTER
Send Colevile with his confederates
To York to present execution
Blunt lead him hence and see you guard him sure
Exeunt Blunt and others with Colevile
And now dispatch we toward the court my lords
I hear the King my father is sore sick
Our news shall go before us to his Majesty
Which cousin you shall bear to comfort him
And we with sober speed will follow you
FALSTAFF
My lord I beseech you give me leave to go through Gloucestershire and when you come to court stand my good lord pray in your good report
LANCASTER
Fare you well Falstaff I in my condition
Shall better speak of you than you deserve
Exeunt all but Falstaff
FALSTAFF
I would you had but the wit twere better than your dukedom Good faith this same young soberblooded boy doth not love me nor a man cannot make him laugh but thats no marvel he drinks no wine Theres never none of these demure boys come to any proof for thin drink doth so overcool their blood and making many fish meals that they fall into a kind of male greensickness and then when they marry they get wenches They are generally fools and cowards which some of us should be too but for inflammation A good sherrissack hath a twofold operation in it It ascends me into the brain dries me there all the foolish and dull and crudy vapours which environ it makes it apprehensive quick forgetive full of nimble fiery and delectable shapes which delivered oer to the voice the tongue which is the birth becomes excellent wit The second property of your excellent sherris is the warming of the blood which before cold and settled left the liver white and pale which is the badge of pusillanimity and cowardice But the sherris warms it and makes it course from the inwards to the parts extremes It illumineth the face which as a beacon gives warning to all the rest of this little kingdom man to arm and then the vital commoners and inland petty spirits muster me all to their captain the heart who great and puffed up with this retinue doth any deed of courage and this valour comes of sherris So that skill in the weapon is nothing without sack for that sets it awork and learning a mere hoard of gold kept by a devil till sack commences it and sets it in act and use Hereof comes it that Prince Harry is valiant for the cold blood he did naturally inherit of his father he hath like lean sterile and bare land manured husbanded and tilled with excellent endeavour of drinking good and good store of fertile sherris that he is become very hot and valiant If I had a thousand sons the first humane principle I would teach them should be to forswear thin potations and to addict themselves to sack
Enter Bardolph
How now Bardolph
BARDOLPH
The army is discharged all and gone
FALSTAFF
Let them go Ill through Gloucestershire and there will I visit Master Robert Shallow Esquire I have him already tempering between my finger and my thumb and shortly will I seal with him Come away
Exeunt
SCENE IV Westminster The Jerusalem Chamber
Enter the King Warwick Thomas Duke of Clarence and Humphrey Duke of Gloucester and others
KING
Now lords if God doth give successful end
To this debate that bleedeth at our doors
We will our youth lead on to higher fields
And draw no swords but what are sanctified
Our navy is addressd our power collected
Our substitutes in absence well invested
And everything lies level to our wish
Only we want a little personal strength
And pause us till these rebels now afoot
Come underneath the yoke of government
WARWICK
Both which we doubt not but your Majesty
Shall soon enjoy
KING
Humphrey my son of Gloucester
Where is the Prince your brother
GLOUCESTER
I think hes gone to hunt my lord at Windsor
KING
And how accompanied
GLOUCESTER
I do not know my lord
KING
Is not his brother Thomas of Clarence with him
GLOUCESTER
No my good lord he is in presence here
CLARENCE
What would my lord and father
KING
Nothing but well to thee Thomas of Clarence
How chance thou art not with the Prince thy brother
He loves thee and thou dost neglect him Thomas
Thou hast a better place in his affection
Than all thy brothers Cherish it my boy
And noble offices thou mayst effect
Of mediation after I am dead
Between his greatness and thy other brethren
Therefore omit him not blunt not his love
Nor lose the good advantage of his grace
By seeming cold or careless of his will
For he is gracious if he be observed
He hath a tear for pity and a hand
Open as day for melting charity
Yet notwithstanding being incensed hes flint
As humorous as winter and as sudden
As flaws congealed in the spring of day
His temper therefore must be well observed
Chide him for faults and do it reverently
When you perceive his blood inclined to mirth
But being moody give him time and scope
Till that his passions like a whale on ground
Confound themselves with working Learn this Thomas
And thou shalt prove a shelter to thy friends
A hoop of gold to bind thy brothers in
That the united vessel of their blood
Mingled with venom of suggestion
As force perforce the age will pour it in
Shall never leak though it do work as strong
As aconitum or rash gunpowder
CLARENCE
I shall observe him with all care and love
KING
Why art thou not at Windsor with him Thomas
CLARENCE
He is not there today he dines in London
KING
And how accompanied Canst thou tell that
CLARENCE
With Poins and other his continual followers
KING
Most subject is the fattest soil to weeds
And he the noble image of my youth
Is overspread with them therefore my grief
Stretches itself beyond the hour of death
The blood weeps from my heart when I do shape
In forms imaginary th unguided days
And rotten times that you shall look upon
When I am sleeping with my ancestors
For when his headstrong riot hath no curb
When rage and hot blood are his counsellors
When means and lavish manners meet together
O with what wings shall his affections fly
Towards fronting peril and opposed decay
WARWICK
My gracious lord you look beyond him quite
The prince but studies his companions
Like a strange tongue wherein to gain the language
Tis needful that the most immodest word
Be looked upon and learned which once attained
Your Highness knows comes to no further use
But to be known and hated So like gross terms
The Prince will in the perfectness of time
Cast off his followers and their memory
Shall as a pattern or a measure live
By which his Grace must mete the lives of other
Turning past evils to advantages
KING
Tis seldom when the bee doth leave her comb
In the dead carrion
Enter Westmoreland
Whos here Westmoreland
WESTMORELAND
Health to my sovereign and new happiness
Added to that that I am to deliver
Prince John your son doth kiss your Graces hand
Mowbray the Bishop Scroop Hastings and all
Are brought to the correction of your law
There is not now a rebels sword unsheathed
But Peace puts forth her olive everywhere
The manner how this action hath been borne
Here at more leisure may your Highness read
With every course in his particular
KING
O Westmoreland thou art a summer bird
Which ever in the haunch of winter sings
The lifting up of day
Enter Harcourt
Look heres more news
HARCOURT
From enemies heaven keep your Majesty
And when they stand against you may they fall
As those that I am come to tell you of
The Earl Northumberland and the Lord Bardolph
With a great power of English and of Scots
Are by the shrieve of Yorkshire overthrown
The manner and true order of the fight
This packet please it you contains at large
KING
And wherefore should these good news make me sick
Will Fortune never come with both hands full
But write her fair words still in foulest letters
She either gives a stomach and no food
Such are the poor in health or else a feast
And takes away the stomachsuch are the rich
That have abundance and enjoy it not
I should rejoice now at this happy news
And now my sight fails and my brain is giddy
O me Come near me now I am much ill
GLOUCESTER
Comfort your Majesty
CLARENCE
O my royal father
WESTMORELAND
My sovereign lord cheer up yourself look up
WARWICK
Be patient princes you do know these fits
Are with his Highness very ordinary
Stand from him give him air hell straight be well
CLARENCE
No no he cannot long hold out these pangs
Th incessant care and labour of his mind
Hath wrought the mure that should confine it in
So thin that life looks through and will break out
GLOUCESTER
The people fear me for they do observe
Unfatherd heirs and loathly births of nature
The seasons change their manners as the year
Had found some months asleep and leapd them over
CLARENCE
The river hath thrice flowd no ebb between
And the old folk times doting chronicles
Say it did so a little time before
That our greatgrandsire Edward sickd and died
WARWICK
Speak lower princes for the King recovers
GLOUCESTER
This apoplexy will certain be his end
KING
I pray you take me up and bear me hence
Into some other chamber softly pray
Exeunt
SCENE V Another chamber
The King lying on a bed Clarence Gloucester Warwick and others in attendance
KING
Let there be no noise made my gentle friends
Unless some dull and favourable hand
Will whisper music to my weary spirit
WARWICK
Call for the music in the other room
KING
Set me the crown upon my pillow here
CLARENCE
His eye is hollow and he changes much
WARWICK
Less noise less noise
Enter Prince Henry
PRINCE
Who saw the Duke of Clarence
CLARENCE
I am here brother full of heaviness
PRINCE
How now rain within doors and none abroad
How doth the King
GLOUCESTER
Exceeding ill
PRINCE
Heard he the good news yet Tell it him
GLOUCESTER
He altred much upon the hearing it
PRINCE
If he be sick with joy hell recover without physic
WARWICK
Not so much noise my lords Sweet prince speak low
The King your father is disposed to sleep
CLARENCE
Let us withdraw into the other room
WARWICK
Willt please your Grace to go along with us
PRINCE
No I will sit and watch here by the King
Exeunt all but the Prince
Why doth the crown lie there upon his pillow
Being so troublesome a bedfellow
O polishd perturbation golden care
That keepst the ports of slumber open wide
To many a watchful night Sleep with it now
Yet not so sound and half so deeply sweet
As he whose brow with homely biggen bound
Snores out the watch of night O majesty
When thou dost pinch thy bearer thou dost sit
Like a rich armour worn in heat of day
That scaldst with safety By his gates of breath
There lies a downy feather which stirs not
Did he suspire that light and weightless down
Perforce must move My gracious lord my father
This sleep is sound indeed this is a sleep
That from this golden rigol hath divorced
So many English kings Thy due from me
Is tears and heavy sorrows of the blood
Which nature love and filial tenderness
Shall O dear father pay thee plenteously
My due from thee is this imperial crown
Which as immediate from thy place and blood
Derives itself to me Lo where it sits
Which God shall guard and put the worlds whole strength
Into one giant arm it shall not force
This lineal honour from me This from thee
Will I to mine leave as tis left to me
Exit
KING
Warwick Gloucester Clarence
Enter Warwick Gloucester Clarence and the rest
CLARENCE
Doth the King call
WARWICK
What would your Majesty How fares your Grace
KING
Why did you leave me here alone my lords
CLARENCE
We left the Prince my brother here my liege
Who undertook to sit and watch by you
KING
The Prince of Wales Where is he Let me see him
He is not here
WARWICK
This door is open he is gone this way
GLOUCESTER
He came not through the chamber where we stayd
KING
Where is the crown Who took it from my pillow
WARWICK
When we withdrew my liege we left it here
KING
The Prince hath taen it hence Go seek him out
Is he so hasty that he doth suppose
My sleep my death
Find him my Lord of Warwick chide him hither
Exit Warwick
This part of his conjoins with my disease
And helps to end me See sons what things you are
How quickly nature falls into revolt
When gold becomes her object
For this the foolish overcareful fathers
Have broke their sleep with thoughts
Their brains with care their bones with industry
For this they have engrossed and piled up
The cankerd heaps of strangeachieved gold
For this they have been thoughtful to invest
Their sons with arts and martial exercises
When like the bee tolling from every flower
The virtuous sweets
Our thighs packd with wax our mouths with honey
We bring it to the hive and like the bees
Are murdered for our pains This bitter taste
Yields his engrossments to the ending father
Enter Warwick
Now where is he that will not stay so long
Till his friend sickness hath determind me
WARWICK
My lord I found the Prince in the next room
Washing with kindly tears his gentle cheeks
With such a deep demeanour in great sorrow
That tyranny which never quaffd but blood
Would by beholding him have washd his knife
With gentle eyedrops He is coming hither
KING
But wherefore did he take away the crown
Enter Prince Henry
Lo where he comes Come hither to me Harry
Depart the chamber leave us here alone
Exeunt Warwick and the rest
PRINCE
I never thought to hear you speak again
KING
Thy wish was father Harry to that thought
I stay too long by thee I weary thee
Dost thou so hunger for mine empty chair
That thou wilt needs invest thee with my honours
Before thy hour be ripe O foolish youth
Thou seekst the greatness that will overwhelm thee
Stay but a little for my cloud of dignity
Is held from falling with so weak a wind
That it will quickly drop My day is dim
Thou hast stolen that which after some few hours
Were thine without offence and at my death
Thou hast seald up my expectation
Thy life did manifest thou lovedst me not
And thou wilt have me die assured of it
Thou hidst a thousand daggers in thy thoughts
Which thou hast whetted on thy stony heart
To stab at half an hour of my life
What canst thou not forbear me half an hour
Then get thee gone and dig my grave thyself
And bid the merry bells ring to thine ear
That thou art crowned not that I am dead
Let all the tears that should bedew my hearse
Be drops of balm to sanctify thy head
Only compound me with forgotten dust
Give that which gave thee life unto the worms
Pluck down my officers break my decrees
For now a time is come to mock at form
Harry the Fifth is crownd Up vanity
Down royal state All you sage counsellors hence
And to the English court assemble now
From every region apes of idleness
Now neighbour confines purge you of your scum
Have you a ruffian that will swear drink dance
Revel the night rob murder and commit
The oldest sins the newest kind of ways
Be happy he will trouble you no more
England shall double gild his treble guilt
England shall give him office honour might
For the fifth Harry from curbd license plucks
The muzzle of restraint and the wild dog
Shall flesh his tooth on every innocent
O my poor kingdom sick with civil blows
When that my care could not withhold thy riots
What wilt thou do when riot is thy care
O thou wilt be a wilderness again
Peopled with wolves thy old inhabitants
PRINCE
O pardon me my liege But for my tears
The moist impediments unto my speech
I had forestalld this dear and deep rebuke
Ere you with grief had spoke and I had heard
The course of it so far There is your crown
And He that wears the crown immortally
Long guard it yours If I affect it more
Than as your honour and as your renown
Let me no more from this obedience rise
Which my most inward true and duteous spirit
Teacheth this prostrate and exterior bending
God witness with me when I here came in
And found no course of breath within your Majesty
How cold it struck my heart If I do feign
O let me in my present wildness die
And never live to show th incredulous world
The noble change that I have purposed
Coming to look on you thinking you dead
And dead almost my liege to think you were
I spake unto this crown as having sense
And thus upbraided it The care on thee depending
Hath fed upon the body of my father
Therefore thou best of gold art worst of gold
Other less fine in carat is more precious
Preserving life in medcine potable
But thou most fine most honourd most renownd
Hast eat thy bearer up Thus my most royal liege
Accusing it I put it on my head
To try with it as with an enemy
That had before my face murderd my father
The quarrel of a true inheritor
But if it did infect my blood with joy
Or swell my thoughts to any strain of pride
If any rebel or vain spirit of mine
Did with the least affection of a welcome
Give entertainment to the might of it
Let God for ever keep it from my head
And make me as the poorest vassal is
That doth with awe and terror kneel to it
KING
O my son
God put it in thy mind to take it hence
That thou mightst win the more thy fathers love
Pleading so wisely in excuse of it
Come hither Harry sit thou by my bed
And hear I think the very latest counsel
That ever I shall breathe God knows my son
By what bypaths and indirect crookd ways
I met this crown and I myself know well
How troublesome it sat upon my head
To thee it shall descend with better quiet
Better opinion better confirmation
For all the soil of the achievement goes
With me into the earth It seemd in me
But as an honour snatchd with boisterous hand
And I had many living to upbraid
My gain of it by their assistances
Which daily grew to quarrel and to bloodshed
Wounding supposed peace All these bold fears
Thou seest with peril I have answered
For all my reign hath been but as a scene
Acting that argument And now my death
Changes the mood for what in me was purchased
Falls upon thee in a more fairer sort
So thou the garland wearst successively
Yet though thou standst more sure than I could do
Thou art not firm enough since griefs are green
And all my friends which thou must make thy friends
Have but their stings and teeth newly taen out
By whose fell working I was first advanced
And by whose power I well might lodge a fear
To be again displaced which to avoid
I cut them off and had a purpose now
To lead out many to the Holy Land
Lest rest and lying still might make them look
Too near unto my state Therefore my Harry
Be it thy course to busy giddy minds
With foreign quarrels that action hence borne out
May waste the memory of the former days
More would I but my lungs are wasted so
That strength of speech is utterly denied me
How I came by the crown O God forgive
And grant it may with thee in true peace live
PRINCE
My gracious liege
You won it wore it kept it gave it me
Then plain and right must my possession be
Which I with more than with a common pain
Gainst all the world will rightfully maintain
Enter Lord John of Lancaster and others
KING
Look look here comes my John of Lancaster
LANCASTER
Health peace and happiness to my royal father
KING
Thou bringst me happiness and peace son John
But health alack with youthful wings is flown
From this bare witherd trunk Upon thy sight
My worldly business makes a period
Where is my Lord of Warwick
PRINCE
My Lord of Warwick
Enter Warwick and others
KING
Doth any name particular belong
Unto the lodging where I first did swoon
WARWICK
Tis calld Jerusalem my noble lord
KING
Laud be to God Even there my life must end
It hath been prophesied to me many years
I should not die but in Jerusalem
Which vainly I supposed the Holy Land
But bear me to that chamber there Ill lie
In that Jerusalem shall Harry die
Exeunt
ACT V
SCENE I Gloucestershire Shallows house
Enter Shallow Falstaff Bardolph and Page
SHALLOW
By cock and pie sir you shall not away tonight
What Davy I say
FALSTAFF
You must excuse me Master Robert Shallow
SHALLOW
I will not excuse you you shall not be excused Excuses shall not be admitted there is no excuse shall serve you shall not be excused Why Davy
Enter Davy
DAVY
Here sir
SHALLOW
Davy Davy Davy Davy let me see Davy let me see Davy let me see Yea marry William cook bid him come hither Sir John you shall not be excused
DAVY
Marry sir thus those precepts cannot be served and again sirshall we sow the hade land with wheat
SHALLOW
With red wheat Davy But for William cook are there no young pigeons
DAVY
Yes sir Here is now the smiths note for shoeing and ploughirons
SHALLOW
Let it be cast and paid Sir John you shall not be excused
DAVY
Now sir a new link to the bucket must needs be had And sir do you mean to stop any of Williams wages about the sack he lost the other day at Hinckley fair
SHALLOW
He shall answer it Some pigeons Davy a couple of shortlegged hens a joint of mutton and any pretty little tiny kickshaws tell William cook
DAVY
Doth the man of war stay all night sir
SHALLOW
Yea Davy I will use him well a friend i th court is better than a penny in purse Use his men well Davy for they are arrant knaves and will backbite
DAVY
No worse than they are backbitten sir for they have marvellous foul linen
SHALLOW
Well conceited Davy About thy business Davy
DAVY
I beseech you sir to countenance William Visor of Woncot against Clement Perkes o th hill
SHALLOW
There is many complaints Davy against that Visor That Visor is an arrant knave on my knowledge
DAVY
I grant your worship that he is a knave sir but yet God forbid sir but a knave should have some countenance at his friends request An honest man sir is able to speak for himself when a knave is not I have served your worship truly sir this eight years and if I cannot once or twice in a quarter bear out a knave against an honest man I have but a very little credit with your worship The knave is mine honest friend sir therefore I beseech your worship let him be countenanced
SHALLOW
Go to I say he shall have no wrong Look about Davy
Exit Davy
Where are you Sir John Come come come off with your boots
Give me your hand Master Bardolph
BARDOLPH
I am glad to see your worship
SHALLOW
I thank thee with all my heart kind Master Bardolph and welcome my tall fellow to the Page Come Sir John
FALSTAFF
Ill follow you good Master Robert Shallow
Exit Shallow
Bardolph look to our horses
Exeunt Bardolph and Page
If I were sawed into quantities I should make four dozen of such bearded hermits staves as Master Shallow It is a wonderful thing to see the semblable coherence of his mens spirits and his They by observing of him do bear themselves like foolish justices he by conversing with them is turned into a justicelike servingman Their spirits are so married in conjunction with the participation of society that they flock together in consent like so many wildgeese If I had a suit to Master Shallow I would humour his men with the imputation of being near their master if to his men I would curry with Master Shallow that no man could better command his servants It is certain that either wise bearing or ignorant carriage is caught as men take diseases one of another Therefore let men take heed of their company I will devise matter enough out of this Shallow to keep Prince Harry in continual laughter the wearing out of six fashions which is four terms or two actions and he shall laugh without intervallums O it is much that a lie with a slight oath and a jest with a sad brow will do with a fellow that never had the ache in his shoulders O you shall see him laugh till his face be like a wet cloak ill laid up
SHALLOW
Within Sir John
FALSTAFF
I come Master Shallow I come Master Shallow
Exit
SCENE II Westminster The palace
Enter Warwick and the Lord Chief Justice meeting
WARWICK
How now my Lord Chief Justice whither away
CHIEF JUSTICE
How doth the King
WARWICK
Exceeding well His cares are now all ended
CHIEF JUSTICE
I hope not dead
WARWICK
Hes walkd the way of nature
And to our purposes he lives no more
CHIEF JUSTICE
I would his Majesty had calld me with him
The service that I truly did his life
Hath left me open to all injuries
WARWICK
Indeed I think the young King loves you not
CHIEF JUSTICE
I know he doth not and do arm myself
To welcome the condition of the time
Which cannot look more hideously upon me
Than I have drawn it in my fantasy
Enter Lancaster Clarence Gloucester and others
WARWICK
Here comes the heavy issue of dead Harry
O that the living Harry had the temper
Of he the worst of these three gentlemen
How many nobles then should hold their places
That must strike sail to spirits of vile sort
CHIEF JUSTICE
O God I fear all will be overturnd
LANCASTER
Good morrow cousin Warwick good morrow
GLOUCESTER CLARENCE
Good morrow cousin
LANCASTER
We meet like men that had forgot to speak
WARWICK
We do remember but our argument
Is all too heavy to admit much talk
LANCASTER
Well peace be with him that hath made us heavy
CHIEF JUSTICE
Peace be with us lest we be heavier
GLOUCESTER
O good my lord you have lost a friend indeed
And I dare swear you borrow not that face
Of seeming sorrow it is sure your own
LANCASTER
Though no man be assured what grace to find
You stand in coldest expectation
I am the sorrier would twere otherwise
CLARENCE
Well you must now speak Sir John Falstaff fair
Which swims against your stream of quality
CHIEF JUSTICE
Sweet Princes what I did I did in honour
Led by th impartial conduct of my soul
And never shall you see that I will beg
A ragged and forestalld remission
If truth and upright innocency fail me
Ill to the King my master that is dead
And tell him who hath sent me after him
WARWICK
Here comes the Prince
Enter King Henry the Fifth attended
CHIEF JUSTICE
Good morrow and God save your Majesty
KING
This new and gorgeous garment majesty
Sits not so easy on me as you think
Brothers you mix your sadness with some fear
This is the English not the Turkish court
Not Amurath an Amurath succeeds
But Harry Harry Yet be sad good brothers
For by my faith it very well becomes you
Sorrow so royally in you appears
That I will deeply put the fashion on
And wear it in my heart Why then be sad
But entertain no more of it good brothers
Than a joint burden laid upon us all
For me by heaven I bid you be assured
Ill be your father and your brother too
Let me but bear your love Ill bear your cares
Yet weep that Harrys dead and so will I
But Harry lives that shall convert those tears
By number into hours of happiness
PRINCES
We hope no otherwise from your Majesty
KING
You all look strangely on me And you most
You are I think assured I love you not
CHIEF JUSTICE
I am assured if I be measured rightly
Your Majesty hath no just cause to hate me
KING
No
How might a prince of my great hopes forget
So great indignities you laid upon me
What rate rebuke and roughly send to prison
Th immediate heir of England Was this easy
May this be washd in Lethe and forgotten
CHIEF JUSTICE
I then did use the person of your father
The image of his power lay then in me
And in the administration of his law
Whiles I was busy for the commonwealth
Your Highness pleased to forget my place
The majesty and power of law and justice
The image of the King whom I presented
And struck me in my very seat of judgement
Whereon as an offender to your father
I gave bold way to my authority
And did commit you If the deed were ill
Be you contented wearing now the garland
To have a son set your decrees at nought
To pluck down justice from your awful bench
To trip the course of law and blunt the sword
That guards the peace and safety of your person
Nay more to spurn at your most royal image
And mock your workings in a second body
Question your royal thoughts make the case yours
Be now the father and propose a son
Hear your own dignity so much profaned
See your most dreadful laws so loosely slighted
Behold yourself so by a son disdaind
And then imagine me taking your part
And in your power soft silencing your son
After this cold considerance sentence me
And as you are a king speak in your state
What I have done that misbecame my place
My person or my lieges sovereignty
KING
You are right justice and you weigh this well
Therefore still bear the balance and the sword
And I do wish your honours may increase
Till you do live to see a son of mine
Offend you and obey you as I did
So shall I live to speak my fathers words
Happy am I that have a man so bold
That dares do justice on my proper son
And not less happy having such a son
That would deliver up his greatness so
Into the hands of justice You did commit me
For which I do commit into your hand
Th unstained sword that you have used to bear
With this remembrance that you use the same
With the like bold just and impartial spirit
As you have done gainst me There is my hand
You shall be as a father to my youth
My voice shall sound as you do prompt mine ear
And I will stoop and humble my intents
To your wellpractised wise directions
And princes all believe me I beseech you
My father is gone wild into his grave
For in his tomb lie my affections
And with his spirit sadly I survive
To mock the expectation of the world
To frustrate prophecies and to raze out
Rotten opinion who hath writ me down
After my seeming The tide of blood in me
Hath proudly flowd in vanity till now
Now doth it turn and ebb back to the sea
Where it shall mingle with the state of floods
And flow henceforth in formal majesty
Now call we our high court of parliament
And let us choose such limbs of noble counsel
That the great body of our state may go
In equal rank with the bestgovernd nation
That war or peace or both at once may be
As things acquainted and familiar to us
In which you father shall have foremost hand
Our coronation done we will accite
As I before rememberd all our state
And God consigning to my good intents
No prince nor peer shall have just cause to say
God shorten Harrys happy life one day
Exeunt
SCENE III Gloucestershire Shallows orchard
Enter Falstaff Shallow Silence Davy Bardolph and the Page
SHALLOW
Nay you shall see my orchard where in an arbour we will eat a last years pippin of mine own graffing with a dish of caraways and so forth Come cousin Silence And then to bed
FALSTAFF
Fore God you have here a goodly dwelling and a rich
SHALLOW
Barren barren barren beggars all beggars all Sir John Marry good air Spread Davy spread Davy Well said Davy
FALSTAFF
This Davy serves you for good uses he is your servingman and your husband
SHALLOW
A good varlet a good varlet a very good varlet Sir John By the mass I have drunk too much sack at supper A good varlet Now sit down now sit down Come cousin
SILENCE
Ah sirrah quotha we shall Singing
Do nothing but eat and make good cheer
And praise God for the merry year
When flesh is cheap and females dear
And lusty lads roam here and there
So merrily
And ever among so merrily
FALSTAFF
Theres a merry heart Good Master Silence Ill give you a health for that anon
SHALLOW
Give Master Bardolph some wine Davy
DAVY
Sweet sir sit Ill be with you anon Most sweet sir sit Master page good master page sit Proface What you want in meat well have in drink but you must bear the hearts all
Exit
SHALLOW
Be merry Master Bardolph and my little soldier there be merry
SILENCE
Singing
Be merry be merry my wife has all
For women are shrews both short and tall
Tis merry in hall when beards wag all
And welcome merry Shrovetide
Be merry be merry
FALSTAFF
I did not think Master Silence had been a man of this mettle
SILENCE
Who I I have been merry twice and once ere now
Enter Davy
DAVY
To Bardolph Theres a dish of leathercoats for you
SHALLOW
Davy
DAVY
Your worship Ill be with you straight
To Bardolph A cup of wine sir
SILENCE
Singing
A cup of wine thats brisk and fine
And drink unto thee leman mine
And a merry heart lives longa
FALSTAFF
Well said Master Silence
SILENCE
An we shall be merry now comes in the sweet o th night
FALSTAFF
Health and long life to you Master Silence
SILENCE
Singing
Fill the cup and let it come
Ill pledge you a mile to th bottom
SHALLOW
Honest Bardolph welcome If thou wantst anything and wilt not call beshrew thy heart Welcome my little tiny thief to the Page and welcome indeed too Ill drink to Master Bardolph and to all the cabileros about London
DAVY
I hope to see London once ere I die
BARDOLPH
An I might see you there Davy
SHALLOW
By the mass youll crack a quart together ha will you not Master Bardolph
BARDOLPH
Yea sir in a pottlepot
SHALLOW
By Gods liggens I thank thee The knave will stick by thee I can assure thee that He will not out he Tis true bred
BARDOLPH
And Ill stick by him sir
SHALLOW
Why there spoke a king Lack nothing Be merry
Knocking within
Look whos at door there ho Who knocks
Exit Davy
FALSTAFF
To Silence seeing him take off a bumper Why now you have done me right
SILENCE
Singing
Do me right
And dub me knight
Samingo
Ist not so
FALSTAFF
Tis so
SILENCE
Ist so Why then say an old man can do somewhat
Enter Davy
DAVY
Ant please your worship theres one Pistol come from the court with news
FALSTAFF
From the court Let him come in
Enter Pistol
How now Pistol
PISTOL
Sir John God save you
FALSTAFF
What wind blew you hither Pistol
PISTOL
Not the ill wind which blows no man to good Sweet knight thou art now one of the greatest men in this realm
SILENCE
Byr lady I think he be but goodman Puff of Barson
PISTOL
Puff
Puff in thy teeth most recreant coward base
Sir John I am thy Pistol and thy friend
And helterskelter have I rode to thee
And tidings do I bring and lucky joys
And golden times and happy news of price
FALSTAFF
I pray thee now deliver them like a man of this world
PISTOL
A foutre for the world and worldlings base
I speak of Africa and golden joys
FALSTAFF
O base Assyrian knight what is thy news
Let King Cophetua know the truth thereof
SILENCE
Singing And Robin Hood Scarlet and John
PISTOL
Shall dunghill curs confront the Helicons
And shall good news be baffled
Then Pistol lay thy head in Furies lap
SHALLOW
Honest gentleman I know not your breeding
PISTOL
Why then lament therefor
SHALLOW
Give me pardon sir If sir you come with news from the court I take it theres but two ways either to utter them or conceal them I am sir under the King in some authority
PISTOL
Under which king Besonian Speak or die
SHALLOW
Under King Harry
PISTOL
Harry the Fourth or Fifth
SHALLOW
Harry the Fourth
PISTOL
A foutre for thine office
Sir John thy tender lambkin now is King
Harry the Fifths the man I speak the truth
When Pistol lies do this and fig me like
The bragging Spaniard
FALSTAFF
What is the old King dead
PISTOL
As nail in door The things I speak are just
FALSTAFF
Away Bardolph saddle my horse Master Robert Shallow choose what office thou wilt in the land tis thine Pistol I will doublecharge thee with dignities
BARDOLPH
O joyful day
I would not take a knighthood for my fortune
PISTOL
What I do bring good news
FALSTAFF
Carry Master Silence to bed Master Shallow my Lord Shallow be what thou wilt I am Fortunes steward Get on thy boots well ride all night O sweet Pistol Away Bardolph
Exit Bardolph
Come Pistol utter more to me and withal devise something to do thyself good Boot boot Master Shallow I know the young King is sick for me Let us take any mans horses The laws of England are at my commandment Blessed are they that have been my friends and woe to my Lord Chief Justice
PISTOL
Let vultures vile seize on his lungs also
Where is the life that late I led say they
Why here it is welcome these pleasant days
Exeunt
SCENE IV London A street
Enter Beadles dragging in Hostess Quickly and Doll Tearsheet
HOSTESS
No thou arrant knave I would to God that I might die that I might have thee hanged Thou hast drawn my shoulder out of joint
FIRST BEADLE
The constables have delivered her over to me and she shall have whippingcheer enough I warrant her There hath been a man or two lately killed about her
DOLL
Nuthook nuthook you lie Come on Ill tell thee what thou damned tripevisaged rascal an the child I now go with do miscarry thou wert better thou hadst struck thy mother thou paperfaced villain
HOSTESS
O the Lord that Sir John were come He would make this a bloody day to somebody But I pray God the fruit of her womb miscarry
FIRST BEADLE
If it do you shall have a dozen of cushions again you have but eleven now Come I charge you both go with me for the man is dead that you and Pistol beat amongst you
DOLL
Ill tell you what you thin man in a censer I will have you as soundly swinged for this you bluebottle rogue you filthy famished correctioner if you be not swinged Ill forswear halfkirtles
FIRST BEADLE
Come come you she knighterrant come
HOSTESS
O God that right should thus overcome might Well of sufferance comes ease
DOLL
Come you rogue come bring me to a justice
HOSTESS
Ay come you starved bloodhound
DOLL
Goodman death goodman bones
HOSTESS
Thou atomy thou
DOLL
Come you thin thing come you rascal
FIRST BEADLE
Very well
Exeunt
SCENE V A public place near Westminster Abbey
Enter two Grooms strewing rushes
FIRST GROOM
More rushes more rushes
SECOND GROOM
The trumpets have sounded twice
FIRST GROOM
Twill be two oclock ere they come from the coronation Dispatch dispatch
Exeunt
Trumpets sound and the King and his train pass over the stage Enter Falstaff Shallow Pistol Bardolph and Page
FALSTAFF
Stand here by me Master Robert Shallow I will make the King do you grace I will leer upon him as he comes by and do but mark the countenance that he will give me
PISTOL
God bless thy lungs good knight
FALSTAFF
Come here Pistol stand behind me O if I had had time to have made new liveries I would have bestowed the thousand pound I borrowed of you But tis no matter this poor show doth better This doth infer the zeal I had to see him
SHALLOW
It doth so
FALSTAFF
It shows my earnestness of affection
SHALLOW
It doth so
FALSTAFF
My devotion
SHALLOW
It doth it doth it doth
FALSTAFF
As it were to ride day and night and not to deliberate not to remember not to have patience to shift me
SHALLOW
It is best certain
FALSTAFF
But to stand stained with travel and sweating with desire to see him thinking of nothing else putting all affairs else in oblivion as if there were nothing else to be done but to see him
PISTOL
Tis semper idem for obsque hoc nihil est tis all in every part
SHALLOW
Tis so indeed
PISTOL
My knight I will inflame thy noble liver
And make thee rage
Thy Doll and Helen of thy noble thoughts
Is in base durance and contagious prison
Haled thither
By most mechanical and dirty hand
Rouse up revenge from ebon den with fell Alectos snake
For Doll is in Pistol speaks nought but truth
FALSTAFF
I will deliver her
Shouts within The trumpets sound
PISTOL
There roard the sea and trumpetclangor sounds
Enter the King and his train the Lord Chief Justice among them
FALSTAFF
God save thy Grace King Hal my royal Hal
PISTOL
The heavens thee guard and keep most royal imp of fame
FALSTAFF
God save thee my sweet boy
KING
My Lord Chief Justice speak to that vain man
CHIEF JUSTICE
Have you your wits Know you what tis you speak
FALSTAFF
My King My Jove I speak to thee my heart
KING
I know thee not old man Fall to thy prayers
How ill white hairs becomes a fool and jester
I have long dreamt of such a kind of man
So surfeitswelld so old and so profane
But being awaked I do despise my dream
Make less thy body hence and more thy grace
Leave gormandizing know the grave doth gape
For thee thrice wider than for other men
Reply not to me with a foolborn jest
Presume not that I am the thing I was
For God doth know so shall the world perceive
That I have turnd away my former self
So will I those that kept me company
When thou dost hear I am as I have been
Approach me and thou shalt be as thou wast
The tutor and the feeder of my riots
Till then I banish thee on pain of death
As I have done the rest of my misleaders
Not to come near our person by ten mile
For competence of life I will allow you
That lack of means enforce you not to evils
And as we hear you do reform yourselves
We will according to your strengths and qualities
Give you advancement Be it your charge my lord
To see performd the tenor of our word
Set on
Exeunt King with his train
FALSTAFF
Master Shallow I owe you a thousand pounds
SHALLOW
Yea marry Sir John which I beseech you to let me have home with me
FALSTAFF
That can hardly be Master Shallow Do not you grieve at this I shall be sent for in private to him Look you he must seem thus to the world Fear not your advancements I will be the man yet that shall make you great
SHALLOW
I cannot perceive how unless you give me your doublet and stuff me out with straw I beseech you good Sir John let me have five hundred of my thousand
FALSTAFF
Sir I will be as good as my word This that you heard was but a colour
SHALLOW
A colour that I fear you will die in Sir John
FALSTAFF
Fear no colours Go with me to dinner Come Lieutenant Pistol come Bardolph I shall be sent for soon at night
Enter the Lord Chief Justice and Prince John Officers with them
CHIEF JUSTICE
Go carry Sir John Falstaff to the Fleet
Take all his company along with him
FALSTAFF
My lord my lord
CHIEF JUSTICE
I cannot now speak I will hear you soon
Take them away
PISTOL
Si fortuna me tormenta spero me contenta
Exeunt all but Prince John and the Lord Chief Justice
LANCASTER
I like this fair proceeding of the Kings
He hath intent his wonted followers
Shall all be very well provided for
But all are banishd till their conversations
Appear more wise and modest to the world
CHIEF JUSTICE
And so they are
LANCASTER
The King hath calld his parliament my lord
CHIEF JUSTICE
He hath
LANCASTER
I will lay odds that ere this year expire
We bear our civil swords and native fire
As far as France I heard a bird so sing
Whose music to my thinking pleased the King
Come will you hence
Exeunt
EPILOGUE
First my fear then my curtsy last my speech My fear is your displeasure my curtsy my duty and my speech to beg your pardons If you look for a good speech now you undo me for what I have to say is of mine own making and what indeed I should say will I doubt prove mine own marring But to the purpose and so to the venture Be it known to you as it is very well I was lately here in the end of a displeasing play to pray your patience for it and to promise you a better I meant indeed to pay you with this which if like an ill venture it come unluckily home I break and you my gentle creditors lose Here I promised you I would be and here I commit my body to your mercies Bate me some and I will pay you some and as most debtors do promise you infinitely
If my tongue cannot entreat you to acquit me will you command me to use my legs And yet that were but light payment to dance out of your debt But a good conscience will make any possible satisfaction and so would I All the gentlewomen here have forgiven me if the gentlemen will not then the gentlemen do not agree with the gentlewomen which was never seen before in such an assembly
One word more I beseech you If you be not too much cloyed with fat meat our humble author will continue the story with Sir John in it and make you merry with fair Katharine of France where for anything I know Falstaff shall die of a sweat unless already he be killed with your hard opinions for Oldcastle died a martyr and this is not the man My tongue is weary when my legs are too I will bid you good night
THE LIFE OF KING HENRY THE FIFTH
Contents
ACT I
Prologue
Scene I London An antechamber in the Kings palace
Scene II The same The presence chamber
ACT II
Chorus
Scene I London A street
Scene II Southampton A councilchamber
Scene III London Before a tavern
Scene IV France The Kings palace
ACT III
Chorus
Scene I France Before Harfleur
Scene II The same
Scene III Before the gates
Scene IV The French Kings palace
Scene V The same
Scene VI The English camp in Picardy
Scene VII The French camp near Agincourt
ACT IV
Chorus
Scene I The English camp at Agincourt
Scene II The French camp
Scene III The English camp
Scene IV The field of battle
Scene V Another part of the field
Scene VI Another part of the field
Scene VII Another part of the field
Scene VIII Before King Henrys pavilion
ACT V
Chorus
Scene I France The English camp
Scene II France A royal palace
Epilogue
Dramatis Person
KING HENRY V
DUKE OF CLARENCE brother to the King
DUKE OF BEDFORD brother to the King
DUKE OF GLOUCESTER brother to the King
DUKE OF EXETER uncle to the King
DUKE OF YORK cousin to the King
EARL OF SALISBURY
EARL OF HUNTINGDON
EARL OF WESTMORLAND
EARL OF WARWICK
ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY
BISHOP OF ELY
EARL OF CAMBRIDGE
LORD SCROOP
SIR THOMAS GREY
SIR THOMAS ERPINGHAM officer in King Henrys army
GOWER officer in King Henrys army
FLUELLEN officer in King Henrys army
MACMORRIS officer in King Henrys army
JAMY officer in King Henrys army
BATES soldier in the same
COURT soldier in the same
WILLIAMS soldier in the same
PISTOL
NYM
BARDOLPH
BOY
A Herald
CHARLES VI king of France
LEWIS the Dauphin
DUKE OF BERRY
DUKE OF BRITTANY
DUKE OF BURGUNDY
DUKE OF ORLEANS
DUKE OF BOURBON
The Constable of France
RAMBURES French Lord
GRANDPR French Lord
Governor of Harfleur
MONTJOY a French herald
Ambassadors to the King of England
ISABEL queen of France
KATHARINE daughter to Charles and Isabel
ALICE a lady attending on her
HOSTESS of a tavern in Eastcheap formerly Mistress Nell Quickly and now married to Pistol
CHORUS
Lords Ladies Officers Soldiers Citizens Messengers and Attendants
SCENE England afterwards France
PROLOGUE
Enter Chorus
CHORUS
O for a Muse of fire that would ascend
The brightest heaven of invention
A kingdom for a stage princes to act
And monarchs to behold the swelling scene
Then should the warlike Harry like himself
Assume the port of Mars and at his heels
Leashd in like hounds should famine sword and fire
Crouch for employment But pardon gentles all
The flat unraised spirits that hath dard
On this unworthy scaffold to bring forth
So great an object Can this cockpit hold
The vasty fields of France Or may we cram
Within this wooden O the very casques
That did affright the air at Agincourt
O pardon since a crooked figure may
Attest in little place a million
And let us ciphers to this great accompt
On your imaginary forces work
Suppose within the girdle of these walls
Are now confind two mighty monarchies
Whose high upreared and abutting fronts
The perilous narrow ocean parts asunder
Piece out our imperfections with your thoughts
Into a thousand parts divide one man
And make imaginary puissance
Think when we talk of horses that you see them
Printing their proud hoofs i th receiving earth
For tis your thoughts that now must deck our kings
Carry them here and there jumping oer times
Turning the accomplishment of many years
Into an hourglass for the which supply
Admit me Chorus to this history
Who prologuelike your humble patience pray
Gently to hear kindly to judge our play
Exit
ACT I
SCENE I London An antechamber in the Kings palace
Enter the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Ely
CANTERBURY
My lord Ill tell you that self bill is urgd
Which in the eleventh year of the last kings reign
Was like and had indeed against us passed
But that the scambling and unquiet time
Did push it out of farther question
ELY
But how my lord shall we resist it now
CANTERBURY
It must be thought on If it pass against us
We lose the better half of our possession
For all the temporal lands which men devout
By testament have given to the Church
Would they strip from us being valud thus
As much as would maintain to the Kings honour
Full fifteen earls and fifteen hundred knights
Six thousand and two hundred good esquires
And to relief of lazars and weak age
Of indigent faint souls past corporal toil
A hundred almshouses right well supplied
And to the coffers of the King beside
A thousand pounds by th year Thus runs the bill
ELY
This would drink deep
CANTERBURY
Twould drink the cup and all
ELY
But what prevention
CANTERBURY
The King is full of grace and fair regard
ELY
And a true lover of the holy Church
CANTERBURY
The courses of his youth promisd it not
The breath no sooner left his fathers body
But that his wildness mortified in him
Seemed to die too yea at that very moment
Consideration like an angel came
And whipped th offending Adam out of him
Leaving his body as a paradise
T envelope and contain celestial spirits
Never was such a sudden scholar made
Never came reformation in a flood
With such a heady currance scouring faults
Nor never Hydraheaded wilfulness
So soon did lose his seat and all at once
As in this king
ELY
We are blessed in the change
CANTERBURY
Hear him but reason in divinity
And alladmiring with an inward wish
You would desire the King were made a prelate
Hear him debate of commonwealth affairs
You would say it hath been all in all his study
List his discourse of war and you shall hear
A fearful battle rendered you in music
Turn him to any cause of policy
The Gordian knot of it he will unloose
Familiar as his garter that when he speaks
The air a chartered libertine is still
And the mute wonder lurketh in mens ears
To steal his sweet and honeyed sentences
So that the art and practic part of life
Must be the mistress to this theoric
Which is a wonder how his Grace should glean it
Since his addiction was to courses vain
His companies unlettered rude and shallow
His hours filled up with riots banquets sports
And never noted in him any study
Any retirement any sequestration
From open haunts and popularity
ELY
The strawberry grows underneath the nettle
And wholesome berries thrive and ripen best
Neighboured by fruit of baser quality
And so the Prince obscured his contemplation
Under the veil of wildness which no doubt
Grew like the summer grass fastest by night
Unseen yet crescive in his faculty
CANTERBURY
It must be so for miracles are ceased
And therefore we must needs admit the means
How things are perfected
ELY
But my good lord
How now for mitigation of this bill
Urged by the Commons Doth his Majesty
Incline to it or no
CANTERBURY
He seems indifferent
Or rather swaying more upon our part
Than cherishing th exhibitors against us
For I have made an offer to his Majesty
Upon our spiritual convocation
And in regard of causes now in hand
Which I have opened to his Grace at large
As touching France to give a greater sum
Than ever at one time the clergy yet
Did to his predecessors part withal
ELY
How did this offer seem received my lord
CANTERBURY
With good acceptance of his Majesty
Save that there was not time enough to hear
As I perceived his Grace would fain have done
The severals and unhidden passages
Of his true titles to some certain dukedoms
And generally to the crown and seat of France
Derived from Edward his greatgrandfather
ELY
What was th impediment that broke this off
CANTERBURY
The French ambassador upon that instant
Craved audience and the hour I think is come
To give him hearing Is it four oclock
ELY
It is
CANTERBURY
Then go we in to know his embassy
Which I could with a ready guess declare
Before the Frenchman speak a word of it
ELY
Ill wait upon you and I long to hear it
Exeunt
SCENE II The same The presence chamber
Enter King Henry Gloucester Bedford Clarence Warwick Westmorland Exeter and Attendants
KING HENRY
Where is my gracious Lord of Canterbury
EXETER
Not here in presence
KING HENRY
Send for him good uncle
WESTMORLAND
Shall we call in th ambassador my liege
KING HENRY
Not yet my cousin We would be resolved
Before we hear him of some things of weight
That task our thoughts concerning us and France
Enter the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Ely
CANTERBURY
God and his angels guard your sacred throne
And make you long become it
KING HENRY
Sure we thank you
My learned lord we pray you to proceed
And justly and religiously unfold
Why the law Salic that they have in France
Or should or should not bar us in our claim
And God forbid my dear and faithful lord
That you should fashion wrest or bow your reading
Or nicely charge your understanding soul
With opening titles miscreate whose right
Suits not in native colours with the truth
For God doth know how many now in health
Shall drop their blood in approbation
Of what your reverence shall incite us to
Therefore take heed how you impawn our person
How you awake our sleeping sword of war
We charge you in the name of God take heed
For never two such kingdoms did contend
Without much fall of blood whose guiltless drops
Are every one a woe a sore complaint
Gainst him whose wrongs gives edge unto the swords
That makes such waste in brief mortality
Under this conjuration speak my lord
For we will hear note and believe in heart
That what you speak is in your conscience washed
As pure as sin with baptism
CANTERBURY
Then hear me gracious sovereign and you peers
That owe yourselves your lives and services
To this imperial throne There is no bar
To make against your Highness claim to France
But this which they produce from Pharamond
In terram Salicam mulieres ne succedant
No woman shall succeed in Salic land
Which Salic land the French unjustly gloze
To be the realm of France and Pharamond
The founder of this law and female bar
Yet their own authors faithfully affirm
That the land Salic is in Germany
Between the floods of Sala and of Elbe
Where Charles the Great having subdud the Saxons
There left behind and settled certain French
Who holding in disdain the German women
For some dishonest manners of their life
Establishd then this law to wit no female
Should be inheritrix in Salic land
Which Salic as I said twixt Elbe and Sala
Is at this day in Germany calld Meissen
Then doth it well appear the Salic law
Was not devised for the realm of France
Nor did the French possess the Salic land
Until four hundred one and twenty years
After defunction of King Pharamond
Idly supposd the founder of this law
Who died within the year of our redemption
Four hundred twentysix and Charles the Great
Subdud the Saxons and did seat the French
Beyond the river Sala in the year
Eight hundred five Besides their writers say
King Pepin which deposed Childeric
Did as heir general being descended
Of Blithild which was daughter to King Clothair
Make claim and title to the crown of France
Hugh Capet also who usurpd the crown
Of Charles the Duke of Lorraine sole heir male
Of the true line and stock of Charles the Great
To find his title with some shows of truth
Though in pure truth it was corrupt and naught
Conveyd himself as the heir to the Lady Lingare
Daughter to Charlemain who was the son
To Lewis the Emperor and Lewis the son
Of Charles the Great Also King Lewis the Tenth
Who was sole heir to the usurper Capet
Could not keep quiet in his conscience
Wearing the crown of France till satisfied
That fair Queen Isabel his grandmother
Was lineal of the Lady Ermengare
Daughter to Charles the foresaid Duke of Lorraine
By the which marriage the line of Charles the Great
Was reunited to the crown of France
So that as clear as is the summers sun
King Pepins title and Hugh Capets claim
King Lewis his satisfaction all appear
To hold in right and title of the female
So do the kings of France unto this day
Howbeit they would hold up this Salic law
To bar your Highness claiming from the female
And rather choose to hide them in a net
Than amply to imbar their crooked titles
Usurpd from you and your progenitors
KING HENRY
May I with right and conscience make this claim
CANTERBURY
The sin upon my head dread sovereign
For in the Book of Numbers is it writ
When the man dies let the inheritance
Descend unto the daughter Gracious lord
Stand for your own Unwind your bloody flag
Look back into your mighty ancestors
Go my dread lord to your greatgrandsires tomb
From whom you claim invoke his warlike spirit
And your greatuncles Edward the Black Prince
Who on the French ground playd a tragedy
Making defeat on the full power of France
Whiles his most mighty father on a hill
Stood smiling to behold his lions whelp
Forage in blood of French nobility
O noble English that could entertain
With half their forces the full pride of France
And let another half stand laughing by
All out of work and cold for action
ELY
Awake remembrance of these valiant dead
And with your puissant arm renew their feats
You are their heir you sit upon their throne
The blood and courage that renowned them
Runs in your veins and my thricepuissant liege
Is in the very Maymorn of his youth
Ripe for exploits and mighty enterprises
EXETER
Your brother kings and monarchs of the earth
Do all expect that you should rouse yourself
As did the former lions of your blood
WESTMORLAND
They know your Grace hath cause and means and might
So hath your Highness Never King of England
Had nobles richer and more loyal subjects
Whose hearts have left their bodies here in England
And lie paviliond in the fields of France
CANTERBURY
O let their bodies follow my dear liege
With blood and sword and fire to win your right
In aid whereof we of the spiritualty
Will raise your Highness such a mighty sum
As never did the clergy at one time
Bring in to any of your ancestors
KING HENRY
We must not only arm to invade the French
But lay down our proportions to defend
Against the Scot who will make road upon us
With all advantages
CANTERBURY
They of those marches gracious sovereign
Shall be a wall sufficient to defend
Our inland from the pilfering borderers
KING HENRY
We do not mean the coursing snatchers only
But fear the main intendment of the Scot
Who hath been still a giddy neighbour to us
For you shall read that my greatgrandfather
Never went with his forces into France
But that the Scot on his unfurnishd kingdom
Came pouring like the tide into a breach
With ample and brim fullness of his force
Galling the gleaned land with hot assays
Girdling with grievous siege castles and towns
That England being empty of defence
Hath shook and trembled at the ill neighbourhood
CANTERBURY
She hath been then more feard than harmd my liege
For hear her but exampld by herself
When all her chivalry hath been in France
And she a mourning widow of her nobles
She hath herself not only well defended
But taken and impounded as a stray
The King of Scots whom she did send to France
To fill King Edwards fame with prisoner kings
And make her chronicle as rich with praise
As is the ooze and bottom of the sea
With sunken wreck and sumless treasuries
WESTMORLAND
But theres a saying very old and true
If that you will France win
Then with Scotland first begin
For once the eagle England being in prey
To her unguarded nest the weasel Scot
Comes sneaking and so sucks her princely eggs
Playing the mouse in absence of the cat
To tear and havoc more than she can eat
EXETER
It follows then the cat must stay at home
Yet that is but a crushd necessity
Since we have locks to safeguard necessaries
And pretty traps to catch the petty thieves
While that the armed hand doth fight abroad
The advised head defends itself at home
For government though high and low and lower
Put into parts doth keep in one consent
Congreeing in a full and natural close
Like music
CANTERBURY
Therefore doth heaven divide
The state of man in divers functions
Setting endeavour in continual motion
To which is fixed as an aim or butt
Obedience for so work the honeybees
Creatures that by a rule in nature teach
The act of order to a peopled kingdom
They have a king and officers of sorts
Where some like magistrates correct at home
Others like merchants venture trade abroad
Others like soldiers armed in their stings
Make boot upon the summers velvet buds
Which pillage they with merry march bring home
To the tentroyal of their emperor
Who busied in his majesty surveys
The singing masons building roofs of gold
The civil citizens kneading up the honey
The poor mechanic porters crowding in
Their heavy burdens at his narrow gate
The sadeyed justice with his surly hum
Delivering oer to executors pale
The lazy yawning drone I this infer
That many things having full reference
To one consent may work contrariously
As many arrows loosed several ways
Come to one mark as many ways meet in one town
As many fresh streams meet in one salt sea
As many lines close in the dials centre
So many a thousand actions once afoot
End in one purpose and be all well borne
Without defeat Therefore to France my liege
Divide your happy England into four
Whereof take you one quarter into France
And you withal shall make all Gallia shake
If we with thrice such powers left at home
Cannot defend our own doors from the dog
Let us be worried and our nation lose
The name of hardiness and policy
KING HENRY
Call in the messengers sent from the Dauphin
Exeunt some Attendants
Now are we well resolvd and by Gods help
And yours the noble sinews of our power
France being ours well bend it to our awe
Or break it all to pieces Or there well sit
Ruling in large and ample empery
Oer France and all her almost kingly dukedoms
Or lay these bones in an unworthy urn
Tombless with no remembrance over them
Either our history shall with full mouth
Speak freely of our acts or else our grave
Like Turkish mute shall have a tongueless mouth
Not worshippd with a waxen epitaph
Enter Ambassadors of France
Now are we well prepard to know the pleasure
Of our fair cousin Dauphin for we hear
Your greeting is from him not from the King
FIRST AMBASSADOR
Mayt please your Majesty to give us leave
Freely to render what we have in charge
Or shall we sparingly show you far off
The Dauphins meaning and our embassy
KING HENRY
We are no tyrant but a Christian king
Unto whose grace our passion is as subject
As is our wretches fettred in our prisons
Therefore with frank and with uncurbed plainness
Tell us the Dauphins mind
AMBASSADOR
Thus then in few
Your Highness lately sending into France
Did claim some certain dukedoms in the right
Of your great predecessor King Edward the Third
In answer of which claim the prince our master
Says that you savour too much of your youth
And bids you be advisd theres nought in France
That can be with a nimble galliard won
You cannot revel into dukedoms there
He therefore sends you meeter for your spirit
This tun of treasure and in lieu of this
Desires you let the dukedoms that you claim
Hear no more of you This the Dauphin speaks
KING HENRY
What treasure uncle
EXETER
Tennisballs my liege
KING HENRY
We are glad the Dauphin is so pleasant with us
His present and your pains we thank you for
When we have matchd our rackets to these balls
We will in France by Gods grace play a set
Shall strike his fathers crown into the hazard
Tell him he hath made a match with such a wrangler
That all the courts of France will be disturbd
With chaces And we understand him well
How he comes oer us with our wilder days
Not measuring what use we made of them
We never valud this poor seat of England
And therefore living hence did give ourself
To barbarous licence as tis ever common
That men are merriest when they are from home
But tell the Dauphin I will keep my state
Be like a king and show my sail of greatness
When I do rouse me in my throne of France
For that I have laid by my majesty
And plodded like a man for working days
But I will rise there with so full a glory
That I will dazzle all the eyes of France
Yea strike the Dauphin blind to look on us
And tell the pleasant prince this mock of his
Hath turnd his balls to gunstones and his soul
Shall stand sore charged for the wasteful vengeance
That shall fly with them for many a thousand widows
Shall this his mock mock out of their dear husbands
Mock mothers from their sons mock castles down
And some are yet ungotten and unborn
That shall have cause to curse the Dauphins scorn
But this lies all within the will of God
To whom I do appeal and in whose name
Tell you the Dauphin I am coming on
To venge me as I may and to put forth
My rightful hand in a wellhallowd cause
So get you hence in peace and tell the Dauphin
His jest will savour but of shallow wit
When thousands weep more than did laugh at it
Convey them with safe conductFare you well
Exeunt Ambassadors
EXETER
This was a merry message
KING HENRY
We hope to make the sender blush at it
Therefore my lords omit no happy hour
That may give furtherance to our expedition
For we have now no thought in us but France
Save those to God that run before our business
Therefore let our proportions for these wars
Be soon collected and all things thought upon
That may with reasonable swiftness add
More feathers to our wings for God before
Well chide this Dauphin at his fathers door
Therefore let every man now task his thought
That this fair action may on foot be brought
Exeunt
ACT II
Flourish Enter Chorus
CHORUS
Now all the youth of England are on fire
And silken dalliance in the wardrobe lies
Now thrive the armourers and honours thought
Reigns solely in the breast of every man
They sell the pasture now to buy the horse
Following the mirror of all Christian kings
With winged heels as English Mercuries
For now sits Expectation in the air
And hides a sword from hilts unto the point
With crowns imperial crowns and coronets
Promisd to Harry and his followers
The French advisd by good intelligence
Of this most dreadful preparation
Shake in their fear and with pale policy
Seek to divert the English purposes
O England model to thy inward greatness
Like little body with a mighty heart
What mightst thou do that honour would thee do
Were all thy children kind and natural
But see thy fault France hath in thee found out
A nest of hollow bosoms which he fills
With treacherous crowns and three corrupted men
One Richard Earl of Cambridge and the second
Henry Lord Scroop of Masham and the third
Sir Thomas Grey knight of Northumberland
Have for the gilt of FranceO guilt indeed
Confirmd conspiracy with fearful France
And by their hands this grace of kings must die
If hell and treason hold their promises
Ere he take ship for France and in Southampton
Linger your patience on and well digest
The abuse of distance force a play
The sum is paid the traitors are agreed
The King is set from London and the scene
Is now transported gentles to Southampton
There is the playhouse now there must you sit
And thence to France shall we convey you safe
And bring you back charming the narrow seas
To give you gentle pass for if we may
Well not offend one stomach with our play
But till the King come forth and not till then
Unto Southampton do we shift our scene
Exit
SCENE I London A street
Enter Corporal Nym and Lieutenant Bardolph
BARDOLPH
Well met Corporal Nym
NYM
Good morrow Lieutenant Bardolph
BARDOLPH
What are Ancient Pistol and you friends yet
NYM
For my part I care not I say little but when time shall serve there shall be smiles but that shall be as it may I dare not fight but I will wink and hold out mine iron It is a simple one but what though It will toast cheese and it will endure cold as another mans sword will and theres an end
BARDOLPH
I will bestow a breakfast to make you friends and well be all three sworn brothers to France Let it be so good Corporal Nym
NYM
Faith I will live so long as I may thats the certain of it and when I cannot live any longer I will do as I may That is my rest that is the rendezvous of it
BARDOLPH
It is certain corporal that he is married to Nell Quickly and certainly she did you wrong for you were trothplight to her
NYM
I cannot tell Things must be as they may Men may sleep and they may have their throats about them at that time and some say knives have edges It must be as it may Though patience be a tired mare yet she will plod There must be conclusions Well I cannot tell
Enter Pistol and Hostess
BARDOLPH
Here comes Ancient Pistol and his wife Good Corporal be patient here How now mine host Pistol
PISTOL
Base tike callst thou me host
Now by this hand I swear I scorn the term
Nor shall my Nell keep lodgers
HOSTESS
No by my troth not long for we cannot lodge and board a dozen or fourteen gentlewomen that live honestly by the prick of their needles but it will be thought we keep a bawdy house straight Nym and Pistol draw O well a day Lady if he be not drawn now We shall see wilful adultery and murder committed
BARDOLPH
Good Lieutenant good corporal offer nothing here
NYM
Pish
PISTOL
Pish for thee Iceland dog thou prickeard cur of Iceland
HOSTESS
Good Corporal Nym show thy valour and put up your sword
NYM
Will you shog off I would have you solus
PISTOL
Solus egregious dog O viper vile
The solus in thy most mervailous face
The solus in thy teeth and in thy throat
And in thy hateful lungs yea in thy maw perdy
And which is worse within thy nasty mouth
I do retort the solus in thy bowels
For I can take and Pistols cock is up
And flashing fire will follow
NYM
I am not Barbason you cannot conjure me I have an humour to knock you indifferently well If you grow foul with me Pistol I will scour you with my rapier as I may in fair terms If you would walk off I would prick your guts a little in good terms as I may and thats the humour of it
PISTOL
O braggart vile and damned furious wight
The grave doth gape and doting death is near
Therefore exhale
BARDOLPH
Hear me hear me what I say He that strikes the first stroke Ill run him up to the hilts as I am a soldier
Draws
PISTOL
An oath of mickle might and fury shall abate
Give me thy fist thy forefoot to me give
Thy spirits are most tall
NYM
I will cut thy throat one time or other in fair terms that is the humour of it
PISTOL
Couple a gorge
That is the word I thee defy again
O hound of Crete thinkst thou my spouse to get
No to the spital go
And from the powdering tub of infamy
Fetch forth the lazar kite of Cressids kind
Doll Tearsheet she by name and her espouse
I have and I will hold the quondam Quickly
For the only she and pauca theres enough
Go to
Enter the Boy
BOY
Mine host Pistol you must come to my master and you hostess He is very sick and would to bed Good Bardolph put thy face between his sheets and do the office of a warmingpan Faith hes very ill
BARDOLPH
Away you rogue
HOSTESS
By my troth hell yield the crow a pudding one of these days
The King has killd his heart
Good husband come home presently
Exeunt Hostess and Boy
BARDOLPH
Come shall I make you two friends We must to France together why the devil should we keep knives to cut one anothers throats
PISTOL
Let floods oerswell and fiends for food howl on
NYM
Youll pay me the eight shillings I won of you at betting
PISTOL
Base is the slave that pays
NYM
That now I will have thats the humour of it
PISTOL
As manhood shall compound Push home
They draw
BARDOLPH
By this sword he that makes the first thrust Ill kill him by this sword I will
PISTOL
Sword is an oath and oaths must have their course
BARDOLPH
Corporal Nym and thou wilt be friends be friends an thou wilt not why then be enemies with me too Prithee put up
NYM
I shall have my eight shillings I won from you at betting
PISTOL
A noble shalt thou have and present pay
And liquor likewise will I give to thee
And friendship shall combine and brotherhood
Ill live by Nym and Nym shall live by me
Is not this just For I shall sutler be
Unto the camp and profits will accrue
Give me thy hand
NYM
I shall have my noble
PISTOL
In cash most justly paid
NYM
Well then thats the humour oft
Enter Hostess
HOSTESS
As ever you come of women come in quickly to Sir John
Ah poor heart he is so shakd of a burning quotidian tertian
that it is most lamentable to behold Sweet men come to him
NYM
The King hath run bad humours on the knight thats the even of it
PISTOL
Nym thou hast spoke the right
His heart is fracted and corroborate
NYM
The King is a good king but it must be as it may he passes some humours and careers
PISTOL
Let us condole the knight for lambkins we will live
Exeunt
SCENE II Southampton A councilchamber
Enter Exeter Bedford and Westmorland
BEDFORD
Fore God his Grace is bold to trust these traitors
EXETER
They shall be apprehended by and by
WESTMORLAND
How smooth and even they do bear themselves
As if allegiance in their bosoms sat
Crowned with faith and constant loyalty
BEDFORD
The King hath note of all that they intend
By interception which they dream not of
EXETER
Nay but the man that was his bedfellow
Whom he hath dulld and cloyd with gracious favours
That he should for a foreign purse so sell
His sovereigns life to death and treachery
Trumpets sound Enter King Henry Scroop Cambridge and Grey
KING HENRY
Now sits the wind fair and we will aboard
My Lord of Cambridge and my kind Lord of Masham
And you my gentle knight give me your thoughts
Think you not that the powers we bear with us
Will cut their passage through the force of France
Doing the execution and the act
For which we have in head assembled them
SCROOP
No doubt my liege if each man do his best
KING HENRY
I doubt not that since we are well persuaded
We carry not a heart with us from hence
That grows not in a fair consent with ours
Nor leave not one behind that doth not wish
Success and conquest to attend on us
CAMBRIDGE
Never was monarch better feard and lovd
Than is your Majesty Theres not I think a subject
That sits in heartgrief and uneasiness
Under the sweet shade of your government
GREY
True those that were your fathers enemies
Have steepd their galls in honey and do serve you
With hearts create of duty and of zeal
KING HENRY
We therefore have great cause of thankfulness
And shall forget the office of our hand
Sooner than quittance of desert and merit
According to the weight and worthiness
SCROOP
So service shall with steeled sinews toil
And labour shall refresh itself with hope
To do your Grace incessant services
KING HENRY
We judge no less Uncle of Exeter
Enlarge the man committed yesterday
That raild against our person We consider
It was excess of wine that set him on
And on his more advice we pardon him
SCROOP
Thats mercy but too much security
Let him be punishd sovereign lest example
Breed by his sufferance more of such a kind
KING HENRY
O let us yet be merciful
CAMBRIDGE
So may your Highness and yet punish too
GREY
Sir
You show great mercy if you give him life
After the taste of much correction
KING HENRY
Alas your too much love and care of me
Are heavy orisons gainst this poor wretch
If little faults proceeding on distemper
Shall not be winkd at how shall we stretch our eye
When capital crimes chewd swallowd and digested
Appear before us Well yet enlarge that man
Though Cambridge Scroop and Grey in their dear care
And tender preservation of our person
Would have him punishd And now to our French causes
Who are the late commissioners
CAMBRIDGE
I one my lord
Your Highness bade me ask for it today
SCROOP
So did you me my liege
GREY
And I my royal sovereign
KING HENRY
Then Richard Earl of Cambridge there is yours
There yours Lord Scroop of Masham and sir knight
Grey of Northumberland this same is yours
Read them and know I know your worthiness
My Lord of Westmorland and uncle Exeter
We will aboard tonightWhy how now gentlemen
What see you in those papers that you lose
So much complexionLook ye how they change
Their cheeks are paperWhy what read you there
That have so cowarded and chasd your blood
Out of appearance
CAMBRIDGE
I do confess my fault
And do submit me to your Highness mercy
GREY SCROOP
To which we all appeal
KING HENRY
The mercy that was quick in us but late
By your own counsel is suppressd and killd
You must not dare for shame to talk of mercy
For your own reasons turn into your bosoms
As dogs upon their masters worrying you
See you my princes and my noble peers
These English monsters My Lord of Cambridge here
You know how apt our love was to accord
To furnish him with an appertinents
Belonging to his honour and this man
Hath for a few light crowns lightly conspird
And sworn unto the practices of France
To kill us here in Hampton to the which
This knight no less for bounty bound to us
Than Cambridge is hath likewise sworn But O
What shall I say to thee Lord Scroop thou cruel
Ingrateful savage and inhuman creature
Thou that didst bear the key of all my counsels
That knewst the very bottom of my soul
That almost mightst have coind me into gold
Wouldst thou have practisd on me for thy use
May it be possible that foreign hire
Could out of thee extract one spark of evil
That might annoy my finger Tis so strange
That though the truth of it stands off as gross
As black and white my eye will scarcely see it
Treason and murder ever kept together
As two yokedevils sworn to eithers purpose
Working so grossly in a natural cause
That admiration did not whoop at them
But thou gainst all proportion didst bring in
Wonder to wait on treason and on murder
And whatsoever cunning fiend it was
That wrought upon thee so preposterously
Hath got the voice in hell for excellence
And other devils that suggest by treasons
Do botch and bungle up damnation
With patches colours and with forms being fetchd
From glistring semblances of piety
But he that temperd thee bade thee stand up
Gave thee no instance why thou shouldst do treason
Unless to dub thee with the name of traitor
If that same demon that hath gulld thee thus
Should with his lion gait walk the whole world
He might return to vasty Tartar back
And tell the legions I can never win
A soul so easy as that Englishmans
O how hast thou with jealousy infected
The sweetness of affiance Show men dutiful
Why so didst thou Seem they grave and learned
Why so didst thou Come they of noble family
Why so didst thou Seem they religious
Why so didst thou Or are they spare in diet
Free from gross passion or of mirth or anger
Constant in spirit not swerving with the blood
Garnishd and deckd in modest complement
Not working with the eye without the ear
And but in purged judgement trusting neither
Such and so finely bolted didst thou seem
And thus thy fall hath left a kind of blot
To mark the fullfraught man and best indued
With some suspicion I will weep for thee
For this revolt of thine methinks is like
Another fall of man Their faults are open
Arrest them to the answer of the law
And God acquit them of their practices
EXETER
I arrest thee of high treason by the name of Richard Earl of Cambridge
I arrest thee of high treason by the name of Henry Lord Scroop of Masham
I arrest thee of high treason by the name of Thomas Grey knight of Northumberland
SCROOP
Our purposes God justly hath discoverd
And I repent my fault more than my death
Which I beseech your Highness to forgive
Although my body pay the price of it
CAMBRIDGE
For me the gold of France did not seduce
Although I did admit it as a motive
The sooner to effect what I intended
But God be thanked for prevention
Which I in sufferance heartily will rejoice
Beseeching God and you to pardon me
GREY
Never did faithful subject more rejoice
At the discovery of most dangerous treason
Than I do at this hour joy oer myself
Prevented from a damned enterprise
My fault but not my body pardon sovereign
KING HENRY
God quit you in his mercy Hear your sentence
You have conspird against our royal person
Joind with an enemy proclaimd and from his coffers
Received the golden earnest of our death
Wherein you would have sold your king to slaughter
His princes and his peers to servitude
His subjects to oppression and contempt
And his whole kingdom into desolation
Touching our person seek we no revenge
But we our kingdoms safety must so tender
Whose ruin you have sought that to her laws
We do deliver you Get you therefore hence
Poor miserable wretches to your death
The taste whereof God of his mercy give
You patience to endure and true repentance
Of all your dear offences Bear them hence
Exeunt Cambridge Scroop and Grey guarded
Now lords for France the enterprise whereof
Shall be to you as us like glorious
We doubt not of a fair and lucky war
Since God so graciously hath brought to light
This dangerous treason lurking in our way
To hinder our beginnings We doubt not now
But every rub is smoothed on our way
Then forth dear countrymen Let us deliver
Our puissance into the hand of God
Putting it straight in expedition
Cheerly to sea The signs of war advance
No king of England if not king of France
Flourish Exeunt
SCENE III London Before a tavern
Enter Pistol Nym Bardolph Boy and Hostess
HOSTESS
Prithee honey sweet husband let me bring thee to Staines
PISTOL
No for my manly heart doth yearn
Bardolph be blithe Nym rouse thy vaunting veins
Boy bristle thy courage up for Falstaff he is dead
And we must yearn therefore
BARDOLPH
Would I were with him wheresomeer he is either in heaven or in hell
HOSTESS
Nay sure hes not in hell Hes in Arthurs bosom if ever man went to Arthurs bosom A made a finer end and went away an it had been any christom child A parted even just between twelve and one even at the turning o the tide for after I saw him fumble with the sheets and play with flowers and smile upon his fingers ends I knew there was but one way for his nose was as sharp as a pen and a babbled of green fields How now Sir John quoth I what man be o good cheer So a cried out God God God three or four times Now I to comfort him bid him a should not think of God I hopd there was no need to trouble himself with any such thoughts yet So a bade me lay more clothes on his feet I put my hand into the bed and felt them and they were as cold as any stone Then I felt to his knees and so upward and upward and all was as cold as any stone
NYM
They say he cried out of sack
HOSTESS
Ay that a did
BARDOLPH
And of women
HOSTESS
Nay that a did not
BOY
Yes that a did and said they were devils incarnate
HOSTESS
A could never abide carnation twas a colour he never liked
BOY
A said once the devil would have him about women
HOSTESS
A did in some sort indeed handle women but then he was rheumatic and talkd of the whore of Babylon
BOY
Do you not remember a saw a flea stick upon Bardolphs nose and a said it was a black soul burning in hellfire
BARDOLPH
Well the fuel is gone that maintaind that fire Thats all the riches I got in his service
NYM
Shall we shog The King will be gone from Southampton
PISTOL
Come lets away My love give me thy lips
Look to my chattels and my movables
Let senses rule the word is Pitch and Pay
Trust none
For oaths are straws mens faiths are wafercakes
And holdfast is the only dog my duck
Therefore Caveto be thy counsellor
Go clear thy crystals Yokefellows in arms
Let us to France like horseleeches my boys
To suck to suck the very blood to suck
BOY
And thats but unwholesome food they say
PISTOL
Touch her soft mouth and march
BARDOLPH
Farewell hostess
Kissing her
NYM
I cannot kiss that is the humour of it but adieu
PISTOL
Let housewifery appear Keep close I thee command
HOSTESS
Farewell adieu
Exeunt
SCENE IV France The Kings palace
Flourish Enter the French King the Dauphin the Dukes of Berry and Brittany the Constable and others
FRENCH KING
Thus comes the English with full power upon us
And more than carefully it us concerns
To answer royally in our defences
Therefore the Dukes of Berry and of Brittany
Of Brabant and of Orleans shall make forth
And you Prince Dauphin with all swift dispatch
To line and new repair our towns of war
With men of courage and with means defendant
For England his approaches makes as fierce
As waters to the sucking of a gulf
It fits us then to be as provident
As fears may teach us out of late examples
Left by the fatal and neglected English
Upon our fields
DAUPHIN
My most redoubted father
It is most meet we arm us gainst the foe
For peace itself should not so dull a kingdom
Though war nor no known quarrel were in question
But that defences musters preparations
Should be maintaind assembled and collected
As were a war in expectation
Therefore I say tis meet we all go forth
To view the sick and feeble parts of France
And let us do it with no show of fear
No with no more than if we heard that England
Were busied with a Whitsun morrisdance
For my good liege she is so idly kingd
Her sceptre so fantastically borne
By a vain giddy shallow humorous youth
That fear attends her not
CONSTABLE
O peace Prince Dauphin
You are too much mistaken in this king
Question your Grace the late ambassadors
With what great state he heard their embassy
How well supplied with noble counsellors
How modest in exception and withal
How terrible in constant resolution
And you shall find his vanities forespent
Were but the outside of the Roman Brutus
Covering discretion with a coat of folly
As gardeners do with ordure hide those roots
That shall first spring and be most delicate
DAUPHIN
Well tis not so my Lord High Constable
But though we think it so it is no matter
In cases of defence tis best to weigh
The enemy more mighty than he seems
So the proportions of defence are filld
Which of a weak and niggardly projection
Doth like a miser spoil his coat with scanting
A little cloth
FRENCH KING
Think we King Harry strong
And Princes look you strongly arm to meet him
The kindred of him hath been fleshd upon us
And he is bred out of that bloody strain
That haunted us in our familiar paths
Witness our too much memorable shame
When Cressy battle fatally was struck
And all our princes captivd by the hand
Of that black name Edward Black Prince of Wales
Whiles that his mountain sire on mountain standing
Up in the air crownd with the golden sun
Saw his heroical seed and smild to see him
Mangle the work of nature and deface
The patterns that by God and by French fathers
Had twenty years been made This is a stem
Of that victorious stock and let us fear
The native mightiness and fate of him
Enter a Messenger
MESSENGER
Ambassadors from Harry King of England
Do crave admittance to your Majesty
FRENCH KING
Well give them present audience Go and bring them
Exeunt Messenger and certain Lords
You see this chase is hotly followd friends
DAUPHIN
Turn head and stop pursuit for coward dogs
Most spend their mouths when what they seem to threaten
Runs far before them Good my sovereign
Take up the English short and let them know
Of what a monarchy you are the head
Selflove my liege is not so vile a sin
As selfneglecting
Enter Exeter
FRENCH KING
From our brother of England
EXETER
From him and thus he greets your Majesty
He wills you in the name of God Almighty
That you divest yourself and lay apart
The borrowed glories that by gift of heaven
By law of nature and of nations longs
To him and to his heirs namely the crown
And all widestretched honours that pertain
By custom and the ordinance of times
Unto the crown of France That you may know
Tis no sinister nor no awkward claim
Pickd from the wormholes of longvanishd days
Nor from the dust of old oblivion rakd
He sends you this most memorable line
In every branch truly demonstrative
Willing you overlook this pedigree
And when you find him evenly derivd
From his most famd of famous ancestors
Edward the Third he bids you then resign
Your crown and kingdom indirectly held
From him the native and true challenger
FRENCH KING
Or else what follows
EXETER
Bloody constraint for if you hide the crown
Even in your hearts there will he rake for it
Therefore in fierce tempest is he coming
In thunder and in earthquake like a Jove
That if requiring fail he will compel
And bids you in the bowels of the Lord
Deliver up the crown and to take mercy
On the poor souls for whom this hungry war
Opens his vasty jaws and on your head
Turning the widows tears the orphans cries
The dead mens blood the pining maidens groans
For husbands fathers and betrothed lovers
That shall be swallowed in this controversy
This is his claim his threatning and my message
Unless the Dauphin be in presence here
To whom expressly I bring greeting too
FRENCH KING
For us we will consider of this further
Tomorrow shall you bear our full intent
Back to our brother of England
DAUPHIN
For the Dauphin
I stand here for him What to him from England
EXETER
Scorn and defiance Slight regard contempt
And anything that may not misbecome
The mighty sender doth he prize you at
Thus says my king an if your fathers Highness
Do not in grant of all demands at large
Sweeten the bitter mock you sent his Majesty
Hell call you to so hot an answer of it
That caves and womby vaultages of France
Shall chide your trespass and return your mock
In second accent of his ordinance
DAUPHIN
Say if my father render fair return
It is against my will for I desire
Nothing but odds with England To that end
As matching to his youth and vanity
I did present him with the Paris balls
EXETER
Hell make your Paris Louvre shake for it
Were it the mistresscourt of mighty Europe
And be assurd youll find a difference
As we his subjects have in wonder found
Between the promise of his greener days
And these he masters now Now he weighs time
Even to the utmost grain That you shall read
In your own losses if he stay in France
FRENCH KING
Tomorrow shall you know our mind at full
Flourish
EXETER
Dispatch us with all speed lest that our king
Come here himself to question our delay
For he is footed in this land already
FRENCH KING
You shall be soon dispatchd with fair conditions
A night is but small breath and little pause
To answer matters of this consequence
Exeunt
ACT III
Flourish Enter Chorus
CHORUS
Thus with imagind wing our swift scene flies
In motion of no less celerity
Than that of thought Suppose that you have seen
The wellappointed king at Hampton pier
Embark his royalty and his brave fleet
With silken streamers the young Phoebus fanning
Play with your fancies and in them behold
Upon the hempen tackle shipboys climbing
Hear the shrill whistle which doth order give
To sounds confusd behold the threaden sails
Borne with the invisible and creeping wind
Draw the huge bottoms through the furrowd sea
Breasting the lofty surge O do but think
You stand upon the rivage and behold
A city on the inconstant billows dancing
For so appears this fleet majestical
Holding due course to Harfleur Follow follow
Grapple your minds to sternage of this navy
And leave your England as dead midnight still
Guarded with grandsires babies and old women
Either past or not arrivd to pith and puissance
For who is he whose chin is but enrichd
With one appearing hair that will not follow
These culld and choicedrawn cavaliers to France
Work work your thoughts and therein see a siege
Behold the ordnance on their carriages
With fatal mouths gaping on girded Harfleur
Suppose the ambassador from the French comes back
Tells Harry that the King doth offer him
Katharine his daughter and with her to dowry
Some petty and unprofitable dukedoms
The offer likes not and the nimble gunner
With linstock now the devilish cannon touches
Alarum and chambers go off
And down goes all before them Still be kind
And eke out our performance with your mind
Exit
SCENE I France Before Harfleur
Alarum Enter King Henry Exeter Bedford Gloucester and Soldiers with scalingladders
KING HENRY
Once more unto the breach dear friends once more
Or close the wall up with our English dead
In peace theres nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility
But when the blast of war blows in our ears
Then imitate the action of the tiger
Stiffen the sinews summon up the blood
Disguise fair nature with hardfavourd rage
Then lend the eye a terrible aspect
Let it pry through the portage of the head
Like the brass cannon let the brow oerwhelm it
As fearfully as does a galled rock
Oerhang and jutty his confounded base
Swilld with the wild and wasteful ocean
Now set the teeth and stretch the nostril wide
Hold hard the breath and bend up every spirit
To his full height On on you noblest English
Whose blood is fet from fathers of warproof
Fathers that like so many Alexanders
Have in these parts from morn till even fought
And sheathd their swords for lack of argument
Dishonour not your mothers now attest
That those whom you calld fathers did beget you
Be copy now to men of grosser blood
And teach them how to war And you good yeomen
Whose limbs were made in England show us here
The mettle of your pasture let us swear
That you are worth your breeding which I doubt not
For there is none of you so mean and base
That hath not noble lustre in your eyes
I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips
Straining upon the start The games afoot
Follow your spirit and upon this charge
Cry God for Harry England and Saint George
Exeunt Alarum and chambers go off
SCENE II The same
Enter Nym Bardolph Pistol and Boy
BARDOLPH
On on on on on To the breach to the breach
NYM
Pray thee corporal stay The knocks are too hot and for mine own part I have not a case of lives The humour of it is too hot that is the very plainsong of it
PISTOL
The plainsong is most just for humours do abound
Knocks go and come Gods vassals drop and die
And sword and shield
In bloody field
Doth win immortal fame
BOY
Would I were in an alehouse in London I would give all my fame for a pot of ale and safety
PISTOL
And I
If wishes would prevail with me
My purpose should not fail with me
But thither would I hie
BOY
As duly
But not as truly
As bird doth sing on bough
Enter Fluellen
FLUELLEN
Up to the breach you dogs Avaunt you cullions
Driving them forward
PISTOL
Be merciful great Duke to men of mould
Abate thy rage abate thy manly rage
Abate thy rage great Duke
Good bawcock bate thy rage use lenity sweet chuck
NYM
These be good humours Your honour wins bad humours
Exeunt all but Boy
BOY
As young as I am I have observd these three swashers I am boy to them all three but all they three though they would serve me could not be man to me for indeed three such antics do not amount to a man For Bardolph he is whiteliverd and redfacd by the means whereof a faces it out but fights not For Pistol he hath a killing tongue and a quiet sword by the means whereof a breaks words and keeps whole weapons For Nym he hath heard that men of few words are the best men and therefore he scorns to say his prayers lest a should be thought a coward But his few bad words are matchd with as few good deeds for a never broke any mans head but his own and that was against a post when he was drunk They will steal anything and call it purchase Bardolph stole a lutecase bore it twelve leagues and sold it for three halfpence Nym and Bardolph are sworn brothers in filching and in Calais they stole a fireshovel I knew by that piece of service the men would carry coals They would have me as familiar with mens pockets as their gloves or their handkerchers which makes much against my manhood if I should take from anothers pocket to put into mine for it is plain pocketing up of wrongs I must leave them and seek some better service Their villainy goes against my weak stomach and therefore I must cast it up
Exit
Enter Gower and Fluellen
GOWER
Captain Fluellen you must come presently to the mines
The Duke of Gloucester would speak with you
FLUELLEN
To the mines Tell you the Duke it is not so good to come to the mines for look you the mines is not according to the disciplines of the war The concavities of it is not sufficient for look you the athversary you may discuss unto the Duke look you is digt himself four yard under the countermines By Cheshu I think a will plow up all if there is not better directions
GOWER
The Duke of Gloucester to whom the order of the siege is given is altogether directed by an Irishman a very valiant gentleman i faith
FLUELLEN
It is Captain Macmorris is it not
GOWER
I think it be
FLUELLEN
By Cheshu he is an ass as in the world I will verify as much in his beard He has no more directions in the true disciplines of the wars look you of the Roman disciplines than is a puppydog
Enter Macmorris and Captain Jamy
GOWER
Here a comes and the Scots captain Captain Jamy with him
FLUELLEN
Captain Jamy is a marvellous falorous gentleman that is certain and of great expedition and knowledge in the anchient wars upon my particular knowledge of his directions By Cheshu he will maintain his argument as well as any military man in the world in the disciplines of the pristine wars of the Romans
JAMY
I say gudday Captain Fluellen
FLUELLEN
Godden to your worship good Captain James
GOWER
How now Captain Macmorris have you quit the mines
Have the pioneers given oer
MACMORRIS
By Chrish la tish ill done The work ish give over the trompet sound the retreat By my hand I swear and my fathers soul the work ish ill done it ish give over I would have blowed up the town so Chrish save me la in an hour O tish ill done tish ill done by my hand tish ill done
FLUELLEN
Captain Macmorris I beseech you now will you voutsafe me look you a few disputations with you as partly touching or concerning the disciplines of the war the Roman wars in the way of argument look you and friendly communication partly to satisfy my opinion and partly for the satisfaction look you of my mind as touching the direction of the military discipline that is the point
JAMY
It sall be vary gud gud feith gud captains bath and I sall quit you with gud leve as I may pick occasion that sall I marry
MACMORRIS
It is no time to discourse so Chrish save me The day is hot and the weather and the wars and the King and the Dukes It is no time to discourse The town is beseechd and the trumpet call us to the breach and we talk and be Chrish do nothing Tis shame for us all So God sa me tis shame to stand still it is shame by my hand and there is throats to be cut and works to be done and there ish nothing done so Chrish sa me la
JAMY
By the mess ere theise eyes of mine take themselves to slomber Ill de gud service or Ill lig i the grund for it ay or go to death and Ill payt as valorously as I may that sall I suerly do that is the breff and the long Marry I wad full fain heard some question tween you tway
FLUELLEN
Captain Macmorris I think look you under your correction there is not many of your nation
MACMORRIS
Of my nation What ish my nation Ish a villain and a bastard and a knave and a rascal What ish my nation Who talks of my nation
FLUELLEN
Look you if you take the matter otherwise than is meant Captain Macmorris peradventure I shall think you do not use me with that affability as in discretion you ought to use me look you being as good a man as yourself both in the disciplines of war and in the derivation of my birth and in other particularities
MACMORRIS
I do not know you so good a man as myself So Chrish save me
I will cut off your head
GOWER
Gentlemen both you will mistake each other
JAMY
Ah thats a foul fault
A parley sounded
GOWER
The town sounds a parley
FLUELLEN
Captain Macmorris when there is more better opportunity to be required look you I will be so bold as to tell you I know the disciplines of war and there is an end
Exeunt
SCENE III Before the gates
The Governor and some citizens on the walls the English forces below Enter King Henry and his train
KING HENRY
How yet resolves the governor of the town
This is the latest parle we will admit
Therefore to our best mercy give yourselves
Or like to men proud of destruction
Defy us to our worst for as I am a soldier
A name that in my thoughts becomes me best
If I begin the battery once again
I will not leave the halfachieved Harfleur
Till in her ashes she lie buried
The gates of mercy shall be all shut up
And the fleshd soldier rough and hard of heart
In liberty of bloody hand shall range
With conscience wide as hell mowing like grass
Your fresh fair virgins and your flowring infants
What is it then to me if impious War
Arrayd in flames like to the prince of fiends
Do with his smirchd complexion all fell feats
Enlinkd to waste and desolation
What ist to me when you yourselves are cause
If your pure maidens fall into the hand
Of hot and forcing violation
What rein can hold licentious wickedness
When down the hill he holds his fierce career
We may as bootless spend our vain command
Upon the enraged soldiers in their spoil
As send precepts to the leviathan
To come ashore Therefore you men of Harfleur
Take pity of your town and of your people
Whiles yet my soldiers are in my command
Whiles yet the cool and temperate wind of grace
Oerblows the filthy and contagious clouds
Of heady murder spoil and villainy
If not why in a moment look to see
The blind and bloody soldier with foul hand
Defile the locks of your shrillshrieking daughters
Your fathers taken by the silver beards
And their most reverend heads dashd to the walls
Your naked infants spitted upon pikes
Whiles the mad mothers with their howls confusd
Do break the clouds as did the wives of Jewry
At Herods bloodyhunting slaughtermen
What say you Will you yield and this avoid
Or guilty in defence be thus destroyd
GOVERNOR
Our expectation hath this day an end
The Dauphin whom of succours we entreated
Returns us that his powers are yet not ready
To raise so great a siege Therefore great King
We yield our town and lives to thy soft mercy
Enter our gates dispose of us and ours
For we no longer are defensible
KING HENRY
Open your gates Come uncle Exeter
Go you and enter Harfleur there remain
And fortify it strongly gainst the French
Use mercy to them all For us dear uncle
The winter coming on and sickness growing
Upon our soldiers we will retire to Calais
Tonight in Harfleur will we be your guest
Tomorrow for the march are we addrest
Flourish The King and his train enter the town
SCENE IV The French Kings palace
Enter Katharine and Alice an old Gentlewoman
KATHARINE
Alice tu as t en Angleterre et tu parles bien le langage
ALICE
Un peu madame
KATHARINE
Je te prie menseignez il faut que japprenne parler
Comment appelezvous la main en anglais
ALICE
La main Elle est appele de hand
KATHARINE
De hand Et les doigts
ALICE
Les doigts Ma foi joublie les doigts mais je me souviendrai Les doigts Je pense quils sont appels de fingres oui de fingres
KATHARINE
La main de hand les doigts de fingres Je pense que je suis le bon colier jai gagn deux mots danglais vitement Comment appelezvous les ongles
ALICE
Les ongles Nous les appelons de nails
KATHARINE
De nails coutez ditesmoi si je parle bien de hand de fingres et de nails
ALICE
Cest bien dit madame il est fort bon anglais
KATHARINE
Ditesmoi langlais pour le bras
ALICE
De arm madame
KATHARINE
Et le coude
ALICE
Delbow
KATHARINE
Delbow Je men fais la rptition de tous les mots que vous mavez appris ds prsent
ALICE
Il est trop difficile madame comme je pense
KATHARINE
Excusezmoi Alice coutez dhand de fingres de nails darm de bilbow
ALICE
Delbow madame
KATHARINE
O Seigneur Dieu je men oublie Delbow
Comment appelezvous le col
ALICE
De nick madame
KATHARINE
De nick Et le menton
ALICE
De chin
KATHARINE
De sin Le col de nick le menton de sin
ALICE
Oui Sauf votre honneur en vrit vous prononcez les mots aussi droit que les natifs dAngleterre
KATHARINE
Je ne doute point dapprendre par la grce de Dieu et en peu de temps
ALICE
Navezvous pas dj oubli ce que je vous ai enseign
KATHARINE
Non je rciterai vous promptement dhand de fingres de mails
ALICE
De nails madame
KATHARINE
De nails de arm de ilbow
ALICE
Sauf votre honneur de elbow
KATHARINE
Ainsi disje delbow de nick et de sin Comment appelezvous le pied et la robe
ALICE
De foot madame et de coun
KATHARINE
De foot et de coun O Seigneur Dieu ils sont les mots de son mauvais corruptible gros et impudique et non pour les dames dhonneur duser Je ne voudrais prononcer ces mots devant les seigneurs de France pour tout le monde Foh le foot et le coun Nanmoins je rciterai une autre fois ma leon ensemble dhand de fingres de nails darm delbow de nick de sin de foot de coun
ALICE
Excellent madame
KATHARINE
Cest assez pour une fois Allonsnous dner
Exeunt
SCENE V The same
Enter the King of France the Dauphin the Duke of Bourbon the Constable of France and others
FRENCH KING
Tis certain he hath passd the river Somme
CONSTABLE
And if he be not fought withal my lord
Let us not live in France let us quit all
And give our vineyards to a barbarous people
DAUPHIN
O Dieu vivant shall a few sprays of us
The emptying of our fathers luxury
Our scions put in wild and savage stock
Spirt up so suddenly into the clouds
And overlook their grafters
BOURBON
Normans but bastard Normans Norman bastards
Mort de ma vie if they march along
Unfought withal but I will sell my dukedom
To buy a slobbery and a dirty farm
In that nookshotten isle of Albion
CONSTABLE
Dieu de batailles where have they this mettle
Is not their climate foggy raw and dull
On whom as in despite the sun looks pale
Killing their fruit with frowns Can sodden water
A drench for surreind jades their barleybroth
Decoct their cold blood to such valiant heat
And shall our quick blood spirited with wine
Seem frosty O for honour of our land
Let us not hang like roping icicles
Upon our houses thatch whiles a more frosty people
Sweat drops of gallant youth in our rich fields
Poor we may call them in their native lords
DAUPHIN
By faith and honour
Our madams mock at us and plainly say
Our mettle is bred out and they will give
Their bodies to the lust of English youth
To newstore France with bastard warriors
BOURBON
They bid us to the English dancingschools
And teach lavoltas high and swift corantos
Saying our grace is only in our heels
And that we are most lofty runaways
FRENCH KING
Where is Montjoy the herald Speed him hence
Let him greet England with our sharp defiance
Up princes and with spirit of honour edged
More sharper than your swords hie to the field
Charles Delabreth High Constable of France
You Dukes of Orleans Bourbon and of Berry
Alenon Brabant Bar and Burgundy
Jacques Chatillon Rambures Vaudemont
Beaumont Grandpr Roussi and Fauconbridge
Foix Lestrale Boucicault and Charolois
High dukes great princes barons lords and knights
For your great seats now quit you of great shames
Bar Harry England that sweeps through our land
With pennons painted in the blood of Harfleur
Rush on his host as doth the melted snow
Upon the valleys whose low vassal seat
The Alps doth spit and void his rheum upon
Go down upon him you have power enough
And in a captive chariot into Rouen
Bring him our prisoner
CONSTABLE
This becomes the great
Sorry am I his numbers are so few
His soldiers sick and famishd in their march
For I am sure when he shall see our army
Hell drop his heart into the sink of fear
And for achievement offer us his ransom
FRENCH KING
Therefore Lord Constable haste on Montjoy
And let him say to England that we send
To know what willing ransom he will give
Prince Dauphin you shall stay with us in Rouen
DAUPHIN
Not so I do beseech your Majesty
FRENCH KING
Be patient for you shall remain with us
Now forth Lord Constable and princes all
And quickly bring us word of Englands fall
Exeunt
SCENE VI The English camp in Picardy
Enter Gower and Fluellen meeting
GOWER
How now Captain Fluellen come you from the bridge
FLUELLEN
I assure you there is very excellent services committed at the bridge
GOWER
Is the Duke of Exeter safe
FLUELLEN
The Duke of Exeter is as magnanimous as Agamemnon and a man that I love and honour with my soul and my heart and my duty and my life and my living and my uttermost power He is notGod be praised and blessedany hurt in the world but keeps the bridge most valiantly with excellent discipline There is an anchient lieutenant there at the pridge I think in my very conscience he is as valiant a man as Mark Antony and he is a man of no estimation in the world but I did see him do as gallant service
GOWER
What do you call him
FLUELLEN
He is calld Anchient Pistol
GOWER
I know him not
Enter Pistol
FLUELLEN
Here is the man
PISTOL
Captain I thee beseech to do me favours
The Duke of Exeter doth love thee well
FLUELLEN
Ay I praise God and I have merited some love at his hands
PISTOL
Bardolph a soldier firm and sound of heart
And of buxom valour hath by cruel fate
And giddy Fortunes furious fickle wheel
That goddess blind
That stands upon the rolling restless stone
FLUELLEN
By your patience Anchient Pistol Fortune is painted blind with a muffler afore his eyes to signify to you that Fortune is blind and she is painted also with a wheel to signify to you which is the moral of it that she is turning and inconstant and mutability and variation and her foot look you is fixed upon a spherical stone which rolls and rolls and rolls In good truth the poet makes a most excellent description of it Fortune is an excellent moral
PISTOL
Fortune is Bardolphs foe and frowns on him
For he hath stolen a pax and hanged must a be
A damned death
Let gallows gape for dog let man go free
And let not hemp his windpipe suffocate
But Exeter hath given the doom of death
For pax of little price
Therefore go speak the Duke will hear thy voice
And let not Bardolphs vital thread be cut
With edge of penny cord and vile reproach
Speak captain for his life and I will thee requite
FLUELLEN
Anchient Pistol I do partly understand your meaning
PISTOL
Why then rejoice therefore
FLUELLEN
Certainly anchient it is not a thing to rejoice at for if look you he were my brother I would desire the Duke to use his good pleasure and put him to execution for discipline ought to be used
PISTOL
Die and be damnd and fico for thy friendship
FLUELLEN
It is well
PISTOL
The fig of Spain
Exit
FLUELLEN
Very good
GOWER
Why this is an arrant counterfeit rascal I remember him now a bawd a cutpurse
FLUELLEN
Ill assure you a uttered as prave words at the pridge as you shall see in a summers day But it is very well what he has spoke to me that is well I warrant you when time is serve
GOWER
Why t is a gull a fool a rogue that now and then goes to the wars to grace himself at his return into London under the form of a soldier And such fellows are perfect in the great commanders names and they will learn you by rote where services were done at such and such a sconce at such a breach at such a convoy who came off bravely who was shot who disgracd what terms the enemy stood on and this they con perfectly in the phrase of war which they trick up with newtuned oaths and what a beard of the generals cut and a horrid suit of the camp will do among foaming bottles and alewashd wits is wonderful to be thought on But you must learn to know such slanders of the age or else you may be marvellously mistook
FLUELLEN
I tell you what Captain Gower I do perceive he is not the man that he would gladly make show to the world he is If I find a hole in his coat I will tell him my mind Drum heard Hark you the King is coming and I must speak with him from the pridge
Drum and colours Enter King Henry Gloucester and his poor soldiers
God bless your Majesty
KING HENRY
How now Fluellen camst thou from the bridge
FLUELLEN
Ay so please your Majesty The Duke of Exeter has very gallantly maintaind the pridge The French is gone off look you and there is gallant and most prave passages Marry th athversary was have possession of the pridge but he is enforced to retire and the Duke of Exeter is master of the pridge I can tell your Majesty the Duke is a prave man
KING HENRY
What men have you lost Fluellen
FLUELLEN
The perdition of the athversary hath been very great reasonable great Marry for my part I think the Duke hath lost never a man but one that is like to be executed for robbing a church one Bardolph if your Majesty know the man His face is all bubukles and whelks and knobs and flames o fire and his lips blows at his nose and it is like a coal of fire sometimes plue and sometimes red but his nose is executed and his fires out
KING HENRY
We would have all such offenders so cut off and we give express charge that in our marches through the country there be nothing compelld from the villages nothing taken but paid for none of the French upbraided or abused in disdainful language for when lenity and cruelty play for a kingdom the gentler gamester is the soonest winner
Tucket Enter Montjoy
MONTJOY
You know me by my habit
KING HENRY
Well then I know thee What shall I know of thee
MONTJOY
My masters mind
KING HENRY
Unfold it
MONTJOY
Thus says my King Say thou to Harry of England Though we seemd dead we did but sleep advantage is a better soldier than rashness Tell him we could have rebukd him at Harfleur but that we thought not good to bruise an injury till it were full ripe Now we speak upon our cue and our voice is imperial England shall repent his folly see his weakness and admire our sufferance Bid him therefore consider of his ransom which must proportion the losses we have borne the subjects we have lost the disgrace we have digested which in weight to reanswer his pettishness would bow under For our losses his exchequer is too poor for the effusion of our blood the muster of his kingdom too faint a number and for our disgrace his own person kneeling at our feet but a weak and worthless satisfaction To this add defiance and tell him for conclusion he hath betrayed his followers whose condemnation is pronouncd So far my King and master so much my office
KING HENRY
What is thy name I know thy quality
MONTJOY
Montjoy
KING HENRY
Thou dost thy office fairly Turn thee back
And tell thy King I do not seek him now
But could be willing to march on to Calais
Without impeachment for to say the sooth
Though tis no wisdom to confess so much
Unto an enemy of craft and vantage
My people are with sickness much enfeebled
My numbers lessend and those few I have
Almost no better than so many French
Who when they were in health I tell thee herald
I thought upon one pair of English legs
Did march three Frenchmen Yet forgive me God
That I do brag thus This your air of France
Hath blown that vice in me I must repent
Go therefore tell thy master here I am
My ransom is this frail and worthless trunk
My army but a weak and sickly guard
Yet God before tell him we will come on
Though France himself and such another neighbour
Stand in our way Theres for thy labour Montjoy
Go bid thy master well advise himself
If we may pass we will if we be hindred
We shall your tawny ground with your red blood
Discolour and so Montjoy fare you well
The sum of all our answer is but this
We would not seek a battle as we are
Nor as we are we say we will not shun it
So tell your master
MONTJOY
I shall deliver so Thanks to your Highness
Exit
GLOUCESTER
I hope they will not come upon us now
KING HENRY
We are in Gods hands brother not in theirs
March to the bridge it now draws toward night
Beyond the river well encamp ourselves
And on tomorrow bid them march away
Exeunt
SCENE VII The French camp near Agincourt
Enter the Constable of France the Lord Rambures Orleans Dauphin with others
CONSTABLE
Tut I have the best armour of the world
Would it were day
ORLEANS
You have an excellent armour but let my horse have his due
CONSTABLE
It is the best horse of Europe
ORLEANS
Will it never be morning
DAUPHIN
My Lord of Orleans and my Lord High Constable you talk of horse and armour
ORLEANS
You are as well provided of both as any prince in the world
DAUPHIN
What a long night is this I will not change my horse with any that treads but on four pasterns Chha He bounds from the earth as if his entrails were hairs le cheval volant the Pegasus qui a les narines de feu When I bestride him I soar I am a hawk He trots the air the earth sings when he touches it the basest horn of his hoof is more musical than the pipe of Hermes
ORLEANS
Hes of the colour of the nutmeg
DAUPHIN
And of the heat of the ginger It is a beast for Perseus He is pure air and fire and the dull elements of earth and water never appear in him but only in patient stillness while his rider mounts him He is indeed a horse and all other jades you may call beasts
CONSTABLE
Indeed my lord it is a most absolute and excellent horse
DAUPHIN
It is the prince of palfreys his neigh is like the bidding of a monarch and his countenance enforces homage
ORLEANS
No more cousin
DAUPHIN
Nay the man hath no wit that cannot from the rising of the lark to the lodging of the lamb vary deserved praise on my palfrey It is a theme as fluent as the sea turn the sands into eloquent tongues and my horse is argument for them all Tis a subject for a sovereign to reason on and for a sovereigns sovereign to ride on and for the world familiar to us and unknown to lay apart their particular functions and wonder at him I once writ a sonnet in his praise and began thus Wonder of nature
ORLEANS
I have heard a sonnet begin so to ones mistress
DAUPHIN
Then did they imitate that which I composd to my courser for my horse is my mistress
ORLEANS
Your mistress bears well
DAUPHIN
Me well which is the prescript praise and perfection of a good and particular mistress
CONSTABLE
Nay for methought yesterday your mistress shrewdly shook your back
DAUPHIN
So perhaps did yours
CONSTABLE
Mine was not bridled
DAUPHIN
O then belike she was old and gentle and you rode like a kern of Ireland your French hose off and in your strait strossers
CONSTABLE
You have good judgment in horsemanship
DAUPHIN
Be warnd by me then they that ride so and ride not warily fall into foul bogs I had rather have my horse to my mistress
CONSTABLE
I had as lief have my mistress a jade
DAUPHIN
I tell thee Constable my mistress wears his own hair
CONSTABLE
I could make as true a boast as that if I had a sow to my mistress
DAUPHIN
Le chien est retourn son propre vomissement et la truie lave au bourbier Thou makst use of anything
CONSTABLE
Yet do I not use my horse for my mistress or any such proverb so little kin to the purpose
RAMBURES
My Lord Constable the armour that I saw in your tent tonight are those stars or suns upon it
CONSTABLE
Stars my lord
DAUPHIN
Some of them will fall tomorrow I hope
CONSTABLE
And yet my sky shall not want
DAUPHIN
That may be for you bear a many superfluously and twere more honour some were away
CONSTABLE
Even as your horse bears your praises who would trot as well were some of your brags dismounted
DAUPHIN
Would I were able to load him with his desert Will it never be day I will trot tomorrow a mile and my way shall be paved with English faces
CONSTABLE
I will not say so for fear I should be facd out of my way But I would it were morning for I would fain be about the ears of the English
RAMBURES
Who will go to hazard with me for twenty prisoners
CONSTABLE
You must first go yourself to hazard ere you have them
DAUPHIN
Tis midnight Ill go arm myself
Exit
ORLEANS
The Dauphin longs for morning
RAMBURES
He longs to eat the English
CONSTABLE
I think he will eat all he kills
ORLEANS
By the white hand of my lady hes a gallant prince
CONSTABLE
Swear by her foot that she may tread out the oath
ORLEANS
He is simply the most active gentleman of France
CONSTABLE
Doing is activity and he will still be doing
ORLEANS
He never did harm that I heard of
CONSTABLE
Nor will do none tomorrow He will keep that good name still
ORLEANS
I know him to be valiant
CONSTABLE
I was told that by one that knows him better than you
ORLEANS
Whats he
CONSTABLE
Marry he told me so himself and he said he card not who knew it
ORLEANS
He needs not it is no hidden virtue in him
CONSTABLE
By my faith sir but it is never anybody saw it but his lackey Tis a hooded valour and when it appears it will bate
ORLEANS
Ill will never said well
CONSTABLE
I will cap that proverb with There is flattery in friendship
ORLEANS
And I will take up that with Give the devil his due
CONSTABLE
Well placd There stands your friend for the devil have at the very eye of that proverb with A pox of the devil
ORLEANS
You are the better at proverbs by how much A fools bolt is soon shot
CONSTABLE
You have shot over
ORLEANS
Tis not the first time you were overshot
Enter a Messenger
MESSENGER
My Lord High Constable the English lie within fifteen hundred paces of your tents
CONSTABLE
Who hath measurd the ground
MESSENGER
The Lord Grandpr
CONSTABLE
A valiant and most expert gentleman Would it were day Alas poor Harry of England he longs not for the dawning as we do
ORLEANS
What a wretched and peevish fellow is this King of England to mope with his fatbraind followers so far out of his knowledge
CONSTABLE
If the English had any apprehension they would run away
ORLEANS
That they lack for if their heads had any intellectual armour they could never wear such heavy headpieces
RAMBURES
That island of England breeds very valiant creatures Their mastiffs are of unmatchable courage
ORLEANS
Foolish curs that run winking into the mouth of a Russian bear and have their heads crushd like rotten apples You may as well say thats a valiant flea that dare eat his breakfast on the lip of a lion
CONSTABLE
Just just and the men do sympathize with the mastiffs in robustious and rough coming on leaving their wits with their wives and then give them great meals of beef and iron and steel they will eat like wolves and fight like devils
ORLEANS
Ay but these English are shrewdly out of beef
CONSTABLE
Then shall we find tomorrow they have only stomachs to eat and none to fight Now is it time to arm Come shall we about it
ORLEANS
It is now two oclock but let me see by ten
We shall have each a hundred Englishmen
Exeunt
ACT IV
Enter Chorus
CHORUS
Now entertain conjecture of a time
When creeping murmur and the poring dark
Fills the wide vessel of the universe
From camp to camp through the foul womb of night
The hum of either army stilly sounds
That the fixd sentinels almost receive
The secret whispers of each others watch
Fire answers fire and through their paly flames
Each battle sees the others umberd face
Steed threatens steed in high and boastful neighs
Piercing the nights dull ear and from the tents
The armourers accomplishing the knights
With busy hammers closing rivets up
Give dreadful note of preparation
The country cocks do crow the clocks do toll
And the third hour of drowsy morning name
Proud of their numbers and secure in soul
The confident and overlusty French
Do the lowrated English play at dice
And chide the cripple tardygaited Night
Who like a foul and ugly witch doth limp
So tediously away The poor condemned English
Like sacrifices by their watchful fires
Sit patiently and inly ruminate
The mornings danger and their gesture sad
Investing lanklean cheeks and warworn coats
Presented them unto the gazing moon
So many horrid ghosts O now who will behold
The royal captain of this ruind band
Walking from watch to watch from tent to tent
Let him cry Praise and glory on his head
For forth he goes and visits all his host
Bids them good morrow with a modest smile
And calls them brothers friends and countrymen
Upon his royal face there is no note
How dread an army hath enrounded him
Nor doth he dedicate one jot of colour
Unto the weary and allwatched night
But freshly looks and overbears attaint
With cheerful semblance and sweet majesty
That every wretch pining and pale before
Beholding him plucks comfort from his looks
A largess universal like the sun
His liberal eye doth give to everyone
Thawing cold fear that mean and gentle all
Behold as may unworthiness define
A little touch of Harry in the night
And so our scene must to the battle fly
WhereO for pitywe shall much disgrace
With four or five most vile and ragged foils
Right illdisposd in brawl ridiculous
The name of Agincourt Yet sit and see
Minding true things by what their mockries be
Exit
SCENE I The English camp at Agincourt
Enter King Henry Bedford and Gloucester
KING HENRY
Gloucester tis true that we are in great danger
The greater therefore should our courage be
Good morrow brother Bedford God Almighty
There is some soul of goodness in things evil
Would men observingly distil it out
For our bad neighbour makes us early stirrers
Which is both healthful and good husbandry
Besides they are our outward consciences
And preachers to us all admonishing
That we should dress us fairly for our end
Thus may we gather honey from the weed
And make a moral of the devil himself
Enter Erpingham
Good morrow old Sir Thomas Erpingham
A good soft pillow for that good white head
Were better than a churlish turf of France
ERPINGHAM
Not so my liege this lodging likes me better
Since I may say Now lie I like a king
KING HENRY
Tis good for men to love their present pains
Upon example so the spirit is eased
And when the mind is quickned out of doubt
The organs though defunct and dead before
Break up their drowsy grave and newly move
With casted slough and fresh legerity
Lend me thy cloak Sir Thomas Brothers both
Commend me to the princes in our camp
Do my good morrow to them and anon
Desire them all to my pavilion
GLOUCESTER
We shall my liege
ERPINGHAM
Shall I attend your Grace
KING HENRY
No my good knight
Go with my brothers to my lords of England
I and my bosom must debate a while
And then I would no other company
ERPINGHAM
The Lord in heaven bless thee noble Harry
Exeunt all but King
KING HENRY
Godamercy old heart thou speakst cheerfully
Enter Pistol
PISTOL
Qui vous l
KING HENRY
A friend
PISTOL
Discuss unto me art thou officer
Or art thou base common and popular
KING HENRY
I am a gentleman of a company
PISTOL
Trailst thou the puissant pike
KING HENRY
Even so What are you
PISTOL
As good a gentleman as the Emperor
KING HENRY
Then you are a better than the King
PISTOL
The Kings a bawcock and a heart of gold
A lad of life an imp of fame
Of parents good of fist most valiant
I kiss his dirty shoe and from heartstring
I love the lovely bully What is thy name
KING HENRY
Harry le Roy
PISTOL
Le Roy a Cornish name Art thou of Cornish crew
KING HENRY
No I am a Welshman
PISTOL
Knowst thou Fluellen
KING HENRY
Yes
PISTOL
Tell him Ill knock his leek about his pate
Upon Saint Davys day
KING HENRY
Do not you wear your dagger in your cap that day lest he knock that about yours
PISTOL
Art thou his friend
KING HENRY
And his kinsman too
PISTOL
The fico for thee then
KING HENRY
I thank you God be with you
PISTOL
My name is Pistol calld
Exit
KING HENRY
It sorts well with your fierceness
Enter Fluellen and Gower
GOWER
Captain Fluellen
FLUELLEN
So in the name of Jesu Christ speak lower It is the greatest admiration in the universal world when the true and anchient prerogatifes and laws of the wars is not kept If you would take the pains but to examine the wars of Pompey the Great you shall find I warrant you that there is no tiddle taddle nor pibble pabble in Pompeys camp I warrant you you shall find the ceremonies of the wars and the cares of it and the forms of it and the sobriety of it and the modesty of it to be otherwise
GOWER
Why the enemy is loud you hear him all night
FLUELLEN
If the enemy is an ass and a fool and a prating coxcomb is it meet think you that we should also look you be an ass and a fool and a prating coxcomb In your own conscience now
GOWER
I will speak lower
FLUELLEN
I pray you and beseech you that you will
Exeunt Gower and Fluellen
KING HENRY
Though it appear a little out of fashion
There is much care and valour in this Welshman
Enter three soldiers John Bates Alexander Court and Michael Williams
COURT
Brother John Bates is not that the morning which breaks yonder
BATES
I think it be but we have no great cause to desire the approach of day
WILLIAMS
We see yonder the beginning of the day but I think we shall never see the end of it Who goes there
KING HENRY
A friend
WILLIAMS
Under what captain serve you
KING HENRY
Under Sir Thomas Erpingham
WILLIAMS
A good old commander and a most kind gentleman I pray you what thinks he of our estate
KING HENRY
Even as men wreckd upon a sand that look to be washd off the next tide
BATES
He hath not told his thought to the King
KING HENRY
No nor it is not meet he should For though I speak it to you I think the King is but a man as I am The violet smells to him as it doth to me the element shows to him as it doth to me all his senses have but human conditions His ceremonies laid by in his nakedness he appears but a man and though his affections are higher mounted than ours yet when they stoop they stoop with the like wing Therefore when he sees reason of fears as we do his fears out of doubt be of the same relish as ours are yet in reason no man should possess him with any appearance of fear lest he by showing it should dishearten his army
BATES
He may show what outward courage he will but I believe as cold a night as tis he could wish himself in Thames up to the neck and so I would he were and I by him at all adventures so we were quit here
KING HENRY
By my troth I will speak my conscience of the King I think he would not wish himself anywhere but where he is
BATES
Then I would he were here alone so should he be sure to be ransomed and a many poor mens lives saved
KING HENRY
I dare say you love him not so ill to wish him here alone howsoever you speak this to feel other mens minds Methinks I could not die anywhere so contented as in the Kings company his cause being just and his quarrel honourable
WILLIAMS
Thats more than we know
BATES
Ay or more than we should seek after for we know enough if we know we are the Kings subjects If his cause be wrong our obedience to the King wipes the crime of it out of us
WILLIAMS
But if the cause be not good the King himself hath a heavy reckoning to make when all those legs and arms and heads choppd off in a battle shall join together at the latter day and cry all We died at such a place some swearing some crying for a surgeon some upon their wives left poor behind them some upon the debts they owe some upon their children rawly left I am afeard there are few die well that die in a battle for how can they charitably dispose of anything when blood is their argument Now if these men do not die well it will be a black matter for the King that led them to it who to disobey were against all proportion of subjection
KING HENRY
So if a son that is by his father sent about merchandise do sinfully miscarry upon the sea the imputation of his wickedness by your rule should be imposed upon his father that sent him or if a servant under his masters command transporting a sum of money be assailed by robbers and die in many irreconcild iniquities you may call the business of the master the author of the servants damnation But this is not so The King is not bound to answer the particular endings of his soldiers the father of his son nor the master of his servant for they purpose not their death when they purpose their services Besides there is no king be his cause never so spotless if it come to the arbitrement of swords can try it out with all unspotted soldiers Some peradventure have on them the guilt of premeditated and contrived murder some of beguiling virgins with the broken seals of perjury some making the wars their bulwark that have before gored the gentle bosom of Peace with pillage and robbery Now if these men have defeated the law and outrun native punishment though they can outstrip men they have no wings to fly from God War is his beadle war is his vengeance so that here men are punishd for beforebreach of the Kings laws in now the Kings quarrel Where they feared the death they have borne life away and where they would be safe they perish Then if they die unprovided no more is the King guilty of their damnation than he was before guilty of those impieties for the which they are now visited Every subjects duty is the Kings but every subjects soul is his own Therefore should every soldier in the wars do as every sick man in his bed wash every mote out of his conscience and dying so death is to him advantage or not dying the time was blessedly lost wherein such preparation was gained and in him that escapes it were not sin to think that making God so free an offer He let him outlive that day to see His greatness and to teach others how they should prepare
WILLIAMS
Tis certain every man that dies ill the ill upon his own head the King is not to answer for it
BATES
I do not desire he should answer for me and yet I determine to fight lustily for him
KING HENRY
I myself heard the King say he would not be ransomd
WILLIAMS
Ay he said so to make us fight cheerfully but when our throats are cut he may be ransomd and we neer the wiser
KING HENRY
If I live to see it I will never trust his word after
WILLIAMS
You pay him then Thats a perilous shot out of an eldergun that a poor and a private displeasure can do against a monarch You may as well go about to turn the sun to ice with fanning in his face with a peacocks feather Youll never trust his word after Come tis a foolish saying
KING HENRY
Your reproof is something too round I should be angry with you if the time were convenient
WILLIAMS
Let it be a quarrel between us if you live
KING HENRY
I embrace it
WILLIAMS
How shall I know thee again
KING HENRY
Give me any gage of thine and I will wear it in my bonnet then if ever thou darst acknowledge it I will make it my quarrel
WILLIAMS
Heres my glove give me another of thine
KING HENRY
There
WILLIAMS
This will I also wear in my cap If ever thou come to me and say after tomorrow This is my glove by this hand I will take thee a box on the ear
KING HENRY
If ever I live to see it I will challenge it
WILLIAMS
Thou darst as well be hangd
KING HENRY
Well I will do it though I take thee in the Kings company
WILLIAMS
Keep thy word fare thee well
BATES
Be friends you English fools be friends We have French quarrels enough if you could tell how to reckon
KING HENRY
Indeed the French may lay twenty French crowns to one they will beat us for they bear them on their shoulders but it is no English treason to cut French crowns and tomorrow the King himself will be a clipper
Exeunt soldiers
Upon the King Let us our lives our souls
Our debts our careful wives
Our children and our sins lay on the King
We must bear all O hard condition
Twinborn with greatness subject to the breath
Of every fool whose sense no more can feel
But his own wringing What infinite hearts ease
Must kings neglect that private men enjoy
And what have kings that privates have not too
Save ceremony save general ceremony
And what art thou thou idol Ceremony
What kind of god art thou that sufferst more
Of mortal griefs than do thy worshippers
What are thy rents What are thy comings in
O Ceremony show me but thy worth
What is thy soul of adoration
Art thou aught else but place degree and form
Creating awe and fear in other men
Wherein thou art less happy being feard
Than they in fearing
What drinkst thou oft instead of homage sweet
But poisond flattery O be sick great greatness
And bid thy Ceremony give thee cure
Thinkst thou the fiery fever will go out
With titles blown from adulation
Will it give place to flexure and low bending
Canst thou when thou commandst the beggars knee
Command the health of it No thou proud dream
That playst so subtly with a kings repose
I am a king that find thee and I know
Tis not the balm the sceptre and the ball
The sword the mace the crown imperial
The intertissued robe of gold and pearl
The farced title running fore the King
The throne he sits on nor the tide of pomp
That beats upon the high shore of this world
No not all these thricegorgeous Ceremony
Not all these laid in bed majestical
Can sleep so soundly as the wretched slave
Who with a body filld and vacant mind
Gets him to rest crammd with distressful bread
Never sees horrid night the child of hell
But like a lackey from the rise to set
Sweats in the eye of Phoebus and all night
Sleeps in Elysium next day after dawn
Doth rise and help Hyperion to his horse
And follows so the everrunning year
With profitable labour to his grave
And but for ceremony such a wretch
Winding up days with toil and nights with sleep
Had the forehand and vantage of a king
The slave a member of the countrys peace
Enjoys it but in gross brain little wots
What watch the King keeps to maintain the peace
Whose hours the peasant best advantages
Enter Erpingham
ERPINGHAM
My lord your nobles jealous of your absence
Seek through your camp to find you
KING HENRY
Good old knight
Collect them all together at my tent
Ill be before thee
ERPINGHAM
I shall dot my lord
Exit
KING HENRY
O God of battles steel my soldiers hearts
Possess them not with fear Take from them now
The sense of reckoning if the opposed numbers
Pluck their hearts from them Not today O Lord
O not today think not upon the fault
My father made in compassing the crown
I Richards body have interred new
And on it have bestowd more contrite tears
Than from it issued forced drops of blood
Five hundred poor I have in yearly pay
Who twice a day their witherd hands hold up
Toward heaven to pardon blood and I have built
Two chantries where the sad and solemn priests
Sing still for Richards soul More will I do
Though all that I can do is nothing worth
Since that my penitence comes after all
Imploring pardon
Enter Gloucester
GLOUCESTER
My liege
KING HENRY
My brother Gloucesters voice Ay
I know thy errand I will go with thee
The day my friends and all things stay for me
Exeunt
SCENE II The French camp
Enter the Dauphin Orleans Rambures and others
ORLEANS
The sun doth gild our armour up my lords
DAUPHIN
Monte cheval My horse varlet laquais ha
ORLEANS
O brave spirit
DAUPHIN
Via les eaux et terre
ORLEANS
Rien puis Lair et feu
DAUPHIN
Cieux cousin Orleans
Enter Constable
Now my Lord Constable
CONSTABLE
Hark how our steeds for present service neigh
DAUPHIN
Mount them and make incision in their hides
That their hot blood may spin in English eyes
And dout them with superfluous courage ha
RAMBURES
What will you have them weep our horses blood
How shall we then behold their natural tears
Enter a Messenger
MESSENGER
The English are embattld you French peers
CONSTABLE
To horse you gallant princes straight to horse
Do but behold yon poor and starved band
And your fair show shall suck away their souls
Leaving them but the shales and husks of men
There is not work enough for all our hands
Scarce blood enough in all their sickly veins
To give each naked curtleaxe a stain
That our French gallants shall today draw out
And sheathe for lack of sport Let us but blow on them
The vapour of our valour will oerturn them
Tis positive gainst all exceptions lords
That our superfluous lackeys and our peasants
Who in unnecessary action swarm
About our squares of battle were enough
To purge this field of such a hilding foe
Though we upon this mountains basis by
Took stand for idle speculation
But that our honours must not Whats to say
A very little little let us do
And all is done Then let the trumpets sound
The tucket sonance and the note to mount
For our approach shall so much dare the field
That England shall crouch down in fear and yield
Enter Grandpr
GRANDPR
Why do you stay so long my lords of France
Yond island carrions desperate of their bones
Illfavouredly become the morning field
Their ragged curtains poorly are let loose
And our air shakes them passing scornfully
Big Mars seems bankrupt in their beggard host
And faintly through a rusty beaver peeps
The horsemen sit like fixed candlesticks
With torchstaves in their hand and their poor jades
Lob down their heads drooping the hides and hips
The gum downroping from their paledead eyes
And in their pale dull mouths the gimmal bit
Lies foul with chewd grass still and motionless
And their executors the knavish crows
Fly oer them all impatient for their hour
Description cannot suit itself in words
To demonstrate the life of such a battle
In life so lifeless as it shows itself
CONSTABLE
They have said their prayers and they stay for death
DAUPHIN
Shall we go send them dinners and fresh suits
And give their fasting horses provender
And after fight with them
CONSTABLE
I stay but for my guard on to the field
I will the banner from a trumpet take
And use it for my haste Come come away
The sun is high and we outwear the day
Exeunt
SCENE III The English camp
Enter Gloucester Bedford Exeter Erpingham with all his host Salisbury and Westmorland
GLOUCESTER
Where is the King
BEDFORD
The King himself is rode to view their battle
WESTMORLAND
Of fighting men they have full threescore thousand
EXETER
Theres five to one besides they all are fresh
SALISBURY
Gods arm strike with us tis a fearful odds
God be wi you princes all Ill to my charge
If we no more meet till we meet in heaven
Then joyfully my noble Lord of Bedford
My dear Lord Gloucester and my good Lord Exeter
And my kind kinsman warriors all adieu
BEDFORD
Farewell good Salisbury and good luck go with thee
EXETER
Farewell kind lord fight valiantly today
And yet I do thee wrong to mind thee of it
For thou art framd of the firm truth of valour
Exit Salisbury
BEDFORD
He is as full of valour as of kindness
Princely in both
Enter the King
WESTMORLAND
O that we now had here
But one ten thousand of those men in England
That do no work today
KING
Whats he that wishes so
My cousin Westmorland No my fair cousin
If we are markd to die we are enough
To do our country loss and if to live
The fewer men the greater share of honour
Gods will I pray thee wish not one man more
By Jove I am not covetous for gold
Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost
It yearns me not if men my garments wear
Such outward things dwell not in my desires
But if it be a sin to covet honour
I am the most offending soul alive
No faith my coz wish not a man from England
Gods peace I would not lose so great an honour
As one man more methinks would share from me
For the best hope I have O do not wish one more
Rather proclaim it Westmorland through my host
That he which hath no stomach to this fight
Let him depart His passport shall be made
And crowns for convoy put into his purse
We would not die in that mans company
That fears his fellowship to die with us
This day is calld the feast of Crispian
He that outlives this day and comes safe home
Will stand a tiptoe when this day is named
And rouse him at the name of Crispian
He that shall live this day and see old age
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours
And say Tomorrow is Saint Crispian
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars
And say These wounds I had on Crispians day
Old men forget yet all shall be forgot
But hell remember with advantages
What feats he did that day Then shall our names
Familiar in his mouth as household words
Harry the King Bedford and Exeter
Warwick and Talbot Salisbury and Gloucester
Be in their flowing cups freshly remembered
This story shall the good man teach his son
And Crispin Crispian shall neer go by
From this day to the ending of the world
But we in it shall be remembered
We few we happy few we band of brothers
For he today that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother be he neer so vile
This day shall gentle his condition
And gentlemen in England now abed
Shall think themselves accursd they were not here
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispins day
Enter Salisbury
SALISBURY
My sovereign lord bestow yourself with speed
The French are bravely in their battles set
And will with all expedience charge on us
KING HENRY
All things are ready if our minds be so
WESTMORLAND
Perish the man whose mind is backward now
KING HENRY
Thou dost not wish more help from England coz
WESTMORLAND
Gods will my liege would you and I alone
Without more help could fight this royal battle
KING HENRY
Why now thou hast unwishd five thousand men
Which likes me better than to wish us one
You know your places God be with you all
Tucket Enter Montjoy
MONTJOY
Once more I come to know of thee King Harry
If for thy ransom thou wilt now compound
Before thy most assured overthrow
For certainly thou art so near the gulf
Thou needs must be englutted Besides in mercy
The Constable desires thee thou wilt mind
Thy followers of repentance that their souls
May make a peaceful and a sweet retire
From off these fields where wretches their poor bodies
Must lie and fester
KING HENRY
Who hath sent thee now
MONTJOY
The Constable of France
KING HENRY
I pray thee bear my former answer back
Bid them achieve me and then sell my bones
Good God why should they mock poor fellows thus
The man that once did sell the lions skin
While the beast livd was killd with hunting him
A many of our bodies shall no doubt
Find native graves upon the which I trust
Shall witness live in brass of this days work
And those that leave their valiant bones in France
Dying like men though buried in your dunghills
They shall be famd for there the sun shall greet them
And draw their honours reeking up to heaven
Leaving their earthly parts to choke your clime
The smell whereof shall breed a plague in France
Mark then abounding valour in our English
That being dead like to the bullets grazing
Break out into a second course of mischief
Killing in relapse of mortality
Let me speak proudly tell the Constable
We are but warriors for the workingday
Our gayness and our gilt are all besmirchd
With rainy marching in the painful field
Theres not a piece of feather in our host
Good argument I hope we will not fly
And time hath worn us into slovenry
But by the mass our hearts are in the trim
And my poor soldiers tell me yet ere night
Theyll be in fresher robes or they will pluck
The gay new coats oer the French soldiers heads
And turn them out of service If they do this
As if God please they shallmy ransom then
Will soon be levied Herald save thou thy labour
Come thou no more for ransom gentle herald
They shall have none I swear but these my joints
Which if they have as I will leave em them
Shall yield them little tell the Constable
MONTJOY
I shall King Harry And so fare thee well
Thou never shalt hear herald any more
Exit
KING HENRY
I fear thoult once more come again for ransom
Enter York
YORK
My lord most humbly on my knee I beg
The leading of the vaward
KING HENRY
Take it brave York Now soldiers march away
And how thou pleasest God dispose the day
Exeunt
SCENE IV The field of battle
Alarum Excursions Enter Pistol French Soldier and Boy
PISTOL
Yield cur
FRENCH SOLDIER
Je pense que vous tes le gentilhomme de bonne qualit
PISTOL
Qualit Caleno custore me
Art thou a gentleman
What is thy name Discuss
FRENCH SOLDIER
O Seigneur Dieu
PISTOL
O Signieur Dew should be a gentleman
Perpend my words O Signieur Dew and mark
O Signieur Dew thou diest on point of fox
Except O signieur thou do give to me
Egregious ransom
FRENCH SOLDIER
O prenez misricorde Ayez piti de moi
PISTOL
Moy shall not serve I will have forty moys
Or I will fetch thy rim out at thy throat
In drops of crimson blood
FRENCH SOLDIER
Estil impossible dchapper la force de ton bras
PISTOL
Brass cur
Thou damned and luxurious mountain goat
Offerst me brass
FRENCH SOLDIER
O pardonnezmoi
PISTOL
Sayst thou me so Is that a ton of moys
Come hither boy ask me this slave in French
What is his name
BOY
coutez Comment tesvous appel
FRENCH SOLDIER
Monsieur le Fer
BOY
He says his name is Master Fer
PISTOL
Master Fer Ill fer him and firk him and ferret him
Discuss the same in French unto him
BOY
I do not know the French for fer and ferret and firk
PISTOL
Bid him prepare for I will cut his throat
FRENCH SOLDIER
Que ditil monsieur
BOY
Il me commande vous dire que vous faites vous prt car ce soldat ici est dispos tout cette heure de couper votre gorge
PISTOL
Owy cuppele gorge permafoy
Peasant unless thou give me crowns brave crowns
Or mangled shalt thou be by this my sword
FRENCH SOLDIER
O je vous supplie pour lamour de Dieu me pardonner Je suis le gentilhomme de bonne maison gardez ma vie et je vous donnerai deux cents cus
PISTOL
What are his words
BOY
He prays you to save his life He is a gentleman of a good house and for his ransom he will give you two hundred crowns
PISTOL
Tell him my fury shall abate and I
The crowns will take
FRENCH SOLDIER
Petit monsieur que ditil
BOY
Encore quil est contre son jurement de pardonner aucun prisonnier nanmoins pour les cus que vous lui avez promis il est content vous donner la libert le franchisement
FRENCH SOLDIER
Sur mes genoux je vous donne mille remerciements et je mestime heureux que je suis tomb entre les mains dun chevalier je pense le plus brave vaillant et trs distingu seigneur dAngleterre
PISTOL
Expound unto me boy
BOY
He gives you upon his knees a thousand thanks and he esteems himself happy that he hath fallen into the hands of one as he thinks the most brave valorous and thriceworthy seigneur of England
PISTOL
As I suck blood I will some mercy show
Follow me
BOY
Suivezvous le grand capitaine
Exeunt Pistol and French Soldier
I did never know so full a voice issue from so empty a heart but the saying is true The empty vessel makes the greatest sound Bardolph and Nym had ten times more valour than this roaring devil i the old play that everyone may pare his nails with a wooden dagger and they are both hangd and so would this be if he durst steal anything adventurously I must stay with the lackeys with the luggage of our camp The French might have a good prey of us if he knew of it for there is none to guard it but boys
Exit
SCENE V Another part of the field
Enter Constable Orleans Bourbon Dauphin and Rambures
CONSTABLE
O diable
ORLEANS
O Seigneur le jour est perdu tout est perdu
DAUPHIN
Mort de ma vie all is confounded all
Reproach and everlasting shame
Sits mocking in our plumes
A short alarum
O mchante Fortune Do not run away
CONSTABLE
Why all our ranks are broke
DAUPHIN
O perdurable shame Lets stab ourselves
Be these the wretches that we playd at dice for
ORLEANS
Is this the king we sent to for his ransom
BOURBON
Shame and eternal shame nothing but shame
Lets die in honour Once more back again
And he that will not follow Bourbon now
Let him go hence and with his cap in hand
Like a base pandar hold the chamber door
Whilst by a slave no gentler than my dog
His fairest daughter is contaminated
CONSTABLE
Disorder that hath spoild us friend us now
Let us on heaps go offer up our lives
ORLEANS
We are enough yet living in the field
To smother up the English in our throngs
If any order might be thought upon
BOURBON
The devil take order now Ill to the throng
Let life be short else shame will be too long
Exeunt
SCENE VI Another part of the field
Alarum Enter King Henry and his train with prisoners
KING HENRY
Well have we done thrice valiant countrymen
But alls not done yet keep the French the field
EXETER
The Duke of York commends him to your Majesty
KING HENRY
Lives he good uncle Thrice within this hour
I saw him down thrice up again and fighting
From helmet to the spur all blood he was
EXETER
In which array brave soldier doth he lie
Larding the plain and by his bloody side
Yokefellow to his honourowing wounds
The noble Earl of Suffolk also lies
Suffolk first died and York all haggled over
Comes to him where in gore he lay insteeped
And takes him by the beard kisses the gashes
That bloodily did yawn upon his face
He cries aloud Tarry my cousin Suffolk
My soul shall thine keep company to heaven
Tarry sweet soul for mine then fly abreast
As in this glorious and wellfoughten field
We kept together in our chivalry
Upon these words I came and cheerd him up
He smild me in the face raught me his hand
And with a feeble gripe says Dear my lord
Commend my service to my sovereign
So did he turn and over Suffolks neck
He threw his wounded arm and kissd his lips
And so espousd to death with blood he seald
A testament of nobleending love
The pretty and sweet manner of it forcd
Those waters from me which I would have stoppd
But I had not so much of man in me
And all my mother came into mine eyes
And gave me up to tears
KING HENRY
I blame you not
For hearing this I must perforce compound
With mistful eyes or they will issue too
Alarum
But hark what new alarum is this same
The French have reinforcd their scatterd men
Then every soldier kill his prisoners
Give the word through
Exeunt
SCENE VII Another part of the field
Enter Fluellen and Gower
FLUELLEN
Kill the poys and the luggage Tis expressly against the law of arms Tis as arrant a piece of knavery mark you now as can be offert in your conscience now is it not
GOWER
Tis certain theres not a boy left alive and the cowardly rascals that ran from the battle ha done this slaughter Besides they have burned and carried away all that was in the Kings tent wherefore the King most worthily hath causd every soldier to cut his prisoners throat O tis a gallant king
FLUELLEN
Ay he was porn at Monmouth Captain Gower What call you the towns name where Alexander the Pig was born
GOWER
Alexander the Great
FLUELLEN
Why I pray you is not pig great The pig or the great or the mighty or the huge or the magnanimous are all one reckonings save the phrase is a little variations
GOWER
I think Alexander the Great was born in Macedon His father was called Philip of Macedon as I take it
FLUELLEN
I think it is in Macedon where Alexander is porn I tell you Captain if you look in the maps of the orld I warrant you sall find in the comparisons between Macedon and Monmouth that the situations look you is both alike There is a river in Macedon and there is also moreover a river at Monmouth it is calld Wye at Monmouth but it is out of my prains what is the name of the other river but tis all one tis alike as my fingers is to my fingers and there is salmons in both If you mark Alexanders life well Harry of Monmouths life is come after it indifferent well for there is figures in all things Alexander God knows and you know in his rages and his furies and his wraths and his cholers and his moods and his displeasures and his indignations and also being a little intoxicates in his prains did in his ales and his angers look you kill his best friend Cleitus
GOWER
Our King is not like him in that He never killd any of his friends
FLUELLEN
It is not well done mark you now to take the tales out of my mouth ere it is made and finished I speak but in the figures and comparisons of it As Alexander killd his friend Cleitus being in his ales and his cups so also Harry Monmouth being in his right wits and his good judgements turnd away the fat knight with the great belly doublet He was full of jests and gipes and knaveries and mocks I have forgot his name
GOWER
Sir John Falstaff
FLUELLEN
That is he Ill tell you there is good men porn at Monmouth
GOWER
Here comes his Majesty
Alarum Enter King Henry and forces Warwick Gloucester Exeter with prisoners Flourish
KING HENRY
I was not angry since I came to France
Until this instant Take a trumpet herald
Ride thou unto the horsemen on yond hill
If they will fight with us bid them come down
Or void the field they do offend our sight
If theyll do neither we will come to them
And make them skirr away as swift as stones
Enforced from the old Assyrian slings
Besides well cut the throats of those we have
And not a man of them that we shall take
Shall taste our mercy Go and tell them so
Enter Montjoy
EXETER
Here comes the herald of the French my liege
GLOUCESTER
His eyes are humbler than they usd to be
KING HENRY
How now what means this herald Knowst thou not
That I have find these bones of mine for ransom
Comst thou again for ransom
MONTJOY
No great King
I come to thee for charitable license
That we may wander oer this bloody field
To book our dead and then to bury them
To sort our nobles from our common men
For many of our princeswoe the while
Lie drownd and soakd in mercenary blood
So do our vulgar drench their peasant limbs
In blood of princes and their wounded steeds
Fret fetlock deep in gore and with wild rage
Yerk out their armed heels at their dead masters
Killing them twice O give us leave great King
To view the field in safety and dispose
Of their dead bodies
KING HENRY
I tell thee truly herald
I know not if the day be ours or no
For yet a many of your horsemen peer
And gallop oer the field
MONTJOY
The day is yours
KING HENRY
Praised be God and not our strength for it
What is this castle calld that stands hard by
MONTJOY
They call it Agincourt
KING HENRY
Then call we this the field of Agincourt
Fought on the day of Crispin Crispianus
FLUELLEN
Your grandfather of famous memory ant please your Majesty and your greatuncle Edward the Plack Prince of Wales as I have read in the chronicles fought a most prave pattle here in France
KING HENRY
They did Fluellen
FLUELLEN
Your Majesty says very true If your Majesties is remembred of it the Welshmen did good service in garden where leeks did grow wearing leeks in their Monmouth caps which your Majesty know to this hour is an honourable badge of the service and I do believe your Majesty takes no scorn to wear the leek upon Saint Tavys day
KING HENRY
I wear it for a memorable honour
For I am Welsh you know good countryman
FLUELLEN
All the water in Wye cannot wash your Majestys Welsh plood out of your pody I can tell you that Got pless it and preserve it as long as it pleases His grace and His majesty too
KING HENRY
Thanks good my countryman
FLUELLEN
By Jeshu I am your Majestys countryman I care not who know it I will confess it to all the orld I need not be ashamd of your Majesty praised be God so long as your Majesty is an honest man
KING HENRY
God keep me so
Enter Williams
Our heralds go with him
Bring me just notice of the numbers dead
On both our parts Call yonder fellow hither
Exeunt Heralds with Montjoy
EXETER
Soldier you must come to the King
KING HENRY
Soldier why wearst thou that glove in thy cap
WILLIAMS
Ant please your Majesty tis the gage of one that I should fight withal if he be alive
KING HENRY
An Englishman
WILLIAMS
Ant please your Majesty a rascal that swaggerd with me last night who if alive and ever dare to challenge this glove I have sworn to take him a box o the ear or if I can see my glove in his cap which he swore as he was a soldier he would wear if alive I will strike it out soundly
KING HENRY
What think you Captain Fluellen is it fit this soldier keep his oath
FLUELLEN
He is a craven and a villain else ant please your Majesty in my conscience
KING HENRY
It may be his enemy is a gentlemen of great sort quite from the answer of his degree
FLUELLEN
Though he be as good a gentleman as the devil is as Lucifier and Belzebub himself it is necessary look your Grace that he keep his vow and his oath If he be perjurd see you now his reputation is as arrant a villain and a Jacksauce as ever his black shoe trod upon Gods ground and His earth in my conscience la
KING HENRY
Then keep thy vow sirrah when thou meetst the fellow
WILLIAMS
So I will my liege as I live
KING HENRY
Who servst thou under
WILLIAMS
Under Captain Gower my liege
FLUELLEN
Gower is a good captain and is good knowledge and literatured in the wars
KING HENRY
Call him hither to me soldier
WILLIAMS
I will my liege
Exit
KING HENRY
Here Fluellen wear thou this favour for me and stick it in thy cap When Alenon and myself were down together I pluckd this glove from his helm If any man challenge this he is a friend to Alenon and an enemy to our person If thou encounter any such apprehend him an thou dost me love
FLUELLEN
Your Grace does me as great honours as can be desird in the hearts of his subjects I would fain see the man that has but two legs that shall find himself aggriefd at this glove that is all But I would fain see it once an please God of His grace that I might see
KING HENRY
Knowst thou Gower
FLUELLEN
He is my dear friend an please you
KING HENRY
Pray thee go seek him and bring him to my tent
FLUELLEN
I will fetch him
Exit
KING HENRY
My Lord of Warwick and my brother Gloucester
Follow Fluellen closely at the heels
The glove which I have given him for a favour
May haply purchase him a box o the ear
It is the soldiers I by bargain should
Wear it myself Follow good cousin Warwick
If that the soldier strike him as I judge
By his blunt bearing he will keep his word
Some sudden mischief may arise of it
For I do know Fluellen valiant
And touchd with choler hot as gunpowder
And quickly will return an injury
Follow and see there be no harm between them
Go you with me uncle of Exeter
Exeunt
SCENE VIII Before King Henrys pavilion
Enter Gower and Williams
WILLIAMS
I warrant it is to knight you Captain
Enter Fluellen
FLUELLEN
Gods will and his pleasure captain I beseech you now come apace to the King There is more good toward you peradventure than is in your knowledge to dream of
WILLIAMS
Sir know you this glove
FLUELLEN
Know the glove I know the glove is a glove
WILLIAMS
I know this and thus I challenge it
Strikes him
FLUELLEN
Sblood an arrant traitor as any is in the universal world or in France or in England
GOWER
How now sir you villain
WILLIAMS
Do you think Ill be forsworn
FLUELLEN
Stand away Captain Gower I will give treason his payment into plows I warrant you
WILLIAMS
I am no traitor
FLUELLEN
Thats a lie in thy throat I charge you in his Majestys name apprehend him hes a friend of the Duke Alenons
Enter Warwick and Gloucester
WARWICK
How now how now whats the matter
FLUELLEN
My lord of Warwick here ispraised be God for ita most contagious treason come to light look you as you shall desire in a summers day Here is his Majesty
Enter King Henry and Exeter
KING HENRY
How now whats the matter
FLUELLEN
My liege here is a villain and a traitor that look your Grace has struck the glove which your Majesty is take out of the helmet of Alenon
WILLIAMS
My liege this was my glove here is the fellow of it and he that I gave it to in change promisd to wear it in his cap I promisd to strike him if he did I met this man with my glove in his cap and I have been as good as my word
FLUELLEN
Your Majesty hear now saving your Majestys manhood what an arrant rascally beggarly lousy knave it is I hope your Majesty is pear me testimony and witness and will avouchment that this is the glove of Alenon that your Majesty is give me in your conscience now
KING HENRY
Give me thy glove soldier Look here is the fellow of it
Twas I indeed thou promisedst to strike
And thou hast given me most bitter terms
FLUELLEN
An it please your Majesty let his neck answer for it if there is any martial law in the world
KING HENRY
How canst thou make me satisfaction
WILLIAMS
All offences my lord come from the heart Never came any from mine that might offend your Majesty
KING HENRY
It was ourself thou didst abuse
WILLIAMS
Your Majesty came not like yourself You appeard to me but as a common man witness the night your garments your lowliness and what your Highness sufferd under that shape I beseech you take it for your own fault and not mine for had you been as I took you for I made no offence therefore I beseech your Highness pardon me
KING HENRY
Here uncle Exeter fill this glove with crowns
And give it to this fellow Keep it fellow
And wear it for an honour in thy cap
Till I do challenge it Give him his crowns
And captain you must needs be friends with him
FLUELLEN
By this day and this light the fellow has mettle enough in his belly Hold there is twelve pence for you and I pray you to serve God and keep you out of prawls and prabbles and quarrels and dissensions and I warrant you it is the better for you
WILLIAMS
I will none of your money
FLUELLEN
It is with a good will I can tell you it will serve you to mend your shoes Come wherefore should you be so pashful Your shoes is not so good Tis a good silling I warrant you or I will change it
Enter an English Herald
KING HENRY
Now herald are the dead numbred
HERALD
Here is the number of the slaughtred French
KING HENRY
What prisoners of good sort are taken uncle
EXETER
Charles Duke of Orleans nephew to the King
John Duke of Bourbon and Lord Boucicault
Of other lords and barons knights and squires
Full fifteen hundred besides common men
KING HENRY
This note doth tell me of ten thousand French
That in the field lie slain of princes in this number
And nobles bearing banners there lie dead
One hundred twentysix added to these
Of knights esquires and gallant gentlemen
Eight thousand and four hundred of the which
Five hundred were but yesterday dubbd knights
So that in these ten thousand they have lost
There are but sixteen hundred mercenaries
The rest are princes barons lords knights squires
And gentlemen of blood and quality
The names of those their nobles that lie dead
Charles Delabreth High Constable of France
Jacques of Chatillon Admiral of France
The master of the Crossbows Lord Rambures
Great Master of France the brave Sir Guichard Dauphin
John Duke of Alenon Anthony Duke of Brabant
The brother to the Duke of Burgundy
And Edward Duke of Bar of lusty earls
Grandpr and Roussi Fauconbridge and Foix
Beaumont and Marle Vaudemont and Lestrale
Here was a royal fellowship of death
Where is the number of our English dead
Herald gives him another paper
Edward the Duke of York the Earl of Suffolk
Sir Richard Ketly Davy Gam esquire
None else of name and of all other men
But five and twentyO God thy arm was here
And not to us but to thy arm alone
Ascribe we all When without stratagem
But in plain shock and even play of battle
Was ever known so great and little loss
On one part and on the other Take it God
For it is none but thine
EXETER
Tis wonderful
KING HENRY
Come go we in procession to the village
And be it death proclaimed through our host
To boast of this or take that praise from God
Which is His only
FLUELLEN
Is it not lawful an please your Majesty to tell how many is killd
KING HENRY
Yes Captain but with this acknowledgment
That God fought for us
FLUELLEN
Yes my conscience He did us great good
KING HENRY
Do we all holy rites
Let there be sung Non nobis and Te Deum
The dead with charity enclosd in clay
And then to Calais and to England then
Where neer from France arrivd more happy men
Exeunt
ACT V
Enter Chorus
CHORUS
Vouchsafe to those that have not read the story
That I may prompt them and of such as have
I humbly pray them to admit the excuse
Of time of numbers and due course of things
Which cannot in their huge and proper life
Be here presented Now we bear the King
Toward Calais grant him there there seen
Heave him away upon your winged thoughts
Athwart the sea Behold the English beach
Pales in the flood with men with wives and boys
Whose shouts and claps outvoice the deepmouthd sea
Which like a mighty whiffler fore the King
Seems to prepare his way So let him land
And solemnly see him set on to London
So swift a pace hath thought that even now
You may imagine him upon Blackheath
Where that his lords desire him to have borne
His bruised helmet and his bended sword
Before him through the city He forbids it
Being free from vainness and selfglorious pride
Giving full trophy signal and ostent
Quite from himself to God But now behold
In the quick forge and workinghouse of thought
How London doth pour out her citizens
The mayor and all his brethren in best sort
Like to the senators of th antique Rome
With the plebeians swarming at their heels
Go forth and fetch their conquering Caesar in
As by a lower but loving likelihood
Were now the general of our gracious empress
As in good time he may from Ireland coming
Bringing rebellion broached on his sword
How many would the peaceful city quit
To welcome him Much more and much more cause
Did they this Harry Now in London place him
As yet the lamentation of the French
Invites the King of Englands stay at home
The Emperors coming in behalf of France
To order peace between themand omit
All the occurrences whatever chancd
Till Harrys backreturn again to France
There must we bring him and myself have playd
The interim by remembring you tis past
Then brook abridgement and your eyes advance
After your thoughts straight back again to France
Exit
SCENE I France The English camp
Enter Fluellen and Gower
GOWER
Nay thats right but why wear you your leek today
Saint Davys day is past
FLUELLEN
There is occasions and causes why and wherefore in all things I will tell you ass my friend Captain Gower The rascally scald beggarly lousy pragging knave Pistol which you and yourself and all the world know to be no petter than a fellow look you now of no merits he is come to me and prings me pread and salt yesterday look you and bid me eat my leek It was in a place where I could not breed no contention with him but I will be so bold as to wear it in my cap till I see him once again and then I will tell him a little piece of my desires
Enter Pistol
GOWER
Why here he comes swelling like a turkeycock
FLUELLEN
Tis no matter for his swellings nor his turkeycocks God pless you Anchient Pistol you scurvy lousy knave God pless you
PISTOL
Ha art thou bedlam Dost thou thirst base Trojan
To have me fold up Parcas fatal web
Hence I am qualmish at the smell of leek
FLUELLEN
I peseech you heartily scurfy lousy knave at my desires and my requests and my petitions to eat look you this leek Because look you you do not love it nor your affections and your appetites and your digestions does not agree with it I would desire you to eat it
PISTOL
Not for Cadwallader and all his goats
FLUELLEN
There is one goat for you Strikes him Will you be so good scald knave as eat it
PISTOL
Base Trojan thou shalt die
FLUELLEN
You say very true scald knave when Gods will is I will desire you to live in the mean time and eat your victuals Come there is sauce for it Strikes him You calld me yesterday mountainsquire but I will make you today a squire of low degree I pray you fall to if you can mock a leek you can eat a leek
GOWER
Enough captain you have astonishd him
FLUELLEN
I say I will make him eat some part of my leek or I will peat his pate four days Bite I pray you it is good for your green wound and your ploody coxcomb
PISTOL
Must I bite
FLUELLEN
Yes certainly and out of doubt and out of question too and ambiguities
PISTOL
By this leek I will most horribly revenge I eat and eat I swear
FLUELLEN
Eat I pray you Will you have some more sauce to your leek There is not enough leek to swear by
PISTOL
Quiet thy cudgel thou dost see I eat
FLUELLEN
Much good do you scald knave heartily Nay pray you throw none away the skin is good for your broken coxcomb When you take occasions to see leeks hereafter I pray you mock at em that is all
PISTOL
Good
FLUELLEN
Ay leeks is good Hold you there is a groat to heal your pate
PISTOL
Me a groat
FLUELLEN
Yes verily and in truth you shall take it or I have another leek in my pocket which you shall eat
PISTOL
I take thy groat in earnest of revenge
FLUELLEN
If I owe you anything I will pay you in cudgels You shall be a woodmonger and buy nothing of me but cudgels God be wi you and keep you and heal your pate
Exit
PISTOL
All hell shall stir for this
GOWER
Go go you are a couterfeit cowardly knave Will you mock at an ancient tradition begun upon an honourable respect and worn as a memorable trophy of predeceased valour and dare not avouch in your deeds any of your words I have seen you gleeking and galling at this gentleman twice or thrice You thought because he could not speak English in the native garb he could not therefore handle an English cudgel You find it otherwise and henceforth let a Welsh correction teach you a good English condition Fare ye well
Exit
PISTOL
Doth Fortune play the huswife with me now
News have I that my Doll is dead i the spital
Of malady of France
And there my rendezvous is quite cut off
Old I do wax and from my weary limbs
Honour is cudgelld Well bawd Ill turn
And something lean to cutpurse of quick hand
To England will I steal and there Ill steal
And patches will I get unto these cudgelld scars
And swear I got them in the Gallia wars
Exit
SCENE II France A royal palace
Enter at one door King Henry Exeter Bedford Warwick Gloucester Westmorland Clarence Huntingdon and other Lords At another Queen Isabel the French King the Princess Katharine Alice and other Ladies the Duke of Burgundy and other French
KING HENRY
Peace to this meeting wherefore we are met
Unto our brother France and to our sister
Health and fair time of day joy and good wishes
To our most fair and princely cousin Katharine
And as a branch and member of this royalty
By whom this great assembly is contrivd
We do salute you Duke of Burgundy
And princes French and peers health to you all
FRENCH KING
Right joyous are we to behold your face
Most worthy brother England fairly met
So are you princes English every one
QUEEN ISABEL
So happy be the issue brother England
Of this good day and of this gracious meeting
As we are now glad to behold your eyes
Your eyes which hitherto have borne in them
Against the French that met them in their bent
The fatal balls of murdering basilisks
The venom of such looks we fairly hope
Have lost their quality and that this day
Shall change all griefs and quarrels into love
KING HENRY
To cry amen to that thus we appear
QUEEN ISABEL
You English princes all I do salute you
BURGUNDY
My duty to you both on equal love
Great Kings of France and England That I have labourd
With all my wits my pains and strong endeavours
To bring your most imperial Majesties
Unto this bar and royal interview
Your mightiness on both parts best can witness
Since then my office hath so far prevaild
That face to face and royal eye to eye
You have congreeted let it not disgrace me
If I demand before this royal view
What rub or what impediment there is
Why that the naked poor and mangled Peace
Dear nurse of arts plenties and joyful births
Should not in this best garden of the world
Our fertile France put up her lovely visage
Alas she hath from France too long been chasd
And all her husbandry doth lie on heaps
Corrupting in it own fertility
Her vine the merry cheerer of the heart
Unpruned dies her hedges evenpleachd
Like prisoners wildly overgrown with hair
Put forth disorderd twigs her fallow leas
The darnel hemlock and rank fumitory
Doth root upon while that the coulter rusts
That should deracinate such savagery
The even mead that erst brought sweetly forth
The freckled cowslip burnet and green clover
Wanting the scythe all uncorrected rank
Conceives by idleness and nothing teems
But hateful docks rough thistles kecksies burs
Losing both beauty and utility
And as our vineyards fallows meads and hedges
Defective in their natures grow to wildness
Even so our houses and ourselves and children
Have lost or do not learn for want of time
The sciences that should become our country
But grow like savagesas soldiers will
That nothing do but meditate on blood
To swearing and stern looks diffusd attire
And everything that seems unnatural
Which to reduce into our former favour
You are assembled and my speech entreats
That I may know the let why gentle Peace
Should not expel these inconveniences
And bless us with her former qualities
KING HENRY
If Duke of Burgundy you would the peace
Whose want gives growth to the imperfections
Which you have cited you must buy that peace
With full accord to all our just demands
Whose tenours and particular effects
You have enscheduld briefly in your hands
BURGUNDY
The King hath heard them to the which as yet
There is no answer made
KING HENRY
Well then the peace
Which you before so urgd lies in his answer
FRENCH KING
I have but with a cursorary eye
Oerglancd the articles Pleaseth your Grace
To appoint some of your council presently
To sit with us once more with better heed
To resurvey them we will suddenly
Pass our accept and peremptory answer
KING HENRY
Brother we shall Go uncle Exeter
And brother Clarence and you brother Gloucester
Warwick and Huntington go with the King
And take with you free power to ratify
Augment or alter as your wisdoms best
Shall see advantageable for our dignity
Anything in or out of our demands
And well consign thereto Will you fair sister
Go with the princes or stay here with us
QUEEN ISABEL
Our gracious brother I will go with them
Haply a womans voice may do some good
When articles too nicely urgd be stood on
KING HENRY
Yet leave our cousin Katharine here with us
She is our capital demand comprisd
Within the forerank of our articles
QUEEN ISABEL
She hath good leave
Exeunt all except Henry Katharine and Alice
KING HENRY
Fair Katharine and most fair
Will you vouchsafe to teach a soldier terms
Such as will enter at a ladys ear
And plead his lovesuit to her gentle heart
KATHARINE
Your Majesty shall mock me I cannot speak your England
KING HENRY
O fair Katharine if you will love me soundly with your French heart I will be glad to hear you confess it brokenly with your English tongue Do you like me Kate
KATHARINE
Pardonnezmoi I cannot tell wat is like me
KING HENRY
An angel is like you Kate and you are like an angel
KATHARINE
Que ditil Que je suis semblable les anges
ALICE
Oui vraiment sauf votre Grce ainsi ditil
KING HENRY
I said so dear Katharine and I must not blush to affirm it
KATHARINE
O bon Dieu les langues des hommes sont pleines de tromperies
KING HENRY
What says she fair one That the tongues of men are full of deceits
ALICE
Oui dat de tongues of de mans is be full of deceits dat is de Princess
KING HENRY
The Princess is the better Englishwoman I faith Kate my wooing is fit for thy understanding I am glad thou canst speak no better English for if thou couldst thou wouldst find me such a plain king that thou wouldst think I had sold my farm to buy my crown I know no ways to mince it in love but directly to say I love you then if you urge me farther than to say Do you in faith I wear out my suit Give me your answer i faith do and so clap hands and a bargain How say you lady
KATHARINE
Sauf votre honneur me understand well
KING HENRY
Marry if you would put me to verses or to dance for your sake Kate why you undid me for the one I have neither words nor measure and for the other I have no strength in measure yet a reasonable measure in strength If I could win a lady at leapfrog or by vaulting into my saddle with my armour on my back under the correction of bragging be it spoken I should quickly leap into a wife Or if I might buffet for my love or bound my horse for her favours I could lay on like a butcher and sit like a jackanapes never off But before God Kate I cannot look greenly nor gasp out my eloquence nor I have no cunning in protestation only downright oaths which I never use till urgd nor never break for urging If thou canst love a fellow of this temper Kate whose face is not worth sunburning that never looks in his glass for love of anything he sees there let thine eye be thy cook I speak to thee plain soldier If thou canst love me for this take me if not to say to thee that I shall die is true but for thy love by the Lord no yet I love thee too And while thou livst dear Kate take a fellow of plain and uncoined constancy for he perforce must do thee right because he hath not the gift to woo in other places for these fellows of infinite tongue that can rhyme themselves into ladies favours they do always reason themselves out again What a speaker is but a prater a rhyme is but a ballad A good leg will fall a straight back will stoop a black beard will turn white a curld pate will grow bald a fair face will wither a full eye will wax hollow but a good heart Kate is the sun and the moon or rather the sun and not the moon for it shines bright and never changes but keeps his course truly If thou would have such a one take me and take me take a soldier take a soldier take a king And what sayst thou then to my love Speak my fair and fairly I pray thee
KATHARINE
Is it possible dat I should love de enemy of France
KING HENRY
No it is not possible you should love the enemy of France Kate but in loving me you should love the friend of France for I love France so well that I will not part with a village of it I will have it all mine and Kate when France is mine and I am yours then yours is France and you are mine
KATHARINE
I cannot tell wat is dat
KING HENRY
No Kate I will tell thee in French which I am sure will hang upon my tongue like a newmarried wife about her husbands neck hardly to be shook off Je quand sur le possession de France et quand vous avez le possession de moilet me see what then Saint Denis be my speeddonc votre est France et vous tes mienne It is as easy for me Kate to conquer the kingdom as to speak so much more French I shall never move thee in French unless it be to laugh at me
KATHARINE
Sauf votre honneur le franais que vous parlez il est meilleur que langlais lequel je parle
KING HENRY
No faith ist not Kate but thy speaking of my tongue and I thine most trulyfalsely must needs be granted to be much at one But Kate dost thou understand thus much English canst thou love me
KATHARINE
I cannot tell
KING HENRY
Can any of your neighbours tell Kate Ill ask them Come I know thou lovest me and at night when you come into your closet youll question this gentlewoman about me and I know Kate you will to her dispraise those parts in me that you love with your heart But good Kate mock me mercifully the rather gentle princess because I love thee cruelly If ever thou beest mine Kate as I have a saving faith within me tells me thou shalt I get thee with scambling and thou must therefore needs prove a good soldierbreeder Shall not thou and I between Saint Denis and Saint George compound a boy half French half English that shall go to Constantinople and take the Turk by the beard Shall we not What sayst thou my fair flowerdeluce
KATHARINE
I do not know dat
KING HENRY
No tis hereafter to know but now to promise Do but now promise Kate you will endeavour for your French part of such a boy and for my English moiety take the word of a king and a bachelor How answer you la plus belle Katherine du monde mon trs cher et divin desse
KATHARINE
Your Majestee ave fausse French enough to deceive de most sage demoiselle dat is en France
KING HENRY
Now fie upon my false French By mine honour in true English I love thee Kate by which honour I dare not swear thou lovest me yet my blood begins to flatter me that thou dost notwithstanding the poor and untempering effect of my visage Now beshrew my fathers ambition He was thinking of civil wars when he got me therefore was I created with a stubborn outside with an aspect of iron that when I come to woo ladies I fright them But in faith Kate the elder I wax the better I shall appear My comfort is that old age that ill layer up of beauty can do no more spoil upon my face Thou hast me if thou hast me at the worst and thou shalt wear me if thou wear me better and better and therefore tell me most fair Katharine will you have me Put off your maiden blushes avouch the thoughts of your heart with the looks of an empress take me by the hand and say Harry of England I am thine which word thou shalt no sooner bless mine ear withal but I will tell thee aloud England is thine Ireland is thine France is thine and Henry Plantagenet is thine who though I speak it before his face if he be not fellow with the best king thou shalt find the best king of good fellows Come your answer in broken music for thy voice is music and thy English broken therefore queen of all Katharine break thy mind to me in broken English Wilt thou have me
KATHARINE
Dat is as it shall please le roi mon pre
KING HENRY
Nay it will please him well Kate it shall please him Kate
KATHARINE
Den it sall also content me
KING HENRY
Upon that I kiss your hand and call you my queen
KATHARINE
Laissez mon seigneur laissez laissez Ma foi je ne veux point que vous abaissiez votre grandeur en baisant la main duneNotre Seigneurindigne serviteur Excusezmoi je vous supplie mon trspuissant seigneur
KING HENRY
Then I will kiss your lips Kate
KATHARINE
Les dames et demoiselles pour tre baises devant leurs noces il nest pas la coutume de France
KING HENRY
Madame my interpreter what says she
ALICE
Dat it is not be de fashion pour les ladies of FranceI cannot tell wat is baiser en Anglish
KING HENRY
To kiss
ALICE
Your Majestee entend bettre que moi
KING HENRY
It is not a fashion for the maids in France to kiss before they are married would she say
ALICE
Oui vraiment
KING HENRY
O Kate nice customs curtsy to great kings Dear Kate you and I cannot be confined within the weak list of a countrys fashion We are the makers of manners Kate and the liberty that follows our places stops the mouth of all findfaults as I will do yours for upholding the nice fashion of your country in denying me a kiss therefore patiently and yielding Kissing her You have witchcraft in your lips Kate there is more eloquence in a sugar touch of them than in the tongues of the French council and they should sooner persuade Harry of England than a general petition of monarchs Here comes your father
Enter the French Power and the English Lords
BURGUNDY
God save your Majesty My royal cousin teach you our princess English
KING HENRY
I would have her learn my fair cousin how perfectly I love her and that is good English
BURGUNDY
Is she not apt
KING HENRY
Our tongue is rough coz and my condition is not smooth so that having neither the voice nor the heart of flattery about me I cannot so conjure up the spirit of love in her that he will appear in his true likeness
BURGUNDY
Pardon the frankness of my mirth if I answer you for that If you would conjure in her you must make a circle if conjure up Love in her in his true likeness he must appear naked and blind Can you blame her then being a maid yet rosd over with the virgin crimson of modesty if she deny the appearance of a naked blind boy in her naked seeing self It were my lord a hard condition for a maid to consign to
KING HENRY
Yet they do wink and yield as love is blind and enforces
BURGUNDY
They are then excusd my lord when they see not what they do
KING HENRY
Then good my lord teach your cousin to consent winking
BURGUNDY
I will wink on her to consent my lord if you will teach her to know my meaning for maids well summerd and warm kept are like flies at Bartholomewtide blind though they have their eyes and then they will endure handling which before would not abide looking on
KING HENRY
This moral ties me over to time and a hot summer and so I shall catch the fly your cousin in the latter end and she must be blind too
BURGUNDY
As love is my lord before it loves
KING HENRY
It is so and you may some of you thank love for my blindness who cannot see many a fair French city for one fair French maid that stands in my way
FRENCH KING
Yes my lord you see them perspectively the cities turnd into a maid for they are all girdled with maiden walls that no war hath entered
KING HENRY
Shall Kate be my wife
FRENCH KING
So please you
KING HENRY
I am content so the maiden cities you talk of may wait on her so the maid that stood in the way for my wish shall show me the way to my will
FRENCH KING
We have consented to all terms of reason
KING HENRY
Ist so my lords of England
WESTMORLAND
The king hath granted every article
His daughter first and then in sequel all
According to their firm proposed natures
EXETER
Only he hath not yet subscribed this where your Majesty demands that the King of France having any occasion to write for matter of grant shall name your Highness in this form and with this addition in French Notre trscher fils Henri Roi dAngleterre Hritier de France and thus in Latin Praeclarissimus filius noster Henricus rex Angliae et haeres Franciae
FRENCH KING
Nor this I have not brother so denied
But our request shall make me let it pass
KING HENRY
I pray you then in love and dear alliance
Let that one article rank with the rest
And thereupon give me your daughter
FRENCH KING
Take her fair son and from her blood raise up
Issue to me that the contending kingdoms
Of France and England whose very shores look pale
With envy of each others happiness
May cease their hatred and this dear conjunction
Plant neighbourhood and Christianlike accord
In their sweet bosoms that never war advance
His bleeding sword twixt England and fair France
LORDS
Amen
KING HENRY
Now welcome Kate and bear me witness all
That here I kiss her as my sovereign queen
Flourish
QUEEN ISABEL
God the best maker of all marriages
Combine your hearts in one your realms in one
As man and wife being two are one in love
So be there twixt your kingdoms such a spousal
That never may ill office or fell jealousy
Which troubles oft the bed of blessed marriage
Thrust in between the paction of these kingdoms
To make divorce of their incorporate league
That English may as French French Englishmen
Receive each other God speak this Amen
ALL
Amen
KING HENRY
Prepare we for our marriage on which day
My Lord of Burgundy well take your oath
And all the peers for surety of our leagues
Then shall I swear to Kate and you to me
And may our oaths well kept and prosperous be
Sennet Exeunt
EPILOGUE
Enter Chorus
CHORUS
Thus far with rough and allunable pen
Our bending author hath pursud the story
In little room confining mighty men
Mangling by starts the full course of their glory
Small time but in that small most greatly lived
This star of England Fortune made his sword
By which the worlds best garden he achieved
And of it left his son imperial lord
Henry the Sixth in infant bands crownd King
Of France and England did this king succeed
Whose state so many had the managing
That they lost France and made his England bleed
Which oft our stage hath shown and for their sake
In your fair minds let this acceptance take
Exit
THE FIRST PART OF HENRY THE SIXTH
Contents
ACT I
Scene I Westminster Abbey
Scene II France Before Orleans
Scene III London Before the Tower
Scene IV Orleans
Scene V Before Orleans
Scene VI Orleans
ACT II
SCENE I Before Orleans
SCENE II Orleans Within the town
SCENE III Auvergne The Countesss castle
SCENE IV London The Temple Garden
SCENE V The Tower of London
ACT III
SCENE I London The Parliament House
SCENE II France Before Rouen
SCENE III The plains near Rouen
SCENE IV Paris The Palace
ACT IV
SCENE I Paris The Palace
SCENE II Before Bordeaux
SCENE III Plains in Gascony
SCENE IV Other plains in Gascony
SCENE V The English camp near Bordeaux
SCENE VI A field of battle
SCENE VII Another part of the field
ACT V
SCENE I London The Palace
SCENE II France Plains in Anjou
SCENE III Before Angiers
SCENE IV Camp of the Duke of York in Anjou
SCENE V London The royal palace
Dramatis Person
KING HENRY the Sixth
DUKE OF GLOUCESTER uncle to the King and Protector
DUKE OF BEDFORD uncle to the King and Regent of France
DUKE OF EXETER Thomas Beaufort greatuncle to the King
BISHOP OF WINCHESTER Henry Beaufort greatuncle to the King afterwards Cardinal
DUKE OF SOMERSET John Beaufort
RICHARD PLANTAGENET son of Richard late Earl of Cambridge afterwards Duke of York
EARL OF WARWICK
EARL OF SALISBURY
EARL OF SUFFOLK
LORD TALBOT afterwards Earl of Shrewsbury
JOHN TALBOT his son
Edmund MORTIMER Earl of March
SIR JOHN FASTOLF
SIR WILLIAM LUCY
SIR WILLIAM GLANSDALE
SIR THOMAS GARGRAVE
MAYOR of London
WOODVILLE Lieutenant of the Tower
VERNON of the WhiteRose or York faction
BASSET of the RedRose or Lancaster faction
A LAWYER
Mortimers JAILERS
CHARLES Dauphin and afterwards King of France
REIGNIER Duke of Anjou and titular King of Naples
DUKE OF BURGUNDY
DUKE OF ALENON
BASTARD OF ORLEANS
Governor of Paris
MASTER GUNNER of Orleans and BOY his son
General of the French forces in Bordeaux
A French Sergeant
A Porter
An old Shepherd father to Joan la Pucelle
MARGARET daughter to Reignier afterwards married to King Henry
COUNTESS OF AUVERGNE
JOAN LA PUCELLE commonly called Joan of Arc
Lords Warders of the Tower Heralds Officers Soldiers Messengers and Attendants
Fiends appearing to Joan la Pucelle
SCENE Partly in England and partly in France
ACT I
SCENE I Westminster Abbey
Dead March Enter the funeral of King Henry the Fifth attended on by the Duke of Bedford Regent of France the Duke of Gloucester Protector the Duke of Exeter the Earl of Warwick the Bishop of Winchester the Duke of Somerset with Heralds c
BEDFORD
Hung be the heavens with black yield day to night
Comets importing change of times and states
Brandish your crystal tresses in the sky
And with them scourge the bad revolting stars
That have consented unto Henrys death
King Henry the Fifth too famous to live long
England neer lost a king of so much worth
GLOUCESTER
England neer had a king until his time
Virtue he had deserving to command
His brandishd sword did blind men with his beams
His arms spread wider than a dragons wings
His sparkling eyes replete with wrathful fire
More dazzled and drove back his enemies
Than midday sun fierce bent against their faces
What should I say His deeds exceed all speech
He neer lift up his hand but conquered
EXETER
We mourn in black why mourn we not in blood
Henry is dead and never shall revive
Upon a wooden coffin we attend
And Deaths dishonourable victory
We with our stately presence glorify
Like captives bound to a triumphant car
What Shall we curse the planets of mishap
That plotted thus our glorys overthrow
Or shall we think the subtlewitted French
Conjurers and sorcerers that afraid of him
By magic verses have contrivd his end
WINCHESTER
He was a king blessd of the King of kings
Unto the French the dreadful judgementday
So dreadful will not be as was his sight
The battles of the Lord of Hosts he fought
The Churchs prayers made him so prosperous
GLOUCESTER
The Church Where is it Had not churchmen prayd
His thread of life had not so soon decayd
None do you like but an effeminate prince
Whom like a schoolboy you may overawe
WINCHESTER
Gloucester whateer we like thou art Protector
And lookest to command the Prince and realm
Thy wife is proud she holdeth thee in awe
More than God or religious churchmen may
GLOUCESTER
Name not religion for thou lovst the flesh
And neer throughout the year to church thou gost
Except it be to pray against thy foes
BEDFORD
Cease cease these jars and rest your minds in peace
Lets to the altar heralds wait on us
Instead of gold well offer up our arms
Since arms avail not now that Henrys dead
Posterity await for wretched years
When at their mothers moist eyes babes shall suck
Our isle be made a nourish of salt tears
And none but women left to wail the dead
Henry the Fifth thy ghost I invocate
Prosper this realm keep it from civil broils
Combat with adverse planets in the heavens
A far more glorious star thy soul will make
Than Julius Caesar or bright
Enter a Messenger
MESSENGER
My honourable lords health to you all
Sad tidings bring I to you out of France
Of loss of slaughter and discomfiture
Guienne Champaigne Rheims Rouen Orleans
Paris Guysors Poictiers are all quite lost
BEDFORD
What sayst thou man before dead Henrys corse
Speak softly or the loss of those great towns
Will make him burst his lead and rise from death
GLOUCESTER
Is Paris lost Is Rouen yielded up
If Henry were recalld to life again
These news would cause him once more yield the ghost
EXETER
How were they lost What treachery was usd
MESSENGER
No treachery but want of men and money
Amongst the soldiers this is muttered
That here you maintain several factions
And whilst a field should be dispatchd and fought
You are disputing of your generals
One would have lingering wars with little cost
Another would fly swift but wanteth wings
A third thinks without expense at all
By guileful fair words peace may be obtaind
Awake awake English nobility
Let not sloth dim your honours newbegot
Croppd are the flowerdeluces in your arms
Of Englands coat one half is cut away
He exits
EXETER
Were our tears wanting to this funeral
These tidings would call forth their flowing tides
BEDFORD
Me they concern Regent I am of France
Give me my steeled coat Ill fight for France
Away with these disgraceful wailing robes
Wounds will I lend the French instead of eyes
To weep their intermissive miseries
Enter to them another Messenger
MESSENGER
Lords view these letters full of bad mischance
France is revolted from the English quite
Except some petty towns of no import
The Dauphin Charles is crowned king in Rheims
The Bastard of Orleans with him is joind
Reignier Duke of Anjou doth take his part
The Duke of Alenon flieth to his side
He exits
EXETER
The Dauphin crowned king All fly to him
O whither shall we fly from this reproach
GLOUCESTER
We will not fly but to our enemies throats
Bedford if thou be slack Ill fight it out
BEDFORD
Gloucester why doubtst thou of my forwardness
An army have I musterd in my thoughts
Wherewith already France is overrun
Enter another Messenger
MESSENGER
My gracious lords to add to your laments
Wherewith you now bedew King Henrys hearse
I must inform you of a dismal fight
Betwixt the stout Lord Talbot and the French
WINCHESTER
What Wherein Talbot overcame ist so
MESSENGER
O no wherein Lord Talbot was oerthrown
The circumstance Ill tell you more at large
The tenth of August last this dreadful lord
Retiring from the siege of Orleans
Having full scarce six thousand in his troop
By three and twenty thousand of the French
Was round encompassed and set upon
No leisure had he to enrank his men
He wanted pikes to set before his archers
Instead whereof sharp stakes pluckd out of hedges
They pitched in the ground confusedly
To keep the horsemen off from breaking in
More than three hours the fight continued
Where valiant Talbot above human thought
Enacted wonders with his sword and lance
Hundreds he sent to hell and none durst stand him
Here there and everywhere enragd he slew
The French exclaimd the devil was in arms
All the whole army stood agazd on him
His soldiers spying his undaunted spirit
A Talbot a Talbot cried out amain
And rushd into the bowels of the battle
Here had the conquest fully been seald up
If Sir John Fastolf had not playd the coward
He being in the vaward placd behind
With purpose to relieve and follow them
Cowardly fled not having struck one stroke
Hence grew the general wrack and massacre
Enclosed were they with their enemies
A base Walloon to win the Dauphins grace
Thrust Talbot with a spear into the back
Whom all France with their chief assembled strength
Durst not presume to look once in the face
BEDFORD
Is Talbot slain Then I will slay myself
For living idly here in pomp and ease
Whilst such a worthy leader wanting aid
Unto his dastard foemen is betrayd
MESSENGER
O no he lives but is took prisoner
And Lord Scales with him and Lord Hungerford
Most of the rest slaughterd or took likewise
BEDFORD
His ransom there is none but I shall pay
Ill hale the Dauphin headlong from his throne
His crown shall be the ransom of my friend
Four of their lords Ill change for one of ours
Farewell my masters to my task will I
Bonfires in France forthwith I am to make
To keep our great Saint Georges feast withal
Ten thousand soldiers with me I will take
Whose bloody deeds shall make all Europe quake
MESSENGER
So you had need for Orleans is besiegd
The English army is grown weak and faint
The Earl of Salisbury craveth supply
And hardly keeps his men from mutiny
Since they so few watch such a multitude
He exits
EXETER
Remember lords your oaths to Henry sworn
Either to quell the Dauphin utterly
Or bring him in obedience to your yoke
BEDFORD
I do remember it and here take my leave
To go about my preparation
Exit
GLOUCESTER
Ill to the Tower with all the haste I can
To view th artillery and munition
And then I will proclaim young Henry king
Exit
EXETER
To Eltham will I where the young King is
Being ordaind his special governor
And for his safety there Ill best devise
Exit
WINCHESTER
Each hath his place and function to attend
I am left out for me nothing remains
But long I will not be Jack out of office
The King from Eltham I intend to steal
And sit at chiefest stern of public weal
Exeunt
SCENE II France Before Orleans
Sound a Flourish Enter Charles Alenon and Reignier marching with Drum and Soldiers
CHARLES
Mars his true moving even as in the heavens
So in the earth to this day is not known
Late did he shine upon the English side
Now we are victors upon us he smiles
What towns of any moment but we have
At pleasure here we lie near Orleans
Otherwhiles the famishd English like pale ghosts
Faintly besiege us one hour in a month
ALENON
They want their porridge and their fat bull beeves
Either they must be dieted like mules
And have their provender tied to their mouths
Or piteous they will look like drowned mice
REIGNIER
Lets raise the siege Why live we idly here
Talbot is taken whom we wont to fear
Remaineth none but madbraind Salisbury
And he may well in fretting spend his gall
Nor men nor money hath he to make war
CHARLES
Sound sound alarum We will rush on them
Now for the honour of the forlorn French
Him I forgive my death that killeth me
When he sees me go back one foot or fly
Exeunt
Here alarum they are beaten back by the English with great loss Reenter Charles Alenon and Reignier
CHARLES
Who ever saw the like What men have I
Dogs cowards dastards I would neer have fled
But that they left me midst my enemies
REIGNIER
Salisbury is a desperate homicide
He fighteth as one weary of his life
The other lords like lions wanting food
Do rush upon us as their hungry prey
ALENON
Froissart a countryman of ours records
England all Olivers and Rowlands bred
During the time Edward the Third did reign
More truly now may this be verified
For none but Samsons and Goliases
It sendeth forth to skirmish One to ten
Lean rawbond rascals Who would eer suppose
They had such courage and audacity
CHARLES
Lets leave this town for they are harebraind slaves
And hunger will enforce them to be more eager
Of old I know them rather with their teeth
The walls theyll tear down than forsake the siege
REIGNIER
I think by some odd gimmers or device
Their arms are set like clocks still to strike on
Else neer could they hold out so as they do
By my consent well even let them alone
ALENON
Be it so
Enter the Bastard of Orleans
BASTARD
Wheres the Prince Dauphin I have news for him
CHARLES
Bastard of Orleans thrice welcome to us
BASTARD
Methinks your looks are sad your cheer appalld
Hath the late overthrow wrought this offence
Be not dismayd for succour is at hand
A holy maid hither with me I bring
Which by a vision sent to her from heaven
Ordained is to raise this tedious siege
And drive the English forth the bounds of France
The spirit of deep prophecy she hath
Exceeding the nine sibyls of old Rome
Whats past and whats to come she can descry
Speak shall I call her in Believe my words
For they are certain and unfallible
CHARLES
Go call her in
Exit Bastard
But first to try her skill
Reignier stand thou as Dauphin in my place
Question her proudly let thy looks be stern
By this means shall we sound what skill she hath
Reenter the Bastard of Orleans with Joan la Pucelle
REIGNIER
Fair maid is t thou wilt do these wondrous feats
PUCELLE
Reignier is t thou that thinkest to beguile me
Where is the Dauphin Come come from behind
I know thee well though never seen before
Be not amazed theres nothing hid from me
In private will I talk with thee apart
Stand back you lords and give us leave awhile
REIGNIER
She takes upon her bravely at first dash
PUCELLE
Dauphin I am by birth a shepherds daughter
My wit untraind in any kind of art
Heaven and our Lady gracious hath it pleased
To shine on my contemptible estate
Lo whilst I waited on my tender lambs
And to suns parching heat displayd my cheeks
Gods mother deigned to appear to me
And in a vision full of majesty
Willd me to leave my base vocation
And free my country from calamity
Her aid she promised and assured success
In complete glory she reveald herself
And whereas I was black and swart before
With those clear rays which she infused on me
That beauty am I blest with which you may see
Ask me what question thou canst possible
And I will answer unpremeditated
My courage try by combat if thou darst
And thou shalt find that I exceed my sex
Resolve on this thou shalt be fortunate
If thou receive me for thy warlike mate
CHARLES
Thou hast astonishd me with thy high terms
Only this proof Ill of thy valour make
In single combat thou shalt buckle with me
And if thou vanquishest thy words are true
Otherwise I renounce all confidence
PUCELLE
I am prepared Here is my keenedgd sword
Deckd with five flowerdeluces on each side
The which at Touraine in Saint Katharines churchyard
Out of a great deal of old iron I chose forth
CHARLES
Then come o Gods name I fear no woman
PUCELLE
And while I live Ill neer fly from a man
Here they fight and Joan la Pucelle overcomes
CHARLES
Stay stay thy hands thou art an Amazon
And fightest with the sword of Deborah
PUCELLE
Christs Mother helps me else I were too weak
CHARLES
Whoeer helps thee tis thou that must help me
Impatiently I burn with thy desire
My heart and hands thou hast at once subdued
Excellent Pucelle if thy name be so
Let me thy servant and not sovereign be
Tis the French Dauphin sueth to thee thus
PUCELLE
I must not yield to any rites of love
For my professions sacred from above
When I have chased all thy foes from hence
Then will I think upon a recompense
CHARLES
Meantime look gracious on thy prostrate thrall
REIGNIER
My lord methinks is very long in talk
ALENON
Doubtless he shrives this woman to her smock
Else neer could he so long protract his speech
REIGNIER
Shall we disturb him since he keeps no mean
ALENON
He may mean more than we poor men do know
These women are shrewd tempters with their tongues
REIGNIER
My lord where are you What devise you on
Shall we give over Orleans or no
PUCELLE
Why no I say Distrustful recreants
Fight till the last gasp I will be your guard
CHARLES
What she says Ill confirm Well fight it out
PUCELLE
Assignd am I to be the English scourge
This night the siege assuredly Ill raise
Expect Saint Martins summer halcyons days
Since I have entered into these wars
Glory is like a circle in the water
Which never ceaseth to enlarge itself
Till by broad spreading it disperse to nought
With Henrys death the English circle ends
Dispersed are the glories it included
Now am I like that proud insulting ship
Which Caesar and his fortune bare at once
CHARLES
Was Mahomet inspired with a dove
Thou with an eagle art inspired then
Helen the mother of great Constantine
Nor yet Saint Philips daughters were like thee
Bright star of Venus falln down on the earth
How may I reverently worship thee enough
ALENON
Leave off delays and let us raise the siege
REIGNIER
Woman do what thou canst to save our honours
Drive them from Orleans and be immortalized
CHARLES
Presently well try Come lets away about it
No prophet will I trust if she prove false
Exeunt
SCENE III London Before the Tower
Enter the Duke of Gloucester with his Servingmen in blue coats
GLOUCESTER
I am come to survey the Tower this day
Since Henrys death I fear there is conveyance
Where be these warders that they wait not here
Open the gates tis Gloucester that calls
FIRST WARDER
Within Whos there that knocks so imperiously
FIRST SERVINGMAN
It is the noble Duke of Gloucester
SECOND WARDER
Within Whoeer he be you may not be let in
FIRST SERVINGMAN
Villains answer you so the Lord Protector
FIRST WARDER
Within The Lord protect him so we answer him
We do no otherwise than we are willd
GLOUCESTER
Who willed you Or whose will stands but mine
Theres none Protector of the realm but I
Break up the gates Ill be your warrantize
Shall I be flouted thus by dunghill grooms
Gloucesters men rush at the Tower gates and Woodville the Lieutenant speaks within
WOODVILLE
What noise is this What traitors have we here
GLOUCESTER
Lieutenant is it you whose voice I hear
Open the gates heres Gloucester that would enter
WOODVILLE
Have patience noble Duke I may not open
The Cardinal of Winchester forbids
From him I have express commandment
That thou nor none of thine shall be let in
GLOUCESTER
Fainthearted Woodville prizest him fore me
Arrogant Winchester that haughty prelate
Whom Henry our late sovereign neer could brook
Thou art no friend to God or to the King
Open the gates or Ill shut thee out shortly
SERVINGMEN
Open the gates unto the Lord Protector
Or well burst them open if that you come not quickly
Enter to the Protector at the Tower gates Winchester and his men in tawny coats
WINCHESTER
How now ambitious Humphrey What means this
GLOUCESTER
Peeld priest dost thou command me to be shut out
WINCHESTER
I do thou most usurping proditor
And not Protector of the King or realm
GLOUCESTER
Stand back thou manifest conspirator
Thou that contrivedst to murder our dead lord
Thou that givst whores indulgences to sin
Ill canvass thee in thy broad cardinals hat
If thou proceed in this thy insolence
WINCHESTER
Nay stand thou back I will not budge a foot
This be Damascus be thou cursed Cain
To slay thy brother Abel if thou wilt
GLOUCESTER
I will not slay thee but Ill drive thee back
Thy scarlet robes as a childs bearingcloth
Ill use to carry thee out of this place
WINCHESTER
Do what thou darst I beard thee to thy face
GLOUCESTER
What am I dared and bearded to my face
Draw men for all this privileged place
Blue coats to tawny coats Priest beware your beard
I mean to tug it and to cuff you soundly
Under my feet Ill stamp thy cardinals hat
In spite of Pope or dignities of church
Here by the cheeks Ill drag thee up and down
WINCHESTER
Gloucester thou wilt answer this before the Pope
GLOUCESTER
Winchester goose I cry a rope a rope
Now beat them hence why do you let them stay
Thee Ill chase hence thou wolf in sheeps array
Out tawny coats Out scarlet hypocrite
Here Gloucesters men beat out the Cardinals men and enter in the hurlyburly the Mayor of London and his Officers
MAYOR
Fie lords that you being supreme magistrates
Thus contumeliously should break the peace
GLOUCESTER
Peace Mayor Thou knowst little of my wrongs
Heres Beaufort that regards nor God nor king
Hath here distraind the Tower to his use
WINCHESTER
Heres Gloucester a foe to citizens
One that still motions war and never peace
Oercharging your free purses with large fines
That seeks to overthrow religion
Because he is Protector of the realm
And would have armour here out of the Tower
To crown himself king and suppress the Prince
GLOUCESTER
I will not answer thee with words but blows
Here they skirmish again
MAYOR
Nought rests for me in this tumultuous strife
But to make open proclamation
Come officer as loud as eer thou canst cry
OFFICER
All manner of men assembled here in arms this day against Gods peace and the Kings we charge and command you in his Highness name to repair to your several dwellingplaces and not to wear handle or use any sword weapon or dagger henceforward upon pain of death
GLOUCESTER
Cardinal Ill be no breaker of the law
But we shall meet and break our minds at large
WINCHESTER
Gloucester we will meet to thy cost be sure
Thy heartblood I will have for this days work
MAYOR
Ill call for clubs if you will not away
This Cardinals more haughty than the devil
GLOUCESTER
Mayor farewell Thou dost but what thou mayst
WINCHESTER
Abominable Gloucester guard thy head
For I intend to have it ere long
Exeunt severally Gloucester and Winchester with their Servingmen
MAYOR
See the coast cleard and then we will depart
Good God these nobles should such stomachs bear
I myself fight not once in forty year
Exeunt
SCENE IV Orleans
Enter on the walls a Master Gunner and his Boy
MASTER GUNNER
Sirrah thou knowst how Orleans is besieged
And how the English have the suburbs won
BOY
Father I know and oft have shot at them
Howeer unfortunate I missd my aim
MASTER GUNNER
But now thou shalt not Be thou ruled by me
Chief mastergunner am I of this town
Something I must do to procure me grace
The Princes espials have informed me
How the English in the suburbs close intrenchd
Wont through a secret grate of iron bars
In yonder tower to overpeer the city
And thence discover how with most advantage
They may vex us with shot or with assault
To intercept this inconvenience
A piece of ordnance gainst it I have placed
And even these three days have I watchd
If I could see them
Now do thou watch for I can stay no longer
If thou spyst any run and bring me word
And thou shalt find me at the Governors
Exit
BOY
Father I warrant you take you no care
Ill never trouble you if I may spy them
Exit
Enter on the turrets Salisbury and Talbot Sir William Glansdale Sir Thomas Gargrave and others
SALISBURY
Talbot my life my joy again returnd
How wert thou handled being prisoner
Or by what means gotst thou to be releasd
Discourse I prithee on this turrets top
TALBOT
The Duke of Bedford had a prisoner
Calld the brave Lord Ponton de Santrailles
For him was I exchanged and ransomed
But with a baser man of arms by far
Once in contempt they would have barterd me
Which I disdaining scornd and craved death
Rather than I would be so vileesteemd
In fine redeemd I was as I desired
But O the treacherous Fastolf wounds my heart
Whom with my bare fists I would execute
If I now had him brought into my power
SALISBURY
Yet tellst thou not how thou wert entertaind
TALBOT
With scoffs and scorns and contumelious taunts
In open marketplace produced they me
To be a public spectacle to all
Here said they is the terror of the French
The scarecrow that affrights our children so
Then broke I from the officers that led me
And with my nails diggd stones out of the ground
To hurl at the beholders of my shame
My grisly countenance made others fly
None durst come near for fear of sudden death
In iron walls they deemd me not secure
So great fear of my name mongst them were spread
That they supposed I could rend bars of steel
And spurn in pieces posts of adamant
Wherefore a guard of chosen shot I had
That walkd about me every minute while
And if I did but stir out of my bed
Ready they were to shoot me to the heart
Enter the Boy with a linstock
SALISBURY
I grieve to hear what torments you endured
But we will be revenged sufficiently
Now it is suppertime in Orleans
Here through this grate I count each one
And view the Frenchmen how they fortify
Let us look in the sight will much delight thee
Sir Thomas Gargrave and Sir William Glansdale
Let me have your express opinions
Where is best place to make our battery next
GARGRAVE
I think at the north gate for there stand lords
GLANSDALE
And I here at the bulwark of the bridge
TALBOT
For aught I see this city must be famishd
Or with light skirmishes enfeebled
Here they shoot and Salisbury and Gargrave fall down
SALISBURY
O Lord have mercy on us wretched sinners
GARGRAVE
O Lord have mercy on me woeful man
TALBOT
What chance is this that suddenly hath crossd us
Speak Salisbury at least if thou canst speak
How farst thou mirror of all martial men
One of thy eyes and thy cheeks side struck off
Accursed tower accursed fatal hand
That hath contrived this woeful tragedy
In thirteen battles Salisbury oercame
Henry the Fifth he first traind to the wars
Whilst any trump did sound or drum struck up
His sword did neer leave striking in the field
Yet livst thou Salisbury Though thy speech doth fail
One eye thou hast to look to heaven for grace
The sun with one eye vieweth all the world
Heaven be thou gracious to none alive
If Salisbury wants mercy at thy hands
Sir Thomas Gargrave hast thou any life
Speak unto Talbot nay look up to him
Bear hence his body I will help to bury it
Exeunt some with the body of Gargrave
Salisbury cheer thy spirit with this comfort
Thou shalt not die whiles
He beckons with his hand and smiles on me
As who should say When I am dead and gone
Remember to avenge me on the French
Plantagenet I will and like thee Nero
Play on the lute beholding the towns burn
Wretched shall France be only in thy name
Here an alarum and it thunders and lightens
What stir is this What tumults in the heavens
Whence cometh this alarum and the noise
Enter a Messenger
MESSENGER
My lord my lord the French have gatherd head
The Dauphin with one Joan la Pucelle joind
A holy prophetess new risen up
Is come with a great power to raise the siege
Here Salisbury lifteth himself up and groans
TALBOT
Hear hear how dying Salisbury doth groan
It irks his heart he cannot be revenged
Frenchmen Ill be a Salisbury to you
Pucelle or puzel dolphin or dogfish
Your hearts Ill stamp out with my horses heels
And make a quagmire of your mingled brains
Convey we Salisbury into his tent
And then well try what these dastard Frenchmen dare
Alarum Exeunt
SCENE V Before Orleans
Here an alarum again and Talbot pursueth the Dauphin and driveth him then enter Joan la Pucelle driving Englishmen before her and exit after them Then reenter Talbot
TALBOT
Where is my strength my valour and my force
Our English troops retire I cannot stay them
A woman clad in armour chaseth them
Enter La Pucelle
Here here she comes Ill have a bout with thee
Devil or devils dam Ill conjure thee
Blood will I draw on thee thou art a witch
And straightway give thy soul to him thou servst
PUCELLE
Come come tis only I that must disgrace thee
Here they fight
TALBOT
Heavens can you suffer hell so to prevail
My breast Ill burst with straining of my courage
And from my shoulders crack my arms asunder
But I will chastise this highminded strumpet
They fight again
PUCELLE
Talbot farewell thy hour is not yet come
I must go victual Orleans forthwith
A short alarum Then enter the town with soldiers
Oertake me if thou canst I scorn thy strength
Go go cheer up thy hungrystarved men
Help Salisbury to make his testament
This day is ours as many more shall be
Exit
TALBOT
My thoughts are whirled like a potters wheel
I know not where I am nor what I do
A witch by fear not force like Hannibal
Drives back our troops and conquers as she lists
So bees with smoke and doves with noisome stench
Are from their hives and houses driven away
They calld us for our fierceness English dogs
Now like to whelps we crying run away
A short alarum
Hark countrymen either renew the fight
Or tear the lions out of Englands coat
Renounce your soil give sheep in lions stead
Sheep run not half so treacherous from the wolf
Or horse or oxen from the leopard
As you fly from your oftsubdued slaves
Alarum Here another skirmish
It will not be Retire into your trenches
You all consented unto Salisburys death
For none would strike a stroke in his revenge
Pucelle is enterd into Orleans
In spite of us or aught that we could do
O would I were to die with Salisbury
The shame hereof will make me hide my head
Exit Talbot Alarum retreat
SCENE VI Orleans
Flourish Enter on the walls La Pucelle Charles Reignier Alenon and Soldiers
PUCELLE
Advance our waving colours on the walls
Rescued is Orleans from the English
Thus Joan la Pucelle hath performd her word
CHARLES
Divinest creature Astraeas daughter
How shall I honour thee for this success
Thy promises are like Adonis gardens
That one day bloomd and fruitful were the next
France triumph in thy glorious prophetess
Recoverd is the town of Orleans
More blessed hap did neer befall our state
REIGNIER
Why ring not bells aloud throughout the town
Dauphin command the citizens make bonfires
And feast and banquet in the open streets
To celebrate the joy that God hath given us
ALENON
All France will be replete with mirth and joy
When they shall hear how we have playd the men
CHARLES
Tis Joan not we by whom the day is won
For which I will divide my crown with her
And all the priests and friars in my realm
Shall in procession sing her endless praise
A statelier pyramis to her Ill rear
Than Rhodopes of Memphis ever was
In memory of her when she is dead
Her ashes in an urn more precious
Than the richjeweld coffer of Darius
Transported shall be at high festivals
Before the kings and queens of France
No longer on Saint Denis will we cry
But Joan la Pucelle shall be Frances saint
Come in and let us banquet royally
After this golden day of victory
Flourish Exeunt
ACT II
SCENE I Before Orleans
Enter a Sergeant of a band with two Sentinels
SERGEANT
Sirs take your places and be vigilant
If any noise or soldier you perceive
Near to the walls by some apparent sign
Let us have knowledge at the court of guard
FIRST SENTINEL
Sergeant you shall
Exit Sergeant
Thus are poor servitors
When others sleep upon their quiet beds
Constraind to watch in darkness rain and cold
Enter Talbot Bedford Burgundy and forces with scalingladders
TALBOT
Lord Regent and redoubted Burgundy
By whose approach the regions of Artois
Walloon and Picardy are friends to us
This happy night the Frenchmen are secure
Having all day caroused and banqueted
Embrace we then this opportunity
As fitting best to quittance their deceit
Contrivd by art and baleful sorcery
BEDFORD
Coward of France how much he wrongs his fame
Despairing of his own arms fortitude
To join with witches and the help of hell
BURGUNDY
Traitors have never other company
But whats that Pucelle whom they term so pure
TALBOT
A maid they say
BEDFORD
A maid And be so martial
BURGUNDY
Pray God she prove not masculine ere long
If underneath the standard of the French
She carry armour as she hath begun
TALBOT
Well let them practice and converse with spirits
God is our fortress in whose conquering name
Let us resolve to scale their flinty bulwarks
BEDFORD
Ascend brave Talbot we will follow thee
TALBOT
Not all together Better far I guess
That we do make our entrance several ways
That if it chance the one of us do fail
The other yet may rise against their force
BEDFORD
Agreed Ill to yond corner
BURGUNDY
And I to this
TALBOT
And here will Talbot mount or make his grave
Now Salisbury for thee and for the right
Of English Henry shall this night appear
How much in duty I am bound to both
SENTINEL
Arm Arm The enemy doth make assault
Cry St George A Talbot
The French leap over the walls in their shirts Enter several ways the Bastard of Orleans Alenon and Reignier half ready and half unready
ALENON
How now my lords What all unready so
BASTARD
Unready Ay and glad we scapd so well
REIGNIER
Twas time I trow to wake and leave our beds
Hearing alarums at our chamberdoors
ALENON
Of all exploits since first I followd arms
Neer heard I of a warlike enterprise
More venturous or desperate than this
BASTARD
I think this Talbot be a fiend of hell
REIGNIER
If not of hell the heavens sure favour him
ALENON
Here cometh Charles I marvel how he sped
Enter Charles and La Pucelle
BASTARD
Tut holy Joan was his defensive guard
CHARLES
Is this thy cunning thou deceitful dame
Didst thou at first to flatter us withal
Make us partakers of a little gain
That now our loss might be ten times so much
PUCELLE
Wherefore is Charles impatient with his friend
At all times will you have my power alike
Sleeping or waking must I still prevail
Or will you blame and lay the fault on me
Improvident soldiers had your watch been good
This sudden mischief never could have falln
CHARLES
Duke of Alenon this was your default
That being captain of the watch tonight
Did look no better to that weighty charge
ALENON
Had all your quarters been as safely kept
As that whereof I had the government
We had not been thus shamefully surprised
BASTARD
Mine was secure
REIGNIER
And so was mine my lord
CHARLES
And for myself most part of all this night
Within her quarter and mine own precinct
I was employd in passing to and fro
About relieving of the sentinels
Then how or which way should they first break in
PUCELLE
Question my lords no further of the case
How or which way tis sure they found some place
But weakly guarded where the breach was made
And now there rests no other shift but this
To gather our soldiers scattered and dispersed
And lay new platforms to endamage them
Alarum Enter an English Soldier crying A Talbot A Talbot They fly leaving their clothes behind
SOLDIER
Ill be so bold to take what they have left
The cry of Talbot serves me for a sword
For I have loaden me with many spoils
Using no other weapon but his name
Exit
SCENE II Orleans Within the town
Enter Talbot Bedford Burgundy a Captain and others
BEDFORD
The day begins to break and night is fled
Whose pitchy mantle overveild the earth
Here sound retreat and cease our hot pursuit
Retreat sounded
TALBOT
Bring forth the body of old Salisbury
And here advance it in the marketplace
The middle centre of this cursed town
Dead March Enter with the body of Salisbury
Now have I paid my vow unto his soul
For every drop of blood was drawn from him
There hath at least five Frenchmen died tonight
And that hereafter ages may behold
What ruin happend in revenge of him
Within their chiefest temple Ill erect
A tomb wherein his corpse shall be interrd
Upon the which that everyone may read
Shall be engraved the sack of Orleans
The treacherous manner of his mournful death
And what a terror he had been to France
Exit Funeral
But lords in all our bloody massacre
I muse we met not with the Dauphins grace
His newcome champion virtuous Joan of Arc
Nor any of his false confederates
BEDFORD
Tis thought Lord Talbot when the fight began
Rousd on the sudden from their drowsy beds
They did amongst the troops of armed men
Leap oer the walls for refuge in the field
BURGUNDY
Myself as far as I could well discern
For smoke and dusky vapors of the night
Am sure I scared the Dauphin and his trull
When arm in arm they both came swiftly running
Like to a pair of loving turtledoves
That could not live asunder day or night
After that things are set in order here
Well follow them with all the power we have
Enter a Messenger
MESSENGER
All hail my lords Which of this princely train
Call ye the warlike Talbot for his acts
So much applauded through the realm of France
TALBOT
Here is the Talbot Who would speak with him
MESSENGER
The virtuous lady Countess of Auvergne
With modesty admiring thy renown
By me entreats great lord thou wouldst vouchsafe
To visit her poor castle where she lies
That she may boast she hath beheld the man
Whose glory fills the world with loud report
BURGUNDY
Is it even so Nay then I see our wars
Will turn unto a peaceful comic sport
When ladies crave to be encounterd with
You may not my lord despise her gentle suit
TALBOT
Neer trust me then for when a world of men
Could not prevail with all their oratory
Yet hath a womans kindness overruled
And therefore tell her I return great thanks
And in submission will attend on her
Will not your honours bear me company
BEDFORD
No truly it is more than manners will
And I have heard it said unbidden guests
Are often welcomest when they are gone
TALBOT
Well then alone since theres no remedy
I mean to prove this ladys courtesy
Come hither Captain Whispers You perceive my mind
CAPTAIN
I do my lord and mean accordingly
Exeunt
SCENE III Auvergne The Countesss castle
Enter the Countess and her Porter
COUNTESS
Porter remember what I gave in charge
And when you have done so bring the keys to me
PORTER
Madam I will
Exit
COUNTESS
The plot is laid If all things fall out right
I shall as famous be by this exploit
As Scythian Tomyris by Cyrus death
Great is the rumour of this dreadful knight
And his achievements of no less account
Fain would mine eyes be witness with mine ears
To give their censure of these rare reports
Enter Messenger and Talbot
MESSENGER
Madam according as your ladyship desired
By message craved so is Lord Talbot come
COUNTESS
And he is welcome What is this the man
MESSENGER
Madam it is
COUNTESS
Is this the scourge of France
Is this the Talbot so much feard abroad
That with his name the mothers still their babes
I see report is fabulous and false
I thought I should have seen some Hercules
A second Hector for his grim aspect
And large proportion of his strongknit limbs
Alas this is a child a silly dwarf
It cannot be this weak and writhled shrimp
Should strike such terror to his enemies
TALBOT
Madam I have been bold to trouble you
But since your ladyship is not at leisure
Ill sort some other time to visit you
COUNTESS
What means he now Go ask him whither he goes
MESSENGER
Stay my Lord Talbot for my lady craves
To know the cause of your abrupt departure
TALBOT
Marry for that shes in a wrong belief
I go to certify her Talbots here
Enter Porter with keys
COUNTESS
If thou be he then art thou prisoner
TALBOT
Prisoner To whom
COUNTESS
To me bloodthirsty lord
And for that cause I traind thee to my house
Long time thy shadow hath been thrall to me
For in my gallery thy picture hangs
But now the substance shall endure the like
And I will chain these legs and arms of thine
That hast by tyranny these many years
Wasted our country slain our citizens
And sent our sons and husbands captivate
TALBOT
Ha ha ha
COUNTESS
Laughest thou wretch Thy mirth shall turn to moan
TALBOT
I laugh to see your ladyship so fond
To think that you have aught but Talbots shadow
Whereon to practice your severity
COUNTESS
Why art not thou the man
TALBOT
I am indeed
COUNTESS
Then have I substance too
TALBOT
No no I am but shadow of myself
You are deceived my substance is not here
For what you see is but the smallest part
And least proportion of humanity
I tell you madam were the whole frame here
It is of such a spacious lofty pitch
Your roof were not sufficient to contain t
COUNTESS
This is a riddling merchant for the nonce
He will be here and yet he is not here
How can these contrarieties agree
TALBOT
That will I show you presently
Winds his horn Drums strike up a peal of ordnance Enter Soldiers
How say you madam Are you now persuaded
That Talbot is but shadow of himself
These are his substance sinews arms and strength
With which he yoketh your rebellious necks
Razeth your cities and subverts your towns
And in a moment makes them desolate
COUNTESS
Victorious Talbot pardon my abuse
I find thou art no less than fame hath bruited
And more than may be gatherd by thy shape
Let my presumption not provoke thy wrath
For I am sorry that with reverence
I did not entertain thee as thou art
TALBOT
Be not dismayd fair lady nor misconster
The mind of Talbot as you did mistake
The outward composition of his body
What you have done hath not offended me
Nor other satisfaction do I crave
But only with your patience that we may
Taste of your wine and see what cates you have
For soldiers stomachs always serve them well
COUNTESS
With all my heart and think me honoured
To feast so great a warrior in my house
Exeunt
SCENE IV London The Temple Garden
Enter the Earls of Somerset Suffolk and Warwick Richard Plantagenet Vernon and another Lawyer
PLANTAGENET
Great lords and gentlemen what means this silence
Dare no man answer in a case of truth
SUFFOLK
Within the Temple Hall we were too loud
The garden here is more convenient
PLANTAGENET
Then say at once if I maintaind the truth
Or else was wrangling Somerset in th error
SUFFOLK
Faith I have been a truant in the law
And never yet could frame my will to it
And therefore frame the law unto my will
SOMERSET
Judge you my Lord of Warwick then between us
WARWICK
Between two hawks which flies the higher pitch
Between two dogs which hath the deeper mouth
Between two blades which bears the better temper
Between two horses which doth bear him best
Between two girls which hath the merriest eye
I have perhaps some shallow spirit of judgement
But in these nice sharp quillets of the law
Good faith I am no wiser than a daw
PLANTAGENET
Tut tut here is a mannerly forbearance
The truth appears so naked on my side
That any purblind eye may find it out
SOMERSET
And on my side it is so well apparelld
So clear so shining and so evident
That it will glimmer through a blind mans eye
PLANTAGENET
Since you are tonguetied and so loath to speak
In dumb significants proclaim your thoughts
Let him that is a trueborn gentleman
And stands upon the honour of his birth
If he suppose that I have pleaded truth
From off this brier pluck a white rose with me
SOMERSET
Let him that is no coward nor no flatterer
But dare maintain the party of the truth
Pluck a red rose from off this thorn with me
WARWICK
I love no colours and without all colour
Of base insinuating flattery
I pluck this white rose with Plantagenet
SUFFOLK
I pluck this red rose with young Somerset
And say withal I think he held the right
VERNON
Stay lords and gentlemen and pluck no more
Till you conclude that he upon whose side
The fewest roses are croppd from the tree
Shall yield the other in the right opinion
SOMERSET
Good Master Vernon it is well objected
If I have fewest I subscribe in silence
PLANTAGENET
And I
VERNON
Then for the truth and plainness of the case
I pluck this pale and maiden blossom here
Giving my verdict on the white rose side
SOMERSET
Prick not your finger as you pluck it off
Lest bleeding you do paint the white rose red
And fall on my side so against your will
VERNON
If I my lord for my opinion bleed
Opinion shall be surgeon to my hurt
And keep me on the side where still I am
SOMERSET
Well well come on who else
LAWYER
Unless my study and my books be false
To Somerset
The argument you held was wrong in law
In sign whereof I pluck a white rose too
PLANTAGENET
Now Somerset where is your argument
SOMERSET
Here in my scabbard meditating that
Shall dye your white rose in a bloody red
PLANTAGENET
Meantime your cheeks do counterfeit our roses
For pale they look with fear as witnessing
The truth on our side
SOMERSET
No Plantagenet
Tis not for fear but anger that thy cheeks
Blush for pure shame to counterfeit our roses
And yet thy tongue will not confess thy error
PLANTAGENET
Hath not thy rose a canker Somerset
SOMERSET
Hath not thy rose a thorn Plantagenet
PLANTAGENET
Ay sharp and piercing to maintain his truth
Whiles thy consuming canker eats his falsehood
SOMERSET
Well Ill find friends to wear my bleeding roses
That shall maintain what I have said is true
Where false Plantagenet dare not be seen
PLANTAGENET
Now by this maiden blossom in my hand
I scorn thee and thy fashion peevish boy
SUFFOLK
Turn not thy scorns this way Plantagenet
PLANTAGENET
Proud Pole I will and scorn both him and thee
SUFFOLK
Ill turn my part thereof into thy throat
SOMERSET
Away away good William de la Pole
We grace the yeoman by conversing with him
WARWICK
Now by Gods will thou wrongst him Somerset
His grandfather was Lionel Duke of Clarence
Third son to the third Edward King of England
Spring crestless yeomen from so deep a root
PLANTAGENET
He bears him on the places privilege
Or durst not for his craven heart say thus
SOMERSET
By Him that made me Ill maintain my words
On any plot of ground in Christendom
Was not thy father Richard Earl of Cambridge
For treason executed in our late kings days
And by his treason standst not thou attainted
Corrupted and exempt from ancient gentry
His trespass yet lives guilty in thy blood
And till thou be restored thou art a yeoman
PLANTAGENET
My father was attached not attainted
Condemnd to die for treason but no traitor
And that Ill prove on better men than Somerset
Were growing time once ripend to my will
For your partaker Pole and you yourself
Ill note you in my book of memory
To scourge you for this apprehension
Look to it well and say you are well warnd
SOMERSET
Ah thou shalt find us ready for thee still
And know us by these colours for thy foes
For these my friends in spite of thee shall wear
PLANTAGENET
And by my soul this pale and angry rose
As cognizance of my blooddrinking hate
Will I for ever and my faction wear
Until it wither with me to my grave
Or flourish to the height of my degree
SUFFOLK
Go forward and be chokd with thy ambition
And so farewell until I meet thee next
Exit
SOMERSET
Have with thee Pole Farewell ambitious Richard
Exit
PLANTAGENET
How I am braved and must perforce endure it
WARWICK
This blot that they object against your house
Shall be wiped out in the next parliament
Calld for the truce of Winchester and Gloucester
And if thou be not then created York
I will not live to be accounted Warwick
Meantime in signal of my love to thee
Against proud Somerset and William Pole
Will I upon thy party wear this rose
And here I prophesy this brawl today
Grown to this faction in the Temple Garden
Shall send between the Red Rose and the White
A thousand souls to death and deadly night
PLANTAGENET
Good Master Vernon I am bound to you
That you on my behalf would pluck a flower
VERNON
In your behalf still will I wear the same
LAWYER
And so will I
PLANTAGENET
Thanks gentlemen
Come let us four to dinner I dare say
This quarrel will drink blood another day
Exeunt
SCENE V The Tower of London
Enter Mortimer brought in a chair and Jailers
MORTIMER
Kind keepers of my weak decaying age
Let dying Mortimer here rest himself
Even like a man new haled from the rack
So fare my limbs with long imprisonment
And these gray locks the pursuivants of death
Nestorlike aged in an age of care
Argue the end of Edmund Mortimer
These eyes like lamps whose wasting oil is spent
Wax dim as drawing to their exigent
Weak shoulders overborne with burdening grief
And pithless arms like to a witherd vine
That droops his sapless branches to the ground
Yet are these feet whose strengthless stay is numb
Unable to support this lump of clay
Swiftwinged with desire to get a grave
As witting I no other comfort have
But tell me keeper will my nephew come
FIRST JAILER
Richard Plantagenet my lord will come
We sent unto the Temple unto his chamber
And answer was returnd that he will come
MORTIMER
Enough My soul shall then be satisfied
Poor gentleman his wrong doth equal mine
Since Henry Monmouth first began to reign
Before whose glory I was great in arms
This loathsome sequestration have I had
And even since then hath Richard been obscured
Deprived of honour and inheritance
But now the arbitrator of despairs
Just Death kind umpire of mens miseries
With sweet enlargement doth dismiss me hence
I would his troubles likewise were expired
That so he might recover what was lost
Enter Richard Plantagenet
FIRST JAILER
My lord your loving nephew now is come
MORTIMER
Richard Plantagenet my friend is he come
PLANTAGENET
Ay noble uncle thus ignobly used
Your nephew late despised Richard comes
MORTIMER
Direct mine arms I may embrace his neck
And in his bosom spend my latter gasp
O tell me when my lips do touch his cheeks
That I may kindly give one fainting kiss
And now declare sweet stem from Yorks great stock
Why didst thou say of late thou wert despised
PLANTAGENET
First lean thine aged back against mine arm
And in that ease Ill tell thee my disease
This day in argument upon a case
Some words there grew twixt Somerset and me
Among which terms he used his lavish tongue
And did upbraid me with my fathers death
Which obloquy set bars before my tongue
Else with the like I had requited him
Therefore good uncle for my fathers sake
In honour of a true Plantagenet
And for alliance sake declare the cause
My father Earl of Cambridge lost his head
MORTIMER
That cause fair nephew that imprisond me
And hath detaind me all my flowering youth
Within a loathsome dungeon there to pine
Was cursed instrument of his decease
PLANTAGENET
Discover more at large what cause that was
For I am ignorant and cannot guess
MORTIMER
I will if that my fading breath permit
And death approach not ere my tale be done
Henry the Fourth grandfather to this king
Deposed his nephew Richard Edwards son
The firstbegotten and the lawful heir
Of Edward king the third of that descent
During whose reign the Percies of the north
Finding his usurpation most unjust
Endeavourd my advancement to the throne
The reason moved these warlike lords to this
Was for thatyoung King Richard thus removed
Leaving no heir begotten of his body
I was the next by birth and parentage
For by my mother I derived am
From Lionel Duke of Clarence third son
To King Edward the Third whereas he
From John of Gaunt doth bring his pedigree
Being but fourth of that heroic line
But mark as in this haughty great attempt
They labored to plant the rightful heir
I lost my liberty and they their lives
Long after this when Henry the Fifth
Succeeding his father Bolingbroke did reign
Thy father Earl of Cambridge then derived
From famous Edmund Langley Duke of York
Marrying my sister that thy mother was
Again in pity of my hard distress
Levied an army weening to redeem
And have installd me in the diadem
But as the rest so fell that noble earl
And was beheaded Thus the Mortimers
In whom the title rested were suppressd
PLANTAGENET
Of which my lord your honour is the last
MORTIMER
True and thou seest that I no issue have
And that my fainting words do warrant death
Thou art my heir the rest I wish thee gather
But yet be wary in thy studious care
PLANTAGENET
Thy grave admonishments prevail with me
But yet methinks my fathers execution
Was nothing less than bloody tyranny
MORTIMER
With silence nephew be thou politic
Strongfixed is the house of Lancaster
And like a mountain not to be removed
But now thy uncle is removing hence
As princes do their courts when they are cloyd
With long continuance in a settled place
PLANTAGENET
O uncle would some part of my young years
Might but redeem the passage of your age
MORTIMER
Thou dost then wrong me as that slaughterer doth
Which giveth many wounds when one will kill
Mourn not except thou sorrow for my good
Only give order for my funeral
And so farewell and fair be all thy hopes
And prosperous be thy life in peace and war
Dies
PLANTAGENET
And peace no war befall thy parting soul
In prison hast thou spent a pilgrimage
And like a hermit overpassd thy days
Well I will lock his counsel in my breast
And what I do imagine let that rest
Keepers convey him hence and I myself
Will see his burial better than his life
Exeunt Jailers bearing out the body of Mortimer
Here dies the dusky torch of Mortimer
Choked with ambition of the meaner sort
And for those wrongs those bitter injuries
Which Somerset hath offerd to my house
I doubt not but with honour to redress
And therefore haste I to the Parliament
Either to be restored to my blood
Or make mine ill th advantage of my good
Exit
ACT III
SCENE I London The Parliament House
Flourish Enter King Exeter Gloucester the Bishop of Winchester Richard Plantagenet Warwick and Somerset Suffolk and others Gloucester offers to put up a bill Winchester snatches it tears it
WINCHESTER
Comst thou with deep premeditated lines
With written pamphlets studiously devised
Humphrey of Gloucester If thou canst accuse
Or aught intendst to lay unto my charge
Do it without invention suddenly
As I with sudden and extemporal speech
Purpose to answer what thou canst object
GLOUCESTER
Presumptuous priest this place commands my patience
Or thou shouldst find thou hast dishonourd me
Think not although in writing I preferrd
The manner of thy vile outrageous crimes
That therefore I have forged or am not able
Verbatim to rehearse the method of my pen
No prelate such is thy audacious wickedness
Thy lewd pestiferous and dissentious pranks
As very infants prattle of thy pride
Thou art a most pernicious usurer
Froward by nature enemy to peace
Lascivious wanton more than well beseems
A man of thy profession and degree
And for thy treachery whats more manifest
In that thou laidst a trap to take my life
As well at London Bridge as at the Tower
Beside I fear me if thy thoughts are sifted
The King thy sovereign is not quite exempt
From envious malice of thy swelling heart
WINCHESTER
Gloucester I do defy thee Lords vouchsafe
To give me hearing what I shall reply
If I were covetous ambitious or perverse
As he will have me how am I so poor
Or how haps it I seek not to advance
Or raise myself but keep my wonted calling
And for dissension who preferreth peace
More than I do except I be provoked
No my good lords it is not that offends
It is not that that hath incensed the Duke
It is because no one should sway but he
No one but he should be about the King
And that engenders thunder in his breast
And makes him roar these accusations forth
But he shall know I am as good
GLOUCESTER
As good
Thou bastard of my grandfather
WINCHESTER
Ay lordly sir for what are you I pray
But one imperious in anothers throne
GLOUCESTER
Am I not Protector saucy priest
WINCHESTER
And am not I a prelate of the church
GLOUCESTER
Yes as an outlaw in a castle keeps
And useth it to patronage his theft
WINCHESTER
Unreverent Gloucester
GLOUCESTER
Thou art reverend
Touching thy spiritual function not thy life
WINCHESTER
Rome shall remedy this
GLOUCESTER
Roam thither then
WARWICK
My lord it were your duty to forbear
SOMERSET
Ay so the bishop be not overborne
Methinks my lord should be religious
And know the office that belongs to such
WARWICK
Methinks his lordship should be humbler
It fitteth not a prelate so to plead
SOMERSET
Yes when his holy state is touchd so near
WARWICK
State holy or unhallowd what of that
Is not his Grace Protector to the King
PLANTAGENET
Aside Plantagenet I see must hold his tongue
Lest it be said Speak sirrah when you should
Must your bold verdict enter talk with lords
Else would I have a fling at Winchester
KING HENRY
Uncles of Gloucester and of Winchester
The special watchmen of our English weal
I would prevail if prayers might prevail
To join your hearts in love and amity
O what a scandal is it to our crown
That two such noble peers as ye should jar
Believe me lords my tender years can tell
Civil dissension is a viperous worm
That gnaws the bowels of the commonwealth
A noise within Down with the tawnycoats
What tumults this
WARWICK
An uproar I dare warrant
Begun through malice of the Bishops men
A noise again Stones stones
Enter Mayor
MAYOR
O my good lords and virtuous Henry
Pity the city of London pity us
The Bishop and the Duke of Gloucesters men
Forbidden late to carry any weapon
Have filld their pockets full of pebble stones
And banding themselves in contrary parts
Do pelt so fast at one anothers pate
That many have their giddy brains knockd out
Our windows are broke down in every street
And we for fear compelld to shut our shops
Enter Servingmen in skirmish with bloody pates
KING HENRY
We charge you on allegiance to ourself
To hold your slaughtering hands and keep the peace
Pray uncle Gloucester mitigate this strife
FIRST SERVINGMAN
Nay if we be forbidden stones well fall to it with our teeth
SECOND SERVINGMAN
Do what ye dare we are as resolute
Skirmish again
GLOUCESTER
You of my household leave this peevish broil
And set this unaccustomd fight aside
THIRD SERVINGMAN
My lord we know your Grace to be a man
Just and upright and for your royal birth
Inferior to none but to his Majesty
And ere that we will suffer such a prince
So kind a father of the commonweal
To be disgraced by an inkhorn mate
We and our wives and children all will fight
And have our bodies slaughterd by thy foes
FIRST SERVINGMAN
Ay and the very parings of our nails
Shall pitch a field when we are dead
Begin again
GLOUCESTER
Stay stay I say
And if you love me as you say you do
Let me persuade you to forbear awhile
KING HENRY
O how this discord doth afflict my soul
Can you my Lord of Winchester behold
My sighs and tears and will not once relent
Who should be pitiful if you be not
Or who should study to prefer a peace
If holy churchmen take delight in broils
WARWICK
Yield my Lord Protector yield Winchester
Except you mean with obstinate repulse
To slay your sovereign and destroy the realm
You see what mischief and what murder too
Hath been enacted through your enmity
Then be at peace except ye thirst for blood
WINCHESTER
He shall submit or I will never yield
GLOUCESTER
Compassion on the King commands me stoop
Or I would see his heart out ere the priest
Should ever get that privilege of me
WARWICK
Behold my Lord of Winchester the Duke
Hath banishd moody discontented fury
As by his smoothed brows it doth appear
Why look you still so stern and tragical
GLOUCESTER
Here Winchester I offer thee my hand
KING HENRY
Fie uncle Beaufort I have heard you preach
That malice was a great and grievous sin
And will not you maintain the thing you teach
But prove a chief offender in the same
WARWICK
Sweet King The bishop hath a kindly gird
For shame my Lord of Winchester relent
What shall a child instruct you what to do
WINCHESTER
Well Duke of Gloucester I will yield to thee
Love for thy love and hand for hand I give
GLOUCESTER
Aside Ay but I fear me with a hollow heart
See here my friends and loving countrymen
This token serveth for a flag of truce
Betwixt ourselves and all our followers
So help me God as I dissemble not
WINCHESTER
Aside So help me God as I intend it not
KING HENRY
O loving uncle kind Duke of Gloucester
How joyful am I made by this contract
Away my masters trouble us no more
But join in friendship as your lords have done
FIRST SERVINGMAN
Content Ill to the surgeons
SECOND SERVINGMAN
And so will I
THIRD SERVINGMAN
And I will see what physic the tavern affords
Exeunt Servingmen Mayor c
WARWICK
Accept this scroll most gracious sovereign
Which in the right of Richard Plantagenet
We do exhibit to your Majesty
GLOUCESTER
Well urged my Lord of Warwick For sweet prince
An if your Grace mark every circumstance
You have great reason to do Richard right
Especially for those occasions
At Eltham Place I told your Majesty
KING HENRY
And those occasions uncle were of force
Therefore my loving lords our pleasure is
That Richard be restored to his blood
WARWICK
Let Richard be restored to his blood
So shall his fathers wrongs be recompensed
WINCHESTER
As will the rest so willeth Winchester
KING HENRY
If Richard will be true not that alone
But all the whole inheritance I give
That doth belong unto the house of York
From whence you spring by lineal descent
PLANTAGENET
Thy humble servant vows obedience
And humble service till the point of death
KING HENRY
Stoop then and set your knee against my foot
And in reguerdon of that duty done
I girt thee with the valiant sword of York
Rise Richard like a true Plantagenet
And rise created princely Duke of York
PLANTAGENET
And so thrive Richard as thy foes may fall
And as my duty springs so perish they
That grudge one thought against your Majesty
ALL
Welcome high prince the mighty Duke of York
SOMERSET
Aside Perish base prince ignoble Duke of York
GLOUCESTER
Now will it best avail your Majesty
To cross the seas and to be crownd in France
The presence of a king engenders love
Amongst his subjects and his loyal friends
As it disanimates his enemies
KING HENRY
When Gloucester says the word King Henry goes
For friendly counsel cuts off many foes
GLOUCESTER
Your ships already are in readiness
Sennet Flourish Exeunt all but Exeter
EXETER
Ay we may march in England or in France
Not seeing what is likely to ensue
This late dissension grown betwixt the peers
Burns under feigned ashes of forged love
And will at last break out into a flame
As festered members rot but by degree
Till bones and flesh and sinews fall away
So will this base and envious discord breed
And now I fear that fatal prophecy
Which in the time of Henry named the Fifth
Was in the mouth of every sucking babe
That Henry born at Monmouth should win all
And Henry born at Windsor lose all
Which is so plain that Exeter doth wish
His days may finish ere that hapless time
Exit
SCENE II France Before Rouen
Enter La Pucelle with four Soldiers with sacks upon their backs
PUCELLE
These are the city gates the gates of Rouen
Through which our policy must make a breach
Take heed be wary how you place your words
Talk like the vulgar sort of market men
That come to gather money for their corn
If we have entrance as I hope we shall
And that we find the slothful watch but weak
Ill by a sign give notice to our friends
That Charles the Dauphin may encounter them
FIRST SOLDIER
Our sacks shall be a mean to sack the city
And we be lords and rulers over Rouen
Therefore well knock Knocks
WATCH
Within Qui est la
PUCELLE
Paysans la pauvres gens de France
Poor market folks that come to sell their corn
WATCH
Enter go in the market bell is rung
PUCELLE
Now Rouen Ill shake thy bulwarks to the ground
Exeunt
Enter Charles the Bastard of Orleans Alenon Reignier and forces
CHARLES
Saint Denis bless this happy stratagem
And once again well sleep secure in Rouen
BASTARD
Here enterd Pucelle and her practisants
Now she is there how will she specify
Here is the best and safest passage in
REIGNIER
By thrusting out a torch from yonder tower
Which once discernd shows that her meaning is
No way to that for weakness which she enterd
Enter La Pucelle on the top thrusting out a torch burning
PUCELLE
Behold this is the happy wedding torch
That joineth Rouen unto her countrymen
But burning fatal to the Talbonites
Exit
BASTARD
See noble Charles the beacon of our friend
The burning torch in yonder turret stands
CHARLES
Now shine it like a comet of revenge
A prophet to the fall of all our foes
REIGNIER
Defer no time delays have dangerous ends
Enter and cry The Dauphin presently
And then do execution on the watch
Alarum Exeunt
An alarum Enter Talbot in an excursion
TALBOT
France thou shalt rue this treason with thy tears
If Talbot but survive thy treachery
Pucelle that witch that damned sorceress
Hath wrought this hellish mischief unawares
That hardly we escaped the pride of France
Exit
An alarum Excursions Bedford brought in sick in a chair Enter Talbot and Burgundy without within La Pucelle Charles Bastard Alenon and Reignier on the walls
PUCELLE
Good morrow gallants Want ye corn for bread
I think the Duke of Burgundy will fast
Before hell buy again at such a rate
Twas full of darnel Do you like the taste
BURGUNDY
Scoff on vile fiend and shameless courtezan
I trust ere long to choke thee with thine own
And make thee curse the harvest of that corn
CHARLES
Your Grace may starve perhaps before that time
BEDFORD
O let no words but deeds revenge this treason
PUCELLE
What will you do good graybeard Break a lance
And run a tilt at Death within a chair
TALBOT
Foul fiend of France and hag of all despite
Encompassd with thy lustful paramours
Becomes it thee to taunt his valiant age
And twit with cowardice a man half dead
Damsel Ill have a bout with you again
Or else let Talbot perish with this shame
PUCELLE
Are ye so hot Yet Pucelle hold thy peace
If Talbot do but thunder rain will follow
The English whisper together in council
God speed the Parliament Who shall be the Speaker
TALBOT
Dare ye come forth and meet us in the field
PUCELLE
Belike your lordship takes us then for fools
To try if that our own be ours or no
TALBOT
I speak not to that railing Hecate
But unto thee Alenon and the rest
Will ye like soldiers come and fight it out
ALENON
Seignieur no
TALBOT
Seignieur hang Base muleteers of France
Like peasant footboys do they keep the walls
And dare not take up arms like gentlemen
PUCELLE
Away captains Lets get us from the walls
For Talbot means no goodness by his looks
Goodbye my lord we came but to tell you
That we are here
Exeunt from the walls
TALBOT
And there will we be too ere it be long
Or else reproach be Talbots greatest fame
Vow Burgundy by honour of thy house
Prickd on by public wrongs sustaind in France
Either to get the town again or die
And I as sure as English Henry lives
And as his father here was conqueror
As sure as in this latebetrayed town
Great Coeurdelions heart was buried
So sure I swear to get the town or die
BURGUNDY
My vows are equal partners with thy vows
TALBOT
But ere we go regard this dying prince
The valiant Duke of Bedford Come my lord
We will bestow you in some better place
Fitter for sickness and for crazy age
BEDFORD
Lord Talbot do not so dishonour me
Here will I sit before the walls of Rouen
And will be partner of your weal or woe
BURGUNDY
Courageous Bedford let us now persuade you
BEDFORD
Not to be gone from hence for once I read
That stout Pendragon in his litter sick
Came to the field and vanquished his foes
Methinks I should revive the soldiers hearts
Because I ever found them as myself
TALBOT
Undaunted spirit in a dying breast
Then be it so Heavens keep old Bedford safe
And now no more ado brave Burgundy
But gather we our forces out of hand
And set upon our boasting enemy
Exeunt all but Bedford and Attendants
An alarum Excursions Enter Sir John Fastolf and a Captain
CAPTAIN
Whither away Sir John Fastolf in such haste
FASTOLF
Whither away To save myself by flight
We are like to have the overthrow again
CAPTAIN
What Will you fly and leave Lord Talbot
FASTOLF
Ay
All the Talbots in the world to save my life
Exit
CAPTAIN
Cowardly knight ill fortune follow thee
Exit
Retreat Excursions La Pucelle Alenon and Charles fly
BEDFORD
Now quiet soul depart when heaven please
For I have seen our enemies overthrow
What is the trust or strength of foolish man
They that of late were daring with their scoffs
Are glad and fain by flight to save themselves
Bedford dies and is carried in by two in his chair
An alarum Enter Talbot Burgundy and the rest
TALBOT
Lost and recoverd in a day again
This is a double honour Burgundy
Yet heavens have glory for this victory
BURGUNDY
Warlike and martial Talbot Burgundy
Enshrines thee in his heart and there erects
Thy noble deeds as valours monuments
TALBOT
Thanks gentle Duke But where is Pucelle now
I think her old familiar is asleep
Now wheres the Bastards braves and Charles his gleeks
What all amort Rouen hangs her head for grief
That such a valiant company are fled
Now will we take some order in the town
Placing therein some expert officers
And then depart to Paris to the King
For there young Henry with his nobles lie
BURGUNDY
What wills Lord Talbot pleaseth Burgundy
TALBOT
But yet before we go lets not forget
The noble Duke of Bedford late deceased
But see his exequies fulfilld in Rouen
A braver soldier never couched lance
A gentler heart did never sway in court
But kings and mightiest potentates must die
For thats the end of human misery
Exeunt
SCENE III The plains near Rouen
Enter Charles the Bastard of Orleans Alenon La Pucelle and forces
PUCELLE
Dismay not princes at this accident
Nor grieve that Rouen is so recovered
Care is no cure but rather corrosive
For things that are not to be remedied
Let frantic Talbot triumph for a while
And like a peacock sweep along his tail
Well pull his plumes and take away his train
If Dauphin and the rest will be but ruled
CHARLES
We have been guided by thee hitherto
And of thy cunning had no diffidence
One sudden foil shall never breed distrust
BASTARD
Search out thy wit for secret policies
And we will make thee famous through the world
ALENON
Well set thy statue in some holy place
And have thee reverenced like a blessed saint
Employ thee then sweet virgin for our good
PUCELLE
Then thus it must be this doth Joan devise
By fair persuasions mixd with sugard words
We will entice the Duke of Burgundy
To leave the Talbot and to follow us
CHARLES
Ay marry sweeting if we could do that
France were no place for Henrys warriors
Nor should that nation boast it so with us
But be extirped from our provinces
ALENON
For ever should they be expulsed from France
And not have title of an earldom here
PUCELLE
Your honours shall perceive how I will work
To bring this matter to the wished end
Drum sounds afar off
Hark By the sound of drum you may perceive
Their powers are marching unto Parisward
Here sound an English march
There goes the Talbot with his colours spread
And all the troops of English after him
French march
Now in the rearward comes the Duke and his
Fortune in favour makes him lag behind
Summon a parley we will talk with him
Trumpets sound a parley
CHARLES
A parley with the Duke of Burgundy
Enter Burgundy
BURGUNDY
Who craves a parley with the Burgundy
PUCELLE
The princely Charles of France thy countryman
BURGUNDY
What sayst thou Charles for I am marching hence
CHARLES
Speak Pucelle and enchant him with thy words
PUCELLE
Brave Burgundy undoubted hope of France
Stay let thy humble handmaid speak to thee
BURGUNDY
Speak on but be not overtedious
PUCELLE
Look on thy country look on fertile France
And see the cities and the towns defaced
By wasting ruin of the cruel foe
As looks the mother on her lowly babe
When death doth close his tender dying eyes
See see the pining malady of France
Behold the wounds the most unnatural wounds
Which thou thyself hast given her woeful breast
O turn thy edged sword another way
Strike those that hurt and hurt not those that help
One drop of blood drawn from thy countrys bosom
Should grieve thee more than streams of foreign gore
Return thee therefore with a flood of tears
And wash away thy countrys stained spots
BURGUNDY
Either she hath bewitchd me with her words
Or nature makes me suddenly relent
PUCELLE
Besides all French and France exclaims on thee
Doubting thy birth and lawful progeny
Who joinst thou with but with a lordly nation
That will not trust thee but for profits sake
When Talbot hath set footing once in France
And fashiond thee that instrument of ill
Who then but English Henry will be lord
And thou be thrust out like a fugitive
Call we to mind and mark but this for proof
Was not the Duke of Orleans thy foe
And was he not in England prisoner
But when they heard he was thine enemy
They set him free without his ransom paid
In spite of Burgundy and all his friends
See then thou fightst against thy countrymen
And joinst with them will be thy slaughtermen
Come come return return thou wandering lord
Charles and the rest will take thee in their arms
BURGUNDY
I am vanquished these haughty words of hers
Have batterd me like roaring cannonshot
And made me almost yield upon my knees
Forgive me country and sweet countrymen
And lords accept this hearty kind embrace
My forces and my power of men are yours
So farewell Talbot Ill no longer trust thee
PUCELLE
Aside Done like a Frenchman turn and turn again
CHARLES
Welcome brave Duke Thy friendship makes us fresh
BASTARD
And doth beget new courage in our breasts
ALENON
Pucelle hath bravely playd her part in this
And doth deserve a coronet of gold
CHARLES
Now let us on my lords and join our powers
And seek how we may prejudice the foe
Exeunt
SCENE IV Paris The Palace
Enter the King Gloucester Bishop of Winchester Exeter York Warwick and Vernon Suffolk Somerset Basset and others To them with his soldiers Talbot
TALBOT
My gracious Prince and honourable peers
Hearing of your arrival in this realm
I have awhile given truce unto my wars
To do my duty to my sovereign
In sign whereof this arm that hath reclaimd
To your obedience fifty fortresses
Twelve cities and seven walled towns of strength
Beside five hundred prisoners of esteem
Lets fall his sword before your Highness feet
And with submissive loyalty of heart
Ascribes the glory of his conquest got
First to my God and next unto your Grace Kneels
KING HENRY
Is this the Lord Talbot uncle Gloucester
That hath so long been resident in France
GLOUCESTER
Yes if it please your Majesty my liege
KING HENRY
Welcome brave captain and victorious lord
When I was young as yet I am not old
I do remember how my father said
A stouter champion never handled sword
Long since we were resolved of your truth
Your faithful service and your toil in war
Yet never have you tasted our reward
Or been reguerdond with so much as thanks
Because till now we never saw your face
Therefore stand up and for these good deserts
We here create you Earl of Shrewsbury
And in our coronation take your place
Sennet Flourish Exeunt all but Vernon and Basset
VERNON
Now sir to you that were so hot at sea
Disgracing of these colours that I wear
In honour of my noble Lord of York
Darst thou maintain the former words thou spakst
BASSET
Yes sir as well as you dare patronage
The envious barking of your saucy tongue
Against my lord the Duke of Somerset
VERNON
Sirrah thy lord I honour as he is
BASSET
Why what is he As good a man as York
VERNON
Hark ye not so in witness take ye that
Strikes him
BASSET
Villain thou knowest the law of arms is such
That whoso draws a sword tis present death
Or else this blow should broach thy dearest blood
But Ill unto his Majesty and crave
I may have liberty to venge this wrong
When thou shalt see Ill meet thee to thy cost
VERNON
Well miscreant Ill be there as soon as you
And after meet you sooner than you would
Exeunt
ACT IV
SCENE I Paris The Palace
Enter the King Gloucester Bishop of Winchester Talbot Exeter York and Warwick Suffolk Somerset the Governor of Paris and others
GLOUCESTER
Lord bishop set the crown upon his head
WINCHESTER
God save King Henry of that name the Sixth
GLOUCESTER
Now Governor of Paris take your oath
That you elect no other king but him
Esteem none friends but such as are his friends
And none your foes but such as shall pretend
Malicious practices against his state
This shall ye do so help you righteous God
Enter Sir John Fastolf
FASTOLF
My gracious sovereign as I rode from Calais
To haste unto your coronation
A letter was deliverd to my hands
Writ to your Grace from th Duke of Burgundy
TALBOT
Shame to the Duke of Burgundy and thee
I vowd base knight when I did meet thee next
To tear the Garter from thy cravens leg Plucking it off
Which I have done because unworthily
Thou wast installed in that high degree
Pardon me princely Henry and the rest
This dastard at the battle of Patay
When but in all I was six thousand strong
And that the French were almost ten to one
Before we met or that a stroke was given
Like to a trusty squire did run away
In which assault we lost twelve hundred men
Myself and divers gentlemen beside
Were there surprised and taken prisoners
Then judge great lords if I have done amiss
Or whether that such cowards ought to wear
This ornament of knighthood yea or no
GLOUCESTER
To say the truth this fact was infamous
And ill beseeming any common man
Much more a knight a captain and a leader
TALBOT
When first this Order was ordaind my lords
Knights of the Garter were of noble birth
Valiant and virtuous full of haughty courage
Such as were grown to credit by the wars
Not fearing death nor shrinking for distress
But always resolute in most extremes
He then that is not furnishd in this sort
Doth but usurp the sacred name of knight
Profaning this most honourable Order
And should if I were worthy to be judge
Be quite degraded like a hedgeborn swain
That doth presume to boast of gentle blood
KING HENRY
Stain to thy countrymen thou hearst thy doom
Be packing therefore thou that wast a knight
Henceforth we banish thee on pain of death
Exit Fastolf
And now my Lord Protector view the letter
Sent from our uncle Duke of Burgundy
GLOUCESTER
What means his Grace that he hath changed his style
No more but plain and bluntly To the King
Hath he forgot he is his sovereign
Or doth this churlish superscription
Pretend some alteration in good will
Whats here Reads I have upon especial cause
Moved with compassion of my countrys wrack
Together with the pitiful complaints
Of such as your oppression feeds upon
Forsaken your pernicious faction
And joind with Charles the rightful King of France
O monstrous treachery Can this be so
That in alliance amity and oaths
There should be found such false dissembling guile
KING HENRY
What Doth my uncle Burgundy revolt
GLOUCESTER
He doth my lord and is become your foe
KING HENRY
Is that the worst this letter doth contain
GLOUCESTER
It is the worst and all my lord he writes
KING HENRY
Why then Lord Talbot there shall talk with him
And give him chastisement for this abuse
How say you my lord are you not content
TALBOT
Content my liege Yes but that I am prevented
I should have beggd I might have been employd
KING HENRY
Then gather strength and march unto him straight
Let him perceive how ill we brook his treason
And what offence it is to flout his friends
TALBOT
I go my lord in heart desiring still
You may behold confusion of your foes
Exit
Enter Vernon and Basset
VERNON
Grant me the combat gracious sovereign
BASSET
And me my lord grant me the combat too
YORK
This is my servant hear him noble prince
SOMERSET
And this is mine sweet Henry favour him
KING HENRY
Be patient lords and give them leave to speak
Say gentlemen what makes you thus exclaim
And wherefore crave you combat or with whom
VERNON
With him my lord for he hath done me wrong
BASSET
And I with him for he hath done me wrong
KING HENRY
What is that wrong whereof you both complain
First let me know and then Ill answer you
BASSET
Crossing the sea from England into France
This fellow here with envious carping tongue
Upbraided me about the rose I wear
Saying the sanguine colour of the leaves
Did represent my masters blushing cheeks
When stubbornly he did repugn the truth
About a certain question in the law
Argued betwixt the Duke of York and him
With other vile and ignominious terms
In confutation of which rude reproach
And in defence of my lords worthiness
I crave the benefit of law of arms
VERNON
And that is my petition noble lord
For though he seem with forged quaint conceit
To set a gloss upon his bold intent
Yet know my lord I was provoked by him
And he first took exceptions at this badge
Pronouncing that the paleness of this flower
Bewrayd the faintness of my masters heart
YORK
Will not this malice Somerset be left
SOMERSET
Your private grudge my Lord of York will out
Though neer so cunningly you smother it
KING HENRY
Good Lord what madness rules in brainsick men
When for so slight and frivolous a cause
Such factious emulations shall arise
Good cousins both of York and Somerset
Quiet yourselves I pray and be at peace
YORK
Let this dissension first be tried by fight
And then your Highness shall command a peace
SOMERSET
The quarrel toucheth none but us alone
Betwixt ourselves let us decide it then
YORK
There is my pledge accept it Somerset
VERNON
Nay let it rest where it began at first
BASSET
Confirm it so mine honourable lord
GLOUCESTER
Confirm it so Confounded be your strife
And perish ye with your audacious prate
Presumptuous vassals are you not ashamed
With this immodest clamorous outrage
To trouble and disturb the King and us
And you my lords methinks you do not well
To bear with their perverse objections
Much less to take occasion from their mouths
To raise a mutiny betwixt yourselves
Let me persuade you take a better course
EXETER
It grieves his Highness Good my lords be friends
KING HENRY
Come hither you that would be combatants
Henceforth I charge you as you love our favour
Quite to forget this quarrel and the cause
And you my lords remember where we are
In France amongst a fickle wavering nation
If they perceive dissension in our looks
And that within ourselves we disagree
How will their grudging stomachs be provoked
To willful disobedience and rebel
Beside what infamy will there arise
When foreign princes shall be certified
That for a toy a thing of no regard
King Henrys peers and chief nobility
Destroyd themselves and lost the realm of France
O think upon the conquest of my father
My tender years and let us not forgo
That for a trifle that was bought with blood
Let me be umpire in this doubtful strife
I see no reason if I wear this rose
Putting on a red rose
That anyone should therefore be suspicious
I more incline to Somerset than York
Both are my kinsmen and I love them both
As well they may upbraid me with my crown
Because forsooth the King of Scots is crownd
But your discretions better can persuade
Than I am able to instruct or teach
And therefore as we hither came in peace
So let us still continue peace and love
Cousin of York we institute your Grace
To be our Regent in these parts of France
And good my Lord of Somerset unite
Your troops of horsemen with his bands of foot
And like true subjects sons of your progenitors
Go cheerfully together and digest
Your angry choler on your enemies
Ourself my Lord Protector and the rest
After some respite will return to Calais
From thence to England where I hope ere long
To be presented by your victories
With Charles Alenon and that traitorous rout
Flourish Exeunt all but York Warwick Exeter and Vernon
WARWICK
My Lord of York I promise you the King
Prettily methought did play the orator
YORK
And so he did but yet I like it not
In that he wears the badge of Somerset
WARWICK
Tush that was but his fancy blame him not
I dare presume sweet prince he thought no harm
YORK
An if I wist he didbut let it rest
Other affairs must now be managed
Exeunt all but Exeter
EXETER
Well didst thou Richard to suppress thy voice
For had the passions of thy heart burst out
I fear we should have seen decipherd there
More rancorous spite more furious raging broils
Than yet can be imagined or supposed
But howsoeer no simple man that sees
This jarring discord of nobility
This shouldering of each other in the court
This factious bandying of their favourites
But sees it doth presage some ill event
Tis much when scepters are in childrens hands
But more when envy breeds unkind division
There comes the ruin there begins confusion
Exit
SCENE II Before Bordeaux
Enter Talbot with trump and drum
TALBOT
Go to the gates of Bordeaux trumpeter
Summon their general unto the wall
Trumpet sounds Enter General and others aloft
English John Talbot captains calls you forth
Servant in arms to Harry King of England
And thus he would Open your city gates
Be humble to us call my sovereign yours
And do him homage as obedient subjects
And Ill withdraw me and my bloody power
But if you frown upon this profferd peace
You tempt the fury of my three attendants
Lean Famine quartering Steel and climbing Fire
Who in a moment even with the earth
Shall lay your stately and airbraving towers
If you forsake the offer of their love
GENERAL
Thou ominous and fearful owl of death
Our nations terror and their bloody scourge
The period of thy tyranny approacheth
On us thou canst not enter but by death
For I protest we are well fortified
And strong enough to issue out and fight
If thou retire the Dauphin well appointed
Stands with the snares of war to tangle thee
On either hand thee there are squadrons pitchd
To wall thee from the liberty of flight
And no way canst thou turn thee for redress
But Death doth front thee with apparent spoil
And pale Destruction meets thee in the face
Ten thousand French have taen the sacrament
To rive their dangerous artillery
Upon no Christian soul but English Talbot
Lo there thou standst a breathing valiant man
Of an invincible unconquerd spirit
This is the latest glory of thy praise
That I thy enemy due thee withal
For ere the glass that now begins to run
Finish the process of his sandy hour
These eyes that see thee now well coloured
Shall see thee witherd bloody pale and dead
Drum afar off
Hark hark the Dauphins drum a warning bell
Sings heavy music to thy timorous soul
And mine shall ring thy dire departure out
Exeunt General etc
TALBOT
He fables not I hear the enemy
Out some light horsemen and peruse their wings
O negligent and heedless discipline
How are we parkd and bounded in a pale
A little herd of Englands timorous deer
Mazed with a yelping kennel of French curs
If we be English deer be then in blood
Not rascallike to fall down with a pinch
But rather moodymad and desperate stags
Turn on the bloody hounds with heads of steel
And make the cowards stand aloof at bay
Sell every man his life as dear as mine
And they shall find dear deer of us my friends
God and Saint George Talbot and Englands right
Prosper our colours in this dangerous fight
Exeunt
SCENE III Plains in Gascony
Enter a Messenger that meets York Enter York with trumpet and many soldiers
YORK
Are not the speedy scouts returnd again
That doggd the mighty army of the Dauphin
MESSENGER
They are returnd my lord and give it out
That he is marchd to Bordeaux with his power
To fight with Talbot As he marchd along
By your espials were discovered
Two mightier troops than that the Dauphin led
Which joind with him and made their march for Bordeaux
Exit
YORK
A plague upon that villain Somerset
That thus delays my promised supply
Of horsemen that were levied for this siege
Renowned Talbot doth expect my aid
And I am louted by a traitor villain
And cannot help the noble chevalier
God comfort him in this necessity
If he miscarry farewell wars in France
Enter Sir William Lucy
LUCY
Thou princely leader of our English strength
Never so needful on the earth of France
Spur to the rescue of the noble Talbot
Who now is girdled with a waist of iron
And hemmd about with grim destruction
To Bordeaux warlike Duke To Bordeaux York
Else farewell Talbot France and Englands honour
YORK
O God that Somerset who in proud heart
Doth stop my cornets were in Talbots place
So should we save a valiant gentleman
By forfeiting a traitor and a coward
Mad ire and wrathful fury makes me weep
That thus we die while remiss traitors sleep
LUCY
O send some succour to the distressd lord
YORK
He dies we lose I break my warlike word
We mourn France smiles we lose they daily get
All long of this vile traitor Somerset
LUCY
Then God take mercy on brave Talbots soul
And on his son young John who two hours since
I met in travel toward his warlike father
This seven years did not Talbot see his son
And now they meet where both their lives are done
YORK
Alas what joy shall noble Talbot have
To bid his young son welcome to his grave
Away Vexation almost stops my breath
That sunderd friends greet in the hour of death
Lucy farewell No more my fortune can
But curse the cause I cannot aid the man
Maine Blois Poictiers and Tours are won away
Long all of Somerset and his delay
Exit with his soldiers
LUCY
Thus while the vulture of sedition
Feeds in the bosom of such great commanders
Sleeping neglection doth betray to loss
The conquest of our scarcecold conqueror
That everliving man of memory
Henry the Fifth Whiles they each other cross
Lives honours lands and all hurry to loss
Exit
SCENE IV Other plains in Gascony
Enter Somerset with his army a Captain of Talbots with him
SOMERSET
It is too late I cannot send them now
This expedition was by York and Talbot
Too rashly plotted All our general force
Might with a sally of the very town
Be buckled with The overdaring Talbot
Hath sullied all his gloss of former honour
By this unheedful desperate wild adventure
York set him on to fight and die in shame
That Talbot dead great York might bear the name
CAPTAIN
Here is Sir William Lucy who with me
Set from our oermatchd forces forth for aid
Enter Sir William Lucy
SOMERSET
How now Sir William whither were you sent
LUCY
Whither my lord From bought and sold Lord Talbot
Who ringd about with bold adversity
Cries out for noble York and Somerset
To beat assailing Death from his weak legions
And whiles the honourable captain there
Drops bloody sweat from his warwearied limbs
And in advantage lingering looks for rescue
You his false hopes the trust of Englands honour
Keep off aloof with worthless emulation
Let not your private discord keep away
The levied succours that should lend him aid
While he renowned noble gentleman
Yield up his life unto a world of odds
Orleans the Bastard Charles Burgundy
Alenon Reignier compass him about
And Talbot perisheth by your default
SOMERSET
York set him on York should have sent him aid
LUCY
And York as fast upon your Grace exclaims
Swearing that you withhold his levied host
Collected for this expedition
SOMERSET
York lies he might have sent and had the horse
I owe him little duty and less love
And take foul scorn to fawn on him by sending
LUCY
The fraud of England not the force of France
Hath now entrappd the nobleminded Talbot
Never to England shall he bear his life
But dies betrayd to fortune by your strife
SOMERSET
Come go I will dispatch the horsemen straight
Within six hours they will be at his aid
LUCY
Too late comes rescue he is taen or slain
For fly he could not if he would have fled
And fly would Talbot never though he might
SOMERSET
If he be dead brave Talbot then adieu
LUCY
His fame lives in the world his shame in you
Exeunt
SCENE V The English camp near Bordeaux
Enter Talbot and John his son
TALBOT
O young John Talbot I did send for thee
To tutor thee in stratagems of war
That Talbots name might be in thee revived
When sapless age and weak unable limbs
Should bring thy father to his drooping chair
ButO malignant and illboding stars
Now thou art come unto a feast of death
A terrible and unavoided danger
Therefore dear boy mount on my swiftest horse
And Ill direct thee how thou shalt escape
By sudden flight Come dally not be gone
JOHN TALBOT
Is my name Talbot And am I your son
And shall I fly O if you love my mother
Dishonour not her honourable name
To make a bastard and a slave of me
The world will say he is not Talbots blood
That basely fled when noble Talbot stood
TALBOT
Fly to revenge my death if I be slain
JOHN TALBOT
He that flies so will neer return again
TALBOT
If we both stay we both are sure to die
JOHN TALBOT
Then let me stay and father do you fly
Your loss is great so your regard should be
My worth unknown no loss is known in me
Upon my death the French can little boast
In yours they will in you all hopes are lost
Flight cannot stain the honour you have won
But mine it will that no exploit have done
You fled for vantage everyone will swear
But if I bow theyll say it was for fear
There is no hope that ever I will stay
If the first hour I shrink and run away
Here on my knee I beg mortality
Rather than life preserved with infamy
TALBOT
Shall all thy mothers hopes lie in one tomb
JOHN TALBOT
Ay rather than Ill shame my mothers womb
TALBOT
Upon my blessing I command thee go
JOHN TALBOT
To fight I will but not to fly the foe
TALBOT
Part of thy father may be saved in thee
JOHN TALBOT
No part of him but will be shame in me
TALBOT
Thou never hadst renown nor canst not lose it
JOHN TALBOT
Yes your renowned name shall flight abuse it
TALBOT
Thy fathers charge shall clear thee from that stain
JOHN TALBOT
You cannot witness for me being slain
If death be so apparent then both fly
TALBOT
And leave my followers here to fight and die
My age was never tainted with such shame
JOHN TALBOT
And shall my youth be guilty of such blame
No more can I be severd from your side
Than can yourself yourself in twain divide
Stay go do what you will the like do I
For live I will not if my father die
TALBOT
Then here I take my leave of thee fair son
Born to eclipse thy life this afternoon
Come side by side together live and die
And soul with soul from France to heaven fly
Exeunt
SCENE VI A field of battle
Alarum Excursions wherein Talbots son is hemmed about and Talbot rescues him
TALBOT
Saint George and victory Fight soldiers fight
The Regent hath with Talbot broke his word
And left us to the rage of France his sword
Where is John Talbot Pause and take thy breath
I gave thee life and rescued thee from death
JOHN TALBOT
O twice my father twice am I thy son
The life thou gavst me first was lost and done
Till with thy warlike sword despite of fate
To my determined time thou gavst new date
TALBOT
When from the Dauphins crest thy sword struck fire
It warmd thy fathers heart with proud desire
Of boldfaced victory Then leaden age
Quickend with youthful spleen and warlike rage
Beat down Alenon Orleans Burgundy
And from the pride of Gallia rescued thee
The ireful Bastard Orleans that drew blood
From thee my boy and had the maidenhood
Of thy first fight I soon encountered
And interchanging blows I quickly shed
Some of his bastard blood and in disgrace
Bespoke him thus Contaminated base
And misbegotten blood I spill of thine
Mean and right poor for that pure blood of mine
Which thou didst force from Talbot my brave boy
Here purposing the Bastard to destroy
Came in strong rescue Speak thy fathers care
Art thou not weary John How dost thou fare
Wilt thou yet leave the battle boy and fly
Now thou art seald the son of chivalry
Fly to revenge my death when I am dead
The help of one stands me in little stead
O too much folly is it well I wot
To hazard all our lives in one small boat
If I today die not with Frenchmens rage
Tomorrow I shall die with mickle age
By me they nothing gain an if I stay
Tis but the shortning of my life one day
In thee thy mother dies our households name
My deaths revenge thy youth and Englands fame
All these and more we hazard by thy stay
All these are saved if thou wilt fly away
JOHN TALBOT
The sword of Orleans hath not made me smart
These words of yours draw lifeblood from my heart
On that advantage bought with such a shame
To save a paltry life and slay bright fame
Before young Talbot from old Talbot fly
The coward horse that bears me fall and die
And like me to the peasant boys of France
To be shames scorn and subject of mischance
Surely by all the glory you have won
An if I fly I am not Talbots son
Then talk no more of flight it is no boot
If son to Talbot die at Talbots foot
TALBOT
Then follow thou thy desperate sire of Crete
Thou Icarus thy life to me is sweet
If thou wilt fight fight by thy fathers side
And commendable proved lets die in pride
Exeunt
SCENE VII Another part of the field
Alarum Excursions Enter old Talbot led by a Servant
TALBOT
Where is my other life Mine own is gone
O wheres young Talbot Where is valiant John
Triumphant Death smeard with captivity
Young Talbots valour makes me smile at thee
When he perceived me shrink and on my knee
His bloody sword he brandishd over me
And like a hungry lion did commence
Rough deeds of rage and stern impatience
But when my angry guardant stood alone
Tendering my ruin and assaild of none
Dizzyeyd fury and great rage of heart
Suddenly made him from my side to start
Into the clustering battle of the French
And in that sea of blood my boy did drench
His overmounting spirit and there died
My Icarus my blossom in his pride
SERVANT
O my dear lord lo where your son is borne
Enter soldiers with the body of young Talbot
TALBOT
Thou antic Death which laughst us here to scorn
Anon from thy insulting tyranny
Coupled in bonds of perpetuity
Two Talbots winged through the lither sky
In thy despite shall scape mortality
O thou whose wounds become hardfavourd Death
Speak to thy father ere thou yield thy breath
Brave Death by speaking whether he will or no
Imagine him a Frenchman and thy foe
Poor boy he smiles methinks as who should say
Had Death been French then Death had died today
Come come and lay him in his fathers arms
My spirit can no longer bear these harms
Soldiers adieu I have what I would have
Now my old arms are young John Talbots grave
Dies
Enter Charles Alenon Burgundy Bastard La Pucelle and forces
CHARLES
Had York and Somerset brought rescue in
We should have found a bloody day of this
BASTARD
How the young whelp of Talbots ragingwood
Did flesh his puny sword in Frenchmens blood
PUCELLE
Once I encounterd him and thus I said
Thou maiden youth be vanquishd by a maid
But with a proud majestical high scorn
He answerd thus Young Talbot was not born
To be the pillage of a giglot wench
So rushing in the bowels of the French
He left me proudly as unworthy fight
BURGUNDY
Doubtless he would have made a noble knight
See where he lies inhearsed in the arms
Of the most bloody nurser of his harms
BASTARD
Hew them to pieces hack their bones asunder
Whose life was Englands glory Gallias wonder
CHARLES
O no forbear For that which we have fled
During the life let us not wrong it dead
Enter Sir William Lucy and a French Herald
LUCY
Herald conduct me to the Dauphins tent
To know who hath obtaind the glory of the day
CHARLES
On what submissive message art thou sent
LUCY
Submission Dauphin Tis a mere French word
We English warriors wot not what it means
I come to know what prisoners thou hast taen
And to survey the bodies of the dead
CHARLES
For prisoners askst thou Hell our prison is
But tell me whom thou seekst
LUCY
But wheres the great Alcides of the field
Valiant Lord Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury
Created for his rare success in arms
Great Earl of Washford Waterford and Valence
Lord Talbot of Goodrig and Urchinfield
Lord Strange of Blackmere Lord Verdun of Alton
Lord Cromwell of Wingfield Lord Furnival of Sheffield
The thrice victorious Lord of Falconbridge
Knight of the noble Order of Saint George
Worthy Saint Michael and the Golden Fleece
Great Marshal to Henry the Sixth
Of all his wars within the realm of France
PUCELLE
Heres a silly stately style indeed
The Turk that two and fifty kingdoms hath
Writes not so tedious a style as this
Him that thou magnifiest with all these titles
Stinking and flyblown lies here at our feet
LUCY
Is Talbot slain the Frenchmans only scourge
Your kingdoms terror and black Nemesis
O were mine eyeballs into bullets turnd
That I in rage might shoot them at your faces
O that I could but call these dead to life
It were enough to fright the realm of France
Were but his picture left amongst you here
It would amaze the proudest of you all
Give me their bodies that I may bear them hence
And give them burial as beseems their worth
PUCELLE
I think this upstart is old Talbots ghost
He speaks with such a proud commanding spirit
For Gods sake let him have them to keep them here
They would but stink and putrify the air
CHARLES
Go take their bodies hence
LUCY
Ill bear them hence
But from their ashes shall be reard
A phoenix that shall make all France afeard
CHARLES
So we be rid of them do with them what thou wilt
And now to Paris in this conquering vein
All will be ours now bloody Talbots slain
Exeunt
ACT V
SCENE I London The Palace
Sennet Enter King Gloucester and Exeter
KING HENRY
Have you perused the letters from the Pope
The Emperor and the Earl of Armagnac
GLOUCESTER
I have my lord and their intent is this
They humbly sue unto your Excellence
To have a godly peace concluded of
Between the realms of England and of France
KING HENRY
How doth your Grace affect their motion
GLOUCESTER
Well my good lord and as the only means
To stop effusion of our Christian blood
And stablish quietness on every side
KING HENRY
Ay marry uncle for I always thought
It was both impious and unnatural
That such immanity and bloody strife
Should reign among professors of one faith
GLOUCESTER
Beside my lord the sooner to effect
And surer bind this knot of amity
The Earl of Armagnac near knit to Charles
A man of great authority in France
Proffers his only daughter to your Grace
In marriage with a large and sumptuous dowry
KING HENRY
Marriage uncle Alas my years are young
And fitter is my study and my books
Than wanton dalliance with a paramour
Yet call th ambassadors and as you please
So let them have their answers every one
I shall be well content with any choice
Tends to Gods glory and my countrys weal
Enter Winchester in Cardinals habit a Legate and two Ambassadors
EXETER
What is my Lord of Winchester installd
And calld unto a cardinals degree
Then I perceive that will be verified
Henry the Fifth did sometime prophesy
If once he come to be a cardinal
Hell make his cap coequal with the crown
KING HENRY
My Lords Ambassadors your several suits
Have been considerd and debated on
Your purpose is both good and reasonable
And therefore are we certainly resolved
To draw conditions of a friendly peace
Which by my Lord of Winchester we mean
Shall be transported presently to France
GLOUCESTER
And for the proffer of my lord your master
I have informd his Highness so at large
As liking of the ladys virtuous gifts
Her beauty and the value of her dower
He doth intend she shall be Englands Queen
KING HENRY
In argument and proof of which contract
Bear her this jewel pledge of my affection
And so my Lord Protector see them guarded
And safely brought to Dover where inshippd
Commit them to the fortune of the sea
Exeunt all but Winchester and Legate
WINCHESTER
Stay my lord legate you shall first receive
The sum of money which I promised
Should be deliverd to his Holiness
For clothing me in these grave ornaments
LEGATE
I will attend upon your lordships leisure
WINCHESTER
Aside Now Winchester will not submit I trow
Or be inferior to the proudest peer
Humphrey of Gloucester thou shalt well perceive
That neither in birth or for authority
The Bishop will be overborne by thee
Ill either make thee stoop and bend thy knee
Or sack this country with a mutiny
Exeunt
SCENE II France Plains in Anjou
Enter Charles Burgundy Alenon Bastard Reignier La Pucelle and forces
CHARLES
These news my lords may cheer our drooping spirits
Tis said the stout Parisians do revolt
And turn again unto the warlike French
ALENON
Then march to Paris royal Charles of France
And keep not back your powers in dalliance
PUCELLE
Peace be amongst them if they turn to us
Else ruin combat with their palaces
Enter Scout
SCOUT
Success unto our valiant general
And happiness to his accomplices
CHARLES
What tidings send our scouts I prithee speak
SCOUT
The English army that divided was
Into two parties is now conjoind in one
And means to give you battle presently
CHARLES
Somewhat too sudden sirs the warning is
But we will presently provide for them
BURGUNDY
I trust the ghost of Talbot is not there
Now he is gone my lord you need not fear
PUCELLE
Of all base passions fear is most accursed
Command the conquest Charles it shall be thine
Let Henry fret and all the world repine
CHARLES
Then on my lords and France be fortunate
Exeunt
SCENE III Before Angiers
Alarum Excursions Enter La Pucelle
PUCELLE
The Regent conquers and the Frenchmen fly
Now help ye charming spells and periapts
And ye choice spirits that admonish me
And give me signs of future accidents Thunder
You speedy helpers that are substitutes
Under the lordly monarch of the north
Appear and aid me in this enterprise
Enter Fiends
This speed and quick appearance argues proof
Of your accustomd diligence to me
Now ye familiar spirits that are culld
Out of the powerful regions under earth
Help me this once that France may get the field
They walk and speak not
O hold me not with silence overlong
Where I was wont to feed you with my blood
Ill lop a member off and give it you
In earnest of a further benefit
So you do condescend to help me now
They hang their heads
No hope to have redress My body shall
Pay recompense if you will grant my suit
They shake their heads
Cannot my body nor bloodsacrifice
Entreat you to your wonted furtherance
Then take my soul my body soul and all
Before that England give the French the foil
They depart
See they forsake me Now the time is come
That France must vail her loftyplumed crest
And let her head fall into Englands lap
My ancient incantations are too weak
And hell too strong for me to buckle with
Now France thy glory droopeth to the dust
Exit
Excursions Burgundy and York fight hand to hand The French fly La Pucelle is taken
YORK
Damsel of France I think I have you fast
Unchain your spirits now with spelling charms
And try if they can gain your liberty
A goodly prize fit for the devils grace
See how the ugly witch doth bend her brows
As if with Circe she would change my shape
PUCELLE
Changd to a worser shape thou canst not be
YORK
O Charles the Dauphin is a proper man
No shape but his can please your dainty eye
PUCELLE
A plaguing mischief light on Charles and thee
And may ye both be suddenly surprised
By bloody hands in sleeping on your beds
YORK
Fell banning hag enchantress hold thy tongue
PUCELLE
I prithee give me leave to curse awhile
YORK
Curse miscreant when thou comst to the stake
Exeunt
Alarum Enter Suffolk with Margaret in his hand
SUFFOLK
Be what thou wilt thou art my prisoner
Gazes on her
O fairest beauty do not fear nor fly
For I will touch thee but with reverent hands
I kiss these fingers for eternal peace
And lay them gently on thy tender side
Who art thou Say that I may honour thee
MARGARET
Margaret my name and daughter to a king
The King of Naples whosoeer thou art
SUFFOLK
An earl I am and Suffolk am I calld
Be not offended natures miracle
Thou art allotted to be taen by me
So doth the swan her downy cygnets save
Keeping them prisoner underneath her wings
Yet if this servile usage once offend
Go and be free again as Suffolks friend
She is going
O stay I have no power to let her pass
My hand would free her but my heart says no
As plays the sun upon the glassy streams
Twinkling another counterfeited beam
So seems this gorgeous beauty to mine eyes
Fain would I woo her yet I dare not speak
Ill call for pen and ink and write my mind
Fie de la Pole disable not thyself
Hast not a tongue Is she not here
Wilt thou be daunted at a womans sight
Ay beautys princely majesty is such
Confounds the tongue and makes the senses rough
MARGARET
Say Earl of Suffolk if thy name be so
What ransom must I pay before I pass
For I perceive I am thy prisoner
SUFFOLK
How canst thou tell she will deny thy suit
Before thou make a trial of her love
MARGARET
Why speakst thou not What ransom must I pay
SUFFOLK
Shes beautiful and therefore to be wood
She is a woman therefore to be won
MARGARET
Wilt thou accept of ransom yea or no
SUFFOLK
Fond man remember that thou hast a wife
Then how can Margaret be thy paramour
MARGARET
I were best leave him for he will not hear
SUFFOLK
There all is marrd there lies a cooling card
MARGARET
He talks at random sure the man is mad
SUFFOLK
And yet a dispensation may be had
MARGARET
And yet I would that you would answer me
SUFFOLK
Ill win this Lady Margaret For whom
Why for my king Tush thats a wooden thing
MARGARET
He talks of wood It is some carpenter
SUFFOLK
Yet so my fancy may be satisfied
And peace established between these realms
But there remains a scruple in that too
For though her father be the King of Naples
Duke of Anjou and Maine yet is he poor
And our nobility will scorn the match
MARGARET
Hear ye captain are you not at leisure
SUFFOLK
It shall be so disdain they neer so much
Henry is youthful and will quickly yield
Madam I have a secret to reveal
MARGARET
What though I be enthralld He seems a knight
And will not any way dishonour me
SUFFOLK
Lady vouchsafe to listen what I say
MARGARET
Perhaps I shall be rescued by the French
And then I need not crave his courtesy
SUFFOLK
Sweet madam give me hearing in a cause
MARGARET
Tush women have been captivate ere now
SUFFOLK
Lady wherefore talk you so
MARGARET
I cry you mercy tis but quid for quo
SUFFOLK
Say gentle princess would you not suppose
Your bondage happy to be made a queen
MARGARET
To be a queen in bondage is more vile
Than is a slave in base servility
For princes should be free
SUFFOLK
And so shall you
If happy Englands royal king be free
MARGARET
Why what concerns his freedom unto me
SUFFOLK
Ill undertake to make thee Henrys queen
To put a golden scepter in thy hand
And set a precious crown upon thy head
If thou wilt condescend to be my
MARGARET
What
SUFFOLK
His love
MARGARET
I am unworthy to be Henrys wife
SUFFOLK
No gentle madam I unworthy am
To woo so fair a dame to be his wife
And have no portion in the choice myself
How say you madam are ye so content
MARGARET
An if my father please I am content
SUFFOLK
Then call our captains and our colours forth
And madam at your fathers castle walls
Well crave a parley to confer with him
A parley sounded Enter Reignier on the walls
See Reignier see thy daughter prisoner
REIGNIER
To whom
SUFFOLK
To me
REIGNIER
Suffolk what remedy
I am a soldier and unapt to weep
Or to exclaim on fortunes fickleness
SUFFOLK
Yes there is remedy enough my lord
Consent and for thy honour give consent
Thy daughter shall be wedded to my king
Whom I with pain have wood and won thereto
And this her easyheld imprisonment
Hath gaind thy daughter princely liberty
REIGNIER
Speaks Suffolk as he thinks
SUFFOLK
Fair Margaret knows
That Suffolk doth not flatter face or feign
REIGNIER
Upon thy princely warrant I descend
To give thee answer of thy just demand
Exit from the walls
SUFFOLK
And here I will expect thy coming
Trumpets sound Enter Reignier below
REIGNIER
Welcome brave earl into our territories
Command in Anjou what your honour pleases
SUFFOLK
Thanks Reignier happy for so sweet a child
Fit to be made companion with a king
What answer makes your Grace unto my suit
REIGNIER
Since thou dost deign to woo her little worth
To be the princely bride of such a lord
Upon condition I may quietly
Enjoy mine own the country Maine and Anjou
Free from oppression or the stroke of war
My daughter shall be Henrys if he please
SUFFOLK
That is her ransom I deliver her
And those two counties I will undertake
Your Grace shall well and quietly enjoy
REIGNIER
And I again in Henrys royal name
As deputy unto that gracious king
Give thee her hand for sign of plighted faith
SUFFOLK
Reignier of France I give thee kingly thanks
Because this is in traffic of a king
Aside And yet methinks I could be well content
To be mine own attorney in this case
Ill over then to England with this news
And make this marriage to be solemnized
So farewell Reignier set this diamond safe
In golden palaces as it becomes
REIGNIER
I do embrace thee as I would embrace
The Christian prince King Henry were he here
MARGARET
Farewell my lord good wishes praise and prayers
Shall Suffolk ever have of Margaret Going
SUFFOLK
Farewell sweet madam but hark you Margaret
No princely commendations to my king
MARGARET
Such commendations as becomes a maid
A virgin and his servant say to him
SUFFOLK
Words sweetly placed and modestly directed
But madam I must trouble you again
No loving token to his Majesty
MARGARET
Yes my good lord a pure unspotted heart
Never yet taint with love I send the King
SUFFOLK
And this withal Kisses her
MARGARET
That for thyself I will not so presume
To send such peevish tokens to a king
Exeunt Reignier and Margaret
SUFFOLK
O wert thou for myself But Suffolk stay
Thou mayst not wander in that labyrinth
There Minotaurs and ugly treasons lurk
Solicit Henry with her wondrous praise
Bethink thee on her virtues that surmount
And natural graces that extinguish art
Repeat their semblance often on the seas
That when thou comst to kneel at Henrys feet
Thou mayst bereave him of his wits with wonder
Exit
SCENE IV Camp of the Duke of York in Anjou
Enter York Warwick and others
YORK
Bring forth that sorceress condemnd to burn
Enter La Pucelle guarded and a Shepherd
SHEPHERD
Ah Joan this kills thy fathers heart outright
Have I sought every country far and near
And now it is my chance to find thee out
Must I behold thy timeless cruel death
Ah Joan sweet daughter Joan Ill die with thee
PUCELLE
Decrepit miser base ignoble wretch
I am descended of a gentler blood
Thou art no father nor no friend of mine
SHEPHERD
Out out My lords as please you tis not so
I did beget her all the parish knows
Her mother liveth yet can testify
She was the first fruit of my bachelorship
WARWICK
Graceless wilt thou deny thy parentage
YORK
This argues what her kind of life hath been
Wicked and vile and so her death concludes
SHEPHERD
Fie Joan that thou wilt be so obstacle
God knows thou art a collop of my flesh
And for thy sake have I shed many a tear
Deny me not I prithee gentle Joan
PUCELLE
Peasant avaunt You have subornd this man
Of purpose to obscure my noble birth
SHEPHERD
Tis true I gave a noble to the priest
The morn that I was wedded to her mother
Kneel down and take my blessing good my girl
Wilt thou not stoop Now cursed be the time
Of thy nativity I would the milk
Thy mother gave thee when thou suckdst her breast
Had been a little ratsbane for thy sake
Or else when thou didst keep my lambs afield
I wish some ravenous wolf had eaten thee
Dost thou deny thy father cursed drab
O burn her burn her Hanging is too good
Exit
YORK
Take her away for she hath lived too long
To fill the world with vicious qualities
PUCELLE
First let me tell you whom you have condemnd
Not one begotten of a shepherd swain
But issued from the progeny of kings
Virtuous and holy chosen from above
By inspiration of celestial grace
To work exceeding miracles on earth
I never had to do with wicked spirits
But you that are polluted with your lusts
Staind with the guiltless blood of innocents
Corrupt and tainted with a thousand vices
Because you want the grace that others have
You judge it straight a thing impossible
To compass wonders but by help of devils
No misconceived Joan of Arc hath been
A virgin from her tender infancy
Chaste and immaculate in very thought
Whose maiden blood thus rigorously effused
Will cry for vengeance at the gates of heaven
YORK
Ay ay away with her to execution
WARWICK
And hark ye sirs because she is a maid
Spare for no faggots let there be enow
Place barrels of pitch upon the fatal stake
That so her torture may be shortened
PUCELLE
Will nothing turn your unrelenting hearts
Then Joan discover thine infirmity
That warranteth by law to be thy privilege
I am with child ye bloody homicides
Murder not then the fruit within my womb
Although ye hale me to a violent death
YORK
Now heaven forfend The holy maid with child
WARWICK
The greatest miracle that eer ye wrought
Is all your strict preciseness come to this
YORK
She and the Dauphin have been juggling
I did imagine what would be her refuge
WARWICK
Well go to well have no bastards live
Especially since Charles must father it
PUCELLE
You are deceived my child is none of his
It was Alenon that enjoyd my love
YORK
Alenon that notorious Machiavel
It dies and if it had a thousand lives
PUCELLE
O give me leave I have deluded you
Twas neither Charles nor yet the Duke I named
But Reignier King of Naples that prevaild
WARWICK
A married man Thats most intolerable
YORK
Why heres a girl I think she knows not well
There were so manywhom she may accuse
WARWICK
Its sign she hath been liberal and free
YORK
And yet forsooth she is a virgin pure
Strumpet thy words condemn thy brat and thee
Use no entreaty for it is in vain
PUCELLE
Then lead me hence with whom I leave my curse
May never glorious sun reflex his beams
Upon the country where you make abode
But darkness and the gloomy shade of death
Environ you till mischief and despair
Drive you to break your necks or hang yourselves
Exit guarded
YORK
Break thou in pieces and consume to ashes
Thou foul accursed minister of hell
Enter Bishop of Winchester as Cardinal attended
WINCHESTER
Lord Regent I do greet your Excellence
With letters of commission from the King
For know my lords the states of Christendom
Moved with remorse of these outrageous broils
Have earnestly implored a general peace
Betwixt our nation and the aspiring French
And here at hand the Dauphin and his train
Approacheth to confer about some matter
YORK
Is all our travail turnd to this effect
After the slaughter of so many peers
So many captains gentlemen and soldiers
That in this quarrel have been overthrown
And sold their bodies for their countrys benefit
Shall we at last conclude effeminate peace
Have we not lost most part of all the towns
By treason falsehood and by treachery
Our great progenitors had conquered
O Warwick Warwick I foresee with grief
The utter loss of all the realm of France
WARWICK
Be patient York if we conclude a peace
It shall be with such strict and severe covenants
As little shall the Frenchmen gain thereby
Enter Charles Alenon Bastard Reignier and others
CHARLES
Since lords of England it is thus agreed
That peaceful truce shall be proclaimd in France
We come to be informed by yourselves
What the conditions of that league must be
YORK
Speak Winchester for boiling choler chokes
The hollow passage of my poisond voice
By sight of these our baleful enemies
WINCHESTER
Charles and the rest it is enacted thus
That in regard King Henry gives consent
Of mere compassion and of lenity
To ease your country of distressful war
And suffer you to breathe in fruitful peace
You shall become true liegemen to his crown
And Charles upon condition thou wilt swear
To pay him tribute and submit thyself
Thou shalt be placed as viceroy under him
And still enjoy the regal dignity
ALENON
Must he be then as shadow of himself
Adorn his temples with a coronet
And yet in substance and authority
Retain but privilege of a private man
This proffer is absurd and reasonless
CHARLES
Tis known already that I am possessd
With more than half the Gallian territories
And therein reverenced for their lawful king
Shall I for lucre of the rest unvanquishd
Detract so much from that prerogative
As to be calld but viceroy of the whole
No lord ambassador Ill rather keep
That which I have than coveting for more
Be cast from possibility of all
YORK
Insulting Charles Hast thou by secret means
Used intercession to obtain a league
And now the matter grows to compromise
Standst thou aloof upon comparison
Either accept the title thou usurpst
Of benefit proceeding from our king
And not of any challenge of desert
Or we will plague thee with incessant wars
REIGNIER
My lord you do not well in obstinacy
To cavil in the course of this contract
If once it be neglected ten to one
We shall not find like opportunity
ALENON
To say the truth it is your policy
To save your subjects from such massacre
And ruthless slaughters as are daily seen
By our proceeding in hostility
And therefore take this compact of a truce
Although you break it when your pleasure serves
WARWICK
How sayst thou Charles Shall our condition stand
CHARLES
It shall only reservd you claim no interest
In any of our towns of garrison
YORK
Then swear allegiance to his Majesty
As thou art knight never to disobey
Nor be rebellious to the crown of England
Thou nor thy nobles to the crown of England
Charles and the rest give tokens of fealty
So now dismiss your army when ye please
Hang up your ensigns let your drums be still
For here we entertain a solemn peace
Exeunt
SCENE V London The royal palace
Enter Suffolk in conference with the King Gloucester and Exeter
KING HENRY
Your wondrous rare description noble earl
Of beauteous Margaret hath astonishd me
Her virtues graced with external gifts
Do breed loves settled passions in my heart
And like as rigor of tempestuous gusts
Provokes the mightiest hulk against the tide
So am I driven by breath of her renown
Either to suffer shipwreck or arrive
Where I may have fruition of her love
SUFFOLK
Tush my good lord this superficial tale
Is but a preface of her worthy praise
The chief perfections of that lovely dame
Had I sufficient skill to utter them
Would make a volume of enticing lines
Able to ravish any dull conceit
And which is more she is not so divine
So full replete with choice of all delights
But with as humble lowliness of mind
She is content to be at your command
Command I mean of virtuous chaste intents
To love and honour Henry as her lord
KING HENRY
And otherwise will Henry neer presume
Therefore my Lord Protector give consent
That Margaret may be Englands royal queen
GLOUCESTER
So should I give consent to flatter sin
You know my lord your Highness is betrothd
Unto another lady of esteem
How shall we then dispense with that contract
And not deface your honour with reproach
SUFFOLK
As doth a ruler with unlawful oaths
Or one that at a triumph having vowd
To try his strength forsaketh yet the lists
By reason of his adversarys odds
A poor earls daughter is unequal odds
And therefore may be broke without offence
GLOUCESTER
Why what I pray is Margaret more than that
Her father is no better than an earl
Although in glorious titles he excel
SUFFOLK
Yes my lord her father is a king
The King of Naples and Jerusalem
And of such great authority in France
As his alliance will confirm our peace
And keep the Frenchmen in allegiance
GLOUCESTER
And so the Earl of Armagnac may do
Because he is near kinsman unto Charles
EXETER
Beside his wealth doth warrant a liberal dower
Where Reignier sooner will receive than give
SUFFOLK
A dower my lords Disgrace not so your king
That he should be so abject base and poor
To choose for wealth and not for perfect love
Henry is able to enrich his queen
And not to seek a queen to make him rich
So worthless peasants bargain for their wives
As marketmen for oxen sheep or horse
Marriage is a matter of more worth
Than to be dealt in by attorneyship
Not whom we will but whom his Grace affects
Must be companion of his nuptial bed
And therefore lords since he affects her most
Most of all these reasons bindeth us
In our opinions she should be preferrd
For what is wedlock forced but a hell
An age of discord and continual strife
Whereas the contrary bringeth bliss
And is a pattern of celestial peace
Whom should we match with Henry being a king
But Margaret that is daughter to a king
Her peerless feature joined with her birth
Approves her fit for none but for a king
Her valiant courage and undaunted spirit
More than in women commonly is seen
Will answer our hope in issue of a king
For Henry son unto a conqueror
Is likely to beget more conquerors
If with a lady of so high resolve
As is fair Margaret he be linkd in love
Then yield my lords and here conclude with me
That Margaret shall be queen and none but she
KING HENRY
Whether it be through force of your report
My noble Lord of Suffolk or for that
My tender youth was never yet attaint
With any passion of inflaming love
I cannot tell but this I am assured
I feel such sharp dissension in my breast
Such fierce alarums both of hope and fear
As I am sick with working of my thoughts
Take therefore shipping post my lord to France
Agree to any covenants and procure
That Lady Margaret do vouchsafe to come
To cross the seas to England and be crownd
King Henrys faithful and anointed queen
For your expenses and sufficient charge
Among the people gather up a tenth
Be gone I say for till you do return
I rest perplexed with a thousand cares
And you good uncle banish all offence
If you do censure me by what you were
Not what you are I know it will excuse
This sudden execution of my will
And so conduct me where from company
I may revolve and ruminate my grief
Exit
GLOUCESTER
Ay grief I fear me both at first and last
Exeunt Gloucester and Exeter
SUFFOLK
Thus Suffolk hath prevaild and thus he goes
As did the youthful Paris once to Greece
With hope to find the like event in love
But prosper better than the Troyan did
Margaret shall now be queen and rule the King
But I will rule both her the King and realm
Exit
THE SECOND PART OF KING HENRY THE SIXTH
Contents
ACT I
Scene I London The palace
Scene II The Duke of Gloucesters House
Scene III London The palace
Scene IV Gloucesters Garden
ACT II
SCENE I Saint Albans
SCENE II London The Duke of Yorks Garden
SCENE III A Hall of Justice
SCENE IV A Street
ACT III
SCENE I The Abbey at Bury St Edmunds
SCENE II Bury St Edmunds A Room of State
SCENE III A Bedchamber
ACT IV
SCENE I The Coast of Kent
SCENE II Blackheath
SCENE III Another part of Blackheath
SCENE IV London The Palace
SCENE V London The Tower
SCENE VI London Cannon Street
SCENE VII London Smithfield
SCENE VIII Southwark
SCENE IX Kenilworth Castle
SCENE X Kent Idens Garden
ACT V
SCENE I Fields between Dartford and Blackheath
SCENE II Saint Albans
SCENE III Fields near Saint Albans
Dramatis Person
KING HENRY THE SIXTH
MARGARET Queen to King Henry
Humphrey Duke of GLOUCESTER his uncle
ELEANOR Duchess of Gloucester
CARDINAL Beaufort Bishop of Winchester greatuncle to the King
DUKE OF SOMERSET
DUKE OF SUFFOLK
DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM
LORD CLIFFORD
YOUNG CLIFFORD his son
VAUX
Richard Plantagenet Duke of YORK
EDWARD and RICHARD his sons
EARL OF SALISBURY
EARL OF WARWICK
THOMAS HORNER an armourer
PETER THUMP his man
JOHN HUME a priest
JOHN SOUTHWELL a priest
Margery JOURDAIN a witch
ROGER BOLINGBROKE a conjurer
SIMPCOX an impostor
Wife to Simpcox
Mayor of Saint Albans
SIR JOHN STANLEY
Two Murderers
A LIEUTENANT
MASTER
MastersMate
Walter WHITMORE
Two Gentlemen prisoners with Suffolk
Jack CADE a rebel
George BEVIS
John HOLLAND
DICK the butcher
SMITH the weaver
MICHAEL etc followers of Cade
CLERK of Chartham
SIR HUMPHREY STAFFORD
WILLIAM STAFFORD his brother
LORD SCALES
LORD SAYE
MATTHEW GOUGH
Alexander IDEN a Kentish gentleman
Lords Ladies and Attendants Petitioners Aldermen a Herald a Beadle Sheriff and Officers Citizens Prentices Falconers Guards Soldiers Messengers c
A Spirit
SCENE England
ACT I
SCENE I London The palace
Flourish of trumpets then hautboys Enter the King Gloucester Salisbury Warwick and Cardinal Beaufort on the one side the Queen Suffolk York Somerset and Buckingham on the other
SUFFOLK
As by your high imperial Majesty
I had in charge at my depart for France
As procurator to your excellence
To marry Princess Margaret for your grace
So in the famous ancient city Tours
In presence of the Kings of France and Sicil
The Dukes of Orleans Calaber Bretagne and Alenon
Seven earls twelve barons and twenty reverend bishops
I have performed my task and was espoused
And humbly now upon my bended knee
In sight of England and her lordly peers
Deliver up my title in the Queen
To your most gracious hands that are the substance
Of that great shadow I did represent
The happiest gift that ever marquess gave
The fairest queen that ever king received
KING HENRY
Suffolk ariseWelcome Queen Margaret
I can express no kinder sign of love
Than this kind kissO Lord that lends me life
Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness
For Thou hast given me in this beauteous face
A world of earthly blessings to my soul
If sympathy of love unite our thoughts
QUEEN MARGARET
Great King of England and my gracious lord
The mutual conference that my mind hath had
By day by night waking and in my dreams
In courtly company or at my beads
With you mine alderliefest sovereign
Makes me the bolder to salute my King
With ruder terms such as my wit affords
And overjoy of heart doth minister
KING HENRY
Her sight did ravish but her grace in speech
Her words yclad with wisdoms majesty
Makes me from wondering fall to weeping joys
Such is the fulness of my hearts content
Lords with one cheerful voice welcome my love
ALL
Kneeling Long live Queen Margaret Englands happiness
QUEEN MARGARET
We thank you all
Flourish
SUFFOLK
My Lord Protector so it please your grace
Here are the articles of contracted peace
Between our sovereign and the French king Charles
For eighteen months concluded by consent
GLOUCESTER
Reads Imprimis it is agreed between the French king Charles and William de la Pole Marquess of Suffolk ambassador for Henry King of England that the said Henry shall espouse the Lady Margaret daughter unto Reignier King of Naples Sicilia and Jerusalem and crown her Queen of England ere the thirtieth of May next ensuing Item that the duchy of Anjou and the county of Maine shall be released and delivered to the King her father
Lets the paper fall
KING HENRY
Uncle how now
GLOUCESTER
Pardon me gracious lord
Some sudden qualm hath struck me at the heart
And dimmed mine eyes that I can read no further
KING HENRY
Uncle of Winchester I pray read on
CARDINAL
Reads Item it is further agreed between them that the duchies of Anjou and Maine shall be released and delivered to the King her father and she sent over of the King of Englands own proper cost and charges without having any dowry
KING HENRY
They please us wellLord Marquess kneel down
We here create thee the first Duke of Suffolk
And girt thee with the swordCousin of York
We here discharge your grace from being regent
I th parts of France till term of eighteen months
Be full expiredThanks uncle Winchester
Gloucester York Buckingham Somerset
Salisbury and Warwick
We thank you all for this great favour done
In entertainment to my princely Queen
Come let us in and with all speed provide
To see her coronation be performed
Exeunt King Queen and Suffolk
GLOUCESTER
Brave peers of England pillars of the state
To you Duke Humphrey must unload his grief
Your grief the common grief of all the land
What Did my brother Henry spend his youth
His valour coin and people in the wars
Did he so often lodge in open field
In winters cold and summers parching heat
To conquer France his true inheritance
And did my brother Bedford toil his wits
To keep by policy what Henry got
Have you yourselves Somerset Buckingham
Brave York Salisbury and victorious Warwick
Received deep scars in France and Normandy
Or hath mine uncle Beaufort and myself
With all the learned council of the realm
Studied so long sat in the council house
Early and late debating to and fro
How France and Frenchmen might be kept in awe
And had his highness in his infancy
Crowned in Paris in despite of foes
And shall these labours and these honours die
Shall Henrys conquest Bedfords vigilance
Your deeds of war and all our counsel die
O peers of England shameful is this league
Fatal this marriage cancelling your fame
Blotting your names from books of memory
Razing the characters of your renown
Defacing monuments of conquered France
Undoing all as all had never been
CARDINAL
Nephew what means this passionate discourse
This peroration with such circumstance
For France tis ours and we will keep it still
GLOUCESTER
Ay uncle we will keep it if we can
But now it is impossible we should
Suffolk the newmade duke that rules the roast
Hath given the duchy of Anjou and Maine
Unto the poor King Reignier whose large style
Agrees not with the leanness of his purse
SALISBURY
Now by the death of Him that died for all
These counties were the keys of Normandy
But wherefore weeps Warwick my valiant son
WARWICK
For grief that they are past recovery
For were there hope to conquer them again
My sword should shed hot blood mine eyes no tears
Anjou and Maine Myself did win them both
Those provinces these arms of mine did conquer
And are the cities that I got with wounds
Delivered up again with peaceful words
Mort Dieu
YORK
For Suffolks duke may he be suffocate
That dims the honour of this warlike isle
France should have torn and rent my very heart
Before I would have yielded to this league
I never read but Englands kings have had
Large sums of gold and dowries with their wives
And our King Henry gives away his own
To match with her that brings no vantages
GLOUCESTER
A proper jest and never heard before
That Suffolk should demand a whole fifteenth
For costs and charges in transporting her
She should have staid in France and starved in France
Before
CARDINAL
My Lord of Gloucester now ye grow too hot
It was the pleasure of my lord the King
GLOUCESTER
My Lord of Winchester I know your mind
Tis not my speeches that you do mislike
But tis my presence that doth trouble ye
Rancour will out Proud prelate in thy face
I see thy fury If I longer stay
We shall begin our ancient bickerings
Lordings farewell and say when I am gone
I prophesied France will be lost ere long
Exit
CARDINAL
So there goes our Protector in a rage
Tis known to you he is mine enemy
Nay more an enemy unto you all
And no great friend I fear me to the King
Consider lords he is the next of blood
And heir apparent to the English crown
Had Henry got an empire by his marriage
And all the wealthy kingdoms of the west
Theres reason he should be displeased at it
Look to it lords Let not his smoothing words
Bewitch your hearts be wise and circumspect
What though the common people favour him
Calling him Humphrey the good Duke of Gloucester
Clapping their hands and crying with loud voice
Jesu maintain your royal excellence
With God preserve the good Duke Humphrey
I fear me lords for all this flattering gloss
He will be found a dangerous Protector
BUCKINGHAM
Why should he then protect our sovereign
He being of age to govern of himself
Cousin of Somerset join you with me
And all together with the Duke of Suffolk
Well quickly hoist Duke Humphrey from his seat
CARDINAL
This weighty business will not brook delay
Ill to the Duke of Suffolk presently
Exit
SOMERSET
Cousin of Buckingham though Humphreys pride
And greatness of his place be grief to us
Yet let us watch the haughty cardinal
His insolence is more intolerable
Than all the princes in the land beside
If Gloucester be displaced hell be Protector
BUCKINGHAM
Or thou or I Somerset will be Protector
Despite Duke Humphrey or the Cardinal
Exeunt Buckingham and Somerset
SALISBURY
Pride went before Ambition follows him
While these do labour for their own preferment
Behoves it us to labour for the realm
I never saw but Humphrey Duke of Gloucester
Did bear him like a noble gentleman
Oft have I seen the haughty Cardinal
More like a soldier than a man o th church
As stout and proud as he were lord of all
Swear like a ruffian and demean himself
Unlike the ruler of a commonweal
Warwick my son the comfort of my age
Thy deeds thy plainness and thy housekeeping
Hath won the greatest favour of the commons
Excepting none but good Duke Humphrey
And brother York thy acts in Ireland
In bringing them to civil discipline
Thy late exploits done in the heart of France
When thou wert regent for our sovereign
Have made thee feared and honoured of the people
Join we together for the public good
In what we can to bridle and suppress
The pride of Suffolk and the Cardinal
With Somersets and Buckinghams ambition
And as we may cherish Duke Humphreys deeds
While they do tend the profit of the land
WARWICK
So God help Warwick as he loves the land
And common profit of his country
YORK
And so says York Aside for he hath greatest cause
SALISBURY
Then lets make haste away and look unto the main
WARWICK
Unto the main O father Maine is lost
That Maine which by main force Warwick did win
And would have kept so long as breath did last
Main chance father you meant but I meant Maine
Which I will win from France or else be slain
Exeunt Warwick and Salisbury
YORK
Anjou and Maine are given to the French
Paris is lost the state of Normandy
Stands on a tickle point now they are gone
Suffolk concluded on the articles
The peers agreed and Henry was well pleased
To change two dukedoms for a dukes fair daughter
I cannot blame them all What ist to them
Tis thine they give away and not their own
Pirates may make cheap pennyworths of their pillage
And purchase friends and give to courtesans
Still revelling like lords till all be gone
Whileas the silly owner of the goods
Weeps over them and wrings his hapless hands
And shakes his head and trembling stands aloof
While all is shared and all is borne away
Ready to starve and dare not touch his own
So York must sit and fret and bite his tongue
While his own lands are bargained for and sold
Methinks the realms of England France and Ireland
Bear that proportion to my flesh and blood
As did the fatal brand Althaea burnt
Unto the princes heart of Calydon
Anjou and Maine both given unto the French
Cold news for me for I had hope of France
Even as I have of fertile Englands soil
A day will come when York shall claim his own
And therefore I will take the Nevilles parts
And make a show of love to proud Duke Humphrey
And when I spy advantage claim the crown
For thats the golden mark I seek to hit
Nor shall proud Lancaster usurp my right
Nor hold the sceptre in his childish fist
Nor wear the diadem upon his head
Whose churchlike humours fits not for a crown
Then York be still awhile till time do serve
Watch thou and wake when others be asleep
To pry into the secrets of the state
Till Henry surfeiting in joys of love
With his new bride and Englands dearbought Queen
And Humphrey with the peers be fallen at jars
Then will I raise aloft the milkwhite rose
With whose sweet smell the air shall be perfumed
And in my standard bear the arms of York
To grapple with the house of Lancaster
And force perforce Ill make him yield the crown
Whose bookish rule hath pulled fair England down
Exit
SCENE II The Duke of Gloucesters House
Enter Duke Humphrey of Gloucester and his wife Eleanor
ELEANOR
Why droops my lord like overripened corn
Hanging the head at Ceres plenteous load
Why doth the great Duke Humphrey knit his brows
As frowning at the favours of the world
Why are thine eyes fixed to the sullen earth
Gazing on that which seems to dim thy sight
What seest thou there King Henrys diadem
Enchased with all the honours of the world
If so gaze on and grovel on thy face
Until thy head be circled with the same
Put forth thy hand reach at the glorious gold
What ist too short Ill lengthen it with mine
And having both together heaved it up
Well both together lift our heads to heaven
And never more abase our sight so low
As to vouchsafe one glance unto the ground
GLOUCESTER
O Nell sweet Nell if thou dost love thy lord
Banish the canker of ambitious thoughts
And may that hour when I imagine ill
Against my King and nephew virtuous Henry
Be my last breathing in this mortal world
My troublous dreams this night doth make me sad
ELEANOR
What dreamed my lord Tell me and Ill requite it
With sweet rehearsal of my mornings dream
GLOUCESTER
Methought this staff mine officebadge in court
Was broke in twain by whom I have forgot
But as I think it was by th Cardinal
And on the pieces of the broken wand
Were placed the heads of Edmund Duke of Somerset
And William de la Pole first Duke of Suffolk
This was my dream what it doth bode God knows
ELEANOR
Tut this was nothing but an argument
That he that breaks a stick of Gloucesters grove
Shall lose his head for his presumption
But list to me my Humphrey my sweet Duke
Methought I sat in seat of majesty
In the cathedral church of Westminster
And in that chair where kings and queens are crowned
Where Henry and Dame Margaret kneeled to me
And on my head did set the diadem
GLOUCESTER
Nay Eleanor then must I chide outright
Presumptuous dame illnurtured Eleanor
Art thou not second woman in the realm
And the Protectors wife beloved of him
Hast thou not worldly pleasure at command
Above the reach or compass of thy thought
And wilt thou still be hammering treachery
To tumble down thy husband and thyself
From top of honour to disgraces feet
Away from me and let me hear no more
ELEANOR
What what my lord Are you so choleric
With Eleanor for telling but her dream
Next time Ill keep my dreams unto myself
And not be checked
GLOUCESTER
Nay be not angry I am pleased again
Enter Messenger
MESSENGER
My Lord Protector tis his highness pleasure
You do prepare to ride unto Saint Albans
Whereas the King and Queen do mean to hawk
GLOUCESTER
I go Come Nell thou wilt ride with us
ELEANOR
Yes my good lord Ill follow presently
Exeunt Gloucester and Messenger
Follow I must I cannot go before
While Gloucester bears this base and humble mind
Were I a man a duke and next of blood
I would remove these tedious stumblingblocks
And smooth my way upon their headless necks
And being a woman I will not be slack
To play my part in Fortunes pageant
Where are you there Sir John Nay fear not man
We are alone heres none but thee and I
Enter Hume
HUME
Jesus preserve your royal majesty
ELEANOR
What sayst thou Majesty I am but grace
HUME
But by the grace of God and Humes advice
Your graces title shall be multiplied
ELEANOR
What sayst thou man Hast thou as yet conferred
With Margery Jourdain the cunning witch
With Roger Bolingbroke the conjurer
And will they undertake to do me good
HUME
This they have promised to show your highness
A spirit raised from depth of underground
That shall make answer to such questions
As by your Grace shall be propounded him
ELEANOR
It is enough Ill think upon the questions
When from Saint Albans we do make return
Well see these things effected to the full
Here Hume take this reward make merry man
With thy confederates in this weighty cause
Exit
HUME
Hume must make merry with the Duchess gold
Marry and shall But how now Sir John Hume
Seal up your lips and give no words but mum
The business asketh silent secrecy
Dame Eleanor gives gold to bring the witch
Gold cannot come amiss were she a devil
Yet have I gold flies from another coast
I dare not say from the rich cardinal
And from the great and newmade Duke of Suffolk
Yet I do find it so For to be plain
They knowing Dame Eleanors aspiring humour
Have hired me to undermine the Duchess
And buzz these conjurations in her brain
They say A crafty knave does need no broker
Yet am I Suffolk and the cardinals broker
Hume if you take not heed you shall go near
To call them both a pair of crafty knaves
Well so its stands and thus I fear at last
Humes knavery will be the Duchess wrack
And her attainture will be Humphreys fall
Sort how it will I shall have gold for all
Exit
SCENE III London The palace
Enter Peter and Petitioners
1 PETITIONER
My masters lets stand close My Lord Protector will come this way by and by and then we may deliver our supplications in the quill
2 PETITIONER
Marry the Lord protect him for hes a good man Jesu bless him
Enter Suffolk and Queen
1 PETITIONER
Here he comes methinks and the Queen with him Ill be the first sure
2 PETITIONER
Come back fool This is the Duke of Suffolk and not my Lord Protector
SUFFOLK
How now fellow wouldst anything with me
1 PETITIONER
I pray my lord pardon me I took ye for my Lord Protector
QUEEN MARGARET
Reading To my Lord Protector Are your supplications to his lordship Let me see them What is thine
1 PETITIONER
Mine is an t please your grace against John Goodman my Lord Cardinals man for keeping my house and lands and wife and all from me
SUFFOLK
Thy wife too Thats some wrong indeedWhats yoursWhats here Reads Against the Duke of Suffolk for enclosing the commons of Melford How now sir knave
2 PETITIONER
Alas sir I am but a poor petitioner of 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
QUEEN MARGARET
What sayst thou Did the Duke of York say he was rightful heir to the crown
PETER
That my master was No forsooth my master said that he was and that the King was an usurper
SUFFOLK
Who is there
Enter Servant
Take this fellow in and send for his master with a pursuivant presentlyWell hear more of your matter before the King
Exit Servant with Peter
QUEEN MARGARET
And as for you that love to be protected
Under the wings of our Protectors grace
Begin your suits anew and sue to him
Tears the supplications
Away base cullionsSuffolk let them go
ALL
Come lets be gone
Exeunt
QUEEN MARGARET
My Lord of Suffolk say is this the guise
Is this the fashion in the court of England
Is this the government of Britains isle
And this the royalty of Albions king
What shall King Henry be a pupil still
Under the surly Gloucesters governance
Am I a queen in title and in style
And must be made a subject to a duke
I tell thee Pole when in the city Tours
Thou ranst atilt in honour of my love
And stolst away the ladies hearts of France
I thought King Henry had resembled thee
In courage courtship and proportion
But all his mind is bent to holiness
To number AveMaries on his beads
His champions are the prophets and apostles
His weapons holy saws of sacred writ
His study is his tiltyard 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
SUFFOLK
Madam be patient As I was cause
Your highness came to England so will I
In England work your graces full content
QUEEN MARGARET
Beside the haughty Protector have 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
SUFFOLK
And he of these that can do most of all
Cannot do more in England than the Nevilles
Salisbury and Warwick are no simple peers
QUEEN MARGARET
Not all these lords do vex me half so much
As that proud dame the Lord Protectors wife
She sweeps it through the court with troops of ladies
More like an empress than Duke Humphreys wife
Strangers in court do take her for the Queen
She bears a dukes revenues on her back
And in her heart she scorns our poverty
Shall I not live to be avenged on her
Contemptuous baseborn callet as she is
She vaunted mongst her minions t other day
The very train of her worst wearing gown
Was better worth than all my fathers lands
Till Suffolk gave two dukedoms for his daughter
SUFFOLK
Madam myself have limed a bush for her
And placed a quire of such enticing birds
That she will light to listen to the lays
And never mount to trouble you again
So let her rest and madam list to me
For I am bold to counsel you 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 disgrace
As for the Duke of York this late complaint
Will make but little for his benefit
So one by one well weed them all at last
And you yourself shall steer the happy helm
Sound a sennet Enter the King Gloucester Cardinal Beaufort Somerset Buckingham Salisbury York Warwick and the Duchess of Gloucester
KING HENRY
For my part noble lords I care not which
Or Somerset or York alls one to me
YORK
If York have ill demeaned himself in France
Then let him be denied the regentship
SOMERSET
If Somerset be unworthy of the place
Let York be regent I will yield to him
WARWICK
Whether your Grace be worthy yea or no
Dispute not that York is the worthier
CARDINAL
Ambitious Warwick let thy betters speak
WARWICK
The Cardinals not my better in the field
BUCKINGHAM
All in this presence are thy betters Warwick
WARWICK
Warwick may live to be the best of all
SALISBURY
Peace sonAnd show some reason Buckingham
Why Somerset should be preferred in this
QUEEN MARGARET
Because the King forsooth will have it so
GLOUCESTER
Madam the King is old enough himself
To give his censure These are no womens matters
QUEEN MARGARET
If he be old enough what needs your grace
To be Protector of his excellence
GLOUCESTER
Madam I am Protector of the realm
And at his pleasure will resign my place
SUFFOLK
Resign it then and leave thine insolence
Since thou wert kingas who is king but thou
The commonwealth hath daily run to wrack
The Dauphin hath prevailed beyond the seas
And all the peers and nobles of the realm
Have been as bondmen to thy sovereignty
CARDINAL
The commons hast thou racked the clergys bags
Are lank and lean with thy extortions
SOMERSET
Thy sumptuous buildings and thy wifes attire
Have cost a mass of public treasury
BUCKINGHAM
Thy cruelty in execution
Upon offenders hath exceeded law
And left thee to the mercy of the law
QUEEN MARGARET
Thy sale of offices and towns in France
If they were known as the suspect is great
Would make thee quickly hop without thy head
Exit Gloucester The Queen drops her fan
Give me my fan What minion Can ye not
She gives the Duchess a box on the ear
I cry your mercy madam was it you
ELEANOR
Wast I Yea I it was proud Frenchwoman
Could I come near your beauty with my nails
Id set my ten commandments in your face
KING HENRY
Sweet aunt be quiet twas against her will
ELEANOR
Against her will Good King look to t in time
Shell hamper thee and dandle thee like a baby
Though in this place most master wear no breeches
She shall not strike Dame Eleanor unrevenged
Exit
BUCKINGHAM
Lord Cardinal I will follow Eleanor
And listen after Humphrey how he proceeds
Shes tickled now her fume needs no spurs
Shell gallop far enough to her destruction
Exit
Enter Gloucester
GLOUCESTER
Now lords my choler being overblown
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
I say my sovereign York is meetest man
To be your regent in the realm of France
SUFFOLK
Before we make election give me leave
To show some reason of no little force
That York is most unmeet of any man
YORK
Ill tell thee Suffolk why I am unmeet
First for I cannot flatter thee in pride
Next if I be appointed for the place
My Lord of Somerset will keep me here
Without discharge money or furniture
Till France be won into the Dauphins hands
Last time I danced attendance on his will
Till Paris was besieged famished and lost
WARWICK
That can I witness and a fouler fact
Did never traitor in the land commit
SUFFOLK
Peace headstrong Warwick
WARWICK
Image of pride why should I hold my peace
Enter Horner the armourer and his man Peter guarded
SUFFOLK
Because here is a man accused of treason
Pray God the Duke of York excuse himself
YORK
Doth anyone accuse York for a traitor
KING HENRY
What meanst thou Suffolk Tell me what are these
SUFFOLK
Please it your majesty 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 HENRY
Say man were these thy words
HORNER
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
PETER
By these ten bones my lords he did speak them to me in the garret one night as we were scouring my Lord of Yorks armour
YORK
Base dunghill villain and mechanical
Ill have thy head for this thy traitors speech
I do beseech your royal majesty
Let him have all the rigour of the law
HORNER
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 me I have good witness of this therefore I beseech your majesty do not cast away an honest man for a villains accusation
KING HENRY
Uncle what shall we say to this in law
GLOUCESTER
This doom my lord if I may judge
Let Somerset be regent oer the French
Because in York this breeds suspicion
And let these have a day appointed them
For single combat in convenient place
For he hath witness of his servants malice
This is the law and this Duke Humphreys doom
SOMERSET
I humbly thank your royal Majesty
HORNER
And I accept the combat willingly
PETER
Alas my lord I cannot fight for Gods sake pity my case The spite of man prevaileth against me O Lord have mercy upon me I shall never be able to fight a blow O Lord my heart
GLOUCESTER
Sirrah or you must fight or else be hanged
KING HENRY
Away with them to prison and the day
Of combat shall be the last of the next month
Come Somerset well see thee sent away
Flourish Exeunt
SCENE IV Gloucesters Garden
Enter the Witch Margery Jourdain the two Priests Hume Southwell and Bolingbroke
HUME
Come my masters The duchess I tell you expects performance of your promises
BOLINGBROKE
Master Hume we are therefore provided Will her ladyship behold and hear our exorcisms
HUME
Ay what else Fear you not her courage
BOLINGBROKE
I have heard her reported to be a woman 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 Gods 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 Hume following
ELEANOR
Well said my masters and welcome all To this gear the sooner the better
BOLINGBROKE
Patience good lady wizards know their times
Deep night dark night the silent of the night
The time of night when Troy was set on fire
The time when screechowls cry and bandogs howl
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
We will make fast within a hallowed verge
Here they do the ceremonies belonging and make the circle Bolingbroke or Southwell reads Conjuro te etc It thunders and lightens terribly then the Spirit riseth
SPIRIT
Adsum
M JOURDAIN
Asnath
By the eternal God whose name and power
Thou tremblest at answer that I shall ask
For till thou speak thou shalt not pass from hence
SPIRIT
Ask what thou wilt That I had said and done
BOLINGBROKE
Reads First of the King what shall of him become
SPIRIT
The duke yet lives that Henry shall depose
But him outlive and die a violent death
As the Spirit speaks Southwell writes the answer
BOLINGBROKE
Reads What fates await the Duke of Suffolk
SPIRIT
By water shall he die and take his end
BOLINGBROKE
Reads What shall befall the Duke of Somerset
SPIRIT
Let him shun castles
Safer shall he be upon the sandy plains
Than where castles mounted stand
Have done for more I hardly can endure
BOLINGBROKE
Descend to darkness and the burning lake
False fiend avoid
Thunder and lightning Exit Spirit
Enter the Duke of York and the Duke of Buckingham with their Guard and Sir Humphrey Stafford and break in
YORK
Lay hands upon these traitors and their trash
Beldam I think we watched 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 guerdoned for these good deserts
ELEANOR
Not half so bad as thine to Englands king
Injurious duke that threatest wheres no cause
BUCKINGHAM
True madam none at all What call you this
Away with them Let them be clapped up close
And kept asunderYou madam shall with us
Stafford take her to thee
Exit Stafford
Exeunt above Duchess and Hume guarded
Well see your trinkets here all forthcoming
All away
Exeunt guard with Jourdain Southwell Bolingbroke etc
YORK
Lord Buckingham methinks you watched her well
A pretty plot well chosen to build upon
Now pray my lord lets see the devils writ
What have we here
Reads The duke yet lives that Henry shall depose
But him outlive and die a violent death
Why this is just
Aio te Aeacida 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
Safer shall he be upon the sandy plains
Than where castles mounted stand
Come come my lords these oracles
Are hardly attained and hardly understood
The King is now in progress towards Saint Albans
With him the husband of this lovely lady
Thither go these news as fast as horse can carry them
A sorry breakfast for my Lord Protector
BUCKINGHAM
Your Grace shall give me leave my Lord of York
To be the post in hope of his reward
YORK
At your pleasure my good lord
Exit Buckingham
Whos within there ho
Enter a Servingman
Invite my Lords of Salisbury and Warwick
To sup with me tomorrow night Away
Exeunt
ACT II
SCENE I Saint Albans
Enter the King Queen Gloucester Cardinal and Suffolk with Falconers hallooing
QUEEN MARGARET
Believe me lords for flying at the brook
I saw not better sport these seven years day
Yet by your leave the wind was very high
And ten to one old Joan had not gone out
KING HENRY
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
Yea man and birds are fain of climbing high
SUFFOLK
No marvel an it like your majesty
My Lord Protectors hawks do tower so well
They know their master loves to be aloft
And bears his thoughts above his falcons pitch
GLOUCESTER
My lord tis but a base ignoble mind
That mounts no higher than a bird can soar
CARDINAL
I thought as much He would be above the clouds
GLOUCESTER
Ay my Lord Cardinal how think you by that
Were it not good your grace could fly to heaven
KING HENRY
The treasury of everlasting joy
CARDINAL
Thy heaven is on earth thine eyes and thoughts
Beat on a crown the treasure of thy heart
Pernicious Protector dangerous peer
That smoothst it so with king and commonweal
GLOUCESTER
What cardinal is your priesthood grown peremptory
Tantaene animis coelestibus irae
Churchmen so hot Good uncle hide such malice
With such holiness can you do it
SUFFOLK
No malice sir no more than well becomes
So good a quarrel and so bad a peer
GLOUCESTER
As who my lord
SUFFOLK
Why as you my lord
An t like your lordly Lord Protectorship
GLOUCESTER
Why Suffolk England knows thine insolence
QUEEN MARGARET
And thy ambition Gloucester
KING HENRY
I prithee peace good queen
And whet not on these furious peers
For blessed are the peacemakers on earth
CARDINAL
Let me be blessed for the peace I make
Against this proud Protector with my sword
GLOUCESTER
Aside to Cardinal Faith holy uncle would twere come to that
CARDINAL
Aside to Gloucester Marry when thou darst
GLOUCESTER
Aside to Cardinal Make up no factious numbers for the matter
In thine own person answer thy abuse
CARDINAL
Aside to Gloucester Ay where thou darst not peep an if thou darst
This evening on the east side of the grove
KING HENRY
How now my lords
CARDINAL
Believe me cousin Gloucester
Had not your man put up the fowl so suddenly
We had had more sportAside to Gloucester
Come with thy twohand sword
GLOUCESTER
True uncle
Aside to Cardinal Are ye advised The east side of the grove
CARDINAL
Aside to Gloucester I am with you
KING HENRY
Why how now uncle Gloucester
GLOUCESTER
Talking of hawking nothing else my lord
Aside to Cardinal Now by Gods mother priest
Ill shave your crown for this
Or all my fence shall fail
CARDINAL
Aside to Gloucester Medice teipsum
Protector see to t well protect yourself
KING HENRY
The winds grow high so do your stomachs lords
How irksome is this music to my heart
When such strings jar what hope of harmony
I pray my lords let me compound this strife
Enter a Townsman of Saint Albans crying A miracle
GLOUCESTER
What means this noise
Fellow what miracle dost thou proclaim
TOWNSMAN
A miracle A miracle
SUFFOLK
Come to the King and tell him what miracle
TOWNSMAN
Forsooth a blind man at Saint Albans shrine
Within this half hour hath received his sight
A man that neer saw in his life before
KING HENRY
Now God be praised that to believing souls
Gives light in darkness comfort in despair
Enter the Mayor of Saint Albans and his brethren bearing Simpcox between two in a chair Simpcoxs Wife following
CARDINAL
Here comes the townsmen on procession
To present your highness with the man
KING HENRY
Great is his comfort in this earthly vale
Although by his sight his sin be multiplied
GLOUCESTER
Stand by my masters Bring him near the King
His highness pleasure is to talk with him
KING HENRY
Good fellow tell us here the circumstance
That we for thee may glorify the Lord
What hast thou been long blind and now restored
SIMPCOX
Born blind an t please your grace
WIFE
Ay indeed was he
SUFFOLK
What woman is this
WIFE
His wife an t like your worship
GLOUCESTER
Hadst thou been his mother thou couldst have better told
KING HENRY
Where wert thou born
SIMPCOX
At Berwick in the north an t like your grace
KING HENRY
Poor soul Gods goodness hath been great to thee
Let never day nor night unhallowed pass
But still remember what the Lord hath done
QUEEN MARGARET
Tell me good fellow camst thou here by chance
Or of devotion to this holy shrine
SIMPCOX
God knows of pure devotion being called
A hundred times and oftener in my sleep
By good Saint Alban who said Simpcox come
Come offer at my shrine and I will help thee
WIFE
Most true forsooth and many time and oft
Myself have heard a voice to call him so
CARDINAL
What art thou lame
SIMPCOX
Ay God Almighty help me
SUFFOLK
How camst thou so
SIMPCOX
A fall off of a tree
WIFE
A plumtree master
GLOUCESTER
How long hast thou been blind
SIMPCOX
O born so master
GLOUCESTER
What and wouldst climb a tree
SIMPCOX
But that in all my life when I was a youth
WIFE
Too true and bought his climbing very dear
GLOUCESTER
Mass thou lovdst plums well that wouldst venture so
SIMPCOX
Alas good master my wife desired some damsons
And made me climb with danger of my life
GLOUCESTER
A subtle knave But yet it shall not serve
Let me see thine eyes Wink now Now open them
In my opinion yet thou seest not well
SIMPCOX
Yes master clear as day I thank God and Saint Alban
GLOUCESTER
Sayst thou me so What colour is this cloak of
SIMPCOX
Red master red as blood
GLOUCESTER
Why thats well said What colour is my gown of
SIMPCOX
Black forsooth coalblack as jet
KING HENRY
Why then thou knowst what colour jet is of
SUFFOLK
And yet I think jet did he never see
GLOUCESTER
But cloaks and gowns before this day a many
WIFE
Never before this day in all his life
GLOUCESTER
Tell me sirrah whats my name
SIMPCOX
Alas master I know not
GLOUCESTER
Whats his name
SIMPCOX
I know not
GLOUCESTER
Nor his
SIMPCOX
No indeed master
GLOUCESTER
Whats thine own name
SIMPCOX
Sander Simpcox an if it please you master
GLOUCESTER
Then Sander sit there the lyingest knave in Christendom If thou hadst been born blind thou mightst as well have known all our names as thus to name the several colours we do wear Sight may distinguish of colours but suddenly to nominate them all it is impossibleMy lords Saint Alban here hath done a miracle and would ye not think his cunning to be great that could restore this cripple to his legs again
SIMPCOX
O master that you could
GLOUCESTER
My masters of Saint Albans have you not beadles in your town and things called whips
MAYOR
Yes my lord if it please your grace
GLOUCESTER
Then send for one presently
MAYOR
Sirrah go fetch the beadle hither straight
Exit a Townsman
GLOUCESTER
Now fetch me a stool hither by and byNow sirrah if you mean to save yourself from whipping leap me over this stool and run away
SIMPCOX
Alas master I am not able to stand alone
You go about to torture me in vain
Enter a Beadle with whips
GLOUCESTER
Well sir we must have you find your legs
Sirrah beadle whip him till he leap over that same stool
BEADLE
I will my lordCome on sirrah off with your doublet quickly
SIMPCOX
Alas master what shall 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
KING HENRY
O God seest Thou this and bearest so long
QUEEN MARGARET
It made me laugh to see the villain run
GLOUCESTER
Follow the knave and take this drab away
WIFE
Alas sir we did it for pure need
GLOUCESTER
Let them be whipped through every market town
Till they come to Berwick from whence they came
Exeunt Wife Beadle Mayor etc
CARDINAL
Duke Humphrey has done a miracle today
SUFFOLK
True made the lame to leap and fly away
GLOUCESTER
But you have done more miracles than I
You made in a day my lord whole towns to fly
Enter Buckingham
KING HENRY
What tidings with our cousin Buckingham
BUCKINGHAM
Such as my heart doth tremble to unfold
A sort of naughty persons lewdly bent
Under the countenance and confederacy
Of Lady Eleanor the Protectors wife
The ringleader and head of all this rout
Have practised dangerously against your state
Dealing with witches and with conjurers
Whom we have apprehended in the fact
Raising up wicked spirits from under ground
Demanding of King Henrys life and death
And other of your highness Privy Council
As more at large your Grace shall understand
CARDINAL
Aside to Gloucester And so my Lord Protector by this means
Your lady is forthcoming yet at London
This news I think hath turned your weapons edge
Tis like my lord you will not keep your hour
GLOUCESTER
Ambitious churchman leave to afflict my heart
Sorrow and grief have vanquished all my powers
And vanquished as I am I yield to thee
Or to the meanest groom
KING HENRY
O God what mischiefs work the wicked ones
Heaping confusion on their own heads thereby
QUEEN MARGARET
Gloucester see here the tainture of thy nest
And look thyself be faultless thou wert best
GLOUCESTER
Madam for myself to heaven I do appeal
How I have loved my king and commonweal
And for my wife I know not how it stands
Sorry I 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 dishonoured Gloucesters honest name
KING HENRY
Well for this night we will repose us here
Tomorrow toward London back again
To look into this business thoroughly
And call these foul offenders to their answers
And poise the cause in Justice equal scales
Whose beam stands sure whose rightful cause prevails
Flourish Exeunt
SCENE II London The Duke of Yorks Garden
Enter York Salisbury and Warwick
YORK
Now my good Lords of Salisbury and Warwick
Our simple supper ended give me leave
In this close walk to satisfy myself
In craving your opinion of my title
Which is infallible to Englands crown
SALISBURY
My lord I long to hear it at full
WARWICK
Sweet York begin and if thy claim be good
The Nevilles are thy subjects to command
YORK
Then thus
Edward the Third my lords had seven sons
The first Edward the Black Prince Prince of Wales
The second William of Hatfield and the third
Lionel Duke of Clarence next to whom
Was John of Gaunt the Duke of Lancaster
The fifth was Edmund Langley Duke of York
The sixth was Thomas of Woodstock Duke of Gloucester
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 Thirds death reigned as king
Till Henry Bolingbroke Duke of Lancaster
The eldest son and heir of John of Gaunt
Crowned 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
And him to Pomfret where as all you know
Harmless Richard was murdered traitorously
WARWICK
Father the Duke hath told the truth
Thus got the house of Lancaster the crown
YORK
Which now they hold by force and not by right
For Richard the first sons heir being dead
The issue of the next son should have reigned
SALISBURY
But William of Hatfield died without an heir
YORK
The third son Duke of Clarence from whose line
I claim the crown had issue Philippa a daughter
Who married Edmund Mortimer Earl of March
Edmund had issue Roger Earl of March
Roger had issue Edmund Anne and Eleanor
SALISBURY
This Edmund in the reign of Bolingbroke
As I have read laid claim unto the crown
And but for Owen Glendower had been king
Who kept him in captivity till he died
But to the rest
YORK
His eldest sister Anne
My mother being heir unto the crown
Married Richard Earl of Cambridge who was son
To Edmund Langley Edward the Thirds fifth son
By her I claim the kingdom she was heir
To Roger Earl of March who was the son
Of Edmund Mortimer who married Philippa
Sole daughter unto Lionel Duke of Clarence
So if the issue of the elder son
Succeed before the younger I am king
WARWICK
What plain proceeding is more plain than this
Henry doth claim the crown from John of Gaunt
The fourth son York claims it from the third
Till Lionels issue fails his should not reign
It fails not yet but flourishes in thee
And in thy sons fair slips of such a stock
Then father Salisbury kneel we together
And in this private plot be we the first
That shall salute our rightful sovereign
With honour of his birthright to the crown
BOTH
Long live our sovereign Richard Englands king
YORK
We thank you lords But I am not your king
Till I be crowned and that my sword be stained
With heartblood of the house of Lancaster
And thats not suddenly to be performed
But with advice and silent secrecy
Do you as I do in these dangerous days
Wink at the Duke of Suffolks insolence
At Beauforts pride at Somersets ambition
At Buckingham and all the crew of them
Till they have snared the shepherd of the flock
That virtuous prince the good Duke Humphrey
Tis that they seek and they in seeking that
Shall find their deaths if York can prophesy
SALISBURY
My lord break we off we know your mind at full
WARWICK
My heart assures me that the Earl of Warwick
Shall one day make the Duke of York a king
YORK
And Neville this I do assure myself
Richard shall live to make the Earl of Warwick
The greatest man in England but the king
Exeunt
SCENE III A Hall of Justice
Sound trumpets Enter the King the Queen Gloucester York Suffolk and Salisbury the Duchess of Gloucester Margery Jourdain Southwell Hume and Bolingbroke under guard
KING HENRY
Stand forth Dame Eleanor Cobham Gloucesters wife
In sight of God and us your guilt is great
Receive the sentence of the law for sins
Such as by Gods book are adjudged to death
You four from hence to prison back again
From thence unto the place of execution
The witch in Smithfield shall be burnt to ashes
And you three shall be strangled on the gallows
You madam for you are more nobly born
Despoiled of your honour in your life
Shall after three days open penance done
Live in your country here in banishment
With Sir John Stanley in the Isle of Man
ELEANOR
Welcome is banishment welcome were my death
GLOUCESTER
Eleanor the law thou seest hath judged thee
I cannot justify whom the law condemns
Exeunt Duchess and the other prisoners guarded
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
Sorrow would solace and mine age would ease
KING HENRY
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 MARGARET
I see no reason why a king of years
Should be to be protected like a child
God and King Henry govern Englands realm
Give up your staff sir and the King his realm
GLOUCESTER
My staff Here noble Henry is my staff
As willingly do I the same resign
As eer thy father Henry made it mine
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
Exit
QUEEN MARGARET
Why now is Henry King and Margaret Queen
And Humphrey Duke of Gloucester scarce himself
That bears so shrewd a maim Two pulls at once
His lady banished and a limb lopped off
This staff of honour raught there let it stand
Where it best fits to be in Henrys hand
SUFFOLK
Thus droops this lofty pine and hangs his sprays
Thus Eleanors pride dies in her youngest days
YORK
Lords let him goPlease it 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
So please your highness to behold the fight
QUEEN MARGARET
Ay good my lord for purposely therefore
Left I the court to see this quarrel tried
KING HENRY
I Gods name see the lists and all things fit
Here let them end it and God defend the right
YORK
I never saw a fellow worse bested
Or more afraid to fight than is the appellant
The servant of his armourer my lords
Enter 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 with a sandbag fastened to it and at the other door Peter his man with a drum and sandbag and Prentices drinking to him
1 NEIGHBOUR
Here neighbour Horner I drink to you in a cup of sack and fear not neighbour you shall do well enough
2 NEIGHBOUR
And here neighbour heres a cup of charneco
3 NEIGHBOUR
And heres a pot of good double beer neighbour Drink and fear not your man
HORNER
Let it come i faith and Ill pledge you all and a fig for Peter
1 PRENTICE
Here Peter I drink to thee and be not afraid
2 PRENTICE
Be merry Peter and fear not thy master Fight for credit of the prentices
PETER
I thank you all Drink and pray for me I pray you for I think I have taken my last draught in this world Here Robin an if I die I give thee my apron and Will thou shalt have my hammer and here Tom take all the money that I have O Lord bless me I pray God for I am never able to deal with my master he hath learnt so much fence already
SALISBURY
Come leave your drinking and fall to blows
Sirrah whats thy name
PETER
Peter forsooth
SALISBURY
Peter What more
PETER
Thump
SALISBURY
Thump Then see thou thump thy master well
HORNER
Masters I am come hither as it were upon my mans 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 downright blow
YORK
Dispatch This knaves tongue begins to double
Sound trumpets Alarum to the combatants
They fight and Peter strikes him down
HORNER
Hold Peter hold I confess I confess treason
Dies
YORK
Take away his weaponFellow thank God and the good wine in thy masters way
PETER
O God have I overcome mine enemies in this presence O Peter thou hast prevailed in right
KING HENRY
Go take hence that traitor from our sight
For by his death we do perceive his guilt
And God in justice hath revealed to us
The truth and innocence of this poor fellow
Which he had thought to have murdered wrongfully
Come fellow follow us for thy reward
Sound a flourish Exeunt
SCENE IV A Street
Enter Gloucester and his Servingmen in mourning cloaks
GLOUCESTER
Thus sometimes hath the brightest day a cloud
And after summer evermore succeeds
Barren winter with his wrathful nipping cold
So cares and joys abound as seasons fleet
Sirs whats oclock
SERVINGMEN
Ten my lord
GLOUCESTER
Ten is the hour that was appointed me
To watch the coming of my punished duchess
Uneath may she endure the flinty streets
To tread them with her tenderfeeling 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
When thou didst ride in triumph through the streets
But soft I think she comes and Ill prepare
My tearstained eyes to see her miseries
Enter the Duchess of Gloucester in a white sheet and a taper burning in her hand with Sir John Stanley the Sheriff and Officers
SERVINGMEN
So please your Grace well take her from the sheriff
GLOUCESTER
No stir not for your lives let her pass by
ELEANOR
Come you my lord to see my open shame
Now thou dost penance too Look how they gaze
See how the giddy multitude do point
And nod their heads and throw their eyes on thee
Ah Gloucester hide thee from their hateful looks
And in thy closet pent up rue my shame
And ban thine enemies both mine and thine
GLOUCESTER
Be patient gentle Nell forget this grief
ELEANOR
Ah Gloucester teach me to forget myself
For whilst I think I am thy married wife
And thou a prince Protector of this land
Methinks I should not thus be led along
Mailed up in shame with papers on my back
And followed with a rabble that rejoice
To see my tears and hear my deepfet 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
Trowest thou that eer Ill look upon the world
Or count them happy that enjoy the sun
No dark shall be my light and night my day
To think upon my pomp shall be my hell
Sometimes Ill say I am Duke Humphreys 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 pointingstock
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
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 theyll tangle thee
But fear not thou until thy foot be snared
Nor never seek prevention of thy foes
GLOUCESTER
Ah Nell forbear Thou aimest all awry
I must offend before I be attainted
And had I twenty times so many foes
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
Wouldst have me rescue thee from this reproach
Why yet thy scandal were not wiped away
But I in danger for the breach of law
Thy greatest help is quiet gentle Nell
I pray thee sort thy heart to patience
These few days wonder will be quickly worn
Enter a Herald
HERALD
I summon your grace to his majestys parliament
Holden at Bury the first of this next month
GLOUCESTER
And my consent neer asked herein before
This is close dealing Well I will be there
Exit Herald
My Nell I take my leave and master sheriff
Let not her penance exceed the Kings commission
SHERIFF
An t please your grace here my commission stays
And Sir John Stanley is appointed now
To take her with him to the Isle of Man
GLOUCESTER
Must you Sir John protect my lady here
STANLEY
So am I given in charge may t please your grace
GLOUCESTER
Entreat her not the 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
ELEANOR
What gone my lord and bid me not farewell
GLOUCESTER
Witness my tears I cannot stay to speak
Exeunt Gloucester and Servingmen
ELEANOR
Art thou gone too All comfort go with thee
For none abides with me my joy is death
Death at whose name I oft have been afeard
Because I wished this worlds eternity
Stanley I prithee go and take me hence
I care not whither for I beg no favour
Only convey me where thou art commanded
STANLEY
Why madam that is to the Isle of Man
There to be used according to your state
ELEANOR
Thats bad enough for I am but reproach
And shall I then be used reproachfully
STANLEY
Like to a duchess and Duke Humphreys lady
According to that state you shall be used
ELEANOR
Sheriff farewell and better than I fare
Although thou hast been conduct of my shame
SHERIFF
It is my office and madam pardon me
ELEANOR
Ay ay farewell thy office is discharged
Come Stanley shall we go
STANLEY
Madam your penance done throw off this sheet
And go we to attire you for our journey
ELEANOR
My shame will not be shifted with my sheet
No it will hang upon my richest robes
And show itself attire me how I can
Go lead the way I long to see my prison
Exeunt
ACT III
SCENE I The Abbey at Bury St Edmunds
Sound a sennet Enter the King the Queen Cardinal Beaufort Suffolk York Buckingham Salisbury and Warwick to the Parliament
KING HENRY
I muse my Lord of Gloucester is not come
Tis not his wont to be the hindmost man
Whateer occasion keeps him from us now
QUEEN MARGARET
Can you not see or will ye not observe
The strangeness of his altered countenance
With what a majesty he bears himself
How insolent of late he is become
How proud how peremptory and unlike himself
We know the time since he was mild and affable
And if we did but glance a faroff look
Immediately he was upon his knee
That all the court admired him for submission
But meet him now and be it in the morn
When everyone will give the time of day
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
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 feared they all will follow him
Now tis the spring and weeds are shallowrooted
Suffer them now and theyll oergrow the garden
And choke the herbs for want of husbandry
The reverent care I bear unto my lord
Made me collect these dangers in the Duke
If it be fond can it a womans fear
Which fear if better reasons can supplant
I will subscribe and say I wronged the Duke
My Lord of Suffolk Buckingham and York
Reprove my allegation if you can
Or else conclude my words effectual
SUFFOLK
Well hath your highness seen into this Duke
And had I first been put to speak my mind
I think I should have told your graces tale
The Duchess by his subornation
Upon my life began her devilish practices
Or if he were not privy to those faults
Yet by reputing of his high descent
As next the King he was successive heir
And such high vaunts of his nobility
Did instigate the bedlam brainsick Duchess
By wicked means to frame our sovereigns fall
Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep
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
CARDINAL
Did he not contrary to form of law
Devise strange deaths for small offences done
YORK
And did he not in his protectorship
Levy great sums of money through the realm
For soldiers pay in France and never sent it
By means whereof the towns each day revolted
BUCKINGHAM
Tut these are petty faults to faults unknown
Which time will bring to light in smooth Duke Humphrey
KING HENRY
My lords at once the care you have of us
To mow down thorns that would annoy our foot
Is worthy praise but shall I speak my conscience
Our kinsman Gloucester is as innocent
From meaning treason to our royal person
As is the sucking lamb or harmless dove
The Duke is virtuous mild and too well given
To dream on evil or to work my downfall
QUEEN MARGARET
Ah whats more dangerous than this fond affiance
Seems he a dove His feathers are but borrowed
For hes disposed as the hateful raven
Is he a lamb His skin is surely lent him
For hes inclined as is the ravenous wolves
Who cannot steal a shape that means deceit
Take heed my lord the welfare of us all
Hangs on the cutting short that fraudful man
Enter Somerset
SOMERSET
All health unto my gracious sovereign
KING HENRY
Welcome Lord Somerset What news from France
SOMERSET
That all your interest in those territories
Is utterly bereft you all is lost
KING HENRY
Cold news Lord Somerset but Gods will be done
YORK
Aside Cold news for me for I had hope of France
As firmly as I hope for fertile England
Thus are my blossoms blasted in the bud
And caterpillars eat my leaves away
But I will remedy this gear ere long
Or sell my title for a glorious grave
Enter Gloucester
GLOUCESTER
All happiness unto my lord the King
Pardon my liege that I have staid so long
SUFFOLK
Nay Gloucester know that thou art come too soon
Unless thou wert more loyal than thou art
I do arrest thee of high treason here
GLOUCESTER
Well Suffolk thou shalt not see me blush
Nor change my countenance for this arrest
A heart unspotted is not easily daunted
The purest spring is not so free from mud
As I am clear from treason to my sovereign
Who can accuse me Wherein am I guilty
YORK
Tis thought my lord that you took bribes of France
And being Protector stayed the soldiers pay
By means whereof his highness hath lost France
GLOUCESTER
Is it but thought so What are they that think it
I never robbed the soldiers of their pay
Nor ever had one penny bribe from France
So help me God as I have watched the night
Ay night by night in studying good for England
That doit that eer I wrested from the King
Or any groat I hoarded to my use
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
And never asked for restitution
CARDINAL
It serves you well my lord to say so much
GLOUCESTER
I say no more than truth so help me God
YORK
In your protectorship you did devise
Strange tortures for offenders never heard of
That England was defamed by tyranny
GLOUCESTER
Why tis well known that whiles I was Protector
Pity was all the fault that was in me
For I should melt at an offenders tears
And lowly words were ransom for their fault
Unless it were a bloody murderer
Or foul felonious thief that fleeced poor passengers
I never gave them condign punishment
Murder indeed that bloody sin I tortured
Above the felon or what trespass else
SUFFOLK
My lord these faults are easy quickly answered
But mightier crimes are laid unto your charge
Whereof you cannot easily purge yourself
I do arrest you in his highness name
And here commit you to my Lord Cardinal
To keep until your further time of trial
KING HENRY
My Lord of Gloucester tis my special hope
That you will clear yourself from all suspense
My conscience tells me you are innocent
GLOUCESTER
Ah gracious lord these days are dangerous
Virtue is choked with foul ambition
And charity chased hence by rancours hand
Foul subornation is predominant
And equity exiled your highness land
I know their complot is to have my life
And if my death might make this island happy
And prove the period of their tyranny
I would expend it with all willingness
But mine is made the prologue to their play
For thousands more that yet suspect no peril
Will not conclude their plotted tragedy
Beauforts red sparkling eyes blab his hearts malice
And Suffolks cloudy brow his stormy hate
Sharp Buckingham unburdens with his tongue
The envious load that lies upon his heart
And dogged York that reaches at the moon
Whose overweening arm I have plucked back
By false accuse doth level at my life
And you my sovereign lady with the rest
Causeless have laid disgraces on my head
And with your best endeavour have stirred up
My liefest liege to be mine enemy
Ay all of you have laid your heads together
Myself had notice of your conventicles
And all to make away my guiltless life
I shall not want false witness to condemn me
Nor store of treasons to augment my guilt
The ancient proverb will be well effected
A staff is quickly found to beat a dog
CARDINAL
My liege his railing is intolerable
If those that care to keep your royal person
From treasons 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
SUFFOLK
Hath he not twit our sovereign lady here
With ignominious words though clerkly couched
As if she had suborned some to swear
False allegations to oerthrow his state
QUEEN MARGARET
But I can give the loser leave to chide
GLOUCESTER
Far truer spoke than meant I lose indeed
Beshrew the winners for they played me false
And well such losers may have leave to speak
BUCKINGHAM
Hell wrest the sense and hold us here all day
Lord Cardinal he is your prisoner
CARDINAL
Sirs take away the Duke and guard him sure
GLOUCESTER
Ah thus King Henry throws away his crutch
Before his legs be firm to bear his body
Thus is the shepherd beaten from thy side
And wolves are gnarling who shall gnaw thee first
Ah that my fear were false ah that it were
For good King Henry thy decay I fear
Exit Gloucester guarded
KING HENRY
My lords what to your wisdoms seemeth best
Do or undo as if ourself were here
QUEEN MARGARET
What will your highness leave the parliament
KING HENRY
Ay Margaret my heart is drowned with grief
Whose flood begins to flow within mine eyes
My body round engirt with misery
For whats 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 eer I proved thee false or feared thy faith
What louring star now envies thy estate
That these great lords and Margaret our Queen
Do seek subversion of thy harmless life
Thou never didst them wrong nor no man wrong
And as the butcher takes away the calf
And binds the wretch and beats it when it strains
Bearing it to the bloody slaughterhouse
Even so remorseless have they borne him hence
And as the dam runs lowing up and down
Looking the way her harmless young one went
And can do naught but wail her darlings loss
Even so myself bewails good Gloucesters case
With sad unhelpful tears and with dimmed eyes
Look after him and cannot do him good
So mighty are his vowed enemies
His fortunes I will weep and twixt each groan
Say Whos a traitor Gloucester he is none
Exeunt all but Queen Cardinal Beaufort Suffolk and York Somerset remains apart
QUEEN MARGARET
Free lords cold snow melts with the suns hot beams
Henry my lord is cold in great affairs
Too full of foolish pity and Gloucesters show
Beguiles him as the mournful crocodile
With sorrow snares relenting passengers
Or as the snake rolled in a flowering bank
With shining checkered slough doth sting a child
That for the beauty thinks it excellent
Believe me lords were none 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
CARDINAL
That he should die is worthy policy
But yet we want a colour for his death
Tis meet he be condemned by course of law
SUFFOLK
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
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
SUFFOLK
Ah York no man alive so fain as I
YORK
Tis York that hath more reason for his death
But my Lord Cardinal and you my Lord of Suffolk
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
As place Duke Humphrey for the Kings Protector
QUEEN MARGARET
So the poor chicken should be sure of death
SUFFOLK
Madam tis true and were t not madness then
To make the fox surveyor of the fold
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 stained with crimson blood
As Humphrey proved by reasons to my liege
And do not stand on quillets how to slay him
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 MARGARET
Thricenoble Suffolk tis resolutely spoke
SUFFOLK
Not resolute except so much were done
For things are often spoke and seldom meant
But that my heart accordeth with my tongue
Seeing the deed is meritorious
And to preserve my sovereign from his foe
Say but the word and I will be his priest
CARDINAL
But I would have him dead my Lord of Suffolk
Ere you can take due orders for a priest
Say you consent and censure well the deed
And Ill provide his executioner
I tender so the safety of my liege
SUFFOLK
Here is my hand the deed is worthy doing
QUEEN MARGARET
And so say I
YORK
And I And now we three have spoke it
It skills not greatly who impugns our doom
Enter a Post
POST
Great lords from Ireland am I come amain
To signify that rebels there are up
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
CARDINAL
A breach that craves a quick expedient stop
What counsel give you in this weighty cause
YORK
That Somerset be sent as regent thither
Tis meet that lucky ruler be employed
Witness the fortune he hath had in France
SOMERSET
If York with all his farfet policy
Had been the regent there instead of me
He never would have stayed 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 burden of dishonour home
By staying there so long till all were lost
Show me one scar charactered on thy skin
Mens flesh preserved so whole do seldom win
QUEEN MARGARET
Nay then this spark will prove a raging fire
If wind and fuel be brought to feed it with
No more good York Sweet Somerset be still
Thy fortune York hadst thou been regent there
Might happily have proved far worse than his
YORK
What worse than naught Nay then a shame take all
SOMERSET
And in the number thee that wishest shame
CARDINAL
My Lord of York try what your fortune is
Th uncivil kerns of Ireland are in arms
And temper clay with blood of Englishmen
To Ireland will you lead a band of men
Collected choicely from each county some
And try your hap against the Irishmen
YORK
I will my lord so please his majesty
SUFFOLK
Why our authority is his consent
And what we do establish he confirms
Then noble York take thou this task in hand
YORK
I am content Provide me soldiers lords
Whiles I take order for mine own affairs
SUFFOLK
A charge Lord York that I will see performed
But now return we to the false Duke Humphrey
CARDINAL
No more of him for I will deal with him
That henceforth he shall trouble us no more
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
At Bristol I expect my soldiers
For there Ill ship them all for Ireland
SUFFOLK
Ill see it truly done my Lord of York
Exeunt all but York
YORK
Now York or never steel thy fearful thoughts
And change misdoubt to resolution
Be that thou hopst to be or what thou art
Resign to death it is not worth th enjoying
Let palefaced fear keep with the meanborn man
And find no harbour in a royal heart
Faster than springtime showers comes thought on thought
And not a thought but thinks on dignity
My brain more busy than the labouring spider
Weaves tedious snares to trap mine enemies
Well nobles well tis politicly done
To send me packing with an host of men
I fear me you but warm the starved snake
Who cherished in your breasts will sting your hearts
Twas men I lacked and you will give them me
I take it kindly yet be well assured
You put sharp weapons in a madmans hands
Whiles I in Ireland nourish a mighty band
I will stir up in England some black storm
Shall blow ten thousand souls to heaven or hell
And this fell tempest shall not cease to rage
Until the golden circuit on my head
Like to the glorious suns transparent beams
Do calm the fury of this madbred 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
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
Were almost like a sharpquilled porpentine
And in the end being rescued I have seen
Him caper upright like a wild Morisco
Shaking the bloody darts as he his bells
Full often like a shaghaired crafty kern
Hath he conversed with the enemy
And undiscovered come to me again
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 racked 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 sowed
For Humphrey being dead as he shall be
And Henry put apart the next for me
Exit
SCENE II Bury St Edmunds A Room of State
Enter two or three Murderers running over the stage from the murder of Duke Humphrey
1 MURDERER
Run to my Lord of Suffolk let him know
We have dispatched the Duke as he commanded
2 MURDERER
O that it were to do What have we done
Didst ever hear a man so penitent
Enter Suffolk
1 MURDERER
Here comes my lord
SUFFOLK
Now sirs have you dispatched this thing
1 MURDERER
Ay my good lord hes dead
SUFFOLK
Why thats well said Go get you to my house
I will reward you 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 as I gave directions
1 MURDERER
Tis my good lord
SUFFOLK
Away be gone
Exeunt Murderers
Sound trumpets Enter the King the Queen Cardinal Beaufort Somerset with attendants
KING HENRY
Go call our uncle to our presence straight
Say we intend to try his grace today
If he be guilty as tis published
SUFFOLK
Ill call him presently my noble lord
Exit
KING HENRY
Lords take your places and I pray you all
Proceed no straiter gainst our uncle Gloucester
Than from true evidence of good esteem
He be approved in practice culpable
QUEEN MARGARET
God forbid any malice should prevail
That faultless may condemn a nobleman
Pray God he may acquit him of suspicion
KING HENRY
I thank thee Meg these words content me much
Enter Suffolk
How now Why lookst thou pale Why tremblest thou
Where is our uncle Whats the matter Suffolk
SUFFOLK
Dead in his bed my lord Gloucester is dead
QUEEN MARGARET
Marry God forfend
CARDINAL
Gods secret judgment I did dream tonight
The Duke was dumb and could not speak a word
The King swoons
QUEEN MARGARET
How fares my lord Help lords the King is dead
SOMERSET
Rear up his body wring him by the nose
QUEEN MARGARET
Run go help help O Henry ope thine eyes
SUFFOLK
He doth revive again Madam be patient
KING HENRY
O heavenly God
QUEEN MARGARET
How fares my gracious lord
SUFFOLK
Comfort my sovereign Gracious Henry comfort
KING HENRY
What doth my Lord of Suffolk comfort me
Came he right now to sing a ravens note
Whose dismal tune bereft my vital powers
And thinks he that the chirping of a wren
By crying comfort from a hollow breast
Can chase away the firstconceived sound
Hide not thy poison with such sugared words
Lay not thy hands on me Forbear I say
Their touch affrights me as a serpents sting
Thou baleful messenger out of my sight
Upon thy eyeballs murderous tyranny
Sits in grim majesty to fright the world
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 Gloucesters dead
QUEEN MARGARET
Why do you rate my Lord of Suffolk thus
Although the Duke was enemy to him
Yet he most Christianlike laments his death
And for myself foe as he was to me
Might liquid tears or heartoffending groans
Or bloodconsuming sighs recall his life
I would be blind with weeping sick with groans
Look pale as primrose with blooddrinking 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
So shall my name with slanders tongue be wounded
And princes courts be filled with my reproach
This get I by his death Ay me unhappy
To be a queen and crowned with infamy
KING HENRY
Ah woe is me for Gloucester wretched man
QUEEN MARGARET
Be woe for me more wretched than he is
What dost thou turn away and hide thy face
I am no loathsome leper Look on me
What art thou like the adder waxen deaf
Be poisonous too and kill thy forlorn Queen
Is all thy comfort shut in Gloucesters tomb
Why then Dame Margaret was neer thy joy
Erect his statue and worship it
And make my image but an alehouse sign
Was I for this nigh wracked upon the sea
And twice by awkward wind from Englands bank
Drove back again unto my native clime
What boded this but well forewarning wind
Did seem to say Seek not a scorpions nest
Nor set no footing on this unkind shore
What did I then but cursed the gentle gusts
And he that loosed them forth their brazen caves
And bid them blow towards Englands blessed shore
Or turn our stern upon a dreadful rock
Yet Aeolus would not be a murderer
But left that hateful office unto thee
The prettyvaulting sea refused to drown me
Knowing that thou wouldst have me drowned on shore
With tears as salt as sea through thy unkindness
The splitting rocks cowered in the sinking sands
And would not dash me with their ragged sides
Because thy flinty heart more hard than they
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 earnestgaping sight of thy lands 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 it
And so I wished thy body might my heart
And even with this I lost fair Englands view
And bid mine eyes be packing with my heart
And called them blind and dusky spectacles
For losing ken of Albions wished coast
How often have I tempted Suffolks tongue
The agent of thy foul inconstancy
To sit and witch me as Ascanius did
When he to madding Dido would unfold
His fathers acts commenced in burning Troy
Am I not witched like her Or thou not false like him
Ay me I can no more Die Margaret
For Henry weeps that thou dost live so long
Noise within Enter Warwick Salisbury and many Commons
WARWICK
It is reported mighty sovereign
That good Duke Humphrey traitorously is murdered
By Suffolk and the Cardinal Beauforts 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 calmed their spleenful mutiny
Until they hear the order of his death
KING HENRY
That he is dead good Warwick tis too true
But how he died God knows not Henry
Enter his chamber view his breathless corpse
And comment then upon his sudden death
WARWICK
That shall I do my liegeStay Salisbury
With the rude multitude till I return
Warwick exits through one door Salisbury and Commons exit through another
KING HENRY
O Thou that judgest all things stay my thoughts
My thoughts that labour to persuade my soul
Some violent hands were laid on Humphreys life
If my suspect be false forgive me God
For judgment only doth belong to Thee
Fain would I go to chafe his paly lips
With twenty thousand kisses and to drain
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 all in vain are these mean obsequies
And to survey his dead and earthy image
What were it but to make my sorrow greater
Enter Warwick and others bearing Gloucesters body on a bed
WARWICK
Come hither gracious sovereign view this body
KING HENRY
That is to see how deep my grave is made
For with his soul fled all my worldly solace
For seeing him I see my life in death
WARWICK
As surely as my soul intends to live
With that dread King that took our state upon Him
To free us from His Fathers wrathful curse
I do believe that violent hands were laid
Upon the life of this thricefamed duke
SUFFOLK
A dreadful oath sworn with a solemn tongue
What instance gives Lord Warwick for his vow
WARWICK
See how the blood is settled in his face
Oft have I seen a timelyparted ghost
Of ashy semblance meagre pale and bloodless
Being all descended to the labouring heart
Who in the conflict that it holds with death
Attracts the same for aidance gainst the enemy
Which with the heart there cools and neer returneth
To blush and beautify the cheek again
But see his face is black and full of blood
His eyeballs further out than when he lived
Staring full ghastly like a strangled man
His hair upreared his nostrils stretched with struggling
His hands abroad displayed as one that grasped
And tugged for life and was by strength subdued
Look on the sheets his hair you see is sticking
His wellproportioned beard made rough and rugged
Like to the summers corn by tempest lodged
It cannot be but he was murdered here
The least of all these signs were probable
SUFFOLK
Why Warwick who should do the Duke to death
Myself and Beaufort had him in protection
And we I hope sir are no murderers
WARWICK
But both of you were vowed Duke Humphreys foes
And you forsooth had the good Duke to keep
Tis like you would not feast him like a friend
And tis well seen he found an enemy
QUEEN MARGARET
Then you belike suspect these noblemen
As guilty of Duke Humphreys timeless death
WARWICK
Who finds the heifer dead and bleeding fresh
And sees fast by a butcher with an axe
But will suspect twas he that made the slaughter
Who finds the partridge in the puttocks nest
But may imagine how the bird was dead
Although the kite soar with unbloodied beak
Even so suspicious is this tragedy
QUEEN MARGARET
Are you the butcher Suffolk Wheres your knife
Is Beaufort termed a kite Where are his talons
SUFFOLK
I wear no knife to slaughter sleeping men
But heres a vengeful sword rusted with ease
That shall be scoured in his rancorous heart
That slanders me with murders crimson badge
Say if thou darst proud Lord of Warwickshire
That I am faulty in Duke Humphreys death
Exeunt Cardinal Somerset and others
WARWICK
What dares not Warwick if false Suffolk dare him
QUEEN MARGARET
He dares not calm his contumelious spirit
Nor cease to be an arrogant controller
Though Suffolk dare him twenty thousand times
WARWICK
Madam be still with reverence may I say
For every word you speak in his behalf
Is slander to your royal dignity
SUFFOLK
Bluntwitted lord ignoble in demeanour
If ever lady wronged her lord so much
Thy mother took into her blameful bed
Some stern untutored churl and noble stock
Was graft with crabtree slip whose fruit thou art
And never of the Nevilles noble race
WARWICK
But that the guilt of murder bucklers thee
And I should rob the deathsman of his fee
Quitting thee thereby of ten thousand shames
And that my sovereigns presence makes me mild
I would false murderous coward on thy knee
Make thee beg pardon for thy passed speech
And say it was thy mother that thou meantst
That thou thyself wast born in bastardy
And after all this fearful homage done
Give thee thy hire and send thy soul to hell
Pernicious bloodsucker of sleeping men
SUFFOLK
Thou shalt be waking while I shed thy blood
If from this presence thou darst go with me
WARWICK
Away even now or I will drag thee hence
Unworthy though thou art Ill cope with thee
And do some service to Duke Humphreys ghost
Exeunt Suffolk and Warwick
KING HENRY
What stronger breastplate than a heart untainted
Thrice is he armed that hath his quarrel just
And he but naked though locked up in steel
Whose conscience with injustice is corrupted
A noise within
QUEEN MARGARET
What noise is this
Enter Suffolk and Warwick with their weapons drawn
KING HENRY
Why how now lords Your wrathful weapons drawn
Here in our presence Dare you be so bold
Why what tumultuous clamour have we here
SUFFOLK
The traitorous Warwick with the men of Bury
Set all upon me mighty sovereign
Enter Salisbury
SALISBURY
To the 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
Or banished fair Englands 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 death
And mere instinct of love and loyalty
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
That slyly glided towards your majesty
It were but necessary you were waked
Lest being suffered in that harmful slumber
The mortal worm might make the sleep eternal
And therefore do they cry though you forbid
That they will guard you wheer you will or no
From such fell serpents as false Suffolk is
With whose envenomed and fatal sting
Your loving uncle twenty times his worth
They say is shamefully bereft of life
COMMONS
Within An answer from the King my Lord of Salisbury
SUFFOLK
Tis like the commons rude unpolished hinds
Could send such message to their sovereign
But you my lord were glad to be employed
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 or we will all break in
KING HENRY
Go Salisbury and tell them all from me
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 Suffolks 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
QUEEN MARGARET
O Henry let me plead for gentle Suffolk
KING HENRY
Ungentle Queen to call him gentle Suffolk
No more I say if thou dost plead for him
Thou wilt but add increase unto my wrath
Had I but said I would have kept my word
But when I swear it is irrevocable
If after three days space thou here best found
On any ground that I am ruler of
The world shall not be 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 MARGARET
Mischance and sorrow go along with you
Hearts discontent and sour affliction
Be playfellows to keep you company
Theres two of you the devil make a third
And threefold vengeance tend upon your steps
SUFFOLK
Cease gentle Queen these execrations
And let thy Suffolk take his heavy leave
QUEEN MARGARET
Fie coward woman and softhearted wretch
Has thou not spirit to curse thine enemies
SUFFOLK
A plague upon them Wherefore should I curse them
Could curses kill as doth the mandrakes groan
I would invent as bitter searching terms
As curst as harsh and horrible to hear
Delivered strongly through my fixed teeth
With full as many signs of deadly hate
As leanfaced Envy in her loathsome cave
My tongue should stumble in mine earnest words
Mine eyes should sparkle like the beaten flint
Mine hair be fixed on end as one distract
Ay every joint should seem to curse and ban
And even now my burdened heart would break
Should I not curse them Poison be their drink
Gall worse than gall the daintiest that they taste
Their sweetest shade a grove of cypresstrees
Their chiefest prospect murdering basilisks
Their softest touch as smart as lizards stings
Their music frightful as the serpents hiss
And boding screechowls make the consort full
All the foul terrors in darkseated hell
QUEEN MARGARET
Enough sweet Suffolk thou tormentst thyself
And these dread curses like the sun gainst glass
Or like an overcharged gun recoil
And turns the force of them upon thyself
SUFFOLK
You bade me ban and will you bid me leave
Now by the ground that I am banished from
Well could I curse away a winters 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 MARGARET
O let me entreat thee cease Give me thy hand
That I may dew it with my mournful tears
Nor let the rain of heaven wet this place
To wash away my woeful 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 surfeits thinking on a want
I will repeal thee or be well assured
Adventure to be banished myself
And 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
Embrace and kiss and take ten thousand leaves
Loather a hundred times to part than die
Yet now farewell and farewell life with thee
SUFFOLK
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
So Suffolk had thy heavenly company
For where thou art there is the world itself
With every several pleasure in the world
And where thou art not desolation
I can no more Live thou to joy thy life
Myself no joy in nought but that thou livst
Enter Vaux
QUEEN MARGARET
Whither goes Vaux so fast What news I prithee
VAUX
To signify unto his majesty
That Cardinal Beaufort is at point of death
For suddenly a grievous sickness took him
That makes him gasp and stare and catch the air
Blaspheming God and cursing men on earth
Sometime he talks as if Duke Humphreys 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 MARGARET
Go tell this heavy message to the King
Exit Vaux
Ay me What is this world What news are these
But wherefore grieve I at an hours poor loss
Omitting Suffolks exile my souls treasure
Why only Suffolk mourn I not for thee
And with the southern clouds contend in tears
Theirs for the earths increase mine for my sorrows
Now get thee hence The King thou knowst is coming
If thou be found by me thou art but dead
SUFFOLK
If I depart from thee I cannot live
And in thy sight to die what were it else
But like a pleasant slumber in thy lap
Here could I breathe my soul into the air
As mild and gentle as the cradlebabe
Dying with mothers 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
To die by thee were but to die in jest
From thee to die were torture more than death
O let me stay befall what may befall
QUEEN MARGARET
Away Though parting be a fretful corrosive
It is applied to a deathful wound
To France sweet Suffolk Let me hear from thee
For wheresoer thou art in this worlds globe
Ill have an Iris that shall find thee out
SUFFOLK
I go
QUEEN MARGARET
And take my heart with thee
SUFFOLK
A jewel locked into the woefullst cask
That ever did contain a thing of worth
Even as a splitted bark so sunder we
This way fall I to death
QUEEN MARGARET
This way for me
Exeunt severally
SCENE III A Bedchamber
Enter the King Salisbury and Warwick to the Cardinal in bed
KING HENRY
How fares my lord Speak Beaufort to thy sovereign
CARDINAL
If thou best Death Ill give thee Englands treasure
Enough to purchase such another island
So thou wilt let me live and feel no pain
KING HENRY
Ah what a sign it is of evil life
Where deaths approach is seen so terrible
WARWICK
Beaufort it is thy sovereign speaks to thee
CARDINAL
Bring me unto my trial when you will
Died he not in his bed Where should he die
Can I make men live wheer they will or no
O torture me no more I will confess
Alive again Then show me where he is
Ill 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 upright
Like limetwigs set to catch my winged soul
Give me some drink and bid the apothecary
Bring the strong poison that I bought of him
KING HENRY
O Thou eternal mover of the heavens
Look with a gentle eye upon this wretch
O beat away the busy meddling fiend
That lays strong siege unto this wretchs soul
And from his bosom purge this black despair
WARWICK
See how the pangs of death do make him grin
SALISBURY
Disturb him not let him pass peaceably
KING HENRY
Peace to his soul if Gods good pleasure be
Lord Cardinal if thou thinkst on heavens bliss
Hold up thy hand make signal of thy hope
He dies and makes no sign O God forgive him
WARWICK
So bad a death argues a monstrous life
KING HENRY
Forbear to judge for we are sinners all
Close up his eyes and draw the curtain close
And let us all to meditation
Exeunt
ACT IV
SCENE I The Coast of Kent
Alarum Fight at sea Ordnance goes off Enter a Lieutenant Suffolk disguised a prisoner The Master a Masters Mate Walter Whitmore and prisoners
LIEUTENANT
The gaudy blabbing and remorseful day
Is crept into the bosom of the sea
And now loudhowling wolves arouse the jades
That drag the tragic melancholy night
Who with their drowsy slow and flagging wings
Clip dead mens graves and from their misty jaws
Breathe foul contagious darkness in the air
Therefore bring forth the soldiers of our prize
For whilst our pinnace anchors in the Downs
Here shall they make their ransom on the sand
Or with their blood stain this discoloured shore
Master this prisoner freely give I thee
And thou that art his mate make boot of this
The other Walter Whitmore is thy share
1 GENTLEMAN
What is my ransom master Let me know
MASTER
A thousand crowns or else lay down your head
MATE
And so much shall you give or off goes yours
LIEUTENANT
What think you much to pay two thousand crowns
And bear the name and port of gentlemen
Cut both the villains throatsfor die you shall
The lives of those which we have lost in fight
Be counterpoised with such a petty sum
1 GENTLEMAN
Ill give it sir and therefore spare my life
2 GENTLEMAN
And so will I and write home for it straight
WHITMORE
To Suffolk I lost mine eye in laying the prize aboard
And therefore to revenge it shalt thou die
And so should these if I might have my will
LIEUTENANT
Be not so rash take ransom let him live
SUFFOLK
Look on my George I am a gentleman
Rate me at what thou wilt thou shalt be paid
WHITMORE
And so am I my name is Walter Whitmore
How now Why starts thou What doth death affright
SUFFOLK
Thy name affrights me in whose sound is death
A cunning man did calculate my birth
And told me that by water I should die
Yet let not this make thee be bloodyminded
Thy name is Gaultier being rightly sounded
WHITMORE
Gaultier or Walter which it is I care not
Never yet did base dishonour blur our name
But with our sword we wiped away the blot
Therefore when merchantlike I sell revenge
Broke be my sword my arms torn and defaced
And I proclaimed a coward through the world
SUFFOLK
Stay Whitmore for thy prisoner is a prince
The Duke of Suffolk William de la Pole
WHITMORE
The Duke of Suffolk muffled up in rags
SUFFOLK
Ay but these rags are no part of the Duke
Jove sometime went disguised and why not I
LIEUTENANT
But Jove was never slain as thou shalt be
SUFFOLK
Obscure and lowly swain King Henrys blood
The honourable blood of Lancaster
Must not be shed by such a jaded groom
Hast thou not kissed thy hand and held my stirrup
Bareheaded plodded by my footcloth mule
And thought thee happy when I shook my head
How often hast thou waited at my cup
Fed from my trencher kneeled down at the board
When I have feasted with Queen Margaret
Remember it and let it make thee crestfallen
Ay and allay thus thy abortive pride
How in our voiding lobby hast thou stood
And duly waited for my coming forth
This hand of mine hath writ in thy behalf
And therefore shall it charm thy riotous tongue
WHITMORE
Speak captain shall I stab the forlorn swain
LIEUTENANT
First let my words stab him as he hath me
SUFFOLK
Base slave thy words are blunt and so art thou
LIEUTENANT
Convey him hence and on our longboats side
Strike off his head
SUFFOLK
Thou darst not for thy own
LIEUTENANT
Yes poll
SUFFOLK
Pole
LIEUTENANT
Pool Sir Pool Lord
Ay kennel puddle sink whose filth and dirt
Troubles the silver spring where England drinks
Now will I dam up this thy yawning mouth
For swallowing the treasure of the realm
Thy lips that kissed the Queen shall sweep the ground
And thou that smiledst at good Duke Humphreys 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 king
Having neither subject wealth nor diadem
By devilish policy art thou grown great
And like ambitious Sylla overgorged
With gobbets of thy mothers 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
The princely Warwick and the Nevilles all
Whose dreadful swords were never drawn in vain
As hating thee are rising up in arms
And now the house of York thrust from the crown
By shameful murder of a guiltless king
And lofty proud encroaching tyranny
Burns with revenging fire whose hopeful colours
Advance our halffaced sun striving to shine
Under the which is writ Invitis nubibus
The commons here in Kent are up in arms
And to conclude reproach and beggary
Is crept into the palace of our King
And all by theeAway Convey him hence
SUFFOLK
O that I were a god to shoot forth thunder
Upon these paltry servile abject drudges
Small things make base men proud This villain here
Being captain of a pinnace threatens more
Than Bargulus the strong Illyrian pirate
Drones suck not eagles blood but rob beehives
It is impossible that I should die
By such a lowly vassal as thyself
Thy words move rage and not remorse in me
I go of message from the Queen to France
I charge thee waft me safely cross the Channel
LIEUTENANT
Walter
WHITMORE
Come Suffolk I must waft thee to thy death
SUFFOLK
Pene gelidus timor occupat artus
It is thee I fear
WHITMORE
Thou shalt have cause to fear before I leave thee
What are ye daunted now Now will ye stoop
1 GENTLEMAN
My gracious lord entreat him speak him fair
SUFFOLK
Suffolks imperial tongue is stern and rough
Used to command untaught to plead for favour
Far be it we should honour such as these
With humble 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 uncovered to the vulgar groom
True nobility is exempt from fear
More can I bear than you dare execute
LIEUTENANT
Hale him away and let him talk no more
SUFFOLK
Come soldiers show what cruelty ye can
That this my death may never be forgot
Great men oft die by vile Bezonians
A Roman sworder and banditto slave
Murdered sweet Tully Brutus bastard hand
Stabbed Julius Caesar savage islanders
Pompey the Great and Suffolk dies by pirates
Exeunt Whitmore and others with Suffolk
LIEUTENANT
And as for these whose ransom we have set
It is our pleasure one of them depart
Therefore come you with us and let him go
Exeunt all but the 1 Gentleman
Enter Whitmore with Suffolks body and head
WHITMORE
There let his head and lifeless body lie
Until the Queen his mistress bury it
Exit
1 GENTLEMAN
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
SCENE II Blackheath
Enter George Bevis and John Holland
BEVIS
Come and get thee a sword though made of a lath they have been up these two days
HOLLAND
They have the more need to sleep now then
BEVIS
I tell thee Jack Cade the clothier means to dress the commonwealth and turn it and set a new nap upon it
HOLLAND
So he had need for tis threadbare Well I say it was never merry world in England since gentlemen came up
BEVIS
O miserable age Virtue is not regarded in handicraftsmen
HOLLAND
The nobility think scorn to go in leather aprons
BEVIS
Nay more the Kings Council are no good workmen
HOLLAND
True and yet it is said Labour in thy vocation which is as much to say as Let the magistrates be labouring men and therefore should we be magistrates
BEVIS
Thou hast hit it for theres no better sign of a brave mind than a hard hand
HOLLAND
I see them I see them Theres Bests son the tanner of Wingham
BEVIS
He shall have the skin of our enemies to make dogs leather of
HOLLAND
And Dick the butcher
BEVIS
Then is sin struck down like an ox and iniquitys throat cut like a calf
HOLLAND
And Smith the weaver
BEVIS
Argo their thread of life is spun
HOLLAND
Come come lets fall in with them
Drum Enter Cade Dick the Butcher Smith the Weaver and a Sawyer with infinite numbers carrying long staves
CADE
We John Cade so termed of our supposed father
DICK
Aside Or rather of stealing a cade of herrings
CADE
For our enemies shall fall before us inspired with the spirit of putting down kings and princes Command silence
DICK
Silence
CADE
My father was a Mortimer
DICK
Aside He was an honest man and a good bricklayer
CADE
My mother a Plantagenet
DICK
Aside I knew her well she was a midwife
CADE
My wife descended of the Lacies
DICK
Aside She was indeed a pedlers daughter and sold many laces
SMITH
Aside But now of late not able to travel with her furred pack she washes bucks here at home
CADE
Therefore am I of an honourable house
DICK
Aside Ay by my faith the field is honourable and there was he born under a hedge for his father had never a house but the cage
CADE
Valiant I am
SMITH
Aside He must needs for beggary is valiant
CADE
I am able to endure much
DICK
Aside No question of that for I have seen him whipped three marketdays together
CADE
I fear neither sword nor fire
SMITH
Aside He need not fear the sword for his coat is of proof
DICK
Aside But methinks he should stand in fear of fire being burnt i th hand for stealing of sheep
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 threehooped pot shall have ten hoops and I will make it felony to drink small beer All the realm shall be in common and in Cheapside shall my palfrey go to grass And when I am king as king I will be
ALL
God save your majesty
CADE
I thank you good peopleThere shall be no money all shall eat and drink on my score and I will apparel them all in one livery that they may agree like brothers and worship me their lord
DICK
The first thing we do lets kill all the lawyers
CADE
Nay that I mean to do Is not this a lamentable thing that of the skin of an innocent lamb should be made parchment that parchment being scribbled oer should undo a man Some say the bee stings but I say tis the bees wax for I did but seal once to a thing and I was never mine own man since How now Whos there
Enter some bringing in the Clerk of Chartham
SMITH
The clerk of Chartham He can write and read and cast account
CADE
O monstrous
SMITH
We took him setting of boys copies
CADE
Heres a villain
SMITH
Has a book in his pocket with red letters in t
CADE
Nay then he is a conjurer
DICK
Nay he can make obligations and write courthand
CADE
I am sorry for t The man is a proper man of mine honour unless I find him guilty he shall not dieCome hither sirrah I must examine thee What is thy name
CLERK
Emmanuel
DICK
They use to write it on the top of letters Twill go hard with you
CADE
Let me alone Dost thou use to write thy name Or hast thou a mark to thyself like a honest plaindealing man
CLERK
Sir I thank God I have been so well brought up that I can write my name
ALL
He hath confessed Away with him Hes a villain and a traitor
CADE
Away with him I say Hang him with his pen and inkhorn about his neck
Exit one with the Clerk
Enter Michael
MICHAEL
Wheres our general
CADE
Here I am thou particular fellow
MICHAEL
Fly fly fly Sir Humphrey Stafford and his brother are hard by with the Kings forces
CADE
Stand villain stand or Ill fell thee down He shall be encountered with a man as good as himself He is but a knight is he
MICHAEL
No
CADE
To equal him I will make myself a knight presently
Kneels Rise up Sir John Mortimer
Rises Now have at him
Enter Sir Humphrey Stafford and his Brother with Drum and soldiers
STAFFORD
Rebellious hinds the filth and scum of Kent
Marked for the gallows lay your weapons down
Home to your cottages forsake this groom
The King is merciful if you revolt
BROTHER
But angry wrathful and inclined to blood
If you go forward Therefore yield or die
CADE
As for these silkencoated slaves I pass not
It is to you good people that I speak
Over whom in time to come I hope to reign
For I am rightful heir unto the crown
STAFFORD
Villain thy father was a plasterer
And thou thyself a shearman art thou not
CADE
And Adam was a gardener
BROTHER
And what of that
CADE
Marry this Edmund Mortimer Earl of March
Married the Duke of Clarence daughter did he not
STAFFORD
Ay sir
CADE
By her he had two children at one birth
BROTHER
Thats false
CADE
Ay theres the question but I say tis true
The elder of them being put to nurse
Was by a beggarwoman stolen away
And ignorant of his birth and parentage
Became a bricklayer when he came to age
His son am I deny it if you can
DICK
Nay tis too true therefore he shall be King
SMITH
Sir he made a chimney in my fathers house and the bricks are alive at this day to testify it therefore deny it not
STAFFORD
And will you credit this base drudges words
That speaks he knows not what
ALL
Ay marry will we therefore get ye gone
BROTHER
Jack Cade the Duke of York hath taught you this
CADE
Aside He lies for I invented it myselfGo to sirrah tell the King from me that for his fathers sake Henry the Fifth in whose time boys went to spancounter for French crowns I am content he shall reign but Ill be Protector over him
DICK
And furthermore well have the Lord Sayes head for selling the dukedom of Maine
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 that Lord Saye hath gelded the commonwealth and made it an eunuch and more than that he can speak French and therefore he is a traitor
STAFFORD
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 good counsellor or no
ALL
No no and therefore well have his head
BROTHER
Well seeing gentle words will not prevail
Assail them with the army of the King
STAFFORD
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 childrens sight
Be hanged up for example at their doors
And you that be the Kings friends follow me
Exeunt the two Staffords and soldiers
CADE
And you that love the commons follow me
Now show yourselves men tis for liberty
We will not leave one lord one gentleman
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 parts
DICK
They are all in order and march toward us
CADE
But then are we in order when we are most out of order Come march forward
Exeunt
SCENE III Another part of Blackheath
Alarums to the fight wherein both the Staffords are slain Enter Cade and the rest
CADE
Wheres Dick the butcher of Ashford
DICK
Here sir
CADE
They fell before thee like sheep and oxen and thou behavedst thyself as if thou hadst been in thine own slaughterhouse Therefore thus will I reward thee the Lent shall be as long again as it is and thou shalt have a licence to kill for a hundred lacking one
DICK
I desire no more
CADE
And to speak truth thou deservest no less This monument of the victory will I bear putting on Sir Humphreys brigandine And the bodies shall be dragged at my horse heels till I do come to London where we will have the Mayors sword borne before us
DICK
If we mean to thrive and do good break open the gaols and let out the prisoners
CADE
Fear not that I warrant thee Come lets march towards London
Exeunt
SCENE IV London The Palace
Enter the King with a supplication and the Queen with Suffolks head the Duke of Buckingham and the Lord Saye
QUEEN MARGARET
Aside Oft have I heard that grief softens the mind
And makes it fearful 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 wheres the body that I should embrace
BUCKINGHAM
What answer makes your grace to the rebels supplication
KING HENRY
Ill send some holy bishop to entreat
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 Ill read it over once again
QUEEN MARGARET
Aside Ah barbarous villains Hath this lovely face
Ruled like a wandering planet over me
And could it not enforce them to relent
That were unworthy to behold the same
KING HENRY
Lord Saye Jack Cade hath sworn to have thy head
SAYE
Ay but I hope your highness shall have his
KING HENRY
How now madam
Still lamenting and mourning for Suffolks death
I fear me love if that I had been dead
Thou wouldst not have mourned so much for me
QUEEN MARGARET
No my love I should not mourn but die for thee
Enter a Messenger
KING HENRY
How now what news Why comst thou in such haste
MESSENGER
The rebels are in Southwark fly my lord
Jack Cade proclaims himself Lord Mortimer
Descended from the Duke of Clarence house
And calls your grace usurper openly
And vows to crown himself in Westminster
His army is a ragged multitude
Of hinds and peasants rude and merciless
Sir Humphrey Stafford and his brothers death
Hath given them heart and courage to proceed
All scholars lawyers courtiers gentlemen
They call false caterpillars and intend their death
KING HENRY
O graceless men They know not what they do
BUCKINGHAM
My gracious lord retire to Killingworth
Until a power be raised to put them down
QUEEN MARGARET
Ah were the Duke of Suffolk now alive
These Kentish rebels would be soon appeased
KING HENRY
Lord Saye the traitors hate thee
Therefore away with us to Killingworth
SAYE
So might your graces 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
Enter another Messenger
MESSENGER
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
BUCKINGHAM
Then linger not my lord away take horse
KING HENRY
Come Margaret God our hope will succour us
QUEEN MARGARET
Aside My hope is gone now Suffolk is deceased
KING HENRY
Farewell my lord Trust not the Kentish rebels
BUCKINGHAM
Trust nobody for fear you be betrayed
SAYE
The trust I have is in mine innocence
And therefore am I bold and resolute
Exeunt
SCENE V London The Tower
Enter Lord Scales upon the Tower walking Then enter two or three Citizens below
SCALES
How now Is Jack Cade slain
1 CITIZEN
No my lord nor likely to be 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 assayed to win the Tower
But get you to Smithfield and gather head
And thither I will send you Matthew Gough
Fight for your king your country and your lives
And so farewell for I must hence again
Exeunt
SCENE VI London Cannon Street
Enter Jack Cade and the rest and strikes his staff on London Stone
CADE
Now is Mortimer lord of this city And here sitting upon London Stone I charge and command that of the citys cost the Pissing Conduit run nothing but claret wine this first year of our reign And now henceforward it shall be treason for any that calls me other than Lord Mortimer
Enter a Soldier running
SOLDIER
Jack Cade Jack Cade
CADE
Knock him down there
They kill him
DICK
If this fellow be wise hell never call ye Jack Cade more I think he hath a very fair warning My lord theres an army gathered together in Smithfield
CADE
Come then lets go fight with them But first go and set London Bridge on fire and if you can burn down the Tower too Come lets away
Exeunt
SCENE VII London Smithfield
Alarums Matthew Gough is slain and all the rest Then enter Jack Cade with his company
CADE
So sirs Now go some and pull down the Savoy others to th Inns of Court down with them all
DICK
I have a suit unto your lordship
CADE
Be it a lordship thou shalt have it for that word
DICK
Only that the laws of England may come out of your mouth
HOLLAND
Aside Mass twill be sore law then for he was thrust in the mouth with a spear and tis not whole yet
SMITH
Aside Nay John it will be stinking law for his breath stinks with eating toasted cheese
CADE
I have thought upon it it shall be so Away burn all the records of the realm My mouth shall be the parliament of England
HOLLAND
Aside Then we are like to have biting statutes unless his teeth be pulled out
CADE
And henceforward all things shall be in common
Enter a Messenger
MESSENGER
My lord a prize a prize Heres the Lord Saye which sold the towns in France he that made us pay oneandtwenty fifteens and one shilling to the pound the last subsidy
Enter George Bevis with the Lord Saye
CADE
Well he shall be beheaded for it ten times Ah thou say thou serge nay thou buckram lord Now art thou within pointblank 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 school and whereas before our forefathers had 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 papermill It will be proved to thy face that thou hast men about thee that usually talk 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 on a footcloth dost thou not
SAYE
What of that
CADE
Marry thou oughtst not to let thy horse wear a cloak when honester men than thou go in their hose and doublets
DICK
And work in their shirt too as myself for example that am a butcher
SAYE
You men of Kent
DICK
What say you of Kent
SAYE
Nothing but this tis bona terra mala gens
CADE
Away with him away with him He speaks Latin
SAYE
Hear me but speak and bear me where you will
Kent in the Commentaries Caesar writ
Is termed the civilst place of all this isle
Sweet is the country because full of riches
The people liberal valiant active wealthy
Which makes me hope you are not void of pity
I sold not Maine I lost not Normandy
Yet to recover them would lose my life
Justice with favour have I always done
Prayers and tears have moved me gifts could never
When have I aught exacted at your hands
Kent to maintain the King the realm and you
Large gifts have I bestowed on learned clerks
Because my book preferred me to the King
And seeing ignorance is the curse of God
Knowledge the wing wherewith we fly to heaven
Unless you be possessed with devilish spirits
You cannot but forbear to murder me
This tongue hath parleyed unto foreign kings
For your behoof
CADE
Tut when struckst thou one blow in the field
SAYE
Great men have reaching hands oft have I struck
Those that I never saw and struck them dead
GEORGE
O monstrous coward What to come behind folks
SAYE
These cheeks are pale for watching for your good
CADE
Give him a box o th ear and that will make em red again
SAYE
Long sitting to determine poor mens causes
Hath made me full of sickness and diseases
CADE
Ye shall have a hempen caudle then and the help of hatchet
DICK
Why dost thou quiver man
SAYE
The palsy and not fear provokes me
CADE
Nay he nods at us as who should say Ill be even with you Ill see if his head will stand steadier on a pole or no Take him away and behead him
SAYE
Tell me wherein have I offended most
Have I affected wealth or honour Speak
Are my chests filled 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 bloodshedding
This breast from harbouring foul deceitful thoughts
O let me live
CADE
Aside I feel remorse in myself with his words but Ill 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 i Gods name Go take him away I say and strike off his head presently and then break into his soninlaws house Sir James Cromer and strike off his head and bring them both upon two poles hither
ALL
It shall be done
SAYE
Ah countrymen if when you make your prayers
God should be so obdurate as yourselves
How would it fare with your departed souls
And therefore yet relent and save my life
CADE
Away with him And do as I command ye
Exeunt some with Lord Saye
The proudest peer in the realm shall not wear a head on his shoulders unless he pay me tribute there shall not a maid be married but she shall pay to me her maidenhead ere they have it Men shall hold of me in capite and we charge and command that their wives be as free as heart can wish or tongue can tell
DICK
My lord when shall we go to Cheapside and take up commodities upon our bills
CADE
Marry presently
ALL
O brave
Enter one with the heads
CADE
But is not this braver Let them kiss one another for they loved well when they were alive Now part them again lest they consult about the giving up of some more towns in France Soldiers defer the spoil of the city until night for with these borne before us instead of maces will we ride through the streets and at every corner have them kiss Away
Exeunt
SCENE VIII Southwark
Alarum and retreat Enter Cade and all his rabblement
CADE
Up Fish Street Down Saint Magnus Corner Kill 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 parley when I command them kill
Enter Buckingham and old Clifford attended
BUCKINGHAM
Ay here they be that dare and will disturb 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
CLIFFORD
What say ye countrymen Will ye relent
And yield to mercy whilst tis offered 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 Majesty
Who hateth him and honours not his father
Henry the Fifth that made all France to quake
Shake he his weapon at us 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 about your necks Hath my sword therefore broke through London gates that you should leave me at the White Hart in Southwark I thought ye would never have given out these arms till you had recovered your ancient freedom but you are all recreants and dastards and delight to live in slavery to the nobility Let them break your backs with burdens take your houses over your heads ravish your wives and daughters before your faces For me I will make shift for one and so Gods curse light upon you all
ALL
Well follow Cade Well follow Cade
CLIFFORD
Is Cade the son of Henry the Fifth
That thus you do exclaim youll 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
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 oer seas and vanquish you
Methinks already in this civil broil
I see them lording it in London streets
Crying Villiago unto all they meet
Better ten thousand baseborn Cades miscarry
Than you should stoop unto a Frenchmans mercy
To France to France and get what you have lost
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 Well follow the King and Clifford
CADE
Was ever feather so lightly blown to and fro as this multitude The name of Henry the Fifth hales 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 stayingIn despite of the devils and hell have 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
BUCKINGHAM
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
Exeunt some of them
Follow me soldiers well devise a mean
To reconcile you all unto the King
Exeunt
SCENE IX Kenilworth Castle
Sound trumpets Enter King Queen and Somerset on the terrace aloft
KING HENRY
Was ever king that joyed an earthly throne
And could command no more content than I
No sooner was I crept out of my cradle
But I was made a king at nine months old
Was never subject longed to be a king
As I do long and wish to be a subject
Enter Buckingham and old Clifford
BUCKINGHAM
Health and glad tidings to your majesty
KING HENRY
Why Buckingham is the traitor Cade surprised
Or is he but retired to make him strong
Enter below multitudes with halters about their necks
CLIFFORD
He is fled my lord and all his powers do yield
And humbly thus with halters on their necks
Expect your highness doom of life or death
KING HENRY
Then heaven set ope thy everlasting gates
To entertain my vows of thanks and praise
Soldiers this day have you redeemed your lives
And showed how well you love your prince and country
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
Enter a Messenger
MESSENGER
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
Is 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 HENRY
Thus stands my state twixt Cade and York distressed
Like to a ship that having scaped a tempest
Is straightway calmed and boarded with a pirate
But now is Cade driven back his men dispersed
And now is York in arms to second him
I pray thee Buckingham go and meet him
And ask him whats the reason of these arms
Tell him Ill send Duke Edmund to the Tower
And Somerset we will commit thee thither
Until his army be dismissed from him
SOMERSET
My lord Ill yield myself to prison willingly
Or unto death to do my country good
KING HENRY
In any case be not too rough in terms
For he is fierce and cannot brook hard language
BUCKINGHAM
I will my lord and doubt not so to deal
As all things shall redound unto your good
KING HENRY
Come wife lets in and learn to govern better
For yet may England curse my wretched reign
Flourish Exeunt
SCENE X Kent Idens Garden
Enter Cade
CADE
Fie on ambitions Fie on myself that have a 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 oer 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 mans stomach this hot weather And I think this word sallet was born to do me good for many a time but for a sallet my brainpan had been cleft 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 me to feed on
Enter Iden and his men
IDEN
Lord who would live turmoiled in the court
And may enjoy such quiet walks as these
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
Heres the lord of the soil come to seize me for a stray for entering his feesimple without leaveAh villain thou wilt betray me and get a thousand crowns of the King by carrying my head to him but Ill make thee eat iron like an ostrich and swallow my sword like a great pin ere thou and I part
IDEN
Why rude companion whatsoeer 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 doornail I pray God I may never eat grass more
IDEN
Nay it shall neer be said while England stands
That Alexander Iden an esquire of Kent
Took odds to combat a poor famished man
Oppose thy steadfastgazing eyes to mine
See if thou canst outface me with thy looks
Set limb to limb and thou art far the lesser
Thy hand is but a finger to my fist
Thy leg a stick compared with this truncheon
My foot shall fight with all the strength thou hast
And if mine arm be heaved in the air
Thy grave is digged already in the earth
As for words whose greatness answers words
Let this 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 burlyboned 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 and 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 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
IDEN
Ist Cade that I have slain that monstrous traitor
Sword I will hallow thee for this thy deed
And hang thee oer my tomb when I am dead
Neer shall this blood be wiped from thy point
But thou shalt wear it as a heralds 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 famine not by valour
Dies
IDEN
How much thou wrongst me heaven be my judge
Die damned wretch the curse of her that bare thee
And as I thrust thy body in with my sword
So wish I I 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
Leaving thy trunk for crows to feed upon
Exit
ACT V
SCENE I Fields between Dartford and Blackheath
Enter York and his army of Irish with drum and colours
YORK
From Ireland thus comes York to claim his right
And pluck the crown from feeble Henrys head
Ring bells aloud burn bonfires clear and bright
To entertain great Englands lawful king
Ah sancta majestas who would not buy thee dear
Let them obey that knows not how to rule
This hand was made to handle nought but gold
I cannot give due action to my words
Except a sword or sceptre balance it
A sceptre shall it have have I a soul
On which Ill toss the fleurdeluce of France
Enter Buckingham
Whom have we here Buckingham to disturb me
The King hath sent him sure I must dissemble
BUCKINGHAM
York if thou meanest well I greet thee well
YORK
Humphrey of Buckingham I accept thy greeting
Art thou a messenger or come of pleasure
BUCKINGHAM
A messenger from Henry our dread liege
To know the reason of these arms in peace
Or why thou being a subject as I am
Against thy oath and true allegiance sworn
Should raise so great a power without his leave
Or dare to bring thy 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 flint
I am so angry at these abject terms
And now like Ajax Telamonius
On sheep or oxen could I spend my fury
I am far better born than is the King
More like a king more kingly in my thoughts
But I must make fair weather yet awhile
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
BUCKINGHAM
That is too much presumption on thy part
But if thy arms be to no other end
The King hath yielded unto thy demand
The Duke of Somerset is in the Tower
YORK
Upon thine honour is he prisoner
BUCKINGHAM
Upon mine honour he is prisoner
YORK
Then Buckingham I do dismiss my powers
Soldiers I thank you all disperse yourselves
Meet me tomorrow in Saint Georges field
You shall have pay and everything you wish
Exeunt Soldiers
And let my sovereign virtuous Henry
Command my eldest son nay all my sons
As pledges of my fealty and love
Ill send them all as willing as I live
Lands goods horse armour anything I have
Is his to use so Somerset may die
BUCKINGHAM
York I commend this kind submission
We twain will go into his highness tent
Enter King and Attendants
KING HENRY
Buckingham doth York intend no harm to us
That thus he marcheth with thee arm in arm
YORK
In all submission and humility
York doth present himself unto your highness
KING HENRY
Then what intends these forces thou dost bring
YORK
To heave the traitor Somerset from hence
And fight against that monstrous rebel Cade
Who since I heard to be discomfited
Enter Iden with Cades head
IDEN
If one so rude and of so mean condition
May pass into the presence of a king
Lo I present your grace a traitors head
The head of Cade whom I in combat slew
KING HENRY
The head of Cade Great God how just art Thou
O let me view his visage being dead
That living wrought me such exceeding trouble
Tell me my friend art thou the man that slew him
IDEN
I was an t like your majesty
KING HENRY
How art thou called And what is thy degree
IDEN
Alexander Iden thats my name
A poor esquire of Kent that loves his King
BUCKINGHAM
So please it you my lord twere not amiss
He were created knight for his good service
KING HENRY
Iden kneel down He kneels Rise up a knight
We give thee for reward a thousand marks
And will that thou henceforth attend on us
IDEN
May Iden live to merit such a bounty
And never live but true unto his liege
Rises
Enter Queen and Somerset
KING HENRY
See Buckingham Somerset comes with the Queen
Go bid her hide him quickly from the Duke
QUEEN MARGARET
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 longimprisoned thoughts
And let thy tongue be equal with thy heart
Shall I 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
Not fit to govern and rule multitudes
Which darst not no nor canst not rule a traitor
That head of thine doth not become a crown
Thy hand is made to grasp a palmers staff
And not to grace an awful princely sceptre
That gold must round engirt these brows of mine
Whose smile and frown like to Achilles spear
Is able 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
Oer him whom heaven created for thy ruler
SOMERSET
O monstrous traitor I arrest thee York
Of capital treason gainst the King and crown
Obey audacious traitor kneel for grace
YORK
Wouldst have me kneel First let me ask of these
If they can brook I bow a knee to man
Sirrah call in my sons to be my bail
Exit Attendant
I know ere they will have me go to ward
Theyll pawn their swords for my enfranchisement
QUEEN MARGARET
Call hither Clifford bid him come amain
To say if that the bastard boys of York
Shall be the surety for their traitor father
Exit Buckingham
YORK
O bloodbespotted Neapolitan
Outcast of Naples Englands bloody scourge
The sons of York thy betters in their birth
Shall be their fathers bail and bane to those
That for my surety will refuse the boys
Enter Edward and Richard
See where they come Ill warrant theyll make it good
Enter old Clifford and his Son
QUEEN MARGARET
And here comes Clifford to deny their bail
CLIFFORD
Health and all happiness to my lord the King
Rises
YORK
I thank thee Clifford Say what news with thee
Nay do not fright us with an angry look
We are thy sovereign Clifford kneel again
For thy mistaking so we pardon thee
CLIFFORD
This is my king York I do not mistake
But thou mistakes me much to think I do
To Bedlam with him Is the man grown mad
KING HENRY
Ay Clifford a bedlam and ambitious humour
Makes him oppose himself against his king
CLIFFORD
He is a traitor let him to the Tower
And chop away that factious pate of his
QUEEN MARGARET
He is arrested but will not obey
His sons he says shall give their words for him
YORK
Will you not sons
EDWARD
Ay noble father if our words will serve
RICHARD
And if words will not then our weapons shall
CLIFFORD
Why what a brood of traitors have we here
YORK
Look in a glass and call thy image so
I am thy king and thou a falseheart traitor
Call hither to the stake my two brave bears
That with the very shaking of their chains
They may astonish these felllurking curs
Bid Salisbury and Warwick come to me
Enter the Earls of Warwick and Salisbury
CLIFFORD
Are these thy bears Well bait thy bears to death
And manacle the bearherd in their chains
If thou darst bring them to the baitingplace
RICHARD
Oft have I seen a hot oerweening cur
Run back and bite because he was withheld
Who being suffered with the bears fell paw
Hath clapped his tail between his legs and cried
And such a piece of service will you do
If you oppose yourselves to match Lord Warwick
CLIFFORD
Hence heap of wrath foul indigested lump
As crooked in thy manners as thy shape
YORK
Nay we shall heat you thoroughly anon
CLIFFORD
Take heed lest by your heat you burn yourselves
KING HENRY
Why Warwick hath thy knee forgot to bow
Old Salisbury shame to thy silver hair
Thou mad misleader of thy brainsick son
What wilt thou on thy deathbed play the ruffian
And seek for sorrow with thy spectacles
O where is faith O where is loyalty
If it be banished from the frosty head
Where shall it find a harbour in the earth
Wilt thou go dig a grave to find out war
And shame thine honourable age with blood
Why art thou old and wantst experience
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
SALISBURY
My lord I have considered with myself
The title of this most renowned duke
And in my conscience do repute his grace
The rightful heir to Englands royal seat
KING HENRY
Hast thou not sworn allegiance unto me
SALISBURY
I have
KING HENRY
Canst thou dispense with heaven for such an oath
SALISBURY
It is great sin to swear unto a sin
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
To force a spotless virgins chastity
To reave the orphan of his patrimony
To wring the widow from her customed right
And have no other reason for this wrong
But that he was bound by a solemn oath
QUEEN MARGARET
A subtle traitor needs no sophister
KING HENRY
Call Buckingham and bid him arm himself
YORK
Call Buckingham and all the friends thou hast
I am resolved for death or dignity
CLIFFORD
The first I warrant thee if dreams prove true
WARWICK
You were best to go to bed and dream again
To keep thee from the tempest of the field
CLIFFORD
I am resolved to bear a greater storm
Than any thou canst conjure up today
And that Ill write upon thy burgonet
Might I but know thee by thy household badge
WARWICK
Now by my fathers badge old Nevilles crest
The rampant bear chained to the ragged staff
This day Ill 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
CLIFFORD
And from thy burgonet Ill rend thy bear
And tread it under foot with all contempt
Despite the bearherd that protects the bear
YOUNG CLIFFORD
And so to arms victorious father
To quell the rebels and their complices
RICHARD
Fie charity for shame Speak not in spite
For you shall sup with Jesu Christ tonight
YOUNG CLIFFORD
Foul stigmatic thats more than thou canst tell
RICHARD
If not in heaven youll surely sup in hell
Exeunt severally
SCENE II Saint Albans
The sign of the Castle Inn is displayed Alarums to the battle Enter Warwick
WARWICK
Clifford of Cumberland tis Warwick calls
An if thou dost not hide thee from the bear
Now when the angry trumpet sounds alarum
And dead mens cries do fill the empty air
Clifford I say come forth and fight with me
Proud northern lord Clifford of Cumberland
Warwick is hoarse with calling thee to arms
Enter York
How now my noble lord What all afoot
YORK
The deadlyhanded Clifford slew my steed
But match to match I have encountered him
And made a prey for carrion kites and crows
Even of the bonny beast he loved so well
Enter old Clifford
WARWICK
Of one or both of us the time is come
YORK
Hold Warwick seek thee out some other chase
For I myself must hunt this deer to death
WARWICK
Then nobly York tis for a crown thou fightst
As I intend Clifford to thrive today
It grieves my soul to leave thee unassailed
Exit
CLIFFORD
What seest thou in me York Why dost thou pause
YORK
With thy brave bearing should I be in love
But that thou art so fast mine enemy
CLIFFORD
Nor should thy prowess want praise and esteem
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
CLIFFORD
My soul and body on the action both
YORK
A dreadful lay Address thee instantly
They fight and Clifford falls
CLIFFORD
La fin couronne les oeuvres
Dies
YORK
Thus war hath given thee peace for thou art still
Peace with his soul heaven if it be thy will
Exit
Enter young Clifford
YOUNG CLIFFORD
Shame and confusion All is on the rout
Fear frames disorder and disorder wounds
Where it should guard O 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
He that is truly dedicate to war
Hath no selflove nor he that loves himself
Hath not essentially but by circumstance
The name of valour Sees his dead father O let the vile world end
And the 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 ordained dear father
To lose thy youth in peace and to achieve
The silver livery of advised age
And in thy reverence and thy chairdays thus
To die in ruffian battle Even at this sight
My heart is turned to stone and while tis mine
It shall be stony York not our old men spares
No more will I their babes tears virginal
Shall be to me even as the dew to fire
And 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
Into as many gobbets will I cut it
As wild Medea young Absyrtus did
In cruelty will I seek out my fame
He takes him up on his back
Come thou new ruin of old Cliffords house
As did Aeneas old Anchises bear
So bear I thee upon my manly shoulders
But then Aeneas bare a living load
Nothing so heavy as these woes of mine
Exit bearing off his father
Enter Richard and Somerset to fight Somerset is killed
RICHARD
So lie thou there
For underneath an alehouse paltry sign
The Castle in Saint Albans Somerset
Hath made the wizard famous in his death
Sword hold thy temper heart be wrathful still
Priests pray for enemies but princes kill
Exit
Fight Excursions Enter King Queen and others
QUEEN MARGARET
Away my lord You are slow for shame away
KING HENRY
Can we outrun the heavens Good Margaret stay
QUEEN MARGARET
What are you made of Youll nor fight nor 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
Alarum afar off
If you be taen 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
And where this breach now in our fortunes made
May readily be stopped
Enter young Clifford
YOUNG CLIFFORD
But that my hearts on future mischief set
I would speak blasphemy ere bid you fly
But fly you must uncurable discomfit
Reigns in the hearts of all our present parts
Away for your relief And we will live
To see their day and them our fortune give
Away my lord away
Exeunt
SCENE III Fields near Saint Albans
Alarum Retreat Enter York Richard Warwick and Soldiers with drum and colours
YORK
Of Salisbury who can report of him
That winter lion who in rage forgets
Aged contusions and all brush of time
And like a gallant in the brow of youth
Repairs him with occasion This happy day
Is not itself nor have we won one foot
If Salisbury be lost
RICHARD
My noble father
Three times today I holp him to his horse
Three times bestrid him thrice I led him off
Persuaded him from any further act
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
Enter Salisbury
Now by my sword well hast thou fought today
SALISBURY
By th 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 today
You have defended me from imminent death
Well lords we have not got that which we have
Tis not enough our foes are this time fled
Being 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 says Lord Warwick Shall we after them
WARWICK
After them Nay before them if we can
Now by my hand lords twas a glorious day
Saint Albans battle won by famous York
Shall be eternized in all age to come
Sound drums and trumpets and to London all
And more such days as these to us befall
Exeunt
THE THIRD PART OF KING HENRY THE SIXTH
Contents
ACT I
Scene I London The Parliament House
Scene II Sandal Castle
Scene III Plains near Sandal Castle
Scene IV The Same
ACT II
Scene I A plain near Mortimers Cross in Herefordshire
Scene II Before York
Scene III A field of battle between Towton and Saxton in Yorkshire
Scene IV Another Part of the Field
Scene V Another Part of the Field
Scene VI Another Part of the Field
ACT III
Scene I A Forest in the North of England
Scene II The Palace
Scene III France The Kings Palace
ACT IV
Scene I London The Palace
Scene II A Plain in Warwickshire
Scene III Edwards Camp near Warwick
Scene IV London The Palace
Scene V A park near Middleham Castle in Yorkshire
Scene VI London The Tower
Scene VII Before York
Scene VIII London The Palace
ACT V
Scene I Coventry
Scene II A Field of Battle near Barnet
Scene III Another Part of the Field
Scene IV Plains near Tewkesbury
Scene V Another part of the Field
Scene VI London The Tower
Scene VII London The Palace
Dramatis Person
KING HENRY the Sixth
QUEEN MARGARET
PRINCE EDWARD Prince of Wales his son
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 Edward IV his son
GEORGE afterwards Duke of Clarence his son
RICHARD afterwards Duke of Gloucester his son
EDMUND Earl of Rutland his son
DUKE OF NORFOLK
MARQUESS OF MONTAGUE
EARL OF WARWICK
EARL OF PEMBROKE
LORD HASTINGS
LORD STAFFORD
SIR JOHN MORTIMER uncle to the Duke of York
SIR HUGH MORTIMER uncle to the Duke of York
LADY GREY afterwards Queen Elizabeth to Edward IV
EARL RIVERS brother to Lady Grey
HENRY Earl of Richmond a youth
SIR WILLIAM STANLEY
SIR JOHN MONTGOMERY
SIR JOHN SOMERVILLE
KING LEWIS the Eleventh King of France
BONA sister to the French Queen
Tutor to Rutland
Mayor of York
Lieutenant of the Tower
A Nobleman
Two Keepers
A Huntsman
A Son that has killed his father
A Father that has killed his son
Soldiers Attendants Messengers Watchmen etc
SCENE England and France
ACT I
SCENE I London The Parliament House
Alarum Enter Duke of York Edward Richard Norfolk Montague Warwick and Soldiers all wearing the white rose
WARWICK
I wonder how the King escaped our hands
YORK
While we pursued the horsemen of the north
He slyly stole away and left his men
Whereat the great Lord of Northumberland
Whose warlike ears could never brook retreat
Cheered up the drooping army and himself
Lord Clifford and Lord Stafford all abreast
Charged our main battles front and breaking in
Were by the swords of common soldiers slain
EDWARD
Lord Staffords father Duke of Buckingham
Is either slain or wounded dangerous
I cleft his beaver with a downright blow
That this is true father behold his blood
Showing his bloody sword
MONTAGUE
And brother heres the Earl of Wiltshires blood
To York showing his
Whom I encountered as the battles joined
RICHARD
Speak thou for me and tell them what I did
Throwing down the Duke of Somersets head
YORK
Richard hath best deserved of all my sons
But is your Grace dead my Lord of Somerset
NORFOLK
Such hope have all the line of John of Gaunt
RICHARD
Thus do I hope to shake King Henrys head
WARWICK
And so do I Victorious Prince of York
Before I see thee seated in that throne
Which now the house of Lancaster usurps
I vow by heaven these eyes shall never close
This is the palace of the fearful king
And this the regal seat Possess it York
For this is thine and not King Henrys heirs
YORK
Assist me then sweet Warwick and I will
For hither we have broken in by force
NORFOLK
Well all assist you he that flies shall die
YORK
Thanks gentle Norfolk Stay by me my lords
And soldiers stay and lodge by me this night
WARWICK
And when the King comes offer him no violence
Unless he seek to thrust you out perforce
They retire
YORK
The Queen this day here holds her parliament
But little thinks we shall be of her council
By words or blows here let us win our right
RICHARD
Armed as we are lets stay within this house
WARWICK
The bloody parliament shall this be called
Unless Plantagenet Duke of York be king
And bashful Henry deposed whose cowardice
Hath made us bywords to our enemies
YORK
Then leave me not my lords be resolute
I mean to take possession of my right
WARWICK
Neither the King nor he that loves him best
The proudest he that holds up Lancaster
Dares stir a wing if Warwick shake his bells
Ill plant Plantagenet root him up who dares
Resolve thee Richard claim the English crown
Warwick leads York to the throne who seats himself
Flourish Enter King Henry Clifford Northumberland Westmoreland Exeter and the rest all wearing the red rose
KING HENRY
My lords look where the sturdy rebel sits
Even in the chair of state Belike he means
Backed by the power of Warwick that false peer
To aspire unto the crown and reign as king
Earl of Northumberland he slew thy father
And thine Lord Clifford and you both have vowed revenge
On him his sons his favourites and his friends
NORTHUMBERLAND
If I be not heavens be revenged on me
CLIFFORD
The hope thereof makes Clifford mourn in steel
WESTMORELAND
What shall we suffer this Lets pluck him down
My heart for anger burns I cannot brook it
KING HENRY
Be patient gentle Earl of Westmoreland
CLIFFORD
Patience is for poltroons such as he
He durst not sit there had your father lived
My gracious lord here in the parliament
Let us assail the family of York
NORTHUMBERLAND
Well hast thou spoken cousin Be it so
KING HENRY
Ah know you not the city favours them
And they have troops of soldiers at their beck
EXETER
But when the Duke is slain theyll quickly fly
KING HENRY
Far be the thought of this from Henrys heart
To make a shambles of the Parliament House
Cousin of Exeter frowns words and threats
Shall be the war that Henry means to use
They advance to the Duke
Thou factious Duke of York descend my throne
And kneel for grace and mercy at my feet
I am thy sovereign
YORK
I am thine
EXETER
For shame come down He made thee Duke of York
YORK
Twas my inheritance as the earldom was
EXETER
Thy father was a traitor to the crown
WARWICK
Exeter thou art a traitor to the crown
In following this usurping Henry
CLIFFORD
Whom should he follow but his natural king
WARWICK
True Clifford thats Richard Duke of York
KING HENRY
And shall I stand and thou sit in my throne
YORK
It must and shall be so Content thyself
WARWICK
Be Duke of Lancaster Let him be king
WESTMORELAND
He is both King and Duke of Lancaster
And that the Lord of Westmoreland shall maintain
WARWICK
And Warwick shall disprove it You forget
That we are those which chased you from the field
And slew your fathers and with colours spread
Marched through the city to the palace gates
NORTHUMBERLAND
Yes Warwick I remember it to my grief
And by his soul thou and thy house shall rue it
WESTMORELAND
Plantagenet of thee and these thy sons
Thy kinsmen and thy friends Ill have more lives
Than drops of blood were in my fathers veins
CLIFFORD
Urge it no more lest that instead of words
I send thee Warwick such a messenger
As shall revenge his death before I stir
WARWICK
Poor Clifford how I scorn his worthless threats
YORK
Will you we show our title to the crown
If not our swords shall plead it in the field
KING HENRY
What title hast thou traitor to the crown
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
WARWICK
Talk not of France sith thou hast lost it all
KING HENRY
The Lord Protector lost it and not I
When I was crowned I was but nine months old
RICHARD
You are old enough now and yet methinks you lose
Father tear the crown from the usurpers head
EDWARD
Sweet father do so set it on your head
MONTAGUE
Good brother as thou lovst and honourest arms
Lets fight it out and not stand cavilling thus
RICHARD
Sound drums and trumpets and the King will fly
YORK
Sons peace
KING HENRY
Peace thou and give King Henry leave to speak
WARWICK
Plantagenet shall speak first Hear him lords
And be you silent and attentive too
For he that interrupts him shall not live
KING HENRY
Thinkst thou that I will leave my kingly throne
Wherein my grandsire and my father sat
No First shall war unpeople this my realm
Ay and their colours often borne in France
And now in England to our hearts great sorrow
Shall be my windingsheet Why faint you lords
My titles good and better far than his
WARWICK
Prove it Henry and thou shalt be king
KING HENRY
Henry the Fourth by conquest got the crown
YORK
Twas by rebellion against his king
KING HENRY
Aside I know not what to say my titles weak
Tell me may not a king adopt an heir
YORK
What then
KING HENRY
An if he may then am I lawful king
For Richard in the view of many lords
Resigned the crown to Henry the Fourth
Whose heir my father was and I am his
YORK
He rose against him being his sovereign
And made him to resign his crown perforce
WARWICK
Suppose my lords he did it unconstrained
Think you twere prejudicial to his crown
EXETER
No for he could not so resign his crown
But that the next heir should succeed and reign
KING HENRY
Art thou against us Duke of Exeter
EXETER
His is the right and therefore pardon me
YORK
Why whisper you my lords and answer not
EXETER
My conscience tells me he is lawful king
KING HENRY
Aside All will revolt from me and turn to him
NORTHUMBERLAND
Plantagenet for all the claim thou layst
Think not that Henry shall be so deposed
WARWICK
Deposed he shall be in despite of all
NORTHUMBERLAND
Thou art deceived Tis not thy 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
CLIFFORD
King Henry be thy title right or wrong
Lord Clifford vows to fight in thy defence
May that ground gape and swallow me alive
Where I shall kneel to him that slew my father
KING HENRY
O Clifford how thy words revive my heart
YORK
Henry of Lancaster resign thy crown
What mutter you or what conspire you lords
WARWICK
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
Write up his title with usurping blood
He stamps with his foot and the Soldiers show themselves
KING HENRY
My Lord of Warwick hear but one word
Let me for this my lifetime reign as king
YORK
Confirm the crown to me and to mine heirs
And thou shalt reign in quiet while thou livst
KING HENRY
I am content Richard Plantagenet
Enjoy the kingdom after my decease
CLIFFORD
What wrong is this unto the Prince your son
WARWICK
What good is this to England and himself
WESTMORELAND
Base fearful and despairing Henry
CLIFFORD
How hast thou injured both thyself and us
WESTMORELAND
I cannot stay to hear these articles
NORTHUMBERLAND
Nor I
CLIFFORD
Come cousin let us tell the Queen these news
WESTMORELAND
Farewell fainthearted and degenerate king
In whose cold blood no spark of honour bides
NORTHUMBERLAND
Be thou a prey unto the house of York
And die in bands for this unmanly deed
CLIFFORD
In dreadful war mayst thou be overcome
Or live in peace abandoned and despised
Exeunt Westmoreland Northumberland and Clifford
WARWICK
Turn this way Henry and regard them not
EXETER
They seek revenge and therefore will not yield
KING HENRY
Ah Exeter
WARWICK
Why should you sigh my lord
KING HENRY
Not for myself Lord Warwick but my son
Whom I unnaturally shall disinherit
But be it as it may To York I here entail
The crown to thee and to thine heirs for ever
Conditionally that here thou take an oath
To cease this civil war and whilst I live
To honour me as thy king and sovereign
And neither by treason nor hostility
To seek to put me down and reign thyself
YORK
This oath I willingly take and will perform
Coming from the throne
WARWICK
Long live King Henry Plantagenet embrace him
KING HENRY
And long live thou and these thy forward sons
YORK
Now York and Lancaster are reconciled
EXETER
Accursed be he that seeks to make them foes
Sennet Here they come down
YORK
Farewell my gracious lord Ill to my castle
WARWICK
And Ill keep London with my soldiers
NORFOLK
And I to Norfolk with my followers
MONTAGUE
And I unto the sea from whence I came
Exeunt York and his Sons Warwick Norfolk Montague and their Soldiers
KING HENRY
And I with grief and sorrow to the court
Enter Queen Margaret and the Prince of Wales
EXETER
Here comes the Queen whose looks bewray her anger
Ill steal away
KING HENRY
Exeter so will I
Going
QUEEN MARGARET
Nay go not from me I will follow thee
KING HENRY
Be patient gentle Queen and I will stay
QUEEN MARGARET
Who can be patient in such extremes
Ah wretched man would I had died a maid
And never 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
Or felt that pain which I did for him once
Or nourished him as I did with my blood
Thou wouldst have left thy dearest heartblood there
Rather than have made that savage duke thine heir
And disinherited thine only son
PRINCE EDWARD
Father you cannot disinherit me
If you be king why should not I succeed
KING HENRY
Pardon me Margaret pardon me sweet son
The Earl of Warwick and the Duke enforced me
QUEEN MARGARET
Enforced thee Art thou King and wilt be forced
I shame to hear thee speak Ah timorous wretch
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
To entail him and his heirs unto the crown
What is it but to make thy sepulchre
And creep into it far before thy time
Warwick is Chancellor and the lord of Calais
Stern Falconbridge commands the narrow seas
The Duke is made Protector of the realm
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 tossed me on their pikes
Before I would have granted to that act
But thou preferst 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 repealed
Whereby my son is disinherited
The northern lords that have forsworn thy colours
Will follow mine 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 lets away
Our army is ready come well after them
KING HENRY
Stay gentle Margaret and hear me speak
QUEEN MARGARET
Thou hast spoke too much already Get thee gone
KING HENRY
Gentle son Edward thou wilt stay with me
QUEEN MARGARET
Ay to be murdered by his enemies
PRINCE EDWARD
When I return with victory from the field
Ill see your Grace Till then Ill follow her
QUEEN MARGARET
Come son away we may not linger thus
Exeunt Queen Margaret and the Prince
KING HENRY
Poor queen How love to me and to her son
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
Ill write unto them and entreat them fair
Come cousin you shall be the messenger
EXETER
And I I hope shall reconcile them all
Flourish Exeunt
SCENE II Sandal Castle
Enter Edward Richard and Montague
RICHARD
Brother though I be youngest give me leave
EDWARD
No I can better play the orator
MONTAGUE
But I have reasons strong and forcible
Enter the Duke of York
YORK
Why how now sons and brother at a strife
What is your quarrel How began it first
EDWARD
No quarrel but a slight contention
YORK
About what
RICHARD
About that which concerns your Grace and us
The crown of England father which is yours
YORK
Mine boy Not till King Henry be dead
RICHARD
Your right depends not on his life or death
EDWARD
Now you are heir therefore enjoy it now
By giving the house of Lancaster leave to breathe
It will outrun you father in the end
YORK
I took an oath that he should quietly reign
EDWARD
But for a kingdom any oath may be broken
I would break a thousand oaths to reign one year
RICHARD
No God forbid your Grace should be forsworn
YORK
I shall be if I claim by open war
RICHARD
Ill prove the contrary if youll hear me speak
YORK
Thou canst not son it is impossible
RICHARD
An oath is of no moment being not took
Before a true and lawful magistrate
That hath authority over him that swears
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
Therefore to arms And father do but think
How sweet a thing it is to wear a crown
Within whose circuit is Elysium
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 Henrys heart
YORK
Richard enough I will be king or die
Brother thou shalt to London presently
And whet on Warwick to this enterprise
Thou Richard shalt to the Duke of Norfolk
And tell him privily of our intent
You Edward shall unto my Lord Cobham
With whom the Kentishmen will willingly rise
In them I trust for they are soldiers
Witty courteous liberal full of spirit
While you are thus employed 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
Enter a Messenger
But stay What news Why comst thou in such post
MESSENGER
The Queen with all the northern earls and lords
Intend here to besiege you in your castle
She is hard by with twenty thousand men
And therefore fortify your hold my lord
YORK
Ay with my sword What thinkst thou that 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
With powerful policy strengthen themselves
And trust not simple Henry nor his oaths
MONTAGUE
Brother I go Ill win them fear it not
And thus most humbly I do take my leave
Exit
Enter Sir John and Sir Hugh Mortimer
YORK
Sir John and Sir Hugh Mortimer mine uncles
You are come to Sandal in a happy hour
The army of the Queen mean to besiege us
SIR JOHN
She shall not need well meet her in the field
YORK
What with five thousand men
RICHARD
Ay with five hundred father for a need
A womans general what should we fear
A march afar off
EDWARD
I hear their drums Lets set our men in order
And issue forth and bid them battle straight
YORK
Five men to twenty Though the odds be great
I doubt not uncle of our victory
Many a battle have I won in France
Whenas the enemy hath been ten to one
Why should I not now have the like success
Alarum Exeunt
SCENE III Plains near Sandal Castle
Alarums Enter Rutland and his Tutor
RUTLAND
Ah whither shall I fly to scape their hands
Ah tutor look where bloody Clifford comes
Enter Clifford and Soldiers
CLIFFORD
Chaplain away Thy priesthood saves thy life
As for the brat of this accursed duke
Whose father slew my father he shall die
TUTOR
And I my lord will bear him company
CLIFFORD
Soldiers away with him
TUTOR
Ah Clifford murder not this innocent child
Lest thou be hated both of God and man
Exit dragged off by Soldiers
CLIFFORD
How now Is he dead already Or is it fear
That makes him close his eyes Ill open them
RUTLAND
So looks the pentup lion oer the wretch
That trembles under his devouring paws
And so he walks insulting oer 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 threatning 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
CLIFFORD
In vain thou speakst poor boy my fathers blood
Hath stopped the passage where thy words should enter
RUTLAND
Then let my fathers blood open it again
He is a man and Clifford cope with him
CLIFFORD
Had I thy brethren here their lives and thine
Were not revenge sufficient for me
No if I digged up thy forefathers graves
And hung their rotten coffins up in chains
It could not slake mine ire nor ease my heart
The sight of any of the house of York
Is as a fury to torment my soul
And till I root out their accursed line
And leave not one alive I live in hell
Therefore
Lifting his hand
RUTLAND
O let me pray before I take my death
To thee I pray sweet Clifford pity me
CLIFFORD
Such pity as my rapiers point affords
RUTLAND
I never did thee harm why wilt thou slay me
CLIFFORD
Thy father hath
RUTLAND
But twas ere I was born
Thou hast one son for his sake pity me
Lest in revenge thereof sith God is just
He be as miserably slain as I
Ah let me live in prison all my days
And when I give occasion of offence
Then let me die for now thou hast no cause
CLIFFORD
No cause Thy father slew my father therefore die
Clifford stabs him
RUTLAND
Di faciant laudis summa sit ista tuae
Dies
CLIFFORD
Plantagenet I come Plantagenet
And this thy sons blood cleaving to my blade
Shall rust upon my weapon till thy blood
Congealed with this do make me wipe off both
Exit
SCENE IV The Same
Alarum Enter Richard Duke of York
YORK
The army of the Queen hath got the field
My uncles both are slain in rescuing me
And all my followers to the eager foe
Turn back and fly like ships before the wind
Or lambs pursued by hungerstarved wolves
My sons God knows what hath bechanced them
But this I know they have demeaned 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
And full as oft came Edward to my side
With purple falchion painted to the hilt
In blood of those that had encountered him
And when the hardiest warriors did retire
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
We budged again as I have seen a swan
With bootless labour swim against the tide
And spend her strength with overmatching waves
A short alarum within
Ah hark the fatal followers do pursue
And I am faint and cannot fly their fury
And were I strong I would not shun their fury
The sands are numbered that makes up my life
Here must I stay and here my life must end
Enter Queen Margaret Clifford Northumberland the young Prince Edward and Soldiers
Come bloody Clifford rough Northumberland
I dare your quenchless fury to more rage
I am your butt and I abide your shot
NORTHUMBERLAND
Yield to our mercy proud Plantagenet
CLIFFORD
Ay to such mercy as his ruthless arm
With downright payment showed unto my father
Now Phathon 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 in that hope I throw mine eyes to heaven
Scorning whateer you can afflict me with
Why come you not What multitudes and fear
CLIFFORD
So cowards fight when they can fly no further
So doves do peck the falcons piercing talons
So desperate thieves all hopeless of their lives
Breathe out invectives gainst the officers
YORK
O Clifford but bethink thee once again
And in thy thought oerrun my former time
And if thou canst for blushing view this face
And bite thy tongue that slanders him with cowardice
Whose frown hath made thee faint and fly ere this
CLIFFORD
I will not bandy with thee word for word
But buckle with thee blows twice two for one
QUEEN MARGARET
Hold valiant Clifford for a thousand causes
I would prolong awhile the traitors life
Wrath makes him deaf speak thou Northumberland
NORTHUMBERLAND
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 foot away
It is wars prize to take all vantages
And ten to one is no impeach of valour
They lay hands on York who struggles
CLIFFORD
Ay ay so strives the woodcock with the gin
NORTHUMBERLAND
So doth the cony struggle in the net
York is taken prisoner
YORK
So triumph thieves upon their conquered booty
So true men yield with robbers so oermatched
NORTHUMBERLAND
What would your Grace have done unto him now
QUEEN MARGARET
Brave warriors Clifford and Northumberland
Come make him 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 Englands king
Was t you that revelled in our parliament
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 wheres that valiant crookback 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 stained this napkin with the blood
That valiant Clifford with his rapiers point
Made issue from the bosom of the boy
And if thine eyes can water for his death
I give thee this to dry thy cheeks withal
Alas poor York but that I hate thee deadly
I should lament thy miserable state
I prithee grieve to make me merry York
Stamp rave and fret that I may sing and dance
What hath thy fiery heart so parched thine entrails
That not a tear can fall for Rutlands death
Why art thou patient man Thou shouldst be mad
And I to make thee mad do mock thee thus
Stamp rave and fret that I may sing and dance
Thou wouldst be feed I see to make me sport
York cannot speak unless he wear a crown
A crown for York And lords bow low to him
Hold you his hands whilst I do set it on
Putting a paper crown on his head
Ay marry sir now looks he like a king
Ay this is he that took King Henrys chair
And this is he was his adopted heir
But how is it that great Plantagenet
Is crowned so soon and broke his solemn oath
As I bethink me you should not be king
Till our King Henry had shook hands with Death
And will you pale your head in Henrys 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 head
And whilst we breathe take time to do him dead
CLIFFORD
That is my office for my fathers sake
QUEEN MARGARET
Nay stay lets hear the orisons he makes
YORK
Shewolf of France but worse than wolves of France
Whose tongue more poisons than the adders tooth
How illbeseeming is it in thy sex
To triumph like an Amazonian trull
Upon their woes whom Fortune captivates
But that thy face is vizardlike unchanging
Made impudent with use of evil deeds
I would assay proud queen to make thee blush
To tell thee whence thou camst of whom derived
Were shame enough to shame thee wert thou not shameless
Thy father bears the type of King of Naples
Of both the Sicils and Jerusalem
Yet not so wealthy as an English yeoman
Hath that poor monarch taught thee to insult
It needs not nor it boots thee not proud queen
Unless the adage must be verified
That beggars mounted run their horse to death
Tis beauty that doth oft make women proud
But God he knows thy share thereof is small
Tis virtue that doth make them most admired
The contrary doth make thee wondered at
Tis government that makes them seem divine
The want thereof makes thee abominable
Thou art as opposite to every good
As the Antipodes are unto us
Or as the south to the Septentrion
O tigers heart wrapped in a womans hide
How couldst thou drain the lifeblood of the child
To bid the father wipe his eyes withal
And yet be seen to bear a womans face
Women are soft mild pitiful and flexible
Thou stern obdurate flinty rough remorseless
Bidst thou me rage Why now thou hast thy wish
Wouldst have me weep Why now thou hast thy will
For raging wind blows up incessant showers
And when the rage allays the rain begins
These tears are my sweet Rutlands obsequies
And every drop cries vengeance for his death
Gainst thee fell Clifford and thee false Frenchwoman
NORTHUMBERLAND
Beshrew me but his passion moves me so
That hardly can I check my eyes from tears
YORK
That face of his the hungry cannibals
Would not have touched would not have stained with blood
But you are more inhuman more inexorable
O ten times more than tigers of Hyrcania
See ruthless queen a hapless fathers tears
This cloth thou dippedst in blood of my sweet boy
And I with tears do wash the blood away
Keep thou the napkin and go boast of this
And if thou tellst the heavy story right
Upon my soul the hearers will shed tears
Yea even my foes will shed fastfalling 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
Hardhearted Clifford take me from the world
My soul to heaven my blood upon your heads
NORTHUMBERLAND
Had he been slaughterman to all my kin
I should not for my life but weep with him
To see how inly sorrow gripes his soul
QUEEN MARGARET
What weepingripe my Lord Northumberland
Think but upon the wrong he did us all
And that will quickly dry thy melting tears
CLIFFORD
Heres for my oath heres for my fathers death
Stabbing him
QUEEN MARGARET
And heres to right our gentlehearted king
Stabbing him
YORK
Open thy gate of mercy gracious God
My soul flies through these wounds to seek out Thee
Dies
QUEEN MARGARET
Off with his head and set it on York gates
So York may overlook the town of York
Flourish Exeunt
ACT II
SCENE I A plain near Mortimers Cross in Herefordshire
A march Enter Edward and Richard and their power
EDWARD
I wonder how our princely father scaped
Or whether he be scaped away or no
From Cliffords and Northumberlands pursuit
Had he been taen 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
RICHARD
I cannot joy until I be resolved
Where our right valiant father is become
I saw him in the battle range about
And watched him how he singled Clifford forth
Methought he bore him in the thickest troop
As doth a lion in a herd of neat
Or as a bear encompassed round with dogs
Who having pinched 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 pride enough to be his son
See how the morning opes her golden gates
And takes her farewell of the glorious sun
How well resembles it the prime of youth
Trimmed like a younker prancing to his love
EDWARD
Dazzle mine eyes or do I see three suns
RICHARD
Three glorious suns each one a perfect sun
Not separated with the racking clouds
But severed in a pale clearshining sky
See see they join embrace and seem to kiss
As if they vowed some league inviolable
Now are they but one lamp one light one sun
In this the heaven figures some event
EDWARD
Tis wondrous strange the like yet never heard of
I think it cites us brother to the field
That we the sons of brave Plantagenet
Each one already blazing by our meeds
Should notwithstanding join our lights together
And overshine the earth as this the world
Whateer it bodes henceforward will I bear
Upon my target three fair shining suns
RICHARD
Nay bear three daughters by your leave I speak it
You love the breeder better than the male
Enter a Messenger blowing
But what art thou whose heavy looks foretell
Some dreadful story hanging on thy tongue
MESSENGER
Ah one that was a woeful lookeron
When as the noble Duke of York was slain
Your princely father and my loving lord
EDWARD
O speak no more for I have heard too much
RICHARD
Say how he died for I will hear it all
MESSENGER
Environed he was with many foes
And stood against them as the hope of Troy
Against the Greeks that would have entered Troy
But Hercules himself must yield to odds
And many strokes though with a little axe
Hews down and fell the hardesttimbered oak
By many hands your father was subdued
But only slaughtered by the ireful arm
Of unrelenting Clifford and the Queen
Who crowned the gracious duke in high despite
Laughed in his face and when with grief he wept
The ruthless Queen gave him to dry his cheeks
A napkin steeped in the harmless blood
Of sweet young Rutland by rough Clifford slain
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 eer I viewed
EDWARD
Sweet Duke of York our prop to lean upon
Now thou art gone we have no staff no stay
O Clifford boisterous Clifford thou hast slain
The flower of Europe for his chivalry
And treacherously hast thou vanquished him
For hand to hand he would have vanquished thee
Now my souls 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
RICHARD
I cannot weep for all my bodys moisture
Scarce serves to quench my furnaceburning heart
Nor can my tongue unload my hearts great burthen
For selfsame wind that I should speak withal
Is 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 Ill venge thy death
Or die renowned by attempting it
EDWARD
His name that valiant duke hath left with thee
His dukedom and his chair with me is left
RICHARD
Nay if thou be that princely eagles 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
March Enter Warwick Marquess Montague and their army
WARWICK
How now fair lords What fare What news abroad
RICHARD
Great Lord of Warwick if we should recount
Our baleful news and at each words deliverance
Stab poniards in our flesh till all were told
The words would add more anguish than the wounds
O valiant lord the Duke of York is slain
EDWARD
O Warwick Warwick that Plantagenet
Which held thee dearly as his souls redemption
Is by the stern Lord Clifford done to death
WARWICK
Ten days ago I drowned these news in tears
And now to add more measure to your woes
I come to tell you things sith then befalln
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
I then in London keeper of the King
Mustered my soldiers gathered flocks of friends
And very well appointed as I thought
Marched toward Saint Albans 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
To dash our late decree in Parliament
Touching King Henrys oath and your succession
Short tale to make we at Saint Albans met
Our battles joined and both sides fiercely fought
But whether twas the coldness of the King
Who looked full gently on his warlike Queen
That robbed my soldiers of their heated spleen
Or whether twas report of her success
Or more than common fear of Cliffords rigour
Who thunders to his captives blood and death
I cannot judge but to conclude with truth
Their weapons like to lightning came and went
Our soldiers like the nightowls lazy flight
Or like an idle thresher with a flail
Fell gently down as if they struck their friends
I cheered them up with justice of our cause
With promise of high pay and great rewards
But all in vain they had no heart to fight
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 posthaste are come to join with you
For in the Marches here we heard you were
Making another head to fight again
EDWARD
Where is the Duke of Norfolk gentle Warwick
And when came George from Burgundy to England
WARWICK
Some six miles off the Duke is with the soldiers
And for your brother he was lately sent
From your kind aunt Duchess of Burgundy
With aid of soldiers to this needful war
RICHARD
Twas odds belike when valiant Warwick fled
Oft have I heard his praises in pursuit
But neer till now his scandal of retire
WARWICK
Nor now my scandal Richard dost thou hear
For thou shalt know this strong right hand of mine
Can pluck the diadem from faint Henrys head
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
RICHARD
I know it well Lord Warwick blame me not
Tis love I bear thy glories makes me speak
But in this troublous time whats to be done
Shall we go throw away our coats of steel
And wrap our bodies in black mourning gowns
Numbering our AveMaries with our beads
Or shall we on the helmets of our foes
Tell our devotion with revengeful arms
If for the last say ay and to it lords
WARWICK
Why therefore Warwick came to seek 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
Have wrought the easymelting King like wax
He swore consent to your succession
His oath enrolled in the Parliament
And now to 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
Amongst the loving Welshmen canst procure
Will but amount to five and twenty thousand
Why via to London will we march amain
And once again bestride our foaming steeds
And once again cry Charge upon our foes
But never once again turn back and fly
RICHARD
Ay now methinks I hear great Warwick speak
Neer may he live to see a sunshine day
That cries Retire if Warwick bid him stay
EDWARD
Lord Warwick on thy shoulder will I lean
And when thou failstas God forbid the hour
Must Edward fall which peril heaven forfend
WARWICK
No longer Earl of March but Duke of York
The next degree is Englands royal throne
For King of England shalt thou be proclaimed
In every borough as we pass along
And he that throws not up his cap for joy
Shall for the fault make forfeit of his head
King Edward valiant Richard Montague
Stay we no longer dreaming of renown
But sound the trumpets and about our task
RICHARD
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
EDWARD
Then strike up drums God and Saint George for us
Enter a Messenger
WARWICK
How now what news
MESSENGER
The Duke of Norfolk sends you word by me
The Queen is coming with a puissant host
And craves your company for speedy counsel
WARWICK
Why then it sorts brave warriors lets away
Exeunt
SCENE II Before York
Flourish Enter King Henry Queen Margaret the Prince of Wales Clifford and Northumberland with drums and trumpets
QUEEN MARGARET
Welcome my lord to this brave town of York
Yonders the head of that archenemy
That sought to be encompassed with your crown
Doth not the object cheer your heart my lord
KING HENRY
Ay as the rocks cheer them that fear their wrack
To see this sight it irks my very soul
Withhold revenge dear God Tis not my fault
Nor wittingly have I infringed my vow
CLIFFORD
My gracious liege this too much lenity
And harmful pity must be laid aside
To whom do lions cast their gentle looks
Not to the beast that would usurp their den
Whose hand is that the forest bear doth lick
Not his that spoils her young before her face
Who scapes the lurking serpents mortal sting
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
Ambitious York did level at thy crown
Thou smiling while he knit his angry brows
He but a duke would have his son a king
And raise his issue like a loving sire
Thou being a king blest with a goodly son
Didst yield consent to disinherit him
Which argued thee a most unloving father
Unreasonable creatures feed their young
And though mans face be fearful to their eyes
Yet in protection of their tender ones
Who hath not seen them even with those wings
Which sometime they have used with fearful flight
Make war with him that climbed unto their nest
Offering their own lives in their youngs defence
For shame my liege make them your precedent
Were it not pity that this goodly boy
Should lose his birthright by his fathers fault
And long hereafter say unto his child
What my greatgrandfather and grandsire got
My careless father fondly gave away
Ah what a shame were this Look on the boy
And let his manly face which promiseth
Successful fortune steel thy melting heart
To hold thine own and leave thine own with him
KING HENRY
Full well hath Clifford played the orator
Inferring arguments of mighty force
But Clifford tell 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
Ill leave my son my virtuous deeds behind
And would my father had left me no more
For all the rest is held at such a rate
As brings a thousandfold more care to keep
Than in possession any jot of pleasure
Ah cousin York would thy best friends did know
How it doth grieve me that thy head is here
QUEEN MARGARET
My lord cheer up your spirits our 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
KING HENRY
Edward Plantagenet arise a knight
And learn this lesson draw thy sword in right
PRINCE EDWARD
My gracious father by your kingly leave
Ill draw it as apparent to the crown
And in that quarrel use it to the death
CLIFFORD
Why that is spoken like a toward prince
Enter a Messenger
MESSENGER
Royal commanders be in readiness
For with a band of thirty thousand men
Comes Warwick backing of the Duke of York
And in the towns as they do march along
Proclaims him king and many fly to him
Darraign your battle for they are at hand
CLIFFORD
I would your highness would depart the field
The Queen hath best success when you are absent
QUEEN MARGARET
Ay good my lord and leave us to our fortune
KING HENRY
Why thats my fortune too therefore Ill stay
NORTHUMBERLAND
Be it with resolution then to fight
PRINCE EDWARD
My royal father cheer these noble lords
And hearten those that fight in your defence
Unsheathe your sword good father cry Saint George
March Enter Edward George Richard Warwick Norfolk Montague and Soldiers
EDWARD
Now perjured Henry wilt thou kneel for grace
And set thy diadem upon my head
Or bide the mortal fortune of the field
QUEEN MARGARET
Go rate thy minions proud insulting boy
Becomes it thee to be thus bold in terms
Before thy sovereign and thy lawful king
EDWARD
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
You that are king though he do wear the crown
Have caused him by new act of Parliament
To blot out me and put his own son in
CLIFFORD
And reason too
Who should succeed the father but the son
RICHARD
Are you there butcher O I cannot speak
CLIFFORD
Ay crookback here I stand to answer thee
Or any he the proudest of thy sort
RICHARD
Twas you that killed young Rutland was it not
CLIFFORD
Ay and old York and yet not satisfied
RICHARD
For Gods sake lords give signal to the fight
WARWICK
What sayst thou Henry wilt thou yield the crown
QUEEN MARGARET
Why how now longtongued Warwick dare you speak
When you and I met at Saint Albans last
Your legs did better service than your hands
WARWICK
Then twas my turn to fly and now tis thine
CLIFFORD
You said so much before and yet you fled
WARWICK
Twas not your valour Clifford drove me thence
NORTHUMBERLAND
No nor your manhood that durst make you stay
RICHARD
Northumberland I hold thee reverently
Break off the parley for scarce I can refrain
The execution of my bigswoln heart
Upon that Clifford that cruel childkiller
CLIFFORD
I slew thy father callst thou him a child
RICHARD
Ay like a dastard and a treacherous coward
As thou didst kill our tender brother Rutland
But ere sunset Ill make thee curse the deed
KING HENRY
Have done with words my lords and hear me speak
QUEEN MARGARET
Defy them then or else hold close thy lips
KING HENRY
I prithee give no limits to my tongue
I am a king and privileged to speak
CLIFFORD
My liege the wound that bred this meeting here
Cannot be cured by words therefore be still
RICHARD
Then executioner unsheathe thy sword
By Him that made us all I am resolved
That Cliffords manhood lies upon his tongue
EDWARD
Say Henry shall I have my right or no
A thousand men have broke their fasts today
That neer shall dine unless thou yield the crown
WARWICK
If thou deny their blood upon thy head
For York in justice puts his armour on
PRINCE EDWARD
If that be right which Warwick says is right
There is no wrong but everything is right
RICHARD
Whoever got thee there thy mother stands
For well I wot thou hast thy mothers tongue
QUEEN MARGARET
But thou art neither like thy sire nor dam
But like a foul misshapen stigmatic
Marked by the Destinies to be avoided
As venom toads or lizards dreadful stings
RICHARD
Iron of Naples hid with English gilt
Whose father bears the title of a king
As if a channel should be called the sea
Shamst thou not knowing whence thou art extraught
To let thy tongue detect thy baseborn heart
EDWARD
A wisp of straw were worth a thousand crowns
To make this shameless callet know herself
Helen of Greece was fairer far than thou
Although thy husband may be Menelaus
And neer was Agamemnons brother wronged
By that false woman as this king by thee
His father revelled in the heart of France
And tamed the King and made the Dauphin stoop
And had he matched according to his state
He might have kept that glory to this day
But when he took a beggar to his bed
And graced thy poor sire with his bridal day
Even then that sunshine brewed a shower for him
That washed his fathers fortunes forth of France
And heaped sedition on his crown at home
For what hath broached this tumult but thy pride
Hadst thou been meek our title still had slept
And we in pity of the gentle king
Had slipped our claim until another age
GEORGE
But when we saw our sunshine made thy spring
And that thy summer bred us no increase
We set the axe to thy usurping root
And though the edge hath something hit ourselves
Yet know thou since we have begun to strike
Well never leave till we have hewn thee down
Or bathed thy growing with our heated bloods
EDWARD
And in this resolution I defy thee
Not willing any longer conference
Since thou deniest the gentle King to speak
Sound trumpets Let our bloody colours wave
And either victory or else a grave
QUEEN MARGARET
Stay Edward
EDWARD
No wrangling woman well no longer stay
These words will cost ten thousand lives this day
Exeunt
SCENE III A field of battle between Towton and Saxton in Yorkshire
Alarums Excursions Enter Warwick
WARWICK
Forspent with toil as runners with a race
I lay me down a little while to breathe
For strokes received and many blows repaid
Have robbed my strongknit sinews of their strength
And spite of spite needs must I rest awhile
Enter Edward running
EDWARD
Smile gentle heaven or strike ungentle death
For this world frowns and Edwards sun is clouded
WARWICK
How now my lord what hap What hope of good
Enter George
GEORGE
Our hap is loss our hope but sad despair
Our ranks are broke and ruin follows us
What counsel give you Whither shall we fly
EDWARD
Bootless is flight they follow us with wings
And weak we are and cannot shun pursuit
Enter Richard
RICHARD
Ah Warwick why hast thou withdrawn thyself
Thy brothers blood the thirsty earth hath drunk
Broached with the steely point of Cliffords lance
And in the very pangs of death he cried
Like to a dismal clangor heard from far
Warwick revenge Brother revenge my death
So underneath the belly of their steeds
That stained their fetlocks in his smoking blood
The noble gentleman gave up the ghost
WARWICK
Then let the earth be drunken with our blood
Ill kill my horse because I will not fly
Why stand we like softhearted women here
Wailing our losses whiles the foe doth rage
And look upon as if the tragedy
Were played in jest by counterfeiting actors
Here on my knee I vow to God above
Ill never pause again never stand still
Till either death hath closed these eyes of mine
Or Fortune given me measure of revenge
EDWARD
O Warwick I do bend my knee with thine
And in this vow do chain my soul to thine
And ere my knee rise from the earths 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
And give sweet passage to my sinful soul
Now lords take leave until we meet again
Whereer it be in heaven or in earth
RICHARD
Brother give me thy hand and gentle Warwick
Let me embrace thee in my weary arms
I that did never weep now melt with woe
That winter should cut off our springtime so
WARWICK
Away away Once more sweet lords farewell
GEORGE
Yet let us all together to our troops
And give them leave to fly that will not stay
And call them pillars that will stand to us
And if we thrive promise them such rewards
As victors wear 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
Exeunt
SCENE IV Another Part of the Field
Excursions Enter Richard and Clifford
RICHARD
Now Clifford I have singled thee alone
Suppose this arm is for the Duke of York
And this for Rutland both bound to revenge
Wert thou environed with a brazen wall
CLIFFORD
Now Richard I am with thee here alone
This is the hand that stabbed thy father York
And this the hand that slew thy brother Rutland
And heres the heart that triumphs in their death
And cheers these hands that slew thy sire and brother
To execute the like upon thyself
And so have at thee
They fight Warwick comes Clifford flies
RICHARD
Nay Warwick single out some other chase
For I myself will hunt this wolf to death
Exeunt
SCENE V Another Part of the Field
Enter King Henry
KING HENRY
This battle fares like to the mornings war
When dying clouds contend with growing light
What time the shepherd blowing of his nails
Can neither call it perfect day nor night
Now sways it this way like a mighty sea
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
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 Gods good will were so
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
How many make the hour full complete
How many hours brings about the day
How many days will finish up the year
How many years a mortal man may live
When this is known then to divide the times
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
Passed over to the end they were created
Would bring white hairs unto a quiet grave
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 embroidered canopy
To kings that fear their subjects treachery
O yes it doth a thousandfold it doth
And to conclude the shepherds homely curds
His cold thin drink out of his leather bottle
His wonted sleep under a fresh trees shade
All which secure and sweetly he enjoys
Is far beyond a princes 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 that hath killed his father bringing in the dead body
SON
Ill 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
Whos this O God It is my fathers face
Whom in this conflict I unwares have killed
O heavy times begetting such events
From London by the King was I pressed forth
My father being the Earl of Warwicks man
Came on the part of York pressed by his master
And I who at his hands received my life
Have by my hands of life bereaved him
Pardon me God I knew not what I did
And pardon father for I knew not thee
My tears shall wipe away these bloody marks
And no more words till they have flowed their fill
KING HENRY
O piteous spectacle O bloody times
Whiles lions war and battle for their dens
Poor harmless lambs abide their enmity
Weep wretched man Ill aid thee tear for tear
And let our hearts and eyes like civil war
Be blind with tears and break oercharged with grief
Enter a Father who has killed his son with the body in his arms
FATHER
Thou that so stoutly hath resisted me
Give me thy gold if thou hast any gold
For I have bought it with an hundred blows
But let me see is this our foemans 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
O pity God this miserable age
What stratagems how fell how butcherly
Erroneous mutinous and unnatural
This deadly quarrel daily doth beget
O boy thy father gave thee life too soon
And hath bereft thee of thy life too late
KING HENRY
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
If you contend a thousand lives must wither
SON
How will my mother for a fathers death
Take on with me and neer be satisfied
FATHER
How will my wife for slaughter of my son
Shed seas of tears and neer be satisfied
KING HENRY
How will the country for these woeful chances
Misthink the King and not be satisfied
SON
Was ever son so rued a fathers death
FATHER
Was ever father so bemoaned his son
KING HENRY
Was ever king so grieved for subjects woe
Much is your sorrow mine ten times so much
SON
Ill bear thee hence where I may weep my fill
Exit with the body
FATHER
These arms of mine shall be thy windingsheet
My heart sweet boy shall be thy sepulchre
For from my heart thine image neer shall go
My sighing breast shall be thy funeral bell
And so obsequious will thy father be
Even for the loss of thee having no more
As Priam was for all his valiant sons
Ill bear thee hence and let them fight that will
For I have murdered where I should not kill
Exit with the body
KING HENRY
Sadhearted men much overgone with care
Here sits a king more woeful than you are
Alarums Excursions Enter Queen Margaret Prince of Wales and Exeter
PRINCE EDWARD
Fly father fly for all your friends are fled
And Warwick rages like a chafed bull
Away for death doth hold us in pursuit
QUEEN MARGARET
Mount you my lord towards Berwick post amain
Edward and Richard like a brace of greyhounds
Having the fearful flying hare in sight
With fiery eyes sparkling for very wrath
And bloody steel grasped in their ireful hands
Are at our backs and therefore hence amain
EXETER
Away for vengeance comes along with them
Nay stay not to expostulate make speed
Or else come after Ill away before
KING HENRY
Nay take me with thee good sweet Exeter
Not that I fear to stay but love to go
Whither the Queen intends Forward away
Exeunt
SCENE VI Another Part of the Field
A loud alarum Enter Clifford wounded
CLIFFORD
Here burns my candle out ay here it dies
Which whiles it lasted gave King Henry light
O Lancaster I fear thy overthrow
More than my bodys parting with my soul
My love and fear glued many friends to thee
And now I fall thy tough commixtures melts
Impairing Henry strengthening misproud York
The common people swarm like summer flies
And whither fly the gnats but to the sun
And who shines now but Henrys enemies
O Phoebus hadst thou never given consent
That Phathon should check thy fiery steeds
Thy burning car never had scorched the earth
And Henry hadst thou swayed as kings should do
Or as thy father and his father did
Giving no ground unto the house of York
They never then had sprung like summer flies
I 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
And what makes robbers bold but too much lenity
Bootless are plaints and cureless are my wounds
No way to fly nor strength to hold out flight
The foe is merciless and will not pity
For at their hands I have deserved no pity
The air hath got into my deadly wounds
And much effuse of blood doth make me faint
Come York and Richard Warwick and the rest
I stabbed your fathers bosoms split my breast
He faints
Alarum and retreat Enter Edward George Richard Montague Warwick and Soldiers
EDWARD
Now breathe we lords Good fortune bids us pause
And smooth the frowns of war with peaceful looks
Some troops pursue the bloodyminded Queen
That led calm Henry though he were a king
As doth a sail filled with a fretting gust
Command an argosy to stem the waves
But think you lords that Clifford fled with them
WARWICK
No tis impossible he should escape
For though before his face I speak the words
Your brother Richard marked him for the grave
And wheresoer he is hes surely dead
Clifford groans and dies
RICHARD
Whose soul is that which takes her heavy leave
A deadly groan like life and deaths departing
EDWARD
See who it is and now the battles ended
If friend or foe let him be gently used
RICHARD
Revoke that doom of mercy for tis Clifford
Who not contented that he lopped the branch
In hewing Rutland when his leaves put forth
But set his murdering knife unto the root
From whence that tender spray did sweetly spring
I mean our princely father Duke of York
WARWICK
From off the gates of York fetch down the head
Your fathers head which Clifford placed there
Instead whereof let this supply the room
Measure for measure must be answered
EDWARD
Bring forth that fatal screechowl to our house
That nothing sung but death to us and ours
Now death shall stop his dismal threatening sound
And his illboding tongue no more shall speak
Soldiers bring the body forward
WARWICK
I think his understanding is bereft
Speak Clifford dost thou know who speaks to thee
Dark cloudy death oershades his beams of life
And he nor sees nor hears us what we say
RICHARD
O would he did and so perhaps he doth
Tis but his policy to counterfeit
Because he would avoid such bitter taunts
Which in the time of death he gave our father
GEORGE
If so thou thinkst vex him with eager words
RICHARD
Clifford ask mercy and obtain no grace
EDWARD
Clifford repent in bootless penitence
WARWICK
Clifford devise excuses for thy faults
GEORGE
While we devise fell tortures for thy faults
RICHARD
Thou didst love York and I am son to York
EDWARD
Thou pitiedst Rutland I will pity thee
GEORGE
Wheres Captain Margaret to fence you now
WARWICK
They mock thee Clifford swear as thou wast wont
RICHARD
What not an oath Nay then the world goes hard
When Clifford cannot spare his friends an oath
I know by that hes dead and by my soul
If this right hand would buy but two hours life
That I in all despite might rail at him
This hand should chop it off and with the issuing blood
Stifle the villain whose unstaunched thirst
York and young Rutland could not satisfy
WARWICK
Ay but hes dead Off with the traitors head
And rear it in the place your fathers stands
And now to London with triumphant march
There to be crowned Englands royal king
From whence shall Warwick cut the sea to France
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
The scattered foe that hopes to rise again
For though they cannot greatly sting to hurt
Yet look to have them buzz to offend thine ears
First will I see the coronation
And then to Brittany Ill cross the sea
To effect this marriage so it please my lord
EDWARD
Even as thou wilt sweet Warwick let it be
For in thy shoulder do I build my seat
And never will 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
RICHARD
Let me be Duke of Clarence George of Gloucester
For Gloucesters dukedom is too ominous
WARWICK
Tut thats a foolish observation
Richard be Duke of Gloucester Now to London
To see these honours in possession
Exeunt
ACT III
SCENE I A Forest in the North of England
Enter two Keepers with crossbows in their hands
1 KEEPER
Under this thickgrown brake well shroud ourselves
For through this laund anon the deer will come
And in this covert will we make our stand
Culling the principal of all the deer
2 KEEPER
Ill stay above the hill so both may shoot
1 KEEPER
That cannot be the noise of thy crossbow
Will scare the herd and so my shoot is lost
Here stand we both and aim we at the best
And for the time shall not seem tedious
Ill tell thee what befell me on a day
In this self place where now we mean to stand
2 KEEPER
Here comes a man lets stay till he be past
Enter King Henry disguised with a prayerbook
KING HENRY
From Scotland am I stolen even of pure love
To greet mine own land with my wishful sight
No Harry Harry tis no land of thine
Thy place is filled thy sceptre wrung from thee
Thy balm washed off wherewith thou wast anointed
No bending knee will call thee Caesar now
No humble suitors press to speak for right
No not a man comes for redress of thee
For how can I help them and not myself
1 KEEPER
Ay heres a deer whose skins a keepers fee
This is the quondam king lets seize upon him
KING HENRY
Let me embrace thee sour adversity
For wise men say it is the wisest course
2 KEEPER
Why linger we Let us lay hands upon him
1 KEEPER
Forbear awhile well hear a little more
KING HENRY
My queen and son are gone to France for aid
And as I hear the great commanding Warwick
Is thither gone to crave the French Kings 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 words
By this account then Margaret may win him
For shes a woman to be pitied much
Her sighs will make a battry 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
To hear and see her plaints her brinish tears
Ay but shes come to beg Warwick to give
She on his left side craving aid for Henry
He on his right asking a wife for Edward
She weeps and says her Henry is deposed
He smiles and says his Edward is installed
That she poor wretch for grief can speak no more
Whiles Warwick tells his title smooths the wrong
Inferreth arguments of mighty strength
And in conclusion wins the King from her
With promise of his sister and what else
To strengthen and support King Edwards place
O Margaret thus twill be and thou poor soul
Art then forsaken as thou wentst forlorn
2 KEEPER
Say what art thou that talkst of kings and queens
KING HENRY
More than I seem and less than I was born to
A man at least for less I should not be
And men may talk of kings and why not I
2 KEEPER
Ay but thou talkst as if thou wert a king
KING HENRY
Why so I am in mind and thats enough
2 KEEPER
But if thou be a king where is thy crown
KING HENRY
My crown is in my heart not on my head
Not decked with diamonds and Indian stones
Not to be seen My crown is called content
A crown it is that seldom kings enjoy
2 KEEPER
Well if you be a king crowned with content
Your crown content and you must be contented
To go along with us for as we think
You are the king King Edward hath deposed
And we his subjects sworn in all allegiance
Will apprehend you as his enemy
KING HENRY
But did you never swear and break an oath
2 KEEPER
No never such an oath nor will not now
KING HENRY
Where did you dwell when I was King of England
2 KEEPER
Here in this country where we now remain
KING HENRY
I was anointed king at nine months old
My father and my grandfather were kings
And you were sworn true subjects unto me
And tell me then have you not broke your oaths
1 KEEPER
No for we were subjects but while you were king
KING HENRY
Why am I dead Do I not breathe a 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
And yielding to another when it blows
Commanded always by the greater gust
Such is the lightness of you common men
But do not break your oaths for of that sin
My mild entreaty shall not make you guilty
Go where you will the King shall be commanded
And be you kings command and Ill obey
1 KEEPER
We are true subjects to the King King Edward
KING HENRY
So would you be again to Henry
If he were seated as King Edward is
1 KEEPER
We charge you in Gods name and the Kings
To go with us unto the officers
KING HENRY
In Gods name lead your kings name be obeyed
And what God will that let your king perform
And what he will I humbly yield unto
Exeunt
SCENE II The Palace
Enter King Edward Richard Duke of Gloucester George Duke of Clarence and Lady Grey
KING EDWARD
Brother of Gloucester at Saint Albans field
This ladys husband Sir John Grey was slain
His land then seized on by the conqueror
Her suit is now to repossess those lands
Which we in justice cannot well deny
Because in quarrel of the house of York
The worthy gentleman did lose his life
RICHARD
Your Highness shall do well to grant her suit
It were dishonour to deny it her
KING EDWARD
It were no less but yet Ill make a pause
RICHARD
Aside to George Yea is it so
I see the lady hath a thing to grant
Before the King will grant her humble suit
GEORGE
Aside to Richard He knows the game how true he keeps the wind
RICHARD
Aside to George Silence
KING EDWARD
Widow we will consider of your suit
And come some other time to know our mind
LADY GREY
Right gracious lord I cannot brook delay
May it please your Highness to resolve me now
And what your pleasure is shall satisfy me
RICHARD
Aside to George Ay widow Then Ill warrant you all your lands
An if what pleases him shall pleasure you
Fight closer or good faith youll catch a blow
GEORGE
Aside to Richard I fear her not unless she chance to fall
RICHARD
Aside to George God forbid that for hell take vantages
KING EDWARD
How many children hast thou widow Tell me
GEORGE
Aside to Richard I think he means to beg a child of her
RICHARD
Aside to George Nay whip me then hell rather give her two
LADY GREY
Three my most gracious lord
RICHARD
Aside to George You shall have four if youll be ruled by him
KING EDWARD
Twere pity they should lose their fathers lands
LADY GREY
Be pitiful dread lord and grant it then
KING EDWARD
Lords give us leave Ill try this widows wit
RICHARD
Aside to George Ay good leave have you for you will have leave
Till youth take leave and leave you to the crutch
Richard and George stand aside
KING EDWARD
Now tell me madam do you love your children
LADY GREY
Ay full as dearly as I love myself
KING EDWARD
And would you not do much to do them good
LADY GREY
To do them good I would sustain some harm
KING EDWARD
Then get your husbands lands to do them good
LADY GREY
Therefore I came unto your majesty
KING EDWARD
Ill tell you how these lands are to be got
LADY GREY
So shall you bind me to your Highness service
KING EDWARD
What service wilt thou do me if I give them
LADY GREY
What you command that rests in me to do
KING EDWARD
But you will take exceptions to my boon
LADY GREY
No gracious lord except I cannot do it
KING EDWARD
Ay but thou canst do what I mean to ask
LADY GREY
Why then I will do what your Grace commands
RICHARD
Aside to George He plies her hard and much rain wears the marble
GEORGE
Aside to Richard As red as fire Nay then her wax must melt
LADY GREY
Why stops my lord Shall I not hear my task
KING EDWARD
An easy task tis but to love a king
LADY GREY
Thats soon performed because I am a subject
KING EDWARD
Why then thy husbands lands I freely give thee
LADY GREY
I take my leave with many thousand thanks
RICHARD
Aside to George The match is made she seals it with a curtsy
KING EDWARD
But stay thee tis the fruits of love I mean
LADY GREY
The fruits of love I mean my loving liege
KING EDWARD
Ay but I fear me in another sense
What love thinkst thou I sue so much to get
LADY GREY
My love till death my humble thanks my prayers
That love which virtue begs and virtue grants
KING EDWARD
No by my troth I did not mean such love
LADY GREY
Why then you mean not as I thought you did
KING EDWARD
But now you partly may perceive my mind
LADY GREY
My mind will never grant what I perceive
Your Highness aims at if I aim aright
KING EDWARD
To tell thee plain I aim to lie with thee
LADY GREY
To tell you plain I had rather lie in prison
KING EDWARD
Why then thou shalt not have thy husbands lands
LADY GREY
Why then mine honesty shall be my dower
For by that loss I will not purchase them
KING EDWARD
Therein thou wrongst thy children mightily
LADY GREY
Herein your Highness wrongs both them and me
But mighty lord this merry inclination
Accords not with the sadness of my suit
Please you dismiss me either with ay or no
KING EDWARD
Ay if thou wilt say ay to my request
No if thou dost say no to my demand
LADY GREY
Then no my lord My suit is at an end
RICHARD
Aside to George The widow likes him not she knits her brows
GEORGE
Aside to Richard He is the bluntest wooer in Christendom
KING EDWARD
Aside Her looks doth argue her replete with modesty
Her words doth show her wit incomparable
All her perfections challenge sovereignty
One way or other she is for a king
And she shall be my love or else my queen
Say that King Edward take thee for his queen
LADY GREY
Tis better said than done my gracious lord
I am a subject fit to jest withal
But far unfit to be a sovereign
KING EDWARD
Sweet widow by my state I swear to thee
I speak no more than what my soul intends
And that is to enjoy thee for my love
LADY GREY
And that is more than I will yield unto
I know I am too mean to be your queen
And yet too good to be your concubine
KING EDWARD
You cavil widow I did mean my queen
LADY GREY
Twill grieve your Grace my sons should call you father
KING EDWARD
No more than when my daughters call thee mother
Thou art a widow and thou hast some children
And by Gods mother I being but a bachelor
Have other some Why tis a happy thing
To be the father unto many sons
Answer no more for thou shalt be my queen
RICHARD
Aside to George The ghostly father now hath done his shrift
GEORGE
Aside to Richard When he was made a shriver twas for shift
KING EDWARD
Brothers you muse what chat we two have had
Richard and George come forward
RICHARD
The widow likes it not for she looks very sad
KING EDWARD
Youd think it strange if I should marry her
GEORGE
To whom my lord
KING EDWARD
Why Clarence to myself
RICHARD
That would be ten days wonder at the least
GEORGE
Thats a day longer than a wonder lasts
RICHARD
By so much is the wonder in extremes
KING EDWARD
Well jest on brothers I can tell you both
Her suit is granted for her husbands lands
Enter a Nobleman
NOBLEMAN
My gracious lord Henry your foe is taken
And brought your prisoner to your palace gate
KING EDWARD
See that he be conveyed unto the Tower
And go we brothers to the man that took him
To question of his apprehension
Widow go you along Lords use her honourably
Exeunt all but Richard
RICHARD
Ay Edward will use women honourably
Would he were wasted marrow bones and all
That from his loins no hopeful branch may spring
To cross me from the golden time I look for
And yet between my souls desire and me
The lustful Edwards title buried
Is Clarence Henry and his son young Edward
And all the unlookedfor issue of their bodies
To take their rooms ere I can place myself
A cold premeditation for my purpose
Why then I do but dream on sovereignty
Like one that stands upon a promontory
And spies a faroff shore where he would tread
Wishing his foot were equal with his eye
And chides the sea that sunders him from thence
Saying hell lade it dry to have his way
So do I wish the crown being so far off
And so I chide the means that keeps me from it
And so I say Ill cut the causes off
Flattering me with impossibilities
My eyes too quick my heart oerweens too much
Unless my hand and strength could equal them
Well say there is no kingdom then for Richard
What other pleasure can the world afford
Ill make my heaven in a ladys lap
And deck my body in gay ornaments
And witch sweet ladies with my words and looks
O miserable thought and more unlikely
Than to accomplish twenty golden crowns
Why Love forswore me in my mothers womb
And for I should not deal in her soft laws
She did corrupt frail Nature with some bribe
To shrink mine arm up like a withered shrub
To make an envious mountain on my back
Where sits Deformity to mock my body
To shape my legs of an unequal size
To disproportion me in every part
Like to a chaos or an unlicked bearwhelp
That carries no impression like the dam
And am I then a man to be beloved
O monstrous fault to harbour such a thought
Then since this earth affords no joy to me
But to command to check to oerbear such
As are of better person than myself
Ill make my heaven to dream upon the crown
And whiles I live t account this world but hell
Until my misshaped trunk that bear this head
Be round impaled with a glorious crown
And yet I know not how to get the crown
For many lives stand between me and home
And I like one lost in a thorny wood
That rents the thorns and is rent with the thorns
Seeking a way and straying from the way
Not knowing how to find the open air
But toiling desperately to find it out
Torment myself to catch the English crown
And from that torment I will free myself
Or hew my way out with a bloody axe
Why I can smile and murder while I smile
And cry Content to that which grieves my heart
And wet my cheeks with artificial tears
And frame my face to all occasions
Ill drown more sailors than the mermaid shall
Ill slay more gazers than the basilisk
Ill play the orator as well as Nestor
Deceive more slyly than Ulysses could
And like a Sinon take another Troy
I can add colours to the chameleon
Change shapes with Proteus for advantages
And set the murderous Machiavel to school
Can I do this and cannot get a crown
Tut were it farther off Ill pluck it down
Exit
SCENE III France The Kings Palace
Flourish Enter Lewis the French King his sister the Lady Bona his Admiral called Bourbon Prince Edward Queen Margaret and the Earl of Oxford Lewis sits and riseth up again
KING LEWIS
Fair Queen of England worthy Margaret
Sit down with us It ill befits thy state
And birth that thou shouldst stand while Lewis doth sit
QUEEN MARGARET
No mighty King of France Now Margaret
Must strike her sail and learn awhile to serve
Where kings command I was I must confess
Great Albions queen in former golden days
But now mischance hath trod my title down
And with dishonour laid me on the ground
Where I must take like seat unto my fortune
And to my humble seat conform myself
KING LEWIS
Why say fair queen whence springs this deep despair
QUEEN MARGARET
From such a cause as fills mine eyes with tears
And stops my tongue while heart is drowned in cares
KING LEWIS
Whateer it be be thou still like thyself
And sit thee by our side Yield not thy neck
Seats her by him
To Fortunes yoke but let thy dauntless mind
Still ride in triumph over all mischance
Be plain Queen Margaret and tell thy grief
It shall be eased if France can yield relief
QUEEN MARGARET
Those gracious words revive my drooping thoughts
And give my tonguetied sorrows leave to speak
Now therefore be it known to noble Lewis
That Henry sole possessor of my love
Is of a king become a banished man
And forced to live in Scotland a forlorn
While proud ambitious Edward Duke of York
Usurps the regal title and the seat
Of Englands trueanointed lawful king
This is the cause that I poor Margaret
With this my son Prince Edward Henrys heir
Am come to crave thy just and lawful aid
And if thou fail us all our hope is done
Scotland hath will to help but cannot help
Our people and our peers are both misled
Our treasure seized our soldiers put to flight
And as thou seest ourselves in heavy plight
KING LEWIS
Renowned queen with patience calm the storm
While we bethink a means to break it off
QUEEN MARGARET
The more we stay the stronger grows our foe
KING LEWIS
The more I stay the more Ill succour thee
QUEEN MARGARET
O but impatience waiteth on true sorrow
And see where comes the breeder of my sorrow
Enter Warwick
KING LEWIS
Whats he approacheth boldly to our presence
QUEEN MARGARET
Our Earl of Warwick Edwards greatest friend
KING LEWIS
Welcome brave Warwick What brings thee to France
He descends Queen Margaret rises
QUEEN MARGARET
Ay now begins a second storm to rise
For this is he that moves both wind and tide
WARWICK
From worthy Edward king of Albion
My lord and sovereign and thy vowed friend
I come in kindness and unfeigned love
First to do greetings to thy royal person
And then to crave a league of amity
And lastly to confirm that amity
With nuptial knot if thou vouchsafe to grant
That virtuous Lady Bona thy fair sister
To Englands king in lawful marriage
QUEEN MARGARET
Aside If that go forward Henrys hope is done
WARWICK
To Bona And gracious madam in our kings behalf
I am commanded with your leave and favour
Humbly to kiss your hand and with my tongue
To tell the passion of my sovereigns heart
Where fame late entering at his heedful ears
Hath placed thy beautys image and thy virtue
QUEEN MARGARET
King Lewis and Lady Bona hear me speak
Before you answer Warwick His demand
Springs not from Edwards wellmeant honest love
But from deceit bred by necessity
For how can tyrants safely govern home
Unless abroad they purchase great alliance
To prove him tyrant this reason may suffice
That Henry liveth still but were he dead
Yet here Prince Edward stands King Henrys son
Look therefore Lewis that by this league and marriage
Thou draw not on thy danger and dishonour
For though usurpers sway the rule awhile
Yet heavens are just and time suppresseth wrongs
WARWICK
Injurious Margaret
PRINCE EDWARD
And why not Queen
WARWICK
Because thy father Henry did usurp
And thou no more art prince than she is queen
OXFORD
Then Warwick disannuls great John of Gaunt
Which did subdue the greatest part of Spain
And after John of Gaunt Henry the Fourth
Whose wisdom was a mirror to the wisest
And after that wise prince Henry the Fifth
Who by his prowess conquered all France
From these our Henry lineally descends
WARWICK
Oxford how haps it in this smooth discourse
You told not how Henry the Sixth hath lost
All that which Henry the Fifth had gotten
Methinks these peers of France should smile at that
But for the rest you tell a pedigree
Of threescore and two years a silly time
To make prescription for a kingdoms worth
OXFORD
Why Warwick canst thou speak against thy liege
Whom thou obeyedst thirty and six years
And not bewray thy treason with a blush
WARWICK
Can Oxford that did ever fence the right
Now buckler falsehood with a pedigree
For shame Leave Henry and call Edward king
OXFORD
Call him my king by whose injurious doom
My elder brother the Lord Aubrey Vere
Was done to death And more than so my father
Even in the downfall of his mellowed years
When nature brought him to the door of death
No Warwick no while life upholds this arm
This arm upholds the house of Lancaster
WARWICK
And I the house of York
KING LEWIS
Queen Margaret Prince Edward and Oxford
Vouchsafe at our request to stand aside
While I use further conference with Warwick
They stand aloof
QUEEN MARGARET
Heavens grant that Warwicks words bewitch him not
KING LEWIS
Now Warwick tell me even upon thy conscience
Is Edward your true king For I were loath
To link with him that were not lawful chosen
WARWICK
Thereon I pawn my credit and mine honour
KING LEWIS
But is he gracious in the peoples eye
WARWICK
The more that Henry was unfortunate
KING LEWIS
Then further all dissembling set aside
Tell me for truth the measure of his love
Unto our sister Bona
WARWICK
Such it seems
As may beseem a monarch like himself
Myself have often heard him say and swear
That this his love was an eternal plant
Whereof the root was fixed in virtues ground
The leaves and fruit maintained with beautys sun
Exempt from envy but not from disdain
Unless the Lady Bona quit his pain
KING LEWIS
Now sister let us hear your firm resolve
BONA
Your grant or your denial shall be mine
To Warwick Yet I confess that often ere this day
When I have heard your kings desert recounted
Mine ear hath tempted judgment to desire
KING LEWIS
Then Warwick thus our sister shall be Edwards
And now forthwith shall articles be drawn
Touching the jointure that your king must make
Which with her dowry shall be counterpoised
Draw near Queen Margaret and be a witness
That Bona shall be wife to the English king
PRINCE EDWARD
To Edward but not to the English king
QUEEN MARGARET
Deceitful Warwick it was thy device
By this alliance to make void my suit
Before thy coming Lewis was Henrys friend
KING LEWIS
And still is friend to him and Margaret
But if your title to the crown be weak
As may appear by Edwards good success
Then tis but reason that I be released
From giving aid which late I promised
Yet shall you have all kindness at my hand
That your estate requires and mine can yield
WARWICK
Henry now lives in Scotland at his ease
Where having nothing nothing can he lose
And as for you yourself our quondam queen
You have a father able to maintain you
And better twere you troubled him than France
QUEEN MARGARET
Peace impudent and shameless Warwick
Proud setter up and puller down of kings
I will not hence till with my talk and tears
Both full of truth I make King Lewis behold
Thy sly conveyance and thy lords false love
For both of you are birds of selfsame feather
Post blowing a horn within
KING LEWIS
Warwick this is some post to us or thee
Enter the Post
POST
My lord ambassador these letters are for you
Sent from your brother Marquess Montague
These from our king unto your Majesty
And madam these for you from whom I know not
They all read their letters
OXFORD
I like it well that our fair Queen and mistress
Smiles at her news while Warwick frowns at his
PRINCE EDWARD
Nay mark how Lewis stamps as he were nettled
I hope alls for the best
KING LEWIS
Warwick what are thy news And yours fair Queen
QUEEN MARGARET
Mine such as fill my heart with unhoped joys
WARWICK
Mine full of sorrow and hearts discontent
KING LEWIS
What has your king married the Lady Grey
And now to soothe your forgery and his
Sends me a paper to persuade me patience
Is this th alliance that he seeks with France
Dare he presume to scorn us in this manner
QUEEN MARGARET
I told your majesty as much before
This proveth Edwards love and Warwicks honesty
WARWICK
King Lewis I here protest in sight of heaven
And by the hope I have of heavenly bliss
That I am clear from this misdeed of Edwards
No more my king for he dishonours me
But most himself if he could see his shame
Did I forget that by the house of York
My father came untimely to his death
Did I let pass th abuse done to my niece
Did I impale him with the regal crown
Did I put Henry from his native right
And am I guerdoned at the last with shame
Shame on himself for my desert is honour
And to repair my honour lost for him
I here renounce him and return to Henry
My noble Queen let former grudges pass
And henceforth I am thy true servitor
I will revenge his wrong to Lady Bona
And replant Henry in his former state
QUEEN MARGARET
Warwick these words have turned my hate to love
And I forgive and quite forget old faults
And joy that thou becomst King Henrys friend
WARWICK
So much his friend ay his unfeigned friend
That if King Lewis vouchsafe to furnish us
With some few bands of chosen soldiers
Ill undertake to land them on our coast
And force the tyrant from his seat by war
Tis not his newmade bride shall succour him
And as for Clarence as my letters tell me
Hes very likely now to fall from him
For matching more for wanton lust than honour
Or than for strength and safety of our country
BONA
Dear brother how shall Bona be revenged
But by thy help to this distressed queen
QUEEN MARGARET
Renowned prince how shall poor Henry live
Unless thou rescue him from foul despair
BONA
My quarrel and this English queens are one
WARWICK
And mine fair Lady Bona joins with yours
KING LEWIS
And mine with hers and thine and Margarets
Therefore at last I firmly am resolved
You shall have aid
QUEEN MARGARET
Let me give humble thanks for all at once
KING LEWIS
Then Englands messenger return in post
And tell false Edward thy supposed king
That Lewis of France is sending over maskers
To revel it with him and his new bride
Thou seest whats past go fear thy king withal
BONA
Tell him in hope hell prove a widower shortly
Ill wear the willow garland for his sake
QUEEN MARGARET
Tell him my mourning weeds are laid aside
And I am ready to put armour on
WARWICK
Tell him from me that he hath done me wrong
And therefore Ill uncrown him ere t be long
Theres thy reward be gone
Exit Post
KING LEWIS
But Warwick
Thou and Oxford with five thousand men
Shall cross the seas and bid false Edward battle
And as occasion serves this noble Queen
And prince shall follow with a fresh supply
Yet ere thou go but answer me one doubt
What pledge have we of thy firm loyalty
WARWICK
This shall assure my constant loyalty
That if our Queen and this young prince agree
Ill join mine eldest daughter and my joy
To him forthwith in holy wedlock bands
QUEEN MARGARET
Yes I agree and thank you for your motion
Son Edward she is fair and virtuous
Therefore delay not give thy hand to Warwick
And with thy hand thy faith irrevocable
That only Warwicks daughter shall be thine
PRINCE EDWARD
Yes I accept her for she well deserves it
And here to pledge my vow I give my hand
He gives his hand to Warwick
KING LEWIS
Why stay we now These soldiers shall be levied
And thou Lord Bourbon our High Admiral
Shall waft them over with our royal fleet
I long till Edward fall by wars mischance
For mocking marriage with a dame of France
Exeunt all but Warwick
WARWICK
I came from Edward as ambassador
But I return his sworn and mortal foe
Matter of marriage was the charge he gave me
But dreadful war shall answer his demand
Had he none else to make a stale but me
Then none but I shall turn his jest to sorrow
I was the chief that raised him to the crown
And Ill be chief to bring him down again
Not that I pity Henrys misery
But seek revenge on Edwards mockery
Exit
ACT IV
SCENE I London The Palace
Enter Richard Duke of Gloucester George Duke of Clarence Somerset and Montague
RICHARD
Now tell me brother Clarence what think you
Of this new marriage with the Lady Grey
Hath not our brother made a worthy choice
GEORGE
Alas you know tis far from hence to France
How could he stay till Warwick made return
SOMERSET
My lords forbear this talk here comes the King
Flourish Enter King Edward attended Lady Grey as Queen Elizabeth Pembroke Stafford Hastings and others Four stand on one side and four on the other
RICHARD
And his wellchosen bride
GEORGE
I mind to tell him plainly what I think
KING EDWARD
Now brother of Clarence how like you our choice
That you stand pensive as half malcontent
GEORGE
As well as Lewis of France or the Earl of Warwick
Which are so weak of courage and in judgment
That theyll take no offence at our abuse
KING EDWARD
Suppose they take offence without a cause
They are but Lewis and Warwick I am Edward
Your King and Warwicks and must have my will
RICHARD
And shall have your will because our King
Yet hasty marriage seldom proveth well
KING EDWARD
Yea brother Richard are you offended too
RICHARD
Not I
No God forbid that I should wish them severed
Whom God hath joined together Ay and twere pity
To sunder them that yoke so well together
KING EDWARD
Setting your scorns and your mislike aside
Tell me some reason why the Lady Grey
Should not become my wife and Englands queen
And you too Somerset and Montague
Speak freely what you think
GEORGE
Then this is mine opinion that King Lewis
Becomes your enemy for mocking him
About the marriage of the Lady Bona
RICHARD
And Warwick doing what you gave in charge
Is now dishonoured by this new marriage
KING EDWARD
What if both Lewis and Warwick be appeased
By such invention as I can devise
MONTAGUE
Yet to have joined with France in such alliance
Would more have strengthened this our commonwealth
Gainst foreign storms than any homebred marriage
HASTINGS
Why knows not Montague that of itself
England is safe if true within itself
MONTAGUE
But the safer when tis backed with France
HASTINGS
Tis better using France than trusting France
Let us be backed with God and with the seas
Which He hath givn for fence impregnable
And with their helps only defend ourselves
In them and in ourselves our safety lies
GEORGE
For this one speech Lord Hastings well deserves
To have the heir of the Lord Hungerford
KING EDWARD
Ay what of that It was my will and grant
And for this once my will shall stand for law
RICHARD
And yet methinks your Grace hath not done well
To give the heir and daughter of Lord Scales
Unto the brother of your loving bride
She better would have fitted me or Clarence
But in your bride you bury brotherhood
GEORGE
Or else you would not have bestowed the heir
Of the Lord Bonville on your new wifes son
And leave your brothers to go speed elsewhere
KING EDWARD
Alas poor Clarence is it for a wife
That thou art malcontent I will provide thee
GEORGE
In choosing for yourself you showed your judgment
Which being shallow you shall give me leave
To play the broker in mine own behalf
And to that end I shortly mind to leave you
KING EDWARD
Leave me or tarry Edward will be king
And not be tied unto his brothers will
QUEEN ELIZABETH
My lords before it pleased his Majesty
To raise my state to title of a queen
Do me but right and you must all confess
That I was not ignoble of descent
And meaner than myself have had like fortune
But as this title honours me and mine
So your dislikes to whom I would be pleasing
Doth cloud my joys with danger and with sorrow
KING EDWARD
My love forbear to fawn upon their frowns
What danger or what sorrow can befall thee
So long as Edward is thy constant friend
And their true sovereign whom they must obey
Nay whom they shall obey and love thee too
Unless they seek for hatred at my hands
Which if they do yet will I keep thee safe
And they shall feel the vengeance of my wrath
RICHARD
Aside I hear yet say not much but think the more
Enter a Post
KING EDWARD
Now messenger what letters or what news
From France
POST
My sovereign liege no letters and few words
But such as I without your special pardon
Dare not relate
KING EDWARD
Go to we pardon thee Therefore in brief
Tell me their words as near as thou canst guess them
What answer makes King Lewis unto our letters
POST
At my depart these were his very words
Go tell false Edward thy supposed king
That Lewis of France is sending over maskers
To revel it with him and his new bride
KING EDWARD
Is Lewis so brave Belike he thinks me Henry
But what said Lady Bona to my marriage
POST
These were her words uttered with mild disdain
Tell him in hope hell prove a widower shortly
Ill wear the willow garland for his sake
KING EDWARD
I blame not her she could say little less
She had the wrong But what said Henrys queen
For I have heard that she was there in place
POST
Tell him quoth she my mourning weeds are done
And I am ready to put armour on
KING EDWARD
Belike she minds to play the Amazon
But what said Warwick to these injuries
POST
He more incensed against your Majesty
Than all the rest discharged me with these words
Tell him from me that he hath done me wrong
And therefore Ill uncrown him ere t be long
KING EDWARD
Ha Durst the traitor breathe out so proud words
Well I will arm me being thus forewarned
They shall have wars and pay for their presumption
But say is Warwick friends with Margaret
POST
Ay gracious sovereign they are so linked in friendship
That young Prince Edward marries Warwicks daughter
GEORGE
Belike the elder Clarence will have the younger
Now brother king farewell and sit you fast
For I will hence to Warwicks other daughter
That though I want a kingdom yet in marriage
I may not prove inferior to yourself
You that love me and Warwick follow me
Exit George and Somerset follows
RICHARD
Aside Not I My thoughts aim at a further matter
I stay not for the love of Edward but the crown
KING EDWARD
Clarence and Somerset both gone to Warwick
Yet am I armed against the worst can happen
And haste is needful in this desperate case
Pembroke and Stafford you in our behalf
Go levy men and make prepare for war
They are already or quickly will be landed
Myself in person will straight follow you
Exeunt Pembroke and Stafford
But ere I go Hastings and Montague
Resolve my doubt You twain of all the rest
Are near to Warwick by blood and by alliance
Tell me if you love Warwick more than me
If it be so then both depart to him
I rather wish you foes than hollow friends
But if you mind to hold your true obedience
Give me assurance with some friendly vow
That I may never have you in suspect
MONTAGUE
So God help Montague as he proves true
HASTINGS
And Hastings as he favours Edwards cause
KING EDWARD
Now brother Richard will you stand by us
RICHARD
Ay in despite of all that shall withstand you
KING EDWARD
Why so Then am I sure of victory
Now therefore let us hence and lose no hour
Till we meet Warwick with his foreign power
Exeunt
SCENE II A Plain in Warwickshire
Enter Warwick and Oxford in England with French Soldiers
WARWICK
Trust me my lord all hitherto goes well
The common people by numbers swarm to us
Enter George Duke of Clarence and Somerset
But see where Somerset and Clarence comes
Speak suddenly my lords are we all friends
GEORGE
Fear not that my lord
WARWICK
Then gentle Clarence welcome unto Warwick
And welcome Somerset I hold it cowardice
To rest mistrustful where a noble heart
Hath pawned an open hand in sign of love
Else might I think that Clarence Edwards brother
Were but a feigned friend to our proceedings
But welcome sweet Clarence my daughter shall be thine
And now what rests but in nights coverture
Thy brother being carelessly encamped
His soldiers lurking in the towns about
And but attended by a simple guard
We may surprise and take him at our pleasure
Our scouts have found the adventure very easy
That as Ulysses and stout Diomede
With sleight and manhood stole to Rhesus tents
And brought from thence the Thracian fatal steeds
So we well covered with the nights black mantle
At unawares may beat down Edwards guard
And seize himself I say not slaughter him
For I intend but only to surprise him
You that will follow me to this attempt
Applaud the name of Henry with your leader
They all cry Henry
Why then lets on our way in silent sort
For Warwick and his friends God and Saint George
Exeunt
SCENE III Edwards Camp near Warwick
Enter three Watchmen to guard the Kings tent
1 WATCHMAN
Come on my masters each man take his stand
The King by this is set him down to sleep
2 WATCHMAN
What will he not to bed
1 WATCHMAN
Why no for he hath made a solemn vow
Never to lie and take his natural rest
Till Warwick or himself be quite suppressed
2 WATCHMAN
Tomorrow then belike shall be the day
If Warwick be so near as men report
3 WATCHMAN
But say I pray what nobleman is that
That with the King here resteth in his tent
1 WATCHMAN
Tis the Lord Hastings the Kings chiefest friend
3 WATCHMAN
O is it so But why commands the King
That his chief followers lodge in towns about him
While he himself keeps in the cold field
2 WATCHMAN
Tis the more honour because more dangerous
3 WATCHMAN
Ay but give me worship and quietness
I like it better than dangerous honour
If Warwick knew in what estate he stands
Tis to be doubted he would waken him
1 WATCHMAN
Unless our halberds did shut up his passage
2 WATCHMAN
Ay wherefore else guard we his royal tent
But to defend his person from nightfoes
Enter Warwick George Duke of Clarence Oxford Somerset and French Soldiers silent all
WARWICK
This is his tent and see where stand his guard
Courage my masters Honour now or never
But follow me and Edward shall be ours
1 WATCHMAN
Who goes there
2 WATCHMAN
Stay or thou diest
Warwick and the rest cry all Warwick Warwick and set upon the guard who fly crying Arm Arm Warwick and the rest following them
The drum playing and trumpet sounding enter Warwick Somerset and the rest bringing the King out in his gown sitting in a chair Richard Duke of Gloucester and Hastings fly over the stage
SOMERSET
What are they that fly there
WARWICK
Richard and Hastings
Let them go Here is the Duke
KING EDWARD
The Duke Why Warwick when we parted
Thou calldst me king
WARWICK
Ay but the case is altered
When you disgraced me in my embassade
Then I degraded you from being king
And come now to create you Duke of York
Alas how should you govern any kingdom
That know not how to use ambassadors
Nor how to be contented with one wife
Nor how to use your brothers brotherly
Nor how to study for the peoples welfare
Nor how to shroud yourself from enemies
KING EDWARD
Yea brother of Clarence art thou here too
Nay then I see that Edward needs must down
Yet Warwick in despite of all mischance
Of thee thyself and all thy complices
Edward will always bear himself as king
Though Fortunes malice overthrow my state
My mind exceeds the compass of her wheel
WARWICK
Then for his mind be Edward Englands king
Takes off his crown
But Henry now shall wear the English crown
And be true king indeed thou but the shadow
My lord of Somerset at my request
See that forthwith Duke Edward be conveyed
Unto my brother Archbishop of York
When I have fought with Pembroke and his fellows
Ill follow you and tell what answer
Lewis and the Lady Bona send to him
Now for a while farewell good Duke of York
They begin to lead him out forcibly
KING EDWARD
What fates impose that men must needs abide
It boots not to resist both wind and tide
Exit King Edward led out Somerset with him
OXFORD
What now remains my lords for us to do
But march to London with our soldiers
WARWICK
Ay thats the first thing that we have to do
To free King Henry from imprisonment
And see him seated in the regal throne
Exeunt
SCENE IV London The Palace
Enter Queen Elizabeth and Rivers
RIVERS
Madam what makes you in this sudden change
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Why brother Rivers are you yet to learn
What late misfortune is befalln King Edward
RIVERS
What loss of some pitched battle against Warwick
QUEEN ELIZABETH
No but the loss of his own royal person
RIVERS
Then is my sovereign slain
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Ay almost slain for he is taken prisoner
Either betrayed by falsehood of his guard
Or by his foe surprised at unawares
And as I further have to understand
Is new committed to the Bishop of York
Fell Warwicks brother and by that our foe
RIVERS
These news I must confess are full of grief
Yet gracious madam bear it as you may
Warwick may lose that now hath won the day
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Till then fair hope must hinder lifes decay
And I the rather wean me from despair
For love of Edwards offspring in my womb
This is it that makes me bridle passion
And bear with mildness my misfortunes cross
Ay ay for this I draw in many a tear
And stop the rising of bloodsucking sighs
Lest with my sighs or tears I blast or drown
King Edwards fruit true heir to th English crown
RIVERS
But madam where is Warwick then become
QUEEN ELIZABETH
I am informed that he comes towards London
To set the crown once more on Henrys head
Guess thou the rest King Edwards friends must down
But to prevent the tyrants violence
For trust not him that hath once broken faith
Ill hence forthwith unto the sanctuary
To save at least the heir of Edwards right
There shall I rest secure from force and fraud
Come therefore let us fly while we may fly
If Warwick take us we are sure to die
Exeunt
SCENE V A park near Middleham Castle in Yorkshire
Enter Richard Duke of Gloucester Lord Hastings Sir William Stanley and others
RICHARD
Now my Lord Hastings and Sir William Stanley
Leave off to wonder why I drew you hither
Into this chiefest thicket of the park
Thus stands the case you know our King my brother
Is prisoner to the Bishop here at whose hands
He hath good usage and great liberty
And often but attended with weak guard
Comes hunting this way to disport himself
I have advertised him by secret means
That if about this hour he make this way
Under the colour of his usual game
He shall here find his friends with horse and men
To set him free from his captivity
Enter King Edward and a Huntsman with him
HUNTSMAN
This way my lord for this way lies the game
KING EDWARD
Nay this way man See where the huntsmen stand
Now brother of Gloucester Lord Hastings and the rest
Stand you thus close to steal the Bishops deer
RICHARD
Brother the time and case requireth haste
Your horse stands ready at the park corner
KING EDWARD
But whither shall we then
HASTINGS
To Lynn my lord and shipped from thence to Flanders
RICHARD
Well guessed believe me for that was my meaning
KING EDWARD
Stanley I will requite thy forwardness
RICHARD
But wherefore stay we Tis no time to talk
KING EDWARD
Huntsman what sayst thou Wilt thou go along
HUNTSMAN
Better do so than tarry and be hanged
RICHARD
Come then away Lets ha no more ado
KING EDWARD
Bishop farewell shield thee from Warwicks frown
And pray that I may repossess the crown
Exeunt
SCENE VI London The Tower
Enter King Henry George Duke of Clarence Warwick Somerset young Richmond Oxford Montague and Lieutenant of the Tower
KING HENRY
Master Lieutenant now that God and friends
Have shaken Edward from the regal seat
And turned my captive state to liberty
My fear to hope my sorrows unto joys
At our enlargement what are thy due fees
LIEUTENANT
Subjects may challenge nothing of their sovereigns
But if an humble prayer may prevail
I then crave pardon of your Majesty
KING HENRY
For what lieutenant For well using me
Nay be thou sure Ill well requite thy kindness
For that it made my imprisonment a pleasure
Ay such a pleasure as incaged birds
Conceive when after many moody thoughts
At last by notes of household harmony
They quite forget their loss of liberty
But Warwick after God thou settst me free
And chiefly therefore I thank God and thee
He was the author thou the instrument
Therefore that I may conquer Fortunes spite
By living low where Fortune cannot hurt me
And that the people of this blessed land
May not be punished with my thwarting stars
Warwick although my head still wear the crown
I here resign my government to thee
For thou art fortunate in all thy deeds
WARWICK
Your Grace hath still been famed for virtuous
And now may seem as wise as virtuous
By spying and avoiding Fortunes malice
For few men rightly temper with the stars
Yet in this one thing let me blame your Grace
For choosing me when Clarence is in place
GEORGE
No Warwick thou art worthy of the sway
To whom the heavens in thy nativity
Adjudged an olive branch and laurel crown
As likely to be blest in peace and war
And therefore I yield thee my free consent
WARWICK
And I choose Clarence only for Protector
KING HENRY
Warwick and Clarence give me both your hands
Now join your hands and with your hands your hearts
That no dissension hinder government
I make you both Protectors of this land
While I myself will lead a private life
And in devotion spend my latter days
To sins rebuke and my Creators praise
WARWICK
What answers Clarence to his sovereigns will
GEORGE
That he consents if Warwick yield consent
For on thy fortune I repose myself
WARWICK
Why then though loath yet I must be content
Well yoke together like a double shadow
To Henrys body and supply his place
I mean in bearing weight of government
While he enjoys the honour and his ease
And Clarence now then it is more than needful
Forthwith that Edward be pronounced a traitor
And all his lands and goods be confiscate
GEORGE
What else And that succession be determined
WARWICK
Ay therein Clarence shall not want his part
KING HENRY
But with the first of all your chief affairs
Let me entreatfor I command no more
That Margaret your Queen and my son Edward
Be sent for to return from France with speed
For till I see them here by doubtful fear
My joy of liberty is half eclipsed
GEORGE
It shall be done my sovereign with all speed
KING HENRY
My Lord of Somerset what youth is that
Of whom you seem to have so tender care
SOMERSET
My liege it is young Henry Earl of Richmond
KING HENRY
Come hither Englands hope If secret powers
Lays his hand on his head
Suggest but truth to my divining thoughts
This pretty lad will prove our countrys bliss
His looks are full of peaceful majesty
His head by nature framed to wear a crown
His hand to wield a sceptre and himself
Likely in time to bless a regal throne
Make much of him my lords for this is he
Must help you more than you are hurt by me
Enter a Post
WARWICK
What news my friend
POST
That Edward is escaped from your brother
And fled as he hears since to Burgundy
WARWICK
Unsavoury news But how made he escape
POST
He was conveyed by Richard Duke of Gloucester
And the Lord Hastings who attended him
In secret ambush on the forest side
And from the Bishops huntsmen rescued him
For hunting was his daily exercise
WARWICK
My brother was too careless of his charge
But let us hence my sovereign to provide
A salve for any sore that may betide
Exeunt all but Somerset Richmond and Oxford
SOMERSET
My lord I like not of this flight of Edwards
For doubtless Burgundy will yield him help
And we shall have more wars before t be long
As Henrys late presaging prophecy
Did glad my heart with hope of this young Richmond
So doth my heart misgive me in these conflicts
What may befall him to his harm and ours
Therefore Lord Oxford to prevent the worst
Forthwith well send him hence to Brittany
Till storms be past of civil enmity
OXFORD
Ay for if Edward repossess the crown
Tis like that Richmond with the rest shall down
SOMERSET
It shall be so He shall to Brittany
Come therefore lets about it speedily
Exeunt
SCENE VII Before York
Flourish Enter King Edward Richard Duke of Gloucester Hastings and Soldiers
KING EDWARD
Now brother Richard Lord Hastings and the rest
Yet thus far Fortune maketh us amends
And says that once more I shall interchange
My waned state for Henrys regal crown
Well have we passed and now repassed the seas
And brought desired help from Burgundy
What then remains we being thus arrived
From Ravenspurgh haven before the gates of York
But that we enter as into our dukedom
RICHARD
The gates made fast Brother I like not this
For many men that stumble at the threshold
Are well foretold that danger lurks within
KING EDWARD
Tush man abodements must not now affright us
By fair or foul means we must enter in
For hither will our friends repair to us
HASTINGS
My liege Ill knock once more to summon them
Enter on the walls the Mayor of York and his Brethren
MAYOR
My lords we were forewarned of your coming
And shut the gates for safety of ourselves
For now we owe allegiance unto Henry
KING EDWARD
But master Mayor if Henry be your king
Yet Edward at the least is Duke of York
MAYOR
True my good lord I know you for no less
KING EDWARD
Why and I challenge nothing but my dukedom
As being well content with that alone
RICHARD
Aside But when the fox hath once got in his nose
Hell soon find means to make the body follow
HASTINGS
Why master Mayor why stand you in a doubt
Open the gates we are King Henrys friends
MAYOR
Ay say you so The gates shall then be opened
He descends
RICHARD
A wise stout captain and soon persuaded
HASTINGS
The good old man would fain that all were well
So twere not long of him but being entered
I doubt not I but we shall soon persuade
Both him and all his brothers unto reason
Enter the Mayor and two Aldermen below
KING EDWARD
So master Mayor these gates must not be shut
But in the night or in the time of war
What fear not man but yield me up the keys
Takes his keys
For Edward will defend the town and thee
And all those friends that deign to follow me
March Enter Montgomery with drum and Soldiers
RICHARD
Brother this is Sir John Montgomery
Our trusty friend unless I be deceived
KING EDWARD
Welcome Sir John But why come you in arms
MONTGOMERY
To help King Edward in his time of storm
As every loyal subject ought to do
KING EDWARD
Thanks good Montgomery but we now forget
Our title to the crown and only claim
Our dukedom till God please to send the rest
MONTGOMERY
Then fare you well for I will hence again
I came to serve a king and not a duke
Drummer strike up and let us march away
The drum begins to march
KING EDWARD
Nay stay Sir John a while and well debate
By what safe means the crown may be recovered
MONTGOMERY
What talk you of debating In few words
If youll not here proclaim yourself our king
Ill leave you to your fortune and be gone
To keep them back that come to succour you
Why shall we fight if you pretend no title
RICHARD
Why brother wherefore stand you on nice points
KING EDWARD
When we grow stronger then well make our claim
Till then tis wisdom to conceal our meaning
HASTINGS
Away with scrupulous wit Now arms must rule
RICHARD
And fearless minds climb soonest unto crowns
Brother we will proclaim you out of hand
The bruit thereof will bring you many friends
KING EDWARD
Then be it as you will for tis my right
And Henry but usurps the diadem
MONTGOMERY
Ay now my sovereign speaketh like himself
And now will I be Edwards champion
HASTINGS
Sound trumpet Edward shall be here proclaimed
Come fellow soldier make thou proclamation
Gives him a paper Flourish
SOLDIER
Reads Edward the Fourth by the Grace of God King of England and France and Lord of Ireland etc
MONTGOMERY
And whosoer gainsays King Edwards right
By this I challenge him to single fight
Throws down his gauntlet
ALL
Long live Edward the Fourth
KING EDWARD
Thanks brave Montgomery and thanks unto you all
If Fortune serve me Ill requite this kindness
Now for this night lets harbour here in York
And when the morning sun shall raise his car
Above the border of this horizon
Well forward towards Warwick and his mates
For well I wot that Henry is no soldier
Ah froward Clarence how evil it beseems thee
To flatter Henry and forsake thy brother
Yet as we may well meet both thee and Warwick
Come on brave soldiers doubt not of the day
And that once gotten doubt not of large pay
Exeunt
SCENE VIII London The Palace
Flourish Enter King Henry Warwick Montague George Duke of Clarence Oxford and Exeter
WARWICK
What counsel lords Edward from Belgia
With hasty Germans and blunt Hollanders
Hath passed in safety through the Narrow Seas
And with his troops doth march amain to London
And many giddy people flock to him
KING HENRY
Lets levy men and beat him back again
GEORGE
A little fire is quickly trodden out
Which being suffered rivers cannot quench
WARWICK
In Warwickshire I have truehearted friends
Not mutinous in peace yet bold in war
Those will I muster up and thou son Clarence
Shalt stir up in Suffolk Norfolk and in Kent
The knights and gentlemen to come with thee
Thou brother Montague in Buckingham
Northampton and in Leicestershire shalt find
Men well inclined to hear what thou commandst
And thou brave Oxford wondrous well beloved
In Oxfordshire shalt muster up thy friends
My sovereign with the loving citizens
Like to his island girt in with the ocean
Or modest Dian circled with her nymphs
Shall rest in London till we come to him
Fair lords take leave and stand not to reply
Farewell my sovereign
KING HENRY
Farewell my Hector and my Troys true hope
GEORGE
In sign of truth I kiss your Highness hand
KING HENRY
Wellminded Clarence be thou fortunate
MONTAGUE
Comfort my lord and so I take my leave
OXFORD
And thus kissing Henrys hand I seal my truth and bid adieu
KING HENRY
Sweet Oxford and my loving Montague
And all at once once more a happy farewell
WARWICK
Farewell sweet lords lets meet at Coventry
Exeunt all but King Henry and Exeter
KING HENRY
Here at the palace will I rest a while
Cousin of Exeter what thinks your lordship
Methinks the power that Edward hath in field
Should not be able to encounter mine
EXETER
The doubt is that he will seduce the rest
KING HENRY
Thats not my fear my meed hath got me fame
I have not stopped mine ears to their demands
Nor posted off their suits with slow delays
My pity hath been balm to heal their wounds
My mildness hath allayed their swelling griefs
My mercy dried their waterflowing tears
I have not been desirous of their wealth
Nor much oppressed them with great subsidies
Nor forward of revenge though they much erred
Then why should they love Edward more than me
No Exeter these graces challenge grace
And when the lion fawns upon the lamb
The lamb will never cease to follow him
Shout within A York A York
EXETER
Hark hark my lord what shouts are these
Enter King Edward Richard Duke of Gloucester and Soldiers
KING EDWARD
Seize on the shamefaced Henry bear him hence
And once again proclaim us King of England
You are the fount that makes small brooks to flow
Now stops thy spring my sea shall suck them dry
And swell so much the higher by their ebb
Hence with him to the Tower Let him not speak
Exeunt some with King Henry
And lords towards Coventry bend we our course
Where peremptory Warwick now remains
The sun shines hot and if we use delay
Cold biting winter mars our hopedfor hay
RICHARD
Away betimes before his forces join
And take the greatgrown traitor unawares
Brave warriors march amain towards Coventry
Exeunt
ACT V
SCENE I Coventry
Enter Warwick the Mayor of Coventry two Messengers and others upon the walls
WARWICK
Where is the post that came from valiant Oxford
How far hence is thy lord mine honest fellow
1 MESSENGER
By this at Dunsmore marching hitherward
WARWICK
How far off is our brother Montague
Where is the post that came from Montague
2 MESSENGER
By this at Daintry with a puissant troop
Enter Sir John Somerville
WARWICK
Say Somerville what says my loving son
And by thy guess how nigh is Clarence now
SOMERVILLE
At Southam I did leave him with his forces
And do expect him here some two hours hence
Drum heard
WARWICK
Then Clarence is at hand I hear his drum
SOMERVILLE
It is not his my lord here Southam lies
The drum your honour hears marcheth from Warwick
WARWICK
Who should that be Belike unlookedfor friends
SOMERVILLE
They are at hand and you shall quickly know
March Flourish Enter King Edward Richard Duke of Gloucester and Soldiers
KING EDWARD
Go trumpet to the walls and sound a parle
RICHARD
See how the surly Warwick mans the wall
WARWICK
O unbid spite Is sportful Edward come
Where slept our scouts or how are they seduced
That we could hear no news of his repair
KING EDWARD
Now Warwick wilt thou ope the city gates
Speak gentle words and humbly bend thy knee
Call Edward King and at his hands beg mercy
And he shall pardon thee these outrages
WARWICK
Nay rather wilt thou draw thy forces hence
Confess who set thee up and plucked thee down
Call Warwick patron and be penitent
And thou shalt still remain the Duke of York
RICHARD
I thought at least he would have said the King
Or did he make the jest against his will
WARWICK
Is not a dukedom sir a goodly gift
RICHARD
Ay by my faith for a poor earl to give
Ill do thee service for so good a gift
WARWICK
Twas I that gave the kingdom to thy brother
KING EDWARD
Why then tis mine if but by Warwicks gift
WARWICK
Thou art no Atlas for so great a weight
And weakling Warwick takes his gift again
And Henry is my King Warwick his subject
KING EDWARD
But Warwicks king is Edwards prisoner
And gallant Warwick do but answer this
What is the body when the head is off
RICHARD
Alas that Warwick had no more forecast
But whiles he thought to steal the single ten
The king was slily fingered from the deck
You left poor Henry at the Bishops palace
And ten to one youll meet him in the Tower
KING EDWARD
Tis even so yet you are Warwick still
RICHARD
Come Warwick take the time kneel down kneel down
Nay when Strike now or else the iron cools
WARWICK
I had rather chop this hand off at a blow
And with the other fling it at thy face
Than bear so low a sail to strike to thee
KING EDWARD
Sail how thou canst have wind and tide thy friend
This hand fast wound about thy coalblack hair
Shall whiles thy head is warm and new cut off
Write in the dust this sentence with thy blood
Windchanging Warwick now can change no more
Enter Oxford with drum and colours
WARWICK
O cheerful colours See where Oxford comes
OXFORD
Oxford Oxford for Lancaster
He and his forces enter the city
RICHARD
The gates are open let us enter too
KING EDWARD
So other foes may set upon our backs
Stand we in good array for they no doubt
Will issue out again and bid us battle
If not the city being but of small defence
Well quietly rouse the traitors in the same
WARWICK
O welcome Oxford for we want thy help
Enter Montague with drum and colours
MONTAGUE
Montague Montague for Lancaster
He and his forces enter the city
RICHARD
Thou and thy brother both shall buy this treason
Even with the dearest blood your bodies bear
KING EDWARD
The harder matched the greater victory
My mind presageth happy gain and conquest
Enter Somerset with drum and colours
SOMERSET
Somerset Somerset for Lancaster
He and his forces enter the city
RICHARD
Two of thy name both Dukes of Somerset
Have sold their lives unto the House of York
And thou shalt be the third if this sword hold
Enter George Duke of Clarence with drum and colours
WARWICK
And lo where George of Clarence sweeps along
Of force enough to bid his brother battle
With whom an upright zeal to right prevails
More than the nature of a brothers love
Richard and George whisper
Come Clarence come thou wilt if Warwick call
GEORGE
Father of Warwick know you what this means
Taking the red rose from his hat and throws the rose at Warwick
Look here I throw my infamy at thee
I will not ruinate my fathers house
Who gave his blood to lime the stones together
And set up Lancaster Why trowest thou Warwick
That Clarence is so harsh so blunt unnatural
To bend the fatal instruments of war
Against his brother and his lawful King
Perhaps thou wilt object my holy oath
To keep that oath were more impiety
Than Jephthahs when he sacrificed his daughter
I am so sorry for my trespass made
That to deserve well at my brothers hands
I here proclaim myself thy mortal foe
With resolution wheresoer I meet thee
As I will meet thee if thou stir abroad
To plague thee for thy foul misleading me
And so proudhearted Warwick I defy thee
And to my brother turn my blushing cheeks
Pardon me Edward I will make amends
And Richard do not frown upon my faults
For I will henceforth be no more unconstant
KING EDWARD
Now welcome more and ten times more beloved
Than if thou never hadst deserved our hate
RICHARD
Welcome good Clarence this is brotherlike
WARWICK
O passing traitor perjured and unjust
KING EDWARD
What Warwick wilt thou leave the town and fight
Or shall we beat the stones about thine ears
WARWICK
Alas I am not cooped here for defence
I will away towards Barnet presently
And bid thee battle Edward if thou darst
KING EDWARD
Yes Warwick Edward dares and leads the way
Lords to the field Saint George and victory
Exeunt March Warwick and his company follows
SCENE II A Field of Battle near Barnet
Alarum and excursions Enter King Edward bringing forth Warwick wounded
KING EDWARD
So lie thou there Die thou and die our fear
For Warwick was a bug that feared us all
Now Montague sit fast I seek for thee
That Warwicks bones may keep thine company
Exit
WARWICK
Ah who is nigh Come to me friend or foe
And tell me who is victor York or Warwick
Why ask I that My mangled body shows
My blood my want of strength my sick heart shows
That I must yield my body to the earth
And by my fall the conquest to my foe
Thus yields the cedar to the axes edge
Whose arms gave shelter to the princely eagle
Under whose shade the ramping lion slept
Whose top branch overpeered Joves spreading tree
And kept low shrubs from winters powrful wind
These eyes that now are dimmed with deaths black veil
Have been as piercing as the midday sun
To search the secret treasons of the world
The wrinkles in my brows now filled with blood
Were likened oft to kingly sepulchres
For who lived King but I could dig his grave
And who durst smile when Warwick bent his brow
Lo now my glory smeared in dust and blood
My parks my walks my manors that I had
Even now forsake me and of all my lands
Is nothing left me but my bodys length
Why what is pomp rule reign but earth and dust
And live we how we can yet die we must
Enter Oxford and Somerset
SOMERSET
Ah Warwick Warwick wert thou as we are
We might recover all our loss again
The Queen from France hath brought a puissant power
Even now we heard the news Ah couldst thou fly
WARWICK
Why then I would not fly Ah Montague
If thou be there sweet brother take my hand
And with thy lips keep in my soul awhile
Thou lovst me not for brother if thou didst
Thy tears would wash this cold congealed blood
That glues my lips and will not let me speak
Come quickly Montague or I am dead
SOMERSET
Ah Warwick Montague hath breathed his last
And to the latest gasp cried out for Warwick
And said Commend me to my valiant brother
And more he would have said and more he spoke
Which sounded like a cannon in a vault
That mought not be distinguished but at last
I well might hear delivered with a groan
O farewell Warwick
WARWICK
Sweet rest his soul Fly lords and save yourselves
For Warwick bids you all farewell to meet in heaven
He dies
OXFORD
Away away to meet the Queens great power
Here they bear away his body Exeunt
SCENE III Another Part of the Field
Flourish Enter King Edward in triumph with Richard George and the rest
KING EDWARD
Thus far our fortune keeps an upward course
And we are graced with wreaths of victory
But in the midst of this brightshining day
I spy a black suspicious threatning cloud
That will encounter with our glorious sun
Ere he attain his easeful western bed
I mean my lords those powers that the Queen
Hath raised in Gallia have arrived our coast
And as we hear march on to fight with us
GEORGE
A little gale will soon disperse that cloud
And blow it to the source from whence it came
Thy very beams will dry those vapours up
For every cloud engenders not a storm
RICHARD
The Queen is valued thirty thousand strong
And Somerset with Oxford fled to her
If she have time to breathe be well assured
Her faction will be full as strong as ours
KING EDWARD
We are advertised by our loving friends
That they do hold their course toward Tewkesbury
We having now the best at Barnet field
Will thither straight for willingness rids way
And as we march our strength will be augmented
In every county as we go along
Strike up the drum cry Courage and away
Exeunt
SCENE IV Plains near Tewkesbury
Flourish March Enter Queen Margaret Prince Edward Somerset Oxford and Soldiers
QUEEN MARGARET
Great lords wise men neer sit and wail their loss
But cheerly seek how to redress their harms
What though the mast be now blown overboard
The cable broke the holdinganchor lost
And half our sailors swallowed in the flood
Yet lives our pilot still Is t meet that he
Should leave the helm and like a fearful lad
With tearful eyes add water to the sea
And give more strength to that which hath too much
Whiles in his moan the ship splits on the rock
Which industry and courage might have saved
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 slaughtered friends the tackles what of these
Why is not Oxford here another anchor
And Somerset another goodly mast
The friends of France our shrouds and tacklings
And though unskilful why not Ned and I
For once allowed the skilful pilots charge
We will not from the helm to sit and weep
But keep our course though the rough wind say no
From shelves and rocks that threaten us with wrack
As good to chide the waves as speak them fair
And what is Edward but a ruthless sea
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
Or else you famish thats a threefold death
This speak I lords to let you understand
If case some one of you would fly from us
That theres no hopedfor mercy with the brothers
More than with ruthless waves with sands and rocks
Why courage then What cannot be avoided
Twere childish weakness to lament or fear
PRINCE EDWARD
Methinks a woman of this valiant spirit
Should if a coward heard her speak these words
Infuse his breast with magnanimity
And make him naked foil a man at arms
I speak not this as doubting any here
For did I but suspect a fearful man
He should have leave to go away betimes
Lest in our need he might infect another
And make him of the like spirit to himself
If any such be here as God forbid
Let him depart before we need his help
OXFORD
Women and children of so high a courage
And warriors faint Why twere perpetual shame
O brave young Prince thy famous grandfather
Doth live again in thee Long mayst thou live
To bear his image and renew his glories
SOMERSET
And he that will not fight for such a hope
Go home to bed and like the owl by day
If he arise be mocked and wondered at
QUEEN MARGARET
Thanks gentle Somerset Sweet Oxford thanks
PRINCE EDWARD
And take his thanks that yet hath nothing else
Enter a Messenger
MESSENGER
Prepare you lords for Edward is at hand
Ready to fight therefore be resolute
OXFORD
I thought no less It is his policy
To haste thus fast to find us unprovided
SOMERSET
But hes deceived we are in readiness
QUEEN MARGARET
This cheers my heart to see your forwardness
OXFORD
Here pitch our battle hence we will not budge
Flourish and march Enter King Edward Richard George and Soldiers
KING EDWARD
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
I need not add more fuel to your fire
For well I wot ye blaze to burn them out
Give signal to the fight and to it lords
QUEEN MARGARET
Lords knights and gentlemen what I should say
My tears gainsay for every word I speak
Ye see I drink the water of my eye
Therefore no more but this Henry your sovereign
Is prisoner to the foe his state usurped
His realm a slaughterhouse his subjects slain
His statutes cancelled and his treasure spent
And yonder is the wolf that makes this spoil
You fight in justice Then in Gods name lords
Be valiant and give signal to the fight
Alarum retreat excursions Exeunt both armies
SCENE V Another part of the Field
Flourish Enter King Edward Richard George and Soldiers with Queen Margaret Oxford and Somerset as prisoners
KING EDWARD
Now here a period of tumultuous broils
Away with Oxford to Hames Castle straight
For Somerset off with his guilty head
Go bear them hence I will not hear them speak
OXFORD
For my part Ill not trouble thee with words
SOMERSET
Nor I but stoop with patience to my fortune
Exeunt Oxford and Somerset guarded
QUEEN MARGARET
So part we sadly in this troublous world
To meet with joy in sweet Jerusalem
KING EDWARD
Is proclamation made that who finds Edward
Shall have a high reward and he his life
RICHARD
It is and lo where youthful Edward comes
Enter soldiers with Prince Edward
KING EDWARD
Bring forth the gallant let us hear him speak
What can so young a man begin to prick
Edward what satisfaction canst thou make
For bearing arms for stirring up my subjects
And all the trouble thou hast turned me to
PRINCE EDWARD
Speak like a subject proud ambitious York
Suppose that I am now my fathers mouth
Resign thy chair and where I stand kneel thou
Whilst I propose the selfsame words to thee
Which traitor thou wouldst have me answer to
QUEEN MARGARET
Ah thy father had been so resolved
RICHARD
That you might still have worn the petticoat
And neer have stoln the breech from Lancaster
PRINCE EDWARD
Let Aesop fable in a winters night
His currish riddle sorts not with this place
RICHARD
By heaven brat Ill plague you for that word
QUEEN MARGARET
Ay thou wast born to be a plague to men
RICHARD
For Gods sake take away this captive scold
PRINCE EDWARD
Nay take away this scolding crookback rather
KING EDWARD
Peace wilful boy or I will charm your tongue
GEORGE
Untutored lad thou art too malapert
PRINCE EDWARD
I know my duty you are all undutiful
Lascivious Edward and thou perjured George
And thou misshapen Dick I tell ye all
I am your better traitors as ye are
And thou usurpst my fathers right and mine
KING EDWARD
Take that the likeness of this railer here
Stabs him
RICHARD
Sprawlst thou Take that to end thy agony
Stabs him
GEORGE
And theres for twitting me with perjury
Stabs him
QUEEN MARGARET
O kill me too
RICHARD
Marry and shall
Offers to kill her
KING EDWARD
Hold Richard hold for we have done too much
RICHARD
Why should she live to fill the world with words
KING EDWARD
What doth she swoon Use means for her recovery
RICHARD
Clarence excuse me to the King my brother
Ill hence to London on a serious matter
Ere ye come there be sure to hear some news
GEORGE
What What
RICHARD
The Tower the Tower
Exit
QUEEN MARGARET
O Ned sweet Ned speak to thy mother boy
Canst thou not speak O traitors murderers
They that stabbed 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 neer spend their fury on a child
Whats worse than murderer that I may name it
No no my heart will burst an if I speak
And I will speak that so my heart may burst
Butchers and villains bloody cannibals
How sweet a plant have you untimely cropped
You have no children butchers if you had
The thought of them would have stirred up remorse
But if you ever chance to have a child
Look in his youth to have him so cut off
As deathsmen you have rid this sweet young prince
KING EDWARD
Away with her go bear her hence perforce
QUEEN MARGARET
Nay never bear me hence dispatch me here
Here sheathe thy sword Ill pardon thee my death
What wilt thou not Then Clarence do it thou
GEORGE
By heaven I will not do thee so much ease
QUEEN MARGARET
Good Clarence do sweet Clarence do thou do it
GEORGE
Didst thou not hear me swear I would not do it
QUEEN MARGARET
Ay but thou usest to forswear thyself
Twas sin before but now tis charity
What wilt thou not Where is that devils butcher Richard
Hardfavoured Richard Richard where art thou
Thou art not here Murder is thy almsdeed
Petitioners for blood thou neer puttst back
KING EDWARD
Away I say I charge ye bear her hence
QUEEN MARGARET
So come to you and yours as to this prince
She is taken out
KING EDWARD
Wheres Richard gone
GEORGE
To London all in post and as I guess
To make a bloody supper in the Tower
KING EDWARD
Hes sudden if a thing comes in his head
Now march we hence Discharge the common sort
With pay and thanks and lets away to London
And see our gentle Queen how well she fares
By this I hope she hath a son for me
Exeunt
SCENE VI London The Tower
Enter King Henry and Richard with the Lieutenant on the walls
RICHARD
Good day my lord What at your book so hard
KING HENRY
Ay my good lordmy lord I should say rather
Tis sin to flatter good was little better
Good Gloucester and good devil were alike
And both preposterous therefore not good lord
RICHARD
Sirrah leave us to ourselves we must confer
Exit Lieutenant
KING HENRY
So flies the reckless shepherd from the wolf
So first the harmless sheep doth yield his fleece
And next his throat unto the butchers knife
What scene of death hath Roscius now to act
RICHARD
Suspicion always haunts the guilty mind
The thief doth fear each bush an officer
KING HENRY
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 and killed
RICHARD
Why what a peevish fool was that of Crete
That taught his son the office of a fowl
And yet for all his wings the fool was drowned
KING HENRY
I Daedalus my poor boy Icarus
Thy father Minos that denied our course
The sun that seared the wings of my sweet boy
Thy brother Edward and thyself the sea
Whose envious gulf did swallow up his life
Ah kill me with thy weapon not with words
My breast can better brook thy daggers point
Than can my ears that tragic history
But wherefore dost thou come Is t for my life
RICHARD
Thinkst thou I am an executioner
KING HENRY
A persecutor I am sure thou art
If murdering innocents be executing
Why then thou art an executioner
RICHARD
Thy son I killed for his presumption
KING HENRY
Hadst thou been killed when first thou didst presume
Thou hadst not lived to kill a son of mine
And thus I prophesy that many a thousand
Which now mistrust no parcel of my fear
And many an old mans sigh and many a widows
And many an orphans waterstanding eye
Men for their sons wives for their husbands
Orphans for their parents timeless death
Shall rue the hour that ever thou wast born
The owl shrieked at thy birth an evil sign
The nightcrow cried aboding luckless time
Dogs howled and hideous tempest shook down trees
The raven rooked her on the chimneys top
And chattring pies in dismal discord sung
Thy mother felt more than a mothers pain
And yet brought forth less than a mothers hope
To wit an indigested and deformed lump
Not like the fruit of such a goodly tree
Teeth hadst thou in thy head when thou wast born
To signify thou camst to bite the world
And if the rest be true which I have heard
Thou camst
RICHARD
Ill hear no more Die prophet in thy speech
Stabs him
For this amongst the rest was I ordained
KING HENRY
Ay and for much more slaughter after this
O God forgive my sins and pardon thee
Dies
RICHARD
What will the aspiring blood of Lancaster
Sink in the ground I thought it would have mounted
See how my sword weeps for the poor Kings death
O may such purple tears be always shed
From 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
Stabs him again
I that have neither pity love nor fear
Indeed tis true that Henry told me of
For I have often heard my mother say
I came into the world with my legs forward
Had I not reason think ye to make haste
And seek their ruin that usurped our right
The midwife wondered and the women cried
O Jesus bless us he is born with teeth
And so I 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 crooked my mind to answer it
I have no brother I am like no brother
And this word love which greybeards call divine
Be resident in men like one another
And not in me I am myself alone
Clarence beware thou keepst me from the light
But I will sort a pitchy day for thee
For I will buzz abroad such prophecies
That Edward shall be fearful of his life
And then to purge his fear Ill 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
Ill throw thy body in another room
And triumph Henry in thy day of doom
Exit with the body
SCENE VII London The Palace
Flourish Enter King Edward Queen Elizabeth George Richard Hastings Nurse carrying infant Prince Edward and Attendants
KING EDWARD
Once more we sit in Englands royal throne
Repurchased with the blood of enemies
What valiant foemen like to autumns corn
Have we mowed down in tops of all their pride
Three Dukes of Somerset threefold renowned
For hardy and undoubted champions
Two Cliffords as the father and the son
And two Northumberlands two braver men
Neer spurred their coursers at the trumpets sound
With them the two brave bears Warwick and Montague
That in their chains fettered the kingly lion
And made the forest tremble when they roared
Thus have we swept suspicion from our seat
And made our footstool of security
Come hither Bess and let me kiss my boy
Young Ned for thee thine uncles and myself
Have in our armours watched the winters night
Went all afoot in summers scalding heat
That thou mightst repossess the crown in peace
And of our labours thou shalt reap the gain
RICHARD
Aside Ill blast his harvest if your head were laid
For yet I am not looked on in the world
This shoulder was ordained so thick to heave
And heave it shall some weight or break my back
Work thou the way and that shall execute
KING EDWARD
Clarence and Gloucester love my lovely Queen
And kiss your princely nephew brothers both
GEORGE
The duty that I owe unto your Majesty
I seal upon the lips of this sweet babe
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Thanks noble Clarence worthy brother thanks
RICHARD
And that I love the tree from whence thou sprangst
Witness the loving kiss I give the fruit
Aside To say the truth so Judas kissed his master
And cried All hail when as he meant all harm
KING EDWARD
Now am I seated as my soul delights
Having my countrys peace and brothers loves
GEORGE
What will your Grace have done with Margaret
Reignier her father to the King of France
Hath pawned the Sicils and Jerusalem
And hither have they sent it for her ransom
KING EDWARD
Away with her and waft her hence to 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
Exeunt
KING HENRY THE EIGHTH
Contents
ACT I
Prologue
Scene I London An antechamber in the palace
Scene II The same The councilchamber
Scene III An antechamber in the palace
Scene IV A Hall in York Place
ACT II
Scene I Westminster A street
Scene II An antechamber in the palace
Scene III An antechamber of the Queens apartments
Scene IV A hall in Blackfriars
ACT III
Scene I London The Queens apartments
Scene II Antechamber to the Kings apartment
ACT IV
Scene I A street in Westminster
Scene II Kimbolton
ACT V
Scene I A gallery in the palace
Scene II Lobby before the councilchamber
Scene III The palace yard
Scene IV The palace
Epilogue
Dramatis Person
KING HENRY THE EIGHTH
DUKE OF NORFOLK
DUKE OF SUFFOLK
CARDINAL WOLSEY
SECRETARIES to Wolsey
CROMWELL servant to Wolsey
CARDINAL CAMPEIUS
GARDINER Bishop of Winchester
PAGE to Gardiner
QUEEN KATHERINE wife to King Henry afterwards divorced
GRIFFITH gentleman usher to Queen Katherine
PATIENCE woman to Queen Katherine
Queens GENTLEMAN USHER
CAPUTIUS Ambassador from the Emperor Charles V
DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM
LORD ABERGAVENNY Buckinghams soninlaw
EARL OF SURREY Buckinghams soninlaw
SIR NICHOLAS VAUX
SURVEYOR to the Duke of Buckingham
BRANDON
SERGEANTatArms
Three Gentlemen
ANNE BULLEN her Maid of Honour afterwards Queen
An OLD LADY friend to Anne Bullen
LORD CHAMBERLAIN
LORD SANDYS called also SIR WILLIAM SANDYS
SIR THOMAS LOVELL
SIR HENRY GUILDFORD
BISHOP OF LINCOLN
CRANMER archbishop of Canterbury
LORD CHANCELLOR
GARTER KingofArms
SIR ANTHONY DENNY
DOCTOR BUTTS physician to the King
DoorKEEPER of the Councilchamber
PORTER and his Man
A CRIER
PROLOGUE
EPILOGUE
Spirits Several Lords and Ladies in the Dumb Shows Women attending upon the Queen Scribes Officers Guards and other Attendants
SCENE London Westminster Kimbolton
Enter Prologue
THE PROLOGUE
I come no more to make you laugh Things now
That bear a weighty and a serious brow
Sad high and working full of state and woe
Such noble scenes as draw the eye to flow
We now present Those that can pity here
May if they think it well let fall a tear
The subject will deserve it Such as give
Their money out of hope they may believe
May here find truth too Those that come to see
Only a show or two and so agree
The play may pass if they be still and willing
Ill undertake may see away their shilling
Richly in two short hours Only they
That come to hear a merry bawdy play
A noise of targets or to see a fellow
In a long motley coat guarded with yellow
Will be deceived For gentle hearers know
To rank our chosen truth with such a show
As fool and fight is beside forfeiting
Our own brains and the opinion that we bring
To make that only true we now intend
Will leave us never an understanding friend
Therefore for goodness sake and as you are known
The first and happiest hearers of the town
Be sad as we would make ye Think ye see
The very persons of our noble story
As they were living think you see them great
And followed with the general throng and sweat
Of thousand friends then in a moment see
How soon this mightiness meets misery
And if you can be merry then Ill say
A man may weep upon his wedding day
Exit
ACT I
SCENE I London An antechamber in the palace
Enter the Duke of Norfolk at one door at the other the Duke of Buckingham and the Lord Abergavenny
BUCKINGHAM
Good morrow and well met How have ye done
Since last we saw in France
NORFOLK
I thank your Grace
Healthful and ever since a fresh admirer
Of what I saw there
BUCKINGHAM
An untimely ague
Stayed me a prisoner in my chamber when
Those suns of glory those two lights of men
Met in the vale of Andren
NORFOLK
Twixt Guynes and Arde
I was then present saw them salute on horseback
Beheld them when they lighted how they clung
In their embracement as they grew together
Which had they what four throned ones could have weighed
Such a compounded one
BUCKINGHAM
All the whole time
I was my chambers prisoner
NORFOLK
Then you lost
The view of earthly glory Men might say
Till this time pomp was single but now married
To one above itself Each following day
Became the next days master till the last
Made former wonders its Today the French
All clinquant all in gold like heathen gods
Shone down the English and tomorrow they
Made Britain India every man that stood
Showed like a mine Their dwarfish pages were
As cherubins all gilt The madams too
Not used to toil did almost sweat to bear
The pride upon them that their very labour
Was to them as a painting Now this masque
Was cried incomparable and th ensuing night
Made it a fool and beggar The two kings
Equal in lustre were now best now worst
As presence did present them him in eye
Still him in praise and being present both
Twas said they saw but one and no discerner
Durst wag his tongue in censure When these suns
For so they phrase emby their heralds challenged
The noble spirits to arms they did perform
Beyond thoughts compass that former fabulous story
Being now seen possible enough got credit
That Bevis was believed
BUCKINGHAM
O you go far
NORFOLK
As I belong to worship and affect
In honour honesty the tract of everything
Would by a good discourser lose some life
Which actions self was tongue to All was royal
To the disposing of it nought rebelled
Order gave each thing view the office did
Distinctly his full function
BUCKINGHAM
Who did guide
I mean who set the body and the limbs
Of this great sport together as you guess
NORFOLK
One certes that promises no element
In such a business
BUCKINGHAM
I pray you who my lord
NORFOLK
All this was ordered by the good discretion
Of the right reverend Cardinal of York
BUCKINGHAM
The devil speed him No mans pie is freed
From his ambitious finger What had he
To do in these fierce vanities I wonder
That such a keech can with his very bulk
Take up the rays o th beneficial sun
And keep it from the earth
NORFOLK
Surely sir
Theres in him stuff that puts him to these ends
For being not propped by ancestry whose grace
Chalks successors their way nor called upon
For high feats done to th crown neither allied
To eminent assistants but spiderlike
Out of his selfdrawing web he gives us note
The force of his own merit makes his way
A gift that heaven gives for him which buys
A place next to the King
ABERGAVENNY
I cannot tell
What heaven hath given himlet some graver eye
Pierce into thatbut I can see his pride
Peep through each part of him Whence has he that
If not from hell the devil is a niggard
Or has given all before and he begins
A new hell in himself
BUCKINGHAM
Why the devil
Upon this French goingout took he upon him
Without the privity o th King t appoint
Who should attend on him He makes up the file
Of all the gentry for the most part such
To whom as great a charge as little honour
He meant to lay upon and his own letter
The honourable board of council out
Must fetch him in he papers
ABERGAVENNY
I do know
Kinsmen of mine three at the least that have
By this so sickened their estates that never
They shall abound as formerly
BUCKINGHAM
O many
Have broke their backs with laying manors on em
For this great journey What did this vanity
But minister communication of
A most poor issue
NORFOLK
Grievingly I think
The peace between the French and us not values
The cost that did conclude it
BUCKINGHAM
Every man
After the hideous storm that followed was
A thing inspired and not consulting broke
Into a general prophecy that this tempest
Dashing the garment of this peace aboded
The sudden breach ont
NORFOLK
Which is budded out
For France hath flawed the league and hath attached
Our merchants goods at Bordeaux
ABERGAVENNY
Is it therefore
Th ambassador is silenced
NORFOLK
Marry ist
ABERGAVENNY
A proper title of a peace and purchased
At a superfluous rate
BUCKINGHAM
Why all this business
Our reverend Cardinal carried
NORFOLK
Like it your Grace
The state takes notice of the private difference
Betwixt you and the Cardinal I advise you
And take it from a heart that wishes towards you
Honour and plenteous safetythat you read
The Cardinals malice and his potency
Together to consider further that
What his high hatred would effect wants not
A minister in his power You know his nature
That hes revengeful and I know his sword
Hath a sharp edge its long and t may be said
It reaches far and where twill not extend
Thither he darts it Bosom up my counsel
Youll find it wholesome Lo where comes that rock
That I advise your shunning
Enter Cardinal Wolsey the purse borne before him certain of the Guard and two Secretaries with papers The Cardinal in his passage fixeth his eye on Buckingham and Buckingham on him both full of disdain
WOLSEY
The Duke of Buckinghams surveyor ha
Wheres his examination
SECRETARY
Here so please you
WOLSEY
Is he in person ready
SECRETARY
Ay please your Grace
WOLSEY
Well we shall then know more and Buckingham
Shall lessen this big look
Exeunt Cardinal Wolsey and his train
BUCKINGHAM
This butchers cur is venommouthed and I
Have not the power to muzzle him therefore best
Not wake him in his slumber A beggars book
Outworths a nobles blood
NORFOLK
What are you chafed
Ask God for temprance Thats the appliance only
Which your disease requires
BUCKINGHAM
I read in s looks
Matter against me and his eye reviled
Me as his abject object At this instant
He bores me with some trick Hes gone to th King
Ill follow and outstare him
NORFOLK
Stay my lord
And let your reason with your choler question
What tis you go about To climb steep hills
Requires slow pace at first Anger is like
A full hot horse who being allowed his way
Selfmettle tires him Not a man in England
Can advise me like you be to yourself
As you would to your friend
BUCKINGHAM
Ill to the King
And from a mouth of honour quite cry down
This Ipswich fellows insolence or proclaim
Theres difference in no persons
NORFOLK
Be advised
Heat not a furnace for your foe so hot
That it do singe yourself We may outrun
By violent swiftness that which we run at
And lose by overrunning Know you not
The fire that mounts the liquor till t run oer
In seeming to augment it wastes it Be advised
I say again there is no English soul
More stronger to direct you than yourself
If with the sap of reason you would quench
Or but allay the fire of passion
BUCKINGHAM
Sir
I am thankful to you and Ill go along
By your prescription but this topproud fellow
Whom from the flow of gall I name not but
From sincere motionsby intelligence
And proofs as clear as founts in July when
We see each grain of gravel I do know
To be corrupt and treasonous
NORFOLK
Say not treasonous
BUCKINGHAM
To th King Ill sayt and make my vouch as strong
As shore of rock Attend This holy fox
Or wolf or bothfor he is equal ravenous
As he is subtle and as prone to mischief
As able to performt his mind and place
Infecting one another yea reciprocally
Only to show his pomp as well in France
As here at home suggests the King our master
To this last costly treaty th interview
That swallowed so much treasure and like a glass
Did break i th rinsing
NORFOLK
Faith and so it did
BUCKINGHAM
Pray give me favour sir This cunning Cardinal
The articles o th combination drew
As himself pleased and they were ratified
As he cried Thus let be to as much end
As give a crutch to the dead But our CountCardinal
Has done this and tis well for worthy Wolsey
Who cannot err he did it Now this follows
Which as I take it is a kind of puppy
To the old dam treasonCharles the Emperor
Under pretence to see the Queen his aunt
For twas indeed his colour but he came
To whisper Wolseyhere makes visitation
His fears were that the interview betwixt
England and France might through their amity
Breed him some prejudice for from this league
Peeped harms that menaced him He privily
Deals with our Cardinal and as I trow
Which I do well for I am sure the Emperor
Paid ere he promised whereby his suit was granted
Ere it was asked But when the way was made
And paved with gold the Emperor thus desired
That he would please to alter the Kings course
And break the foresaid peace Let the King know
As soon he shall by me that thus the Cardinal
Does buy and sell his honour as he pleases
And for his own advantage
NORFOLK
I am sorry
To hear this of him and could wish he were
Something mistaken int
BUCKINGHAM
No not a syllable
I do pronounce him in that very shape
He shall appear in proof
Enter Brandon a Sergeantatarms before him and two or three of the Guard
BRANDON
Your office sergeant execute it
SERGEANT
Sir
My lord the Duke of Buckingham and Earl
Of Hereford Stafford and Northampton I
Arrest thee of high treason in the name
Of our most sovereign King
BUCKINGHAM
Lo you my lord
The net has falln upon me I shall perish
Under device and practice
BRANDON
I am sorry
To see you taen from liberty to look on
The business present Tis his Highness pleasure
You shall to th Tower
BUCKINGHAM
It will help nothing
To plead mine innocence for that dye is on me
Which makes my whitst part black The will of heaven
Be done in this and all things I obey
O my Lord Abergavenny fare you well
BRANDON
Nay he must bear you company
To Abergavenny The King
Is pleased you shall to th Tower till you know
How he determines further
ABERGAVENNY
As the Duke said
The will of heaven be done and the Kings pleasure
By me obeyed
BRANDON
Here is warrant from
The King t attach Lord Montague and the bodies
Of the Dukes confessor John de la Car
One Gilbert Peck his chancellor
BUCKINGHAM
So so
These are the limbs o th plot No more I hope
BRANDON
A monk o th Chartreux
BUCKINGHAM
O Nicholas Hopkins
BRANDON
He
BUCKINGHAM
My surveyor is false The oergreat Cardinal
Hath showed him gold My life is spanned already
I am the shadow of poor Buckingham
Whose figure even this instant cloud puts on
By darkning my clear sun My lord farewell
Exeunt
SCENE II The same The councilchamber
Cornets Enter King Henry leaning on the Cardinals shoulder the Nobles and Sir Thomas Lovell the Cardinal places himself under the Kings feet on his right side
KING
My life itself and the best heart of it
Thanks you for this great care I stood i th level
Of a fullcharged confederacy and give thanks
To you that choked it Let be called before us
That gentleman of Buckinghams in person
Ill hear his confessions justify
And point by point the treasons of his master
He shall again relate
A noise within crying Room for the Queen Enter Queen Katherine ushered by the Duke of Norfolk and the Duke of Suffolk She kneels The King riseth from his state takes her up and kisses her
QUEEN KATHERINE
Nay we must longer kneel I am a suitor
KING
Arise and take place by us
He placeth her by him
Half your suit
Never name to us you have half our power
The other moiety ere you ask is given
Repeat your will and take it
QUEEN KATHERINE
Thank your Majesty
That you would love yourself and in that love
Not unconsidered leave your honour nor
The dignity of your office is the point
Of my petition
KING
Lady mine proceed
QUEEN KATHERINE
I am solicited not by a few
And those of true condition that your subjects
Are in great grievance There have been commissions
Sent down among em which hath flawed the heart
Of all their loyalties wherein although
My good Lord Cardinal they vent reproaches
Most bitterly on you as putteron
Of these exactions yet the King our master
Whose honour heaven shield from soil even he escapes not
Language unmannerly yea such which breaks
The sides of loyalty and almost appears
In loud rebellion
NORFOLK
Not almost appears
It doth appear for upon these taxations
The clothiers all not able to maintain
The many to them longing have put off
The spinsters carders fullers weavers who
Unfit for other life compelled by hunger
And lack of other means in desperate manner
Daring the event to th teeth are all in uproar
And danger serves among them
KING
Taxation
Wherein And what taxation My Lord Cardinal
You that are blamed for it alike with us
Know you of this taxation
WOLSEY
Please you sir
I know but of a single part in aught
Pertains to th state and front but in that file
Where others tell steps with me
QUEEN KATHERINE
No my lord
You know no more than others But you frame
Things that are known alike which are not wholesome
To those which would not know them and yet must
Perforce be their acquaintance These exactions
Whereof my sovereign would have note they are
Most pestilent to the hearing and to bear em
The back is sacrifice to the load They say
They are devised by you or else you suffer
Too hard an exclamation
KING
Still exaction
The nature of it In what kind lets know
Is this exaction
QUEEN KATHERINE
I am much too venturous
In tempting of your patience but am boldened
Under your promised pardon The subjects grief
Comes through commissions which compels from each
The sixth part of his substance to be levied
Without delay and the pretence for this
Is named your wars in France This makes bold mouths
Tongues spit their duties out and cold hearts freeze
Allegiance in them Their curses now
Live where their prayers did and its come to pass
This tractable obedience is a slave
To each incensed will I would your Highness
Would give it quick consideration for
There is no primer business
KING
By my life
This is against our pleasure
WOLSEY
And for me
I have no further gone in this than by
A single voice and that not passed me but
By learned approbation of the judges If I am
Traduced by ignorant tongues which neither know
My faculties nor person yet will be
The chronicles of my doing let me say
Tis but the fate of place and the rough brake
That virtue must go through We must not stint
Our necessary actions in the fear
To cope malicious censurers which ever
As ravenous fishes do a vessel follow
That is newtrimmed but benefit no further
Than vainly longing What we oft do best
By sick interpreters once weak ones is
Not ours or not allowed what worst as oft
Hitting a grosser quality is cried up
For our best act If we shall stand still
In fear our motion will be mocked or carped at
We should take root here where we sit
Or sit statestatues only
KING
Things done well
And with a care exempt themselves from fear
Things done without example in their issue
Are to be feared Have you a precedent
Of this commission I believe not any
We must not rend our subjects from our laws
And stick them in our will Sixth part of each
A trembling contribution Why we take
From every tree lop bark and part o t timber
And though we leave it with a root thus hacked
The air will drink the sap To every county
Where this is questioned send our letters with
Free pardon to each man that has denied
The force of this commission Pray look tot
I put it to your care
WOLSEY
Aside to his Secretary A word with you
Let there be letters writ to every shire
Of the Kings grace and pardon The grieved commons
Hardly conceive of me Let it be noised
That through our intercession this revokement
And pardon comes I shall anon advise you
Further in the proceeding
Exit Secretary
Enter Surveyor
QUEEN KATHERINE
I am sorry that the Duke of Buckingham
Is run in your displeasure
KING
It grieves many
The gentleman is learned and a most rare speaker
To nature none more bound his training such
That he may furnish and instruct great teachers
And never seek for aid out of himself Yet see
When these so noble benefits shall prove
Not well disposed the mind growing once corrupt
They turn to vicious forms ten times more ugly
Than ever they were fair This man so complete
Who was enrolled mongst wonders and when we
Almost with ravished listning could not find
His hour of speech a minutehe my lady
Hath into monstrous habits put the graces
That once were his and is become as black
As if besmeared in hell Sit by us You shall hear
This was his gentleman in trustof him
Things to strike honour sad Bid him recount
The forerecited practices whereof
We cannot feel too little hear too much
WOLSEY
Stand forth and with bold spirit relate what you
Most like a careful subject have collected
Out of the Duke of Buckingham
KING
Speak freely
SURVEYOR
First it was usual with himevery day
It would infect his speechthat if the King
Should without issue die hell carry it so
To make the sceptre his These very words
Ive heard him utter to his soninlaw
Lord Abergavenny to whom by oath he menaced
Revenge upon the Cardinal
WOLSEY
Please your Highness note
This dangerous conception in this point
Not friended by his wish to your high person
His will is most malignant and it stretches
Beyond you to your friends
QUEEN KATHERINE
My learned Lord Cardinal
Deliver all with charity
KING
Speak on
How grounded he his title to the crown
Upon our fail To this point hast thou heard him
At any time speak aught
SURVEYOR
He was brought to this
By a vain prophecy of Nicholas Henton
KING
What was that Henton
SURVEYOR
Sir a Chartreux friar
His confessor who fed him every minute
With words of sovereignty
KING
How knowst thou this
SURVEYOR
Not long before your Highness sped to France
The Duke being at the Rose within the parish
Saint Laurence Poultney did of me demand
What was the speech among the Londoners
Concerning the French journey I replied
Men fear the French would prove perfidious
To the Kings danger Presently the Duke
Said twas the fear indeed and that he doubted
Twould prove the verity of certain words
Spoke by a holy monk that oft says he
Hath sent to me wishing me to permit
John de la Car my chaplain a choice hour
To hear from him a matter of some moment
Whom after under the confessions seal
He solemnly had sworn that what he spoke
My chaplain to no creature living but
To me should utter with demure confidence
This pausingly ensued Neither the King nors heirs
Tell you the Dukeshall prosper Bid him strive
To gain the love o th commonalty The Duke
Shall govern England
QUEEN KATHERINE
If I know you well
You were the Dukes surveyor and lost your office
On the complaint o th tenants Take good heed
You charge not in your spleen a noble person
And spoil your nobler soul I say take heed
Yes heartily beseech you
KING
Let him on
Go forward
SURVEYOR
On my soul Ill speak but truth
I told my lord the Duke by th devils illusions
The monk might be deceived and that twas dangerous
For him to ruminate on this so far until
It forged him some design which being believed
It was much like to do He answered Tush
It can do me no damage adding further
That had the King in his last sickness failed
The Cardinals and Sir Thomas Lovells heads
Should have gone off
KING
Ha What so rank Ah ha
Theres mischief in this man Canst thou say further
SURVEYOR
I can my liege
KING
Proceed
SURVEYOR
Being at Greenwich
After your Highness had reproved the Duke
About Sir William Bulmer
KING
I remember
Of such a time being my sworn servant
The Duke retained him his But on What hence
SURVEYOR
If quoth he I for this had been committed
As to the Tower I thought I would have played
The part my father meant to act upon
Th usurper Richard who being at Salisbury
Made suit to come in s presence which if granted
As he made semblance of his duty would
Have put his knife into him
KING
A giant traitor
WOLSEY
Now madam may his Highness live in freedom
And this man out of prison
QUEEN KATHERINE
God mend all
KING
Theres something more would out of thee What sayst
SURVEYOR
After the Duke his father with the knife
He stretched him and with one hand on his dagger
Another spread on s breast mounting his eyes
He did discharge a horrible oath whose tenour
Was were he evil used he would outgo
His father by as much as a performance
Does an irresolute purpose
KING
Theres his period
To sheathe his knife in us He is attached
Call him to present trial If he may
Find mercy in the law tis his if none
Let him not seek t of us By day and night
Hes traitor to th height
Exeunt
SCENE III An antechamber in the palace
Enter Lord Chamberlain and Lord Sandys
CHAMBERLAIN
Ist possible the spells of France should juggle
Men into such strange mysteries
SANDYS
New customs
Though they be never so ridiculous
Nay let em be unmanlyyet are followed
CHAMBERLAIN
As far as I see all the good our English
Have got by the late voyage is but merely
A fit or two o th face but they are shrewd ones
For when they hold em you would swear directly
Their very noses had been counsellors
To Pepin or Clotharius they keep state so
SANDYS
They have all new legs and lame ones One would take it
That never saw em pace before the spavin
Or springhalt reigned among em
CHAMBERLAIN
Death My lord
Their clothes are after such a pagan cut tot
That sure theyve worn out Christendom
Enter Sir Thomas Lovell
How now
What news Sir Thomas Lovell
LOVELL
Faith my lord
I hear of none but the new proclamation
Thats clapped upon the court gate
CHAMBERLAIN
What ist for
LOVELL
The reformation of our travelled gallants
That fill the court with quarrels talk and tailors
CHAMBERLAIN
Im glad tis there Now I would pray our monsieurs
To think an English courtier may be wise
And never see the Louvre
LOVELL
They must either
For so run the conditions leave those remnants
Of fool and feather that they got in France
With all their honourable points of ignorance
Pertaining thereunto as fights and fireworks
Abusing better men than they can be
Out of a foreign wisdom renouncing clean
The faith they have in tennis and tall stockings
Short blistered breeches and those types of travel
And understand again like honest men
Or pack to their old playfellows There I take it
They may cum privilegio oui away
The lag end of their lewdness and be laughed at
SANDYS
Tis time to give em physic their diseases
Are grown so catching
CHAMBERLAIN
What a loss our ladies
Will have of these trim vanities
LOVELL
Ay marry
There will be woe indeed lords The sly whoresons
Have got a speeding trick to lay down ladies
A French song and a fiddle has no fellow
SANDYS
The devil fiddle em I am glad they are going
For sure theres no converting of em Now
An honest country lord as I am beaten
A long time out of play may bring his plainsong
And have an hour of hearing and by r Lady
Held current music too
CHAMBERLAIN
Well said Lord Sandys
Your colts tooth is not cast yet
SANDYS
No my lord
Nor shall not while I have a stump
CHAMBERLAIN
Sir Thomas
Whither were you agoing
LOVELL
To the Cardinals
Your lordship is a guest too
CHAMBERLAIN
O tis true
This night he makes a supper and a great one
To many lords and ladies There will be
The beauty of this kingdom Ill assure you
LOVELL
That churchman bears a bounteous mind indeed
A hand as fruitful as the land that feeds us
His dews fall everywhere
CHAMBERLAIN
No doubt hes noble
He had a black mouth that said other of him
SANDYS
He may my lord has wherewithal In him
Sparing would show a worse sin than ill doctrine
Men of his way should be most liberal
They are set here for examples
CHAMBERLAIN
True they are so
But few now give so great ones My barge stays
Your lordship shall along Come good Sir Thomas
We shall be late else which I would not be
For I was spoke to with Sir Henry Guildford
This night to be comptrollers
SANDYS
I am your lordships
Exeunt
SCENE IV A Hall in York Place
Hautboys A small table under a state for the Cardinal a longer table for the guests Then enter Anne Bullen and divers other Ladies and Gentlemen as guests at one door At another door enter Sir Henry Guildford
GUILDFORD
Ladies a general welcome from his Grace
Salutes ye all This night he dedicates
To fair content and you None here he hopes
In all this noble bevy has brought with her
One care abroad He would have all as merry
As first good company good wine good welcome
Can make good people
Enter Lord Chamberlain Lord Sandys and Sir Thomas Lovell
O my lord youre tardy
The very thought of this fair company
Clapped wings to me
CHAMBERLAIN
You are young Sir Harry Guildford
SANDYS
Sir Thomas Lovell had the Cardinal
But half my lay thoughts in him some of these
Should find a running banquet ere they rested
I think would better please em By my life
They are a sweet society of fair ones
LOVELL
O that your lordship were but now confessor
To one or two of these
SANDYS
I would I were
They should find easy penance
LOVELL
Faith how easy
SANDYS
As easy as a down bed would afford it
CHAMBERLAIN
Sweet ladies will it please you sit Sir Harry
Place you that side Ill take the charge of this
His Grace is entring Nay you must not freeze
Two women placed together makes cold weather
My Lord Sandys you are one will keep em waking
Pray sit between these ladies
SANDYS
By my faith
And thank your lordship By your leave sweet ladies
If I chance to talk a little wild forgive me
I had it from my father
ANNE
Was he mad sir
SANDYS
O very mad exceeding mad in love too
But he would bite none Just as I do now
He would kiss you twenty with a breath
Kisses her
CHAMBERLAIN
Well said my lord
So now youre fairly seated gentlemen
The penance lies on you if these fair ladies
Pass away frowning
SANDYS
For my little cure
Let me alone
Hautboys Enter Cardinal Wolsey and takes his state
WOLSEY
Youre welcome my fair guests That noble lady
Or gentleman that is not freely merry
Is not my friend This to confirm my welcome
And to you all good health
Drinks
SANDYS
Your Grace is noble
Let me have such a bowl may hold my thanks
And save me so much talking
WOLSEY
My Lord Sandys
I am beholding to you Cheer your neighbours
Ladies you are not merry Gentlemen
Whose fault is this
SANDYS
The red wine first must rise
In their fair cheeks my lord then we shall have em
Talk us to silence
ANNE
You are a merry gamester
My Lord Sandys
SANDYS
Yes if I make my play
Heres to your ladyship and pledge it madam
For tis to such a thing
ANNE
You cannot show me
SANDYS
I told your Grace they would talk anon
Drum and trumpet Chambers discharged
WOLSEY
Whats that
CHAMBERLAIN
Look out there some of ye
Exit Servant
WOLSEY
What warlike voice
And to what end is this Nay ladies fear not
By all the laws of war youre privileged
Enter Servant
CHAMBERLAIN
How now what ist
SERVANT
A noble troop of strangers
For so they seem Theyve left their barge and landed
And hither make as great ambassadors
From foreign princes
WOLSEY
Good Lord Chamberlain
Go give em welcomeyou can speak the French tongue
And pray receive em nobly and conduct em
Into our presence where this heaven of beauty
Shall shine at full upon them Some attend him
Exit Chamberlain attended All rise and tables removed
You have now a broken banquet but well mend it
A good digestion to you all and once more
I shower a welcome on ye Welcome all
Hautboys Enter King and others as masquers habited like shepherds ushered by the Lord Chamberlain They pass directly before the Cardinal and gracefully salute him
A noble company What are their pleasures
CHAMBERLAIN
Because they speak no English thus they prayed
To tell your Grace that having heard by fame
Of this so noble and so fair assembly
This night to meet here they could do no less
Out of the great respect they bear to beauty
But leave their flocks and under your fair conduct
Crave leave to view these ladies and entreat
An hour of revels with em
WOLSEY
Say Lord Chamberlain
They have done my poor house grace for which I pay em
A thousand thanks and pray em take their pleasures
The masquers choose ladies The King chooses Anne Bullen
KING
The fairest hand I ever touched O beauty
Till now I never knew thee
Music Dance
WOLSEY
My lord
CHAMBERLAIN
Your Grace
WOLSEY
Pray tell em thus much from me
There should be one amongst em by his person
More worthy this place than myself to whom
If I but knew him with my love and duty
I would surrender it
CHAMBERLAIN
I will my lord
Whispers with the Masquers
WOLSEY
What say they
CHAMBERLAIN
Such a one they all confess
There is indeed which they would have your Grace
Find out and he will take it
WOLSEY
Let me see then
By all your good leaves gentlemen here Ill make
My royal choice
KING
Unmasking Ye have found him Cardinal
You hold a fair assembly you do well lord
You are a churchman or Ill tell you Cardinal
I should judge now unhappily
WOLSEY
I am glad
Your Grace is grown so pleasant
KING
My Lord Chamberlain
Prithee come hither What fair ladys that
CHAMBERLAIN
Ant please your Grace Sir Thomas Bullens daughter
The Viscount Rochford one of her Highness women
KING
By heaven she is a dainty one Sweetheart
I were unmannerly to take you out
And not to kiss you A health gentlemen
Let it go round
WOLSEY
Sir Thomas Lovell is the banquet ready
I th privy chamber
LOVELL
Yes my lord
WOLSEY
Your Grace
I fear with dancing is a little heated
KING
I fear too much
WOLSEY
Theres fresher air my lord
In the next chamber
KING
Lead in your ladies every one Sweet partner
I must not yet forsake you Lets be merry
Good my Lord Cardinal I have half a dozen healths
To drink to these fair ladies and a measure
To lead em once again and then lets dream
Whos best in favour Let the music knock it
Exeunt with trumpets
ACT II
SCENE I Westminster A street
Enter two Gentlemen at several doors
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Whither away so fast
SECOND GENTLEMAN
O God save ye
Even to the Hall to hear what shall become
Of the great Duke of Buckingham
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Ill save you
That labour sir Alls now done but the ceremony
Of bringing back the prisoner
SECOND GENTLEMAN
Were you there
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Yes indeed was I
SECOND GENTLEMAN
Pray speak what has happened
FIRST GENTLEMAN
You may guess quickly what
SECOND GENTLEMAN
Is he found guilty
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Yes truly is he and condemned upont
SECOND GENTLEMAN
I am sorry fort
FIRST GENTLEMAN
So are a number more
SECOND GENTLEMAN
But pray how passed it
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Ill tell you in a little The great Duke
Came to the bar where to his accusations
He pleaded still not guilty and alleged
Many sharp reasons to defeat the law
The Kings attorney on the contrary
Urged on the examinations proofs confessions
Of divers witnesses which the Duke desired
To have brought viva voce to his face
At which appeared against him his surveyor
Sir Gilbert Peck his chancellor and John Car
Confessor to him with that devil monk
Hopkins that made this mischief
SECOND GENTLEMAN
That was he
That fed him with his prophecies
FIRST GENTLEMAN
The same
All these accused him strongly which he fain
Would have flung from him but indeed he could not
And so his peers upon this evidence
Have found him guilty of high treason Much
He spoke and learnedly for life but all
Was either pitied in him or forgotten
SECOND GENTLEMAN
After all this how did he bear himself
FIRST GENTLEMAN
When he was brought again to th bar to hear
His knell rung out his judgement he was stirred
With such an agony he sweat extremely
And something spoke in choler ill and hasty
But he fell to himself again and sweetly
In all the rest showed a most noble patience
SECOND GENTLEMAN
I do not think he fears death
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Sure he does not
He never was so womanish The cause
He may a little grieve at
SECOND GENTLEMAN
Certainly
The Cardinal is the end of this
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Tis likely
By all conjectures first Kildares attainder
Then deputy of Ireland who removed
Earl Surrey was sent thither and in haste too
Lest he should help his father
SECOND GENTLEMAN
That trick of state
Was a deep envious one
FIRST GENTLEMAN
At his return
No doubt he will requite it This is noted
And generally whoever the King favours
The Cardinal instantly will find employment
And far enough from court too
SECOND GENTLEMAN
All the commons
Hate him perniciously and o my conscience
Wish him ten fathom deep This duke as much
They love and dote on call him bounteous Buckingham
The mirror of all courtesy
Enter Buckingham from his arraignment Tipstaves before him the axe with the edge towards him Halberds on each side accompanied with Sir Thomas Lovell Sir Nicholas Vaux Sir William Sandys and common people
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Stay there sir
And see the noble ruined man you speak of
SECOND GENTLEMAN
Lets stand close and behold him
BUCKINGHAM
All good people
You that thus far have come to pity me
Hear what I say and then go home and lose me
I have this day received a traitors judgement
And by that name must die yet heaven bear witness
And if I have a conscience let it sink me
Even as the axe falls if I be not faithful
The law I bear no malice for my death
T has done upon the premises but justice
But those that sought it I could wish more Christians
Be what they will I heartily forgive em
Yet let em look they glory not in mischief
Nor build their evils on the graves of great men
For then my guiltless blood must cry against em
For further life in this world I neer hope
Nor will I sue although the King have mercies
More than I dare make faults You few that loved me
And dare be bold to weep for Buckingham
His noble friends and fellows whom to leave
Is only bitter to him only dying
Go with me like good angels to my end
And as the long divorce of steel falls on me
Make of your prayers one sweet sacrifice
And lift my soul to heaven Lead on i Gods name
LOVELL
I do beseech your Grace for charity
If ever any malice in your heart
Were hid against me now to forgive me frankly
BUCKINGHAM
Sir Thomas Lovell I as free forgive you
As I would be forgiven I forgive all
There cannot be those numberless offences
Gainst me that I cannot take peace with No black envy
Shall mark my grave Commend me to his Grace
And if he speak of Buckingham pray tell him
You met him half in heaven My vows and prayers
Yet are the Kings and till my soul forsake
Shall cry for blessings on him May he live
Longer than I have time to tell his years
Ever beloved and loving may his rule be
And when old Time shall lead him to his end
Goodness and he fill up one monument
LOVELL
To th waterside I must conduct your Grace
Then give my charge up to Sir Nicholas Vaux
Who undertakes you to your end
VAUX
Prepare there
The Duke is coming See the barge be ready
And fit it with such furniture as suits
The greatness of his person
BUCKINGHAM
Nay Sir Nicholas
Let it alone My state now will but mock me
When I came hither I was Lord High Constable
And Duke of Buckingham now poor Edward Bohun
Yet I am richer than my base accusers
That never knew what truth meant I now seal it
And with that blood will make em one day groan fort
My noble father Henry of Buckingham
Who first raised head against usurping Richard
Flying for succour to his servant Banister
Being distressed was by that wretch betrayed
And without trial fell Gods peace be with him
Henry the Seventh succeeding truly pitying
My fathers loss like a most royal prince
Restored me to my honours and out of ruins
Made my name once more noble Now his son
Henry the Eighth life honour name and all
That made me happy at one stroke has taken
For ever from the world I had my trial
And must needs say a noble one which makes me
A little happier than my wretched father
Yet thus far we are one in fortunes both
Fell by our servants by those men we loved most
A most unnatural and faithless service
Heaven has an end in all yet you that hear me
This from a dying man receive as certain
Where you are liberal of your loves and counsels
Be sure you be not loose for those you make friends
And give your hearts to when they once perceive
The least rub in your fortunes fall away
Like water from ye never found again
But where they mean to sink ye All good people
Pray for me I must now forsake ye The last hour
Of my long weary life is come upon me
Farewell And when you would say something that is sad
Speak how I fell I have done and God forgive me
Exeunt Duke and train
FIRST GENTLEMAN
O this is full of pity Sir it calls
I fear too many curses on their heads
That were the authors
SECOND GENTLEMAN
If the Duke be guiltless
Tis full of woe Yet I can give you inkling
Of an ensuing evil if it fall
Greater than this
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Good angels keep it from us
What may it be You do not doubt my faith sir
SECOND GENTLEMAN
This secret is so weighty twill require
A strong faith to conceal it
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Let me have it
I do not talk much
SECOND GENTLEMAN
I am confident
You shall sir Did you not of late days hear
A buzzing of a separation
Between the King and Katherine
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Yes but it held not
For when the King once heard it out of anger
He sent command to the Lord Mayor straight
To stop the rumour and allay those tongues
That durst disperse it
SECOND GENTLEMAN
But that slander sir
Is found a truth now for it grows again
Fresher than eer it was and held for certain
The King will venture at it Either the Cardinal
Or some about him near have out of malice
To the good Queen possessed him with a scruple
That will undo her To confirm this too
Cardinal Campeius is arrived and lately
As all think for this business
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Tis the Cardinal
And merely to revenge him on the Emperor
For not bestowing on him at his asking
The archbishopric of Toledo this is purposed
SECOND GENTLEMAN
I think you have hit the mark But ist not cruel
That she should feel the smart of this The Cardinal
Will have his will and she must fall
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Tis woeful
We are too open here to argue this
Lets think in private more
Exeunt
SCENE II An antechamber in the palace
Enter Lord Chamberlain reading this letter
CHAMBERLAIN
My lord the horses your lordship sent for with all the care had I saw well chosen ridden and furnished They were young and handsome and of the best breed in the north When they were ready to set out for London a man of my Lord Cardinals by commission and main power took em from me with this reason his master would be served before a subject if not before the King which stopped our mouths sir
I fear he will indeed Well let him have them
He will have all I think
Enter to the Lord Chamberlain the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk
NORFOLK
Well met my Lord Chamberlain
CHAMBERLAIN
Good day to both your Graces
SUFFOLK
How is the King employed
CHAMBERLAIN
I left him private
Full of sad thoughts and troubles
NORFOLK
Whats the cause
CHAMBERLAIN
It seems the marriage with his brothers wife
Has crept too near his conscience
SUFFOLK
No his conscience
Has crept too near another lady
NORFOLK
Tis so
This is the Cardinals doing the kingcardinal
That blind priest like the eldest son of Fortune
Turns what he list The King will know him one day
SUFFOLK
Pray God he do Hell never know himself else
NORFOLK
How holily he works in all his business
And with what zeal For now he has cracked the league
Between us and the Emperor the Queens great nephew
He dives into the Kings soul and there scatters
Dangers doubts wringing of the conscience
Fears and despairsand all these for his marriage
And out of all these to restore the King
He counsels a divorce a loss of her
That like a jewel has hung twenty years
About his neck yet never lost her lustre
Of her that loves him with that excellence
That angels love good men with even of her
That when the greatest stroke of fortune falls
Will bless the King And is not this course pious
CHAMBERLAIN
Heaven keep me from such counsel Tis most true
These news are everywhere every tongue speaks em
And every true heart weeps fort All that dare
Look into these affairs see this main end
The French kings sister Heaven will one day open
The Kings eyes that so long have slept upon
This bold bad man
SUFFOLK
And free us from his slavery
NORFOLK
We had need pray
And heartily for our deliverance
Or this imperious man will work us all
From princes into pages All mens honours
Lie like one lump before him to be fashioned
Into what pitch he please
SUFFOLK
For me my lords
I love him not nor fear him theres my creed
As I am made without him so Ill stand
If the King please His curses and his blessings
Touch me alike theyre breath I not believe in
I knew him and I know him so I leave him
To him that made him proud the Pope
NORFOLK
Lets in
And with some other business put the King
From these sad thoughts that work too much upon him
My lord youll bear us company
CHAMBERLAIN
Excuse me
The King has sent me otherwhere Besides
Youll find a most unfit time to disturb him
Health to your lordships
NORFOLK
Thanks my good Lord Chamberlain
Exit Lord Chamberlain and the King draws the curtain and sits reading pensively
SUFFOLK
How sad he looks Sure he is much afflicted
KING
Whos there Ha
NORFOLK
Pray God he be not angry
KING
Whos there I say How dare you thrust yourselves
Into my private meditations
Who am I Ha
NORFOLK
A gracious king that pardons all offences
Malice neer meant Our breach of duty this way
Is business of estate in which we come
To know your royal pleasure
KING
Ye are too bold
Go to Ill make ye know your times of business
Is this an hour for temporal affairs ha
Enter Wolsey and Campeius with a commission
Whos there My good Lord Cardinal O my Wolsey
The quiet of my wounded conscience
Thou art a cure fit for a king To Campeius Youre welcome
Most learned reverend sir into our kingdom
Use us and it To Wolsey My good lord have great care
I be not found a talker
WOLSEY
Sir you cannot
I would your Grace would give us but an hour
Of private conference
KING
To Norfolk and Suffolk We are busy Go
NORFOLK
Aside to Suffolk This priest has no pride in him
SUFFOLK
Aside to Norfolk Not to speak of
I would not be so sick though for his place
But this cannot continue
NORFOLK
Aside to Suffolk If it do
Ill venture one haveathim
SUFFOLK
Aside to Norfolk I another
Exeunt Norfolk and Suffolk
WOLSEY
Your Grace has given a precedent of wisdom
Above all princes in committing freely
Your scruple to the voice of Christendom
Who can be angry now What envy reach you
The Spaniard tied by blood and favour to her
Must now confess if they have any goodness
The trial just and noble All the clerks
I mean the learned ones in Christian kingdoms
Have their free voices Rome the nurse of judgement
Invited by your noble self hath sent
One general tongue unto us this good man
This just and learned priest Cardinal Campeius
Whom once more I present unto your Highness
KING
And once more in mine arms I bid him welcome
And thank the holy conclave for their loves
They have sent me such a man I would have wished for
CAMPEIUS
Your Grace must needs deserve all strangers loves
You are so noble To your Highness hand
I tender my commission by whose virtue
The court of Rome commanding you my Lord
Cardinal of York are joined with me their servant
In the unpartial judging of this business
KING
Two equal men The Queen shall be acquainted
Forthwith for what you come Wheres Gardiner
WOLSEY
I know your Majesty has always loved her
So dear in heart not to deny her that
A woman of less place might ask by law
Scholars allowed freely to argue for her
KING
Ay and the best she shall have and my favour
To him that does best God forbid else Cardinal
Prithee call Gardiner to me my new secretary
I find him a fit fellow
Enter Gardiner
WOLSEY
Aside to Gardiner
Give me your hand Much joy and favour to you
You are the Kings now
GARDINER
Aside to Wolsey But to be commanded
For ever by your Grace whose hand has raised me
KING
Come hither Gardiner
The King and Gardiner walk and whisper
CAMPEIUS
My lord of York was not one Doctor Pace
In this mans place before him
WOLSEY
Yes he was
CAMPEIUS
Was he not held a learned man
WOLSEY
Yes surely
CAMPEIUS
Believe me theres an ill opinion spread then
Even of yourself Lord Cardinal
WOLSEY
How Of me
CAMPEIUS
They will not stick to say you envied him
And fearing he would risehe was so virtuous
Kept him a foreign man still which so grieved him
That he ran mad and died
WOLSEY
Heavns peace be with him
Thats Christian care enough For living murmurers
Theres places of rebuke He was a fool
For he would needs be virtuous That good fellow
If I command him follows my appointment
I will have none so near else Learn this brother
We live not to be griped by meaner persons
KING
Deliver this with modesty to th Queen
Exit Gardiner
The most convenient place that I can think of
For such receipt of learning is Blackfriars
There ye shall meet about this weighty business
My Wolsey see it furnished O my lord
Would it not grieve an able man to leave
So sweet a bedfellow But conscience conscience
O tis a tender place and I must leave her
Exeunt
SCENE III An antechamber of the Queens apartments
Enter Anne Bullen and an Old Lady
ANNE
Not for that neither Heres the pang that pinches
His Highness having lived so long with her and she
So good a lady that no tongue could ever
Pronounce dishonour of herby my life
She never knew harmdoingO now after
So many courses of the sun enthroned
Still growing in a majesty and pomp the which
To leave a thousandfold more bitter than
Tis sweet at first t acquireafter this process
To give her the avaunt it is a pity
Would move a monster
OLD LADY
Hearts of most hard temper
Melt and lament for her
ANNE
O Gods will Much better
She neer had known pomp thought be temporal
Yet if that quarrel Fortune do divorce
It from the bearer tis a sufferance panging
As soul and bodys severing
OLD LADY
Alas poor lady
Shes a stranger now again
ANNE
So much the more
Must pity drop upon her Verily
I swear tis better to be lowly born
And range with humble livers in content
Than to be perked up in a glistring grief
And wear a golden sorrow
OLD LADY
Our content
Is our best having
ANNE
By my troth and maidenhead
I would not be a queen
OLD LADY
Beshrew me I would
And venture maidenhead fort and so would you
For all this spice of your hypocrisy
You that have so fair parts of woman on you
Have too a womans heart which ever yet
Affected eminence wealth sovereignty
Which to say sooth are blessings and which gifts
Saving your mincing the capacity
Of your soft cheveril conscience would receive
If you might please to stretch it
ANNE
Nay good troth
OLD LADY
Yes troth and troth You would not be a queen
ANNE
No not for all the riches under heaven
OLD LADY
Tis strange A threepence bowed would hire me
Old as I am to queen it But I pray you
What think you of a duchess Have you limbs
To bear that load of title
ANNE
No in truth
OLD LADY
Then you are weakly made Pluck off a little
I would not be a young count in your way
For more than blushing comes to If your back
Cannot vouchsafe this burden tis too weak
Ever to get a boy
ANNE
How you do talk
I swear again I would not be a queen
For all the world
OLD LADY
In faith for little England
Youd venture an emballing I myself
Would for Caernarfonshire although there longed
No more to th crown but that Lo who comes here
Enter Lord Chamberlain
CHAMBERLAIN
Good morrow ladies What weret worth to know
The secret of your conference
ANNE
My good lord
Not your demand it values not your asking
Our mistress sorrows we were pitying
CHAMBERLAIN
It was a gentle business and becoming
The action of good women There is hope
All will be well
ANNE
Now I pray God amen
CHAMBERLAIN
You bear a gentle mind and heavenly blessings
Follow such creatures That you may fair lady
Perceive I speak sincerely and high notes
Taen of your many virtues the Kings Majesty
Commends his good opinion of you and
Does purpose honour to you no less flowing
Than Marchioness of Pembroke to which title
A thousand pound a year annual support
Out of his grace he adds
ANNE
I do not know
What kind of my obedience I should tender
More than my all is nothing nor my prayers
Are not words duly hallowed nor my wishes
More worth than empty vanities yet prayers and wishes
Are all I can return Beseech your lordship
Vouchsafe to speak my thanks and my obedience
As from a blushing handmaid to his Highness
Whose health and royalty I pray for
CHAMBERLAIN
Lady
I shall not fail t approve the fair conceit
The King hath of you Aside I have perused her well
Beauty and honour in her are so mingled
That they have caught the King and who knows yet
But from this lady may proceed a gem
To lighten all this isle Ill to the King
And say I spoke with you
ANNE
My honoured lord
Exit Lord Chamberlain
OLD LADY
Why this it is see see
I have been begging sixteen years in court
Am yet a courtier beggarly nor could
Come pat betwixt too early and too late
For any suit of pounds and you O fate
A very fresh fish herefie fie fie upon
This compelled fortunehave your mouth filled up
Before you open it
ANNE
This is strange to me
OLD LADY
How tastes it Is it bitter Forty pence no
There was a lady oncetis an old story
That would not be a queen that would she not
For all the mud in Egypt Have you heard it
ANNE
Come you are pleasant
OLD LADY
With your theme I could
Oermount the lark The Marchioness of Pembroke
A thousand pounds a year for pure respect
No other obligation By my life
That promises more thousands honours train
Is longer than his foreskirt By this time
I know your back will bear a duchess Say
Are you not stronger than you were
ANNE
Good lady
Make yourself mirth with your particular fancy
And leave me out ont Would I had no being
If this salute my blood a jot It faints me
To think what follows
The Queen is comfortless and we forgetful
In our long absence Pray do not deliver
What here youve heard to her
OLD LADY
What do you think me
Exeunt
SCENE IV A hall in Blackfriars
Trumpets sennet and cornets Enter two Vergers with short silver wands next them two Scribes in the habit of doctors after them the Archbishop of Canterbury alone after him the Bishops of Lincoln Ely Rochester and Saint Asaph next them with some small distance follows a Gentleman bearing the purse with the great seal and a cardinals hat then two Priests bearing each a silver cross then a Gentleman Usher bareheaded accompanied with a Sergeantatarms bearing a silver mace then two Gentlemen bearing two great silver pillars after them side by side the two Cardinals two Noblemen with the sword and mace The King takes place under the cloth of state The two Cardinals sit under him as judges The Queen takes place some distance from the King The Bishops place themselves on each side the court in manner of consistory below them the Scribes The Lords sit next the Bishops The rest of the Attendants stand in convenient order about the stage
WOLSEY
Whilst our commission from Rome is read
Let silence be commanded
KING
Whats the need
It hath already publicly been read
And on all sides th authority allowed
You may then spare that time
WOLSEY
Bet so Proceed
SCRIBE
Say Henry King of England come into the court
CRIER
Henry King of England come into the court
KING
Here
SCRIBE
Say Katherine Queen of England come into the court
CRIER
Katherine Queen of England come into the court
The Queen makes no answer rises out of her chair goes about the court comes to the King and kneels at his feet then speaks
QUEEN KATHERINE
Sir I desire you do me right and justice
And to bestow your pity on me for
I am a most poor woman and a stranger
Born out of your dominions having here
No judge indifferent nor no more assurance
Of equal friendship and proceeding Alas sir
In what have I offended you What cause
Hath my behaviour given to your displeasure
That thus you should proceed to put me off
And take your good grace from me Heaven witness
I have been to you a true and humble wife
At all times to your will conformable
Ever in fear to kindle your dislike
Yea subject to your countenance glad or sorry
As I saw it inclined When was the hour
I ever contradicted your desire
Or made it not mine too Or which of your friends
Have I not strove to love although I knew
He were mine enemy What friend of mine
That had to him derived your anger did I
Continue in my liking Nay gave notice
He was from thence discharged Sir call to mind
That I have been your wife in this obedience
Upward of twenty years and have been blessed
With many children by you If in the course
And process of this time you can report
And prove it too against mine honour aught
My bond to wedlock or my love and duty
Against your sacred person in Gods name
Turn me away and let the foulst contempt
Shut door upon me and so give me up
To the sharpst kind of justice Please you sir
The King your father was reputed for
A prince most prudent of an excellent
And unmatched wit and judgement Ferdinand
My father King of Spain was reckoned one
The wisest prince that there had reigned by many
A year before It is not to be questioned
That they had gathered a wise council to them
Of every realm that did debate this business
Who deemed our marriage lawful Wherefore I humbly
Beseech you sir to spare me till I may
Be by my friends in Spain advised whose counsel
I will implore If not i th name of God
Your pleasure be fulfilled
WOLSEY
You have here lady
And of your choice these reverend fathers men
Of singular integrity and learning
Yea the elect o th land who are assembled
To plead your cause It shall be therefore bootless
That longer you desire the court as well
For your own quiet as to rectify
What is unsettled in the King
CAMPEIUS
His Grace
Hath spoken well and justly Therefore madam
Its fit this royal session do proceed
And that without delay their arguments
Be now produced and heard
QUEEN KATHERINE
Lord Cardinal
To you I speak
WOLSEY
Your pleasure madam
QUEEN KATHERINE
Sir
I am about to weep but thinking that
We are a queen or long have dreamed so certain
The daughter of a king my drops of tears
Ill turn to sparks of fire
WOLSEY
Be patient yet
QUEEN KATHERINE
I will when you are humble nay before
Or God will punish me I do believe
Induced by potent circumstances that
You are mine enemy and make my challenge
You shall not be my judge for it is you
Have blown this coal betwixt my lord and me
Which Gods dew quench Therefore I say again
I utterly abhor yea from my soul
Refuse you for my judge whom yet once more
I hold my most malicious foe and think not
At all a friend to truth
WOLSEY
I do profess
You speak not like yourself who ever yet
Have stood to charity and displayed th effects
Of disposition gentle and of wisdom
Oertopping womans power Madam you do me wrong
I have no spleen against you nor injustice
For you or any How far I have proceeded
Or how far further shall is warranted
By a commission from the Consistory
Yea the whole Consistory of Rome You charge me
That I have blown this coal I do deny it
The King is present If it be known to him
That I gainsay my deed how may he wound
And worthily my falsehood yea as much
As you have done my truth If he know
That I am free of your report he knows
I am not of your wrong Therefore in him
It lies to cure me and the cure is to
Remove these thoughts from you the which before
His Highness shall speak in I do beseech
You gracious madam to unthink your speaking
And to say so no more
QUEEN KATHERINE
My lord my lord
I am a simple woman much too weak
T oppose your cunning Youre meek and humblemouthed
You sign your place and calling in full seeming
With meekness and humility but your heart
Is crammed with arrogancy spleen and pride
You have by fortune and his Highness favours
Gone slightly oer low steps and now are mounted
Where powers are your retainers and your words
Domestics to you serve your will as t please
Yourself pronounce their office I must tell you
You tender more your persons honour than
Your high profession spiritual that again
I do refuse you for my judge and here
Before you all appeal unto the Pope
To bring my whole cause fore his Holiness
And to be judged by him
She curtsies to the King and offers to depart
CAMPEIUS
The Queen is obstinate
Stubborn to justice apt to accuse it and
Disdainful to be tried byt Tis not well
Shes going away
KING
Call her again
CRIER
Katherine Queen of England come into the court
GENTLEMAN USHER
Madam you are called back
QUEEN KATHERINE
What need you note it Pray you keep your way
When you are called return Now the Lord help
They vex me past my patience Pray you pass on
I will not tarry no nor ever more
Upon this business my appearance make
In any of their courts
Exeunt Queen and her Attendants
KING
Go thy ways Kate
That man i th world who shall report he has
A better wife let him in naught be trusted
For speaking false in that Thou art alone
If thy rare qualities sweet gentleness
Thy meekness saintlike wifelike government
Obeying in commanding and thy parts
Sovereign and pious else could speak thee out
The queen of earthly queens Shes noble born
And like her true nobility she has
Carried herself towards me
WOLSEY
Most gracious sir
In humblest manner I require your Highness
That it shall please you to declare in hearing
Of all these earsfor where I am robbed and bound
There must I be unloosed although not there
At once and fully satisfiedwhether ever I
Did broach this business to your Highness or
Laid any scruple in your way which might
Induce you to the question ont or ever
Have to you but with thanks to God for such
A royal lady spake one the least word that might
Be to the prejudice of her present state
Or touch of her good person
KING
My Lord Cardinal
I do excuse you yea upon mine honour
I free you fromt You are not to be taught
That you have many enemies that know not
Why they are so but like to village curs
Bark when their fellows do By some of these
The Queen is put in anger Youre excused
But will you be more justified You ever
Have wished the sleeping of this business never desired
It to be stirred but oft have hindered oft
The passages made toward it On my honour
I speak my good Lord Cardinal to this point
And thus far clear him Now what moved me tot
I will be bold with time and your attention
Then mark th inducement Thus it came give heed tot
My conscience first received a tenderness
Scruple and prick on certain speeches uttered
By th Bishop of Bayonne then French ambassador
Who had been hither sent on the debating
A marriage twixt the Duke of Orleans and
Our daughter Mary I th progress of this business
Ere a determinate resolution he
I mean the Bishop did require a respite
Wherein he might the King his lord advertise
Whether our daughter were legitimate
Respecting this our marriage with the dowager
Sometimes our brothers wife This respite shook
The bosom of my conscience entered me
Yea with a splitting power and made to tremble
The region of my breast which forced such way
That many mazed considerings did throng
And pressed in with this caution First methought
I stood not in the smile of heaven who had
Commanded nature that my ladys womb
If it conceived a male child by me should
Do no more offices of life tot than
The grave does to th dead for her male issue
Or died where they were made or shortly after
This world had aired them Hence I took a thought
This was a judgement on me that my kingdom
Well worthy the best heir o th world should not
Be gladded int by me Then follows that
I weighed the danger which my realms stood in
By this my issues fail and that gave to me
Many a groaning throe Thus hulling in
The wild sea of my conscience I did steer
Toward this remedy whereupon we are
Now present here together Thats to say
I meant to rectify my conscience which
I then did feel full sick and yet not well
By all the reverend fathers of the land
And doctors learned First I began in private
With you my Lord of Lincoln You remember
How under my oppression I did reek
When I first moved you
LINCOLN
Very well my liege
KING
I have spoke long Be pleased yourself to say
How far you satisfied me
LINCOLN
So please your Highness
The question did at first so stagger me
Bearing a state of mighty moment int
And consequence of dread that I committed
The daringst counsel which I had to doubt
And did entreat your Highness to this course
Which you are running here
KING
I then moved you
My Lord of Canterbury and got your leave
To make this present summons Unsolicited
I left no reverend person in this court
But by particular consent proceeded
Under your hands and seals Therefore go on
For no dislike i th world against the person
Of the good queen but the sharp thorny points
Of my alleged reasons drives this forward
Prove but our marriage lawful by my life
And kingly dignity we are contented
To wear our mortal state to come with her
Katherine our Queen before the primest creature
Thats paragoned o th world
CAMPEIUS
So please your Highness
The Queen being absent tis a needful fitness
That we adjourn this court till further day
Meanwhile must be an earnest motion
Made to the Queen to call back her appeal
She intends unto his Holiness
KING
Aside I may perceive
These cardinals trifle with me I abhor
This dilatory sloth and tricks of Rome
My learned and wellbeloved servant Cranmer
Prithee return With thy approach I know
My comfort comes alongBreak up the court
I say set on
Exeunt in manner as they entered
ACT III
SCENE I London The Queens apartments
Enter Queen and her Women as at work
QUEEN KATHERINE
Take thy lute wench My soul grows sad with troubles
Sing and disperse em if thou canst Leave working
WOMAN
sings song
Orpheus with his lute made trees
And the mountain tops that freeze
Bow themselves when he did sing
To his music plants and flowers
Ever sprung as sun and showers
There had made a lasting spring
Everything that heard him play
Even the billows of the sea
Hung their heads and then lay by
In sweet music is such art
Killing care and grief of heart
Fall asleep or hearing die
Enter a Gentleman
QUEEN KATHERINE
How now
GENTLEMAN
Ant please your Grace the two great Cardinals
Wait in the presence
QUEEN KATHERINE
Would they speak with me
GENTLEMAN
They willed me say so madam
QUEEN KATHERINE
Pray their Graces
To come near
Exit Gentleman
What can be their business
With me a poor weak woman fallen from favour
I do not like their coming Now I think ont
They should be good men their affairs as righteous
But all hoods make not monks
Enter the two Cardinals Wolsey and Campeius
WOLSEY
Peace to your Highness
QUEEN KATHERINE
Your Graces find me here part of housewife
I would be all against the worst may happen
What are your pleasures with me reverend lords
WOLSEY
May it please you noble madam to withdraw
Into your private chamber we shall give you
The full cause of our coming
QUEEN KATHERINE
Speak it here
Theres nothing I have done yet o my conscience
Deserves a corner Would all other women
Could speak this with as free a soul as I do
My lords I care not so much I am happy
Above a number if my actions
Were tried by every tongue every eye saw em
Envy and base opinion set against em
I know my life so even If your business
Seek me out and that way I am wife in
Out with it boldly Truth loves open dealing
WOLSEY
Tanta est erga te mentis integritas regina serenissima
QUEEN KATHERINE
O good my lord no Latin
I am not such a truant since my coming
As not to know the language I have lived in
A strange tongue makes my cause more strange suspicious
Pray speak in English Here are some will thank you
If you speak truth for their poor mistress sake
Believe me she has had much wrong Lord Cardinal
The willingst sin I ever yet committed
May be absolved in English
WOLSEY
Noble lady
I am sorry my integrity should breed
And service to his Majesty and you
So deep suspicion where all faith was meant
We come not by the way of accusation
To taint that honour every good tongue blesses
Nor to betray you any way to sorrow
You have too much good ladybut to know
How you stand minded in the weighty difference
Between the King and you and to deliver
Like free and honest men our just opinions
And comforts to your cause
CAMPEIUS
Most honoured madam
My Lord of York out of his noble nature
Zeal and obedience he still bore your Grace
Forgetting like a good man your late censure
Both of his truth and himwhich was too far
Offers as I do in a sign of peace
His service and his counsel
QUEEN KATHERINE
Aside To betray me
My lords I thank you both for your good wills
Ye speak like honest men pray God ye prove so
But how to make ye suddenly an answer
In such a point of weight so near mine honour
More near my life I fearwith my weak wit
And to such men of gravity and learning
In truth I know not I was set at work
Among my maids full little God knows looking
Either for such men or such business
For her sake that I have beenfor I feel
The last fit of my greatnessgood your Graces
Let me have time and counsel for my cause
Alas I am a woman friendless hopeless
WOLSEY
Madam you wrong the Kings love with these fears
Your hopes and friends are infinite
QUEEN KATHERINE
In England
But little for my profit Can you think lords
That any Englishman dare give me counsel
Or be a known friend gainst his Highness pleasure
Though he be grown so desperate to be honest
And live a subject Nay forsooth my friends
They that much weigh out my afflictions
They that my trust must grow to live not here
They are as all my other comforts far hence
In mine own country lords
CAMPEIUS
I would your Grace
Would leave your griefs and take my counsel
QUEEN KATHERINE
How sir
CAMPEIUS
Put your main cause into the Kings protection
Hes loving and most gracious Twill be much
Both for your honour better and your cause
For if the trial of the law oertake ye
Youll part away disgraced
WOLSEY
He tells you rightly
QUEEN KATHERINE
Ye tell me what ye wish for both my ruin
Is this your Christian counsel Out upon ye
Heaven is above all yet there sits a judge
That no king can corrupt
CAMPEIUS
Your rage mistakes us
QUEEN KATHERINE
The more shame for ye Holy men I thought ye
Upon my soul two reverend cardinal virtues
But cardinal sins and hollow hearts I fear ye
Mend em for shame my lords Is this your comfort
The cordial that ye bring a wretched lady
A woman lost among ye laughed at scorned
I will not wish ye half my miseries
I have more charity But say I warned ye
Take heed for heavens sake take heed lest at once
The burden of my sorrows fall upon ye
WOLSEY
Madam this is a mere distraction
You turn the good we offer into envy
QUEEN KATHERINE
Ye turn me into nothing Woe upon ye
And all such false professors Would you have me
If you have any justice any pity
If ye be anything but churchmens habits
Put my sick cause into his hands that hates me
Alas has banished me his bed already
His love too long ago I am old my lords
And all the fellowship I hold now with him
Is only my obedience What can happen
To me above this wretchedness All your studies
Make me a curse like this
CAMPEIUS
Your fears are worse
QUEEN KATHERINE
Have I lived thus longlet me speak myself
Since virtue finds no friendsa wife a true one
A woman I dare say without vainglory
Never yet branded with suspicion
Have I with all my full affections
Still met the King loved him next heavn obeyed him
Been out of fondness superstitious to him
Almost forgot my prayers to content him
And am I thus rewarded Tis not well lords
Bring me a constant woman to her husband
One that neer dreamed a joy beyond his pleasure
And to that woman when she has done most
Yet will I add an honour a great patience
WOLSEY
Madam you wander from the good we aim at
QUEEN KATHERINE
My lord I dare not make myself so guilty
To give up willingly that noble title
Your master wed me to Nothing but death
Shall eer divorce my dignities
WOLSEY
Pray hear me
QUEEN KATHERINE
Would I had never trod this English earth
Or felt the flatteries that grow upon it
Ye have angels faces but heaven knows your hearts
What will become of me now wretched lady
I am the most unhappy woman living
To her Women Alas poor wenches where are now your fortunes
Shipwrecked upon a kingdom where no pity
No friends no hope no kindred weep for me
Almost no grave allowed me like the lily
That once was mistress of the field and flourished
Ill hang my head and perish
WOLSEY
If your Grace
Could but be brought to know our ends are honest
Youd feel more comfort Why should we good lady
Upon what cause wrong you Alas our places
The way of our profession is against it
We are to cure such sorrows not to sow em
For goodness sake consider what you do
How you may hurt yourself ay utterly
Grow from the Kings acquaintance by this carriage
The hearts of princes kiss obedience
So much they love it but to stubborn spirits
They swell and grow as terrible as storms
I know you have a gentle noble temper
A soul as even as a calm Pray think us
Those we profess peacemakers friends and servants
CAMPEIUS
Madam youll find it so You wrong your virtues
With these weak womens fears A noble spirit
As yours was put into you ever casts
Such doubts as false coin from it The King loves you
Beware you lose it not For us if you please
To trust us in your business we are ready
To use our utmost studies in your service
QUEEN KATHERINE
Do what ye will my lords and pray forgive me
If I have used myself unmannerly
You know I am a woman lacking wit
To make a seemly answer to such persons
Pray do my service to his Majesty
He has my heart yet and shall have my prayers
While I shall have my life Come reverend fathers
Bestow your counsels on me She now begs
That little thought when she set footing here
She should have bought her dignities so dear
Exeunt
SCENE II Antechamber to the Kings apartment
Enter the Duke of Norfolk Duke of Suffolk Lord Surrey and Lord Chamberlain
NORFOLK
If you will now unite in your complaints
And force them with a constancy the Cardinal
Cannot stand under them If you omit
The offer of this time I cannot promise
But that you shall sustain more new disgraces
With these you bear already
SURREY
I am joyful
To meet the least occasion that may give me
Remembrance of my fatherinlaw the Duke
To be revenged on him
SUFFOLK
Which of the peers
Have uncontemned gone by him or at least
Strangely neglected When did he regard
The stamp of nobleness in any person
Out of himself
CHAMBERLAIN
My lords you speak your pleasures
What he deserves of you and me I know
What we can do to himthough now the time
Gives way to usI much fear If you cannot
Bar his access to th King never attempt
Anything on him for he hath a witchcraft
Over the King in s tongue
NORFOLK
O fear him not
His spell in that is out The King hath found
Matter against him that for ever mars
The honey of his language No hes settled
Not to come off in his displeasure
SURREY
Sir
I should be glad to hear such news as this
Once every hour
NORFOLK
Believe it this is true
In the divorce his contrary proceedings
Are all unfolded wherein he appears
As I would wish mine enemy
SURREY
How came
His practices to light
SUFFOLK
Most strangely
SURREY
O how how
SUFFOLK
The Cardinals letters to the Pope miscarried
And came to th eye o the King wherein was read
How that the Cardinal did entreat his Holiness
To stay the judgement o th divorce for if
It did take place I do quoth he perceive
My king is tangled in affection to
A creature of the Queens Lady Anne Bullen
SURREY
Has the King this
SUFFOLK
Believe it
SURREY
Will this work
CHAMBERLAIN
The King in this perceives him how he coasts
And hedges his own way But in this point
All his tricks founder and he brings his physic
After his patients death The King already
Hath married the fair lady
SURREY
Would he had
SUFFOLK
May you be happy in your wish my lord
For I profess you have it
SURREY
Now all my joy
Trace the conjunction
SUFFOLK
My amen tot
NORFOLK
All mens
SUFFOLK
Theres order given for her coronation
Marry this is yet but young and may be left
To some ears unrecounted But my lords
She is a gallant creature and complete
In mind and feature I persuade me from her
Will fall some blessing to this land which shall
In it be memorized
SURREY
But will the King
Digest this letter of the Cardinals
The Lord forbid
NORFOLK
Marry amen
SUFFOLK
No no
There be more wasps that buzz about his nose
Will make this sting the sooner Cardinal Campeius
Is stolen away to Rome hath taen no leave
Has left the cause o th King unhandled and
Is posted as the agent of our Cardinal
To second all his plot I do assure you
The King cried Ha at this
CHAMBERLAIN
Now God incense him
And let him cry Ha louder
NORFOLK
But my lord
When returns Cranmer
SUFFOLK
He is returned in his opinions which
Have satisfied the King for his divorce
Together with all famous colleges
Almost in Christendom Shortly I believe
His second marriage shall be published and
Her coronation Katherine no more
Shall be called Queen but Princess Dowager
And widow to Prince Arthur
NORFOLK
This same Cranmers
A worthy fellow and hath taen much pain
In the Kings business
SUFFOLK
He has and we shall see him
For it an archbishop
NORFOLK
So I hear
SUFFOLK
Tis so
Enter Wolsey and Cromwell
The Cardinal
NORFOLK
Observe observe hes moody
WOLSEY
The packet Cromwell
Gavet you the King
CROMWELL
To his own hand in s bedchamber
WOLSEY
Looked he o th inside of the paper
CROMWELL
Presently
He did unseal them and the first he viewed
He did it with a serious mind a heed
Was in his countenance You he bade
Attend him here this morning
WOLSEY
Is he ready
To come abroad
CROMWELL
I think by this he is
WOLSEY
Leave me a while
Exit Cromwell
Aside It shall be to the Duchess of Alenon
The French kings sister he shall marry her
Anne Bullen No Ill no Anne Bullens for him
Theres more int than fair visage Bullen
No well no Bullens Speedily I wish
To hear from Rome The Marchioness of Pembroke
NORFOLK
Hes discontented
SUFFOLK
Maybe he hears the King
Does whet his anger to him
SURREY
Sharp enough
Lord for thy justice
WOLSEY
Aside The late queens gentlewoman a knights daughter
To be her mistress mistress The Queens Queen
This candle burns not clear Tis I must snuff it
Then out it goes What though I know her virtuous
And well deserving Yet I know her for
A spleeny Lutheran and not wholesome to
Our cause that she should lie i th bosom of
Our hardruled King Again there is sprung up
An heretic an archone Cranmer one
Hath crawled into the favour of the King
And is his oracle
NORFOLK
He is vexed at something
Enter King reading a schedule and Lovell
SURREY
I would twere something that would fret the string
The mastercord on s heart
SUFFOLK
The King the King
KING
What piles of wealth hath he accumulated
To his own portion And what expense by th hour
Seems to flow from him How i th name of thrift
Does he rake this together Now my lords
Saw you the Cardinal
NORFOLK
My lord we have
Stood here observing him Some strange commotion
Is in his brain He bites his lip and starts
Stops on a sudden looks upon the ground
Then lays his finger on his temple straight
Springs out into fast gait then stops again
Strikes his breast hard and anon he casts
His eye against the moon In most strange postures
We have seen him set himself
KING
It may well be
There is a mutiny in s mind This morning
Papers of state he sent me to peruse
As I required and wot you what I found
Thereon my conscience put unwittingly
Forsooth an inventory thus importing
The several parcels of his plate his treasure
Rich stuffs and ornaments of household which
I find at such proud rate that it outspeaks
Possession of a subject
NORFOLK
Its heavens will
Some spirit put this paper in the packet
To bless your eye withal
KING
If we did think
His contemplation were above the earth
And fixed on spiritual object he should still
Dwell in his musings but I am afraid
His thinkings are below the moon not worth
His serious considering
King takes his seat whispers Lovell who goes to the Cardinal
WOLSEY
Heaven forgive me
Ever God bless your Highness
KING
Good my lord
You are full of heavenly stuff and bear the inventory
Of your best graces in your mind the which
You were now running oer You have scarce time
To steal from spiritual leisure a brief span
To keep your earthly audit Sure in that
I deem you an ill husband and am glad
To have you therein my companion
WOLSEY
Sir
For holy offices I have a time a time
To think upon the part of business which
I bear i th state and Nature does require
Her times of preservation which perforce
I her frail son amongst my brethren mortal
Must give my tendance to
KING
You have said well
WOLSEY
And ever may your Highness yoke together
As I will lend you cause my doing well
With my well saying
KING
Tis well said again
And tis a kind of good deed to say well
And yet words are no deeds My father loved you
He said he did and with his deed did crown
His word upon you Since I had my office
I have kept you next my heart have not alone
Employed you where high profits might come home
But pared my present havings to bestow
My bounties upon you
WOLSEY
Aside What should this mean
SURREY
Aside The Lord increase this business
KING
Have I not made you
The prime man of the state I pray you tell me
If what I now pronounce you have found true
And if you may confess it say withal
If you are bound to us or no What say you
WOLSEY
My sovereign I confess your royal graces
Showered on me daily have been more than could
My studied purposes requite which went
Beyond all mans endeavours My endeavours
Have ever come too short of my desires
Yet filed with my abilities Mine own ends
Have been mine so that evermore they pointed
To th good of your most sacred person and
The profit of the state For your great graces
Heaped upon me poor undeserver I
Can nothing render but allegiant thanks
My prayers to heaven for you my loyalty
Which ever has and ever shall be growing
Till death that winter kill it
KING
Fairly answered
A loyal and obedient subject is
Therein illustrated The honour of it
Does pay the act of it as i th contrary
The foulness is the punishment I presume
That as my hand has opened bounty to you
My heart dropped love my power rained honour more
On you than any so your hand and heart
Your brain and every function of your power
Should notwithstanding that your bond of duty
As twere in loves particular be more
To me your friend than any
WOLSEY
I do profess
That for your Highness good I ever laboured
More than mine own that am have and will be
Though all the world should crack their duty to you
And throw it from their soul though perils did
Abound as thick as thought could make em and
Appear in forms more horridyet my duty
As doth a rock against the chiding flood
Should the approach of this wild river break
And stand unshaken yours
KING
Tis nobly spoken
Take notice lords he has a loyal breast
For you have seen him opent
Giving him papers
Read oer this
And after this and then to breakfast with
What appetite you have
Exit King frowning upon the Cardinal the nobles throng after him smiling and whispering
WOLSEY
What should this mean
What sudden angers this How have I reaped it
He parted frowning from me as if ruin
Leaped from his eyes So looks the chafed lion
Upon the daring huntsman that has galled him
Then makes him nothing I must read this paper
I fear the story of his anger Tis so
This paper has undone me Tis th account
Of all that world of wealth I have drawn together
For mine own endsindeed to gain the popedom
And fee my friends in Rome O negligence
Fit for a fool to fall by What cross devil
Made me put this main secret in the packet
I sent the King Is there no way to cure this
No new device to beat this from his brains
I know twill stir him strongly yet I know
A way if it take right in spite of fortune
Will bring me off again Whats this To th Pope
The letter as I live with all the business
I writ to s Holiness Nay then farewell
I have touched the highest point of all my greatness
And from that full meridian of my glory
I haste now to my setting I shall fall
Like a bright exhalation in the evening
And no man see me more
Enter to Wolsey the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk the Earl of Surrey and the Lord Chamberlain
NORFOLK
Hear the Kings pleasure Cardinal who commands you
To render up the great seal presently
Into our hands and to confine yourself
To Asher House my Lord of Winchesters
Till you hear further from his Highness
WOLSEY
Stay
Wheres your commission lords Words cannot carry
Authority so weighty
SUFFOLK
Who dares cross em
Bearing the Kings will from his mouth expressly
WOLSEY
Till I find more than will or words to do it
I mean your maliceknow officious lords
I dare and must deny it Now I feel
Of what coarse metal ye are moulded envy
How eagerly ye follow my disgraces
As if it fed ye and how sleek and wanton
Ye appear in everything may bring my ruin
Follow your envious courses men of malice
You have Christian warrant for em and no doubt
In time will find their fit rewards That seal
You ask with such a violence the King
Mine and your master with his own hand gave me
Bade me enjoy it with the place and honours
During my life and to confirm his goodness
Tied it by letterspatents Now wholl take it
SURREY
The King that gave it
WOLSEY
It must be himself then
SURREY
Thou art a proud traitor priest
WOLSEY
Proud lord thou liest
Within these forty hours Surrey durst better
Have burnt that tongue than said so
SURREY
Thy ambition
Thou scarlet sin robbed this bewailing land
Of noble Buckingham my fatherinlaw
The heads of all thy brother cardinals
With thee and all thy best parts bound together
Weighed not a hair of his Plague of your policy
You sent me Deputy for Ireland
Far from his succour from the King from all
That might have mercy on the fault thou gavst him
Whilst your great goodness out of holy pity
Absolved him with an axe
WOLSEY
This and all else
This talking lord can lay upon my credit
I answer is most false The Duke by law
Found his deserts How innocent I was
From any private malice in his end
His noble jury and foul cause can witness
If I loved many words lord I should tell you
You have as little honesty as honour
That in the way of loyalty and truth
Toward the King my ever royal master
Dare mate a sounder man than Surrey can be
And all that love his follies
SURREY
By my soul
Your long coat priest protects you thou shouldst feel
My sword i th lifeblood of thee else My lords
Can ye endure to hear this arrogance
And from this fellow If we live thus tamely
To be thus jaded by a piece of scarlet
Farewell nobility Let his Grace go forward
And dare us with his cap like larks
WOLSEY
All goodness
Is poison to thy stomach
SURREY
Yes that goodness
Of gleaning all the lands wealth into one
Into your own hands Cardinal by extortion
The goodness of your intercepted packets
You writ to the Pope against the King Your goodness
Since you provoke me shall be most notorious
My Lord of Norfolk as you are truly noble
As you respect the common good the state
Of our despised nobility our issues
Who if he live will scarce be gentlemen
Produce the grand sum of his sins the articles
Collected from his life Ill startle you
Worse than the sacring bell when the brown wench
Lay kissing in your arms Lord Cardinal
WOLSEY
How much methinks I could despise this man
But that I am bound in charity against it
NORFOLK
Those articles my lord are in the Kings hand
But thus much they are foul ones
WOLSEY
So much fairer
And spotless shall mine innocence arise
When the King knows my truth
SURREY
This cannot save you
I thank my memory I yet remember
Some of these articles and out they shall
Now if you can blush and cry Guilty Cardinal
Youll show a little honesty
WOLSEY
Speak on sir
I dare your worst objections If I blush
It is to see a nobleman want manners
SURREY
I had rather want those than my head Have at you
First that without the Kings assent or knowledge
You wrought to be a legate by which power
You maimed the jurisdiction of all bishops
NORFOLK
Then that in all you writ to Rome or else
To foreign princes ego et rex meus
Was still inscribed in which you brought the King
To be your servant
SUFFOLK
Then that without the knowledge
Either of King or Council when you went
Ambassador to the Emperor you made bold
To carry into Flanders the great seal
SURREY
Item you sent a large commission
To Gregory de Cassado to conclude
Without the Kings will or the states allowance
A league between his Highness and Ferrara
SUFFOLK
That out of mere ambition you have caused
Your holy hat to be stamped on the Kings coin
SURREY
Then that you have sent innumerable substance
By what means got I leave to your own conscience
To furnish Rome and to prepare the ways
You have for dignities to the mere undoing
Of all the kingdom Many more there are
Which since they are of you and odious
I will not taint my mouth with
CHAMBERLAIN
O my lord
Press not a falling man too far Tis virtue
His faults lie open to the laws let them
Not you correct him My heart weeps to see him
So little of his great self
SURREY
I forgive him
SUFFOLK
Lord Cardinal the Kings further pleasure is
Because all those things you have done of late
By your power legative within this kingdom
Fall into th compass of a praemunire
That therefore such a writ be sued against you
To forfeit all your goods lands tenements
Chattels and whatsoever and to be
Out of the Kings protection This is my charge
NORFOLK
And so well leave you to your meditations
How to live better For your stubborn answer
About the giving back the great seal to us
The King shall know it and no doubt shall thank you
So fare you well my little good Lord Cardinal
Exeunt all but Wolsey
WOLSEY
So farewell to the little good you bear me
Farewell A long farewell to all my greatness
This is the state of man today he puts forth
The tender leaves of hopes tomorrow blossoms
And bears his blushing honours thick upon him
The third day comes a frost a killing frost
And when he thinks good easy man full surely
His greatness is aripening nips his root
And then he falls as I do I have ventured
Like little wanton boys that swim on bladders
This many summers in a sea of glory
But far beyond my depth My highblown pride
At length broke under me and now has left me
Weary and old with service to the mercy
Of a rude stream that must for ever hide me
Vain pomp and glory of this world I hate ye
I feel my heart new opened O how wretched
Is that poor man that hangs on princes favours
There is betwixt that smile we would aspire to
That sweet aspect of princes and their ruin
More pangs and fears than wars or women have
And when he falls he falls like Lucifer
Never to hope again
Enter Cromwell standing amazed
Why how now Cromwell
CROMWELL
I have no power to speak sir
WOLSEY
What amazed
At my misfortunes Can thy spirit wonder
A great man should decline Nay an you weep
I am fallen indeed
CROMWELL
How does your Grace
WOLSEY
Why well
Never so truly happy my good Cromwell
I know myself now and I feel within me
A peace above all earthly dignities
A still and quiet conscience The King has cured me
I humbly thank his Grace and from these shoulders
These ruined pillars out of pity taken
A load would sink a navy too much honour
O tis a burden Cromwell tis a burden
Too heavy for a man that hopes for heaven
CROMWELL
I am glad your Grace has made that right use of it
WOLSEY
I hope I have I am able now methinks
Out of a fortitude of soul I feel
To endure more miseries and greater far
Than my weakhearted enemies dare offer
What news abroad
CROMWELL
The heaviest and the worst
Is your displeasure with the King
WOLSEY
God bless him
CROMWELL
The next is that Sir Thomas More is chosen
Lord Chancellor in your place
WOLSEY
Thats somewhat sudden
But hes a learned man May he continue
Long in his Highness favour and do justice
For truths sake and his conscience that his bones
When he has run his course and sleeps in blessings
May have a tomb of orphans tears wept on him
What more
CROMWELL
That Cranmer is returned with welcome
Installed Lord Archbishop of Canterbury
WOLSEY
Thats news indeed
CROMWELL
Last that the Lady Anne
Whom the King hath in secrecy long married
This day was viewed in open as his Queen
Going to chapel and the voice is now
Only about her coronation
WOLSEY
There was the weight that pulled me down
O Cromwell
The King has gone beyond me All my glories
In that one woman I have lost for ever
No sun shall ever usher forth mine honours
Or gild again the noble troops that waited
Upon my smiles Go get thee from me Cromwell
I am a poor fallen man unworthy now
To be thy lord and master Seek the King
That sun I pray may never set I have told him
What and how true thou art He will advance thee
Some little memory of me will stir him
I know his noble naturenot to let
Thy hopeful service perish too Good Cromwell
Neglect him not make use now and provide
For thine own future safety
CROMWELL
O my lord
Must I then leave you Must I needs forgo
So good so noble and so true a master
Bear witness all that have not hearts of iron
With what a sorrow Cromwell leaves his lord
The King shall have my service but my prayers
For ever and for ever shall be yours
WOLSEY
Cromwell I did not think to shed a tear
In all my miseries but thou hast forced me
Out of thy honest truth to play the woman
Lets dry our eyes and thus far hear me Cromwell
And when I am forgotten as I shall be
And sleep in dull cold marble where no mention
Of me more must be heard of say I taught thee
Say Wolsey that once trod the ways of glory
And sounded all the depths and shoals of honour
Found thee a way out of his wreck to rise in
A sure and safe one though thy master missed it
Mark but my fall and that that ruined me
Cromwell I charge thee fling away ambition
By that sin fell the angels how can man then
The image of his maker hope to win by it
Love thyself last cherish those hearts that hate thee
Corruption wins not more than honesty
Still in thy right hand carry gentle peace
To silence envious tongues Be just and fear not
Let all the ends thou aimst at be thy countrys
Thy Gods and truths Then if thou fallst O Cromwell
Thou fallst a blessed martyr
Serve the King And prithee lead me in
There take an inventory of all I have
To the last penny tis the Kings My robe
And my integrity to heaven is all
I dare now call mine own O Cromwell Cromwell
Had I but served my God with half the zeal
I served my king He would not in mine age
Have left me naked to mine enemies
CROMWELL
Good sir have patience
WOLSEY
So I have Farewell
The hopes of court My hopes in heaven do dwell
Exeunt
ACT IV
SCENE I A street in Westminster
Enter two Gentlemen meeting one another
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Youre well met once again
SECOND GENTLEMAN
So are you
FIRST GENTLEMAN
You come to take your stand here and behold
The Lady Anne pass from her coronation
SECOND GENTLEMAN
Tis all my business At our last encounter
The Duke of Buckingham came from his trial
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Tis very true But that time offered sorrow
This general joy
SECOND GENTLEMAN
Tis well The citizens
I am sure have shown at full their royal minds
As let em have their rights they are ever forward
In celebration of this day with shows
Pageants and sights of honour
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Never greater
Nor Ill assure you better taken sir
SECOND GENTLEMAN
May I be bold to ask what that contains
That paper in your hand
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Yes tis the list
Of those that claim their offices this day
By custom of the coronation
The Duke of Suffolk is the first and claims
To be High Steward next the Duke of Norfolk
He to be Earl Marshal You may read the rest
SECOND GENTLEMAN
I thank you sir Had I not known those customs
I should have been beholding to your paper
But I beseech you whats become of Katherine
The Princess Dowager How goes her business
FIRST GENTLEMAN
That I can tell you too The Archbishop
Of Canterbury accompanied with other
Learned and reverend fathers of his order
Held a late court at Dunstable six miles off
From Ampthill where the Princess lay to which
She was often cited by them but appeared not
And to be short for not appearance and
The Kings late scruple by the main assent
Of all these learned men she was divorced
And the late marriage made of none effect
Since which she was removed to Kimbolton
Where she remains now sick
SECOND GENTLEMAN
Alas good lady
Trumpets
The trumpets sound Stand close The Queen is coming
The order of the coronation
1 A lively flourish of trumpets
2 Then two Judges
3 Lord Chancellor with purse and mace before him
4 Choristers singing Music
5 Mayor of London bearing the mace Then Garter in his coat of arms and on his head he wore a gilt copper crown
6 Marquess Dorset bearing a sceptre of gold on his head a demicoronal of gold With him the Earl of Surrey bearing the rod of silver with the dove crowned with an earls coronet Collars of Ss
7 Duke of Suffolk in his robe of estate his coronet on his head bearing a long white wand as High Steward With him the Duke of Norfolk with the rod of marshalship a coronet on his head Collars of Ss
8 A canopy borne by four of the Cinque Ports under it the Queen in her robe in her hair richly adorned with pearl crowned On each side her the Bishops of London and Winchester
9 The old Duchess of Norfolk in a coronal of gold wrought with flowers bearing the Queens train
10 Certain Ladies or Countesses with plain circlets of gold without flowers
Exeunt first passing over the stage in order and state and then a great flourish of trumpets
SECOND GENTLEMAN
A royal train believe me These I know
Whos that that bears the sceptre
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Marquess Dorset
And that the Earl of Surrey with the rod
SECOND GENTLEMAN
A bold brave gentleman That should be
The Duke of Suffolk
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Tis the same High Steward
SECOND GENTLEMAN
And that my Lord of Norfolk
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Yes
SECOND GENTLEMAN
Sees the Queen Heaven bless thee
Thou hast the sweetest face I ever looked on
Sir as I have a soul she is an angel
Our King has all the Indies in his arms
And more and richer when he strains that lady
I cannot blame his conscience
FIRST GENTLEMAN
They that bear
The cloth of honour over her are four barons
Of the Cinque Ports
SECOND GENTLEMAN
Those men are happy and so are all are near her
I take it she that carries up the train
Is that old noble lady Duchess of Norfolk
FIRST GENTLEMAN
It is and all the rest are countesses
SECOND GENTLEMAN
Their coronets say so These are stars indeed
FIRST GENTLEMAN
And sometimes falling ones
SECOND GENTLEMAN
No more of that
Exit the last of the procession
Enter a third Gentleman
God save you sir Where have you been broiling
THIRD GENTLEMAN
Among the crowds i th Abbey where a finger
Could not be wedged in more I am stifled
With the mere rankness of their joy
SECOND GENTLEMAN
You saw
The ceremony
THIRD GENTLEMAN
That I did
FIRST GENTLEMAN
How was it
THIRD GENTLEMAN
Well worth the seeing
SECOND GENTLEMAN
Good sir speak it to us
THIRD GENTLEMAN
As well as I am able The rich stream
Of lords and ladies having brought the Queen
To a prepared place in the choir fell off
A distance from her while her Grace sat down
To rest a while some half an hour or so
In a rich chair of state opposing freely
The beauty of her person to the people
Believe me sir she is the goodliest woman
That ever lay by man which when the people
Had the full view of such a noise arose
As the shrouds make at sea in a stiff tempest
As loud and to as many tunes Hats cloaks
Doublets I think flew up and had their faces
Been loose this day they had been lost Such joy
I never saw before Greatbellied women
That had not half a week to go like rams
In the old time of war would shake the press
And make em reel before em No man living
Could say This is my wife there all were woven
So strangely in one piece
SECOND GENTLEMAN
But what followed
THIRD GENTLEMAN
At length her Grace rose and with modest paces
Came to the altar where she kneeled and saintlike
Cast her fair eyes to heaven and prayed devoutly
Then rose again and bowed her to the people
When by the Archbishop of Canterbury
She had all the royal makings of a queen
As holy oil Edward Confessors crown
The rod and bird of peace and all such emblems
Laid nobly on her which performed the choir
With all the choicest music of the kingdom
Together sung Te Deum So she parted
And with the same full state paced back again
To York Place where the feast is held
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Sir
You must no more call it York Place thats past
For since the Cardinal fell that titles lost
Tis now the Kings and called Whitehall
THIRD GENTLEMAN
I know it
But tis so lately altered that the old name
Is fresh about me
SECOND GENTLEMAN
What two reverend bishops
Were those that went on each side of the Queen
THIRD GENTLEMAN
Stokesley and Gardiner the one of Winchester
Newly preferred from the Kings secretary
The other London
SECOND GENTLEMAN
He of Winchester
Is held no great good lover of the Archbishops
The virtuous Cranmer
THIRD GENTLEMAN
All the land knows that
However yet there is no great breach When it comes
Cranmer will find a friend will not shrink from him
SECOND GENTLEMAN
Who may that be I pray you
THIRD GENTLEMAN
Thomas Cromwell
A man in much esteem with th King and truly
A worthy friend The King has made him
Master o th Jewel House
And one already of the Privy Council
SECOND GENTLEMAN
He will deserve more
THIRD GENTLEMAN
Yes without all doubt
Come gentlemen ye shall go my way
Which is to th court and there ye shall be my guests
Something I can command As I walk thither
Ill tell ye more
BOTH
You may command us sir
Exeunt
SCENE II Kimbolton
Enter Katherine Dowager sick led between Griffith her gentleman usher and Patience her woman
GRIFFITH
How does your Grace
QUEEN KATHERINE
O Griffith sick to death
My legs like loaden branches bow to th earth
Willing to leave their burden Reach a chair
She sits
So Now methinks I feel a little ease
Didst thou not tell me Griffith as thou ledst me
That the great child of honour Cardinal Wolsey
Was dead
GRIFFITH
Yes madam but I think your Grace
Out of the pain you suffered gave no ear tot
QUEEN KATHERINE
Prithee good Griffith tell me how he died
If well he stepped before me happily
For my example
GRIFFITH
Well the voice goes madam
For after the stout Earl Northumberland
Arrested him at York and brought him forward
As a man sorely tainted to his answer
He fell sick suddenly and grew so ill
He could not sit his mule
QUEEN KATHERINE
Alas poor man
GRIFFITH
At last with easy roads he came to Leicester
Lodged in the abbey where the reverend abbot
With all his covent honourably received him
To whom he gave these words O father abbot
An old man broken with the storms of state
Is come to lay his weary bones among ye
Give him a little earth for charity
So went to bed where eagerly his sickness
Pursued him still and three nights after this
About the hour of eight which he himself
Foretold should be his last full of repentance
Continual meditations tears and sorrows
He gave his honours to the world again
His blessed part to heaven and slept in peace
QUEEN KATHERINE
So may he rest His faults lie gently on him
Yet thus far Griffith give me leave to speak him
And yet with charity He was a man
Of an unbounded stomach ever ranking
Himself with princes one that by suggestion
Tied all the kingdom Simony was fairplay
His own opinion was his law I th presence
He would say untruths and be ever double
Both in his words and meaning He was never
But where he meant to ruin pitiful
His promises were as he then was mighty
But his performance as he is now nothing
Of his own body he was ill and gave
The clergy ill example
GRIFFITH
Noble madam
Mens evil manners live in brass their virtues
We write in water May it please your Highness
To hear me speak his good now
QUEEN KATHERINE
Yes good Griffith
I were malicious else
GRIFFITH
This Cardinal
Though from an humble stock undoubtedly
Was fashioned to much honour From his cradle
He was a scholar and a ripe and good one
Exceeding wise fairspoken and persuading
Lofty and sour to them that loved him not
But to those men that sought him sweet as summer
And though he were unsatisfied in getting
Which was a sin yet in bestowing madam
He was most princely Ever witness for him
Those twins of learning that he raised in you
Ipswich and Oxford one of which fell with him
Unwilling to outlive the good that did it
The other though unfinished yet so famous
So excellent in art and still so rising
That Christendom shall ever speak his virtue
His overthrow heaped happiness upon him
For then and not till then he felt himself
And found the blessedness of being little
And to add greater honours to his age
Than man could give him he died fearing God
QUEEN KATHERINE
After my death I wish no other herald
No other speaker of my living actions
To keep mine honour from corruption
But such an honest chronicler as Griffith
Whom I most hated living thou hast made me
With thy religious truth and modesty
Now in his ashes honour Peace be with him
Patience be near me still and set me lower
I have not long to trouble thee Good Griffith
Cause the musicians play me that sad note
I named my knell whilst I sit meditating
On that celestial harmony I go to
Sad and solemn music
GRIFFITH
She is asleep Good wench lets sit down quiet
For fear we wake her Softly gentle Patience
The vision
Enter solemnly tripping one after another six Personages clad in white robes wearing on their heads garlands of bays and golden vizards on their faces branches of bays or palm in their hands They first congee unto her then dance and at certain changes the first two hold a spare garland over her head at which the other four make reverent curtsies Then the two that held the garland deliver the same to the other next two who observe the same order in their changes and holding the garland over her head which done they deliver the same garland to the last two who likewise observe the same order At which as it were by inspiration she makes in her sleep signs of rejoicing and holdeth up her hands to heaven And so in their dancing vanish carrying the garland with them The music continues
QUEEN KATHERINE
Spirits of peace where are ye Are ye all gone
And leave me here in wretchedness behind ye
GRIFFITH
Madam we are here
QUEEN KATHERINE
It is not you I call for
Saw ye none enter since I slept
GRIFFITH
None madam
QUEEN KATHERINE
No Saw you not even now a blessed troop
Invite me to a banquet whose bright faces
Cast thousand beams upon me like the sun
They promised me eternal happiness
And brought me garlands Griffith which I feel
I am not worthy yet to wear I shall assuredly
GRIFFITH
I am most joyful madam such good dreams
Possess your fancy
QUEEN KATHERINE
Bid the music leave
They are harsh and heavy to me
Music ceases
PATIENCE
Do you note
How much her Grace is altered on the sudden
How long her face is drawn How pale she looks
And of an earthly cold Mark her eyes
GRIFFITH
She is going wench Pray pray
PATIENCE
Heaven comfort her
Enter a Messenger
MESSENGER
Ant like your Grace
QUEEN KATHERINE
You are a saucy fellow
Deserve we no more reverence
GRIFFITH
You are to blame
Knowing she will not lose her wonted greatness
To use so rude behaviour Go to kneel
MESSENGER
I humbly do entreat your Highness pardon
My haste made me unmannerly There is staying
A gentleman sent from the King to see you
QUEEN KATHERINE
Admit him entrance Griffith But this fellow
Let me neer see again
Exit Messenger
Enter Lord Caputius
If my sight fail not
You should be lord ambassador from the Emperor
My royal nephew and your name Caputius
CAPUTIUS
Madam the same Your servant
QUEEN KATHERINE
O my lord
The times and titles now are altered strangely
With me since first you knew me But I pray you
What is your pleasure with me
CAPUTIUS
Noble lady
First mine own service to your Grace the next
The Kings request that I would visit you
Who grieves much for your weakness and by me
Sends you his princely commendations
And heartily entreats you take good comfort
QUEEN KATHERINE
O my good lord that comfort comes too late
Tis like a pardon after execution
That gentle physic given in time had cured me
But now I am past all comforts here but prayers
How does his Highness
CAPUTIUS
Madam in good health
QUEEN KATHERINE
So may he ever do and ever flourish
When I shall dwell with worms and my poor name
Banished the kingdom Patience is that letter
I caused you write yet sent away
PATIENCE
No madam
Giving it to Katherine
QUEEN KATHERINE
Sir I most humbly pray you to deliver
This to my lord the King
CAPUTIUS
Most willing madam
QUEEN KATHERINE
In which I have commended to his goodness
The model of our chaste loves his young daughter
The dews of heaven fall thick in blessings on her
Beseeching him to give her virtuous breeding
She is young and of a noble modest nature
I hope she will deserve welland a little
To love her for her mothers sake that loved him
Heaven knows how dearly My next poor petition
Is that his noble Grace would have some pity
Upon my wretched women that so long
Have followed both my fortunes faithfully
Of which there is not one I dare avow
And now I should not liebut will deserve
For virtue and true beauty of the soul
For honesty and decent carriage
A right good husband Let him be a noble
And sure those men are happy that shall have em
The last is for my menthey are the poorest
But poverty could never draw em from me
That they may have their wages duly paid em
And something over to remember me by
If heaven had pleased to have given me longer life
And able means we had not parted thus
These are the whole contents and good my lord
By that you love the dearest in this world
As you wish Christian peace to souls departed
Stand these poor peoples friend and urge the King
To do me this last right
CAPUTIUS
By heaven I will
Or let me lose the fashion of a man
QUEEN KATHERINE
I thank you honest lord Remember me
In all humility unto his Highness
Say his long trouble now is passing
Out of this world Tell him in death I blessed him
For so I will Mine eyes grow dim Farewell
My lord Griffith farewell Nay Patience
You must not leave me yet I must to bed
Call in more women When I am dead good wench
Let me be used with honour Strew me over
With maiden flowers that all the world may know
I was a chaste wife to my grave Embalm me
Then lay me forth Although unqueened yet like
A queen and daughter to a king inter me
I can no more
Exeunt leading Katherine
ACT V
SCENE I A gallery in the palace
Enter Gardiner Bishop of Winchester a Page with a torch before him met by Sir Thomas Lovell
GARDINER
Its one oclock boy ist not
PAGE
It hath struck
GARDINER
These should be hours for necessities
Not for delights times to repair our nature
With comforting repose and not for us
To waste these times Good hour of night Sir Thomas
Whither so late
LOVELL
Came you from the King my lord
GARDINER
I did Sir Thomas and left him at primero
With the Duke of Suffolk
LOVELL
I must to him too
Before he go to bed Ill take my leave
GARDINER
Not yet Sir Thomas Lovell Whats the matter
It seems you are in haste An if there be
No great offence belongs tot give your friend
Some touch of your late business Affairs that walk
As they say spirits do at midnight have
In them a wilder nature than the business
That seeks despatch by day
LOVELL
My lord I love you
And durst commend a secret to your ear
Much weightier than this work The Queens in labour
They say in great extremity and feared
Shell with the labour end
GARDINER
The fruit she goes with
I pray for heartily that it may find
Good time and live but for the stock Sir Thomas
I wish it grubbed up now
LOVELL
Methinks I could
Cry the amen and yet my conscience says
Shes a good creature and sweet lady does
Deserve our better wishes
GARDINER
But sir sir
Hear me Sir Thomas Youre a gentleman
Of mine own way I know you wise religious
And let me tell you it will neer be well
Twill not Sir Thomas Lovell taket of me
Till Cranmer Cromwell her two hands and she
Sleep in their graves
LOVELL
Now sir you speak of two
The most remarked i th kingdom As for Cromwell
Beside that of the Jewel House is made Master
O th Rolls and the Kings secretary further sir
Stands in the gap and trade of more preferments
With which the time will load him Th Archbishop
Is the Kings hand and tongue and who dare speak
One syllable against him
GARDINER
Yes yes Sir Thomas
There are that dare and I myself have ventured
To speak my mind of him And indeed this day
SirI may tell it you I thinkI have
Incensed the lords o th Council that he is
For so I know he is they know he is
A most arch heretic a pestilence
That does infect the land with which they moved
Have broken with the King who hath so far
Given ear to our complaint of his great grace
And princely care foreseeing those fell mischiefs
Our reasons laid before him hath commanded
Tomorrow morning to the Council board
He be convented Hes a rank weed Sir Thomas
And we must root him out From your affairs
I hinder you too long Good night Sir Thomas
LOVELL
Many good nights my lord I rest your servant
Exeunt Gardiner and Page
Enter King and Suffolk
KING
Charles I will play no more tonight
My minds not ont you are too hard for me
SUFFOLK
Sir I did never win of you before
KING
But little Charles
Nor shall not when my fancys on my play
Now Lovell from the Queen what is the news
LOVELL
I could not personally deliver to her
What you commanded me but by her woman
I sent your message who returned her thanks
In the greatst humbleness and desired your Highness
Most heartily to pray for her
KING
What sayst thou ha
To pray for her What is she crying out
LOVELL
So said her woman and that her suffrance made
Almost each pang a death
KING
Alas good lady
SUFFOLK
God safely quit her of her burden and
With gentle travail to the gladding of
Your Highness with an heir
KING
Tis midnight Charles
Prithee to bed and in thy prayers remember
Th estate of my poor Queen Leave me alone
For I must think of that which company
Will not be friendly to
SUFFOLK
I wish your Highness
A quiet night and my good mistress will
Remember in my prayers
KING
Charles good night
Exit Suffolk
Enter Sir Anthony Denny
Well sir what follows
DENNY
Sir I have brought my lord the Archbishop
As you commanded me
KING
Ha Canterbury
DENNY
Ay my good lord
KING
Tis true Where is he Denny
DENNY
He attends your Highness pleasure
KING
Bring him to us
Exit Denny
LOVELL
Aside This is about that which the Bishop spake
I am happily come hither
Enter Cranmer and Denny
KING
Avoid the gallery Lovell seems to stay
Ha I have said Be gone
What
Exeunt Lovell and Denny
CRANMER
Aside I am fearful Wherefore frowns he thus
Tis his aspect of terror Alls not well
KING
How now my lord You do desire to know
Wherefore I sent for you
CRANMER
Kneeling It is my duty
T attend your Highness pleasure
KING
Pray you arise
My good and gracious Lord of Canterbury
Come you and I must walk a turn together
I have news to tell you Come come give me your hand
Ah my good lord I grieve at what I speak
And am right sorry to repeat what follows
I have and most unwillingly of late
Heard many grievousI do say my lord
Grievouscomplaints of you which being considered
Have moved us and our Council that you shall
This morning come before us where I know
You cannot with such freedom purge yourself
But that till further trial in those charges
Which will require your answer you must take
Your patience to you and be well contented
To make your house our Tower You a brother of us
It fits we thus proceed or else no witness
Would come against you
CRANMER
Kneeling I humbly thank your Highness
And am right glad to catch this good occasion
Most throughly to be winnowed where my chaff
And corn shall fly asunder For I know
Theres none stands under more calumnious tongues
Than I myself poor man
KING
Stand up good Canterbury
Thy truth and thy integrity is rooted
In us thy friend Give me thy hand Stand up
Prithee lets walk Now by my halidom
What manner of man are you My lord I looked
You would have given me your petition that
I should have taen some pains to bring together
Yourself and your accusers and to have heard you
Without endurance further
CRANMER
Most dread liege
The good I stand on is my truth and honesty
If they shall fail I with mine enemies
Will triumph oer my person which I weigh not
Being of those virtues vacant I fear nothing
What can be said against me
KING
Know you not
How your state stands i th world with the whole world
Your enemies are many and not small their practices
Must bear the same proportion and not ever
The justice and the truth o th question carries
The due o th verdict with it At what ease
Might corrupt minds procure knaves as corrupt
To swear against you Such things have been done
You are potently opposed and with a malice
Of as great size Ween you of better luck
I mean in perjured witness than your master
Whose minister you are whiles here he lived
Upon this naughty earth Go to go to
You take a precipice for no leap of danger
And woo your own destruction
CRANMER
God and your Majesty
Protect mine innocence or I fall into
The trap is laid for me
KING
Be of good cheer
They shall no more prevail than we give way to
Keep comfort to you and this morning see
You do appear before them If they shall chance
In charging you with matters to commit you
The best persuasions to the contrary
Fail not to use and with what vehemency
Th occasion shall instruct you If entreaties
Will render you no remedy this ring
Deliver them and your appeal to us
There make before them Look the good man weeps
Hes honest on mine honour Gods blest mother
I swear he is truehearted and a soul
None better in my kingdomGet you gone
And do as I have bid you
Exit Cranmer
He has strangled
His language in his tears
LOVELL
Within Come back What mean you
Enter Old Lady Lovell follows
OLD LADY
Ill not come back The tidings that I bring
Will make my boldness manners Now good angels
Fly oer thy royal head and shade thy person
Under their blessed wings
KING
Now by thy looks
I guess thy message Is the Queen delivered
Say Ay and of a boy
OLD LADY
Ay ay my liege
And of a lovely boy The God of heaven
Both now and ever bless her Tis a girl
Promises boys hereafter Sir your Queen
Desires your visitation and to be
Acquainted with this stranger Tis as like you
As cherry is to cherry
KING
Lovell
LOVELL
Sir
KING
Give her an hundred marks Ill to the Queen
Exit King
OLD LADY
An hundred marks By this light Ill ha more
An ordinary groom is for such payment
I will have more or scold it out of him
Said I for this the girl was like to him
Ill have more or else unsayt And now
While tis hot Ill put it to the issue
Exeunt
SCENE II Lobby before the councilchamber
Enter Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury
CRANMER
I hope I am not too late and yet the gentleman
That was sent to me from the Council prayed me
To make great haste All fast What means this Ho
Who waits there
Enter Keeper
Sure you know me
KEEPER
Yes my lord
But yet I cannot help you
CRANMER
Why
KEEPER
Your Grace must wait till you be called for
Enter Doctor Butts
CRANMER
So
BUTTS
Aside This is a piece of malice I am glad
I came this way so happily The King
Shall understand it presently
Exit
CRANMER
Aside Tis Butts
The Kings physician As he passed along
How earnestly he cast his eyes upon me
Pray heaven he sound not my disgrace For certain
This is of purpose laid by some that hate me
God turn their hearts I never sought their malice
To quench mine honour They would shame to make me
Wait else at door a fellow councillor
Mong boys grooms and lackeys But their pleasures
Must be fulfilled and I attend with patience
Enter the King and Butts at a window above
BUTTS
Ill show your Grace the strangest sight
KING
Whats that Butts
BUTTS
I think your Highness saw this many a day
KING
Body o me where is it
BUTTS
There my lord
The high promotion of his Grace of Canterbury
Who holds his state at door mongst pursuivants
Pages and footboys
KING
Ha Tis he indeed
Is this the honour they do one another
Tis well theres one above em yet I had thought
They had parted so much honesty among em
At least good mannersas not thus to suffer
A man of his place and so near our favour
To dance attendance on their lordships pleasures
And at the door too like a post with packets
By holy Mary Butts theres knavery
Let em alone and draw the curtain close
We shall hear more anon
Exeunt
A council table brought in with chairs and stools and placed under the state Enter Lord Chancellor places himself at the upper end of the table on the left hand a seat being left void above him as for Canterburys seat Duke of Suffolk Duke of Norfolk Surrey Lord Chamberlain Gardiner seat themselves in order on each side Cromwell at lower end as secretary
CHANCELLOR
Speak to the business master secretary
Why are we met in council
CROMWELL
Please your honours
The chief cause concerns his Grace of Canterbury
GARDINER
Has he had knowledge of it
CROMWELL
Yes
NORFOLK
Who waits there
KEEPER
Without my noble lords
GARDINER
Yes
KEEPER
My lord Archbishop
And has done half an hour to know your pleasures
CHANCELLOR
Let him come in
KEEPER
Your Grace may enter now
Cranmer approaches the council table
CHANCELLOR
My good lord Archbishop Im very sorry
To sit here at this present and behold
That chair stand empty But we all are men
In our own natures frail and capable
Of our fleshfew are angelsout of which frailty
And want of wisdom you that best should teach us
Have misdemeaned yourself and not a little
Toward the King first then his laws in filling
The whole realm by your teaching and your chaplains
For so we are informedwith new opinions
Divers and dangerous which are heresies
And not reformed may prove pernicious
GARDINER
Which reformation must be sudden too
My noble lords for those that tame wild horses
Pace em not in their hands to make em gentle
But stop their mouth with stubborn bits and spur em
Till they obey the manage If we suffer
Out of our easiness and childish pity
To one mans honour this contagious sickness
Farewell all physic And what follows then
Commotions uproars with a general taint
Of the whole state as of late days our neighbours
The upper Germany can dearly witness
Yet freshly pitied in our memories
CRANMER
My good lords hitherto in all the progress
Both of my life and office I have laboured
And with no little study that my teaching
And the strong course of my authority
Might go one way and safely and the end
Was ever to do well Nor is there living
I speak it with a single heart my lords
A man that more detests more stirs against
Both in his private conscience and his place
Defacers of a public peace than I do
Pray heaven the King may never find a heart
With less allegiance in it Men that make
Envy and crooked malice nourishment
Dare bite the best I do beseech your lordships
That in this case of justice my accusers
Be what they will may stand forth face to face
And freely urge against me
SUFFOLK
Nay my lord
That cannot be You are a councillor
And by that virtue no man dare accuse you
GARDINER
My lord because we have business of more moment
We will be short with you Tis his Highness pleasure
And our consent for better trial of you
From hence you be committed to the Tower
Where being but a private man again
You shall know many dare accuse you boldly
More than I fear you are provided for
CRANMER
Ah my good Lord of Winchester I thank you
You are always my good friend If your will pass
I shall both find your lordship judge and juror
You are so merciful I see your end
Tis my undoing Love and meekness lord
Become a churchman better than ambition
Win straying souls with modesty again
Cast none away That I shall clear myself
Lay all the weight ye can upon my patience
I make as little doubt as you do conscience
In doing daily wrongs I could say more
But reverence to your calling makes me modest
GARDINER
My lord my lord you are a sectary
Thats the plain truth Your painted gloss discovers
To men that understand you words and weakness
CROMWELL
My Lord of Winchester you are a little
By your good favour too sharp Men so noble
However faulty yet should find respect
For what they have been Tis a cruelty
To load a falling man
GARDINER
Good master secretary
I cry your honour mercy you may worst
Of all this table say so
CROMWELL
Why my lord
GARDINER
Do not I know you for a favourer
Of this new sect Ye are not sound
CROMWELL
Not sound
GARDINER
Not sound I say
CROMWELL
Would you were half so honest
Mens prayers then would seek you not their fears
GARDINER
I shall remember this bold language
CROMWELL
Do
Remember your bold life too
CHANCELLOR
This is too much
Forbear for shame my lords
GARDINER
I have done
CROMWELL
And I
CHANCELLOR
Then thus for you my lord it stands agreed
I take it by all voices that forthwith
You be conveyed to th Tower a prisoner
There to remain till the Kings further pleasure
Be known unto us Are you all agreed lords
ALL
We are
CRANMER
Is there no other way of mercy
But I must needs to th Tower my lords
GARDINER
What other
Would you expect You are strangely troublesome
Let some o th guard be ready there
Enter the guard
CRANMER
For me
Must I go like a traitor thither
GARDINER
Receive him
And see him safe i th Tower
CRANMER
Stay good my lords
I have a little yet to say Look there my lords
By virtue of that ring I take my cause
Out of the gripes of cruel men and give it
To a most noble judge the King my master
CHAMBERLAIN
This is the Kings ring
SURREY
Tis no counterfeit
SUFFOLK
Tis the right ring by heaven I told ye all
When we first put this dangerous stone arolling
Twould fall upon ourselves
NORFOLK
Do you think my lords
The King will suffer but the little finger
Of this man to be vexed
CHAMBERLAIN
Tis now too certain
How much more is his life in value with him
Would I were fairly out ont
CROMWELL
My mind gave me
In seeking tales and informations
Against this man whose honesty the devil
And his disciples only envy at
Ye blew the fire that burns ye Now have at ye
Enter King frowning on them takes his seat
GARDINER
Dread sovereign how much are we bound to heaven
In daily thanks that gave us such a prince
Not only good and wise but most religious
One that in all obedience makes the Church
The chief aim of his honour and to strengthen
That holy duty out of dear respect
His royal self in judgement comes to hear
The cause betwixt her and this great offender
KING
You were ever good at sudden commendations
Bishop of Winchester But know I come not
To hear such flattery now and in my presence
They are too thin and bare to hide offences
To me you cannot reach you play the spaniel
And think with wagging of your tongue to win me
But whatsoeer thou takst me for Im sure
Thou hast a cruel nature and a bloody
To Cranmer Good man sit down Now let me see the proudest
He that dares most but wag his finger at thee
By all thats holy he had better starve
Than but once think this place becomes thee not
SURREY
May it please your Grace
KING
No sir it does not please me
I had thought I had had men of some understanding
And wisdom of my Council but I find none
Was it discretion lords to let this man
This good manfew of you deserve that title
This honest man wait like a lousy footboy
At chamber door And one as great as you are
Why what a shame was this Did my commission
Bid ye so far forget yourselves I gave ye
Power as he was a councillor to try him
Not as a groom Theres some of ye I see
More out of malice than integrity
Would try him to the utmost had ye mean
Which ye shall never have while I live
CHANCELLOR
Thus far
My most dread sovereign may it like your Grace
To let my tongue excuse all What was purposed
Concerning his imprisonment was rather
If there be faith in men meant for his trial
And fair purgation to the world than malice
Im sure in me
KING
Well well my lords respect him
Take him and use him well hes worthy of it
I will say thus much for him if a prince
May be beholding to a subject I
Am for his love and service so to him
Make me no more ado but all embrace him
Be friends for shame my lords My Lord of Canterbury
I have a suit which you must not deny me
That is a fair young maid that yet wants baptism
You must be godfather and answer for her
CRANMER
The greatest monarch now alive may glory
In such an honour How may I deserve it
That am a poor and humble subject to you
KING
Come come my lord youd spare your spoons You shall have two noble partners with you the old Duchess of Norfolk and Lady Marquess Dorset Will these please you
Once more my Lord of Winchester I charge you
Embrace and love this man
GARDINER
With a true heart
And brotherlove I do it
CRANMER
And let heaven
Witness how dear I hold this confirmation
KING
Good man those joyful tears show thy true heart
The common voice I see is verified
Of thee which says thus Do my Lord of Canterbury
A shrewd turn and he is your friend for ever
Come lords we trifle time away I long
To have this young one made a Christian
As I have made ye one lords one remain
So I grow stronger you more honour gain
Exeunt
SCENE III The palace yard
Noise and tumult within Enter Porter and his Man
PORTER
Youll leave your noise anon ye rascals Do you take the court for Parish Garden Ye rude slaves leave your gaping
ONE
Within Good master porter I belong to th larder
PORTER
Belong to th gallows and be hanged ye rogue Is this a place to roar in Fetch me a dozen crabtree staves and strong ones These are but switches to em Ill scratch your heads You must be seeing christenings Do you look for ale and cakes here you rude rascals
PORTERS MAN
Pray sir be patient Tis as much impossible
Unless we sweep em from the door with cannons
To scatter em as tis to make em sleep
On Mayday morning which will never be
We may as well push against Pauls as stir em
PORTER
How got they in and be hanged
PORTERS MAN
Alas I know not How gets the tide in
As much as one sound cudgel of four foot
You see the poor remaindercould distribute
I made no spare sir
PORTER
You did nothing sir
PORTERS MAN
I am not Samson nor Sir Guy nor Colbrand
To mow em down before me but if I spared any
That had a head to hit either young or old
He or she cuckold or cuckoldmaker
Let me neer hope to see a chine again
And that I would not for a cow God save her
ONE
Within Do you hear master porter
PORTER
I shall be with you presently good master puppy
Keep the door close sirrah
PORTERS MAN
What would you have me do
PORTER
What should you do but knock em down by th dozens Is this Moorfields to muster in Or have we some strange Indian with the great tool come to court the women so besiege us Bless me what a fry of fornication is at door On my Christian conscience this one christening will beget a thousand here will be father godfather and all together
PORTERS MAN
The spoons will be the bigger sir There is a fellow somewhat near the doorhe should be a brazier by his face for o my conscience twenty of the dogdays now reign ins nose All that stand about him are under the line they need no other penance That firedrake did I hit three times on the head and three times was his nose discharged against me He stands there like a mortarpiece to blow us There was a haberdashers wife of small wit near him that railed upon me till her pinked porringer fell off her head for kindling such a combustion in the state I missed the meteor once and hit that woman who cried out Clubs when I might see from far some forty truncheoners draw to her succour which were the hope o th Strand where she was quartered They fell on I made good my place at length they came to th broomstaff to me I defied em still when suddenly a file of boys behind em loose shot delivered such a shower of pebbles that I was fain to draw mine honour in and let em win the work The devil was amongst em I think surely
PORTER
These are the youths that thunder at a playhouse and fight for bitten apples that no audience but the tribulation of Tower Hill or the limbs of Limehouse their dear brothers are able to endure I have some of em in Limbo Patrum and there they are like to dance these three days besides the running banquet of two beadles that is to come
Enter Lord Chamberlain
CHAMBERLAIN
Mercy o me what a multitude are here
They grow still too From all parts they are coming
As if we kept a fair here Where are these porters
These lazy knaves Youve made a fine hand fellows
Theres a trim rabble let in Are all these
Your faithful friends o th suburbs We shall have
Great store of room no doubt left for the ladies
When they pass back from the christening
PORTER
Ant please your honour
We are but men and what so many may do
Not being torn apieces we have done
An army cannot rule em
CHAMBERLAIN
As I live
If the King blame me fort Ill lay ye all
By th heels and suddenly and on your heads
Clap round fines for neglect Youre lazy knaves
And here ye lie baiting of bombards when
Ye should do service Hark the trumpets sound
Theyre come already from the christening
Go break among the press and find a way out
To let the troops pass fairly or Ill find
A Marshalsea shall hold ye play these two months
PORTER
Make way there for the Princess
PORTERS MAN
You great fellow
Stand close up or Ill make your head ache
PORTER
You i th camlet get up o th rail
Ill peck you oer the pales else
Exeunt
SCENE IV The palace
Enter Trumpets sounding then two Aldermen Lord Mayor Garter Cranmer Duke of Norfolk with his marshals staff Duke of Suffolk two Noblemen bearing great standing bowls for the christening gifts then four Noblemen bearing a canopy under which the Duchess of Norfolk godmother bearing the child richly habited in a mantle etc train borne by a Lady then follows the Marchioness Dorset the other godmother and Ladies The troop pass once about the stage and Garter speaks
GARTER
Heaven from thy endless goodness send prosperous life long and ever happy to the high and mighty Princess of England Elizabeth
Flourish Enter King and Guard
CRANMER
Kneeling And to your royal Grace and the good Queen
My noble partners and myself thus pray
All comfort joy in this most gracious lady
Heaven ever laid up to make parents happy
May hourly fall upon ye
KING
Thank you good lord Archbishop
What is her name
CRANMER
Elizabeth
KING
Stand up lord
The King kisses the child
With this kiss take my blessing God protect thee
Into whose hand I give thy life
CRANMER
Amen
KING
My noble gossips youve have been too prodigal
I thank ye heartily so shall this lady
When she has so much English
CRANMER
Let me speak sir
For heaven now bids me and the words I utter
Let none think flattery for theyll find em truth
This royal infantheaven still move about her
Though in her cradle yet now promises
Upon this land a thousand thousand blessings
Which time shall bring to ripeness She shall be
But few now living can behold that goodness
A pattern to all princes living with her
And all that shall succeed Saba was never
More covetous of wisdom and fair virtue
Than this pure soul shall be All princely graces
That mould up such a mighty piece as this is
With all the virtues that attend the good
Shall still be doubled on her Truth shall nurse her
Holy and heavenly thoughts still counsel her
She shall be loved and feared Her own shall bless her
Her foes shake like a field of beaten corn
And hang their heads with sorrow Good grows with her
In her days every man shall eat in safety
Under his own vine what he plants and sing
The merry songs of peace to all his neighbours
God shall be truly known and those about her
From her shall read the perfect ways of honour
And by those claim their greatness not by blood
Nor shall this peace sleep with her but as when
The bird of wonder dies the maiden phoenix
Her ashes new create another heir
As great in admiration as herself
So shall she leave her blessedness to one
When heaven shall call her from this cloud of darkness
Who from the sacred ashes of her honour
Shall starlike rise as great in fame as she was
And so stand fixed Peace plenty love truth terror
That were the servants to this chosen infant
Shall then be his and like a vine grow to him
Wherever the bright sun of heaven shall shine
His honour and the greatness of his name
Shall be and make new nations He shall flourish
And like a mountain cedar reach his branches
To all the plains about him Our childrens children
Shall see this and bless heaven
KING
Thou speakest wonders
CRANMER
She shall be to the happiness of England
An aged princess many days shall see her
And yet no day without a deed to crown it
Would I had known no more But she must die
She must the saints must have her yet a virgin
A most unspotted lily shall she pass to the ground
And all the world shall mourn her
KING
O lord Archbishop
Thou hast made me now a man Never before
This happy child did I get anything
This oracle of comfort has so pleased me
That when I am in heaven I shall desire
To see what this child does and praise my Maker
I thank ye all To you my good Lord Mayor
And you good brethren I am much beholding
I have received much honour by your presence
And ye shall find me thankful Lead the way lords
Ye must all see the Queen and she must thank ye
She will be sick else This day no man think
Has business at his house for all shall stay
This little one shall make it holiday
Exeunt
Epilogue
Enter Epilogue
EPILOGUE
Tis ten to one this play can never please
All that are here Some come to take their ease
And sleep an act or twobut those we fear
Weve frighted with our trumpets so tis clear
Theyll say tis naughtothers to hear the city
Abused extremely and to cry Thats witty
Which we have not done neitherthat I fear
All the expected good were like to hear
For this play at this time is only in
The merciful construction of good women
For such a one we showed em If they smile
And say twill do I know within a while
All the best men are ours for tis ill hap
If they hold when their ladies bid em clap
Exit
THE LIFE AND DEATH OF KING JOHN
Contents
ACT I
Scene I Northampton A Room of State in the Palace
ACT II
Scene I France Before the walls of Angiers
ACT III
Scene I France The French Kings tent
Scene II The same Plains near Angiers
Scene III The same
Scene IV The same The French Kings tent
ACT IV
Scene I Northampton A Room in the Castle
Scene II The same A Room of State in the Palace
Scene III The same Before the castle
ACT V
Scene I Northampton A Room in the Palace
Scene II Near Saint Edmundsbury The French Camp
Scene III The same The Field of Battle
Scene IV The same Another part of the same
Scene V The same The French camp
Scene VI An open place in the neighborhood of Swinstead Abbey
Scene VII The orchard of Swinstead Abbey
Dramatis Person
KING JOHN
PRINCE HENRY son to King John afterwards KING HENRY III
ARTHUR Duke of Brittany nephew to King John
EARL OF PEMBROKE
EARL OF ESSEX
EARL OF SALISBURY
ROBERT BIGOT Earl of Norfolk
HUBERT DE BURGH Chamberlain to the King
ROBERT FAULCONBRIDGE son to Sir Robert Faulconbridge
The BASTARD PHILIP FAULCONBRIDGE his halfbrother bastard son to King Richard I
JAMES GURNEY servant to Lady Faulconbridge
PETER OF POMFRET a prophet
KING PHILIP II King of France
LOUIS the Dauphin son to King Philip II
DUKE OF AUSTRIA also called Limoges
MELUN a French lord
CHATILLION Ambassador from France to King John
CARDINAL PANDULPH the Popes legate
QUEEN ELEANOR Mother to King John and Widow of King Henry II
CONSTANCE Mother to Arthur
BLANCHE OF SPAIN Daughter to Alphonso King of Castile and Niece to King John
LADY FAULCONBRIDGE Mother to the Bastard and Robert Faulconbridge
Lords Citizens of Angiers Sheriff Heralds Officers Soldiers Executioners Messengers and other Attendants
SCENE Sometimes in England and sometimes in France
ACT I
SCENE I Northampton A Room of State in the Palace
Enter King John Queen Eleanor Pembroke Essex Salisbury and others with Chatillion
KING JOHN
Now say Chatillion what would France with us
CHATILLION
Thus after greeting speaks the King of France
In my behaviour to the majesty
The borrowd majesty of England here
QUEEN ELEANOR
A strange beginning borrowd majesty
KING JOHN
Silence good mother hear the embassy
CHATILLION
Philip of France in right and true behalf
Of thy deceased brother Geoffreys son
Arthur Plantagenet lays most lawful claim
To this fair island and the territories
To Ireland Poitiers Anjou Touraine Maine
Desiring thee to lay aside the sword
Which sways usurpingly these several titles
And put the same into young Arthurs hand
Thy nephew and right royal sovereign
KING JOHN
What follows if we disallow of this
CHATILLION
The proud control of fierce and bloody war
To enforce these rights so forcibly withheld
KING JOHN
Here have we war for war and blood for blood
Controlment for controlment so answer France
CHATILLION
Then take my kings defiance from my mouth
The farthest limit of my embassy
KING JOHN
Bear mine to him and so depart in peace
Be thou as lightning in the eyes of France
For ere thou canst report I will be there
The thunder of my cannon shall be heard
So hence Be thou the trumpet of our wrath
And sullen presage of your own decay
An honourable conduct let him have
Pembroke look to t Farewell Chatillion
Exeunt Chatillion and Pembroke
QUEEN ELEANOR
What now my son Have I not ever said
How that ambitious Constance would not cease
Till she had kindled France and all the world
Upon the right and party of her son
This might have been prevented and made whole
With very easy arguments of love
Which now the manage of two kingdoms must
With fearful bloody issue arbitrate
KING JOHN
Our strong possession and our right for us
QUEEN ELEANOR
Your strong possession much more than your right
Or else it must go wrong with you and me
So much my conscience whispers in your ear
Which none but heaven and you and I shall hear
Enter a Sheriff who whispers to Essex
ESSEX
My liege here is the strangest controversy
Come from the country to be judgd by you
That eer I heard Shall I produce the men
KING JOHN
Let them approach
Exit Sheriff
Our abbeys and our priories shall pay
This expeditions charge
Enter Robert Faulconbridge and Philip his Bastard brother
What men are you
BASTARD
Your faithful subject I a gentleman
Born in Northamptonshire and eldest son
As I suppose to Robert Faulconbridge
A soldier by the honourgiving hand
Of Curdelion knighted in the field
KING JOHN
What art thou
ROBERT
The son and heir to that same Faulconbridge
KING JOHN
Is that the elder and art thou the heir
You came not of one mother then it seems
BASTARD
Most certain of one mother mighty king
That is well known and as I think one father
But for the certain knowledge of that truth
I put you oer to heaven and to my mother
Of that I doubt as all mens children may
QUEEN ELEANOR
Out on thee rude man Thou dost shame thy mother
And wound her honour with this diffidence
BASTARD
I madam No I have no reason for it
That is my brothers plea and none of mine
The which if he can prove he pops me out
At least from fair five hundred pound a year
Heaven guard my mothers honour and my land
KING JOHN
A good blunt fellow Why being younger born
Doth he lay claim to thine inheritance
BASTARD
I know not why except to get the land
But once he slanderd me with bastardy
But wheer I be as true begot or no
That still I lay upon my mothers head
But that I am as well begot my liege
Fair fall the bones that took the pains for me
Compare our faces and be judge yourself
If old Sir Robert did beget us both
And were our father and this son like him
O old Sir Robert father on my knee
I give heaven thanks I was not like to thee
KING JOHN
Why what a madcap hath heaven lent us here
QUEEN ELEANOR
He hath a trick of Curdelions face
The accent of his tongue affecteth him
Do you not read some tokens of my son
In the large composition of this man
KING JOHN
Mine eye hath well examined his parts
And finds them perfect Richard Sirrah speak
What doth move you to claim your brothers land
BASTARD
Because he hath a halfface like my father
With half that face would he have all my land
A halffacd groat five hundred pound a year
ROBERT
My gracious liege when that my father livd
Your brother did employ my father much
BASTARD
Well sir by this you cannot get my land
Your tale must be how he employd my mother
ROBERT
And once dispatchd him in an embassy
To Germany there with the emperor
To treat of high affairs touching that time
Th advantage of his absence took the King
And in the meantime sojournd at my fathers
Where how he did prevail I shame to speak
But truth is truth large lengths of seas and shores
Between my father and my mother lay
As I have heard my father speak himself
When this same lusty gentleman was got
Upon his deathbed he by will bequeathd
His lands to me and took it on his death
That this my mothers son was none of his
And if he were he came into the world
Full fourteen weeks before the course of time
Then good my liege let me have what is mine
My fathers land as was my fathers will
KING JOHN
Sirrah your brother is legitimate
Your fathers wife did after wedlock bear him
And if she did play false the fault was hers
Which fault lies on the hazards of all husbands
That marry wives Tell me how if my brother
Who as you say took pains to get this son
Had of your father claimd this son for his
In sooth good friend your father might have kept
This calf bred from his cow from all the world
In sooth he might then if he were my brothers
My brother might not claim him nor your father
Being none of his refuse him This concludes
My mothers son did get your fathers heir
Your fathers heir must have your fathers land
ROBERT
Shall then my fathers will be of no force
To dispossess that child which is not his
BASTARD
Of no more force to dispossess me sir
Than was his will to get me as I think
QUEEN ELEANOR
Whether hadst thou rather be a Faulconbridge
And like thy brother to enjoy thy land
Or the reputed son of Curdelion
Lord of thy presence and no land besides
BASTARD
Madam and if my brother had my shape
And I had his Sir Roberts his like him
And if my legs were two such ridingrods
My arms such eelskins stuffd my face so thin
That in mine ear I durst not stick a rose
Lest men should say Look where threefarthings goes
And to his shape were heir to all this land
Would I might never stir from off this place
I would give it every foot to have this face
I would not be Sir Nob in any case
QUEEN ELEANOR
I like thee well Wilt thou forsake thy fortune
Bequeath thy land to him and follow me
I am a soldier and now bound to France
BASTARD
Brother take you my land Ill take my chance
Your face hath got five hundred pound a year
Yet sell your face for five pence and tis dear
Madam Ill follow you unto the death
QUEEN ELEANOR
Nay I would have you go before me thither
BASTARD
Our country manners give our betters way
KING JOHN
What is thy name
BASTARD
Philip my liege so is my name begun
Philip good old Sir Roberts wifes eldest son
KING JOHN
From henceforth bear his name whose form thou bearest
Kneel thou down Philip but rise more great
Arise Sir Richard and Plantagenet
BASTARD
Brother by th mothers side give me your hand
My father gave me honour yours gave land
Now blessed be the hour by night or day
When I was got Sir Robert was away
QUEEN ELEANOR
The very spirit of Plantagenet
I am thy grandam Richard call me so
BASTARD
Madam by chance but not by truth what though
Something about a little from the right
In at the window or else oer the hatch
Who dares not stir by day must walk by night
And have is have however men do catch
Near or far off well won is still well shot
And I am I howeer I was begot
KING JOHN
Go Faulconbridge now hast thou thy desire
A landless knight makes thee a landed squire
Come madam and come Richard we must speed
For France for France for it is more than need
BASTARD
Brother adieu good fortune come to thee
For thou wast got i th way of honesty
Exeunt all but the Bastard
A foot of honour better than I was
But many a many foot of land the worse
Well now can I make any Joan a lady
Good den Sir Richard Godamercy fellow
And if his name be George Ill call him Peter
For newmade honour doth forget mens names
Tis too respective and too sociable
For your conversion Now your traveller
He and his toothpick at my worships mess
And when my knightly stomach is sufficd
Why then I suck my teeth and catechize
My picked man of countries My dear sir
Thus leaning on mine elbow I begin
I shall beseech youthat is Question now
And then comes Answer like an absey book
O sir says Answer at your best command
At your employment at your service sir
No sir says Question I sweet sir at yours
And so ere Answer knows what Question would
Saving in dialogue of compliment
And talking of the Alps and Apennines
The Pyrenean and the river Po
It draws toward supper in conclusion so
But this is worshipful society
And fits the mounting spirit like myself
For he is but a bastard to the time
That doth not smack of observation
And so am I whether I smack or no
And not alone in habit and device
Exterior form outward accoutrement
But from the inward motion to deliver
Sweet sweet sweet poison for the ages tooth
Which though I will not practise to deceive
Yet to avoid deceit I mean to learn
For it shall strew the footsteps of my rising
But who comes in such haste in ridingrobes
What womanpost is this Hath she no husband
That will take pains to blow a horn before her
Enter Lady Faulconbridge and James Gurney
O me tis my motherHow now good lady
What brings you here to court so hastily
LADY FAULCONBRIDGE
Where is that slave thy brother Where is he
That holds in chase mine honour up and down
BASTARD
My brother Robert old Sir Roberts son
Colbrand the giant that same mighty man
Is it Sir Roberts son that you seek so
LADY FAULCONBRIDGE
Sir Roberts son Ay thou unreverend boy
Sir Roberts son Why scornst thou at Sir Robert
He is Sir Roberts son and so art thou
BASTARD
James Gurney wilt thou give us leave awhile
GURNEY
Good leave good Philip
BASTARD
PhilipsparrowJames
Theres toys abroad Anon Ill tell thee more
Exit Gurney
Madam I was not old Sir Roberts son
Sir Robert might have eat his part in me
Upon Good Friday and neer broke his fast
Sir Robert could do wellmarry to confess
Could get me Sir Robert could not do it
We know his handiwork Therefore good mother
To whom am I beholding for these limbs
Sir Robert never holp to make this leg
LADY FAULCONBRIDGE
Hast thou conspired with thy brother too
That for thine own gain shouldst defend mine honour
What means this scorn thou most untoward knave
BASTARD
Knight knight good mother Basiliscolike
What I am dubbd I have it on my shoulder
But mother I am not Sir Roberts son
I have disclaimd Sir Robert and my land
Legitimation name and all is gone
Then good my mother let me know my father
Some proper man I hope Who was it mother
LADY FAULCONBRIDGE
Hast thou denied thyself a Faulconbridge
BASTARD
As faithfully as I deny the devil
LADY FAULCONBRIDGE
King Richard Curdelion was thy father
By long and vehement suit I was seducd
To make room for him in my husbands bed
Heaven lay not my transgression to my charge
Thou art the issue of my dear offence
Which was so strongly urgd past my defence
BASTARD
Now by this light were I to get again
Madam I would not wish a better father
Some sins do bear their privilege on earth
And so doth yours Your fault was not your folly
Needs must you lay your heart at his dispose
Subjected tribute to commanding love
Against whose fury and unmatched force
The aweless lion could not wage the fight
Nor keep his princely heart from Richards hand
He that perforce robs lions of their hearts
May easily win a womans Ay my mother
With all my heart I thank thee for my father
Who lives and dares but say thou didst not well
When I was got Ill send his soul to hell
Come lady I will show thee to my kin
And they shall say when Richard me begot
If thou hadst said him nay it had been sin
Who says it was he lies I say twas not
Exeunt
ACT II
SCENE I France Before the walls of Angiers
Enter on one side the Archduke of Austria and Forces on the other Philip King of France Louis Constance Arthur and Forces
LOUIS
Before Angiers well met brave Austria
Arthur that great forerunner of thy blood
Richard that robbd the lion of his heart
And fought the holy wars in Palestine
By this brave duke came early to his grave
And for amends to his posterity
At our importance hither is he come
To spread his colours boy in thy behalf
And to rebuke the usurpation
Of thy unnatural uncle English John
Embrace him love him give him welcome hither
ARTHUR
God shall forgive you Curdelions death
The rather that you give his offspring life
Shadowing their right under your wings of war
I give you welcome with a powerless hand
But with a heart full of unstained love
Welcome before the gates of Angiers duke
LOUIS
A noble boy Who would not do thee right
AUSTRIA
Upon thy cheek lay I this zealous kiss
As seal to this indenture of my love
That to my home I will no more return
Till Angiers and the right thou hast in France
Together with that pale that whitefacd shore
Whose foot spurns back the oceans roaring tides
And coops from other lands her islanders
Even till that England hedgd in with the main
That waterwalled bulwark still secure
And confident from foreign purposes
Even till that utmost corner of the west
Salute thee for her king till then fair boy
Will I not think of home but follow arms
CONSTANCE
O take his mothers thanks a widows thanks
Till your strong hand shall help to give him strength
To make a more requital to your love
AUSTRIA
The peace of heaven is theirs that lift their swords
In such a just and charitable war
KING PHILIP
Well then to work our cannon shall be bent
Against the brows of this resisting town
Call for our chiefest men of discipline
To cull the plots of best advantages
Well lay before this town our royal bones
Wade to the marketplace in Frenchmens blood
But we will make it subject to this boy
CONSTANCE
Stay for an answer to your embassy
Lest unadvisd you stain your swords with blood
My Lord Chatillion may from England bring
That right in peace which here we urge in war
And then we shall repent each drop of blood
That hot rash haste so indirectly shed
Enter Chatillion
KING PHILIP
A wonder lady Lo upon thy wish
Our messenger Chatillion is arrivd
What England says say briefly gentle lord
We coldly pause for thee Chatillion speak
CHATILLION
Then turn your forces from this paltry siege
And stir them up against a mightier task
England impatient of your just demands
Hath put himself in arms The adverse winds
Whose leisure I have stayd have given him time
To land his legions all as soon as I
His marches are expedient to this town
His forces strong his soldiers confident
With him along is come the motherqueen
An Ate stirring him to blood and strife
With her her niece the Lady Blanche of Spain
With them a bastard of the Kings deceasd
And all th unsettled humours of the land
Rash inconsiderate fiery voluntaries
With ladies faces and fierce dragons spleens
Have sold their fortunes at their native homes
Bearing their birthrights proudly on their backs
To make a hazard of new fortunes here
In brief a braver choice of dauntless spirits
Than now the English bottoms have waft oer
Did never float upon the swelling tide
To do offence and scathe in Christendom
Drums beat within
The interruption of their churlish drums
Cuts off more circumstance They are at hand
To parley or to fight therefore prepare
KING PHILIP
How much unlookdfor is this expedition
AUSTRIA
By how much unexpected by so much
We must awake endeavour for defence
For courage mounteth with occasion
Let them be welcome then we are prepard
Enter King John Eleanor Blanche the Bastard Pembroke Lords and Forces
KING JOHN
Peace be to France if France in peace permit
Our just and lineal entrance to our own
If not bleed France and peace ascend to heaven
Whiles we Gods wrathful agent do correct
Their proud contempt that beats his peace to heaven
KING PHILIP
Peace be to England if that war return
From France to England there to live in peace
England we love and for that Englands sake
With burden of our armour here we sweat
This toil of ours should be a work of thine
But thou from loving England art so far
That thou hast underwrought his lawful king
Cut off the sequence of posterity
Outfaced infant state and done a rape
Upon the maiden virtue of the crown
Look here upon thy brother Geoffreys face
These eyes these brows were moulded out of his
This little abstract doth contain that large
Which died in Geoffrey and the hand of time
Shall draw this brief into as huge a volume
That Geoffrey was thy elder brother born
And this his son England was Geoffreys right
And this is Geoffreys In the name of God
How comes it then that thou art calld a king
When living blood doth in these temples beat
Which owe the crown that thou oermasterest
KING JOHN
From whom hast thou this great commission France
To draw my answer from thy articles
KING PHILIP
From that supernal judge that stirs good thoughts
In any breast of strong authority
To look into the blots and stains of right
That judge hath made me guardian to this boy
Under whose warrant I impeach thy wrong
And by whose help I mean to chastise it
KING JOHN
Alack thou dost usurp authority
KING PHILIP
Excuse it is to beat usurping down
QUEEN ELEANOR
Who is it thou dost call usurper France
CONSTANCE
Let me make answer thy usurping son
QUEEN ELEANOR
Out insolent Thy bastard shall be king
That thou mayst be a queen and check the world
CONSTANCE
My bed was ever to thy son as true
As thine was to thy husband and this boy
Liker in feature to his father Geoffrey
Than thou and John in manners being as like
As rain to water or devil to his dam
My boy a bastard By my soul I think
His father never was so true begot
It cannot be and if thou wert his mother
QUEEN ELEANOR
Theres a good mother boy that blots thy father
CONSTANCE
Theres a good grandam boy that would blot thee
AUSTRIA
Peace
BASTARD
Hear the crier
AUSTRIA
What the devil art thou
BASTARD
One that will play the devil sir with you
An he may catch your hide and you alone
You are the hare of whom the proverb goes
Whose valour plucks dead lions by the beard
Ill smoke your skincoat an I catch you right
Sirrah look to t i faith I will i faith
BLANCHE
O well did he become that lions robe
That did disrobe the lion of that robe
BASTARD
It lies as sightly on the back of him
As great Alcides shows upon an ass
But ass Ill take that burden from your back
Or lay on that shall make your shoulders crack
AUSTRIA
What cracker is this same that deafs our ears
With this abundance of superfluous breath
KING PHILIP
Louis determine what we shall do straight
LOUIS
Women and fools break off your conference
KING PHILIP
King John this is the very sum of all
England and Ireland Anjou Touraine Maine
In right of Arthur do I claim of thee
Wilt thou resign them and lay down thy arms
KING JOHN
My life as soon I do defy thee France
Arthur of Brittany yield thee to my hand
And out of my dear love Ill give thee more
Than eer the coward hand of France can win
Submit thee boy
QUEEN ELEANOR
Come to thy grandam child
CONSTANCE
Do child go to it grandam child
Give grandam kingdom and it grandam will
Give it a plum a cherry and a fig
Theres a good grandam
ARTHUR
Good my mother peace
I would that I were low laid in my grave
I am not worth this coil thats made for me
QUEEN ELEANOR
His mother shames him so poor boy he weeps
CONSTANCE
Now shame upon you wheer she does or no
His grandams wrongs and not his mothers shames
Draws those heavenmoving pearls from his poor eyes
Which heaven shall take in nature of a fee
Ay with these crystal beads heaven shall be bribd
To do him justice and revenge on you
QUEEN ELEANOR
Thou monstrous slanderer of heaven and earth
CONSTANCE
Thou monstrous injurer of heaven and earth
Call not me slanderer Thou and thine usurp
The dominations royalties and rights
Of this oppressed boy This is thy eldest sons son
Infortunate in nothing but in thee
Thy sins are visited in this poor child
The canon of the law is laid on him
Being but the second generation
Removed from thy sinconceiving womb
KING JOHN
Bedlam have done
CONSTANCE
I have but this to say
That he is not only plagued for her sin
But God hath made her sin and her the plague
On this removed issue plagued for her
And with her plague her sin his injury
Her injury the beadle to her sin
All punishd in the person of this child
And all for her A plague upon her
QUEEN ELEANOR
Thou unadvised scold I can produce
A will that bars the title of thy son
CONSTANCE
Ay who doubts that A will a wicked will
A womans will a cankered grandams will
KING PHILIP
Peace lady Pause or be more temperate
It ill beseems this presence to cry aim
To these illtuned repetitions
Some trumpet summon hither to the walls
These men of Angiers Let us hear them speak
Whose title they admit Arthurs or Johns
Trumpet sounds Enter Citizens upon the walls
CITIZEN
Who is it that hath warnd us to the walls
KING PHILIP
Tis France for England
KING JOHN
England for itself
You men of Angiers and my loving subjects
KING PHILIP
You loving men of Angiers Arthurs subjects
Our trumpet calld you to this gentle parle
KING JOHN
For our advantage therefore hear us first
These flags of France that are advanced here
Before the eye and prospect of your town
Have hither marchd to your endamagement
The cannons have their bowels full of wrath
And ready mounted are they to spit forth
Their iron indignation gainst your walls
All preparation for a bloody siege
And merciless proceeding by these French
Confronts your citys eyes your winking gates
And but for our approach those sleeping stones
That as a waist doth girdle you about
By the compulsion of their ordinance
By this time from their fixed beds of lime
Had been dishabited and wide havoc made
For bloody power to rush upon your peace
But on the sight of us your lawful king
Who painfully with much expedient march
Have brought a countercheck before your gates
To save unscratchd your citys threatened cheeks
Behold the French amazd vouchsafe a parle
And now instead of bullets wrappd in fire
To make a shaking fever in your walls
They shoot but calm words folded up in smoke
To make a faithless error in your ears
Which trust accordingly kind citizens
And let us in your king whose labourd spirits
Forwearied in this action of swift speed
Craves harbourage within your city walls
KING PHILIP
When I have said make answer to us both
Lo in this right hand whose protection
Is most divinely vowd upon the right
Of him it holds stands young Plantagenet
Son to the elder brother of this man
And king oer him and all that he enjoys
For this downtrodden equity we tread
In warlike march these greens before your town
Being no further enemy to you
Than the constraint of hospitable zeal
In the relief of this oppressed child
Religiously provokes Be pleased then
To pay that duty which you truly owe
To him that owes it namely this young prince
And then our arms like to a muzzled bear
Save in aspect hath all offence seald up
Our cannons malice vainly shall be spent
Against th invulnerable clouds of heaven
And with a blessed and unvexd retire
With unhackd swords and helmets all unbruisd
We will bear home that lusty blood again
Which here we came to spout against your town
And leave your children wives and you in peace
But if you fondly pass our profferd offer
Tis not the roundure of your oldfacd walls
Can hide you from our messengers of war
Though all these English and their discipline
Were harbourd in their rude circumference
Then tell us shall your city call us lord
In that behalf which we have challengd it
Or shall we give the signal to our rage
And stalk in blood to our possession
FIRST CITIZEN
In brief we are the King of Englands subjects
For him and in his right we hold this town
KING JOHN
Acknowledge then the King and let me in
CITIZEN
That can we not but he that proves the King
To him will we prove loyal Till that time
Have we rammd up our gates against the world
KING JOHN
Doth not the crown of England prove the King
And if not that I bring you witnesses
Twice fifteen thousand hearts of Englands breed
BASTARD
Bastards and else
KING JOHN
To verify our title with their lives
KING PHILIP
As many and as wellborn bloods as those
BASTARD
Some bastards too
KING PHILIP
Stand in his face to contradict his claim
FIRST CITIZEN
Till you compound whose right is worthiest
We for the worthiest hold the right from both
KING JOHN
Then God forgive the sin of all those souls
That to their everlasting residence
Before the dew of evening fall shall fleet
In dreadful trial of our kingdoms king
KING PHILIP
Amen AmenMount chevaliers To arms
BASTARD
Saint George that swinged the dragon and eer since
Sits on s horseback at mine hostess door
Teach us some fence To Austria Sirrah were I at home
At your den sirrah with your lioness
I would set an oxhead to your lions hide
And make a monster of you
AUSTRIA
Peace No more
BASTARD
O tremble for you hear the lion roar
KING JOHN
Up higher to the plain where well set forth
In best appointment all our regiments
BASTARD
Speed then to take advantage of the field
KING PHILIP
It shall be so and at the other hill
Command the rest to stand God and our right
Exeunt severally
Here after excursions enter a Herald of France with Trumpets to the gates
FRENCH HERALD
You men of Angiers open wide your gates
And let young Arthur Duke of Brittany in
Who by the hand of France this day hath made
Much work for tears in many an English mother
Whose sons lie scatterd on the bleeding ground
Many a widows husband grovelling lies
Coldly embracing the discolourd earth
And victory with little loss doth play
Upon the dancing banners of the French
Who are at hand triumphantly displayd
To enter conquerors and to proclaim
Arthur of Brittany Englands king and yours
Enter English Herald with Trumpet
ENGLISH HERALD
Rejoice you men of Angiers ring your bells
King John your king and Englands doth approach
Commander of this hot malicious day
Their armours that marchd hence so silverbright
Hither return all gilt with Frenchmens blood
There stuck no plume in any English crest
That is removed by a staff of France
Our colours do return in those same hands
That did display them when we first marchd forth
And like a jolly troop of huntsmen come
Our lusty English all with purpled hands
Dyed in the dying slaughter of their foes
Open your gates and give the victors way
FIRST CITIZEN
Heralds from off our towers we might behold
From first to last the onset and retire
Of both your armies whose equality
By our best eyes cannot be censured
Blood hath bought blood and blows have answerd blows
Strength matchd with strength and power confronted power
Both are alike and both alike we like
One must prove greatest while they weigh so even
We hold our town for neither yet for both
Enter on one side King John Eleanor Blanche the Bastard and Forces on the other King Philip Louis Austria and Forces
KING JOHN
France hast thou yet more blood to cast away
Say shall the current of our right run on
Whose passage vexd with thy impediment
Shall leave his native channel and oerswell
With course disturbd even thy confining shores
Unless thou let his silver water keep
A peaceful progress to the ocean
KING PHILIP
England thou hast not savd one drop of blood
In this hot trial more than we of France
Rather lost more And by this hand I swear
That sways the earth this climate overlooks
Before we will lay down our justborne arms
Well put thee down gainst whom these arms we bear
Or add a royal number to the dead
Gracing the scroll that tells of this wars loss
With slaughter coupled to the name of kings
BASTARD
Ha majesty How high thy glory towers
When the rich blood of kings is set on fire
O now doth Death line his dead chaps with steel
The swords of soldiers are his teeth his fangs
And now he feasts mousing the flesh of men
In undetermind differences of kings
Why stand these royal fronts amazed thus
Cry havoc kings Back to the stained field
You equal potents fierykindled spirits
Then let confusion of one part confirm
The others peace Till then blows blood and death
KING JOHN
Whose party do the townsmen yet admit
KING PHILIP
Speak citizens for England whos your king
FIRST CITIZEN
The King of England when we know the king
KING PHILIP
Know him in us that here hold up his right
KING JOHN
In us that are our own great deputy
And bear possession of our person here
Lord of our presence Angiers and of you
FIRST CITIZEN
A greater power than we denies all this
And till it be undoubted we do lock
Our former scruple in our strongbarrd gates
Kings of our fear until our fears resolvd
Be by some certain king purgd and deposd
BASTARD
By heaven these scroyles of Angiers flout you kings
And stand securely on their battlements
As in a theatre whence they gape and point
At your industrious scenes and acts of death
Your royal presences be ruld by me
Do like the mutines of Jerusalem
Be friends awhile and both conjointly bend
Your sharpest deeds of malice on this town
By east and west let France and England mount
Their battering cannon charged to the mouths
Till their soulfearing clamours have brawld down
The flinty ribs of this contemptuous city
Id play incessantly upon these jades
Even till unfenced desolation
Leave them as naked as the vulgar air
That done dissever your united strengths
And part your mingled colours once again
Turn face to face and bloody point to point
Then in a moment Fortune shall cull forth
Out of one side her happy minion
To whom in favour she shall give the day
And kiss him with a glorious victory
How like you this wild counsel mighty states
Smacks it not something of the policy
KING JOHN
Now by the sky that hangs above our heads
I like it well France shall we knit our powers
And lay this Angiers even with the ground
Then after fight who shall be king of it
BASTARD
An if thou hast the mettle of a king
Being wrongd as we are by this peevish town
Turn thou the mouth of thy artillery
As we will ours against these saucy walls
And when that we have dashd them to the ground
Why then defy each other and pellmell
Make work upon ourselves for heaven or hell
KING PHILIP
Let it be so Say where will you assault
KING JOHN
We from the west will send destruction
Into this citys bosom
AUSTRIA
I from the north
KING PHILIP
Our thunder from the south
Shall rain their drift of bullets on this town
BASTARD
O prudent discipline From north to south
Austria and France shoot in each others mouth
Ill stir them to itCome away away
FIRST CITIZEN
Hear us great kings vouchsafe awhile to stay
And I shall show you peace and fairfacd league
Win you this city without stroke or wound
Rescue those breathing lives to die in beds
That here come sacrifices for the field
Persever not but hear me mighty kings
KING JOHN
Speak on with favour we are bent to hear
FIRST CITIZEN
That daughter there of Spain the Lady Blanche
Is niece to England Look upon the years
Of Louis the Dauphin and that lovely maid
If lusty love should go in quest of beauty
Where should he find it fairer than in Blanche
If zealous love should go in search of virtue
Where should he find it purer than in Blanche
If love ambitious sought a match of birth
Whose veins bound richer blood than Lady Blanche
Such as she is in beauty virtue birth
Is the young Dauphin every way complete
If not complete of say he is not she
And she again wants nothing to name want
If want it be not that she is not he
He is the half part of a blessed man
Left to be finished by such a she
And she a fair divided excellence
Whose fulness of perfection lies in him
O two such silver currents when they join
Do glorify the banks that bound them in
And two such shores to two such streams made one
Two such controlling bounds shall you be kings
To these two princes if you marry them
This union shall do more than battery can
To our fastclosed gates for at this match
With swifter spleen than powder can enforce
The mouth of passage shall we fling wide ope
And give you entrance But without this match
The sea enraged is not half so deaf
Lions more confident mountains and rocks
More free from motion no not Death himself
In mortal fury half so peremptory
As we to keep this city
BASTARD
Heres a stay
That shakes the rotten carcass of old Death
Out of his rags Heres a large mouth indeed
That spits forth death and mountains rocks and seas
Talks as familiarly of roaring lions
As maids of thirteen do of puppydogs
What cannoneer begot this lusty blood
He speaks plain cannon fire and smoke and bounce
He gives the bastinado with his tongue
Our ears are cudgelld not a word of his
But buffets better than a fist of France
Zounds I was never so bethumpd with words
Since I first calld my brothers father dad
QUEEN ELEANOR
Son list to this conjunction make this match
Give with our niece a dowry large enough
For by this knot thou shalt so surely tie
Thy now unsurd assurance to the crown
That yon green boy shall have no sun to ripe
The bloom that promiseth a mighty fruit
I see a yielding in the looks of France
Mark how they whisper Urge them while their souls
Are capable of this ambition
Lest zeal now melted by the windy breath
Of soft petitions pity and remorse
Cool and congeal again to what it was
FIRST CITIZEN
Why answer not the double majesties
This friendly treaty of our threatend town
KING PHILIP
Speak England first that hath been forward first
To speak unto this city What say you
KING JOHN
If that the Dauphin there thy princely son
Can in this book of beauty read I love
Her dowry shall weigh equal with a queen
For Anjou and fair Touraine Maine Poitiers
And all that we upon this side the sea
Except this city now by us besiegd
Find liable to our crown and dignity
Shall gild her bridal bed and make her rich
In titles honours and promotions
As she in beauty education blood
Holds hand with any princess of the world
KING PHILIP
What sayst thou boy Look in the ladys face
LOUIS
I do my lord and in her eye I find
A wonder or a wondrous miracle
The shadow of myself formd in her eye
Which being but the shadow of your son
Becomes a sun and makes your son a shadow
I do protest I never lovd myself
Till now infixed I beheld myself
Drawn in the flattering table of her eye
Whispers with Blanche
BASTARD
Aside Drawn in the flattering table of her eye
Hangd in the frowning wrinkle of her brow
And quarterd in her heart He doth espy
Himself loves traitor This is pity now
That hangd and drawn and quarterd there should be
In such a love so vile a lout as he
BLANCHE
My uncles will in this respect is mine
If he see aught in you that makes him like
That anything he sees which moves his liking
I can with ease translate it to my will
Or if you will to speak more properly
I will enforce it easly to my love
Further I will not flatter you my lord
That all I see in you is worthy love
Than this that nothing do I see in you
Though churlish thoughts themselves should be your judge
That I can find should merit any hate
KING JOHN
What say these young ones What say you my niece
BLANCHE
That she is bound in honour still to do
What you in wisdom still vouchsafe to say
KING JOHN
Speak then Prince Dauphin Can you love this lady
LOUIS
Nay ask me if I can refrain from love
For I do love her most unfeignedly
KING JOHN
Then do I give Volquessen Touraine Maine
Poitiers and Anjou these five provinces
With her to thee and this addition more
Full thirty thousand marks of English coin
Philip of France if thou be pleasd withal
Command thy son and daughter to join hands
KING PHILIP
It likes us wellYoung princes close your hands
AUSTRIA
And your lips too for I am well assurd
That I did so when I was first assurd
KING PHILIP
Now citizens of Angiers ope your gates
Let in that amity which you have made
For at Saint Marys chapel presently
The rites of marriage shall be solemnizd
Is not the Lady Constance in this troop
I know she is not for this match made up
Her presence would have interrupted much
Where is she and her son Tell me who knows
LOUIS
She is sad and passionate at your highness tent
KING PHILIP
And by my faith this league that we have made
Will give her sadness very little cure
Brother of England how may we content
This widow lady In her right we came
Which we God knows have turnd another way
To our own vantage
KING JOHN
We will heal up all
For well create young Arthur Duke of Brittany
And Earl of Richmond and this rich fair town
We make him lord of Call the Lady Constance
Some speedy messenger bid her repair
To our solemnity I trust we shall
If not fill up the measure of her will
Yet in some measure satisfy her so
That we shall stop her exclamation
Go we as well as haste will suffer us
To this unlookdfor unprepared pomp
Exeunt all but the Bastard The Citizens retire from the walls
BASTARD
Mad world mad kings mad composition
John to stop Arthurs title in the whole
Hath willingly departed with a part
And France whose armour conscience buckled on
Whom zeal and charity brought to the field
As Gods own soldier rounded in the ear
With that same purposechanger that sly devil
That broker that still breaks the pate of faith
That daily breakvow he that wins of all
Of kings of beggars old men young men maids
Who having no external thing to lose
But the word maid cheats the poor maid of that
That smoothfacd gentleman tickling commodity
Commodity the bias of the world
The world who of itself is peised well
Made to run even upon even ground
Till this advantage this viledrawing bias
This sway of motion this commodity
Makes it take head from all indifferency
From all direction purpose course intent
And this same bias this commodity
This bawd this broker this allchanging word
Clappd on the outward eye of fickle France
Hath drawn him from his own determind aid
From a resolvd and honourable war
To a most base and vileconcluded peace
And why rail I on this commodity
But for because he hath not wood me yet
Not that I have the power to clutch my hand
When his fair angels would salute my palm
But for my hand as unattempted yet
Like a poor beggar raileth on the rich
Well whiles I am a beggar I will rail
And say there is no sin but to be rich
And being rich my virtue then shall be
To say there is no vice but beggary
Since kings break faith upon commodity
Gain be my lord for I will worship thee
Exit
ACT III
SCENE I France The French Kings tent
Enter Constance Arthur and Salisbury
CONSTANCE
Gone to be married Gone to swear a peace
False blood to false blood joind Gone to be friends
Shall Louis have Blanche and Blanche those provinces
It is not so thou hast misspoke misheard
Be well advisd tell oer thy tale again
It cannot be thou dost but say tis so
I trust I may not trust thee for thy word
Is but the vain breath of a common man
Believe me I do not believe thee man
I have a kings oath to the contrary
Thou shalt be punishd for thus frighting me
For I am sick and capable of fears
Oppressd with wrongs and therefore full of fears
A widow husbandless subject to fears
A woman naturally born to fears
And though thou now confess thou didst but jest
With my vexd spirits I cannot take a truce
But they will quake and tremble all this day
What dost thou mean by shaking of thy head
Why dost thou look so sadly on my son
What means that hand upon that breast of thine
Why holds thine eye that lamentable rheum
Like a proud river peering oer his bounds
Be these sad signs confirmers of thy words
Then speak againnot all thy former tale
But this one word whether thy tale be true
SALISBURY
As true as I believe you think them false
That give you cause to prove my saying true
CONSTANCE
O if thou teach me to believe this sorrow
Teach thou this sorrow how to make me die
And let belief and life encounter so
As doth the fury of two desperate men
Which in the very meeting fall and die
Louis marry Blanche O boy then where art thou
France friend with England What becomes of me
Fellow be gone I cannot brook thy sight
This news hath made thee a most ugly man
SALISBURY
What other harm have I good lady done
But spoke the harm that is by others done
CONSTANCE
Which harm within itself so heinous is
As it makes harmful all that speak of it
ARTHUR
I do beseech you madam be content
CONSTANCE
If thou that bidst me be content wert grim
Ugly and slandrous to thy mothers womb
Full of unpleasing blots and sightless stains
Lame foolish crooked swart prodigious
Patchd with foul moles and eyeoffending marks
I would not care I then would be content
For then I should not love thee no nor thou
Become thy great birth nor deserve a crown
But thou art fair and at thy birth dear boy
Nature and Fortune joind to make thee great
Of Natures gifts thou mayst with lilies boast
And with the halfblown rose But Fortune O
She is corrupted changd and won from thee
She adulterates hourly with thine uncle John
And with her golden hand hath pluckd on France
To tread down fair respect of sovereignty
And made his majesty the bawd to theirs
France is a bawd to Fortune and King John
That strumpet Fortune that usurping John
Tell me thou fellow is not France forsworn
Envenom him with words or get thee gone
And leave those woes alone which I alone
Am bound to underbear
SALISBURY
Pardon me madam
I may not go without you to the Kings
CONSTANCE
Thou mayst thou shalt I will not go with thee
I will instruct my sorrows to be proud
For grief is proud and makes his owner stoop
To me and to the state of my great grief
Let kings assemble for my griefs so great
That no supporter but the huge firm earth
Can hold it up Here I and sorrows sit
Here is my throne bid kings come bow to it
Seats herself on the ground
Enter King John King Philip Louis Blanche Eleanor Bastard Austria and attendants
KING PHILIP
Tis true fair daughter and this blessed day
Ever in France shall be kept festival
To solemnize this day the glorious sun
Stays in his course and plays the alchemist
Turning with splendour of his precious eye
The meagre cloddy earth to glittering gold
The yearly course that brings this day about
Shall never see it but a holy day
CONSTANCE
Rising A wicked day and not a holy day
What hath this day deservd What hath it done
That it in golden letters should be set
Among the high tides in the calendar
Nay rather turn this day out of the week
This day of shame oppression perjury
Or if it must stand still let wives with child
Pray that their burdens may not fall this day
Lest that their hopes prodigiously be crossd
But on this day let seamen fear no wrack
No bargains break that are not this day made
This day all things begun come to ill end
Yea faith itself to hollow falsehood change
KING PHILIP
By heaven lady you shall have no cause
To curse the fair proceedings of this day
Have I not pawnd to you my majesty
CONSTANCE
You have beguild me with a counterfeit
Resembling majesty which being touchd and tried
Proves valueless You are forsworn forsworn
You came in arms to spill mine enemies blood
But now in arms you strengthen it with yours
The grappling vigour and rough frown of war
Is cold in amity and painted peace
And our oppression hath made up this league
Arm arm you heavens against these perjurd kings
A widow cries be husband to me heavens
Let not the hours of this ungodly day
Wear out the day in peace but ere sunset
Set armed discord twixt these perjurd kings
Hear me O hear me
AUSTRIA
Lady Constance peace
CONSTANCE
War war no peace Peace is to me a war
O Limoges O Austria thou dost shame
That bloody spoil Thou slave thou wretch thou coward
Thou little valiant great in villainy
Thou ever strong upon the stronger side
Thou Fortunes champion that dost never fight
But when her humorous ladyship is by
To teach thee safety Thou art perjurd too
And soothst up greatness What a fool art thou
A ramping fool to brag and stamp and swear
Upon my party Thou coldblooded slave
Hast thou not spoke like thunder on my side
Been sworn my soldier bidding me depend
Upon thy stars thy fortune and thy strength
And dost thou now fall over to my foes
Thou wear a lions hide Doff it for shame
And hang a calfsskin on those recreant limbs
AUSTRIA
O that a man should speak those words to me
BASTARD
And hang a calfsskin on those recreant limbs
AUSTRIA
Thou darst not say so villain for thy life
BASTARD
And hang a calfsskin on those recreant limbs
KING JOHN
We like not this Thou dost forget thyself
KING PHILIP
Here comes the holy legate of the Pope
Enter Pandulph
PANDULPH
Hail you anointed deputies of heaven
To thee King John my holy errand is
I Pandulph of fair Milan cardinal
And from Pope Innocent the legate here
Do in his name religiously demand
Why thou against the church our holy mother
So wilfully dost spurn and force perforce
Keep Stephen Langton chosen Archbishop
Of Canterbury from that holy see
This in our foresaid holy fathers name
Pope Innocent I do demand of thee
KING JOHN
What earthy name to interrogatories
Can task the free breath of a sacred king
Thou canst not cardinal devise a name
So slight unworthy and ridiculous
To charge me to an answer as the pope
Tell him this tale and from the mouth of England
Add thus much more that no Italian priest
Shall tithe or toll in our dominions
But as we under God are supreme head
So under Him that great supremacy
Where we do reign we will alone uphold
Without th assistance of a mortal hand
So tell the pope all reverence set apart
To him and his usurpd authority
KING PHILIP
Brother of England you blaspheme in this
KING JOHN
Though you and all the kings of Christendom
Are led so grossly by this meddling priest
Dreading the curse that money may buy out
And by the merit of vile gold dross dust
Purchase corrupted pardon of a man
Who in that sale sells pardon from himself
Though you and all the rest so grossly led
This juggling witchcraft with revenue cherish
Yet I alone alone do me oppose
Against the pope and count his friends my foes
PANDULPH
Then by the lawful power that I have
Thou shalt stand cursd and excommunicate
And blessed shall he be that doth revolt
From his allegiance to an heretic
And meritorious shall that hand be calld
Canonized and worshippd as a saint
That takes away by any secret course
Thy hateful life
CONSTANCE
O lawful let it be
That I have room with Rome to curse awhile
Good father Cardinal cry thou amen
To my keen curses for without my wrong
There is no tongue hath power to curse him right
PANDULPH
Theres law and warrant lady for my curse
CONSTANCE
And for mine too When law can do no right
Let it be lawful that law bar no wrong
Law cannot give my child his kingdom here
For he that holds his kingdom holds the law
Therefore since law itself is perfect wrong
How can the law forbid my tongue to curse
PANDULPH
Philip of France on peril of a curse
Let go the hand of that archheretic
And raise the power of France upon his head
Unless he do submit himself to Rome
QUEEN ELEANOR
Lookst thou pale France Do not let go thy hand
CONSTANCE
Look to that devil lest that France repent
And by disjoining hands hell lose a soul
AUSTRIA
King Philip listen to the cardinal
BASTARD
And hang a calfsskin on his recreant limbs
AUSTRIA
Well ruffian I must pocket up these wrongs
Because
BASTARD
Your breeches best may carry them
KING JOHN
Philip what sayst thou to the cardinal
CONSTANCE
What should he say but as the cardinal
LOUIS
Bethink you father for the difference
Is purchase of a heavy curse from Rome
Or the light loss of England for a friend
Forgo the easier
BLANCHE
Thats the curse of Rome
CONSTANCE
O Louis stand fast The devil tempts thee here
In likeness of a new untrimmed bride
BLANCHE
The Lady Constance speaks not from her faith
But from her need
CONSTANCE
O if thou grant my need
Which only lives but by the death of faith
That need must needs infer this principle
That faith would live again by death of need
O then tread down my need and faith mounts up
Keep my need up and faith is trodden down
KING JOHN
The King is movd and answers not to this
CONSTANCE
O be removd from him and answer well
AUSTRIA
Do so King Philip hang no more in doubt
BASTARD
Hang nothing but a calfsskin most sweet lout
KING PHILIP
I am perplexd and know not what to say
PANDULPH
What canst thou say but will perplex thee more
If thou stand excommunicate and cursd
KING PHILIP
Good reverend father make my person yours
And tell me how you would bestow yourself
This royal hand and mine are newly knit
And the conjunction of our inward souls
Married in league coupled and linkd together
With all religious strength of sacred vows
The latest breath that gave the sound of words
Was deepsworn faith peace amity true love
Between our kingdoms and our royal selves
And even before this truce but new before
No longer than we well could wash our hands
To clap this royal bargain up of peace
Heaven knows they were besmeard and overstaind
With slaughters pencil where revenge did paint
The fearful difference of incensed kings
And shall these hands so lately purgd of blood
So newly joind in love so strong in both
Unyoke this seizure and this kind regreet
Play fast and loose with faith So jest with heaven
Make such unconstant children of ourselves
As now again to snatch our palm from palm
Unswear faith sworn and on the marriagebed
Of smiling peace to march a bloody host
And make a riot on the gentle brow
Of true sincerity O holy sir
My reverend father let it not be so
Out of your grace devise ordain impose
Some gentle order and then we shall be blest
To do your pleasure and continue friends
PANDULPH
All form is formless order orderless
Save what is opposite to Englands love
Therefore to arms Be champion of our church
Or let the church our mother breathe her curse
A mothers curse on her revolting son
France thou mayst hold a serpent by the tongue
A chafed lion by the mortal paw
A fasting tiger safer by the tooth
Than keep in peace that hand which thou dost hold
KING PHILIP
I may disjoin my hand but not my faith
PANDULPH
So makst thou faith an enemy to faith
And like a civil war settst oath to oath
Thy tongue against thy tongue O let thy vow
First made to heaven first be to heaven performd
That is to be the champion of our church
What since thou sworst is sworn against thyself
And may not be performed by thyself
For that which thou hast sworn to do amiss
Is not amiss when it is truly done
And being not done where doing tends to ill
The truth is then most done not doing it
The better act of purposes mistook
Is to mistake again though indirect
Yet indirection thereby grows direct
And falsehood falsehood cures as fire cools fire
Within the scorched veins of one newburnd
It is religion that doth make vows kept
But thou hast sworn against religion
By what thou swearst against the thing thou swearst
And makst an oath the surety for thy truth
Against an oath The truth thou art unsure
To swear swears only not to be forsworn
Else what a mockery should it be to swear
But thou dost swear only to be forsworn
And most forsworn to keep what thou dost swear
Therefore thy latter vows against thy first
Is in thyself rebellion to thyself
And better conquest never canst thou make
Than arm thy constant and thy nobler parts
Against these giddy loose suggestions
Upon which better part our prayers come in
If thou vouchsafe them But if not then know
The peril of our curses light on thee
So heavy as thou shalt not shake them off
But in despair die under the black weight
AUSTRIA
Rebellion flat rebellion
BASTARD
Willt not be
Will not a calfsskin stop that mouth of thine
LOUIS
Father to arms
BLANCHE
Upon thy weddingday
Against the blood that thou hast married
What shall our feast be kept with slaughterd men
Shall braying trumpets and loud churlish drums
Clamours of hell be measures to our pomp
O husband hear me Ay alack how new
Is husband in my mouth Even for that name
Which till this time my tongue did neer pronounce
Upon my knee I beg go not to arms
Against mine uncle
CONSTANCE
O upon my knee
Made hard with kneeling I do pray to thee
Thou virtuous Dauphin alter not the doom
Forethought by heaven
BLANCHE
Now shall I see thy love What motive may
Be stronger with thee than the name of wife
CONSTANCE
That which upholdeth him that thee upholds
His honour O thine honour Louis thine honour
LOUIS
I muse your majesty doth seem so cold
When such profound respects do pull you on
PANDULPH
I will denounce a curse upon his head
KING PHILIP
Thou shalt not need England I will fall from thee
CONSTANCE
O fair return of banishd majesty
QUEEN ELEANOR
O foul revolt of French inconstancy
KING JOHN
France thou shalt rue this hour within this hour
BASTARD
Old Time the clocksetter that bald sexton Time
Is it as he will Well then France shall rue
BLANCHE
The suns oercast with blood Fair day adieu
Which is the side that I must go withal
I am with both each army hath a hand
And in their rage I having hold of both
They whirl asunder and dismember me
Husband I cannot pray that thou mayst win
Uncle I needs must pray that thou mayst lose
Father I may not wish the fortune thine
Grandam I will not wish thy wishes thrive
Whoever wins on that side shall I lose
Assured loss before the match be playd
LOUIS
Lady with me with me thy fortune lies
BLANCHE
There where my fortune lives there my life dies
KING JOHN
Cousin go draw our puissance together
Exit Bastard
France I am burnd up with inflaming wrath
A rage whose heat hath this condition
That nothing can allay nothing but blood
The blood and dearestvalud blood of France
KING PHILIP
Thy rage shall burn thee up and thou shalt turn
To ashes ere our blood shall quench that fire
Look to thyself thou art in jeopardy
KING JOHN
No more than he that threats To arms lets hie
Exeunt severally
SCENE II The same Plains near Angiers
Alarums Excursions Enter the Bastard with Austrias head
BASTARD
Now by my life this day grows wondrous hot
Some airy devil hovers in the sky
And pours down mischief Austrias head lie there
While Philip breathes
Enter King John Arthur and Hubert
KING JOHN
Hubert keep this boyPhilip make up
My mother is assailed in our tent
And taen I fear
BASTARD
My lord I rescud her
Her highness is in safety fear you not
But on my liege for very little pains
Will bring this labour to an happy end
Exeunt
SCENE III The same
Alarums Excursions Retreat Enter King John Eleanor Arthur the Bastard Hubert and Lords
KING JOHN
To Eleanor So shall it be your grace shall stay behind
So strongly guarded
To Arthur Cousin look not sad
Thy grandam loves thee and thy uncle will
As dear be to thee as thy father was
ARTHUR
O this will make my mother die with grief
KING JOHN
To the Bastard Cousin away for England Haste before
And ere our coming see thou shake the bags
Of hoarding abbots imprisond angels
Set at liberty The fat ribs of peace
Must by the hungry now be fed upon
Use our commission in his utmost force
BASTARD
Bell book and candle shall not drive me back
When gold and silver becks me to come on
I leave your highness Grandam I will pray
If ever I remember to be holy
For your fair safety so I kiss your hand
QUEEN ELEANOR
Farewell gentle cousin
KING JOHN
Coz farewell
Exit Bastard
QUEEN ELEANOR
Come hither little kinsman hark a word
She takes Arthur aside
KING JOHN
Come hither Hubert O my gentle Hubert
We owe thee much Within this wall of flesh
There is a soul counts thee her creditor
And with advantage means to pay thy love
And my good friend thy voluntary oath
Lives in this bosom dearly cherished
Give me thy hand I had a thing to say
But I will fit it with some better tune
By heaven Hubert I am almost ashamd
To say what good respect I have of thee
HUBERT
I am much bounden to your majesty
KING JOHN
Good friend thou hast no cause to say so yet
But thou shalt have and creep time neer so slow
Yet it shall come for me to do thee good
I had a thing to say but let it go
The sun is in the heaven and the proud day
Attended with the pleasures of the world
Is all too wanton and too full of gauds
To give me audience If the midnight bell
Did with his iron tongue and brazen mouth
Sound on into the drowsy race of night
If this same were a churchyard where we stand
And thou possessed with a thousand wrongs
Or if that surly spirit melancholy
Had bakd thy blood and made it heavy thick
Which else runs tickling up and down the veins
Making that idiot laughter keep mens eyes
And strain their cheeks to idle merriment
A passion hateful to my purposes
Or if that thou couldst see me without eyes
Hear me without thine ears and make reply
Without a tongue using conceit alone
Without eyes ears and harmful sound of words
Then in despite of brooded watchful day
I would into thy bosom pour my thoughts
But ah I will not Yet I love thee well
And by my troth I think thou lovst me well
HUBERT
So well that what you bid me undertake
Though that my death were adjunct to my act
By heaven I would do it
KING JOHN
Do not I know thou wouldst
Good Hubert Hubert Hubert throw thine eye
On yon young boy Ill tell thee what my friend
He is a very serpent in my way
And wheresoeer this foot of mine doth tread
He lies before me Dost thou understand me
Thou art his keeper
HUBERT
And Ill keep him so
That he shall not offend your majesty
KING JOHN
Death
HUBERT
My lord
KING JOHN
A grave
HUBERT
He shall not live
KING JOHN
Enough
I could be merry now Hubert I love thee
Well Ill not say what I intend for thee
Remember Madam fare you well
Ill send those powers oer to your majesty
QUEEN ELEANOR
My blessing go with thee
KING JOHN
For England cousin go
Hubert shall be your man attend on you
With all true duty On toward Calais ho
Exeunt
SCENE IV The same The French Kings tent
Enter King Philip Louis Pandulph and Attendants
KING PHILIP
So by a roaring tempest on the flood
A whole armado of convicted sail
Is scattered and disjoind from fellowship
PANDULPH
Courage and comfort All shall yet go well
KING PHILIP
What can go well when we have run so ill
Are we not beaten Is not Angiers lost
Arthur taen prisoner Divers dear friends slain
And bloody England into England gone
Oerbearing interruption spite of France
LOUIS
What he hath won that hath he fortified
So hot a speed with such advice disposd
Such temperate order in so fierce a cause
Doth want example Who hath read or heard
Of any kindred action like to this
KING PHILIP
Well could I bear that England had this praise
So we could find some pattern of our shame
Enter Constance
Look who comes here A grave unto a soul
Holding th eternal spirit against her will
In the vile prison of afflicted breath
I prithee lady go away with me
CONSTANCE
Lo now now see the issue of your peace
KING PHILIP
Patience good lady Comfort gentle Constance
CONSTANCE
No I defy all counsel all redress
But that which ends all counsel true redress
Death death O amiable lovely death
Thou odoriferous stench sound rottenness
Arise forth from the couch of lasting night
Thou hate and terror to prosperity
And I will kiss thy detestable bones
And put my eyeballs in thy vaulty brows
And ring these fingers with thy household worms
And stop this gap of breath with fulsome dust
And be a carrion monster like thyself
Come grin on me and I will think thou smilst
And buss thee as thy wife Miserys love
O come to me
KING PHILIP
O fair affliction peace
CONSTANCE
No no I will not having breath to cry
O that my tongue were in the thunders mouth
Then with a passion would I shake the world
And rouse from sleep that fell anatomy
Which cannot hear a ladys feeble voice
Which scorns a modern invocation
PANDULPH
Lady you utter madness and not sorrow
CONSTANCE
Thou art not holy to belie me so
I am not mad This hair I tear is mine
My name is Constance I was Geoffreys wife
Young Arthur is my son and he is lost
I am not mad I would to heaven I were
For then tis like I should forget myself
O if I could what grief should I forget
Preach some philosophy to make me mad
And thou shalt be canonizd cardinal
For being not mad but sensible of grief
My reasonable part produces reason
How I may be deliverd of these woes
And teaches me to kill or hang myself
If I were mad I should forget my son
Or madly think a babe of clouts were he
I am not mad too well too well I feel
The different plague of each calamity
KING PHILIP
Bind up those tresses O what love I note
In the fair multitude of those her hairs
Where but by a chance a silver drop hath falln
Even to that drop ten thousand wiry friends
Do glue themselves in sociable grief
Like true inseparable faithful loves
Sticking together in calamity
CONSTANCE
To England if you will
KING PHILIP
Bind up your hairs
CONSTANCE
Yes that I will and wherefore will I do it
I tore them from their bonds and cried aloud
O that these hands could so redeem my son
As they have given these hairs their liberty
But now I envy at their liberty
And will again commit them to their bonds
Because my poor child is a prisoner
And father cardinal I have heard you say
That we shall see and know our friends in heaven
If that be true I shall see my boy again
For since the birth of Cain the first male child
To him that did but yesterday suspire
There was not such a gracious creature born
But now will canker sorrow eat my bud
And chase the native beauty from his cheek
And he will look as hollow as a ghost
As dim and meagre as an agues fit
And so hell die and rising so again
When I shall meet him in the court of heaven
I shall not know him Therefore never never
Must I behold my pretty Arthur more
PANDULPH
You hold too heinous a respect of grief
CONSTANCE
He talks to me that never had a son
KING PHILIP
You are as fond of grief as of your child
CONSTANCE
Grief fills the room up of my absent child
Lies in his bed walks up and down with me
Puts on his pretty looks repeats his words
Remembers me of all his gracious parts
Stuffs out his vacant garments with his form
Then have I reason to be fond of grief
Fare you well Had you such a loss as I
I could give better comfort than you do
I will not keep this form upon my head
She unbinds her hair
When there is such disorder in my wit
O Lord My boy my Arthur my fair son
My life my joy my food my all the world
My widowcomfort and my sorrows cure
Exit
KING PHILIP
I fear some outrage and Ill follow her
Exit
LOUIS
Theres nothing in this world can make me joy
Life is as tedious as a twicetold tale
Vexing the dull ear of a drowsy man
And bitter shame hath spoild the sweet worlds taste
That it yields nought but shame and bitterness
PANDULPH
Before the curing of a strong disease
Even in the instant of repair and health
The fit is strongest evils that take leave
On their departure most of all show evil
What have you lost by losing of this day
LOUIS
All days of glory joy and happiness
PANDULPH
If you had won it certainly you had
No no when Fortune means to men most good
She looks upon them with a threatning eye
Tis strange to think how much King John hath lost
In this which he accounts so clearly won
Are not you grievd that Arthur is his prisoner
LOUIS
As heartily as he is glad he hath him
PANDULPH
Your mind is all as youthful as your blood
Now hear me speak with a prophetic spirit
For even the breath of what I mean to speak
Shall blow each dust each straw each little rub
Out of the path which shall directly lead
Thy foot to Englands throne and therefore mark
John hath seizd Arthur and it cannot be
That whiles warm life plays in that infants veins
The misplacd John should entertain an hour
One minute nay one quiet breath of rest
A sceptre snatchd with an unruly hand
Must be boisterously maintaind as gaind
And he that stands upon a slippry place
Makes nice of no vile hold to stay him up
That John may stand then Arthur needs must fall
So be it for it cannot be but so
LOUIS
But what shall I gain by young Arthurs fall
PANDULPH
You in the right of Lady Blanche your wife
May then make all the claim that Arthur did
LOUIS
And lose it life and all as Arthur did
PANDULPH
How green you are and fresh in this old world
John lays you plots the times conspire with you
For he that steeps his safety in true blood
Shall find but bloody safety and untrue
This act so evilly borne shall cool the hearts
Of all his people and freeze up their zeal
That none so small advantage shall step forth
To check his reign but they will cherish it
No natural exhalation in the sky
No scope of nature no distemperd day
No common wind no customed event
But they will pluck away his natural cause
And call them meteors prodigies and signs
Abortives presages and tongues of heaven
Plainly denouncing vengeance upon John
LOUIS
Maybe he will not touch young Arthurs life
But hold himself safe in his prisonment
PANDULPH
O sir when he shall hear of your approach
If that young Arthur be not gone already
Even at that news he dies and then the hearts
Of all his people shall revolt from him
And kiss the lips of unacquainted change
And pick strong matter of revolt and wrath
Out of the bloody fingers ends of John
Methinks I see this hurly all on foot
And O what better matter breeds for you
Than I have namd The bastard Faulconbridge
Is now in England ransacking the church
Offending charity If but a dozen French
Were there in arms they would be as a call
To train ten thousand English to their side
Or as a little snow tumbled about
Anon becomes a mountain O noble Dauphin
Go with me to the King Tis wonderful
What may be wrought out of their discontent
Now that their souls are topful of offence
For England go I will whet on the King
LOUIS
Strong reasons makes strong actions Let us go
If you say ay the King will not say no
Exeunt
ACT IV
SCENE I Northampton A Room in the Castle
Enter Hubert and two Executioners
HUBERT
Heat me these irons hot and look thou stand
Within the arras When I strike my foot
Upon the bosom of the ground rush forth
And bind the boy which you shall find with me
Fast to the chair Be heedful Hence and watch
FIRST EXECUTIONER
I hope your warrant will bear out the deed
HUBERT
Uncleanly scruples Fear not you look tot
Exeunt Executioners
Young lad come forth I have to say with you
Enter Arthur
ARTHUR
Good morrow Hubert
HUBERT
Good morrow little prince
ARTHUR
As little prince having so great a title
To be more prince as may be You are sad
HUBERT
Indeed I have been merrier
ARTHUR
Mercy on me
Methinks nobody should be sad but I
Yet I remember when I was in France
Young gentlemen would be as sad as night
Only for wantonness By my christendom
So I were out of prison and kept sheep
I should be as merry as the day is long
And so I would be here but that I doubt
My uncle practises more harm to me
He is afraid of me and I of him
Is it my fault that I was Geoffreys son
No indeed ist not and I would to heaven
I were your son so you would love me Hubert
HUBERT
Aside If I talk to him with his innocent prate
He will awake my mercy which lies dead
Therefore I will be sudden and dispatch
ARTHUR
Are you sick Hubert You look pale today
In sooth I would you were a little sick
That I might sit all night and watch with you
I warrant I love you more than you do me
HUBERT
Aside His words do take possession of my bosom
Read here young Arthur
Showing a paper
Aside How now foolish rheum
Turning dispiteous torture out of door
I must be brief lest resolution drop
Out at mine eyes in tender womanish tears
Can you not read it Is it not fair writ
ARTHUR
Too fairly Hubert for so foul effect
Must you with hot irons burn out both mine eyes
HUBERT
Young boy I must
ARTHUR
And will you
HUBERT
And I will
ARTHUR
Have you the heart When your head did but ache
I knit my handkercher about your brows
The best I had a princess wrought it me
And I did never ask it you again
And with my hand at midnight held your head
And like the watchful minutes to the hour
Still and anon cheerd up the heavy time
Saying What lack you and Where lies your grief
Or What good love may I perform for you
Many a poor mans son would have lien still
And neer have spoke a loving word to you
But you at your sick service had a prince
Nay you may think my love was crafty love
And call it cunning Do an if you will
If heaven be pleasd that you must use me ill
Why then you must Will you put out mine eyes
These eyes that never did nor never shall
So much as frown on you
HUBERT
I have sworn to do it
And with hot irons must I burn them out
ARTHUR
Ah none but in this iron age would do it
The iron of itself though heat redhot
Approaching near these eyes would drink my tears
And quench his fiery indignation
Even in the matter of mine innocence
Nay after that consume away in rust
But for containing fire to harm mine eye
Are you more stubbornhard than hammerd iron
An if an angel should have come to me
And told me Hubert should put out mine eyes
I would not have believd him No tongue but Huberts
HUBERT
Stamps Come forth
Enter Executioners with cords irons c
Do as I bid you do
ARTHUR
O save me Hubert save me My eyes are out
Even with the fierce looks of these bloody men
HUBERT
Give me the iron I say and bind him here
ARTHUR
Alas what need you be so boistrousrough
I will not struggle I will stand stonestill
For heaven sake Hubert let me not be bound
Nay hear me Hubert Drive these men away
And I will sit as quiet as a lamb
I will not stir nor wince nor speak a word
Nor look upon the iron angerly
Thrust but these men away and Ill forgive you
Whatever torment you do put me to
HUBERT
Go stand within let me alone with him
FIRST EXECUTIONER
I am best pleasd to be from such a deed
Exeunt Executioners
ARTHUR
Alas I then have chid away my friend
He hath a stern look but a gentle heart
Let him come back that his compassion may
Give life to yours
HUBERT
Come boy prepare yourself
ARTHUR
Is there no remedy
HUBERT
None but to lose your eyes
ARTHUR
O heaven that there were but a mote in yours
A grain a dust a gnat a wandering hair
Any annoyance in that precious sense
Then feeling what small things are boisterous there
Your vile intent must needs seem horrible
HUBERT
Is this your promise Go to hold your tongue
ARTHUR
Hubert the utterance of a brace of tongues
Must needs want pleading for a pair of eyes
Let me not hold my tongue Let me not Hubert
Or Hubert if you will cut out my tongue
So I may keep mine eyes O spare mine eyes
Though to no use but still to look on you
Lo by my troth the instrument is cold
And would not harm me
HUBERT
I can heat it boy
ARTHUR
No in good sooth the fire is dead with grief
Being create for comfort to be usd
In undeservd extremes See else yourself
There is no malice in this burning coal
The breath of heaven hath blown his spirit out
And strewd repentant ashes on his head
HUBERT
But with my breath I can revive it boy
ARTHUR
An if you do you will but make it blush
And glow with shame of your proceedings Hubert
Nay it perchance will sparkle in your eyes
And like a dog that is compelld to fight
Snatch at his master that doth tarre him on
All things that you should use to do me wrong
Deny their office Only you do lack
That mercy which fierce fire and iron extends
Creatures of note for mercylacking uses
HUBERT
Well see to live I will not touch thine eye
For all the treasure that thine uncle owes
Yet I am sworn and I did purpose boy
With this same very iron to burn them out
ARTHUR
O now you look like Hubert All this while
You were disguised
HUBERT
Peace no more Adieu
Your uncle must not know but you are dead
Ill fill these dogged spies with false reports
And pretty child sleep doubtless and secure
That Hubert for the wealth of all the world
Will not offend thee
ARTHUR
O heaven I thank you Hubert
HUBERT
Silence no more Go closely in with me
Much danger do I undergo for thee
Exeunt
SCENE II The same A Room of State in the Palace
Enter King John crowned Pembroke Salisbury and other Lords The King takes his State
KING JOHN
Here once again we sit once again crownd
And lookd upon I hope with cheerful eyes
PEMBROKE
This once again but that your highness pleasd
Was once superfluous You were crownd before
And that high royalty was neer pluckd off
The faiths of men neer stained with revolt
Fresh expectation troubled not the land
With any longdfor change or better state
SALISBURY
Therefore to be possessd with double pomp
To guard a title that was rich before
To gild refined gold to paint the lily
To throw a perfume on the violet
To smooth the ice or add another hue
Unto the rainbow or with taperlight
To seek the beauteous eye of heaven to garnish
Is wasteful and ridiculous excess
PEMBROKE
But that your royal pleasure must be done
This act is as an ancient tale new told
And in the last repeating troublesome
Being urged at a time unseasonable
SALISBURY
In this the antique and wellnoted face
Of plain old form is much disfigured
And like a shifted wind unto a sail
It makes the course of thoughts to fetch about
Startles and frights consideration
Makes sound opinion sick and truth suspected
For putting on so new a fashiond robe
PEMBROKE
When workmen strive to do better than well
They do confound their skill in covetousness
And oftentimes excusing of a fault
Doth make the fault the worse by the excuse
As patches set upon a little breach
Discredit more in hiding of the fault
Than did the fault before it was so patchd
SALISBURY
To this effect before you were newcrownd
We breathd our counsel but it pleasd your highness
To overbear it and we are all well pleasd
Since all and every part of what we would
Doth make a stand at what your highness will
KING JOHN
Some reasons of this double coronation
I have possessd you with and think them strong
And more more strong when lesser is my fear
I shall indue you with Meantime but ask
What you would have reformd that is not well
And well shall you perceive how willingly
I will both hear and grant you your requests
PEMBROKE
Then I as one that am the tongue of these
To sound the purposes of all their hearts
Both for myself and them but chief of all
Your safety for the which myself and them
Bend their best studies heartily request
Th enfranchisement of Arthur whose restraint
Doth move the murmuring lips of discontent
To break into this dangerous argument
If what in rest you have in right you hold
Why then your fears which as they say attend
The steps of wrong should move you to mew up
Your tender kinsman and to choke his days
With barbarous ignorance and deny his youth
The rich advantage of good exercise
That the times enemies may not have this
To grace occasions let it be our suit
That you have bid us ask his liberty
Which for our goods we do no further ask
Than whereupon our weal on you depending
Counts it your weal he have his liberty
KING JOHN
Let it be so I do commit his youth
To your direction
Enter Hubert
Hubert what news with you
Taking him apart
PEMBROKE
This is the man should do the bloody deed
He showd his warrant to a friend of mine
The image of a wicked heinous fault
Lives in his eye that close aspect of his
Doth show the mood of a much troubled breast
And I do fearfully believe tis done
What we so feard he had a charge to do
SALISBURY
The colour of the King doth come and go
Between his purpose and his conscience
Like heralds twixt two dreadful battles set
His passion is so ripe it needs must break
PEMBROKE
And when it breaks I fear will issue thence
The foul corruption of a sweet childs death
KING JOHN
We cannot hold mortalitys strong hand
Good lords although my will to give is living
The suit which you demand is gone and dead
He tells us Arthur is deceasd tonight
SALISBURY
Indeed we feard his sickness was past cure
PEMBROKE
Indeed we heard how near his death he was
Before the child himself felt he was sick
This must be answerd either here or hence
KING JOHN
Why do you bend such solemn brows on me
Think you I bear the shears of destiny
Have I commandment on the pulse of life
SALISBURY
It is apparent foulplay and tis shame
That greatness should so grossly offer it
So thrive it in your game and so farewell
PEMBROKE
Stay yet Lord Salisbury Ill go with thee
And find th inheritance of this poor child
His little kingdom of a forced grave
That blood which owd the breadth of all this isle
Three foot of it doth hold Bad world the while
This must not be thus borne this will break out
To all our sorrows and ere long I doubt
Exeunt Lords
KING JOHN
They burn in indignation I repent
There is no sure foundation set on blood
No certain life achievd by others death
Enter a Messenger
A fearful eye thou hast Where is that blood
That I have seen inhabit in those cheeks
So foul a sky clears not without a storm
Pour down thy weather how goes all in France
MESSENGER
From France to England Never such a power
For any foreign preparation
Was levied in the body of a land
The copy of your speed is learnd by them
For when you should be told they do prepare
The tidings comes that they are all arrivd
KING JOHN
O where hath our intelligence been drunk
Where hath it slept Where is my mothers care
That such an army could be drawn in France
And she not hear of it
MESSENGER
My liege her ear
Is stoppd with dust The first of April died
Your noble mother and as I hear my lord
The Lady Constance in a frenzy died
Three days before But this from rumours tongue
I idly heard if true or false I know not
KING JOHN
Withhold thy speed dreadful occasion
O make a league with me till I have pleasd
My discontented peers What Mother dead
How wildly then walks my estate in France
Under whose conduct came those powers of France
That thou for truth givst out are landed here
MESSENGER
Under the Dauphin
KING JOHN
Thou hast made me giddy
With these in tidings
Enter the Bastard and Peter of Pomfret
Now what says the world
To your proceedings Do not seek to stuff
My head with more ill news for it is full
BASTARD
But if you be afeard to hear the worst
Then let the worst unheard fall on your head
KING JOHN
Bear with me cousin for I was amazd
Under the tide but now I breathe again
Aloft the flood and can give audience
To any tongue speak it of what it will
BASTARD
How I have sped among the clergymen
The sums I have collected shall express
But as I travailld hither through the land
I find the people strangely fantasied
Possessd with rumours full of idle dreams
Not knowing what they fear but full of fear
And heres a prophet that I brought with me
From forth the streets of Pomfret whom I found
With many hundreds treading on his heels
To whom he sung in rude harshsounding rhymes
That ere the next Ascensionday at noon
Your highness should deliver up your crown
KING JOHN
Thou idle dreamer wherefore didst thou so
PETER OF POMFRET
Foreknowing that the truth will fall out so
KING JOHN
Hubert away with him imprison him
And on that day at noon whereon he says
I shall yield up my crown let him be hangd
Deliver him to safety and return
For I must use thee
Exit Hubert with Peter
O my gentle cousin
Hearst thou the news abroad who are arrivd
BASTARD
The French my lord Mens mouths are full of it
Besides I met Lord Bigot and Lord Salisbury
With eyes as red as newenkindled fire
And others more going to seek the grave
Of Arthur whom they say is killd tonight
On your suggestion
KING JOHN
Gentle kinsman go
And thrust thyself into their companies
I have a way to will their loves again
Bring them before me
BASTARD
I will seek them out
KING JOHN
Nay but make haste the better foot before
O let me have no subject enemies
When adverse foreigners affright my towns
With dreadful pomp of stout invasion
Be Mercury set feathers to thy heels
And fly like thought from them to me again
BASTARD
The spirit of the time shall teach me speed
Exit Bastard
KING JOHN
Spoke like a sprightful noble gentleman
Go after him for he perhaps shall need
Some messenger betwixt me and the peers
And be thou he
MESSENGER
With all my heart my liege
Exit
KING JOHN
My mother dead
Enter Hubert
HUBERT
My lord they say five moons were seen tonight
Four fixed and the fifth did whirl about
The other four in wondrous motion
KING JOHN
Five moons
HUBERT
Old men and beldams in the streets
Do prophesy upon it dangerously
Young Arthurs death is common in their mouths
And when they talk of him they shake their heads
And whisper one another in the ear
And he that speaks doth gripe the hearers wrist
Whilst he that hears makes fearful action
With wrinkled brows with nods with rolling eyes
I saw a smith stand with his hammer thus
The whilst his iron did on the anvil cool
With open mouth swallowing a tailors news
Who with his shears and measure in his hand
Standing on slippers which his nimble haste
Had falsely thrust upon contrary feet
Told of a many thousand warlike French
That were embattailed and rankd in Kent
Another lean unwashd artificer
Cuts off his tale and talks of Arthurs death
KING JOHN
Why seekst thou to possess me with these fears
Why urgest thou so oft young Arthurs death
Thy hand hath murderd him I had a mighty cause
To wish him dead but thou hadst none to kill him
HUBERT
No had my lord Why did you not provoke me
KING JOHN
It is the curse of kings to be attended
By slaves that take their humours for a warrant
To break within the bloody house of life
And on the winking of authority
To understand a law to know the meaning
Of dangerous majesty when perchance it frowns
More upon humour than advisd respect
HUBERT
Here is your hand and seal for what I did
KING JOHN
O when the last account twixt heaven and earth
Is to be made then shall this hand and seal
Witness against us to damnation
How oft the sight of means to do ill deeds
Make deeds ill done Hadst not thou been by
A fellow by the hand of nature markd
Quoted and signd to do a deed of shame
This murder had not come into my mind
But taking note of thy abhorrd aspect
Finding thee fit for bloody villainy
Apt liable to be employd in danger
I faintly broke with thee of Arthurs death
And thou to be endeared to a king
Made it no conscience to destroy a prince
HUBERT
My lord
KING JOHN
Hadst thou but shook thy head or made pause
When I spake darkly what I purposd
Or turnd an eye of doubt upon my face
As bid me tell my tale in express words
Deep shame had struck me dumb made me break off
And those thy fears might have wrought fears in me
But thou didst understand me by my signs
And didst in signs again parley with sin
Yea without stop didst let thy heart consent
And consequently thy rude hand to act
The deed which both our tongues held vile to name
Out of my sight and never see me more
My nobles leave me and my state is bravd
Even at my gates with ranks of foreign powers
Nay in the body of the fleshly land
This kingdom this confine of blood and breath
Hostility and civil tumult reigns
Between my conscience and my cousins death
HUBERT
Arm you against your other enemies
Ill make a peace between your soul and you
Young Arthur is alive This hand of mine
Is yet a maiden and an innocent hand
Not painted with the crimson spots of blood
Within this bosom never enterd yet
The dreadful motion of a murderous thought
And you have slanderd nature in my form
Which howsoever rude exteriorly
Is yet the cover of a fairer mind
Than to be butcher of an innocent child
KING JOHN
Doth Arthur live O haste thee to the peers
Throw this report on their incensed rage
And make them tame to their obedience
Forgive the comment that my passion made
Upon thy feature for my rage was blind
And foul imaginary eyes of blood
Presented thee more hideous than thou art
O answer not but to my closet bring
The angry lords with all expedient haste
I conjure thee but slowly run more fast
Exeunt
SCENE III The same Before the castle
Enter Arthur on the walls
ARTHUR
The wall is high and yet will I leap down
Good ground be pitiful and hurt me not
Theres few or none do know me If they did
This shipboys semblance hath disguisd me quite
I am afraid and yet Ill venture it
If I get down and do not break my limbs
Ill find a thousand shifts to get away
As good to die and go as die and stay
Leaps down
O me my uncles spirit is in these stones
Heaven take my soul and England keep my bones
Dies
Enter Pembroke Salisbury and Bigot
SALISBURY
Lords I will meet him at Saint Edmundsbury
It is our safety and we must embrace
This gentle offer of the perilous time
PEMBROKE
Who brought that letter from the cardinal
SALISBURY
The Count Melun a noble lord of France
Whose private with me of the Dauphins love
Is much more general than these lines import
BIGOT
Tomorrow morning let us meet him then
SALISBURY
Or rather then set forward for twill be
Two long days journey lords or ere we meet
Enter the Bastard
BASTARD
Once more today well met distemperd lords
The King by me requests your presence straight
SALISBURY
The King hath dispossessd himself of us
We will not line his thin bestained cloak
With our pure honours nor attend the foot
That leaves the print of blood whereer it walks
Return and tell him so We know the worst
BASTARD
Whateer you think good words I think were best
SALISBURY
Our griefs and not our manners reason now
BASTARD
But there is little reason in your grief
Therefore twere reason you had manners now
PEMBROKE
Sir sir impatience hath his privilege
BASTARD
Tis true to hurt his master no mans else
SALISBURY
This is the prison What is he lies here
Seeing Arthur
PEMBROKE
O death made proud with pure and princely beauty
The earth had not a hole to hide this deed
SALISBURY
Murder as hating what himself hath done
Doth lay it open to urge on revenge
BIGOT
Or when he doomd this beauty to a grave
Found it too preciousprincely for a grave
SALISBURY
Sir Richard what think you Have you beheld
Or have you read or heard or could you think
Or do you almost think although you see
That you do see Could thought without this object
Form such another This is the very top
The height the crest or crest unto the crest
Of murders arms This is the bloodiest shame
The wildest savagery the vilest stroke
That ever walleyd wrath or staring rage
Presented to the tears of soft remorse
PEMBROKE
All murders past do stand excusd in this
And this so sole and so unmatchable
Shall give a holiness a purity
To the yet unbegotten sin of times
And prove a deadly bloodshed but a jest
Exampled by this heinous spectacle
BASTARD
It is a damned and a bloody work
The graceless action of a heavy hand
If that it be the work of any hand
SALISBURY
If that it be the work of any hand
We had a kind of light what would ensue
It is the shameful work of Huberts hand
The practice and the purpose of the King
From whose obedience I forbid my soul
Kneeling before this ruin of sweet life
And breathing to his breathless excellence
The incense of a vow a holy vow
Never to taste the pleasures of the world
Never to be infected with delight
Nor conversant with ease and idleness
Till I have set a glory to this hand
By giving it the worship of revenge
PEMBROKE and BIGOT
Our souls religiously confirm thy words
Enter Hubert
HUBERT
Lords I am hot with haste in seeking you
Arthur doth live the King hath sent for you
SALISBURY
O he is bold and blushes not at death
Avaunt thou hateful villain get thee gone
HUBERT
I am no villain
SALISBURY
Must I rob the law
Drawing his sword
BASTARD
Your sword is bright sir put it up again
SALISBURY
Not till I sheathe it in a murderers skin
HUBERT
Stand back Lord Salisbury stand back I say
By heaven I think my swords as sharp as yours
I would not have you lord forget yourself
Nor tempt the danger of my true defence
Lest I by marking of your rage forget
Your worth your greatness and nobility
BIGOT
Out dunghill Darst thou brave a nobleman
HUBERT
Not for my life But yet I dare defend
My innocent life against an emperor
SALISBURY
Thou art a murderer
HUBERT
Do not prove me so
Yet I am none Whose tongue soeer speaks false
Not truly speaks who speaks not truly lies
PEMBROKE
Cut him to pieces
BASTARD
Keep the peace I say
SALISBURY
Stand by or I shall gall you Faulconbridge
BASTARD
Thou wert better gall the devil Salisbury
If thou but frown on me or stir thy foot
Or teach thy hasty spleen to do me shame
Ill strike thee dead Put up thy sword betime
Or Ill so maul you and your toastingiron
That you shall think the devil is come from hell
BIGOT
What wilt thou do renowned Faulconbridge
Second a villain and a murderer
HUBERT
Lord Bigot I am none
BIGOT
Who killd this prince
HUBERT
Tis not an hour since I left him well
I honourd him I lovd him and will weep
My date of life out for his sweet lifes loss
SALISBURY
Trust not those cunning waters of his eyes
For villainy is not without such rheum
And he long traded in it makes it seem
Like rivers of remorse and innocency
Away with me all you whose souls abhor
Th uncleanly savours of a slaughterhouse
For I am stifled with this smell of sin
BIGOT
Away toward Bury to the Dauphin there
PEMBROKE
There tell the King he may inquire us out
Exeunt Lords
BASTARD
Heres a good world Knew you of this fair work
Beyond the infinite and boundless reach
Of mercy if thou didst this deed of death
Art thou damnd Hubert
HUBERT
Do but hear me sir
BASTARD
Ha Ill tell thee what
Thourt damnd as blacknay nothing is so black
Thou art more deep damnd than Prince Lucifer
There is not yet so ugly a fiend of hell
As thou shalt be if thou didst kill this child
HUBERT
Upon my soul
BASTARD
If thou didst but consent
To this most cruel act do but despair
And if thou wantst a cord the smallest thread
That ever spider twisted from her womb
Will serve to strangle thee a rush will be a beam
To hang thee on or wouldst thou drown thyself
Put but a little water in a spoon
And it shall be as all the ocean
Enough to stifle such a villain up
I do suspect thee very grievously
HUBERT
If I in act consent or sin of thought
Be guilty of the stealing that sweet breath
Which was embounded in this beauteous clay
Let hell want pains enough to torture me
I left him well
BASTARD
Go bear him in thine arms
I am amazd methinks and lose my way
Among the thorns and dangers of this world
How easy dost thou take all England up
From forth this morsel of dead royalty
The life the right and truth of all this realm
Is fled to heaven and England now is left
To tug and scamble and to part by th teeth
The unowd interest of proudswelling state
Now for the barepickd bone of majesty
Doth dogged war bristle his angry crest
And snarleth in the gentle eyes of peace
Now powers from home and discontents at home
Meet in one line and vast confusion waits
As doth a raven on a sickfalln beast
The imminent decay of wrested pomp
Now happy he whose cloak and cincture can
Hold out this tempest Bear away that child
And follow me with speed Ill to the King
A thousand businesses are brief in hand
And heaven itself doth frown upon the land
Exeunt
ACT V
SCENE I Northampton A Room in the Palace
Enter King John Pandulph with the crown and Attendants
KING JOHN
Thus have I yielded up into your hand
The circle of my glory
PANDULPH
Giving King John the crown
Take again
From this my hand as holding of the pope
Your sovereign greatness and authority
KING JOHN
Now keep your holy word Go meet the French
And from his holiness use all your power
To stop their marches fore we are inflamd
Our discontented counties do revolt
Our people quarrel with obedience
Swearing allegiance and the love of soul
To stranger blood to foreign royalty
This inundation of mistemperd humour
Rests by you only to be qualified
Then pause not for the present times so sick
That present medcine must be ministred
Or overthrow incurable ensues
PANDULPH
It was my breath that blew this tempest up
Upon your stubborn usage of the pope
But since you are a gentle convertite
My tongue shall hush again this storm of war
And make fair weather in your blustring land
On this Ascensionday remember well
Upon your oath of service to the pope
Go I to make the French lay down their arms
Exit
KING JOHN
Is this Ascensionday Did not the prophet
Say that before Ascensionday at noon
My crown I should give off Even so I have
I did suppose it should be on constraint
But heaven be thankd it is but voluntary
Enter the Bastard
BASTARD
All Kent hath yielded Nothing there holds out
But Dover Castle London hath receivd
Like a kind host the Dauphin and his powers
Your nobles will not hear you but are gone
To offer service to your enemy
And wild amazement hurries up and down
The little number of your doubtful friends
KING JOHN
Would not my lords return to me again
After they heard young Arthur was alive
BASTARD
They found him dead and cast into the streets
An empty casket where the jewel of life
By some damnd hand was robbd and taen away
KING JOHN
That villain Hubert told me he did live
BASTARD
So on my soul he did for aught he knew
But wherefore do you droop Why look you sad
Be great in act as you have been in thought
Let not the world see fear and sad distrust
Govern the motion of a kingly eye
Be stirring as the time be fire with fire
Threaten the threatner and outface the brow
Of bragging horror So shall inferior eyes
That borrow their behaviours from the great
Grow great by your example and put on
The dauntless spirit of resolution
Away and glister like the god of war
When he intendeth to become the field
Show boldness and aspiring confidence
What shall they seek the lion in his den
And fright him there And make him tremble there
O let it not be said Forage and run
To meet displeasure farther from the doors
And grapple with him ere he come so nigh
KING JOHN
The legate of the pope hath been with me
And I have made a happy peace with him
And he hath promisd to dismiss the powers
Led by the Dauphin
BASTARD
O inglorious league
Shall we upon the footing of our land
Send fairplay orders and make compromise
Insinuation parley and base truce
To arms invasive Shall a beardless boy
A cockerd silken wanton brave our fields
And flesh his spirit in a warlike soil
Mocking the air with colours idly spread
And find no check Let us my liege to arms
Perchance the cardinal cannot make your peace
Or if he do let it at least be said
They saw we had a purpose of defence
KING JOHN
Have thou the ordering of this present time
BASTARD
Away then with good courage Yet I know
Our party may well meet a prouder foe
Exeunt
SCENE II Near Saint Edmundsbury The French Camp
Enter in arms Louis Salisbury Melun Pembroke Bigot and soldiers
LOUIS
My Lord Melun let this be copied out
And keep it safe for our remembrance
Return the precedent to these lords again
That having our fair order written down
Both they and we perusing oer these notes
May know wherefore we took the sacrament
And keep our faiths firm and inviolable
SALISBURY
Upon our sides it never shall be broken
And noble Dauphin albeit we swear
A voluntary zeal and an unurgd faith
To your proceedings yet believe me prince
I am not glad that such a sore of time
Should seek a plaster by contemnd revolt
And heal the inveterate canker of one wound
By making many O it grieves my soul
That I must draw this metal from my side
To be a widowmaker O and there
Where honourable rescue and defence
Cries out upon the name of Salisbury
But such is the infection of the time
That for the health and physic of our right
We cannot deal but with the very hand
Of stern injustice and confused wrong
And ist not pity O my grieved friends
That we the sons and children of this isle
Were born to see so sad an hour as this
Wherein we step after a stranger march
Upon her gentle bosom and fill up
Her enemies ranks I must withdraw and weep
Upon the spot of this enforced cause
To grace the gentry of a land remote
And follow unacquainted colours here
What here O nation that thou couldst remove
That Neptunes arms who clippeth thee about
Would bear thee from the knowledge of thyself
And grapple thee unto a pagan shore
Where these two Christian armies might combine
The blood of malice in a vein of league
And not to spend it so unneighbourly
LOUIS
A noble temper dost thou show in this
And great affections wrestling in thy bosom
Doth make an earthquake of nobility
O what a noble combat hast thou fought
Between compulsion and a brave respect
Let me wipe off this honourable dew
That silverly doth progress on thy cheeks
My heart hath melted at a ladys tears
Being an ordinary inundation
But this effusion of such manly drops
This shower blown up by tempest of the soul
Startles mine eyes and makes me more amazd
Than had I seen the vaulty top of heaven
Figurd quite oer with burning meteors
Lift up thy brow renowned Salisbury
And with a great heart heave away this storm
Commend these waters to those baby eyes
That never saw the giant world enragd
Nor met with fortune other than at feasts
Full of warm blood of mirth of gossiping
Come come for thou shalt thrust thy hand as deep
Into the purse of rich prosperity
As Louis himselfSo nobles shall you all
That knit your sinews to the strength of mine
And even there methinks an angel spake
Enter Pandulph
Look where the holy legate comes apace
To give us warrant from the hand of heaven
And on our actions set the name of right
With holy breath
PANDULPH
Hail noble prince of France
The next is this King John hath reconcild
Himself to Rome his spirit is come in
That so stood out against the holy church
The great metropolis and see of Rome
Therefore thy threatning colours now wind up
And tame the savage spirit of wild war
That like a lion fosterd up at hand
It may lie gently at the foot of peace
And be no further harmful than in show
LOUIS
Your grace shall pardon me I will not back
I am too highborn to be propertied
To be a secondary at control
Or useful servingman and instrument
To any sovereign state throughout the world
Your breath first kindled the dead coal of wars
Between this chastisd kingdom and myself
And brought in matter that should feed this fire
And now tis far too huge to be blown out
With that same weak wind which enkindled it
You taught me how to know the face of right
Acquainted me with interest to this land
Yea thrust this enterprise into my heart
And come ye now to tell me John hath made
His peace with Rome What is that peace to me
I by the honour of my marriagebed
After young Arthur claim this land for mine
And now it is halfconquerd must I back
Because that John hath made his peace with Rome
Am I Romes slave What penny hath Rome borne
What men provided what munition sent
To underprop this action Ist not I
That undergo this charge Who else but I
And such as to my claim are liable
Sweat in this business and maintain this war
Have I not heard these islanders shout out
Vive le Roi as I have bankd their towns
Have I not here the best cards for the game
To win this easy match playd for a crown
And shall I now give oer the yielded set
No no on my soul it never shall be said
PANDULPH
You look but on the outside of this work
LOUIS
Outside or inside I will not return
Till my attempt so much be glorified
As to my ample hope was promised
Before I drew this gallant head of war
And culld these fiery spirits from the world
To outlook conquest and to win renown
Even in the jaws of danger and of death
Trumpet sounds
What lusty trumpet thus doth summon us
Enter the Bastard attended
BASTARD
According to the fair play of the world
Let me have audience I am sent to speak
My holy lord of Milan from the King
I come to learn how you have dealt for him
And as you answer I do know the scope
And warrant limited unto my tongue
PANDULPH
The Dauphin is too wilfulopposite
And will not temporize with my entreaties
He flatly says hell not lay down his arms
BASTARD
By all the blood that ever fury breathd
The youth says well Now hear our English king
For thus his royalty doth speak in me
He is prepard and reason too he should
This apish and unmannerly approach
This harnessd masque and unadvised revel
This unhaird sauciness and boyish troops
The King doth smile at and is well prepard
To whip this dwarfish war these pigmy arms
From out the circle of his territories
That hand which had the strength even at your door
To cudgel you and make you take the hatch
To dive like buckets in concealed wells
To crouch in litter of your stable planks
To lie like pawns lockd up in chests and trunks
To hug with swine to seek sweet safety out
In vaults and prisons and to thrill and shake
Even at the crying of your nations crow
Thinking this voice an armed Englishman
Shall that victorious hand be feebled here
That in your chambers gave you chastisement
No Know the gallant monarch is in arms
And like an eagle oer his aery towers
To souse annoyance that comes near his nest
And you degenerate you ingrate revolts
You bloody Neroes ripping up the womb
Of your dear mother England blush for shame
For your own ladies and palevisagd maids
Like Amazons come tripping after drums
Their thimbles into armed gauntlets change
Their needles to lances and their gentle hearts
To fierce and bloody inclination
LOUIS
There end thy brave and turn thy face in peace
We grant thou canst outscold us Fare thee well
We hold our time too precious to be spent
With such a brabbler
PANDULPH
Give me leave to speak
BASTARD
No I will speak
LOUIS
We will attend to neither
Strike up the drums and let the tongue of war
Plead for our interest and our being here
BASTARD
Indeed your drums being beaten will cry out
And so shall you being beaten Do but start
And echo with the clamour of thy drum
And even at hand a drum is ready bracd
That shall reverberate all as loud as thine
Sound but another and another shall
As loud as thine rattle the welkins ear
And mock the deepmouthd thunder For at hand
Not trusting to this halting legate here
Whom he hath usd rather for sport than need
Is warlike John and in his forehead sits
A bareribbd death whose office is this day
To feast upon whole thousands of the French
LOUIS
Strike up our drums to find this danger out
BASTARD
And thou shalt find it Dauphin do not doubt
Exeunt
SCENE III The same The Field of Battle
Alarums Enter King John and Hubert
KING JOHN
How goes the day with us O tell me Hubert
HUBERT
Badly I fear How fares your majesty
KING JOHN
This fever that hath troubled me so long
Lies heavy on me O my heart is sick
Enter a Messenger
MESSENGER
My lord your valiant kinsman Faulconbridge
Desires your majesty to leave the field
And send him word by me which way you go
KING JOHN
Tell him toward Swinstead to the abbey there
MESSENGER
Be of good comfort for the great supply
That was expected by the Dauphin here
Are wrackd three nights ago on Goodwin Sands
This news was brought to Richard but even now
The French fight coldly and retire themselves
KING JOHN
Ay me this tyrant fever burns me up
And will not let me welcome this good news
Set on toward Swinstead To my litter straight
Weakness possesseth me and I am faint
Exeunt
SCENE IV The same Another part of the same
Enter Salisbury Pembroke and Bigot
SALISBURY
I did not think the King so stord with friends
PEMBROKE
Up once again put spirit in the French
If they miscarry we miscarry too
SALISBURY
That misbegotten devil Faulconbridge
In spite of spite alone upholds the day
PEMBROKE
They say King John sore sick hath left the field
Enter Melun wounded and led by Soldiers
MELUN
Lead me to the revolts of England here
SALISBURY
When we were happy we had other names
PEMBROKE
It is the Count Melun
SALISBURY
Wounded to death
MELUN
Fly noble English you are bought and sold
Unthread the rude eye of rebellion
And welcome home again discarded faith
Seek out King John and fall before his feet
For if the French be lords of this loud day
He means to recompense the pains you take
By cutting off your heads Thus hath he sworn
And I with him and many more with me
Upon the altar at Saint Edmundsbury
Even on that altar where we swore to you
Dear amity and everlasting love
SALISBURY
May this be possible May this be true
MELUN
Have I not hideous death within my view
Retaining but a quantity of life
Which bleeds away even as a form of wax
Resolveth from his figure gainst the fire
What in the world should make me now deceive
Since I must lose the use of all deceit
Why should I then be false since it is true
That I must die here and live hence by truth
I say again if Louis do win the day
He is forsworn if eer those eyes of yours
Behold another day break in the east
But even this night whose black contagious breath
Already smokes about the burning crest
Of the old feeble and daywearied sun
Even this ill night your breathing shall expire
Paying the fine of rated treachery
Even with a treacherous fine of all your lives
If Louis by your assistance win the day
Commend me to one Hubert with your king
The love of him and this respect besides
For that my grandsire was an Englishman
Awakes my conscience to confess all this
In lieu whereof I pray you bear me hence
From forth the noise and rumour of the field
Where I may think the remnant of my thoughts
In peace and part this body and my soul
With contemplation and devout desires
SALISBURY
We do believe thee and beshrew my soul
But I do love the favour and the form
Of this most fair occasion by the which
We will untread the steps of damned flight
And like a bated and retired flood
Leaving our rankness and irregular course
Stoop low within those bounds we have oerlookd
And calmly run on in obedience
Even to our ocean to our great King John
My arm shall give thee help to bear thee hence
For I do see the cruel pangs of death
Right in thine eyeAway my friends New flight
And happy newness that intends old right
Exeunt leading off Melun
SCENE V The same The French camp
Enter Louis and his train
LOUIS
The sun of heaven methought was loath to set
But stayd and made the western welkin blush
When the English measure backward their own ground
In faint retire O bravely came we off
When with a volley of our needless shot
After such bloody toil we bid good night
And wound our tottring colours clearly up
Last in the field and almost lords of it
Enter a Messenger
MESSENGER
Where is my prince the Dauphin
LOUIS
Here What news
MESSENGER
The Count Melun is slain the English lords
By his persuasion are again falln off
And your supply which you have wishd so long
Are cast away and sunk on Goodwin Sands
LOUIS
Ah foul shrewd news Beshrew thy very heart
I did not think to be so sad tonight
As this hath made me Who was he that said
King John did fly an hour or two before
The stumbling night did part our weary powers
MESSENGER
Whoever spoke it it is true my lord
LOUIS
Well keep good quarter and good care tonight
The day shall not be up so soon as I
To try the fair adventure of tomorrow
Exeunt
SCENE VI An open place in the neighborhood of Swinstead Abbey
Enter the Bastard and Hubert meeting
HUBERT
Whos there Speak ho Speak quickly or I shoot
BASTARD
A friend What art thou
HUBERT
Of the part of England
BASTARD
Whither dost thou go
HUBERT
Whats that to thee Why may I not demand
Of thine affairs as well as thou of mine
BASTARD
Hubert I think
HUBERT
Thou hast a perfect thought
I will upon all hazards well believe
Thou art my friend that knowst my tongue so well
Who art thou
BASTARD
Who thou wilt And if thou please
Thou mayst befriend me so much as to think
I come one way of the Plantagenets
HUBERT
Unkind remembrance Thou and eyeless night
Have done me shame Brave soldier pardon me
That any accent breaking from thy tongue
Should scape the true acquaintance of mine ear
BASTARD
Come come sans compliment what news abroad
HUBERT
Why here walk I in the black brow of night
To find you out
BASTARD
Brief then and whats the news
HUBERT
O my sweet sir news fitting to the night
Black fearful comfortless and horrible
BASTARD
Show me the very wound of this ill news
I am no woman Ill not swoon at it
HUBERT
The King I fear is poisond by a monk
I left him almost speechless and broke out
To acquaint you with this evil that you might
The better arm you to the sudden time
Than if you had at leisure known of this
BASTARD
How did he take it Who did taste to him
HUBERT
A monk I tell you a resolved villain
Whose bowels suddenly burst out The King
Yet speaks and peradventure may recover
BASTARD
Who didst thou leave to tend his majesty
HUBERT
Why know you not The lords are all come back
And brought Prince Henry in their company
At whose request the King hath pardond them
And they are all about his majesty
BASTARD
Withhold thine indignation mighty heaven
And tempt us not to bear above our power
Ill tell thee Hubert half my power this night
Passing these flats are taken by the tide
These Lincoln Washes have devoured them
Myself well mounted hardly have escapd
Away before Conduct me to the King
I doubt he will be dead or ere I come
Exeunt
SCENE VII The orchard of Swinstead Abbey
Enter Prince Henry Salisbury and Bigot
PRINCE HENRY
It is too late The life of all his blood
Is touchd corruptibly and his pure brain
Which some suppose the souls frail dwellinghouse
Doth by the idle comments that it makes
Foretell the ending of mortality
Enter Pembroke
PEMBROKE
His Highness yet doth speak and holds belief
That being brought into the open air
It would allay the burning quality
Of that fell poison which assaileth him
PRINCE HENRY
Let him be brought into the orchard here
Doth he still rage
Exit Bigot
PEMBROKE
He is more patient
Than when you left him even now he sung
PRINCE HENRY
O vanity of sickness Fierce extremes
In their continuance will not feel themselves
Death having preyd upon the outward parts
Leaves them invisible and his siege is now
Against the mind the which he pricks and wounds
With many legions of strange fantasies
Which in their throng and press to that last hold
Confound themselves Tis strange that death should sing
I am the cygnet to this pale faint swan
Who chants a doleful hymn to his own death
And from the organpipe of frailty sings
His soul and body to their lasting rest
SALISBURY
Be of good comfort prince for you are born
To set a form upon that indigest
Which he hath left so shapeless and so rude
Enter Bigot and Attendants who bring in King John in a chair
KING JOHN
Ay marry now my soul hath elbowroom
It would not out at windows nor at doors
There is so hot a summer in my bosom
That all my bowels crumble up to dust
I am a scribbled form drawn with a pen
Upon a parchment and against this fire
Do I shrink up
PRINCE HENRY
How fares your majesty
KING JOHN
Poisond ill fare dead forsook cast off
And none of you will bid the winter come
To thrust his icy fingers in my maw
Nor let my kingdoms rivers take their course
Through my burnd bosom nor entreat the north
To make his bleak winds kiss my parched lips
And comfort me with cold I do not ask you much
I beg cold comfort and you are so strait
And so ingrateful you deny me that
PRINCE HENRY
O that there were some virtue in my tears
That might relieve you
KING JOHN
The salt in them is hot
Within me is a hell and there the poison
Is as a fiend confind to tyrannize
On unreprievable condemned blood
Enter the Bastard
BASTARD
O I am scalded with my violent motion
And spleen of speed to see your majesty
KING JOHN
O cousin thou art come to set mine eye
The tackle of my heart is crackd and burnd
And all the shrouds wherewith my life should sail
Are turned to one thread one little hair
My heart hath one poor string to stay it by
Which holds but till thy news be uttered
And then all this thou seest is but a clod
And module of confounded royalty
BASTARD
The Dauphin is preparing hitherward
Where God He knows how we shall answer him
For in a night the best part of my power
As I upon advantage did remove
Were in the Washes all unwarily
Devoured by the unexpected flood
The King dies
SALISBURY
You breathe these dead news in as dead an ear
My liege My lordBut now a king now thus
PRINCE HENRY
Even so must I run on and even so stop
What surety of the world what hope what stay
When this was now a king and now is clay
BASTARD
Art thou gone so I do but stay behind
To do the office for thee of revenge
And then my soul shall wait on thee to heaven
As it on earth hath been thy servant still
Now now you stars that move in your right spheres
Where be your powers Show now your mended faiths
And instantly return with me again
To push destruction and perpetual shame
Out of the weak door of our fainting land
Straight let us seek or straight we shall be sought
The Dauphin rages at our very heels
SALISBURY
It seems you know not then so much as we
The Cardinal Pandulph is within at rest
Who half an hour since came from the Dauphin
And brings from him such offers of our peace
As we with honour and respect may take
With purpose presently to leave this war
BASTARD
He will the rather do it when he sees
Ourselves well sinewed to our defence
SALISBURY
Nay tis in a manner done already
For many carriages he hath dispatchd
To the seaside and put his cause and quarrel
To the disposing of the cardinal
With whom yourself myself and other lords
If you think meet this afternoon will post
To consummate this business happily
BASTARD
Let it be so And you my noble prince
With other princes that may best be spard
Shall wait upon your fathers funeral
PRINCE HENRY
At Worcester must his body be interrd
For so he willd it
BASTARD
Thither shall it then
And happily may your sweet self put on
The lineal state and glory of the land
To whom with all submission on my knee
I do bequeath my faithful services
And true subjection everlastingly
SALISBURY
And the like tender of our love we make
To rest without a spot for evermore
PRINCE HENRY
I have a kind soul that would give you thanks
And knows not how to do it but with tears
BASTARD
O let us pay the time but needful woe
Since it hath been beforehand with our griefs
This England never did nor never shall
Lie at the proud foot of a conqueror
But when it first did help to wound itself
Now these her princes are come home again
Come the three corners of the world in arms
And we shall shock them Nought shall make us rue
If England to itself do rest but true
Exeunt
THE TRAGEDY OF JULIUS CAESAR
Contents
ACT I
Scene I Rome A street
Scene II The same A public place
Scene III The same A street
ACT II
Scene I Rome Brutus orchard
Scene II A room in Caesars palace
Scene III A street near the Capitol
Scene IV Another part of the same street before the house of Brutus
ACT III
Scene I Rome Before the Capitol the Senate sitting
Scene II The same The Forum
Scene III The same A street
ACT IV
Scene I A room in Antonys house
Scene II Before Brutus tent in the camp near Sardis
Scene III Within the tent of Brutus
ACT V
Scene I The plains of Philippi
Scene II The same The field of battle
Scene III Another part of the field
Scene IV Another part of the field
Scene V Another part of the field
Dramatis Person
JULIUS CAESAR
OCTAVIUS CAESAR Triumvir after his death
MARCUS ANTONIUS
M AEMILIUS LEPIDUS
CICERO PUBLIUS POPILIUS LENA Senators
MARCUS BRUTUS Conspirator against Caesar
CASSIUS
CASCA
TREBONIUS
LIGARIUS
DECIUS BRUTUS
METELLUS CIMBER
CINNA
FLAVIUS tribune
MARULLUS tribune
ARTEMIDORUS a Sophist of Cnidos
A Soothsayer
CINNA a poet
Another Poet
LUCILIUS TITINIUS MESSALA young CATO and VOLUMNIUS Friends to Brutus and Cassius
VARRO CLITUS CLAUDIUS STRATO LUCIUS DARDANIUS Servants to Brutus
PINDARUS Servant to Cassius
CALPHURNIA wife to Caesar
PORTIA wife to Brutus
The Ghost of Caesar
Senators Citizens Soldiers Commoners Messengers and Servants
SCENE Rome the conspirators camp near Sardis and the plains of Philippi
ACT I
SCENE I Rome A street
Enter Flavius Marullus and a throng of Citizens
FLAVIUS
Hence home you idle creatures get you home
Is this a holiday What know you not
Being mechanical you ought not walk
Upon a labouring day without the sign
Of your profession Speak what trade art thou
CARPENTER
Why sir a carpenter
MARULLUS
Where is thy leather apron and thy rule
What dost thou with thy best apparel on
You sir what trade are you
COBBLER
Truly sir in respect of a fine workman I am but as you would say a cobbler
MARULLUS
But what trade art thou Answer me directly
COBBLER
A trade sir that I hope I may use with a safe conscience which is indeed sir a mender of bad soles
MARULLUS
What trade thou knave Thou naughty knave what trade
COBBLER
Nay I beseech you sir be not out with me yet if you be out sir I can mend you
MARULLUS
What meanst thou by that Mend me thou saucy fellow
COBBLER
Why sir cobble you
FLAVIUS
Thou art a cobbler art thou
COBBLER
Truly sir all that I live by is with the awl I meddle with no tradesmans matters nor womens matters but withal I am indeed sir a surgeon to old shoes when they are in great danger I recover them As proper men as ever trod upon neats leather have gone upon my handiwork
FLAVIUS
But wherefore art not in thy shop today
Why dost thou lead these men about the streets
COBBLER
Truly sir to wear out their shoes to get myself into more work But indeed sir we make holiday to see Caesar and to rejoice in his triumph
MARULLUS
Wherefore rejoice What conquest brings he home
What tributaries follow him to Rome
To grace in captive bonds his chariot wheels
You blocks you stones you worse than senseless things
O you hard hearts you cruel men of Rome
Knew you not Pompey Many a time and oft
Have you climbd up to walls and battlements
To towers and windows yea to chimney tops
Your infants in your arms and there have sat
The livelong day with patient expectation
To see great Pompey pass the streets of Rome
And when you saw his chariot but appear
Have you not made an universal shout
That Tiber trembled underneath her banks
To hear the replication of your sounds
Made in her concave shores
And do you now put on your best attire
And do you now cull out a holiday
And do you now strew flowers in his way
That comes in triumph over Pompeys blood
Be gone
Run to your houses fall upon your knees
Pray to the gods to intermit the plague
That needs must light on this ingratitude
FLAVIUS
Go go good countrymen and for this fault
Assemble all the poor men of your sort
Draw them to Tiber banks and weep your tears
Into the channel till the lowest stream
Do kiss the most exalted shores of all
Exeunt Citizens
See whether their basest metal be not movd
They vanish tonguetied in their guiltiness
Go you down that way towards the Capitol
This way will I Disrobe the images
If you do find them deckd with ceremonies
MARULLUS
May we do so
You know it is the feast of Lupercal
FLAVIUS
It is no matter let no images
Be hung with Caesars trophies Ill about
And drive away the vulgar from the streets
So do you too where you perceive them thick
These growing feathers pluckd from Caesars wing
Will make him fly an ordinary pitch
Who else would soar above the view of men
And keep us all in servile fearfulness
Exeunt
SCENE II The same A public place
Enter in procession with music Caesar Antony for the course Calphurnia Portia Decius Cicero Brutus Cassius and Casca a great crowd following among them a Soothsayer
CAESAR
Calphurnia
CASCA
Peace ho Caesar speaks
Music ceases
CAESAR
Calphurnia
CALPHURNIA
Here my lord
CAESAR
Stand you directly in Antonius way
When he doth run his course Antonius
ANTONY
Caesar my lord
CAESAR
Forget not in your speed Antonius
To touch Calphurnia for our elders say
The barren touched in this holy chase
Shake off their sterile curse
ANTONY
I shall remember
When Caesar says Do this it is performd
CAESAR
Set on and leave no ceremony out
Music
SOOTHSAYER
Caesar
CAESAR
Ha Who calls
CASCA
Bid every noise be still peace yet again
Music ceases
CAESAR
Who is it in the press that calls on me
I hear a tongue shriller than all the music
Cry Caesar Speak Caesar is turnd to hear
SOOTHSAYER
Beware the Ides of March
CAESAR
What man is that
BRUTUS
A soothsayer bids you beware the Ides of March
CAESAR
Set him before me let me see his face
CASSIUS
Fellow come from the throng look upon Caesar
CAESAR
What sayst thou to me now Speak once again
SOOTHSAYER
Beware the Ides of March
CAESAR
He is a dreamer let us leave him Pass
Sennet Exeunt all but Brutus and Cassius
CASSIUS
Will you go see the order of the course
BRUTUS
Not I
CASSIUS
I pray you do
BRUTUS
I am not gamesome I do lack some part
Of that quick spirit that is in Antony
Let me not hinder Cassius your desires
Ill leave you
CASSIUS
Brutus I do observe you now of late
I have not from your eyes that gentleness
And show of love as I was wont to have
You bear too stubborn and too strange a hand
Over your friend that loves you
BRUTUS
Cassius
Be not deceived if I have veild my look
I turn the trouble of my countenance
Merely upon myself Vexed I am
Of late with passions of some difference
Conceptions only proper to myself
Which give some soil perhaps to my behaviors
But let not therefore my good friends be grieved
Among which number Cassius be you one
Nor construe any further my neglect
Than that poor Brutus with himself at war
Forgets the shows of love to other men
CASSIUS
Then Brutus I have much mistook your passion
By means whereof this breast of mine hath buried
Thoughts of great value worthy cogitations
Tell me good Brutus can you see your face
BRUTUS
No Cassius for the eye sees not itself
But by reflection by some other thing
CASSIUS
Tis just
And it is very much lamented Brutus
That you have no such mirrors as will turn
Your hidden worthiness into your eye
That you might see your shadow I have heard
Where many of the best respect in Rome
Except immortal Caesar speaking of Brutus
And groaning underneath this ages yoke
Have wishd that noble Brutus had his eyes
BRUTUS
Into what dangers would you lead me Cassius
That you would have me seek into myself
For that which is not in me
CASSIUS
Therefore good Brutus be prepared to hear
And since you know you cannot see yourself
So well as by reflection I your glass
Will modestly discover to yourself
That of yourself which you yet know not of
And be not jealous on me gentle Brutus
Were I a common laugher or did use
To stale with ordinary oaths my love
To every new protester if you know
That I do fawn on men and hug them hard
And after scandal them or if you know
That I profess myself in banqueting
To all the rout then hold me dangerous
Flourish and shout
BRUTUS
What means this shouting I do fear the people
Choose Caesar for their king
CASSIUS
Ay do you fear it
Then must I think you would not have it so
BRUTUS
I would not Cassius yet I love him well
But wherefore do you hold me here so long
What is it that you would impart to me
If it be aught toward the general good
Set honour in one eye and death i the other
And I will look on both indifferently
For let the gods so speed me as I love
The name of honour more than I fear death
CASSIUS
I know that virtue to be in you Brutus
As well as I do know your outward favour
Well honour is the subject of my story
I cannot tell what you and other men
Think of this life but for my single self
I had as lief not be as live to be
In awe of such a thing as I myself
I was born free as Caesar so were you
We both have fed as well and we can both
Endure the winters cold as well as he
For once upon a raw and gusty day
The troubled Tiber chafing with her shores
Caesar said to me Darst thou Cassius now
Leap in with me into this angry flood
And swim to yonder point Upon the word
Accoutred as I was I plunged in
And bade him follow so indeed he did
The torrent roard and we did buffet it
With lusty sinews throwing it aside
And stemming it with hearts of controversy
But ere we could arrive the point proposd
Caesar cried Help me Cassius or I sink
I as Aeneas our great ancestor
Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder
The old Anchises bear so from the waves of Tiber
Did I the tired Caesar And this man
Is now become a god and Cassius is
A wretched creature and must bend his body
If Caesar carelessly but nod on him
He had a fever when he was in Spain
And when the fit was on him I did mark
How he did shake tis true this god did shake
His coward lips did from their colour fly
And that same eye whose bend doth awe the world
Did lose his lustre I did hear him groan
Ay and that tongue of his that bade the Romans
Mark him and write his speeches in their books
Alas it cried Give me some drink Titinius
As a sick girl Ye gods it doth amaze me
A man of such a feeble temper should
So get the start of the majestic world
And bear the palm alone
Shout Flourish
BRUTUS
Another general shout
I do believe that these applauses are
For some new honours that are heapd on Caesar
CASSIUS
Why man he doth bestride the narrow world
Like a Colossus and we petty men
Walk under his huge legs and peep about
To find ourselves dishonourable graves
Men at some time are masters of their fates
The fault dear Brutus is not in our stars
But in ourselves that we are underlings
Brutus and Caesar what should be in that Caesar
Why should that name be sounded more than yours
Write them together yours is as fair a name
Sound them it doth become the mouth as well
Weigh them it is as heavy conjure with em
Brutus will start a spirit as soon as Caesar
Now in the names of all the gods at once
Upon what meat doth this our Caesar feed
That he is grown so great Age thou art shamd
Rome thou hast lost the breed of noble bloods
When went there by an age since the great flood
But it was famd with more than with one man
When could they say till now that talkd of Rome
That her wide walls encompassd but one man
Now is it Rome indeed and room enough
When there is in it but one only man
O you and I have heard our fathers say
There was a Brutus once that would have brookd
Th eternal devil to keep his state in Rome
As easily as a king
BRUTUS
That you do love me I am nothing jealous
What you would work me to I have some aim
How I have thought of this and of these times
I shall recount hereafter For this present
I would not so with love I might entreat you
Be any further movd What you have said
I will consider what you have to say
I will with patience hear and find a time
Both meet to hear and answer such high things
Till then my noble friend chew upon this
Brutus had rather be a villager
Than to repute himself a son of Rome
Under these hard conditions as this time
Is like to lay upon us
CASSIUS
I am glad that my weak words
Have struck but thus much show of fire from Brutus
Enter Caesar and his Train
BRUTUS
The games are done and Caesar is returning
CASSIUS
As they pass by pluck Casca by the sleeve
And he will after his sour fashion tell you
What hath proceeded worthy note today
BRUTUS
I will do so But look you Cassius
The angry spot doth glow on Caesars brow
And all the rest look like a chidden train
Calphurnias cheek is pale and Cicero
Looks with such ferret and such fiery eyes
As we have seen him in the Capitol
Being crossd in conference by some senators
CASSIUS
Casca will tell us what the matter is
CAESAR
Antonius
ANTONY
Caesar
CAESAR
Let me have men about me that are fat
Sleekheaded men and such as sleep anights
Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look
He thinks too much such men are dangerous
ANTONY
Fear him not Caesar hes not dangerous
He is a noble Roman and well given
CAESAR
Would he were fatter But I fear him not
Yet if my name were liable to fear
I do not know the man I should avoid
So soon as that spare Cassius He reads much
He is a great observer and he looks
Quite through the deeds of men He loves no plays
As thou dost Antony he hears no music
Seldom he smiles and smiles in such a sort
As if he mockd himself and scornd his spirit
That could be movd to smile at anything
Such men as he be never at hearts ease
Whiles they behold a greater than themselves
And therefore are they very dangerous
I rather tell thee what is to be feard
Than what I fear for always I am Caesar
Come on my right hand for this ear is deaf
And tell me truly what thou thinkst of him
Exeunt Caesar and his Train Casca stays
CASCA
You pulld me by the cloak would you speak with me
BRUTUS
Ay Casca tell us what hath chancd today
That Caesar looks so sad
CASCA
Why you were with him were you not
BRUTUS
I should not then ask Casca what had chancd
CASCA
Why there was a crown offerd him and being offerd him he put it by with the back of his hand thus and then the people fell ashouting
BRUTUS
What was the second noise for
CASCA
Why for that too
CASSIUS
They shouted thrice what was the last cry for
CASCA
Why for that too
BRUTUS
Was the crown offerd him thrice
CASCA
Ay marry wast and he put it by thrice every time gentler than other and at every puttingby mine honest neighbours shouted
CASSIUS
Who offerd him the crown
CASCA
Why Antony
BRUTUS
Tell us the manner of it gentle Casca
CASCA
I can as well be hangd as tell the manner of it it was mere foolery I did not mark it I saw Mark Antony offer him a crown yet twas not a crown neither twas one of these coronets and as I told you he put it by once but for all that to my thinking he would fain have had it Then he offered it to him again then he put it by again but to my thinking he was very loath to lay his fingers off it And then he offered it the third time he put it the third time by and still as he refusd it the rabblement hooted and clappd their chopt hands and threw up their sweaty nightcaps and uttered such a deal of stinking breath because Caesar refusd the crown that it had almost choked Caesar for he swooned and fell down at it And for mine own part I durst not laugh for fear of opening my lips and receiving the bad air
CASSIUS
But soft I pray you What did Caesar swoon
CASCA
He fell down in the marketplace and foamd at mouth and was speechless
BRUTUS
Tis very like he hath the fallingsickness
CASSIUS
No Caesar hath it not but you and I
And honest Casca we have the fallingsickness
CASCA
I know not what you mean by that but I am sure Caesar fell down If the tagrag people did not clap him and hiss him according as he pleased and displeased them as they use to do the players in the theatre I am no true man
BRUTUS
What said he when he came unto himself
CASCA
Marry before he fell down when he perceived the common herd was glad he refused the crown he pluckd me ope his doublet and offerd them his throat to cut And I had been a man of any occupation if I would not have taken him at a word I would I might go to hell among the rogues And so he fell When he came to himself again he said if he had done or said anything amiss he desird their worships to think it was his infirmity Three or four wenches where I stood cried Alas good soul and forgave him with all their hearts But theres no heed to be taken of them if Caesar had stabbd their mothers they would have done no less
BRUTUS
And after that he came thus sad away
CASCA
Ay
CASSIUS
Did Cicero say anything
CASCA
Ay he spoke Greek
CASSIUS
To what effect
CASCA
Nay and I tell you that Ill neer look you i the face again But those that understood him smild at one another and shook their heads but for mine own part it was Greek to me I could tell you more news too Marullus and Flavius for pulling scarfs off Caesars images are put to silence Fare you well There was more foolery yet if I could remember it
CASSIUS
Will you sup with me tonight Casca
CASCA
No I am promisd forth
CASSIUS
Will you dine with me tomorrow
CASCA
Ay if I be alive and your mind hold and your dinner worth the eating
CASSIUS
Good I will expect you
CASCA
Do so farewell both
Exit Casca
BRUTUS
What a blunt fellow is this grown to be
He was quick mettle when he went to school
CASSIUS
So is he now in execution
Of any bold or noble enterprise
However he puts on this tardy form
This rudeness is a sauce to his good wit
Which gives men stomach to digest his words
With better appetite
BRUTUS
And so it is For this time I will leave you
Tomorrow if you please to speak with me
I will come home to you or if you will
Come home to me and I will wait for you
CASSIUS
I will do so till then think of the world
Exit Brutus
Well Brutus thou art noble yet I see
Thy honourable metal may be wrought
From that it is disposd therefore tis meet
That noble minds keep ever with their likes
For who so firm that cannot be seducd
Caesar doth bear me hard but he loves Brutus
If I were Brutus now and he were Cassius
He should not humour me I will this night
In several hands in at his windows throw
As if they came from several citizens
Writings all tending to the great opinion
That Rome holds of his name wherein obscurely
Caesars ambition shall be glanced at
And after this let Caesar seat him sure
For we will shake him or worse days endure
Exit
SCENE III The same A street
Thunder and lightning Enter from opposite sides Casca with his sword drawn and Cicero
CICERO
Good even Casca brought you Caesar home
Why are you breathless and why stare you so
CASCA
Are not you moved when all the sway of earth
Shakes like a thing unfirm O Cicero
I have seen tempests when the scolding winds
Have rivd the knotty oaks and I have seen
Th ambitious ocean swell and rage and foam
To be exalted with the threatening clouds
But never till tonight never till now
Did I go through a tempest dropping fire
Either there is a civil strife in heaven
Or else the world too saucy with the gods
Incenses them to send destruction
CICERO
Why saw you anything more wonderful
CASCA
A common slave youd know him well by sight
Held up his left hand which did flame and burn
Like twenty torches joind and yet his hand
Not sensible of fire remaind unscorchd
Besides I ha not since put up my sword
Against the Capitol I met a lion
Who glared upon me and went surly by
Without annoying me And there were drawn
Upon a heap a hundred ghastly women
Transformed with their fear who swore they saw
Men all in fire walk up and down the streets
And yesterday the bird of night did sit
Even at noonday upon the marketplace
Hooting and shrieking When these prodigies
Do so conjointly meet let not men say
These are their reasons they are natural
For I believe they are portentous things
Unto the climate that they point upon
CICERO
Indeed it is a strangedisposed time
But men may construe things after their fashion
Clean from the purpose of the things themselves
Comes Caesar to the Capitol tomorrow
CASCA
He doth for he did bid Antonius
Send word to you he would be there tomorrow
CICERO
Goodnight then Casca this disturbed sky
Is not to walk in
CASCA
Farewell Cicero
Exit Cicero
Enter Cassius
CASSIUS
Whos there
CASCA
A Roman
CASSIUS
Casca by your voice
CASCA
Your ear is good Cassius what night is this
CASSIUS
A very pleasing night to honest men
CASCA
Who ever knew the heavens menace so
CASSIUS
Those that have known the earth so full of faults
For my part I have walkd about the streets
Submitting me unto the perilous night
And thus unbraced Casca as you see
Have bard my bosom to the thunderstone
And when the cross blue lightning seemd to open
The breast of heaven I did present myself
Even in the aim and very flash of it
CASCA
But wherefore did you so much tempt the Heavens
It is the part of men to fear and tremble
When the most mighty gods by tokens send
Such dreadful heralds to astonish us
CASSIUS
You are dull Casca and those sparks of life
That should be in a Roman you do want
Or else you use not You look pale and gaze
And put on fear and cast yourself in wonder
To see the strange impatience of the Heavens
But if you would consider the true cause
Why all these fires why all these gliding ghosts
Why birds and beasts from quality and kind
Why old men fools and children calculate
Why all these things change from their ordinance
Their natures and preformed faculties
To monstrous quality why you shall find
That Heaven hath infusd them with these spirits
To make them instruments of fear and warning
Unto some monstrous state
Now could I Casca name to thee a man
Most like this dreadful night
That thunders lightens opens graves and roars
As doth the lion in the Capitol
A man no mightier than thyself or me
In personal action yet prodigious grown
And fearful as these strange eruptions are
CASCA
Tis Caesar that you mean is it not Cassius
CASSIUS
Let it be who it is for Romans now
Have thews and limbs like to their ancestors
But woe the while our fathers minds are dead
And we are governd with our mothers spirits
Our yoke and sufferance show us womanish
CASCA
Indeed they say the senators tomorrow
Mean to establish Caesar as a king
And he shall wear his crown by sea and land
In every place save here in Italy
CASSIUS
I know where I will wear this dagger then
Cassius from bondage will deliver Cassius
Therein ye gods you make the weak most strong
Therein ye gods you tyrants do defeat
Nor stony tower nor walls of beaten brass
Nor airless dungeon nor strong links of iron
Can be retentive to the strength of spirit
But life being weary of these worldly bars
Never lacks power to dismiss itself
If I know this know all the world besides
That part of tyranny that I do bear
I can shake off at pleasure
Thunder still
CASCA
So can I
So every bondman in his own hand bears
The power to cancel his captivity
CASSIUS
And why should Caesar be a tyrant then
Poor man I know he would not be a wolf
But that he sees the Romans are but sheep
He were no lion were not Romans hinds
Those that with haste will make a mighty fire
Begin it with weak straws What trash is Rome
What rubbish and what offal when it serves
For the base matter to illuminate
So vile a thing as Caesar But O grief
Where hast thou led me I perhaps speak this
Before a willing bondman then I know
My answer must be made but I am armd
And dangers are to me indifferent
CASCA
You speak to Casca and to such a man
That is no fleering telltale Hold my hand
Be factious for redress of all these griefs
And I will set this foot of mine as far
As who goes farthest
CASSIUS
Theres a bargain made
Now know you Casca I have movd already
Some certain of the noblestminded Romans
To undergo with me an enterprise
Of honourabledangerous consequence
And I do know by this they stay for me
In Pompeys Porch for now this fearful night
There is no stir or walking in the streets
And the complexion of the element
In favours like the work we have in hand
Most bloody fiery and most terrible
Enter Cinna
CASCA
Stand close awhile for here comes one in haste
CASSIUS
Tis Cinna I do know him by his gait
He is a friend Cinna where haste you so
CINNA
To find out you Whos that Metellus Cimber
CASSIUS
No it is Casca one incorporate
To our attempts Am I not stayd for Cinna
CINNA
I am glad ont What a fearful night is this
Theres two or three of us have seen strange sights
CASSIUS
Am I not stayd for tell me
CINNA
Yes you are O Cassius if you could
But win the noble Brutus to our party
CASSIUS
Be you content Good Cinna take this paper
And look you lay it in the praetors chair
Where Brutus may but find it and throw this
In at his window set this up with wax
Upon old Brutus statue all this done
Repair to Pompeys Porch where you shall find us
Is Decius Brutus and Trebonius there
CINNA
All but Metellus Cimber and hes gone
To seek you at your house Well I will hie
And so bestow these papers as you bade me
CASSIUS
That done repair to Pompeys theatre
Exit Cinna
Come Casca you and I will yet ere day
See Brutus at his house three parts of him
Is ours already and the man entire
Upon the next encounter yields him ours
CASCA
O he sits high in all the peoples hearts
And that which would appear offence in us
His countenance like richest alchemy
Will change to virtue and to worthiness
CASSIUS
Him and his worth and our great need of him
You have right well conceited Let us go
For it is after midnight and ere day
We will awake him and be sure of him
Exeunt
ACT II
SCENE I Rome Brutus orchard
Enter Brutus
BRUTUS
What Lucius ho
I cannot by the progress of the stars
Give guess how near to dayLucius I say
I would it were my fault to sleep so soundly
When Lucius when Awake I say What Lucius
Enter Lucius
LUCIUS
Calld you my lord
BRUTUS
Get me a taper in my study Lucius
When it is lighted come and call me here
LUCIUS
I will my lord
Exit
BRUTUS
It must be by his death and for my part
I know no personal cause to spurn at him
But for the general He would be crownd
How that might change his nature theres the question
It is the bright day that brings forth the adder
And that craves wary walking Crown himthat
And then I grant we put a sting in him
That at his will he may do danger with
Th abuse of greatness is when it disjoins
Remorse from power and to speak truth of Caesar
I have not known when his affections swayd
More than his reason But tis a common proof
That lowliness is young ambitions ladder
Whereto the climberupward turns his face
But when he once attains the upmost round
He then unto the ladder turns his back
Looks in the clouds scorning the base degrees
By which he did ascend So Caesar may
Then lest he may prevent And since the quarrel
Will bear no colour for the thing he is
Fashion it thus that what he is augmented
Would run to these and these extremities
And therefore think him as a serpents egg
Which hatchd would as his kind grow mischievous
And kill him in the shell
Enter Lucius
LUCIUS
The taper burneth in your closet sir
Searching the window for a flint I found
This paper thus seald up and I am sure
It did not lie there when I went to bed
Gives him the letter
BRUTUS
Get you to bed again it is not day
Is not tomorrow boy the Ides of March
LUCIUS
I know not sir
BRUTUS
Look in the calendar and bring me word
LUCIUS
I will sir
Exit
BRUTUS
The exhalations whizzing in the air
Give so much light that I may read by them
Opens the letter and reads
Brutus thou sleepst awake and see thyself
Shall Rome c Speak strike redress
Brutus thou sleepst awake
Such instigations have been often droppd
Where I have took them up
Shall Rome c Thus must I piece it out
Shall Rome stand under one mans awe What Rome
My ancestors did from the streets of Rome
The Tarquin drive when he was calld a king
Speak strike redress Am I entreated
To speak and strike O Rome I make thee promise
If the redress will follow thou receivest
Thy full petition at the hand of Brutus
Enter Lucius
LUCIUS
Sir March is wasted fifteen days
Knock within
BRUTUS
Tis good Go to the gate somebody knocks
Exit Lucius
Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar
I have not slept
Between the acting of a dreadful thing
And the first motion all the interim is
Like a phantasma or a hideous dream
The genius and the mortal instruments
Are then in council and the state of man
Like to a little kingdom suffers then
The nature of an insurrection
Enter Lucius
LUCIUS
Sir tis your brother Cassius at the door
Who doth desire to see you
BRUTUS
Is he alone
LUCIUS
No sir there are moe with him
BRUTUS
Do you know them
LUCIUS
No sir their hats are pluckd about their ears
And half their faces buried in their cloaks
That by no means I may discover them
By any mark of favour
BRUTUS
Let em enter
Exit Lucius
They are the faction O conspiracy
Shamst thou to show thy dangerous brow by night
When evils are most free O then by day
Where wilt thou find a cavern dark enough
To mask thy monstrous visage Seek none conspiracy
Hide it in smiles and affability
For if thou path thy native semblance on
Not Erebus itself were dim enough
To hide thee from prevention
Enter Cassius Casca Decius Cinna Metellus Cimber and Trebonius
CASSIUS
I think we are too bold upon your rest
Good morrow Brutus do we trouble you
BRUTUS
I have been up this hour awake all night
Know I these men that come along with you
CASSIUS
Yes every man of them and no man here
But honours you and everyone doth wish
You had but that opinion of yourself
Which every noble Roman bears of you
This is Trebonius
BRUTUS
He is welcome hither
CASSIUS
This Decius Brutus
BRUTUS
He is welcome too
CASSIUS
This Casca this Cinna and this Metellus Cimber
BRUTUS
They are all welcome
What watchful cares do interpose themselves
Betwixt your eyes and night
CASSIUS
Shall I entreat a word
They whisper
DECIUS
Here lies the east doth not the day break here
CASCA
No
CINNA
O pardon sir it doth and yon grey lines
That fret the clouds are messengers of day
CASCA
You shall confess that you are both deceivd
Here as I point my sword the Sun arises
Which is a great way growing on the South
Weighing the youthful season of the year
Some two months hence up higher toward the North
He first presents his fire and the high East
Stands as the Capitol directly here
BRUTUS
Give me your hands all over one by one
CASSIUS
And let us swear our resolution
BRUTUS
No not an oath If not the face of men
The sufferance of our souls the times abuse
If these be motives weak break off betimes
And every man hence to his idle bed
So let highsighted tyranny range on
Till each man drop by lottery But if these
As I am sure they do bear fire enough
To kindle cowards and to steel with valour
The melting spirits of women then countrymen
What need we any spur but our own cause
To prick us to redress what other bond
Than secret Romans that have spoke the word
And will not palter and what other oath
Than honesty to honesty engagd
That this shall be or we will fall for it
Swear priests and cowards and men cautelous
Old feeble carrions and such suffering souls
That welcome wrongs unto bad causes swear
Such creatures as men doubt but do not stain
The even virtue of our enterprise
Nor th insuppressive mettle of our spirits
To think that or our cause or our performance
Did need an oath when every drop of blood
That every Roman bears and nobly bears
Is guilty of a several bastardy
If he do break the smallest particle
Of any promise that hath passd from him
CASSIUS
But what of Cicero Shall we sound him
I think he will stand very strong with us
CASCA
Let us not leave him out
CINNA
No by no means
METELLUS
O let us have him for his silver hairs
Will purchase us a good opinion
And buy mens voices to commend our deeds
It shall be said his judgement ruld our hands
Our youths and wildness shall no whit appear
But all be buried in his gravity
BRUTUS
O name him not let us not break with him
For he will never follow anything
That other men begin
CASSIUS
Then leave him out
CASCA
Indeed he is not fit
DECIUS
Shall no man else be touchd but only Caesar
CASSIUS
Decius well urgd I think it is not meet
Mark Antony so well belovd of Caesar
Should outlive Caesar we shall find of him
A shrewd contriver and you know his means
If he improve them may well stretch so far
As to annoy us all which to prevent
Let Antony and Caesar fall together
BRUTUS
Our course will seem too bloody Caius Cassius
To cut the head off and then hack the limbs
Like wrath in death and envy afterwards
For Antony is but a limb of Caesar
Let us be sacrificers but not butchers Caius
We all stand up against the spirit of Caesar
And in the spirit of men there is no blood
O that we then could come by Caesars spirit
And not dismember Caesar But alas
Caesar must bleed for it And gentle friends
Lets kill him boldly but not wrathfully
Lets carve him as a dish fit for the gods
Not hew him as a carcass fit for hounds
And let our hearts as subtle masters do
Stir up their servants to an act of rage
And after seem to chide em This shall mark
Our purpose necessary and not envious
Which so appearing to the common eyes
We shall be calld purgers not murderers
And for Mark Antony think not of him
For he can do no more than Caesars arm
When Caesars head is off
CASSIUS
Yet I fear him
For in the ingrafted love he bears to Caesar
BRUTUS
Alas good Cassius do not think of him
If he love Caesar all that he can do
Is to himself take thought and die for Caesar
And that were much he should for he is given
To sports to wildness and much company
TREBONIUS
There is no fear in him let him not die
For he will live and laugh at this hereafter
Clock strikes
BRUTUS
Peace count the clock
CASSIUS
The clock hath stricken three
TREBONIUS
Tis time to part
CASSIUS
But it is doubtful yet
Whether Caesar will come forth today or no
For he is superstitious grown of late
Quite from the main opinion he held once
Of fantasy of dreams and ceremonies
It may be these apparent prodigies
The unaccustomd terror of this night
And the persuasion of his augurers
May hold him from the Capitol today
DECIUS
Never fear that if he be so resolved
I can oersway him for he loves to hear
That unicorns may be betrayd with trees
And bears with glasses elephants with holes
Lions with toils and men with flatterers
But when I tell him he hates flatterers
He says he does being then most flattered
Let me work
For I can give his humour the true bent
And I will bring him to the Capitol
CASSIUS
Nay we will all of us be there to fetch him
BRUTUS
By the eighth hour is that the uttermost
CINNA
Be that the uttermost and fail not then
METELLUS
Caius Ligarius doth bear Caesar hard
Who rated him for speaking well of Pompey
I wonder none of you have thought of him
BRUTUS
Now good Metellus go along by him
He loves me well and I have given him reason
Send him but hither and Ill fashion him
CASSIUS
The morning comes upons Well leave you Brutus
And friends disperse yourselves but all remember
What you have said and show yourselves true Romans
BRUTUS
Good gentlemen look fresh and merrily
Let not our looks put on our purposes
But bear it as our Roman actors do
With untired spirits and formal constancy
And so good morrow to you everyone
Exeunt all but Brutus
Boy Lucius Fast asleep It is no matter
Enjoy the honeyheavy dew of slumber
Thou hast no figures nor no fantasies
Which busy care draws in the brains of men
Therefore thou sleepst so sound
Enter Portia
PORTIA
Brutus my lord
BRUTUS
Portia what mean you Wherefore rise you now
It is not for your health thus to commit
Your weak condition to the raw cold morning
PORTIA
Nor for yours neither Y have ungently Brutus
Stole from my bed and yesternight at supper
You suddenly arose and walkd about
Musing and sighing with your arms across
And when I askd you what the matter was
You stard upon me with ungentle looks
I urgd you further then you scratchd your head
And too impatiently stampd with your foot
Yet I insisted yet you answerd not
But with an angry wafture of your hand
Gave sign for me to leave you So I did
Fearing to strengthen that impatience
Which seemd too much enkindled and withal
Hoping it was but an effect of humour
Which sometime hath his hour with every man
It will not let you eat nor talk nor sleep
And could it work so much upon your shape
As it hath much prevaild on your condition
I should not know you Brutus Dear my lord
Make me acquainted with your cause of grief
BRUTUS
I am not well in health and that is all
PORTIA
Brutus is wise and were he not in health
He would embrace the means to come by it
BRUTUS
Why so I do Good Portia go to bed
PORTIA
Is Brutus sick and is it physical
To walk unbraced and suck up the humours
Of the dank morning What is Brutus sick
And will he steal out of his wholesome bed
To dare the vile contagion of the night
And tempt the rheumy and unpurged air
To add unto his sickness No my Brutus
You have some sick offence within your mind
Which by the right and virtue of my place
I ought to know of and upon my knees
I charm you by my once commended beauty
By all your vows of love and that great vow
Which did incorporate and make us one
That you unfold to me your self your half
Why you are heavy and what men tonight
Have had resort to you for here have been
Some six or seven who did hide their faces
Even from darkness
BRUTUS
Kneel not gentle Portia
PORTIA
I should not need if you were gentle Brutus
Within the bond of marriage tell me Brutus
Is it excepted I should know no secrets
That appertain to you Am I your self
But as it were in sort or limitation
To keep with you at meals comfort your bed
And talk to you sometimes Dwell I but in the suburbs
Of your good pleasure If it be no more
Portia is Brutus harlot not his wife
BRUTUS
You are my true and honourable wife
As dear to me as are the ruddy drops
That visit my sad heart
PORTIA
If this were true then should I know this secret
I grant I am a woman but withal
A woman that Lord Brutus took to wife
I grant I am a woman but withal
A woman well reputed Catos daughter
Think you I am no stronger than my sex
Being so fatherd and so husbanded
Tell me your counsels I will not disclose em
I have made strong proof of my constancy
Giving myself a voluntary wound
Here in the thigh can I bear that with patience
And not my husbands secrets
BRUTUS
O ye gods
Render me worthy of this noble wife
Knock
Hark hark one knocks Portia go in awhile
And by and by thy bosom shall partake
The secrets of my heart
All my engagements I will construe to thee
All the charactery of my sad brows
Leave me with haste
Exit Portia
Enter Lucius with Ligarius
Lucius whos that knocks
LUCIUS
Here is a sick man that would speak with you
BRUTUS
Caius Ligarius that Metellus spake of
Boy stand aside Caius Ligarius how
LIGARIUS
Vouchsafe goodmorrow from a feeble tongue
BRUTUS
O what a time have you chose out brave Caius
To wear a kerchief Would you were not sick
LIGARIUS
I am not sick if Brutus have in hand
Any exploit worthy the name of honour
BRUTUS
Such an exploit have I in hand Ligarius
Had you a healthful ear to hear of it
LIGARIUS
By all the gods that Romans bow before
I here discard my sickness Soul of Rome
Brave son derived from honourable loins
Thou like an exorcist hast conjurd up
My mortified spirit Now bid me run
And I will strive with things impossible
Yea get the better of them Whats to do
BRUTUS
A piece of work that will make sick men whole
LIGARIUS
But are not some whole that we must make sick
BRUTUS
That must we also What it is my Caius
I shall unfold to thee as we are going
To whom it must be done
LIGARIUS
Set on your foot
And with a heart newfird I follow you
To do I know not what but it sufficeth
That Brutus leads me on
Thunder
BRUTUS
Follow me then
Exeunt
SCENE II A room in Caesars palace
Thunder and lightning Enter Caesar in his nightgown
CAESAR
Nor heaven nor earth have been at peace tonight
Thrice hath Calphurnia in her sleep cried out
Help ho They murder Caesar Whos within
Enter a Servant
SERVANT
My lord
CAESAR
Go bid the priests do present sacrifice
And bring me their opinions of success
SERVANT
I will my lord
Exit
Enter Calphurnia
CALPHURNIA
What mean you Caesar Think you to walk forth
You shall not stir out of your house today
CAESAR
Caesar shall forth The things that threatend me
Neer lookd but on my back when they shall see
The face of Caesar they are vanished
CALPHURNIA
Caesar I never stood on ceremonies
Yet now they fright me There is one within
Besides the things that we have heard and seen
Recounts most horrid sights seen by the watch
A lioness hath whelped in the streets
And graves have yawnd and yielded up their dead
Fierce fiery warriors fight upon the clouds
In ranks and squadrons and right form of war
Which drizzled blood upon the Capitol
The noise of battle hurtled in the air
Horses did neigh and dying men did groan
And ghosts did shriek and squeal about the streets
O Caesar these things are beyond all use
And I do fear them
CAESAR
What can be avoided
Whose end is purposd by the mighty gods
Yet Caesar shall go forth for these predictions
Are to the world in general as to Caesar
CALPHURNIA
When beggars die there are no comets seen
The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes
CAESAR
Cowards die many times before their deaths
The valiant never taste of death but once
Of all the wonders that I yet have heard
It seems to me most strange that men should fear
Seeing that death a necessary end
Will come when it will come
Enter Servant
What say the augurers
SERVANT
They would not have you to stir forth today
Plucking the entrails of an offering forth
They could not find a heart within the beast
CAESAR
The gods do this in shame of cowardice
Caesar should be a beast without a heart
If he should stay at home today for fear
No Caesar shall not Danger knows full well
That Caesar is more dangerous than he
We are two lions litterd in one day
And I the elder and more terrible
And Caesar shall go forth
CALPHURNIA
Alas my lord
Your wisdom is consumd in confidence
Do not go forth today call it my fear
That keeps you in the house and not your own
Well send Mark Antony to the Senatehouse
And he shall say you are not well today
Let me upon my knee prevail in this
CAESAR
Mark Antony shall say I am not well
And for thy humour I will stay at home
Enter Decius
Heres Decius Brutus he shall tell them so
DECIUS
Caesar all hail Good morrow worthy Caesar
I come to fetch you to the Senatehouse
CAESAR
And you are come in very happy time
To bear my greeting to the Senators
And tell them that I will not come today
Cannot is false and that I dare not falser
I will not come today Tell them so Decius
CALPHURNIA
Say he is sick
CAESAR
Shall Caesar send a lie
Have I in conquest stretchd mine arm so far
To be afeard to tell greybeards the truth
Decius go tell them Caesar will not come
DECIUS
Most mighty Caesar let me know some cause
Lest I be laughd at when I tell them so
CAESAR
The cause is in my will I will not come
That is enough to satisfy the Senate
But for your private satisfaction
Because I love you I will let you know
Calphurnia here my wife stays me at home
She dreamt tonight she saw my statue
Which like a fountain with an hundred spouts
Did run pure blood and many lusty Romans
Came smiling and did bathe their hands in it
And these does she apply for warnings and portents
And evils imminent and on her knee
Hath beggd that I will stay at home today
DECIUS
This dream is all amiss interpreted
It was a vision fair and fortunate
Your statue spouting blood in many pipes
In which so many smiling Romans bathd
Signifies that from you great Rome shall suck
Reviving blood and that great men shall press
For tinctures stains relics and cognizance
This by Calphurnias dream is signified
CAESAR
And this way have you well expounded it
DECIUS
I have when you have heard what I can say
And know it now The Senate have concluded
To give this day a crown to mighty Caesar
If you shall send them word you will not come
Their minds may change Besides it were a mock
Apt to be renderd for someone to say
Break up the Senate till another time
When Caesars wife shall meet with better dreams
If Caesar hide himself shall they not whisper
Lo Caesar is afraid
Pardon me Caesar for my dear dear love
To your proceeding bids me tell you this
And reason to my love is liable
CAESAR
How foolish do your fears seem now Calphurnia
I am ashamed I did yield to them
Give me my robe for I will go
Enter Brutus Ligarius Metellus Casca Trebonius Cinna and Publius
And look where Publius is come to fetch me
PUBLIUS
Good morrow Caesar
CAESAR
Welcome Publius
What Brutus are you stirrd so early too
Good morrow Casca Caius Ligarius
Caesar was neer so much your enemy
As that same ague which hath made you lean
What ist oclock
BRUTUS
Caesar tis strucken eight
CAESAR
I thank you for your pains and courtesy
Enter Antony
See Antony that revels long anights
Is notwithstanding up Good morrow Antony
ANTONY
So to most noble Caesar
CAESAR
Bid them prepare within
I am to blame to be thus waited for
Now Cinna now Metellus what Trebonius
I have an hours talk in store for you
Remember that you call on me today
Be near me that I may remember you
TREBONIUS
Caesar I will Aside and so near will I be
That your best friends shall wish I had been further
CAESAR
Good friends go in and taste some wine with me
And we like friends will straightway go together
BRUTUS
Aside That every like is not the same O Caesar
The heart of Brutus yearns to think upon
Exeunt
SCENE III A street near the Capitol
Enter Artemidorus reading a paper
ARTEMIDORUS
Caesar beware of Brutus take heed of Cassius come not near Casca have an eye to Cinna trust not Trebonius mark well Metellus Cimber Decius Brutus loves thee not thou hast wrongd Caius Ligarius There is but one mind in all these men and it is bent against Caesar If thou best not immortal look about you security gives way to conspiracy The mighty gods defend thee
Thy lover Artemidorus
Here will I stand till Caesar pass along
And as a suitor will I give him this
My heart laments that virtue cannot live
Out of the teeth of emulation
If thou read this O Caesar thou mayest live
If not the Fates with traitors do contrive
Exit
SCENE IV Another part of the same street before the house of Brutus
Enter Portia and Lucius
PORTIA
I prythee boy run to the Senatehouse
Stay not to answer me but get thee gone
Why dost thou stay
LUCIUS
To know my errand madam
PORTIA
I would have had thee there and here again
Ere I can tell thee what thou shouldst do there
Aside O constancy be strong upon my side
Set a huge mountain tween my heart and tongue
I have a mans mind but a womans might
How hard it is for women to keep counsel
Art thou here yet
LUCIUS
Madam what should I do
Run to the Capitol and nothing else
And so return to you and nothing else
PORTIA
Yes bring me word boy if thy lord look well
For he went sickly forth and take good note
What Caesar doth what suitors press to him
Hark boy what noise is that
LUCIUS
I hear none madam
PORTIA
Prythee listen well
I heard a bustling rumour like a fray
And the wind brings it from the Capitol
LUCIUS
Sooth madam I hear nothing
Enter the Soothsayer
PORTIA
Come hither fellow
Which way hast thou been
SOOTHSAYER
At mine own house good lady
PORTIA
What ist oclock
SOOTHSAYER
About the ninth hour lady
PORTIA
Is Caesar yet gone to the Capitol
SOOTHSAYER
Madam not yet I go to take my stand
To see him pass on to the Capitol
PORTIA
Thou hast some suit to Caesar hast thou not
SOOTHSAYER
That I have lady if it will please Caesar
To be so good to Caesar as to hear me
I shall beseech him to befriend himself
PORTIA
Why knowst thou any harms intended towards him
SOOTHSAYER
None that I know will be much that I fear may chance
Good morrow to you Here the street is narrow
The throng that follows Caesar at the heels
Of Senators of Praetors common suitors
Will crowd a feeble man almost to death
Ill get me to a place more void and there
Speak to great Caesar as he comes along
Exit
PORTIA
I must go in
Aside Ay me how weak a thing
The heart of woman is O Brutus
The heavens speed thee in thine enterprise
Sure the boy heard me Brutus hath a suit
That Caesar will not grant O I grow faint
Run Lucius and commend me to my lord
Say I am merry come to me again
And bring me word what he doth say to thee
Exeunt
ACT III
SCENE I Rome Before the Capitol the Senate sitting
A crowd of people in the street leading to the Capitol Flourish Enter Caesar Brutus Cassius Casca Decius Metellus Trebonius Cinna Antony Lepidus Artemidorus Publius Popilius and the Soothsayer
CAESAR
The Ides of March are come
SOOTHSAYER
Ay Caesar but not gone
ARTEMIDORUS
Hail Caesar Read this schedule
DECIUS
Trebonius doth desire you to oerread
At your best leisure this his humble suit
ARTEMIDORUS
O Caesar read mine first for mines a suit
That touches Caesar nearer Read it great Caesar
CAESAR
What touches us ourself shall be last servd
ARTEMIDORUS
Delay not Caesar Read it instantly
CAESAR
What is the fellow mad
PUBLIUS
Sirrah give place
CASSIUS
What urge you your petitions in the street
Come to the Capitol
Caesar enters the Capitol the rest following All the Senators rise
POPILIUS
I wish your enterprise today may thrive
CASSIUS
What enterprise Popilius
POPILIUS
Fare you well
Advances to Caesar
BRUTUS
What said Popilius Lena
CASSIUS
He wishd today our enterprise might thrive
I fear our purpose is discovered
BRUTUS
Look how he makes to Caesar mark him
CASSIUS
Casca be sudden for we fear prevention
Brutus what shall be done If this be known
Cassius or Caesar never shall turn back
For I will slay myself
BRUTUS
Cassius be constant
Popilius Lena speaks not of our purposes
For look he smiles and Caesar doth not change
CASSIUS
Trebonius knows his time for look you Brutus
He draws Mark Antony out of the way
Exeunt Antony and Trebonius Caesar and the Senators take their seats
DECIUS
Where is Metellus Cimber Let him go
And presently prefer his suit to Caesar
BRUTUS
He is addressd press near and second him
CINNA
Casca you are the first that rears your hand
CAESAR
Are we all ready What is now amiss
That Caesar and his Senate must redress
METELLUS
Most high most mighty and most puissant Caesar
Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat
An humble heart
Kneeling
CAESAR
I must prevent thee Cimber
These couchings and these lowly courtesies
Might fire the blood of ordinary men
And turn preordinance and first decree
Into the law of children Be not fond
To think that Caesar bears such rebel blood
That will be thawd from the true quality
With that which melteth fools I mean sweet words
Lowcrooked curtsies and base spaniel fawning
Thy brother by decree is banished
If thou dost bend and pray and fawn for him
I spurn thee like a cur out of my way
Know Caesar dost not wrong nor without cause
Will he be satisfied
METELLUS
Is there no voice more worthy than my own
To sound more sweetly in great Caesars ear
For the repealing of my banishd brother
BRUTUS
I kiss thy hand but not in flattery Caesar
Desiring thee that Publius Cimber may
Have an immediate freedom of repeal
CAESAR
What Brutus
CASSIUS
Pardon Caesar Caesar pardon
As low as to thy foot doth Cassius fall
To beg enfranchisement for Publius Cimber
CAESAR
I could be well movd if I were as you
If I could pray to move prayers would move me
But I am constant as the northern star
Of whose truefixd and resting quality
There is no fellow in the firmament
The skies are painted with unnumberd sparks
They are all fire and every one doth shine
But theres but one in all doth hold his place
So in the world tis furnishd well with men
And men are flesh and blood and apprehensive
Yet in the number I do know but one
That unassailable holds on his rank
Unshakd of motion and that I am he
Let me a little show it even in this
That I was constant Cimber should be banishd
And constant do remain to keep him so
CINNA
O Caesar
CAESAR
Hence wilt thou lift up Olympus
DECIUS
Great Caesar
CAESAR
Doth not Brutus bootless kneel
CASCA
Speak hands for me
Casca stabs Caesar in the neck Caesar catches hold of his arm He is then stabbed by several other Conspirators and at last by Marcus Brutus
CAESAR
Et tu BruteThen fall Caesar
Dies The Senators and People retire in confusion
CINNA
Liberty Freedom Tyranny is dead
Run hence proclaim cry it about the streets
CASSIUS
Some to the common pulpits and cry out
Liberty freedom and enfranchisement
BRUTUS
People and Senators be not affrighted
Fly not stand still ambitions debt is paid
CASCA
Go to the pulpit Brutus
DECIUS
And Cassius too
BRUTUS
Wheres Publius
CINNA
Here quite confounded with this mutiny
METELLUS
Stand fast together lest some friend of Caesars
Should chance
BRUTUS
Talk not of standing Publius good cheer
There is no harm intended to your person
Nor to no Roman else So tell them Publius
CASSIUS
And leave us Publius lest that the people
Rushing on us should do your age some mischief
BRUTUS
Do so and let no man abide this deed
But we the doers
Enter Trebonius
CASSIUS
Wheres Antony
TREBONIUS
Fled to his house amazd
Men wives and children stare cry out and run
As it were doomsday
BRUTUS
Fates we will know your pleasures
That we shall die we know tis but the time
And drawing days out that men stand upon
CASCA
Why he that cuts off twenty years of life
Cuts off so many years of fearing death
BRUTUS
Grant that and then is death a benefit
So are we Caesars friends that have abridgd
His time of fearing death Stoop Romans stoop
And let us bathe our hands in Caesars blood
Up to the elbows and besmear our swords
Then walk we forth even to the marketplace
And waving our red weapons oer our heads
Lets all cry Peace freedom and liberty
CASSIUS
Stoop then and wash How many ages hence
Shall this our lofty scene be acted over
In States unborn and accents yet unknown
BRUTUS
How many times shall Caesar bleed in sport
That now on Pompeys basis lies along
No worthier than the dust
CASSIUS
So oft as that shall be
So often shall the knot of us be calld
The men that gave their country liberty
DECIUS
What shall we forth
CASSIUS
Ay every man away
Brutus shall lead and we will grace his heels
With the most boldest and best hearts of Rome
Enter a Servant
BRUTUS
Soft who comes here A friend of Antonys
SERVANT
Thus Brutus did my master bid me kneel
Thus did Mark Antony bid me fall down
And being prostrate thus he bade me say
Brutus is noble wise valiant and honest
Caesar was mighty bold royal and loving
Say I love Brutus and I honour him
Say I feard Caesar honourd him and lovd him
If Brutus will vouchsafe that Antony
May safely come to him and be resolvd
How Caesar hath deservd to lie in death
Mark Antony shall not love Caesar dead
So well as Brutus living but will follow
The fortunes and affairs of noble Brutus
Thorough the hazards of this untrod state
With all true faith So says my master Antony
BRUTUS
Thy master is a wise and valiant Roman
I never thought him worse
Tell him so please him come unto this place
He shall be satisfied and by my honour
Depart untouchd
SERVANT
Ill fetch him presently
Exit
BRUTUS
I know that we shall have him well to friend
CASSIUS
I wish we may but yet have I a mind
That fears him much and my misgiving still
Falls shrewdly to the purpose
Enter Antony
BRUTUS
But here comes Antony Welcome Mark Antony
ANTONY
O mighty Caesar Dost thou lie so low
Are all thy conquests glories triumphs spoils
Shrunk to this little measure Fare thee well
I know not gentlemen what you intend
Who else must be let blood who else is rank
If I myself there is no hour so fit
As Caesars deaths hour nor no instrument
Of half that worth as those your swords made rich
With the most noble blood of all this world
I do beseech ye if you bear me hard
Now whilst your purpled hands do reek and smoke
Fulfill your pleasure Live a thousand years
I shall not find myself so apt to die
No place will please me so no means of death
As here by Caesar and by you cut off
The choice and master spirits of this age
BRUTUS
O Antony beg not your death of us
Though now we must appear bloody and cruel
As by our hands and this our present act
You see we do yet see you but our hands
And this the bleeding business they have done
Our hearts you see not they are pitiful
And pity to the general wrong of Rome
As fire drives out fire so pity pity
Hath done this deed on Caesar For your part
To you our swords have leaden points Mark Antony
Our arms in strength of malice and our hearts
Of brothers temper do receive you in
With all kind love good thoughts and reverence
CASSIUS
Your voice shall be as strong as any mans
In the disposing of new dignities
BRUTUS
Only be patient till we have appeasd
The multitude beside themselves with fear
And then we will deliver you the cause
Why I that did love Caesar when I struck him
Have thus proceeded
ANTONY
I doubt not of your wisdom
Let each man render me his bloody hand
First Marcus Brutus will I shake with you
Next Caius Cassius do I take your hand
Now Decius Brutus yours now yours Metellus
Yours Cinna and my valiant Casca yours
Though last not least in love yours good Trebonius
Gentlemen allalas what shall I say
My credit now stands on such slippery ground
That one of two bad ways you must conceit me
Either a coward or a flatterer
That I did love thee Caesar O tis true
If then thy spirit look upon us now
Shall it not grieve thee dearer than thy death
To see thy Antony making his peace
Shaking the bloody fingers of thy foes
Most noble in the presence of thy corse
Had I as many eyes as thou hast wounds
Weeping as fast as they stream forth thy blood
It would become me better than to close
In terms of friendship with thine enemies
Pardon me Julius Here wast thou bayd brave hart
Here didst thou fall and here thy hunters stand
Signd in thy spoil and crimsond in thy lethe
O world thou wast the forest to this hart
And this indeed O world the heart of thee
How like a deer strucken by many princes
Dost thou here lie
CASSIUS
Mark Antony
ANTONY
Pardon me Caius Cassius
The enemies of Caesar shall say this
Then in a friend it is cold modesty
CASSIUS
I blame you not for praising Caesar so
But what compact mean you to have with us
Will you be prickd in number of our friends
Or shall we on and not depend on you
ANTONY
Therefore I took your hands but was indeed
Swayd from the point by looking down on Caesar
Friends am I with you all and love you all
Upon this hope that you shall give me reasons
Why and wherein Caesar was dangerous
BRUTUS
Or else were this a savage spectacle
Our reasons are so full of good regard
That were you Antony the son of Caesar
You should be satisfied
ANTONY
Thats all I seek
And am moreover suitor that I may
Produce his body to the marketplace
And in the pulpit as becomes a friend
Speak in the order of his funeral
BRUTUS
You shall Mark Antony
CASSIUS
Brutus a word with you
Aside to Brutus You know not what you do Do not consent
That Antony speak in his funeral
Know you how much the people may be movd
By that which he will utter
BRUTUS
Aside to Cassius By your pardon
I will myself into the pulpit first
And show the reason of our Caesars death
What Antony shall speak I will protest
He speaks by leave and by permission
And that we are contented Caesar shall
Have all true rights and lawful ceremonies
It shall advantage more than do us wrong
CASSIUS
Aside to Brutus I know not what may fall I like it not
BRUTUS
Mark Antony here take you Caesars body
You shall not in your funeral speech blame us
But speak all good you can devise of Caesar
And say you dot by our permission
Else shall you not have any hand at all
About his funeral And you shall speak
In the same pulpit whereto I am going
After my speech is ended
ANTONY
Be it so
I do desire no more
BRUTUS
Prepare the body then and follow us
Exeunt all but Antony
ANTONY
O pardon me thou bleeding piece of earth
That I am meek and gentle with these butchers
Thou art the ruins of the noblest man
That ever lived in the tide of times
Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood
Over thy wounds now do I prophesy
Which like dumb mouths do ope their ruby lips
To beg the voice and utterance of my tongue
A curse shall light upon the limbs of men
Domestic fury and fierce civil strife
Shall cumber all the parts of Italy
Blood and destruction shall be so in use
And dreadful objects so familiar
That mothers shall but smile when they behold
Their infants quartered with the hands of war
All pity chokd with custom of fell deeds
And Caesars spirit ranging for revenge
With Ate by his side come hot from Hell
Shall in these confines with a monarchs voice
Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war
That this foul deed shall smell above the earth
With carrion men groaning for burial
Enter a Servant
You serve Octavius Caesar do you not
SERVANT
I do Mark Antony
ANTONY
Caesar did write for him to come to Rome
SERVANT
He did receive his letters and is coming
And bid me say to you by word of mouth
Seeing the body O Caesar
ANTONY
Thy heart is big get thee apart and weep
Passion I see is catching for mine eyes
Seeing those beads of sorrow stand in thine
Began to water Is thy master coming
SERVANT
He lies tonight within seven leagues of Rome
ANTONY
Post back with speed and tell him what hath chancd
Here is a mourning Rome a dangerous Rome
No Rome of safety for Octavius yet
Hie hence and tell him so Yet stay awhile
Thou shalt not back till I have borne this corse
Into the marketplace there shall I try
In my oration how the people take
The cruel issue of these bloody men
According to the which thou shalt discourse
To young Octavius of the state of things
Lend me your hand
Exeunt with Caesars body
SCENE II The same The Forum
Enter Brutus and goes into the pulpit and Cassius with a throng of Citizens
CITIZENS
We will be satisfied let us be satisfied
BRUTUS
Then follow me and give me audience friends
Cassius go you into the other street
And part the numbers
Those that will hear me speak let em stay here
Those that will follow Cassius go with him
And public reasons shall be rendered
Of Caesars death
FIRST CITIZEN
I will hear Brutus speak
SECOND CITIZEN
I will hear Cassius and compare their reasons
When severally we hear them rendered
Exit Cassius with some of the Citizens Brutus goes into the rostrum
THIRD CITIZEN
The noble Brutus is ascended silence
BRUTUS
Be patient till the last
Romans countrymen and lovers hear me for my cause and be silent that you may hear Believe me for mine honour and have respect to mine honour that you may believe Censure me in your wisdom and awake your senses that you may the better judge If there be any in this assembly any dear friend of Caesars to him I say that Brutus love to Caesar was no less than his If then that friend demand why Brutus rose against Caesar this is my answer Not that I loved Caesar less but that I loved Rome more Had you rather Caesar were living and die all slaves than that Caesar were dead to live all free men As Caesar loved me I weep for him as he was fortunate I rejoice at it as he was valiant I honour him but as he was ambitious I slew him There is tears for his love joy for his fortune honour for his valour and death for his ambition Who is here so base that would be a bondman If any speak for him have I offended Who is here so rude that would not be a Roman If any speak for him have I offended Who is here so vile that will not love his country If any speak for him have I offended I pause for a reply
CITIZENS
None Brutus none
BRUTUS
Then none have I offended I have done no more to Caesar than you shall do to Brutus The question of his death is enrolld in the Capitol his glory not extenuated wherein he was worthy nor his offences enforcd for which he suffered death
Enter Antony and others with Caesars body
Here comes his body mourned by Mark Antony who though he had no hand in his death shall receive the benefit of his dying a place in the commonwealth as which of you shall not With this I depart that as I slew my best lover for the good of Rome I have the same dagger for myself when it shall please my country to need my death
CITIZENS
Live Brutus live live
FIRST CITIZEN
Bring him with triumph home unto his house
SECOND CITIZEN
Give him a statue with his ancestors
THIRD CITIZEN
Let him be Caesar
FOURTH CITIZEN
Caesars better parts
Shall be crownd in Brutus
FIRST CITIZEN
Well bring him to his house with shouts and clamours
BRUTUS
My countrymen
SECOND CITIZEN
Peace Silence Brutus speaks
FIRST CITIZEN
Peace ho
BRUTUS
Good countrymen let me depart alone
And for my sake stay here with Antony
Do grace to Caesars corpse and grace his speech
Tending to Caesars glories which Mark Antony
By our permission is allowd to make
I do entreat you not a man depart
Save I alone till Antony have spoke
Exit
FIRST CITIZEN
Stay ho and let us hear Mark Antony
THIRD CITIZEN
Let him go up into the public chair
Well hear him Noble Antony go up
ANTONY
For Brutus sake I am beholding to you
Goes up
FOURTH CITIZEN
What does he say of Brutus
THIRD CITIZEN
He says for Brutus sake
He finds himself beholding to us all
FOURTH CITIZEN
Twere best he speak no harm of Brutus here
FIRST CITIZEN
This Caesar was a tyrant
THIRD CITIZEN
Nay thats certain
We are blest that Rome is rid of him
SECOND CITIZEN
Peace let us hear what Antony can say
ANTONY
You gentle Romans
CITIZENS
Peace ho let us hear him
ANTONY
Friends Romans countrymen lend me your ears
I come to bury Caesar not to praise him
The evil that men do lives after them
The good is oft interred with their bones
So let it be with Caesar The noble Brutus
Hath told you Caesar was ambitious
If it were so it was a grievous fault
And grievously hath Caesar answerd it
Here under leave of Brutus and the rest
For Brutus is an honourable man
So are they all all honourable men
Come I to speak in Caesars funeral
He was my friend faithful and just to me
But Brutus says he was ambitious
And Brutus is an honourable man
He hath brought many captives home to Rome
Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill
Did this in Caesar seem ambitious
When that the poor have cried Caesar hath wept
Ambition should be made of sterner stuff
Yet Brutus says he was ambitious
And Brutus is an honourable man
You all did see that on the Lupercal
I thrice presented him a kingly crown
Which he did thrice refuse Was this ambition
Yet Brutus says he was ambitious
And sure he is an honourable man
I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke
But here I am to speak what I do know
You all did love him once not without cause
What cause withholds you then to mourn for him
O judgement thou art fled to brutish beasts
And men have lost their reason Bear with me
My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar
And I must pause till it come back to me
FIRST CITIZEN
Methinks there is much reason in his sayings
SECOND CITIZEN
If thou consider rightly of the matter
Caesar has had great wrong
THIRD CITIZEN
Has he masters
I fear there will a worse come in his place
FOURTH CITIZEN
Markd ye his words He would not take the crown
Therefore tis certain he was not ambitious
FIRST CITIZEN
If it be found so some will dear abide it
SECOND CITIZEN
Poor soul his eyes are red as fire with weeping
THIRD CITIZEN
Theres not a nobler man in Rome than Antony
FOURTH CITIZEN
Now mark him he begins again to speak
ANTONY
But yesterday the word of Caesar might
Have stood against the world now lies he there
And none so poor to do him reverence
O masters If I were disposd to stir
Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage
I should do Brutus wrong and Cassius wrong
Who you all know are honourable men
I will not do them wrong I rather choose
To wrong the dead to wrong myself and you
Than I will wrong such honourable men
But heres a parchment with the seal of Caesar
I found it in his closet tis his will
Let but the commons hear this testament
Which pardon me I do not mean to read
And they would go and kiss dead Caesars wounds
And dip their napkins in his sacred blood
Yea beg a hair of him for memory
And dying mention it within their wills
Bequeathing it as a rich legacy
Unto their issue
FOURTH CITIZEN
Well hear the will Read it Mark Antony
CITIZENS
The will the will We will hear Caesars will
ANTONY
Have patience gentle friends I must not read it
It is not meet you know how Caesar loved you
You are not wood you are not stones but men
And being men hearing the will of Caesar
It will inflame you it will make you mad
Tis good you know not that you are his heirs
For if you should O what would come of it
FOURTH CITIZEN
Read the will Well hear it Antony
You shall read us the will Caesars will
ANTONY
Will you be patient Will you stay awhile
I have oershot myself to tell you of it
I fear I wrong the honourable men
Whose daggers have stabbd Caesar I do fear it
FOURTH CITIZEN
They were traitors Honourable men
CITIZENS
The will The testament
SECOND CITIZEN
They were villains murderers The will Read the will
ANTONY
You will compel me then to read the will
Then make a ring about the corpse of Caesar
And let me show you him that made the will
Shall I descend and will you give me leave
CITIZENS
Come down
SECOND CITIZEN
Descend
He comes down
THIRD CITIZEN
You shall have leave
FOURTH CITIZEN
A ring Stand round
FIRST CITIZEN
Stand from the hearse stand from the body
SECOND CITIZEN
Room for Antony most noble Antony
ANTONY
Nay press not so upon me stand far off
CITIZENS
Stand back room bear back
ANTONY
If you have tears prepare to shed them now
You all do know this mantle I remember
The first time ever Caesar put it on
Twas on a Summers evening in his tent
That day he overcame the Nervii
Look in this place ran Cassius dagger through
See what a rent the envious Casca made
Through this the wellbeloved Brutus stabbd
And as he pluckd his cursed steel away
Mark how the blood of Caesar followd it
As rushing out of doors to be resolvd
If Brutus so unkindly knockd or no
For Brutus as you know was Caesars angel
Judge O you gods how dearly Caesar lovd him
This was the most unkindest cut of all
For when the noble Caesar saw him stab
Ingratitude more strong than traitors arms
Quite vanquishd him then burst his mighty heart
And in his mantle muffling up his face
Even at the base of Pompeys statue
Which all the while ran blood great Caesar fell
O what a fall was there my countrymen
Then I and you and all of us fell down
Whilst bloody treason flourishd over us
O now you weep and I perceive you feel
The dint of pity These are gracious drops
Kind souls what weep you when you but behold
Our Caesars vesture wounded Look you here
Here is himself marrd as you see with traitors
FIRST CITIZEN
O piteous spectacle
SECOND CITIZEN
O noble Caesar
THIRD CITIZEN
O woeful day
FOURTH CITIZEN
O traitors villains
FIRST CITIZEN
O most bloody sight
SECOND CITIZEN
We will be revenged
CITIZENS
Revengeaboutseekburnfirekillslaylet not a traitor live
ANTONY
Stay countrymen
FIRST CITIZEN
Peace there Hear the noble Antony
SECOND CITIZEN
Well hear him well follow him well die with him
ANTONY
Good friends sweet friends let me not stir you up
To such a sudden flood of mutiny
They that have done this deed are honourable
What private griefs they have alas I know not
That made them do it Theyre wise and honourable
And will no doubt with reasons answer you
I come not friends to steal away your hearts
I am no orator as Brutus is
But as you know me all a plain blunt man
That love my friend and that they know full well
That gave me public leave to speak of him
For I have neither wit nor words nor worth
Action nor utterance nor the power of speech
To stir mens blood I only speak right on
I tell you that which you yourselves do know
Show you sweet Caesars wounds poor poor dumb mouths
And bid them speak for me But were I Brutus
And Brutus Antony there were an Antony
Would ruffle up your spirits and put a tongue
In every wound of Caesar that should move
The stones of Rome to rise and mutiny
CITIZENS
Well mutiny
FIRST CITIZEN
Well burn the house of Brutus
THIRD CITIZEN
Away then come seek the conspirators
ANTONY
Yet hear me countrymen yet hear me speak
CITIZENS
Peace ho Hear Antony most noble Antony
ANTONY
Why friends you go to do you know not what
Wherein hath Caesar thus deserved your loves
Alas you know not I must tell you then
You have forgot the will I told you of
CITIZENS
Most true the willlets stay and hear the will
ANTONY
Here is the will and under Caesars seal
To every Roman citizen he gives
To every several man seventyfive drachmas
SECOND CITIZEN
Most noble Caesar Well revenge his death
THIRD CITIZEN
O royal Caesar
ANTONY
Hear me with patience
CITIZENS
Peace ho
ANTONY
Moreover he hath left you all his walks
His private arbors and newplanted orchards
On this side Tiber he hath left them you
And to your heirs forever common pleasures
To walk abroad and recreate yourselves
Here was a Caesar when comes such another
FIRST CITIZEN
Never never Come away away
Well burn his body in the holy place
And with the brands fire the traitors houses
Take up the body
SECOND CITIZEN
Go fetch fire
THIRD CITIZEN
Pluck down benches
FOURTH CITIZEN
Pluck down forms windows anything
Exeunt Citizens with the body
ANTONY
Now let it work Mischief thou art afoot
Take thou what course thou wilt
Enter a Servant
How now fellow
SERVANT
Sir Octavius is already come to Rome
ANTONY
Where is he
SERVANT
He and Lepidus are at Caesars house
ANTONY
And thither will I straight to visit him
He comes upon a wish Fortune is merry
And in this mood will give us anything
SERVANT
I heard him say Brutus and Cassius
Are rid like madmen through the gates of Rome
ANTONY
Belike they had some notice of the people
How I had moved them Bring me to Octavius
Exeunt
SCENE III The same A street
Enter Cinna the poet and after him the citizens
CINNA
I dreamt tonight that I did feast with Caesar
And things unluckily charge my fantasy
I have no will to wander forth of doors
Yet something leads me forth
FIRST CITIZEN
What is your name
SECOND CITIZEN
Whither are you going
THIRD CITIZEN
Where do you dwell
FOURTH CITIZEN
Are you a married man or a bachelor
SECOND CITIZEN
Answer every man directly
FIRST CITIZEN
Ay and briefly
FOURTH CITIZEN
Ay and wisely
THIRD CITIZEN
Ay and truly you were best
CINNA
What is my name Whither am I going Where do I dwell Am I a married man or a bachelor Then to answer every man directly and briefly wisely and truly Wisely I say I am a bachelor
SECOND CITIZEN
Thats as much as to say they are fools that marry youll bear me a bang for that I fear Proceed directly
CINNA
Directly I am going to Caesars funeral
FIRST CITIZEN
As a friend or an enemy
CINNA
As a friend
SECOND CITIZEN
That matter is answered directly
FOURTH CITIZEN
For your dwelling briefly
CINNA
Briefly I dwell by the Capitol
THIRD CITIZEN
Your name sir truly
CINNA
Truly my name is Cinna
FIRST CITIZEN
Tear him to pieces Hes a conspirator
CINNA
I am Cinna the poet I am Cinna the poet
FOURTH CITIZEN
Tear him for his bad verses tear him for his bad verses
CINNA
I am not Cinna the conspirator
FOURTH CITIZEN
It is no matter his names Cinna pluck but his name out of his heart and turn him going
THIRD CITIZEN
Tear him tear him Come brands ho firebrands To Brutus to Cassius burn all Some to Decius house and some to Cascas some to Ligarius Away go
Exeunt
ACT IV
SCENE I Rome A room in Antonys house
Enter Antony Octavius and Lepidus seated at a table
ANTONY
These many then shall die their names are prickd
OCTAVIUS
Your brother too must die consent you Lepidus
LEPIDUS
I do consent
OCTAVIUS
Prick him down Antony
LEPIDUS
Upon condition Publius shall not live
Who is your sisters son Mark Antony
ANTONY
He shall not live look with a spot I damn him
But Lepidus go you to Caesars house
Fetch the will hither and we shall determine
How to cut off some charge in legacies
LEPIDUS
What shall I find you here
OCTAVIUS
Or here or at the Capitol
Exit Lepidus
ANTONY
This is a slight unmeritable man
Meet to be sent on errands Is it fit
The threefold world divided he should stand
One of the three to share it
OCTAVIUS
So you thought him
And took his voice who should be prickd to die
In our black sentence and proscription
ANTONY
Octavius I have seen more days than you
And though we lay these honours on this man
To ease ourselves of divers slandrous loads
He shall but bear them as the ass bears gold
To groan and sweat under the business
Either led or driven as we point the way
And having brought our treasure where we will
Then take we down his load and turn him off
Like to the empty ass to shake his ears
And graze in commons
OCTAVIUS
You may do your will
But hes a tried and valiant soldier
ANTONY
So is my horse Octavius and for that
I do appoint him store of provender
It is a creature that I teach to fight
To wind to stop to run directly on
His corporal motion governd by my spirit
And in some taste is Lepidus but so
He must be taught and traind and bid go forth
A barrenspirited fellow one that feeds
On objects arts and imitations
Which out of use and stald by other men
Begin his fashion Do not talk of him
But as a property And now Octavius
Listen great things Brutus and Cassius
Are levying powers we must straight make head
Therefore let our alliance be combind
Our best friends made our means stretchd
And let us presently go sit in council
How covert matters may be best disclosd
And open perils surest answered
OCTAVIUS
Let us do so for we are at the stake
And bayd about with many enemies
And some that smile have in their hearts I fear
Millions of mischiefs
Exeunt
SCENE II Before Brutus tent in the camp near Sardis
Drum Enter Brutus Lucilius Titinius and Soldiers Pindarus meeting them Lucius at some distance
BRUTUS
Stand ho
LUCILIUS
Give the word ho and stand
BRUTUS
What now Lucilius is Cassius near
LUCILIUS
He is at hand and Pindarus is come
To do you salutation from his master
Pindarus gives a letter to Brutus
BRUTUS
He greets me well Your master Pindarus
In his own change or by ill officers
Hath given me some worthy cause to wish
Things done undone but if he be at hand
I shall be satisfied
PINDARUS
I do not doubt
But that my noble master will appear
Such as he is full of regard and honour
BRUTUS
He is not doubted A word Lucilius
How he received you let me be resolvd
LUCILIUS
With courtesy and with respect enough
But not with such familiar instances
Nor with such free and friendly conference
As he hath usd of old
BRUTUS
Thou hast describd
A hot friend cooling Ever note Lucilius
When love begins to sicken and decay
It useth an enforced ceremony
There are no tricks in plain and simple faith
But hollow men like horses hot at hand
Make gallant show and promise of their mettle
Low march within
But when they should endure the bloody spur
They fall their crests and like deceitful jades
Sink in the trial Comes his army on
LUCILIUS
They meant this night in Sardis to be quarterd
The greater part the horse in general
Are come with Cassius
Enter Cassius and Soldiers
BRUTUS
Hark he is arrivd
March gently on to meet him
CASSIUS
Stand ho
BRUTUS
Stand ho Speak the word along
FIRST SOLDIER
Stand
SECOND SOLDIER
Stand
THIRD SOLDIER
Stand
CASSIUS
Most noble brother you have done me wrong
BRUTUS
Judge me you gods wrong I mine enemies
And if not so how should I wrong a brother
CASSIUS
Brutus this sober form of yours hides wrongs
And when you do them
BRUTUS
Cassius be content
Speak your griefs softly I do know you well
Before the eyes of both our armies here
Which should perceive nothing but love from us
Let us not wrangle Bid them move away
Then in my tent Cassius enlarge your griefs
And I will give you audience
CASSIUS
Pindarus
Bid our commanders lead their charges off
A little from this ground
BRUTUS
Lucilius do you the like and let no man
Come to our tent till we have done our conference
Lucius and Titinius guard our door
Exeunt
SCENE III Within the tent of Brutus
Enter Brutus and Cassius
CASSIUS
That you have wrongd me doth appear in this
You have condemnd and noted Lucius Pella
For taking bribes here of the Sardians
Wherein my letters praying on his side
Because I knew the man were slighted off
BRUTUS
You wrongd yourself to write in such a case
CASSIUS
In such a time as this it is not meet
That every nice offence should bear his comment
BRUTUS
Let me tell you Cassius you yourself
Are much condemnd to have an itching palm
To sell and mart your offices for gold
To undeservers
CASSIUS
I an itching palm
You know that you are Brutus that speak this
Or by the gods this speech were else your last
BRUTUS
The name of Cassius honours this corruption
And chastisement doth therefore hide his head
CASSIUS
Chastisement
BRUTUS
Remember March the Ides of March remember
Did not great Julius bleed for justice sake
What villain touchd his body that did stab
And not for justice What Shall one of us
That struck the foremost man of all this world
But for supporting robbers shall we now
Contaminate our fingers with base bribes
And sell the mighty space of our large honours
For so much trash as may be grasped thus
I had rather be a dog and bay the moon
Than such a Roman
CASSIUS
Brutus bait not me
Ill not endure it You forget yourself
To hedge me in I am a soldier I
Older in practice abler than yourself
To make conditions
BRUTUS
Go to you are not Cassius
CASSIUS
I am
BRUTUS
I say you are not
CASSIUS
Urge me no more I shall forget myself
Have mind upon your health tempt me no farther
BRUTUS
Away slight man
CASSIUS
Ist possible
BRUTUS
Hear me for I will speak
Must I give way and room to your rash choler
Shall I be frighted when a madman stares
CASSIUS
O ye gods ye gods Must I endure all this
BRUTUS
All this ay more fret till your proud heart break
Go show your slaves how choleric you are
And make your bondmen tremble Must I budge
Must I observe you Must I stand and crouch
Under your testy humour By the gods
You shall digest the venom of your spleen
Though it do split you for from this day forth
Ill use you for my mirth yea for my laughter
When you are waspish
CASSIUS
Is it come to this
BRUTUS
You say you are a better soldier
Let it appear so make your vaunting true
And it shall please me well For mine own part
I shall be glad to learn of noble men
CASSIUS
You wrong me every way you wrong me Brutus
I said an elder soldier not a better
Did I say better
BRUTUS
If you did I care not
CASSIUS
When Caesar livd he durst not thus have movd me
BRUTUS
Peace peace you durst not so have tempted him
CASSIUS
I durst not
BRUTUS
No
CASSIUS
What durst not tempt him
BRUTUS
For your life you durst not
CASSIUS
Do not presume too much upon my love
I may do that I shall be sorry for
BRUTUS
You have done that you should be sorry for
There is no terror Cassius in your threats
For I am armd so strong in honesty
That they pass by me as the idle wind
Which I respect not I did send to you
For certain sums of gold which you denied me
For I can raise no money by vile means
By Heaven I had rather coin my heart
And drop my blood for drachmas than to wring
From the hard hands of peasants their vile trash
By any indirection I did send
To you for gold to pay my legions
Which you denied me was that done like Cassius
Should I have answerd Caius Cassius so
When Marcus Brutus grows so covetous
To lock such rascal counters from his friends
Be ready gods with all your thunderbolts
Dash him to pieces
CASSIUS
I denied you not
BRUTUS
You did
CASSIUS
I did not He was but a fool
That brought my answer back Brutus hath rivd my heart
A friend should bear his friends infirmities
But Brutus makes mine greater than they are
BRUTUS
I do not till you practise them on me
CASSIUS
You love me not
BRUTUS
I do not like your faults
CASSIUS
A friendly eye could never see such faults
BRUTUS
A flatterers would not though they do appear
As huge as high Olympus
CASSIUS
Come Antony and young Octavius come
Revenge yourselves alone on Cassius
For Cassius is aweary of the world
Hated by one he loves bravd by his brother
Checkd like a bondman all his faults observd
Set in a notebook learnd and connd by rote
To cast into my teeth O I could weep
My spirit from mine eyes There is my dagger
And here my naked breast within a heart
Dearer than Plutus mine richer than gold
If that thou best a Roman take it forth
I that denied thee gold will give my heart
Strike as thou didst at Caesar for I know
When thou didst hate him worst thou lovedst him better
Than ever thou lovedst Cassius
BRUTUS
Sheathe your dagger
Be angry when you will it shall have scope
Do what you will dishonour shall be humour
O Cassius you are yoked with a lamb
That carries anger as the flint bears fire
Who much enforced shows a hasty spark
And straight is cold again
CASSIUS
Hath Cassius livd
To be but mirth and laughter to his Brutus
When grief and blood illtemperd vexeth him
BRUTUS
When I spoke that I was illtemperd too
CASSIUS
Do you confess so much Give me your hand
BRUTUS
And my heart too
CASSIUS
O Brutus
BRUTUS
Whats the matter
CASSIUS
Have not you love enough to bear with me
When that rash humour which my mother gave me
Makes me forgetful
BRUTUS
Yes Cassius and from henceforth
When you are overearnest with your Brutus
Hell think your mother chides and leave you so
Enter Poet followed by Lucilius Titinius and Lucius
POET
Within Let me go in to see the generals
There is some grudge between em tis not meet
They be alone
LUCILIUS
Within You shall not come to them
POET
Within Nothing but death shall stay me
CASSIUS
How now Whats the matter
POET
For shame you generals What do you mean
Love and be friends as two such men should be
For I have seen more years Im sure than ye
CASSIUS
Ha ha How vilely doth this cynic rhyme
BRUTUS
Get you hence sirrah Saucy fellow hence
CASSIUS
Bear with him Brutus tis his fashion
BRUTUS
Ill know his humour when he knows his time
What should the wars do with these jigging fools
Companion hence
CASSIUS
Away away be gone
Exit Poet
BRUTUS
Lucilius and Titinius bid the commanders
Prepare to lodge their companies tonight
CASSIUS
And come yourselves and bring Messala with you
Immediately to us
Exeunt Lucilius and Titinius
BRUTUS
Lucius a bowl of wine
Exit Lucius
CASSIUS
I did not think you could have been so angry
BRUTUS
O Cassius I am sick of many griefs
CASSIUS
Of your philosophy you make no use
If you give place to accidental evils
BRUTUS
No man bears sorrow better Portia is dead
CASSIUS
Ha Portia
BRUTUS
She is dead
CASSIUS
How scapd I killing when I crossd you so
O insupportable and touching loss
Upon what sickness
BRUTUS
Impatient of my absence
And grief that young Octavius with Mark Antony
Have made themselves so strong for with her death
That tidings came With this she fell distract
And her attendants absent swallowd fire
CASSIUS
And died so
BRUTUS
Even so
CASSIUS
O ye immortal gods
Enter Lucius with wine and a taper
BRUTUS
Speak no more of her Give me a bowl of wine
In this I bury all unkindness Cassius
Drinks
CASSIUS
My heart is thirsty for that noble pledge
Fill Lucius till the wine oerswell the cup
I cannot drink too much of Brutus love
Drinks
Exit Lucius
Enter Titinius and Messala
BRUTUS
Come in Titinius
Welcome good Messala
Now sit we close about this taper here
And call in question our necessities
CASSIUS
Portia art thou gone
BRUTUS
No more I pray you
Messala I have here received letters
That young Octavius and Mark Antony
Come down upon us with a mighty power
Bending their expedition toward Philippi
MESSALA
Myself have letters of the selfsame tenor
BRUTUS
With what addition
MESSALA
That by proscription and bills of outlawry
Octavius Antony and Lepidus
Have put to death an hundred Senators
BRUTUS
Therein our letters do not well agree
Mine speak of seventy Senators that died
By their proscriptions Cicero being one
CASSIUS
Cicero one
MESSALA
Cicero is dead
And by that order of proscription
Had you your letters from your wife my lord
BRUTUS
No Messala
MESSALA
Nor nothing in your letters writ of her
BRUTUS
Nothing Messala
MESSALA
That methinks is strange
BRUTUS
Why ask you Hear you aught of her in yours
MESSALA
No my lord
BRUTUS
Now as you are a Roman tell me true
MESSALA
Then like a Roman bear the truth I tell
For certain she is dead and by strange manner
BRUTUS
Why farewell Portia We must die Messala
With meditating that she must die once
I have the patience to endure it now
MESSALA
Even so great men great losses should endure
CASSIUS
I have as much of this in art as you
But yet my nature could not bear it so
BRUTUS
Well to our work alive What do you think
Of marching to Philippi presently
CASSIUS
I do not think it good
BRUTUS
Your reason
CASSIUS
This it is
Tis better that the enemy seek us
So shall he waste his means weary his soldiers
Doing himself offence whilst we lying still
Are full of rest defence and nimbleness
BRUTUS
Good reasons must of force give place to better
The people twixt Philippi and this ground
Do stand but in a forced affection
For they have grudgd us contribution
The enemy marching along by them
By them shall make a fuller number up
Come on refreshd newadded and encouragd
From which advantage shall we cut him off
If at Philippi we do face him there
These people at our back
CASSIUS
Hear me good brother
BRUTUS
Under your pardon You must note besides
That we have tried the utmost of our friends
Our legions are brimfull our cause is ripe
The enemy increaseth every day
We at the height are ready to decline
There is a tide in the affairs of men
Which taken at the flood leads on to fortune
Omitted all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries
On such a full sea are we now afloat
And we must take the current when it serves
Or lose our ventures
CASSIUS
Then with your will go on
Well along ourselves and meet them at Philippi
BRUTUS
The deep of night is crept upon our talk
And nature must obey necessity
Which we will niggard with a little rest
There is no more to say
CASSIUS
No more Good night
Early tomorrow will we rise and hence
Enter Lucius
BRUTUS
Lucius My gown
Exit Lucius
Farewell now good Messala
Good night Titinius Noble noble Cassius
Good night and good repose
CASSIUS
O my dear brother
This was an ill beginning of the night
Never come such division tween our souls
Let it not Brutus
Enter Lucius with the gown
BRUTUS
Everything is well
CASSIUS
Good night my lord
BRUTUS
Good night good brother
TITINIUS and MESSALA
Good night Lord Brutus
BRUTUS
Farewell everyone
Exeunt Cassius Titinius and Messala
Give me the gown Where is thy instrument
LUCIUS
Here in the tent
BRUTUS
What thou speakst drowsily
Poor knave I blame thee not thou art oerwatchd
Call Claudius and some other of my men
Ill have them sleep on cushions in my tent
LUCIUS
Varro and Claudius
Enter Varro and Claudius
VARRO
Calls my lord
BRUTUS
I pray you sirs lie in my tent and sleep
It may be I shall raise you byandby
On business to my brother Cassius
VARRO
So please you we will stand and watch your pleasure
BRUTUS
I will not have it so lie down good sirs
It may be I shall otherwise bethink me
Look Lucius heres the book I sought for so
I put it in the pocket of my gown
Servants lie down
LUCIUS
I was sure your lordship did not give it me
BRUTUS
Bear with me good boy I am much forgetful
Canst thou hold up thy heavy eyes awhile
And touch thy instrument a strain or two
LUCIUS
Ay my lord ant please you
BRUTUS
It does my boy
I trouble thee too much but thou art willing
LUCIUS
It is my duty sir
BRUTUS
I should not urge thy duty past thy might
I know young bloods look for a time of rest
LUCIUS
I have slept my lord already
BRUTUS
It was well done and thou shalt sleep again
I will not hold thee long If I do live
I will be good to thee
Lucius plays and sings till he falls asleep
This is a sleepy tune O murdrous slumber
Layest thou thy leaden mace upon my boy
That plays thee music Gentle knave good night
I will not do thee so much wrong to wake thee
If thou dost nod thou breakst thy instrument
Ill take it from thee and good boy good night
Let me see let me see is not the leaf turnd down
Where I left reading Here it is I think
Enter the Ghost of Caesar
How ill this taper burns Ha who comes here
I think it is the weakness of mine eyes
That shapes this monstrous apparition
It comes upon me Art thou anything
Art thou some god some angel or some devil
That makst my blood cold and my hair to stare
Speak to me what thou art
GHOST
Thy evil spirit Brutus
BRUTUS
Why comst thou
GHOST
To tell thee thou shalt see me at Philippi
BRUTUS
Well then I shall see thee again
GHOST
Ay at Philippi
BRUTUS
Why I will see thee at Philippi then
Ghost vanishes
Now I have taken heart thou vanishest
Ill spirit I would hold more talk with thee
Boy Lucius Varro Claudius Sirs awake Claudius
LUCIUS
The strings my lord are false
BRUTUS
He thinks he still is at his instrument
Lucius awake
LUCIUS
My lord
BRUTUS
Didst thou dream Lucius that thou so criedst out
LUCIUS
My lord I do not know that I did cry
BRUTUS
Yes that thou didst Didst thou see anything
LUCIUS
Nothing my lord
BRUTUS
Sleep again Lucius Sirrah Claudius
Fellow thou awake
VARRO
My lord
CLAUDIUS
My lord
BRUTUS
Why did you so cry out sirs in your sleep
VARRO CLAUDIUS
Did we my lord
BRUTUS
Ay Saw you anything
VARRO
No my lord I saw nothing
CLAUDIUS
Nor I my lord
BRUTUS
Go and commend me to my brother Cassius
Bid him set on his powers betimes before
And we will follow
VARRO CLAUDIUS
It shall be done my lord
Exeunt
ACT V
SCENE I The plains of Philippi
Enter Octavius Antony and their Army
OCTAVIUS
Now Antony our hopes are answered
You said the enemy would not come down
But keep the hills and upper regions
It proves not so their battles are at hand
They mean to warn us at Philippi here
Answering before we do demand of them
ANTONY
Tut I am in their bosoms and I know
Wherefore they do it They could be content
To visit other places and come down
With fearful bravery thinking by this face
To fasten in our thoughts that they have courage
But tis not so
Enter a Messenger
MESSENGER
Prepare you generals
The enemy comes on in gallant show
Their bloody sign of battle is hung out
And something to be done immediately
ANTONY
Octavius lead your battle softly on
Upon the left hand of the even field
OCTAVIUS
Upon the right hand I Keep thou the left
ANTONY
Why do you cross me in this exigent
OCTAVIUS
I do not cross you but I will do so
March
Drum Enter Brutus Cassius and their Army Lucilius Titinius Messala and others
BRUTUS
They stand and would have parley
CASSIUS
Stand fast Titinius we must out and talk
OCTAVIUS
Mark Antony shall we give sign of battle
ANTONY
No Caesar we will answer on their charge
Make forth the generals would have some words
OCTAVIUS
Stir not until the signal
BRUTUS
Words before blows is it so countrymen
OCTAVIUS
Not that we love words better as you do
BRUTUS
Good words are better than bad strokes Octavius
ANTONY
In your bad strokes Brutus you give good words
Witness the hole you made in Caesars heart
Crying Long live Hail Caesar
CASSIUS
Antony
The posture of your blows are yet unknown
But for your words they rob the Hybla bees
And leave them honeyless
ANTONY
Not stingless too
BRUTUS
O yes and soundless too
For you have stoln their buzzing Antony
And very wisely threat before you sting
ANTONY
Villains you did not so when your vile daggers
Hackd one another in the sides of Caesar
You showd your teeth like apes and fawnd like hounds
And bowd like bondmen kissing Caesars feet
Whilst damned Casca like a cur behind
Struck Caesar on the neck O you flatterers
CASSIUS
Flatterers Now Brutus thank yourself
This tongue had not offended so today
If Cassius might have ruld
OCTAVIUS
Come come the cause If arguing makes us sweat
The proof of it will turn to redder drops
Look I draw a sword against conspirators
When think you that the sword goes up again
Never till Caesars three and thirty wounds
Be well avengd or till another Caesar
Have added slaughter to the sword of traitors
BRUTUS
Caesar thou canst not die by traitors hands
Unless thou bringst them with thee
OCTAVIUS
So I hope
I was not born to die on Brutus sword
BRUTUS
O if thou wert the noblest of thy strain
Young man thou couldst not die more honourable
CASSIUS
A peevish schoolboy worthless of such honour
Joind with a masker and a reveller
ANTONY
Old Cassius still
OCTAVIUS
Come Antony away
Defiance traitors hurl we in your teeth
If you dare fight today come to the field
If not when you have stomachs
Exeunt Octavius Antony and their Army
CASSIUS
Why now blow wind swell billow and swim bark
The storm is up and all is on the hazard
BRUTUS
Ho Lucilius Hark a word with you
LUCILIUS
My lord
Brutus and Lucilius talk apart
CASSIUS
Messala
MESSALA
What says my General
CASSIUS
Messala
This is my birthday as this very day
Was Cassius born Give me thy hand Messala
Be thou my witness that against my will
As Pompey was am I compelld to set
Upon one battle all our liberties
You know that I held Epicurus strong
And his opinion Now I change my mind
And partly credit things that do presage
Coming from Sardis on our former ensign
Two mighty eagles fell and there they perchd
Gorging and feeding from our soldiers hands
Who to Philippi here consorted us
This morning are they fled away and gone
And in their steads do ravens crows and kites
Fly oer our heads and downward look on us
As we were sickly prey their shadows seem
A canopy most fatal under which
Our army lies ready to give up the ghost
MESSALA
Believe not so
CASSIUS
I but believe it partly
For I am fresh of spirit and resolvd
To meet all perils very constantly
BRUTUS
Even so Lucilius
CASSIUS
Now most noble Brutus
The gods today stand friendly that we may
Lovers in peace lead on our days to age
But since the affairs of men rest still incertain
Lets reason with the worst that may befall
If we do lose this battle then is this
The very last time we shall speak together
What are you then determined to do
BRUTUS
Even by the rule of that philosophy
By which I did blame Cato for the death
Which he did give himself I know not how
But I do find it cowardly and vile
For fear of what might fall so to prevent
The time of life arming myself with patience
To stay the providence of some high powers
That govern us below
CASSIUS
Then if we lose this battle
You are contented to be led in triumph
Thorough the streets of Rome
BRUTUS
No Cassius no think not thou noble Roman
That ever Brutus will go bound to Rome
He bears too great a mind But this same day
Must end that work the Ides of March begun
And whether we shall meet again I know not
Therefore our everlasting farewell take
For ever and for ever farewell Cassius
If we do meet again why we shall smile
If not why then this parting was well made
CASSIUS
For ever and for ever farewell Brutus
If we do meet again well smile indeed
If not tis true this parting was well made
BRUTUS
Why then lead on O that a man might know
The end of this days business ere it come
But it sufficeth that the day will end
And then the end is known Come ho away
Exeunt
SCENE II The same The field of battle
Alarum Enter Brutus and Messala
BRUTUS
Ride ride Messala ride and give these bills
Unto the legions on the other side
Loud alarum
Let them set on at once for I perceive
But cold demeanor in Octavius wing
And sudden push gives them the overthrow
Ride ride Messala let them all come down
Exeunt
SCENE III Another part of the field
Alarum Enter Cassius and Titinius
CASSIUS
O look Titinius look the villains fly
Myself have to mine own turnd enemy
This ensign here of mine was turning back
I slew the coward and did take it from him
TITINIUS
O Cassius Brutus gave the word too early
Who having some advantage on Octavius
Took it too eagerly his soldiers fell to spoil
Whilst we by Antony are all enclosd
Enter Pindarus
PINDARUS
Fly further off my lord fly further off
Mark Antony is in your tents my lord
Fly therefore noble Cassius fly far off
CASSIUS
This hill is far enough Look look Titinius
Are those my tents where I perceive the fire
TITINIUS
They are my lord
CASSIUS
Titinius if thou lovest me
Mount thou my horse and hide thy spurs in him
Till he have brought thee up to yonder troops
And here again that I may rest assurd
Whether yond troops are friend or enemy
TITINIUS
I will be here again even with a thought
Exit
CASSIUS
Go Pindarus get higher on that hill
My sight was ever thick Regard Titinius
And tell me what thou notest about the field
Pindarus goes up
This day I breathed first Time is come round
And where I did begin there shall I end
My life is run his compass Sirrah what news
PINDARUS
Above O my lord
CASSIUS
What news
PINDARUS
Above Titinius is enclosed round about
With horsemen that make to him on the spur
Yet he spurs on Now they are almost on him
Now Titinius Now some light O he lights too
Hes taen
Shout
And hark they shout for joy
CASSIUS
Come down behold no more
O coward that I am to live so long
To see my best friend taen before my face
Pindarus descends
Come hither sirrah
In Parthia did I take thee prisoner
And then I swore thee saving of thy life
That whatsoever I did bid thee do
Thou shouldst attempt it Come now keep thine oath
Now be a freeman and with this good sword
That ran through Caesars bowels search this bosom
Stand not to answer Here take thou the hilts
And when my face is coverd as tis now
Guide thou the swordCaesar thou art revengd
Even with the sword that killd thee
Dies
PINDARUS
So I am free yet would not so have been
Durst I have done my will O Cassius
Far from this country Pindarus shall run
Where never Roman shall take note of him
Exit
Enter Titinius with Messala
MESSALA
It is but change Titinius for Octavius
Is overthrown by noble Brutus power
As Cassius legions are by Antony
TITINIUS
These tidings would well comfort Cassius
MESSALA
Where did you leave him
TITINIUS
All disconsolate
With Pindarus his bondman on this hill
MESSALA
Is not that he that lies upon the ground
TITINIUS
He lies not like the living O my heart
MESSALA
Is not that he
TITINIUS
No this was he Messala
But Cassius is no more O setting sun
As in thy red rays thou dost sink to night
So in his red blood Cassius day is set
The sun of Rome is set Our day is gone
Clouds dews and dangers come our deeds are done
Mistrust of my success hath done this deed
MESSALA
Mistrust of good success hath done this deed
O hateful Error Melancholys child
Why dost thou show to the apt thoughts of men
The things that are not O Error soon conceivd
Thou never comst unto a happy birth
But killst the mother that engenderd thee
TITINIUS
What Pindarus where art thou Pindarus
MESSALA
Seek him Titinius whilst I go to meet
The noble Brutus thrusting this report
Into his ears I may say thrusting it
For piercing steel and darts envenomed
Shall be as welcome to the ears of Brutus
As tidings of this sight
TITINIUS
Hie you Messala
And I will seek for Pindarus the while
Exit Messala
Why didst thou send me forth brave Cassius
Did I not meet thy friends And did not they
Put on my brows this wreath of victory
And bid me give it thee Didst thou not hear their shouts
Alas thou hast misconstrued everything
But hold thee take this garland on thy brow
Thy Brutus bid me give it thee and I
Will do his bidding Brutus come apace
And see how I regarded Caius Cassius
By your leave gods This is a Romans part
Come Cassius sword and find Titinius heart
Dies
Alarum Enter Brutus Messala young Cato Strato Volumnius and Lucilius
BRUTUS
Where where Messala doth his body lie
MESSALA
Lo yonder and Titinius mourning it
BRUTUS
Titinius face is upward
CATO
He is slain
BRUTUS
O Julius Caesar thou art mighty yet
Thy spirit walks abroad and turns our swords
In our own proper entrails
Low alarums
CATO
Brave Titinius
Look whether he have not crownd dead Cassius
BRUTUS
Are yet two Romans living such as these
The last of all the Romans fare thee well
It is impossible that ever Rome
Should breed thy fellow Friends I owe more tears
To this dead man than you shall see me pay
I shall find time Cassius I shall find time
Come therefore and to Thassos send his body
His funerals shall not be in our camp
Lest it discomfort us Lucilius come
And come young Cato let us to the field
Labeo and Flavius set our battles on
Tis three oclock and Romans yet ere night
We shall try fortune in a second fight
Exeunt
SCENE IV Another part of the field
Alarum Enter fighting soldiers of both armies then Brutus Messala young Cato Lucilius Flavius and others
BRUTUS
Yet countrymen O yet hold up your heads
CATO
What bastard doth not Who will go with me
I will proclaim my name about the field
I am the son of Marcus Cato ho
A foe to tyrants and my countrys friend
I am the son of Marcus Cato ho
Charges the enemy
LUCILIUS
And I am Brutus Marcus Brutus I
Brutus my countrys friend know me for Brutus
Exit charging the enemy Cato is overpowered and falls
LUCILIUS
O young and noble Cato art thou down
Why now thou diest as bravely as Titinius
And mayst be honourd being Catos son
FIRST SOLDIER
Yield or thou diest
LUCILIUS
Only I yield to die
There is so much that thou wilt kill me straight
Offering money
Kill Brutus and be honourd in his death
FIRST SOLDIER
We must not A noble prisoner
SECOND SOLDIER
Room ho Tell Antony Brutus is taen
FIRST SOLDIER
Ill tell the news Here comes the General
Enter Antony
Brutus is taen Brutus is taen my lord
ANTONY
Where is he
LUCILIUS
Safe Antony Brutus is safe enough
I dare assure thee that no enemy
Shall ever take alive the noble Brutus
The gods defend him from so great a shame
When you do find him or alive or dead
He will be found like Brutus like himself
ANTONY
This is not Brutus friend but I assure you
A prize no less in worth Keep this man safe
Give him all kindness I had rather have
Such men my friends than enemies Go on
And see whether Brutus be alive or dead
And bring us word unto Octavius tent
How everything is chancd
Exeunt
SCENE V Another part of the field
Enter Brutus Dardanius Clitus Strato and Volumnius
BRUTUS
Come poor remains of friends rest on this rock
CLITUS
Statilius showd the torchlight but my lord
He came not back he is or taen or slain
BRUTUS
Sit thee down Clitus Slaying is the word
It is a deed in fashion Hark thee Clitus
Whispering
CLITUS
What I my lord No not for all the world
BRUTUS
Peace then no words
CLITUS
Ill rather kill myself
BRUTUS
Hark thee Dardanius
Whispers him
DARDANIUS
Shall I do such a deed
CLITUS
O Dardanius
DARDANIUS
O Clitus
CLITUS
What ill request did Brutus make to thee
DARDANIUS
To kill him Clitus Look he meditates
CLITUS
Now is that noble vessel full of grief
That it runs over even at his eyes
BRUTUS
Come hither good Volumnius list a word
VOLUMNIUS
What says my lord
BRUTUS
Why this Volumnius
The ghost of Caesar hath appeard to me
Two several times by night at Sardis once
And this last night here in Philippi fields
I know my hour is come
VOLUMNIUS
Not so my lord
BRUTUS
Nay I am sure it is Volumnius
Thou seest the world Volumnius how it goes
Our enemies have beat us to the pit
Low alarums
It is more worthy to leap in ourselves
Than tarry till they push us Good Volumnius
Thou knowst that we two went to school together
Even for that our love of old I prythee
Hold thou my swordhilts whilst I run on it
VOLUMNIUS
Thats not an office for a friend my lord
Alarums still
CLITUS
Fly fly my lord there is no tarrying here
BRUTUS
Farewell to you and you and you Volumnius
Strato thou hast been all this while asleep
Farewell to thee too StratoCountrymen
My heart doth joy that yet in all my life
I found no man but he was true to me
I shall have glory by this losing day
More than Octavius and Mark Antony
By this vile conquest shall attain unto
So fare you well at once for Brutus tongue
Hath almost ended his lifes history
Night hangs upon mine eyes my bones would rest
That have but labourd to attain this hour
Alarums Cry within Fly fly fly
CLITUS
Fly my lord fly
BRUTUS
Hence I will follow
Exeunt Clitus Dardanius and Volumnius
I prythee Strato stay thou by thy lord
Thou art a fellow of a good respect
Thy life hath had some smatch of honour in it
Hold then my sword and turn away thy face
While I do run upon it Wilt thou Strato
STRATO
Give me your hand first Fare you well my lord
BRUTUS
Farewell good StratoCaesar now be still
I killd not thee with half so good a will
He runs on his sword and dies
Alarum Retreat Enter Antony Octavius Messala Lucilius and the Army
OCTAVIUS
What man is that
MESSALA
My masters man Strato where is thy master
STRATO
Free from the bondage you are in Messala
The conquerors can but make a fire of him
For Brutus only overcame himself
And no man else hath honour by his death
LUCILIUS
So Brutus should be found I thank thee Brutus
That thou hast provd Lucilius saying true
OCTAVIUS
All that servd Brutus I will entertain them
Fellow wilt thou bestow thy time with me
STRATO
Ay if Messala will prefer me to you
OCTAVIUS
Do so good Messala
MESSALA
How died my master Strato
STRATO
I held the sword and he did run on it
MESSALA
Octavius then take him to follow thee
That did the latest service to my master
ANTONY
This was the noblest Roman of them all
All the conspirators save only he
Did that they did in envy of great Caesar
He only in a general honest thought
And common good to all made one of them
His life was gentle and the elements
So mixd in him that Nature might stand up
And say to all the world This was a man
OCTAVIUS
According to his virtue let us use him
With all respect and rites of burial
Within my tent his bones tonight shall lie
Most like a soldier orderd honourably
So call the field to rest and lets away
To part the glories of this happy day
Exeunt
THE TRAGEDY OF KING LEAR
Contents
ACT I
Scene I A Room of State in King Lears Palace
Scene II A Hall in the Earl of Gloucesters Castle
Scene III A Room in the Duke of Albanys Palace
Scene IV A Hall in Albanys Palace
Scene V Court before the Duke of Albanys Palace
ACT II
Scene I A court within the Castle of the Earl of Gloucester
Scene II Before Gloucesters Castle
Scene III The open Country
Scene IV Before Gloucesters Castle
ACT III
Scene I A Heath
Scene II Another part of the heath
Scene III A Room in Gloucesters Castle
Scene IV A part of the Heath with a Hovel
Scene V A Room in Gloucesters Castle
Scene VI A Chamber in a Farmhouse adjoining the Castle
Scene VII A Room in Gloucesters Castle
ACT IV
Scene I The heath
Scene II Before the Duke of Albanys Palace
Scene III The French camp near Dover
Scene IV The French camp A Tent
Scene V A Room in Gloucesters Castle
Scene VI The country near Dover
Scene VII A Tent in the French Camp
ACT V
Scene I The Camp of the British Forces near Dover
Scene II A field between the two Camps
Scene III The British Camp near Dover
Dramatis Person
LEAR King of Britain
GONERIL eldest daughter to Lear
REGAN second daughter to Lear
CORDELIA youngest daughter to Lear
DUKE of ALBANY married to Goneril
DUKE of CORNWALL married to Regan
KING of FRANCE
DUKE of BURGUNDY
EARL of GLOUCESTER
EDGAR elder son to Gloucester
EDMUND younger bastard son to Gloucester
EARL of KENT
FOOL
OSWALD steward to Goneril
CURAN a Courtier
OLD MAN Tenant to Gloucester
Physician
An Officer employed by Edmund
Gentleman attendant on Cordelia
A Herald
Servants to Cornwall
Knights attending on the King Officers Messengers Soldiers and Attendants
SCENE Britain
ACT I
SCENE I A Room of State in King Lears Palace
Enter Kent Gloucester and Edmund
KENT
I thought the King had more affected the Duke of Albany than Cornwall
GLOUCESTER
It did always seem so to us but now in the division of the kingdom it appears not which of the Dukes he values most for qualities are so weighed that curiosity in neither can make choice of eithers moiety
KENT
Is not this your son my lord
GLOUCESTER
His breeding sir hath been at my charge I have so often blushd to acknowledge him that now I am brazd tot
KENT
I cannot conceive you
GLOUCESTER
Sir this young fellows mother could whereupon she grew roundwombed and had indeed sir a son for her cradle ere she had a husband for her bed Do you smell a fault
KENT
I cannot wish the fault undone the issue of it being so proper
GLOUCESTER
But I have a son sir by order of law some year elder than this who yet is no dearer in my account though this knave came something saucily to the world before he was sent for yet was his mother fair there was good sport at his making and the whoreson must be acknowledged Do you know this noble gentleman Edmund
EDMUND
No my lord
GLOUCESTER
My Lord of Kent remember him hereafter as my honourable friend
EDMUND
My services to your lordship
KENT
I must love you and sue to know you better
EDMUND
Sir I shall study deserving
GLOUCESTER
He hath been out nine years and away he shall again The King is coming
Sennet within
Enter Lear Cornwall Albany Goneril Regan Cordelia and Attendants
LEAR
Attend the lords of France and Burgundy
Gloucester
GLOUCESTER
I shall my lord
Exeunt Gloucester and Edmund
LEAR
Meantime we shall express our darker purpose
Give me the map there Know that we have divided
In three our kingdom and tis our fast intent
To shake all cares and business from our age
Conferring them on younger strengths while we
Unburdend crawl toward death Our son of Cornwall
And you our no less loving son of Albany
We have this hour a constant will to publish
Our daughters several dowers that future strife
May be prevented now The princes France and Burgundy
Great rivals in our youngest daughters love
Long in our court have made their amorous sojourn
And here are to be answerd Tell me my daughters
Since now we will divest us both of rule
Interest of territory cares of state
Which of you shall we say doth love us most
That we our largest bounty may extend
Where nature doth with merit challengeGoneril
Our eldest born speak first
GONERIL
Sir I love you more than word can wield the matter
Dearer than eyesight space and liberty
Beyond what can be valud rich or rare
No less than life with grace health beauty honour
As much as child eer lovd or father found
A love that makes breath poor and speech unable
Beyond all manner of so much I love you
CORDELIA
Aside What shall Cordelia speak Love and be silent
LEAR
Of all these bounds even from this line to this
With shadowy forests and with champains richd
With plenteous rivers and wideskirted meads
We make thee lady to thine and Albanys issue
Be this perpetualWhat says our second daughter
Our dearest Regan wife of Cornwall Speak
REGAN
Sir I am made of the self mettle as my sister
And prize me at her worth In my true heart
I find she names my very deed of love
Only she comes too short that I profess
Myself an enemy to all other joys
Which the most precious square of sense possesses
And find I am alone felicitate
In your dear highness love
CORDELIA
Aside Then poor Cordelia
And yet not so since I am sure my loves
More ponderous than my tongue
LEAR
To thee and thine hereditary ever
Remain this ample third of our fair kingdom
No less in space validity and pleasure
Than that conferrd on GonerilNow our joy
Although the last and least to whose young love
The vines of France and milk of Burgundy
Strive to be interessd what can you say to draw
A third more opulent than your sisters Speak
CORDELIA
Nothing my lord
LEAR
Nothing
CORDELIA
Nothing
LEAR
Nothing will come of nothing speak again
CORDELIA
Unhappy that I am I cannot heave
My heart into my mouth I love your majesty
According to my bond no more nor less
LEAR
How how Cordelia Mend your speech a little
Lest you may mar your fortunes
CORDELIA
Good my lord
You have begot me bred me lovd me I
Return those duties back as are right fit
Obey you love you and most honour you
Why have my sisters husbands if they say
They love you all Haply when I shall wed
That lord whose hand must take my plight shall carry
Half my love with him half my care and duty
Sure I shall never marry like my sisters
To love my father all
LEAR
But goes thy heart with this
CORDELIA
Ay my good lord
LEAR
So young and so untender
CORDELIA
So young my lord and true
LEAR
Let it be so thy truth then be thy dower
For by the sacred radiance of the sun
The mysteries of Hecate and the night
By all the operation of the orbs
From whom we do exist and cease to be
Here I disclaim all my paternal care
Propinquity and property of blood
And as a stranger to my heart and me
Hold thee from this for ever The barbarous Scythian
Or he that makes his generation messes
To gorge his appetite shall to my bosom
Be as well neighbourd pitied and relievd
As thou my sometime daughter
KENT
Good my liege
LEAR
Peace Kent
Come not between the dragon and his wrath
I lovd her most and thought to set my rest
On her kind nursery To Cordelia Hence and avoid my sight
So be my grave my peace as here I give
Her fathers heart from her Call France Who stirs
Call Burgundy Cornwall and Albany
With my two daughters dowers digest this third
Let pride which she calls plainness marry her
I do invest you jointly with my power
Preeminence and all the large effects
That troop with majesty Ourself by monthly course
With reservation of an hundred knights
By you to be sustaind shall our abode
Make with you by due turn Only we shall retain
The name and all the addition to a king the sway
Revenue execution of the rest
Beloved sons be yours which to confirm
This coronet part between you
Giving the crown
KENT
Royal Lear
Whom I have ever honourd as my king
Lovd as my father as my master followd
As my great patron thought on in my prayers
LEAR
The bow is bent and drawn make from the shaft
KENT
Let it fall rather though the fork invade
The region of my heart be Kent unmannerly
When Lear is mad What wouldst thou do old man
Thinkst thou that duty shall have dread to speak
When power to flattery bows To plainness honours bound
When majesty falls to folly Reverse thy state
And in thy best consideration check
This hideous rashness answer my life my judgement
Thy youngest daughter does not love thee least
Nor are those emptyhearted whose low sounds
Reverb no hollowness
LEAR
Kent on thy life no more
KENT
My life I never held but as a pawn
To wage against thine enemies neer fear to lose it
Thy safety being the motive
LEAR
Out of my sight
KENT
See better Lear and let me still remain
The true blank of thine eye
LEAR
Now by Apollo
KENT
Now by Apollo King
Thou swearst thy gods in vain
LEAR
O vassal Miscreant
Laying his hand on his sword
ALBANY and CORNWALL
Dear sir forbear
KENT
Kill thy physician and the fee bestow
Upon the foul disease Revoke thy gift
Or whilst I can vent clamour from my throat
Ill tell thee thou dost evil
LEAR
Hear me recreant on thine allegiance hear me
Since thou hast sought to make us break our vows
Which we durst never yet and with straind pride
To come betwixt our sentences and our power
Which nor our nature nor our place can bear
Our potency made good take thy reward
Five days we do allot thee for provision
To shield thee from disasters of the world
And on the sixth to turn thy hated back
Upon our kingdom if on the next day following
Thy banishd trunk be found in our dominions
The moment is thy death Away By Jupiter
This shall not be revokd
KENT
Fare thee well King sith thus thou wilt appear
Freedom lives hence and banishment is here
To Cordelia The gods to their dear shelter take thee maid
That justly thinkst and hast most rightly said
To Goneril and Regan And your large speeches may your deeds approve
That good effects may spring from words of love
Thus Kent O princes bids you all adieu
Hell shape his old course in a country new
Exit
Flourish Reenter Gloucester with France Burgundy and Attendants
CORDELIA
Heres France and Burgundy my noble lord
LEAR
My Lord of Burgundy
We first address toward you who with this king
Hath rivalld for our daughter what in the least
Will you require in present dower with her
Or cease your quest of love
BURGUNDY
Most royal majesty
I crave no more than hath your highness offerd
Nor will you tender less
LEAR
Right noble Burgundy
When she was dear to us we did hold her so
But now her price is falln Sir there she stands
If aught within that littleseeming substance
Or all of it with our displeasure piecd
And nothing more may fitly like your grace
Shes there and she is yours
BURGUNDY
I know no answer
LEAR
Will you with those infirmities she owes
Unfriended new adopted to our hate
Dowerd with our curse and strangerd with our oath
Take her or leave her
BURGUNDY
Pardon me royal sir
Election makes not up in such conditions
LEAR
Then leave her sir for by the power that made me
I tell you all her wealth To France For you great king
I would not from your love make such a stray
To match you where I hate therefore beseech you
Tavert your liking a more worthier way
Than on a wretch whom nature is ashamd
Almost tacknowledge hers
FRANCE
This is most strange
That she who even but now was your best object
The argument of your praise balm of your age
The best the dearest should in this trice of time
Commit a thing so monstrous to dismantle
So many folds of favour Sure her offence
Must be of such unnatural degree
That monsters it or your forevouchd affection
Fall into taint which to believe of her
Must be a faith that reason without miracle
Should never plant in me
CORDELIA
I yet beseech your majesty
If for I want that glib and oily art
To speak and purpose not since what I well intend
Ill dot before I speakthat you make known
It is no vicious blot murder or foulness
No unchaste action or dishonourd step
That hath deprivd me of your grace and favour
But even for want of that for which I am richer
A still soliciting eye and such a tongue
As I am glad I have not though not to have it
Hath lost me in your liking
LEAR
Better thou hadst
Not been born than not to have pleasd me better
FRANCE
Is it but thisa tardiness in nature
Which often leaves the history unspoke
That it intends to do My lord of Burgundy
What say you to the lady Loves not love
When it is mingled with regards that stands
Aloof from the entire point Will you have her
She is herself a dowry
BURGUNDY
Royal King
Give but that portion which yourself proposd
And here I take Cordelia by the hand
Duchess of Burgundy
LEAR
Nothing I have sworn I am firm
BURGUNDY
I am sorry then you have so lost a father
That you must lose a husband
CORDELIA
Peace be with Burgundy
Since that respects of fortunes are his love
I shall not be his wife
FRANCE
Fairest Cordelia that art most rich being poor
Most choice forsaken and most lovd despisd
Thee and thy virtues here I seize upon
Be it lawful I take up whats cast away
Gods gods Tis strange that from their coldst neglect
My love should kindle to inflamd respect
Thy dowerless daughter King thrown to my chance
Is queen of us of ours and our fair France
Not all the dukes of waterish Burgundy
Can buy this unprizd precious maid of me
Bid them farewell Cordelia though unkind
Thou losest here a better where to find
LEAR
Thou hast her France let her be thine for we
Have no such daughter nor shall ever see
That face of hers again Therefore be gone
Without our grace our love our benison
Come noble Burgundy
Flourish Exeunt Lear Burgundy Cornwall Albany Gloucester and Attendants
FRANCE
Bid farewell to your sisters
CORDELIA
The jewels of our father with washd eyes
Cordelia leaves you I know you what you are
And like a sister am most loath to call
Your faults as they are namd Love well our father
To your professed bosoms I commit him
But yet alas stood I within his grace
I would prefer him to a better place
So farewell to you both
REGAN
Prescribe not us our duties
GONERIL
Let your study
Be to content your lord who hath receivd you
At fortunes alms You have obedience scanted
And well are worth the want that you have wanted
CORDELIA
Time shall unfold what plighted cunning hides
Who covers faults at last shame derides
Well may you prosper
FRANCE
Come my fair Cordelia
Exeunt France and Cordelia
GONERIL
Sister it is not little I have to say of what most nearly appertains to us both I think our father will hence tonight
REGAN
Thats most certain and with you next month with us
GONERIL
You see how full of changes his age is the observation we have made of it hath not been little he always loved our sister most and with what poor judgement he hath now cast her off appears too grossly
REGAN
Tis the infirmity of his age yet he hath ever but slenderly known himself
GONERIL
The best and soundest of his time hath been but rash then must we look from his age to receive not alone the imperfections of longengrafted condition but therewithal the unruly waywardness that infirm and choleric years bring with them
REGAN
Such unconstant starts are we like to have from him as this of Kents banishment
GONERIL
There is further compliment of leavetaking between France and him Pray you let us hit together if our father carry authority with such disposition as he bears this last surrender of his will but offend us
REGAN
We shall further think of it
GONERIL
We must do something and i th heat
Exeunt
SCENE II A Hall in the Earl of Gloucesters Castle
Enter Edmund with a letter
EDMUND
Thou Nature art my goddess to thy law
My services are bound Wherefore should I
Stand in the plague of custom and permit
The curiosity of nations to deprive me
For that I am some twelve or fourteen moonshines
Lag of a brother Why bastard Wherefore base
When my dimensions are as well compact
My mind as generous and my shape as true
As honest madams issue Why brand they us
With base With baseness bastardy Base base
Who in the lusty stealth of nature take
More composition and fierce quality
Than doth within a dull stale tired bed
Go to the creating a whole tribe of fops
Got tween asleep and wake Well then
Legitimate Edgar I must have your land
Our fathers love is to the bastard Edmund
As to the legitimate fine word legitimate
Well my legitimate if this letter speed
And my invention thrive Edmund the base
Shall top the legitimate I grow I prosper
Now gods stand up for bastards
Enter Gloucester
GLOUCESTER
Kent banishd thus and France in choler parted
And the King gone tonight Prescribd his powr
Confind to exhibition All this done
Upon the gadEdmund how now What news
EDMUND
So please your lordship none
Putting up the letter
GLOUCESTER
Why so earnestly seek you to put up that letter
EDMUND
I know no news my lord
GLOUCESTER
What paper were you reading
EDMUND
Nothing my lord
GLOUCESTER
No What needed then that terrible dispatch of it into your pocket The quality of nothing hath not such need to hide itself Lets see Come if it be nothing I shall not need spectacles
EDMUND
I beseech you sir pardon me It is a letter from my brother that I have not all oerread and for so much as I have perusd I find it not fit for your oerlooking
GLOUCESTER
Give me the letter sir
EDMUND
I shall offend either to detain or give it The contents as in part I understand them are to blame
GLOUCESTER
Lets see lets see
EDMUND
I hope for my brothers justification he wrote this but as an essay or taste of my virtue
GLOUCESTER
Reads This policy and reverence of age makes the world bitter to the best of our times keeps our fortunes from us till our oldness cannot relish them I begin to find an idle and fond bondage in the oppression of aged tyranny who sways not as it hath power but as it is suffered Come to me that of this I may speak more If our father would sleep till I waked him you should enjoy half his revenue for ever and live the beloved of your brother EDGAR
Hum Conspiracy Sleep till I wake him you should enjoy half his revenueMy son Edgar Had he a hand to write this A heart and brain to breed it in When came this to you Who brought it
EDMUND
It was not brought me my lord theres the cunning of it I found it thrown in at the casement of my closet
GLOUCESTER
You know the character to be your brothers
EDMUND
If the matter were good my lord I durst swear it were his but in respect of that I would fain think it were not
GLOUCESTER
It is his
EDMUND
It is his hand my lord but I hope his heart is not in the contents
GLOUCESTER
Has he never before sounded you in this business
EDMUND
Never my lord But I have heard him oft maintain it to be fit that sons at perfect age and fathers declined the father should be as ward to the son and the son manage his revenue
GLOUCESTER
O villain villain His very opinion in the letter Abhorred villain Unnatural detested brutish villain worse than brutish Go sirrah seek him Ill apprehend him Abominable villain Where is he
EDMUND
I do not well know my lord If it shall please you to suspend your indignation against my brother till you can derive from him better testimony of his intent you should run a certain course where if you violently proceed against him mistaking his purpose it would make a great gap in your own honour and shake in pieces the heart of his obedience I dare pawn down my life for him that he hath writ this to feel my affection to your honour and to no other pretence of danger
GLOUCESTER
Think you so
EDMUND
If your honour judge it meet I will place you where you shall hear us confer of this and by an auricular assurance have your satisfaction and that without any further delay than this very evening
GLOUCESTER
He cannot be such a monster
EDMUND
Nor is not sure
GLOUCESTER
To his father that so tenderly and entirely loves him Heaven and earth Edmund seek him out wind me into him I pray you frame the business after your own wisdom I would unstate myself to be in a due resolution
EDMUND
I will seek him sir presently convey the business as I shall find means and acquaint you withal
GLOUCESTER
These late eclipses in the sun and moon portend no good to us though the wisdom of Nature can reason it thus and thus yet nature finds itself scourged by the sequent effects Love cools friendship falls off brothers divide in cities mutinies in countries discord in palaces treason and the bond cracked twixt son and father This villain of mine comes under the prediction theres son against father the King falls from bias of nature theres father against child We have seen the best of our time Machinations hollowness treachery and all ruinous disorders follow us disquietly to our graves Find out this villain Edmund it shall lose thee nothing do it carefullyAnd the noble and truehearted Kent banished his offence honesty Tis strange
Exit
EDMUND
This is the excellent foppery of the world that when we are sick in fortune often the surfeits of our own behaviour we make guilty of our disasters the sun the moon and the stars as if we were villains on necessity fools by heavenly compulsion knaves thieves and treachers by spherical predominance drunkards liars and adulterers by an enforced obedience of planetary influence and all that we are evil in by a divine thrusting on An admirable evasion of whoremaster man to lay his goatish disposition to the charge of a star My father compounded with my mother under the dragons tail and my nativity was under Ursa Major so that it follows I am rough and lecherous Fut I should have been that I am had the maidenliest star in the firmament twinkled on my bastardizing
Enter Edgar
Pat he comes like the catastrophe of the old comedy my cue is villainous melancholy with a sigh like Tom oBedlamO these eclipses do portend these divisions Fa sol la mi
EDGAR
How now brother Edmund what serious contemplation are you in
EDMUND
I am thinking brother of a prediction I read this other day what should follow these eclipses
EDGAR
Do you busy yourself with that
EDMUND
I promise you the effects he writes of succeed unhappily as of unnaturalness between the child and the parent death dearth dissolutions of ancient amities divisions in state menaces and maledictions against King and nobles needless diffidences banishment of friends dissipation of cohorts nuptial breaches and I know not what
EDGAR
How long have you been a sectary astronomical
EDMUND
Come come when saw you my father last
EDGAR
The night gone by
EDMUND
Spake you with him
EDGAR
Ay two hours together
EDMUND
Parted you in good terms Found you no displeasure in him by word nor countenance
EDGAR
None at all
EDMUND
Bethink yourself wherein you may have offended him and at my entreaty forbear his presence until some little time hath qualified the heat of his displeasure which at this instant so rageth in him that with the mischief of your person it would scarcely allay
EDGAR
Some villain hath done me wrong
EDMUND
Thats my fear I pray you have a continent forbearance till the speed of his rage goes slower and as I say retire with me to my lodging from whence I will fitly bring you to hear my lord speak pray ye go theres my key If you do stir abroad go armed
EDGAR
Armed brother
EDMUND
Brother I advise you to the best I am no honest man if there be any good meaning toward you I have told you what I have seen and heard But faintly nothing like the image and horror of it pray you away
EDGAR
Shall I hear from you anon
EDMUND
I do serve you in this business
Exit Edgar
A credulous father and a brother noble
Whose nature is so far from doing harms
That he suspects none on whose foolish honesty
My practices ride easy I see the business
Let me if not by birth have lands by wit
All with mes meet that I can fashion fit
Exit
SCENE III A Room in the Duke of Albanys Palace
Enter Goneril and Oswald
GONERIL
Did my father strike my gentleman for chiding of his fool
OSWALD
Ay madam
GONERIL
By day and night he wrongs me every hour
He flashes into one gross crime or other
That sets us all at odds Ill not endure it
His knights grow riotous and himself upbraids us
On every trifle When he returns from hunting
I will not speak with him say I am sick
If you come slack of former services
You shall do well the fault of it Ill answer
Horns within
OSWALD
Hes coming madam I hear him
GONERIL
Put on what weary negligence you please
You and your fellows Id have it come to question
If he distaste it let him to our sister
Whose mind and mine I know in that are one
Not to be overruled Idle old man
That still would manage those authorities
That he hath given away Now by my life
Old fools are babes again and must be usd
With checks as flatteries when they are seen abusd
Remember what I have said
OSWALD
Very well madam
GONERIL
And let his knights have colder looks among you
What grows of it no matter advise your fellows so
I would breed from hence occasions and I shall
That I may speak Ill write straight to my sister
To hold my very course Prepare for dinner
Exeunt
SCENE IV A Hall in Albanys Palace
Enter Kent disguised
KENT
If but as well I other accents borrow
That can my speech defuse my good intent
May carry through itself to that full issue
For which I raisd my likeness Now banishd Kent
If thou canst serve where thou dost stand condemnd
So may it come thy master whom thou lovst
Shall find thee full of labours
Horns within Enter King Lear Knights and Attendants
LEAR
Let me not stay a jot for dinner go get it ready
Exit an Attendant
How now what art thou
KENT
A man sir
LEAR
What dost thou profess What wouldst thou with us
KENT
I do profess to be no less than I seem to serve him truly that will put me in trust to love him that is honest to converse with him that is wise and says little to fear judgement to fight when I cannot choose and to eat no fish
LEAR
What art thou
KENT
A very honesthearted fellow and as poor as the King
LEAR
If thou best as poor for a subject as hes for a king thou art poor enough What wouldst thou
KENT
Service
LEAR
Who wouldst thou serve
KENT
You
LEAR
Dost thou know me fellow
KENT
No sir but you have that in your countenance which I would fain call master
LEAR
Whats that
KENT
Authority
LEAR
What services canst thou do
KENT
I can keep honest counsel ride run mar a curious tale in telling it and deliver a plain message bluntly That which ordinary men are fit for I am qualified in and the best of me is diligence
LEAR
How old art thou
KENT
Not so young sir to love a woman for singing nor so old to dote on her for anything I have years on my back fortyeight
LEAR
Follow me thou shalt serve me If I like thee no worse after dinner I will not part from thee yet Dinner ho dinner Wheres my knave my fool Go you and call my fool hither
Exit an Attendant
Enter Oswald
You you sirrah wheres my daughter
OSWALD
So please you
Exit
LEAR
What says the fellow there Call the clotpoll back
Exit a Knight
Wheres my fool Ho I think the worlds asleep
Reenter Knight
How now wheres that mongrel
KNIGHT
He says my lord your daughter is not well
LEAR
Why came not the slave back to me when I called him
KNIGHT
Sir he answered me in the roundest manner he would not
LEAR
He would not
KNIGHT
My lord I know not what the matter is but to my judgement your highness is not entertained with that ceremonious affection as you were wont theres a great abatement of kindness appears as well in the general dependants as in the Duke himself also and your daughter
LEAR
Ha sayst thou so
KNIGHT
I beseech you pardon me my lord if I be mistaken for my duty cannot be silent when I think your highness wronged
LEAR
Thou but rememberest me of mine own conception I have perceived a most faint neglect of late which I have rather blamed as mine own jealous curiosity than as a very pretence and purpose of unkindness I will look further intot But wheres my fool I have not seen him this two days
KNIGHT
Since my young ladys going into France sir the fool hath much pined away
LEAR
No more of that I have noted it well Go you and tell my daughter I would speak with her
Exit Attendant
Go you call hither my fool
Exit another Attendant
Reenter Oswald
O you sir you come you hither sir who am I sir
OSWALD
My ladys father
LEAR
My ladys father my lords knave you whoreson dog you slave you cur
OSWALD
I am none of these my lord I beseech your pardon
LEAR
Do you bandy looks with me you rascal
Striking him
OSWALD
Ill not be struck my lord
KENT
Nor trippd neither you base football player
Tripping up his heels
LEAR
I thank thee fellow Thou servst me and Ill love thee
KENT
Come sir arise away Ill teach you differences away away If you will measure your lubbers length again tarry but away go to have you wisdom So
Pushes Oswald out
LEAR
Now my friendly knave I thank thee theres earnest of thy service
Giving Kent money
Enter Fool
FOOL
Let me hire him too heres my coxcomb
Giving Kent his cap
LEAR
How now my pretty knave how dost thou
FOOL
Sirrah you were best take my coxcomb
KENT
Why fool
FOOL
Why for taking ones part thats out of favour Nay an thou canst not smile as the wind sits thoult catch cold shortly there take my coxcomb why this fellow has banishd two ons daughters and did the third a blessing against his will if thou follow him thou must needs wear my coxcomb How now nuncle Would I had two coxcombs and two daughters
LEAR
Why my boy
FOOL
If I gave them all my living Id keep my coxcombs myself Theres mine beg another of thy daughters
LEAR
Take heed sirrah the whip
FOOL
Truths a dog must to kennel he must be whipped out when the Lady Brach may stand by the fire and stink
LEAR
A pestilent gall to me
FOOL
Sirrah Ill teach thee a speech
LEAR
Do
FOOL
Mark it nuncle
Have more than thou showest
Speak less than thou knowest
Lend less than thou owest
Ride more than thou goest
Learn more than thou trowest
Set less than thou throwest
Leave thy drink and thy whore
And keep inadoor
And thou shalt have more
Than two tens to a score
KENT
This is nothing fool
FOOL
Then tis like the breath of an unfeed lawyer you gave me nothing fort Can you make no use of nothing nuncle
LEAR
Why no boy nothing can be made out of nothing
FOOL
to Kent Prithee tell him so much the rent of his land comes to he will not believe a fool
LEAR
A bitter fool
FOOL
Dost thou know the difference my boy between a bitter fool and a sweet one
LEAR
No lad teach me
FOOL
That lord that counselld thee
To give away thy land
Come place him here by me
Do thou for him stand
The sweet and bitter fool
Will presently appear
The one in motley here
The other found out there
LEAR
Dost thou call me fool boy
FOOL
All thy other titles thou hast given away that thou wast born with
KENT
This is not altogether fool my lord
FOOL
No faith lords and great men will not let me if I had a monopoly out they would have part ont and ladies too they will not let me have all the fool to myself theyll be snatching Nuncle give me an egg and Ill give thee two crowns
LEAR
What two crowns shall they be
FOOL
Why after I have cut the egg i the middle and eat up the meat the two crowns of the egg When thou clovest thy crown i the middle and gavst away both parts thou borst thine ass on thy back oer the dirt thou hadst little wit in thy bald crown when thou gavst thy golden one away If I speak like myself in this let him be whipped that first finds it so
Singing
Fools had neer less grace in a year
For wise men are grown foppish
And know not how their wits to wear
Their manners are so apish
LEAR
When were you wont to be so full of songs sirrah
FOOL
I have used it nuncle eer since thou madst thy daughters thy mothers for when thou gavst them the rod and putst down thine own breeches
Singing
Then they for sudden joy did weep
And I for sorrow sung
That such a king should play bopeep
And go the fools among
Prithee nuncle keep a schoolmaster that can teach thy fool to lie I would fain learn to lie
LEAR
An you lie sirrah well have you whipped
FOOL
I marvel what kin thou and thy daughters are theyll have me whipped for speaking true thoult have me whipped for lying and sometimes I am whipped for holding my peace I had rather be any kind othing than a fool and yet I would not be thee nuncle thou hast pared thy wit oboth sides and left nothing i the middle here comes one o the parings
Enter Goneril
LEAR
How now daughter What makes that frontlet on Methinks you are too much of late i the frown
FOOL
Thou wast a pretty fellow when thou hadst no need to care for her frowning Now thou art an O without a figure I am better than thou art now I am a fool thou art nothing To Goneril Yes forsooth I will hold my tongue So your face bids me though you say nothing Mum mum
He that keeps nor crust nor crum
Weary of all shall want some
Pointing to Lear Thats a shealed peascod
GONERIL
Not only sir this your alllicensd fool
But other of your insolent retinue
Do hourly carp and quarrel breaking forth
In rank and nottobeendured riots Sir
I had thought by making this well known unto you
To have found a safe redress but now grow fearful
By what yourself too late have spoke and done
That you protect this course and put it on
By your allowance which if you should the fault
Would not scape censure nor the redresses sleep
Which in the tender of a wholesome weal
Might in their working do you that offence
Which else were shame that then necessity
Will call discreet proceeding
FOOL
For you know nuncle
The hedgesparrow fed the cuckoo so long
That its had it head bit off by it young
So out went the candle and we were left darkling
LEAR
Are you our daughter
GONERIL
Come sir
I would you would make use of that good wisdom
Whereof I know you are fraught and put away
These dispositions which of late transform you
From what you rightly are
FOOL
May not an ass know when the cart draws the horse Whoop Jug I love thee
LEAR
Doth any here know me This is not Lear
Doth Lear walk thus speak thus Where are his eyes
Either his notion weakens his discernings
Are lethargied Ha waking Tis not so
Who is it that can tell me who I am
FOOL
Lears shadow
LEAR
I would learn that for by the marks of sovereignty knowledge and reason I should be false persuaded I had daughters
FOOL
Which they will make an obedient father
LEAR
Your name fair gentlewoman
GONERIL
This admiration sir is much o the favour
Of other your new pranks I do beseech you
To understand my purposes aright
As you are old and reverend you should be wise
Here do you keep a hundred knights and squires
Men so disorderd so deboshd and bold
That this our court infected with their manners
Shows like a riotous inn Epicurism and lust
Makes it more like a tavern or a brothel
Than a gracd palace The shame itself doth speak
For instant remedy Be then desird
By her that else will take the thing she begs
A little to disquantity your train
And the remainder that shall still depend
To be such men as may besort your age
Which know themselves and you
LEAR
Darkness and devils
Saddle my horses call my train together
Degenerate bastard Ill not trouble thee
Yet have I left a daughter
GONERIL
You strike my people and your disorderd rabble
Make servants of their betters
Enter Albany
LEAR
Woe that too late repents
To Albany O sir are you come
Is it your will Speak sirPrepare my horses
Ingratitude thou marblehearted fiend
More hideous when thou showst thee in a child
Than the seamonster
ALBANY
Pray sir be patient
LEAR
to Goneril Detested kite thou liest
My train are men of choice and rarest parts
That all particulars of duty know
And in the most exact regard support
The worships of their name O most small fault
How ugly didst thou in Cordelia show
Which like an engine wrenchd my frame of nature
From the fixd place drew from my heart all love
And added to the gall O Lear Lear Lear
Striking his head Beat at this gate that let thy folly in
And thy dear judgement out Go go my people
ALBANY
My lord I am guiltless as I am ignorant
Of what hath moved you
LEAR
It may be so my lord
Hear nature hear dear goddess hear
Suspend thy purpose if thou didst intend
To make this creature fruitful
Into her womb convey sterility
Dry up in her the organs of increase
And from her derogate body never spring
A babe to honour her If she must teem
Create her child of spleen that it may live
And be a thwart disnaturd torment to her
Let it stamp wrinkles in her brow of youth
With cadent tears fret channels in her cheeks
Turn all her mothers pains and benefits
To laughter and contempt that she may feel
How sharper than a serpents tooth it is
To have a thankless child Away away
Exit
ALBANY
Now gods that we adore whereof comes this
GONERIL
Never afflict yourself to know more of it
But let his disposition have that scope
That dotage gives it
Reenter Lear
LEAR
What fifty of my followers at a clap
Within a fortnight
ALBANY
Whats the matter sir
LEAR
Ill tell thee To Goneril Life and death I am ashamd
That thou hast power to shake my manhood thus
That these hot tears which break from me perforce
Should make thee worth them Blasts and fogs upon thee
Thuntented woundings of a fathers curse
Pierce every sense about thee Old fond eyes
Beweep this cause again Ill pluck ye out
And cast you with the waters that you lose
To temper clay Ha Let it be so
I have another daughter
Who I am sure is kind and comfortable
When she shall hear this of thee with her nails
Shell flay thy wolvish visage Thou shalt find
That Ill resume the shape which thou dost think
I have cast off for ever
Exeunt Lear Kent and Attendants
GONERIL
Do you mark that
ALBANY
I cannot be so partial Goneril
To the great love I bear you
GONERIL
Pray you content What Oswald ho
To the Fool You sir more knave than fool after your master
FOOL
Nuncle Lear nuncle Lear tarry and take the fool with thee
A fox when one has caught her
And such a daughter
Should sure to the slaughter
If my cap would buy a halter
So the fool follows after
Exit
GONERIL
This man hath had good counselA hundred knights
Tis politic and safe to let him keep
At point a hundred knights yes that on every dream
Each buzz each fancy each complaint dislike
He may enguard his dotage with their powers
And hold our lives in mercy Oswald I say
ALBANY
Well you may fear too far
GONERIL
Safer than trust too far
Let me still take away the harms I fear
Not fear still to be taken I know his heart
What he hath utterd I have writ my sister
If she sustain him and his hundred knights
When I have showd thunfitness
Reenter Oswald
How now Oswald
What have you writ that letter to my sister
OSWALD
Ay madam
GONERIL
Take you some company and away to horse
Inform her full of my particular fear
And thereto add such reasons of your own
As may compact it more Get you gone
And hasten your return
Exit Oswald
No no my lord
This milky gentleness and course of yours
Though I condemn not yet under pardon
You are much more attaskd for want of wisdom
Than praisd for harmful mildness
ALBANY
How far your eyes may pierce I cannot tell
Striving to better oft we mar whats well
GONERIL
Nay then
ALBANY
Well well the event
Exeunt
SCENE V Court before the Duke of Albanys Palace
Enter Lear Kent and Fool
LEAR
Go you before to Gloucester with these letters acquaint my daughter no further with anything you know than comes from her demand out of the letter If your diligence be not speedy I shall be there afore you
KENT
I will not sleep my lord till I have delivered your letter
Exit
FOOL
If a mans brains were ins heels weret not in danger of kibes
LEAR
Ay boy
FOOL
Then I prithee be merry thy wit shall not go slipshod
LEAR
Ha ha ha
FOOL
Shalt see thy other daughter will use thee kindly for though shes as like this as a crabs like an apple yet I can tell what I can tell
LEAR
What canst tell boy
FOOL
Shell taste as like this as a crab does to a crab Thou canst tell why ones nose stands ithe middle ons face
LEAR
No
FOOL
Why to keep ones eyes of either sides nose that what a man cannot smell out he may spy into
LEAR
I did her wrong
FOOL
Canst tell how an oyster makes his shell
LEAR
No
FOOL
Nor I neither but I can tell why a snail has a house
LEAR
Why
FOOL
Why to puts head in not to give it away to his daughters and leave his horns without a case
LEAR
I will forget my nature So kind a father Be my horses ready
FOOL
Thy asses are gone about em The reason why the seven stars are no more than seven is a pretty reason
LEAR
Because they are not eight
FOOL
Yes indeed thou wouldst make a good fool
LEAR
To takt again perforceMonster ingratitude
FOOL
If thou wert my fool nuncle Id have thee beaten for being old before thy time
LEAR
Hows that
FOOL
Thou shouldst not have been old till thou hadst been wise
LEAR
O let me not be mad not mad sweet heaven
Keep me in temper I would not be mad
Enter Gentleman
How now are the horses ready
GENTLEMAN
Ready my lord
LEAR
Come boy
FOOL
She thats a maid now and laughs at my departure
Shall not be a maid long unless things be cut shorter
Exeunt
ACT II
SCENE I A court within the Castle of the Earl of Gloucester
Enter Edmund and Curan meeting
EDMUND
Save thee Curan
CURAN
And you sir I have been with your father and given him notice that the Duke of Cornwall and Regan his Duchess will be here with him this night
EDMUND
How comes that
CURAN
Nay I know not You have heard of the news abroad I mean the whispered ones for they are yet but earkissing arguments
EDMUND
Not I pray you what are they
CURAN
Have you heard of no likely wars toward twixt the two dukes of Cornwall and Albany
EDMUND
Not a word
CURAN
You may do then in time Fare you well sir
Exit
EDMUND
The Duke be here tonight The better best
This weaves itself perforce into my business
My father hath set guard to take my brother
And I have one thing of a queasy question
Which I must act Briefness and fortune work
Brother a word descend brother I say
Enter Edgar
My father watches O sir fly this place
Intelligence is given where you are hid
You have now the good advantage of the night
Have you not spoken gainst the Duke of Cornwall
Hes coming hither now i the night i the haste
And Regan with him have you nothing said
Upon his party gainst the Duke of Albany
Advise yourself
EDGAR
I am sure ont not a word
EDMUND
I hear my father comingpardon me
In cunning I must draw my sword upon you
Draw seem to defend yourself now quit you well
Yield come before my father Light ho here
Fly brother Torches torchesSo farewell
Exit Edgar
Some blood drawn on me would beget opinion
Of my more fierce endeavour Wounds his arm
I have seen drunkards
Do more than this in sport Father father
Stop stop No help
Enter Gloucester and Servants with torches
GLOUCESTER
Now Edmund wheres the villain
EDMUND
Here stood he in the dark his sharp sword out
Mumbling of wicked charms conjuring the moon
To stand auspicious mistress
GLOUCESTER
But where is he
EDMUND
Look sir I bleed
GLOUCESTER
Where is the villain Edmund
EDMUND
Fled this way sir When by no means he could
GLOUCESTER
Pursue him ho Go after
Exeunt Servants
By no means what
EDMUND
Persuade me to the murder of your lordship
But that I told him the revenging gods
Gainst parricides did all their thunders bend
Spoke with how manifold and strong a bond
The child was bound to the father sir in fine
Seeing how loathly opposite I stood
To his unnatural purpose in fell motion
With his prepared sword he charges home
My unprovided body latchd mine arm
But when he saw my best alarumd spirits
Bold in the quarrels right rousd to thencounter
Or whether gasted by the noise I made
Full suddenly he fled
GLOUCESTER
Let him fly far
Not in this land shall he remain uncaught
And founddispatchd The noble Duke my master
My worthy arch and patron comes tonight
By his authority I will proclaim it
That he which finds him shall deserve our thanks
Bringing the murderous coward to the stake
He that conceals him death
EDMUND
When I dissuaded him from his intent
And found him pight to do it with curst speech
I threatend to discover him he replied
Thou unpossessing bastard dost thou think
If I would stand against thee would the reposal
Of any trust virtue or worth in thee
Make thy words faithd No what I should deny
As this I would ay though thou didst produce
My very character Id turn it all
To thy suggestion plot and damned practice
And thou must make a dullard of the world
If they not thought the profits of my death
Were very pregnant and potential spurs
To make thee seek it
GLOUCESTER
O strange and fastned villain
Would he deny his letter said he I never got him
Tucket within
Hark the Dukes trumpets I know not why he comes
All ports Ill bar the villain shall not scape
The Duke must grant me that besides his picture
I will send far and near that all the kingdom
May have due note of him and of my land
Loyal and natural boy Ill work the means
To make thee capable
Enter Cornwall Regan and Attendants
CORNWALL
How now my noble friend since I came hither
Which I can call but now I have heard strange news
REGAN
If it be true all vengeance comes too short
Which can pursue thoffender How dost my lord
GLOUCESTER
O madam my old heart is crackd its crackd
REGAN
What did my fathers godson seek your life
He whom my father namd your Edgar
GLOUCESTER
O lady lady shame would have it hid
REGAN
Was he not companion with the riotous knights
That tend upon my father
GLOUCESTER
I know not madam tis too bad too bad
EDMUND
Yes madam he was of that consort
REGAN
No marvel then though he were ill affected
Tis they have put him on the old mans death
To have the expense and waste of his revenues
I have this present evening from my sister
Been well informd of them and with such cautions
That if they come to sojourn at my house
Ill not be there
CORNWALL
Nor I assure thee Regan
Edmund I hear that you have shown your father
A childlike office
EDMUND
It was my duty sir
GLOUCESTER
He did bewray his practice and receivd
This hurt you see striving to apprehend him
CORNWALL
Is he pursued
GLOUCESTER
Ay my good lord
CORNWALL
If he be taken he shall never more
Be feard of doing harm make your own purpose
How in my strength you please For you Edmund
Whose virtue and obedience doth this instant
So much commend itself you shall be ours
Natures of such deep trust we shall much need
You we first seize on
EDMUND
I shall serve you sir truly however else
GLOUCESTER
For him I thank your grace
CORNWALL
You know not why we came to visit you
REGAN
Thus out of season threading darkeyd night
Occasions noble Gloucester of some poise
Wherein we must have use of your advice
Our father he hath writ so hath our sister
Of differences which I best thought it fit
To answer from our home the several messengers
From hence attend dispatch Our good old friend
Lay comforts to your bosom and bestow
Your needful counsel to our business
Which craves the instant use
GLOUCESTER
I serve you madam
Your graces are right welcome
Exeunt Flourish
SCENE II Before Gloucesters Castle
Enter Kent and Oswald severally
OSWALD
Good dawning to thee friend art of this house
KENT
Ay
OSWALD
Where may we set our horses
KENT
I the mire
OSWALD
Prithee if thou lovst me tell me
KENT
I love thee not
OSWALD
Why then I care not for thee
KENT
If I had thee in Lipsbury pinfold I would make thee care for me
OSWALD
Why dost thou use me thus I know thee not
KENT
Fellow I know thee
OSWALD
What dost thou know me for
KENT
A knave a rascal an eater of broken meats a base proud shallow beggarly threesuited hundredpound filthy worstedstocking knave a lilylivered actiontaking whoreson glassgazing superserviceable finical rogue one trunkinheriting slave one that wouldst be a bawd in way of good service and art nothing but the composition of a knave beggar coward pander and the son and heir of a mongrel bitch one whom I will beat into clamorous whining if thou deniest the least syllable of thy addition
OSWALD
Why what a monstrous fellow art thou thus to rail on one thats neither known of thee nor knows thee
KENT
What a brazenfaced varlet art thou to deny thou knowest me Is it two days ago since I tripped up thy heels and beat thee before the King Draw you rogue for though it be night yet the moon shines Ill make a sop o the moonshine of you draw you whoreson cullionly barbermonger draw
Drawing his sword
OSWALD
Away I have nothing to do with thee
KENT
Draw you rascal you come with letters against the King and take vanity the puppets part against the royalty of her father draw you rogue or Ill so carbonado your shanksdraw you rascal come your ways
OSWALD
Help ho murder help
KENT
Strike you slave stand rogue stand you neat slave strike
Beating him
OSWALD
Help ho murder murder
Enter Edmund Cornwall Regan Gloucester and Servants
EDMUND
How now Whats the matter Part
KENT
With you goodman boy if you please come Ill flesh ye come on young master
GLOUCESTER
Weapons arms Whats the matter here
CORNWALL
Keep peace upon your lives he dies that strikes again What is the matter
REGAN
The messengers from our sister and the King
CORNWALL
What is your difference Speak
OSWALD
I am scarce in breath my lord
KENT
No marvel you have so bestirrd your valour You cowardly rascal nature disclaims in thee a tailor made thee
CORNWALL
Thou art a strange fellow a tailor make a man
KENT
Ay a tailor sir a stonecutter or a painter could not have made him so ill though he had been but two years at the trade
CORNWALL
Speak yet how grew your quarrel
OSWALD
This ancient ruffian sir whose life I have spared at suit of his grey beard
KENT
Thou whoreson zed thou unnecessary letter My lord if youll give me leave I will tread this unbolted villain into mortar and daub the walls of a jakes with him Spare my grey beard you wagtail
CORNWALL
Peace sirrah
You beastly knave know you no reverence
KENT
Yes sir but anger hath a privilege
CORNWALL
Why art thou angry
KENT
That such a slave as this should wear a sword
Who wears no honesty Such smiling rogues as these
Like rats oft bite the holy cords atwain
Which are too intrince tunloose smooth every passion
That in the natures of their lords rebel
Bring oil to fire snow to their colder moods
Renege affirm and turn their halcyon beaks
With every gale and vary of their masters
Knowing naught like dogs but following
A plague upon your epileptic visage
Smile you my speeches as I were a fool
Goose if I had you upon Sarum plain
Id drive ye cackling home to Camelot
CORNWALL
What art thou mad old fellow
GLOUCESTER
How fell you out Say that
KENT
No contraries hold more antipathy
Than I and such a knave
CORNWALL
Why dost thou call him knave What is his fault
KENT
His countenance likes me not
CORNWALL
No more perchance does mine or his or hers
KENT
Sir tis my occupation to be plain
I have seen better faces in my time
Than stands on any shoulder that I see
Before me at this instant
CORNWALL
This is some fellow
Who having been praisd for bluntness doth affect
A saucy roughness and constrains the garb
Quite from his nature he cannot flatter he
An honest mind and plain he must speak truth
An they will take it so if not hes plain
These kind of knaves I know which in this plainness
Harbour more craft and more corrupter ends
Than twenty sillyducking observants
That stretch their duties nicely
KENT
Sir in good faith in sincere verity
Under thallowance of your great aspect
Whose influence like the wreath of radiant fire
On flickering Phoebus front
CORNWALL
What meanst by this
KENT
To go out of my dialect which you discommend so much I know sir I am no flatterer he that beguiled you in a plain accent was a plain knave which for my part I will not be though I should win your displeasure to entreat me tot
CORNWALL
What was the offence you gave him
OSWALD
I never gave him any
It pleasd the King his master very late
To strike at me upon his misconstruction
When he compact and flattering his displeasure
Trippd me behind being down insulted raild
And put upon him such a deal of man
That worthied him got praises of the King
For him attempting who was selfsubdud
And in the fleshment of this dread exploit
Drew on me here again
KENT
None of these rogues and cowards
But Ajax is their fool
CORNWALL
Fetch forth the stocks
You stubborn ancient knave you reverent braggart
Well teach you
KENT
Sir I am too old to learn
Call not your stocks for me I serve the King
On whose employment I was sent to you
You shall do small respect show too bold malice
Against the grace and person of my master
Stocking his messenger
CORNWALL
Fetch forth the stocks
As I have life and honour there shall he sit till noon
REGAN
Till noon Till night my lord and all night too
KENT
Why madam if I were your fathers dog
You should not use me so
REGAN
Sir being his knave I will
Stocks brought out
CORNWALL
This is a fellow of the selfsame colour
Our sister speaks of Come bring away the stocks
GLOUCESTER
Let me beseech your grace not to do so
His fault is much and the good King his master
Will check him fort your purposd low correction
Is such as basest and contemnedst wretches
For pilferings and most common trespasses
Are punishd with The King must take it ill
That he so slightly valued in his messenger
Should have him thus restrained
CORNWALL
Ill answer that
REGAN
My sister may receive it much more worse
To have her gentleman abusd assaulted
For following her affairs Put in his legs
Kent is put in the stocks
CORNWALL
Come my good lord away
Exeunt all but Gloucester and Kent
GLOUCESTER
I am sorry for thee friend tis the Dukes pleasure
Whose disposition all the world well knows
Will not be rubbd nor stoppd Ill entreat for thee
KENT
Pray do not sir I have watchd and travelld hard
Some time I shall sleep out the rest Ill whistle
A good mans fortune may grow out at heels
Give you good morrow
GLOUCESTER
The Dukes to blame in this twill be ill taken
Exit
KENT
Good King that must approve the common saw
Thou out of heavens benediction comst
To the warm sun
Approach thou beacon to this under globe
That by thy comfortable beams I may
Peruse this letter Nothing almost sees miracles
But misery I know tis from Cordelia
Who hath most fortunately been informd
Of my obscured course And shall find time
From this enormous state seeking to give
Losses their remedies All weary and oerwatchd
Take vantage heavy eyes not to behold
This shameful lodging
Fortune good night smile once more turn thy wheel
He sleeps
SCENE III The open Country
Enter Edgar
EDGAR
I heard myself proclaimd
And by the happy hollow of a tree
Escapd the hunt No port is free no place
That guard and most unusual vigilance
Does not attend my taking While I may scape
I will preserve myself and am bethought
To take the basest and most poorest shape
That ever penury in contempt of man
Brought near to beast my face Ill grime with filth
Blanket my loins elf all my hair in knots
And with presented nakedness outface
The winds and persecutions of the sky
The country gives me proof and precedent
Of Bedlam beggars who with roaring voices
Strike in their numbd and mortified bare arms
Pins wooden pricks nails sprigs of rosemary
And with this horrible object from low farms
Poor pelting villages sheepcotes and mills
Sometime with lunatic bans sometime with prayers
Enforce their charity Poor Turlygod poor Tom
Thats something yet Edgar I nothing am
Exit
SCENE IV Before Gloucesters Castle Kent in the stocks
Enter Lear Fool and Gentleman
LEAR
Tis strange that they should so depart from home
And not send back my messenger
GENTLEMAN
As I learnd
The night before there was no purpose in them
Of this remove
KENT
Hail to thee noble master
LEAR
Ha Makst thou this shame thy pastime
KENT
No my lord
FOOL
Ha ha he wears cruel garters Horses are tied by the heads dogs and bears by the neck monkeys by the loins and men by the legs when a man is overlusty at legs then he wears wooden netherstocks
LEAR
Whats he that hath so much thy place mistook
To set thee here
KENT
It is both he and she
Your son and daughter
LEAR
No
KENT
Yes
LEAR
No I say
KENT
I say yea
LEAR
No no they would not
KENT
Yes they have
LEAR
By Jupiter I swear no
KENT
By Juno I swear ay
LEAR
They durst not dot
They could not would not dot tis worse than murder
To do upon respect such violent outrage
Resolve me with all modest haste which way
Thou mightst deserve or they impose this usage
Coming from us
KENT
My lord when at their home
I did commend your highness letters to them
Ere I was risen from the place that showd
My duty kneeling came there a reeking post
Stewd in his haste half breathless panting forth
From Goneril his mistress salutations
Deliverd letters spite of intermission
Which presently they read on those contents
They summond up their meiny straight took horse
Commanded me to follow and attend
The leisure of their answer gave me cold looks
And meeting here the other messenger
Whose welcome I perceivd had poisond mine
Being the very fellow which of late
Displayd so saucily against your highness
Having more man than wit about me drew
He raisd the house with loud and coward cries
Your son and daughter found this trespass worth
The shame which here it suffers
FOOL
Winters not gone yet if the wild geese fly that way
Fathers that wear rags
Do make their children blind
But fathers that bear bags
Shall see their children kind
Fortune that arrant whore
Neer turns the key to th poor
But for all this thou shalt have as many dolours for thy daughters as thou canst tell in a year
LEAR
O how this mother swells up toward my heart
Hysterica passio down thou climbing sorrow
Thy elements below Where is this daughter
KENT
With the earl sir here within
LEAR
Follow me not stay here
Exit
GENTLEMAN
Made you no more offence but what you speak of
KENT
None
How chance the King comes with so small a number
FOOL
An thou hadst been set i the stocks for that question thou hadst well deserved it
KENT
Why fool
FOOL
Well set thee to school to an ant to teach thee theres no labouring ithe winter All that follow their noses are led by their eyes but blind men and theres not a nose among twenty but can smell him thats stinking Let go thy hold when a great wheel runs down a hill lest it break thy neck with following it but the great one that goes upward let him draw thee after When a wise man gives thee better counsel give me mine again I would have none but knaves follow it since a fool gives it
That sir which serves and seeks for gain
And follows but for form
Will pack when it begins to rain
And leave thee in the storm
But I will tarry the fool will stay
And let the wise man fly
The knave turns fool that runs away
The fool no knave perdy
KENT
Where learnd you this fool
FOOL
Not i the stocks fool
Enter Lear and Gloucester
LEAR
Deny to speak with me They are sick they are weary
They have travelld all the night Mere fetches
The images of revolt and flying off
Fetch me a better answer
GLOUCESTER
My dear lord
You know the fiery quality of the Duke
How unremovable and fixd he is
In his own course
LEAR
Vengeance plague death confusion
Fiery What quality Why Gloucester Gloucester
Id speak with the Duke of Cornwall and his wife
GLOUCESTER
Well my good lord I have informd them so
LEAR
Informd them Dost thou understand me man
GLOUCESTER
Ay my good lord
LEAR
The King would speak with Cornwall the dear father
Would with his daughter speak commands tends service
Are they informd of this My breath and blood
Fiery The fiery Duke tell the hot Duke that
No but not yet maybe he is not well
Infirmity doth still neglect all office
Whereto our health is bound we are not ourselves
When nature being oppressd commands the mind
To suffer with the body Ill forbear
And am fallen out with my more headier will
To take the indisposd and sickly fit
For the sound man Looking on Kent
Death on my state Wherefore
Should he sit here This act persuades me
That this remotion of the Duke and her
Is practice only Give me my servant forth
Go tell the Duke ands wife Id speak with them
Now presently bid them come forth and hear me
Or at their chamber door Ill beat the drum
Till it cry sleep to death
GLOUCESTER
I would have all well betwixt you
Exit
LEAR
O me my heart my rising heart But down
FOOL
Cry to it nuncle as the cockney did to the eels when she put em i the paste alive she knapped em o the coxcombs with a stick and cried Down wantons down Twas her brother that in pure kindness to his horse buttered his hay
Enter Cornwall Regan Gloucester and Servants
LEAR
Good morrow to you both
CORNWALL
Hail to your grace
Kent here set at liberty
REGAN
I am glad to see your highness
LEAR
Regan I think you are I know what reason
I have to think so if thou shouldst not be glad
I would divorce me from thy mothers tomb
Sepulchring an adultress To Kent O are you free
Some other time for thatBeloved Regan
Thy sisters naught O Regan she hath tied
Sharptoothd unkindness like a vulture here
Points to his heart
I can scarce speak to thee thoult not believe
With how depravd a qualityO Regan
REGAN
I pray you sir take patience I have hope
You less know how to value her desert
Than she to scant her duty
LEAR
Say how is that
REGAN
I cannot think my sister in the least
Would fail her obligation If sir perchance
She have restraind the riots of your followers
Tis on such ground and to such wholesome end
As clears her from all blame
LEAR
My curses on her
REGAN
O sir you are old
Nature in you stands on the very verge
Of her confine you should be ruld and led
By some discretion that discerns your state
Better than you yourself Therefore I pray you
That to our sister you do make return
Say you have wrongd her sir
LEAR
Ask her forgiveness
Do you but mark how this becomes the house
Dear daughter I confess that I am old
Kneeling
Age is unnecessary on my knees I beg
That youll vouchsafe me raiment bed and food
REGAN
Good sir no more These are unsightly tricks
Return you to my sister
LEAR
Rising Never Regan
She hath abated me of half my train
Lookd black upon me struck me with her tongue
Most serpentlike upon the very heart
All the stord vengeances of heaven fall
On her ingrateful top Strike her young bones
You taking airs with lameness
CORNWALL
Fie sir fie
LEAR
You nimble lightnings dart your blinding flames
Into her scornful eyes Infect her beauty
You fensuckd fogs drawn by the powerful sun
To fall and blast her pride
REGAN
O the blest gods
So will you wish on me when the rash mood is on
LEAR
No Regan thou shalt never have my curse
Thy tenderhefted nature shall not give
Thee oer to harshness Her eyes are fierce but thine
Do comfort and not burn Tis not in thee
To grudge my pleasures to cut off my train
To bandy hasty words to scant my sizes
And in conclusion to oppose the bolt
Against my coming in Thou better knowst
The offices of nature bond of childhood
Effects of courtesy dues of gratitude
Thy half o the kingdom hast thou not forgot
Wherein I thee endowd
REGAN
Good sir to the purpose
LEAR
Who put my man i the stocks
Tucket within
CORNWALL
What trumpets that
REGAN
I knowt my sisters this approves her letter
That she would soon be here
Enter Oswald
Is your lady come
LEAR
This is a slave whose easy borrowed pride
Dwells in the fickle grace of her he follows
Out varlet from my sight
CORNWALL
What means your grace
LEAR
Who stockd my servant Regan I have good hope
Thou didst not know ont Who comes here O heavens
Enter Goneril
If you do love old men if your sweet sway
Allow obedience if yourselves are old
Make it your cause send down and take my part
To Goneril Art not ashamd to look upon this beard
O Regan wilt thou take her by the hand
GONERIL
Why not by the hand sir How have I offended
Alls not offence that indiscretion finds
And dotage terms so
LEAR
O sides you are too tough
Will you yet hold How came my man i the stocks
CORNWALL
I set him there sir but his own disorders
Deservd much less advancement
LEAR
You Did you
REGAN
I pray you father being weak seem so
If till the expiration of your month
You will return and sojourn with my sister
Dismissing half your train come then to me
I am now from home and out of that provision
Which shall be needful for your entertainment
LEAR
Return to her and fifty men dismissd
No rather I abjure all roofs and choose
To wage against the enmity o the air
To be a comrade with the wolf and owl
Necessitys sharp pinch Return with her
Why the hotblooded France that dowerless took
Our youngest born I could as well be brought
To knee his throne and squirelike pension beg
To keep base life afoot Return with her
Persuade me rather to be slave and sumpter
To this detested groom
Pointing to Oswald
GONERIL
At your choice sir
LEAR
I prithee daughter do not make me mad
I will not trouble thee my child farewell
Well no more meet no more see one another
But yet thou art my flesh my blood my daughter
Or rather a disease thats in my flesh
Which I must needs call mine Thou art a boil
A plague sore or embossed carbuncle
In my corrupted blood But Ill not chide thee
Let shame come when it will I do not call it
I do not bid the thunderbearer shoot
Nor tell tales of thee to highjudging Jove
Mend when thou canst be better at thy leisure
I can be patient I can stay with Regan
I and my hundred knights
REGAN
Not altogether so
I lookd not for you yet nor am provided
For your fit welcome Give ear sir to my sister
For those that mingle reason with your passion
Must be content to think you old and so
But she knows what she does
LEAR
Is this well spoken
REGAN
I dare avouch it sir what fifty followers
Is it not well What should you need of more
Yea or so many sith that both charge and danger
Speak gainst so great a number How in one house
Should many people under two commands
Hold amity Tis hard almost impossible
GONERIL
Why might not you my lord receive attendance
From those that she calls servants or from mine
REGAN
Why not my lord If then they chancd to slack ye
We could control them If you will come to me
For now I spy a dangerI entreat you
To bring but fiveandtwenty to no more
Will I give place or notice
LEAR
I gave you all
REGAN
And in good time you gave it
LEAR
Made you my guardians my depositaries
But kept a reservation to be followed
With such a number What must I come to you
With fiveandtwenty Regan said you so
REGAN
And speakt again my lord no more with me
LEAR
Those wicked creatures yet do look wellfavourd
When others are more wicked not being the worst
Stands in some rank of praise
To Goneril Ill go with thee
Thy fifty yet doth double fiveandtwenty
And thou art twice her love
GONERIL
Hear me my lord
What need you fiveandtwenty Ten Or five
To follow in a house where twice so many
Have a command to tend you
REGAN
What need one
LEAR
O reason not the need our basest beggars
Are in the poorest thing superfluous
Allow not nature more than nature needs
Mans life is cheap as beasts Thou art a lady
If only to go warm were gorgeous
Why nature needs not what thou gorgeous wearst
Which scarcely keeps thee warm But for true need
You heavens give me that patience patience I need
You see me here you gods a poor old man
As full of grief as age wretched in both
If it be you that stirs these daughters hearts
Against their father fool me not so much
To bear it tamely touch me with noble anger
And let not womens weapons waterdrops
Stain my mans cheeks No you unnatural hags
I will have such revenges on you both
That all the world shallI will do such things
What they are yet I know not but they shall be
The terrors of the earth You think Ill weep
No Ill not weep Storm and tempest
I have full cause of weeping but this heart
Shall break into a hundred thousand flaws
Or ere Ill weepO fool I shall go mad
Exeunt Lear Gloucester Kent and Fool
CORNWALL
Let us withdraw twill be a storm
REGAN
This house is little the old man and his people
Cannot be well bestowd
GONERIL
Tis his own blame hath put himself from rest
And must needs taste his folly
REGAN
For his particular Ill receive him gladly
But not one follower
GONERIL
So am I purposd
Where is my lord of Gloucester
Enter Gloucester
CORNWALL
Followed the old man forth he is returnd
GLOUCESTER
The King is in high rage
CORNWALL
Whither is he going
GLOUCESTER
He calls to horse but will I know not whither
CORNWALL
Tis best to give him way he leads himself
GONERIL
My lord entreat him by no means to stay
GLOUCESTER
Alack the night comes on and the high winds
Do sorely ruffle for many miles about
Theres scarce a bush
REGAN
O sir to wilful men
The injuries that they themselves procure
Must be their schoolmasters Shut up your doors
He is attended with a desperate train
And what they may incense him to being apt
To have his ear abusd wisdom bids fear
CORNWALL
Shut up your doors my lord tis a wild night
My Regan counsels well come out o the storm
Exeunt
ACT III
SCENE I A Heath
A storm with thunder and lightning Enter Kent and a Gentleman severally
KENT
Whos there besides foul weather
GENTLEMAN
One minded like the weather most unquietly
KENT
I know you Wheres the King
GENTLEMAN
Contending with the fretful elements
Bids the wind blow the earth into the sea
Or swell the curled waters bove the main
That things might change or cease tears his white hair
Which the impetuous blasts with eyeless rage
Catch in their fury and make nothing of
Strives in his little world of man to outscorn
The toandfroconflicting wind and rain
This night wherein the cubdrawn bear would couch
The lion and the bellypinched wolf
Keep their fur dry unbonneted he runs
And bids what will take all
KENT
But who is with him
GENTLEMAN
None but the fool who labours to outjest
His heartstruck injuries
KENT
Sir I do know you
And dare upon the warrant of my note
Commend a dear thing to you There is division
Although as yet the face of it be coverd
With mutual cunning twixt Albany and Cornwall
Who have as who have not that their great stars
Throned and set high servants who seem no less
Which are to France the spies and speculations
Intelligent of our state What hath been seen
Either in snuffs and packings of the Dukes
Or the hard rein which both of them have borne
Against the old kind King or something deeper
Whereof perchance these are but furnishings
But true it is from France there comes a power
Into this scatterd kingdom who already
Wise in our negligence have secret feet
In some of our best ports and are at point
To show their open bannerNow to you
If on my credit you dare build so far
To make your speed to Dover you shall find
Some that will thank you making just report
Of how unnatural and bemadding sorrow
The King hath cause to plain
I am a gentleman of blood and breeding
And from some knowledge and assurance
Offer this office to you
GENTLEMAN
I will talk further with you
KENT
No do not
For confirmation that I am much more
Than my outwall open this purse and take
What it contains If you shall see Cordelia
As fear not but you shall show her this ring
And she will tell you who your fellow is
That yet you do not know Fie on this storm
I will go seek the King
GENTLEMAN
Give me your hand have you no more to say
KENT
Few words but to effect more than all yet
That when we have found the King in which your pain
That way Ill this he that first lights on him
Holla the other
Exeunt
SCENE II Another part of the heath
Storm continues Enter Lear and Fool
LEAR
Blow winds and crack your cheeks Rage blow
You cataracts and hurricanoes spout
Till you have drenchd our steeples drownd the cocks
You sulphurous and thoughtexecuting fires
Vauntcouriers to oakcleaving thunderbolts
Singe my white head And thou allshaking thunder
Strike flat the thick rotundity o the world
Crack natures moulds all germens spill at once
That make ingrateful man
FOOL
O nuncle court holywater in a dry house is better than this rainwater out o door Good nuncle in and ask thy daughters blessing heres a night pities neither wise men nor fools
LEAR
Rumble thy bellyful Spit fire spout rain
Nor rain wind thunder fire are my daughters
I tax not you you elements with unkindness
I never gave you kingdom calld you children
You owe me no subscription then let fall
Your horrible pleasure Here I stand your slave
A poor infirm weak and despisd old man
But yet I call you servile ministers
That will with two pernicious daughters join
Your highengenderd battles gainst a head
So old and white as this O O tis foul
FOOL
He that has a house to puts head in has a good headpiece
The codpiece that will house
Before the head has any
The head and he shall louse
So beggars marry many
The man that makes his toe
What he his heart should make
Shall of a corn cry woe
And turn his sleep to wake
For there was never yet fair woman but she made mouths in a glass
LEAR
No I will be the pattern of all patience
I will say nothing
Enter Kent
KENT
Whos there
FOOL
Marry heres grace and a codpiece thats a wise man and a fool
KENT
Alas sir are you here Things that love night
Love not such nights as these the wrathful skies
Gallow the very wanderers of the dark
And make them keep their caves Since I was man
Such sheets of fire such bursts of horrid thunder
Such groans of roaring wind and rain I never
Remember to have heard Mans nature cannot carry
Thaffliction nor the fear
LEAR
Let the great gods
That keep this dreadful pudder oer our heads
Find out their enemies now Tremble thou wretch
That hast within thee undivulged crimes
Unwhippd of justice Hide thee thou bloody hand
Thou perjurd and thou simular of virtue
That art incestuous Caitiff to pieces shake
That under covert and convenient seeming
Hast practisd on mans life close pentup guilts
Rive your concealing continents and cry
These dreadful summoners grace I am a man
More sinnd against than sinning
KENT
Alack bareheaded
Gracious my lord hard by here is a hovel
Some friendship will it lend you gainst the tempest
Repose you there whilst I to this hard house
More harder than the stones whereof tis raisd
Which even but now demanding after you
Denied me to come inreturn and force
Their scanted courtesy
LEAR
My wits begin to turn
Come on my boy How dost my boy Art cold
I am cold myself Where is this straw my fellow
The art of our necessities is strange
That can make vile things precious Come your hovel
Poor fool and knave I have one part in my heart
Thats sorry yet for thee
FOOL
Singing
He that has and a little tiny wit
With heighho the wind and the rain
Must make content with his fortunes fit
Though the rain it raineth every day
LEAR
True boy Come bring us to this hovel
Exeunt Lear and Kent
FOOL
This is a brave night to cool a courtezan Ill speak a prophecy ere I go
When priests are more in word than matter
When brewers mar their malt with water
When nobles are their tailors tutors
No heretics burnd but wenches suitors
When every case in law is right
No squire in debt nor no poor knight
When slanders do not live in tongues
Nor cutpurses come not to throngs
When usurers tell their gold i the field
And bawds and whores do churches build
Then shall the realm of Albion
Come to great confusion
Then comes the time who lives to seet
That going shall be usd with feet
This prophecy Merlin shall make for I live before his time
Exit
SCENE III A Room in Gloucesters Castle
Enter Gloucester and Edmund
GLOUCESTER
Alack alack Edmund I like not this unnatural dealing When I desired their leave that I might pity him they took from me the use of mine own house charged me on pain of perpetual displeasure neither to speak of him entreat for him or any way sustain him
EDMUND
Most savage and unnatural
GLOUCESTER
Go to say you nothing There is division between the Dukes and a worse matter than that I have received a letter this nighttis dangerous to be spokenI have locked the letter in my closet these injuries the King now bears will be revenged home theres part of a power already footed we must incline to the King I will look him and privily relieve him go you and maintain talk with the Duke that my charity be not of him perceived if he ask for me I am ill and gone to bed If I die for it as no less is threatened me the King my old master must be relieved There is some strange thing toward Edmund pray you be careful
Exit
EDMUND
This courtesy forbid thee shall the Duke
Instantly know and of that letter too
This seems a fair deserving and must draw me
That which my father loses no less than all
The younger rises when the old doth fall
Exit
SCENE IV A part of the Heath with a Hovel
Storm continues Enter Lear Kent and Fool
KENT
Here is the place my lord good my lord enter
The tyranny of the open nights too rough
For nature to endure
LEAR
Let me alone
KENT
Good my lord enter here
LEAR
Wilt break my heart
KENT
I had rather break mine own Good my lord enter
LEAR
Thou thinkst tis much that this contentious storm
Invades us to the skin so tis to thee
But where the greater malady is fixd
The lesser is scarce felt Thoudst shun a bear
But if thy flight lay toward the raging sea
Thoudst meet the bear i the mouth When the minds free
The bodys delicate the tempest in my mind
Doth from my senses take all feeling else
Save what beats there Filial ingratitude
Is it not as this mouth should tear this hand
For lifting food tot But I will punish home
No I will weep no more In such a night
To shut me out Pour on I will endure
In such a night as this O Regan Goneril
Your old kind father whose frank heart gave all
O that way madness lies let me shun that
No more of that
KENT
Good my lord enter here
LEAR
Prithee go in thyself seek thine own ease
This tempest will not give me leave to ponder
On things would hurt me more But Ill go in
To the Fool In boy go first You houseless poverty
Nay get thee in Ill pray and then Ill sleep
Fool goes in
Poor naked wretches wheresoeer you are
That bide the pelting of this pitiless storm
How shall your houseless heads and unfed sides
Your loopd and windowd raggedness defend you
From seasons such as these O I have taen
Too little care of this Take physic pomp
Expose thyself to feel what wretches feel
That thou mayst shake the superflux to them
And show the heavens more just
EDGAR
Within Fathom and half fathom and half Poor Tom
The Fool runs out from the hovel
FOOL
Come not in here nuncle heres a spirit
Help me help me
KENT
Give me thy hand Whos there
FOOL
A spirit a spirit he says his names poor Tom
KENT
What art thou that dost grumble there i the straw
Come forth
Enter Edgar disguised as a madman
EDGAR
Away the foul fiend follows me Through the sharp hawthorn blows the cold wind Humh go to thy cold bed and warm thee
LEAR
Didst thou give all to thy two daughters
And art thou come to this
EDGAR
Who gives anything to poor Tom Whom the foul fiend hath led through fire and through flame through ford and whirlpool oer bog and quagmire that hath laid knives under his pillow and halters in his pew set ratsbane by his porridge made him proud of heart to ride on a bay trotting horse over fourinched bridges to course his own shadow for a traitor Bless thy five wits Toms acold O do de do de do de Bless thee from whirlwinds starblasting and taking Do poor Tom some charity whom the foul fiend vexes There could I have him now and thereand there again and there
Storm continues
LEAR
What have his daughters brought him to this pass
Couldst thou save nothing Didst thou give em all
FOOL
Nay he reservd a blanket else we had been all shamed
LEAR
Now all the plagues that in the pendulous air
Hang fated oer mens faults light on thy daughters
KENT
He hath no daughters sir
LEAR
Death traitor nothing could have subdud nature
To such a lowness but his unkind daughters
Is it the fashion that discarded fathers
Should have thus little mercy on their flesh
Judicious punishment twas this flesh begot
Those pelican daughters
EDGAR
Pillicock sat on Pillicock hill
Alow alow loo loo
FOOL
This cold night will turn us all to fools and madmen
EDGAR
Take heed o th foul fiend obey thy parents keep thy word justly swear not commit not with mans sworn spouse set not thy sweetheart on proud array Toms acold
LEAR
What hast thou been
EDGAR
A servingman proud in heart and mind that curled my hair wore gloves in my cap served the lust of my mistress heart and did the act of darkness with her swore as many oaths as I spake words and broke them in the sweet face of heaven One that slept in the contriving of lust and waked to do it Wine loved I deeply dice dearly and in woman outparamourd the Turk False of heart light of ear bloody of hand hog in sloth fox in stealth wolf in greediness dog in madness lion in prey Let not the creaking of shoes nor the rustling of silks betray thy poor heart to woman Keep thy foot out of brothels thy hand out of plackets thy pen from lenders book and defy the foul fiend Still through the hawthorn blows the cold wind says suum mun nonny Dolphin my boy boy sessa let him trot by
Storm still continues
LEAR
Why thou wert better in thy grave than to answer with thy uncovered body this extremity of the skies Is man no more than this Consider him well Thou owest the worm no silk the beast no hide the sheep no wool the cat no perfume Ha heres three ons are sophisticated Thou art the thing itself unaccommodated man is no more but such a poor bare forked animal as thou art Off off you lendings Come unbutton here
Tears off his clothes
FOOL
Prithee nuncle be contented tis a naughty night to swim in Now a little fire in a wild field were like an old lechers heart a small spark all the rest ons body cold Look here comes a walking fire
EDGAR
This is the foul fiend Flibbertigibbet he begins at curfew and walks till the first cock he gives the web and the pin squints the eye and makes the harelip mildews the white wheat and hurts the poor creature of earth
Swithold footed thrice the old
He met the nightmare and her ninefold
Bid her alight and her troth plight
And aroint thee witch aroint thee
KENT
How fares your grace
Enter Gloucester with a torch
LEAR
Whats he
KENT
Whos there What ist you seek
GLOUCESTER
What are you there Your names
EDGAR
Poor Tom that eats the swimming frog the toad the todpole the wallnewt and the water that in the fury of his heart when the foul fiend rages eats cowdung for sallets swallows the old rat and the ditchdog drinks the green mantle of the standing pool who is whipped from tithing to tithing and stocked punished and imprisoned who hath had three suits to his back six shirts to his body
Horse to ride and weapon to wear
But mice and rats and such small deer
Have been Toms food for seven long year
Beware my follower Peace Smulkin peace thou fiend
GLOUCESTER
What hath your grace no better company
EDGAR
The prince of darkness is a gentleman
Modo hes calld and Mahu
GLOUCESTER
Our flesh and blood my lord is grown so vile
That it doth hate what gets it
EDGAR
Poor Toms acold
GLOUCESTER
Go in with me my duty cannot suffer
Tobey in all your daughters hard commands
Though their injunction be to bar my doors
And let this tyrannous night take hold upon you
Yet have I venturd to come seek you out
And bring you where both fire and food is ready
LEAR
First let me talk with this philosopher
What is the cause of thunder
KENT
Good my lord take his offer go into the house
LEAR
Ill talk a word with this same learned Theban
What is your study
EDGAR
How to prevent the fiend and to kill vermin
LEAR
Let me ask you one word in private
KENT
Importune him once more to go my lord
His wits begin tunsettle
GLOUCESTER
Canst thou blame him
His daughters seek his death Ah that good Kent
He said it would be thus poor banishd man
Thou sayest the King grows mad Ill tell thee friend
I am almost mad myself I had a son
Now outlawd from my blood he sought my life
But lately very late I lovd him friend
No father his son dearer true to tell thee
Storm continues
The grief hath crazd my wits What a nights this
I do beseech your grace
LEAR
O cry you mercy sir
Noble philosopher your company
EDGAR
Toms acold
GLOUCESTER
In fellow there into the hovel keep thee warm
LEAR
Come lets in all
KENT
This way my lord
LEAR
With him
I will keep still with my philosopher
KENT
Good my lord soothe him let him take the fellow
GLOUCESTER
Take him you on
KENT
Sirrah come on go along with us
LEAR
Come good Athenian
GLOUCESTER
No words no words hush
EDGAR
Child Rowland to the dark tower came
His word was stillFie foh and fum
I smell the blood of a British man
Exeunt
SCENE V A Room in Gloucesters Castle
Enter Cornwall and Edmund
CORNWALL
I will have my revenge ere I depart his house
EDMUND
How my lord I may be censured that nature thus gives way to loyalty something fears me to think of
CORNWALL
I now perceive it was not altogether your brothers evil disposition made him seek his death but a provoking merit set awork by a reproveable badness in himself
EDMUND
How malicious is my fortune that I must repent to be just This is the letter he spoke of which approves him an intelligent party to the advantages of France O heavens that this treason were not or not I the detector
CORNWALL
Go with me to the Duchess
EDMUND
If the matter of this paper be certain you have mighty business in hand
CORNWALL
True or false it hath made thee Earl of Gloucester Seek out where thy father is that he may be ready for our apprehension
EDMUND
Aside If I find him comforting the King it will stuff his suspicion more fully I will persever in my course of loyalty though the conflict be sore between that and my blood
CORNWALL
I will lay trust upon thee and thou shalt find a dearer father in my love
Exeunt
SCENE VI A Chamber in a Farmhouse adjoining the Castle
Enter Gloucester Lear Kent Fool and Edgar
GLOUCESTER
Here is better than the open air take it thankfully I will piece out the comfort with what addition I can I will not be long from you
KENT
All the power of his wits have given way to his impatience the gods reward your kindness
Exit Gloucester
EDGAR
Frateretto calls me and tells me Nero is an angler in the lake of darkness Pray innocent and beware the foul fiend
FOOL
Prithee nuncle tell me whether a madman be a gentleman or a yeoman
LEAR
A king a king
FOOL
No hes a yeoman that has a gentleman to his son for hes a mad yeoman that sees his son a gentleman before him
LEAR
To have a thousand with red burning spits
Come hissing in upon em
EDGAR
The foul fiend bites my back
FOOL
Hes mad that trusts in the tameness of a wolf a horses health a boys love or a whores oath
LEAR
It shall be done I will arraign them straight
To Edgar Come sit thou here most learned justicer
To the Fool Thou sapient sir sit here Now you shefoxes
EDGAR
Look where he stands and glares Wantst thou eyes at trial madam
Come oer the bourn Bessy to me
FOOL
Her boat hath a leak
And she must not speak
Why she dares not come over to thee
EDGAR
The foul fiend haunts poor Tom in the voice of a nightingale Hoppedance cries in Toms belly for two white herring Croak not black angel I have no food for thee
KENT
How do you sir Stand you not so amazd
Will you lie down and rest upon the cushions
LEAR
Ill see their trial first Bring in their evidence
To Edgar Thou robed man of justice take thy place
To the Fool And thou his yokefellow of equity
Bench by his side To Kent You are o the commission
Sit you too
EDGAR
Let us deal justly
Sleepest or wakest thou jolly shepherd
Thy sheep be in the corn
And for one blast of thy minikin mouth
Thy sheep shall take no harm
Purr the cat is grey
LEAR
Arraign her first tis Goneril I here take my oath before this honourable assembly she kicked the poor King her father
FOOL
Come hither mistress Is your name Goneril
LEAR
She cannot deny it
FOOL
Cry you mercy I took you for a jointstool
LEAR
And heres another whose warpd looks proclaim
What store her heart is made on Stop her there
Arms arms sword fire Corruption in the place
False justicer why hast thou let her scape
EDGAR
Bless thy five wits
KENT
O pity Sir where is the patience now
That you so oft have boasted to retain
EDGAR
Aside My tears begin to take his part so much
They mar my counterfeiting
LEAR
The little dogs and all
Trey Blanch and Sweetheart see they bark at me
EDGAR
Tom will throw his head at them Avaunt you curs
Be thy mouth or black or white
Tooth that poisons if it bite
Mastiff greyhound mongrel grim
Hound or spaniel brach or him
Or bobtail tike or trundletail
Tom will make them weep and wail
For with throwing thus my head
Dogs leap the hatch and all are fled
Do de de de Sessa Come march to wakes and fairs and market towns Poor Tom thy horn is dry
LEAR
Then let them anatomize Regan see what breeds about her heart Is there any cause in nature that makes these hard hearts To Edgar You sir I entertain you for one of my hundred only I do not like the fashion of your garments Youll say they are Persian but let them be changed
KENT
Now good my lord lie here and rest awhile
LEAR
Make no noise make no noise draw the curtains
So so Well go to supper i the morning
FOOL
And Ill go to bed at noon
Enter Gloucester
GLOUCESTER
Come hither friend
Where is the King my master
KENT
Here sir but trouble him not his wits are gone
GLOUCESTER
Good friend I prithee take him in thy arms
I have oerheard a plot of death upon him
There is a litter ready lay him int
And drive towards Dover friend where thou shalt meet
Both welcome and protection Take up thy master
If thou shouldst dally half an hour his life
With thine and all that offer to defend him
Stand in assured loss Take up take up
And follow me that will to some provision
Give thee quick conduct
KENT
Oppressed nature sleeps
This rest might yet have balmd thy broken sinews
Which if convenience will not allow
Stand in hard cure Come help to bear thy master
To the Fool Thou must not stay behind
GLOUCESTER
Come come away
Exeunt Kent Gloucester and the Fool bearing off Lear
EDGAR
When we our betters see bearing our woes
We scarcely think our miseries our foes
Who alone suffers suffers most i the mind
Leaving free things and happy shows behind
But then the mind much sufferance doth oerskip
When grief hath mates and bearing fellowship
How light and portable my pain seems now
When that which makes me bend makes the King bow
He childed as I fathered Tom away
Mark the high noises and thyself bewray
When false opinion whose wrong thoughts defile thee
In thy just proof repeals and reconciles thee
What will hap more tonight safe scape the King
Lurk lurk
Exit
SCENE VII A Room in Gloucesters Castle
Enter Cornwall Regan Goneril Edmund and Servants
CORNWALL
Post speedily to my lord your husband show him this letter the army of France is landed Seek out the traitor Gloucester
Exeunt some of the Servants
REGAN
Hang him instantly
GONERIL
Pluck out his eyes
CORNWALL
Leave him to my displeasure Edmund keep you our sister company the revenges we are bound to take upon your traitorous father are not fit for your beholding Advise the Duke where you are going to a most festinate preparation we are bound to the like Our posts shall be swift and intelligent betwixt us Farewell dear sister farewell my lord of Gloucester
Enter Oswald
How now Wheres the King
OSWALD
My lord of Gloucester hath conveyd him hence
Some five or six and thirty of his knights
Hot questrists after him met him at gate
Who with some other of the lords dependants
Are gone with him toward Dover where they boast
To have wellarmed friends
CORNWALL
Get horses for your mistress
GONERIL
Farewell sweet lord and sister
CORNWALL
Edmund farewell
Exeunt Goneril Edmund and Oswald
Go seek the traitor Gloucester
Pinion him like a thief bring him before us
Exeunt other Servants
Though well we may not pass upon his life
Without the form of justice yet our power
Shall do a courtesy to our wrath which men
May blame but not control Whos there The traitor
Enter Gloucester and Servants
REGAN
Ingrateful fox tis he
CORNWALL
Bind fast his corky arms
GLOUCESTER
What mean your graces
Good my friends consider you are my guests
Do me no foul play friends
CORNWALL
Bind him I say
Servants bind him
REGAN
Hard hard O filthy traitor
GLOUCESTER
Unmerciful lady as you are Im none
CORNWALL
To this chair bind him Villain thou shalt find
Regan plucks his beard
GLOUCESTER
By the kind gods tis most ignobly done
To pluck me by the beard
REGAN
So white and such a traitor
GLOUCESTER
Naughty lady
These hairs which thou dost ravish from my chin
Will quicken and accuse thee I am your host
With robbers hands my hospitable favours
You should not ruffle thus What will you do
CORNWALL
Come sir what letters had you late from France
REGAN
Be simple answerd for we know the truth
CORNWALL
And what confederacy have you with the traitors
Late footed in the kingdom
REGAN
To whose hands have you sent the lunatic King
Speak
GLOUCESTER
I have a letter guessingly set down
Which came from one thats of a neutral heart
And not from one opposd
CORNWALL
Cunning
REGAN
And false
CORNWALL
Where hast thou sent the King
GLOUCESTER
To Dover
REGAN
Wherefore to Dover Wast thou not chargd at peril
CORNWALL
Wherefore to Dover Let him first answer that
GLOUCESTER
I am tied to the stake and I must stand the course
REGAN
Wherefore to Dover sir
GLOUCESTER
Because I would not see thy cruel nails
Pluck out his poor old eyes nor thy fierce sister
In his anointed flesh stick boarish fangs
The sea with such a storm as his bare head
In hellblack night endurd would have buoyd up
And quenchd the stelled fires
Yet poor old heart he holp the heavens to rain
If wolves had at thy gate howld that stern time
Thou shouldst have said Good porter turn the key
All cruels else subscribd but I shall see
The winged vengeance overtake such children
CORNWALL
Seet shalt thou never Fellows hold the chair
Upon these eyes of thine Ill set my foot
Gloucester is held down in his chair while Cornwall plucks out one of his eyes and sets his foot on it
GLOUCESTER
He that will think to live till he be old
Give me some helpO cruel O you gods
REGAN
One side will mock another the other too
CORNWALL
If you see vengeance
FIRST SERVANT
Hold your hand my lord
I have servd you ever since I was a child
But better service have I never done you
Than now to bid you hold
REGAN
How now you dog
FIRST SERVANT
If you did wear a beard upon your chin
Id shake it on this quarrel What do you mean
CORNWALL
My villain
Draws and runs at him
FIRST SERVANT
Nay then come on and take the chance of anger
Draws They fight Cornwall is wounded
REGAN
To another servant Give me thy sword A peasant stand up thus
Snatches a sword comes behind and stabs him
FIRST SERVANT
O I am slain My lord you have one eye left
To see some mischief on him O
Dies
CORNWALL
Lest it see more prevent it Out vile jelly
Where is thy lustre now
Tears out Gloucesters other eye and throws it on the ground
GLOUCESTER
All dark and comfortless Wheres my son Edmund
Edmund enkindle all the sparks of nature
To quit this horrid act
REGAN
Out treacherous villain
Thou callst on him that hates thee it was he
That made the overture of thy treasons to us
Who is too good to pity thee
GLOUCESTER
O my follies Then Edgar was abusd
Kind gods forgive me that and prosper him
REGAN
Go thrust him out at gates and let him smell
His way to Dover How ist my lord How look you
CORNWALL
I have receivd a hurt follow me lady
Turn out that eyeless villain Throw this slave
Upon the dunghill Regan I bleed apace
Untimely comes this hurt give me your arm
Exit Cornwall led by Regan Servants unbind Gloucester and lead him out
SECOND SERVANT
Ill never care what wickedness I do
If this man come to good
THIRD SERVANT
If she live long
And in the end meet the old course of death
Women will all turn monsters
SECOND SERVANT
Lets follow the old Earl and get the bedlam
To lead him where he would his roguish madness
Allows itself to anything
THIRD SERVANT
Go thou Ill fetch some flax and whites of eggs
To apply to his bleeding face Now heaven help him
Exeunt
ACT IV
SCENE I The heath
Enter Edgar
EDGAR
Yet better thus and known to be contemnd
Than still contemnd and flatterd To be worst
The lowest and most dejected thing of fortune
Stands still in esperance lives not in fear
The lamentable change is from the best
The worst returns to laughter Welcome then
Thou unsubstantial air that I embrace
The wretch that thou hast blown unto the worst
Owes nothing to thy blasts
Enter Gloucester led by an Old Man
But who comes here My father poorly led
World world O world
But that thy strange mutations make us hate thee
Life would not yield to age
OLD MAN
O my good lord I have been your tenant and your fathers tenant these fourscore years
GLOUCESTER
Away get thee away good friend be gone
Thy comforts can do me no good at all
Thee they may hurt
OLD MAN
You cannot see your way
GLOUCESTER
I have no way and therefore want no eyes
I stumbled when I saw Full oft tis seen
Our means secure us and our mere defects
Prove our commodities O dear son Edgar
The food of thy abused fathers wrath
Might I but live to see thee in my touch
Id say I had eyes again
OLD MAN
How now Whos there
EDGAR
Aside O gods Who ist can say I am at the worst
I am worse than eer I was
OLD MAN
Tis poor mad Tom
EDGAR
Aside And worse I may be yet The worst is not
So long as we can say This is the worst
OLD MAN
Fellow where goest
GLOUCESTER
Is it a beggarman
OLD MAN
Madman and beggar too
GLOUCESTER
He has some reason else he could not beg
I the last nights storm I such a fellow saw
Which made me think a man a worm My son
Came then into my mind and yet my mind
Was then scarce friends with him
I have heard more since
As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods
They kill us for their sport
EDGAR
Aside How should this be
Bad is the trade that must play fool to sorrow
Angering itself and others Bless thee master
GLOUCESTER
Is that the naked fellow
OLD MAN
Ay my lord
GLOUCESTER
Then prithee get thee away If for my sake
Thou wilt oertake us hence a mile or twain
I the way toward Dover do it for ancient love
And bring some covering for this naked soul
Which Ill entreat to lead me
OLD MAN
Alack sir he is mad
GLOUCESTER
Tis the times plague when madmen lead the blind
Do as I bid thee or rather do thy pleasure
Above the rest be gone
OLD MAN
Ill bring him the best parel that I have
Come ont what will
Exit
GLOUCESTER
Sirrah naked fellow
EDGAR
Poor Toms acold
Aside I cannot daub it further
GLOUCESTER
Come hither fellow
EDGAR
Aside And yet I must Bless thy sweet eyes they bleed
GLOUCESTER
Knowst thou the way to Dover
EDGAR
Both stile and gate horseway and footpath Poor Tom hath been scared out of his good wits Bless thee good mans son from the foul fiend Five fiends have been in poor Tom at once of lust as Obidicut Hobbididence prince of darkness Mahu of stealing Modo of murder Flibbertigibbet of mopping and mowing who since possesses chambermaids and waiting women So bless thee master
GLOUCESTER
Here take this purse thou whom the heavens plagues
Have humbled to all strokes that I am wretched
Makes thee the happier Heavens deal so still
Let the superfluous and lustdieted man
That slaves your ordinance that will not see
Because he does not feel feel your power quickly
So distribution should undo excess
And each man have enough Dost thou know Dover
EDGAR
Ay master
GLOUCESTER
There is a cliff whose high and bending head
Looks fearfully in the confined deep
Bring me but to the very brim of it
And Ill repair the misery thou dost bear
With something rich about me from that place
I shall no leading need
EDGAR
Give me thy arm
Poor Tom shall lead thee
Exeunt
SCENE II Before the Duke of Albanys Palace
Enter Goneril Edmund Oswald meeting them
GONERIL
Welcome my lord I marvel our mild husband
Not met us on the way Now wheres your master
OSWALD
Madam within but never man so changd
I told him of the army that was landed
He smild at it I told him you were coming
His answer was The worse Of Gloucesters treachery
And of the loyal service of his son
When I informd him then he calld me sot
And told me I had turnd the wrong side out
What most he should dislike seems pleasant to him
What like offensive
GONERIL
To Edmund Then shall you go no further
It is the cowish terror of his spirit
That dares not undertake Hell not feel wrongs
Which tie him to an answer Our wishes on the way
May prove effects Back Edmund to my brother
Hasten his musters and conduct his powers
I must change names at home and give the distaff
Into my husbands hands This trusty servant
Shall pass between us Ere long you are like to hear
If you dare venture in your own behalf
A mistresss command Giving a favour
Wear this spare speech
Decline your head This kiss if it durst speak
Would stretch thy spirits up into the air
Conceive and fare thee well
EDMUND
Yours in the ranks of death
Exit Edmund
GONERIL
My most dear Gloucester
O the difference of man and man
To thee a womans services are due
My fool usurps my body
OSWALD
Madam here comes my lord
Exit
Enter Albany
GONERIL
I have been worth the whistle
ALBANY
O Goneril
You are not worth the dust which the rude wind
Blows in your face I fear your disposition
That nature which contemns its origin
Cannot be bordered certain in itself
She that herself will sliver and disbranch
From her material sap perforce must wither
And come to deadly use
GONERIL
No more the text is foolish
ALBANY
Wisdom and goodness to the vile seem vile
Filths savour but themselves What have you done
Tigers not daughters what have you performd
A father and a gracious aged man
Whose reverence even the headluggd bear would lick
Most barbarous most degenerate have you madded
Could my good brother suffer you to do it
A man a prince by him so benefitted
If that the heavens do not their visible spirits
Send quickly down to tame these vile offences
It will come
Humanity must perforce prey on itself
Like monsters of the deep
GONERIL
Milkliverd man
That bearst a cheek for blows a head for wrongs
Who hast not in thy brows an eye discerning
Thine honour from thy suffering that not knowst
Fools do those villains pity who are punishd
Ere they have done their mischief Wheres thy drum
France spreads his banners in our noiseless land
With plumed helm thy state begins to threat
Whilst thou a moral fool sittst still and criest
Alack why does he so
ALBANY
See thyself devil
Proper deformity seems not in the fiend
So horrid as in woman
GONERIL
O vain fool
ALBANY
Thou changed and selfcoverd thing for shame
Bemonster not thy feature Weret my fitness
To let these hands obey my blood
They are apt enough to dislocate and tear
Thy flesh and bones Howeer thou art a fiend
A womans shape doth shield thee
GONERIL
Marry your manhood mew
Enter a Messenger
ALBANY
What news
MESSENGER
O my good lord the Duke of Cornwalls dead
Slain by his servant going to put out
The other eye of Gloucester
ALBANY
Gloucesters eyes
MESSENGER
A servant that he bred thrilld with remorse
Opposd against the act bending his sword
To his great master who thereat enragd
Flew on him and amongst them felld him dead
But not without that harmful stroke which since
Hath pluckd him after
ALBANY
This shows you are above
You justicers that these our nether crimes
So speedily can venge But O poor Gloucester
Lost he his other eye
MESSENGER
Both both my lord
This letter madam craves a speedy answer
Tis from your sister
GONERIL
Aside One way I like this well
But being widow and my Gloucester with her
May all the building in my fancy pluck
Upon my hateful life Another way
The news is not so tart Ill read and answer
Exit
ALBANY
Where was his son when they did take his eyes
MESSENGER
Come with my lady hither
ALBANY
He is not here
MESSENGER
No my good lord I met him back again
ALBANY
Knows he the wickedness
MESSENGER
Ay my good lord Twas he informd against him
And quit the house on purpose that their punishment
Might have the freer course
ALBANY
Gloucester I live
To thank thee for the love thou showdst the King
And to revenge thine eyes Come hither friend
Tell me what more thou knowst
Exeunt
SCENE III The French camp near Dover
Enter Kent and a Gentleman
KENT
Why the King of France is so suddenly gone back know you no reason
GENTLEMAN
Something he left imperfect in the state which since his coming forth is thought of which imports to the kingdom so much fear and danger that his personal return was most required and necessary
KENT
Who hath he left behind him general
GENTLEMAN
The Mareschal of France Monsieur La Far
KENT
Did your letters pierce the queen to any demonstration of grief
GENTLEMAN
Ay sir she took them read them in my presence
And now and then an ample tear trilld down
Her delicate cheek It seemd she was a queen
Over her passion who most rebellike
Sought to be king oer her
KENT
O then it movd her
GENTLEMAN
Not to a rage patience and sorrow strove
Who should express her goodliest You have seen
Sunshine and rain at once her smiles and tears
Were like a better day Those happy smilets
That playd on her ripe lip seemd not to know
What guests were in her eyes which parted thence
As pearls from diamonds droppd In brief
Sorrow would be a rarity most belovd
If all could so become it
KENT
Made she no verbal question
GENTLEMAN
Faith once or twice she heavd the name of father
Pantingly forth as if it pressd her heart
Cried Sisters sisters Shame of ladies sisters
Kent father sisters What i the storm i the night
Let pity not be believd There she shook
The holy water from her heavenly eyes
And clamour masterd her then away she started
To deal with grief alone
KENT
It is the stars
The stars above us govern our conditions
Else one self mate and make could not beget
Such different issues You spoke not with her since
GENTLEMAN
No
KENT
Was this before the King returnd
GENTLEMAN
No since
KENT
Well sir the poor distressed Lears i the town
Who sometime in his better tune remembers
What we are come about and by no means
Will yield to see his daughter
GENTLEMAN
Why good sir
KENT
A sovereign shame so elbows him His own unkindness
That strippd her from his benediction turnd her
To foreign casualties gave her dear rights
To his doghearted daughters these things sting
His mind so venomously that burning shame
Detains him from Cordelia
GENTLEMAN
Alack poor gentleman
KENT
Of Albanys and Cornwalls powers you heard not
GENTLEMAN
Tis so they are afoot
KENT
Well sir Ill bring you to our master Lear
And leave you to attend him Some dear cause
Will in concealment wrap me up awhile
When I am known aright you shall not grieve
Lending me this acquaintance
I pray you go along with me
Exeunt
SCENE IV The French camp A Tent
Enter with drum and colours Cordelia Physician and Soldiers
CORDELIA
Alack tis he why he was met even now
As mad as the vexd sea singing aloud
Crownd with rank fumiter and furrow weeds
With harlocks hemlock nettles cuckooflowers
Darnel and all the idle weeds that grow
In our sustaining corn A century send forth
Search every acre in the highgrown field
And bring him to our eye
Exit an Officer
What can mans wisdom
In the restoring his bereaved sense
He that helps him take all my outward worth
PHYSICIAN
There is means madam
Our foster nurse of nature is repose
The which he lacks that to provoke in him
Are many simples operative whose power
Will close the eye of anguish
CORDELIA
All blessd secrets
All you unpublishd virtues of the earth
Spring with my tears Be aidant and remediate
In the good mans distress Seek seek for him
Lest his ungovernd rage dissolve the life
That wants the means to lead it
Enter a Messenger
MESSENGER
News madam
The British powers are marching hitherward
CORDELIA
Tis known before Our preparation stands
In expectation of them O dear father
It is thy business that I go about
Therefore great France
My mourning and important tears hath pitied
No blown ambition doth our arms incite
But love dear love and our agd fathers right
Soon may I hear and see him
Exeunt
SCENE V A Room in Gloucesters Castle
Enter Regan and Oswald
REGAN
But are my brothers powers set forth
OSWALD
Ay madam
REGAN
Himself in person there
OSWALD
Madam with much ado
Your sister is the better soldier
REGAN
Lord Edmund spake not with your lord at home
OSWALD
No madam
REGAN
What might import my sisters letter to him
OSWALD
I know not lady
REGAN
Faith he is posted hence on serious matter
It was great ignorance Gloucesters eyes being out
To let him live Where he arrives he moves
All hearts against us Edmund I think is gone
In pity of his misery to dispatch
His nighted life moreover to descry
The strength o thenemy
OSWALD
I must needs after him madam with my letter
REGAN
Our troops set forth tomorrow stay with us
The ways are dangerous
OSWALD
I may not madam
My lady chargd my duty in this business
REGAN
Why should she write to Edmund Might not you
Transport her purposes by word Belike
Somethings I know not what Ill love thee much
Let me unseal the letter
OSWALD
Madam I had rather
REGAN
I know your lady does not love her husband
I am sure of that and at her late being here
She gave strange oeillades and most speaking looks
To noble Edmund I know you are of her bosom
OSWALD
I madam
REGAN
I speak in understanding yare I knowt
Therefore I do advise you take this note
My lord is dead Edmund and I have talkd
And more convenient is he for my hand
Than for your ladys You may gather more
If you do find him pray you give him this
And when your mistress hears thus much from you
I pray desire her call her wisdom to her
So fare you well
If you do chance to hear of that blind traitor
Preferment falls on him that cuts him off
OSWALD
Would I could meet him madam I should show
What party I do follow
REGAN
Fare thee well
Exeunt
SCENE VI The country near Dover
Enter Gloucester and Edgar dressed like a peasant
GLOUCESTER
When shall I come to the top of that same hill
EDGAR
You do climb up it now Look how we labour
GLOUCESTER
Methinks the ground is even
EDGAR
Horrible steep
Hark do you hear the sea
GLOUCESTER
No truly
EDGAR
Why then your other senses grow imperfect
By your eyes anguish
GLOUCESTER
So may it be indeed
Methinks thy voice is alterd and thou speakst
In better phrase and matter than thou didst
EDGAR
Yare much deceivd in nothing am I changd
But in my garments
GLOUCESTER
Methinks youre better spoken
EDGAR
Come on sir heres the place Stand still How fearful
And dizzy tis to cast ones eyes so low
The crows and choughs that wing the midway air
Show scarce so gross as beetles Half way down
Hangs one that gathers samphiredreadful trade
Methinks he seems no bigger than his head
The fishermen that walk upon the beach
Appear like mice and yond tall anchoring bark
Diminishd to her cock her cock a buoy
Almost too small for sight the murmuring surge
That on thunnumberd idle pebble chafes
Cannot be heard so high Ill look no more
Lest my brain turn and the deficient sight
Topple down headlong
GLOUCESTER
Set me where you stand
EDGAR
Give me your hand
You are now within a foot of thextreme verge
For all beneath the moon would I not leap upright
GLOUCESTER
Let go my hand
Here friend s another purse in it a jewel
Well worth a poor mans taking Fairies and gods
Prosper it with thee Go thou further off
Bid me farewell and let me hear thee going
EDGAR
Now fare ye well good sir
Seems to go
GLOUCESTER
With all my heart
EDGAR
Aside Why I do trifle thus with his despair
Is done to cure it
GLOUCESTER
O you mighty gods
This world I do renounce and in your sights
Shake patiently my great affliction off
If I could bear it longer and not fall
To quarrel with your great opposeless wills
My snuff and loathed part of nature should
Burn itself out If Edgar live O bless him
Now fellow fare thee well
EDGAR
Gone sir farewell
Gloucester leaps and falls along
And yet I know not how conceit may rob
The treasury of life when life itself
Yields to the theft Had he been where he thought
By this had thought been past Alive or dead
Ho you sir friend Hear you sir speak
Thus might he pass indeed yet he revives
What are you sir
GLOUCESTER
Away and let me die
EDGAR
Hadst thou been aught but gossamer feathers air
So many fathom down precipitating
Thoudst shiverd like an egg but thou dost breathe
Hast heavy substance bleedst not speakst art sound
Ten masts at each make not the altitude
Which thou hast perpendicularly fell
Thy life is a miracle Speak yet again
GLOUCESTER
But have I falln or no
EDGAR
From the dread summit of this chalky bourn
Look up aheight the shrillgorgd lark so far
Cannot be seen or heard Do but look up
GLOUCESTER
Alack I have no eyes
Is wretchedness deprivd that benefit
To end itself by death Twas yet some comfort
When misery could beguile the tyrants rage
And frustrate his proud will
EDGAR
Give me your arm
Up so How ist Feel you your legs You stand
GLOUCESTER
Too well too well
EDGAR
This is above all strangeness
Upon the crown o the cliff what thing was that
Which parted from you
GLOUCESTER
A poor unfortunate beggar
EDGAR
As I stood here below methought his eyes
Were two full moons he had a thousand noses
Horns whelkd and waved like the enraged sea
It was some fiend Therefore thou happy father
Think that the clearest gods who make them honours
Of mens impossibilities have preservd thee
GLOUCESTER
I do remember now henceforth Ill bear
Affliction till it do cry out itself
Enough enough and die That thing you speak of
I took it for a man often twould say
The fiend the fiend he led me to that place
EDGAR
Bear free and patient thoughts But who comes here
Enter Lear fantastically dressed up with flowers
The safer sense will neer accommodate
His master thus
LEAR
No they cannot touch me for coining I am the King himself
EDGAR
O thou sidepiercing sight
LEAR
Natures above art in that respect Theres your press money That fellow handles his bow like a crowkeeper draw me a clothiers yard Look look a mouse Peace peace this piece of toasted cheese will dot Theres my gauntlet Ill prove it on a giant Bring up the brown bills O well flown bird i the clout i the clout Hewgh Give the word
EDGAR
Sweet marjoram
LEAR
Pass
GLOUCESTER
I know that voice
LEAR
Ha Goneril with a white beard They flattered me like a dog and told me I had white hairs in my beard ere the black ones were there To say ay and no to everything I said ay and no to was no good divinity When the rain came to wet me once and the wind to make me chatter when the thunder would not peace at my bidding there I found em there I smelt em out Go to they are not men o their words they told me I was everything tis a lie I am not agueproof
GLOUCESTER
The trick of that voice I do well remember
Ist not the King
LEAR
Ay every inch a king
When I do stare see how the subject quakes
I pardon that mans life What was thy cause
Adultery Thou shalt not die die for adultery No
The wren goes tot and the small gilded fly
Does lecher in my sight Let copulation thrive
For Gloucesters bastard son was kinder to his father
Than my daughters got tween the lawful sheets
Tot luxury pellmell for I lack soldiers
Behold yond simpring dame
Whose face between her forks presages snow
That minces virtue and does shake the head
To hear of pleasures name
The fitchew nor the soiled horse goes tot with a more riotous appetite Down from the waist they are centaurs though women all above But to the girdle do the gods inherit beneath is all the fiends theres hell theres darkness there is the sulphurous pit burning scalding stench consumption Fie fie fie pah pah Give me an ounce of civet good apothecary to sweeten my imagination Theres money for thee
GLOUCESTER
O let me kiss that hand
LEAR
Let me wipe it first it smells of mortality
GLOUCESTER
O ruind piece of nature this great world
Shall so wear out to naught Dost thou know me
LEAR
I remember thine eyes well enough Dost thou squiny at me
No do thy worst blind Cupid Ill not love
Read thou this challenge mark but the penning of it
GLOUCESTER
Were all the letters suns I could not see one
EDGAR
I would not take this from report
It is and my heart breaks at it
LEAR
Read
GLOUCESTER
What with the case of eyes
LEAR
O ho are you there with me No eyes in your head nor no money in your purse Your eyes are in a heavy case your purse in a light yet you see how this world goes
GLOUCESTER
I see it feelingly
LEAR
What art mad A man may see how the world goes with no eyes Look with thine ears See how yon justice rails upon yon simple thief Hark in thine ear change places and handydandy which is the justice which is the thief Thou hast seen a farmers dog bark at a beggar
GLOUCESTER
Ay sir
LEAR
And the creature run from the cur There thou mightst behold the great image of authority a dogs obeyed in office
Thou rascal beadle hold thy bloody hand
Why dost thou lash that whore Strip thine own back
Thou hotly lusts to use her in that kind
For which thou whippst her The usurer hangs the cozener
Through tatterd clothes great vices do appear
Robes and furrd gowns hide all Plate sin with gold
And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks
Arm it in rags a pygmys straw does pierce it
None does offend none I say none Ill able em
Take that of me my friend who have the power
To seal the accusers lips Get thee glass eyes
And like a scurvy politician seem
To see the things thou dost not Now now now now
Pull off my boots harder harder so
EDGAR
O matter and impertinency mixd
Reason in madness
LEAR
If thou wilt weep my fortunes take my eyes
I know thee well enough thy name is Gloucester
Thou must be patient we came crying hither
Thou knowst the first time that we smell the air
We wawl and cry I will preach to thee mark
GLOUCESTER
Alack alack the day
LEAR
When we are born we cry that we are come
To this great stage of fools This a good block
It were a delicate stratagem to shoe
A troop of horse with felt Ill putt in proof
And when I have stoln upon these soninlaws
Then kill kill kill kill kill kill
Enter a Gentleman with Attendants
GENTLEMAN
O here he is lay hand upon him Sir
Your most dear daughter
LEAR
No rescue What a prisoner I am even
The natural fool of fortune Use me well
You shall have ransom Let me have surgeons
I am cut to the brains
GENTLEMAN
You shall have anything
LEAR
No seconds All myself
Why this would make a man a man of salt
To use his eyes for garden waterpots
Ay and for laying autumns dust
GENTLEMAN
Good sir
LEAR
I will die bravely like a smug bridegroom
What I will be jovial Come come
I am a king my masters know you that
GENTLEMAN
You are a royal one and we obey you
LEAR
Then theres life int Come and you get it
You shall get it by running Sa sa sa sa
Exit running Attendants follow
GENTLEMAN
A sight most pitiful in the meanest wretch
Past speaking of in a king Thou hast one daughter
Who redeems nature from the general curse
Which twain have brought her to
EDGAR
Hail gentle sir
GENTLEMAN
Sir speed you Whats your will
EDGAR
Do you hear aught sir of a battle toward
GENTLEMAN
Most sure and vulgar
Everyone hears that which can distinguish sound
EDGAR
But by your favour
How nears the other army
GENTLEMAN
Near and on speedy foot the main descry
Stands on the hourly thought
EDGAR
I thank you sir thats all
GENTLEMAN
Though that the queen on special cause is here
Her army is movd on
EDGAR
I thank you sir
Exit Gentleman
GLOUCESTER
You evergentle gods take my breath from me
Let not my worser spirit tempt me again
To die before you please
EDGAR
Well pray you father
GLOUCESTER
Now good sir what are you
EDGAR
A most poor man made tame to fortunes blows
Who by the art of known and feeling sorrows
Am pregnant to good pity Give me your hand
Ill lead you to some biding
GLOUCESTER
Hearty thanks
The bounty and the benison of heaven
To boot and boot
Enter Oswald
OSWALD
A proclaimd prize Most happy
That eyeless head of thine was first framd flesh
To raise my fortunes Thou old unhappy traitor
Briefly thyself remember The sword is out
That must destroy thee
GLOUCESTER
Now let thy friendly hand
Put strength enough tot
Edgar interposes
OSWALD
Wherefore bold peasant
Darst thou support a publishd traitor Hence
Lest that thinfection of his fortune take
Like hold on thee Let go his arm
EDGAR
Chill not let go zir without vurther casion
OSWALD
Let go slave or thou diest
EDGAR
Good gentleman go your gait and let poor volke pass An chud ha bin zwaggered out of my life twould not ha bin zo long as tis by a vortnight Nay come not near thold man keep out che vor ye or ise try whether your costard or my ballow be the harder chill be plain with you
OSWALD
Out dunghill
EDGAR
Chill pick your teeth zir Come No matter vor your foins
They fight and Edgar knocks him down
OSWALD
Slave thou hast slain me Villain take my purse
If ever thou wilt thrive bury my body
And give the letters which thou findst about me
To Edmund Earl of Gloucester Seek him out
Upon the British party O untimely death
Dies
EDGAR
I know thee well A serviceable villain
As duteous to the vices of thy mistress
As badness would desire
GLOUCESTER
What is he dead
EDGAR
Sit you down father rest you
Lets see these pockets the letters that he speaks of
May be my friends Hes dead I am only sorry
He had no other deathsman Let us see
Leave gentle wax and manners blame us not
To know our enemies minds we rip their hearts
Their papers is more lawful
Reads Let our reciprocal vows be remembered You have many opportunities to cut him off if your will want not time and place will be fruitfully offered There is nothing done if he return the conqueror then am I the prisoner and his bed my gaol from the loathed warmth whereof deliver me and supply the place for your labour Your wife so I would say affectionate servant Goneril
O indistinguishd space of womans will
A plot upon her virtuous husbands life
And the exchange my brother Here in the sands
Thee Ill rake up the post unsanctified
Of murderous lechers and in the mature time
With this ungracious paper strike the sight
Of the deathpractisd Duke for him tis well
That of thy death and business I can tell
Exit Edgar dragging out the body
GLOUCESTER
The King is mad how stiff is my vile sense
That I stand up and have ingenious feeling
Of my huge sorrows Better I were distract
So should my thoughts be severd from my griefs
And woes by wrong imaginations lose
The knowledge of themselves
A drum afar off
EDGAR
Give me your hand
Far off methinks I hear the beaten drum
Come father Ill bestow you with a friend
Exeunt
SCENE VII A Tent in the French Camp
Lear on a bed asleep soft music playing Physician Gentleman and others attending
Enter Cordelia and Kent
CORDELIA
O thou good Kent how shall I live and work
To match thy goodness My life will be too short
And every measure fail me
KENT
To be acknowledgd madam is oerpaid
All my reports go with the modest truth
Nor more nor clippd but so
CORDELIA
Be better suited
These weeds are memories of those worser hours
I prithee put them off
KENT
Pardon dear madam
Yet to be known shortens my made intent
My boon I make it that you know me not
Till time and I think meet
CORDELIA
Then bet so my good lord To the Physician How does the King
PHYSICIAN
Madam sleeps still
CORDELIA
O you kind gods
Cure this great breach in his abused nature
The untund and jarring senses O wind up
Of this childchanged father
PHYSICIAN
So please your majesty
That we may wake the King he hath slept long
CORDELIA
Be governd by your knowledge and proceed
I the sway of your own will Is he arrayd
PHYSICIAN
Ay madam In the heaviness of sleep
We put fresh garments on him
Be by good madam when we do awake him
I doubt not of his temperance
CORDELIA
Very well
PHYSICIAN
Please you draw near Louder the music there
CORDELIA
O my dear father Restoration hang
Thy medicine on my lips and let this kiss
Repair those violent harms that my two sisters
Have in thy reverence made
KENT
Kind and dear princess
CORDELIA
Had you not been their father these white flakes
Did challenge pity of them Was this a face
To be opposd against the warring winds
To stand against the deep dreadbolted thunder
In the most terrible and nimble stroke
Of quick cross lightning to watch poor perdu
With this thin helm Mine enemys dog
Though he had bit me should have stood that night
Against my fire and wast thou fain poor father
To hovel thee with swine and rogues forlorn
In short and musty straw Alack alack
Tis wonder that thy life and wits at once
Had not concluded all He wakes speak to him
PHYSICIAN
Madam do you tis fittest
CORDELIA
How does my royal lord How fares your majesty
LEAR
You do me wrong to take me out o the grave
Thou art a soul in bliss but I am bound
Upon a wheel of fire that mine own tears
Do scald like molten lead
CORDELIA
Sir do you know me
LEAR
You are a spirit I know when did you die
CORDELIA
Still still far wide
PHYSICIAN
Hes scarce awake let him alone awhile
LEAR
Where have I been Where am I Fair daylight
I am mightily abusd I should een die with pity
To see another thus I know not what to say
I will not swear these are my hands lets see
I feel this pin prick Would I were assurd
Of my condition
CORDELIA
O look upon me sir
And hold your hands in benediction oer me
No sir you must not kneel
LEAR
Pray do not mock me
I am a very foolish fond old man
Fourscore and upward not an hour more nor less
And to deal plainly
I fear I am not in my perfect mind
Methinks I should know you and know this man
Yet I am doubtful for I am mainly ignorant
What place this is and all the skill I have
Remembers not these garments nor I know not
Where I did lodge last night Do not laugh at me
For as I am a man I think this lady
To be my child Cordelia
CORDELIA
And so I am I am
LEAR
Be your tears wet Yes faith I pray weep not
If you have poison for me I will drink it
I know you do not love me for your sisters
Have as I do remember done me wrong
You have some cause they have not
CORDELIA
No cause no cause
LEAR
Am I in France
KENT
In your own kingdom sir
LEAR
Do not abuse me
PHYSICIAN
Be comforted good madam the great rage
You see is killd in him and yet it is danger
To make him even oer the time he has lost
Desire him to go in trouble him no more
Till further settling
CORDELIA
Willt please your highness walk
LEAR
You must bear with me
Pray you now forget and forgive I am old and foolish
Exeunt Lear Cordelia Physician and Attendants
GENTLEMAN
Holds it true sir that the Duke of Cornwall was so slain
KENT
Most certain sir
GENTLEMAN
Who is conductor of his people
KENT
As tis said the bastard son of Gloucester
GENTLEMAN
They say Edgar his banished son is with the Earl of Kent in Germany
KENT
Report is changeable Tis time to look about the powers of the kingdom approach apace
GENTLEMAN
The arbitrement is like to be bloody
Fare you well sir
Exit
KENT
My point and period will be throughly wrought
Or well or ill as this days battles fought
Exit
ACT V
SCENE I The Camp of the British Forces near Dover
Enter with drum and colours Edmund Regan Officers Soldiers and others
EDMUND
Know of the Duke if his last purpose hold
Or whether since he is advisd by aught
To change the course hes full of alteration
And selfreproving bring his constant pleasure
To an Officer who goes out
REGAN
Our sisters man is certainly miscarried
EDMUND
Tis to be doubted madam
REGAN
Now sweet lord
You know the goodness I intend upon you
Tell me but truly but then speak the truth
Do you not love my sister
EDMUND
In honourd love
REGAN
But have you never found my brothers way
To the forfended place
EDMUND
That thought abuses you
REGAN
I am doubtful that you have been conjunct
And bosomd with her as far as we call hers
EDMUND
No by mine honour madam
REGAN
I never shall endure her dear my lord
Be not familiar with her
EDMUND
Fear not
She and the Duke her husband
Enter with drum and colours Albany Goneril and Soldiers
GONERIL
Aside I had rather lose the battle than that sister
Should loosen him and me
ALBANY
Our very loving sister well bemet
Sir this I heard the King is come to his daughter
With others whom the rigour of our state
Forcd to cry out Where I could not be honest
I never yet was valiant For this business
It toucheth us as France invades our land
Not bolds the King with others whom I fear
Most just and heavy causes make oppose
EDMUND
Sir you speak nobly
REGAN
Why is this reasond
GONERIL
Combine together gainst the enemy
For these domestic and particular broils
Are not the question here
ALBANY
Lets then determine with the ancient of war
On our proceeding
EDMUND
I shall attend you presently at your tent
REGAN
Sister youll go with us
GONERIL
No
REGAN
Tis most convenient pray you go with us
GONERIL
Aside O ho I know the riddle I will go
Exeunt Edmund Regan Goneril Officers Soldiers and Attendants
As they are going out enter Edgar disguised
EDGAR
If eer your grace had speech with man so poor
Hear me one word
ALBANY
Ill overtake you Speak
EDGAR
Before you fight the battle ope this letter
If you have victory let the trumpet sound
For him that brought it wretched though I seem
I can produce a champion that will prove
What is avouched there If you miscarry
Your business of the world hath so an end
And machination ceases Fortune love you
ALBANY
Stay till I have read the letter
EDGAR
I was forbid it
When time shall serve let but the herald cry
And Ill appear again
ALBANY
Why fare thee well I will oerlook thy paper
Exit Edgar
Enter Edmund
EDMUND
The enemys in view draw up your powers
Here is the guess of their true strength and forces
By diligent discovery but your haste
Is now urgd on you
ALBANY
We will greet the time
Exit
EDMUND
To both these sisters have I sworn my love
Each jealous of the other as the stung
Are of the adder Which of them shall I take
Both One Or neither Neither can be enjoyd
If both remain alive To take the widow
Exasperates makes mad her sister Goneril
And hardly shall I carry out my side
Her husband being alive Now then well use
His countenance for the battle which being done
Let her who would be rid of him devise
His speedy taking off As for the mercy
Which he intends to Lear and to Cordelia
The battle done and they within our power
Shall never see his pardon for my state
Stands on me to defend not to debate
Exit
SCENE II A field between the two Camps
Alarum within Enter with drum and colours Lear Cordelia and their Forces and exeunt
Enter Edgar and Gloucester
EDGAR
Here father take the shadow of this tree
For your good host pray that the right may thrive
If ever I return to you again
Ill bring you comfort
GLOUCESTER
Grace go with you sir
Exit Edgar
Alarum and retreat within Enter Edgar
EDGAR
Away old man give me thy hand away
King Lear hath lost he and his daughter taen
Give me thy hand come on
GLOUCESTER
No further sir a man may rot even here
EDGAR
What in ill thoughts again Men must endure
Their going hence even as their coming hither
Ripeness is all Come on
GLOUCESTER
And thats true too
Exeunt
SCENE III The British Camp near Dover
Enter in conquest with drum and colours Edmund Lear and Cordelia as prisoners Officers Soldiers c
EDMUND
Some officers take them away good guard
Until their greater pleasures first be known
That are to censure them
CORDELIA
We are not the first
Who with best meaning have incurrd the worst
For thee oppressed King I am cast down
Myself could else outfrown false fortunes frown
Shall we not see these daughters and these sisters
LEAR
No no no no Come lets away to prison
We two alone will sing like birds i the cage
When thou dost ask me blessing Ill kneel down
And ask of thee forgiveness So well live
And pray and sing and tell old tales and laugh
At gilded butterflies and hear poor rogues
Talk of court news and well talk with them too
Who loses and who wins whos in whos out
And take upons the mystery of things
As if we were Gods spies And well wear out
In a walld prison packs and sects of great ones
That ebb and flow by the moon
EDMUND
Take them away
LEAR
Upon such sacrifices my Cordelia
The gods themselves throw incense Have I caught thee
He that parts us shall bring a brand from heaven
And fire us hence like foxes Wipe thine eyes
The good years shall devour them flesh and fell
Ere they shall make us weep
Well see em starve first come
Exeunt Lear and Cordelia guarded
EDMUND
Come hither captain hark
Take thou this note giving a paper go follow them to prison
One step I have advancd thee if thou dost
As this instructs thee thou dost make thy way
To noble fortunes know thou this that men
Are as the time is to be tenderminded
Does not become a sword Thy great employment
Will not bear question either say thoult dot
Or thrive by other means
CAPTAIN
Ill dot my lord
EDMUND
About it and write happy when thou hast done
Mark I say instantly and carry it so
As I have set it down
CAPTAIN
I cannot draw a cart nor eat dried oats
If it be mans work Ill dot
Exit
Flourish Enter Albany Goneril Regan Officers and Attendants
ALBANY
Sir you have showd today your valiant strain
And fortune led you well you have the captives
Who were the opposites of this days strife
I do require them of you so to use them
As we shall find their merits and our safety
May equally determine
EDMUND
Sir I thought it fit
To send the old and miserable King
To some retention and appointed guard
Whose age has charms in it whose title more
To pluck the common bosom on his side
And turn our impressd lances in our eyes
Which do command them With him I sent the queen
My reason all the same and they are ready
Tomorrow or at further space to appear
Where you shall hold your session At this time
We sweat and bleed the friend hath lost his friend
And the best quarrels in the heat are cursd
By those that feel their sharpness
The question of Cordelia and her father
Requires a fitter place
ALBANY
Sir by your patience
I hold you but a subject of this war
Not as a brother
REGAN
Thats as we list to grace him
Methinks our pleasure might have been demanded
Ere you had spoke so far He led our powers
Bore the commission of my place and person
The which immediacy may well stand up
And call itself your brother
GONERIL
Not so hot
In his own grace he doth exalt himself
More than in your addition
REGAN
In my rights
By me invested he compeers the best
ALBANY
That were the most if he should husband you
REGAN
Jesters do oft prove prophets
GONERIL
Holla holla
That eye that told you so lookd but asquint
REGAN
Lady I am not well else I should answer
From a fullflowing stomach General
Take thou my soldiers prisoners patrimony
Dispose of them of me the walls are thine
Witness the world that I create thee here
My lord and master
GONERIL
Mean you to enjoy him
ALBANY
The letalone lies not in your good will
EDMUND
Nor in thine lord
ALBANY
Halfblooded fellow yes
REGAN
To Edmund Let the drum strike and prove my title thine
ALBANY
Stay yet hear reason Edmund I arrest thee
On capital treason and in thine arrest
This gilded serpent pointing to Goneril
For your claim fair sister
I bar it in the interest of my wife
Tis she is subcontracted to this lord
And I her husband contradict your bans
If you will marry make your loves to me
My lady is bespoke
GONERIL
An interlude
ALBANY
Thou art armd Gloucester Let the trumpet sound
If none appear to prove upon thy person
Thy heinous manifest and many treasons
There is my pledge Throwing down a glove
Ill make it on thy heart
Ere I taste bread thou art in nothing less
Than I have here proclaimd thee
REGAN
Sick O sick
GONERIL
Aside If not Ill neer trust medicine
EDMUND
Theres my exchange Throwing down a glove
What in the world he is
That names me traitor villainlike he lies
Call by thy trumpet he that dares approach
On him on you who not I will maintain
My truth and honour firmly
ALBANY
A herald ho
Enter a Herald
Trust to thy single virtue for thy soldiers
All levied in my name have in my name
Took their discharge
REGAN
My sickness grows upon me
ALBANY
She is not well Convey her to my tent
Exit Regan led
Come hither herald Let the trumpet sound
And read out this
OFFICER
Sound trumpet
A trumpet sounds
HERALD
Reads If any man of quality or degree within the lists of the army will maintain upon Edmund supposed Earl of Gloucester that he is a manifold traitor let him appear by the third sound of the trumpet He is bold in his defence
EDMUND
Sound
First trumpet
HERALD
Again
Second trumpet
HERALD
Again
Third trumpet Trumpet answers within Enter Edgar armed preceded by a trumpet
ALBANY
Ask him his purposes why he appears
Upon this call o the trumpet
HERALD
What are you
Your name your quality and why you answer
This present summons
EDGAR
Know my name is lost
By treasons tooth baregnawn and cankerbit
Yet am I noble as the adversary
I come to cope
ALBANY
Which is that adversary
EDGAR
Whats he that speaks for Edmund Earl of Gloucester
EDMUND
Himself what sayst thou to him
EDGAR
Draw thy sword
That if my speech offend a noble heart
Thy arm may do thee justice here is mine
Behold it is the privilege of mine honours
My oath and my profession I protest
Maugre thy strength youth place and eminence
Despite thy victor sword and firenew fortune
Thy valour and thy heart thou art a traitor
False to thy gods thy brother and thy father
Conspirant gainst this high illustrious prince
And from the extremest upward of thy head
To the descent and dust beneath thy foot
A most toadspotted traitor Say thou No
This sword this arm and my best spirits are bent
To prove upon thy heart whereto I speak
Thou liest
EDMUND
In wisdom I should ask thy name
But since thy outside looks so fair and warlike
And that thy tongue some say of breeding breathes
What safe and nicely I might well delay
By rule of knighthood I disdain and spurn
Back do I toss those treasons to thy head
With the hellhated lie oerwhelm thy heart
Which for they yet glance by and scarcely bruise
This sword of mine shall give them instant way
Where they shall rest for ever Trumpets speak
Alarums They fight Edmund falls
ALBANY
Save him save him
GONERIL
This is mere practice Gloucester
By the law of arms thou wast not bound to answer
An unknown opposite thou art not vanquishd
But cozend and beguild
ALBANY
Shut your mouth dame
Or with this paper shall I stop it Hold sir
Thou worse than any name read thine own evil
No tearing lady I perceive you know it
Gives the letter to Edmund
GONERIL
Say if I do the laws are mine not thine
Who can arraign me fort
Exit
ALBANY
Most monstrous O
Knowst thou this paper
EDMUND
Ask me not what I know
ALBANY
To an Officer who goes out Go after her shes desperate govern her
EDMUND
What you have chargd me with that have I done
And more much more the time will bring it out
Tis past and so am I But what art thou
That hast this fortune on me If thourt noble
I do forgive thee
EDGAR
Lets exchange charity
I am no less in blood than thou art Edmund
If more the more thou hast wrongd me
My name is Edgar and thy fathers son
The gods are just and of our pleasant vices
Make instruments to plague us
The dark and vicious place where thee he got
Cost him his eyes
EDMUND
Thou hast spoken right tis true
The wheel is come full circle I am here
ALBANY
Methought thy very gait did prophesy
A royal nobleness I must embrace thee
Let sorrow split my heart if ever I
Did hate thee or thy father
EDGAR
Worthy prince I knowt
ALBANY
Where have you hid yourself
How have you known the miseries of your father
EDGAR
By nursing them my lord List a brief tale
And when tis told O that my heart would burst
The bloody proclamation to escape
That followd me so nearO our lives sweetness
That with the pain of death wed hourly die
Rather than die at oncetaught me to shift
Into a madmans rags tassume a semblance
That very dogs disdaind and in this habit
Met I my father with his bleeding rings
Their precious stones new lost became his guide
Led him beggd for him savd him from despair
NeverO faultreveald myself unto him
Until some half hour past when I was armd
Not sure though hoping of this good success
I askd his blessing and from first to last
Told him my pilgrimage But his flawd heart
Alack too weak the conflict to support
Twixt two extremes of passion joy and grief
Burst smilingly
EDMUND
This speech of yours hath movd me
And shall perchance do good but speak you on
You look as you had something more to say
ALBANY
If there be more more woeful hold it in
For I am almost ready to dissolve
Hearing of this
EDGAR
This would have seemd a period
To such as love not sorrow but another
To amplify too much would make much more
And top extremity
Whilst I was big in clamour came there a man
Who having seen me in my worst estate
Shunnd my abhorrd society but then finding
Who twas that so endurd with his strong arms
He fastened on my neck and bellowd out
As hed burst heaven threw him on my father
Told the most piteous tale of Lear and him
That ever ear receivd which in recounting
His grief grew puissant and the strings of life
Began to crack Twice then the trumpets sounded
And there I left him trancd
ALBANY
But who was this
EDGAR
Kent sir the banishd Kent who in disguise
Followd his enemy king and did him service
Improper for a slave
Enter a Gentleman hastily with a bloody knife
GENTLEMAN
Help help O help
EDGAR
What kind of help
ALBANY
Speak man
EDGAR
What means this bloody knife
GENTLEMAN
Tis hot it smokes
It came even from the heart ofO shes dead
ALBANY
Who dead Speak man
GENTLEMAN
Your lady sir your lady and her sister
By her is poisoned she hath confesses it
EDMUND
I was contracted to them both all three
Now marry in an instant
EDGAR
Here comes Kent
Enter Kent
ALBANY
Produce their bodies be they alive or dead
This judgement of the heavens that makes us tremble
Touches us not with pity O is this he
The time will not allow the compliment
Which very manners urges
KENT
I am come
To bid my King and master aye good night
Is he not here
ALBANY
Great thing of us forgot
Speak Edmund wheres the King and wheres Cordelia
The bodies of Goneril and Regan are brought in
Seest thou this object Kent
KENT
Alack why thus
EDMUND
Yet Edmund was belovd
The one the other poisoned for my sake
And after slew herself
ALBANY
Even so Cover their faces
EDMUND
I pant for life Some good I mean to do
Despite of mine own nature Quickly send
Be brief in it to the castle for my writ
Is on the life of Lear and on Cordelia
Nay send in time
ALBANY
Run run O run
EDGAR
To who my lord Who has the office Send
Thy token of reprieve
EDMUND
Well thought on take my sword
Give it the captain
EDGAR
Haste thee for thy life
Exit Edgar
EDMUND
He hath commission from thy wife and me
To hang Cordelia in the prison and
To lay the blame upon her own despair
That she fordid herself
ALBANY
The gods defend her Bear him hence awhile
Edmund is borne off
Enter Lear with Cordelia dead in his arms Edgar Officer and others following
LEAR
Howl howl howl howl O you are men of stone
Had I your tongues and eyes Ild use them so
That heavens vault should crack Shes gone for ever
I know when one is dead and when one lives
Shes dead as earth Lend me a looking glass
If that her breath will mist or stain the stone
Why then she lives
KENT
Is this the promisd end
EDGAR
Or image of that horror
ALBANY
Fall and cease
LEAR
This feather stirs she lives If it be so
It is a chance which does redeem all sorrows
That ever I have felt
KENT
O my good master Kneeling
LEAR
Prithee away
EDGAR
Tis noble Kent your friend
LEAR
A plague upon you murderers traitors all
I might have savd her now shes gone for ever
Cordelia Cordelia stay a little Ha
What ist thou sayst Her voice was ever soft
Gentle and low an excellent thing in woman
I killd the slave that was ahanging thee
OFFICER
Tis true my lords he did
LEAR
Did I not fellow
I have seen the day with my good biting falchion
I would have made them skip I am old now
And these same crosses spoil me Who are you
Mine eyes are not o the best Ill tell you straight
KENT
If Fortune brag of two she lovd and hated
One of them we behold
LEAR
This is a dull sight Are you not Kent
KENT
The same
Your servant Kent Where is your servant Caius
LEAR
Hes a good fellow I can tell you that
Hell strike and quickly too Hes dead and rotten
KENT
No my good lord I am the very man
LEAR
Ill see that straight
KENT
That from your first of difference and decay
Have followd your sad steps
LEAR
You are welcome hither
KENT
Nor no man else Alls cheerless dark and deadly
Your eldest daughters have fordone themselves
And desperately are dead
LEAR
Ay so I think
ALBANY
He knows not what he says and vain is it
That we present us to him
EDGAR
Very bootless
Enter an Officer
OFFICER
Edmund is dead my lord
ALBANY
Thats but a trifle here
You lords and noble friends know our intent
What comfort to this great decay may come
Shall be applied For us we will resign
During the life of this old majesty
To him our absolute power
to Edgar and Kent you to your rights
With boot and such addition as your honours
Have more than merited All friends shall taste
The wages of their virtue and all foes
The cup of their deservings O see see
LEAR
And my poor fool is hangd No no no life
Why should a dog a horse a rat have life
And thou no breath at all Thoult come no more
Never never never never never
Pray you undo this button Thank you sir
Do you see this Look on her look her lips
Look there look there
He dies
EDGAR
He faints My lord my lord
KENT
Break heart I prithee break
EDGAR
Look up my lord
KENT
Vex not his ghost O let him pass He hates him
That would upon the rack of this rough world
Stretch him out longer
EDGAR
He is gone indeed
KENT
The wonder is he hath endurd so long
He but usurpd his life
ALBANY
Bear them from hence Our present business
Is general woe To Edgar and Kent Friends of my soul you twain
Rule in this realm and the gord state sustain
KENT
I have a journey sir shortly to go
My master calls me I must not say no
EDGAR
The weight of this sad time we must obey
Speak what we feel not what we ought to say
The oldest hath borne most we that are young
Shall never see so much nor live so long
Exeunt with a dead march
LOVES LABOURS LOST
Contents
ACT I
Scene I The King of Navarres park
Scene II The park
ACT II
Scene I The King of Navarres park A pavilion and tents at a distance
ACT III
Scene I The King of Navarres park
ACT IV
Scene I The King of Navarres park
Scene II The same
Scene III The same
ACT V
Scene I The King of Navarres park
Scene II The same Before the Princesss pavilion
Dramatis Person
KING of Navarre also known as Ferdinand
BEROWNE Lord attending on the King
LONGAVILLE Lord attending on the King
DUMAINE Lord attending on the King
The PRINCESS of France
ROSALINE Lady attending on the Princess
MARIA Lady attending on the Princess
KATHARINE Lady attending on the Princess
BOYET Lord attending on the Princess
Don Adriano de ARMADO a fantastical Spaniard
MOTH Page to Armado
JAQUENETTA a country wench
COSTARD a Clown
DULL a Constable
HOLOFERNES a Schoolmaster
Sir NATHANIEL a Curate
A FORESTER
MARCAD a messenger from France
Lords Blackamoors Officers and Others Attendants on the King and Princess
SCENE Navarre
ACT I
SCENE I The King of Navarres park
Enter Ferdinand King of Navarre Berowne Longaville and Dumaine
KING
Let fame that all hunt after in their lives
Live registered upon our brazen tombs
And then grace us in the disgrace of death
When spite of cormorant devouring time
Th endeavour of this present breath may buy
That honour which shall bate his scythes keen edge
And make us heirs of all eternity
Therefore brave conquerors for so you are
That war against your own affections
And the huge army of the worlds desires
Our late edict shall strongly stand in force
Navarre shall be the wonder of the world
Our court shall be a little academe
Still and contemplative in living art
You three Berowne Dumaine and Longaville
Have sworn for three years term to live with me
My fellowscholars and to keep those statutes
That are recorded in this schedule here
Your oaths are passed and now subscribe your names
That his own hand may strike his honour down
That violates the smallest branch herein
If you are armed to do as sworn to do
Subscribe to your deep oaths and keep it too
LONGAVILLE
I am resolved Tis but a three years fast
The mind shall banquet though the body pine
Fat paunches have lean pates and dainty bits
Make rich the ribs but bankrupt quite the wits
He signs
DUMAINE
My loving lord Dumaine is mortified
The grosser manner of these worlds delights
He throws upon the gross worlds baser slaves
To love to wealth to pomp I pine and die
With all these living in philosophy
He signs
BEROWNE
I can but say their protestation over
So much dear liege I have already sworn
That is to live and study here three years
But there are other strict observances
As not to see a woman in that term
Which I hope well is not enrolled there
And one day in a week to touch no food
And but one meal on every day beside
The which I hope is not enrolled there
And then to sleep but three hours in the night
And not be seen to wink of all the day
When I was wont to think no harm all night
And make a dark night too of half the day
Which I hope well is not enrolled there
O these are barren tasks too hard to keep
Not to see ladies study fast not sleep
KING
Your oath is passed to pass away from these
BEROWNE
Let me say no my liege an if you please
I only swore to study with your Grace
And stay here in your court for three years space
LONGAVILLE
You swore to that Berowne and to the rest
BEROWNE
By yea and nay sir then I swore in jest
What is the end of study let me know
KING
Why that to know which else we should not know
BEROWNE
Things hid and barred you mean from common sense
KING
Ay that is studys godlike recompense
BEROWNE
Come on then I will swear to study so
To know the thing I am forbid to know
As thus to study where I well may dine
When I to feast expressly am forbid
Or study where to meet some mistress fine
When mistresses from common sense are hid
Or having sworn too hardakeeping oath
Study to break it and not break my troth
If studys gain be thus and this be so
Study knows that which yet it doth not know
Swear me to this and I will neer say no
KING
These be the stops that hinder study quite
And train our intellects to vain delight
BEROWNE
Why all delights are vain but that most vain
Which with pain purchased doth inherit pain
As painfully to pore upon a book
To seek the light of truth while truth the while
Doth falsely blind the eyesight of his look
Light seeking light doth light of light beguile
So ere you find where light in darkness lies
Your light grows dark by losing of your eyes
Study me how to please the eye indeed
By fixing it upon a fairer eye
Who dazzling so that eye shall be his heed
And give him light that it was blinded by
Study is like the heavens glorious sun
That will not be deepsearched with saucy looks
Small have continual plodders ever won
Save base authority from others books
These earthly godfathers of heavens lights
That give a name to every fixed star
Have no more profit of their shining nights
Than those that walk and wot not what they are
Too much to know is to know naught but fame
And every godfather can give a name
KING
How well hes read to reason against reading
DUMAINE
Proceeded well to stop all good proceeding
LONGAVILLE
He weeds the corn and still lets grow the weeding
BEROWNE
The spring is near when green geese are abreeding
DUMAINE
How follows that
BEROWNE
Fit in his place and time
DUMAINE
In reason nothing
BEROWNE
Something then in rhyme
LONGAVILLE
Berowne is like an envious sneaping frost
That bites the firstborn infants of the spring
BEROWNE
Well say I am Why should proud summer boast
Before the birds have any cause to sing
Why should I joy in any abortive birth
At Christmas I no more desire a rose
Than wish a snow in Mays newfangled shows
But like of each thing that in season grows
So you to study now it is too late
Climb oer the house to unlock the little gate
KING
Well sit you out Go home Berowne Adieu
BEROWNE
No my good lord I have sworn to stay with you
And though I have for barbarism spoke more
Than for that angel knowledge you can say
Yet confident Ill keep what I have sworn
And bide the penance of each three years day
Give me the paper let me read the same
And to the strictest decrees Ill write my name
KING
How well this yielding rescues thee from shame
BEROWNE
Reads Item That no woman shall come within a mile of my court Hath this been proclaimed
LONGAVILLE
Four days ago
BEROWNE
Lets see the penalty Reads On pain of losing her tongue Who devised this penalty
LONGAVILLE
Marry that did I
BEROWNE
Sweet lord and why
LONGAVILLE
To fright them hence with that dread penalty
BEROWNE
A dangerous law against gentility
Reads Item If any man be seen to talk with a woman within the term of three years he shall endure such public shame as the rest of the court can possibly devise
This article my liege yourself must break
For well you know here comes in embassy
The French Kings daughter with yourself to speak
A mild of grace and complete majesty
About surrender up of Aquitaine
To her decrepit sick and bedrid father
Therefore this article is made in vain
Or vainly comes th admired Princess hither
KING
What say you lords Why this was quite forgot
BEROWNE
So study evermore is overshot
While it doth study to have what it would
It doth forget to do the thing it should
And when it hath the thing it hunteth most
Tis won as towns with fire so won so lost
KING
We must of force dispense with this decree
She must lie here on mere necessity
BEROWNE
Necessity will make us all forsworn
Three thousand times within this three years space
For every man with his affects is born
Not by might mastered but by special grace
If I break faith this word shall speak for me
I am forsworn on mere necessity
So to the laws at large I write my name
And he that breaks them in the least degree
Stands in attainder of eternal shame
Suggestions are to other as to me
But I believe although I seem so loath
I am the last that will last keep his oath
He signs
But is there no quick recreation granted
KING
Ay that there is Our court you know is haunted
With a refined traveller of Spain
A man in all the worlds new fashion planted
That hath a mint of phrases in his brain
One who the music of his own vain tongue
Doth ravish like enchanting harmony
A man of complements whom right and wrong
Have chose as umpire of their mutiny
This child of fancy that Armado hight
For interim to our studies shall relate
In highborn words the worth of many a knight
From tawny Spain lost in the worlds debate
How you delight my lords I know not I
But I protest I love to hear him lie
And I will use him for my minstrelsy
BEROWNE
Armado is a most illustrious wight
A man of firenew words fashions own knight
LONGAVILLE
Costard the swain and he shall be our sport
And so to study three years is but short
Enter Dull a Constable with a letter and Costard
DULL
Which is the Dukes own person
BEROWNE
This fellow What wouldst
DULL
I myself reprehend his own person for I am his Graces farborough But I would see his own person in flesh and blood
BEROWNE
This is he
DULL
Signior Arm Arm commends you Theres villainy abroad This letter will tell you more
COSTARD
Sir the contempts thereof are as touching me
KING
A letter from the magnificent Armado
BEROWNE
How long soever the matter I hope in God for high words
LONGAVILLE
A high hope for a low heaven God grant us patience
BEROWNE
To hear or forbear laughing
LONGAVILLE
To hear meekly sir and to laugh moderately or to forbear both
BEROWNE
Well sir be it as the style shall give us cause to climb in the merriness
COSTARD
The matter is to me sir as concerning Jaquenetta The manner of it is I was taken with the manner
BEROWNE
In what manner
COSTARD
In manner and form following sir all those three I was seen with her in the manorhouse sitting with her upon the form and taken following her into the park which put together is in manner and form following Now sir for the manner It is the manner of a man to speak to a woman For the formin some form
BEROWNE
For the following sir
COSTARD
As it shall follow in my correction and God defend the right
KING
Will you hear this letter with attention
BEROWNE
As we would hear an oracle
COSTARD
Such is the simplicity of man to hearken after the flesh
KING
Reads Great deputy the welkins vicegerent and sole dominator of
Navarre my souls earths god and bodys fostering patron
COSTARD
Not a word of Costard yet
KING
Reads So it is
COSTARD
It may be so but if he say it is so he is in telling true but so
KING
Peace
COSTARD
Be to me and every man that dares not fight
KING
No words
COSTARD
Of other mens secrets I beseech you
KING
Reads So it is besieged with sablecoloured melancholy I did commend the blackoppressing humour to the most wholesome physic of thy healthgiving air and as I am a gentleman betook myself to walk The time when About the sixth hour when beasts most graze birds best peck and men sit down to that nourishment which is called supper So much for the time when Now for the ground which Which I mean I walked upon It is ycleped thy park Then for the place where Where I mean I did encounter that obscene and most preposterous event that draweth from my snowwhite pen the eboncoloured ink which here thou viewest beholdest surveyest or seest But to the place where It standeth northnortheast and by east from the west corner of thy curiousknotted garden There did I see that lowspirited swain that base minnow of thy mirth
COSTARD
Me
KING
Reads That unlettered smallknowing soul
COSTARD
Me
KING
Reads That shallow vassal
COSTARD
Still me
KING
Reads Which as I remember hight Costard
COSTARD
O me
KING
Reads Sorted and consorted contrary to thy established proclaimed edict and continent canon which with O withbut with this I passion to say wherewith
COSTARD
With a wench
KING
Reads With a child of our grandmother Eve a female or for thy more sweet understanding a woman Him I as my everesteemed duty pricks me on have sent to thee to receive the meed of punishment by thy sweet Graces officer Antony Dull a man of good repute carriage bearing and estimation
DULL
Me ant shall please you I am Antony Dull
KING
Reads For Jaquenetta so is the weaker vessel called which I apprehended with the aforesaid swain I keep her as a vessel of thy laws fury and shall at the least of thy sweet notice bring her to trial Thine in all compliments of devoted and heartburning heat of duty
Don Adriano de Armado
BEROWNE
This is not so well as I looked for but the best that ever I heard
KING
Ay the best for the worst But sirrah what say you to this
COSTARD
Sir I confess the wench
KING
Did you hear the proclamation
COSTARD
I do confess much of the hearing it but little of the marking of it
KING
It was proclaimed a years imprisonment to be taken with a wench
COSTARD
I was taken with none sir I was taken with a damsel
KING
Well it was proclaimed damsel
COSTARD
This was no damsel neither sir she was a virgin
KING
It is so varied too for it was proclaimed virgin
COSTARD
If it were I deny her virginity I was taken with a maid
KING
This maid will not serve your turn sir
COSTARD
This maid will serve my turn sir
KING
Sir I will pronounce your sentence you shall fast a week with bran and water
COSTARD
I had rather pray a month with mutton and porridge
KING
And Don Armado shall be your keeper
My Lord Berowne see him delivered oer
And go we lords to put in practice that
Which each to other hath so strongly sworn
Exeunt King Longaville and Dumaine
BEROWNE
Ill lay my head to any good mans hat
These oaths and laws will prove an idle scorn
Sirrah come on
COSTARD
I suffer for the truth sir for true it is I was taken with Jaquenetta and Jaquenetta is a true girl And therefore welcome the sour cup of prosperity Affliction may one day smile again and till then sit thee down sorrow
Exeunt
SCENE II The park
Enter Armado and Moth his Page
ARMADO
Boy what sign is it when a man of great spirit grows melancholy
MOTH
A great sign sir that he will look sad
ARMADO
Why sadness is one and the selfsame thing dear imp
MOTH
No no O Lord sir no
ARMADO
How canst thou part sadness and melancholy my tender juvenal
MOTH
By a familiar demonstration of the working my tough signior
ARMADO
Why tough signior Why tough signior
MOTH
Why tender juvenal Why tender juvenal
ARMADO
I spoke it tender juvenal as a congruent epitheton appertaining to thy young days which we may nominate tender
MOTH
And I tough signior as an appertinent title to your old time which we may name tough
ARMADO
Pretty and apt
MOTH
How mean you sir I pretty and my saying apt or I apt and my saying pretty
ARMADO
Thou pretty because little
MOTH
Little pretty because little Wherefore apt
ARMADO
And therefore apt because quick
MOTH
Speak you this in my praise master
ARMADO
In thy condign praise
MOTH
I will praise an eel with the same praise
ARMADO
What that an eel is ingenious
MOTH
That an eel is quick
ARMADO
I do say thou art quick in answers Thou heatst my blood
MOTH
I am answered sir
ARMADO
I love not to be crossed
MOTH
Aside He speaks the mere contrary crosses love not him
ARMADO
I have promised to study three years with the Duke
MOTH
You may do it in an hour sir
ARMADO
Impossible
MOTH
How many is one thrice told
ARMADO
I am ill at reckoning It fitteth the spirit of a tapster
MOTH
You are a gentleman and a gamester sir
ARMADO
I confess both They are both the varnish of a complete man
MOTH
Then I am sure you know how much the gross sum of deuceace amounts to
ARMADO
It doth amount to one more than two
MOTH
Which the base vulgar do call three
ARMADO
True
MOTH
Why sir is this such a piece of study Now heres three studied ere yell thrice wink And how easy it is to put years to the word three and study three years in two words the dancing horse will tell you
ARMADO
A most fine figure
MOTH
Aside To prove you a cipher
ARMADO
I will hereupon confess I am in love and as it is base for a soldier to love so am I in love with a base wench If drawing my sword against the humour of affection would deliver me from the reprobate thought of it I would take desire prisoner and ransom him to any French courtier for a newdevised curtsy I think scorn to sigh methinks I should outswear Cupid Comfort me boy What great men have been in love
MOTH
Hercules master
ARMADO
Most sweet Hercules More authority dear boy name more and sweet my child let them be men of good repute and carriage
MOTH
Samson master He was a man of good carriage great carriage for he carried the town gates on his back like a porter and he was in love
ARMADO
O wellknit Samson strongjointed Samson I do excel thee in my rapier as much as thou didst me in carrying gates I am in love too Who was Samsons love my dear Moth
MOTH
A woman master
ARMADO
Of what complexion
MOTH
Of all the four or the three or the two or one of the four
ARMADO
Tell me precisely of what complexion
MOTH
Of the seawater green sir
ARMADO
Is that one of the four complexions
MOTH
As I have read sir and the best of them too
ARMADO
Green indeed is the colour of lovers But to have a love of that colour methinks Samson had small reason for it He surely affected her for her wit
MOTH
It was so sir for she had a green wit
ARMADO
My love is most immaculate white and red
MOTH
Most maculate thoughts master are masked under such colours
ARMADO
Define define welleducated infant
MOTH
My fathers wit and my mothers tongue assist me
ARMADO
Sweet invocation of a child most pretty and pathetical
MOTH
If she be made of white and red
Her faults will neer be known
For blushing cheeks by faults are bred
And fears by pale white shown
Then if she fear or be to blame
By this you shall not know
For still her cheeks possess the same
Which native she doth owe
A dangerous rhyme master against the reason of white and red
ARMADO
Is there not a ballad boy of the King and the Beggar
MOTH
The world was very guilty of such a ballad some three ages since but I think now tis not to be found or if it were it would neither serve for the writing nor the tune
ARMADO
I will have that subject newly writ oer that I may example my digression by some mighty precedent Boy I do love that country girl that I took in the park with the rational hind Costard She deserves well
MOTH
Aside To be whipped and yet a better love than my master
ARMADO
Sing boy My spirit grows heavy in love
MOTH
And thats great marvel loving a light wench
ARMADO
I say sing
MOTH
Forbear till this company be past
Enter Costard the Clown Dull the Constable and Jaquenetta a Wench
DULL
Sir the Dukes pleasure is that you keep Costard safe and you must suffer him to take no delight nor no penance but he must fast three days a week For this damsel I must keep her at the park She is allowed for the deywoman Fare you well
ARMADO
I do betray myself with blushingMaid
JAQUENETTA
Man
ARMADO
I will visit thee at the lodge
JAQUENETTA
Thats hereby
ARMADO
I know where it is situate
JAQUENETTA
Lord how wise you are
ARMADO
I will tell thee wonders
JAQUENETTA
With that face
ARMADO
I love thee
JAQUENETTA
So I heard you say
ARMADO
And so farewell
JAQUENETTA
Fair weather after you
DULL
Come Jaquenetta away
Exeunt Dull and Jaquenetta
ARMADO
Villain thou shalt fast for thy offences ere thou be pardoned
COSTARD
Well sir I hope when I do it I shall do it on a full stomach
ARMADO
Thou shalt be heavily punished
COSTARD
I am more bound to you than your fellows for they are but lightly rewarded
ARMADO
Take away this villain Shut him up
MOTH
Come you transgressing slave away
COSTARD
Let me not be pent up sir I will fast being loose
MOTH
No sir that were fast and loose Thou shalt to prison
COSTARD
Well if ever I do see the merry days of desolation that I have seen some shall see
MOTH
What shall some see
COSTARD
Nay nothing Master Moth but what they look upon It is not for prisoners to be too silent in their words and therefore I will say nothing I thank God I have as little patience as another man and therefore I can be quiet
Exeunt Moth and Costard
ARMADO
I do affect the very ground which is base where her shoe which is baser guided by her foot which is basest doth tread I shall be forsworn which is a great argument of falsehood if I love And how can that be true love which is falsely attempted Love is a familiar Love is a devil There is no evil angel but Love Yet was Samson so tempted and he had an excellent strength yet was Solomon so seduced and he had a very good wit Cupids buttshaft is too hard for Hercules club and therefore too much odds for a Spaniards rapier The first and second cause will not serve my turn the passado he respects not the duello he regards not His disgrace is to be called boy but his glory is to subdue men Adieu valour rust rapier be still drum for your manager is in love Yea he loveth Assist me some extemporal god of rhyme for I am sure I shall turn sonnet Devise wit write pen for I am for whole volumes in folio
Exit
ACT II
SCENE I The King of Navarres park A pavilion and tents at a distance
Enter the Princess of France with three attending Ladies Rosaline Maria Katharine and three Lords Boyet and two others
BOYET
Now madam summon up your dearest spirits
Consider who the King your father sends
To whom he sends and whats his embassy
Yourself held precious in the worlds esteem
To parley with the sole inheritor
Of all perfections that a man may owe
Matchless Navarre the plea of no less weight
Than Aquitaine a dowry for a queen
Be now as prodigal of all dear grace
As Nature was in making graces dear
When she did starve the general world beside
And prodigally gave them all to you
PRINCESS
Good Lord Boyet my beauty though but mean
Needs not the painted flourish of your praise
Beauty is bought by judgement of the eye
Not uttered by base sale of chapmens tongues
I am less proud to hear you tell my worth
Than you much willing to be counted wise
In spending your wit in the praise of mine
But now to task the tasker good Boyet
You are not ignorant alltelling fame
Doth noise abroad Navarre hath made a vow
Till painful study shall outwear three years
No woman may approach his silent court
Therefore tos seemeth it a needful course
Before we enter his forbidden gates
To know his pleasure and in that behalf
Bold of your worthiness we single you
As our bestmoving fair solicitor
Tell him the daughter of the King of France
On serious business craving quick dispatch
Importunes personal conference with his Grace
Haste signify so much while we attend
Like humblevisaged suitors his high will
BOYET
Proud of employment willingly I go
PRINCESS
All pride is willing pride and yours is so
Exit Boyet
Who are the votaries my loving lords
That are vowfellows with this virtuous Duke
LORD
Lord Longaville is one
PRINCESS
Know you the man
MARIA
I know him madam At a marriage feast
Between Lord Perigort and the beauteous heir
Of Jaques Falconbridge solemnized
In Normandy saw I this Longaville
A man of sovereign parts he is esteemed
Well fitted in arts glorious in arms
Nothing becomes him ill that he would well
The only soil of his fair virtues gloss
If virtues gloss will stain with any soil
Is a sharp wit matched with too blunt a will
Whose edge hath power to cut whose will still wills
It should none spare that come within his power
PRINCESS
Some merry mocking lord belike Ist so
MARIA
They say so most that most his humours know
PRINCESS
Such shortlived wits do wither as they grow
Who are the rest
KATHARINE
The young Dumaine a wellaccomplished youth
Of all that virtue love for virtue loved
Most power to do most harm least knowing ill
For he hath wit to make an ill shape good
And shape to win grace though he had no wit
I saw him at the Duke Alenons once
And much too little of that good I saw
Is my report to his great worthiness
ROSALINE
Another of these students at that time
Was there with him if I have heard a truth
Berowne they call him but a merrier man
Within the limit of becoming mirth
I never spent an hours talk withal
His eye begets occasion for his wit
For every object that the one doth catch
The other turns to a mirthmoving jest
Which his fair tongue conceits expositor
Delivers in such apt and gracious words
That aged ears play truant at his tales
And younger hearings are quite ravished
So sweet and voluble is his discourse
PRINCESS
God bless my ladies Are they all in love
That every one her own hath garnished
With such bedecking ornaments of praise
LORD
Here comes Boyet
Enter Boyet
PRINCESS
Now what admittance lord
BOYET
Navarre had notice of your fair approach
And he and his competitors in oath
Were all addressed to meet you gentle lady
Before I came Marry thus much I have learned
He rather means to lodge you in the field
Like one that comes here to besiege his court
Than seek a dispensation for his oath
To let you enter his unpeopled house
Enter King of Navarre Longaville Dumaine Berowne and Attendants
Here comes Navarre
KING
Fair Princess welcome to the court of Navarre
PRINCESS
Fair I give you back again and welcome I have not yet The roof of this court is too high to be yours and welcome to the wide fields too base to be mine
KING
You shall be welcome madam to my court
PRINCESS
I will be welcome then Conduct me thither
KING
Hear me dear lady I have sworn an oath
PRINCESS
Our Lady help my lord Hell be forsworn
KING
Not for the world fair madam by my will
PRINCESS
Why will shall break it will and nothing else
KING
Your ladyship is ignorant what it is
PRINCESS
Were my lord so his ignorance were wise
Where now his knowledge must prove ignorance
I hear your Grace hath sworn out housekeeping
Tis deadly sin to keep that oath my lord
And sin to break it
But pardon me I am too sudden bold
To teach a teacher ill beseemeth me
Vouchsafe to read the purpose of my coming
And suddenly resolve me in my suit
She gives him a paper
KING
Madam I will if suddenly I may
PRINCESS
You will the sooner that I were away
For youll prove perjured if you make me stay
The King reads the paper
BEROWNE
To Rosaline Did not I dance with you in Brabant once
ROSALINE
Did not I dance with you in Brabant once
BEROWNE
I know you did
ROSALINE
How needless was it then
To ask the question
BEROWNE
You must not be so quick
ROSALINE
Tis long of you that spur me with such questions
BEROWNE
Your wits too hot it speeds too fast twill tire
ROSALINE
Not till it leave the rider in the mire
BEROWNE
What time o day
ROSALINE
The hour that fools should ask
BEROWNE
Now fair befall your mask
ROSALINE
Fair fall the face it covers
BEROWNE
And send you many lovers
ROSALINE
Amen so you be none
BEROWNE
Nay then will I be gone
KING
Madam your father here doth intimate
The payment of a hundred thousand crowns
Being but the one half of an entire sum
Disbursed by my father in his wars
But say that he or we as neither have
Received that sum yet there remains unpaid
A hundred thousand more in surety of the which
One part of Aquitaine is bound to us
Although not valued to the moneys worth
If then the King your father will restore
But that one half which is unsatisfied
We will give up our right in Aquitaine
And hold fair friendship with his majesty
But that it seems he little purposeth
For here he doth demand to have repaid
A hundred thousand crowns and not demands
On payment of a hundred thousand crowns
To have his title live in Aquitaine
Which we much rather had depart withal
And have the money by our father lent
Than Aquitaine so gelded as it is
Dear Princess were not his requests so far
From reasons yielding your fair self should make
A yielding gainst some reason in my breast
And go well satisfied to France again
PRINCESS
You do the King my father too much wrong
And wrong the reputation of your name
In so unseeming to confess receipt
Of that which hath so faithfully been paid
KING
I do protest I never heard of it
And if you prove it Ill repay it back
Or yield up Aquitaine
PRINCESS
We arrest your word
Boyet you can produce acquittances
For such a sum from special officers
Of Charles his father
KING
Satisfy me so
BOYET
So please your Grace the packet is not come
Where that and other specialties are bound
Tomorrow you shall have a sight of them
KING
It shall suffice me at which interview
All liberal reason I will yield unto
Meantime receive such welcome at my hand
As honour without breach of honour may
Make tender of to thy true worthiness
You may not come fair Princess in my gates
But here without you shall be so received
As you shall deem yourself lodged in my heart
Though so denied fair harbour in my house
Your own good thoughts excuse me and farewell
Tomorrow shall we visit you again
PRINCESS
Sweet health and fair desires consort your Grace
KING
Thy own wish wish I thee in every place
Exeunt the King Longaville and Dumaine
BEROWNE
Lady I will commend you to mine own heart
ROSALINE
Pray you do my commendations I would be glad to see it
BEROWNE
I would you heard it groan
ROSALINE
Is the fool sick
BEROWNE
Sick at the heart
ROSALINE
Alack let it blood
BEROWNE
Would that do it good
ROSALINE
My physic says ay
BEROWNE
Will you prickt with your eye
ROSALINE
Non point with my knife
BEROWNE
Now God save thy life
ROSALINE
And yours from long living
BEROWNE
I cannot stay thanksgiving
He exits
Enter Dumaine
DUMAINE
Sir I pray you a word What lady is that same
BOYET
The heir of Alenon Katharine her name
DUMAINE
A gallant lady Monsieur fare you well
He exits
Enter Longaville
LONGAVILLE
I beseech you a word What is she in the white
BOYET
A woman sometimes an you saw her in the light
LONGAVILLE
Perchance light in the light I desire her name
BOYET
She hath but one for herself to desire that were a shame
LONGAVILLE
Pray you sir whose daughter
BOYET
Her mothers I have heard
LONGAVILLE
Gods blessing on your beard
BOYET
Good sir be not offended
She is an heir of Falconbridge
LONGAVILLE
Nay my choler is ended
She is a most sweet lady
BOYET
Not unlike sir that may be
Exit Longaville
Enter Berowne
BEROWNE
Whats her name in the cap
BOYET
Rosaline by good hap
BEROWNE
Is she wedded or no
BOYET
To her will sir or so
BEROWNE
You are welcome sir Adieu
BOYET
Farewell to me sir and welcome to you
Exit Berowne
MARIA
That last is Berowne the merry madcap lord
Not a word with him but a jest
BOYET
And every jest but a word
PRINCESS
It was well done of you to take him at his word
BOYET
I was as willing to grapple as he was to board
KATHARINE
Two hot sheeps marry
BOYET
And wherefore not ships
No sheep sweet lamb unless we feed on your lips
KATHARINE
You sheep and I pasture Shall that finish the jest
BOYET
So you grant pasture for me
He tries to kiss her
KATHARINE
Not so gentle beast
My lips are no common though several they be
BOYET
Belonging to whom
KATHARINE
To my fortunes and me
PRINCESS
Good wits will be jangling but gentles agree
This civil war of wits were much better used
On Navarre and his bookmen for here tis abused
BOYET
If my observation which very seldom lies
By the hearts still rhetoric disclosed with eyes
Deceive me not now Navarre is infected
PRINCESS
With what
BOYET
With that which we lovers entitle affected
PRINCESS
Your reason
BOYET
Why all his behaviours did make their retire
To the court of his eye peeping thorough desire
His heart like an agate with your print impressed
Proud with his form in his eye pride expressed
His tongue all impatient to speak and not see
Did stumble with haste in his eyesight to be
All senses to that sense did make their repair
To feel only looking on fairest of fair
Methought all his senses were locked in his eye
As jewels in crystal for some prince to buy
Who tendring their own worth from where they were glassed
Did point you to buy them along as you passed
His faces own margent did quote such amazes
That all eyes saw his eyes enchanted with gazes
Ill give you Aquitaine and all that is his
An you give him for my sake but one loving kiss
PRINCESS
Come to our pavilion Boyet is disposed
BOYET
But to speak that in words which his eye hath disclosed
I only have made a mouth of his eye
By adding a tongue which I know will not lie
ROSALINE
Thou art an old lovemonger and speakest skilfully
MARIA
He is Cupids grandfather and learns news of him
ROSALINE
Then was Venus like her mother for her father is but grim
BOYET
Do you hear my mad wenches
MARIA
No
BOYET
What then do you see
ROSALINE
Ay our way to be gone
BOYET
You are too hard for me
Exeunt
ACT III
SCENE I The King of Navarres park
Enter Armado the Braggart and Moth his Boy
ARMADO
Warble child make passionate my sense of hearing
MOTH
Singing
Concolinel
ARMADO
Sweet air Go tenderness of years take this key give enlargement to the swain bring him festinately hither I must employ him in a letter to my love
MOTH
Master will you win your love with a French brawl
ARMADO
How meanest thou Brawling in French
MOTH
No my complete master but to jig off a tune at the tongues end canary to it with your feet humour it with turning up your eyelids sigh a note and sing a note sometime through the throat as if you swallowed love with singing love sometime through the nose as if you snuffed up love by smelling love with your hat penthouselike oer the shop of your eyes with your arms crossed on your thinbelly doublet like a rabbit on a spit or your hands in your pocket like a man after the old painting and keep not too long in one tune but a snip and away These are compliments these are humours these betray nice wenches that would be betrayed without these and make them men of notedo you note methat most are affected to these
ARMADO
How hast thou purchased this experience
MOTH
By my penny of observation
ARMADO
But Obut O
MOTH
The hobbyhorse is forgot
ARMADO
Callst thou my love hobbyhorse
MOTH
No master The hobbyhorse is but a colt and your love perhaps a hackney But have you forgot your love
ARMADO
Almost I had
MOTH
Negligent student Learn her by heart
ARMADO
By heart and in heart boy
MOTH
And out of heart master All those three I will prove
ARMADO
What wilt thou prove
MOTH
A man if I live and this by in and without upon the instant by heart you love her because your heart cannot come by her in heart you love her because your heart is in love with her and out of heart you love her being out of heart that you cannot enjoy her
ARMADO
I am all these three
MOTH
And three times as much more and yet nothing at all
ARMADO
Fetch hither the swain He must carry me a letter
MOTH
A message well sympathized a horse to be ambassador for an ass
ARMADO
Ha ha what sayest thou
MOTH
Marry sir you must send the ass upon the horse for he is very slowgaited But I go
ARMADO
The way is but short Away
MOTH
As swift as lead sir
ARMADO
The meaning pretty ingenious
Is not lead a metal heavy dull and slow
MOTH
Minime honest master or rather master no
ARMADO
I say lead is slow
MOTH
You are too swift sir to say so
Is that lead slow which is fired from a gun
ARMADO
Sweet smoke of rhetoric
He reputes me a cannon and the bullet thats he
I shoot thee at the swain
MOTH
Thump then and I flee
Exit
ARMADO
A most acute juvenal voluble and free of grace
By thy favour sweet welkin I must sigh in thy face
Most rude melancholy valour gives thee place
My herald is returned
Enter Moth and Costard
MOTH
A wonder master Heres a costard broken in a shin
ARMADO
Some enigma some riddle Come thy lenvoi begin
COSTARD
No egma no riddle no lenvoi no salve in the mail sir O sir plantain a plain plantain No lenvoi no lenvoi no salve sir but a plantain
ARMADO
By virtue thou enforcest laughter thy silly thought my spleen the heaving of my lungs provokes me to ridiculous smiling O pardon me my stars Doth the inconsiderate take salve for lenvoi and the word lenvoi for a salve
MOTH
Do the wise think them other Is not lenvoi a salve
ARMADO
No page it is an epilogue or discourse to make plain
Some obscure precedence that hath tofore been sain
I will example it
The fox the ape and the humblebee
Were still at odds being but three
Theres the moral Now the lenvoi
MOTH
I will add the lenvoi Say the moral again
ARMADO
The fox the ape and the humblebee
Were still at odds being but three
MOTH
Until the goose came out of door
And stayed the odds by adding four
Now will I begin your moral and do you follow with my lenvoi
The fox the ape and the humblebee
Were still at odds being but three
ARMADO
Until the goose came out of door
Staying the odds by adding four
MOTH
A good lenvoi ending in the goose Would you desire more
COSTARD
The boy hath sold him a bargain a goose thats flat
Sir your pennyworth is good an your goose be fat
To sell a bargain well is as cunning as fast and loose
Let me see a fat lenvoiay thats a fat goose
ARMADO
Come hither come hither How did this argument begin
MOTH
By saying that a costard was broken in a shin
Then called you for the lenvoi
COSTARD
True and I for a plantain Thus came your argument in Then the boys fat lenvoi the goose that you bought and he ended the market
ARMADO
But tell me how was there a costard broken in a shin
MOTH
I will tell you sensibly
COSTARD
Thou hast no feeling of it Moth I will speak that lenvoi
I Costard running out that was safely within
Fell over the threshold and broke my shin
ARMADO
We will talk no more of this matter
COSTARD
Till there be more matter in the shin
ARMADO
Sirrah Costard I will enfranchise thee
COSTARD
O marry me to one Frances I smell some lenvoi some goose in this
ARMADO
By my sweet soul I mean setting thee at liberty enfreedoming thy person Thou wert immured restrained captivated bound
COSTARD
True true and now you will be my purgation and let me loose
ARMADO
I give thee thy liberty set thee from durance and in lieu thereof impose on thee nothing but this Giving him a letter bear this significant to the country maid Jaquenetta Giving money There is remuneration for the best ward of mine honour is rewarding my dependents Moth follow
Exit
MOTH
Like the sequel I Signior Costard adieu
Exit Moth
COSTARD
My sweet ounce of mans flesh my incony Jew
Now will I look to his remuneration Remuneration O thats the Latin word for three farthings Three farthingsremuneration Whats the price of this inkle One penny No Ill give you a remuneration Why it carries it Remuneration Why it is a fairer name than French crown I will never buy and sell out of this word
Enter Berowne
BEROWNE
My good knave Costard exceedingly well met
COSTARD
Pray you sir how much carnation ribbon may a man buy for a remuneration
BEROWNE
What is a remuneration
COSTARD
Marry sir halfpenny farthing
BEROWNE
Why then threefarthing worth of silk
COSTARD
I thank your worship God be wi you
BEROWNE
Stay slave I must employ thee
As thou wilt win my favour good my knave
Do one thing for me that I shall entreat
COSTARD
When would you have it done sir
BEROWNE
This afternoon
COSTARD
Well I will do it sir Fare you well
BEROWNE
Thou knowest not what it is
COSTARD
I shall know sir when I have done it
BEROWNE
Why villain thou must know first
COSTARD
I will come to your worship tomorrow morning
BEROWNE
It must be done this afternoon Hark slave it is but this
The Princess comes to hunt here in the park
And in her train there is a gentle lady
When tongues speak sweetly then they name her name
And Rosaline they call her Ask for her
And to her white hand see thou do commend
This sealedup counsel
Gives him money
Theres thy guerdon Go
COSTARD
Gardon O sweet gardon Better than remuneration a levenpence farthing better Most sweet gardon I will do it sir in print Gardon Remuneration
Exit
BEROWNE
And I forsooth in love I that have been loves whip
A very beadle to a humorous sigh
A critic nay a nightwatch constable
A domineering pedant oer the boy
Than whom no mortal so magnificent
This wimpled whining purblind wayward boy
This Signior Junior giantdwarf Dan Cupid
Regent of loverhymes lord of folded arms
Th anointed sovereign of sighs and groans
Liege of all loiterers and malcontents
Dread prince of plackets king of codpieces
Sole imperator and great general
Of trotting paritorsO my little heart
And I to be a corporal of his field
And wear his colours like a tumblers hoop
What I love I sue I seek a wife
A woman that is like a German clock
Still arepairing ever out of frame
And never going aright being a watch
But being watched that it may still go right
Nay to be perjured which is worst of all
And among three to love the worst of all
A whitely wanton with a velvet brow
With two pitchballs stuck in her face for eyes
Ay and by heaven one that will do the deed
Though Argus were her eunuch and her guard
And I to sigh for her to watch for her
To pray for her Go to it is a plague
That Cupid will impose for my neglect
Of his almighty dreadful little might
Well I will love write sigh pray sue and groan
Some men must love my lady and some Joan
Exit
ACT IV
SCENE I The King of Navarres park
Enter the Princess a Forester Rosaline Maria Katharine Boyet and other Lords
PRINCESS
Was that the King that spurred his horse so hard
Against the steep uprising of the hill
BOYET
I know not but I think it was not he
PRINCESS
Whoeer he was he showed a mounting mind
Well lords today we shall have our dispatch
On Saturday we will return to France
Then forester my friend where is the bush
That we must stand and play the murderer in
FORESTER
Hereby upon the edge of yonder coppice
A stand where you may make the fairest shoot
PRINCESS
I thank my beauty I am fair that shoot
And thereupon thou speakst the fairest shoot
FORESTER
Pardon me madam for I meant not so
PRINCESS
What what First praise me and again say no
O shortlived pride Not fair Alack for woe
FORESTER
Yes madam fair
PRINCESS
Nay never paint me now
Where fair is not praise cannot mend the brow
Here good my glass take this for telling true
She gives him money
Fair payment for foul words is more than due
FORESTER
Nothing but fair is that which you inherit
PRINCESS
See see my beauty will be saved by merit
O heresy in fair fit for these days
A giving hand though foul shall have fair praise
But come the bow Now mercy goes to kill
And shooting well is then accounted ill
Thus will I save my credit in the shoot
Not wounding pity would not let me dot
If wounding then it was to show my skill
That more for praise than purpose meant to kill
And out of question so it is sometimes
Glory grows guilty of detested crimes
When for fames sake for praise an outward part
We bend to that the working of the heart
As I for praise alone now seek to spill
The poor deers blood that my heart means no ill
BOYET
Do not curst wives hold that selfsovereignty
Only for praise sake when they strive to be
Lords oer their lords
PRINCESS
Only for praise and praise we may afford
To any lady that subdues a lord
Enter Costard
BOYET
Here comes a member of the commonwealth
COSTARD
God digyouden all Pray you which is the head lady
PRINCESS
Thou shalt know her fellow by the rest that have no heads
COSTARD
Which is the greatest lady the highest
PRINCESS
The thickest and the tallest
COSTARD
The thickest and the tallest It is so truth is truth
An your waist mistress were as slender as my wit
One o these maids girdles for your waist should be fit
Are not you the chief woman You are the thickest here
PRINCESS
Whats your will sir Whats your will
COSTARD
I have a letter from Monsieur Berowne to one Lady Rosaline
PRINCESS
O thy letter thy letter Hes a good friend of mine
Stand aside good bearer Boyet you can carve
Break up this capon
BOYET
I am bound to serve
This letter is mistook it importeth none here
It is writ to Jaquenetta
PRINCESS
We will read it I swear
Break the neck of the wax and everyone give ear
BOYET
Reads By heaven that thou art fair is most infallible true that thou art beauteous truth itself that thou art lovely More fairer than fair beautiful than beauteous truer than truth itself have commiseration on thy heroical vassal The magnanimous and most illustrate King Cophetua set eye upon the pernicious and indubitate beggar Zenelophon and he it was that might rightly say Veni vidi vici which to annothanize in the vulgarO base and obscure vulgarvidelicet He came see and overcame He came one see two overcame three Who came The King Why did he come To see Why did he see To overcome To whom came he To the beggar What saw he The beggar Who overcame he The beggar The conclusion is victory On whose side The Kings The captive is enriched On whose side The beggars The catastrophe is a nuptial On whose side The Kings No on both in one or one in both I am the King for so stands the comparison thou the beggar for so witnesseth thy lowliness Shall I command thy love I may Shall I enforce thy love I could Shall I entreat thy love I will What shalt thou exchange for rags Robes For tittles Titles For thyself Me Thus expecting thy reply I profane my lips on thy foot my eyes on thy picture and my heart on thy every part
Thine in the dearest design of industry
Don Adriano de Armado
Thus dost thou hear the Nemean lion roar
Gainst thee thou lamb that standest as his prey
Submissive fall his princely feet before
And he from forage will incline to play
But if thou strive poor soul what are thou then
Food for his rage repasture for his den
PRINCESS
What plume of feathers is he that indited this letter
What vane What weathercock Did you ever hear better
BOYET
I am much deceived but I remember the style
PRINCESS
Else your memory is bad going oer it erewhile
BOYET
This Armado is a Spaniard that keeps here in court
A phantasime a Monarcho and one that makes sport
To the Prince and his bookmates
PRINCESS
Thou fellow a word
Who gave thee this letter
COSTARD
I told you my lord
PRINCESS
To whom shouldst thou give it
COSTARD
From my lord to my lady
PRINCESS
From which lord to which lady
COSTARD
From my Lord Berowne a good master of mine
To a lady of France that he called Rosaline
PRINCESS
Thou hast mistaken his letter Come lords away
Here sweet put up this twill be thine another day
Exeunt all but Boyet Rosaline Maria and Costard
BOYET
Who is the shooter Who is the shooter
ROSALINE
Shall I teach you to know
BOYET
Ay my continent of beauty
ROSALINE
Why she that bears the bow
Finely put off
BOYET
My lady goes to kill horns but if thou marry
Hang me by the neck if horns that year miscarry
Finely put on
ROSALINE
Well then I am the shooter
BOYET
And who is your deer
ROSALINE
If we choose by the horns yourself come not near
Finely put on indeed
MARIA
You still wrangle with her Boyet and she strikes at the brow
BOYET
But she herself is hit lower Have I hit her now
ROSALINE
Shall I come upon thee with an old saying that was a man when King Pepin of France was a little boy as touching the hit it
BOYET
So I may answer thee with one as old that was a woman when Queen Guinevere of Britain was a little wench as touching the hit it
ROSALINE
Thou canst not hit it hit it hit it
Thou canst not hit it my good man
BOYET
An I cannot cannot cannot
An I cannot another can
Exeunt Rosaline
COSTARD
By my troth most pleasant How both did fit it
MARIA
A mark marvellous well shot for they both did hit it
BOYET
A mark O mark but that mark A mark says my lady
Let the mark have a prick int to mete at if it may be
MARIA
Wide o the bow hand I faith your hand is out
COSTARD
Indeed a must shoot nearer or hell neer hit the clout
BOYET
An if my hand be out then belike your hand is in
COSTARD
Then will she get the upshoot by cleaving the pin
MARIA
Come come you talk greasily your lips grow foul
COSTARD
Shes too hard for you at pricks sir Challenge her to bowl
BOYET
I fear too much rubbing Good night my good owl
Exeunt Boyet and Maria
COSTARD
By my soul a swain a most simple clown
Lord Lord how the ladies and I have put him down
O my troth most sweet jests most incony vulgar wit
When it comes so smoothly off so obscenely as it were so fit
Armado o the one side O a most dainty man
To see him walk before a lady and to bear her fan
To see him kiss his hand and how most sweetly he will swear
And his page o tother side that handful of wit
Ah heavens it is a most pathetical nit
Shout within
Sola sola
Exit
SCENE II The same
Enter Dull Holofernes the Pedant and Nathaniel
NATHANIEL
Very reverend sport truly and done in the testimony of a good conscience
HOLOFERNES
The deer was as you know sanguis in blood ripe as the pomewater who now hangeth like a jewel in the ear of caelo the sky the welkin the heaven and anon falleth like a crab on the face of terra the soil the land the earth
NATHANIEL
Truly Master Holofernes the epithets are sweetly varied like a scholar at the least But sir I assure ye it was a buck of the first head
HOLOFERNES
Sir Nathaniel haud credo
DULL
Twas not a auld grey doe twas a pricket
HOLOFERNES
Most barbarous intimation Yet a kind of insinuation as it were in via in way of explication facere as it were replication or rather ostentare to show as it were his inclination after his undressed unpolished uneducated unpruned untrained or rather unlettered or ratherest unconfirmed fashion to insert again my haud credo for a deer
DULL
I said the deer was not a auld grey doe twas a pricket
HOLOFERNES
Twicesod simplicity bis coctus
O thou monster Ignorance how deformed dost thou look
NATHANIEL
Sir he hath never fed of the dainties that are bred of a book
He hath not eat paper as it were he hath not drunk ink
His intellect is not replenished he is only an animal only sensible in the duller parts
And such barren plants are set before us that we thankful should be
Which we of taste and feeling arefor those parts that do fructify in us more than he
For as it would ill become me to be vain indiscreet or a fool
So were there a patch set on learning to see him in a school
But omne bene say I being of an old fathers mind
Many can brook the weather that love not the wind
DULL
You two are bookmen Can you tell me by your wit
What was a month old at Cains birth thats not five weeks old as yet
HOLOFERNES
Dictynna goodman Dull Dictynna goodman Dull
DULL
What is Dictynna
NATHANIEL
A title to Phoebe to Luna to the moon
HOLOFERNES
The moon was a month old when Adam was no more
And raught not to five weeks when he came to fivescore
Th allusion holds in the exchange
DULL
Tis true indeed The collusion holds in the exchange
HOLOFERNES
God comfort thy capacity I say th allusion holds in the exchange
DULL
And I say the pollution holds in the exchange for the moon is never but a month old and I say beside that twas a pricket that the Princess killed
HOLOFERNES
Sir Nathaniel will you hear an extemporal epitaph on the death of the deer And to humour the ignorant call I the deer the Princess killed a pricket
NATHANIEL
Perge good Master Holofernes perge so it shall please you to abrogate scurrility
HOLOFERNES
I will something affect the letter for it argues facility
The preyful Princess pierced and pricked a pretty pleasing pricket
Some say a sore but not a sore till now made sore with shooting
The dogs did yell put l to sore then sorel jumps from thicket
Or pricket sore or else sorel the people fall ahooting
If sore be sore then L to sore makes fifty sores o sorel
Of one sore I an hundred make by adding but one more L
NATHANIEL
A rare talent
DULL
Aside If a talent be a claw look how he claws him with a talent
HOLOFERNES
This is a gift that I have simple simple a foolish extravagant spirit full of forms figures shapes objects ideas apprehensions motions revolutions These are begot in the ventricle of memory nourished in the womb of pia mater and delivered upon the mellowing of occasion But the gift is good in those in whom it is acute and I am thankful for it
NATHANIEL
Sir I praise the Lord for you and so may my parishioners for their sons are well tutored by you and their daughters profit very greatly under you You are a good member of the commonwealth
HOLOFERNES
Mehercle If their sons be ingenious they shall want no instruction if their daughters be capable I will put it to them But vir sapit qui pauca loquitur A soul feminine saluteth us
Enter Jaquenetta and Costard
JAQUENETTA
God give you good morrow Master Person
HOLOFERNES
Master Person quasi pierce one And if one should be pierced which is the one
COSTARD
Marry Master schoolmaster he that is likest to a hogshead
HOLOFERNES
Of piercing a hogshead A good lustre or conceit in a turf of earth fire enough for a flint pearl enough for a swine Tis pretty it is well
JAQUENETTA
Good Master Parson be so good as read me this letter It was given me by Costard and sent me from Don Armado I beseech you read it
Giving a letter to Nathaniel
HOLOFERNES
Fauste precor gelida quando pecus omne sub umbra Ruminat
and so forth Ah good old Mantuan I may speak of thee as the traveller doth of Venice
Venetia Venetia
Chi non ti vede non ti pretia
Old Mantuan old Mantuan Who understandeth thee not loves thee not
He sings
Ut re sol la mi fa
Under pardon sir what are the contents Or rather as Horace says in hisWhat my soul verses
NATHANIEL
Ay sir and very learned
HOLOFERNES
Let me hear a staff a stanze a verse
Lege domine
NATHANIEL
Reads
If love make me forsworn how shall I swear to love
Ah never faith could hold if not to beauty vowed
Though to myself forsworn to thee Ill faithful prove
Those thoughts to me were oaks to thee like osiers bowed
Study his bias leaves and makes his book thine eyes
Where all those pleasures live that art would comprehend
If knowledge be the mark to know thee shall suffice
Well learned is that tongue that well can thee commend
All ignorant that soul that sees thee without wonder
Which is to me some praise that I thy parts admire
Thy eye Joves lightning bears thy voice his dreadful thunder
Which not to anger bent is music and sweet fire
Celestial as thou art O pardon love this wrong
That sings heavens praise with such an earthly tongue
HOLOFERNES
You find not the apostrophus and so miss the accent Let me supervise the canzonet He takes the letter Here are only numbers ratified but for the elegancy facility and golden cadence of poesy caret Ovidius Naso was the man And why indeed Naso but for smelling out the odoriferous flowers of fancy the jerks of invention Imitari is nothing so doth the hound his master the ape his keeper the tired horse his rider But damosella virgin was this directed to you
JAQUENETTA
Ay sir from one Monsieur Berowne one of the strange queens lords
HOLOFERNES
I will overglance the superscript To the snowwhite hand of the most beauteous Lady Rosaline I will look again on the intellect of the letter for the nomination of the party writing to the person written unto Your Ladyships in all desired employment Berowne Sir Nathaniel this Berowne is one of the votaries with the King and here he hath framed a letter to a sequent of the stranger queens which accidentally or by the way of progression hath miscarried Trip and go my sweet deliver this paper into the royal hand of the King It may concern much Stay not thy compliment I forgive thy duty Adieu
JAQUENETTA
Good Costard go with me Sir God save your life
COSTARD
Have with thee my girl
Exeunt Costard and Jaquenetta
NATHANIEL
Sir you have done this in the fear of God very religiously and as a certain Father saith
HOLOFERNES
Sir tell not me of the Father I do fear colourable colours But to return to the verses did they please you Sir Nathaniel
NATHANIEL
Marvellous well for the pen
HOLOFERNES
I do dine today at the fathers of a certain pupil of mine where if before repast it shall please you to gratify the table with a grace I will on my privilege I have with the parents of the foresaid child or pupil undertake your ben venuto where I will prove those verses to be very unlearned neither savouring of poetry wit nor invention I beseech your society
NATHANIEL
And thank you too for society saith the text is the happiness of life
HOLOFERNES
And certes the text most infallibly concludes it To Dull Sir I do invite you too You shall not say me nay Pauca verba Away The gentles are at their game and we will to our recreation
Exeunt
SCENE III The same
Enter Berowne with a paper in his hand alone
BEROWNE
The King he is hunting the deer I am coursing myself They have pitched a toil I am toiling in a pitch pitch that defiles Defile A foul word Well set thee down sorrow for so they say the fool said and so say I and I the fool Well proved wit By the Lord this love is as mad as Ajax It kills sheep it kills me I a sheep Well proved again o my side I will not love if I do hang me I faith I will not O but her eye By this light but for her eye I would not love her yes for her two eyes Well I do nothing in the world but lie and lie in my throat By heaven I do love and it hath taught me to rhyme and to be melancholy And here is part of my rhyme and here my melancholy Well she hath one o my sonnets already The clown bore it the fool sent it and the lady hath it Sweet clown sweeter fool sweetest lady By the world I would not care a pin if the other three were in Here comes one with a paper God give him grace to groan
He stands aside
Enter the King with a paper
KING
Ay me
BEROWNE
Aside Shot by heaven Proceed sweet Cupid thou hast thumped him with thy birdbolt under the left pap In faith secrets
KING
Reads So sweet a kiss the golden sun gives not
To those fresh morning drops upon the rose
As thy eyebeams when their fresh rays have smote
The night of dew that on my cheeks down flows
Nor shines the silver moon one half so bright
Through the transparent bosom of the deep
As doth thy face through tears of mine give light
Thou shinst in every tear that I do weep
No drop but as a coach doth carry thee
So ridest thou triumphing in my woe
Do but behold the tears that swell in me
And they thy glory through my grief will show
But do not love thyself then thou wilt keep
My tears for glasses and still make me weep
O queen of queens how far dost thou excel
No thought can think nor tongue of mortal tell
How shall she know my griefs Ill drop the paper
Sweet leaves shade folly Who is he comes here
Steps aside
What Longaville and reading Listen ear
Enter Longaville with a paper
BEROWNE
Aside Now in thy likeness one more fool appear
LONGAVILLE
Ay me I am forsworn
BEROWNE
Why he comes in like a perjure wearing papers
KING
In love I hope Sweet fellowship in shame
BEROWNE
One drunkard loves another of the name
LONGAVILLE
Am I the first that have been perjured so
BEROWNE
I could put thee in comfort not by two that I know
Thou makest the triumviry the cornercap of society
The shape of loves Tyburn that hangs up simplicity
LONGAVILLE
I fear these stubborn lines lack power to move
O sweet Maria empress of my love
These numbers will I tear and write in prose
BEROWNE
O rhymes are guards on wanton Cupids hose
Disfigure not his shop
LONGAVILLE
This same shall go
He reads the sonnet
Did not the heavenly rhetoric of thine eye
Gainst whom the world cannot hold argument
Persuade my heart to this false perjury
Vows for thee broke deserve not punishment
A woman I forswore but I will prove
Thou being a goddess I forswore not thee
My vow was earthly thou a heavenly love
Thy grace being gained cures all disgrace in me
Vows are but breath and breath a vapour is
Then thou fair sun which on my earth dost shine
Exhalst this vapourvow in thee it is
If broken then it is no fault of mine
If by me broke what fool is not so wise
To lose an oath to win a paradise
BEROWNE
This is the liver vein which makes flesh a deity
A green goose a goddess Pure pure idolatry
God amend us God amend We are much out o th way
LONGAVILLE
By whom shall I send thisCompany Stay
He steps aside
Enter Dumaine with a paper
BEROWNE
All hid all hid an old infant play
Like a demigod here sit I in the sky
And wretched fools secrets heedfully oereye
More sacks to the mill O heavens I have my wish
Dumaine transformed Four woodcocks in a dish
DUMAINE
O most divine Kate
BEROWNE
O most profane coxcomb
DUMAINE
By heaven the wonder in a mortal eye
BEROWNE
By earth she is but corporal There you lie
DUMAINE
Her amber hairs for foul hath amber quoted
BEROWNE
An ambercoloured raven was well noted
DUMAINE
As upright as the cedar
BEROWNE
Stoop I say
Her shoulder is with child
DUMAINE
As fair as day
BEROWNE
Ay as some days but then no sun must shine
DUMAINE
O that I had my wish
LONGAVILLE
And I had mine
KING
And I mine too good Lord
BEROWNE
Amen so I had mine Is not that a good word
DUMAINE
I would forget her but a fever she
Reigns in my blood and will remembered be
BEROWNE
A fever in your blood Why then incision
Would let her out in saucers Sweet misprision
DUMAINE
Once more Ill read the ode that I have writ
BEROWNE
Once more Ill mark how love can vary wit
DUMAINE
Dumaine reads his sonnet
On a dayalack the day
Love whose month is ever May
Spied a blossom passing fair
Playing in the wanton air
Through the velvet leaves the wind
All unseen can passage find
That the lover sick to death
Wished himself the heavens breath
Air quoth he thy cheeks may blow
Air would I might triumph so
But alack my hand is sworn
Neer to pluck thee from thy thorn
Vow alack for youth unmeet
Youth so apt to pluck a sweet
Do not call it sin in me
That I am forsworn for thee
Thou for whom Jove would swear
Juno but an Ethiope were
And deny himself for Jove
Turning mortal for thy love
This will I send and something else more plain
That shall express my true loves fasting pain
O would the King Berowne and Longaville
Were lovers too Ill to example ill
Would from my forehead wipe a perjured note
For none offend where all alike do dote
LONGAVILLE
Comes forward Dumaine thy love is far from charity
That in loves grief desirst society
You may look pale but I should blush I know
To be oerheard and taken napping so
KING
Comes forward Come sir you blush As his your case is such
You chide at him offending twice as much
You do not love Maria Longaville
Did never sonnet for her sake compile
Nor never lay his wreathed arms athwart
His loving bosom to keep down his heart
I have been closely shrouded in this bush
And marked you both and for you both did blush
I heard your guilty rhymes observed your fashion
Saw sighs reek from you noted well your passion
Ay me says one O Jove the other cries
One her hairs were gold crystal the others eyes
To Longaville You would for paradise break faith and troth
To Dumaine And Jove for your love would infringe an oath
What will Berowne say when that he shall hear
Faith infringed which such zeal did swear
How will he scorn how will he spend his wit
How will he triumph leap and laugh at it
For all the wealth that ever I did see
I would not have him know so much by me
BEROWNE
Comes forward
Now step I forth to whip hypocrisy
Ah good my liege I pray thee pardon me
Good heart what grace hast thou thus to reprove
These worms for loving that art most in love
Your eyes do make no coaches in your tears
There is no certain princess that appears
Youll not be perjured tis a hateful thing
Tush none but minstrels like of sonneting
But are you not ashamed Nay are you not
All three of you to be thus much oershot
You found his mote the King your mote did see
But I a beam do find in each of three
O what a scene of foolery have I seen
Of sighs of groans of sorrow and of teen
O me with what strict patience have I sat
To see a king transformed to a gnat
To see great Hercules whipping a gig
And profound Solomon to tune a jig
And Nestor play at pushpin with the boys
And critic Timon laugh at idle toys
Where lies thy grief O tell me good Dumaine
And gentle Longaville where lies thy pain
And where my lieges All about the breast
A caudle ho
KING
Too bitter is thy jest
Are we betrayed thus to thy overview
BEROWNE
Not you to me but I betrayed by you
I that am honest I that hold it sin
To break the vow I am engaged in
I am betrayed by keeping company
With men like you men of inconstancy
When shall you see me write a thing in rhyme
Or groan for Joan Or spend a minutes time
In pruning me When shall you hear that I
Will praise a hand a foot a face an eye
A gait a state a brow a breast a waist
A leg a limb
KING
Soft Whither away so fast
A true man or a thief that gallops so
BEROWNE
I post from love Good lover let me go
Enter Jaquenetta with a letter and Costard
JAQUENETTA
God bless the King
KING
What present hast thou there
COSTARD
Some certain treason
KING
What makes treason here
COSTARD
Nay it makes nothing sir
KING
If it mar nothing neither
The treason and you go in peace away together
JAQUENETTA
I beseech your Grace let this letter be read
Our person misdoubts it twas treason he said
KING
Berowne read it over
Berowne reads the letter
Where hadst thou it
JAQUENETTA
Of Costard
KING
Where hadst thou it
COSTARD
Of Dun Adramadio Dun Adramadio
Berowne tears the letter
KING
How now what is in you Why dost thou tear it
BEROWNE
A toy my liege a toy Your Grace needs not fear it
LONGAVILLE
It did move him to passion and therefore lets hear it
DUMAINE
Picking up the pieces
It is Berownes writing and here is his name
BEROWNE
To Costard Ah you whoreson loggerhead you were born to do me shame
Guilty my lord guilty I confess I confess
KING
What
BEROWNE
That you three fools lacked me fool to make up the mess
He he and youand you my liegeand I
Are pickpurses in love and we deserve to die
O dismiss this audience and I shall tell you more
DUMAINE
Now the number is even
BEROWNE
True true we are four
Will these turtles be gone
KING
Hence sirs away
COSTARD
Walk aside the true folk and let the traitors stay
Exeunt Costard and Jaquenetta
BEROWNE
Sweet lords sweet lovers O let us embrace
As true we are as flesh and blood can be
The sea will ebb and flow heaven show his face
Young blood doth not obey an old decree
We cannot cross the cause why we were born
Therefore of all hands must we be forsworn
KING
What did these rent lines show some love of thine
BEROWNE
Did they quoth you Who sees the heavenly Rosaline
That like a rude and savage man of Ind
At the first opning of the gorgeous east
Bows not his vassal head and strucken blind
Kisses the base ground with obedient breast
What peremptory eaglesighted eye
Dares look upon the heaven of her brow
That is not blinded by her majesty
KING
What zeal what fury hath inspired thee now
My love her mistress is a gracious moon
She an attending star scarce seen a light
BEROWNE
My eyes are then no eyes nor I Berowne
O but for my love day would turn to night
Of all complexions the culled sovereignty
Do meet as at a fair in her fair cheek
Where several worthies make one dignity
Where nothing wants that want itself doth seek
Lend me the flourish of all gentle tongues
Fie painted rhetoric O she needs it not
To things of sale a sellers praise belongs
She passes praise then praise too short doth blot
A withered hermit fivescore winters worn
Might shake off fifty looking in her eye
Beauty doth varnish age as if new born
And gives the crutch the cradles infancy
O tis the sun that maketh all things shine
KING
By heaven thy love is black as ebony
BEROWNE
Is ebony like her O word divine
A wife of such wood were felicity
O who can give an oath Where is a book
That I may swear beauty doth beauty lack
If that she learn not of her eye to look
No face is fair that is not full so black
KING
O paradox Black is the badge of hell
The hue of dungeons and the school of night
And beautys crest becomes the heavens well
BEROWNE
Devils soonest tempt resembling spirits of light
O if in black my ladys brows be decked
It mourns that painting and usurping hair
Should ravish doters with a false aspect
And therefore is she born to make black fair
Her favour turns the fashion of the days
For native blood is counted painting now
And therefore red that would avoid dispraise
Paints itself black to imitate her brow
DUMAINE
To look like her are chimneysweepers black
LONGAVILLE
And since her time are colliers counted bright
KING
And Ethiopes of their sweet complexion crack
DUMAINE
Dark needs no candles now for dark is light
BEROWNE
Your mistresses dare never come in rain
For fear their colours should be washed away
KING
Twere good yours did for sir to tell you plain
Ill find a fairer face not washed today
BEROWNE
Ill prove her fair or talk till doomsday here
KING
No devil will fright thee then so much as she
DUMAINE
I never knew man hold vile stuff so dear
LONGAVILLE
Showing his shoe
Look heres thy love my foot and her face see
BEROWNE
O if the streets were paved with thine eyes
Her feet were much too dainty for such tread
DUMAINE
O vile Then as she goes what upward lies
The street should see as she walked over head
KING
But what of this Are we not all in love
BEROWNE
Nothing so sure and thereby all forsworn
KING
Then leave this chat and good Berowne now prove
Our loving lawful and our faith not torn
DUMAINE
Ay marry there some flattery for this evil
LONGAVILLE
O some authority how to proceed
Some tricks some quillets how to cheat the devil
DUMAINE
Some salve for perjury
BEROWNE
O tis more than need
Have at you then affections menatarms
Consider what you first did swear unto
To fast to study and to see no woman
Flat treason gainst the kingly state of youth
Say can you fast Your stomachs are too young
And abstinence engenders maladies
O we have made a vow to study lords
And in that vow we have forsworn our books
For when would you my liege or you or you
In leaden contemplation have found out
Such fiery numbers as the prompting eyes
Of beautys tutors have enriched you with
Other slow arts entirely keep the brain
And therefore finding barren practisers
Scarce show a harvest of their heavy toil
But love first learned in a ladys eyes
Lives not alone immured in the brain
But with the motion of all elements
Courses as swift as thought in every power
And gives to every power a double power
Above their functions and their offices
It adds a precious seeing to the eye
A lovers eyes will gaze an eagle blind
A lovers ear will hear the lowest sound
When the suspicious head of theft is stopped
Loves feeling is more soft and sensible
Than are the tender horns of cockled snails
Loves tongue proves dainty Bacchus gross in taste
For valour is not Love a Hercules
Still climbing trees in the Hesperides
Subtle as Sphinx as sweet and musical
As bright Apollos lute strung with his hair
And when Love speaks the voice of all the gods
Make heaven drowsy with the harmony
Never durst poet touch a pen to write
Until his ink were tempered with Loves sighs
O then his lines would ravish savage ears
And plant in tyrants mild humility
From womens eyes this doctrine I derive
They sparkle still the right Promethean fire
They are the books the arts the academes
That show contain and nourish all the world
Else none at all in aught proves excellent
Then fools you were these women to forswear
Or keeping what is sworn you will prove fools
For wisdoms sake a word that all men love
Or for loves sake a word that loves all men
Or for mens sake the authors of these women
Or womens sake by whom we men are men
Let us once lose our oaths to find ourselves
Or else we lose ourselves to keep our oaths
It is religion to be thus forsworn
For charity itself fulfils the law
And who can sever love from charity
KING
Saint Cupid then and soldiers to the field
BEROWNE
Advance your standards and upon them lords
Pellmell down with them But be first advised
In conflict that you get the sun of them
LONGAVILLE
Now to plain dealing Lay these glozes by
Shall we resolve to woo these girls of France
KING
And win them too Therefore let us devise
Some entertainment for them in their tents
BEROWNE
First from the park let us conduct them thither
Then homeward every man attach the hand
Of his fair mistress In the afternoon
We will with some strange pastime solace them
Such as the shortness of the time can shape
For revels dances masques and merry hours
Forerun fair Love strewing her way with flowers
KING
Away away No time shall be omitted
That will betime and may by us be fitted
BEROWNE
Allons allons Sowed cockle reaped no corn
And justice always whirls in equal measure
Light wenches may prove plagues to men forsworn
If so our copper buys no better treasure
Exeunt
ACT V
SCENE I The King of Navarres park
Enter Holofernes Sir Nathaniel and Dull
HOLOFERNES
Satis quod sufficit
NATHANIEL
I praise God for you sir Your reasons at dinner have been sharp and sententious pleasant without scurrility witty without affection audacious without impudency learned without opinion and strange without heresy I did converse this quondam day with a companion of the Kings who is intituled nominated or called Don Adriano de Armado
HOLOFERNES
Novi hominem tanquam te His humour is lofty his discourse peremptory his tongue filed his eye ambitious his gait majestical and his general behaviour vain ridiculous and thrasonical He is too picked too spruce too affected too odd as it were too peregrinate as I may call it
NATHANIEL
A most singular and choice epithet
Draws out his tablebook
HOLOFERNES
He draweth out the thread of his verbosity finer than the staple of his argument I abhor such fanatical phantasimes such insociable and pointdevise companions such rackers of orthography as to speak dout sine b when he should say doubt det when he should pronounce debtd e b t not d e t He clepeth a calf cauf half hauf neighbour vocatur nebour neigh abbreviated ne This is abhominable which he would call abominable It insinuateth me of insanie Ne intelligis domine To make frantic lunatic
NATHANIEL
Laus Deo bone intelligo
HOLOFERNES
Bone Bone for bene Priscian a little scratched twill serve
Enter Armado Moth and Costard
NATHANIEL
Videsne quis venit
HOLOFERNES
Video et gaudeo
ARMADO
Chirrah
HOLOFERNES
Quare chirrah not sirrah
ARMADO
Men of peace well encountered
HOLOFERNES
Most military sir salutation
MOTH
Aside to Costard They have been at a great feast of languages and stolen the scraps
COSTARD
O they have lived long on the almsbasket of words I marvel thy master hath not eaten thee for a word for thou art not so long by the head as honorificabilitudinitatibus Thou art easier swallowed than a flapdragon
MOTH
Peace The peal begins
ARMADO
To Holofernes Monsieur are you not lettered
MOTH
Yes yes he teaches boys the hornbook What is a b spelt backward with the horn on his head
HOLOFERNES
Ba pueritia with a horn added
MOTH
Ba most silly sheep with a horn You hear his learning
HOLOFERNES
Quis quis thou consonant
MOTH
The third of the five vowels if you repeat them or the fifth if I
HOLOFERNES
I will repeat them a e i
MOTH
The sheep The other two concludes it o u
ARMADO
Now by the salt wave of the Mediterraneum a sweet touch a quick venue of wit Snip snap quick and home It rejoiceth my intellect True wit
MOTH
Offered by a child to an old manwhich is witold
HOLOFERNES
What is the figure What is the figure
MOTH
Horns
HOLOFERNES
Thou disputes like an infant Go whip thy gig
MOTH
Lend me your horn to make one and I will whip about your infamy unum cita A gig of a cuckolds horn
COSTARD
An I had but one penny in the world thou shouldst have it to buy gingerbread Hold there is the very remuneration I had of thy master thou halfpenny purse of wit thou pigeonegg of discretion O an the heavens were so pleased that thou wert but my bastard what a joyful father wouldst thou make me Go to thou hast it ad dunghill at the fingers ends as they say
HOLOFERNES
O I smell false Latin Dunghill for unguem
ARMADO
Artsman preambulate We will be singuled from the barbarous Do you not educate youth at the chargehouse on the top of the mountain
HOLOFERNES
Or mons the hill
ARMADO
At your sweet pleasure for the mountain
HOLOFERNES
I do sans question
ARMADO
Sir it is the Kings most sweet pleasure and affection to congratulate the Princess at her pavilion in the posteriors of this day which the rude multitude call the afternoon
HOLOFERNES
The posterior of the day most generous sir is liable congruent and measurable for the afternoon The word is well culled chose sweet and apt I do assure you sir I do assure
ARMADO
Sir the King is a noble gentleman and my familiar I do assure ye very good friend For what is inward between us let it pass I do beseech thee remember thy courtesy I beseech thee apparel thy head And among other importunate and most serious designs and of great import indeed toobut let that pass For I must tell thee it will please his Grace by the world sometime to lean upon my poor shoulder and with his royal finger thus dally with my excrement with my mustachio But sweet heart let that pass By the world I recount no fable Some certain special honours it pleaseth his greatness to impart to Armado a soldier a man of travel that hath seen the world But let that pass The very all of all isbut sweet heart I do implore secrecythat the King would have me present the Princess sweet chuck with some delightful ostentation or show or pageant or antic or firework Now understanding that the curate and your sweet self are good at such eruptions and sudden breakingout of mirth as it were I have acquainted you withal to the end to crave your assistance
HOLOFERNES
Sir you shall present before her the Nine Worthies Sir Nathaniel as concerning some entertainment of time some show in the posterior of this day to be rendered by our assistance the Kings command and this most gallant illustrate and learned gentleman before the Princess I say none so fit as to present the Nine Worthies
NATHANIEL
Where will you find men worthy enough to present them
HOLOFERNES
Joshua yourself myself and this gallant gentleman Judas Maccabaeus This swain because of his great limb or joint shall pass Pompey the Great the page Hercules
ARMADO
Pardon sir error He is not quantity enough for that Worthys thumb he is not so big as the end of his club
HOLOFERNES
Shall I have audience He shall present Hercules in minority His enter and exit shall be strangling a snake and I will have an apology for that purpose
MOTH
An excellent device So if any of the audience hiss you may cry Well done Hercules now thou crushest the snake That is the way to make an offence gracious though few have the grace to do it
ARMADO
For the rest of the Worthies
HOLOFERNES
I will play three myself
MOTH
Thriceworthy gentleman
ARMADO
Shall I tell you a thing
HOLOFERNES
We attend
ARMADO
We will have if this fadge not an antic I beseech you follow
HOLOFERNES
Via goodman Dull Thou has spoken no word all this while
DULL
Nor understood none neither sir
HOLOFERNES
Allons we will employ thee
DULL
Ill make one in a dance or so or I will play on the tabor to the Worthies and let them dance the hay
HOLOFERNES
Most dull honest Dull To our sport away
Exeunt
SCENE II The same Before the Princesss pavilion
Enter the Princess Rosaline Katharine and Maria
PRINCESS
Sweet hearts we shall be rich ere we depart
If fairings come thus plentifully in
A lady walled about with diamonds
Look you what I have from the loving King
ROSALINE
Madam came nothing else along with that
PRINCESS
Nothing but this Yes as much love in rhyme
As would be crammed up in a sheet of paper
Writ o both sides the leaf margent and all
That he was fain to seal on Cupids name
ROSALINE
That was the way to make his godhead wax
For he hath been five thousand years a boy
KATHARINE
Ay and a shrewd unhappy gallows too
ROSALINE
Youll neer be friends with him He killed your sister
KATHARINE
He made her melancholy sad and heavy
And so she died Had she been light like you
Of such a merry nimble stirring spirit
She might ha been a grandam ere she died
And so may you for a light heart lives long
ROSALINE
Whats your dark meaning mouse of this light word
KATHARINE
A light condition in a beauty dark
ROSALINE
We need more light to find your meaning out
KATHARINE
Youll mar the light by taking it in snuff
Therefore Ill darkly end the argument
ROSALINE
Look what you do you do it still i th dark
KATHARINE
So do not you for you are a light wench
ROSALINE
Indeed I weigh not you and therefore light
KATHARINE
You weigh me not O thats you care not for me
ROSALINE
Great reason for past cure is still past care
PRINCESS
Well bandied both a set of wit well played
But Rosaline you have a favour too
Who sent it And what is it
ROSALINE
I would you knew
An if my face were but as fair as yours
My favour were as great Be witness this
Nay I have verses too I thank Berowne
The numbers true and were the numbering too
I were the fairest goddess on the ground
I am compared to twenty thousand fairs
O he hath drawn my picture in his letter
PRINCESS
Anything like
ROSALINE
Much in the letters nothing in the praise
PRINCESS
Beauteous as ink a good conclusion
KATHARINE
Fair as a text B in a copybook
ROSALINE
Ware pencils how Let me not die your debtor
My red dominical my golden letter
O that your face were not so full of Os
PRINCESS
A pox of that jest And beshrew all shrews
But Katharine what was sent to you from fair Dumaine
KATHARINE
Madam this glove
PRINCESS
Did he not send you twain
KATHARINE
Yes madam and moreover
Some thousand verses of a faithful lover
A huge translation of hypocrisy
Vilely compiled profound simplicity
MARIA
This and these pearls to me sent Longaville
The letter is too long by half a mile
PRINCESS
I think no less Dost thou not wish in heart
The chain were longer and the letter short
MARIA
Ay or I would these hands might never part
PRINCESS
We are wise girls to mock our lovers so
ROSALINE
They are worse fools to purchase mocking so
That same Berowne Ill torture ere I go
O that I knew he were but in by th week
How I would make him fawn and beg and seek
And wait the season and observe the times
And spend his prodigal wits in bootless rhymes
And shape his service wholly to my hests
And make him proud to make me proud that jests
So pairtauntlike would I oersway his state
That he should be my fool and I his fate
PRINCESS
None are so surely caught when they are catched
As wit turned fool Folly in wisdom hatched
Hath wisdoms warrant and the help of school
And wits own grace to grace a learned fool
ROSALINE
The blood of youth burns not with such excess
As gravitys revolt to wantonness
MARIA
Folly in fools bears not so strong a note
As foolry in the wise when wit doth dote
Since all the power thereof it doth apply
To prove by wit worth in simplicity
Enter Boyet
PRINCESS
Here comes Boyet and mirth is in his face
BOYET
O I am stabbed with laughter Wheres her Grace
PRINCESS
Thy news Boyet
BOYET
Prepare madam prepare
Arm wenches arm Encounters mounted are
Against your peace Love doth approach disguised
Armed in arguments Youll be surprised
Muster your wits stand in your own defence
Or hide your heads like cowards and fly hence
PRINCESS
Saint Denis to Saint Cupid What are they
That charge their breath against us Say scout say
BOYET
Under the cool shade of a sycamore
I thought to close mine eyes some half an hour
When lo to interrupt my purposed rest
Toward that shade I might behold addressed
The King and his companions Warily
I stole into a neighbour thicket by
And overheard what you shall overhear
That by and by disguised they will be here
Their herald is a pretty knavish page
That well by heart hath conned his embassage
Action and accent did they teach him there
Thus must thou speak and thus thy body bear
And ever and anon they made a doubt
Presence majestical would put him out
For quoth the King an angel shalt thou see
Yet fear not thou but speak audaciously
The boy replied An angel is not evil
I should have feared her had she been a devil
With that all laughed and clapped him on the shoulder
Making the bold wag by their praises bolder
One rubbed his elbow thus and fleered and swore
A better speech was never spoke before
Another with his finger and his thumb
Cried Via we will do t come what will come
The third he capered and cried All goes well
The fourth turned on the toe and down he fell
With that they all did tumble on the ground
With such a zealous laughter so profound
That in this spleen ridiculous appears
To check their folly passions solemn tears
PRINCESS
But what but what come they to visit us
BOYET
They do they do and are apparelled thus
Like Muscovites or Russians as I guess
Their purpose is to parley court and dance
And every one his lovefeat will advance
Unto his several mistress which theyll know
By favours several which they did bestow
PRINCESS
And will they so The gallants shall be tasked
For ladies we will every one be masked
And not a man of them shall have the grace
Despite of suit to see a ladys face
Hold Rosaline this favour thou shalt wear
And then the King will court thee for his dear
Hold take thou this my sweet and give me thine
So shall Berowne take me for Rosaline
And change you favours too so shall your loves
Woo contrary deceived by these removes
ROSALINE
Come on then wear the favours most in sight
KATHARINE
But in this changing what is your intent
PRINCESS
The effect of my intent is to cross theirs
They do it but in mocking merriment
And mock for mock is only my intent
Their several counsels they unbosom shall
To loves mistook and so be mocked withal
Upon the next occasion that we meet
With visages displayed to talk and greet
ROSALINE
But shall we dance if they desire us tot
PRINCESS
No to the death we will not move a foot
Nor to their penned speech render we no grace
But while tis spoke each turn away her face
BOYET
Why that contempt will kill the speakers heart
And quite divorce his memory from his part
PRINCESS
Therefore I do it and I make no doubt
The rest will neer come in if he be out
Theres no such sport as sport by sport oerthrown
To make theirs ours and ours none but our own
So shall we stay mocking intended game
And they well mocked depart away with shame
Sound trumpet within
BOYET
The trumpet sounds Be masked the maskers come
The Ladies mask
Enter Blackamoors with music Moth with a speech the King Berowne Longaville and Dumaine disguised
MOTH
All hail the richest beauties on the earth
BOYET
Beauties no richer than rich taffeta
MOTH
A holy parcel of the fairest dames
The Ladies turn their backs to him
That ever turned theirbacksto mortal views
BEROWNE
Their eyes villain their eyes
MOTH
That ever turned their eyes to mortal views
Out
BOYET
True out indeed
MOTH
Out of your favours heavenly spirits vouchsafe
Not to behold
BEROWNE
Once to behold rogue
MOTH
Once to behold with your sunbeamed eyes
With your sunbeamed eyes
BOYET
They will not answer to that epithet
You were best call it daughterbeamed eyes
MOTH
They do not mark me and that brings me out
BEROWNE
Is this your perfectness Be gone you rogue
Exit Moth
ROSALINE
What would these strangers Know their minds Boyet
If they do speak our language tis our will
That some plain man recount their purposes
Know what they would
BOYET
What would you with the Princess
BEROWNE
Nothing but peace and gentle visitation
ROSALINE
What would they say they
BOYET
Nothing but peace and gentle visitation
ROSALINE
Why that they have and bid them so be gone
BOYET
She says you have it and you may be gone
KING
Say to her we have measured many miles
To tread a measure with her on this grass
BOYET
They say that they have measured many a mile
To tread a measure with you on this grass
ROSALINE
It is not so Ask them how many inches
Is in one mile If they have measured many
The measure then of one is easily told
BOYET
If to come hither you have measured miles
And many miles the Princess bids you tell
How many inches doth fill up one mile
BEROWNE
Tell her we measure them by weary steps
BOYET
She hears herself
ROSALINE
How many weary steps
Of many weary miles you have oergone
Are numbered in the travel of one mile
BEROWNE
We number nothing that we spend for you
Our duty is so rich so infinite
That we may do it still without account
Vouchsafe to show the sunshine of your face
That we like savages may worship it
ROSALINE
My face is but a moon and clouded too
KING
Blessed are clouds to do as such clouds do
Vouchsafe bright moon and these thy stars to shine
Those clouds removed upon our watery eyne
ROSALINE
O vain petitioner Beg a greater matter
Thou now requests but moonshine in the water
KING
Then in our measure do but vouchsafe one change
Thou biddst me beg this begging is not strange
ROSALINE
Play music then Nay you must do it soon
Music plays
Not yet No dance Thus change I like the moon
KING
Will you not dance How come you thus estranged
ROSALINE
You took the moon at full but now shes changed
KING
Yet still she is the moon and I the man
The music plays vouchsafe some motion to it
ROSALINE
Our ears vouchsafe it
KING
But your legs should do it
ROSALINE
Since you are strangers and come here by chance
Well not be nice Take hands We will not dance
KING
Why take we hands then
ROSALINE
Only to part friends
Curtsy sweet hearts and so the measure ends
KING
More measure of this measure Be not nice
ROSALINE
We can afford no more at such a price
KING
Price you yourselves What buys your company
ROSALINE
Your absence only
KING
That can never be
ROSALINE
Then cannot we be bought And so adieu
Twice to your visor and half once to you
KING
If you deny to dance lets hold more chat
ROSALINE
In private then
KING
I am best pleased with that
They converse apart
BEROWNE
Whitehanded mistress one sweet word with thee
PRINCESS
Honey and milk and sugar there is three
BEROWNE
Nay then two treys an if you grow so nice
Metheglin wort and malmsey Well run dice
Theres half a dozen sweets
PRINCESS
Seventh sweet adieu
Since you can cog Ill play no more with you
BEROWNE
One word in secret
PRINCESS
Let it not be sweet
BEROWNE
Thou grievst my gall
PRINCESS
Gall Bitter
BEROWNE
Therefore meet
They converse apart
DUMAINE
Will you vouchsafe with me to change a word
MARIA
Name it
DUMAINE
Fair lady
MARIA
Say you so Fair lord
Take that for your fair lady
DUMAINE
Please it you
As much in private and Ill bid adieu
They converse apart
KATHARINE
What was your visor made without a tongue
LONGAVILLE
I know the reason lady why you ask
KATHARINE
O for your reason Quickly sir I long
LONGAVILLE
You have a double tongue within your mask
And would afford my speechless visor half
KATHARINE
Veal quoth the Dutchman Is not veal a calf
LONGAVILLE
A calf fair lady
KATHARINE
No a fair lord calf
LONGAVILLE
Lets part the word
KATHARINE
No Ill not be your half
Take all and wean it it may prove an ox
LONGAVILLE
Look how you butt yourself in these sharp mocks
Will you give horns chaste lady Do not so
KATHARINE
Then die a calf before your horns do grow
LONGAVILLE
One word in private with you ere I die
KATHARINE
Bleat softly then the butcher hears you cry
They converse apart
BOYET
The tongues of mocking wenches are as keen
As is the razors edge invisible
Cutting a smaller hair than may be seen
Above the sense of sense so sensible
Seemeth their conference Their conceits have wings
Fleeter than arrows bullets wind thought swifter things
ROSALINE
Not one word more my maids break off break off
BEROWNE
By heaven all drybeaten with pure scoff
KING
Farewell mad wenches You have simple wits
Exeunt King Lords and Blackamoors
PRINCESS
Twenty adieus my frozen Muscovites
Are these the breed of wits so wondered at
BOYET
Tapers they are with your sweet breaths puffed out
ROSALINE
Wellliking wits they have gross gross fat fat
PRINCESS
O poverty in wit kinglypoor flout
Will they not think you hang themselves tonight
Or ever but in vizors show their faces
This pert Berowne was out of countenance quite
ROSALINE
They were all in lamentable cases
The King was weepingripe for a good word
PRINCESS
Berowne did swear himself out of all suit
MARIA
Dumaine was at my service and his sword
Non point quoth I my servant straight was mute
KATHARINE
Lord Longaville said I came oer his heart
And trow you what he called me
PRINCESS
Qualm perhaps
KATHARINE
Yes in good faith
PRINCESS
Go sickness as thou art
ROSALINE
Well better wits have worn plain statutecaps
But will you hear The King is my love sworn
PRINCESS
And quick Berowne hath plighted faith to me
KATHARINE
And Longaville was for my service born
MARIA
Dumaine is mine as sure as bark on tree
BOYET
Madam and pretty mistresses give ear
Immediately they will again be here
In their own shapes for it can never be
They will digest this harsh indignity
PRINCESS
Will they return
BOYET
They will they will God knows
And leap for joy though they are lame with blows
Therefore change favours and when they repair
Blow like sweet roses in this summer air
PRINCESS
How blow How blow Speak to be understood
BOYET
Fair ladies masked are roses in their bud
Dismasked their damask sweet commixture shown
Are angels vailing clouds or roses blown
PRINCESS
Avaunt perplexity What shall we do
If they return in their own shapes to woo
ROSALINE
Good madam if by me youll be advised
Lets mock them still as well known as disguised
Let us complain to them what fools were here
Disguised like Muscovites in shapeless gear
And wonder what they were and to what end
Their shallow shows and prologue vilely penned
And their rough carriage so ridiculous
Should be presented at our tent to us
BOYET
Ladies withdraw The gallants are at hand
PRINCESS
Whip to our tents as roes run oer the land
Exeunt Princess Rosaline Katharine and Maria
Enter the King Berowne Longaville and Dumaine as themselves
KING
Fair sir God save you Wheres the Princess
BOYET
Gone to her tent Please it your Majesty
Command me any service to her thither
KING
That she vouchsafe me audience for one word
BOYET
I will and so will she I know my lord
Exit
BEROWNE
This fellow pecks up wit as pigeons peas
And utters it again when God doth please
He is wits pedlar and retails his wares
At wakes and wassails meetings markets fairs
And we that sell by gross the Lord doth know
Have not the grace to grace it with such show
This gallant pins the wenches on his sleeve
Had he been Adam he had tempted Eve
He can carve too and lisp Why this is he
That kissed his hand away in courtesy
This is the ape of form Monsieur the Nice
That when he plays at tables chides the dice
In honourable terms Nay he can sing
A mean most meanly and in ushering
Mend him who can The ladies call him sweet
The stairs as he treads on them kiss his feet
This is the flower that smiles on everyone
To show his teeth as white as whales bone
And consciences that will not die in debt
Pay him the due of honeytongued Boyet
KING
A blister on his sweet tongue with my heart
That put Armados page out of his part
Enter the Princess Rosaline Maria Katharine with Boyet
BEROWNE
See where it comes Behaviour what wert thou
Till this man showed thee and what art thou now
KING
All hail sweet madam and fair time of day
PRINCESS
Fair in all hail is foul as I conceive
KING
Construe my speeches better if you may
PRINCESS
Then wish me better I will give you leave
KING
We came to visit you and purpose now
To lead you to our court Vouchsafe it then
PRINCESS
This field shall hold me and so hold your vow
Nor God nor I delights in perjured men
KING
Rebuke me not for that which you provoke
The virtue of your eye must break my oath
PRINCESS
You nickname virtue vice you should have spoke
For virtues office never breaks mens troth
Now by my maiden honour yet as pure
As the unsullied lily I protest
A world of torments though I should endure
I would not yield to be your houses guest
So much I hate a breaking cause to be
Of heavenly oaths vowed with integrity
KING
O you have lived in desolation here
Unseen unvisited much to our shame
PRINCESS
Not so my lord It is not so I swear
We have had pastimes here and pleasant game
A mess of Russians left us but of late
KING
How madam Russians
PRINCESS
Ay in truth my lord
Trim gallants full of courtship and of state
ROSALINE
Madam speak true It is not so my lord
My lady to the manner of the days
In courtesy gives undeserving praise
We four indeed confronted were with four
In Russian habit Here they stayed an hour
And talked apace and in that hour my lord
They did not bless us with one happy word
I dare not call them fools but this I think
When they are thirsty fools would fain have drink
BEROWNE
This jest is dry to me My gentle sweet
Your wit makes wise things foolish When we greet
With eyes best seeing heavens fiery eye
By light we lose light Your capacity
Is of that nature that to your huge store
Wise things seem foolish and rich things but poor
ROSALINE
This proves you wise and rich for in my eye
BEROWNE
I am a fool and full of poverty
ROSALINE
But that you take what doth to you belong
It were a fault to snatch words from my tongue
BEROWNE
O I am yours and all that I possess
ROSALINE
All the fool mine
BEROWNE
I cannot give you less
ROSALINE
Which of the visors was it that you wore
BEROWNE
Where when what visor Why demand you this
ROSALINE
There then that visor that superfluous case
That hid the worse and showed the better face
KING
We are descried Theyll mock us now downright
DUMAINE
Let us confess and turn it to a jest
PRINCESS
Amazed my lord Why looks your Highness sad
ROSALINE
Help Hold his brows Hell swoon Why look you pale
Seasick I think coming from Muscovy
BEROWNE
Thus pour the stars down plagues for perjury
Can any face of brass hold longer out
Here stand I lady dart thy skill at me
Bruise me with scorn confound me with a flout
Thrust thy sharp wit quite through my ignorance
Cut me to pieces with thy keen conceit
And I will wish thee never more to dance
Nor never more in Russian habit wait
O never will I trust to speeches penned
Nor to the motion of a schoolboys tongue
Nor never come in visor to my friend
Nor woo in rhyme like a blind harpers song
Taffeta phrases silken terms precise
Threepiled hyperboles spruce affectation
Figures pedantical these summer flies
Have blown me full of maggot ostentation
I do forswear them and I here protest
By this white glovehow white the hand God knows
Henceforth my wooing mind shall be expressed
In russet yeas and honest kersey noes
And to begin wench so God help me law
My love to thee is sound sans crack or flaw
ROSALINE
Sans sans I pray you
BEROWNE
Yet I have a trick
Of the old rage Bear with me I am sick
Ill leave it by degrees Soft let us see
Write Lord have mercy on us on those three
They are infected in their hearts it lies
They have the plague and caught it of your eyes
These lords are visited You are not free
For the Lords tokens on you do I see
PRINCESS
No they are free that gave these tokens to us
BEROWNE
Our states are forfeit Seek not to undo us
ROSALINE
It is not so For how can this be true
That you stand forfeit being those that sue
BEROWNE
Peace for I will not have to do with you
ROSALINE
Nor shall not if I do as I intend
BEROWNE
Speak for yourselves My wit is at an end
KING
Teach us sweet madam for our rude transgression
Some fair excuse
PRINCESS
The fairest is confession
Were not you here but even now disguised
KING
Madam I was
PRINCESS
And were you well advised
KING
I was fair madam
PRINCESS
When you then were here
What did you whisper in your ladys ear
KING
That more than all the world I did respect her
PRINCESS
When she shall challenge this you will reject her
KING
Upon mine honour no
PRINCESS
Peace peace forbear
Your oath once broke you force not to forswear
KING
Despise me when I break this oath of mine
PRINCESS
I will and therefore keep it Rosaline
What did the Russian whisper in your ear
ROSALINE
Madam he swore that he did hold me dear
As precious eyesight and did value me
Above this world adding thereto moreover
That he would wed me or else die my lover
PRINCESS
God give thee joy of him The noble lord
Most honourably doth uphold his word
KING
What mean you madam By my life my troth
I never swore this lady such an oath
ROSALINE
By heaven you did And to confirm it plain
You gave me this But take it sir again
KING
My faith and this the Princess I did give
I knew her by this jewel on her sleeve
PRINCESS
Pardon me sir this jewel did she wear
And Lord Berowne I thank him is my dear
What will you have me or your pearl again
BEROWNE
Neither of either I remit both twain
I see the trick ont Here was a consent
Knowing aforehand of our merriment
To dash it like a Christmas comedy
Some carrytale some pleaseman some slight zany
Some mumblenews some trencherknight some Dick
That smiles his cheek in years and knows the trick
To make my lady laugh when shes disposed
Told our intents before which once disclosed
The ladies did change favours and then we
Following the signs wooed but the sign of she
Now to our perjury to add more terror
We are again forsworn in will and error
Much upon this tis To Boyet And might not you
Forestall our sport to make us thus untrue
Do not you know my ladys foot by th squier
And laugh upon the apple of her eye
And stand between her back sir and the fire
Holding a trencher jesting merrily
You put our page out Go you are allowed
Die when you will a smock shall be your shroud
You leer upon me do you Theres an eye
Wounds like a leaden sword
BOYET
Full merrily
Hath this brave manage this career been run
BEROWNE
Lo he is tilting straight Peace I have done
Enter Costard
Welcome pure wit Thou partst a fair fray
COSTARD
O Lord sir they would know
Whether the three Worthies shall come in or no
BEROWNE
What are there but three
COSTARD
No sir but it is vara fine
For every one pursents three
BEROWNE
And three times thrice is nine
COSTARD
Not so sir under correction sir I hope it is not so
You cannot beg us sir I can assure you sir we know what we know
I hope sir three times thrice sir
BEROWNE
Is not nine
COSTARD
Under correction sir we know whereuntil it doth amount
BEROWNE
By Jove I always took three threes for nine
COSTARD
O Lord sir it were pity you should get your living by reckoning sir
BEROWNE
How much is it
COSTARD
O Lord sir the parties themselves the actors sir will show whereuntil it doth amount For mine own part I am as they say but to parfect one man in one poor manPompion the Great sir
BEROWNE
Art thou one of the Worthies
COSTARD
It pleased them to think me worthy of Pompey the Great For mine own part I know not the degree of the Worthy but I am to stand for him
BEROWNE
Go bid them prepare
COSTARD
We will turn it finely off sir we will take some care
Exit Costard
KING
Berowne they will shame us Let them not approach
BEROWNE
We are shameproof my lord and tis some policy
To have one show worse than the Kings and his company
KING
I say they shall not come
PRINCESS
Nay my good lord let me oerrule you now
That sport best pleases that doth least know how
Where zeal strives to content and the contents
Die in the zeal of that which it presents
Their form confounded makes most form in mirth
When great things labouring perish in their birth
BEROWNE
A right description of our sport my lord
Enter Armado the Braggart
ARMADO
Anointed I implore so much expense of thy royal sweet breath as will utter a brace of words
Armado and King talk apart
PRINCESS
Doth this man serve God
BEROWNE
Why ask you
PRINCESS
He speaks not like a man of God his making
ARMADO
That is all one my fair sweet honey monarch for I protest the schoolmaster is exceeding fantastical too too vain too too vain But we will put it as they say to fortuna de la guerra I wish you the peace of mind most royal couplement
Exit
KING
Here is like to be a good presence of Worthies He presents Hector of Troy the swain Pompey the Great the parish curate Alexander Armados page Hercules the pedant Judas Maccabaeus
And if these four Worthies in their first show thrive
These four will change habits and present the other five
BEROWNE
There is five in the first show
KING
You are deceived Tis not so
BEROWNE
The pedant the braggart the hedgepriest the fool and the boy
Abate throw at novum and the whole world again
Cannot pick out five such take each one in his vein
KING
The ship is under sail and here she comes amain
Enter Costard as Pompey
COSTARD
I Pompey am
BEROWNE
You lie you are not he
COSTARD
I Pompey am
BOYET
With leopards head on knee
BEROWNE
Well said old mocker I must needs be friends with thee
COSTARD
I Pompey am Pompey surnamed the Big
DUMAINE
The Great
COSTARD
It is Great sir Pompey surnamed the Great
That oft in field with targe and shield did make my foe to sweat
And travelling along this coast I here am come by chance
And lay my arms before the legs of this sweet lass of France
If your ladyship would say Thanks Pompey I had done
PRINCESS
Great thanks great Pompey
COSTARD
Tis not so much worth but I hope I was perfect I made a little fault in Great
BEROWNE
My hat to a halfpenny Pompey proves the best Worthy
Enter Nathaniel the Curate for Alexander
NATHANIEL
When in the world I lived I was the worlds commander
By east west north and south I spread my conquering might
My scutcheon plain declares that I am Alisander
BOYET
Your nose says no you are not for it stands to right
BEROWNE
Your nose smells no in this most tendersmelling knight
PRINCESS
The conqueror is dismayed Proceed good Alexander
NATHANIEL
When in the world I lived I was the worlds commander
BOYET
Most true tis right You were so Alisander
BEROWNE
Pompey the Great
COSTARD
Your servant and Costard
BEROWNE
Take away the conqueror take away Alisander
COSTARD
To Sir Nathaniel O sir you have overthrown Alisander the Conqueror You will be scraped out of the painted cloth for this Your lion that holds his poleaxe sitting on a closestool will be given to Ajax He will be the ninth Worthy A conqueror and afeard to speak Run away for shame Alisander Nathaniel retires There ant shall please you a foolish mild man an honest man look you and soon dashed He is a marvellous good neighbour faith and a very good bowler but for Alisander alas you see how tisa little oerparted But there are Worthies acoming will speak their mind in some other sort
PRINCESS
Stand aside good Pompey
Enter Holofernes the Pedant as Judas and Moth the Boy as Hercules
HOLOFERNES
Great Hercules is presented by this imp
Whose club killed Cerberus that threeheaded canus
And when he was a babe a child a shrimp
Thus did he strangle serpents in his manus
Quoniam he seemeth in minority
Ergo I come with this apology
Keep some state in thy exit and vanish
Moth retires
Judas I am
DUMAINE
A Judas
HOLOFERNES
Not Iscariot sir
Judas I am ycleped Maccabaeus
DUMAINE
Judas Maccabaeus clipped is plain Judas
BEROWNE
A kissing traitor How art thou proved Judas
HOLOFERNES
Judas I am
DUMAINE
The more shame for you Judas
HOLOFERNES
What mean you sir
BOYET
To make Judas hang himself
HOLOFERNES
Begin sir you are my elder
BEROWNE
Well followed Judas was hanged on an elder
HOLOFERNES
I will not be put out of countenance
BEROWNE
Because thou hast no face
HOLOFERNES
What is this
BOYET
A citternhead
DUMAINE
The head of a bodkin
BEROWNE
A deaths face in a ring
LONGAVILLE
The face of an old Roman coin scarce seen
BOYET
The pommel of Caesars falchion
DUMAINE
The carvedbone face on a flask
BEROWNE
Saint Georges halfcheek in a brooch
DUMAINE
Ay and in a brooch of lead
BEROWNE
Ay and worn in the cap of a toothdrawer
And now forward for we have put thee in countenance
HOLOFERNES
You have put me out of countenance
BEROWNE
False We have given thee faces
HOLOFERNES
But you have outfaced them all
BEROWNE
An thou wert a lion we would do so
BOYET
Therefore as he is an ass let him go
And so adieu sweet Jude Nay why dost thou stay
DUMAINE
For the latter end of his name
BEROWNE
For the ass to the Jude Give it him Judas away
HOLOFERNES
This is not generous not gentle not humble
BOYET
A light for Monsieur Judas It grows dark he may stumble
Exit Holofernes
PRINCESS
Alas poor Maccabaeus how hath he been baited
Enter Armado the Braggart as Hector
BEROWNE
Hide thy head Achilles Here comes Hector in arms
DUMAINE
Though my mocks come home by me I will now be merry
KING
Hector was but a Trojan in respect of this
BOYET
But is this Hector
DUMAINE
I think Hector was not so cleantimbered
LONGAVILLE
His leg is too big for Hectors
DUMAINE
More calf certain
BOYET
No he is best endued in the small
BEROWNE
This cannot be Hector
DUMAINE
Hes a god or a painter for he makes faces
ARMADO
The armipotent Mars of lances the almighty
Gave Hector a gift
DUMAINE
A gilt nutmeg
BEROWNE
A lemon
LONGAVILLE
Stuck with cloves
DUMAINE
No cloven
ARMADO
Peace
The armipotent Mars of lances the almighty
Gave Hector a gift the heir of Ilion
A man so breathed that certain he would fight yea
From morn till night out of his pavilion
I am that flower
DUMAINE
That mint
LONGAVILLE
That columbine
ARMADO
Sweet Lord Longaville rein thy tongue
LONGAVILLE
I must rather give it the rein for it runs against Hector
DUMAINE
Ay and Hectors a greyhound
ARMADO
The sweet warman is dead and rotten Sweet chucks beat not the bones of the buried When he breathed he was a man But I will forward with my device To the Princess Sweet royalty bestow on me the sense of hearing
PRINCESS
Speak brave Hector we are much delighted
ARMADO
I do adore thy sweet Graces slipper
BOYET
Loves her by the foot
DUMAINE
He may not by the yard
ARMADO
This Hector far surmounted Hannibal
The party is gone
COSTARD
Fellow Hector she is gone she is two months on her way
ARMADO
What meanest thou
COSTARD
Faith unless you play the honest Trojan the poor wench is cast away Shes quick the child brags in her belly already Tis yours
ARMADO
Dost thou infamonize me among potentates Thou shalt die
COSTARD
Then shall Hector be whipped for Jaquenetta that is quick by him and hanged for Pompey that is dead by him
DUMAINE
Most rare Pompey
BOYET
Renowned Pompey
BEROWNE
Greater than Great Great great great Pompey Pompey the Huge
DUMAINE
Hector trembles
BEROWNE
Pompey is moved More Ates more Ates Stir them on stir them on
DUMAINE
Hector will challenge him
BEROWNE
Ay if he have no more mans blood in his belly than will sup a flea
ARMADO
By the north pole I do challenge thee
COSTARD
I will not fight with a pole like a northern man Ill slash Ill do it by the sword I bepray you let me borrow my arms again
DUMAINE
Room for the incensed Worthies
COSTARD
Ill do it in my shirt
DUMAINE
Most resolute Pompey
MOTH
Master let me take you a buttonhole lower Do you not see Pompey is uncasing for the combat What mean you You will lose your reputation
ARMADO
Gentlemen and soldiers pardon me I will not combat in my shirt
DUMAINE
You may not deny it Pompey hath made the challenge
ARMADO
Sweet bloods I both may and will
BEROWNE
What reason have you for t
ARMADO
The naked truth of it is I have no shirt I go woolward for penance
BOYET
True and it was enjoined him in Rome for want of linen since when Ill be sworn he wore none but a dishclout of Jaquenettas and that he wears next his heart for a favour
Enter a Messenger Monsieur Marcad
MARCAD
God save you madam
PRINCESS
Welcome Marcad
But that thou interruptest our merriment
MARCAD
I am sorry madam for the news I bring
Is heavy in my tongue The King your father
PRINCESS
Dead for my life
MARCAD
Even so My tale is told
BEROWNE
Worthies away The scene begins to cloud
ARMADO
For mine own part I breathe free breath I have seen the day of wrong through the little hole of discretion and I will right myself like a soldier
Exeunt Worthies
KING
How fares your Majesty
PRINCESS
Boyet prepare I will away tonight
KING
Madam not so I do beseech you stay
PRINCESS
Prepare I say I thank you gracious lords
For all your fair endeavours and entreat
Out of a newsad soul that you vouchsafe
In your rich wisdom to excuse or hide
The liberal opposition of our spirits
If overboldly we have borne ourselves
In the converse of breath your gentleness
Was guilty of it Farewell worthy lord
A heavy heart bears not a nimble tongue
Excuse me so coming too short of thanks
For my great suit so easily obtained
KING
The extreme parts of time extremely forms
All causes to the purpose of his speed
And often at his very loose decides
That which long process could not arbitrate
And though the mourning brow of progeny
Forbid the smiling courtesy of love
The holy suit which fain it would convince
Yet since loves argument was first on foot
Let not the cloud of sorrow jostle it
From what it purposed since to wail friends lost
Is not by much so wholesomeprofitable
As to rejoice at friends but newly found
PRINCESS
I understand you not My griefs are double
BEROWNE
Honest plain words best pierce the ear of grief
And by these badges understand the King
For your fair sakes have we neglected time
Played foul play with our oaths Your beauty ladies
Hath much deformed us fashioning our humours
Even to the opposed end of our intents
And what in us hath seemed ridiculous
As love is full of unbefitting strains
All wanton as a child skipping and vain
Formed by the eye and therefore like the eye
Full of strange shapes of habits and of forms
Varying in subjects as the eye doth roll
To every varied object in his glance
Which particoated presence of loose love
Put on by us if in your heavenly eyes
Have misbecomed our oaths and gravities
Those heavenly eyes that look into these faults
Suggested us to make Therefore ladies
Our love being yours the error that love makes
Is likewise yours We to ourselves prove false
By being once false for ever to be true
To those that make us bothfair ladies you
And even that falsehood in itself a sin
Thus purifies itself and turns to grace
PRINCESS
We have received your letters full of love
Your favours the ambassadors of love
And in our maiden council rated them
At courtship pleasant jest and courtesy
As bombast and as lining to the time
But more devout than this in our respects
Have we not been and therefore met your loves
In their own fashion like a merriment
DUMAINE
Our letters madam showed much more than jest
LONGAVILLE
So did our looks
ROSALINE
We did not quote them so
KING
Now at the latest minute of the hour
Grant us your loves
PRINCESS
A time methinks too short
To make a worldwithoutend bargain in
No no my lord your Grace is perjured much
Full of dear guiltiness and therefore this
If for my loveas there is no such cause
You will do aught this shall you do for me
Your oath I will not trust but go with speed
To some forlorn and naked hermitage
Remote from all the pleasures of the world
There stay until the twelve celestial signs
Have brought about the annual reckoning
If this austere insociable life
Change not your offer made in heat of blood
If frosts and fasts hard lodging and thin weeds
Nip not the gaudy blossoms of your love
But that it bear this trial and last love
Then at the expiration of the year
Come challenge me challenge me by these deserts
And by this virgin palm now kissing thine
I will be thine And till that instance shut
My woeful self up in a mournful house
Raining the tears of lamentation
For the remembrance of my fathers death
If this thou do deny let our hands part
Neither entitled in the others heart
KING
If this or more than this I would deny
To flatter up these powers of mine with rest
The sudden hand of death close up mine eye
Hence hermit then My heart is in thy breast
They converse apart
DUMAINE
And what to me my love But what to me
A wife
KATHARINE
A beard fair health and honesty
With threefold love I wish you all these three
DUMAINE
O shall I say I thank you gentle wife
KATHARINE
No so my lord A twelvemonth and a day
Ill mark no words that smoothfaced wooers say
Come when the King doth to my lady come
Then if I have much love Ill give you some
DUMAINE
Ill serve thee true and faithfully till then
KATHARINE
Yet swear not lest ye be forsworn again
They converse apart
LONGAVILLE
What says Maria
MARIA
At the twelvemonths end
Ill change my black gown for a faithful friend
LONGAVILLE
Ill stay with patience but the time is long
MARIA
The liker you few taller are so young
They converse apart
BEROWNE
Studies my lady Mistress look on me
Behold the window of my heart mine eye
What humble suit attends thy answer there
Impose some service on me for thy love
ROSALINE
Oft have I heard of you my Lord Berowne
Before I saw you and the worlds large tongue
Proclaims you for a man replete with mocks
Full of comparisons and wounding flouts
Which you on all estates will execute
That lie within the mercy of your wit
To weed this wormwood from your fruitful brain
And therewithal to win me if you please
Without the which I am not to be won
You shall this twelvemonth term from day to day
Visit the speechless sick and still converse
With groaning wretches and your task shall be
With all the fierce endeavour of your wit
To enforce the pained impotent to smile
BEROWNE
To move wild laughter in the throat of death
It cannot be it is impossible
Mirth cannot move a soul in agony
ROSALINE
Why thats the way to choke a gibing spirit
Whose influence is begot of that loose grace
Which shallow laughing hearers give to fools
A jests prosperity lies in the ear
Of him that hears it never in the tongue
Of him that makes it Then if sickly ears
Deafed with the clamours of their own dear groans
Will hear your idle scorns continue then
And I will have you and that fault withal
But if they will not throw away that spirit
And I shall find you empty of that fault
Right joyful of your reformation
BEROWNE
A twelvemonth Well befall what will befall
Ill jest a twelvemonth in an hospital
PRINCESS
To the King Ay sweet my lord and so I take my leave
KING
No madam we will bring you on your way
BEROWNE
Our wooing doth not end like an old play
Jack hath not Jill These ladies courtesy
Might well have made our sport a comedy
KING
Come sir it wants a twelvemonth and a day
And then twill end
BEROWNE
Thats too long for a play
Enter Armado the Braggart
ARMADO
Sweet Majesty vouchsafe me
PRINCESS
Was not that Hector
DUMAINE
The worthy knight of Troy
ARMADO
I will kiss thy royal finger and take leave I am a votary I have vowed to Jaquenetta to hold the plough for her sweet love three year But most esteemed Greatness will you hear the dialogue that the two learned men have compiled in praise of the owl and the cuckoo It should have followed in the end of our show
KING
Call them forth quickly we will do so
ARMADO
Holla Approach
Enter all
This side is Hiems Winter this Ver the Spring the one maintained by the owl th other by the cuckoo Ver begin
The Song
SPRING
When daisies pied and violets blue
And ladysmocks all silverwhite
And cuckoobuds of yellow hue
Do paint the meadows with delight
The cuckoo then on every tree
Mocks married men for thus sings he
Cuckoo
Cuckoo cuckoo O word of fear
Unpleasing to a married ear
When shepherds pipe on oaten straws
And merry larks are ploughmens clocks
When turtles tread and rooks and daws
And maidens bleach their summer smocks
The cuckoo then on every tree
Mocks married men for thus sings he
Cuckoo
Cuckoo cuckoo O word of fear
Unpleasing to a married ear
WINTER
When icicles hang by the wall
And Dick the shepherd blows his nail
And Tom bears logs into the hall
And milk comes frozen home in pail
When blood is nipped and ways be foul
Then nightly sings the staring owl
Tuwhit Tuwhoo A merry note
While greasy Joan doth keel the pot
When all aloud the wind doth blow
And coughing drowns the parsons saw
And birds sit brooding in the snow
And Marians nose looks red and raw
When roasted crabs hiss in the bowl
Then nightly sings the staring owl
Tuwhit Tuwhoo A merry note
While greasy Joan doth keel the pot
ARMADO
The words of Mercury are harsh after the songs of Apollo
You that way we this way
Exeunt
THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH
Contents
ACT I
Scene I An open Place
Scene II A Camp near Forres
Scene III A heath
Scene IV Forres A Room in the Palace
Scene V Inverness A Room in Macbeths Castle
Scene VI The same Before the Castle
Scene VII The same A Lobby in the Castle
ACT II
Scene I Inverness Court within the Castle
Scene II The same
Scene III The same
Scene IV The same Without the Castle
ACT III
Scene I Forres A Room in the Palace
Scene II The same Another Room in the Palace
Scene III The same A Park or Lawn with a gate leading to the Palace
Scene IV The same A Room of state in the Palace
Scene V The heath
Scene VI Forres A Room in the Palace
ACT IV
Scene I A dark Cave In the middle a Cauldron Boiling
Scene II Fife A Room in Macduffs Castle
Scene III England Before the Kings Palace
ACT V
Scene I Dunsinane A Room in the Castle
Scene II The Country near Dunsinane
Scene III Dunsinane A Room in the Castle
Scene IV Country near Dunsinane a Wood in view
Scene V Dunsinane Within the castle
Scene VI The same A Plain before the Castle
Scene VII The same Another part of the Plain
Scene VIII The same Another part of the field
Dramatis Person
DUNCAN King of Scotland
MALCOLM his Son
DONALBAIN his Son
MACBETH General in the Kings Army
BANQUO General in the Kings Army
MACDUFF Nobleman of Scotland
LENNOX Nobleman of Scotland
ROSS Nobleman of Scotland
MENTEITH Nobleman of Scotland
ANGUS Nobleman of Scotland
CAITHNESS Nobleman of Scotland
FLEANCE Son to Banquo
SIWARD Earl of Northumberland General of the English Forces
YOUNG SIWARD his Son
SEYTON an Officer attending on Macbeth
BOY Son to Macduff
An English Doctor
A Scottish Doctor
A Soldier
A Porter
An Old Man
LADY MACBETH
LADY MACDUFF
Gentlewoman attending on Lady Macbeth
HECATE and three Witches
Lords Gentlemen Officers Soldiers Murderers Attendants and Messengers
The Ghost of Banquo and several other Apparitions
SCENE In the end of the Fourth Act in England through the rest of the Play in Scotland and chiefly at Macbeths Castle
ACT I
SCENE I An open Place
Thunder and Lightning Enter three Witches
FIRST WITCH
When shall we three meet again
In thunder lightning or in rain
SECOND WITCH
When the hurlyburlys done
When the battles lost and won
THIRD WITCH
That will be ere the set of sun
FIRST WITCH
Where the place
SECOND WITCH
Upon the heath
THIRD WITCH
There to meet with Macbeth
FIRST WITCH
I come Graymalkin
SECOND WITCH
Paddock calls
THIRD WITCH
Anon
ALL
Fair is foul and foul is fair
Hover through the fog and filthy air
Exeunt
SCENE II A Camp near Forres
Alarum within Enter King Duncan Malcolm Donalbain Lennox with Attendants meeting a bleeding Captain
DUNCAN
What bloody man is that He can report
As seemeth by his plight of the revolt
The newest state
MALCOLM
This is the sergeant
Who like a good and hardy soldier fought
Gainst my captivityHail brave friend
Say to the King the knowledge of the broil
As thou didst leave it
SOLDIER
Doubtful it stood
As two spent swimmers that do cling together
And choke their art The merciless Macdonwald
Worthy to be a rebel for to that
The multiplying villainies of nature
Do swarm upon him from the Western Isles
Of kerns and gallowglasses is supplied
And Fortune on his damned quarrel smiling
Showd like a rebels whore But alls too weak
For brave Macbeth well he deserves that name
Disdaining Fortune with his brandishd steel
Which smokd with bloody execution
Like Valours minion carvd out his passage
Till he facd the slave
Which neer shook hands nor bade farewell to him
Till he unseamd him from the nave to the chops
And fixd his head upon our battlements
DUNCAN
O valiant cousin worthy gentleman
SOLDIER
As whence the sun gins his reflection
Shipwracking storms and direful thunders break
So from that spring whence comfort seemd to come
Discomfort swells Mark King of Scotland mark
No sooner justice had with valour armd
Compelld these skipping kerns to trust their heels
But the Norweyan lord surveying vantage
With furbishd arms and new supplies of men
Began a fresh assault
DUNCAN
Dismayd not this
Our captains Macbeth and Banquo
SOLDIER
Yes
As sparrows eagles or the hare the lion
If I say sooth I must report they were
As cannons overchargd with double cracks
So they
Doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe
Except they meant to bathe in reeking wounds
Or memorize another Golgotha
I cannot tell
But I am faint my gashes cry for help
DUNCAN
So well thy words become thee as thy wounds
They smack of honour bothGo get him surgeons
Exit Captain attended
Enter Ross and Angus
Who comes here
MALCOLM
The worthy Thane of Ross
LENNOX
What a haste looks through his eyes So should he look
That seems to speak things strange
ROSS
God save the King
DUNCAN
Whence camst thou worthy thane
ROSS
From Fife great King
Where the Norweyan banners flout the sky
And fan our people cold
Norway himself with terrible numbers
Assisted by that most disloyal traitor
The Thane of Cawdor began a dismal conflict
Till that Bellonas bridegroom lappd in proof
Confronted him with selfcomparisons
Point against point rebellious arm gainst arm
Curbing his lavish spirit and to conclude
The victory fell on us
DUNCAN
Great happiness
ROSS
That now
Sweno the Norways king craves composition
Nor would we deign him burial of his men
Till he disbursed at Saint Colmes Inch
Ten thousand dollars to our general use
DUNCAN
No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive
Our bosom interest Go pronounce his present death
And with his former title greet Macbeth
ROSS
Ill see it done
DUNCAN
What he hath lost noble Macbeth hath won
Exeunt
SCENE III A heath
Thunder Enter the three Witches
FIRST WITCH
Where hast thou been sister
SECOND WITCH
Killing swine
THIRD WITCH
Sister where thou
FIRST WITCH
A sailors wife had chestnuts in her lap
And mounchd and mounchd and mounchd Give me quoth I
Aroint thee witch the rumpfed ronyon cries
Her husbands to Aleppo gone master o th Tiger
But in a sieve Ill thither sail
And like a rat without a tail
Ill do Ill do and Ill do
SECOND WITCH
Ill give thee a wind
FIRST WITCH
Thart kind
THIRD WITCH
And I another
FIRST WITCH
I myself have all the other
And the very ports they blow
All the quarters that they know
I the shipmans card
I will drain him dry as hay
Sleep shall neither night nor day
Hang upon his penthouse lid
He shall live a man forbid
Weary sevnnights nine times nine
Shall he dwindle peak and pine
Though his bark cannot be lost
Yet it shall be tempesttost
Look what I have
SECOND WITCH
Show me show me
FIRST WITCH
Here I have a pilots thumb
Wrackd as homeward he did come
Drum within
THIRD WITCH
A drum a drum
Macbeth doth come
ALL
The Weird Sisters hand in hand
Posters of the sea and land
Thus do go about about
Thrice to thine and thrice to mine
And thrice again to make up nine
Peacethe charms wound up
Enter Macbeth and Banquo
MACBETH
So foul and fair a day I have not seen
BANQUO
How far ist calld to ForresWhat are these
So witherd and so wild in their attire
That look not like the inhabitants o th earth
And yet are ontLive you or are you aught
That man may question You seem to understand me
By each at once her choppy finger laying
Upon her skinny lips You should be women
And yet your beards forbid me to interpret
That you are so
MACBETH
Speak if you canwhat are you
FIRST WITCH
All hail Macbeth hail to thee Thane of Glamis
SECOND WITCH
All hail Macbeth hail to thee Thane of Cawdor
THIRD WITCH
All hail Macbeth that shalt be king hereafter
BANQUO
Good sir why do you start and seem to fear
Things that do sound so fairI th name of truth
Are ye fantastical or that indeed
Which outwardly ye show My noble partner
You greet with present grace and great prediction
Of noble having and of royal hope
That he seems rapt withal To me you speak not
If you can look into the seeds of time
And say which grain will grow and which will not
Speak then to me who neither beg nor fear
Your favours nor your hate
FIRST WITCH
Hail
SECOND WITCH
Hail
THIRD WITCH
Hail
FIRST WITCH
Lesser than Macbeth and greater
SECOND WITCH
Not so happy yet much happier
THIRD WITCH
Thou shalt get kings though thou be none
So all hail Macbeth and Banquo
FIRST WITCH
Banquo and Macbeth all hail
MACBETH
Stay you imperfect speakers tell me more
By Sinels death I know I am Thane of Glamis
But how of Cawdor The Thane of Cawdor lives
A prosperous gentleman and to be king
Stands not within the prospect of belief
No more than to be Cawdor Say from whence
You owe this strange intelligence or why
Upon this blasted heath you stop our way
With such prophetic greetingSpeak I charge you
Witches vanish
BANQUO
The earth hath bubbles as the water has
And these are of them Whither are they vanishd
MACBETH
Into the air and what seemd corporal
Melted as breath into the wind
Would they had stayd
BANQUO
Were such things here as we do speak about
Or have we eaten on the insane root
That takes the reason prisoner
MACBETH
Your children shall be kings
BANQUO
You shall be king
MACBETH
And Thane of Cawdor too went it not so
BANQUO
To the selfsame tune and words Whos here
Enter Ross and Angus
ROSS
The King hath happily receivd Macbeth
The news of thy success and when he reads
Thy personal venture in the rebels fight
His wonders and his praises do contend
Which should be thine or his silencd with that
In viewing oer the rest o th selfsame day
He finds thee in the stout Norweyan ranks
Nothing afeard of what thyself didst make
Strange images of death As thick as tale
Came post with post and everyone did bear
Thy praises in his kingdoms great defence
And pourd them down before him
ANGUS
We are sent
To give thee from our royal master thanks
Only to herald thee into his sight
Not pay thee
ROSS
And for an earnest of a greater honour
He bade me from him call thee Thane of Cawdor
In which addition hail most worthy thane
For it is thine
BANQUO
What can the devil speak true
MACBETH
The Thane of Cawdor lives why do you dress me
In borrowd robes
ANGUS
Who was the Thane lives yet
But under heavy judgement bears that life
Which he deserves to lose Whether he was combind
With those of Norway or did line the rebel
With hidden help and vantage or that with both
He labourd in his countrys wrack I know not
But treasons capital confessd and provd
Have overthrown him
MACBETH
Aside Glamis and Thane of Cawdor
The greatest is behind To Ross and Angus Thanks for your pains
To Banquo Do you not hope your children shall be kings
When those that gave the Thane of Cawdor to me
Promisd no less to them
BANQUO
That trusted home
Might yet enkindle you unto the crown
Besides the Thane of Cawdor But tis strange
And oftentimes to win us to our harm
The instruments of darkness tell us truths
Win us with honest trifles to betrays
In deepest consequence
Cousins a word I pray you
MACBETH
Aside Two truths are told
As happy prologues to the swelling act
Of the imperial themeI thank you gentlemen
Aside This supernatural soliciting
Cannot be ill cannot be good If ill
Why hath it given me earnest of success
Commencing in a truth I am Thane of Cawdor
If good why do I yield to that suggestion
Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair
And make my seated heart knock at my ribs
Against the use of nature Present fears
Are less than horrible imaginings
My thought whose murder yet is but fantastical
Shakes so my single state of man
That function is smotherd in surmise
And nothing is but what is not
BANQUO
Look how our partners rapt
MACBETH
Aside If chance will have me king why chance may crown me
Without my stir
BANQUO
New honours come upon him
Like our strange garments cleave not to their mould
But with the aid of use
MACBETH
Aside Come what come may
Time and the hour runs through the roughest day
BANQUO
Worthy Macbeth we stay upon your leisure
MACBETH
Give me your favour My dull brain was wrought
With things forgotten Kind gentlemen your pains
Are registerd where every day I turn
The leaf to read themLet us toward the King
Think upon what hath chancd and at more time
The interim having weighd it let us speak
Our free hearts each to other
BANQUO
Very gladly
MACBETH
Till then enoughCome friends
Exeunt
SCENE IV Forres A Room in the Palace
Flourish Enter Duncan Malcolm Donalbain Lennox and Attendants
DUNCAN
Is execution done on Cawdor Are not
Those in commission yet returnd
MALCOLM
My liege
They are not yet come back But I have spoke
With one that saw him die who did report
That very frankly he confessd his treasons
Implord your Highness pardon and set forth
A deep repentance Nothing in his life
Became him like the leaving it he died
As one that had been studied in his death
To throw away the dearest thing he owd
As twere a careless trifle
DUNCAN
Theres no art
To find the minds construction in the face
He was a gentleman on whom I built
An absolute trust
Enter Macbeth Banquo Ross and Angus
O worthiest cousin
The sin of my ingratitude even now
Was heavy on me Thou art so far before
That swiftest wing of recompense is slow
To overtake thee Would thou hadst less deservd
That the proportion both of thanks and payment
Might have been mine only I have left to say
More is thy due than more than all can pay
MACBETH
The service and the loyalty I owe
In doing it pays itself Your Highness part
Is to receive our duties and our duties
Are to your throne and state children and servants
Which do but what they should by doing everything
Safe toward your love and honour
DUNCAN
Welcome hither
I have begun to plant thee and will labour
To make thee full of growingNoble Banquo
That hast no less deservd nor must be known
No less to have done so let me infold thee
And hold thee to my heart
BANQUO
There if I grow
The harvest is your own
DUNCAN
My plenteous joys
Wanton in fulness seek to hide themselves
In drops of sorrowSons kinsmen thanes
And you whose places are the nearest know
We will establish our estate upon
Our eldest Malcolm whom we name hereafter
The Prince of Cumberland which honour must
Not unaccompanied invest him only
But signs of nobleness like stars shall shine
On all deserversFrom hence to Inverness
And bind us further to you
MACBETH
The rest is labour which is not usd for you
Ill be myself the harbinger and make joyful
The hearing of my wife with your approach
So humbly take my leave
DUNCAN
My worthy Cawdor
MACBETH
Aside The Prince of CumberlandThat is a step
On which I must fall down or else oerleap
For in my way it lies Stars hide your fires
Let not light see my black and deep desires
The eye wink at the hand yet let that be
Which the eye fears when it is done to see
Exit
DUNCAN
True worthy Banquo He is full so valiant
And in his commendations I am fed
It is a banquet to me Lets after him
Whose care is gone before to bid us welcome
It is a peerless kinsman
Flourish Exeunt
SCENE V Inverness A Room in Macbeths Castle
Enter Lady Macbeth reading a letter
LADY MACBETH
They met me in the day of success and I have learned by the perfectst report they have more in them than mortal knowledge When I burned in desire to question them further they made themselves air into which they vanished Whiles I stood rapt in the wonder of it came missives from the King who allhailed me Thane of Cawdor by which title before these Weird Sisters saluted me and referred me to the coming on of time with Hail king that shalt be This have I thought good to deliver thee my dearest partner of greatness that thou mightst not lose the dues of rejoicing by being ignorant of what greatness is promisd thee Lay it to thy heart and farewell
Glamis thou art and Cawdor and shalt be
What thou art promisd Yet do I fear thy nature
It is too full o th milk of human kindness
To catch the nearest way Thou wouldst be great
Art not without ambition but without
The illness should attend it What thou wouldst highly
That wouldst thou holily wouldst not play false
And yet wouldst wrongly win Thoudst have great Glamis
That which cries Thus thou must do if thou have it
And that which rather thou dost fear to do
Than wishest should be undone Hie thee hither
That I may pour my spirits in thine ear
And chastise with the valour of my tongue
All that impedes thee from the golden round
Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem
To have thee crownd withal
Enter a Messenger
What is your tidings
MESSENGER
The King comes here tonight
LADY MACBETH
Thourt mad to say it
Is not thy master with him who weret so
Would have informd for preparation
MESSENGER
So please you it is true Our thane is coming
One of my fellows had the speed of him
Who almost dead for breath had scarcely more
Than would make up his message
LADY MACBETH
Give him tending
He brings great news
Exit Messenger
The raven himself is hoarse
That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan
Under my battlements Come you spirits
That tend on mortal thoughts unsex me here
And fill me from the crown to the toe topfull
Of direst cruelty make thick my blood
Stop up th access and passage to remorse
That no compunctious visitings of nature
Shake my fell purpose nor keep peace between
Th effect and it Come to my womans breasts
And take my milk for gall your murdring ministers
Wherever in your sightless substances
You wait on natures mischief Come thick night
And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell
That my keen knife see not the wound it makes
Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark
To cry Hold hold
Enter Macbeth
Great Glamis worthy Cawdor
Greater than both by the allhail hereafter
Thy letters have transported me beyond
This ignorant present and I feel now
The future in the instant
MACBETH
My dearest love
Duncan comes here tonight
LADY MACBETH
And when goes hence
MACBETH
Tomorrow as he purposes
LADY MACBETH
O never
Shall sun that morrow see
Your face my thane is as a book where men
May read strange matters To beguile the time
Look like the time bear welcome in your eye
Your hand your tongue look like the innocent flower
But be the serpent undert He thats coming
Must be provided for and you shall put
This nights great business into my dispatch
Which shall to all our nights and days to come
Give solely sovereign sway and masterdom
MACBETH
We will speak further
LADY MACBETH
Only look up clear
To alter favour ever is to fear
Leave all the rest to me
Exeunt
SCENE VI The same Before the Castle
Hautboys Servants of Macbeth attending
Enter Duncan Malcolm Donalbain Banquo Lennox Macduff Ross Angus and Attendants
DUNCAN
This castle hath a pleasant seat The air
Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself
Unto our gentle senses
BANQUO
This guest of summer
The templehaunting martlet does approve
By his loved mansionry that the heavens breath
Smells wooingly here no jutty frieze
Buttress nor coign of vantage but this bird
hath made his pendant bed and procreant cradle
Where they most breed and haunt I have observd
The air is delicate
Enter Lady Macbeth
DUNCAN
See see our honourd hostess
The love that follows us sometime is our trouble
Which still we thank as love Herein I teach you
How you shall bid God ild us for your pains
And thank us for your trouble
LADY MACBETH
All our service
In every point twice done and then done double
Were poor and single business to contend
Against those honours deep and broad wherewith
Your Majesty loads our house for those of old
And the late dignities heapd up to them
We rest your hermits
DUNCAN
Wheres the Thane of Cawdor
We coursd him at the heels and had a purpose
To be his purveyor but he rides well
And his great love sharp as his spur hath holp him
To his home before us Fair and noble hostess
We are your guest tonight
LADY MACBETH
Your servants ever
Have theirs themselves and what is theirs in compt
To make their audit at your Highness pleasure
Still to return your own
DUNCAN
Give me your hand
Conduct me to mine host we love him highly
And shall continue our graces towards him
By your leave hostess
Exeunt
SCENE VII The same A Lobby in the Castle
Hautboys and torches Enter and pass over a Sewer and divers Servants with dishes and service Then enter Macbeth
MACBETH
If it were done when tis done then twere well
It were done quickly If th assassination
Could trammel up the consequence and catch
With his surcease success that but this blow
Might be the beall and the endallhere
But here upon this bank and shoal of time
Wed jump the life to come But in these cases
We still have judgement here that we but teach
Bloody instructions which being taught return
To plague th inventor This evenhanded justice
Commends th ingredience of our poisond chalice
To our own lips Hes here in double trust
First as I am his kinsman and his subject
Strong both against the deed then as his host
Who should against his murderer shut the door
Not bear the knife myself Besides this Duncan
Hath borne his faculties so meek hath been
So clear in his great office that his virtues
Will plead like angels trumpettongued against
The deep damnation of his takingoff
And pity like a naked newborn babe
Striding the blast or heavens cherubin horsd
Upon the sightless couriers of the air
Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye
That tears shall drown the windI have no spur
To prick the sides of my intent but only
Vaulting ambition which oerleaps itself
And falls on th other
Enter Lady Macbeth
How now what news
LADY MACBETH
He has almost suppd Why have you left the chamber
MACBETH
Hath he askd for me
LADY MACBETH
Know you not he has
MACBETH
We will proceed no further in this business
He hath honourd me of late and I have bought
Golden opinions from all sorts of people
Which would be worn now in their newest gloss
Not cast aside so soon
LADY MACBETH
Was the hope drunk
Wherein you dressd yourself Hath it slept since
And wakes it now to look so green and pale
At what it did so freely From this time
Such I account thy love Art thou afeard
To be the same in thine own act and valour
As thou art in desire Wouldst thou have that
Which thou esteemst the ornament of life
And live a coward in thine own esteem
Letting I dare not wait upon I would
Like the poor cat i th adage
MACBETH
Prythee peace
I dare do all that may become a man
Who dares do more is none
LADY MACBETH
What beast wast then
That made you break this enterprise to me
When you durst do it then you were a man
And to be more than what you were you would
Be so much more the man Nor time nor place
Did then adhere and yet you would make both
They have made themselves and that their fitness now
Does unmake you I have given suck and know
How tender tis to love the babe that milks me
I would while it was smiling in my face
Have pluckd my nipple from his boneless gums
And dashd the brains out had I so sworn as you
Have done to this
MACBETH
If we should fail
LADY MACBETH
We fail
But screw your courage to the stickingplace
And well not fail When Duncan is asleep
Whereto the rather shall his days hard journey
Soundly invite him his two chamberlains
Will I with wine and wassail so convince
That memory the warder of the brain
Shall be a fume and the receipt of reason
A limbeck only when in swinish sleep
Their drenched natures lie as in a death
What cannot you and I perform upon
Th unguarded Duncan what not put upon
His spongy officers who shall bear the guilt
Of our great quell
MACBETH
Bring forth menchildren only
For thy undaunted mettle should compose
Nothing but males Will it not be receivd
When we have markd with blood those sleepy two
Of his own chamber and usd their very daggers
That they have donet
LADY MACBETH
Who dares receive it other
As we shall make our griefs and clamour roar
Upon his death
MACBETH
I am settled and bend up
Each corporal agent to this terrible feat
Away and mock the time with fairest show
False face must hide what the false heart doth know
Exeunt
ACT II
SCENE I Inverness Court within the Castle
Enter Banquo and Fleance with a torch before him
BANQUO
How goes the night boy
FLEANCE
The moon is down I have not heard the clock
BANQUO
And she goes down at twelve
FLEANCE
I taket tis later sir
BANQUO
Hold take my swordTheres husbandry in heaven
Their candles are all out Take thee that too
A heavy summons lies like lead upon me
And yet I would not sleep Merciful powers
Restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature
Gives way to in repose
Enter Macbeth and a Servant with a torch
Give me my swordWhos there
MACBETH
A friend
BANQUO
What sir not yet at rest The Kings abed
He hath been in unusual pleasure and
Sent forth great largess to your offices
This diamond he greets your wife withal
By the name of most kind hostess and shut up
In measureless content
MACBETH
Being unprepard
Our will became the servant to defect
Which else should free have wrought
BANQUO
Alls well
I dreamt last night of the three Weird Sisters
To you they have showd some truth
MACBETH
I think not of them
Yet when we can entreat an hour to serve
We would spend it in some words upon that business
If you would grant the time
BANQUO
At your kindst leisure
MACBETH
If you shall cleave to my consent when tis
It shall make honour for you
BANQUO
So I lose none
In seeking to augment it but still keep
My bosom franchisd and allegiance clear
I shall be counselld
MACBETH
Good repose the while
BANQUO
Thanks sir the like to you
Exeunt Banquo and Fleance
MACBETH
Go bid thy mistress when my drink is ready
She strike upon the bell Get thee to bed
Exit Servant
Is this a dagger which I see before me
The handle toward my hand Come let me clutch thee
I have thee not and yet I see thee still
Art thou not fatal vision sensible
To feeling as to sight or art thou but
A dagger of the mind a false creation
Proceeding from the heatoppressed brain
I see thee yet in form as palpable
As this which now I draw
Thou marshallst me the way that I was going
And such an instrument I was to use
Mine eyes are made the fools o the other senses
Or else worth all the rest I see thee still
And on thy blade and dudgeon gouts of blood
Which was not so beforeTheres no such thing
It is the bloody business which informs
Thus to mine eyesNow oer the one halfworld
Nature seems dead and wicked dreams abuse
The curtaind sleep Witchcraft celebrates
Pale Hecates offrings and witherd murder
Alarumd by his sentinel the wolf
Whose howls his watch thus with his stealthy pace
With Tarquins ravishing strides towards his design
Moves like a ghostThou sure and firmset earth
Hear not my steps which way they walk for fear
Thy very stones prate of my whereabout
And take the present horror from the time
Which now suits with itWhiles I threat he lives
Words to the heat of deeds too cold breath gives
A bell rings
I go and it is done The bell invites me
Hear it not Duncan for it is a knell
That summons thee to heaven or to hell
Exit
SCENE II The same
Enter Lady Macbeth
LADY MACBETH
That which hath made them drunk hath made me bold
What hath quenchd them hath given me fireHarkPeace
It was the owl that shriekd the fatal bellman
Which gives the sternst good night He is about it
The doors are open and the surfeited grooms
Do mock their charge with snores I have druggd their possets
That death and nature do contend about them
Whether they live or die
MACBETH
Within Whos therewhat ho
LADY MACBETH
Alack I am afraid they have awakd
And tis not done Th attempt and not the deed
Confounds usHarkI laid their daggers ready
He could not miss emHad he not resembled
My father as he slept I had donetMy husband
Enter Macbeth
MACBETH
I have done the deedDidst thou not hear a noise
LADY MACBETH
I heard the owl scream and the crickets cry
Did not you speak
MACBETH
When
LADY MACBETH
Now
MACBETH
As I descended
LADY MACBETH
Ay
MACBETH
HarkWho lies i th second chamber
LADY MACBETH
Donalbain
MACBETH
This is a sorry sight
Looking on his hands
LADY MACBETH
A foolish thought to say a sorry sight
MACBETH
Theres one did laugh ins sleep and one cried Murder
That they did wake each other I stood and heard them
But they did say their prayers and addressd them
Again to sleep
LADY MACBETH
There are two lodgd together
MACBETH
One cried God bless us and Amen the other
As they had seen me with these hangmans hands
Listning their fear I could not say Amen
When they did say God bless us
LADY MACBETH
Consider it not so deeply
MACBETH
But wherefore could not I pronounce Amen
I had most need of blessing and Amen
Stuck in my throat
LADY MACBETH
These deeds must not be thought
After these ways so it will make us mad
MACBETH
Methought I heard a voice cry Sleep no more
Macbeth does murder sleepthe innocent sleep
Sleep that knits up the ravelld sleave of care
The death of each days life sore labours bath
Balm of hurt minds great natures second course
Chief nourisher in lifes feast
LADY MACBETH
What do you mean
MACBETH
Still it cried Sleep no more to all the house
Glamis hath murderd sleep and therefore Cawdor
Shall sleep no more Macbeth shall sleep no more
LADY MACBETH
Who was it that thus cried Why worthy thane
You do unbend your noble strength to think
So brainsickly of things Go get some water
And wash this filthy witness from your hand
Why did you bring these daggers from the place
They must lie there go carry them and smear
The sleepy grooms with blood
MACBETH
Ill go no more
I am afraid to think what I have done
Look ont again I dare not
LADY MACBETH
Infirm of purpose
Give me the daggers The sleeping and the dead
Are but as pictures Tis the eye of childhood
That fears a painted devil If he do bleed
Ill gild the faces of the grooms withal
For it must seem their guilt
Exit Knocking within
MACBETH
Whence is that knocking
How ist with me when every noise appals me
What hands are here Ha they pluck out mine eyes
Will all great Neptunes ocean wash this blood
Clean from my hand No this my hand will rather
The multitudinous seas incarnadine
Making the green one red
Enter Lady Macbeth
LADY MACBETH
My hands are of your color but I shame
To wear a heart so white Knocking within I hear knocking
At the south entryretire we to our chamber
A little water clears us of this deed
How easy is it then Your constancy
Hath left you unattendedKnocking within Hark more knocking
Get on your nightgown lest occasion call us
And show us to be watchers Be not lost
So poorly in your thoughts
MACBETH
To know my deed twere best not know myself Knocking within
Wake Duncan with thy knocking I would thou couldst
Exeunt
SCENE III The same
Enter a Porter Knocking within
PORTER
Heres a knocking indeed If a man were porter of hell gate he should have old turning the key Knocking Knock knock knock Whos there i th name of Belzebub Heres a farmer that hanged himself on the expectation of plenty come in time have napkins enow about you here youll sweat fort Knocking Knock knock Whos there i th other devils name Faith heres an equivocator that could swear in both the scales against either scale who committed treason enough for Gods sake yet could not equivocate to heaven O come in equivocator Knocking Knock knock knock Whos there Faith heres an English tailor come hither for stealing out of a French hose come in tailor here you may roast your goose Knocking Knock knock Never at quiet What are youBut this place is too cold for hell Ill devilporter it no further I had thought to have let in some of all professions that go the primrose way to th everlasting bonfire Knocking Anon anon I pray you remember the porter
Opens the gate
Enter Macduff and Lennox
MACDUFF
Was it so late friend ere you went to bed
That you do lie so late
PORTER
Faith sir we were carousing till the second cock and drink sir is a great provoker of three things
MACDUFF
What three things does drink especially provoke
PORTER
Marry sir nosepainting sleep and urine Lechery sir it provokes and unprovokes it provokes the desire but it takes away the performance Therefore much drink may be said to be an equivocator with lechery it makes him and it mars him it sets him on and it takes him off it persuades him and disheartens him makes him stand to and not stand to in conclusion equivocates him in a sleep and giving him the lie leaves him
MACDUFF
I believe drink gave thee the lie last night
PORTER
That it did sir i the very throat on me but I requited him for his lie and I think being too strong for him though he took up my legs sometime yet I made a shift to cast him
MACDUFF
Is thy master stirring
Enter Macbeth
Our knocking has awakd him here he comes
LENNOX
Good morrow noble sir
MACBETH
Good morrow both
MACDUFF
Is the King stirring worthy thane
MACBETH
Not yet
MACDUFF
He did command me to call timely on him
I have almost slippd the hour
MACBETH
Ill bring you to him
MACDUFF
I know this is a joyful trouble to you
But yet tis one
MACBETH
The labour we delight in physics pain
This is the door
MACDUFF
Ill make so bold to call
For tis my limited service
Exit Macduff
LENNOX
Goes the King hence today
MACBETH
He does He did appoint so
LENNOX
The night has been unruly where we lay
Our chimneys were blown down and as they say
Lamentings heard i th air strange screams of death
And prophesying with accents terrible
Of dire combustion and confusd events
New hatchd to the woeful time The obscure bird
Clamourd the livelong night Some say the earth
Was feverous and did shake
MACBETH
Twas a rough night
LENNOX
My young remembrance cannot parallel
A fellow to it
Enter Macduff
MACDUFF
O horror horror horror
Tongue nor heart cannot conceive nor name thee
MACBETH LENNOX
Whats the matter
MACDUFF
Confusion now hath made his masterpiece
Most sacrilegious murder hath broke ope
The Lords anointed temple and stole thence
The life o th building
MACBETH
What ist you say the life
LENNOX
Mean you his majesty
MACDUFF
Approach the chamber and destroy your sight
With a new Gorgon Do not bid me speak
See and then speak yourselves
Exeunt Macbeth and Lennox
Awake awake
Ring the alarum bellMurder and treason
Banquo and Donalbain Malcolm awake
Shake off this downy sleep deaths counterfeit
And look on death itself Up up and see
The great dooms image Malcolm Banquo
As from your graves rise up and walk like sprites
To countenance this horror
Alarumbell rings
Enter Lady Macbeth
LADY MACBETH
Whats the business
That such a hideous trumpet calls to parley
The sleepers of the house Speak speak
MACDUFF
O gentle lady
Tis not for you to hear what I can speak
The repetition in a womans ear
Would murder as it fell
Enter Banquo
O Banquo Banquo
Our royal masters murderd
LADY MACBETH
Woe alas
What in our house
BANQUO
Too cruel anywhere
Dear Duff I prythee contradict thyself
And say it is not so
Enter Macbeth and Lennox with Ross
MACBETH
Had I but died an hour before this chance
I had livd a blessed time for from this instant
Theres nothing serious in mortality
All is but toys renown and grace is dead
The wine of life is drawn and the mere lees
Is left this vault to brag of
Enter Malcolm and Donalbain
DONALBAIN
What is amiss
MACBETH
You are and do not knowt
The spring the head the fountain of your blood
Is stoppd the very source of it is stoppd
MACDUFF
Your royal fathers murderd
MALCOLM
O by whom
LENNOX
Those of his chamber as it seemd had donet
Their hands and faces were all badgd with blood
So were their daggers which unwipd we found
Upon their pillows They stard and were distracted
No mans life was to be trusted with them
MACBETH
O yet I do repent me of my fury
That I did kill them
MACDUFF
Wherefore did you so
MACBETH
Who can be wise amazd temperate and furious
Loyal and neutral in a moment No man
Th expedition of my violent love
Outrun the pauser reason Here lay Duncan
His silver skin lacd with his golden blood
And his gashd stabs lookd like a breach in nature
For ruins wasteful entrance there the murderers
Steepd in the colours of their trade their daggers
Unmannerly breechd with gore Who could refrain
That had a heart to love and in that heart
Courage to makes love known
LADY MACBETH
Help me hence ho
MACDUFF
Look to the lady
MALCOLM
Why do we hold our tongues
That most may claim this argument for ours
DONALBAIN
What should be spoken here where our fate
Hid in an auger hole may rush and seize us
Lets away Our tears are not yet brewd
MALCOLM
Nor our strong sorrow
Upon the foot of motion
BANQUO
Look to the lady
Lady Macbeth is carried out
And when we have our naked frailties hid
That suffer in exposure let us meet
And question this most bloody piece of work
To know it further Fears and scruples shake us
In the great hand of God I stand and thence
Against the undivulgd pretence I fight
Of treasonous malice
MACDUFF
And so do I
ALL
So all
MACBETH
Lets briefly put on manly readiness
And meet i th hall together
ALL
Well contented
Exeunt all but Malcolm and Donalbain
MALCOLM
What will you do Lets not consort with them
To show an unfelt sorrow is an office
Which the false man does easy Ill to England
DONALBAIN
To Ireland I Our separated fortune
Shall keep us both the safer Where we are
Theres daggers in mens smiles the near in blood
The nearer bloody
MALCOLM
This murderous shaft thats shot
Hath not yet lighted and our safest way
Is to avoid the aim Therefore to horse
And let us not be dainty of leavetaking
But shift away Theres warrant in that theft
Which steals itself when theres no mercy left
Exeunt
SCENE IV The same Without the Castle
Enter Ross and an Old Man
OLD MAN
Threescore and ten I can remember well
Within the volume of which time I have seen
Hours dreadful and things strange but this sore night
Hath trifled former knowings
ROSS
Ha good father
Thou seest the heavens as troubled with mans act
Threatens his bloody stage by the clock tis day
And yet dark night strangles the travelling lamp
Ist nights predominance or the days shame
That darkness does the face of earth entomb
When living light should kiss it
OLD MAN
Tis unnatural
Even like the deed thats done On Tuesday last
A falcon towering in her pride of place
Was by a mousing owl hawkd at and killd
ROSS
And Duncans horses a thing most strange and certain
Beauteous and swift the minions of their race
Turnd wild in nature broke their stalls flung out
Contending gainst obedience as they would make
War with mankind
OLD MAN
Tis said they eat each other
ROSS
They did so to the amazement of mine eyes
That lookd upont
Here comes the good Macduff
Enter Macduff
How goes the world sir now
MACDUFF
Why see you not
ROSS
Ist known who did this more than bloody deed
MACDUFF
Those that Macbeth hath slain
ROSS
Alas the day
What good could they pretend
MACDUFF
They were subornd
Malcolm and Donalbain the Kings two sons
Are stoln away and fled which puts upon them
Suspicion of the deed
ROSS
Gainst nature still
Thriftless ambition that will ravin up
Thine own lifes meansThen tis most like
The sovereignty will fall upon Macbeth
MACDUFF
He is already namd and gone to Scone
To be invested
ROSS
Where is Duncans body
MACDUFF
Carried to Colmekill
The sacred storehouse of his predecessors
And guardian of their bones
ROSS
Will you to Scone
MACDUFF
No cousin Ill to Fife
ROSS
Well I will thither
MACDUFF
Well may you see things well done there Adieu
Lest our old robes sit easier than our new
ROSS
Farewell father
OLD MAN
Gods benison go with you and with those
That would make good of bad and friends of foes
Exeunt
ACT III
SCENE I Forres A Room in the Palace
Enter Banquo
BANQUO
Thou hast it now King Cawdor Glamis all
As the Weird Women promisd and I fear
Thou playdst most foully fort yet it was said
It should not stand in thy posterity
But that myself should be the root and father
Of many kings If there come truth from them
As upon thee Macbeth their speeches shine
Why by the verities on thee made good
May they not be my oracles as well
And set me up in hope But hush no more
Sennet sounded Enter Macbeth as King Lady Macbeth as Queen Lennox Ross Lords and Attendants
MACBETH
Heres our chief guest
LADY MACBETH
If he had been forgotten
It had been as a gap in our great feast
And allthing unbecoming
MACBETH
Tonight we hold a solemn supper sir
And Ill request your presence
BANQUO
Let your Highness
Command upon me to the which my duties
Are with a most indissoluble tie
For ever knit
MACBETH
Ride you this afternoon
BANQUO
Ay my good lord
MACBETH
We should have else desird your good advice
Which still hath been both grave and prosperous
In this days council but well take tomorrow
Ist far you ride
BANQUO
As far my lord as will fill up the time
Twixt this and supper go not my horse the better
I must become a borrower of the night
For a dark hour or twain
MACBETH
Fail not our feast
BANQUO
My lord I will not
MACBETH
We hear our bloody cousins are bestowd
In England and in Ireland not confessing
Their cruel parricide filling their hearers
With strange invention But of that tomorrow
When therewithal we shall have cause of state
Craving us jointly Hie you to horse adieu
Till you return at night Goes Fleance with you
BANQUO
Ay my good lord our time does call upons
MACBETH
I wish your horses swift and sure of foot
And so I do commend you to their backs
Farewell
Exit Banquo
Let every man be master of his time
Till seven at night to make society
The sweeter welcome we will keep ourself
Till supper time alone while then God be with you
Exeunt Lady Macbeth Lords c
Sirrah a word with you Attend those men
Our pleasure
SERVANT
They are my lord without the palace gate
MACBETH
Bring them before us
Exit Servant
To be thus is nothing
But to be safely thus Our fears in Banquo
Stick deep and in his royalty of nature
Reigns that which would be feard tis much he dares
And to that dauntless temper of his mind
He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour
To act in safety There is none but he
Whose being I do fear and under him
My genius is rebukd as it is said
Mark Antonys was by Caesar He chid the sisters
When first they put the name of king upon me
And bade them speak to him then prophetlike
They haild him father to a line of kings
Upon my head they placd a fruitless crown
And put a barren sceptre in my gripe
Thence to be wrenchd with an unlineal hand
No son of mine succeeding Ift be so
For Banquos issue have I fild my mind
For them the gracious Duncan have I murderd
Put rancours in the vessel of my peace
Only for them and mine eternal jewel
Given to the common enemy of man
To make them kings the seed of Banquo kings
Rather than so come fate into the list
And champion me to th utteranceWhos there
Enter Servant with two Murderers
Now go to the door and stay there till we call
Exit Servant
Was it not yesterday we spoke together
FIRST MURDERER
It was so please your Highness
MACBETH
Well then now
Have you considerd of my speeches Know
That it was he in the times past which held you
So under fortune which you thought had been
Our innocent self This I made good to you
In our last conference passd in probation with you
How you were borne in hand how crossd the instruments
Who wrought with them and all things else that might
To half a soul and to a notion crazd
Say Thus did Banquo
FIRST MURDERER
You made it known to us
MACBETH
I did so and went further which is now
Our point of second meeting Do you find
Your patience so predominant in your nature
That you can let this go Are you so gospelld
To pray for this good man and for his issue
Whose heavy hand hath bowd you to the grave
And beggard yours forever
FIRST MURDERER
We are men my liege
MACBETH
Ay in the catalogue ye go for men
As hounds and greyhounds mongrels spaniels curs
Shoughs waterrugs and demiwolves are clept
All by the name of dogs the valud file
Distinguishes the swift the slow the subtle
The housekeeper the hunter every one
According to the gift which bounteous nature
Hath in him closd whereby he does receive
Particular addition from the bill
That writes them all alike and so of men
Now if you have a station in the file
Not i th worst rank of manhood sayt
And I will put that business in your bosoms
Whose execution takes your enemy off
Grapples you to the heart and love of us
Who wear our health but sickly in his life
Which in his death were perfect
SECOND MURDERER
I am one my liege
Whom the vile blows and buffets of the world
Hath so incensd that I am reckless what
I do to spite the world
FIRST MURDERER
And I another
So weary with disasters tuggd with fortune
That I would set my life on any chance
To mend it or be rid ont
MACBETH
Both of you
Know Banquo was your enemy
BOTH MURDERERS
True my lord
MACBETH
So is he mine and in such bloody distance
That every minute of his being thrusts
Against my nearst of life and though I could
With barefacd power sweep him from my sight
And bid my will avouch it yet I must not
For certain friends that are both his and mine
Whose loves I may not drop but wail his fall
Who I myself struck down and thence it is
That I to your assistance do make love
Masking the business from the common eye
For sundry weighty reasons
SECOND MURDERER
We shall my lord
Perform what you command us
FIRST MURDERER
Though our lives
MACBETH
Your spirits shine through you Within this hour at most
I will advise you where to plant yourselves
Acquaint you with the perfect spy o th time
The moment ont fort must be done tonight
And something from the palace always thought
That I require a clearness And with him
To leave no rubs nor botches in the work
Fleance his son that keeps him company
Whose absence is no less material to me
Than is his fathers must embrace the fate
Of that dark hour Resolve yourselves apart
Ill come to you anon
BOTH MURDERERS
We are resolvd my lord
MACBETH
Ill call upon you straight abide within
Exeunt Murderers
It is concluded Banquo thy souls flight
If it find heaven must find it out tonight
Exit
SCENE II The same Another Room in the Palace
Enter Lady Macbeth and a Servant
LADY MACBETH
Is Banquo gone from court
SERVANT
Ay madam but returns again tonight
LADY MACBETH
Say to the King I would attend his leisure
For a few words
SERVANT
Madam I will
Exit
LADY MACBETH
Naughts had alls spent
Where our desire is got without content
Tis safer to be that which we destroy
Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy
Enter Macbeth
How now my lord why do you keep alone
Of sorriest fancies your companions making
Using those thoughts which should indeed have died
With them they think on Things without all remedy
Should be without regard whats done is done
MACBETH
We have scorchd the snake not killd it
Shell close and be herself whilst our poor malice
Remains in danger of her former tooth
But let the frame of things disjoint
Both the worlds suffer
Ere we will eat our meal in fear and sleep
In the affliction of these terrible dreams
That shake us nightly Better be with the dead
Whom we to gain our peace have sent to peace
Than on the torture of the mind to lie
In restless ecstasy Duncan is in his grave
After lifes fitful fever he sleeps well
Treason has done his worst nor steel nor poison
Malice domestic foreign levy nothing
Can touch him further
LADY MACBETH
Come on
Gently my lord sleek oer your rugged looks
Be bright and jovial among your guests tonight
MACBETH
So shall I love and so I pray be you
Let your remembrance apply to Banquo
Present him eminence both with eye and tongue
Unsafe the while that we
Must lave our honours in these flattering streams
And make our faces vizards to our hearts
Disguising what they are
LADY MACBETH
You must leave this
MACBETH
O full of scorpions is my mind dear wife
Thou knowst that Banquo and his Fleance lives
LADY MACBETH
But in them natures copys not eterne
MACBETH
Theres comfort yet they are assailable
Then be thou jocund Ere the bat hath flown
His cloisterd flight ere to black Hecates summons
The shardborn beetle with his drowsy hums
Hath rung nights yawning peal there shall be done
A deed of dreadful note
LADY MACBETH
Whats to be done
MACBETH
Be innocent of the knowledge dearest chuck
Till thou applaud the deed Come seeling night
Scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day
And with thy bloody and invisible hand
Cancel and tear to pieces that great bond
Which keeps me paleLight thickens and the crow
Makes wing to th rooky wood
Good things of day begin to droop and drowse
Whiles nights black agents to their preys do rouse
Thou marvellst at my words but hold thee still
Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill
So prythee go with me
Exeunt
SCENE III The same A Park or Lawn with a gate leading to the Palace
Enter three Murderers
FIRST MURDERER
But who did bid thee join with us
THIRD MURDERER
Macbeth
SECOND MURDERER
He needs not our mistrust since he delivers
Our offices and what we have to do
To the direction just
FIRST MURDERER
Then stand with us
The west yet glimmers with some streaks of day
Now spurs the lated traveller apace
To gain the timely inn and near approaches
The subject of our watch
THIRD MURDERER
Hark I hear horses
BANQUO
Within Give us a light there ho
SECOND MURDERER
Then tis he the rest
That are within the note of expectation
Already are i th court
FIRST MURDERER
His horses go about
THIRD MURDERER
Almost a mile but he does usually
So all men do from hence to the palace gate
Make it their walk
Enter Banquo and Fleance with a torch
SECOND MURDERER
A light a light
THIRD MURDERER
Tis he
FIRST MURDERER
Stand tot
BANQUO
It will be rain tonight
FIRST MURDERER
Let it come down
Assaults Banquo
BANQUO
O treachery Fly good Fleance fly fly fly
Thou mayst revengeO slave
Dies Fleance escapes
THIRD MURDERER
Who did strike out the light
FIRST MURDERER
Wast not the way
THIRD MURDERER
Theres but one down the son is fled
SECOND MURDERER
We have lost best half of our affair
FIRST MURDERER
Well lets away and say how much is done
Exeunt
SCENE IV The same A Room of state in the Palace
A banquet prepared Enter Macbeth Lady Macbeth Ross Lennox Lords and Attendants
MACBETH
You know your own degrees sit down At first
And last the hearty welcome
LORDS
Thanks to your Majesty
MACBETH
Ourself will mingle with society
And play the humble host
Our hostess keeps her state but in best time
We will require her welcome
LADY MACBETH
Pronounce it for me sir to all our friends
For my heart speaks they are welcome
Enter first Murderer to the door
MACBETH
See they encounter thee with their hearts thanks
Both sides are even here Ill sit i th midst
Be large in mirth anon well drink a measure
The table round Theres blood upon thy face
MURDERER
Tis Banquos then
MACBETH
Tis better thee without than he within
Is he dispatchd
MURDERER
My lord his throat is cut That I did for him
MACBETH
Thou art the best o th cutthroats
Yet hes good that did the like for Fleance
If thou didst it thou art the nonpareil
MURDERER
Most royal sir
Fleance is scapd
MACBETH
Then comes my fit again I had else been perfect
Whole as the marble founded as the rock
As broad and general as the casing air
But now I am cabind cribbd confind bound in
To saucy doubts and fears But Banquos safe
MURDERER
Ay my good lord Safe in a ditch he bides
With twenty trenched gashes on his head
The least a death to nature
MACBETH
Thanks for that
There the grown serpent lies the worm thats fled
Hath nature that in time will venom breed
No teeth for th presentGet thee gone tomorrow
Well hear ourselves again
Exit Murderer
LADY MACBETH
My royal lord
You do not give the cheer the feast is sold
That is not often vouchd while tis amaking
Tis given with welcome To feed were best at home
From thence the sauce to meat is ceremony
Meeting were bare without it
The Ghost of Banquo rises and sits in Macbeths place
MACBETH
Sweet remembrancer
Now good digestion wait on appetite
And health on both
LENNOX
Mayt please your Highness sit
MACBETH
Here had we now our countrys honour roofd
Were the gracd person of our Banquo present
Who may I rather challenge for unkindness
Than pity for mischance
ROSS
His absence sir
Lays blame upon his promise Pleaset your Highness
To grace us with your royal company
MACBETH
The tables full
LENNOX
Here is a place reservd sir
MACBETH
Where
LENNOX
Here my good lord What ist that moves your Highness
MACBETH
Which of you have done this
LORDS
What my good lord
MACBETH
Thou canst not say I did it Never shake
Thy gory locks at me
ROSS
Gentlemen rise his Highness is not well
LADY MACBETH
Sit worthy friends My lord is often thus
And hath been from his youth pray you keep seat
The fit is momentary upon a thought
He will again be well If much you note him
You shall offend him and extend his passion
Feed and regard him notAre you a man
MACBETH
Ay and a bold one that dare look on that
Which might appal the devil
LADY MACBETH
O proper stuff
This is the very painting of your fear
This is the airdrawn dagger which you said
Led you to Duncan O these flaws and starts
Impostors to true fear would well become
A womans story at a winters fire
Authorisd by her grandam Shame itself
Why do you make such faces When alls done
You look but on a stool
MACBETH
Prythee see there
Behold look lo how say you
Why what care I If thou canst nod speak too
If charnel houses and our graves must send
Those that we bury back our monuments
Shall be the maws of kites
Ghost disappears
LADY MACBETH
What quite unmannd in folly
MACBETH
If I stand here I saw him
LADY MACBETH
Fie for shame
MACBETH
Blood hath been shed ere now i th olden time
Ere humane statute purgd the gentle weal
Ay and since too murders have been performd
Too terrible for the ear the time has been
That when the brains were out the man would die
And there an end but now they rise again
With twenty mortal murders on their crowns
And push us from our stools This is more strange
Than such a murder is
LADY MACBETH
My worthy lord
Your noble friends do lack you
MACBETH
I do forget
Do not muse at me my most worthy friends
I have a strange infirmity which is nothing
To those that know me Come love and health to all
Then Ill sit downGive me some wine fill full
I drink to the general joy o th whole table
And to our dear friend Banquo whom we miss
Would he were here
Ghost rises again
To all and him we thirst
And all to all
LORDS
Our duties and the pledge
MACBETH
Avaunt and quit my sight let the earth hide thee
Thy bones are marrowless thy blood is cold
Thou hast no speculation in those eyes
Which thou dost glare with
LADY MACBETH
Think of this good peers
But as a thing of custom tis no other
Only it spoils the pleasure of the time
MACBETH
What man dare I dare
Approach thou like the rugged Russian bear
The armd rhinoceros or th Hyrcan tiger
Take any shape but that and my firm nerves
Shall never tremble or be alive again
And dare me to the desert with thy sword
If trembling I inhabit then protest me
The baby of a girl Hence horrible shadow
Unreal mockry hence
Ghost disappears
Why sobeing gone
I am a man againPray you sit still
LADY MACBETH
You have displaced the mirth broke the good meeting
With most admird disorder
MACBETH
Can such things be
And overcome us like a summers cloud
Without our special wonder You make me strange
Even to the disposition that I owe
When now I think you can behold such sights
And keep the natural ruby of your cheeks
When mine are blanchd with fear
ROSS
What sights my lord
LADY MACBETH
I pray you speak not he grows worse and worse
Question enrages him At once good night
Stand not upon the order of your going
But go at once
LENNOX
Good night and better health
Attend his Majesty
LADY MACBETH
A kind good night to all
Exeunt all Lords and Attendants
MACBETH
It will have blood they say blood will have blood
Stones have been known to move and trees to speak
Augurs and understood relations have
By magotpies and choughs and rooks brought forth
The secretst man of bloodWhat is the night
LADY MACBETH
Almost at odds with morning which is which
MACBETH
How sayst thou that Macduff denies his person
At our great bidding
LADY MACBETH
Did you send to him sir
MACBETH
I hear it by the way but I will send
Theres not a one of them but in his house
I keep a servant feed I will tomorrow
And betimes I will to the Weird Sisters
More shall they speak for now I am bent to know
By the worst means the worst For mine own good
All causes shall give way I am in blood
Steppd in so far that should I wade no more
Returning were as tedious as go oer
Strange things I have in head that will to hand
Which must be acted ere they may be scannd
LADY MACBETH
You lack the season of all natures sleep
MACBETH
Come well to sleep My strange and selfabuse
Is the initiate fear that wants hard use
We are yet but young in deed
Exeunt
SCENE V The heath
Thunder Enter the three Witches meeting Hecate
FIRST WITCH
Why how now Hecate you look angerly
HECATE
Have I not reason beldams as you are
Saucy and overbold How did you dare
To trade and traffic with Macbeth
In riddles and affairs of death
And I the mistress of your charms
The close contriver of all harms
Was never calld to bear my part
Or show the glory of our art
And which is worse all you have done
Hath been but for a wayward son
Spiteful and wrathful who as others do
Loves for his own ends not for you
But make amends now get you gone
And at the pit of Acheron
Meet me i th morning thither he
Will come to know his destiny
Your vessels and your spells provide
Your charms and everything beside
I am for th air this night Ill spend
Unto a dismal and a fatal end
Great business must be wrought ere noon
Upon the corner of the moon
There hangs a vaprous drop profound
Ill catch it ere it come to ground
And that distilld by magic sleights
Shall raise such artificial sprites
As by the strength of their illusion
Shall draw him on to his confusion
He shall spurn fate scorn death and bear
His hopes bove wisdom grace and fear
And you all know security
Is mortals chiefest enemy
Music and song within Come away come away c
Hark I am calld my little spirit see
Sits in a foggy cloud and stays for me
Exit
FIRST WITCH
Come lets make haste shell soon be back again
Exeunt
SCENE VI Forres A Room in the Palace
Enter Lennox and another Lord
LENNOX
My former speeches have but hit your thoughts
Which can interpret farther only I say
Things have been strangely borne The gracious Duncan
Was pitied of Macbethmarry he was dead
And the right valiant Banquo walkd too late
Whom you may say ift please you Fleance killd
For Fleance fled Men must not walk too late
Who cannot want the thought how monstrous
It was for Malcolm and for Donalbain
To kill their gracious father damned fact
How it did grieve Macbeth did he not straight
In pious rage the two delinquents tear
That were the slaves of drink and thralls of sleep
Was not that nobly done Ay and wisely too
For twould have angerd any heart alive
To hear the men denyt So that I say
He has borne all things well and I do think
That had he Duncans sons under his key
As andt please heaven he shall not they should find
What twere to kill a father so should Fleance
But peacefor from broad words and cause he faild
His presence at the tyrants feast I hear
Macduff lives in disgrace Sir can you tell
Where he bestows himself
LORD
The son of Duncan
From whom this tyrant holds the due of birth
Lives in the English court and is receivd
Of the most pious Edward with such grace
That the malevolence of fortune nothing
Takes from his high respect Thither Macduff
Is gone to pray the holy king upon his aid
To wake Northumberland and warlike Siward
That by the help of these with Him above
To ratify the work we may again
Give to our tables meat sleep to our nights
Free from our feasts and banquets bloody knives
Do faithful homage and receive free honours
All which we pine for now And this report
Hath so exasperate the King that he
Prepares for some attempt of war
LENNOX
Sent he to Macduff
LORD
He did and with an absolute Sir not I
The cloudy messenger turns me his back
And hums as who should say Youll rue the time
That clogs me with this answer
LENNOX
And that well might
Advise him to a caution t hold what distance
His wisdom can provide Some holy angel
Fly to the court of England and unfold
His message ere he come that a swift blessing
May soon return to this our suffering country
Under a hand accursd
LORD
Ill send my prayers with him
Exeunt
ACT IV
SCENE I A dark Cave In the middle a Cauldron Boiling
Thunder Enter the three Witches
FIRST WITCH
Thrice the brinded cat hath mewd
SECOND WITCH
Thrice and once the hedgepig whind
THIRD WITCH
Harpier criesTis time tis time
FIRST WITCH
Round about the cauldron go
In the poisond entrails throw
Toad that under cold stone
Days and nights has thirtyone
Swelterd venom sleeping got
Boil thou first i th charmed pot
ALL
Double double toil and trouble
Fire burn and cauldron bubble
SECOND WITCH
Fillet of a fenny snake
In the cauldron boil and bake
Eye of newt and toe of frog
Wool of bat and tongue of dog
Adders fork and blindworms sting
Lizards leg and howlets wing
For a charm of powerful trouble
Like a hellbroth boil and bubble
ALL
Double double toil and trouble
Fire burn and cauldron bubble
THIRD WITCH
Scale of dragon tooth of wolf
Witchs mummy maw and gulf
Of the ravind saltsea shark
Root of hemlock diggd i th dark
Liver of blaspheming Jew
Gall of goat and slips of yew
Sliverd in the moons eclipse
Nose of Turk and Tartars lips
Finger of birthstrangled babe
Ditchdeliverd by a drab
Make the gruel thick and slab
Add thereto a tigers chaudron
For th ingredients of our cauldron
ALL
Double double toil and trouble
Fire burn and cauldron bubble
SECOND WITCH
Cool it with a baboons blood
Then the charm is firm and good
Enter Hecate
HECATE
O well done I commend your pains
And everyone shall share i th gains
And now about the cauldron sing
Like elves and fairies in a ring
Enchanting all that you put in
Music and a song Black Spirits c
Exit Hecate
SECOND WITCH
By the pricking of my thumbs
Something wicked this way comes
Open locks
Whoever knocks
Enter Macbeth
MACBETH
How now you secret black and midnight hags
What ist you do
ALL
A deed without a name
MACBETH
I conjure you by that which you profess
Howeer you come to know it answer me
Though you untie the winds and let them fight
Against the churches though the yesty waves
Confound and swallow navigation up
Though bladed corn be lodgd and trees blown down
Though castles topple on their warders heads
Though palaces and pyramids do slope
Their heads to their foundations though the treasure
Of natures germens tumble all together
Even till destruction sicken answer me
To what I ask you
FIRST WITCH
Speak
SECOND WITCH
Demand
THIRD WITCH
Well answer
FIRST WITCH
Say if thoudst rather hear it from our mouths
Or from our masters
MACBETH
Call em let me see em
FIRST WITCH
Pour in sows blood that hath eaten
Her nine farrow grease thats sweaten
From the murderers gibbet throw
Into the flame
ALL
Come high or low
Thyself and office deftly show
Thunder An Apparition of an armed Head rises
MACBETH
Tell me thou unknown power
FIRST WITCH
He knows thy thought
Hear his speech but say thou naught
APPARITION
Macbeth Macbeth Macbeth Beware Macduff
Beware the Thane of FifeDismiss meEnough
Descends
MACBETH
Whateer thou art for thy good caution thanks
Thou hast harpd my fear arightBut one word more
FIRST WITCH
He will not be commanded Heres another
More potent than the first
Thunder An Apparition of a bloody Child rises
APPARITION
Macbeth Macbeth Macbeth
MACBETH
Had I three ears Id hear thee
APPARITION
Be bloody bold and resolute Laugh to scorn
The power of man for none of woman born
Shall harm Macbeth
Descends
MACBETH
Then live Macduff what need I fear of thee
But yet Ill make assurance double sure
And take a bond of fate Thou shalt not live
That I may tell palehearted fear it lies
And sleep in spite of thunder
Thunder An Apparition of a Child crowned with a tree in his hand rises
What is this
That rises like the issue of a king
And wears upon his baby brow the round
And top of sovereignty
ALL
Listen but speak not tot
APPARITION
Be lionmettled proud and take no care
Who chafes who frets or where conspirers are
Macbeth shall never vanquishd be until
Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill
Shall come against him
Descends
MACBETH
That will never be
Who can impress the forest bid the tree
Unfix his earthbound root Sweet bodements good
Rebellious head rise never till the wood
Of Birnam rise and our highplacd Macbeth
Shall live the lease of nature pay his breath
To time and mortal customYet my heart
Throbs to know one thing tell me if your art
Can tell so much shall Banquos issue ever
Reign in this kingdom
ALL
Seek to know no more
MACBETH
I will be satisfied deny me this
And an eternal curse fall on you Let me know
Why sinks that cauldron and what noise is this
Hautboys
FIRST WITCH
Show
SECOND WITCH
Show
THIRD WITCH
Show
ALL
Show his eyes and grieve his heart
Come like shadows so depart
A show of eight kings appear and pass over in order the last with a glass in his hand Banquo following
MACBETH
Thou are too like the spirit of Banquo Down
Thy crown does sear mine eyeballsand thy hair
Thou other goldbound brow is like the first
A third is like the formerFilthy hags
Why do you show me thisA fourthStart eyes
What will the line stretch out to th crack of doom
Another yetA seventhIll see no more
And yet the eighth appears who bears a glass
Which shows me many more and some I see
That twofold balls and treble sceptres carry
Horrible sightNow I see tis true
For the bloodbolterd Banquo smiles upon me
And points at them for hisWhat is this so
FIRST WITCH
Ay sir all this is sobut why
Stands Macbeth thus amazedly
Come sisters cheer we up his sprites
And show the best of our delights
Ill charm the air to give a sound
While you perform your antic round
That this great king may kindly say
Our duties did his welcome pay
Music The Witches dance and vanish
MACBETH
Where are they GoneLet this pernicious hour
Stand aye accursed in the calendar
Come in without there
Enter Lennox
LENNOX
Whats your Graces will
MACBETH
Saw you the Weird Sisters
LENNOX
No my lord
MACBETH
Came they not by you
LENNOX
No indeed my lord
MACBETH
Infected be the air whereon they ride
And damnd all those that trust themI did hear
The galloping of horse who wast came by
LENNOX
Tis two or three my lord that bring you word
Macduff is fled to England
MACBETH
Fled to England
LENNOX
Ay my good lord
MACBETH
Time thou anticipatst my dread exploits
The flighty purpose never is oertook
Unless the deed go with it From this moment
The very firstlings of my heart shall be
The firstlings of my hand And even now
To crown my thoughts with acts be it thought and done
The castle of Macduff I will surprise
Seize upon Fife give to th edge o th sword
His wife his babes and all unfortunate souls
That trace him in his line No boasting like a fool
This deed Ill do before this purpose cool
But no more sightsWhere are these gentlemen
Come bring me where they are
Exeunt
SCENE II Fife A Room in Macduffs Castle
Enter Lady Macduff her Son and Ross
LADY MACDUFF
What had he done to make him fly the land
ROSS
You must have patience madam
LADY MACDUFF
He had none
His flight was madness when our actions do not
Our fears do make us traitors
ROSS
You know not
Whether it was his wisdom or his fear
LADY MACDUFF
Wisdom to leave his wife to leave his babes
His mansion and his titles in a place
From whence himself does fly He loves us not
He wants the natural touch for the poor wren
The most diminutive of birds will fight
Her young ones in her nest against the owl
All is the fear and nothing is the love
As little is the wisdom where the flight
So runs against all reason
ROSS
My dearest coz
I pray you school yourself but for your husband
He is noble wise judicious and best knows
The fits o th season I dare not speak much further
But cruel are the times when we are traitors
And do not know ourselves when we hold rumour
From what we fear yet know not what we fear
But float upon a wild and violent sea
Each way and moveI take my leave of you
Shall not be long but Ill be here again
Things at the worst will cease or else climb upward
To what they were beforeMy pretty cousin
Blessing upon you
LADY MACDUFF
Fatherd he is and yet hes fatherless
ROSS
I am so much a fool should I stay longer
It would be my disgrace and your discomfort
I take my leave at once
Exit
LADY MACDUFF
Sirrah your fathers dead
And what will you do now How will you live
SON
As birds do mother
LADY MACDUFF
What with worms and flies
SON
With what I get I mean and so do they
LADY MACDUFF
Poor bird thoudst never fear the net nor lime
The pitfall nor the gin
SON
Why should I mother Poor birds they are not set for
My father is not dead for all your saying
LADY MACDUFF
Yes he is dead how wilt thou do for a father
SON
Nay how will you do for a husband
LADY MACDUFF
Why I can buy me twenty at any market
SON
Then youll buy em to sell again
LADY MACDUFF
Thou speakst with all thy wit
And yet i faith with wit enough for thee
SON
Was my father a traitor mother
LADY MACDUFF
Ay that he was
SON
What is a traitor
LADY MACDUFF
Why one that swears and lies
SON
And be all traitors that do so
LADY MACDUFF
Every one that does so is a traitor and must be hanged
SON
And must they all be hanged that swear and lie
LADY MACDUFF
Every one
SON
Who must hang them
LADY MACDUFF
Why the honest men
SON
Then the liars and swearers are fools for there are liars and swearers enow to beat the honest men and hang up them
LADY MACDUFF
Now God help thee poor monkey But how wilt thou do for a father
SON
If he were dead yould weep for him if you would not it were a good sign that I should quickly have a new father
LADY MACDUFF
Poor prattler how thou talkst
Enter a Messenger
MESSENGER
Bless you fair dame I am not to you known
Though in your state of honour I am perfect
I doubt some danger does approach you nearly
If you will take a homely mans advice
Be not found here hence with your little ones
To fright you thus methinks I am too savage
To do worse to you were fell cruelty
Which is too nigh your person Heaven preserve you
I dare abide no longer
Exit
LADY MACDUFF
Whither should I fly
I have done no harm But I remember now
I am in this earthly world where to do harm
Is often laudable to do good sometime
Accounted dangerous folly why then alas
Do I put up that womanly defence
To say I have done no harm What are these faces
Enter Murderers
FIRST MURDERER
Where is your husband
LADY MACDUFF
I hope in no place so unsanctified
Where such as thou mayst find him
FIRST MURDERER
Hes a traitor
SON
Thou liest thou shageard villain
FIRST MURDERER
What you egg
Stabbing him
Young fry of treachery
SON
He has killd me mother
Run away I pray you
Dies Exit Lady Macduff crying Murder and pursued by the Murderers
SCENE III England Before the Kings Palace
Enter Malcolm and Macduff
MALCOLM
Let us seek out some desolate shade and there
Weep our sad bosoms empty
MACDUFF
Let us rather
Hold fast the mortal sword and like good men
Bestride our downfalln birthdom Each new morn
New widows howl new orphans cry new sorrows
Strike heaven on the face that it resounds
As if it felt with Scotland and yelld out
Like syllable of dolour
MALCOLM
What I believe Ill wail
What know believe and what I can redress
As I shall find the time to friend I will
What you have spoke it may be so perchance
This tyrant whose sole name blisters our tongues
Was once thought honest you have loved him well
He hath not touchd you yet I am young but something
You may deserve of him through me and wisdom
To offer up a weak poor innocent lamb
To appease an angry god
MACDUFF
I am not treacherous
MALCOLM
But Macbeth is
A good and virtuous nature may recoil
In an imperial charge But I shall crave your pardon
That which you are my thoughts cannot transpose
Angels are bright still though the brightest fell
Though all things foul would wear the brows of grace
Yet grace must still look so
MACDUFF
I have lost my hopes
MALCOLM
Perchance even there where I did find my doubts
Why in that rawness left you wife and child
Those precious motives those strong knots of love
Without leavetakingI pray you
Let not my jealousies be your dishonours
But mine own safeties You may be rightly just
Whatever I shall think
MACDUFF
Bleed bleed poor country
Great tyranny lay thou thy basis sure
For goodness dare not check thee wear thou thy wrongs
The title is affeerdFare thee well lord
I would not be the villain that thou thinkst
For the whole space thats in the tyrants grasp
And the rich East to boot
MALCOLM
Be not offended
I speak not as in absolute fear of you
I think our country sinks beneath the yoke
It weeps it bleeds and each new day a gash
Is added to her wounds I think withal
There would be hands uplifted in my right
And here from gracious England have I offer
Of goodly thousands but for all this
When I shall tread upon the tyrants head
Or wear it on my sword yet my poor country
Shall have more vices than it had before
More suffer and more sundry ways than ever
By him that shall succeed
MACDUFF
What should he be
MALCOLM
It is myself I mean in whom I know
All the particulars of vice so grafted
That when they shall be opend black Macbeth
Will seem as pure as snow and the poor state
Esteem him as a lamb being compard
With my confineless harms
MACDUFF
Not in the legions
Of horrid hell can come a devil more damnd
In evils to top Macbeth
MALCOLM
I grant him bloody
Luxurious avaricious false deceitful
Sudden malicious smacking of every sin
That has a name but theres no bottom none
In my voluptuousness your wives your daughters
Your matrons and your maids could not fill up
The cistern of my lust and my desire
All continent impediments would oerbear
That did oppose my will better Macbeth
Than such an one to reign
MACDUFF
Boundless intemperance
In nature is a tyranny it hath been
Th untimely emptying of the happy throne
And fall of many kings But fear not yet
To take upon you what is yours you may
Convey your pleasures in a spacious plenty
And yet seem coldthe time you may so hoodwink
We have willing dames enough there cannot be
That vulture in you to devour so many
As will to greatness dedicate themselves
Finding it so inclind
MALCOLM
With this there grows
In my most illcomposd affection such
A staunchless avarice that were I king
I should cut off the nobles for their lands
Desire his jewels and this others house
And my morehaving would be as a sauce
To make me hunger more that I should forge
Quarrels unjust against the good and loyal
Destroying them for wealth
MACDUFF
This avarice
Sticks deeper grows with more pernicious root
Than summerseeming lust and it hath been
The sword of our slain kings yet do not fear
Scotland hath foisons to fill up your will
Of your mere own All these are portable
With other graces weighd
MALCOLM
But I have none the kingbecoming graces
As justice verity temprance stableness
Bounty perseverance mercy lowliness
Devotion patience courage fortitude
I have no relish of them but abound
In the division of each several crime
Acting it many ways Nay had I power I should
Pour the sweet milk of concord into hell
Uproar the universal peace confound
All unity on earth
MACDUFF
O Scotland Scotland
MALCOLM
If such a one be fit to govern speak
I am as I have spoken
MACDUFF
Fit to govern
No not to liveO nation miserable
With an untitled tyrant bloodyscepterd
When shalt thou see thy wholesome days again
Since that the truest issue of thy throne
By his own interdiction stands accusd
And does blaspheme his breed Thy royal father
Was a most sainted king The queen that bore thee
Oftner upon her knees than on her feet
Died every day she lived Fare thee well
These evils thou repeatst upon thyself
Have banishd me from ScotlandO my breast
Thy hope ends here
MALCOLM
Macduff this noble passion
Child of integrity hath from my soul
Wiped the black scruples reconcild my thoughts
To thy good truth and honour Devilish Macbeth
By many of these trains hath sought to win me
Into his power and modest wisdom plucks me
From overcredulous haste but God above
Deal between thee and me for even now
I put myself to thy direction and
Unspeak mine own detraction here abjure
The taints and blames I laid upon myself
For strangers to my nature I am yet
Unknown to woman never was forsworn
Scarcely have coveted what was mine own
At no time broke my faith would not betray
The devil to his fellow and delight
No less in truth than life my first false speaking
Was this upon myself What I am truly
Is thine and my poor countrys to command
Whither indeed before thy hereapproach
Old Siward with ten thousand warlike men
Already at a point was setting forth
Now well together and the chance of goodness
Be like our warranted quarrel Why are you silent
MACDUFF
Such welcome and unwelcome things at once
Tis hard to reconcile
Enter a Doctor
MALCOLM
Well more anonComes the King forth I pray you
DOCTOR
Ay sir There are a crew of wretched souls
That stay his cure their malady convinces
The great assay of art but at his touch
Such sanctity hath heaven given his hand
They presently amend
MALCOLM
I thank you doctor
Exit Doctor
MACDUFF
Whats the disease he means
MALCOLM
Tis calld the evil
A most miraculous work in this good king
Which often since my hereremain in England
I have seen him do How he solicits heaven
Himself best knows but strangelyvisited people
All swoln and ulcerous pitiful to the eye
The mere despair of surgery he cures
Hanging a golden stamp about their necks
Put on with holy prayers and tis spoken
To the succeeding royalty he leaves
The healing benediction With this strange virtue
He hath a heavenly gift of prophecy
And sundry blessings hang about his throne
That speak him full of grace
Enter Ross
MACDUFF
See who comes here
MALCOLM
My countryman but yet I know him not
MACDUFF
My evergentle cousin welcome hither
MALCOLM
I know him now Good God betimes remove
The means that makes us strangers
ROSS
Sir amen
MACDUFF
Stands Scotland where it did
ROSS
Alas poor country
Almost afraid to know itself It cannot
Be calld our mother but our grave where nothing
But who knows nothing is once seen to smile
Where sighs and groans and shrieks that rent the air
Are made not markd where violent sorrow seems
A modern ecstasy The dead mans knell
Is there scarce askd for who and good mens lives
Expire before the flowers in their caps
Dying or ere they sicken
MACDUFF
O relation
Too nice and yet too true
MALCOLM
Whats the newest grief
ROSS
That of an hours age doth hiss the speaker
Each minute teems a new one
MACDUFF
How does my wife
ROSS
Why well
MACDUFF
And all my children
ROSS
Well too
MACDUFF
The tyrant has not batterd at their peace
ROSS
No they were well at peace when I did leave em
MACDUFF
Be not a niggard of your speech how goest
ROSS
When I came hither to transport the tidings
Which I have heavily borne there ran a rumour
Of many worthy fellows that were out
Which was to my belief witnessd the rather
For that I saw the tyrants power afoot
Now is the time of help Your eye in Scotland
Would create soldiers make our women fight
To doff their dire distresses
MALCOLM
Bet their comfort
We are coming thither Gracious England hath
Lent us good Siward and ten thousand men
An older and a better soldier none
That Christendom gives out
ROSS
Would I could answer
This comfort with the like But I have words
That would be howld out in the desert air
Where hearing should not latch them
MACDUFF
What concern they
The general cause or is it a feegrief
Due to some single breast
ROSS
No mind thats honest
But in it shares some woe though the main part
Pertains to you alone
MACDUFF
If it be mine
Keep it not from me quickly let me have it
ROSS
Let not your ears despise my tongue for ever
Which shall possess them with the heaviest sound
That ever yet they heard
MACDUFF
Humh I guess at it
ROSS
Your castle is surprisd your wife and babes
Savagely slaughterd To relate the manner
Were on the quarry of these murderd deer
To add the death of you
MALCOLM
Merciful heaven
What man neer pull your hat upon your brows
Give sorrow words The grief that does not speak
Whispers the oerfraught heart and bids it break
MACDUFF
My children too
ROSS
Wife children servants all
That could be found
MACDUFF
And I must be from thence
My wife killd too
ROSS
I have said
MALCOLM
Be comforted
Lets make us medcines of our great revenge
To cure this deadly grief
MACDUFF
He has no childrenAll my pretty ones
Did you say allO hellkiteAll
What all my pretty chickens and their dam
At one fell swoop
MALCOLM
Dispute it like a man
MACDUFF
I shall do so
But I must also feel it as a man
I cannot but remember such things were
That were most precious to meDid heaven look on
And would not take their part Sinful Macduff
They were all struck for thee Naught that I am
Not for their own demerits but for mine
Fell slaughter on their souls heaven rest them now
MALCOLM
Be this the whetstone of your sword Let grief
Convert to anger blunt not the heart enrage it
MACDUFF
O I could play the woman with mine eyes
And braggart with my tongueBut gentle heavens
Cut short all intermission front to front
Bring thou this fiend of Scotland and myself
Within my swords length set him if he scape
Heaven forgive him too
MALCOLM
This tune goes manly
Come go we to the King Our power is ready
Our lack is nothing but our leave Macbeth
Is ripe for shaking and the powers above
Put on their instruments Receive what cheer you may
The night is long that never finds the day
Exeunt
ACT V
SCENE I Dunsinane A Room in the Castle
Enter a Doctor of Physic and a WaitingGentlewoman
DOCTOR
I have two nights watched with you but can perceive no truth in your report When was it she last walked
GENTLEWOMAN
Since his Majesty went into the field I have seen her rise from her bed throw her nightgown upon her unlock her closet take forth paper fold it write upont read it afterwards seal it and again return to bed yet all this while in a most fast sleep
DOCTOR
A great perturbation in nature to receive at once the benefit of sleep and do the effects of watching In this slumbery agitation besides her walking and other actual performances what at any time have you heard her say
GENTLEWOMAN
That sir which I will not report after her
DOCTOR
You may to me and tis most meet you should
GENTLEWOMAN
Neither to you nor anyone having no witness to confirm my speech
Enter Lady Macbeth with a taper
Lo you here she comes This is her very guise and upon my life fast asleep Observe her stand close
DOCTOR
How came she by that light
GENTLEWOMAN
Why it stood by her she has light by her continually tis her command
DOCTOR
You see her eyes are open
GENTLEWOMAN
Ay but their sense are shut
DOCTOR
What is it she does now Look how she rubs her hands
GENTLEWOMAN
It is an accustomed action with her to seem thus washing her hands I have known her continue in this a quarter of an hour
LADY MACBETH
Yet heres a spot
DOCTOR
Hark she speaks I will set down what comes from her to satisfy my remembrance the more strongly
LADY MACBETH
Out damned spot out I say One two Why then tis time to dot Hell is murky Fie my lord fie a soldier and afeard What need we fear who knows it when none can call our power to account Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him
DOCTOR
Do you mark that
LADY MACBETH
The Thane of Fife had a wife Where is she nowWhat will these hands neer be clean No more o that my lord no more o that you mar all with this starting
DOCTOR
Go to go to You have known what you should not
GENTLEWOMAN
She has spoke what she should not I am sure of that heaven knows what she has known
LADY MACBETH
Heres the smell of the blood still all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand Oh oh oh
DOCTOR
What a sigh is there The heart is sorely charged
GENTLEWOMAN
I would not have such a heart in my bosom for the dignity of the whole body
DOCTOR
Well well well
GENTLEWOMAN
Pray God it be sir
DOCTOR
This disease is beyond my practice yet I have known those which have walked in their sleep who have died holily in their beds
LADY MACBETH
Wash your hands put on your nightgown look not so pale I tell you yet again Banquos buried he cannot come out ons grave
DOCTOR
Even so
LADY MACBETH
To bed to bed Theres knocking at the gate Come come come come give me your hand Whats done cannot be undone To bed to bed to bed
Exit
DOCTOR
Will she go now to bed
GENTLEWOMAN
Directly
DOCTOR
Foul whisprings are abroad Unnatural deeds
Do breed unnatural troubles infected minds
To their deaf pillows will discharge their secrets
More needs she the divine than the physician
God God forgive us all Look after her
Remove from her the means of all annoyance
And still keep eyes upon her So good night
My mind she has mated and amazd my sight
I think but dare not speak
GENTLEWOMAN
Good night good doctor
Exeunt
SCENE II The Country near Dunsinane
Enter with drum and colours Menteith Caithness Angus Lennox and Soldiers
MENTEITH
The English power is near led on by Malcolm
His uncle Siward and the good Macduff
Revenges burn in them for their dear causes
Would to the bleeding and the grim alarm
Excite the mortified man
ANGUS
Near Birnam wood
Shall we well meet them That way are they coming
CAITHNESS
Who knows if Donalbain be with his brother
LENNOX
For certain sir he is not I have a file
Of all the gentry there is Siwards son
And many unrough youths that even now
Protest their first of manhood
MENTEITH
What does the tyrant
CAITHNESS
Great Dunsinane he strongly fortifies
Some say hes mad others that lesser hate him
Do call it valiant fury but for certain
He cannot buckle his distemperd cause
Within the belt of rule
ANGUS
Now does he feel
His secret murders sticking on his hands
Now minutely revolts upbraid his faithbreach
Those he commands move only in command
Nothing in love now does he feel his title
Hang loose about him like a giants robe
Upon a dwarfish thief
MENTEITH
Who then shall blame
His pesterd senses to recoil and start
When all that is within him does condemn
Itself for being there
CAITHNESS
Well march we on
To give obedience where tis truly owd
Meet we the medcine of the sickly weal
And with him pour we in our countrys purge
Each drop of us
LENNOX
Or so much as it needs
To dew the sovereign flower and drown the weeds
Make we our march towards Birnam
Exeunt marching
SCENE III Dunsinane A Room in the Castle
Enter Macbeth Doctor and Attendants
MACBETH
Bring me no more reports let them fly all
Till Birnam wood remove to Dunsinane
I cannot taint with fear Whats the boy Malcolm
Was he not born of woman The spirits that know
All mortal consequences have pronouncd me thus
Fear not Macbeth no man thats born of woman
Shall eer have power upon theeThen fly false thanes
And mingle with the English epicures
The mind I sway by and the heart I bear
Shall never sag with doubt nor shake with fear
Enter a Servant
The devil damn thee black thou creamfacd loon
Where gottst thou that goose look
SERVANT
There is ten thousand
MACBETH
Geese villain
SERVANT
Soldiers sir
MACBETH
Go prick thy face and overred thy fear
Thou lilyliverd boy What soldiers patch
Death of thy soul those linen cheeks of thine
Are counsellors to fear What soldiers wheyface
SERVANT
The English force so please you
MACBETH
Take thy face hence
Exit Servant
SeytonI am sick at heart
When I beholdSeyton I sayThis push
Will cheer me ever or disseat me now
I have livd long enough my way of life
Is falln into the sere the yellow leaf
And that which should accompany old age
As honour love obedience troops of friends
I must not look to have but in their stead
Curses not loud but deep mouthhonour breath
Which the poor heart would fain deny and dare not
Seyton
Enter Seyton
SEYTON
Whats your gracious pleasure
MACBETH
What news more
SEYTON
All is confirmd my lord which was reported
MACBETH
Ill fight till from my bones my flesh be hackd
Give me my armour
SEYTON
Tis not needed yet
MACBETH
Ill put it on
Send out more horses skirr the country round
Hang those that talk of fear Give me mine armour
How does your patient doctor
DOCTOR
Not so sick my lord
As she is troubled with thickcoming fancies
That keep her from her rest
MACBETH
Cure her of that
Canst thou not minister to a mind diseasd
Pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow
Raze out the written troubles of the brain
And with some sweet oblivious antidote
Cleanse the stuffd bosom of that perilous stuff
Which weighs upon the heart
DOCTOR
Therein the patient
Must minister to himself
MACBETH
Throw physic to the dogs Ill none of it
Come put mine armour on give me my staff
Seyton send outDoctor the Thanes fly from me
Come sir despatchIf thou couldst doctor cast
The water of my land find her disease
And purge it to a sound and pristine health
I would applaud thee to the very echo
That should applaud againPullt off I say
What rhubarb senna or what purgative drug
Would scour these English hence Hearst thou of them
DOCTOR
Ay my good lord Your royal preparation
Makes us hear something
MACBETH
Bring it after me
I will not be afraid of death and bane
Till Birnam forest come to Dunsinane
Exeunt all except Doctor
DOCTOR
Were I from Dunsinane away and clear
Profit again should hardly draw me here
Exit
SCENE IV Country near Dunsinane a Wood in view
Enter with drum and colours Malcolm old Siward and his Son Macduff Menteith Caithness Angus Lennox Ross and Soldiers marching
MALCOLM
Cousins I hope the days are near at hand
That chambers will be safe
MENTEITH
We doubt it nothing
SIWARD
What wood is this before us
MENTEITH
The wood of Birnam
MALCOLM
Let every soldier hew him down a bough
And beart before him Thereby shall we shadow
The numbers of our host and make discovery
Err in report of us
SOLDIERS
It shall be done
SIWARD
We learn no other but the confident tyrant
Keeps still in Dunsinane and will endure
Our setting down beforet
MALCOLM
Tis his main hope
For where there is advantage to be given
Both more and less have given him the revolt
And none serve with him but constrained things
Whose hearts are absent too
MACDUFF
Let our just censures
Attend the true event and put we on
Industrious soldiership
SIWARD
The time approaches
That will with due decision make us know
What we shall say we have and what we owe
Thoughts speculative their unsure hopes relate
But certain issue strokes must arbitrate
Towards which advance the war
Exeunt marching
SCENE V Dunsinane Within the castle
Enter with drum and colours Macbeth Seyton and Soldiers
MACBETH
Hang out our banners on the outward walls
The cry is still They come Our castles strength
Will laugh a siege to scorn here let them lie
Till famine and the ague eat them up
Were they not forcd with those that should be ours
We might have met them dareful beard to beard
And beat them backward home
A cry of women within
What is that noise
SEYTON
It is the cry of women my good lord
Exit
MACBETH
I have almost forgot the taste of fears
The time has been my senses would have coold
To hear a nightshriek and my fell of hair
Would at a dismal treatise rouse and stir
As life were int I have suppd full with horrors
Direness familiar to my slaughterous thoughts
Cannot once start me
Enter Seyton
Wherefore was that cry
SEYTON
The Queen my lord is dead
MACBETH
She should have died hereafter
There would have been a time for such a word
Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death Out out brief candle
Lifes but a walking shadow a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more it is a tale
Told by an idiot full of sound and fury
Signifying nothing
Enter a Messenger
Thou comst to use thy tongue thy story quickly
MESSENGER
Gracious my lord
I should report that which I say I saw
But know not how to dot
MACBETH
Well say sir
MESSENGER
As I did stand my watch upon the hill
I lookd toward Birnam and anon methought
The wood began to move
MACBETH
Liar and slave
MESSENGER
Let me endure your wrath ift be not so
Within this three mile may you see it coming
I say a moving grove
MACBETH
If thou speakst false
Upon the next tree shalt thou hang alive
Till famine cling thee if thy speech be sooth
I care not if thou dost for me as much
I pull in resolution and begin
To doubt th equivocation of the fiend
That lies like truth Fear not till Birnam wood
Do come to Dunsinane and now a wood
Comes toward DunsinaneArm arm and out
If this which he avouches does appear
There is nor flying hence nor tarrying here
I gin to be aweary of the sun
And wish th estate o th world were now undone
Ring the alarum bellBlow wind come wrack
At least well die with harness on our back
Exeunt
SCENE VI The same A Plain before the Castle
Enter with drum and colours Malcolm old Siward Macduff and their Army with boughs
MALCOLM
Now near enough Your leafy screens throw down
And show like those you areYou worthy uncle
Shall with my cousin your right noble son
Lead our first battle worthy Macduff and we
Shall take upons what else remains to do
According to our order
SIWARD
Fare you well
Do we but find the tyrants power tonight
Let us be beaten if we cannot fight
MACDUFF
Make all our trumpets speak give them all breath
Those clamorous harbingers of blood and death
Exeunt
SCENE VII The same Another part of the Plain
Alarums Enter Macbeth
MACBETH
They have tied me to a stake I cannot fly
But bearlike I must fight the courseWhats he
That was not born of woman Such a one
Am I to fear or none
Enter young Siward
YOUNG SIWARD
What is thy name
MACBETH
Thoult be afraid to hear it
YOUNG SIWARD
No though thou callst thyself a hotter name
Than any is in hell
MACBETH
My names Macbeth
YOUNG SIWARD
The devil himself could not pronounce a title
More hateful to mine ear
MACBETH
No nor more fearful
YOUNG SIWARD
Thou liest abhorred tyrant With my sword
Ill prove the lie thou speakst
They fight and young Siward is slain
MACBETH
Thou wast born of woman
But swords I smile at weapons laugh to scorn
Brandishd by man thats of a woman born
Exit
Alarums Enter Macduff
MACDUFF
That way the noise isTyrant show thy face
If thou best slain and with no stroke of mine
My wife and childrens ghosts will haunt me still
I cannot strike at wretched kerns whose arms
Are hired to bear their staves Either thou Macbeth
Or else my sword with an unbatterd edge
I sheathe again undeeded There thou shouldst be
By this great clatter one of greatest note
Seems bruited Let me find him Fortune
And more I beg not
Exit Alarums
Enter Malcolm and old Siward
SIWARD
This way my lordthe castles gently renderd
The tyrants people on both sides do fight
The noble thanes do bravely in the war
The day almost itself professes yours
And little is to do
MALCOLM
We have met with foes
That strike beside us
SIWARD
Enter sir the castle
Exeunt Alarums
SCENE VIII The same Another part of the field
Enter Macbeth
MACBETH
Why should I play the Roman fool and die
On mine own sword whiles I see lives the gashes
Do better upon them
Enter Macduff
MACDUFF
Turn hellhound turn
MACBETH
Of all men else I have avoided thee
But get thee back my soul is too much chargd
With blood of thine already
MACDUFF
I have no words
My voice is in my sword thou bloodier villain
Than terms can give thee out
They fight
MACBETH
Thou losest labour
As easy mayst thou the intrenchant air
With thy keen sword impress as make me bleed
Let fall thy blade on vulnerable crests
I bear a charmed life which must not yield
To one of woman born
MACDUFF
Despair thy charm
And let the angel whom thou still hast servd
Tell thee Macduff was from his mothers womb
Untimely rippd
MACBETH
Accursed be that tongue that tells me so
For it hath cowd my better part of man
And be these juggling fiends no more believd
That palter with us in a double sense
That keep the word of promise to our ear
And break it to our hopeIll not fight with thee
MACDUFF
Then yield thee coward
And live to be the show and gaze o th time
Well have thee as our rarer monsters are
Painted upon a pole and underwrit
Here may you see the tyrant
MACBETH
I will not yield
To kiss the ground before young Malcolms feet
And to be baited with the rabbles curse
Though Birnam wood be come to Dunsinane
And thou opposd being of no woman born
Yet I will try the last Before my body
I throw my warlike shield lay on Macduff
And damnd be him that first cries Hold enough
Exeunt fighting Alarums
Retreat Flourish Enter with drum and colours Malcolm old Siward Ross Thanes and Soldiers
MALCOLM
I would the friends we miss were safe arrivd
SIWARD
Some must go off and yet by these I see
So great a day as this is cheaply bought
MALCOLM
Macduff is missing and your noble son
ROSS
Your son my lord has paid a soldiers debt
He only livd but till he was a man
The which no sooner had his prowess confirmd
In the unshrinking station where he fought
But like a man he died
SIWARD
Then he is dead
ROSS
Ay and brought off the field Your cause of sorrow
Must not be measurd by his worth for then
It hath no end
SIWARD
Had he his hurts before
ROSS
Ay on the front
SIWARD
Why then Gods soldier be he
Had I as many sons as I have hairs
I would not wish them to a fairer death
And so his knell is knolld
MALCOLM
Hes worth more sorrow
And that Ill spend for him
SIWARD
Hes worth no more
They say he parted well and paid his score
And so God be with himHere comes newer comfort
Enter Macduff with Macbeths head
MACDUFF
Hail King for so thou art Behold where stands
Th usurpers cursed head the time is free
I see thee compassd with thy kingdoms pearl
That speak my salutation in their minds
Whose voices I desire aloud with mine
Hail King of Scotland
ALL
Hail King of Scotland
Flourish
MALCOLM
We shall not spend a large expense of time
Before we reckon with your several loves
And make us even with you My thanes and kinsmen
Henceforth be earls the first that ever Scotland
In such an honour namd Whats more to do
Which would be planted newly with the time
As calling home our exild friends abroad
That fled the snares of watchful tyranny
Producing forth the cruel ministers
Of this dead butcher and his fiendlike queen
Who as tis thought by self and violent hands
Took off her lifethis and what needful else
That calls upon us by the grace of Grace
We will perform in measure time and place
So thanks to all at once and to each one
Whom we invite to see us crownd at Scone
Flourish Exeunt
MEASURE FOR MEASURE
Contents
ACT I
Scene I An apartment in the Dukes palace
Scene II A street
Scene III A monastery
Scene IV A nunnery
ACT II
Scene I A hall in Angelos house
Scene II Another room in the same
Scene III A room in a prison
Scene IV A room in Angelos house
ACT III
Scene I A room in the prison
Scene II The street before the prisons
ACT IV
Scene I A room in Marianas house
Scene II A room in the prison
Scene III Another room in the same
Scene IV A room in Angelos house
Scene V Fields without the town
Scene VI Street near the city gate
ACT V
Scene I A public place near the city gate
Dramatis Person
Vincentio DUKE of Vienna
ESCALUS an ancient Lord
PROVOST
ELBOW a simple constable
ABHORSON an executioner
A JUSTICE
VARRIUS a Gentleman Servant to the Duke
ANGELO Deputy to the Duke
MARIANA betrothed to Angelo
BOY singer
SERVANT to Angelo
MESSENGER from Angelo
ISABELLA Sister to Claudio
FRANCISCA a nun
CLAUDIO a young Gentleman
JULIET betrothed to Claudio
LUCIO a fantastic
Two GENTLEMEN
FRIAR THOMAS
FRIAR PETER
Mistress Overdone a BAWD
POMPEY Servant to Mistress Overdone
FROTH a foolish gentleman
BARNARDINE a dissolute prisoner
Lords Officers Servants Citizens and Attendants
SCENE Vienna
ACT I
SCENE I An apartment in the Dukes palace
Enter Duke Escalus Lords and Attendants
DUKE
Escalus
ESCALUS
My lord
DUKE
Of government the properties to unfold
Would seem in me t affect speech and discourse
Since I am put to know that your own science
Exceeds in that the lists of all advice
My strength can give you Then no more remains
But that to your sufficiency as your worth is able
And let them work The nature of our people
Our citys institutions and the terms
For common justice youre as pregnant in
As art and practice hath enriched any
That we remember There is our commission
From which we would not have you warpCall hither
I say bid come before us Angelo
Exit an Attendant
What figure of us think you he will bear
For you must know we have with special soul
Elected him our absence to supply
Lent him our terror drest him with our love
And given his deputation all the organs
Of our own power What think you of it
ESCALUS
If any in Vienna be of worth
To undergo such ample grace and honour
It is Lord Angelo
Enter Angelo
DUKE
Look where he comes
ANGELO
Always obedient to your Graces will
I come to know your pleasure
DUKE
Angelo
There is a kind of character in thy life
That to th observer doth thy history
Fully unfold Thyself and thy belongings
Are not thine own so proper as to waste
Thyself upon thy virtues they on thee
Heaven doth with us as we with torches do
Not light them for themselves for if our virtues
Did not go forth of us twere all alike
As if we had them not Spirits are not finely touched
But to fine issues nor nature never lends
The smallest scruple of her excellence
But like a thrifty goddess she determines
Herself the glory of a creditor
Both thanks and use But I do bend my speech
To one that can my part in him advertise
Hold therefore Angelo
In our remove be thou at full ourself
Mortality and mercy in Vienna
Live in thy tongue and heart Old Escalus
Though first in question is thy secondary
Take thy commission
ANGELO
Now good my lord
Let there be some more test made of my metal
Before so noble and so great a figure
Be stamped upon it
DUKE
No more evasion
We have with a leavened and prepared choice
Proceeded to you therefore take your honours
Our haste from hence is of so quick condition
That it prefers itself and leaves unquestioned
Matters of needful value We shall write to you
As time and our concernings shall importune
How it goes with us and do look to know
What doth befall you here So fare you well
To th hopeful execution do I leave you
Of your commissions
ANGELO
Yet give leave my lord
That we may bring you something on the way
DUKE
My haste may not admit it
Nor need you on mine honour have to do
With any scruple Your scope is as mine own
So to enforce or qualify the laws
As to your soul seems good Give me your hand
Ill privily away I love the people
But do not like to stage me to their eyes
Though it do well I do not relish well
Their loud applause and Aves vehement
Nor do I think the man of safe discretion
That does affect it Once more fare you well
ANGELO
The heavens give safety to your purposes
ESCALUS
Lead forth and bring you back in happiness
DUKE
I thank you Fare you well
Exit
ESCALUS
I shall desire you sir to give me leave
To have free speech with you and it concerns me
To look into the bottom of my place
A power I have but of what strength and nature
I am not yet instructed
ANGELO
Tis so with me Let us withdraw together
And we may soon our satisfaction have
Touching that point
ESCALUS
Ill wait upon your honour
Exeunt
SCENE II A street
Enter Lucio and two other Gentlemen
LUCIO
If the Duke with the other dukes come not to composition with the King of Hungary why then all the dukes fall upon the King
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Heaven grant us its peace but not the King of Hungarys
SECOND GENTLEMAN
Amen
LUCIO
Thou concludst like the sanctimonious pirate that went to sea with the ten commandments but scraped one out of the table
SECOND GENTLEMAN
Thou shalt not steal
LUCIO
Ay that he razed
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Why twas a commandment to command the captain and all the rest from their functions They put forth to steal Theres not a soldier of us all that in the thanksgiving before meat do relish the petition well that prays for peace
SECOND GENTLEMAN
I never heard any soldier dislike it
LUCIO
I believe thee for I think thou never wast where grace was said
SECOND GENTLEMAN
No A dozen times at least
FIRST GENTLEMAN
What In metre
LUCIO
In any proportion or in any language
FIRST GENTLEMAN
I think or in any religion
LUCIO
Ay why not Grace is grace despite of all controversy as for example thou thyself art a wicked villain despite of all grace
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Well there went but a pair of shears between us
LUCIO
I grant as there may between the lists and the velvet Thou art the list
FIRST GENTLEMAN
And thou the velvet Thou art good velvet thourt a threepiled piece I warrant thee I had as lief be a list of an English kersey as be piled as thou art piled for a French velvet Do I speak feelingly now
LUCIO
I think thou dost and indeed with most painful feeling of thy speech I will out of thine own confession learn to begin thy health but whilst I live forget to drink after thee
FIRST GENTLEMAN
I think I have done myself wrong have I not
SECOND GENTLEMAN
Yes that thou hast whether thou art tainted or free
Enter Mistress Overdone a Bawd
LUCIO
Behold behold where Madam Mitigation comes I have purchased as many diseases under her roof as come to
SECOND GENTLEMAN
To what I pray
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Judge
SECOND GENTLEMAN
To three thousand dolours a year
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Ay and more
LUCIO
A French crown more
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Thou art always figuring diseases in me but thou art full of error I am sound
LUCIO
Nay not as one would say healthy but so sound as things that are hollow Thy bones are hollow Impiety has made a feast of thee
FIRST GENTLEMAN
How now which of your hips has the most profound sciatica
BAWD
Well well Theres one yonder arrested and carried to prison was worth five thousand of you all
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Whos that I pray thee
BAWD
Marry sir thats Claudio Signior Claudio
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Claudio to prison Tis not so
BAWD
Nay but I know tis so I saw him arrested saw him carried away and which is more within these three days his head to be chopped off
LUCIO
But after all this fooling I would not have it so Art thou sure of this
BAWD
I am too sure of it And it is for getting Madam Julietta with child
LUCIO
Believe me this may be He promised to meet me two hours since and he was ever precise in promisekeeping
SECOND GENTLEMAN
Besides you know it draws something near to the speech we had to such a purpose
FIRST GENTLEMAN
But most of all agreeing with the proclamation
LUCIO
Away Lets go learn the truth of it
Exeunt Lucio and Gentlemen
BAWD
Thus what with the war what with the sweat what with the gallows and what with poverty I am customshrunk
Enter Pompey
How now Whats the news with you
POMPEY
Yonder man is carried to prison
BAWD
Well what has he done
POMPEY
A woman
BAWD
But whats his offence
POMPEY
Groping for trouts in a peculiar river
BAWD
What Is there a maid with child by him
POMPEY
No but theres a woman with maid by him You have not heard of the proclamation have you
BAWD
What proclamation man
POMPEY
All houses in the suburbs of Vienna must be plucked down
BAWD
And what shall become of those in the city
POMPEY
They shall stand for seed They had gone down too but that a wise burgher put in for them
BAWD
But shall all our houses of resort in the suburbs be pulled down
POMPEY
To the ground mistress
BAWD
Why heres a change indeed in the commonwealth What shall become of me
POMPEY
Come fear not you Good counsellors lack no clients Though you change your place you need not change your trade Ill be your tapster still Courage there will be pity taken on you You that have worn your eyes almost out in the service you will be considered
Enter Provost Claudio Juliet and Officers
BAWD
Whats to do here Thomas Tapster Lets withdraw
POMPEY
Here comes Signior Claudio led by the Provost to prison And theres Madam Juliet
Exeunt Bawd and Pompey
CLAUDIO
Fellow why dost thou show me thus to the world
Bear me to prison where I am committed
PROVOST
I do it not in evil disposition
But from Lord Angelo by special charge
CLAUDIO
Thus can the demigod Authority
Make us pay down for our offence by weight
The words of heaven on whom it will it will
On whom it will not so yet still tis just
Enter Lucio and two Gentlemen
LUCIO
Why how now Claudio Whence comes this restraint
CLAUDIO
From too much liberty my Lucio liberty
As surfeit is the father of much fast
So every scope by the immoderate use
Turns to restraint Our natures do pursue
Like rats that ravin down their proper bane
A thirsty evil and when we drink we die
LUCIO
If I could speak so wisely under an arrest I would send for certain of my creditors and yet to say the truth I had as lief have the foppery of freedom as the morality of imprisonment Whats thy offence Claudio
CLAUDIO
What but to speak of would offend again
LUCIO
What ist murder
CLAUDIO
No
LUCIO
Lechery
CLAUDIO
Call it so
PROVOST
Away sir you must go
CLAUDIO
One word good friendLucio a word with you
LUCIO
A hundred if theyll do you any good Is lechery so looked after
CLAUDIO
Thus stands it with me upon a true contract
I got possession of Juliettas bed
You know the lady she is fast my wife
Save that we do the denunciation lack
Of outward order This we came not to
Only for propagation of a dower
Remaining in the coffer of her friends
From whom we thought it meet to hide our love
Till time had made them for us But it chances
The stealth of our most mutual entertainment
With character too gross is writ on Juliet
LUCIO
With child perhaps
CLAUDIO
Unhappily even so
And the new deputy now for the Duke
Whether it be the fault and glimpse of newness
Or whether that the body public be
A horse whereon the governor doth ride
Who newly in the seat that it may know
He can command lets it straight feel the spur
Whether the tyranny be in his place
Or in his eminence that fills it up
I stagger inbut this new governor
Awakes me all the enrolled penalties
Which have like unscoured armour hung by th wall
So long that nineteen zodiacs have gone round
And none of them been worn and for a name
Now puts the drowsy and neglected act
Freshly on me Tis surely for a name
LUCIO
I warrant it is And thy head stands so tickle on thy shoulders that a milkmaid if she be in love may sigh it off Send after the Duke and appeal to him
CLAUDIO
I have done so but hes not to be found
I prithee Lucio do me this kind service
This day my sister should the cloister enter
And there receive her approbation
Acquaint her with the danger of my state
Implore her in my voice that she make friends
To the strict deputy bid herself assay him
I have great hope in that For in her youth
There is a prone and speechless dialect
Such as moves men beside she hath prosperous art
When she will play with reason and discourse
And well she can persuade
LUCIO
I pray she may as well for the encouragement of the like which else would stand under grievous imposition as for the enjoying of thy life who I would be sorry should be thus foolishly lost at a game of ticktack Ill to her
CLAUDIO
I thank you good friend Lucio
LUCIO
Within two hours
CLAUDIO
Come officer away
Exeunt
SCENE III A monastery
Enter Duke and Friar Thomas
DUKE
No holy father throw away that thought
Believe not that the dribbling dart of love
Can pierce a complete bosom Why I desire thee
To give me secret harbour hath a purpose
More grave and wrinkled than the aims and ends
Of burning youth
FRIAR THOMAS
May your Grace speak of it
DUKE
My holy sir none better knows than you
How I have ever loved the life removed
And held in idle price to haunt assemblies
Where youth and cost a witless bravery keeps
I have delivered to Lord Angelo
A man of stricture and firm abstinence
My absolute power and place here in Vienna
And he supposes me travelled to Poland
For so I have strewed it in the common ear
And so it is received Now pious sir
You will demand of me why I do this
FRIAR THOMAS
Gladly my lord
DUKE
We have strict statutes and most biting laws
The needful bits and curbs to headstrong weeds
Which for this fourteen years we have let slip
Even like an oergrown lion in a cave
That goes not out to prey Now as fond fathers
Having bound up the threatning twigs of birch
Only to stick it in their childrens sight
For terror not to use in time the rod
Becomes more mocked than feared so our decrees
Dead to infliction to themselves are dead
And liberty plucks justice by the nose
The baby beats the nurse and quite athwart
Goes all decorum
FRIAR THOMAS
It rested in your Grace
To unloose this tiedup justice when you pleased
And it in you more dreadful would have seemed
Than in Lord Angelo
DUKE
I do fear too dreadful
Sith twas my fault to give the people scope
Twould be my tyranny to strike and gall them
For what I bid them do for we bid this be done
When evil deeds have their permissive pass
And not the punishment Therefore indeed my father
I have on Angelo imposed the office
Who may in th ambush of my name strike home
And yet my nature never in the fight
To do in slander And to behold his sway
I will as twere a brother of your order
Visit both prince and people Therefore I prithee
Supply me with the habit and instruct me
How I may formally in person bear
Like a true friar Moe reasons for this action
At our more leisure shall I render you
Only this one Lord Angelo is precise
Stands at a guard with envy scarce confesses
That his blood flows or that his appetite
Is more to bread than stone Hence shall we see
If power change purpose what our seemers be
Exeunt
SCENE IV A nunnery
Enter Isabella and Francisca a Nun
ISABELLA
And have you nuns no farther privileges
FRANCISCA
Are not these large enough
ISABELLA
Yes truly I speak not as desiring more
But rather wishing a more strict restraint
Upon the sisterhood the votarists of Saint Clare
LUCIO
Within Ho Peace be in this place
ISABELLA
Whos that which calls
FRANCISCA
It is a mans voice Gentle Isabella
Turn you the key and know his business of him
You may I may not you are yet unsworn
When you have vowed you must not speak with men
But in the presence of the prioress
Then if you speak you must not show your face
Or if you show your face you must not speak
He calls again I pray you answer him
Exit Francisca
ISABELLA
Peace and prosperity Who ist that calls
Enter Lucio
LUCIO
Hail virgin if you be as those cheekroses
Proclaim you are no less Can you so stead me
As bring me to the sight of Isabella
A novice of this place and the fair sister
To her unhappy brother Claudio
ISABELLA
Why her unhappy brother let me ask
The rather for I now must make you know
I am that Isabella and his sister
LUCIO
Gentle and fair your brother kindly greets you
Not to be weary with you hes in prison
ISABELLA
Woe me For what
LUCIO
For that which if myself might be his judge
He should receive his punishment in thanks
He hath got his friend with child
ISABELLA
Sir make me not your story
LUCIO
Tis true
I would not though tis my familiar sin
With maids to seem the lapwing and to jest
Tongue far from heart play with all virgins so
I hold you as a thing enskied and sainted
By your renouncement an immortal spirit
And to be talked with in sincerity
As with a saint
ISABELLA
You do blaspheme the good in mocking me
LUCIO
Do not believe it Fewness and truth tis thus
Your brother and his lover have embraced
As those that feed grow full as blossoming time
That from the seedness the bare fallow brings
To teeming foison even so her plenteous womb
Expresseth his full tilth and husbandry
ISABELLA
Someone with child by him My cousin Juliet
LUCIO
Is she your cousin
ISABELLA
Adoptedly as schoolmaids change their names
By vain though apt affection
LUCIO
She it is
ISABELLA
O let him marry her
LUCIO
This is the point
The Duke is very strangely gone from hence
Bore many gentlemen myself being one
In hand and hope of action but we do learn
By those that know the very nerves of state
His givingsout were of an infinite distance
From his truemeant design Upon his place
And with full line of his authority
Governs Lord Angelo a man whose blood
Is very snowbroth one who never feels
The wanton stings and motions of the sense
But doth rebate and blunt his natural edge
With profits of the mind study and fast
He to give fear to use and liberty
Which have for long run by the hideous law
As mice by lions hath picked out an act
Under whose heavy sense your brothers life
Falls into forfeit He arrests him on it
And follows close the rigour of the statute
To make him an example All hope is gone
Unless you have the grace by your fair prayer
To soften Angelo And thats my pith of business
Twixt you and your poor brother
ISABELLA
Doth he so
Seek his life
LUCIO
Has censured him already
And as I hear the Provost hath a warrant
Fors execution
ISABELLA
Alas what poor abilitys in me
To do him good
LUCIO
Assay the power you have
ISABELLA
My power Alas I doubt
LUCIO
Our doubts are traitors
And make us lose the good we oft might win
By fearing to attempt Go to Lord Angelo
And let him learn to know when maidens sue
Men give like gods but when they weep and kneel
All their petitions are as freely theirs
As they themselves would owe them
ISABELLA
Ill see what I can do
LUCIO
But speedily
ISABELLA
I will about it straight
No longer staying but to give the Mother
Notice of my affair I humbly thank you
Commend me to my brother Soon at night
Ill send him certain word of my success
LUCIO
I take my leave of you
ISABELLA
Good sir adieu
Exeunt
ACT II
SCENE I A hall in Angelos house
Enter Angelo Escalus Servants and a Justice
ANGELO
We must not make a scarecrow of the law
Setting it up to fear the birds of prey
And let it keep one shape till custom make it
Their perch and not their terror
ESCALUS
Ay but yet
Let us be keen and rather cut a little
Than fall and bruise to death Alas this gentleman
Whom I would save had a most noble father
Let but your honour know
Whom I believe to be most strait in virtue
That in the working of your own affections
Had time cohered with place or place with wishing
Or that the resolute acting of your blood
Could have attained th effect of your own purpose
Whether you had not sometime in your life
Erred in this point which now you censure him
And pulled the law upon you
ANGELO
Tis one thing to be tempted Escalus
Another thing to fall I not deny
The jury passing on the prisoners life
May in the sworn twelve have a thief or two
Guiltier than him they try Whats open made to justice
That justice seizes What knows the laws
That thieves do pass on thieves Tis very pregnant
The jewel that we find we stoop and take t
Because we see it but what we do not see
We tread upon and never think of it
You may not so extenuate his offence
For I have had such faults but rather tell me
When I that censure him do so offend
Let mine own judgement pattern out my death
And nothing come in partial Sir he must die
Enter Provost
ESCALUS
Be it as your wisdom will
ANGELO
Where is the Provost
PROVOST
Here if it like your honour
ANGELO
See that Claudio
Be executed by nine tomorrow morning
Bring him his confessor let him be prepared
For thats the utmost of his pilgrimage
Exit Provost
ESCALUS
Well heaven forgive him and forgive us all
Some rise by sin and some by virtue fall
Some run from brakes of vice and answer none
And some condemned for a fault alone
Enter Elbow and Officers with Froth and Pompey
ELBOW
Come bring them away If these be good people in a commonweal that do nothing but use their abuses in common houses I know no law Bring them away
ANGELO
How now sir whats your name And whats the matter
ELBOW
If it please your honour I am the poor Dukes constable and my name is Elbow I do lean upon justice sir and do bring in here before your good honour two notorious benefactors
ANGELO
Benefactors Well what benefactors are they Are they not malefactors
ELBOW
If it please your honour I know not well what they are but precise villains they are that I am sure of and void of all profanation in the world that good Christians ought to have
ESCALUS
This comes off well Heres a wise officer
ANGELO
Go to What quality are they of Elbow is your name Why dost thou not speak Elbow
POMPEY
He cannot sir Hes out at elbow
ANGELO
What are you sir
ELBOW
He sir A tapster sir parcel bawd one that serves a bad woman whose house sir was as they say plucked down in the suburbs and now she professes a hothouse which I think is a very ill house too
ESCALUS
How know you that
ELBOW
My wife sir whom I detest before heaven and your honour
ESCALUS
How Thy wife
ELBOW
Ay sir whom I thank heaven is an honest woman
ESCALUS
Dost thou detest her therefore
ELBOW
I say sir I will detest myself also as well as she that this house if it be not a bawds house it is pity of her life for it is a naughty house
ESCALUS
How dost thou know that constable
ELBOW
Marry sir by my wife who if she had been a woman cardinally given might have been accused in fornication adultery and all uncleanliness there
ESCALUS
By the womans means
ELBOW
Ay sir by Mistress Overdones means but as she spit in his face so she defied him
POMPEY
Sir if it please your honour this is not so
ELBOW
Prove it before these varlets here thou honourable man prove it
ESCALUS
To Angelo Do you hear how he misplaces
POMPEY
Sir she came in great with child and longing saving your honours reverence for stewed prunes sir we had but two in the house which at that very distant time stood as it were in a fruit dish a dish of some threepence your honours have seen such dishes they are not china dishes but very good dishes
ESCALUS
Go to go to No matter for the dish sir
POMPEY
No indeed sir not of a pin you are therein in the right But to the point As I say this Mistress Elbow being as I say with child and being greatbellied and longing as I said for prunes and having but two in the dish as I said Master Froth here this very man having eaten the rest as I said and as I say paying for them very honestly for as you know Master Froth I could not give you threepence again
FROTH
No indeed
POMPEY
Very well You being then if you be remembered cracking the stones of the foresaid prunes
FROTH
Ay so I did indeed
POMPEY
Why very well I telling you then if you be remembered that such a one and such a one were past cure of the thing you wot of unless they kept very good diet as I told you
FROTH
All this is true
POMPEY
Why very well then
ESCALUS
Come you are a tedious fool To the purpose What was done to Elbows wife that he hath cause to complain of Come me to what was done to her
POMPEY
Sir your honour cannot come to that yet
ESCALUS
No sir nor I mean it not
POMPEY
Sir but you shall come to it by your honours leave And I beseech you look into Master Froth here sir a man of fourscore pound a year whose father died at Hallowmaswast not at Hallowmas Master Froth
FROTH
Allhallond Eve
POMPEY
Why very well I hope here be truths He sir sitting as I say in a lower chair sirtwas in the Bunch of Grapes where indeed you have a delight to sit have you not
FROTH
I have so because it is an open room and good for winter
POMPEY
Why very well then I hope here be truths
ANGELO
This will last out a night in Russia
When nights are longest there Ill take my leave
And leave you to the hearing of the cause
Hoping youll find good cause to whip them all
ESCALUS
I think no less Good morrow to your lordship
Exit Angelo
Now sir come on What was done to Elbows wife once more
POMPEY
Once sir There was nothing done to her once
ELBOW
I beseech you sir ask him what this man did to my wife
POMPEY
I beseech your honour ask me
ESCALUS
Well sir what did this gentleman to her
POMPEY
I beseech you sir look in this gentlemans face Good Master Froth look upon his honour tis for a good purposeDoth your honour mark his face
ESCALUS
Ay sir very well
POMPEY
Nay I beseech you mark it well
ESCALUS
Well I do so
POMPEY
Doth your honour see any harm in his face
ESCALUS
Why no
POMPEY
Ill be supposed upon a book his face is the worst thing about him Good then if his face be the worst thing about him how could Master Froth do the constables wife any harm I would know that of your honour
ESCALUS
Hes in the right Constable What say you to it
ELBOW
First an it like you the house is a respected house next this is a respected fellow and his mistress is a respected woman
POMPEY
By this hand sir his wife is a more respected person than any of us all
ELBOW
Varlet thou liest thou liest wicked varlet The time is yet to come that she was ever respected with man woman or child
POMPEY
Sir she was respected with him before he married with her
ESCALUS
Which is the wiser here Justice or Iniquity Is this true
ELBOW
O thou caitiff O thou varlet O thou wicked Hannibal I respected with her before I was married to her If ever I was respected with her or she with me let not your worship think me the poor Dukes officer Prove this thou wicked Hannibal or Ill have mine action of battery on thee
ESCALUS
If he took you a box o th ear you might have your action of slander too
ELBOW
Marry I thank your good worship for it What ist your worships pleasure I shall do with this wicked caitiff
ESCALUS
Truly officer because he hath some offences in him that thou wouldst discover if thou couldst let him continue in his courses till thou knowst what they are
ELBOW
Marry I thank your worship for itThou seest thou wicked varlet now whats come upon thee Thou art to continue now thou varlet thou art to continue
ESCALUS
To Froth Where were you born friend
FROTH
Here in Vienna sir
ESCALUS
Are you of fourscore pounds a year
FROTH
Yes ant please you sir
ESCALUS
So To Pompey What trade are you of sir
POMPEY
A tapster a poor widows tapster
ESCALUS
Your mistress name
POMPEY
Mistress Overdone
ESCALUS
Hath she had any more than one husband
POMPEY
Nine sir Overdone by the last
ESCALUS
NineCome hither to me Master Froth Master Froth I would not have you acquainted with tapsters they will draw you Master Froth and you will hang them Get you gone and let me hear no more of you
FROTH
I thank your worship For mine own part I never come into any room in a taphouse but I am drawn in
ESCALUS
Well no more of it Master Froth Farewell
Exit Froth
Come you hither to me Master tapster Whats your name Master tapster
POMPEY
Pompey
ESCALUS
What else
POMPEY
Bum sir
ESCALUS
Troth and your bum is the greatest thing about you so that in the beastliest sense you are Pompey the great Pompey you are partly a bawd Pompey howsoever you colour it in being a tapster are you not Come tell me true it shall be the better for you
POMPEY
Truly sir I am a poor fellow that would live
ESCALUS
How would you live Pompey By being a bawd What do you think of the trade Pompey Is it a lawful trade
POMPEY
If the law would allow it sir
ESCALUS
But the law will not allow it Pompey nor it shall not be allowed in Vienna
POMPEY
Does your worship mean to geld and splay all the youth of the city
ESCALUS
No Pompey
POMPEY
Truly sir in my poor opinion they will tot then If your worship will take order for the drabs and the knaves you need not to fear the bawds
ESCALUS
There is pretty orders beginning I can tell you It is but heading and hanging
POMPEY
If you head and hang all that offend that way but for ten year together youll be glad to give out a commission for more heads If this law hold in Vienna ten year Ill rent the fairest house in it after threepence a bay If you live to see this come to pass say Pompey told you so
ESCALUS
Thank you good Pompey and in requital of your prophecy hark you I advise you let me not find you before me again upon any complaint whatsoever no not for dwelling where you do If I do Pompey I shall beat you to your tent and prove a shrewd Caesar to you In plain dealing Pompey I shall have you whipped So for this time Pompey fare you well
POMPEY
I thank your worship for your good counsel Aside But I shall follow it as the flesh and fortune shall better determine
Whip me No no let carman whip his jade
The valiant hearts not whipped out of his trade
Exit
ESCALUS
Come hither to me Master Elbow Come hither Master Constable How long have you been in this place of constable
ELBOW
Seven year and a half sir
ESCALUS
I thought by the readiness in the office you had continued in it sometime You say seven years together
ELBOW
And a half sir
ESCALUS
Alas it hath been great pains to you They do you wrong to put you so oft upont Are there not men in your ward sufficient to serve it
ELBOW
Faith sir few of any wit in such matters As they are chosen they are glad to choose me for them I do it for some piece of money and go through with all
ESCALUS
Look you bring me in the names of some six or seven the most sufficient of your parish
ELBOW
To your worships house sir
ESCALUS
To my house Fare you well
Exit Elbow
Whats oclock think you
JUSTICE
Eleven sir
ESCALUS
I pray you home to dinner with me
JUSTICE
I humbly thank you
ESCALUS
It grieves me for the death of Claudio
But theres no remedy
JUSTICE
Lord Angelo is severe
ESCALUS
It is but needful
Mercy is not itself that oft looks so
Pardon is still the nurse of second woe
But yet Poor Claudio Theres no remedy
Come sir
Exeunt
SCENE II Another room in the same
Enter Provost and a Servant
SERVANT
Hes hearing of a cause He will come straight
Ill tell him of you
PROVOST
Pray you do
Exit Servant
Ill know
His pleasure may be he will relent Alas
He hath but as offended in a dream
All sects all ages smack of this vice and he
To die for t
Enter Angelo
ANGELO
Now whats the matter Provost
PROVOST
Is it your will Claudio shall die tomorrow
ANGELO
Did not I tell thee yea Hadst thou not order
Why dost thou ask again
PROVOST
Lest I might be too rash
Under your good correction I have seen
When after execution judgement hath
Repented oer his doom
ANGELO
Go to let that be mine
Do you your office or give up your place
And you shall well be spared
PROVOST
I crave your honours pardon
What shall be done sir with the groaning Juliet
Shes very near her hour
ANGELO
Dispose of her
To some more fitter place and that with speed
Enter Servant
SERVANT
Here is the sister of the man condemned
Desires access to you
ANGELO
Hath he a sister
PROVOST
Ay my good lord a very virtuous maid
And to be shortly of a sisterhood
If not already
ANGELO
Well let her be admitted
Exit Servant
See you the fornicatress be removed
Let her have needful but not lavish means
There shall be order for it
Enter Lucio and Isabella
PROVOST
Offering to retire Save your honour
ANGELO
Stay a little while To Isabella You are welcome Whats your will
ISABELLA
I am a woeful suitor to your honour
Please but your honour hear me
ANGELO
Well whats your suit
ISABELLA
There is a vice that most I do abhor
And most desire should meet the blow of justice
For which I would not plead but that I must
For which I must not plead but that I am
At war twixt will and will not
ANGELO
Well the matter
ISABELLA
I have a brother is condemned to die
I do beseech you let it be his fault
And not my brother
PROVOST
Heaven give thee moving graces
ANGELO
Condemn the fault and not the actor of it
Why every faults condemned ere it be done
Mine were the very cipher of a function
To find the faults whose fine stands in record
And let go by the actor
ISABELLA
O just but severe law
I had a brother then Heaven keep your honour
Going
LUCIO
To Isabella Givet not oer so To him again entreat him
Kneel down before him hang upon his gown
You are too cold If you should need a pin
You could not with more tame a tongue desire it
To him I say
ISABELLA
Must he needs die
ANGELO
Maiden no remedy
ISABELLA
Yes I do think that you might pardon him
And neither heaven nor man grieve at the mercy
ANGELO
I will not dot
ISABELLA
But can you if you would
ANGELO
Look what I will not that I cannot do
ISABELLA
But might you dot and do the world no wrong
If so your heart were touched with that remorse
As mine is to him
ANGELO
Hes sentenced tis too late
LUCIO
To Isabella You are too cold
ISABELLA
Too late Why no I that do speak a word
May call it back again Well believe this
No ceremony that to great ones longs
Not the kings crown nor the deputed sword
The marshals truncheon nor the judges robe
Become them with one half so good a grace
As mercy does
If he had been as you and you as he
You would have slipped like him but he like you
Would not have been so stern
ANGELO
Pray you be gone
ISABELLA
I would to heaven I had your potency
And you were Isabel Should it then be thus
No I would tell what twere to be a judge
And what a prisoner
LUCIO
Aside Ay touch him theres the vein
ANGELO
Your brother is a forfeit of the law
And you but waste your words
ISABELLA
Alas alas
Why all the souls that were were forfeit once
And He that might the vantage best have took
Found out the remedy How would you be
If He which is the top of judgement should
But judge you as you are O think on that
And mercy then will breathe within your lips
Like man new made
ANGELO
Be you content fair maid
It is the law not I condemns your brother
Were he my kinsman brother or my son
It should be thus with him He must die tomorrow
ISABELLA
Tomorrow O thats sudden Spare him spare him
Hes not prepared for death Even for our kitchens
We kill the fowl of season Shall we serve heaven
With less respect than we do minister
To our gross selves Good good my lord bethink you
Who is it that hath died for this offence
Theres many have committed it
LUCIO
Ay well said
ANGELO
The law hath not been dead though it hath slept
Those many had not dared to do that evil
If the first that did th edict infringe
Had answered for his deed Now tis awake
Takes note of what is done and like a prophet
Looks in a glass that shows what future evils
Either now or by remissness new conceived
And so in progress to be hatched and born
Are now to have no successive degrees
But where they live to end
ISABELLA
Yet show some pity
ANGELO
I show it most of all when I show justice
For then I pity those I do not know
Which a dismissed offence would after gall
And do him right that answering one foul wrong
Lives not to act another Be satisfied
Your brother dies tomorrow be content
ISABELLA
So you must be the first that gives this sentence
And he that suffers O it is excellent
To have a giants strength but it is tyrannous
To use it like a giant
LUCIO
Thats well said
ISABELLA
Could great men thunder
As Jove himself does Jove would neer be quiet
For every pelting petty officer
Would use his heaven for thunder
Nothing but thunder Merciful Heaven
Thou rather with thy sharp and sulphurous bolt
Splits the unwedgeable and gnarled oak
Than the soft myrtle But man proud man
Dressed in a little brief authority
Most ignorant of what hes most assured
His glassy essence like an angry ape
Plays such fantastic tricks before high heaven
As makes the angels weep who with our spleens
Would all themselves laugh mortal
LUCIO
O to him to him wench He will relent
Hes coming I perceive t
PROVOST
Pray heaven she win him
ISABELLA
We cannot weigh our brother with ourself
Great men may jest with saints tis wit in them
But in the less foul profanation
LUCIO
Thourt i th right girl more o that
ISABELLA
That in the captains but a choleric word
Which in the soldier is flat blasphemy
LUCIO
Art advised o that More ont
ANGELO
Why do you put these sayings upon me
ISABELLA
Because authority though it err like others
Hath yet a kind of medicine in itself
That skins the vice o th top Go to your bosom
Knock there and ask your heart what it doth know
Thats like my brothers fault If it confess
A natural guiltiness such as is his
Let it not sound a thought upon your tongue
Against my brothers life
ANGELO
She speaks and tis such sense
That my sense breeds with it Going
Fare you well
ISABELLA
Gentle my lord turn back
ANGELO
I will bethink me Come again tomorrow
ISABELLA
Hark how Ill bribe you Good my lord turn back
ANGELO
How Bribe me
ISABELLA
Ay with such gifts that heaven shall share with you
LUCIO
You had marred all else
ISABELLA
Not with fond shekels of the tested gold
Or stones whose rates are either rich or poor
As fancy values them but with true prayers
That shall be up at heaven and enter there
Ere sunrise prayers from preserved souls
From fasting maids whose minds are dedicate
To nothing temporal
ANGELO
Well come to me tomorrow
LUCIO
Aside to Isabella Go to tis well away
ISABELLA
Heaven keep your honour safe
ANGELO
Aside Amen
For I am that way going to temptation
Where prayers cross
ISABELLA
At what hour tomorrow
Shall I attend your lordship
ANGELO
At any time fore noon
ISABELLA
Save your honour
Exeunt Isabella Lucio and Provost
ANGELO
From thee even from thy virtue
Whats this Whats this Is this her fault or mine
The tempter or the tempted who sins most ha
Not she nor doth she tempt but it is I
That lying by the violet in the sun
Do as the carrion does not as the flower
Corrupt with virtuous season Can it be
That modesty may more betray our sense
Than womans lightness Having waste ground enough
Shall we desire to raze the sanctuary
And pitch our evils there O fie fie fie
What dost thou or what art thou Angelo
Dost thou desire her foully for those things
That make her good O let her brother live
Thieves for their robbery have authority
When judges steal themselves What do I love her
That I desire to hear her speak again
And feast upon her eyes What ist I dream on
O cunning enemy that to catch a saint
With saints dost bait thy hook Most dangerous
Is that temptation that doth goad us on
To sin in loving virtue Never could the strumpet
With all her double vigour art and nature
Once stir my temper but this virtuous maid
Subdues me quite Ever till now
When men were fond I smiled and wondered how
Exit
SCENE III A room in a prison
Enter Duke disguised as a Friar and Provost
DUKE
Hail to you Provost so I think you are
PROVOST
I am the Provost Whats your will good friar
DUKE
Bound by my charity and my blessed order
I come to visit the afflicted spirits
Here in the prison Do me the common right
To let me see them and to make me know
The nature of their crimes that I may minister
To them accordingly
PROVOST
I would do more than that if more were needful
Enter Juliet
Look here comes one a gentlewoman of mine
Who falling in the flaws of her own youth
Hath blistered her report She is with child
And he that got it sentenced a young man
More fit to do another such offence
Than die for this
DUKE
When must he die
PROVOST
As I do think tomorrow
To Juliet I have provided for you stay a while
And you shall be conducted
DUKE
Repent you fair one of the sin you carry
JULIET
I do and bear the shame most patiently
DUKE
Ill teach you how you shall arraign your conscience
And try your penitence if it be sound
Or hollowly put on
JULIET
Ill gladly learn
DUKE
Love you the man that wronged you
JULIET
Yes as I love the woman that wronged him
DUKE
So then it seems your most offenceful act
Was mutually committed
JULIET
Mutually
DUKE
Then was your sin of heavier kind than his
JULIET
I do confess it and repent it father
DUKE
Tis meet so daughter but lest you do repent
As that the sin hath brought you to this shame
Which sorrow is always toward ourselves not heaven
Showing we would not spare heaven as we love it
But as we stand in fear
JULIET
I do repent me as it is an evil
And take the shame with joy
DUKE
There rest
Your partner as I hear must die tomorrow
And I am going with instruction to him
Grace go with you Benedicite
Exit
JULIET
Must die tomorrow O injurious love
That respites me a life whose very comfort
Is still a dying horror
PROVOST
Tis pity of him
Exeunt
SCENE IV A room in Angelos house
Enter Angelo
ANGELO
When I would pray and think I think and pray
To several subjects Heaven hath my empty words
Whilst my invention hearing not my tongue
Anchors on Isabel Heaven in my mouth
As if I did but only chew his name
And in my heart the strong and swelling evil
Of my conception The state whereon I studied
Is like a good thing being often read
Grown sere and tedious yea my gravity
Whereinlet no man hear meI take pride
Could I with boot change for an idle plume
Which the air beats for vain O place O form
How often dost thou with thy case thy habit
Wrench awe from fools and tie the wiser souls
To thy false seeming Blood thou art blood
Lets write good angel on the devils horn
Tis not the devils crest
Knock within
How now whos there
Enter Servant
SERVANT
One Isabel a sister desires access to you
ANGELO
Teach her the way
Exit Servant
O heavens
Why does my blood thus muster to my heart
Making both it unable for itself
And dispossessing all my other parts
Of necessary fitness
So play the foolish throngs with one that swoons
Come all to help him and so stop the air
By which he should revive And even so
The general subject to a wellwished king
Quit their own part and in obsequious fondness
Crowd to his presence where their untaught love
Must needs appear offence
Enter Isabella
How now fair maid
ISABELLA
I am come to know your pleasure
ANGELO
That you might know it would much better please me
Than to demand what tis Your brother cannot live
ISABELLA
Even so Heaven keep your honour
ANGELO
Yet may he live a while And it may be
As long as you or I Yet he must die
ISABELLA
Under your sentence
ANGELO
Yea
ISABELLA
When I beseech you That in his reprieve
Longer or shorter he may be so fitted
That his soul sicken not
ANGELO
Ha Fie these filthy vices It were as good
To pardon him that hath from nature stolen
A man already made as to remit
Their saucy sweetness that do coin heavens image
In stamps that are forbid Tis all as easy
Falsely to take away a life true made
As to put metal in restrained means
To make a false one
ISABELLA
Tis set down so in heaven but not in earth
ANGELO
Say you so Then I shall pose you quickly
Which had you rather that the most just law
Now took your brothers life or to redeem him
Give up your body to such sweet uncleanness
As she that he hath stained
ISABELLA
Sir believe this
I had rather give my body than my soul
ANGELO
I talk not of your soul Our compelled sins
Stand more for number than for accompt
ISABELLA
How say you
ANGELO
Nay Ill not warrant that for I can speak
Against the thing I say Answer to this
I now the voice of the recorded law
Pronounce a sentence on your brothers life
Might there not be a charity in sin
To save this brothers life
ISABELLA
Please you to dot
Ill take it as a peril to my soul
It is no sin at all but charity
ANGELO
Pleased you to dot at peril of your soul
Were equal poise of sin and charity
ISABELLA
That I do beg his life if it be sin
Heaven let me bear it You granting of my suit
If that be sin Ill make it my morn prayer
To have it added to the faults of mine
And nothing of your answer
ANGELO
Nay but hear me
Your sense pursues not mine Either you are ignorant
Or seem so crafty and thats not good
ISABELLA
Let me be ignorant and in nothing good
But graciously to know I am no better
ANGELO
Thus wisdom wishes to appear most bright
When it doth tax itself as these black masks
Proclaim an enshield beauty ten times louder
Than beauty could displayed But mark me
To be received plain Ill speak more gross
Your brother is to die
ISABELLA
So
ANGELO
And his offence is so as it appears
Accountant to the law upon that pain
ISABELLA
True
ANGELO
Admit no other way to save his life
As I subscribe not that nor any other
But in the loss of question that you his sister
Finding yourself desired of such a person
Whose credit with the judge or own great place
Could fetch your brother from the manacles
Of the allbinding law and that there were
No earthly mean to save him but that either
You must lay down the treasures of your body
To this supposed or else to let him suffer
What would you do
ISABELLA
As much for my poor brother as myself
That is were I under the terms of death
Th impression of keen whips Id wear as rubies
And strip myself to death as to a bed
That longing have been sick for ere Id yield
My body up to shame
ANGELO
Then must your brother die
ISABELLA
And twere the cheaper way
Better it were a brother died at once
Than that a sister by redeeming him
Should die for ever
ANGELO
Were not you then as cruel as the sentence
That you have slandered so
ISABELLA
Ignominy in ransom and free pardon
Are of two houses Lawful mercy
Is nothing kin to foul redemption
ANGELO
You seemed of late to make the law a tyrant
And rather proved the sliding of your brother
A merriment than a vice
ISABELLA
O pardon me my lord It oft falls out
To have what we would have we speak not what we mean
I something do excuse the thing I hate
For his advantage that I dearly love
ANGELO
We are all frail
ISABELLA
Else let my brother die
If not a feodary but only he
Owe and succeed by weakness
ANGELO
Nay women are frail too
ISABELLA
Ay as the glasses where they view themselves
Which are as easy broke as they make forms
WomenHelp heaven Men their creation mar
In profiting by them Nay call us ten times frail
For we are soft as our complexions are
And credulous to false prints
ANGELO
I think it well
And from this testimony of your own sex
Since I suppose we are made to be no stronger
Than faults may shake our frames let me be bold
I do arrest your words Be that you are
That is a woman If you be more youre none
If you be one as you are well expressed
By all external warrants show it now
By putting on the destined livery
ISABELLA
I have no tongue but one Gentle my lord
Let me intreat you speak the former language
ANGELO
Plainly conceive I love you
ISABELLA
My brother did love Juliet
And you tell me that he shall die for t
ANGELO
He shall not Isabel if you give me love
ISABELLA
I know your virtue hath a license int
Which seems a little fouler than it is
To pluck on others
ANGELO
Believe me on mine honour
My words express my purpose
ISABELLA
Ha Little honour to be much believed
And most pernicious purpose Seeming seeming
I will proclaim thee Angelo look fort
Sign me a present pardon for my brother
Or with an outstretched throat Ill tell the world aloud
What man thou art
ANGELO
Who will believe thee Isabel
My unsoiled name th austereness of my life
My vouch against you and my place i th state
Will so your accusation overweigh
That you shall stifle in your own report
And smell of calumny I have begun
And now I give my sensual race the rein
Fit thy consent to my sharp appetite
Lay by all nicety and prolixious blushes
That banish what they sue for Redeem thy brother
By yielding up thy body to my will
Or else he must not only die the death
But thy unkindness shall his death draw out
To lingring sufferance Answer me tomorrow
Or by the affection that now guides me most
Ill prove a tyrant to him As for you
Say what you can my false oerweighs your true
Exit
ISABELLA
To whom should I complain Did I tell this
Who would believe me O perilous mouths
That bear in them one and the selfsame tongue
Either of condemnation or approof
Bidding the law make curtsy to their will
Hooking both right and wrong to th appetite
To follow as it draws Ill to my brother
Though he hath falln by prompture of the blood
Yet hath he in him such a mind of honour
That had he twenty heads to tender down
On twenty bloody blocks hed yield them up
Before his sister should her body stoop
To such abhorred pollution
Then Isabel live chaste and brother die
More than our brother is our chastity
Ill tell him yet of Angelos request
And fit his mind to death for his souls rest
Exit
ACT III
SCENE I A room in the prison
Enter Duke Claudio and Provost
DUKE
So then you hope of pardon from Lord Angelo
CLAUDIO
The miserable have no other medicine
But only hope
I have hope to live and am prepared to die
DUKE
Be absolute for death Either death or life
Shall thereby be the sweeter Reason thus with life
If I do lose thee I do lose a thing
That none but fools would keep A breath thou art
Servile to all the skyey influences
That dost this habitation where thou keepst
Hourly afflict Merely thou art deaths fool
For him thou labourst by thy flight to shun
And yet runnst toward him still Thou art not noble
For all th accommodations that thou bearst
Are nursed by baseness Thourt by no means valiant
For thou dost fear the soft and tender fork
Of a poor worm Thy best of rest is sleep
And that thou oft provokst yet grossly fearst
Thy death which is no more Thou art not thyself
For thou exists on many a thousand grains
That issue out of dust Happy thou art not
For what thou hast not still thou strivst to get
And what thou hast forgetst Thou art not certain
For thy complexion shifts to strange effects
After the moon If thou art rich thourt poor
For like an ass whose back with ingots bows
Thou bearst thy heavy riches but a journey
And death unloads thee Friend hast thou none
For thine own bowels which do call thee sire
The mere effusion of thy proper loins
Do curse the gout serpigo and the rheum
For ending thee no sooner Thou hast nor youth nor age
But as it were an afterdinners sleep
Dreaming on both for all thy blessed youth
Becomes as aged and doth beg the alms
Of palsied eld and when thou art old and rich
Thou hast neither heat affection limb nor beauty
To make thy riches pleasant Whats yet in this
That bears the name of life Yet in this life
Lie hid more thousand deaths yet death we fear
That makes these odds all even
CLAUDIO
I humbly thank you
To sue to live I find I seek to die
And seeking death find life Let it come on
ISABELLA
Within What ho Peace here grace and good company
PROVOST
Whos there Come in The wish deserves a welcome
DUKE
Dear sir ere long Ill visit you again
CLAUDIO
Most holy sir I thank you
Enter Isabella
ISABELLA
My business is a word or two with Claudio
PROVOST
And very welcome Look signior heres your sister
DUKE
Provost a word with you
PROVOST
As many as you please
DUKE
Bring me to hear them speak where I may be concealed
Exeunt Duke and Provost
CLAUDIO
Now sister whats the comfort
ISABELLA
Why
As all comforts are most good most good indeed
Lord Angelo having affairs to heaven
Intends you for his swift ambassador
Where you shall be an everlasting leiger
Therefore your best appointment make with speed
Tomorrow you set on
CLAUDIO
Is there no remedy
ISABELLA
None but such remedy as to save a head
To cleave a heart in twain
CLAUDIO
But is there any
ISABELLA
Yes brother you may live
There is a devilish mercy in the judge
If youll implore it that will free your life
But fetter you till death
CLAUDIO
Perpetual durance
ISABELLA
Ay just perpetual durance a restraint
Though all the worlds vastidity you had
To a determined scope
CLAUDIO
But in what nature
ISABELLA
In such a one as you consenting tot
Would bark your honour from that trunk you bear
And leave you naked
CLAUDIO
Let me know the point
ISABELLA
O I do fear thee Claudio and I quake
Lest thou a feverous life shouldst entertain
And six or seven winters more respect
Than a perpetual honour Darst thou die
The sense of death is most in apprehension
And the poor beetle that we tread upon
In corporal sufferance finds a pang as great
As when a giant dies
CLAUDIO
Why give you me this shame
Think you I can a resolution fetch
From flowery tenderness If I must die
I will encounter darkness as a bride
And hug it in mine arms
ISABELLA
There spake my brother There my fathers grave
Did utter forth a voice Yes thou must die
Thou art too noble to conserve a life
In base appliances This outwardsainted deputy
Whose settled visage and deliberate word
Nips youth i th head and follies doth enew
As falcon doth the fowl is yet a devil
His filth within being cast he would appear
A pond as deep as hell
CLAUDIO
The precise Angelo
ISABELLA
O tis the cunning livery of hell
The damnedst body to invest and cover
In precise guards Dost thou think Claudio
If I would yield him my virginity
Thou mightst be freed
CLAUDIO
O heavens it cannot be
ISABELLA
Yes he would give it thee from this rank offence
So to offend him still This nights the time
That I should do what I abhor to name
Or else thou diest tomorrow
CLAUDIO
Thou shalt not dot
ISABELLA
O were it but my life
Id throw it down for your deliverance
As frankly as a pin
CLAUDIO
Thanks dear Isabel
ISABELLA
Be ready Claudio for your death tomorrow
CLAUDIO
Yes Has he affections in him
That thus can make him bite the law by th nose
When he would force it Sure it is no sin
Or of the deadly seven it is the least
ISABELLA
Which is the least
CLAUDIO
If it were damnable he being so wise
Why would he for the momentary trick
Be perdurably fined O Isabel
ISABELLA
What says my brother
CLAUDIO
Death is a fearful thing
ISABELLA
And shamed life a hateful
CLAUDIO
Ay but to die and go we know not where
To lie in cold obstruction and to rot
This sensible warm motion to become
A kneaded clod and the delighted spirit
To bathe in fiery floods or to reside
In thrilling regions of thickribbed ice
To be imprisoned in the viewless winds
And blown with restless violence round about
The pendent world or to be worse than worst
Of those that lawless and incertain thought
Imagine howlingtis too horrible
The weariest and most loathed worldly life
That age ache penury and imprisonment
Can lay on nature is a paradise
To what we fear of death
ISABELLA
Alas alas
CLAUDIO
Sweet sister let me live
What sin you do to save a brothers life
Nature dispenses with the deed so far
That it becomes a virtue
ISABELLA
O you beast
O faithless coward O dishonest wretch
Wilt thou be made a man out of my vice
Ist not a kind of incest to take life
From thine own sisters shame What should I think
Heaven shield my mother played my father fair
For such a warped slip of wilderness
Neer issued from his blood Take my defiance
Die perish Might but my bending down
Reprieve thee from thy fate it should proceed
Ill pray a thousand prayers for thy death
No word to save thee
CLAUDIO
Nay hear me Isabel
ISABELLA
O fie fie fie
Thy sins not accidental but a trade
Mercy to thee would prove itself a bawd
Tis best that thou diest quickly
Going
CLAUDIO
O hear me Isabella
Enter Duke as a Friar
DUKE
Vouchsafe a word young sister but one word
ISABELLA
What is your will
DUKE
Might you dispense with your leisure I would by and by have some speech with you The satisfaction I would require is likewise your own benefit
ISABELLA
I have no superfluous leisure my stay must be stolen out of other affairs but I will attend you a while
DUKE
To Claudio aside Son I have overheard what hath passed between you and your sister Angelo had never the purpose to corrupt her only he hath made an assay of her virtue to practise his judgement with the disposition of natures She having the truth of honour in her hath made him that gracious denial which he is most glad to receive I am confessor to Angelo and I know this to be true therefore prepare yourself to death Do not satisfy your resolution with hopes that are fallible Tomorrow you must die go to your knees and make ready
CLAUDIO
Let me ask my sister pardon I am so out of love with life that I will sue to be rid of it
DUKE
Hold you there Farewell
Exit Claudio
Enter Provost
Provost a word with you
PROVOST
Whats your will father
DUKE
That now you are come you will be gone Leave me a while with the maid my mind promises with my habit no loss shall touch her by my company
PROVOST
In good time
Exit Provost
DUKE
The hand that hath made you fair hath made you good The goodness that is cheap in beauty makes beauty brief in goodness but grace being the soul of your complexion shall keep the body of it ever fair The assault that Angelo hath made to you fortune hath conveyed to my understanding and but that frailty hath examples for his falling I should wonder at Angelo How will you do to content this substitute and to save your brother
ISABELLA
I am now going to resolve him I had rather my brother die by the law than my son should be unlawfully born But O how much is the good Duke deceived in Angelo If ever he return and I can speak to him I will open my lips in vain or discover his government
DUKE
That shall not be much amiss Yet as the matter now stands he will avoid your accusation he made trial of you only Therefore fasten your ear on my advisings to the love I have in doing good a remedy presents itself I do make myself believe that you may most uprighteously do a poor wronged lady a merited benefit redeem your brother from the angry law do no stain to your own gracious person and much please the absent Duke if peradventure he shall ever return to have hearing of this business
ISABELLA
Let me hear you speak farther I have spirit to do anything that appears not foul in the truth of my spirit
DUKE
Virtue is bold and goodness never fearful Have you not heard speak of Mariana the sister of Frederick the great soldier who miscarried at sea
ISABELLA
I have heard of the lady and good words went with her name
DUKE
She should this Angelo have married was affianced to her oath and the nuptial appointed Between which time of the contract and limit of the solemnity her brother Frederick was wrecked at sea having in that perished vessel the dowry of his sister But mark how heavily this befell to the poor gentlewoman There she lost a noble and renowned brother in his love toward her ever most kind and natural with him the portion and sinew of her fortune her marriage dowry with both her combinate husband this wellseeming Angelo
ISABELLA
Can this be so Did Angelo so leave her
DUKE
Left her in her tears and dried not one of them with his comfort swallowed his vows whole pretending in her discoveries of dishonour in few bestowed her on her own lamentation which she yet wears for his sake and he a marble to her tears is washed with them but relents not
ISABELLA
What a merit were it in death to take this poor maid from the world What corruption in this life that it will let this man live But how out of this can she avail
DUKE
It is a rupture that you may easily heal and the cure of it not only saves your brother but keeps you from dishonour in doing it
ISABELLA
Show me how good father
DUKE
This forenamed maid hath yet in her the continuance of her first affection His unjust unkindness that in all reason should have quenched her love hath like an impediment in the current made it more violent and unruly Go you to Angelo answer his requiring with a plausible obedience agree with his demands to the point Only refer yourself to this advantage first that your stay with him may not be long that the time may have all shadow and silence in it and the place answer to convenience This being granted in course and now follows all We shall advise this wronged maid to stead up your appointment go in your place If the encounter acknowledge itself hereafter it may compel him to her recompense and here by this is your brother saved your honour untainted the poor Mariana advantaged and the corrupt deputy scaled The maid will I frame and make fit for his attempt If you think well to carry this as you may the doubleness of the benefit defends the deceit from reproof What think you of it
ISABELLA
The image of it gives me content already and I trust it will grow to a most prosperous perfection
DUKE
It lies much in your holding up Haste you speedily to Angelo if for this night he entreat you to his bed give him promise of satisfaction I will presently to Saint Lukes there at the moated grange resides this dejected Mariana At that place call upon me and dispatch with Angelo that it may be quickly
ISABELLA
I thank you for this comfort Fare you well good father
Exit Isabella
SCENE II The street before the prison
Enter Elbow Pompey and Officers
ELBOW
Nay if there be no remedy for it but that you will needs buy and sell men and women like beasts we shall have all the world drink brown and white bastard
DUKE
O heavens what stuff is here
POMPEY
Twas never merry world since of two usuries the merriest was put down and the worser allowed by order of law a furred gown to keep him warm and furred with fox on lambskins too to signify that craft being richer than innocency stands for the facing
ELBOW
Come your way sirBless you good father friar
DUKE
And you good brother father What offence hath this man made you sir
ELBOW
Marry sir he hath offended the law and sir we take him to be a thief too sir for we have found upon him sir a strange picklock which we have sent to the deputy
DUKE
Fie sirrah a bawd a wicked bawd
The evil that thou causest to be done
That is thy means to live Do thou but think
What tis to cram a maw or clothe a back
From such a filthy vice Say to thyself
From their abominable and beastly touches
I drink I eat array myself and live
Canst thou believe thy living is a life
So stinkingly depending Go mend go mend
POMPEY
Indeed it does stink in some sort sir But yet sir I would prove
DUKE
Nay if the devil have given thee proofs for sin
Thou wilt prove his Take him to prison officer
Correction and instruction must both work
Ere this rude beast will profit
ELBOW
He must before the deputy sir he has given him warning The deputy cannot abide a whoremaster If he be a whoremonger and comes before him he were as good go a mile on his errand
DUKE
That we were all as some would seem to be
Free from our faults as faults from seeming free
ELBOW
His neck will come to your waista cord sir
Enter Lucio
POMPEY
I spy comfort I cry bail Heres a gentleman and a friend of mine
LUCIO
How now noble Pompey What at the wheels of Caesar Art thou led in triumph What is there none of Pygmalions images newly made woman to be had now for putting the hand in the pocket and extracting it clutched What reply ha What sayst thou to this tune matter and method Ist not drowned i th last rain ha What sayst thou trot Is the world as it was man Which is the way Is it sad and few words Or how The trick of it
DUKE
Still thus and thus still worse
LUCIO
How doth my dear morsel thy mistress Procures she still ha
POMPEY
Troth sir she hath eaten up all her beef and she is herself in the tub
LUCIO
Why tis good It is the right of it It must be so Ever your fresh whore and your powdered bawd an unshunned consequence it must be so Art going to prison Pompey
POMPEY
Yes faith sir
LUCIO
Why tis not amiss Pompey Farewell Go say I sent thee thither For debt Pompey Or how
ELBOW
For being a bawd for being a bawd
LUCIO
Well then imprison him If imprisonment be the due of a bawd why tis his right Bawd is he doubtless and of antiquity too Bawd born Farewell good Pompey Commend me to the prison Pompey You will turn good husband now Pompey you will keep the house
POMPEY
I hope sir your good worship will be my bail
LUCIO
No indeed will I not Pompey it is not the wear I will pray Pompey to increase your bondage If you take it not patiently why your mettle is the more Adieu trusty PompeyBless you friar
DUKE
And you
LUCIO
Does Bridget paint still Pompey ha
ELBOW
Come your ways sir come
POMPEY
You will not bail me then sir
LUCIO
Then Pompey nor nowWhat news abroad friar What news
ELBOW
Come your ways sir come
LUCIO
Go to kennel Pompey go
Exeunt Elbow Pompey and Officers
What news friar of the Duke
DUKE
I know none Can you tell me of any
LUCIO
Some say he is with the Emperor of Russia other some he is in Rome But where is he think you
DUKE
I know not where but wheresoever I wish him well
LUCIO
It was a mad fantastical trick of him to steal from the state and usurp the beggary he was never born to Lord Angelo dukes it well in his absence He puts transgression tot
DUKE
He does well int
LUCIO
A little more lenity to lechery would do no harm in him Something too crabbed that way friar
DUKE
It is too general a vice and severity must cure it
LUCIO
Yes in good sooth the vice is of a great kindred it is well allied but it is impossible to extirp it quite friar till eating and drinking be put down They say this Angelo was not made by man and woman after this downright way of creation Is it true think you
DUKE
How should he be made then
LUCIO
Some report a seamaid spawned him some that he was begot between two stockfishes But it is certain that when he makes water his urine is congealed ice that I know to be true And he is a motion ungenerative thats infallible
DUKE
You are pleasant sir and speak apace
LUCIO
Why what a ruthless thing is this in him for the rebellion of a codpiece to take away the life of a man Would the Duke that is absent have done this Ere he would have hanged a man for the getting a hundred bastards he would have paid for the nursing a thousand He had some feeling of the sport he knew the service and that instructed him to mercy
DUKE
I never heard the absent Duke much detected for women he was not inclined that way
LUCIO
O sir you are deceived
DUKE
Tis not possible
LUCIO
Who not the Duke Yes your beggar of fifty and his use was to put a ducat in her clackdish The Duke had crotchets in him He would be drunk too that let me inform you
DUKE
You do him wrong surely
LUCIO
Sir I was an inward of his A shy fellow was the Duke and I believe I know the cause of his withdrawing
DUKE
What I prithee might be the cause
LUCIO
No pardon Tis a secret must be locked within the teeth and the lips But this I can let you understand the greater file of the subject held the Duke to be wise
DUKE
Wise Why no question but he was
LUCIO
A very superficial ignorant unweighing fellow
DUKE
Either this is envy in you folly or mistaking The very stream of his life and the business he hath helmed must upon a warranted need give him a better proclamation Let him be but testimonied in his own bringingsforth and he shall appear to the envious a scholar a statesman and a soldier Therefore you speak unskilfully Or if your knowledge be more it is much darkened in your malice
LUCIO
Sir I know him and I love him
DUKE
Love talks with better knowledge and knowledge with dearer love
LUCIO
Come sir I know what I know
DUKE
I can hardly believe that since you know not what you speak But if ever the Duke return as our prayers are he may let me desire you to make your answer before him If it be honest you have spoke you have courage to maintain it I am bound to call upon you and I pray you your name
LUCIO
Sir my name is Lucio well known to the Duke
DUKE
He shall know you better sir if I may live to report you
LUCIO
I fear you not
DUKE
O you hope the Duke will return no more or you imagine me too unhurtful an opposite But indeed I can do you little harm Youll forswear this again
LUCIO
Ill be hanged first Thou art deceived in me friar But no more of this Canst thou tell if Claudio die tomorrow or no
DUKE
Why should he die sir
LUCIO
Why For filling a bottle with a tundish I would the Duke we talk of were returned again This ungenitured agent will unpeople the province with continency Sparrows must not build in his houseeaves because they are lecherous The Duke yet would have dark deeds darkly answered He would never bring them to light Would he were returned Marry this Claudio is condemned for untrussing Farewell good friar I prithee pray for me The Duke I say to thee again would eat mutton on Fridays Hes now past it yet and I say to thee he would mouth with a beggar though she smelt brown bread and garlic Say that I said so Farewell
Exit
DUKE
No might nor greatness in mortality
Can censure scape Backwounding calumny
The whitest virtue strikes What king so strong
Can tie the gall up in the slanderous tongue
But who comes here
Enter Escalus Provost and Officers with Mistress Overdone a Bawd
ESCALUS
Go away with her to prison
BAWD
Good my lord be good to me Your honour is accounted a merciful man good my lord
ESCALUS
Double and treble admonition and still forfeit in the same kind This would make mercy swear and play the tyrant
PROVOST
A bawd of eleven years continuance may it please your honour
BAWD
My lord this is one Lucios information against me Mistress Kate Keepdown was with child by him in the Dukes time he promised her marriage His child is a year and a quarter old come Philip and Jacob I have kept it myself and see how he goes about to abuse me
ESCALUS
That fellow is a fellow of much license Let him be called before us Away with her to prison Go to no more words
Exeunt Officers with Bawd
Provost my brother Angelo will not be altered Claudio must die tomorrow Let him be furnished with divines and have all charitable preparation If my brother wrought by my pity it should not be so with him
PROVOST
So please you this friar hath been with him and advised him for th entertainment of death
ESCALUS
Good even good father
DUKE
Bliss and goodness on you
ESCALUS
Of whence are you
DUKE
Not of this country though my chance is now
To use it for my time I am a brother
Of gracious order late come from the See
In special business from his Holiness
ESCALUS
What news abroad i th world
DUKE
None but that there is so great a fever on goodness that the dissolution of it must cure it Novelty is only in request and as it is as dangerous to be aged in any kind of course as it is virtuous to be constant in any undertaking There is scarce truth enough alive to make societies secure but security enough to make fellowships accursed Much upon this riddle runs the wisdom of the world This news is old enough yet it is every days news I pray you sir of what disposition was the Duke
ESCALUS
One that above all other strifes contended especially to know himself
DUKE
What pleasure was he given to
ESCALUS
Rather rejoicing to see another merry than merry at anything which professed to make him rejoice A gentleman of all temperance But leave we him to his events with a prayer they may prove prosperous and let me desire to know how you find Claudio prepared I am made to understand that you have lent him visitation
DUKE
He professes to have received no sinister measure from his judge but most willingly humbles himself to the determination of justice Yet had he framed to himself by the instruction of his frailty many deceiving promises of life which I by my good leisure have discredited to him and now he is resolved to die
ESCALUS
You have paid the heavens your function and the prisoner the very debt of your calling I have laboured for the poor gentleman to the extremest shore of my modesty but my brother justice have I found so severe that he hath forced me to tell him he is indeed Justice
DUKE
If his own life answer the straitness of his proceeding it shall become him well wherein if he chance to fail he hath sentenced himself
ESCALUS
I am going to visit the prisoner Fare you well
DUKE
Peace be with you
Exeunt Escalus and Provost
He who the sword of heaven will bear
Should be as holy as severe
Pattern in himself to know
Grace to stand and virtue go
More nor less to others paying
Than by selfoffences weighing
Shame to him whose cruel striking
Kills for faults of his own liking
Twice treble shame on Angelo
To weed my vice and let his grow
O what may man within him hide
Though angel on the outward side
How may likeness made in crimes
Make practice on the times
To draw with idle spiders strings
Most ponderous and substantial things
Craft against vice I must apply
With Angelo tonight shall lie
His old betrothed but despised
So disguise shall by th disguised
Pay with falsehood false exacting
And perform an old contracting
Exit
ACT IV
SCENE I A room in Marianas house
Enter Mariana and a Boy singing
SONG
Take O take those lips away
That so sweetly were forsworn
And those eyes the break of day
Lights that do mislead the morn
But my kisses bring again
Bring again
Seals of love but sealed in vain
Sealed in vain
Enter Duke as a Friar
MARIANA
Break off thy song and haste thee quick away
Here comes a man of comfort whose advice
Hath often stilled my brawling discontent
Exit Boy
I cry you mercy sir and well could wish
You had not found me here so musical
Let me excuse me and believe me so
My mirth it much displeased but pleased my woe
DUKE
Tis good though music oft hath such a charm
To make bad good and good provoke to harm
I pray you tell me hath anybody inquired for me here today Much upon this time have I promised here to meet
MARIANA
You have not been inquired after I have sat here all day
Enter Isabella
DUKE
I do constantly believe you The time is come even now I shall crave your forbearance a little Maybe I will call upon you anon for some advantage to yourself
MARIANA
I am always bound to you
Exit
DUKE
Very well met and welcome
What is the news from this good deputy
ISABELLA
He hath a garden circummured with brick
Whose western side is with a vineyard backed
And to that vineyard is a planched gate
That makes his opening with this bigger key
This other doth command a little door
Which from the vineyard to the garden leads
There have I made my promise upon the
Heavy middle of the night to call on him
DUKE
But shall you on your knowledge find this way
ISABELLA
I have taen a due and wary note upont
With whispering and most guilty diligence
In action all of precept he did show me
The way twice oer
DUKE
Are there no other tokens
Between you greed concerning her observance
ISABELLA
No none but only a repair i th dark
And that I have possessed him my most stay
Can be but brief for I have made him know
I have a servant comes with me along
That stays upon me whose persuasion is
I come about my brother
DUKE
Tis well borne up
I have not yet made known to Mariana
A word of thisWhat ho within Come forth
Enter Mariana
I pray you be acquainted with this maid
She comes to do you good
ISABELLA
I do desire the like
DUKE
Do you persuade yourself that I respect you
MARIANA
Good friar I know you do and have found it
DUKE
Take then this your companion by the hand
Who hath a story ready for your ear
I shall attend your leisure but make haste
The vaporous night approaches
MARIANA
Willt please you walk aside
Exeunt Mariana and Isabella
DUKE
O place and greatness millions of false eyes
Are stuck upon thee volumes of report
Run with these false and most contrarious quest
Upon thy doings thousand escapes of wit
Make thee the father of their idle dream
And rack thee in their fancies
Enter Mariana and Isabella
Welcome how agreed
ISABELLA
Shell take the enterprise upon her father
If you advise it
DUKE
It is not my consent
But my entreaty too
ISABELLA
Little have you to say
When you depart from him but soft and low
Remember now my brother
MARIANA
Fear me not
DUKE
Nor gentle daughter fear you not at all
He is your husband on a precontract
To bring you thus together tis no sin
Sith that the justice of your title to him
Doth flourish the deceit Come let us go
Our corns to reap for yet our tithes to sow
Exeunt
SCENE II A room in the prison
Enter Provost and Pompey
PROVOST
Come hither sirrah Can you cut off a mans head
POMPEY
If the man be a bachelor sir I can but if he be a married man hes his wifes head and I can never cut off a womans head
PROVOST
Come sir leave me your snatches and yield me a direct answer Tomorrow morning are to die Claudio and Barnardine Here is in our prison a common executioner who in his office lacks a helper if you will take it on you to assist him it shall redeem you from your gyves if not you shall have your full time of imprisonment and your deliverance with an unpitied whipping for you have been a notorious bawd
POMPEY
Sir I have been an unlawful bawd time out of mind but yet I will be content to be a lawful hangman I would be glad to receive some instruction from my fellowpartner
PROVOST
What ho Abhorson Wheres Abhorson there
Enter Abhorson
ABHORSON
Do you call sir
PROVOST
Sirrah heres a fellow will help you tomorrow in your execution If you think it meet compound with him by the year and let him abide here with you if not use him for the present and dismiss him He cannot plead his estimation with you he hath been a bawd
ABHORSON
A bawd sir Fie upon him he will discredit our mystery
PROVOST
Go to sir you weigh equally A feather will turn the scale
Exit
POMPEY
Pray sir by your good favourfor surely sir a good favour you have but that you have a hanging lookdo you call sir your occupation a mystery
ABHORSON
Ay sir a mystery
POMPEY
Painting sir I have heard say is a mystery and your whores sir being members of my occupation using painting do prove my occupation a mystery But what mystery there should be in hanging if I should be hanged I cannot imagine
ABHORSON
Sir it is a mystery
POMPEY
Proof
ABHORSON
Every true mans apparel fits your thief If it be too little for your thief your true man thinks it big enough if it be too big for your thief your thief thinks it little enough So every true mans apparel fits your thief
Enter Provost
PROVOST
Are you agreed
POMPEY
Sir I will serve him for I do find your hangman is a more penitent trade than your bawd He doth oftener ask forgiveness
PROVOST
You sirrah provide your block and your axe tomorrow four oclock
ABHORSON
Come on bawd I will instruct thee in my trade Follow
POMPEY
I do desire to learn sir and I hope if you have occasion to use me for your own turn you shall find me yare For truly sir for your kindness I owe you a good turn
PROVOST
Call hither Barnardine and Claudio
Exeunt Abhorson and Pompey
Th one has my pity not a jot the other
Being a murderer though he were my brother
Enter Claudio
Look heres the warrant Claudio for thy death
Tis now dead midnight and by eight tomorrow
Thou must be made immortal Wheres Barnardine
CLAUDIO
As fast locked up in sleep as guiltless labour
When it lies starkly in the travellers bones
He will not wake
PROVOST
Who can do good on him
Well go prepare yourself Knocking within But hark what noise
Heaven give your spirits comfort
Exit Claudio Knock within
By and by
I hope it is some pardon or reprieve
For the most gentle Claudio
Enter Duke
Welcome father
DUKE
The best and wholesomst spirits of the night
Envelop you good Provost Who called here of late
PROVOST
None since the curfew rung
DUKE
Not Isabel
PROVOST
No
DUKE
They will then eret be long
PROVOST
What comfort is for Claudio
DUKE
Theres some in hope
PROVOST
It is a bitter deputy
DUKE
Not so not so His life is paralleled
Even with the stroke and line of his great justice
He doth with holy abstinence subdue
That in himself which he spurs on his power
To qualify in others Were he mealed with that
Which he corrects then were he tyrannous
But this being so hes just
Knocking within Provost goes to the door
Now are they come
This is a gentle provost Seldom when
The steeled gaoler is the friend of men
Knocking within
How now What noise That spirits possessed with haste
That wounds th unsisting postern with these strokes
Provost returns
PROVOST
There he must stay until the officer
Arise to let him in He is called up
DUKE
Have you no countermand for Claudio yet
But he must die tomorrow
PROVOST
None sir none
DUKE
As near the dawning Provost as it is
You shall hear more ere morning
PROVOST
Happily
You something know yet I believe there comes
No countermand No such example have we
Besides upon the very siege of justice
Lord Angelo hath to the public ear
Professed the contrary
Enter a Messenger
This is his Lordships man
DUKE
And here comes Claudios pardon
MESSENGER
My lord hath sent you this note and by me this further charge that you swerve not from the smallest article of it neither in time matter or other circumstance Good morrow for as I take it it is almost day
PROVOST
I shall obey him
Exit Messenger
DUKE
Aside This is his pardon purchased by such sin
For which the pardoner himself is in
Hence hath offence his quick celerity
When it is borne in high authority
When vice makes mercy mercys so extended
That for the faults love is th offender friended
Now sir what news
PROVOST
I told you Lord Angelo belike thinking me remiss in mine office awakens me with this unwonted puttingon methinks strangely for he hath not used it before
DUKE
Pray you lets hear
PROVOST
Reads Whatsoever you may hear to the contrary let Claudio be executed by four of the clock and in the afternoon Barnardine For my better satisfaction let me have Claudios head sent me by five Let this be duly performed with a thought that more depends on it than we must yet deliver Thus fail not to do your office as you will answer it at your peril
What say you to this sir
DUKE
What is that Barnardine who is to be executed in th afternoon
PROVOST
A Bohemian born but here nursed up and bred one that is a prisoner nine years old
DUKE
How came it that the absent Duke had not either delivered him to his liberty or executed him I have heard it was ever his manner to do so
PROVOST
His friends still wrought reprieves for him and indeed his fact till now in the government of Lord Angelo came not to an undoubtful proof
DUKE
It is now apparent
PROVOST
Most manifest and not denied by himself
DUKE
Hath he borne himself penitently in prison How seems he to be touched
PROVOST
A man that apprehends death no more dreadfully but as a drunken sleep careless reckless and fearless of whats past present or to come insensible of mortality and desperately mortal
DUKE
He wants advice
PROVOST
He will hear none He hath evermore had the liberty of the prison give him leave to escape hence he would not Drunk many times a day if not many days entirely drunk We have very oft awaked him as if to carry him to execution and showed him a seeming warrant for it It hath not moved him at all
DUKE
More of him anon There is written in your brow Provost honesty and constancy if I read it not truly my ancient skill beguiles me But in the boldness of my cunning I will lay myself in hazard Claudio whom here you have warrant to execute is no greater forfeit to the law than Angelo who hath sentenced him To make you understand this in a manifested effect I crave but four days respite for the which you are to do me both a present and a dangerous courtesy
PROVOST
Pray sir in what
DUKE
In the delaying death
PROVOST
Alack how may I do it Having the hour limited and an express command under penalty to deliver his head in the view of Angelo I may make my case as Claudios to cross this in the smallest
DUKE
By the vow of mine order I warrant you if my instructions may be your guide Let this Barnardine be this morning executed and his head borne to Angelo
PROVOST
Angelo hath seen them both and will discover the favour
DUKE
O deaths a great disguiser and you may add to it Shave the head and tie the beard and say it was the desire of the penitent to be so bared before his death You know the course is common If anything fall to you upon this more than thanks and good fortune by the saint whom I profess I will plead against it with my life
PROVOST
Pardon me good father it is against my oath
DUKE
Were you sworn to the Duke or to the Deputy
PROVOST
To him and to his substitutes
DUKE
You will think you have made no offence if the Duke avouch the justice of your dealing
PROVOST
But what likelihood is in that
DUKE
Not a resemblance but a certainty Yet since I see you fearful that neither my coat integrity nor persuasion can with ease attempt you I will go further than I meant to pluck all fears out of you Look you sir here is the hand and seal of the Duke You know the character I doubt not and the signet is not strange to you
PROVOST
I know them both
DUKE
The contents of this is the return of the Duke you shall anon overread it at your pleasure where you shall find within these two days he will be here This is a thing that Angelo knows not for he this very day receives letters of strange tenour perchance of the Dukes death perchance entering into some monastery but by chance nothing of what is writ Look th unfolding star calls up the shepherd Put not yourself into amazement how these things should be All difficulties are but easy when they are known Call your executioner and off with Barnardines head I will give him a present shrift and advise him for a better place Yet you are amazed but this shall absolutely resolve you Come away it is almost clear dawn
Exeunt
SCENE III Another room in the same
Enter Pompey
POMPEY
I am as well acquainted here as I was in our house of profession One would think it were Mistress Overdones own house for here be many of her old customers First heres young Master Rash hes in for a commodity of brown paper and old ginger nine score and seventeen pounds of which he made five marks ready money Marry then ginger was not much in request for the old women were all dead Then is there here one Master Caper at the suit of Master Threepile the mercer for some four suits of peachcoloured satin which now peaches him a beggar Then have we here young Dizie and young Master Deepvow and Master Copperspur and Master Starvelackey the rapier and dagger man and young Dropheir that killed lusty Pudding and Master Forthright the tilter and brave Master Shoetie the great traveller and wild Halfcan that stabbed Pots and I think forty more all great doers in our trade and are now for the Lords sake
Enter Abhorson
ABHORSON
Sirrah bring Barnardine hither
POMPEY
Master Barnardine You must rise and be hanged Master Barnardine
ABHORSON
What ho Barnardine
BARNARDINE
Within A pox o your throats Who makes that noise there What are you
POMPEY
Your friends sir the hangman You must be so good sir to rise and be put to death
BARNARDINE
Within Away you rogue away I am sleepy
ABHORSON
Tell him he must awake and that quickly too
POMPEY
Pray Master Barnardine awake till you are executed and sleep afterwards
ABHORSON
Go in to him and fetch him out
POMPEY
He is coming sir he is coming I hear his straw rustle
Enter Barnardine
ABHORSON
Is the axe upon the block sirrah
POMPEY
Very ready sir
BARNARDINE
How now Abhorson Whats the news with you
ABHORSON
Truly sir I would desire you to clap into your prayers for look you the warrants come
BARNARDINE
You rogue I have been drinking all night I am not fitted fort
POMPEY
O the better sir for he that drinks all night and is hanged betimes in the morning may sleep the sounder all the next day
Enter Duke
ABHORSON
Look you sir here comes your ghostly father Do we jest now think you
DUKE
Sir induced by my charity and hearing how hastily you are to depart I am come to advise you comfort you and pray with you
BARNARDINE
Friar not I I have been drinking hard all night and I will have more time to prepare me or they shall beat out my brains with billets I will not consent to die this day thats certain
DUKE
O sir you must and therefore I beseech you
Look forward on the journey you shall go
BARNARDINE
I swear I will not die today for any mans persuasion
DUKE
But hear you
BARNARDINE
Not a word If you have anything to say to me come to my ward for thence will not I today
Exit
DUKE
Unfit to live or die O gravel heart
After him fellows bring him to the block
Exeunt Abhorson and Pompey
Enter Provost
PROVOST
Now sir how do you find the prisoner
DUKE
A creature unprepared unmeet for death
And to transport him in the mind he is
Were damnable
PROVOST
Here in the prison father
There died this morning of a cruel fever
One Ragozine a most notorious pirate
A man of Claudios years his beard and head
Just of his colour What if we do omit
This reprobate till he were well inclined
And satisfy the Deputy with the visage
Of Ragozine more like to Claudio
DUKE
O tis an accident that heaven provides
Dispatch it presently the hour draws on
Prefixed by Angelo See this be done
And sent according to command whiles I
Persuade this rude wretch willingly to die
PROVOST
This shall be done good father presently
But Barnardine must die this afternoon
And how shall we continue Claudio
To save me from the danger that might come
If he were known alive
DUKE
Let this be done
Put them in secret holds both Barnardine and Claudio
Ere twice the sun hath made his journal greeting
To yonder generation you shall find
Your safety manifested
PROVOST
I am your free dependant
DUKE
Quick dispatch and send the head to Angelo
Exit Provost
Now will I write letters to Angelo
The Provost he shall bear them whose contents
Shall witness to him I am near at home
And that by great injunctions I am bound
To enter publicly Him Ill desire
To meet me at the consecrated fount
A league below the city and from thence
By cold gradation and wellbalanced form
We shall proceed with Angelo
Enter Provost
PROVOST
Here is the head Ill carry it myself
DUKE
Convenient is it Make a swift return
For I would commune with you of such things
That want no ear but yours
PROVOST
Ill make all speed
Exit
ISABELLA
Within Peace ho be here
DUKE
The tongue of Isabel Shes come to know
If yet her brothers pardon be come hither
But I will keep her ignorant of her good
To make her heavenly comforts of despair
When it is least expected
Enter Isabella
ISABELLA
Ho by your leave
DUKE
Good morning to you fair and gracious daughter
ISABELLA
The better given me by so holy a man
Hath yet the Deputy sent my brothers pardon
DUKE
He hath released him Isabel from the world
His head is off and sent to Angelo
ISABELLA
Nay but it is not so
DUKE
It is no other
Show your wisdom daughter in your close patience
ISABELLA
O I will to him and pluck out his eyes
DUKE
You shall not be admitted to his sight
ISABELLA
Unhappy Claudio Wretched Isabel
Injurious world Most damned Angelo
DUKE
This nor hurts him nor profits you a jot
Forbear it therefore give your cause to heaven
Mark what I say which you shall find
By every syllable a faithful verity
The Duke comes home tomorrownay dry your eyes
One of our convent and his confessor
Gives me this instance Already he hath carried
Notice to Escalus and Angelo
Who do prepare to meet him at the gates
There to give up their power If you can pace your wisdom
In that good path that I would wish it go
And you shall have your bosom on this wretch
Grace of the Duke revenges to your heart
And general honour
ISABELLA
I am directed by you
DUKE
This letter then to Friar Peter give
Tis that he sent me of the Dukes return
Say by this token I desire his company
At Marianas house tonight Her cause and yours
Ill perfect him withal and he shall bring you
Before the Duke and to the head of Angelo
Accuse him home and home For my poor self
I am combined by a sacred vow
And shall be absent Wend you with this letter
Command these fretting waters from your eyes
With a light heart trust not my holy order
If I pervert your courseWhos here
Enter Lucio
LUCIO
Good even Friar where is the Provost
DUKE
Not within sir
LUCIO
O pretty Isabella I am pale at mine heart to see thine eyes so red Thou must be patient I am fain to dine and sup with water and bran I dare not for my head fill my belly One fruitful meal would set me tot But they say the Duke will be here tomorrow By my troth Isabel I loved thy brother If the old fantastical duke of dark corners had been at home he had lived
Exit Isabella
DUKE
Sir the Duke is marvellous little beholding to your reports but the best is he lives not in them
LUCIO
Friar thou knowest not the Duke so well as I do Hes a better woodman than thou takst him for
DUKE
Well youll answer this one day Fare ye well
LUCIO
Nay tarry Ill go along with thee I can tell thee pretty tales of the Duke
DUKE
You have told me too many of him already sir if they be true if not true none were enough
LUCIO
I was once before him for getting a wench with child
DUKE
Did you such a thing
LUCIO
Yes marry did I but I was fain to forswear it They would else have married me to the rotten medlar
DUKE
Sir your company is fairer than honest Rest you well
LUCIO
By my troth Ill go with thee to the lanes end If bawdy talk offend you well have very little of it Nay friar I am a kind of burr I shall stick
Exeunt
SCENE IV A room in Angelos house
Enter Angelo and Escalus
ESCALUS
Every letter he hath writ hath disvouched other
ANGELO
In most uneven and distracted manner His actions show much like to madness pray heaven his wisdom be not tainted And why meet him at the gates and redeliver our authorities there
ESCALUS
I guess not
ANGELO
And why should we proclaim it in an hour before his entering that if any crave redress of injustice they should exhibit their petitions in the street
ESCALUS
He shows his reason for that to have a dispatch of complaints and to deliver us from devices hereafter which shall then have no power to stand against us
ANGELO
Well I beseech you let it be proclaimed
Betimes i th morn Ill call you at your house
Give notice to such men of sort and suit
As are to meet him
ESCALUS
I shall sir Fare you well
Exit
ANGELO
Good night
This deed unshapes me quite makes me unpregnant
And dull to all proceedings A deflowered maid
And by an eminent body that enforced
The law against it But that her tender shame
Will not proclaim against her maiden loss
How might she tongue me Yet reason dares her no
For my authority bears so credent bulk
That no particular scandal once can touch
But it confounds the breather He should have lived
Save that his riotous youth with dangerous sense
Might in the times to come have taen revenge
By so receiving a dishonoured life
With ransom of such shame Would yet he had lived
Alack when once our grace we have forgot
Nothing goes right we would and we would not
Exit
SCENE V Fields without the town
Enter Duke in his own habit and Friar Peter
DUKE
These letters at fit time deliver me
The Provost knows our purpose and our plot
The matter being afoot keep your instruction
And hold you ever to our special drift
Though sometimes you do blench from this to that
As cause doth minister Go call at Flavius house
And tell him where I stay Give the like notice
To Valencius Rowland and to Crassus
And bid them bring the trumpets to the gate
But send me Flavius first
FRIAR PETER
It shall be speeded well
Exit Friar Peter
Enter Varrius
DUKE
I thank thee Varrius thou hast made good haste
Come we will walk Theres other of our friends
Will greet us here anon My gentle Varrius
Exeunt
SCENE VI Street near the city gate
Enter Isabella and Mariana
ISABELLA
To speak so indirectly I am loath
I would say the truth but to accuse him so
That is your part yet I am advised to do it
He says to veil full purpose
MARIANA
Be ruled by him
ISABELLA
Besides he tells me that if peradventure
He speak against me on the adverse side
I should not think it strange for tis a physic
Thats bitter to sweet end
MARIANA
I would Friar Peter
Enter Friar Peter
ISABELLA
O peace the friar is come
FRIAR PETER
Come I have found you out a stand most fit
Where you may have such vantage on the Duke
He shall not pass you Twice have the trumpets sounded
The generous and gravest citizens
Have hent the gates and very near upon
The Duke is entering Therefore hence away
Exeunt
ACT V
SCENE I A public place near the city gate
Enter at several doors Duke Varrius Lords Angelo Escalus Lucio Provost Officers and Citizens
DUKE
My very worthy cousin fairly met
Our old and faithful friend we are glad to see you
ANGELO and ESCALUS
Happy return be to your royal grace
DUKE
Many and hearty thankings to you both
We have made inquiry of you and we hear
Such goodness of your justice that our soul
Cannot but yield you forth to public thanks
Forerunning more requital
ANGELO
You make my bonds still greater
DUKE
O your desert speaks loud and I should wrong it
To lock it in the wards of covert bosom
When it deserves with characters of brass
A forted residence gainst the tooth of time
And rasure of oblivion Give me your hand
And let the subject see to make them know
That outward courtesies would fain proclaim
Favours that keep withinCome Escalus
You must walk by us on our other hand
And good supporters are you
Enter Friar Peter and Isabella
FRIAR PETER
Now is your time Speak loud and kneel before him
ISABELLA
Justice O royal Duke Vail your regard
Upon a wrongedI would fain have said a maid
O worthy prince dishonour not your eye
By throwing it on any other object
Till you have heard me in my true complaint
And given me justice justice justice justice
DUKE
Relate your wrongs In what By whom Be brief
Here is Lord Angelo shall give you justice
Reveal yourself to him
ISABELLA
O worthy Duke
You bid me seek redemption of the devil
Hear me yourself for that which I must speak
Must either punish me not being believed
Or wring redress from you Hear me O hear me here
ANGELO
My lord her wits I fear me are not firm
She hath been a suitor to me for her brother
Cut off by course of justice
ISABELLA
By course of justice
ANGELO
And she will speak most bitterly and strange
ISABELLA
Most strange but yet most truly will I speak
That Angelos forsworn is it not strange
That Angelos a murderer ist not strange
That Angelo is an adulterous thief
An hypocrite a virginviolator
Is it not strange and strange
DUKE
Nay it is ten times strange
ISABELLA
It is not truer he is Angelo
Than this is all as true as it is strange
Nay it is ten times true for truth is truth
To th end of reckoning
DUKE
Away with her Poor soul
She speaks this in th infirmity of sense
ISABELLA
O Prince I conjure thee as thou believst
There is another comfort than this world
That thou neglect me not with that opinion
That I am touched with madness Make not impossible
That which but seems unlike Tis not impossible
But one the wickedst caitiff on the ground
May seem as shy as grave as just as absolute
As Angelo even so may Angelo
In all his dressings characts titles forms
Be an archvillain Believe it royal Prince
If he be less hes nothing but hes more
Had I more name for badness
DUKE
By mine honesty
If she be mad as I believe no other
Her madness hath the oddest frame of sense
Such a dependency of thing on thing
As eer I heard in madness
ISABELLA
O gracious Duke
Harp not on that nor do not banish reason
For inequality but let your reason serve
To make the truth appear where it seems hid
And hide the false seems true
DUKE
Many that are not mad
Have sure more lack of reason What would you say
ISABELLA
I am the sister of one Claudio
Condemned upon the act of fornication
To lose his head condemned by Angelo
I in probation of a sisterhood
Was sent to by my brother one Lucio
As then the messenger
LUCIO
Thats I ant like your Grace
I came to her from Claudio and desired her
To try her gracious fortune with Lord Angelo
For her poor brothers pardon
ISABELLA
Thats he indeed
DUKE
You were not bid to speak
LUCIO
No my good lord
Nor wished to hold my peace
DUKE
I wish you now then
Pray you take note of it and when you have
A business for yourself pray heaven you then
Be perfect
LUCIO
I warrant your honour
DUKE
The warrants for yourself Take heed to it
ISABELLA
This gentleman told somewhat of my tale
LUCIO
Right
DUKE
It may be right but you are i the wrong
To speak before your timeProceed
ISABELLA
I went
To this pernicious caitiff deputy
DUKE
Thats somewhat madly spoken
ISABELLA
Pardon it
The phrase is to the matter
DUKE
Mended again The matter proceed
ISABELLA
In brief to set the needless process by
How I persuaded how I prayed and kneeled
How he refelled me and how I replied
For this was of much lengththe vile conclusion
I now begin with grief and shame to utter
He would not but by gift of my chaste body
To his concupiscible intemperate lust
Release my brother and after much debatement
My sisterly remorse confutes mine honour
And I did yield to him But the next morn betimes
His purpose surfeiting he sends a warrant
For my poor brothers head
DUKE
This is most likely
ISABELLA
O that it were as like as it is true
DUKE
By heaven fond wretch thou knowst not what thou speakst
Or else thou art suborned against his honour
In hateful practice First his integrity
Stands without blemish next it imports no reason
That with such vehemency he should pursue
Faults proper to himself If he had so offended
He would have weighed thy brother by himself
And not have cut him off Someone hath set you on
Confess the truth and say by whose advice
Thou camst here to complain
ISABELLA
And is this all
Then O you blessed ministers above
Keep me in patience and with ripened time
Unfold the evil which is here wrapt up
In countenance Heaven shield your Grace from woe
As I thus wronged hence unbelieved go
DUKE
I know youd fain be gone An officer
To prison with her Shall we thus permit
A blasting and a scandalous breath to fall
On him so near us This needs must be a practice
Who knew of your intent and coming hither
ISABELLA
One that I would were here Friar Lodowick
Exeunt Officer with Isabella
DUKE
A ghostly father belike Who knows that Lodowick
LUCIO
My lord I know him Tis a meddling friar
I do not like the man Had he been lay my lord
For certain words he spake against your Grace
In your retirement I had swinged him soundly
DUKE
Words against me Thiss a good friar belike
And to set on this wretched woman here
Against our substitute Let this friar be found
LUCIO
But yesternight my lord she and that friar
I saw them at the prison A saucy friar
A very scurvy fellow
FRIAR PETER
Blessed be your royal Grace
I have stood by my lord and I have heard
Your royal ear abused First hath this woman
Most wrongfully accused your substitute
Who is as free from touch or soil with her
As she from one ungot
DUKE
We did believe no less
Know you that Friar Lodowick that she speaks of
FRIAR PETER
I know him for a man divine and holy
Not scurvy nor a temporary meddler
As hes reported by this gentleman
And on my trust a man that never yet
Did as he vouches misreport your Grace
LUCIO
My lord most villainously believe it
FRIAR PETER
Well he in time may come to clear himself
But at this instant he is sick my lord
Of a strange fever Upon his mere request
Being come to knowledge that there was complaint
Intended gainst Lord Angelo came I hither
To speak as from his mouth what he doth know
Is true and false and what he with his oath
And all probation will make up full clear
Whensoever hes convented First for this woman
To justify this worthy nobleman
So vulgarly and personally accused
Her shall you hear disproved to her eyes
Till she herself confess it
DUKE
Good friar lets hear it
Do you not smile at this Lord Angelo
O heaven the vanity of wretched fools
Give us some seatsCome cousin Angelo
In this Ill be impartial Be you judge
Of your own cause
Enter Mariana veiled
Is this the witness friar
First let her show her face and after speak
MARIANA
Pardon my lord I will not show my face
Until my husband bid me
DUKE
What are you married
MARIANA
No my lord
DUKE
Are you a maid
MARIANA
No my lord
DUKE
A widow then
MARIANA
Neither my lord
DUKE
Why you are nothing then neither maid widow nor wife
LUCIO
My lord she may be a punk for many of them are neither maid widow nor wife
DUKE
Silence that fellow I would he had some cause to prattle for himself
LUCIO
Well my lord
MARIANA
My lord I do confess I neer was married
And I confess besides I am no maid
I have known my husband yet my husband
Knows not that ever he knew me
LUCIO
He was drunk then my lord it can be no better
DUKE
For the benefit of silence would thou wert so too
LUCIO
Well my lord
DUKE
This is no witness for Lord Angelo
MARIANA
Now I come tot my lord
She that accuses him of fornication
In selfsame manner doth accuse my husband
And charges him my lord with such a time
When Ill depose I had him in mine arms
With all th effect of love
ANGELO
Charges she more than me
MARIANA
Not that I know
DUKE
No You say your husband
MARIANA
Why just my lord and that is Angelo
Who thinks he knows that he neer knew my body
But knows he thinks that he knows Isabels
ANGELO
This is a strange abuse Lets see thy face
MARIANA
My husband bids me now I will unmask Unveiling
This is that face thou cruel Angelo
Which once thou sworst was worth the looking on
This is the hand which with a vowed contract
Was fast belocked in thine This is the body
That took away the match from Isabel
And did supply thee at thy gardenhouse
In her imagined person
DUKE
Know you this woman
LUCIO
Carnally she says
DUKE
Sirrah no more
LUCIO
Enough my lord
ANGELO
My lord I must confess I know this woman
And five years since there was some speech of marriage
Betwixt myself and her which was broke off
Partly for that her promised proportions
Came short of composition but in chief
For that her reputation was disvalued
In levity Since which time of five years
I never spake with her saw her nor heard from her
Upon my faith and honour
MARIANA
Noble Prince
As there comes light from heaven and words from breath
As there is sense in truth and truth in virtue
I am affianced this mans wife as strongly
As words could make up vows And my good lord
But Tuesday night last gone ins gardenhouse
He knew me as a wife As this is true
Let me in safety raise me from my knees
Or else for ever be confixed here
A marble monument
ANGELO
I did but smile till now
Now good my lord give me the scope of justice
My patience here is touched I do perceive
These poor informal women are no more
But instruments of some more mightier member
That sets them on Let me have way my lord
To find this practice out
DUKE
Ay with my heart
And punish them to your height of pleasure
Thou foolish friar and thou pernicious woman
Compact with her thats gone thinkst thou thy oaths
Though they would swear down each particular saint
Were testimonies against his worth and credit
Thats sealed in approbation You Lord Escalus
Sit with my cousin lend him your kind pains
To find out this abuse whence tis derived
There is another friar that set them on
Let him be sent for
FRIAR PETER
Would he were here my lord for he indeed
Hath set the women on to this complaint
Your Provost knows the place where he abides
And he may fetch him
DUKE
Go do it instantly
Exit Provost
And you my noble and wellwarranted cousin
Whom it concerns to hear this matter forth
Do with your injuries as seems you best
In any chastisement I for a while
Will leave you but stir not you till you have
Well determined upon these slanderers
ESCALUS
My lord well do it throughly
Exit Duke
Signior Lucio did not you say you knew that Friar Lodowick to be a dishonest person
LUCIO
Cucullus non facit monachum honest in nothing but in his clothes and one that hath spoke most villainous speeches of the Duke
ESCALUS
We shall entreat you to abide here till he come and enforce them against him We shall find this friar a notable fellow
LUCIO
As any in Vienna on my word
ESCALUS
Call that same Isabel here once again I would speak with her
Exit an Attendant
Pray you my lord give me leave to question you shall see how Ill handle her
LUCIO
Not better than he by her own report
ESCALUS
Say you
LUCIO
Marry sir I think if you handled her privately she would sooner confess perchance publicly shell be ashamed
Enter at several doors Duke as a friar Provost and Isabella with Officers
ESCALUS
I will go darkly to work with her
LUCIO
Thats the way for women are light at midnight
ESCALUS
To Isabella Come on mistress heres a gentlewoman denies all that you have said
LUCIO
My lord here comes the rascal I spoke of here with the Provost
ESCALUS
In very good time Speak not you to him till we call upon you
LUCIO
Mum
ESCALUS
Come sir did you set these women on to slander Lord Angelo They have confessed you did
DUKE
Tis false
ESCALUS
How Know you where you are
DUKE
Respect to your great place and let the devil
Be sometime honoured for his burning throne
Where is the Duke Tis he should hear me speak
ESCALUS
The Dukes in us and we will hear you speak
Look you speak justly
DUKE
Boldly at least But O poor souls
Come you to seek the lamb here of the fox
Good night to your redress Is the Duke gone
Then is your cause gone too The Dukes unjust
Thus to retort your manifest appeal
And put your trial in the villains mouth
Which here you come to accuse
LUCIO
This is the rascal this is he I spoke of
ESCALUS
Why thou unreverend and unhallowed friar
Ist not enough thou hast suborned these women
To accuse this worthy man but in foul mouth
And in the witness of his proper ear
To call him villain And then to glance from him
To th Duke himself to tax him with injustice
Take him hence To th rack with him Well touse you
Joint by joint but we will know his purpose
What Unjust
DUKE
Be not so hot The Duke
Dare no more stretch this finger of mine than he
Dare rack his own His subject am I not
Nor here provincial My business in this state
Made me a lookeron here in Vienna
Where I have seen corruption boil and bubble
Till it oerrun the stew Laws for all faults
But faults so countenanced that the strong statutes
Stand like the forfeits in a barbers shop
As much in mock as mark
ESCALUS
Slander to the state Away with him to prison
ANGELO
What can you vouch against him Signior Lucio
Is this the man that you did tell us of
LUCIO
Tis he my lord Come hither goodman Baldpate
Do you know me
DUKE
I remember you sir by the sound of your voice I met you at the prison in the absence of the Duke
LUCIO
O did you so And do you remember what you said of the Duke
DUKE
Most notedly sir
LUCIO
Do you so sir And was the Duke a fleshmonger a fool and a coward as you then reported him to be
DUKE
You must sir change persons with me ere you make that my report You indeed spoke so of him and much more much worse
LUCIO
O thou damnable fellow Did not I pluck thee by the nose for thy speeches
DUKE
I protest I love the Duke as I love myself
ANGELO
Hark how the villain would close now after his treasonable abuses
ESCALUS
Such a fellow is not to be talked withal Away with him to prison Where is the provost Away with him to prison Lay bolts enough upon him Let him speak no more Away with those giglets too and with the other confederate companion
The Provost lays hands on the Duke
DUKE
Stay sir stay a while
ANGELO
What resists he Help him Lucio
LUCIO
Come sir come sir come sir Foh sir Why you baldpated lying rascal You must be hooded must you Show your knaves visage with a pox to you Show your sheepbiting face and be hanged an hour Willt not off
Pulls off the friars hood and discovers the Duke
DUKE
Thou art the first knave that eer madst a duke
First Provost let me bail these gentle three
To Lucio Sneak not away sir for the friar and you
Must have a word anonLay hold on him
LUCIO
This may prove worse than hanging
DUKE
To Escalus What you have spoke I pardon Sit you down
Well borrow place of him To Angelo Sir by your leave
Hast thou or word or wit or impudence
That yet can do thee office If thou hast
Rely upon it till my tale be heard
And hold no longer out
ANGELO
O my dread lord
I should be guiltier than my guiltiness
To think I can be undiscernible
When I perceive your Grace like power divine
Hath looked upon my passes Then good Prince
No longer session hold upon my shame
But let my trial be mine own confession
Immediate sentence then and sequent death
Is all the grace I beg
DUKE
Come hither Mariana
Say wast thou eer contracted to this woman
ANGELO
I was my lord
DUKE
Go take her hence and marry her instantly
Do you the office friar which consummate
Return him here againGo with him Provost
Exeunt Angelo Mariana Friar Peter and Provost
ESCALUS
My lord I am more amazed at his dishonour
Than at the strangeness of it
DUKE
Come hither Isabel
Your friar is now your prince As I was then
Advertising and holy to your business
Not changing heart with habit I am still
Attorneyed at your service
ISABELLA
O give me pardon
That I your vassal have employed and pained
Your unknown sovereignty
DUKE
You are pardoned Isabel
And now dear maid be you as free to us
Your brothers death I know sits at your heart
And you may marvel why I obscured myself
Labouring to save his life and would not rather
Make rash remonstrance of my hidden power
Than let him so be lost O most kind maid
It was the swift celerity of his death
Which I did think with slower foot came on
That brained my purpose But peace be with him
That life is better life past fearing death
Than that which lives to fear Make it your comfort
So happy is your brother
ISABELLA
I do my lord
Enter Angelo Mariana Friar Peter and Provost
DUKE
For this newmarried man approaching here
Whose salt imagination yet hath wronged
Your welldefended honour you must pardon
For Marianas sake But as he adjudged your brother
Being criminal in double violation
Of sacred chastity and of promisebreach
Thereon dependent for your brothers life
The very mercy of the law cries out
Most audible even from his proper tongue
An Angelo for Claudio death for death
Haste still pays haste and leisure answers leisure
Like doth quit like and measure still for measure
Then Angelo thy faults thus manifested
Which though thou wouldst deny denies thee vantage
We do condemn thee to the very block
Where Claudio stooped to death and with like haste
Away with him
MARIANA
O my most gracious lord
I hope you will not mock me with a husband
DUKE
It is your husband mocked you with a husband
Consenting to the safeguard of your honour
I thought your marriage fit Else imputation
For that he knew you might reproach your life
And choke your good to come For his possessions
Although by confiscation they are ours
We do instate and widow you with all
To buy you a better husband
MARIANA
O my dear lord
I crave no other nor no better man
DUKE
Never crave him we are definitive
MARIANA
Kneeling Gentle my liege
DUKE
You do but lose your labour
Away with him to death To Lucio Now sir to you
MARIANA
O my good lordSweet Isabel take my part
Lend me your knees and all my life to come
Ill lend you all my life to do you service
DUKE
Against all sense you do importune her
Should she kneel down in mercy of this fact
Her brothers ghost his paved bed would break
And take her hence in horror
MARIANA
Isabel
Sweet Isabel do yet but kneel by me
Hold up your hands say nothing Ill speak all
They say best men are moulded out of faults
And for the most become much more the better
For being a little bad So may my husband
O Isabel will you not lend a knee
DUKE
He dies for Claudios death
ISABELLA
Kneeling Most bounteous sir
Look if it please you on this man condemned
As if my brother lived I partly think
A due sincerity governed his deeds
Till he did look on me Since it is so
Let him not die My brother had but justice
In that he did the thing for which he died
For Angelo
His act did not oertake his bad intent
And must be buried but as an intent
That perished by the way Thoughts are no subjects
Intents but merely thoughts
MARIANA
Merely my lord
DUKE
Your suits unprofitable Stand up I say
I have bethought me of another fault
Provost how came it Claudio was beheaded
At an unusual hour
PROVOST
It was commanded so
DUKE
Had you a special warrant for the deed
PROVOST
No my good lord it was by private message
DUKE
For which I do discharge you of your office
Give up your keys
PROVOST
Pardon me noble lord
I thought it was a fault but knew it not
Yet did repent me after more advice
For testimony whereof one in the prison
That should by private order else have died
I have reserved alive
DUKE
Whats he
PROVOST
His name is Barnardine
DUKE
I would thou hadst done so by Claudio
Go fetch him hither let me look upon him
Exit Provost
ESCALUS
I am sorry one so learned and so wise
As you Lord Angelo have still appeared
Should slip so grossly both in the heat of blood
And lack of tempered judgement afterward
ANGELO
I am sorry that such sorrow I procure
And so deep sticks it in my penitent heart
That I crave death more willingly than mercy
Tis my deserving and I do entreat it
Enter Provost with Barnardine Claudio muffled and Juliet
DUKE
Which is that Barnardine
PROVOST
This my lord
DUKE
There was a friar told me of this man
Sirrah thou art said to have a stubborn soul
That apprehends no further than this world
And squarst thy life according Thourt condemned
But for those earthly faults I quit them all
And pray thee take this mercy to provide
For better times to come Friar advise him
I leave him to your handWhat muffled fellows that
PROVOST
This is another prisoner that I saved
Who should have died when Claudio lost his head
As like almost to Claudio as himself
Unmuffles Claudio
DUKE
To Isabella If he be like your brother for his sake
Is he pardoned and for your lovely sake
Give me your hand and say you will be mine
He is my brother too But fitter time for that
By this Lord Angelo perceives hes safe
Methinks I see a quickning in his eye
Well Angelo your evil quits you well
Look that you love your wife her worth worth yours
I find an apt remission in myself
And yet heres one in place I cannot pardon
To Lucio You sirrah that knew me for a fool a coward
One all of luxury an ass a madman
Wherein have I so deserved of you
That you extol me thus
LUCIO
Faith my lord I spoke it but according to the trick If you will hang me for it you may but I had rather it would please you I might be whipped
DUKE
Whipped first sir and hanged after
Proclaim it Provost round about the city
If any woman wronged by this lewd fellow
As I have heard him swear himself theres one
Whom he begot with childlet her appear
And he shall marry her The nuptial finished
Let him be whipped and hanged
LUCIO
I beseech your Highness do not marry me to a whore Your highness said even now I made you a duke good my lord do not recompense me in making me a cuckold
DUKE
Upon mine honour thou shalt marry her
Thy slanders I forgive and therewithal
Remit thy other forfeitsTake him to prison
And see our pleasure herein executed
LUCIO
Marrying a punk my lord is pressing to death whipping and hanging
DUKE
Slandering a prince deserves it
Exeunt Officers with Lucio
She Claudio that you wronged look you restore
Joy to you Mariana Love her Angelo
I have confessed her and I know her virtue
Thanks good friend Escalus for thy much goodness
Theres more behind that is more gratulate
Thanks Provost for thy care and secrecy
We shall employ thee in a worthier place
Forgive him Angelo that brought you home
The head of Ragozine for Claudios
Th offence pardons itself Dear Isabel
I have a motion much imports your good
Whereto if youll a willing ear incline
Whats mine is yours and what is yours is mine
So bring us to our palace where well show
Whats yet behind thats meet you all should know
Exeunt
THE MERCHANT OF VENICE
Contents
ACT I
Scene I Venice A street
Scene II Belmont A room in Portias house
Scene III Venice A public place
ACT II
Scene I Belmont A room in Portias house
Scene II Venice A street
Scene III The same A room in Shylocks house
Scene IV The same A street
Scene V The same Before Shylocks house
Scene VI The same
Scene VII Belmont A room in Portias house
Scene VIII Venice A street
Scene IX Belmont A room in Portias house
ACT III
Scene I Venice A street
Scene II Belmont A room in Portias house
Scene III Venice A street
Scene IV Belmont A room in Portias house
Scene V The same A garden
ACT IV
Scene I Venice A court of justice
Scene II The same A street
ACT V
Scene I Belmont The avenue to Portias house
Dramatis Person
THE DUKE OF VENICE
THE PRINCE OF MOROCCO suitor to Portia
THE PRINCE OF ARRAGON suitor to Portia
ANTONIO a merchant of Venice
BASSANIO his friend suitor to Portia
GRATIANO friend to Antonio and Bassanio
SOLANIO friend to Antonio and Bassanio
SALARINO friend to Antonio and Bassanio
LORENZO in love with Jessica
SHYLOCK a rich Jew
TUBAL a Jew his friend
LAUNCELET GOBBO a clown servant to Shylock
OLD GOBBO father to Launcelet
LEONARDO servant to Bassanio
BALTHAZAR servant to Portia
STEPHANO servant to Portia
SALERIO a messenger from Venice
PORTIA a rich heiress
NERISSA her waitingwoman
JESSICA daughter to Shylock
Magnificoes of Venice Officers of the Court of Justice a Gaoler Servants and other Attendants
SCENE Partly at Venice and partly at Belmont the seat of Portia on the Continent
ACT I
SCENE I Venice A street
Enter Antonio Salarino and Solanio
ANTONIO
In sooth I know not why I am so sad
It wearies me you say it wearies you
But how I caught it found it or came by it
What stuff tis made of whereof it is born
I am to learn
And such a wantwit sadness makes of me
That I have much ado to know myself
SALARINO
Your mind is tossing on the ocean
There where your argosies with portly sail
Like signiors and rich burghers on the flood
Or as it were the pageants of the sea
Do overpeer the petty traffickers
That curtsy to them do them reverence
As they fly by them with their woven wings
SOLANIO
Believe me sir had I such venture forth
The better part of my affections would
Be with my hopes abroad I should be still
Plucking the grass to know where sits the wind
Peering in maps for ports and piers and roads
And every object that might make me fear
Misfortune to my ventures out of doubt
Would make me sad
SALARINO
My wind cooling my broth
Would blow me to an ague when I thought
What harm a wind too great might do at sea
I should not see the sandy hourglass run
But I should think of shallows and of flats
And see my wealthy Andrew dockd in sand
Vailing her high top lower than her ribs
To kiss her burial Should I go to church
And see the holy edifice of stone
And not bethink me straight of dangerous rocks
Which touching but my gentle vessels side
Would scatter all her spices on the stream
Enrobe the roaring waters with my silks
And in a word but even now worth this
And now worth nothing Shall I have the thought
To think on this and shall I lack the thought
That such a thing bechancd would make me sad
But tell not me I know Antonio
Is sad to think upon his merchandise
ANTONIO
Believe me no I thank my fortune for it
My ventures are not in one bottom trusted
Nor to one place nor is my whole estate
Upon the fortune of this present year
Therefore my merchandise makes me not sad
SALARINO
Why then you are in love
ANTONIO
Fie fie
SALARINO
Not in love neither Then let us say you are sad
Because you are not merry and twere as easy
For you to laugh and leap and say you are merry
Because you are not sad Now by twoheaded Janus
Nature hath framd strange fellows in her time
Some that will evermore peep through their eyes
And laugh like parrots at a bagpiper
And other of such vinegar aspect
That theyll not show their teeth in way of smile
Though Nestor swear the jest be laughable
Enter Bassanio Lorenzo and Gratiano
SOLANIO
Here comes Bassanio your most noble kinsman
Gratiano and Lorenzo Fare ye well
We leave you now with better company
SALARINO
I would have stayd till I had made you merry
If worthier friends had not prevented me
ANTONIO
Your worth is very dear in my regard
I take it your own business calls on you
And you embrace th occasion to depart
SALARINO
Good morrow my good lords
BASSANIO
Good signiors both when shall we laugh Say when
You grow exceeding strange Must it be so
SALARINO
Well make our leisures to attend on yours
Exeunt Salarino and Solanio
LORENZO
My Lord Bassanio since you have found Antonio
We two will leave you but at dinnertime
I pray you have in mind where we must meet
BASSANIO
I will not fail you
GRATIANO
You look not well Signior Antonio
You have too much respect upon the world
They lose it that do buy it with much care
Believe me you are marvellously changd
ANTONIO
I hold the world but as the world Gratiano
A stage where every man must play a part
And mine a sad one
GRATIANO
Let me play the fool
With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come
And let my liver rather heat with wine
Than my heart cool with mortifying groans
Why should a man whose blood is warm within
Sit like his grandsire cut in alabaster
Sleep when he wakes And creep into the jaundice
By being peevish I tell thee what Antonio
I love thee and tis my love that speaks
There are a sort of men whose visages
Do cream and mantle like a standing pond
And do a wilful stillness entertain
With purpose to be dressd in an opinion
Of wisdom gravity profound conceit
As who should say I am Sir Oracle
And when I ope my lips let no dog bark
O my Antonio I do know of these
That therefore only are reputed wise
For saying nothing when I am very sure
If they should speak would almost damn those ears
Which hearing them would call their brothers fools
Ill tell thee more of this another time
But fish not with this melancholy bait
For this fool gudgeon this opinion
Come good Lorenzo Fare ye well a while
Ill end my exhortation after dinner
LORENZO
Well we will leave you then till dinnertime
I must be one of these same dumb wise men
For Gratiano never lets me speak
GRATIANO
Well keep me company but two years moe
Thou shalt not know the sound of thine own tongue
ANTONIO
Fare you well Ill grow a talker for this gear
GRATIANO
Thanks i faith for silence is only commendable
In a neats tongue dried and a maid not vendible
Exeunt Gratiano and Lorenzo
ANTONIO
Is that anything now
BASSANIO
Gratiano speaks an infinite deal of nothing more than any man in all Venice His reasons are as two grains of wheat hid in two bushels of chaff you shall seek all day ere you find them and when you have them they are not worth the search
ANTONIO
Well tell me now what lady is the same
To whom you swore a secret pilgrimage
That you today promisd to tell me of
BASSANIO
Tis not unknown to you Antonio
How much I have disabled mine estate
By something showing a more swelling port
Than my faint means would grant continuance
Nor do I now make moan to be abridgd
From such a noble rate but my chief care
Is to come fairly off from the great debts
Wherein my time something too prodigal
Hath left me gagd To you Antonio
I owe the most in money and in love
And from your love I have a warranty
To unburden all my plots and purposes
How to get clear of all the debts I owe
ANTONIO
I pray you good Bassanio let me know it
And if it stand as you yourself still do
Within the eye of honour be assurd
My purse my person my extremest means
Lie all unlockd to your occasions
BASSANIO
In my schooldays when I had lost one shaft
I shot his fellow of the selfsame flight
The selfsame way with more advised watch
To find the other forth and by adventuring both
I oft found both I urge this childhood proof
Because what follows is pure innocence
I owe you much and like a wilful youth
That which I owe is lost But if you please
To shoot another arrow that self way
Which you did shoot the first I do not doubt
As I will watch the aim or to find both
Or bring your latter hazard back again
And thankfully rest debtor for the first
ANTONIO
You know me well and herein spend but time
To wind about my love with circumstance
And out of doubt you do me now more wrong
In making question of my uttermost
Than if you had made waste of all I have
Then do but say to me what I should do
That in your knowledge may by me be done
And I am prest unto it Therefore speak
BASSANIO
In Belmont is a lady richly left
And she is fair and fairer than that word
Of wondrous virtues Sometimes from her eyes
I did receive fair speechless messages
Her name is Portia nothing undervalud
To Catos daughter Brutus Portia
Nor is the wide world ignorant of her worth
For the four winds blow in from every coast
Renowned suitors and her sunny locks
Hang on her temples like a golden fleece
Which makes her seat of Belmont Colchos strond
And many Jasons come in quest of her
O my Antonio had I but the means
To hold a rival place with one of them
I have a mind presages me such thrift
That I should questionless be fortunate
ANTONIO
Thou knowst that all my fortunes are at sea
Neither have I money nor commodity
To raise a present sum therefore go forth
Try what my credit can in Venice do
That shall be rackd even to the uttermost
To furnish thee to Belmont to fair Portia
Go presently inquire and so will I
Where money is and I no question make
To have it of my trust or for my sake
Exeunt
SCENE II Belmont A room in Portias house
Enter Portia with her waitingwoman Nerissa
PORTIA
By my troth Nerissa my little body is aweary of this great world
NERISSA
You would be sweet madam if your miseries were in the same abundance as your good fortunes are And yet for aught I see they are as sick that surfeit with too much as they that starve with nothing It is no mean happiness therefore to be seated in the mean Superfluity come sooner by white hairs but competency lives longer
PORTIA
Good sentences and well pronouncd
NERISSA
They would be better if well followed
PORTIA
If to do were as easy as to know what were good to do chapels had been churches and poor mens cottages princes palaces It is a good divine that follows his own instructions I can easier teach twenty what were good to be done than to be one of the twenty to follow mine own teaching The brain may devise laws for the blood but a hot temper leaps oer a cold decree such a hare is madness the youth to skip oer the meshes of good counsel the cripple But this reasoning is not in the fashion to choose me a husband O me the word choose I may neither choose who I would nor refuse who I dislike so is the will of a living daughter curbd by the will of a dead father Is it not hard Nerissa that I cannot choose one nor refuse none
NERISSA
Your father was ever virtuous and holy men at their death have good inspirations Therefore the lottry that he hath devised in these three chests of gold silver and lead whereof who chooses his meaning chooses you will no doubt never be chosen by any rightly but one who you shall rightly love But what warmth is there in your affection towards any of these princely suitors that are already come
PORTIA
I pray thee overname them and as thou namest them I will describe them and according to my description level at my affection
NERISSA
First there is the Neapolitan prince
PORTIA
Ay thats a colt indeed for he doth nothing but talk of his horse and he makes it a great appropriation to his own good parts that he can shoe him himself I am much afeard my lady his mother playd false with a smith
NERISSA
Then is there the County Palatine
PORTIA
He doth nothing but frown as who should say And you will not have me choose He hears merry tales and smiles not I fear he will prove the weeping philosopher when he grows old being so full of unmannerly sadness in his youth I had rather be married to a deathshead with a bone in his mouth than to either of these God defend me from these two
NERISSA
How say you by the French lord Monsieur Le Bon
PORTIA
God made him and therefore let him pass for a man In truth I know it is a sin to be a mocker but he why he hath a horse better than the Neapolitans a better bad habit of frowning than the Count Palatine He is every man in no man If a throstle sing he falls straight acapring He will fence with his own shadow If I should marry him I should marry twenty husbands If he would despise me I would forgive him for if he love me to madness I shall never requite him
NERISSA
What say you then to Falconbridge the young baron of England
PORTIA
You know I say nothing to him for he understands not me nor I him he hath neither Latin French nor Italian and you will come into the court and swear that I have a poor pennyworth in the English He is a proper mans picture but alas who can converse with a dumbshow How oddly he is suited I think he bought his doublet in Italy his round hose in France his bonnet in Germany and his behaviour everywhere
NERISSA
What think you of the Scottish lord his neighbour
PORTIA
That he hath a neighbourly charity in him for he borrowed a box of the ear of the Englishman and swore he would pay him again when he was able I think the Frenchman became his surety and seald under for another
NERISSA
How like you the young German the Duke of Saxonys nephew
PORTIA
Very vilely in the morning when he is sober and most vilely in the afternoon when he is drunk when he is best he is a little worse than a man and when he is worst he is little better than a beast And the worst fall that ever fell I hope I shall make shift to go without him
NERISSA
If he should offer to choose and choose the right casket you should refuse to perform your fathers will if you should refuse to accept him
PORTIA
Therefore for fear of the worst I pray thee set a deep glass of Rhenish wine on the contrary casket for if the devil be within and that temptation without I know he will choose it I will do anything Nerissa ere I will be married to a sponge
NERISSA
You need not fear lady the having any of these lords They have acquainted me with their determinations which is indeed to return to their home and to trouble you with no more suit unless you may be won by some other sort than your fathers imposition depending on the caskets
PORTIA
If I live to be as old as Sibylla I will die as chaste as Diana unless I be obtained by the manner of my fathers will I am glad this parcel of wooers are so reasonable for there is not one among them but I dote on his very absence And I pray God grant them a fair departure
NERISSA
Do you not remember lady in your fathers time a Venetian a scholar and a soldier that came hither in company of the Marquis of Montferrat
PORTIA
Yes yes it was Bassanio as I think so was he calld
NERISSA
True madam He of all the men that ever my foolish eyes lookd upon was the best deserving a fair lady
PORTIA
I remember him well and I remember him worthy of thy praise
Enter a Servingman
How now what news
SERVINGMAN
The four strangers seek for you madam to take their leave And there is a forerunner come from a fifth the Prince of Morocco who brings word the Prince his master will be here tonight
PORTIA
If I could bid the fifth welcome with so good heart as I can bid the other four farewell I should be glad of his approach If he have the condition of a saint and the complexion of a devil I had rather he should shrive me than wive me Come Nerissa Sirrah go before Whiles we shut the gate upon one wooer another knocks at the door
Exeunt
SCENE III Venice A public place
Enter Bassanio with Shylock the Jew
SHYLOCK
Three thousand ducats well
BASSANIO
Ay sir for three months
SHYLOCK
For three months well
BASSANIO
For the which as I told you Antonio shall be bound
SHYLOCK
Antonio shall become bound well
BASSANIO
May you stead me Will you pleasure me Shall I know your answer
SHYLOCK
Three thousand ducats for three months and Antonio bound
BASSANIO
Your answer to that
SHYLOCK
Antonio is a good man
BASSANIO
Have you heard any imputation to the contrary
SHYLOCK
Ho no no no no my meaning in saying he is a good man is to have you understand me that he is sufficient Yet his means are in supposition he hath an argosy bound to Tripolis another to the Indies I understand moreover upon the Rialto he hath a third at Mexico a fourth for England and other ventures he hath squandered abroad But ships are but boards sailors but men there be landrats and waterrats waterthieves and landthievesI mean piratesand then there is the peril of waters winds and rocks The man is notwithstanding sufficient Three thousand ducats I think I may take his bond
BASSANIO
Be assured you may
SHYLOCK
I will be assured I may And that I may be assured I will bethink me May I speak with Antonio
BASSANIO
If it please you to dine with us
SHYLOCK
Yes to smell pork to eat of the habitation which your prophet the Nazarite conjured the devil into I will buy with you sell with you talk with you walk with you and so following but I will not eat with you drink with you nor pray with you What news on the Rialto Who is he comes here
Enter Antonio
BASSANIO
This is Signior Antonio
SHYLOCK
Aside How like a fawning publican he looks
I hate him for he is a Christian
But more for that in low simplicity
He lends out money gratis and brings down
The rate of usance here with us in Venice
If I can catch him once upon the hip
I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him
He hates our sacred nation and he rails
Even there where merchants most do congregate
On me my bargains and my wellwon thrift
Which he calls interest Cursed be my tribe
If I forgive him
BASSANIO
Shylock do you hear
SHYLOCK
I am debating of my present store
And by the near guess of my memory
I cannot instantly raise up the gross
Of full three thousand ducats What of that
Tubal a wealthy Hebrew of my tribe
Will furnish me But soft how many months
Do you desire To Antonio Rest you fair good signior
Your worship was the last man in our mouths
ANTONIO
Shylock albeit I neither lend nor borrow
By taking nor by giving of excess
Yet to supply the ripe wants of my friend
Ill break a custom To Bassanio Is he yet possessd
How much ye would
SHYLOCK
Ay ay three thousand ducats
ANTONIO
And for three months
SHYLOCK
I had forgot three months you told me so
Well then your bond And let me see but hear you
Methought you said you neither lend nor borrow
Upon advantage
ANTONIO
I do never use it
SHYLOCK
When Jacob grazd his uncle Labans sheep
This Jacob from our holy Abram was
As his wise mother wrought in his behalf
The third possessor ay he was the third
ANTONIO
And what of him Did he take interest
SHYLOCK
No not take interest not as you would say
Directly interest mark what Jacob did
When Laban and himself were compromisd
That all the eanlings which were streakd and pied
Should fall as Jacobs hire the ewes being rank
In end of autumn turned to the rams
And when the work of generation was
Between these woolly breeders in the act
The skilful shepherd pilld me certain wands
And in the doing of the deed of kind
He stuck them up before the fulsome ewes
Who then conceiving did in eaning time
Fall particolourd lambs and those were Jacobs
This was a way to thrive and he was blest
And thrift is blessing if men steal it not
ANTONIO
This was a venture sir that Jacob servd for
A thing not in his power to bring to pass
But swayd and fashiond by the hand of heaven
Was this inserted to make interest good
Or is your gold and silver ewes and rams
SHYLOCK
I cannot tell I make it breed as fast
But note me signior
ANTONIO
Mark you this Bassanio
The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose
An evil soul producing holy witness
Is like a villain with a smiling cheek
A goodly apple rotten at the heart
O what a goodly outside falsehood hath
SHYLOCK
Three thousand ducats tis a good round sum
Three months from twelve then let me see the rate
ANTONIO
Well Shylock shall we be beholding to you
SHYLOCK
Signior Antonio many a time and oft
In the Rialto you have rated me
About my moneys and my usances
Still have I borne it with a patient shrug
For suffrance is the badge of all our tribe
You call me misbeliever cutthroat dog
And spet upon my Jewish gaberdine
And all for use of that which is mine own
Well then it now appears you need my help
Go to then you come to me and you say
Shylock we would have moneys You say so
You that did void your rheum upon my beard
And foot me as you spurn a stranger cur
Over your threshold moneys is your suit
What should I say to you Should I not say
Hath a dog money Is it possible
A cur can lend three thousand ducats Or
Shall I bend low and in a bondmans key
With bated breath and whispring humbleness
Say this
Fair sir you spet on me on Wednesday last
You spurnd me such a day another time
You calld me dog and for these courtesies
Ill lend you thus much moneys
ANTONIO
I am as like to call thee so again
To spet on thee again to spurn thee too
If thou wilt lend this money lend it not
As to thy friends for when did friendship take
A breed for barren metal of his friend
But lend it rather to thine enemy
Who if he break thou mayst with better face
Exact the penalty
SHYLOCK
Why look you how you storm
I would be friends with you and have your love
Forget the shames that you have staind me with
Supply your present wants and take no doit
Of usance for my moneys and youll not hear me
This is kind I offer
BASSANIO
This were kindness
SHYLOCK
This kindness will I show
Go with me to a notary seal me there
Your single bond and in a merry sport
If you repay me not on such a day
In such a place such sum or sums as are
Expressd in the condition let the forfeit
Be nominated for an equal pound
Of your fair flesh to be cut off and taken
In what part of your body pleaseth me
ANTONIO
Content in faith Ill seal to such a bond
And say there is much kindness in the Jew
BASSANIO
You shall not seal to such a bond for me
Ill rather dwell in my necessity
ANTONIO
Why fear not man I will not forfeit it
Within these two months thats a month before
This bond expires I do expect return
Of thrice three times the value of this bond
SHYLOCK
O father Abram what these Christians are
Whose own hard dealings teaches them suspect
The thoughts of others Pray you tell me this
If he should break his day what should I gain
By the exaction of the forfeiture
A pound of mans flesh taken from a man
Is not so estimable profitable neither
As flesh of muttons beefs or goats I say
To buy his favour I extend this friendship
If he will take it so If not adieu
And for my love I pray you wrong me not
ANTONIO
Yes Shylock I will seal unto this bond
SHYLOCK
Then meet me forthwith at the notarys
Give him direction for this merry bond
And I will go and purse the ducats straight
See to my house left in the fearful guard
Of an unthrifty knave and presently
Ill be with you
ANTONIO
Hie thee gentle Jew
Exit Shylock
This Hebrew will turn Christian he grows kind
BASSANIO
I like not fair terms and a villains mind
ANTONIO
Come on in this there can be no dismay
My ships come home a month before the day
Exeunt
ACT II
SCENE I Belmont A room in Portias house
Flourish of cornets Enter the Prince of Morocco a tawny Moor all in white and three or four followers accordingly with Portia Nerissa and their train
PRINCE OF MOROCCO
Mislike me not for my complexion
The shadowed livery of the burnishd sun
To whom I am a neighbour and near bred
Bring me the fairest creature northward born
Where Phbus fire scarce thaws the icicles
And let us make incision for your love
To prove whose blood is reddest his or mine
I tell thee lady this aspect of mine
Hath feard the valiant by my love I swear
The bestregarded virgins of our clime
Have lovd it too I would not change this hue
Except to steal your thoughts my gentle queen
PORTIA
In terms of choice I am not solely led
By nice direction of a maidens eyes
Besides the lottry of my destiny
Bars me the right of voluntary choosing
But if my father had not scanted me
And hedgd me by his wit to yield myself
His wife who wins me by that means I told you
Yourself renowned Prince then stood as fair
As any comer I have lookd on yet
For my affection
PRINCE OF MOROCCO
Even for that I thank you
Therefore I pray you lead me to the caskets
To try my fortune By this scimitar
That slew the Sophy and a Persian prince
That won three fields of Sultan Solyman
I would oerstare the sternest eyes that look
Outbrave the heart most daring on the earth
Pluck the young sucking cubs from the shebear
Yea mock the lion when he roars for prey
To win thee lady But alas the while
If Hercules and Lichas play at dice
Which is the better man the greater throw
May turn by fortune from the weaker hand
So is Alcides beaten by his rage
And so may I blind Fortune leading me
Miss that which one unworthier may attain
And die with grieving
PORTIA
You must take your chance
And either not attempt to choose at all
Or swear before you choose if you choose wrong
Never to speak to lady afterward
In way of marriage Therefore be advisd
PRINCE OF MOROCCO
Nor will not Come bring me unto my chance
PORTIA
First forward to the temple After dinner
Your hazard shall be made
PRINCE OF MOROCCO
Good fortune then
To make me blest or cursedst among men
Cornets Exeunt
SCENE II Venice A street
Enter Launcelet Gobbo the clown alone
LAUNCELET
Certainly my conscience will serve me to run from this Jew my master The fiend is at mine elbow and tempts me saying to me Gobbo Launcelet Gobbo good Launcelet or good Gobbo or good Launcelet Gobbo use your legs take the start run away My conscience says No take heed honest Launcelet take heed honest Gobbo or as aforesaid honest Launcelet Gobbo do not run scorn running with thy heels Well the most courageous fiend bids me pack Fia says the fiend away says the fiend For the heavens rouse up a brave mind says the fiend and run Well my conscience hanging about the neck of my heart says very wisely to me My honest friend Launcelet being an honest mans sonor rather an honest womans son for indeed my father did something smack something grow to he had a kind of tastewell my conscience says Launcelet budge not Budge says the fiend Budge not says my conscience Conscience say I you counsel well Fiend say I you counsel well To be ruled by my conscience I should stay with the Jew my master who God bless the mark is a kind of devil and to run away from the Jew I should be ruled by the fiend who saving your reverence is the devil himself Certainly the Jew is the very devil incarnation and in my conscience my conscience is but a kind of hard conscience to offer to counsel me to stay with the Jew The fiend gives the more friendly counsel I will run fiend my heels are at your commandment I will run
Enter Old Gobbo with a basket
GOBBO
Master young man you I pray you which is the way to Master Jews
LAUNCELET
Aside O heavens this is my truebegotten father who being more than sandblind highgravel blind knows me not I will try confusions with him
GOBBO
Master young gentleman I pray you which is the way to Master Jews
LAUNCELET
Turn up on your right hand at the next turning but at the next turning of all on your left marry at the very next turning turn of no hand but turn down indirectly to the Jews house
GOBBO
Be Gods sonties twill be a hard way to hit Can you tell me whether one Launcelet that dwells with him dwell with him or no
LAUNCELET
Talk you of young Master Launcelet Aside Mark me now now will I raise the waters Talk you of young Master Launcelet
GOBBO
No master sir but a poor mans son his father though I sayt is an honest exceeding poor man and God be thanked well to live
LAUNCELET
Well let his father be what he will we talk of young Master Launcelet
GOBBO
Your worships friend and Launcelet sir
LAUNCELET
But I pray you ergo old man ergo I beseech you talk you of young Master Launcelet
GOBBO
Of Launcelet ant please your mastership
LAUNCELET
Ergo Master Launcelet Talk not of Master Launcelet father for the young gentleman according to Fates and Destinies and such odd sayings the Sisters Three and such branches of learning is indeed deceased or as you would say in plain terms gone to heaven
GOBBO
Marry God forbid The boy was the very staff of my age my very prop
LAUNCELET
Aside Do I look like a cudgel or a hovelpost a staff or a prop Do you know me father
GOBBO
Alack the day I know you not young gentleman but I pray you tell me is my boy God rest his soul alive or dead
LAUNCELET
Do you not know me father
GOBBO
Alack sir I am sandblind I know you not
LAUNCELET
Nay indeed if you had your eyes you might fail of the knowing me it is a wise father that knows his own child Well old man I will tell you news of your son Give me your blessing truth will come to light murder cannot be hid long a mans son may but in the end truth will out
GOBBO
Pray you sir stand up I am sure you are not Launcelet my boy
LAUNCELET
Pray you lets have no more fooling about it but give me your blessing I am Launcelet your boy that was your son that is your child that shall be
GOBBO
I cannot think you are my son
LAUNCELET
I know not what I shall think of that but I am Launcelet the Jews man and I am sure Margery your wife is my mother
GOBBO
Her name is Margery indeed Ill be sworn if thou be Launcelet thou art mine own flesh and blood Lord worshipped might he be what a beard hast thou got Thou hast got more hair on thy chin than Dobbin my fillhorse has on his tail
LAUNCELET
It should seem then that Dobbins tail grows backward I am sure he had more hair on his tail than I have on my face when I last saw him
GOBBO
Lord how art thou changed How dost thou and thy master agree I have brought him a present How gree you now
LAUNCELET
Well well But for mine own part as I have set up my rest to run away so I will not rest till I have run some ground My masters a very Jew Give him a present Give him a halter I am famished in his service You may tell every finger I have with my ribs Father I am glad you are come give me your present to one Master Bassanio who indeed gives rare new liveries If I serve not him I will run as far as God has any ground O rare fortune here comes the man To him father for I am a Jew if I serve the Jew any longer
Enter Bassanio with Leonardo and a follower or two
BASSANIO
You may do so but let it be so hasted that supper be ready at the farthest by five of the clock See these letters delivered put the liveries to making and desire Gratiano to come anon to my lodging
Exit a Servant
LAUNCELET
To him father
GOBBO
God bless your worship
BASSANIO
Gramercy wouldst thou aught with me
GOBBO
Heres my son sir a poor boy
LAUNCELET
Not a poor boy sir but the rich Jews man that would sir as my father shall specify
GOBBO
He hath a great infection sir as one would say to serve
LAUNCELET
Indeed the short and the long is I serve the Jew and have a desire as my father shall specify
GOBBO
His master and he saving your worships reverence are scarce catercousins
LAUNCELET
To be brief the very truth is that the Jew having done me wrong doth cause me as my father being I hope an old man shall frutify unto you
GOBBO
I have here a dish of doves that I would bestow upon your worship and my suit is
LAUNCELET
In very brief the suit is impertinent to myself as your worship shall know by this honest old man and though I say it though old man yet poor man my father
BASSANIO
One speak for both What would you
LAUNCELET
Serve you sir
GOBBO
That is the very defect of the matter sir
BASSANIO
I know thee well thou hast obtaind thy suit
Shylock thy master spoke with me this day
And hath preferrd thee if it be preferment
To leave a rich Jews service to become
The follower of so poor a gentleman
LAUNCELET
The old proverb is very well parted between my master Shylock and you sir you have the grace of God sir and he hath enough
BASSANIO
Thou speakst it well Go father with thy son
Take leave of thy old master and inquire
My lodging out To a Servant Give him a livery
More guarded than his fellows see it done
LAUNCELET
Father in I cannot get a service no I have neer a tongue in my head Looking on his palm Well if any man in Italy have a fairer table which doth offer to swear upon a book I shall have good fortune go to heres a simple line of life Heres a small trifle of wives alas fifteen wives is nothing eleven widows and nine maids is a simple comingin for one man And then to scape drowning thrice and to be in peril of my life with the edge of a featherbed here are simple scapes Well if Fortune be a woman shes a good wench for this gear Father come Ill take my leave of the Jew in the twinkling
Exeunt Launcelet and Old Gobbo
BASSANIO
I pray thee good Leonardo think on this
These things being bought and orderly bestowd
Return in haste for I do feast tonight
My best esteemd acquaintance hie thee go
LEONARDO
My best endeavours shall be done herein
Enter Gratiano
GRATIANO
Wheres your master
LEONARDO
Yonder sir he walks
Exit
GRATIANO
Signior Bassanio
BASSANIO
Gratiano
GRATIANO
I have suit to you
BASSANIO
You have obtaind it
GRATIANO
You must not deny me I must go with you to Belmont
BASSANIO
Why then you must But hear thee Gratiano
Thou art too wild too rude and bold of voice
Parts that become thee happily enough
And in such eyes as ours appear not faults
But where thou art not known why there they show
Something too liberal Pray thee take pain
To allay with some cold drops of modesty
Thy skipping spirit lest through thy wild behaviour
I be misconstred in the place I go to
And lose my hopes
GRATIANO
Signior Bassanio hear me
If I do not put on a sober habit
Talk with respect and swear but now and then
Wear prayerbooks in my pocket look demurely
Nay more while grace is saying hood mine eyes
Thus with my hat and sigh and say amen
Use all the observance of civility
Like one well studied in a sad ostent
To please his grandam never trust me more
BASSANIO
Well we shall see your bearing
GRATIANO
Nay but I bar tonight you shall not gauge me
By what we do tonight
BASSANIO
No that were pity
I would entreat you rather to put on
Your boldest suit of mirth for we have friends
That purpose merriment But fare you well
I have some business
GRATIANO
And I must to Lorenzo and the rest
But we will visit you at suppertime
Exeunt
SCENE III The same A room in Shylocks house
Enter Jessica and Launcelet
JESSICA
I am sorry thou wilt leave my father so
Our house is hell and thou a merry devil
Didst rob it of some taste of tediousness
But fare thee well there is a ducat for thee
And Launcelet soon at supper shalt thou see
Lorenzo who is thy new masters guest
Give him this letter do it secretly
And so farewell I would not have my father
See me in talk with thee
LAUNCELET
Adieu tears exhibit my tongue most beautiful pagan most sweet Jew If a Christian do not play the knave and get thee I am much deceived But adieu These foolish drops do something drown my manly spirit Adieu
JESSICA
Farewell good Launcelet
Exit Launcelet
Alack what heinous sin is it in me
To be ashamed to be my fathers child
But though I am a daughter to his blood
I am not to his manners O Lorenzo
If thou keep promise I shall end this strife
Become a Christian and thy loving wife
Exit
SCENE IV The same A street
Enter Gratiano Lorenzo Salarino and Solanio
LORENZO
Nay we will slink away in suppertime
Disguise us at my lodging and return
All in an hour
GRATIANO
We have not made good preparation
SALARINO
We have not spoke us yet of torchbearers
SOLANIO
Tis vile unless it may be quaintly orderd
And better in my mind not undertook
LORENZO
Tis now but four oclock we have two hours
To furnish us
Enter Launcelet with a letter
Friend Launcelet whats the news
LAUNCELET
And it shall please you to break up this it shall seem to signify
LORENZO
I know the hand in faith tis a fair hand
And whiter than the paper it writ on
Is the fair hand that writ
GRATIANO
Love news in faith
LAUNCELET
By your leave sir
LORENZO
Whither goest thou
LAUNCELET
Marry sir to bid my old master the Jew to sup tonight with my new master the Christian
LORENZO
Hold here take this Tell gentle Jessica
I will not fail her speak it privately
Go gentlemen
Exit Launcelet
Will you prepare you for this masque tonight
I am provided of a torchbearer
SALARINO
Ay marry Ill be gone about it straight
SOLANIO
And so will I
LORENZO
Meet me and Gratiano
At Gratianos lodging some hour hence
SALARINO
Tis good we do so
Exeunt Salarino and Solanio
GRATIANO
Was not that letter from fair Jessica
LORENZO
I must needs tell thee all She hath directed
How I shall take her from her fathers house
What gold and jewels she is furnishd with
What pages suit she hath in readiness
If eer the Jew her father come to heaven
It will be for his gentle daughters sake
And never dare misfortune cross her foot
Unless she do it under this excuse
That she is issue to a faithless Jew
Come go with me peruse this as thou goest
Fair Jessica shall be my torchbearer
Exeunt
SCENE V The same Before Shylocks house
Enter Shylock the Jew and Launcelet his man that was the clown
SHYLOCK
Well thou shalt see thy eyes shall be thy judge
The difference of old Shylock and Bassanio
What JessicaThou shalt not gormandize
As thou hast done with meWhat Jessica
And sleep and snore and rend apparel out
Why Jessica I say
LAUNCELET
Why Jessica
SHYLOCK
Who bids thee call I do not bid thee call
LAUNCELET
Your worship was wont to tell me I could do nothing without bidding
Enter Jessica
JESSICA
Call you What is your will
SHYLOCK
I am bid forth to supper Jessica
There are my keys But wherefore should I go
I am not bid for love they flatter me
But yet Ill go in hate to feed upon
The prodigal Christian Jessica my girl
Look to my house I am right loath to go
There is some ill abrewing towards my rest
For I did dream of moneybags tonight
LAUNCELET
I beseech you sir go My young master doth expect your reproach
SHYLOCK
So do I his
LAUNCELET
And they have conspired together I will not say you shall see a masque but if you do then it was not for nothing that my nose fell ableeding on Black Monday last at six oclock i th morning falling out that year on AshWednesday was four year in th afternoon
SHYLOCK
What are there masques Hear you me Jessica
Lock up my doors and when you hear the drum
And the vile squealing of the wryneckd fife
Clamber not you up to the casements then
Nor thrust your head into the public street
To gaze on Christian fools with varnishd faces
But stop my houses ears I mean my casements
Let not the sound of shallow foppry enter
My sober house By Jacobs staff I swear
I have no mind of feasting forth tonight
But I will go Go you before me sirrah
Say I will come
LAUNCELET
I will go before sir
Mistress look out at window for all this
There will come a Christian by
Will be worth a Jewess eye
Exit Launcelet
SHYLOCK
What says that fool of Hagars offspring ha
JESSICA
His words were Farewell mistress nothing else
SHYLOCK
The patch is kind enough but a huge feeder
Snailslow in profit and he sleeps by day
More than the wildcat Drones hive not with me
Therefore I part with him and part with him
To one that I would have him help to waste
His borrowed purse Well Jessica go in
Perhaps I will return immediately
Do as I bid you shut doors after you
Fast bind fast find
A proverb never stale in thrifty mind
Exit
JESSICA
Farewell and if my fortune be not crost
I have a father you a daughter lost
Exit
SCENE VI The same
Enter the masquers Gratiano and Salarino
GRATIANO
This is the penthouse under which Lorenzo
Desired us to make stand
SALARINO
His hour is almost past
GRATIANO
And it is marvel he outdwells his hour
For lovers ever run before the clock
SALARINO
O ten times faster Venus pigeons fly
To seal loves bonds newmade than they are wont
To keep obliged faith unforfeited
GRATIANO
That ever holds who riseth from a feast
With that keen appetite that he sits down
Where is the horse that doth untread again
His tedious measures with the unbated fire
That he did pace them first All things that are
Are with more spirit chased than enjoyd
How like a younger or a prodigal
The scarfed bark puts from her native bay
Huggd and embraced by the strumpet wind
How like the prodigal doth she return
With overweatherd ribs and ragged sails
Lean rent and beggard by the strumpet wind
Enter Lorenzo
SALARINO
Here comes Lorenzo more of this hereafter
LORENZO
Sweet friends your patience for my long abode
Not I but my affairs have made you wait
When you shall please to play the thieves for wives
Ill watch as long for you then Approach
Here dwells my father Jew Ho whos within
Enter Jessica above in boys clothes
JESSICA
Who are you Tell me for more certainty
Albeit Ill swear that I do know your tongue
LORENZO
Lorenzo and thy love
JESSICA
Lorenzo certain and my love indeed
For who love I so much And now who knows
But you Lorenzo whether I am yours
LORENZO
Heaven and thy thoughts are witness that thou art
JESSICA
Here catch this casket it is worth the pains
I am glad tis night you do not look on me
For I am much ashamd of my exchange
But love is blind and lovers cannot see
The pretty follies that themselves commit
For if they could Cupid himself would blush
To see me thus transformed to a boy
LORENZO
Descend for you must be my torchbearer
JESSICA
What must I hold a candle to my shames
They in themselves good sooth are too too light
Why tis an office of discovery love
And I should be obscurd
LORENZO
So are you sweet
Even in the lovely garnish of a boy
But come at once
For the close night doth play the runaway
And we are stayd for at Bassanios feast
JESSICA
I will make fast the doors and gild myself
With some moe ducats and be with you straight
Exit above
GRATIANO
Now by my hood a gentle and no Jew
LORENZO
Beshrew me but I love her heartily
For she is wise if I can judge of her
And fair she is if that mine eyes be true
And true she is as she hath provd herself
And therefore like herself wise fair and true
Shall she be placed in my constant soul
Enter Jessica
What art thou come On gentlemen away
Our masquing mates by this time for us stay
Exit with Jessica and Salarino
Enter Antonio
ANTONIO
Whos there
GRATIANO
Signior Antonio
ANTONIO
Fie fie Gratiano where are all the rest
Tis nine oclock our friends all stay for you
No masque tonight the wind is come about
Bassanio presently will go aboard
I have sent twenty out to seek for you
GRATIANO
I am glad ont I desire no more delight
Than to be under sail and gone tonight
Exeunt
SCENE VII Belmont A room in Portias house
Flourish of cornets Enter Portia with the Prince of Morocco and both their trains
PORTIA
Go draw aside the curtains and discover
The several caskets to this noble prince
Now make your choice
PRINCE OF MOROCCO
The first of gold who this inscription bears
Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire
The second silver which this promise carries
Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves
This third dull lead with warning all as blunt
Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath
How shall I know if I do choose the right
PORTIA
The one of them contains my picture prince
If you choose that then I am yours withal
PRINCE OF MOROCCO
Some god direct my judgment Let me see
I will survey the inscriptions back again
What says this leaden casket
Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath
Must give for what For lead Hazard for lead
This casket threatens men that hazard all
Do it in hope of fair advantages
A golden mind stoops not to shows of dross
Ill then nor give nor hazard aught for lead
What says the silver with her virgin hue
Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves
As much as he deserves Pause there Morocco
And weigh thy value with an even hand
If thou best rated by thy estimation
Thou dost deserve enough and yet enough
May not extend so far as to the lady
And yet to be afeard of my deserving
Were but a weak disabling of myself
As much as I deserve Why thats the lady
I do in birth deserve her and in fortunes
In graces and in qualities of breeding
But more than these in love I do deserve
What if I strayd no farther but chose here
Lets see once more this saying gravd in gold
Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire
Why thats the lady all the world desires her
From the four corners of the earth they come
To kiss this shrine this mortal breathing saint
The Hyrcanian deserts and the vasty wilds
Of wide Arabia are as throughfares now
For princes to come view fair Portia
The watery kingdom whose ambitious head
Spets in the face of heaven is no bar
To stop the foreign spirits but they come
As oer a brook to see fair Portia
One of these three contains her heavenly picture
Ist like that lead contains her Twere damnation
To think so base a thought It were too gross
To rib her cerecloth in the obscure grave
Or shall I think in silver shes immurd
Being ten times undervalued to tried gold
O sinful thought Never so rich a gem
Was set in worse than gold They have in England
A coin that bears the figure of an angel
Stamped in gold but thats insculpd upon
But here an angel in a golden bed
Lies all within Deliver me the key
Here do I choose and thrive I as I may
PORTIA
There take it prince and if my form lie there
Then I am yours
He unlocks the golden casket
PRINCE OF MOROCCO
O hell what have we here
A carrion Death within whose empty eye
There is a written scroll Ill read the writing
All that glisters is not gold
Often have you heard that told
Many a man his life hath sold
But my outside to behold
Gilded tombs do worms infold
Had you been as wise as bold
Young in limbs in judgment old
Your answer had not been inscrolld
Fare you well your suit is cold
Cold indeed and labour lost
Then farewell heat and welcome frost
Portia adieu I have too grievd a heart
To take a tedious leave Thus losers part
Exit with his train Flourish of cornets
PORTIA
A gentle riddance Draw the curtains go
Let all of his complexion choose me so
Exeunt
SCENE VIII Venice A street
Enter Salarino and Solanio
SALARINO
Why man I saw Bassanio under sail
With him is Gratiano gone along
And in their ship I am sure Lorenzo is not
SOLANIO
The villain Jew with outcries raisd the Duke
Who went with him to search Bassanios ship
SALARINO
He came too late the ship was under sail
But there the Duke was given to understand
That in a gondola were seen together
Lorenzo and his amorous Jessica
Besides Antonio certified the Duke
They were not with Bassanio in his ship
SOLANIO
I never heard a passion so confusd
So strange outrageous and so variable
As the dog Jew did utter in the streets
My daughter O my ducats O my daughter
Fled with a Christian O my Christian ducats
Justice the law my ducats and my daughter
A sealed bag two sealed bags of ducats
Of double ducats stoln from me by my daughter
And jewels two stones two rich and precious stones
Stoln by my daughter Justice find the girl
She hath the stones upon her and the ducats
SALARINO
Why all the boys in Venice follow him
Crying his stones his daughter and his ducats
SOLANIO
Let good Antonio look he keep his day
Or he shall pay for this
SALARINO
Marry well remembred
I reasond with a Frenchman yesterday
Who told me in the narrow seas that part
The French and English there miscarried
A vessel of our country richly fraught
I thought upon Antonio when he told me
And wishd in silence that it were not his
SOLANIO
You were best to tell Antonio what you hear
Yet do not suddenly for it may grieve him
SALARINO
A kinder gentleman treads not the earth
I saw Bassanio and Antonio part
Bassanio told him he would make some speed
Of his return He answered Do not so
Slubber not business for my sake Bassanio
But stay the very riping of the time
And for the Jews bond which he hath of me
Let it not enter in your mind of love
Be merry and employ your chiefest thoughts
To courtship and such fair ostents of love
As shall conveniently become you there
And even there his eye being big with tears
Turning his face he put his hand behind him
And with affection wondrous sensible
He wrung Bassanios hand and so they parted
SOLANIO
I think he only loves the world for him
I pray thee let us go and find him out
And quicken his embraced heaviness
With some delight or other
SALARINO
Do we so
Exeunt
SCENE IX Belmont A room in Portias house
Enter Nerissa and a Servitor
NERISSA
Quick quick I pray thee draw the curtain straight
The Prince of Arragon hath taen his oath
And comes to his election presently
Flourish of cornets Enter the Prince of Arragon his train and Portia
PORTIA
Behold there stand the caskets noble Prince
If you choose that wherein I am containd
Straight shall our nuptial rites be solemnizd
But if you fail without more speech my lord
You must be gone from hence immediately
ARRAGON
I am enjoind by oath to observe three things
First never to unfold to anyone
Which casket twas I chose next if I fail
Of the right casket never in my life
To woo a maid in way of marriage
Lastly
If I do fail in fortune of my choice
Immediately to leave you and be gone
PORTIA
To these injunctions everyone doth swear
That comes to hazard for my worthless self
ARRAGON
And so have I addressd me Fortune now
To my hearts hope Gold silver and base lead
Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath
You shall look fairer ere I give or hazard
What says the golden chest Ha let me see
Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire
What many men desire that many may be meant
By the fool multitude that choose by show
Not learning more than the fond eye doth teach
Which pries not to th interior but like the martlet
Builds in the weather on the outward wall
Even in the force and road of casualty
I will not choose what many men desire
Because I will not jump with common spirits
And rank me with the barbarous multitudes
Why then to thee thou silver treasurehouse
Tell me once more what title thou dost bear
Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves
And well said too for who shall go about
To cozen fortune and be honourable
Without the stamp of merit Let none presume
To wear an undeserved dignity
O that estates degrees and offices
Were not derivd corruptly and that clear honour
Were purchasd by the merit of the wearer
How many then should cover that stand bare
How many be commanded that command
How much low peasantry would then be gleaned
From the true seed of honour And how much honour
Pickd from the chaff and ruin of the times
To be new varnishd Well but to my choice
Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves
I will assume desert Give me a key for this
And instantly unlock my fortunes here
He opens the silver casket
PORTIA
Too long a pause for that which you find there
ARRAGON
Whats here The portrait of a blinking idiot
Presenting me a schedule I will read it
How much unlike art thou to Portia
How much unlike my hopes and my deservings
Who chooseth me shall have as much as he deserves
Did I deserve no more than a fools head
Is that my prize Are my deserts no better
PORTIA
To offend and judge are distinct offices
And of opposed natures
ARRAGON
What is here
The fire seven times tried this
Seven times tried that judgment is
That did never choose amiss
Some there be that shadows kiss
Such have but a shadows bliss
There be fools alive I wis
Silverd oer and so was this
Take what wife you will to bed
I will ever be your head
So be gone you are sped
Still more fool I shall appear
By the time I linger here
With one fools head I came to woo
But I go away with two
Sweet adieu Ill keep my oath
Patiently to bear my wroth
Exit Arragon with his train
PORTIA
Thus hath the candle singd the moth
O these deliberate fools When they do choose
They have the wisdom by their wit to lose
NERISSA
The ancient saying is no heresy
Hanging and wiving goes by destiny
PORTIA
Come draw the curtain Nerissa
Enter a Messenger
MESSENGER
Where is my lady
PORTIA
Here What would my lord
MESSENGER
Madam there is alighted at your gate
A young Venetian one that comes before
To signify th approaching of his lord
From whom he bringeth sensible regreets
To wit besides commends and courteous breath
Gifts of rich value yet I have not seen
So likely an ambassador of love
A day in April never came so sweet
To show how costly summer was at hand
As this forespurrer comes before his lord
PORTIA
No more I pray thee I am half afeard
Thou wilt say anon he is some kin to thee
Thou spendst such highday wit in praising him
Come come Nerissa for I long to see
Quick Cupids post that comes so mannerly
NERISSA
Bassanio Lord Love if thy will it be
Exeunt
ACT III
SCENE I Venice A street
Enter Solanio and Salarino
SOLANIO
Now what news on the Rialto
SALARINO
Why yet it lives there unchecked that Antonio hath a ship of rich lading wrackd on the narrow seas the Goodwins I think they call the place a very dangerous flat and fatal where the carcasses of many a tall ship lie buried as they say if my gossip Report be an honest woman of her word
SOLANIO
I would she were as lying a gossip in that as ever knapped ginger or made her neighbours believe she wept for the death of a third husband But it is true without any slips of prolixity or crossing the plain highway of talk that the good Antonio the honest AntonioO that I had a title good enough to keep his name company
SALARINO
Come the full stop
SOLANIO
Ha what sayest thou Why the end is he hath lost a ship
SALARINO
I would it might prove the end of his losses
SOLANIO
Let me say amen betimes lest the devil cross my prayer for here he comes in the likeness of a Jew
Enter Shylock
How now Shylock what news among the merchants
SHYLOCK
You knew none so well none so well as you of my daughters flight
SALARINO
Thats certain I for my part knew the tailor that made the wings she flew withal
SOLANIO
And Shylock for his own part knew the bird was fledged and then it is the complexion of them all to leave the dam
SHYLOCK
She is damnd for it
SALARINO
Thats certain if the devil may be her judge
SHYLOCK
My own flesh and blood to rebel
SOLANIO
Out upon it old carrion Rebels it at these years
SHYLOCK
I say my daughter is my flesh and my blood
SALARINO
There is more difference between thy flesh and hers than between jet and ivory more between your bloods than there is between red wine and Rhenish But tell us do you hear whether Antonio have had any loss at sea or no
SHYLOCK
There I have another bad match a bankrupt a prodigal who dare scarce show his head on the Rialto a beggar that used to come so smug upon the mart let him look to his bond He was wont to call me usurer let him look to his bond he was wont to lend money for a Christian cursy let him look to his bond
SALARINO
Why I am sure if he forfeit thou wilt not take his flesh Whats that good for
SHYLOCK
To bait fish withal if it will feed nothing else it will feed my revenge He hath disgracd me and hindred me half a million laughd at my losses mockd at my gains scorned my nation thwarted my bargains cooled my friends heated mine enemies And whats his reason I am a Jew Hath not a Jew eyes Hath not a Jew hands organs dimensions senses affections passions Fed with the same food hurt with the same weapons subject to the same diseases healed by the same means warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer as a Christian is If you prick us do we not bleed If you tickle us do we not laugh If you poison us do we not die And if you wrong us shall we not revenge If we are like you in the rest we will resemble you in that If a Jew wrong a Christian what is his humility Revenge If a Christian wrong a Jew what should his sufferance be by Christian example Why revenge The villainy you teach me I will execute and it shall go hard but I will better the instruction
Enter a man from Antonio
SERVANT
Gentlemen my master Antonio is at his house and desires to speak with you both
SALARINO
We have been up and down to seek him
Enter Tubal
SOLANIO
Here comes another of the tribe a third cannot be matchd unless the devil himself turn Jew
Exeunt Solanio Salarino and the Servant
SHYLOCK
How now Tubal what news from Genoa Hast thou found my daughter
TUBAL
I often came where I did hear of her but cannot find her
SHYLOCK
Why there there there there A diamond gone cost me two thousand ducats in Frankfort The curse never fell upon our nation till now I never felt it till now Two thousand ducats in that and other precious precious jewels I would my daughter were dead at my foot and the jewels in her ear would she were hearsed at my foot and the ducats in her coffin No news of them Why so And I know not whats spent in the search Why thouloss upon loss The thief gone with so much and so much to find the thief and no satisfaction no revenge nor no ill luck stirring but what lights o my shoulders no sighs but o my breathing no tears but o my shedding
TUBAL
Yes other men have ill luck too Antonio as I heard in Genoa
SHYLOCK
What what what Ill luck ill luck
TUBAL
hath an argosy cast away coming from Tripolis
SHYLOCK
I thank God I thank God Is it true is it true
TUBAL
I spoke with some of the sailors that escaped the wrack
SHYLOCK
I thank thee good Tubal Good news good news Ha ha heard in Genoa
TUBAL
Your daughter spent in Genoa as I heard one night fourscore ducats
SHYLOCK
Thou stickst a dagger in me I shall never see my gold again Fourscore ducats at a sitting Fourscore ducats
TUBAL
There came divers of Antonios creditors in my company to Venice that swear he cannot choose but break
SHYLOCK
I am very glad of it Ill plague him Ill torture him I am glad of it
TUBAL
One of them showed me a ring that he had of your daughter for a monkey
SHYLOCK
Out upon her Thou torturest me Tubal It was my turquoise I had it of Leah when I was a bachelor I would not have given it for a wilderness of monkeys
TUBAL
But Antonio is certainly undone
SHYLOCK
Nay thats true thats very true Go Tubal fee me an officer bespeak him a fortnight before I will have the heart of him if he forfeit for were he out of Venice I can make what merchandise I will Go Tubal and meet me at our synagogue Go good Tubal at our synagogue Tubal
Exeunt
SCENE II Belmont A room in Portias house
Enter Bassanio Portia Gratiano Nerissa and all their trains
PORTIA
I pray you tarry pause a day or two
Before you hazard for in choosing wrong
I lose your company therefore forbear a while
Theres something tells me but it is not love
I would not lose you and you know yourself
Hate counsels not in such a quality
But lest you should not understand me well
And yet a maiden hath no tongue but thought
I would detain you here some month or two
Before you venture for me I could teach you
How to choose right but then I am forsworn
So will I never be So may you miss me
But if you do youll make me wish a sin
That I had been forsworn Beshrew your eyes
They have oerlookd me and divided me
One half of me is yours the other half yours
Mine own I would say but if mine then yours
And so all yours O these naughty times
Puts bars between the owners and their rights
And so though yours not yours Prove it so
Let Fortune go to hell for it not I
I speak too long but tis to peise the time
To eche it and to draw it out in length
To stay you from election
BASSANIO
Let me choose
For as I am I live upon the rack
PORTIA
Upon the rack Bassanio Then confess
What treason there is mingled with your love
BASSANIO
None but that ugly treason of mistrust
Which makes me fear th enjoying of my love
There may as well be amity and life
Tween snow and fire as treason and my love
PORTIA
Ay but I fear you speak upon the rack
Where men enforced do speak anything
BASSANIO
Promise me life and Ill confess the truth
PORTIA
Well then confess and live
BASSANIO
Confess and love
Had been the very sum of my confession
O happy torment when my torturer
Doth teach me answers for deliverance
But let me to my fortune and the caskets
PORTIA
Away then I am lockd in one of them
If you do love me you will find me out
Nerissa and the rest stand all aloof
Let music sound while he doth make his choice
Then if he lose he makes a swanlike end
Fading in music That the comparison
May stand more proper my eye shall be the stream
And watry deathbed for him He may win
And what is music then Then music is
Even as the flourish when true subjects bow
To a newcrowned monarch Such it is
As are those dulcet sounds in break of day
That creep into the dreaming bridegrooms ear
And summon him to marriage Now he goes
With no less presence but with much more love
Than young Alcides when he did redeem
The virgin tribute paid by howling Troy
To the seamonster I stand for sacrifice
The rest aloof are the Dardanian wives
With bleared visages come forth to view
The issue of th exploit Go Hercules
Live thou I live With much much more dismay
I view the fight than thou that makst the fray
A song whilst Bassanio comments on the caskets to himself
Tell me where is fancy bred
Or in the heart or in the head
How begot how nourished
Reply reply
It is engendred in the eyes
With gazing fed and fancy dies
In the cradle where it lies
Let us all ring fancys knell
Ill begin itDing dong bell
ALL
Ding dong bell
BASSANIO
So may the outward shows be least themselves
The world is still deceivd with ornament
In law what plea so tainted and corrupt
But being seasond with a gracious voice
Obscures the show of evil In religion
What damned error but some sober brow
Will bless it and approve it with a text
Hiding the grossness with fair ornament
There is no vice so simple but assumes
Some mark of virtue on his outward parts
How many cowards whose hearts are all as false
As stairs of sand wear yet upon their chins
The beards of Hercules and frowning Mars
Who inward searchd have livers white as milk
And these assume but valours excrement
To render them redoubted Look on beauty
And you shall see tis purchasd by the weight
Which therein works a miracle in nature
Making them lightest that wear most of it
So are those crisped snaky golden locks
Which make such wanton gambols with the wind
Upon supposed fairness often known
To be the dowry of a second head
The skull that bred them in the sepulchre
Thus ornament is but the guiled shore
To a most dangerous sea the beauteous scarf
Veiling an Indian beauty in a word
The seeming truth which cunning times put on
To entrap the wisest Therefore thou gaudy gold
Hard food for Midas I will none of thee
Nor none of thee thou pale and common drudge
Tween man and man but thou thou meagre lead
Which rather threatenst than dost promise aught
Thy palenness moves me more than eloquence
And here choose I joy be the consequence
PORTIA
Aside How all the other passions fleet to air
As doubtful thoughts and rashembracd despair
And shuddring fear and greeneyd jealousy
O love be moderate allay thy ecstasy
In measure rain thy joy scant this excess
I feel too much thy blessing make it less
For fear I surfeit
BASSANIO
What find I here Opening the leaden casket
Fair Portias counterfeit What demigod
Hath come so near creation Move these eyes
Or whether riding on the balls of mine
Seem they in motion Here are severd lips
Parted with sugar breath so sweet a bar
Should sunder such sweet friends Here in her hairs
The painter plays the spider and hath woven
A golden mesh tentrap the hearts of men
Faster than gnats in cobwebs But her eyes
How could he see to do them Having made one
Methinks it should have power to steal both his
And leave itself unfurnishd Yet look how far
The substance of my praise doth wrong this shadow
In underprizing it so far this shadow
Doth limp behind the substance Heres the scroll
The continent and summary of my fortune
You that choose not by the view
Chance as fair and choose as true
Since this fortune falls to you
Be content and seek no new
If you be well pleasd with this
And hold your fortune for your bliss
Turn to where your lady is
And claim her with a loving kiss
A gentle scroll Fair lady by your leave Kissing her
I come by note to give and to receive
Like one of two contending in a prize
That thinks he hath done well in peoples eyes
Hearing applause and universal shout
Giddy in spirit still gazing in a doubt
Whether those peals of praise be his or no
So thricefair lady stand I even so
As doubtful whether what I see be true
Until confirmd signd ratified by you
PORTIA
You see me Lord Bassanio where I stand
Such as I am though for myself alone
I would not be ambitious in my wish
To wish myself much better yet for you
I would be trebled twenty times myself
A thousand times more fair ten thousand times
More rich
That only to stand high in your account
I might in virtues beauties livings friends
Exceed account But the full sum of me
Is sum of something which to term in gross
Is an unlessond girl unschoold unpractisd
Happy in this she is not yet so old
But she may learn happier than this
She is not bred so dull but she can learn
Happiest of all is that her gentle spirit
Commits itself to yours to be directed
As from her lord her governor her king
Myself and what is mine to you and yours
Is now converted But now I was the lord
Of this fair mansion master of my servants
Queen oer myself and even now but now
This house these servants and this same myself
Are yoursmy lords I give them with this ring
Which when you part from lose or give away
Let it presage the ruin of your love
And be my vantage to exclaim on you
BASSANIO
Madam you have bereft me of all words
Only my blood speaks to you in my veins
And there is such confusion in my powers
As after some oration fairly spoke
By a beloved prince there doth appear
Among the buzzing pleased multitude
Where every something being blent together
Turns to a wild of nothing save of joy
Expressd and not expressd But when this ring
Parts from this finger then parts life from hence
O then be bold to say Bassanios dead
NERISSA
My lord and lady it is now our time
That have stood by and seen our wishes prosper
To cry good joy Good joy my lord and lady
GRATIANO
My Lord Bassanio and my gentle lady
I wish you all the joy that you can wish
For I am sure you can wish none from me
And when your honours mean to solemnize
The bargain of your faith I do beseech you
Even at that time I may be married too
BASSANIO
With all my heart so thou canst get a wife
GRATIANO
I thank your lordship you have got me one
My eyes my lord can look as swift as yours
You saw the mistress I beheld the maid
You lovd I lovd for intermission
No more pertains to me my lord than you
Your fortune stood upon the caskets there
And so did mine too as the matter falls
For wooing here until I sweat again
And swearing till my very roof was dry
With oaths of love at last if promise last
I got a promise of this fair one here
To have her love provided that your fortune
Achievd her mistress
PORTIA
Is this true Nerissa
NERISSA
Madam it is so you stand pleasd withal
BASSANIO
And do you Gratiano mean good faith
GRATIANO
Yes faith my lord
BASSANIO
Our feast shall be much honoured in your marriage
GRATIANO
Well play with them the first boy for a thousand ducats
NERISSA
What and stake down
GRATIANO
No we shall neer win at that sport and stake down
But who comes here Lorenzo and his infidel
What and my old Venetian friend Salerio
Enter Lorenzo Jessica and Salerio
BASSANIO
Lorenzo and Salerio welcome hither
If that the youth of my new intrest here
Have power to bid you welcome By your leave
I bid my very friends and countrymen
Sweet Portia welcome
PORTIA
So do I my lord
They are entirely welcome
LORENZO
I thank your honour For my part my lord
My purpose was not to have seen you here
But meeting with Salerio by the way
He did entreat me past all saying nay
To come with him along
SALERIO
I did my lord
And I have reason for it Signior Antonio
Commends him to you
Gives Bassanio a letter
BASSANIO
Ere I ope his letter
I pray you tell me how my good friend doth
SALERIO
Not sick my lord unless it be in mind
Nor well unless in mind His letter there
Will show you his estate
Bassanio opens the letter
GRATIANO
Nerissa cheer yond stranger bid her welcome
Your hand Salerio Whats the news from Venice
How doth that royal merchant good Antonio
I know he will be glad of our success
We are the Jasons we have won the fleece
SALERIO
I would you had won the fleece that he hath lost
PORTIA
There are some shrewd contents in yond same paper
That steals the colour from Bassanios cheek
Some dear friend dead else nothing in the world
Could turn so much the constitution
Of any constant man What worse and worse
With leave Bassanio I am half yourself
And I must freely have the half of anything
That this same paper brings you
BASSANIO
O sweet Portia
Here are a few of the unpleasantst words
That ever blotted paper Gentle lady
When I did first impart my love to you
I freely told you all the wealth I had
Ran in my veins I was a gentleman
And then I told you true And yet dear lady
Rating myself at nothing you shall see
How much I was a braggart When I told you
My state was nothing I should then have told you
That I was worse than nothing for indeed
I have engagd myself to a dear friend
Engagd my friend to his mere enemy
To feed my means Here is a letter lady
The paper as the body of my friend
And every word in it a gaping wound
Issuing lifeblood But is it true Salerio
Hath all his ventures faild What not one hit
From Tripolis from Mexico and England
From Lisbon Barbary and India
And not one vessel scape the dreadful touch
Of merchantmarring rocks
SALERIO
Not one my lord
Besides it should appear that if he had
The present money to discharge the Jew
He would not take it Never did I know
A creature that did bear the shape of man
So keen and greedy to confound a man
He plies the Duke at morning and at night
And doth impeach the freedom of the state
If they deny him justice Twenty merchants
The Duke himself and the magnificoes
Of greatest port have all persuaded with him
But none can drive him from the envious plea
Of forfeiture of justice and his bond
JESSICA
When I was with him I have heard him swear
To Tubal and to Chus his countrymen
That he would rather have Antonios flesh
Than twenty times the value of the sum
That he did owe him And I know my lord
If law authority and power deny not
It will go hard with poor Antonio
PORTIA
Is it your dear friend that is thus in trouble
BASSANIO
The dearest friend to me the kindest man
The best conditiond and unwearied spirit
In doing courtesies and one in whom
The ancient Roman honour more appears
Than any that draws breath in Italy
PORTIA
What sum owes he the Jew
BASSANIO
For me three thousand ducats
PORTIA
What no more
Pay him six thousand and deface the bond
Double six thousand and then treble that
Before a friend of this description
Shall lose a hair through Bassanios fault
First go with me to church and call me wife
And then away to Venice to your friend
For never shall you lie by Portias side
With an unquiet soul You shall have gold
To pay the petty debt twenty times over
When it is paid bring your true friend along
My maid Nerissa and myself meantime
Will live as maids and widows Come away
For you shall hence upon your wedding day
Bid your friends welcome show a merry cheer
Since you are dear bought I will love you dear
But let me hear the letter of your friend
BASSANIO
Sweet Bassanio my ships have all miscarried my creditors grow cruel my estate is very low my bond to the Jew is forfeit and since in paying it it is impossible I should live all debts are cleard between you and I if I might but see you at my death Notwithstanding use your pleasure If your love do not persuade you to come let not my letter
PORTIA
O love dispatch all business and be gone
BASSANIO
Since I have your good leave to go away
I will make haste but till I come again
No bed shall eer be guilty of my stay
Nor rest be interposer twixt us twain
Exeunt
SCENE III Venice A street
Enter Shylock Salarino Antonio and Gaoler
SHYLOCK
Gaoler look to him Tell not me of mercy
This is the fool that lent out money gratis
Gaoler look to him
ANTONIO
Hear me yet good Shylock
SHYLOCK
Ill have my bond speak not against my bond
I have sworn an oath that I will have my bond
Thou calldst me dog before thou hadst a cause
But since I am a dog beware my fangs
The Duke shall grant me justice I do wonder
Thou naughty gaoler that thou art so fond
To come abroad with him at his request
ANTONIO
I pray thee hear me speak
SHYLOCK
Ill have my bond I will not hear thee speak
Ill have my bond and therefore speak no more
Ill not be made a soft and dulleyed fool
To shake the head relent and sigh and yield
To Christian intercessors Follow not
Ill have no speaking I will have my bond
Exit
SALARINO
It is the most impenetrable cur
That ever kept with men
ANTONIO
Let him alone
Ill follow him no more with bootless prayers
He seeks my life his reason well I know
I oft deliverd from his forfeitures
Many that have at times made moan to me
Therefore he hates me
SALARINO
I am sure the Duke
Will never grant this forfeiture to hold
ANTONIO
The Duke cannot deny the course of law
For the commodity that strangers have
With us in Venice if it be denied
Twill much impeach the justice of the state
Since that the trade and profit of the city
Consisteth of all nations Therefore go
These griefs and losses have so bated me
That I shall hardly spare a pound of flesh
Tomorrow to my bloody creditor
Well gaoler on pray God Bassanio come
To see me pay his debt and then I care not
Exeunt
SCENE IV Belmont A room in Portias house
Enter Portia Nerissa Lorenzo Jessica and Balthazar
LORENZO
Madam although I speak it in your presence
You have a noble and a true conceit
Of godlike amity which appears most strongly
In bearing thus the absence of your lord
But if you knew to whom you show this honour
How true a gentleman you send relief
How dear a lover of my lord your husband
I know you would be prouder of the work
Than customary bounty can enforce you
PORTIA
I never did repent for doing good
Nor shall not now for in companions
That do converse and waste the time together
Whose souls do bear an equal yoke of love
There must be needs a like proportion
Of lineaments of manners and of spirit
Which makes me think that this Antonio
Being the bosom lover of my lord
Must needs be like my lord If it be so
How little is the cost I have bestowed
In purchasing the semblance of my soul
From out the state of hellish cruelty
This comes too near the praising of myself
Therefore no more of it Hear other things
Lorenzo I commit into your hands
The husbandry and manage of my house
Until my lords return For mine own part
I have toward heaven breathd a secret vow
To live in prayer and contemplation
Only attended by Nerissa here
Until her husband and my lords return
There is a monastery two miles off
And there we will abide I do desire you
Not to deny this imposition
The which my love and some necessity
Now lays upon you
LORENZO
Madam with all my heart
I shall obey you in all fair commands
PORTIA
My people do already know my mind
And will acknowledge you and Jessica
In place of Lord Bassanio and myself
So fare you well till we shall meet again
LORENZO
Fair thoughts and happy hours attend on you
JESSICA
I wish your ladyship all hearts content
PORTIA
I thank you for your wish and am well pleasd
To wish it back on you Fare you well Jessica
Exeunt Jessica and Lorenzo
Now Balthazar
As I have ever found thee honesttrue
So let me find thee still Take this same letter
And use thou all th endeavour of a man
In speed to Padua see thou render this
Into my cousins hands Doctor Bellario
And look what notes and garments he doth give thee
Bring them I pray thee with imagind speed
Unto the traject to the common ferry
Which trades to Venice Waste no time in words
But get thee gone I shall be there before thee
BALTHAZAR
Madam I go with all convenient speed
Exit
PORTIA
Come on Nerissa I have work in hand
That you yet know not of well see our husbands
Before they think of us
NERISSA
Shall they see us
PORTIA
They shall Nerissa but in such a habit
That they shall think we are accomplished
With that we lack Ill hold thee any wager
When we are both accoutered like young men
Ill prove the prettier fellow of the two
And wear my dagger with the braver grace
And speak between the change of man and boy
With a reed voice and turn two mincing steps
Into a manly stride and speak of frays
Like a fine bragging youth and tell quaint lies
How honourable ladies sought my love
Which I denying they fell sick and died
I could not do withal Then Ill repent
And wish for all that that I had not killd them
And twenty of these puny lies Ill tell
That men shall swear I have discontinued school
About a twelvemonth I have within my mind
A thousand raw tricks of these bragging Jacks
Which I will practise
NERISSA
Why shall we turn to men
PORTIA
Fie what a questions that
If thou wert near a lewd interpreter
But come Ill tell thee all my whole device
When I am in my coach which stays for us
At the park gate and therefore haste away
For we must measure twenty miles today
Exeunt
SCENE V The same A garden
Enter Launcelet and Jessica
LAUNCELET
Yes truly for look you the sins of the father are to be laid upon the children therefore I promise you I fear you I was always plain with you and so now I speak my agitation of the matter Therefore be of good cheer for truly I think you are damnd There is but one hope in it that can do you any good and that is but a kind of bastard hope neither
JESSICA
And what hope is that I pray thee
LAUNCELET
Marry you may partly hope that your father got you not that you are not the Jews daughter
JESSICA
That were a kind of bastard hope indeed so the sins of my mother should be visited upon me
LAUNCELET
Truly then I fear you are damnd both by father and mother thus when I shun Scylla your father I fall into Charybdis your mother Well you are gone both ways
JESSICA
I shall be saved by my husband He hath made me a Christian
LAUNCELET
Truly the more to blame he we were Christians enow before een as many as could well live one by another This making of Christians will raise the price of hogs if we grow all to be porkeaters we shall not shortly have a rasher on the coals for money
Enter Lorenzo
JESSICA
Ill tell my husband Launcelet what you say Here he comes
LORENZO
I shall grow jealous of you shortly Launcelet if you thus get my wife into corners
JESSICA
Nay you need not fear us Lorenzo Launcelet and I are out He tells me flatly theres no mercy for me in heaven because I am a Jews daughter and he says you are no good member of the commonwealth for in converting Jews to Christians you raise the price of pork
LORENZO
I shall answer that better to the commonwealth than you can the getting up of the negros belly The Moor is with child by you Launcelet
LAUNCELET
It is much that the Moor should be more than reason but if she be less than an honest woman she is indeed more than I took her for
LORENZO
How every fool can play upon the word I think the best grace of wit will shortly turn into silence and discourse grow commendable in none only but parrots Go in sirrah bid them prepare for dinner
LAUNCELET
That is done sir they have all stomachs
LORENZO
Goodly Lord what a witsnapper are you Then bid them prepare dinner
LAUNCELET
That is done too sir only cover is the word
LORENZO
Will you cover then sir
LAUNCELET
Not so sir neither I know my duty
LORENZO
Yet more quarrelling with occasion Wilt thou show the whole wealth of thy wit in an instant I pray thee understand a plain man in his plain meaning go to thy fellows bid them cover the table serve in the meat and we will come in to dinner
LAUNCELET
For the table sir it shall be served in for the meat sir it shall be covered for your coming in to dinner sir why let it be as humours and conceits shall govern
Exit
LORENZO
O dear discretion how his words are suited
The fool hath planted in his memory
An army of good words and I do know
A many fools that stand in better place
Garnishd like him that for a tricksy word
Defy the matter How cheerst thou Jessica
And now good sweet say thy opinion
How dost thou like the Lord Bassanios wife
JESSICA
Past all expressing It is very meet
The Lord Bassanio live an upright life
For having such a blessing in his lady
He finds the joys of heaven here on earth
And if on earth he do not merit it
In reason he should never come to heaven
Why if two gods should play some heavenly match
And on the wager lay two earthly women
And Portia one there must be something else
Pawnd with the other for the poor rude world
Hath not her fellow
LORENZO
Even such a husband
Hast thou of me as she is for a wife
JESSICA
Nay but ask my opinion too of that
LORENZO
I will anon First let us go to dinner
JESSICA
Nay let me praise you while I have a stomach
LORENZO
No pray thee let it serve for tabletalk
Then howsomeer thou speakst mong other things
I shall digest it
JESSICA
Well Ill set you forth
Exeunt
ACT IV
SCENE I Venice A court of justice
Enter the Duke the Magnificoes Antonio Bassanio Gratiano Salerio and others
DUKE
What is Antonio here
ANTONIO
Ready so please your Grace
DUKE
I am sorry for thee thou art come to answer
A stony adversary an inhuman wretch
Uncapable of pity void and empty
From any dram of mercy
ANTONIO
I have heard
Your Grace hath taen great pains to qualify
His rigorous course but since he stands obdurate
And that no lawful means can carry me
Out of his envys reach I do oppose
My patience to his fury and am armd
To suffer with a quietness of spirit
The very tyranny and rage of his
DUKE
Go one and call the Jew into the court
SALARINO
He is ready at the door He comes my lord
Enter Shylock
DUKE
Make room and let him stand before our face
Shylock the world thinks and I think so too
That thou but leadest this fashion of thy malice
To the last hour of act and then tis thought
Thoult show thy mercy and remorse more strange
Than is thy strange apparent cruelty
And where thou now exacts the penalty
Which is a pound of this poor merchants flesh
Thou wilt not only loose the forfeiture
But touchd with human gentleness and love
Forgive a moiety of the principal
Glancing an eye of pity on his losses
That have of late so huddled on his back
Enow to press a royal merchant down
And pluck commiseration of his state
From brassy bosoms and rough hearts of flint
From stubborn Turks and Tartars never traind
To offices of tender courtesy
We all expect a gentle answer Jew
SHYLOCK
I have possessd your Grace of what I purpose
And by our holy Sabbath have I sworn
To have the due and forfeit of my bond
If you deny it let the danger light
Upon your charter and your citys freedom
Youll ask me why I rather choose to have
A weight of carrion flesh than to receive
Three thousand ducats Ill not answer that
But say it is my humour Is it answerd
What if my house be troubled with a rat
And I be pleasd to give ten thousand ducats
To have it band What are you answerd yet
Some men there are love not a gaping pig
Some that are mad if they behold a cat
And others when the bagpipe sings i the nose
Cannot contain their urine for affection
Mistress of passion sways it to the mood
Of what it likes or loathes Now for your answer
As there is no firm reason to be renderd
Why he cannot abide a gaping pig
Why he a harmless necessary cat
Why he a woollen bagpipe but of force
Must yield to such inevitable shame
As to offend himself being offended
So can I give no reason nor I will not
More than a lodgd hate and a certain loathing
I bear Antonio that I follow thus
A losing suit against him Are you answered
BASSANIO
This is no answer thou unfeeling man
To excuse the current of thy cruelty
SHYLOCK
I am not bound to please thee with my answer
BASSANIO
Do all men kill the things they do not love
SHYLOCK
Hates any man the thing he would not kill
BASSANIO
Every offence is not a hate at first
SHYLOCK
What wouldst thou have a serpent sting thee twice
ANTONIO
I pray you think you question with the Jew
You may as well go stand upon the beach
And bid the main flood bate his usual height
You may as well use question with the wolf
Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb
You may as well forbid the mountain pines
To wag their high tops and to make no noise
When they are fretten with the gusts of heaven
You may as well do anything most hard
As seek to soften thatthan which whats harder
His Jewish heart Therefore I do beseech you
Make no moe offers use no farther means
But with all brief and plain conveniency
Let me have judgment and the Jew his will
BASSANIO
For thy three thousand ducats here is six
SHYLOCK
If every ducat in six thousand ducats
Were in six parts and every part a ducat
I would not draw them I would have my bond
DUKE
How shalt thou hope for mercy rendring none
SHYLOCK
What judgment shall I dread doing no wrong
You have among you many a purchasd slave
Which like your asses and your dogs and mules
You use in abject and in slavish parts
Because you bought them Shall I say to you
Let them be free marry them to your heirs
Why sweat they under burdens Let their beds
Be made as soft as yours and let their palates
Be seasond with such viands You will answer
The slaves are ours So do I answer you
The pound of flesh which I demand of him
Is dearly bought tis mine and I will have it
If you deny me fie upon your law
There is no force in the decrees of Venice
I stand for judgment Answer shall I have it
DUKE
Upon my power I may dismiss this court
Unless Bellario a learned doctor
Whom I have sent for to determine this
Come here today
SALARINO
My lord here stays without
A messenger with letters from the doctor
New come from Padua
DUKE
Bring us the letters Call the messenger
BASSANIO
Good cheer Antonio What man courage yet
The Jew shall have my flesh blood bones and all
Ere thou shalt lose for me one drop of blood
ANTONIO
I am a tainted wether of the flock
Meetest for death the weakest kind of fruit
Drops earliest to the ground and so let me
You cannot better be employd Bassanio
Than to live still and write mine epitaph
Enter Nerissa dressed like a lawyers clerk
DUKE
Came you from Padua from Bellario
NERISSA
From both my lord Bellario greets your Grace
Presents a letter
BASSANIO
Why dost thou whet thy knife so earnestly
SHYLOCK
To cut the forfeiture from that bankrupt there
GRATIANO
Not on thy sole but on thy soul harsh Jew
Thou makst thy knife keen But no metal can
No not the hangmans axe bear half the keenness
Of thy sharp envy Can no prayers pierce thee
SHYLOCK
No none that thou hast wit enough to make
GRATIANO
O be thou damnd inexecrable dog
And for thy life let justice be accusd
Thou almost makst me waver in my faith
To hold opinion with Pythagoras
That souls of animals infuse themselves
Into the trunks of men Thy currish spirit
Governd a wolf who hangd for human slaughter
Even from the gallows did his fell soul fleet
And whilst thou layest in thy unhallowed dam
Infusd itself in thee for thy desires
Are wolfish bloody starvd and ravenous
SHYLOCK
Till thou canst rail the seal from off my bond
Thou but offendst thy lungs to speak so loud
Repair thy wit good youth or it will fall
To cureless ruin I stand here for law
DUKE
This letter from Bellario doth commend
A young and learned doctor to our court
Where is he
NERISSA
He attendeth here hard by
To know your answer whether youll admit him
DUKE OF VENICE
With all my heart some three or four of you
Go give him courteous conduct to this place
Meantime the court shall hear Bellarios letter
Reads Your Grace shall understand that at the receipt of your letter I am very sick but in the instant that your messenger came in loving visitation was with me a young doctor of Rome His name is Balthazar I acquainted him with the cause in controversy between the Jew and Antonio the merchant We turnd oer many books together He is furnished with my opinion which bettered with his own learning the greatness whereof I cannot enough commend comes with him at my importunity to fill up your Graces request in my stead I beseech you let his lack of years be no impediment to let him lack a reverend estimation for I never knew so young a body with so old a head I leave him to your gracious acceptance whose trial shall better publish his commendation
You hear the learnd Bellario what he writes
And here I take it is the doctor come
Enter Portia dressed like a doctor of laws
Give me your hand Come you from old Bellario
PORTIA
I did my lord
DUKE
You are welcome Take your place
Are you acquainted with the difference
That holds this present question in the court
PORTIA
I am informed throughly of the cause
Which is the merchant here And which the Jew
DUKE
Antonio and old Shylock both stand forth
PORTIA
Is your name Shylock
SHYLOCK
Shylock is my name
PORTIA
Of a strange nature is the suit you follow
Yet in such rule that the Venetian law
Cannot impugn you as you do proceed
To Antonio You stand within his danger do you not
ANTONIO
Ay so he says
PORTIA
Do you confess the bond
ANTONIO
I do
PORTIA
Then must the Jew be merciful
SHYLOCK
On what compulsion must I Tell me that
PORTIA
The quality of mercy is not straind
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath It is twice blest
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes
Tis mightiest in the mightiest it becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown
His sceptre shows the force of temporal power
The attribute to awe and majesty
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings
But mercy is above this sceptred sway
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings
It is an attribute to God himself
And earthly power doth then show likest Gods
When mercy seasons justice Therefore Jew
Though justice be thy plea consider this
That in the course of justice none of us
Should see salvation We do pray for mercy
And that same prayer doth teach us all to render
The deeds of mercy I have spoke thus much
To mitigate the justice of thy plea
Which if thou follow this strict court of Venice
Must needs give sentence gainst the merchant there
SHYLOCK
My deeds upon my head I crave the law
The penalty and forfeit of my bond
PORTIA
Is he not able to discharge the money
BASSANIO
Yes here I tender it for him in the court
Yea twice the sum if that will not suffice
I will be bound to pay it ten times oer
On forfeit of my hands my head my heart
If this will not suffice it must appear
That malice bears down truth And I beseech you
Wrest once the law to your authority
To do a great right do a little wrong
And curb this cruel devil of his will
PORTIA
It must not be there is no power in Venice
Can alter a decree established
Twill be recorded for a precedent
And many an error by the same example
Will rush into the state It cannot be
SHYLOCK
A Daniel come to judgment Yea a Daniel
O wise young judge how I do honour thee
PORTIA
I pray you let me look upon the bond
SHYLOCK
Here tis most reverend doctor here it is
PORTIA
Shylock theres thrice thy money offered thee
SHYLOCK
An oath an oath I have an oath in heaven
Shall I lay perjury upon my soul
No not for Venice
PORTIA
Why this bond is forfeit
And lawfully by this the Jew may claim
A pound of flesh to be by him cut off
Nearest the merchants heart Be merciful
Take thrice thy money bid me tear the bond
SHYLOCK
When it is paid according to the tenour
It doth appear you are a worthy judge
You know the law your exposition
Hath been most sound I charge you by the law
Whereof you are a welldeserving pillar
Proceed to judgment By my soul I swear
There is no power in the tongue of man
To alter me I stay here on my bond
ANTONIO
Most heartily I do beseech the court
To give the judgment
PORTIA
Why then thus it is
You must prepare your bosom for his knife
SHYLOCK
O noble judge O excellent young man
PORTIA
For the intent and purpose of the law
Hath full relation to the penalty
Which here appeareth due upon the bond
SHYLOCK
Tis very true O wise and upright judge
How much more elder art thou than thy looks
PORTIA
Therefore lay bare your bosom
SHYLOCK
Ay his breast
So says the bond doth it not noble judge
Nearest his heart those are the very words
PORTIA
It is so Are there balance here to weigh
The flesh
SHYLOCK
I have them ready
PORTIA
Have by some surgeon Shylock on your charge
To stop his wounds lest he do bleed to death
SHYLOCK
Is it so nominated in the bond
PORTIA
It is not so expressd but what of that
Twere good you do so much for charity
SHYLOCK
I cannot find it tis not in the bond
PORTIA
You merchant have you anything to say
ANTONIO
But little I am armd and well prepard
Give me your hand Bassanio Fare you well
Grieve not that I am fallen to this for you
For herein Fortune shows herself more kind
Than is her custom it is still her use
To let the wretched man outlive his wealth
To view with hollow eye and wrinkled brow
An age of poverty from which lingring penance
Of such misery doth she cut me off
Commend me to your honourable wife
Tell her the process of Antonios end
Say how I lovd you speak me fair in death
And when the tale is told bid her be judge
Whether Bassanio had not once a love
Repent but you that you shall lose your friend
And he repents not that he pays your debt
For if the Jew do cut but deep enough
Ill pay it instantly with all my heart
BASSANIO
Antonio I am married to a wife
Which is as dear to me as life itself
But life itself my wife and all the world
Are not with me esteemd above thy life
I would lose all ay sacrifice them all
Here to this devil to deliver you
PORTIA
Your wife would give you little thanks for that
If she were by to hear you make the offer
GRATIANO
I have a wife who I protest I love
I would she were in heaven so she could
Entreat some power to change this currish Jew
NERISSA
Tis well you offer it behind her back
The wish would make else an unquiet house
SHYLOCK
These be the Christian husbands I have a daughter
Would any of the stock of Barabbas
Had been her husband rather than a Christian
We trifle time I pray thee pursue sentence
PORTIA
A pound of that same merchants flesh is thine
The court awards it and the law doth give it
SHYLOCK
Most rightful judge
PORTIA
And you must cut this flesh from off his breast
The law allows it and the court awards it
SHYLOCK
Most learned judge A sentence Come prepare
PORTIA
Tarry a little there is something else
This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood
The words expressly are a pound of flesh
Take then thy bond take thou thy pound of flesh
But in the cutting it if thou dost shed
One drop of Christian blood thy lands and goods
Are by the laws of Venice confiscate
Unto the state of Venice
GRATIANO
O upright judge Mark Jew O learned judge
SHYLOCK
Is that the law
PORTIA
Thyself shalt see the act
For as thou urgest justice be assurd
Thou shalt have justice more than thou desirst
GRATIANO
O learned judge Mark Jew a learned judge
SHYLOCK
I take this offer then Pay the bond thrice
And let the Christian go
BASSANIO
Here is the money
PORTIA
Soft
The Jew shall have all justice Soft no haste
He shall have nothing but the penalty
GRATIANO
O Jew an upright judge a learned judge
PORTIA
Therefore prepare thee to cut off the flesh
Shed thou no blood nor cut thou less nor more
But just a pound of flesh if thou takst more
Or less than a just pound be it but so much
As makes it light or heavy in the substance
Or the division of the twentieth part
Of one poor scruple nay if the scale do turn
But in the estimation of a hair
Thou diest and all thy goods are confiscate
GRATIANO
A second Daniel a Daniel Jew
Now infidel I have you on the hip
PORTIA
Why doth the Jew pause Take thy forfeiture
SHYLOCK
Give me my principal and let me go
BASSANIO
I have it ready for thee Here it is
PORTIA
He hath refusd it in the open court
He shall have merely justice and his bond
GRATIANO
A Daniel still say I a second Daniel
I thank thee Jew for teaching me that word
SHYLOCK
Shall I not have barely my principal
PORTIA
Thou shalt have nothing but the forfeiture
To be so taken at thy peril Jew
SHYLOCK
Why then the devil give him good of it
Ill stay no longer question
PORTIA
Tarry Jew
The law hath yet another hold on you
It is enacted in the laws of Venice
If it be proved against an alien
That by direct or indirect attempts
He seek the life of any citizen
The party gainst the which he doth contrive
Shall seize one half his goods the other half
Comes to the privy coffer of the state
And the offenders life lies in the mercy
Of the Duke only gainst all other voice
In which predicament I say thou standst
For it appears by manifest proceeding
That indirectly and directly too
Thou hast contrived against the very life
Of the defendant and thou hast incurrd
The danger formerly by me rehearsd
Down therefore and beg mercy of the Duke
GRATIANO
Beg that thou mayst have leave to hang thyself
And yet thy wealth being forfeit to the state
Thou hast not left the value of a cord
Therefore thou must be hangd at the states charge
DUKE
That thou shalt see the difference of our spirit
I pardon thee thy life before thou ask it
For half thy wealth it is Antonios
The other half comes to the general state
Which humbleness may drive unto a fine
PORTIA
Ay for the state not for Antonio
SHYLOCK
Nay take my life and all pardon not that
You take my house when you do take the prop
That doth sustain my house you take my life
When you do take the means whereby I live
PORTIA
What mercy can you render him Antonio
GRATIANO
A halter gratis nothing else for Gods sake
ANTONIO
So please my lord the Duke and all the court
To quit the fine for one half of his goods
I am content so he will let me have
The other half in use to render it
Upon his death unto the gentleman
That lately stole his daughter
Two things provided more that for this favour
He presently become a Christian
The other that he do record a gift
Here in the court of all he dies possessd
Unto his son Lorenzo and his daughter
DUKE
He shall do this or else I do recant
The pardon that I late pronounced here
PORTIA
Art thou contented Jew What dost thou say
SHYLOCK
I am content
PORTIA
Clerk draw a deed of gift
SHYLOCK
I pray you give me leave to go from hence
I am not well send the deed after me
And I will sign it
DUKE
Get thee gone but do it
GRATIANO
In christning shalt thou have two godfathers
Had I been judge thou shouldst have had ten more
To bring thee to the gallows not to the font
Exit Shylock
DUKE
Sir I entreat you home with me to dinner
PORTIA
I humbly do desire your Grace of pardon
I must away this night toward Padua
And it is meet I presently set forth
DUKE
I am sorry that your leisure serves you not
Antonio gratify this gentleman
For in my mind you are much bound to him
Exeunt Duke and his train
BASSANIO
Most worthy gentleman I and my friend
Have by your wisdom been this day acquitted
Of grievous penalties in lieu whereof
Three thousand ducats due unto the Jew
We freely cope your courteous pains withal
ANTONIO
And stand indebted over and above
In love and service to you evermore
PORTIA
He is well paid that is well satisfied
And I delivering you am satisfied
And therein do account myself well paid
My mind was never yet more mercenary
I pray you know me when we meet again
I wish you well and so I take my leave
BASSANIO
Dear sir of force I must attempt you further
Take some remembrance of us as a tribute
Not as fee Grant me two things I pray you
Not to deny me and to pardon me
PORTIA
You press me far and therefore I will yield
To Antonio Give me your gloves Ill wear them for your sake
To Bassanio And for your love Ill take this ring from you
Do not draw back your hand Ill take no more
And you in love shall not deny me this
BASSANIO
This ring good sir Alas it is a trifle
I will not shame myself to give you this
PORTIA
I will have nothing else but only this
And now methinks I have a mind to it
BASSANIO
Theres more depends on this than on the value
The dearest ring in Venice will I give you
And find it out by proclamation
Only for this I pray you pardon me
PORTIA
I see sir you are liberal in offers
You taught me first to beg and now methinks
You teach me how a beggar should be answerd
BASSANIO
Good sir this ring was given me by my wife
And when she put it on she made me vow
That I should neither sell nor give nor lose it
PORTIA
That scuse serves many men to save their gifts
And if your wife be not a madwoman
And know how well I have deservd this ring
She would not hold out enemy for ever
For giving it to me Well peace be with you
Exeunt Portia and Nerissa
ANTONIO
My Lord Bassanio let him have the ring
Let his deservings and my love withal
Be valued gainst your wifes commandment
BASSANIO
Go Gratiano run and overtake him
Give him the ring and bring him if thou canst
Unto Antonios house Away make haste
Exit Gratiano
Come you and I will thither presently
And in the morning early will we both
Fly toward Belmont Come Antonio
Exeunt
SCENE II The same A street
Enter Portia and Nerissa
PORTIA
Inquire the Jews house out give him this deed
And let him sign it well away tonight
And be a day before our husbands home
This deed will be well welcome to Lorenzo
Enter Gratiano
GRATIANO
Fair sir you are well oertaen
My Lord Bassanio upon more advice
Hath sent you here this ring and doth entreat
Your company at dinner
PORTIA
That cannot be
His ring I do accept most thankfully
And so I pray you tell him Furthermore
I pray you show my youth old Shylocks house
GRATIANO
That will I do
NERISSA
Sir I would speak with you
Aside to Portia
Ill see if I can get my husbands ring
Which I did make him swear to keep for ever
PORTIA
To Nerissa Thou mayst I warrant We shall have old swearing
That they did give the rings away to men
But well outface them and outswear them too
Away make haste Thou knowst where I will tarry
NERISSA
Come good sir will you show me to this house
Exeunt
ACT V
SCENE I Belmont The avenue to Portias house
Enter Lorenzo and Jessica
LORENZO
The moon shines bright In such a night as this
When the sweet wind did gently kiss the trees
And they did make no noise in such a night
Troilus methinks mounted the Trojan walls
And sighd his soul toward the Grecian tents
Where Cressid lay that night
JESSICA
In such a night
Did Thisbe fearfully oertrip the dew
And saw the lions shadow ere himself
And ran dismayd away
LORENZO
In such a night
Stood Dido with a willow in her hand
Upon the wild seabanks and waft her love
To come again to Carthage
JESSICA
In such a night
Medea gathered the enchanted herbs
That did renew old son
LORENZO
In such a night
Did Jessica steal from the wealthy Jew
And with an unthrift love did run from Venice
As far as Belmont
JESSICA
In such a night
Did young Lorenzo swear he loved her well
Stealing her soul with many vows of faith
And neer a true one
LORENZO
In such a night
Did pretty Jessica like a little shrew
Slander her love and he forgave it her
JESSICA
I would outnight you did no body come
But hark I hear the footing of a man
Enter Stephano
LORENZO
Who comes so fast in silence of the night
STEPHANO
A friend
LORENZO
A friend What friend Your name I pray you friend
STEPHANO
Stephano is my name and I bring word
My mistress will before the break of day
Be here at Belmont She doth stray about
By holy crosses where she kneels and prays
For happy wedlock hours
LORENZO
Who comes with her
STEPHANO
None but a holy hermit and her maid
I pray you is my master yet returnd
LORENZO
He is not nor we have not heard from him
But go we in I pray thee Jessica
And ceremoniously let us prepare
Some welcome for the mistress of the house
Enter Launcelet
LAUNCELET
Sola sola wo ha ho sola sola
LORENZO
Who calls
LAUNCELET
Sola Did you see Master Lorenzo Master Lorenzo Sola sola
LORENZO
Leave holloaing man Here
LAUNCELET
Sola Where where
LORENZO
Here
LAUNCELET
Tell him theres a post come from my master with his horn full of good news My master will be here ere morning
Exit
LORENZO
Sweet soul lets in and there expect their coming
And yet no matter why should we go in
My friend Stephano signify I pray you
Within the house your mistress is at hand
And bring your music forth into the air
Exit Stephano
How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank
Here will we sit and let the sounds of music
Creep in our ears soft stillness and the night
Become the touches of sweet harmony
Sit Jessica Look how the floor of heaven
Is thick inlaid with patens of bright gold
Theres not the smallest orb which thou beholdst
But in his motion like an angel sings
Still quiring to the youngeyed cherubins
Such harmony is in immortal souls
But whilst this muddy vesture of decay
Doth grossly close it in we cannot hear it
Enter Musicians
Come ho and wake Diana with a hymn
With sweetest touches pierce your mistress ear
And draw her home with music
Music
JESSICA
I am never merry when I hear sweet music
LORENZO
The reason is your spirits are attentive
For do but note a wild and wanton herd
Or race of youthful and unhandled colts
Fetching mad bounds bellowing and neighing loud
Which is the hot condition of their blood
If they but hear perchance a trumpet sound
Or any air of music touch their ears
You shall perceive them make a mutual stand
Their savage eyes turnd to a modest gaze
By the sweet power of music therefore the poet
Did feign that Orpheus drew trees stones and floods
Since naught so stockish hard and full of rage
But music for the time doth change his nature
The man that hath no music in himself
Nor is not movd with concord of sweet sounds
Is fit for treasons stratagems and spoils
The motions of his spirit are dull as night
And his affections dark as Erebus
Let no such man be trusted Mark the music
Enter Portia and Nerissa
PORTIA
That light we see is burning in my hall
How far that little candle throws his beams
So shines a good deed in a naughty world
NERISSA
When the moon shone we did not see the candle
PORTIA
So doth the greater glory dim the less
A substitute shines brightly as a king
Until a king be by and then his state
Empties itself as doth an inland brook
Into the main of waters Music hark
NERISSA
It is your music madam of the house
PORTIA
Nothing is good I see without respect
Methinks it sounds much sweeter than by day
NERISSA
Silence bestows that virtue on it madam
PORTIA
The crow doth sing as sweetly as the lark
When neither is attended and I think
The nightingale if she should sing by day
When every goose is cackling would be thought
No better a musician than the wren
How many things by season seasond are
To their right praise and true perfection
Peace How the moon sleeps with Endymion
And would not be awakd
Music ceases
LORENZO
That is the voice
Or I am much deceivd of Portia
PORTIA
He knows me as the blind man knows the cuckoo
By the bad voice
LORENZO
Dear lady welcome home
PORTIA
We have been praying for our husbands welfare
Which speed we hope the better for our words
Are they returnd
LORENZO
Madam they are not yet
But there is come a messenger before
To signify their coming
PORTIA
Go in Nerissa
Give order to my servants that they take
No note at all of our being absent hence
Nor you Lorenzo Jessica nor you
A tucket sounds
LORENZO
Your husband is at hand I hear his trumpet
We are no telltales madam fear you not
PORTIA
This night methinks is but the daylight sick
It looks a little paler Tis a day
Such as the day is when the sun is hid
Enter Bassanio Antonio Gratiano and their Followers
BASSANIO
We should hold day with the Antipodes
If you would walk in absence of the sun
PORTIA
Let me give light but let me not be light
For a light wife doth make a heavy husband
And never be Bassanio so for me
But God sort all You are welcome home my lord
BASSANIO
I thank you madam Give welcome to my friend
This is the man this is Antonio
To whom I am so infinitely bound
PORTIA
You should in all sense be much bound to him
For as I hear he was much bound for you
ANTONIO
No more than I am well acquitted of
PORTIA
Sir you are very welcome to our house
It must appear in other ways than words
Therefore I scant this breathing courtesy
GRATIANO
To Nerissa By yonder moon I swear you do me wrong
In faith I gave it to the judges clerk
Would he were gelt that had it for my part
Since you do take it love so much at heart
PORTIA
A quarrel ho already Whats the matter
GRATIANO
About a hoop of gold a paltry ring
That she did give me whose posy was
For all the world like cutlers poetry
Upon a knife Love me and leave me not
NERISSA
What talk you of the posy or the value
You swore to me when I did give it you
That you would wear it till your hour of death
And that it should lie with you in your grave
Though not for me yet for your vehement oaths
You should have been respective and have kept it
Gave it a judges clerk No Gods my judge
The clerk will neer wear hair ons face that had it
GRATIANO
He will and if he live to be a man
NERISSA
Ay if a woman live to be a man
GRATIANO
Now by this hand I gave it to a youth
A kind of boy a little scrubbed boy
No higher than thyself the judges clerk
A prating boy that beggd it as a fee
I could not for my heart deny it him
PORTIA
You were to blameI must be plain with you
To part so slightly with your wifes first gift
A thing stuck on with oaths upon your finger
And so riveted with faith unto your flesh
I gave my love a ring and made him swear
Never to part with it and here he stands
I dare be sworn for him he would not leave it
Nor pluck it from his finger for the wealth
That the world masters Now in faith Gratiano
You give your wife too unkind a cause of grief
An twere to me I should be mad at it
BASSANIO
Aside Why I were best to cut my left hand off
And swear I lost the ring defending it
GRATIANO
My Lord Bassanio gave his ring away
Unto the judge that beggd it and indeed
Deservd it too And then the boy his clerk
That took some pains in writing he beggd mine
And neither man nor master would take aught
But the two rings
PORTIA
What ring gave you my lord
Not that I hope which you receivd of me
BASSANIO
If I could add a lie unto a fault
I would deny it but you see my finger
Hath not the ring upon it it is gone
PORTIA
Even so void is your false heart of truth
By heaven I will neer come in your bed
Until I see the ring
NERISSA
Nor I in yours
Till I again see mine
BASSANIO
Sweet Portia
If you did know to whom I gave the ring
If you did know for whom I gave the ring
And would conceive for what I gave the ring
And how unwillingly I left the ring
When nought would be accepted but the ring
You would abate the strength of your displeasure
PORTIA
If you had known the virtue of the ring
Or half her worthiness that gave the ring
Or your own honour to contain the ring
You would not then have parted with the ring
What man is there so much unreasonable
If you had pleasd to have defended it
With any terms of zeal wanted the modesty
To urge the thing held as a ceremony
Nerissa teaches me what to believe
Ill die fort but some woman had the ring
BASSANIO
No by my honour madam by my soul
No woman had it but a civil doctor
Which did refuse three thousand ducats of me
And beggd the ring the which I did deny him
And sufferd him to go displeasd away
Even he that had held up the very life
Of my dear friend What should I say sweet lady
I was enforcd to send it after him
I was beset with shame and courtesy
My honour would not let ingratitude
So much besmear it Pardon me good lady
For by these blessed candles of the night
Had you been there I think you would have beggd
The ring of me to give the worthy doctor
PORTIA
Let not that doctor eer come near my house
Since he hath got the jewel that I loved
And that which you did swear to keep for me
I will become as liberal as you
Ill not deny him anything I have
No not my body nor my husbands bed
Know him I shall I am well sure of it
Lie not a night from home Watch me like Argus
If you do not if I be left alone
Now by mine honour which is yet mine own
Ill have that doctor for mine bedfellow
NERISSA
And I his clerk Therefore be well advisd
How you do leave me to mine own protection
GRATIANO
Well do you so Let not me take him then
For if I do Ill mar the young clerks pen
ANTONIO
I am th unhappy subject of these quarrels
PORTIA
Sir grieve not you You are welcome notwithstanding
BASSANIO
Portia forgive me this enforced wrong
And in the hearing of these many friends
I swear to thee even by thine own fair eyes
Wherein I see myself
PORTIA
Mark you but that
In both my eyes he doubly sees himself
In each eye one Swear by your double self
And theres an oath of credit
BASSANIO
Nay but hear me
Pardon this fault and by my soul I swear
I never more will break an oath with thee
ANTONIO
I once did lend my body for his wealth
Which but for him that had your husbands ring
Had quite miscarried I dare be bound again
My soul upon the forfeit that your lord
Will never more break faith advisedly
PORTIA
Then you shall be his surety Give him this
And bid him keep it better than the other
ANTONIO
Here Lord Bassanio swear to keep this ring
BASSANIO
By heaven it is the same I gave the doctor
PORTIA
I had it of him pardon me Bassanio
For by this ring the doctor lay with me
NERISSA
And pardon me my gentle Gratiano
For that same scrubbed boy the doctors clerk
In lieu of this last night did lie with me
GRATIANO
Why this is like the mending of highways
In summer where the ways are fair enough
What are we cuckolds ere we have deservd it
PORTIA
Speak not so grossly You are all amazd
Here is a letter read it at your leisure
It comes from Padua from Bellario
There you shall find that Portia was the doctor
Nerissa there her clerk Lorenzo here
Shall witness I set forth as soon as you
And even but now returnd I have not yet
Enterd my house Antonio you are welcome
And I have better news in store for you
Than you expect unseal this letter soon
There you shall find three of your argosies
Are richly come to harbour suddenly
You shall not know by what strange accident
I chanced on this letter
ANTONIO
I am dumb
BASSANIO
Were you the doctor and I knew you not
GRATIANO
Were you the clerk that is to make me cuckold
NERISSA
Ay but the clerk that never means to do it
Unless he live until he be a man
BASSANIO
Sweet doctor you shall be my bedfellow
When I am absent then lie with my wife
ANTONIO
Sweet lady you have given me life and living
For here I read for certain that my ships
Are safely come to road
PORTIA
How now Lorenzo
My clerk hath some good comforts too for you
NERISSA
Ay and Ill give them him without a fee
There do I give to you and Jessica
From the rich Jew a special deed of gift
After his death of all he dies possessd of
LORENZO
Fair ladies you drop manna in the way
Of starved people
PORTIA
It is almost morning
And yet I am sure you are not satisfied
Of these events at full Let us go in
And charge us there upon intergatories
And we will answer all things faithfully
GRATIANO
Let it be so The first intergatory
That my Nerissa shall be sworn on is
Whether till the next night she had rather stay
Or go to bed now being two hours to day
But were the day come I should wish it dark
Till I were couching with the doctors clerk
Well while I live Ill fear no other thing
So sore as keeping safe Nerissas ring
Exeunt
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
Contents
ACT I
Scene I Windsor Before Pages house
Scene II The same
Scene III A room in the Garter Inn
Scene IV A room in Doctor Caiuss house
ACT II
Scene I Before Pages house
Scene II A room in the Garter Inn
Scene III A field near Windsor
ACT III
Scene I A field near Frogmore
Scene II A street in Windsor
Scene III A room in Fords house
Scene IV A room in Pages house
Scene V A room in the Garter Inn
ACT IV
Scene I The street
Scene II A room in Fords house
Scene III A room in the Garter Inn
Scene IV A room in Fords house
Scene V A room in the Garter Inn
Scene VI Another room in the Garter Inn
ACT V
Scene I A room in the Garter Inn
Scene II Windsor Park
Scene III The street in Windsor
Scene IV Windsor Park
Scene V Another part of the Park
Dramatis Person
HOST of the Garter Inn
SIR JOHN FALSTAFF
ROBIN page to Falstaff
BARDOLPH follower of Falstaff
PISTOL follower of Falstaff
NYM follower of Falstaff
Robert SHALLOW a country justice
Abraham SLENDER cousin to Shallow
Peter SIMPLE servant to Slender
FENTON a young gentleman
George PAGE a Gentleman dwelling at Windsor
MISTRESS PAGE his wife
MISTRESS ANNE PAGE her daughter in love with Fenton
WILLIAM PAGE a boy son to Page
Frank FORD a Gentleman dwelling at Windsor
MISTRESS FORD his wife
JOHN Servant to Ford
ROBERT Servant to Ford
SIR HUGH EVANS a Welsh parson
DOCTOR CAIUS a French physician
MISTRESS QUICKLY servant to Doctor Caius
John RUGBY servant to Doctor Caius
SERVANTS to Page c
SCENE Windsor and the neighbourhood
ACT I
SCENE I Windsor Before Pages house
Enter Justice Shallow Slender and Sir Hugh Evans
SHALLOW
Sir Hugh persuade me not I will make a Star Chamber matter of it If he were twenty Sir John Falstaffs he shall not abuse Robert Shallow esquire
SLENDER
In the county of Gloucester Justice of Peace and Coram
SHALLOW
Ay cousin Slender and Custalorum
SLENDER
Ay and Ratolorum too and a gentleman born Master Parson who writes himself Armigero in any bill warrant quittance or obligationArmigero
SHALLOW
Ay that I do and have done any time these three hundred years
SLENDER
All his successors gone before him hath donet and all his ancestors that come after him may They may give the dozen white luces in their coat
SHALLOW
It is an old coat
EVANS
The dozen white louses do become an old coat well It agrees well passant It is a familiar beast to man and signifies love
SHALLOW
The luce is the fresh fish The salt fish is an old coat
SLENDER
I may quarter coz
SHALLOW
You may by marrying
EVANS
It is marring indeed if he quarter it
SHALLOW
Not a whit
EVANS
Yes pyr Lady If he has a quarter of your coat there is but three skirts for yourself in my simple conjectures But that is all one If Sir John Falstaff have committed disparagements unto you I am of the Church and will be glad to do my benevolence to make atonements and compremises between you
SHALLOW
The Council shall hear it it is a riot
EVANS
It is not meet the Council hear a riot There is no fear of Got in a riot The Council look you shall desire to hear the fear of Got and not to hear a riot Take your vizaments in that
SHALLOW
Ha O my life if I were young again the sword should end it
EVANS
It is petter that friends is the sword and end it and there is also another device in my prain which peradventure prings goot discretions with it There is Anne Page which is daughter to Master George Page which is pretty virginity
SLENDER
Mistress Anne Page She has brown hair and speaks small like a woman
EVANS
It is that fery person for all the orld as just as you will desire and seven hundred pounds of moneys and gold and silver is her grandsire upon his deathsbedGot deliver to a joyful resurrectionsgive when she is able to overtake seventeen years old It were a goot motion if we leave our pribbles and prabbles and desire a marriage between Master Abraham and Mistress Anne Page
SHALLOW
Did her grandsire leave her seven hundred pound
EVANS
Ay and her father is make her a petter penny
SHALLOW
I know the young gentlewoman she has good gifts
EVANS
Seven hundred pounds and possibilities is goot gifts
SHALLOW
Well let us see honest Master Page Is Falstaff there
EVANS
Shall I tell you a lie I do despise a liar as I do despise one that is false or as I despise one that is not true The knight Sir John is there and I beseech you be ruled by your wellwillers I will peat the door for Master Page
Knocks
What ho Got pless your house here
PAGE
Within Whos there
EVANS
Here is Gots plessing and your friend and Justice Shallow and here young Master Slender that peradventures shall tell you another tale if matters grow to your likings
Enter Page
PAGE
I am glad to see your worships well I thank you for my venison Master Shallow
SHALLOW
Master Page I am glad to see you much good do it your good heart I wished your venison better it was ill killed How doth good Mistress Page And I thank you always with my heart la with my heart
PAGE
Sir I thank you
SHALLOW
Sir I thank you by yea and no I do
PAGE
I am glad to see you good Master Slender
SLENDER
How does your fallow greyhound sir I heard say he was outrun on Cotsall
PAGE
It could not be judged sir
SLENDER
Youll not confess youll not confess
SHALLOW
That he will not Tis your fault tis your fault Tis a good dog
PAGE
A cur sir
SHALLOW
Sir hes a good dog and a fair dog can there be more said He is good and fair Is Sir John Falstaff here
PAGE
Sir he is within and I would I could do a good office between you
EVANS
It is spoke as a Christians ought to speak
SHALLOW
He hath wronged me Master Page
PAGE
Sir he doth in some sort confess it
SHALLOW
If it be confessed it is not redressed Is not that so Master Page He hath wronged me indeed he hath at a word he hath Believe me Robert Shallow esquire saith he is wronged
PAGE
Here comes Sir John
Enter Sir John Falstaff Bardolph Nym and Pistol
FALSTAFF
Now Master Shallow youll complain of me to the King
SHALLOW
Knight you have beaten my men killed my deer and broke open my lodge
FALSTAFF
But not kissed your keepers daughter
SHALLOW
Tut a pin This shall be answered
FALSTAFF
I will answer it straight I have done all this That is now answered
SHALLOW
The Council shall know this
FALSTAFF
Twere better for you if it were known in counsel youll be laughed at
EVANS
Pauca verba Sir John goot worts
FALSTAFF
Good worts Good cabbageSlender I broke your head What matter have you against me
SLENDER
Marry sir I have matter in my head against you and against your conycatching rascals Bardolph Nym and Pistol They carried me to the tavern and made me drunk and afterwards picked my pocket
BARDOLPH
You Banbury cheese
SLENDER
Ay it is no matter
PISTOL
How now Mephostophilus
SLENDER
Ay it is no matter
NYM
Slice I say Pauca pauca slice thats my humour
SLENDER
Wheres Simple my man Can you tell cousin
EVANS
Peace I pray you Now let us understand there is three umpires in this matter as I understand that is Master Page fidelicet Master Page and there is myself fidelicet myself and the three party is lastly and finally mine host of the Garter
PAGE
We three to hear it and end it between them
EVANS
Fery goot I will make a prief of it in my notebook and we will afterwards ork upon the cause with as great discreetly as we can
FALSTAFF
Pistol
PISTOL
He hears with ears
EVANS
The tevil and his tam What phrase is this He hears with ear Why it is affectations
FALSTAFF
Pistol did you pick Master Slenders purse
SLENDER
Ay by these gloves did he or I would I might never come in mine own great chamber again else Of seven groats in millsixpences and two Edward shovelboards that cost me two shilling and two pence apiece of Yed Miller by these gloves
FALSTAFF
Is this true Pistol
EVANS
No it is false if it is a pickpurse
PISTOL
Ha thou mountainforeignerSir John and master mine
I combat challenge of this latten bilbo
Word of denial in thy labras here
Word of denial Froth and scum thou liest
SLENDER
Points at Nym By these gloves then twas he
NYM
Be avised sir and pass good humours I will say marry trap with you if you run the nuthooks humour on me That is the very note of it
SLENDER
By this hat then he in the red face had it For though I cannot remember what I did when you made me drunk yet I am not altogether an ass
FALSTAFF
What say you Scarlet and John
BARDOLPH
Why sir for my part I say the gentleman had drunk himself out of his five sentences
EVANS
It is his five senses Fie what the ignorance is
BARDOLPH
And being fap sir was as they say cashiered and so conclusions passed the careers
SLENDER
Ay you spake in Latin then too but tis no matter Ill neer be drunk whilst I live again but in honest civil godly company for this trick If I be drunk Ill be drunk with those that have the fear of God and not with drunken knaves
EVANS
So Got udge me that is a virtuous mind
FALSTAFF
You hear all these matters denied gentlemen you hear it
Enter Mistress Ford Mistress Page and her daughter Anne Page with wine
PAGE
Nay daughter carry the wine in well drink within
Exit Anne Page
SLENDER
O heaven this is Mistress Anne Page
PAGE
How now Mistress Ford
FALSTAFF
Mistress Ford by my troth you are very well met By your leave good mistress
Kisses her
PAGE
Wife bid these gentlemen welcome Come we have a hot venison pasty to dinner Come gentlemen I hope we shall drink down all unkindness
Exeunt all but Slender
SLENDER
I had rather than forty shillings I had my book of Songs and Sonnets here
Enter Simple
How now Simple where have you been I must wait on myself must I You have not the Book of Riddles about you have you
SIMPLE
Book of Riddles Why did you not lend it to Alice Shortcake upon Allhallowmas last a fortnight afore Michaelmas
Enter Shallow and Sir Hugh Evans
SHALLOW
Come coz come coz we stay for you A word with you coz Marry this coz there is as twere a tender a kind of tender made afar off by Sir Hugh here Do you understand me
SLENDER
Ay sir you shall find me reasonable If it be so I shall do that that is reason
SHALLOW
Nay but understand me
SLENDER
So I do sir
EVANS
Give ear to his motions Master Slender I will description the matter to you if you be capacity of it
SLENDER
Nay I will do as my cousin Shallow says I pray you pardon me hes a Justice of Peace in his country simple though I stand here
EVANS
But that is not the question The question is concerning your marriage
SHALLOW
Ay theres the point sir
EVANS
Marry is it the very point of itto Mistress Anne Page
SLENDER
Why if it be so I will marry her upon any reasonable demands
EVANS
But can you affection the oman Let us command to know that of your mouth or of your lips for divers philosophers hold that the lips is parcel of the mouth Therefore precisely can you carry your good will to the maid
SHALLOW
Cousin Abraham Slender can you love her
SLENDER
I hope sir I will do as it shall become one that would do reason
EVANS
Nay Gots lords and his ladies You must speak possitable if you can carry her your desires towards her
SHALLOW
That you must Will you upon good dowry marry her
SLENDER
I will do a greater thing than that upon your request cousin in any reason
SHALLOW
Nay conceive me conceive me sweet coz What I do is to pleasure you coz Can you love the maid
SLENDER
I will marry her sir at your request But if there be no great love in the beginning yet heaven may decrease it upon better acquaintance when we are married and have more occasion to know one another I hope upon familiarity will grow more contempt But if you say Marry her I will marry her That I am freely dissolved and dissolutely
EVANS
It is a fery discretion answer save the fall is in the ord dissolutely The ort is according to our meaning resolutely His meaning is good
SHALLOW
Ay I think my cousin meant well
SLENDER
Ay or else I would I might be hanged la
SHALLOW
Here comes fair Mistress Anne
Enter Anne Page
SHALLOW
Here comes fair Mistress AnneWould I were young for your sake Mistress Anne
ANNE
The dinner is on the table my father desires your worships company
SHALLOW
I will wait on him fair Mistress Anne
EVANS
Ods plessed will I will not be absence at the grace
Exeunt Shallow and Sir Hugh Evans
ANNE
Willt please your worship to come in sir
SLENDER
No I thank you forsooth heartily I am very well
ANNE
The dinner attends you sir
SLENDER
I am not ahungry I thank you forsooth To Simple Go sirrah for all you are my man go wait upon my cousin Shallow
Exit Simple
A Justice of Peace sometime may be beholding to his friend for a man I keep but three men and a boy yet till my mother be dead But what though Yet I live like a poor gentleman born
ANNE
I may not go in without your worship They will not sit till you come
SLENDER
I faith Ill eat nothing I thank you as much as though I did
ANNE
I pray you sir walk in
SLENDER
I had rather walk here I thank you I bruised my shin th other day with playing at sword and dagger with a master of fencethree veneys for a dish of stewed prunesand by my troth I cannot abide the smell of hot meat since Why do your dogs bark so Be there bears i the town
ANNE
I think there are sir I heard them talked of
SLENDER
I love the sport well but I shall as soon quarrel at it as any man in England You are afraid if you see the bear loose are you not
ANNE
Ay indeed sir
SLENDER
Thats meat and drink to me now I have seen Sackerson loose twenty times and have taken him by the chain But I warrant you the women have so cried and shrieked at it that it passed But women indeed cannot abide em they are very illfavoured rough things
Enter Page
PAGE
Come gentle Master Slender come We stay for you
SLENDER
Ill eat nothing I thank you sir
PAGE
By cock and pie you shall not choose sir Come come
SLENDER
Nay pray you lead the way
PAGE
Come on sir
SLENDER
Mistress Anne yourself shall go first
ANNE
Not I sir pray you keep on
SLENDER
Truly I will not go first truly la I will not do you that wrong
ANNE
I pray you sir
SLENDER
Ill rather be unmannerly than troublesome You do yourself wrong indeed la
Exeunt
SCENE II The same
Enter Sir Hugh Evans and Simple
EVANS
Go your ways and ask of Doctor Caius house which is the way And there dwells one Mistress Quickly which is in the manner of his nurse or his dry nurse or his cook or his laundry his washer and his wringer
SIMPLE
Well sir
EVANS
Nay it is petter yet Give her this letter For it is a oman that altogethers acquaintance with Mistress Anne Page and the letter is to desire and require her to solicit your masters desires to Mistress Anne Page I pray you be gone I will make an end of my dinner theres pippins and cheese to come
Exeunt
SCENE III A room in the Garter Inn
Enter Falstaff Host Bardolph Nym Pistol and Robin
FALSTAFF
Mine host of the Garter
HOST
What says my bully rook Speak scholarly and wisely
FALSTAFF
Truly mine host I must turn away some of my followers
HOST
Discard bully Hercules cashier Let them wag trot trot
FALSTAFF
I sit at ten pounds a week
HOST
Thourt an emperorCaesar Keiser and Pheazar I will entertain Bardolph He shall draw he shall tap Said I well bully Hector
FALSTAFF
Do so good mine host
HOST
I have spoke let him followLet me see thee froth and lime I am at a word follow
Exit Host
FALSTAFF
Bardolph follow him A tapster is a good trade An old cloak makes a new jerkin a withered servingman a fresh tapster Go adieu
BARDOLPH
It is a life that I have desired I will thrive
PISTOL
O base Hungarian wight wilt thou the spigot wield
Exit Bardolph
NYM
He was gotten in drink Is not the humour conceited
FALSTAFF
I am glad I am so acquit of this tinderbox His thefts were too open His filching was like an unskilful singer he kept not time
NYM
The good humour is to steal at a minutes rest
PISTOL
Convey the wise it call Steal Foh A fico for the phrase
FALSTAFF
Well sirs I am almost out at heels
PISTOL
Why then let kibes ensue
FALSTAFF
There is no remedy I must conycatch I must shift
PISTOL
Young ravens must have food
FALSTAFF
Which of you know Ford of this town
PISTOL
I ken the wight he is of substance good
FALSTAFF
My honest lads I will tell you what I am about
PISTOL
Two yards and more
FALSTAFF
No quips now Pistol Indeed I am in the waist two yards about but I am now about no waste I am about thrift Briefly I do mean to make love to Fords wife I spy entertainment in her She discourses she carves she gives the leer of invitation I can construe the action of her familiar style and the hardest voice of her behaviour to be Englished rightly is I am Sir John Falstaffs
PISTOL
He hath studied her will and translated her willout of honesty into English
NYM
The anchor is deep Will that humour pass
FALSTAFF
Now the report goes she has all the rule of her husbands purse He hath a legion of angels
PISTOL
As many devils entertain and To her boy say I
NYM
The humour rises it is good Humour me the angels
FALSTAFF
I have writ me here a letter to her and here another to Pages wife who even now gave me good eyes too examined my parts with most judicious oeillades Sometimes the beam of her view gilded my foot sometimes my portly belly
PISTOL
Then did the sun on dunghill shine
NYM
I thank thee for that humour
FALSTAFF
O she did so course oer my exteriors with such a greedy intention that the appetite of her eye did seem to scorch me up like a burningglass Heres another letter to her She bears the purse too she is a region in Guiana all gold and bounty I will be cheaters to them both and they shall be exchequers to me they shall be my East and West Indies and I will trade to them both Go bear thou this letter to Mistress Pageand thou this to Mistress Ford We will thrive lads we will thrive
PISTOL
Shall I Sir Pandarus of Troy become
And by my side wear steel Then Lucifer take all
NYM
I will run no base humour Here take the humourletter I will keep the haviour of reputation
FALSTAFF
To Robin Hold sirrah bear you these letters tightly
Sail like my pinnace to these golden shores
Rogues hence avaunt Vanish like hailstones go
Trudge plod away o th hoof seek shelter pack
Falstaff will learn the humour of this age
French thrift you roguesmyself and skirted page
Exeunt Falstaff and Robin
PISTOL
Let vultures gripe thy guts For gourd and fullam holds
And high and low beguile the rich and poor
Tester Ill have in pouch when thou shalt lack
Base Phrygian Turk
NYM
I have operations in my head which be humours of revenge
PISTOL
Wilt thou revenge
NYM
By welkin and her star
PISTOL
With wit or steel
NYM
With both the humours I
I will discuss the humour of this love to Ford
PISTOL
And I to Page shall eke unfold
How Falstaff varlet vile
His dove will prove his gold will hold
And his soft couch defile
NYM
My humour shall not cool I will incense Ford to deal with poison I will possess him with yellowness for the revolt of mine is dangerous That is my true humour
PISTOL
Thou art the Mars of malcontents I second thee Troop on
Exeunt
SCENE IV A room in Doctor Caiuss house
Enter Mistress Quickly and Simple
MISTRESS QUICKLY
What John Rugby
Enter Rugby
I pray thee go to the casement and see if you can see my master Master Doctor Caius coming If he do i faith and find anybody in the house here will be an old abusing of Gods patience and the Kings English
RUGBY
Ill go watch
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Go and well have a posset fort soon at night in faith at the latter end of a seacoal fire
Exit Rugby
An honest willing kind fellow as ever servant shall come in house withal and I warrant you no telltale nor no breedbate His worst fault is that he is given to prayer he is something peevish that way but nobody but has his fault But let that pass Peter Simple you say your name is
SIMPLE
Ay for fault of a better
MISTRESS QUICKLY
And Master Slenders your master
SIMPLE
Ay forsooth
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Does he not wear a great round beard like a glovers paringknife
SIMPLE
No forsooth he hath but a little wee face with a little yellow beard a Caincoloured beard
MISTRESS QUICKLY
A softlysprighted man is he not
SIMPLE
Ay forsooth But he is as tall a man of his hands as any is between this and his head He hath fought with a warrener
MISTRESS QUICKLY
How say you O I should remember him Does he not hold up his head as it were and strut in his gait
SIMPLE
Yes indeed does he
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Well heaven send Anne Page no worse fortune Tell Master Parson Evans I will do what I can for your master Anne is a good girl and I wish
Enter Rugby
RUGBY
Out alas Here comes my master
MISTRESS QUICKLY
We shall all be shent Run in here good young man go into this closet He will not stay long
Simple steps into the closet
What John Rugby John What John I say Go John go inquire for my master I doubt he be not well that he comes not home
Exit Rugby
Sings And down down adowna etc
Enter Doctor Caius
CAIUS
Vat is you sing I do not like dese toys Pray you go and vetch me in my closet une botine verte a box a greena box Do intend vat I speak A greena box
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Ay forsooth Ill fetch it you
Aside I am glad he went not in himself If he had found the young man he would have been hornmad
CAIUS
Fe fe fe fe Ma foi il fait fort chaud Je men vais la courla grande affaire
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Is it this sir
CAIUS
Oui mettele au mon pocket Dpche quicklyVere is dat knave Rugby
MISTRESS QUICKLY
What John Rugby John
Enter Rugby
RUGBY
Here sir
CAIUS
You are John Rugby and you are Jack Rugby Come takea your rapier and come after my heel to the court
RUGBY
Tis ready sir here in the porch
CAIUS
By my trot I tarry too long Ods me Quay joubli Dere is some simples in my closet dat I vill not for the varld I shall leave behind
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Ay me hell find the young man there and be mad
CAIUS
O diable diable Vat is in my closet Villainy Larron Pulling Simple out Rugby my rapier
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Good master be content
CAIUS
Wherefore shall I be contenta
MISTRESS QUICKLY
The young man is an honest man
CAIUS
What shall de honest man do in my closet Dere is no honest man dat shall come in my closet
MISTRESS QUICKLY
I beseech you be not so phlegmatic Hear the truth of it He came of an errand to me from Parson Hugh
CAIUS
Vell
SIMPLE
Ay forsooth to desire her to
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Peace I pray you
CAIUS
Peacea your tongueSpeaka your tale
SIMPLE
To desire this honest gentlewoman your maid to speak a good word to Mistress Anne Page for my master in the way of marriage
MISTRESS QUICKLY
This is all indeed la But Ill neer put my finger in the fire and need not
CAIUS
Sir Hugh senda youRugby baille me some paperTarry you a littlea while
Writes
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Aside to Simple I am glad he is so quiet If he had been throughly moved you should have heard him so loud and so melancholy But notwithstanding man Ill do you your master what good I can and the very yea and the no is the French doctor my masterI may call him my master look you for I keep his house and I wash wring brew bake scour dress meat and drink make the beds and do all myself
SIMPLE
Aside to Mistress Quickly Tis a great charge to come under one bodys hand
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Aside to Simple Are you avised o that You shall find it a great charge and to be up early and down late but notwithstandingto tell you in your ear I would have no words of itmy master himself is in love with Mistress Anne Page but notwithstanding that I know Annes mind Thats neither here nor there
CAIUS
You jacknape givea dis letter to Sir Hugh By gar it is a shallenge I will cut his troat in de park and I will teach a scurvy jackanape priest to meddle or make You may be gone it is not good you tarry hereBy gar I will cut all his two stones By gar he shall not have a stone to throw at his dog
Exit Simple
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Alas he speaks but for his friend
CAIUS
It is no mattera ver dat Do not you tella me dat I shall have Anne Page for myself By gar I vill kill de Jack priest and I have appointed mine host of de Jarteer to measure our weapon By gar I will myself have Anne Page
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Sir the maid loves you and all shall be well We must give folks leave to prate What the goodyear
CAIUS
Rugby come to the court with me To Mistress Quickly By gar if I have not Anne Page I shall turn your head out of my doorFollow my heels Rugby
Exeunt Caius and Rugby
MISTRESS QUICKLY
You shall have Anfools head of your own No I know Annes mind for that Never a woman in Windsor knows more of Annes mind than I do nor can do more than I do with her I thank heaven
FENTON
Within Whos within there ho
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Whos there I trow Come near the house I pray you
Enter Fenton
FENTON
How now good woman How dost thou
MISTRESS QUICKLY
The better that it pleases your good worship to ask
FENTON
What news How does pretty Mistress Anne
MISTRESS QUICKLY
In truth sir and she is pretty and honest and gentle and one that is your friend I can tell you that by the way I praise heaven for it
FENTON
Shall I do any good thinkst thou Shall I not lose my suit
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Troth sir all is in His hands above But notwithstanding Master Fenton Ill be sworn on a book she loves you Have not your worship a wart above your eye
FENTON
Yes marry have I what of that
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Well thereby hangs a tale Good faith it is such another Nan But I detest an honest maid as ever broke bread We had an hours talk of that wart I shall never laugh but in that maids company But indeed she is given too much to allicholy and musing But for youwell go to
FENTON
Well I shall see her today Hold theres money for thee Let me have thy voice in my behalf If thou seest her before me commend me
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Will I I faith that we will And I will tell your worship more of the wart the next time we have confidence and of other wooers
FENTON
Well farewell I am in great haste now
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Farewell to your worship
Exit Fenton
Truly an honest gentlemanbut Anne loves him not for I know Annes mind as well as another does Out upon t what have I forgot
Exit
ACT II
SCENE I Before Pages house
Enter Mistress Page reading a letter
MISTRESS PAGE
What have I scaped loveletters in the holidaytime of my beauty and am I now a subject for them Let me see
Reads Ask me no reason why I love you for though Love use Reason for his precisian he admits him not for his counsellor You are not young no more am I Go to then theres sympathy You are merry so am I Ha ha then theres more sympathy You love sack and so do I Would you desire better sympathy Let it suffice thee Mistress Page at the least if the love of soldier can suffice that I love thee I will not say pity metis not a soldierlike phrasebut I say love me By me
Thine own true knight
By day or night
Or any kind of light
With all his might
For thee to fight
John Falstaff
What a Herod of Jewry is this O wicked wicked world One that is wellnigh worn to pieces with age to show himself a young gallant What an unweighed behaviour hath this Flemish drunkard pickedwith the devils nameout of my conversation that he dares in this manner assay me Why he hath not been thrice in my company What should I say to him I was then frugal of my mirth Heaven forgive me Why Ill exhibit a bill in the parliament for the putting down of men How shall I be revenged on him For revenged I will be as sure as his guts are made of puddings
Enter Mistress Ford
MISTRESS FORD
Mistress Page Trust me I was going to your house
MISTRESS PAGE
And trust me I was coming to you You look very ill
MISTRESS FORD
Nay Ill neer believe that I have to show to the contrary
MISTRESS PAGE
Faith but you do in my mind
MISTRESS FORD
Well I do then Yet I say I could show you to the contrary O Mistress Page give me some counsel
MISTRESS PAGE
Whats the matter woman
MISTRESS FORD
O woman if it were not for one trifling respect I could come to such honour
MISTRESS PAGE
Hang the trifle woman take the honour What is it Dispense with trifles What is it
MISTRESS FORD
If I would but go to hell for an eternal moment or so I could be knighted
MISTRESS PAGE
What Thou liest Sir Alice Ford These knights will hack and so thou shouldst not alter the article of thy gentry
MISTRESS FORD
We burn daylight Here read read Perceive how I might be knighted I shall think the worse of fat men as long as I have an eye to make difference of mens liking And yet he would not swear praised womens modesty and gave such orderly and wellbehaved reproof to all uncomeliness that I would have sworn his disposition would have gone to the truth of his words But they do no more adhere and keep place together than the Hundredth Psalm to the tune of Greensleeves What tempest I trow threw this whale with so many tuns of oil in his belly ashore at Windsor How shall I be revenged on him I think the best way were to entertain him with hope till the wicked fire of lust have melted him in his own grease Did you ever hear the like
MISTRESS PAGE
Letter for letter but that the name of Page and Ford differs To thy great comfort in this mystery of ill opinions heres the twin brother of thy letter But let thine inherit first for I protest mine never shall I warrant he hath a thousand of these letters writ with blank space for different namessure more and these are of the second edition He will print them out of doubt for he cares not what he puts into the press when he would put us two I had rather be a giantess and lie under Mount Pelion Well I will find you twenty lascivious turtles ere one chaste man
MISTRESS FORD
Why this is the very samethe very hand the very words What doth he think of us
MISTRESS PAGE
Nay I know not It makes me almost ready to wrangle with mine own honesty Ill entertain myself like one that I am not acquainted withal for sure unless he know some strain in me that I know not myself he would never have boarded me in this fury
MISTRESS FORD
Boarding call you it Ill be sure to keep him above deck
MISTRESS PAGE
So will I If he come under my hatches Ill never to sea again Lets be revenged on him Lets appoint him a meeting give him a show of comfort in his suit and lead him on with a finebaited delay till he hath pawned his horses to mine host of the Garter
MISTRESS FORD
Nay I will consent to act any villainy against him that may not sully the chariness of our honesty O that my husband saw this letter It would give eternal food to his jealousy
MISTRESS PAGE
Why look where he comes and my good man too Hes as far from jealousy as I am from giving him cause and that I hope is an unmeasurable distance
MISTRESS FORD
You are the happier woman
MISTRESS PAGE
Lets consult together against this greasy knight Come hither
They retire
Enter Ford with Pistol and Page with Nym
FORD
Well I hope it be not so
PISTOL
Hope is a curtal dog in some affairs
Sir John affects thy wife
FORD
Why sir my wife is not young
PISTOL
He woos both high and low both rich and poor
Both young and old one with another Ford
He loves the gallimaufry Ford perpend
FORD
Love my wife
PISTOL
With liver burning hot
Prevent or go thou like Sir Actaeon he
With Ringwood at thy heels
O odious is the name
FORD
What name sir
PISTOL
The horn I say Farewell
Take heed have open eye for thieves do foot by night
Take heed ere summer comes or cuckoo birds do sing
Away Sir Corporal NymBelieve it Page he speaks sense
Exit Pistol
FORD
Aside I will be patient I will find out this
NYM
To Page And this is true I like not the humour of lying He hath wronged me in some humours I should have borne the humoured letter to her but I have a sword and it shall bite upon my necessity He loves your wife theres the short and the long My name is Corporal Nym I speak and I avouch tis true My name is Nym and Falstaff loves your wife Adieu I love not the humour of bread and cheese Adieu
Exit Nym
PAGE
Aside The humour of it quoth a Heres a fellow frights English out of his wits
FORD
Aside I will seek out Falstaff
PAGE
Aside I never heard such a drawling affecting rogue
FORD
Aside If I do find itwell
PAGE
Aside I will not believe such a Cataian though the priest o the town commended him for a true man
FORD
Aside Twas a good sensible fellowwell
Mistress Page and Mistress Ford come forward
PAGE
How now Meg
MISTRESS PAGE
Whither go you George Hark you
MISTRESS FORD
How now sweet Frank why art thou melancholy
FORD
I melancholy I am not melancholy Get you home go
MISTRESS FORD
Faith thou hast some crotchets in thy head nowWill you go Mistress Page
MISTRESS PAGE
Have with you Youll come to dinner George
Aside to Mistress Ford Look who comes yonder She shall be our messenger to this paltry knight
MISTRESS FORD
Aside to Mistress Page Trust me I thought on her Shell fit it
Enter Mistress Quickly
MISTRESS PAGE
You are come to see my daughter Anne
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Ay forsooth And I pray how does good Mistress Anne
MISTRESS PAGE
Go in with us and see Wed have an hours talk with you
Exeunt Mistress Page Mistress Ford and Mistress Quickly
PAGE
How now Master Ford
FORD
You heard what this knave told me did you not
PAGE
Yes and you heard what the other told me
FORD
Do you think there is truth in them
PAGE
Hang em slaves I do not think the knight would offer it but these that accuse him in his intent towards our wives are a yoke of his discarded men very rogues now they be out of service
FORD
Were they his men
PAGE
Marry were they
FORD
I like it never the better for that Does he lie at the Garter
PAGE
Ay marry does he If he should intend this voyage toward my wife I would turn her loose to him and what he gets more of her than sharp words let it lie on my head
FORD
I do not misdoubt my wife but I would be loath to turn them together A man may be too confident I would have nothing lie on my head I cannot be thus satisfied
Enter Host
PAGE
Look where my ranting host of the Garter comes There is either liquor in his pate or money in his purse when he looks so merrilyHow now mine host
HOST
How now bully rook Thourt a gentlemanCavaliero Justice I say
Enter Shallow
SHALLOW
I follow mine host I followGood even and twenty good Master Page Master Page will you go with us We have sport in hand
HOST
Tell him Cavaliero Justice tell him bully rook
SHALLOW
Sir there is a fray to be fought between Sir Hugh the Welsh priest and Caius the French doctor
FORD
Good mine host o the Garter a word with you
HOST
What sayst thou my bully rook
Ford and the Host talk apart
SHALLOW
To Page Will you go with us to behold it My merry host hath had the measuring of their weapons and I think hath appointed them contrary places for believe me I hear the parson is no jester Hark I will tell you what our sport shall be
Shallow and Page talk apart Ford and the Host come forward
HOST
Hast thou no suit against my knight my guest cavaliero
FORD
None I protest But Ill give you a pottle of burnt sack to give me recourse to him and tell him my name is Brook only for a jest
HOST
My hand bully Thou shalt have egress and regresssaid I welland thy name shall be Brook It is a merry knight Will you go mynheers
SHALLOW
Have with you mine host
PAGE
I have heard the Frenchman hath good skill in his rapier
SHALLOW
Tut sir I could have told you more In these times you stand on distanceyour passes stoccadoes and I know not what Tis the heart Master Page tis here tis here I have seen the time with my long sword I would have made you four tall fellows skip like rats
HOST
Here boys here here Shall we wag
PAGE
Have with you I had rather hear them scold than fight
Exeunt Host Shallow and Page
FORD
Though Page be a secure fool and stands so firmly on his wifes frailty yet I cannot put off my opinion so easily She was in his company at Pages house and what they made there I know not Well I will look further into t and I have a disguise to sound Falstaff If I find her honest I lose not my labour If she be otherwise tis labour well bestowed
Exit
SCENE II A room in the Garter Inn
Enter Falstaff and Pistol
FALSTAFF
I will not lend thee a penny
PISTOL
Why then the worlds mine oyster
Which I with sword will open
FALSTAFF
Not a penny I have been content sir you should lay my countenance to pawn I have grated upon my good friends for three reprieves for you and your coachfellow Nym or else you had looked through the grate like a gemini of baboons I am damned in hell for swearing to gentlemen my friends you were good soldiers and tall fellows And when Mistress Bridget lost the handle of her fan I took t upon mine honour thou hadst it not
PISTOL
Didst not thou share Hadst thou not fifteen pence
FALSTAFF
Reason you rogue reason Thinkst thou Ill endanger my soul gratis At a word hang no more about me I am no gibbet for you Goa short knife and a throngto your manor of Pickthatch go Youll not bear a letter for me you rogue You stand upon your honour Why thou unconfinable baseness it is as much as I can do to keep the terms of my honour precise Ay ay I myself sometimes leaving the fear of God on the left hand and hiding mine honour in my necessity am fain to shuffle to hedge and to lurch and yet you rogue will ensconce your rags your catamountain looks your redlattice phrases and your bold beating oaths under the shelter of your honour You will not do it You
PISTOL
I do relent What wouldst thou more of man
Enter Robin
ROBIN
Sir heres a woman would speak with you
FALSTAFF
Let her approach
Enter Mistress Quickly
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Give your worship good morrow
FALSTAFF
Good morrow goodwife
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Not so ant please your worship
FALSTAFF
Good maid then
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Ill be sworn as my mother was the first hour I was born
FALSTAFF
I do believe the swearer What with me
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Shall I vouchsafe your worship a word or two
FALSTAFF
Two thousand fair woman and Ill vouchsafe thee the hearing
MISTRESS QUICKLY
There is one Mistress Ford sirI pray come a little nearer this ways I myself dwell with Master Doctor Caius
FALSTAFF
Well on Mistress Ford you say
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Your worship says very true I pray your worship come a little nearer this ways
FALSTAFF
I warrant thee nobody hears Mine own people mine own people
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Are they so God bless them and make them His servants
FALSTAFF
Well Mistress Ford what of her
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Why sir shes a good creature Lord Lord your worships a wanton Well heaven forgive you and all of us I pray
FALSTAFF
Mistress Ford come Mistress Ford
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Marry this is the short and the long of it you have brought her into such a canaries as tis wonderful The best courtier of them all when the court lay at Windsor could never have brought her to such a canary Yet there has been knights and lords and gentlemen with their coaches I warrant you coach after coach letter after letter gift after gift smelling so sweetly all musk and so rushling I warrant you in silk and gold and in such alligant terms and in such wine and sugar of the best and the fairest that would have won any womans heart and I warrant you they could never get an eyewink of her I had myself twenty angels given me this morning but I defy all angels in any such sort as they say but in the way of honesty And I warrant you they could never get her so much as sip on a cup with the proudest of them all And yet there has been earlsnay which is more pensionersbut I warrant you all is one with her
FALSTAFF
But what says she to me Be brief my good sheMercury
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Marry she hath received your letter for the which she thanks you a thousand times and she gives you to notify that her husband will be absence from his house between ten and eleven
FALSTAFF
Ten and eleven
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Ay forsooth and then you may come and see the picture she says that you wot of Master Ford her husband will be from home Alas the sweet woman leads an ill life with him Hes a very jealousy man she leads a very frampold life with him good heart
FALSTAFF
Ten and eleven Woman commend me to her I will not fail her
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Why you say well But I have another messenger to your worship Mistress Page hath her hearty commendations to you too and let me tell you in your ear shes as fartuous a civil modest wife and one I tell you that will not miss you morning nor evening prayer as any is in Windsor whoeer be the other and she bade me tell your worship that her husband is seldom from home but she hopes there will come a time I never knew a woman so dote upon a man Surely I think you have charms la Yes in truth
FALSTAFF
Not I I assure thee Setting the attraction of my good parts aside I have no other charms
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Blessing on your heart for t
FALSTAFF
But I pray thee tell me this has Fords wife and Pages wife acquainted each other how they love me
MISTRESS QUICKLY
That were a jest indeed They have not so little grace I hope That were a trick indeed But Mistress Page would desire you to send her your little page of all loves Her husband has a marvellous infection to the little page and truly Master Page is an honest man Never a wife in Windsor leads a better life than she does Do what she will say what she will take all pay all go to bed when she list rise when she list all is as she will and truly she deserves it for if there be a kind woman in Windsor she is one You must send her your page no remedy
FALSTAFF
Why I will
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Nay but do so then and look you he may come and go between you both and in any case have a nayword that you may know one anothers mind and the boy never need to understand anything for tis not good that children should know any wickedness Old folks you know have discretion as they say and know the world
FALSTAFF
Fare thee well commend me to them both Theres my purse I am yet thy debtor Boy go along with this womanThis news distracts me
Exeunt Mistress Quickly and Robin
PISTOL
This punk is one of Cupids carriers
Clap on more sails pursue up with your fights
Give fire She is my prize or ocean whelm them all
Exit Pistol
FALSTAFF
Sayst thou so old Jack Go thy ways Ill make more of thy old body than I have done Will they yet look after thee Wilt thou after the expense of so much money be now a gainer Good body I thank thee Let them say tis grossly done so it be fairly done no matter
Enter Bardolph with a cup of sack
BARDOLPH
Sir John theres one Master Brook below would fain speak with you and be acquainted with you and hath sent your worship a mornings draught of sack
FALSTAFF
Brook is his name
BARDOLPH
Ay sir
FALSTAFF
Call him in
Exit Bardolph
Such Brooks are welcome to me that oerflow such liquor Ah ha Mistress Ford and Mistress Page have I encompassed you Go to via
Enter Bardolph with Ford disguised as Brook
FORD
God bless you sir
FALSTAFF
And you sir Would you speak with me
FORD
I make bold to press with so little preparation upon you
FALSTAFF
Youre welcome Whats your willGive us leave drawer
Exit Bardolph
FORD
Sir I am a gentleman that have spent much My name is Brook
FALSTAFF
Good Master Brook I desire more acquaintance of you
FORD
Good Sir John I sue for yours not to charge you for I must let you understand I think myself in better plight for a lender than you are the which hath something emboldened me to this unseasoned intrusion for they say if money go before all ways do lie open
FALSTAFF
Money is a good soldier sir and will on
FORD
Troth and I have a bag of money here troubles me If you will help to bear it Sir John take all or half for easing me of the carriage
FALSTAFF
Sir I know not how I may deserve to be your porter
FORD
I will tell you sir if you will give me the hearing
FALSTAFF
Speak good Master Brook I shall be glad to be your servant
FORD
Sir I hear you are a scholarI will be brief with youand you have been a man long known to me though I had never so good means as desire to make myself acquainted with you I shall discover a thing to you wherein I must very much lay open mine own imperfection But good Sir John as you have one eye upon my follies as you hear them unfolded turn another into the register of your own that I may pass with a reproof the easier sith you yourself know how easy it is to be such an offender
FALSTAFF
Very well sir proceed
FORD
There is a gentlewoman in this town her husbands name is Ford
FALSTAFF
Well sir
FORD
I have long loved her and I protest to you bestowed much on her followed her with a doting observance engrossed opportunities to meet her feed every slight occasion that could but niggardly give me sight of her not only bought many presents to give her but have given largely to many to know what she would have given Briefly I have pursued her as love hath pursued me which hath been on the wing of all occasions But whatsoever I have merited either in my mind or in my means meed I am sure I have received none unless experience be a jewel That I have purchased at an infinite rate and that hath taught me to say this
Love like a shadow flies when substance love pursues
Pursuing that that flies and flying what pursues
FALSTAFF
Have you received no promise of satisfaction at her hands
FORD
Never
FALSTAFF
Have you importuned her to such a purpose
FORD
Never
FALSTAFF
Of what quality was your love then
FORD
Like a fair house built on another mans ground so that I have lost my edifice by mistaking the place where I erected it
FALSTAFF
To what purpose have you unfolded this to me
FORD
When I have told you that I have told you all Some say that though she appear honest to me yet in other places she enlargeth her mirth so far that there is shrewd construction made of her Now Sir John here is the heart of my purpose you are a gentleman of excellent breeding admirable discourse of great admittance authentic in your place and person generally allowed for your many warlike courtlike and learned preparations
FALSTAFF
O sir
FORD
Believe it for you know it There is money Spend it spend it spend more spend all I have only give me so much of your time in exchange of it as to lay an amiable siege to the honesty of this Fords wife Use your art of wooing win her to consent to you If any man may you may as soon as any
FALSTAFF
Would it apply well to the vehemency of your affection that I should win what you would enjoy Methinks you prescribe to yourself very preposterously
FORD
O understand my drift She dwells so securely on the excellency of her honour that the folly of my soul dares not present itself she is too bright to be looked against Now could I come to her with any detection in my hand my desires had instance and argument to commend themselves I could drive her then from the ward of her purity her reputation her marriage vow and a thousand other her defences which now are too too strongly embattled against me What say you tot Sir John
FALSTAFF
Master Brook I will first make bold with your money next give me your hand and last as I am a gentleman you shall if you will enjoy Fords wife
FORD
O good sir
FALSTAFF
I say you shall
FORD
Want no money Sir John you shall want none
FALSTAFF
Want no Mistress Ford Master Brook you shall want none I shall be with her I may tell you by her own appointment even as you came in to me her assistant or gobetween parted from me I say I shall be with her between ten and eleven for at that time the jealous rascally knave her husband will be forth Come you to me at night You shall know how I speed
FORD
I am blessed in your acquaintance Do you know Ford sir
FALSTAFF
Hang him poor cuckoldly knave I know him not Yet I wrong him to call him poor They say the jealous wittolly knave hath masses of money for the which his wife seems to me wellfavoured I will use her as the key of the cuckoldly rogues coffer and theres my harvesthome
FORD
I would you knew Ford sir that you might avoid him if you saw him
FALSTAFF
Hang him mechanical saltbutter rogue I will stare him out of his wits I will awe him with my cudgel it shall hang like a meteor oer the cuckolds horns Master Brook thou shalt know I will predominate over the peasant and thou shalt lie with his wife Come to me soon at night Fords a knave and I will aggravate his style Thou Master Brook shalt know him for knave and cuckold Come to me soon at night
Exit Falstaff
FORD
What a damned epicurean rascal is this My heart is ready to crack with impatience Who says this is improvident jealousy My wife hath sent to him the hour is fixed the match is made Would any man have thought this See the hell of having a false woman my bed shall be abused my coffers ransacked my reputation gnawn at and I shall not only receive this villanous wrong but stand under the adoption of abominable terms and by him that does me this wrong Terms names Amaimon sounds well Lucifer well Barbason well yet they are devils additions the names of fiends But cuckold Wittol Cuckold The devil himself hath not such a name Page is an ass a secure ass he will trust his wife he will not be jealous I will rather trust a Fleming with my butter Parson Hugh the Welshman with my cheese an Irishman with my aquavitae bottle or a thief to walk my ambling gelding than my wife with herself Then she plots then she ruminates then she devises and what they think in their hearts they may effect they will break their hearts but they will effect God be praised for my jealousy Eleven oclock the hour I will prevent this detect my wife be revenged on Falstaff and laugh at Page I will about it Better three hours too soon than a minute too late Fie fie fie Cuckold cuckold cuckold
Exit
SCENE III A field near Windsor
Enter Doctor Caius and Rugby
CAIUS
Jack Rugby
RUGBY
Sir
CAIUS
Vat is de clock Jack
RUGBY
Tis past the hour sir that Sir Hugh promised to meet
CAIUS
By gar he has save his soul dat he is no come He has pray his Pible well dat he is no come By gar Jack Rugby he is dead already if he be come
RUGBY
He is wise sir he knew your worship would kill him if he came
CAIUS
By gar de herring is no dead so as I vill kill him Take your rapier Jack I vill tell you how I vill kill him
RUGBY
Alas sir I cannot fence
CAIUS
Villainy take your rapier
RUGBY
Forbear heres company
Enter Page Shallow Slender and Host
HOST
God bless thee bully doctor
SHALLOW
God save you Master Doctor Caius
PAGE
Now good Master Doctor
SLENDER
Give you good morrow sir
CAIUS
Vat be all you one two tree four come for
HOST
To see thee fight to see thee foin to see thee traverse to see thee here to see thee there to see thee pass thy punto thy stock thy reverse thy distance thy montant Is he dead my Ethiopian Is he dead my Francisco Ha bully What says my Aesculapius my Galen my heart of elder ha Is he dead bully stale Is he dead
CAIUS
By gar he is de coward Jackpriest of de vorld He is not show his face
HOST
Thou art a Castalion King Urinal Hector of Greece my boy
CAIUS
I pray you bear witness that me have stay six or seven two tree hours for him and he is no come
SHALLOW
He is the wiser man Master doctor He is a curer of souls and you a curer of bodies If you should fight you go against the hair of your professions Is it not true Master Page
PAGE
Master Shallow you have yourself been a great fighter though now a man of peace
SHALLOW
Bodykins Master Page though I now be old and of the peace if I see a sword out my finger itches to make one Though we are justices and doctors and churchmen Master Page we have some salt of our youth in us We are the sons of women Master Page
PAGE
Tis true Master Shallow
SHALLOW
It will be found so Master PageMaster Doctor Caius I come to fetch you home I am sworn of the peace You have showed yourself a wise physician and Sir Hugh hath shown himself a wise and patient churchman You must go with me Master Doctor
HOST
Pardon guest justiceA word Monsieur Mockwater
CAIUS
Mockvater Vat is dat
HOST
Mockwater in our English tongue is valour bully
CAIUS
By gar then I have as much mockvater as de Englishman Scurvy jackdog priest By gar me vill cut his ears
HOST
He will clapperclaw thee tightly bully
CAIUS
Clapperdeclaw Vat is dat
HOST
That is he will make thee amends
CAIUS
By gar me do look he shall clapperdeclaw me for by gar me vill have it
HOST
And I will provoke him tot or let him wag
CAIUS
Me tank you for dat
HOST
And moreover bullybut first Master guest and Master Page and eke Cavaliero Slender go you through the town to Frogmore
PAGE
Aside to Host Sir Hugh is there is he
HOST
Aside to Page He is there See what humour he is in and I will bring the doctor about by the fields Will it do well
SHALLOW
Aside to Host We will do it
PAGE SHALLOW and SLENDER
Adieu good Master Doctor
Exeunt Page Shallow and Slender
CAIUS
By gar me vill kill de priest for he speak for a jackanape to Anne Page
HOST
Let him die Sheathe thy impatience throw cold water on thy choler Go about the fields with me through Frogmore I will bring thee where Mistress Anne Page is at a farmhouse afeasting and thou shalt woo her Cried game Said I well
CAIUS
By gar me tank you for dat By gar I love you and I shall procurea you de good guest de earl de knight de lords de gentlemen my patients
HOST
For the which I will be thy adversary toward Anne Page Said I well
CAIUS
By gar tis good vell said
HOST
Let us wag then
CAIUS
Come at my heels Jack Rugby
Exeunt
ACT III
SCENE I A field near Frogmore
Enter Sir Hugh Evans and Simple
EVANS
I pray you now good Master Slenders servingman and friend Simple by your name which way have you looked for Master Caius that calls himself doctor of physic
SIMPLE
Marry sir the Pettyward the Parkward every way old Windsor way and every way but the town way
EVANS
I most fehemently desire you you will also look that way
SIMPLE
I will Sir
Exit Simple
EVANS
Pless my soul how full of cholers I am and trempling of mind I shall be glad if he have deceived me How melancholies I am I will knog his urinals about his knaves costard when I have good opportunities for the ork Pless my soul
Sings
To shallow rivers to whose falls
Melodious birds sings madrigals
There will we make our peds of roses
And a thousand fragrant posies
To shallow
Mercy on me I have a great dispositions to cry
Sings
Melodious birds sing madrigals
Whenas I sat in Pabylon
And a thousand vagram posies
To shallow rivers to whose falls
Melodious birds sing madrigals
Enter Simple
SIMPLE
Yonder he is coming this way Sir Hugh
EVANS
Hes welcome
Sings To shallow rivers to whose falls
Heaven prosper the right What weapons is he
SIMPLE
No weapons sir There comes my master Master Shallow and another gentleman from Frogmore over the stile this way
EVANS
Pray you give me my gownor else keep it in your arms
Enter Page Shallow and Slender
SHALLOW
How now Master Parson Good morrow good Sir Hugh Keep a gamester from the dice and a good student from his book and it is wonderful
SLENDER
Aside Ah sweet Anne Page
PAGE
God save you good Sir Hugh
EVANS
God pless you from his mercy sake all of you
SHALLOW
What the sword and the word Do you study them both Master Parson
PAGE
And youthful stillin your doublet and hose this raw rheumatic day
EVANS
There is reasons and causes for it
PAGE
We are come to you to do a good office Master Parson
EVANS
Fery well what is it
PAGE
Yonder is a most reverend gentleman who belike having received wrong by some person is at most odds with his own gravity and patience that ever you saw
SHALLOW
I have lived fourscore years and upward I never heard a man of his place gravity and learning so wide of his own respect
EVANS
What is he
PAGE
I think you know him Master Doctor Caius the renowned French physician
EVANS
Gots will and His passion of my heart I had as lief you would tell me of a mess of porridge
PAGE
Why
EVANS
He has no more knowledge in Hibbocrates and Galen and he is a knave besides a cowardly knave as you would desires to be acquainted withal
PAGE
I warrant you hes the man should fight with him
SLENDER
Aside O sweet Anne Page
SHALLOW
It appears so by his weapons Keep them asunder Here comes Doctor Caius
Enter Host Caius and Rugby
PAGE
Nay good Master Parson keep in your weapon
SHALLOW
So do you good Master Doctor
HOST
Disarm them and let them question Let them keep their limbs whole and hack our English
CAIUS
I pray you leta me speak a word with your ear Verefore will you not meeta me
EVANS
Aside to Caius Pray you use your patience In good time
CAIUS
By gar you are de coward de Jack dog John ape
EVANS
Aside to Caius Pray you let us not be laughing stocks to other mens humours I desire you in friendship and I will one way or other make you amends
Aloud By Jeshu I will knog your urinal about your knaves cogscomb
CAIUS
Diable Jack Rugby mine Host de Jarteer have I not stay for him to kill him Have I not at de place I did appoint
EVANS
As I am a Christians soul now look you this is the place appointed Ill be judgment by mine host of the Garter
HOST
Peace I say Gallia and Gaul French and Welsh soulcurer and bodycurer
CAIUS
Ay dat is very good excellent
HOST
Peace I say Hear mine host of the Garter Am I politic Am I subtle Am I a Machiavel Shall I lose my doctor No he gives me the potions and the motions Shall I lose my parson my priest my Sir Hugh No he gives me the proverbs and the noverbs To Caius Give me thy hand terrestrial so To Evans Give me thy hand celestial so Boys of art I have deceived you both I have directed you to wrong places Your hearts are mighty your skins are whole and let burnt sack be the issue Come lay their swords to pawn Follow me lads of peace follow follow follow
Exit Host
SHALLOW
Afore God a mad host Follow gentlemen follow
SLENDER
Aside O sweet Anne Page
Exeunt Shallow Slender and Page
CAIUS
Ha do I perceive dat Have you makea de sot of us ha ha
EVANS
This is well he has made us his vloutingstog I desire you that we may be friends and let us knog our prains together to be revenge on this same scall scurvy cogging companion the host of the Garter
CAIUS
By gar with all my heart He promise to bring me where is Anne Page by gar he deceive me too
EVANS
Well I will smite his noddles Pray you follow
Exeunt
SCENE II A street in Windsor
Enter Mistress Page following Robin
MISTRESS PAGE
Nay keep your way little gallant You were wont to be a follower but now you are a leader Whether had you rather lead mine eyes or eye your masters heels
ROBIN
I had rather forsooth go before you like a man than follow him like a dwarf
MISTRESS PAGE
O you are a flattering boy Now I see youll be a courtier
Enter Ford
FORD
Well met Mistress Page Whither go you
MISTRESS PAGE
Truly sir to see your wife Is she at home
FORD
Ay and as idle as she may hang together for want of company I think if your husbands were dead you two would marry
MISTRESS PAGE
Be sure of thattwo other husbands
FORD
Where had you this pretty weathercock
MISTRESS PAGE
I cannot tell what the dickens his name is my husband had him of What do you call your knights name sirrah
ROBIN
Sir John Falstaff
FORD
Sir John Falstaff
MISTRESS PAGE
He he I can never hit ons name There is such a league between my good man and he Is your wife at home indeed
FORD
Indeed she is
MISTRESS PAGE
By your leave sir I am sick till I see her
Exeunt Mistress Page and Robin
FORD
Has Page any brains Hath he any eyes Hath he any thinking Sure they sleep he hath no use of them Why this boy will carry a letter twenty mile as easy as a cannon will shoot pointblank twelve score He pieces out his wifes inclination he gives her folly motion and advantage And now shes going to my wife and Falstaffs boy with her A man may hear this shower sing in the wind And Falstaffs boy with her Good plots they are laid and our revolted wives share damnation together Well I will take him then torture my wife pluck the borrowed veil of modesty from the soseeming Mistress Page divulge Page himself for a secure and wilful Actaeon and to these violent proceedings all my neighbours shall cry aim Clock strikes The clock gives me my cue and my assurance bids me search There I shall find Falstaff I shall be rather praised for this than mocked for it is as positive as the earth is firm that Falstaff is there I will go
Enter Page Shallow Slender Host Sir Hugh Evans Caius and Rugby
SHALLOW PAGE etc
Well met Master Ford
FORD
Trust me a good knot I have good cheer at home and I pray you all go with me
SHALLOW
I must excuse myself Master Ford
SLENDER
And so must I sir we have appointed to dine with Mistress Anne and I would not break with her for more money than Ill speak of
SHALLOW
We have lingered about a match between Anne Page and my cousin Slender and this day we shall have our answer
SLENDER
I hope I have your good will father Page
PAGE
You have Master Slender I stand wholly for youBut my wife Master doctor is for you altogether
CAIUS
Ay begar and de maid is lovea me My nursha Quickly tell me so mush
HOST
What say you to young Master Fenton He capers he dances he has eyes of youth he writes verses he speaks holiday he smells April and May He will carry t he will carry t Tis in his buttons he will carry t
PAGE
Not by my consent I promise you The gentleman is of no having He kept company with the wild Prince and Poins He is of too high a region he knows too much No he shall not knit a knot in his fortunes with the finger of my substance If he take her let him take her simply The wealth I have waits on my consent and my consent goes not that way
FORD
I beseech you heartily some of you go home with me to dinner Besides your cheer you shall have sport I will show you a monster Master Doctor you shall go so shall you Master Page and you Sir Hugh
SHALLOW
Well fare you well We shall have the freer wooing at Master Pages
Exeunt Shallow and Slender
CAIUS
Go home John Rugby I come anon
Exit Rugby
HOST
Farewell my hearts I will to my honest knight Falstaff and drink canary with him
Exit Host
FORD
Aside I think I shall drink in pipewine first with him Ill make him danceWill you go gentles
ALL
Have with you to see this monster
Exeunt
SCENE III A room in Fords house
Enter Mistress Ford and Mistress Page
MISTRESS FORD
What John What Robert
MISTRESS PAGE
Quickly quickly Is the buckbasket
MISTRESS FORD
I warrantWhat Robin I say
Enter John and Robert with a great buckbasket
MISTRESS PAGE
Come come come
MISTRESS FORD
Here set it down
MISTRESS PAGE
Give your men the charge we must be brief
MISTRESS FORD
Marry as I told you before John and Robert be ready here hard by in the brewhouse and when I suddenly call you come forth and without any pause or staggering take this basket on your shoulders That done trudge with it in all haste and carry it among the whitsters in Datchet Mead and there empty it in the muddy ditch close by the Thames side
MISTRESS PAGE
You will do it
MISTRESS FORD
I ha told them over and over they lack no directionBe gone and come when you are called
Exeunt John and Robert
MISTRESS PAGE
Here comes little Robin
Enter Robin
MISTRESS FORD
How now my eyasmusket what news with you
ROBIN
My Master Sir John is come in at your back door Mistress Ford and requests your company
MISTRESS PAGE
You little JackaLent have you been true to us
ROBIN
Ay Ill be sworn My master knows not of your being here and hath threatened to put me into everlasting liberty if I tell you of it for he swears hell turn me away
MISTRESS PAGE
Thourt a good boy this secrecy of thine shall be a tailor to thee and shall make thee a new doublet and hose Ill go hide me
MISTRESS FORD
Do soGo tell thy master I am alone
Exit Robin
Mistress Page remember you your cue
MISTRESS PAGE
I warrant thee If I do not act it hiss me
Exit Mistress Page
MISTRESS FORD
Go to then Well use this unwholesome humidity this gross watery pumpion well teach him to know turtles from jays
Enter Falstaff
FALSTAFF
Have I caught thee my heavenly jewel Why now let me die for I have lived long enough This is the period of my ambition O this blessed hour
MISTRESS FORD
O sweet Sir John
FALSTAFF
Mistress Ford I cannot cog I cannot prate Mistress Ford Now shall I sin in my wish I would thy husband were dead Ill speak it before the best lord I would make thee my lady
MISTRESS FORD
I your lady Sir John Alas I should be a pitiful lady
FALSTAFF
Let the court of France show me such another I see how thine eye would emulate the diamond Thou hast the right arched beauty of the brow that becomes the shiptire the tirevaliant or any tire of Venetian admittance
MISTRESS FORD
A plain kerchief Sir John My brows become nothing else nor that well neither
FALSTAFF
By the Lord thou art a traitor to say so Thou wouldst make an absolute courtier and the firm fixture of thy foot would give an excellent motion to thy gait in a semicircled farthingale I see what thou wert if Fortune thy foe were not Nature thy friend Come thou canst not hide it
MISTRESS FORD
Believe me theres no such thing in me
FALSTAFF
What made me love thee Let that persuade thee theres something extraordinary in thee Come I cannot cog and say thou art this and that like a many of these lisping hawthorn buds that come like women in mens apparel and smell like Bucklersbury in simpletime I cannot But I love thee none but thee and thou deservest it
MISTRESS FORD
Do not betray me sir I fear you love Mistress Page
FALSTAFF
Thou mightst as well say I love to walk by the Counter gate which is as hateful to me as the reek of a limekiln
MISTRESS FORD
Well heaven knows how I love you and you shall one day find it
FALSTAFF
Keep in that mind Ill deserve it
MISTRESS FORD
Nay I must tell you so you do or else I could not be in that mind
Enter Robin
ROBIN
Mistress Ford Mistress Ford heres Mistress Page at the door sweating and blowing and looking wildly and would needs speak with you presently
FALSTAFF
She shall not see me I will ensconce me behind the arras
MISTRESS FORD
Pray you do so shes a very tattling woman
Falstaff hides himself behind the arras
Enter Mistress Page
Whats the matter How now
MISTRESS PAGE
O Mistress Ford what have you done Youre shamed youre overthrown youre undone for ever
MISTRESS FORD
Whats the matter good Mistress Page
MISTRESS PAGE
O welladay Mistress Ford having an honest man to your husband to give him such cause of suspicion
MISTRESS FORD
What cause of suspicion
MISTRESS PAGE
What cause of suspicion Out upon you How am I mistook in you
MISTRESS FORD
Why alas whats the matter
MISTRESS PAGE
Your husbands coming hither woman with all the officers in Windsor to search for a gentleman that he says is here now in the house by your consent to take an ill advantage of his absence You are undone
MISTRESS FORD
Tis not so I hope
MISTRESS PAGE
Pray heaven it be not so that you have such a man here But tis most certain your husbands coming with half Windsor at his heels to search for such a one I come before to tell you If you know yourself clear why I am glad of it but if you have a friend here convey convey him out Be not amazed call all your senses to you defend your reputation or bid farewell to your good life for ever
MISTRESS FORD
What shall I do There is a gentleman my dear friend and I fear not mine own shame as much as his peril I had rather than a thousand pound he were out of the house
MISTRESS PAGE
For shame Never stand you had rather and you had rather Your husbands here at hand Bethink you of some conveyance In the house you cannot hide him O how have you deceived me Look here is a basket If he be of any reasonable stature he may creep in here and throw foul linen upon him as if it were going to bucking Orit is whitingtimesend him by your two men to Datchet Mead
MISTRESS FORD
Hes too big to go in there What shall I do
FALSTAFF
Comes out of hiding Let me see t let me see t O let me see t Ill in Ill in Follow your friends counsel Ill in
MISTRESS PAGE
What Sir John Falstaff Are these your letters knight
FALSTAFF
I love thee and none but thee Help me away Let me creep in here Ill never
He goes into the basket they cover him with dirty clothes
MISTRESS PAGE
Help to cover your master boyCall your men Mistress FordYou dissembling knight
Exit Robin
MISTRESS FORD
What John Robert John
Enter John and Robert
Go take up these clothes here quickly Wheres the cowlstaff Look how you drumble Carry them to the laundress in Datchet Mead quickly come
Enter Ford Page Caius and Sir Hugh Evans
FORD
Pray you come near If I suspect without cause why then make sport at me then let me be your jest I deserve itHow now Whither bear you this
JOHN and ROBERT
To the laundress forsooth
MISTRESS FORD
Why what have you to do whither they bear it You were best meddle with buckwashing
FORD
Buck I would I could wash myself of the buck Buck buck buck Ay buck I warrant you buck and of the season too it shall appear
Exeunt John and Robert with the basket
Gentlemen I have dreamed tonight Ill tell you my dream Here here here be my keys Ascend my chambers search seek find out Ill warrant well unkennel the fox Let me stop this way first Locks the door So now uncape
PAGE
Good Master Ford be contented you wrong yourself too much
FORD
True Master PageUp gentlemen you shall see sport anon Follow me gentlemen
Exit Ford
EVANS
This is fery fantastical humours and jealousies
CAIUS
By gar tis no the fashion of France it is not jealous in France
PAGE
Nay follow him gentlemen see the issue of his search
Exeunt Page Evans and Caius
MISTRESS PAGE
Is there not a double excellency in this
MISTRESS FORD
I know not which pleases me better that my husband is deceived or Sir John
MISTRESS PAGE
What a taking was he in when your husband asked who was in the basket
MISTRESS FORD
I am half afraid he will have need of washing so throwing him into the water will do him a benefit
MISTRESS PAGE
Hang him dishonest rascal I would all of the same strain were in the same distress
MISTRESS FORD
I think my husband hath some special suspicion of Falstaffs being here for I never saw him so gross in his jealousy till now
MISTRESS PAGE
I will lay a plot to try that and we will yet have more tricks with Falstaff His dissolute disease will scarce obey this medicine
MISTRESS FORD
Shall we send that foolish carrion Mistress Quickly to him and excuse his throwing into the water and give him another hope to betray him to another punishment
MISTRESS PAGE
We will do it Let him be sent for tomorrow eight oclock to have amends
Enter Ford Page Caius and Sir Hugh Evans
FORD
I cannot find him Maybe the knave bragged of that he could not compass
MISTRESS PAGE
Aside to Mistress Ford Heard you that
MISTRESS FORD
You use me well Master Ford do you
FORD
Ay I do so
MISTRESS FORD
Heaven make you better than your thoughts
FORD
Amen
MISTRESS PAGE
You do yourself mighty wrong Master Ford
FORD
Ay ay I must bear it
EVANS
If there be anypody in the house and in the chambers and in the coffers and in the presses heaven forgive my sins at the day of judgment
CAIUS
Be gar nor I too there is nobodies
PAGE
Fie fie Master Ford are you not ashamed What spirit what devil suggests this imagination I would not ha your distemper in this kind for the wealth of Windsor Castle
FORD
Tis my fault Master Page I suffer for it
EVANS
You suffer for a pad conscience Your wife is as honest a omans as I will desires among five thousand and five hundred too
CAIUS
By gar I see tis an honest woman
FORD
Well I promised you a dinner Come come walk in the park I pray you pardon me I will hereafter make known to you why I have done this Come wife come Mistress Page I pray you pardon me Pray heartily pardon me
PAGE
Lets go in gentlemen but trust me well mock him I do invite you tomorrow morning to my house to breakfast after well abirding together I have a fine hawk for the bush Shall it be so
FORD
Anything
EVANS
If there is one I shall make two in the company
CAIUS
If there be one or two I shall makea the turd
FORD
Pray you go Master Page
Exeunt all but Evans and Caius
EVANS
I pray you now remembrance tomorrow on the lousy knave mine host
CAIUS
Dat is good by gar with all my heart
EVANS
A lousy knave to have his gibes and his mockeries
Exeunt
SCENE IV A room in Pages house
Enter Fenton and Anne Page
FENTON
I see I cannot get thy fathers love
Therefore no more turn me to him sweet Nan
ANNE
Alas how then
FENTON
Why thou must be thyself
He doth object I am too great of birth
And that my state being galled with my expense
I seek to heal it only by his wealth
Besides these other bars he lays before me
My riots past my wild societies
And tells me tis a thing impossible
I should love thee but as a property
ANNE
Maybe he tells you true
FENTON
No heaven so speed me in my time to come
Albeit I will confess thy fathers wealth
Was the first motive that I wooed thee Anne
Yet wooing thee I found thee of more value
Than stamps in gold or sums in sealed bags
And tis the very riches of thyself
That now I aim at
ANNE
Gentle Master Fenton
Yet seek my fathers love still seek it sir
If opportunity and humblest suit
Cannot attain it why thenhark you hither
They talk apart
Enter Shallow Slender and Mistress Quickly
SHALLOW
Break their talk Mistress Quickly My kinsman shall speak for himself
SLENDER
Ill make a shaft or a bolt on t Slid tis but venturing
SHALLOW
Be not dismayed
SLENDER
No she shall not dismay me I care not for that but that I am afeard
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Hark ye Master Slender would speak a word with you
ANNE
I come to him
Aside This is my fathers choice
O what a world of vile illfavoured faults
Looks handsome in three hundred pounds a year
MISTRESS QUICKLY
And how does good Master Fenton Pray you a word with you
They talk aside
SHALLOW
To Slender Shes coming to her coz O boy thou hadst a father
SLENDER
I had a father Mistress Anne my uncle can tell you good jests of himPray you uncle tell Mistress Anne the jest how my father stole two geese out of a pen good uncle
SHALLOW
Mistress Anne my cousin loves you
SLENDER
Ay that I do as well as I love any woman in Gloucestershire
SHALLOW
He will maintain you like a gentlewoman
SLENDER
Ay that I will come cut and longtail under the degree of a squire
SHALLOW
He will make you a hundred and fifty pounds jointure
ANNE
Good Master Shallow let him woo for himself
SHALLOW
Marry I thank you for it I thank you for that good comfortShe calls you coz Ill leave you
ANNE
Now Master Slender
SLENDER
Now good Mistress Anne
ANNE
What is your will
SLENDER
My will Ods heartlings thats a pretty jest indeed I neer made my will yet I thank heaven I am not such a sickly creature I give heaven praise
ANNE
I mean Master Slender what would you with me
SLENDER
Truly for mine own part I would little or nothing with you Your father and my uncle hath made motions If it be my luck so if not happy man be his dole They can tell you how things go better than I can You may ask your father Here he comes
Enter Page and Mistress Page
PAGE
Now Master SlenderLove him daughter Anne
Why how now What does Master Fenton here
You wrong me sir thus still to haunt my house
I told you sir my daughter is disposed of
FENTON
Nay Master Page be not impatient
MISTRESS PAGE
Good Master Fenton come not to my child
PAGE
She is no match for you
FENTON
Sir will you hear me
PAGE
No good Master Fenton
Come Master Shallow come son Slender in
Knowing my mind you wrong me Master Fenton
Exeunt Page Shallow and Slender
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Speak to Mistress Page
FENTON
Good Mistress Page for that I love your daughter
In such a righteous fashion as I do
Perforce against all checks rebukes and manners
I must advance the colours of my love
And not retire Let me have your good will
ANNE
Good mother do not marry me to yond fool
MISTRESS PAGE
I mean it not I seek you a better husband
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Thats my master Master Doctor
ANNE
Alas I had rather be set quick i th earth
And bowled to death with turnips
MISTRESS PAGE
Come trouble not yourself good Master Fenton
I will not be your friend nor enemy
My daughter will I question how she loves you
And as I find her so am I affected
Till then farewell sir She must needs go in
Her father will be angry
FENTON
Farewell gentle mistress Farewell Nan
Exeunt Mistress Page and Anne
MISTRESS QUICKLY
This is my doing now Nay said I will you cast away your child on a fool and a physician Look on Master Fenton This is my doing
FENTON
I thank thee and I pray thee once tonight
Give my sweet Nan this ring Theres for thy pains
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Now Heaven send thee good fortune
Exit Fenton
A kind heart he hath A woman would run through fire and water for such a kind heart But yet I would my master had Mistress Anne or I would Master Slender had her or in sooth I would Master Fenton had her I will do what I can for them all three for so I have promised and Ill be as good as my wordbut speciously for Master Fenton Well I must of another errand to Sir John Falstaff from my two mistresses What a beast am I to slack it
Exit
SCENE V A room in the Garter Inn
Enter Falstaff
FALSTAFF
Bardolph I say
Enter Bardolph
BARDOLPH
Here sir
FALSTAFF
Go fetch me a quart of sack put a toast in t
Exit Bardolph
Have I lived to be carried in a basket like a barrow of butchers offal and to be thrown in the Thames Well if I be served such another trick Ill have my brains taen out and buttered and give them to a dog for a New Years gift Sblood the rogues slighted me into the river with as little remorse as they would have drowned a blind bitchs puppies fifteen i the litter and you may know by my size that I have a kind of alacrity in sinking if the bottom were as deep as hell I should down I had been drowned but that the shore was shelvy and shallowa death that I abhor for the water swells a man and what a thing should I have been when I had been swelled I should have been a mountain of mummy
Enter Bardolph with sack
BARDOLPH
Heres Mistress Quickly sir to speak with you
FALSTAFF
Come let me pour in some sack to the Thames water for my bellys as cold as if I had swallowed snowballs for pills to cool the reins Call her in
BARDOLPH
Come in woman
Enter Mistress Quickly
MISTRESS QUICKLY
By your leave I cry you mercy Give your worship good morrow
FALSTAFF
Take away these chalices Go brew me a pottle of sack finely
BARDOLPH
With eggs sir
FALSTAFF
Simple of itself Ill no pullet sperm in my brewage
Exit Bardolph
How now
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Marry sir I come to your worship from Mistress Ford
FALSTAFF
Mistress Ford I have had ford enough I was thrown into the ford I have my belly full of ford
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Alas the day good heart that was not her fault She does so take on with her men they mistook their erection
FALSTAFF
So did I mine to build upon a foolish womans promise
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Well she laments sir for it that it would yearn your heart to see it Her husband goes this morning abirding she desires you once more to come to her between eight and nine I must carry her word quickly Shell make you amends I warrant you
FALSTAFF
Well I will visit her Tell her so and bid her think what a man is Let her consider his frailty and then judge of my merit
MISTRESS QUICKLY
I will tell her
FALSTAFF
Do so Between nine and ten sayst thou
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Eight and nine sir
FALSTAFF
Well be gone I will not miss her
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Peace be with you sir
Exit Mistress Quickly
FALSTAFF
I marvel I hear not of Master Brook he sent me word to stay within I like his money well O here he comes
Enter Ford disguised
FORD
God bless you sir
FALSTAFF
Now Master Brook you come to know what hath passed between me and Fords wife
FORD
That indeed Sir John is my business
FALSTAFF
Master Brook I will not lie to you I was at her house the hour she appointed me
FORD
And how sped you sir
FALSTAFF
Very illfavouredly Master Brook
FORD
How so sir Did she change her determination
FALSTAFF
No Master Brook but the peaking cornuto her husband Master Brook dwelling in a continual larum of jealousy comes me in the instant of our encounter after we had embraced kissed protested and as it were spoke the prologue of our comedy and at his heels a rabble of his companions thither provoked and instigated by his distemper and forsooth to search his house for his wifes love
FORD
What while you were there
FALSTAFF
While I was there
FORD
And did he search for you and could not find you
FALSTAFF
You shall hear As good luck would have it comes in one Mistress Page gives intelligence of Fords approach and in her invention and Fords wifes distraction they conveyed me into a buckbasket
FORD
A buckbasket
FALSTAFF
By the Lord a buckbasket Rammed me in with foul shirts and smocks socks foul stockings greasy napkins that Master Brook there was the rankest compound of villainous smell that ever offended nostril
FORD
And how long lay you there
FALSTAFF
Nay you shall hear Master Brook what I have suffered to bring this woman to evil for your good Being thus crammed in the basket a couple of Fords knaves his hinds were called forth by their mistress to carry me in the name of foul clothes to Datchet Lane They took me on their shoulders met the jealous knave their master in the door who asked them once or twice what they had in their basket I quaked for fear lest the lunatic knave would have searched it but Fate ordaining he should be a cuckold held his hand Well on went he for a search and away went I for foul clothes But mark the sequel Master Brook I suffered the pangs of three several deaths first an intolerable fright to be detected with a jealous rotten bellwether next to be compassed like a good bilbo in the circumference of a peck hilt to point heel to head and then to be stopped in like a strong distillation with stinking clothes that fretted in their own grease Think of that a man of my kidney think of thatthat am as subject to heat as butter a man of continual dissolution and thaw It was a miracle to scape suffocation And in the height of this bath when I was more than half stewed in grease like a Dutch dish to be thrown into the Thames and cooled glowing hot in that surge like a horseshoe Think of thathissing hotthink of that Master Brook
FORD
In good sadness sir I am sorry that for my sake you have suffered all this My suit then is desperate Youll undertake her no more
FALSTAFF
Master Brook I will be thrown into Etna as I have been into Thames ere I will leave her thus Her husband is this morning gone abirding I have received from her another embassy of meeting Twixt eight and nine is the hour Master Brook
FORD
Tis past eight already sir
FALSTAFF
Is it I will then address me to my appointment Come to me at your convenient leisure and you shall know how I speed and the conclusion shall be crowned with your enjoying her Adieu You shall have her Master Brook Master Brook you shall cuckold Ford
Exit Falstaff
FORD
Hum Ha Is this a vision Is this a dream Do I sleep Master Ford awake awake Master Ford Theres a hole made in your best coat Master Ford This tis to be married this tis to have linen and buckbaskets Well I will proclaim myself what I am I will now take the lecher He is at my house He cannot scape me Tis impossible he should He cannot creep into a halfpenny purse nor into a pepperbox But lest the devil that guides him should aid him I will search impossible places Though what I am I cannot avoid yet to be what I would not shall not make me tame If I have horns to make one mad let the proverb go with me Ill be hornmad
Exit
ACT IV
SCENE I The street
Enter Mistress Page Mistress Quickly and William
MISTRESS PAGE
Is he at Master Fords already thinkst thou
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Sure he is by this or will be presently But truly he is very courageous mad about his throwing into the water Mistress Ford desires you to come suddenly
MISTRESS PAGE
Ill be with her by and by Ill but bring my young man here to school Look where his master comes tis a playing day I see
Enter Sir Hugh Evans
How now Sir Hugh no school today
EVANS
No Master Slender is let the boys leave to play
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Blessing of his heart
MISTRESS PAGE
Sir Hugh my husband says my son profits nothing in the world at his book I pray you ask him some questions in his accidence
EVANS
Come hither William Hold up your head come
MISTRESS PAGE
Come on sirrah Hold up your head Answer your master be not afraid
EVANS
William how many numbers is in nouns
WILLIAM
Two
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Truly I thought there had been one number more because they say Ods nouns
EVANS
Peace your tattlings What is fair William
WILLIAM
Pulcher
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Polecats There are fairer things than polecats sure
EVANS
You are a very simplicity oman I pray you peaceWhat is lapis William
WILLIAM
A stone
EVANS
And what is a stone William
WILLIAM
A pebble
EVANS
No it is lapis I pray you remember in your prain
WILLIAM
Lapis
EVANS
That is a good William What is he William that does lend articles
WILLIAM
Articles are borrowed of the pronoun and be thus declined singulariter nominativo hic haec hoc
EVANS
Nominativo hig haeg hog pray you mark genitivo huius Well what is your accusative case
WILLIAM
Accusativo hinc
EVANS
I pray you have your remembrance child Accusativo hung hang hog
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Hanghog is Latin for bacon I warrant you
EVANS
Leave your prabbles omanWhat is the focative case William
WILLIAM
OvocativoO
EVANS
Remember William focative is caret
MISTRESS QUICKLY
And thats a good root
EVANS
Oman forbear
MISTRESS PAGE
Peace
EVANS
What is your genitive case plural William
WILLIAM
Genitive case
EVANS
Ay
WILLIAM
Genitive horum harum horum
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Vengeance of Jennys case fie on her Never name her child if she be a whore
EVANS
For shame oman
MISTRESS QUICKLY
You do ill to teach the child such wordsHe teaches him to hick and to hack which theyll do fast enough of themselves and to call whore mFie upon you
EVANS
Oman art thou lunatics Hast thou no understandings for thy cases and the numbers of the genders Thou art as foolish Christian creatures as I would desires
MISTRESS PAGE
To Quickly Prithee hold thy peace
EVANS
Show me now William some declensions of your pronouns
WILLIAM
Forsooth I have forgot
EVANS
It is qui quae quod If you forget your quis your quaes and your quods you must be preeches Go your ways and play go
MISTRESS PAGE
He is a better scholar than I thought he was
EVANS
He is a good sprag memory Farewell Mistress Page
MISTRESS PAGE
Adieu good Sir Hugh
Exit Sir Hugh Evans
Get you home boy Come we stay too long
Exeunt
SCENE II A room in Fords house
Enter Falstaff and Mistress Ford
FALSTAFF
Mistress Ford your sorrow hath eaten up my sufferance I see you are obsequious in your love and I profess requital to a hairs breadth not only Mistress Ford in the simple office of love but in all the accoutrement compliment and ceremony of it But are you sure of your husband now
MISTRESS FORD
Hes abirding sweet Sir John
MISTRESS PAGE
Within What ho gossip Ford what ho
MISTRESS FORD
Step into the chamber Sir John
Exit Falstaff
Enter Mistress Page
MISTRESS PAGE
How now sweetheart whos at home besides yourself
MISTRESS FORD
Why none but mine own people
MISTRESS PAGE
Indeed
MISTRESS FORD
No certainly
Aside to her Speak louder
MISTRESS PAGE
Truly I am so glad you have nobody here
MISTRESS FORD
Why
MISTRESS PAGE
Why woman your husband is in his old lunes again He so takes on yonder with my husband so rails against all married mankind so curses all Eves daughters of what complexion soever and so buffets himself on the forehead crying Peer out peer out that any madness I ever yet beheld seemed but tameness civility and patience to this his distemper he is in now I am glad the fat knight is not here
MISTRESS FORD
Why does he talk of him
MISTRESS PAGE
Of none but him and swears he was carried out the last time he searched for him in a basket protests to my husband he is now here and hath drawn him and the rest of their company from their sport to make another experiment of his suspicion But I am glad the knight is not here Now he shall see his own foolery
MISTRESS FORD
How near is he Mistress Page
MISTRESS PAGE
Hard by at street end He will be here anon
MISTRESS FORD
I am undone The knight is here
MISTRESS PAGE
Why then you are utterly shamed and hes but a dead man What a woman are you Away with him away with him Better shame than murder
MISTRESS FORD
Which way should he go How should I bestow him Shall I put him into the basket again
Enter Falstaff
FALSTAFF
No Ill come no more i the basket May I not go out ere he come
MISTRESS PAGE
Alas three of Master Fords brothers watch the door with pistols that none shall issue out otherwise you might slip away ere he came But what make you here
FALSTAFF
What shall I do Ill creep up into the chimney
MISTRESS FORD
There they always use to discharge their birdingpieces
MISTRESS PAGE
Creep into the kilnhole
FALSTAFF
Where is it
MISTRESS FORD
He will seek there on my word Neither press coffer chest trunk well vault but he hath an abstract for the remembrance of such places and goes to them by his note There is no hiding you in the house
FALSTAFF
Ill go out then
MISTRESS PAGE
If you go out in your own semblance you die Sir Johnunless you go out disguised
MISTRESS FORD
How might we disguise him
MISTRESS PAGE
Alas the day I know not There is no womans gown big enough for him otherwise he might put on a hat a muffler and a kerchief and so escape
FALSTAFF
Good hearts devise something Any extremity rather than a mischief
MISTRESS FORD
My maids aunt the fat woman of Brentford has a gown above
MISTRESS PAGE
On my word it will serve him Shes as big as he is And theres her thrummed hat and her muffler tooRun up Sir John
MISTRESS FORD
Go go sweet Sir John Mistress Page and I will look some linen for your head
MISTRESS PAGE
Quick quick Well come dress you straight put on the gown the while
Exit Falstaff
MISTRESS FORD
I would my husband would meet him in this shape He cannot abide the old woman of Brentford he swears shes a witch forbade her my house and hath threatened to beat her
MISTRESS PAGE
Heaven guide him to thy husbands cudgel and the devil guide his cudgel afterwards
MISTRESS FORD
But is my husband coming
MISTRESS PAGE
Ay in good sadness is he and talks of the basket too howsoever he hath had intelligence
MISTRESS FORD
Well try that for Ill appoint my men to carry the basket again to meet him at the door with it as they did last time
MISTRESS PAGE
Nay but hell be here presently Lets go dress him like the witch of Brentford
MISTRESS FORD
Ill first direct my men what they shall do with the basket Go up Ill bring linen for him straight
Exit Mistress Ford
MISTRESS PAGE
Hang him dishonest varlet We cannot misuse him enough
Well leave a proof by that which we will do
Wives may be merry and yet honest too
We do not act that often jest and laugh
Tis old but true Still swine eats all the draff
Exit
Enter Mistress Ford with John and Robert
MISTRESS FORD
Go sirs take the basket again on your shoulders Your master is hard at door if he bid you set it down obey him Quickly dispatch
Exit Mistress Ford
JOHN
Come come take it up
ROBERT
Pray heaven it be not full of knight again
JOHN
I hope not I had lief as bear so much lead
Enter Ford Page Shallow Caius and Sir Hugh Evans
FORD
Ay but if it prove true Master Page have you any way then to unfool me againSet down the basket villain Somebody call my wife Youth in a basket O you panderly rascals Theres a knot a gin a pack a conspiracy against me Now shall the devil be shamedWhat wife I say Come come forth Behold what honest clothes you send forth to bleaching
PAGE
Why this passes Master Ford You are not to go loose any longer you must be pinioned
EVANS
Why this is lunatics this is mad as a mad dog
SHALLOW
Indeed Master Ford this is not well indeed
FORD
So say I too sir
Enter Mistress Ford
Come hither Mistress FordMistress Ford the honest woman the modest wife the virtuous creature that hath the jealous fool to her husband I suspect without cause mistress do I
MISTRESS FORD
Heaven be my witness you do if you suspect me in any dishonesty
FORD
Well said brazenface hold it outCome forth sirrah
Pulls clothes out of the basket
PAGE
This passes
MISTRESS FORD
Are you not ashamed Let the clothes alone
FORD
I shall find you anon
EVANS
Tis unreasonable Will you take up your wifes clothes Come away
FORD
Empty the basket I say
MISTRESS FORD
Why man why
FORD
Master Page as I am a man there was one conveyed out of my house yesterday in this basket Why may not he be there again In my house I am sure he is My intelligence is true my jealousy is reasonablePluck me out all the linen
MISTRESS FORD
If you find a man there he shall die a fleas death
PAGE
Heres no man
SHALLOW
By my fidelity this is not well Master Ford this wrongs you
EVANS
Master Ford you must pray and not follow the imaginations of your own heart This is jealousies
FORD
Well hes not here I seek for
PAGE
No nor nowhere else but in your brain
FORD
Help to search my house this one time If I find not what I seek show no colour for my extremity let me for ever be your tablesport Let them say of me As jealous as Ford that searched a hollow walnut for his wifes leman Satisfy me once more once more search with me
Exeunt John and Robert with the basket
MISTRESS FORD
What ho Mistress Page Come you and the old woman down my husband will come into the chamber
FORD
Old woman What old womans that
MISTRESS FORD
Why it is my maids aunt of Brentford
FORD
A witch a quean an old cozening quean Have I not forbid her my house She comes of errands does she We are simple men we do not know whats brought to pass under the profession of fortunetelling She works by charms by spells by the figure and such daubery as this is beyond our element We know nothingCome down you witch you hag you Come down I say
MISTRESS FORD
Nay good sweet husbandGood gentlemen let him not strike the old woman
Enter Falstaff disguised as an old woman led by Mistress Page
MISTRESS PAGE
Come Mother Prat come give me your hand
FORD
Ill prat her Beats him Out of my door you witch you rag you baggage you polecat you runnion Out out Ill conjure you Ill fortunetell you
Exit Falstaff
MISTRESS PAGE
Are you not ashamed I think you have killed the poor woman
MISTRESS FORD
Nay he will do it Tis a goodly credit for you
FORD
Hang her witch
EVANS
By yea and no I think the oman is a witch indeed I like not when a oman has a great peard I spy a great peard under her muffler
FORD
Will you follow gentlemen I beseech you follow see but the issue of my jealousy If I cry out thus upon no trail never trust me when I open again
PAGE
Lets obey his humour a little further Come gentlemen
Exeunt Ford Page Caius Evans and Shallow
MISTRESS PAGE
Trust me he beat him most pitifully
MISTRESS FORD
Nay by th mass that he did not he beat him most unpitifully methought
MISTRESS PAGE
Ill have the cudgel hallowed and hung oer the altar It hath done meritorious service
MISTRESS FORD
What think you May we with the warrant of womanhood and the witness of a good conscience pursue him with any further revenge
MISTRESS PAGE
The spirit of wantonness is sure scared out of him If the devil have him not in feesimple with fine and recovery he will never I think in the way of waste attempt us again
MISTRESS FORD
Shall we tell our husbands how we have served him
MISTRESS PAGE
Yes by all means if it be but to scrape the figures out of your husbands brains If they can find in their hearts the poor unvirtuous fat knight shall be any further afflicted we two will still be the ministers
MISTRESS FORD
Ill warrant theyll have him publicly shamed and methinks there would be no period to the jest should he not be publicly shamed
MISTRESS PAGE
Come to the forge with it then shape it I would not have things cool
Exeunt
SCENE III A room in the Garter Inn
Enter Host and Bardolph
BARDOLPH
Sir the Germans desire to have three of your horses The Duke himself will be tomorrow at court and they are going to meet him
HOST
What duke should that be comes so secretly I hear not of him in the court Let me speak with the gentlemen They speak English
BARDOLPH
Ay sir Ill call them to you
HOST
They shall have my horses but Ill make them pay Ill sauce them They have had my house a week at command I have turned away my other guests They must come off Ill sauce them Come
Exeunt
SCENE IV A room in Fords house
Enter Page Ford Mistress Page Mistress Ford and Sir Hugh Evans
EVANS
Tis one of the best discretions of a oman as ever I did look upon
PAGE
And did he send you both these letters at an instant
MISTRESS PAGE
Within a quarter of an hour
FORD
Pardon me wife Henceforth do what thou wilt
I rather will suspect the sun with cold
Than thee with wantonness Now doth thy honour stand
In him that was of late an heretic
As firm as faith
PAGE
Tis well tis well no more
Be not as extreme in submission as in offence
But let our plot go forward Let our wives
Yet once again to make us public sport
Appoint a meeting with this old fat fellow
Where we may take him and disgrace him for it
FORD
There is no better way than that they spoke of
PAGE
How To send him word theyll meet him in the park at midnight Fie fie hell never come
EVANS
You say he has been thrown in the rivers and has been grievously peaten as an old oman Methinks there should be terrors in him that he should not come Methinks his flesh is punished he shall have no desires
PAGE
So think I too
MISTRESS FORD
Devise but how youll use him when he comes
And let us two devise to bring him thither
MISTRESS PAGE
There is an old tale goes that Herne the hunter
Sometime a keeper here in Windsor Forest
Doth all the winter time at still midnight
Walk round about an oak with great ragged horns
And there he blasts the tree and takes the cattle
And makes milchkine yield blood and shakes a chain
In a most hideous and dreadful manner
You have heard of such a spirit and well you know
The superstitious idleheaded eld
Received and did deliver to our age
This tale of Herne the hunter for a truth
PAGE
Why yet there want not many that do fear
In deep of night to walk by this Hernes oak
But what of this
MISTRESS FORD
Marry this is our device
That Falstaff at that oak shall meet with us
Disguised like Herne with huge horns on his head
PAGE
Well let it not be doubted but hell come
And in this shape when you have brought him thither
What shall be done with him What is your plot
MISTRESS PAGE
That likewise have we thought upon and thus
Nan Page my daughter and my little son
And three or four more of their growth well dress
Like urchins oafs and fairies green and white
With rounds of waxen tapers on their heads
And rattles in their hands Upon a sudden
As Falstaff she and I are newly met
Let them from forth a sawpit rush at once
With some diffused song upon their sight
We two in great amazedness will fly
Then let them all encircle him about
And fairylike to pinch the unclean knight
And ask him why that hour of fairy revel
In their so sacred paths he dares to tread
In shape profane
MISTRESS FORD
And till he tell the truth
Let the supposed fairies pinch him sound
And burn him with their tapers
MISTRESS PAGE
The truth being known
Well all present ourselves dishorn the spirit
And mock him home to Windsor
FORD
The children must
Be practised well to this or theyll neer do t
EVANS
I will teach the children their behaviours and I will be like a jackanapes also to burn the knight with my taber
FORD
That will be excellent Ill go buy them vizards
MISTRESS PAGE
My Nan shall be the queen of all the fairies
Finely attired in a robe of white
PAGE
That silk will I go buy
Aside And in that time
Shall Master Slender steal my Nan away
And marry her at EtonGo send to Falstaff straight
FORD
Nay Ill to him again in name of Brook
Hell tell me all his purpose Sure hell come
MISTRESS PAGE
Fear not you that Go get us properties
And tricking for our fairies
EVANS
Let us about it It is admirable pleasures and fery honest knaveries
Exeunt Page Ford and Evans
MISTRESS PAGE
Go Mistress Ford
Send quickly to Sir John to know his mind
Exit Mistress Ford
Ill to the Doctor He hath my good will
And none but he to marry with Nan Page
That Slender though well landed is an idiot
And he my husband best of all affects
The Doctor is well moneyed and his friends
Potent at court He none but he shall have her
Though twenty thousand worthier come to crave her
Exit
SCENE V A room in the Garter Inn
Enter Host and Simple
HOST
What wouldst thou have boor What thickskin Speak breathe discuss brief short quick snap
SIMPLE
Marry sir I come to speak with Sir John Falstaff from Master Slender
HOST
Theres his chamber his house his castle his standingbed and trucklebed Tis painted about with the story of the Prodigal fresh and new Go knock and call Hell speak like an Anthropophaginian unto thee Knock I say
SIMPLE
Theres an old woman a fat woman gone up into his chamber Ill be so bold as stay sir till she come down I come to speak with her indeed
HOST
Ha A fat woman The knight may be robbed Ill callBully knight Bully Sir John Speak from thy lungs military Art thou there It is thine host thine Ephesian calls
FALSTAFF
Above How now mine host
HOST
Heres a BohemianTartar tarries the coming down of thy fat woman Let her descend bully let her descend My chambers are honourable Fie Privacy Fie
Enter Falstaff
FALSTAFF
There was mine host an old fat woman even now with me but shes gone
SIMPLE
Pray you sir wast not the wise woman of Brentford
FALSTAFF
Ay marry was it musselshell What would you with her
SIMPLE
My master sir my Master Slender sent to her seeing her go through the streets to know sir whether one Nym sir that beguiled him of a chain had the chain or no
FALSTAFF
I spake with the old woman about it
SIMPLE
And what says she I pray sir
FALSTAFF
Marry she says that the very same man that beguiled Master Slender of his chain cozened him of it
SIMPLE
I would I could have spoken with the woman herself I had other things to have spoken with her too from him
FALSTAFF
What are they Let us know
HOST
Ay come Quick
SIMPLE
I may not conceal them sir
FALSTAFF
Conceal them or thou diest
SIMPLE
Why sir they were nothing but about Mistress Anne Page to know if it were my masters fortune to have her or no
FALSTAFF
Tis tis his fortune
SIMPLE
What sir
FALSTAFF
To have her or no Go say the woman told me so
SIMPLE
May I be bold to say so sir
FALSTAFF
Ay sir like who more bold
SIMPLE
I thank your worship I shall make my master glad with these tidings
Exit Simple
HOST
Thou art clerkly thou art clerkly Sir John Was there a wise woman with thee
FALSTAFF
Ay that there was mine host one that hath taught me more wit than ever I learned before in my life and I paid nothing for it neither but was paid for my learning
Enter Bardolph
BARDOLPH
Out alas sir cozenage mere cozenage
HOST
Where be my horses Speak well of them varletto
BARDOLPH
Run away with the cozeners For so soon as I came beyond Eton they threw me off from behind one of them in a slough of mire and set spurs and away like three German devils three Doctor Faustuses
HOST
They are gone but to meet the Duke villain do not say they be fled Germans are honest men
Enter Sir Hugh Evans
EVANS
Where is mine host
HOST
What is the matter sir
EVANS
Have a care of your entertainments There is a friend of mine come to town tells me there is three cozenGermans that has cozened all the hosts of Readings of Maidenhead of Colebrook of horses and money I tell you for good will look you You are wise and full of gibes and vloutingstocks and tis not convenient you should be cozened Fare you well
Exit Evans
Enter Doctor Caius
CAIUS
Vere is mine host de Jarteer
HOST
Here Master Doctor in perplexity and doubtful dilemma
CAIUS
I cannot tell vat is dat but it is tella me dat you make grand preparation for a Duke de Jamany By my trot dere is no duke that the court is know to come I tell you for good will Adieu
Exit Doctor Caius
HOST
Hue and cry villain goAssist me knight I am undoneFly run hue and cry villain I am undone
Exeunt Host and Bardolph
FALSTAFF
I would all the world might be cozened for I have been cozened and beaten too If it should come to the ear of the court how I have been transformed and how my transformation hath been washed and cudgelled they would melt me out of my fat drop by drop and liquor fishermens boots with me I warrant they would whip me with their fine wits till I were as crestfallen as a dried pear I never prospered since I forswore myself at primero Well if my wind were but long enough I would repent
Enter Mistress Quickly
Now whence come you
MISTRESS QUICKLY
From the two parties forsooth
FALSTAFF
The devil take one party and his dam the other and so they shall be both bestowed I have suffered more for their sakes more than the villainous inconstancy of mans disposition is able to bear
MISTRESS QUICKLY
And have not they suffered Yes I warrant speciously one of them Mistress Ford good heart is beaten black and blue that you cannot see a white spot about her
FALSTAFF
What tellst thou me of black and blue I was beaten myself into all the colours of the rainbow and was like to be apprehended for the witch of Brentford But that my admirable dexterity of wit my counterfeiting the action of an old woman delivered me the knave constable had set me i the stocks i the common stocks for a witch
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Sir let me speak with you in your chamber you shall hear how things go and I warrant to your content Here is a letter will say somewhat Good hearts what ado here is to bring you together Sure one of you does not serve heaven well that you are so crossed
FALSTAFF
Come up into my chamber
Exeunt
SCENE VI Another room in the Garter Inn
Enter Fenton and Host
HOST
Master Fenton talk not to me My mind is heavy I will give over all
FENTON
Yet hear me speak Assist me in my purpose
And as I am a gentleman Ill give thee
A hundred pound in gold more than your loss
HOST
I will hear you Master Fenton and I will at the least keep your counsel
FENTON
From time to time I have acquainted you
With the dear love I bear to fair Anne Page
Who mutually hath answered my affection
So far forth as herself might be her chooser
Even to my wish I have a letter from her
Of such contents as you will wonder at
The mirth whereof so larded with my matter
That neither singly can be manifested
Without the show of both wherein fat Falstaff
Hath a great scene the image of the jest
Ill show you here at large Hark good mine host
Tonight at Hernes oak just twixt twelve and one
Must my sweet Nan present the Fairy Queen
The purpose why is herein which disguise
While other jests are something rank on foot
Her father hath commanded her to slip
Away with Slender and with him at Eton
Immediately to marry She hath consented Now sir
Her mother even strong against that match
And firm for Doctor Caius hath appointed
That he shall likewise shuffle her away
While other sports are tasking of their minds
And at the deanry where a priest attends
Straight marry her To this her mothers plot
She seemingly obedient likewise hath
Made promise to the doctor Now thus it rests
Her father means she shall be all in white
And in that habit when Slender sees his time
To take her by the hand and bid her go
She shall go with him Her mother hath intended
The better to denote her to the doctor
For they must all be masked and vizarded
That quaint in green she shall be loose enrobed
With ribbons pendant flaring bout her head
And when the doctor spies his vantage ripe
To pinch her by the hand and on that token
The maid hath given consent to go with him
HOST
Which means she to deceive father or mother
FENTON
Both my good host to go along with me
And here it rests that youll procure the vicar
To stay for me at church twixt twelve and one
And in the lawful name of marrying
To give our hearts united ceremony
HOST
Well husband your device Ill to the vicar
Bring you the maid you shall not lack a priest
FENTON
So shall I evermore be bound to thee
Besides Ill make a present recompense
Exeunt
ACT V
SCENE I A room in the Garter Inn
Enter Falstaff and Mistress Quickly
FALSTAFF
Prithee no more prattling Go Ill hold This is the third time I hope good luck lies in odd numbers Away go They say there is divinity in odd numbers either in nativity chance or death Away
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Ill provide you a chain and Ill do what I can to get you a pair of horns
FALSTAFF
Away I say time wears Hold up your head and mince
Exit Mistress Quickly
Enter Ford
How now Master Brook Master Brook the matter will be known tonight or never Be you in the park about midnight at Hernes oak and you shall see wonders
FORD
Went you not to her yesterday sir as you told me you had appointed
FALSTAFF
I went to her Master Brook as you see like a poor old man but I came from her Master Brook like a poor old woman That same knave Ford her husband hath the finest mad devil of jealousy in him Master Brook that ever governed frenzy I will tell you he beat me grievously in the shape of a woman for in the shape of man Master Brook I fear not Goliath with a weavers beam because I know also life is a shuttle I am in haste Go along with me Ill tell you all Master Brook Since I plucked geese played truant and whipped top I knew not what twas to be beaten till lately Follow me Ill tell you strange things of this knave Ford on whom tonight I will be revenged and I will deliver his wife into your hand Follow Strange things in hand Master Brook Follow
Exeunt
SCENE II Windsor Park
Enter Page Shallow and Slender
PAGE
Come come Well couch i the castle ditch till we see the light of our fairies Remember son Slender my daughter
SLENDER
Ay forsooth I have spoke with her and we have a nayword how to know one another I come to her in white and cry mum she cries budget and by that we know one another
SHALLOW
Thats good too But what needs either your mum or her budget The white will decipher her well enough It hath struck ten oclock
PAGE
The night is dark Light and spirits will become it well Heaven prosper our sport No man means evil but the devil and we shall know him by his horns Lets away follow me
Exeunt
SCENE III The street in Windsor
Enter Mistress Page Mistress Ford and Doctor Caius
MISTRESS PAGE
Master Doctor my daughter is in green When you see your time take her by the hand away with her to the deanery and dispatch it quickly Go before into the park We two must go together
CAIUS
I know vat I have to do Adieu
MISTRESS PAGE
Fare you well sir
Exit Caius
My husband will not rejoice so much at the abuse of Falstaff as he will chafe at the doctors marrying my daughter But tis no matter Better a little chiding than a great deal of heartbreak
MISTRESS FORD
Where is Nan now and her troop of fairies and the Welsh devil Hugh
MISTRESS PAGE
They are all couched in a pit hard by Hernes oak with obscured lights which at the very instant of Falstaffs and our meeting they will at once display to the night
MISTRESS FORD
That cannot choose but amaze him
MISTRESS PAGE
If he be not amazed he will be mocked if he be amazed he will every way be mocked
MISTRESS FORD
Well betray him finely
MISTRESS PAGE
Against such lewdsters and their lechery
Those that betray them do no treachery
MISTRESS FORD
The hour draws on To the oak to the oak
Exeunt
SCENE IV Windsor Park
Enter Sir Hugh Evans disguised and children as Fairies
EVANS
Trib trib fairies Come and remember your parts Be pold I pray you follow me into the pit and when I give the watchords do as I pid you Come come trib trib
Exeunt
SCENE V Another part of the Park
Enter Falstaff wearing a bucks head
FALSTAFF
The Windsor bell hath struck twelve the minute draws on Now the hotblooded gods assist me Remember Jove thou wast a bull for thy Europa love set on thy horns O powerful love that in some respects makes a beast a man in some other a man a beast You were also Jupiter a swan for the love of Leda O omnipotent love how near the god drew to the complexion of a goose A fault done first in the form of a beast O Jove a beastly fault And then another fault in the semblance of a fowl think ont Jove a foul fault When gods have hot backs what shall poor men do For me I am here a Windsor stag and the fattest I think i the forest Send me a cool ruttime Jove or who can blame me to piss my tallow Who comes here My doe
Enter Mistress Ford and Mistress Page
MISTRESS FORD
Sir John Art thou there my deer my male deer
FALSTAFF
My doe with the black scut Let the sky rain potatoes let it thunder to the tune of Greensleeves hail kissingcomfits and snow eringoes let there come a tempest of provocation I will shelter me here
He embraces her
MISTRESS FORD
Mistress Page is come with me sweetheart
FALSTAFF
Divide me like a bribed buck each a haunch I will keep my sides to myself my shoulders for the fellow of this walk and my horns I bequeath your husbands Am I a woodman ha Speak I like Herne the hunter Why now is Cupid a child of conscience he makes restitution As I am a true spirit welcome
A noise of horns within
MISTRESS PAGE
Alas what noise
MISTRESS FORD
Heaven forgive our sins
FALSTAFF
What should this be
MISTRESS FORD and MISTRESS PAGE
Away away
They run off
FALSTAFF
I think the devil will not have me damned lest the oil thats in me should set hell on fire he would never else cross me thus
Enter Mistress Quickly as the Queen of Fairies Sir Hugh Evans as a Satyr Pistol as Hobgoblin Anne Page and children as Fairies carrying tapers
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Fairies black grey green and white
You moonshine revellers and shades of night
You orphan heirs of fixed destiny
Attend your office and your quality
Crier Hobgoblin make the fairy oyes
PISTOL
Elves list your names silence you airy toys
Cricket to Windsor chimneys shalt thou leap
Where fires thou findst unraked and hearths unswept
There pinch the maids as blue as bilberry
Our radiant queen hates sluts and sluttery
FALSTAFF
They are fairies he that speaks to them shall die
Ill wink and couch No man their works must eye
Lies down upon his face
EVANS
Wheres Bead Go you and where you find a maid
That ere she sleep has thrice her prayers said
Rein up the organs of her fantasy
Sleep she as sound as careless infancy
But those as sleep and think not on their sins
Pinch them arms legs backs shoulders sides and shins
MISTRESS QUICKLY
About about
Search Windsor castle elves within and out
Strew good luck oafs on every sacred room
That it may stand till the perpetual doom
In state as wholesome as in state tis fit
Worthy the owner and the owner it
The several chairs of order look you scour
With juice of balm and every precious flower
Each fair instalment coat and several crest
With loyal blazon evermore be blest
And nightly meadowfairies look you sing
Like to the Garters compass in a ring
Th expressure that it bears green let it be
More fertilefresh than all the field to see
And Honi soit qui mal y pense write
In emrald tufts flowers purple blue and white
Like sapphire pearl and rich embroidery
Buckled below fair knighthoods bending knee
Fairies use flowers for their charactery
Away disperse But till tis one oclock
Our dance of custom round about the oak
Of Herne the hunter let us not forget
EVANS
Pray you lock hand in hand yourselves in order set
And twenty glowworms shall our lanterns be
To guide our measure round about the tree
But stay I smell a man of middle earth
FALSTAFF
Heavens defend me from that Welsh fairy lest he transform me to a piece of cheese
PISTOL
Vile worm thou wast oerlooked even in thy birth
MISTRESS QUICKLY
With trialfire touch me his fingerend
If he be chaste the flame will back descend
And turn him to no pain but if he start
It is the flesh of a corrupted heart
PISTOL
A trial come
EVANS
Come will this wood take fire
They put the tapers to his fingers and he starts
FALSTAFF
O o o
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Corrupt corrupt and tainted in desire
About him fairies sing a scornful rhyme
And as you trip still pinch him to your time
SONG
Fie on sinful fantasy
Fie on lust and luxury
Lust is but a bloody fire
Kindled with unchaste desire
Fed in heart whose flames aspire
As thoughts do blow them higher and higher
Pinch him fairies mutually
Pinch him for his villainy
Pinch him and burn him and turn him about
Till candles and starlight and moonshine be out
During the song they pinch him and Doctor Caius comes one way and steals away a boy in green and Slender another way takes a boy in white Fenton comes in and steals away Anne Page A noise of hunting is heard within and all the fairies run away Falstaff pulls off his bucks head and rises up
Enter Page Ford Mistress Page and Mistress Ford
PAGE
Nay do not fly I think we have watched you now
Will none but Herne the hunter serve your turn
MISTRESS PAGE
I pray you come hold up the jest no higher
Now good Sir John how like you Windsor wives
See you these husband
She points to the horns
Do not these fair yokes
Become the forest better than the town
FORD
Now sir whos a cuckold now Master Brook Falstaffs a knave a cuckoldly knave Here are his horns Master Brook And Master Brook he hath enjoyed nothing of Fords but his buckbasket his cudgel and twenty pounds of money which must be paid to Master Brook His horses are arrested for it Master Brook
MISTRESS FORD
Sir John we have had ill luck we could never meet I will never take you for my love again but I will always count you my deer
FALSTAFF
I do begin to perceive that I am made an ass
FORD
Ay and an ox too Both the proofs are extant
FALSTAFF
And these are not fairies I was three or four times in the thought they were not fairies and yet the guiltiness of my mind the sudden surprise of my powers drove the grossness of the foppery into a received belief in despite of the teeth of all rhyme and reason that they were fairies See now how wit may be made a JackaLent when tis upon ill employment
EVANS
Sir John Falstaff serve Got and leave your desires and fairies will not pinse you
FORD
Well said fairy Hugh
EVANS
And leave you your jealousies too I pray you
FORD
I will never mistrust my wife again till thou art able to woo her in good English
FALSTAFF
Have I laid my brain in the sun and dried it that it wants matter to prevent so gross oerreaching as this Am I ridden with a Welsh goat too Shall I have a coxcomb of frieze Tis time I were choked with a piece of toasted cheese
EVANS
Seese is not good to give putter Your belly is all putter
FALSTAFF
Seese and putter Have I lived to stand at the taunt of one that makes fritters of English This is enough to be the decay of lust and latewalking through the realm
MISTRESS PAGE
Why Sir John do you think though we would have thrust virtue out of our hearts by the head and shoulders and have given ourselves without scruple to hell that ever the devil could have made you our delight
FORD
What a hodgepudding A bag of flax
MISTRESS PAGE
A puffed man
PAGE
Old cold withered and of intolerable entrails
FORD
And one that is as slanderous as Satan
PAGE
And as poor as Job
FORD
And as wicked as his wife
EVANS
And given to fornications and to taverns and sack and wine and metheglins and to drinkings and swearings and starings pribbles and prabbles
FALSTAFF
Well I am your theme You have the start of me I am dejected I am not able to answer the Welsh flannel Ignorance itself is a plummet oer me Use me as you will
FORD
Marry sir well bring you to Windsor to one Master Brook that you have cozened of money to whom you should have been a pander Over and above that you have suffered I think to repay that money will be a biting affliction
PAGE
Yet be cheerful knight Thou shalt eat a posset tonight at my house where I will desire thee to laugh at my wife that now laughs at thee Tell her Master Slender hath married her daughter
MISTRESS PAGE
Aside Doctors doubt that If Anne Page be my daughter she is by this Doctor Caius wife
Enter Slender
SLENDER
Whoa ho ho father Page
PAGE
Son how now How now son have you dispatched
SLENDER
Dispatched Ill make the best in Gloucestershire know ont Would I were hanged la else
PAGE
Of what son
SLENDER
I came yonder at Eton to marry Mistress Anne Page and shes a great lubberly boy If it had not been i the church I would have swinged him or he should have swinged me If I did not think it had been Anne Page would I might never stir And tis a postmasters boy
PAGE
Upon my life then you took the wrong
SLENDER
What need you tell me that I think so when I took a boy for a girl If I had been married to him for all he was in womans apparel I would not have had him
PAGE
Why this is your own folly Did not I tell you how you should know my daughter by her garments
SLENDER
I went to her in white and cried mum and she cried budget as Anne and I had appointed and yet it was not Anne but a postmasters boy
MISTRESS PAGE
Good George be not angry I knew of your purpose turned my daughter into green and indeed she is now with the doctor at the deanery and there married
Enter Doctor Caius
CAIUS
Vere is Mistress Page By gar I am cozened I ha married un garon a boy un paysan by gar a boy It is not Anne Page By gar I am cozened
MISTRESS PAGE
Why did you take her in green
CAIUS
Ay by gar and tis a boy By gar Ill raise all Windsor
FORD
This is strange Who hath got the right Anne
Enter Fenton and Anne Page
PAGE
My heart misgives me Here comes Master FentonHow now Master Fenton
ANNE
Pardon good father Good my mother pardon
PAGE
Now mistress how chance you went not with Master Slender
MISTRESS PAGE
Why went you not with Master Doctor maid
FENTON
You do amaze her Hear the truth of it
You would have married her most shamefully
Where there was no proportion held in love
The truth is she and I long since contracted
Are now so sure that nothing can dissolve us
Th offence is holy that she hath committed
And this deceit loses the name of craft
Of disobedience or unduteous title
Since therein she doth evitate and shun
A thousand irreligious cursed hours
Which forced marriage would have brought upon her
FORD
Stand not amazed here is no remedy
In love the heavens themselves do guide the state
Money buys lands and wives are sold by fate
FALSTAFF
I am glad though you have taen a special stand to strike at me that your arrow hath glanced
PAGE
Well what remedy Fenton heaven give thee joy
What cannot be eschewed must be embraced
FALSTAFF
When nightdogs run all sorts of deer are chased
MISTRESS PAGE
Well I will muse no furtherMaster Fenton
Heaven give you many many merry days
Good husband let us every one go home
And laugh this sport oer by a country fire
Sir John and all
FORD
Let it be so Sir John
To Master Brook you yet shall hold your word
For he tonight shall lie with Mistress Ford
Exeunt
A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM
Contents
ACT I
Scene I Athens A room in the Palace of Theseus
Scene II The Same A Room in a Cottage
ACT II
Scene I A wood near Athens
Scene II Another part of the wood
ACT III
Scene I The Wood
Scene II Another part of the wood
ACT IV
Scene I The Wood
Scene II Athens A Room in Quinces House
ACT V
Scene I Athens An Apartment in the Palace of Theseus
Dramatis Person
THESEUS Duke of Athens
HIPPOLYTA Queen of the Amazons bethrothed to Theseus
EGEUS Father to Hermia
HERMIA daughter to Egeus in love with Lysander
HELENA in love with Demetrius
LYSANDER in love with Hermia
DEMETRIUS in love with Hermia
PHILOSTRATE Master of the Revels to Theseus
QUINCE the Carpenter
SNUG the Joiner
BOTTOM the Weaver
FLUTE the Bellowsmender
SNOUT the Tinker
STARVELING the Tailor
OBERON King of the Fairies
TITANIA Queen of the Fairies
PUCK or ROBIN GOODFELLOW a Fairy
PEASEBLOSSOM Fairy
COBWEB Fairy
MOTH Fairy
MUSTARDSEED Fairy
PYRAMUS THISBE WALL MOONSHINE LION Characters in the Interlude performed by the Clowns
Other Fairies attending their King and Queen
Attendants on Theseus and Hippolyta
SCENE Athens and a wood not far from it
ACT I
SCENE I Athens A room in the Palace of Theseus
Enter Theseus Hippolyta Philostrate and Attendants
THESEUS
Now fair Hippolyta our nuptial hour
Draws on apace four happy days bring in
Another moon but oh methinks how slow
This old moon wanes She lingers my desires
Like to a stepdame or a dowager
Long withering out a young mans revenue
HIPPOLYTA
Four days will quickly steep themselves in night
Four nights will quickly dream away the time
And then the moon like to a silver bow
New bent in heaven shall behold the night
Of our solemnities
THESEUS
Go Philostrate
Stir up the Athenian youth to merriments
Awake the pert and nimble spirit of mirth
Turn melancholy forth to funerals
The pale companion is not for our pomp
Exit Philostrate
Hippolyta I wood thee with my sword
And won thy love doing thee injuries
But I will wed thee in another key
With pomp with triumph and with revelling
Enter Egeus Hermia Lysander and Demetrius
EGEUS
Happy be Theseus our renownd Duke
THESEUS
Thanks good Egeus Whats the news with thee
EGEUS
Full of vexation come I with complaint
Against my child my daughter Hermia
Stand forth Demetrius My noble lord
This man hath my consent to marry her
Stand forth Lysander And my gracious Duke
This man hath bewitchd the bosom of my child
Thou thou Lysander thou hast given her rhymes
And interchangd lovetokens with my child
Thou hast by moonlight at her window sung
With feigning voice verses of feigning love
And stoln the impression of her fantasy
With bracelets of thy hair rings gauds conceits
Knacks trifles nosegays sweetmeats messengers
Of strong prevailment in unhardend youth
With cunning hast thou filchd my daughters heart
Turnd her obedience which is due to me
To stubborn harshness And my gracious Duke
Be it so she will not here before your grace
Consent to marry with Demetrius
I beg the ancient privilege of Athens
As she is mine I may dispose of her
Which shall be either to this gentleman
Or to her death according to our law
Immediately provided in that case
THESEUS
What say you Hermia Be advisd fair maid
To you your father should be as a god
One that composd your beauties yea and one
To whom you are but as a form in wax
By him imprinted and within his power
To leave the figure or disfigure it
Demetrius is a worthy gentleman
HERMIA
So is Lysander
THESEUS
In himself he is
But in this kind wanting your fathers voice
The other must be held the worthier
HERMIA
I would my father lookd but with my eyes
THESEUS
Rather your eyes must with his judgment look
HERMIA
I do entreat your Grace to pardon me
I know not by what power I am made bold
Nor how it may concern my modesty
In such a presence here to plead my thoughts
But I beseech your Grace that I may know
The worst that may befall me in this case
If I refuse to wed Demetrius
THESEUS
Either to die the death or to abjure
For ever the society of men
Therefore fair Hermia question your desires
Know of your youth examine well your blood
Whether if you yield not to your fathers choice
You can endure the livery of a nun
For aye to be in shady cloister mewd
To live a barren sister all your life
Chanting faint hymns to the cold fruitless moon
Thriceblessd they that master so their blood
To undergo such maiden pilgrimage
But earthlier happy is the rose distilld
Than that which withering on the virgin thorn
Grows lives and dies in single blessedness
HERMIA
So will I grow so live so die my lord
Ere I will yield my virgin patent up
Unto his lordship whose unwishd yoke
My soul consents not to give sovereignty
THESEUS
Take time to pause and by the next new moon
The sealingday betwixt my love and me
For everlasting bond of fellowship
Upon that day either prepare to die
For disobedience to your fathers will
Or else to wed Demetrius as he would
Or on Dianas altar to protest
For aye austerity and single life
DEMETRIUS
Relent sweet Hermia and Lysander yield
Thy crazd title to my certain right
LYSANDER
You have her fathers love Demetrius
Let me have Hermias Do you marry him
EGEUS
Scornful Lysander true he hath my love
And what is mine my love shall render him
And she is mine and all my right of her
I do estate unto Demetrius
LYSANDER
I am my lord as well derivd as he
As well possessd my love is more than his
My fortunes every way as fairly rankd
If not with vantage as Demetrius
And which is more than all these boasts can be
I am belovd of beauteous Hermia
Why should not I then prosecute my right
Demetrius Ill avouch it to his head
Made love to Nedars daughter Helena
And won her soul and she sweet lady dotes
Devoutly dotes dotes in idolatry
Upon this spotted and inconstant man
THESEUS
I must confess that I have heard so much
And with Demetrius thought to have spoke thereof
But being overfull of selfaffairs
My mind did lose itBut Demetrius come
And come Egeus you shall go with me
I have some private schooling for you both
For you fair Hermia look you arm yourself
To fit your fancies to your fathers will
Or else the law of Athens yields you up
Which by no means we may extenuate
To death or to a vow of single life
Come my Hippolyta What cheer my love
Demetrius and Egeus go along
I must employ you in some business
Against our nuptial and confer with you
Of something nearly that concerns yourselves
EGEUS
With duty and desire we follow you
Exeunt all but Lysander and Hermia
LYSANDER
How now my love Why is your cheek so pale
How chance the roses there do fade so fast
HERMIA
Belike for want of rain which I could well
Beteem them from the tempest of my eyes
LYSANDER
Ay me For aught that I could ever read
Could ever hear by tale or history
The course of true love never did run smooth
But either it was different in blood
HERMIA
O cross Too high to be enthralld to low
LYSANDER
Or else misgraffd in respect of years
HERMIA
O spite Too old to be engagd to young
LYSANDER
Or else it stood upon the choice of friends
HERMIA
O hell to choose love by anothers eyes
LYSANDER
Or if there were a sympathy in choice
War death or sickness did lay siege to it
Making it momentany as a sound
Swift as a shadow short as any dream
Brief as the lightning in the collied night
That in a spleen unfolds both heaven and earth
And ere a man hath power to say Behold
The jaws of darkness do devour it up
So quick bright things come to confusion
HERMIA
If then true lovers have ever crossd
It stands as an edict in destiny
Then let us teach our trial patience
Because it is a customary cross
As due to love as thoughts and dreams and sighs
Wishes and tears poor fancys followers
LYSANDER
A good persuasion therefore hear me Hermia
I have a widow aunt a dowager
Of great revenue and she hath no child
From Athens is her house remote seven leagues
And she respects me as her only son
There gentle Hermia may I marry thee
And to that place the sharp Athenian law
Cannot pursue us If thou lovest me then
Steal forth thy fathers house tomorrow night
And in the wood a league without the town
Where I did meet thee once with Helena
To do observance to a morn of May
There will I stay for thee
HERMIA
My good Lysander
I swear to thee by Cupids strongest bow
By his best arrow with the golden head
By the simplicity of Venus doves
By that which knitteth souls and prospers loves
And by that fire which burnd the Carthage queen
When the false Trojan under sail was seen
By all the vows that ever men have broke
In number more than ever women spoke
In that same place thou hast appointed me
Tomorrow truly will I meet with thee
LYSANDER
Keep promise love Look here comes Helena
Enter Helena
HERMIA
God speed fair Helena Whither away
HELENA
Call you me fair That fair again unsay
Demetrius loves your fair O happy fair
Your eyes are lodestars and your tongues sweet air
More tuneable than lark to shepherds ear
When wheat is green when hawthorn buds appear
Sickness is catching O were favour so
Yours would I catch fair Hermia ere I go
My ear should catch your voice my eye your eye
My tongue should catch your tongues sweet melody
Were the world mine Demetrius being bated
The rest Id give to be to you translated
O teach me how you look and with what art
You sway the motion of Demetrius heart
HERMIA
I frown upon him yet he loves me still
HELENA
O that your frowns would teach my smiles such skill
HERMIA
I give him curses yet he gives me love
HELENA
O that my prayers could such affection move
HERMIA
The more I hate the more he follows me
HELENA
The more I love the more he hateth me
HERMIA
His folly Helena is no fault of mine
HELENA
None but your beauty would that fault were mine
HERMIA
Take comfort he no more shall see my face
Lysander and myself will fly this place
Before the time I did Lysander see
Seemd Athens as a paradise to me
O then what graces in my love do dwell
That he hath turnd a heaven into hell
LYSANDER
Helen to you our minds we will unfold
Tomorrow night when Phoebe doth behold
Her silver visage in the watery glass
Decking with liquid pearl the bladed grass
A time that lovers flights doth still conceal
Through Athens gates have we devisd to steal
HERMIA
And in the wood where often you and I
Upon faint primrose beds were wont to lie
Emptying our bosoms of their counsel sweet
There my Lysander and myself shall meet
And thence from Athens turn away our eyes
To seek new friends and stranger companies
Farewell sweet playfellow Pray thou for us
And good luck grant thee thy Demetrius
Keep word Lysander We must starve our sight
From lovers food till morrow deep midnight
LYSANDER
I will my Hermia
Exit Hermia
Helena adieu
As you on him Demetrius dote on you
Exit Lysander
HELENA
How happy some oer other some can be
Through Athens I am thought as fair as she
But what of that Demetrius thinks not so
He will not know what all but he do know
And as he errs doting on Hermias eyes
So I admiring of his qualities
Things base and vile holding no quantity
Love can transpose to form and dignity
Love looks not with the eyes but with the mind
And therefore is wingd Cupid painted blind
Nor hath loves mind of any judgment taste
Wings and no eyes figure unheedy haste
And therefore is love said to be a child
Because in choice he is so oft beguild
As waggish boys in game themselves forswear
So the boy Love is perjurd everywhere
For ere Demetrius lookd on Hermias eyne
He haild down oaths that he was only mine
And when this hail some heat from Hermia felt
So he dissolvd and showers of oaths did melt
I will go tell him of fair Hermias flight
Then to the wood will he tomorrow night
Pursue her and for this intelligence
If I have thanks it is a dear expense
But herein mean I to enrich my pain
To have his sight thither and back again
Exit Helena
SCENE II The Same A Room in a Cottage
Enter Quince Snug Bottom Flute Snout and Starveling
QUINCE
Is all our company here
BOTTOM
You were best to call them generally man by man according to the scrip
QUINCE
Here is the scroll of every mans name which is thought fit through all Athens to play in our interlude before the Duke and Duchess on his weddingday at night
BOTTOM
First good Peter Quince say what the play treats on then read the names of the actors and so grow to a point
QUINCE
Marry our play is The most lamentable comedy and most cruel death of Pyramus and Thisbe
BOTTOM
A very good piece of work I assure you and a merry Now good Peter Quince call forth your actors by the scroll Masters spread yourselves
QUINCE
Answer as I call you Nick Bottom the weaver
BOTTOM
Ready Name what part I am for and proceed
QUINCE
You Nick Bottom are set down for Pyramus
BOTTOM
What is Pyramusa lover or a tyrant
QUINCE
A lover that kills himself most gallantly for love
BOTTOM
That will ask some tears in the true performing of it If I do it let the audience look to their eyes I will move storms I will condole in some measure To the restyet my chief humour is for a tyrant I could play Ercles rarely or a part to tear a cat in to make all split
The raging rocks
And shivering shocks
Shall break the locks
Of prison gates
And Phibbus car
Shall shine from far
And make and mar
The foolish Fates
This was lofty Now name the rest of the players This is Ercles vein a tyrants vein a lover is more condoling
QUINCE
Francis Flute the bellowsmender
FLUTE
Here Peter Quince
QUINCE
Flute you must take Thisbe on you
FLUTE
What is Thisbe A wandering knight
QUINCE
It is the lady that Pyramus must love
FLUTE
Nay faith let not me play a woman I have a beard coming
QUINCE
Thats all one You shall play it in a mask and you may speak as small as you will
BOTTOM
And I may hide my face let me play Thisbe too Ill speak in a monstrous little voice Thisne ThisneAh Pyramus my lover dear thy Thisbe dear and lady dear
QUINCE
No no you must play Pyramus and Flute you Thisbe
BOTTOM
Well proceed
QUINCE
Robin Starveling the tailor
STARVELING
Here Peter Quince
QUINCE
Robin Starveling you must play Thisbes mother
Tom Snout the tinker
SNOUT
Here Peter Quince
QUINCE
You Pyramus father myself Thisbes father
Snug the joiner you the lions part And I hope here is a play fitted
SNUG
Have you the lions part written Pray you if it be give it me for I am slow of study
QUINCE
You may do it extempore for it is nothing but roaring
BOTTOM
Let me play the lion too I will roar that I will do any mans heart good to hear me I will roar that I will make the Duke say Let him roar again let him roar again
QUINCE
If you should do it too terribly you would fright the Duchess and the ladies that they would shriek and that were enough to hang us all
ALL
That would hang us every mothers son
BOTTOM
I grant you friends if you should fright the ladies out of their wits they would have no more discretion but to hang us But I will aggravate my voice so that I will roar you as gently as any sucking dove I will roar you an twere any nightingale
QUINCE
You can play no part but Pyramus for Pyramus is a sweetfaced man a proper man as one shall see in a summers day a most lovely gentlemanlike man Therefore you must needs play Pyramus
BOTTOM
Well I will undertake it What beard were I best to play it in
QUINCE
Why what you will
BOTTOM
I will discharge it in either your strawcolour beard your orangetawny beard your purpleingrain beard or your Frenchcrowncolour beard your perfect yellow
QUINCE
Some of your French crowns have no hair at all and then you will play barefaced But masters here are your parts and I am to entreat you request you and desire you to con them by tomorrow night and meet me in the palace wood a mile without the town by moonlight there will we rehearse for if we meet in the city we shall be doggd with company and our devices known In the meantime I will draw a bill of properties such as our play wants I pray you fail me not
BOTTOM
We will meet and there we may rehearse most obscenely and courageously Take pains be perfect adieu
QUINCE
At the Dukes oak we meet
BOTTOM
Enough Hold or cut bowstrings
Exeunt
ACT II
SCENE I A wood near Athens
Enter a Fairy at one door and Puck at another
PUCK
How now spirit Whither wander you
FAIRY
Over hill over dale
Thorough bush thorough brier
Over park over pale
Thorough flood thorough fire
I do wander everywhere
Swifter than the moons sphere
And I serve the Fairy Queen
To dew her orbs upon the green
The cowslips tall her pensioners be
In their gold coats spots you see
Those be rubies fairy favours
In those freckles live their savours
I must go seek some dewdrops here
And hang a pearl in every cowslips ear
Farewell thou lob of spirits Ill be gone
Our Queen and all her elves come here anon
PUCK
The King doth keep his revels here tonight
Take heed the Queen come not within his sight
For Oberon is passing fell and wrath
Because that she as her attendant hath
A lovely boy stoln from an Indian king
She never had so sweet a changeling
And jealous Oberon would have the child
Knight of his train to trace the forests wild
But she perforce withholds the lovd boy
Crowns him with flowers and makes him all her joy
And now they never meet in grove or green
By fountain clear or spangled starlight sheen
But they do square that all their elves for fear
Creep into acorn cups and hide them there
FAIRY
Either I mistake your shape and making quite
Or else you are that shrewd and knavish sprite
Calld Robin Goodfellow Are not you he
That frights the maidens of the villagery
Skim milk and sometimes labour in the quern
And bootless make the breathless housewife churn
And sometime make the drink to bear no barm
Mislead nightwanderers laughing at their harm
Those that Hobgoblin call you and sweet Puck
You do their work and they shall have good luck
Are not you he
PUCK
Thou speakst aright
I am that merry wanderer of the night
I jest to Oberon and make him smile
When I a fat and beanfed horse beguile
Neighing in likeness of a filly foal
And sometime lurk I in a gossips bowl
In very likeness of a roasted crab
And when she drinks against her lips I bob
And on her withered dewlap pour the ale
The wisest aunt telling the saddest tale
Sometime for threefoot stool mistaketh me
Then slip I from her bum down topples she
And tailor cries and falls into a cough
And then the whole quire hold their hips and loffe
And waxen in their mirth and neeze and swear
A merrier hour was never wasted there
But room fairy Here comes Oberon
FAIRY
And here my mistress Would that he were gone
Enter Oberon at one door with his Train and Titania at another with hers
OBERON
Ill met by moonlight proud Titania
TITANIA
What jealous Oberon Fairies skip hence
I have forsworn his bed and company
OBERON
Tarry rash wanton am not I thy lord
TITANIA
Then I must be thy lady but I know
When thou hast stoln away from fairyland
And in the shape of Corin sat all day
Playing on pipes of corn and versing love
To amorous Phillida Why art thou here
Come from the farthest steep of India
But that forsooth the bouncing Amazon
Your buskind mistress and your warrior love
To Theseus must be wedded and you come
To give their bed joy and prosperity
OBERON
How canst thou thus for shame Titania
Glance at my credit with Hippolyta
Knowing I know thy love to Theseus
Didst not thou lead him through the glimmering night
From Perigenia whom he ravished
And make him with fair Aegles break his faith
With Ariadne and Antiopa
TITANIA
These are the forgeries of jealousy
And never since the middle summers spring
Met we on hill in dale forest or mead
By pavd fountain or by rushy brook
Or on the beachd margent of the sea
To dance our ringlets to the whistling wind
But with thy brawls thou hast disturbd our sport
Therefore the winds piping to us in vain
As in revenge have suckd up from the sea
Contagious fogs which falling in the land
Hath every pelting river made so proud
That they have overborne their continents
The ox hath therefore stretchd his yoke in vain
The ploughman lost his sweat and the green corn
Hath rotted ere his youth attaind a beard
The fold stands empty in the drownd field
And crows are fatted with the murrion flock
The ninemensmorris is filld up with mud
And the quaint mazes in the wanton green
For lack of tread are undistinguishable
The human mortals want their winter here
No night is now with hymn or carol blest
Therefore the moon the governess of floods
Pale in her anger washes all the air
That rheumatic diseases do abound
And thorough this distemperature we see
The seasons alter hoaryheaded frosts
Fall in the fresh lap of the crimson rose
And on old Hiems thin and icy crown
An odorous chaplet of sweet summer buds
Is as in mockery set The spring the summer
The childing autumn angry winter change
Their wonted liveries and the mazed world
By their increase now knows not which is which
And this same progeny of evils comes
From our debate from our dissension
We are their parents and original
OBERON
Do you amend it then It lies in you
Why should Titania cross her Oberon
I do but beg a little changeling boy
To be my henchman
TITANIA
Set your heart at rest
The fairyland buys not the child of me
His mother was a votress of my order
And in the spicd Indian air by night
Full often hath she gossipd by my side
And sat with me on Neptunes yellow sands
Marking th embarkd traders on the flood
When we have laughd to see the sails conceive
And grow bigbellied with the wanton wind
Which she with pretty and with swimming gait
Following her womb then rich with my young squire
Would imitate and sail upon the land
To fetch me trifles and return again
As from a voyage rich with merchandise
But she being mortal of that boy did die
And for her sake do I rear up her boy
And for her sake I will not part with him
OBERON
How long within this wood intend you stay
TITANIA
Perchance till after Theseus weddingday
If you will patiently dance in our round
And see our moonlight revels go with us
If not shun me and I will spare your haunts
OBERON
Give me that boy and I will go with thee
TITANIA
Not for thy fairy kingdom Fairies away
We shall chide downright if I longer stay
Exit Titania with her Train
OBERON
Well go thy way Thou shalt not from this grove
Till I torment thee for this injury
My gentle Puck come hither Thou remembrest
Since once I sat upon a promontory
And heard a mermaid on a dolphins back
Uttering such dulcet and harmonious breath
That the rude sea grew civil at her song
And certain stars shot madly from their spheres
To hear the seamaids music
PUCK
I remember
OBERON
That very time I saw but thou couldst not
Flying between the cold moon and the earth
Cupid all armd a certain aim he took
At a fair vestal thrond by the west
And loosd his loveshaft smartly from his bow
As it should pierce a hundred thousand hearts
But I might see young Cupids fiery shaft
Quenchd in the chaste beams of the watery moon
And the imperial votress passed on
In maiden meditation fancyfree
Yet markd I where the bolt of Cupid fell
It fell upon a little western flower
Before milkwhite now purple with loves wound
And maidens call it loveinidleness
Fetch me that flower the herb I showed thee once
The juice of it on sleeping eyelids laid
Will make or man or woman madly dote
Upon the next live creature that it sees
Fetch me this herb and be thou here again
Ere the leviathan can swim a league
PUCK
Ill put a girdle round about the earth
In forty minutes
Exit Puck
OBERON
Having once this juice
Ill watch Titania when she is asleep
And drop the liquor of it in her eyes
The next thing then she waking looks upon
Be it on lion bear or wolf or bull
On meddling monkey or on busy ape
She shall pursue it with the soul of love
And ere I take this charm from off her sight
As I can take it with another herb
Ill make her render up her page to me
But who comes here I am invisible
And I will overhear their conference
Enter Demetrius Helena following him
DEMETRIUS
I love thee not therefore pursue me not
Where is Lysander and fair Hermia
The one Ill slay the other slayeth me
Thou toldst me they were stoln into this wood
And here am I and wode within this wood
Because I cannot meet with Hermia
Hence get thee gone and follow me no more
HELENA
You draw me you hardhearted adamant
But yet you draw not iron for my heart
Is true as steel Leave you your power to draw
And I shall have no power to follow you
DEMETRIUS
Do I entice you Do I speak you fair
Or rather do I not in plainest truth
Tell you I do not nor I cannot love you
HELENA
And even for that do I love you the more
I am your spaniel and Demetrius
The more you beat me I will fawn on you
Use me but as your spaniel spurn me strike me
Neglect me lose me only give me leave
Unworthy as I am to follow you
What worser place can I beg in your love
And yet a place of high respect with me
Than to be usd as you use your dog
DEMETRIUS
Tempt not too much the hatred of my spirit
For I am sick when I do look on thee
HELENA
And I am sick when I look not on you
DEMETRIUS
You do impeach your modesty too much
To leave the city and commit yourself
Into the hands of one that loves you not
To trust the opportunity of night
And the ill counsel of a desert place
With the rich worth of your virginity
HELENA
Your virtue is my privilege for that
It is not night when I do see your face
Therefore I think I am not in the night
Nor doth this wood lack worlds of company
For you in my respect are all the world
Then how can it be said I am alone
When all the world is here to look on me
DEMETRIUS
Ill run from thee and hide me in the brakes
And leave thee to the mercy of wild beasts
HELENA
The wildest hath not such a heart as you
Run when you will the story shall be changd
Apollo flies and Daphne holds the chase
The dove pursues the griffin the mild hind
Makes speed to catch the tiger Bootless speed
When cowardice pursues and valour flies
DEMETRIUS
I will not stay thy questions Let me go
Or if thou follow me do not believe
But I shall do thee mischief in the wood
HELENA
Ay in the temple in the town the field
You do me mischief Fie Demetrius
Your wrongs do set a scandal on my sex
We cannot fight for love as men may do
We should be wood and were not made to woo
Exit Demetrius
Ill follow thee and make a heaven of hell
To die upon the hand I love so well
Exit Helena
OBERON
Fare thee well nymph Ere he do leave this grove
Thou shalt fly him and he shall seek thy love
Enter Puck
Hast thou the flower there Welcome wanderer
PUCK
Ay there it is
OBERON
I pray thee give it me
I know a bank where the wild thyme blows
Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows
Quite overcanopied with luscious woodbine
With sweet muskroses and with eglantine
There sleeps Titania sometime of the night
Lulld in these flowers with dances and delight
And there the snake throws her enamelld skin
Weed wide enough to wrap a fairy in
And with the juice of this Ill streak her eyes
And make her full of hateful fantasies
Take thou some of it and seek through this grove
A sweet Athenian lady is in love
With a disdainful youth Anoint his eyes
But do it when the next thing he espies
May be the lady Thou shalt know the man
By the Athenian garments he hath on
Effect it with some care that he may prove
More fond on her than she upon her love
And look thou meet me ere the first cock crow
PUCK
Fear not my lord your servant shall do so
Exeunt
SCENE II Another part of the wood
Enter Titania with her Train
TITANIA
Come now a roundel and a fairy song
Then for the third part of a minute hence
Some to kill cankers in the muskrose buds
Some war with reremice for their leathern wings
To make my small elves coats and some keep back
The clamorous owl that nightly hoots and wonders
At our quaint spirits Sing me now asleep
Then to your offices and let me rest
Fairies sing
FIRST FAIRY
You spotted snakes with double tongue
Thorny hedgehogs be not seen
Newts and blindworms do no wrong
Come not near our Fairy Queen
CHORUS
Philomel with melody
Sing in our sweet lullaby
Lulla lulla lullaby lulla lulla lullaby
Never harm nor spell nor charm
Come our lovely lady nigh
So good night with lullaby
FIRST FAIRY
Weaving spiders come not here
Hence you longleggd spinners hence
Beetles black approach not near
Worm nor snail do no offence
CHORUS
Philomel with melody c
SECOND FAIRY
Hence away Now all is well
One aloof stand sentinel
Exeunt Fairies Titania sleeps
Enter Oberon
OBERON
What thou seest when thou dost wake
Squeezes the flower on Titanias eyelids
Do it for thy true love take
Love and languish for his sake
Be it ounce or cat or bear
Pard or boar with bristled hair
In thy eye that shall appear
When thou wakst it is thy dear
Wake when some vile thing is near
Exit
Enter Lysander and Hermia
LYSANDER
Fair love you faint with wandring in the wood
And to speak troth I have forgot our way
Well rest us Hermia if you think it good
And tarry for the comfort of the day
HERMIA
Be it so Lysander find you out a bed
For I upon this bank will rest my head
LYSANDER
One turf shall serve as pillow for us both
One heart one bed two bosoms and one troth
HERMIA
Nay good Lysander for my sake my dear
Lie further off yet do not lie so near
LYSANDER
O take the sense sweet of my innocence
Love takes the meaning in loves conference
I mean that my heart unto yours is knit
So that but one heart we can make of it
Two bosoms interchaind with an oath
So then two bosoms and a single troth
Then by your side no bedroom me deny
For lying so Hermia I do not lie
HERMIA
Lysander riddles very prettily
Now much beshrew my manners and my pride
If Hermia meant to say Lysander lied
But gentle friend for love and courtesy
Lie further off in human modesty
Such separation as may well be said
Becomes a virtuous bachelor and a maid
So far be distant and good night sweet friend
Thy love neer alter till thy sweet life end
LYSANDER
Amen amen to that fair prayer say I
And then end life when I end loyalty
Here is my bed Sleep give thee all his rest
HERMIA
With half that wish the wishers eyes be pressed
They sleep
Enter Puck
PUCK
Through the forest have I gone
But Athenian found I none
On whose eyes I might approve
This flowers force in stirring love
Night and silence Who is here
Weeds of Athens he doth wear
This is he my master said
Despisd the Athenian maid
And here the maiden sleeping sound
On the dank and dirty ground
Pretty soul she durst not lie
Near this lacklove this killcourtesy
Churl upon thy eyes I throw
All the power this charm doth owe
When thou wakst let love forbid
Sleep his seat on thy eyelid
So awake when I am gone
For I must now to Oberon
Exit
Enter Demetrius and Helena running
HELENA
Stay though thou kill me sweet Demetrius
DEMETRIUS
I charge thee hence and do not haunt me thus
HELENA
O wilt thou darkling leave me Do not so
DEMETRIUS
Stay on thy peril I alone will go
Exit Demetrius
HELENA
O I am out of breath in this fond chase
The more my prayer the lesser is my grace
Happy is Hermia wheresoeer she lies
For she hath blessd and attractive eyes
How came her eyes so bright Not with salt tears
If so my eyes are oftener washd than hers
No no I am as ugly as a bear
For beasts that meet me run away for fear
Therefore no marvel though Demetrius
Do as a monster fly my presence thus
What wicked and dissembling glass of mine
Made me compare with Hermias sphery eyne
But who is here Lysander on the ground
Dead or asleep I see no blood no wound
Lysander if you live good sir awake
LYSANDER
Waking And run through fire I will for thy sweet sake
Transparent Helena Nature shows art
That through thy bosom makes me see thy heart
Where is Demetrius O how fit a word
Is that vile name to perish on my sword
HELENA
Do not say so Lysander say not so
What though he love your Hermia Lord what though
Yet Hermia still loves you Then be content
LYSANDER
Content with Hermia No I do repent
The tedious minutes I with her have spent
Not Hermia but Helena I love
Who will not change a raven for a dove
The will of man is by his reason swayd
And reason says you are the worthier maid
Things growing are not ripe until their season
So I being young till now ripe not to reason
And touching now the point of human skill
Reason becomes the marshal to my will
And leads me to your eyes where I oerlook
Loves stories written in loves richest book
HELENA
Wherefore was I to this keen mockery born
When at your hands did I deserve this scorn
Ist not enough ist not enough young man
That I did never no nor never can
Deserve a sweet look from Demetrius eye
But you must flout my insufficiency
Good troth you do me wrong good sooth you do
In such disdainful manner me to woo
But fare you well perforce I must confess
I thought you lord of more true gentleness
O that a lady of one man refusd
Should of another therefore be abusd
Exit
LYSANDER
She sees not Hermia Hermia sleep thou there
And never mayst thou come Lysander near
For as a surfeit of the sweetest things
The deepest loathing to the stomach brings
Or as the heresies that men do leave
Are hated most of those they did deceive
So thou my surfeit and my heresy
Of all be hated but the most of me
And all my powers address your love and might
To honour Helen and to be her knight
Exit
HERMIA
Starting Help me Lysander help me Do thy best
To pluck this crawling serpent from my breast
Ay me for pity What a dream was here
Lysander look how I do quake with fear
Methought a serpent eat my heart away
And you sat smiling at his cruel prey
Lysander What removed Lysander lord
What out of hearing Gone No sound no word
Alack where are you Speak and if you hear
Speak of all loves I swoon almost with fear
No Then I well perceive you are not nigh
Either death or you Ill find immediately
Exit
ACT III
SCENE I The Wood
The Queen of Fairies still lying asleep
Enter Bottom Quince Snout Starveling Snug and Flute
BOTTOM
Are we all met
QUINCE
Pat pat and heres a marvellous convenient place for our rehearsal This green plot shall be our stage this hawthorn brake our tiringhouse and we will do it in action as we will do it before the Duke
BOTTOM
Peter Quince
QUINCE
What sayest thou bully Bottom
BOTTOM
There are things in this comedy of Pyramus and Thisbe that will never please First Pyramus must draw a sword to kill himself which the ladies cannot abide How answer you that
SNOUT
Byr lakin a parlous fear
STARVELING
I believe we must leave the killing out when all is done
BOTTOM
Not a whit I have a device to make all well Write me a prologue and let the prologue seem to say we will do no harm with our swords and that Pyramus is not killed indeed and for the more better assurance tell them that I Pyramus am not Pyramus but Bottom the weaver This will put them out of fear
QUINCE
Well we will have such a prologue and it shall be written in eight and six
BOTTOM
No make it two more let it be written in eight and eight
SNOUT
Will not the ladies be afeard of the lion
STARVELING
I fear it I promise you
BOTTOM
Masters you ought to consider with yourselves to bring in God shield us a lion among ladies is a most dreadful thing For there is not a more fearful wildfowl than your lion living and we ought to look to it
SNOUT
Therefore another prologue must tell he is not a lion
BOTTOM
Nay you must name his name and half his face must be seen through the lions neck and he himself must speak through saying thus or to the same defect Ladies or Fair ladies I would wish you or I would request you or I would entreat you not to fear not to tremble my life for yours If you think I come hither as a lion it were pity of my life No I am no such thing I am a man as other men are and there indeed let him name his name and tell them plainly he is Snug the joiner
QUINCE
Well it shall be so But there is two hard things that is to bring the moonlight into a chamber for you know Pyramus and Thisbe meet by moonlight
SNOUT
Doth the moon shine that night we play our play
BOTTOM
A calendar a calendar Look in the almanack find out moonshine find out moonshine
QUINCE
Yes it doth shine that night
BOTTOM
Why then may you leave a casement of the great chamber window where we play open and the moon may shine in at the casement
QUINCE
Ay or else one must come in with a bush of thorns and a lantern and say he comes to disfigure or to present the person of Moonshine Then there is another thing we must have a wall in the great chamber for Pyramus and Thisbe says the story did talk through the chink of a wall
SNOUT
You can never bring in a wall What say you Bottom
BOTTOM
Some man or other must present Wall And let him have some plaster or some loam or some roughcast about him to signify wall and let him hold his fingers thus and through that cranny shall Pyramus and Thisbe whisper
QUINCE
If that may be then all is well Come sit down every mothers son and rehearse your parts Pyramus you begin when you have spoken your speech enter into that brake and so everyone according to his cue
Enter Puck behind
PUCK
What hempen homespuns have we swaggering here
So near the cradle of the Fairy Queen
What a play toward Ill be an auditor
An actor too perhaps if I see cause
QUINCE
Speak PyramusThisbe stand forth
PYRAMUS
Thisbe the flowers of odious savours sweet
QUINCE
Odours odours
PYRAMUS
odours savours sweet
So hath thy breath my dearest Thisbe dear
But hark a voice Stay thou but here awhile
And by and by I will to thee appear
Exit
PUCK
A stranger Pyramus than eer played here
Exit
THISBE
Must I speak now
QUINCE
Ay marry must you For you must understand he goes but to see a noise that he heard and is to come again
THISBE
Most radiant Pyramus most lilywhite of hue
Of colour like the red rose on triumphant brier
Most brisky juvenal and eke most lovely Jew
As true as truest horse that yet would never tire
Ill meet thee Pyramus at Ninnys tomb
QUINCE
Ninus tomb man Why you must not speak that yet That you answer to Pyramus You speak all your part at once cues and allPyramus enter Your cue is past it is never tire
THISBE
O As true as truest horse that yet would never tire
Enter Puck and Bottom with an asss head
PYRAMUS
If I were fair Thisbe I were only thine
QUINCE
O monstrous O strange We are haunted Pray masters fly masters Help
Exeunt Clowns
PUCK
Ill follow you Ill lead you about a round
Through bog through bush through brake through brier
Sometime a horse Ill be sometime a hound
A hog a headless bear sometime a fire
And neigh and bark and grunt and roar and burn
Like horse hound hog bear fire at every turn
Exit
BOTTOM
Why do they run away This is a knavery of them to make me afeard
Enter Snout
SNOUT
O Bottom thou art changed What do I see on thee
BOTTOM
What do you see You see an asshead of your own do you
Exit Snout
Enter Quince
QUINCE
Bless thee Bottom bless thee Thou art translated
Exit
BOTTOM
I see their knavery This is to make an ass of me to fright me if they could But I will not stir from this place do what they can I will walk up and down here and I will sing that they shall hear I am not afraid
Sings
The ousel cock so black of hue
With orangetawny bill
The throstle with his note so true
The wren with little quill
TITANIA
Waking What angel wakes me from my flowery bed
BOTTOM
Sings
The finch the sparrow and the lark
The plainsong cuckoo gray
Whose note full many a man doth mark
And dares not answer nay
for indeed who would set his wit to so foolish a bird Who would give a bird the lie though he cry cuckoo never so
TITANIA
I pray thee gentle mortal sing again
Mine ear is much enamourd of thy note
So is mine eye enthralld to thy shape
And thy fair virtues force perforce doth move me
On the first view to say to swear I love thee
BOTTOM
Methinks mistress you should have little reason for that And yet to say the truth reason and love keep little company together nowadays The more the pity that some honest neighbours will not make them friends Nay I can gleek upon occasion
TITANIA
Thou art as wise as thou art beautiful
BOTTOM
Not so neither but if I had wit enough to get out of this wood I have enough to serve mine own turn
TITANIA
Out of this wood do not desire to go
Thou shalt remain here whether thou wilt or no
I am a spirit of no common rate
The summer still doth tend upon my state
And I do love thee therefore go with me
Ill give thee fairies to attend on thee
And they shall fetch thee jewels from the deep
And sing while thou on pressd flowers dost sleep
And I will purge thy mortal grossness so
That thou shalt like an airy spirit go
Peaseblossom Cobweb Moth and Mustardseed
Enter four Fairies
PEASEBLOSSOM
Ready
COBWEB
And I
MOTH
And I
MUSTARDSEED
And I
ALL
Where shall we go
TITANIA
Be kind and courteous to this gentleman
Hop in his walks and gambol in his eyes
Feed him with apricocks and dewberries
With purple grapes green figs and mulberries
The honeybags steal from the humblebees
And for nighttapers crop their waxen thighs
And light them at the fiery glowworms eyes
To have my love to bed and to arise
And pluck the wings from painted butterflies
To fan the moonbeams from his sleeping eyes
Nod to him elves and do him courtesies
PEASEBLOSSOM
Hail mortal
COBWEB
Hail
MOTH
Hail
MUSTARDSEED
Hail
BOTTOM
I cry your worships mercy heartilyI beseech your worships name
COBWEB
Cobweb
BOTTOM
I shall desire you of more acquaintance good Master Cobweb If I cut my finger I shall make bold with youYour name honest gentleman
PEASEBLOSSOM
Peaseblossom
BOTTOM
I pray you commend me to Mistress Squash your mother and to Master Peascod your father Good Master Peaseblossom I shall desire you of more acquaintance tooYour name I beseech you sir
MUSTARDSEED
Mustardseed
BOTTOM
Good Master Mustardseed I know your patience well That same cowardly giantlike oxbeef hath devoured many a gentleman of your house I promise you your kindred hath made my eyes water ere now I desire you of more acquaintance good Master Mustardseed
TITANIA
Come wait upon him lead him to my bower
The moon methinks looks with a watery eye
And when she weeps weeps every little flower
Lamenting some enforced chastity
Tie up my loves tongue bring him silently
Exeunt
SCENE II Another part of the wood
Enter Oberon
OBERON
I wonder if Titania be awakd
Then what it was that next came in her eye
Which she must dote on in extremity
Enter Puck
Here comes my messenger How now mad spirit
What nightrule now about this haunted grove
PUCK
My mistress with a monster is in love
Near to her close and consecrated bower
While she was in her dull and sleeping hour
A crew of patches rude mechanicals
That work for bread upon Athenian stalls
Were met together to rehearse a play
Intended for great Theseus nuptial day
The shallowest thickskin of that barren sort
Who Pyramus presented in their sport
Forsook his scene and enterd in a brake
When I did him at this advantage take
An asss nole I fixed on his head
Anon his Thisbe must be answerd
And forth my mimic comes When they him spy
As wild geese that the creeping fowler eye
Or russetpated choughs many in sort
Rising and cawing at the guns report
Sever themselves and madly sweep the sky
So at his sight away his fellows fly
And at our stamp here oer and oer one falls
He murder cries and help from Athens calls
Their sense thus weak lost with their fears thus strong
Made senseless things begin to do them wrong
For briers and thorns at their apparel snatch
Some sleeves some hats from yielders all things catch
I led them on in this distracted fear
And left sweet Pyramus translated there
When in that moment so it came to pass
Titania wakd and straightway lovd an ass
OBERON
This falls out better than I could devise
But hast thou yet latchd the Athenians eyes
With the lovejuice as I did bid thee do
PUCK
I took him sleepingthat is finishd too
And the Athenian woman by his side
That when he wakd of force she must be eyd
Enter Demetrius and Hermia
OBERON
Stand close This is the same Athenian
PUCK
This is the woman but not this the man
DEMETRIUS
O why rebuke you him that loves you so
Lay breath so bitter on your bitter foe
HERMIA
Now I but chide but I should use thee worse
For thou I fear hast given me cause to curse
If thou hast slain Lysander in his sleep
Being oer shoes in blood plunge in the deep
And kill me too
The sun was not so true unto the day
As he to me Would he have stoln away
From sleeping Hermia Ill believe as soon
This whole earth may be bord and that the moon
May through the centre creep and so displease
Her brothers noontide with th Antipodes
It cannot be but thou hast murderd him
So should a murderer look so dead so grim
DEMETRIUS
So should the murderd look and so should I
Piercd through the heart with your stern cruelty
Yet you the murderer look as bright as clear
As yonder Venus in her glimmering sphere
HERMIA
Whats this to my Lysander Where is he
Ah good Demetrius wilt thou give him me
DEMETRIUS
I had rather give his carcass to my hounds
HERMIA
Out dog Out cur Thou drivst me past the bounds
Of maidens patience Hast thou slain him then
Henceforth be never numberd among men
O once tell true tell true even for my sake
Durst thou have lookd upon him being awake
And hast thou killd him sleeping O brave touch
Could not a worm an adder do so much
An adder did it for with doubler tongue
Than thine thou serpent never adder stung
DEMETRIUS
You spend your passion on a misprisd mood
I am not guilty of Lysanders blood
Nor is he dead for aught that I can tell
HERMIA
I pray thee tell me then that he is well
DEMETRIUS
And if I could what should I get therefore
HERMIA
A privilege never to see me more
And from thy hated presence part I so
See me no more whether he be dead or no
Exit
DEMETRIUS
There is no following her in this fierce vein
Here therefore for a while I will remain
So sorrows heaviness doth heavier grow
For debt that bankrupt sleep doth sorrow owe
Which now in some slight measure it will pay
If for his tender here I make some stay
Lies down
OBERON
What hast thou done Thou hast mistaken quite
And laid the lovejuice on some trueloves sight
Of thy misprision must perforce ensue
Some true love turnd and not a false turnd true
PUCK
Then fate oerrules that one man holding troth
A million fail confounding oath on oath
OBERON
About the wood go swifter than the wind
And Helena of Athens look thou find
All fancysick she is and pale of cheer
With sighs of love that costs the fresh blood dear
By some illusion see thou bring her here
Ill charm his eyes against she do appear
PUCK
I go I go look how I go
Swifter than arrow from the Tartars bow
Exit
OBERON
Flower of this purple dye
Hit with Cupids archery
Sink in apple of his eye
When his love he doth espy
Let her shine as gloriously
As the Venus of the sky
When thou wakst if she be by
Beg of her for remedy
Enter Puck
PUCK
Captain of our fairy band
Helena is here at hand
And the youth mistook by me
Pleading for a lovers fee
Shall we their fond pageant see
Lord what fools these mortals be
OBERON
Stand aside The noise they make
Will cause Demetrius to awake
PUCK
Then will two at once woo one
That must needs be sport alone
And those things do best please me
That befall prepostrously
Enter Lysander and Helena
LYSANDER
Why should you think that I should woo in scorn
Scorn and derision never come in tears
Look when I vow I weep and vows so born
In their nativity all truth appears
How can these things in me seem scorn to you
Bearing the badge of faith to prove them true
HELENA
You do advance your cunning more and more
When truth kills truth O devilishholy fray
These vows are Hermias will you give her oer
Weigh oath with oath and you will nothing weigh
Your vows to her and me put in two scales
Will even weigh and both as light as tales
LYSANDER
I had no judgment when to her I swore
HELENA
Nor none in my mind now you give her oer
LYSANDER
Demetrius loves her and he loves not you
DEMETRIUS
Waking O Helen goddess nymph perfect divine
To what my love shall I compare thine eyne
Crystal is muddy O how ripe in show
Thy lips those kissing cherries tempting grow
That pure congeald white high Taurus snow
Fannd with the eastern wind turns to a crow
When thou holdst up thy hand O let me kiss
This princess of pure white this seal of bliss
HELENA
O spite O hell I see you all are bent
To set against me for your merriment
If you were civil and knew courtesy
You would not do me thus much injury
Can you not hate me as I know you do
But you must join in souls to mock me too
If you were men as men you are in show
You would not use a gentle lady so
To vow and swear and superpraise my parts
When I am sure you hate me with your hearts
You both are rivals and love Hermia
And now both rivals to mock Helena
A trim exploit a manly enterprise
To conjure tears up in a poor maids eyes
With your derision None of noble sort
Would so offend a virgin and extort
A poor souls patience all to make you sport
LYSANDER
You are unkind Demetrius be not so
For you love Hermia this you know I know
And here with all good will with all my heart
In Hermias love I yield you up my part
And yours of Helena to me bequeath
Whom I do love and will do till my death
HELENA
Never did mockers waste more idle breath
DEMETRIUS
Lysander keep thy Hermia I will none
If eer I lovd her all that love is gone
My heart to her but as guestwise sojournd
And now to Helen is it home returnd
There to remain
LYSANDER
Helen it is not so
DEMETRIUS
Disparage not the faith thou dost not know
Lest to thy peril thou aby it dear
Look where thy love comes yonder is thy dear
Enter Hermia
HERMIA
Dark night that from the eye his function takes
The ear more quick of apprehension makes
Wherein it doth impair the seeing sense
It pays the hearing double recompense
Thou art not by mine eye Lysander found
Mine ear I thank it brought me to thy sound
But why unkindly didst thou leave me so
LYSANDER
Why should he stay whom love doth press to go
HERMIA
What love could press Lysander from my side
LYSANDER
Lysanders love that would not let him bide
Fair Helena who more engilds the night
Than all yon fiery oes and eyes of light
Why seekst thou me Could not this make thee know
The hate I bare thee made me leave thee so
HERMIA
You speak not as you think it cannot be
HELENA
Lo she is one of this confederacy
Now I perceive they have conjoind all three
To fashion this false sport in spite of me
Injurious Hermia most ungrateful maid
Have you conspird have you with these contrivd
To bait me with this foul derision
Is all the counsel that we two have shard
The sisters vows the hours that we have spent
When we have chid the hastyfooted time
For parting usO is all forgot
All schooldays friendship childhood innocence
We Hermia like two artificial gods
Have with our needles created both one flower
Both on one sampler sitting on one cushion
Both warbling of one song both in one key
As if our hands our sides voices and minds
Had been incorporate So we grew together
Like to a double cherry seeming parted
But yet a union in partition
Two lovely berries moulded on one stem
So with two seeming bodies but one heart
Two of the first like coats in heraldry
Due but to one and crownd with one crest
And will you rent our ancient love asunder
To join with men in scorning your poor friend
It is not friendly tis not maidenly
Our sex as well as I may chide you for it
Though I alone do feel the injury
HERMIA
I am amazd at your passionate words
I scorn you not it seems that you scorn me
HELENA
Have you not set Lysander as in scorn
To follow me and praise my eyes and face
And made your other love Demetrius
Who even but now did spurn me with his foot
To call me goddess nymph divine and rare
Precious celestial Wherefore speaks he this
To her he hates And wherefore doth Lysander
Deny your love so rich within his soul
And tender me forsooth affection
But by your setting on by your consent
What though I be not so in grace as you
So hung upon with love so fortunate
But miserable most to love unlovd
This you should pity rather than despise
HERMIA
I understand not what you mean by this
HELENA
Ay do Persever counterfeit sad looks
Make mouths upon me when I turn my back
Wink each at other hold the sweet jest up
This sport well carried shall be chronicled
If you have any pity grace or manners
You would not make me such an argument
But fare ye well Tis partly my own fault
Which death or absence soon shall remedy
LYSANDER
Stay gentle Helena hear my excuse
My love my life my soul fair Helena
HELENA
O excellent
HERMIA
Sweet do not scorn her so
DEMETRIUS
If she cannot entreat I can compel
LYSANDER
Thou canst compel no more than she entreat
Thy threats have no more strength than her weak prayers
Helen I love thee by my life I do
I swear by that which I will lose for thee
To prove him false that says I love thee not
DEMETRIUS
I say I love thee more than he can do
LYSANDER
If thou say so withdraw and prove it too
DEMETRIUS
Quick come
HERMIA
Lysander whereto tends all this
LYSANDER
Away you Ethiope
DEMETRIUS
No no He will
Seem to break loose Take on as you would follow
But yet come not You are a tame man go
LYSANDER
Hang off thou cat thou burr Vile thing let loose
Or I will shake thee from me like a serpent
HERMIA
Why are you grown so rude What change is this
Sweet love
LYSANDER
Thy love Out tawny Tartar out
Out loathd medicine O hated potion hence
HERMIA
Do you not jest
HELENA
Yes sooth and so do you
LYSANDER
Demetrius I will keep my word with thee
DEMETRIUS
I would I had your bond for I perceive
A weak bond holds you Ill not trust your word
LYSANDER
What should I hurt her strike her kill her dead
Although I hate her Ill not harm her so
HERMIA
What can you do me greater harm than hate
Hate me Wherefore O me what news my love
Am not I Hermia Are not you Lysander
I am as fair now as I was erewhile
Since night you lovd me yet since night you left me
Why then you left meO the gods forbid
In earnest shall I say
LYSANDER
Ay by my life
And never did desire to see thee more
Therefore be out of hope of question of doubt
Be certain nothing truer tis no jest
That I do hate thee and love Helena
HERMIA
O me You juggler You cankerblossom
You thief of love What have you come by night
And stoln my loves heart from him
HELENA
Fine i faith
Have you no modesty no maiden shame
No touch of bashfulness What will you tear
Impatient answers from my gentle tongue
Fie fie you counterfeit you puppet you
HERMIA
Puppet Why so Ay that way goes the game
Now I perceive that she hath made compare
Between our statures she hath urgd her height
And with her personage her tall personage
Her height forsooth she hath prevaild with him
And are you grown so high in his esteem
Because I am so dwarfish and so low
How low am I thou painted maypole Speak
How low am I I am not yet so low
But that my nails can reach unto thine eyes
HELENA
I pray you though you mock me gentlemen
Let her not hurt me I was never curst
I have no gift at all in shrewishness
I am a right maid for my cowardice
Let her not strike me You perhaps may think
Because she is something lower than myself
That I can match her
HERMIA
Lower Hark again
HELENA
Good Hermia do not be so bitter with me
I evermore did love you Hermia
Did ever keep your counsels never wrongd you
Save that in love unto Demetrius
I told him of your stealth unto this wood
He followd you for love I followd him
But he hath chid me hence and threatend me
To strike me spurn me nay to kill me too
And now so you will let me quiet go
To Athens will I bear my folly back
And follow you no further Let me go
You see how simple and how fond I am
HERMIA
Why get you gone Who ist that hinders you
HELENA
A foolish heart that I leave here behind
HERMIA
What with Lysander
HELENA
With Demetrius
LYSANDER
Be not afraid she shall not harm thee Helena
DEMETRIUS
No sir she shall not though you take her part
HELENA
O when shes angry she is keen and shrewd
She was a vixen when she went to school
And though she be but little she is fierce
HERMIA
Little again Nothing but low and little
Why will you suffer her to flout me thus
Let me come to her
LYSANDER
Get you gone you dwarf
You minimus of hindring knotgrass made
You bead you acorn
DEMETRIUS
You are too officious
In her behalf that scorns your services
Let her alone Speak not of Helena
Take not her part for if thou dost intend
Never so little show of love to her
Thou shalt aby it
LYSANDER
Now she holds me not
Now follow if thou darst to try whose right
Of thine or mine is most in Helena
DEMETRIUS
Follow Nay Ill go with thee cheek by jole
Exeunt Lysander and Demetrius
HERMIA
You mistress all this coil is long of you
Nay go not back
HELENA
I will not trust you I
Nor longer stay in your curst company
Your hands than mine are quicker for a fray
My legs are longer though to run away
Exit
HERMIA
I am amazd and know not what to say
Exit pursuing Helena
OBERON
This is thy negligence still thou mistakst
Or else commitst thy knaveries willfully
PUCK
Believe me king of shadows I mistook
Did not you tell me I should know the man
By the Athenian garments he had on
And so far blameless proves my enterprise
That I have nointed an Athenians eyes
And so far am I glad it so did sort
As this their jangling I esteem a sport
OBERON
Thou seest these lovers seek a place to fight
Hie therefore Robin overcast the night
The starry welkin cover thou anon
With drooping fog as black as Acheron
And lead these testy rivals so astray
As one come not within anothers way
Like to Lysander sometime frame thy tongue
Then stir Demetrius up with bitter wrong
And sometime rail thou like Demetrius
And from each other look thou lead them thus
Till oer their brows deathcounterfeiting sleep
With leaden legs and batty wings doth creep
Then crush this herb into Lysanders eye
Whose liquor hath this virtuous property
To take from thence all error with his might
And make his eyeballs roll with wonted sight
When they next wake all this derision
Shall seem a dream and fruitless vision
And back to Athens shall the lovers wend
With league whose date till death shall never end
Whiles I in this affair do thee employ
Ill to my queen and beg her Indian boy
And then I will her charmd eye release
From monsters view and all things shall be peace
PUCK
My fairy lord this must be done with haste
For nights swift dragons cut the clouds full fast
And yonder shines Auroras harbinger
At whose approach ghosts wandering here and there
Troop home to churchyards Damnd spirits all
That in crossways and floods have burial
Already to their wormy beds are gone
For fear lest day should look their shames upon
They wilfully themselves exile from light
And must for aye consort with blackbrowd night
OBERON
But we are spirits of another sort
I with the mornings love have oft made sport
And like a forester the groves may tread
Even till the eastern gate all fieryred
Opening on Neptune with fair blessd beams
Turns into yellow gold his saltgreen streams
But notwithstanding haste make no delay
We may effect this business yet ere day
Exit Oberon
PUCK
Up and down up and down
I will lead them up and down
I am feard in field and town
Goblin lead them up and down
Here comes one
Enter Lysander
LYSANDER
Where art thou proud Demetrius Speak thou now
PUCK
Here villain drawn and ready Where art thou
LYSANDER
I will be with thee straight
PUCK
Follow me then to plainer ground
Exit Lysander as following the voice
Enter Demetrius
DEMETRIUS
Lysander speak again
Thou runaway thou coward art thou fled
Speak In some bush Where dost thou hide thy head
PUCK
Thou coward art thou bragging to the stars
Telling the bushes that thou lookst for wars
And wilt not come Come recreant come thou child
Ill whip thee with a rod He is defild
That draws a sword on thee
DEMETRIUS
Yea art thou there
PUCK
Follow my voice well try no manhood here
Exeunt
Enter Lysander
LYSANDER
He goes before me and still dares me on
When I come where he calls then he is gone
The villain is much lighterheeld than I
I followd fast but faster he did fly
That fallen am I in dark uneven way
And here will rest me Come thou gentle day
Lies down For if but once thou show me thy grey light
Ill find Demetrius and revenge this spite
Sleeps
Enter Puck and Demetrius
PUCK
Ho ho ho Coward why comst thou not
DEMETRIUS
Abide me if thou darst for well I wot
Thou runnst before me shifting every place
And darst not stand nor look me in the face
Where art thou
PUCK
Come hither I am here
DEMETRIUS
Nay then thou mockst me Thou shalt buy this dear
If ever I thy face by daylight see
Now go thy way Faintness constraineth me
To measure out my length on this cold bed
By days approach look to be visited
Lies down and sleeps
Enter Helena
HELENA
O weary night O long and tedious night
Abate thy hours Shine comforts from the east
That I may back to Athens by daylight
From these that my poor company detest
And sleep that sometimes shuts up sorrows eye
Steal me awhile from mine own company
Sleeps
PUCK
Yet but three Come one more
Two of both kinds makes up four
Here she comes curst and sad
Cupid is a knavish lad
Thus to make poor females mad
Enter Hermia
HERMIA
Never so weary never so in woe
Bedabbled with the dew and torn with briers
I can no further crawl no further go
My legs can keep no pace with my desires
Here will I rest me till the break of day
Heavens shield Lysander if they mean a fray
Lies down
PUCK
On the ground
Sleep sound
Ill apply
To your eye
Gentle lover remedy
Squeezing the juice on Lysanders eye
When thou wakst
Thou takst
True delight
In the sight
Of thy former ladys eye
And the country proverb known
That every man should take his own
In your waking shall be shown
Jack shall have Jill
Nought shall go ill
The man shall have his mare again and all shall be well
Exit Puck
ACT IV
SCENE I The Wood
Lysander Demetrius Helena and Hermia still asleep
Enter Titania and Bottom Peaseblossom Cobweb Moth Mustardseed and other Fairies attending Oberon behind unseen
TITANIA
Come sit thee down upon this flowery bed
While I thy amiable cheeks do coy
And stick muskroses in thy sleek smooth head
And kiss thy fair large ears my gentle joy
BOTTOM
Wheres Peaseblossom
PEASEBLOSSOM
Ready
BOTTOM
Scratch my head Peaseblossom Wheres Monsieur Cobweb
COBWEB
Ready
BOTTOM
Monsieur Cobweb good monsieur get you your weapons in your hand and kill me a redhipped humblebee on the top of a thistle and good monsieur bring me the honeybag Do not fret yourself too much in the action monsieur and good monsieur have a care the honeybag break not I would be loath to have you overflown with a honeybag signior Wheres Monsieur Mustardseed
MUSTARDSEED
Ready
BOTTOM
Give me your neaf Monsieur Mustardseed Pray you leave your courtesy good monsieur
MUSTARDSEED
Whats your will
BOTTOM
Nothing good monsieur but to help Cavalery Cobweb to scratch I must to the barbers monsieur for methinks I am marvellous hairy about the face and I am such a tender ass if my hair do but tickle me I must scratch
TITANIA
What wilt thou hear some music my sweet love
BOTTOM
I have a reasonable good ear in music Let us have the tongs and the bones
TITANIA
Or say sweet love what thou desirest to eat
BOTTOM
Truly a peck of provender I could munch your good dry oats Methinks I have a great desire to a bottle of hay good hay sweet hay hath no fellow
TITANIA
I have a venturous fairy that shall seek
The squirrels hoard and fetch thee new nuts
BOTTOM
I had rather have a handful or two of dried peas But I pray you let none of your people stir me I have an exposition of sleep come upon me
TITANIA
Sleep thou and I will wind thee in my arms
Fairies be gone and be all ways away
So doth the woodbine the sweet honeysuckle
Gently entwist the female ivy so
Enrings the barky fingers of the elm
O how I love thee How I dote on thee
They sleep
Oberon advances Enter Puck
OBERON
Welcome good Robin Seest thou this sweet sight
Her dotage now I do begin to pity
For meeting her of late behind the wood
Seeking sweet favours for this hateful fool
I did upbraid her and fall out with her
For she his hairy temples then had rounded
With coronet of fresh and fragrant flowers
And that same dew which sometime on the buds
Was wont to swell like round and orient pearls
Stood now within the pretty flouriets eyes
Like tears that did their own disgrace bewail
When I had at my pleasure taunted her
And she in mild terms beggd my patience
I then did ask of her her changeling child
Which straight she gave me and her fairy sent
To bear him to my bower in fairyland
And now I have the boy I will undo
This hateful imperfection of her eyes
And gentle Puck take this transformd scalp
From off the head of this Athenian swain
That he awaking when the other do
May all to Athens back again repair
And think no more of this nights accidents
But as the fierce vexation of a dream
But first I will release the Fairy Queen
Touching her eyes with an herb
Be as thou wast wont to be
See as thou was wont to see
Dians bud oer Cupids flower
Hath such force and blessed power
Now my Titania wake you my sweet queen
TITANIA
My Oberon what visions have I seen
Methought I was enamourd of an ass
OBERON
There lies your love
TITANIA
How came these things to pass
O how mine eyes do loathe his visage now
OBERON
Silence awhileRobin take off this head
Titania music call and strike more dead
Than common sleep of all these five the sense
TITANIA
Music ho music such as charmeth sleep
PUCK
Now when thou wakst with thine own fools eyes peep
OBERON
Sound music
Still music
Come my queen take hands with me
And rock the ground whereon these sleepers be
Now thou and I are new in amity
And will tomorrow midnight solemnly
Dance in Duke Theseus house triumphantly
And bless it to all fair prosperity
There shall the pairs of faithful lovers be
Wedded with Theseus all in jollity
PUCK
Fairy king attend and mark
I do hear the morning lark
OBERON
Then my queen in silence sad
Trip we after nights shade
We the globe can compass soon
Swifter than the wandring moon
TITANIA
Come my lord and in our flight
Tell me how it came this night
That I sleeping here was found
With these mortals on the ground
Exeunt Horns sound within
Enter Theseus Hippolyta Egeus and Train
THESEUS
Go one of you find out the forester
For now our observation is performd
And since we have the vaward of the day
My love shall hear the music of my hounds
Uncouple in the western valley let them go
Dispatch I say and find the forester
Exit an Attendant
We will fair queen up to the mountains top
And mark the musical confusion
Of hounds and echo in conjunction
HIPPOLYTA
I was with Hercules and Cadmus once
When in a wood of Crete they bayd the bear
With hounds of Sparta Never did I hear
Such gallant chiding for besides the groves
The skies the fountains every region near
Seemd all one mutual cry I never heard
So musical a discord such sweet thunder
THESEUS
My hounds are bred out of the Spartan kind
So flewd so sanded and their heads are hung
With ears that sweep away the morning dew
Crookkneed and dewlapd like Thessalian bulls
Slow in pursuit but matchd in mouth like bells
Each under each A cry more tuneable
Was never hollad to nor cheerd with horn
In Crete in Sparta nor in Thessaly
Judge when you hearBut soft what nymphs are these
EGEUS
My lord this is my daughter here asleep
And this Lysander this Demetrius is
This Helena old Nedars Helena
I wonder of their being here together
THESEUS
No doubt they rose up early to observe
The rite of May and hearing our intent
Came here in grace of our solemnity
But speak Egeus is not this the day
That Hermia should give answer of her choice
EGEUS
It is my lord
THESEUS
Go bid the huntsmen wake them with their horns
Horns and shout within Demetrius Lysander Hermia and Helena wake and start up
Good morrow friends Saint Valentine is past
Begin these woodbirds but to couple now
LYSANDER
Pardon my lord
He and the rest kneel to Theseus
THESEUS
I pray you all stand up
I know you two are rival enemies
How comes this gentle concord in the world
That hatred is so far from jealousy
To sleep by hate and fear no enmity
LYSANDER
My lord I shall reply amazedly
Half sleep half waking but as yet I swear
I cannot truly say how I came here
But as I think for truly would I speak
And now I do bethink me so it is
I came with Hermia hither Our intent
Was to be gone from Athens where we might be
Without the peril of the Athenian law
EGEUS
Enough enough my lord you have enough
I beg the law the law upon his head
They would have stoln away they would Demetrius
Thereby to have defeated you and me
You of your wife and me of my consent
Of my consent that she should be your wife
DEMETRIUS
My lord fair Helen told me of their stealth
Of this their purpose hither to this wood
And I in fury hither followd them
Fair Helena in fancy following me
But my good lord I wot not by what power
But by some power it is my love to Hermia
Melted as the snow seems to me now
As the remembrance of an idle gaud
Which in my childhood I did dote upon
And all the faith the virtue of my heart
The object and the pleasure of mine eye
Is only Helena To her my lord
Was I betrothd ere I saw Hermia
But like a sickness did I loathe this food
But as in health come to my natural taste
Now I do wish it love it long for it
And will for evermore be true to it
THESEUS
Fair lovers you are fortunately met
Of this discourse we more will hear anon
Egeus I will overbear your will
For in the temple by and by with us
These couples shall eternally be knit
And for the morning now is something worn
Our purposd hunting shall be set aside
Away with us to Athens Three and three
Well hold a feast in great solemnity
Come Hippolyta
Exeunt Theseus Hippolyta Egeus and Train
DEMETRIUS
These things seem small and undistinguishable
Like faroff mountains turnd into clouds
HERMIA
Methinks I see these things with parted eye
When everything seems double
HELENA
So methinks
And I have found Demetrius like a jewel
Mine own and not mine own
DEMETRIUS
Are you sure
That we are awake It seems to me
That yet we sleep we dream Do not you think
The Duke was here and bid us follow him
HERMIA
Yea and my father
HELENA
And Hippolyta
LYSANDER
And he did bid us follow to the temple
DEMETRIUS
Why then we are awake lets follow him
And by the way let us recount our dreams
Exeunt
BOTTOM
Waking When my cue comes call me and I will answer My next is Most fair Pyramus Heighho Peter Quince Flute the bellowsmender Snout the tinker Starveling Gods my life Stoln hence and left me asleep I have had a most rare vision I have had a dream past the wit of man to say what dream it was Man is but an ass if he go about to expound this dream Methought I wasthere is no man can tell what Methought I was and methought I hadbut man is but a patched fool if he will offer to say what methought I had The eye of man hath not heard the ear of man hath not seen mans hand is not able to taste his tongue to conceive nor his heart to report what my dream was I will get Peter Quince to write a ballad of this dream it shall be called Bottoms Dream because it hath no bottom and I will sing it in the latter end of a play before the Duke Peradventure to make it the more gracious I shall sing it at her death
Exit
SCENE II Athens A Room in Quinces House
Enter Quince Flute Snout and Starveling
QUINCE
Have you sent to Bottoms house Is he come home yet
STARVELING
He cannot be heard of Out of doubt he is transported
FLUTE
If he come not then the play is marred It goes not forward doth it
QUINCE
It is not possible You have not a man in all Athens able to discharge Pyramus but he
FLUTE
No he hath simply the best wit of any handicraft man in Athens
QUINCE
Yea and the best person too and he is a very paramour for a sweet voice
FLUTE
You must say paragon A paramour is God bless us a thing of naught
Enter Snug
SNUG
Masters the Duke is coming from the temple and there is two or three lords and ladies more married If our sport had gone forward we had all been made men
FLUTE
O sweet bully Bottom Thus hath he lost sixpence a day during his life he could not have scaped sixpence a day An the Duke had not given him sixpence a day for playing Pyramus Ill be hanged He would have deserved it sixpence a day in Pyramus or nothing
Enter Bottom
BOTTOM
Where are these lads Where are these hearts
QUINCE
Bottom O most courageous day O most happy hour
BOTTOM
Masters I am to discourse wonders but ask me not what for if I tell you I am not true Athenian I will tell you everything right as it fell out
QUINCE
Let us hear sweet Bottom
BOTTOM
Not a word of me All that I will tell you is that the Duke hath dined Get your apparel together good strings to your beards new ribbons to your pumps meet presently at the palace every man look oer his part For the short and the long is our play is preferred In any case let Thisbe have clean linen and let not him that plays the lion pare his nails for they shall hang out for the lions claws And most dear actors eat no onions nor garlick for we are to utter sweet breath and I do not doubt but to hear them say it is a sweet comedy No more words Away Go away
Exeunt
ACT V
SCENE I Athens An Apartment in the Palace of Theseus
Enter Theseus Hippolyta Philostrate Lords and Attendants
HIPPOLYTA
Tis strange my Theseus that these lovers speak of
THESEUS
More strange than true I never may believe
These antique fables nor these fairy toys
Lovers and madmen have such seething brains
Such shaping fantasies that apprehend
More than cool reason ever comprehends
The lunatic the lover and the poet
Are of imagination all compact
One sees more devils than vast hell can hold
That is the madman the lover all as frantic
Sees Helens beauty in a brow of Egypt
The poets eye in a fine frenzy rolling
Doth glance from heaven to earth from earth to heaven
And as imagination bodies forth
The forms of things unknown the poets pen
Turns them to shapes and gives to airy nothing
A local habitation and a name
Such tricks hath strong imagination
That if it would but apprehend some joy
It comprehends some bringer of that joy
Or in the night imagining some fear
How easy is a bush supposed a bear
HIPPOLYTA
But all the story of the night told over
And all their minds transfigurd so together
More witnesseth than fancys images
And grows to something of great constancy
But howsoever strange and admirable
Enter lovers Lysander Demetrius Hermia and Helena
THESEUS
Here come the lovers full of joy and mirth
Joy gentle friends joy and fresh days of love
Accompany your hearts
LYSANDER
More than to us
Wait in your royal walks your board your bed
THESEUS
Come now what masques what dances shall we have
To wear away this long age of three hours
Between our aftersupper and bedtime
Where is our usual manager of mirth
What revels are in hand Is there no play
To ease the anguish of a torturing hour
Call Philostrate
PHILOSTRATE
Here mighty Theseus
THESEUS
Say what abridgment have you for this evening
What masque What music How shall we beguile
The lazy time if not with some delight
PHILOSTRATE
There is a brief how many sports are ripe
Make choice of which your Highness will see first
Giving a paper
THESEUS
Reads The battle with the Centaurs to be sung
By an Athenian eunuch to the harp
Well none of that That have I told my love
In glory of my kinsman Hercules
The riot of the tipsy Bacchanals
Tearing the Thracian singer in their rage
That is an old device and it was playd
When I from Thebes came last a conqueror
The thrice three Muses mourning for the death
Of learning late deceasd in beggary
That is some satire keen and critical
Not sorting with a nuptial ceremony
A tedious brief scene of young Pyramus
And his love Thisbe very tragical mirth
Merry and tragical Tedious and brief
That is hot ice and wondrous strange snow
How shall we find the concord of this discord
PHILOSTRATE
A play there is my lord some ten words long
Which is as brief as I have known a play
But by ten words my lord it is too long
Which makes it tedious For in all the play
There is not one word apt one player fitted
And tragical my noble lord it is
For Pyramus therein doth kill himself
Which when I saw rehearsd I must confess
Made mine eyes water but more merry tears
The passion of loud laughter never shed
THESEUS
What are they that do play it
PHILOSTRATE
Hardhanded men that work in Athens here
Which never labourd in their minds till now
And now have toild their unbreathd memories
With this same play against your nuptial
THESEUS
And we will hear it
PHILOSTRATE
No my noble lord
It is not for you I have heard it over
And it is nothing nothing in the world
Unless you can find sport in their intents
Extremely stretchd and connd with cruel pain
To do you service
THESEUS
I will hear that play
For never anything can be amiss
When simpleness and duty tender it
Go bring them in and take your places ladies
Exit Philostrate
HIPPOLYTA
I love not to see wretchedness oercharged
And duty in his service perishing
THESEUS
Why gentle sweet you shall see no such thing
HIPPOLYTA
He says they can do nothing in this kind
THESEUS
The kinder we to give them thanks for nothing
Our sport shall be to take what they mistake
And what poor duty cannot do noble respect
Takes it in might not merit
Where I have come great clerks have purposed
To greet me with premeditated welcomes
Where I have seen them shiver and look pale
Make periods in the midst of sentences
Throttle their practisd accent in their fears
And in conclusion dumbly have broke off
Not paying me a welcome Trust me sweet
Out of this silence yet I pickd a welcome
And in the modesty of fearful duty
I read as much as from the rattling tongue
Of saucy and audacious eloquence
Love therefore and tonguetied simplicity
In least speak most to my capacity
Enter Philostrate
PHILOSTRATE
So please your grace the Prologue is addressd
THESEUS
Let him approach
Flourish of trumpets Enter the Prologue
PROLOGUE
If we offend it is with our good will
That you should think we come not to offend
But with good will To show our simple skill
That is the true beginning of our end
Consider then we come but in despite
We do not come as minding to content you
Our true intent is All for your delight
We are not here That you should here repent you
The actors are at hand and by their show
You shall know all that you are like to know
THESEUS
This fellow doth not stand upon points
LYSANDER
He hath rid his prologue like a rough colt he knows not the stop A good moral my lord it is not enough to speak but to speak true
HIPPOLYTA
Indeed he hath played on this prologue like a child on a recorder a sound but not in government
THESEUS
His speech was like a tangled chain nothing impaired but all disordered Who is next
Enter Pyramus and Thisbe Wall Moonshine and Lion as in dumb show
PROLOGUE
Gentles perchance you wonder at this show
But wonder on till truth make all things plain
This man is Pyramus if you would know
This beauteous lady Thisbe is certain
This man with lime and roughcast doth present
Wall that vile wall which did these lovers sunder
And through Walls chink poor souls they are content
To whisper at the which let no man wonder
This man with lantern dog and bush of thorn
Presenteth Moonshine for if you will know
By moonshine did these lovers think no scorn
To meet at Ninus tomb there there to woo
This grisly beast which Lion hight by name
The trusty Thisbe coming first by night
Did scare away or rather did affright
And as she fled her mantle she did fall
Which Lion vile with bloody mouth did stain
Anon comes Pyramus sweet youth and tall
And finds his trusty Thisbes mantle slain
Whereat with blade with bloody blameful blade
He bravely broachd his boiling bloody breast
And Thisbe tarrying in mulberry shade
His dagger drew and died For all the rest
Let Lion Moonshine Wall and lovers twain
At large discourse while here they do remain
Exeunt Prologue Pyramus Thisbe Lion and Moonshine
THESEUS
I wonder if the lion be to speak
DEMETRIUS
No wonder my lord One lion may when many asses do
WALL
In this same interlude it doth befall
That I one Snout by name present a wall
And such a wall as I would have you think
That had in it a crannied hole or chink
Through which the lovers Pyramus and Thisbe
Did whisper often very secretly
This loam this roughcast and this stone doth show
That I am that same wall the truth is so
And this the cranny is right and sinister
Through which the fearful lovers are to whisper
THESEUS
Would you desire lime and hair to speak better
DEMETRIUS
It is the wittiest partition that ever I heard discourse my lord
THESEUS
Pyramus draws near the wall silence
Enter Pyramus
PYRAMUS
O grimlookd night O night with hue so black
O night which ever art when day is not
O night O night alack alack alack
I fear my Thisbes promise is forgot
And thou O wall O sweet O lovely wall
That standst between her fathers ground and mine
Thou wall O wall O sweet and lovely wall
Show me thy chink to blink through with mine eyne
Wall holds up his fingers
Thanks courteous wall Jove shield thee well for this
But what see I No Thisbe do I see
O wicked wall through whom I see no bliss
Cursd be thy stones for thus deceiving me
THESEUS
The wall methinks being sensible should curse again
PYRAMUS
No in truth sir he should not Deceiving me is Thisbes cue she is to enter now and I am to spy her through the wall You shall see it will fall pat as I told you Yonder she comes
Enter Thisbe
THISBE
O wall full often hast thou heard my moans
For parting my fair Pyramus and me
My cherry lips have often kissd thy stones
Thy stones with lime and hair knit up in thee
PYRAMUS
I see a voice now will I to the chink
To spy an I can hear my Thisbes face
Thisbe
THISBE
My love thou art my love I think
PYRAMUS
Think what thou wilt I am thy lovers grace
And like Limander am I trusty still
THISBE
And I like Helen till the fates me kill
PYRAMUS
Not Shafalus to Procrus was so true
THISBE
As Shafalus to Procrus I to you
PYRAMUS
O kiss me through the hole of this vile wall
THISBE
I kiss the walls hole not your lips at all
PYRAMUS
Wilt thou at Ninnys tomb meet me straightway
THISBE
Tide life tide death I come without delay
WALL
Thus have I Wall my part discharged so
And being done thus Wall away doth go
Exeunt Wall Pyramus and Thisbe
THESEUS
Now is the mural down between the two neighbours
DEMETRIUS
No remedy my lord when walls are so wilful to hear without warning
HIPPOLYTA
This is the silliest stuff that ever I heard
THESEUS
The best in this kind are but shadows and the worst are no worse if imagination amend them
HIPPOLYTA
It must be your imagination then and not theirs
THESEUS
If we imagine no worse of them than they of themselves they may pass for excellent men Here come two noble beasts in a man and a lion
Enter Lion and Moonshine
LION
You ladies you whose gentle hearts do fear
The smallest monstrous mouse that creeps on floor
May now perchance both quake and tremble here
When lion rough in wildest rage doth roar
Then know that I one Snug the joiner am
A lion fell nor else no lions dam
For if I should as lion come in strife
Into this place twere pity on my life
THESEUS
A very gentle beast and of a good conscience
DEMETRIUS
The very best at a beast my lord that eer I saw
LYSANDER
This lion is a very fox for his valour
THESEUS
True and a goose for his discretion
DEMETRIUS
Not so my lord for his valour cannot carry his discretion and the fox carries the goose
THESEUS
His discretion I am sure cannot carry his valour for the goose carries not the fox It is well leave it to his discretion and let us listen to the moon
MOONSHINE
This lanthorn doth the hornd moon present
DEMETRIUS
He should have worn the horns on his head
THESEUS
He is no crescent and his horns are invisible within the circumference
MOONSHINE
This lanthorn doth the hornd moon present
Myself the man i the moon do seem to be
THESEUS
This is the greatest error of all the rest the man should be put into the lantern How is it else the man i the moon
DEMETRIUS
He dares not come there for the candle for you see it is already in snuff
HIPPOLYTA
I am aweary of this moon Would he would change
THESEUS
It appears by his small light of discretion that he is in the wane but yet in courtesy in all reason we must stay the time
LYSANDER
Proceed Moon
MOON
All that I have to say is to tell you that the lantern is the moon I the man i the moon this thornbush my thornbush and this dog my dog
DEMETRIUS
Why all these should be in the lantern for all these are in the moon But silence here comes Thisbe
Enter Thisbe
THISBE
This is old Ninnys tomb Where is my love
LION
Oh
The Lion roars Thisbe runs off
DEMETRIUS
Well roared Lion
THESEUS
Well run Thisbe
HIPPOLYTA
Well shone Moon Truly the moon shines with a good grace
The Lion tears Thisbes mantle and exit
THESEUS
Well moused Lion
DEMETRIUS
And then came Pyramus
LYSANDER
And so the lion vanished
Enter Pyramus
PYRAMUS
Sweet Moon I thank thee for thy sunny beams
I thank thee Moon for shining now so bright
For by thy gracious golden glittering gleams
I trust to take of truest Thisbe sight
But stay O spite
But mark poor knight
What dreadful dole is here
Eyes do you see
How can it be
O dainty duck O dear
Thy mantle good
What stained with blood
Approach ye Furies fell
O Fates come come
Cut thread and thrum
Quail rush conclude and quell
THESEUS
This passion and the death of a dear friend would go near to make a man look sad
HIPPOLYTA
Beshrew my heart but I pity the man
PYRAMUS
O wherefore Nature didst thou lions frame
Since lion vile hath here deflowerd my dear
Which isno nowhich was the fairest dame
That livd that lovd that likd that lookd with cheer
Come tears confound
Out sword and wound
The pap of Pyramus
Ay that left pap
Where heart doth hop
Thus die I thus thus thus
Now am I dead
Now am I fled
My soul is in the sky
Tongue lose thy light
Moon take thy flight
Now die die die die die
Dies Exit Moonshine
DEMETRIUS
No die but an ace for him for he is but one
LYSANDER
Less than an ace man for he is dead he is nothing
THESEUS
With the help of a surgeon he might yet recover and prove an ass
HIPPOLYTA
How chance Moonshine is gone before Thisbe comes back and finds her lover
THESEUS
She will find him by starlight
Enter Thisbe
Here she comes and her passion ends the play
HIPPOLYTA
Methinks she should not use a long one for such a Pyramus I hope she will be brief
DEMETRIUS
A mote will turn the balance which Pyramus which Thisbe is the better he for a man God warrant us she for a woman God bless us
LYSANDER
She hath spied him already with those sweet eyes
DEMETRIUS
And thus she means videlicet
THISBE
Asleep my love
What dead my dove
O Pyramus arise
Speak speak Quite dumb
Dead dead A tomb
Must cover thy sweet eyes
These lily lips
This cherry nose
These yellow cowslip cheeks
Are gone are gone
Lovers make moan
His eyes were green as leeks
O Sisters Three
Come come to me
With hands as pale as milk
Lay them in gore
Since you have shore
With shears his thread of silk
Tongue not a word
Come trusty sword
Come blade my breast imbrue
And farewell friends
Thus Thisbe ends
Adieu adieu adieu
Dies
THESEUS
Moonshine and Lion are left to bury the dead
DEMETRIUS
Ay and Wall too
BOTTOM
No I assure you the wall is down that parted their fathers Will it please you to see the epilogue or to hear a Bergomask dance between two of our company
THESEUS
No epilogue I pray you for your play needs no excuse Never excuse for when the players are all dead there need none to be blamed Marry if he that writ it had played Pyramus and hanged himself in Thisbes garter it would have been a fine tragedy and so it is truly and very notably discharged But come your Bergomask let your epilogue alone
Here a dance of Clowns
The iron tongue of midnight hath told twelve
Lovers to bed tis almost fairy time
I fear we shall outsleep the coming morn
As much as we this night have overwatchd
This palpablegross play hath well beguild
The heavy gait of night Sweet friends to bed
A fortnight hold we this solemnity
In nightly revels and new jollity
Exeunt
Enter Puck
PUCK
Now the hungry lion roars
And the wolf behowls the moon
Whilst the heavy ploughman snores
All with weary task fordone
Now the wasted brands do glow
Whilst the screechowl screeching loud
Puts the wretch that lies in woe
In remembrance of a shroud
Now it is the time of night
That the graves all gaping wide
Every one lets forth his sprite
In the churchway paths to glide
And we fairies that do run
By the triple Hecates team
From the presence of the sun
Following darkness like a dream
Now are frolic not a mouse
Shall disturb this hallowd house
I am sent with broom before
To sweep the dust behind the door
Enter Oberon and Titania with their Train
OBERON
Through the house give glimmering light
By the dead and drowsy fire
Every elf and fairy sprite
Hop as light as bird from brier
And this ditty after me
Sing and dance it trippingly
TITANIA
First rehearse your song by rote
To each word a warbling note
Hand in hand with fairy grace
Will we sing and bless this place
Song and Dance
OBERON
Now until the break of day
Through this house each fairy stray
To the best bridebed will we
Which by us shall blessd be
And the issue there create
Ever shall be fortunate
So shall all the couples three
Ever true in loving be
And the blots of Natures hand
Shall not in their issue stand
Never mole harelip nor scar
Nor mark prodigious such as are
Despised in nativity
Shall upon their children be
With this fielddew consecrate
Every fairy take his gait
And each several chamber bless
Through this palace with sweet peace
And the owner of it blest
Ever shall it in safety rest
Trip away Make no stay
Meet me all by break of day
Exeunt Oberon Titania and Train
PUCK
If we shadows have offended
Think but this and all is mended
That you have but slumberd here
While these visions did appear
And this weak and idle theme
No more yielding but a dream
Gentles do not reprehend
If you pardon we will mend
And as I am an honest Puck
If we have unearnd luck
Now to scape the serpents tongue
We will make amends ere long
Else the Puck a liar call
So good night unto you all
Give me your hands if we be friends
And Robin shall restore amends
Exit
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
Contents
ACT I
Scene I Before Leonatos House
Scene II A room in Leonatos house
Scene III Another room in Leonatos house
ACT II
Scene I A hall in Leonatos house
Scene II Another room in Leonatos house
Scene III Leonatos Garden
ACT III
Scene I Leonatos Garden
Scene II A Room in Leonatos House
Scene III A Street
Scene IV A Room in Leonatos House
Scene V Another Room in Leonatos House
ACT IV
Scene I The Inside of a Church
Scene II A Prison
ACT V
Scene I Before Leonatos House
Scene II Leonatos Garden
Scene III The Inside of a Church
Scene IV A Room in Leonatos House
Dramatis Person
DON PEDRO Prince of Arragon
DON JOHN his bastard Brother
CLAUDIO a young Lord of Florence
BENEDICK a young Lord of Padua
LEONATO Governor of Messina
ANTONIO his Brother
BALTHASAR Servant to Don Pedro
BORACHIO follower of Don John
CONRADE follower of Don John
DOGBERRY a Constable
VERGES a Headborough
FRIAR FRANCIS
A Sexton
A Boy
HERO Daughter to Leonato
BEATRICE Niece to Leonato
MARGARET Waiting gentlewoman attending on Hero
URSULA Waiting gentlewoman attending on Hero
Messengers Watch Attendants c
SCENE Messina
ACT I
SCENE I Before Leonatos House
Enter Leonato Hero Beatrice and others with a Messenger
LEONATO
I learn in this letter that Don Pedro of Arragon comes this night to Messina
MESSENGER
He is very near by this he was not three leagues off when I left him
LEONATO
How many gentlemen have you lost in this action
MESSENGER
But few of any sort and none of name
LEONATO
A victory is twice itself when the achiever brings home full numbers I find here that Don Pedro hath bestowed much honour on a young Florentine called Claudio
MESSENGER
Much deserved on his part and equally remembered by Don Pedro He hath borne himself beyond the promise of his age doing in the figure of a lamb the feats of a lion he hath indeed better bettered expectation than you must expect of me to tell you how
LEONATO
He hath an uncle here in Messina will be very much glad of it
MESSENGER
I have already delivered him letters and there appears much joy in him even so much that joy could not show itself modest enough without a badge of bitterness
LEONATO
Did he break out into tears
MESSENGER
In great measure
LEONATO
A kind overflow of kindness There are no faces truer than those that are so washed how much better is it to weep at joy than to joy at weeping
BEATRICE
I pray you is Signior Mountanto returned from the wars or no
MESSENGER
I know none of that name lady there was none such in the army of any sort
LEONATO
What is he that you ask for niece
HERO
My cousin means Signior Benedick of Padua
MESSENGER
O he is returned and as pleasant as ever he was
BEATRICE
He set up his bills here in Messina and challenged Cupid at the flight and my uncles fool reading the challenge subscribed for Cupid and challenged him at the birdbolt I pray you how many hath he killed and eaten in these wars But how many hath he killed for indeed I promised to eat all of his killing
LEONATO
Faith niece you tax Signior Benedick too much but hell be meet with you I doubt it not
MESSENGER
He hath done good service lady in these wars
BEATRICE
You had musty victual and he hath holp to eat it he is a very valiant trencherman he hath an excellent stomach
MESSENGER
And a good soldier too lady
BEATRICE
And a good soldier to a lady but what is he to a lord
MESSENGER
A lord to a lord a man to a man stuffed with all honourable virtues
BEATRICE
It is so indeed he is no less than a stuffed man but for the stuffingwell we are all mortal
LEONATO
You must not sir mistake my niece There is a kind of merry war betwixt Signior Benedick and her they never meet but theres a skirmish of wit between them
BEATRICE
Alas he gets nothing by that In our last conflict four of his five wits went halting off and now is the whole man governed with one so that if he have wit enough to keep himself warm let him bear it for a difference between himself and his horse for it is all the wealth that he hath left to be known a reasonable creature Who is his companion now He hath every month a new sworn brother
MESSENGER
Ist possible
BEATRICE
Very easily possible he wears his faith but as the fashion of his hat it ever changes with the next block
MESSENGER
I see lady the gentleman is not in your books
BEATRICE
No and he were I would burn my study But I pray you who is his companion Is there no young squarer now that will make a voyage with him to the devil
MESSENGER
He is most in the company of the right noble Claudio
BEATRICE
O Lord he will hang upon him like a disease he is sooner caught than the pestilence and the taker runs presently mad God help the noble Claudio If he have caught the Benedick it will cost him a thousand pound ere he be cured
MESSENGER
I will hold friends with you lady
BEATRICE
Do good friend
LEONATO
You will never run mad niece
BEATRICE
No not till a hot January
MESSENGER
Don Pedro is approached
Enter Don Pedro Don John Claudio Benedick Balthasar and Others
DON PEDRO
Good Signior Leonato you are come to meet your trouble the fashion of the world is to avoid cost and you encounter it
LEONATO
Never came trouble to my house in the likeness of your Grace for trouble being gone comfort should remain but when you depart from me sorrow abides and happiness takes his leave
DON PEDRO
You embrace your charge too willingly I think this is your daughter
LEONATO
Her mother hath many times told me so
BENEDICK
Were you in doubt sir that you asked her
LEONATO
Signior Benedick no for then were you a child
DON PEDRO
You have it full Benedick we may guess by this what you are being a man Truly the lady fathers herself Be happy lady for you are like an honourable father
BENEDICK
If Signior Leonato be her father she would not have his head on her shoulders for all Messina as like him as she is
BEATRICE
I wonder that you will still be talking Signior Benedick nobody marks you
BENEDICK
What my dear Lady Disdain are you yet living
BEATRICE
Is it possible Disdain should die while she hath such meet food to feed it as Signior Benedick Courtesy itself must convert to disdain if you come in her presence
BENEDICK
Then is courtesy a turncoat But it is certain I am loved of all ladies only you excepted and I would I could find in my heart that I had not a hard heart for truly I love none
BEATRICE
A dear happiness to women they would else have been troubled with a pernicious suitor I thank God and my cold blood I am of your humour for that I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear he loves me
BENEDICK
God keep your Ladyship still in that mind so some gentleman or other shall scape a predestinate scratched face
BEATRICE
Scratching could not make it worse and twere such a face as yours were
BENEDICK
Well you are a rare parrotteacher
BEATRICE
A bird of my tongue is better than a beast of yours
BENEDICK
I would my horse had the speed of your tongue and so good a continuer But keep your way i Gods name I have done
BEATRICE
You always end with a jades trick I know you of old
DON PEDRO
That is the sum of all Leonato Signior Claudio and Signior Benedick my dear friend Leonato hath invited you all I tell him we shall stay here at the least a month and he heartly prays some occasion may detain us longer I dare swear he is no hypocrite but prays from his heart
LEONATO
If you swear my lord you shall not be forsworn To Don John Let me bid you welcome my lord being reconciled to the Prince your brother I owe you all duty
DON JOHN
I thank you I am not of many words but I thank you
LEONATO
Please it your Grace lead on
DON PEDRO
Your hand Leonato we will go together
Exeunt all but Benedick and Claudio
CLAUDIO
Benedick didst thou note the daughter of Signior Leonato
BENEDICK
I noted her not but I looked on her
CLAUDIO
Is she not a modest young lady
BENEDICK
Do you question me as an honest man should do for my simple true judgment or would you have me speak after my custom as being a professed tyrant to their sex
CLAUDIO
No I pray thee speak in sober judgment
BENEDICK
Why i faith methinks shes too low for a high praise too brown for a fair praise and too little for a great praise only this commendation I can afford her that were she other than she is she were unhandsome and being no other but as she is I do not like her
CLAUDIO
Thou thinkest I am in sport I pray thee tell me truly how thou likest her
BENEDICK
Would you buy her that you enquire after her
CLAUDIO
Can the world buy such a jewel
BENEDICK
Yea and a case to put it into But speak you this with a sad brow or do you play the flouting Jack to tell us Cupid is a good harefinder and Vulcan a rare carpenter Come in what key shall a man take you to go in the song
CLAUDIO
In mine eye she is the sweetest lady that ever I looked on
BENEDICK
I can see yet without spectacles and I see no such matter theres her cousin and she were not possessed with a fury exceeds her as much in beauty as the first of May doth the last of December But I hope you have no intent to turn husband have you
CLAUDIO
I would scarce trust myself though I had sworn to the contrary if Hero would be my wife
BENEDICK
Ist come to this in faith Hath not the world one man but he will wear his cap with suspicion Shall I never see a bachelor of threescore again Go to i faith and thou wilt needs thrust thy neck into a yoke wear the print of it and sigh away Sundays
Reenter Don Pedro
Look Don Pedro is returned to seek you
DON PEDRO
What secret hath held you here that you followed not to Leonatos
BENEDICK
I would your Grace would constrain me to tell
DON PEDRO
I charge thee on thy allegiance
BENEDICK
You hear Count Claudio I can be secret as a dumb man I would have you think so but on my allegiance mark you this on my allegiance he is in love With who now that is your Graces part Mark how short his answer is with Hero Leonatos short daughter
CLAUDIO
If this were so so were it uttered
BENEDICK
Like the old tale my lord it is not so nor twas not so but indeed God forbid it should be so
CLAUDIO
If my passion change not shortly God forbid it should be otherwise
DON PEDRO
Amen if you love her for the lady is very well worthy
CLAUDIO
You speak this to fetch me in my lord
DON PEDRO
By my troth I speak my thought
CLAUDIO
And in faith my lord I spoke mine
BENEDICK
And by my two faiths and troths my lord I spoke mine
CLAUDIO
That I love her I feel
DON PEDRO
That she is worthy I know
BENEDICK
That I neither feel how she should be loved nor know how she should be worthy is the opinion that fire cannot melt out of me I will die in it at the stake
DON PEDRO
Thou wast ever an obstinate heretic in the despite of beauty
CLAUDIO
And never could maintain his part but in the force of his will
BENEDICK
That a woman conceived me I thank her that she brought me up I likewise give her most humble thanks but that I will have a recheat winded in my forehead or hang my bugle in an invisible baldrick all women shall pardon me Because I will not do them the wrong to mistrust any I will do myself the right to trust none and the fine isfor the which I may go the finerI will live a bachelor
DON PEDRO
I shall see thee ere I die look pale with love
BENEDICK
With anger with sickness or with hunger my lord not with love prove that ever I lose more blood with love than I will get again with drinking pick out mine eyes with a balladmakers pen and hang me up at the door of a brothelhouse for the sign of blind Cupid
DON PEDRO
Well if ever thou dost fall from this faith thou wilt prove a notable argument
BENEDICK
If I do hang me in a bottle like a cat and shoot at me and he that hits me let him be clapped on the shoulder and called Adam
DON PEDRO
Well as time shall try In time the savage bull doth bear the yoke
BENEDICK
The savage bull may but if ever the sensible Benedick bear it pluck off the bulls horns and set them in my forehead and let me be vilely painted and in such great letters as they write Here is good horse to hire let them signify under my sign Here you may see Benedick the married man
CLAUDIO
If this should ever happen thou wouldst be hornmad
DON PEDRO
Nay if Cupid have not spent all his quiver in Venice thou wilt quake for this shortly
BENEDICK
I look for an earthquake too then
DON PEDRO
Well you will temporize with the hours In the meantime good Signior Benedick repair to Leonatos commend me to him and tell him I will not fail him at supper for indeed he hath made great preparation
BENEDICK
I have almost matter enough in me for such an embassage and so I commit you
CLAUDIO
To the tuition of God from my house if I had it
DON PEDRO
The sixth of July your loving friend Benedick
BENEDICK
Nay mock not mock not The body of your discourse is sometime guarded with fragments and the guards are but slightly basted on neither ere you flout old ends any further examine your conscience and so I leave you
Exit
CLAUDIO
My liege your Highness now may do me good
DON PEDRO
My love is thine to teach teach it but how
And thou shalt see how apt it is to learn
Any hard lesson that may do thee good
CLAUDIO
Hath Leonato any son my lord
DON PEDRO
No child but Hero shes his only heir
Dost thou affect her Claudio
CLAUDIO
O my lord
When you went onward on this ended action
I looked upon her with a soldiers eye
That likd but had a rougher task in hand
Than to drive liking to the name of love
But now I am returnd and that warthoughts
Have left their places vacant in their rooms
Come thronging soft and delicate desires
All prompting me how fair young Hero is
Saying I likd her ere I went to wars
DON PEDRO
Thou wilt be like a lover presently
And tire the hearer with a book of words
If thou dost love fair Hero cherish it
And I will break with her and with her father
And thou shalt have her Wast not to this end
That thou beganst to twist so fine a story
CLAUDIO
How sweetly you do minister to love
That know loves grief by his complexion
But lest my liking might too sudden seem
I would have salvd it with a longer treatise
DON PEDRO
What need the bridge much broader than the flood
The fairest grant is the necessity
Look what will serve is fit tis once thou lovst
And I will fit thee with the remedy
I know we shall have revelling tonight
I will assume thy part in some disguise
And tell fair Hero I am Claudio
And in her bosom Ill unclasp my heart
And take her hearing prisoner with the force
And strong encounter of my amorous tale
Then after to her father will I break
And the conclusion is she shall be thine
In practice let us put it presently
Exeunt
SCENE II A room in Leonatos house
Enter Leonato and Antonio meeting
LEONATO
How now brother Where is my cousin your son Hath he provided this music
ANTONIO
He is very busy about it But brother I can tell you strange news that you yet dreamt not of
LEONATO
Are they good
ANTONIO
As the event stamps them but they have a good cover they show well outward The Prince and Count Claudio walking in a thickpleached alley in my orchard were thus much overheard by a man of mine the Prince discovered to Claudio that he loved my niece your daughter and meant to acknowledge it this night in a dance and if he found her accordant he meant to take the present time by the top and instantly break with you of it
LEONATO
Hath the fellow any wit that told you this
ANTONIO
A good sharp fellow I will send for him and question him yourself
LEONATO
No no we will hold it as a dream till it appear itself but I will acquaint my daughter withal that she may be the better prepared for an answer if peradventure this be true Go you and tell her of it
Several persons cross the stage
Cousins you know what you have to do O I cry you mercy friend go you with me and I will use your skill Good cousin have a care this busy time
Exeunt
SCENE III Another room in Leonatos house
Enter Don John and Conrade
CONRADE
What the goodyear my lord why are you thus out of measure sad
DON JOHN
There is no measure in the occasion that breeds therefore the sadness is without limit
CONRADE
You should hear reason
DON JOHN
And when I have heard it what blessings brings it
CONRADE
If not a present remedy at least a patient sufferance
DON JOHN
I wonder that thou being as thou sayst thou art born under Saturn goest about to apply a moral medicine to a mortifying mischief I cannot hide what I am I must be sad when I have cause and smile at no mans jests eat when I have stomach and wait for no mans leisure sleep when I am drowsy and tend on no mans business laugh when I am merry and claw no man in his humour
CONRADE
Yea but you must not make the full show of this till you may do it without controlment You have of late stood out against your brother and he hath taen you newly into his grace where it is impossible you should take true root but by the fair weather that you make yourself it is needful that you frame the season for your own harvest
DON JOHN
I had rather be a canker in a hedge than a rose in his grace and it better fits my blood to be disdained of all than to fashion a carriage to rob love from any in this though I cannot be said to be a flattering honest man it must not be denied but I am a plaindealing villain I am trusted with a muzzle and enfranchised with a clog therefore I have decreed not to sing in my cage If I had my mouth I would bite if I had my liberty I would do my liking in the meantime let me be that I am and seek not to alter me
CONRADE
Can you make no use of your discontent
DON JOHN
I make all use of it for I use it only Who comes here
Enter Borachio
What news Borachio
BORACHIO
I came yonder from a great supper the Prince your brother is royally entertained by Leonato and I can give you intelligence of an intended marriage
DON JOHN
Will it serve for any model to build mischief on What is he for a fool that betroths himself to unquietness
BORACHIO
Marry it is your brothers right hand
DON JOHN
Who the most exquisite Claudio
BORACHIO
Even he
DON JOHN
A proper squire And who and who which way looks he
BORACHIO
Marry on Hero the daughter and heir of Leonato
DON JOHN
A very forward Marchchick How came you to this
BORACHIO
Being entertained for a perfumer as I was smoking a musty room comes me the Prince and Claudio hand in hand in sad conference I whipt me behind the arras and there heard it agreed upon that the Prince should woo Hero for himself and having obtained her give her to Count Claudio
DON JOHN
Come come let us thither this may prove food to my displeasure That young startup hath all the glory of my overthrow if I can cross him any way I bless myself every way You are both sure and will assist me
CONRADE
To the death my lord
DON JOHN
Let us to the great supper their cheer is the greater that I am subdued Would the cook were of my mind Shall we go to prove whats to be done
BORACHIO
Well wait upon your Lordship
Exeunt
ACT II
SCENE I A hall in Leonatos house
Enter Leonato Antonio Hero Beatrice and others
LEONATO
Was not Count John here at supper
ANTONIO
I saw him not
BEATRICE
How tartly that gentleman looks I never can see him but I am heartburned an hour after
HERO
He is of a very melancholy disposition
BEATRICE
He were an excellent man that were made just in the midway between him and Benedick the one is too like an image and says nothing and the other too like my ladys eldest son evermore tattling
LEONATO
Then half Signior Benedicks tongue in Count Johns mouth and half Count Johns melancholy in Signior Benedicks face
BEATRICE
With a good leg and a good foot uncle and money enough in his purse such a man would win any woman in the world if a could get her good will
LEONATO
By my troth niece thou wilt never get thee a husband if thou be so shrewd of thy tongue
ANTONIO
In faith shes too curst
BEATRICE
Too curst is more than curst I shall lessen Gods sending that way for it is said God sends a curst cow short horns but to a cow too curst he sends none
LEONATO
So by being too curst God will send you no horns
BEATRICE
Just if he send me no husband for the which blessing I am at him upon my knees every morning and evening Lord I could not endure a husband with a beard on his face I had rather lie in the woollen
LEONATO
You may light on a husband that hath no beard
BEATRICE
What should I do with him dress him in my apparel and make him my waiting gentlewoman He that hath a beard is more than a youth and he that hath no beard is less than a man and he that is more than a youth is not for me and he that is less than a man I am not for him therefore I will even take sixpence in earnest of the bearward and lead his apes into hell
LEONATO
Well then go you into hell
BEATRICE
No but to the gate and there will the Devil meet me like an old cuckold with horns on his head and say Get you to heaven Beatrice get you to heaven heres no place for you maids So deliver I up my apes and away to Saint Peter for the heavens he shows me where the bachelors sit and there live we as merry as the day is long
ANTONIO
To Hero Well niece I trust you will be ruled by your father
BEATRICE
Yes faith it is my cousins duty to make curtsy and say Father as it please you but yet for all that cousin let him be a handsome fellow or else make another curtsy and say Father as it please me
LEONATO
Well niece I hope to see you one day fitted with a husband
BEATRICE
Not till God make men of some other metal than earth Would it not grieve a woman to be overmastered with a piece of valiant dust to make an account of her life to a clod of wayward marl No uncle Ill none Adams sons are my brethren and truly I hold it a sin to match in my kindred
LEONATO
Daughter remember what I told you if the Prince do solicit you in that kind you know your answer
BEATRICE
The fault will be in the music cousin if you be not wooed in good time if the Prince be too important tell him there is measure in everything and so dance out the answer For hear me Hero wooing wedding and repenting is as a Scotch jig a measure and a cinquepace the first suit is hot and hasty like a Scotch jig and full as fantastical the wedding mannerly modest as a measure full of state and ancientry and then comes Repentance and with his bad legs falls into the cinquepace faster and faster till he sink into his grave
LEONATO
Cousin you apprehend passing shrewdly
BEATRICE
I have a good eye uncle I can see a church by daylight
LEONATO
The revellers are entering brother make good room
Enter Don Pedro Claudio Benedick Balthasar Don John Borachio Margaret Ursula and Others masked
DON PEDRO
Lady will you walk about with your friend
HERO
So you walk softly and look sweetly and say nothing I am yours for the walk and especially when I walk away
DON PEDRO
With me in your company
HERO
I may say so when I please
DON PEDRO
And when please you to say so
HERO
When I like your favour for God defend the lute should be like the case
DON PEDRO
My visor is Philemons roof within the house is Jove
HERO
Why then your visor should be thatchd
DON PEDRO
Speak low if you speak love
Takes her aside
BALTHASAR
Well I would you did like me
MARGARET
So would not I for your own sake for I have many ill qualities
BALTHASAR
Which is one
MARGARET
I say my prayers aloud
BALTHASAR
I love you the better the hearers may cry Amen
MARGARET
God match me with a good dancer
BALTHASAR
Amen
MARGARET
And God keep him out of my sight when the dance is done Answer clerk
BALTHASAR
No more words the clerk is answered
URSULA
I know you well enough you are Signior Antonio
ANTONIO
At a word I am not
URSULA
I know you by the waggling of your head
ANTONIO
To tell you true I counterfeit him
URSULA
You could never do him so illwell unless you were the very man Heres his dry hand up and down you are he you are he
ANTONIO
At a word I am not
URSULA
Come come do you think I do not know you by your excellent wit Can virtue hide itself Go to mum you are he graces will appear and theres an end
BEATRICE
Will you not tell me who told you so
BENEDICK
No you shall pardon me
BEATRICE
Nor will you not tell me who you are
BENEDICK
Not now
BEATRICE
That I was disdainful and that I had my good wit out of the Hundred Merry Tales Well this was Signior Benedick that said so
BENEDICK
Whats he
BEATRICE
I am sure you know him well enough
BENEDICK
Not I believe me
BEATRICE
Did he never make you laugh
BENEDICK
I pray you what is he
BEATRICE
Why he is the Princes jester a very dull fool only his gift is in devising impossible slanders none but libertines delight in him and the commendation is not in his wit but in his villainy for he both pleases men and angers them and then they laugh at him and beat him I am sure he is in the fleet I would he had boarded me
BENEDICK
When I know the gentleman Ill tell him what you say
BEATRICE
Do do hell but break a comparison or two on me which peradventure not marked or not laughed at strikes him into melancholy and then theres a partridge wing saved for the fool will eat no supper that night Music within We must follow the leaders
BENEDICK
In every good thing
BEATRICE
Nay if they lead to any ill I will leave them at the next turning
Dance Then exeunt all but Don John Borachio and Claudio
DON JOHN
Sure my brother is amorous on Hero and hath withdrawn her father to break with him about it The ladies follow her and but one visor remains
BORACHIO
And that is Claudio I know him by his bearing
DON JOHN
Are you not Signior Benedick
CLAUDIO
You know me well I am he
DON JOHN
Signior you are very near my brother in his love he is enamoured on Hero I pray you dissuade him from her she is no equal for his birth you may do the part of an honest man in it
CLAUDIO
How know you he loves her
DON JOHN
I heard him swear his affection
BORACHIO
So did I too and he swore he would marry her tonight
DON JOHN
Come let us to the banquet
Exeunt Don John and Borachio
CLAUDIO
Thus answer I in name of Benedick
But hear these ill news with the ears of Claudio
Tis certain so the Prince woos for himself
Friendship is constant in all other things
Save in the office and affairs of love
Therefore all hearts in love use their own tongues
Let every eye negotiate for itself
And trust no agent for beauty is a witch
Against whose charms faith melteth into blood
This is an accident of hourly proof
Which I mistrusted not Farewell therefore Hero
Reenter Benedick
BENEDICK
Count Claudio
CLAUDIO
Yea the same
BENEDICK
Come will you go with me
CLAUDIO
Whither
BENEDICK
Even to the next willow about your own business Count What fashion will you wear the garland of About your neck like a usurers chain or under your arm like a lieutenants scarf You must wear it one way for the Prince hath got your Hero
CLAUDIO
I wish him joy of her
BENEDICK
Why thats spoken like an honest drovier so they sell bullocks But did you think the Prince would have served you thus
CLAUDIO
I pray you leave me
BENEDICK
Ho now you strike like the blind man twas the boy that stole your meat and youll beat the post
CLAUDIO
If it will not be Ill leave you
Exit
BENEDICK
Alas poor hurt fowl Now will he creep into sedges But that my Lady Beatrice should know me and not know me The Princes fool Ha it may be I go under that title because I am merry Yea but so I am apt to do myself wrong I am not so reputed it is the base though bitter disposition of Beatrice that puts the world into her person and so gives me out Well Ill be revenged as I may
Reenter Don Pedro
DON PEDRO
Now signior wheres the Count Did you see him
BENEDICK
Troth my lord I have played the part of Lady Fame I found him here as melancholy as a lodge in a warren I told him and I think I told him true that your Grace had got the good will of this young lady and I offered him my company to a willow tree either to make him a garland as being forsaken or to bind him up a rod as being worthy to be whipped
DON PEDRO
To be whipped Whats his fault
BENEDICK
The flat transgression of a schoolboy who being overjoyd with finding a birds nest shows it his companion and he steals it
DON PEDRO
Wilt thou make a trust a transgression The transgression is in the stealer
BENEDICK
Yet it had not been amiss the rod had been made and the garland too for the garland he might have worn himself and the rod he might have bestowed on you who as I take it have stolen his birds nest
DON PEDRO
I will but teach them to sing and restore them to the owner
BENEDICK
If their singing answer your saying by my faith you say honestly
DON PEDRO
The Lady Beatrice hath a quarrel to you the gentleman that danced with her told her she is much wronged by you
BENEDICK
O she misused me past the endurance of a block an oak but with one green leaf on it would have answered her my very visor began to assume life and scold with her She told me not thinking I had been myself that I was the Princes jester that I was duller than a great thaw huddling jest upon jest with such impossible conveyance upon me that I stood like a man at a mark with a whole army shooting at me She speaks poniards and every word stabs if her breath were as terrible as her terminations there were no living near her she would infect to the north star I would not marry her though she were endowed with all that Adam had left him before he transgressed she would have made Hercules have turned spit yea and have cleft his club to make the fire too Come talk not of her you shall find her the infernal Ate in good apparel I would to God some scholar would conjure her for certainly while she is here a man may live as quiet in hell as in a sanctuary and people sin upon purpose because they would go thither so indeed all disquiet horror and perturbation follow her
Reenter Claudio Beatrice Hero and Leonato
DON PEDRO
Look here she comes
BENEDICK
Will your Grace command me any service to the worlds end I will go on the slightest errand now to the Antipodes that you can devise to send me on I will fetch you a toothpicker now from the furthest inch of Asia bring you the length of Prester Johns foot fetch you a hair off the Great Chams beard do you any embassage to the Pygmies rather than hold three words conference with this harpy You have no employment for me
DON PEDRO
None but to desire your good company
BENEDICK
O God sir heres a dish I love not I cannot endure my Lady Tongue
Exit
DON PEDRO
Come lady come you have lost the heart of Signior Benedick
BEATRICE
Indeed my lord he lent it me awhile and I gave him use for it a double heart for a single one marry once before he won it of me with false dice therefore your Grace may well say I have lost it
DON PEDRO
You have put him down lady you have put him down
BEATRICE
So I would not he should do me my lord lest I should prove the mother of fools I have brought Count Claudio whom you sent me to seek
DON PEDRO
Why how now Count wherefore are you sad
CLAUDIO
Not sad my lord
DON PEDRO
How then Sick
CLAUDIO
Neither my lord
BEATRICE
The Count is neither sad nor sick nor merry nor well but civil Count civil as an orange and something of that jealous complexion
DON PEDRO
I faith lady I think your blazon to be true though Ill be sworn if he be so his conceit is false Here Claudio I have wooed in thy name and fair Hero is won I have broke with her father and his good will obtained name the day of marriage and God give thee joy
LEONATO
Count take of me my daughter and with her my fortunes his Grace hath made the match and all grace say Amen to it
BEATRICE
Speak Count tis your cue
CLAUDIO
Silence is the perfectest herald of joy I were but little happy if I could say how much Lady as you are mine I am yours I give away myself for you and dote upon the exchange
BEATRICE
Speak cousin or if you cannot stop his mouth with a kiss and let not him speak neither
DON PEDRO
In faith lady you have a merry heart
BEATRICE
Yea my lord I thank it poor fool it keeps on the windy side of care My cousin tells him in his ear that he is in her heart
CLAUDIO
And so she doth cousin
BEATRICE
Good Lord for alliance Thus goes everyone to the world but I and I am sunburnt I may sit in a corner and cry heighho for a husband
DON PEDRO
Lady Beatrice I will get you one
BEATRICE
I would rather have one of your fathers getting Hath your Grace neer a brother like you Your father got excellent husbands if a maid could come by them
DON PEDRO
Will you have me lady
BEATRICE
No my lord unless I might have another for working days your Grace is too costly to wear every day But I beseech your Grace pardon me I was born to speak all mirth and no matter
DON PEDRO
Your silence most offends me and to be merry best becomes you for out of question you were born in a merry hour
BEATRICE
No sure my lord my mother cried but then there was a star danced and under that was I born Cousins God give you joy
LEONATO
Niece will you look to those things I told you of
BEATRICE
I cry you mercy uncle By your Graces pardon
Exit
DON PEDRO
By my troth a pleasant spirited lady
LEONATO
Theres little of the melancholy element in her my lord she is never sad but when she sleeps and not ever sad then for I have heard my daughter say she hath often dreamed of unhappiness and waked herself with laughing
DON PEDRO
She cannot endure to hear tell of a husband
LEONATO
O by no means she mocks all her wooers out of suit
DON PEDRO
She were an excellent wife for Benedick
LEONATO
O Lord my lord if they were but a week married they would talk themselves mad
DON PEDRO
Count Claudio when mean you to go to church
CLAUDIO
Tomorrow my lord Time goes on crutches till love have all his rites
LEONATO
Not till Monday my dear son which is hence a just sevennight and a time too brief too to have all things answer my mind
DON PEDRO
Come you shake the head at so long a breathing but I warrant thee Claudio the time shall not go dully by us I will in the interim undertake one of Hercules labours which is to bring Signior Benedick and the Lady Beatrice into a mountain of affection the one with the other I would fain have it a match and I doubt not but to fashion it if you three will but minister such assistance as I shall give you direction
LEONATO
My lord I am for you though it cost me ten nights watchings
CLAUDIO
And I my lord
DON PEDRO
And you too gentle Hero
HERO
I will do any modest office my lord to help my cousin to a good husband
DON PEDRO
And Benedick is not the unhopefullest husband that I know Thus far can I praise him he is of a noble strain of approved valour and confirmed honesty I will teach you how to humour your cousin that she shall fall in love with Benedick and I with your two helps will so practise on Benedick that in despite of his quick wit and his queasy stomach he shall fall in love with Beatrice If we can do this Cupid is no longer an archer his glory shall be ours for we are the only lovegods Go in with me and I will tell you my drift
Exeunt
SCENE II Another room in Leonatos house
Enter Don John and Borachio
DON JOHN
It is so the Count Claudio shall marry the daughter of Leonato
BORACHIO
Yea my lord but I can cross it
DON JOHN
Any bar any cross any impediment will be medicinable to me I am sick in displeasure to him and whatsoever comes athwart his affection ranges evenly with mine How canst thou cross this marriage
BORACHIO
Not honestly my lord but so covertly that no dishonesty shall appear in me
DON JOHN
Show me briefly how
BORACHIO
I think I told your lordship a year since how much I am in the favour of Margaret the waiting gentlewoman to Hero
DON JOHN
I remember
BORACHIO
I can at any unseasonable instant of the night appoint her to look out at her ladys chamber window
DON JOHN
What life is in that to be the death of this marriage
BORACHIO
The poison of that lies in you to temper Go you to the Prince your brother spare not to tell him that he hath wronged his honour in marrying the renowned Claudiowhose estimation do you mightily hold upto a contaminated stale such a one as Hero
DON JOHN
What proof shall I make of that
BORACHIO
Proof enough to misuse the Prince to vex Claudio to undo Hero and kill Leonato Look you for any other issue
DON JOHN
Only to despite them I will endeavour anything
BORACHIO
Go then find me a meet hour to draw Don Pedro and the Count Claudio alone tell them that you know that Hero loves me intend a kind of zeal both to the Prince and Claudio asin love of your brothers honour who hath made this match and his friends reputation who is thus like to be cozened with the semblance of a maidthat you have discovered thus They will scarcely believe this without trial offer them instances which shall bear no less likelihood than to see me at her chamber window hear me call Margaret Hero hear Margaret term me Claudio and bring them to see this the very night before the intended wedding for in the meantime I will so fashion the matter that Hero shall be absent and there shall appear such seeming truth of Heros disloyalty that jealousy shall be called assurance and all the preparation overthrown
DON JOHN
Grow this to what adverse issue it can I will put it in practice Be cunning in the working this and thy fee is a thousand ducats
BORACHIO
Be you constant in the accusation and my cunning shall not shame me
DON JOHN
I will presently go learn their day of marriage
Exeunt
SCENE III Leonatos Garden
Enter Benedick
BENEDICK
Boy
Enter a Boy
BOY
Signior
BENEDICK
In my chamber window lies a book bring it hither to me in the orchard
BOY
I am here already sir
BENEDICK
I know that but I would have thee hence and here again
Exit Boy
I do much wonder that one man seeing how much another man is a fool when he dedicates his behaviours to love will after he hath laughed at such shallow follies in others become the argument of his own scorn by falling in love and such a man is Claudio I have known when there was no music with him but the drum and the fife and now had he rather hear the tabor and the pipe I have known when he would have walked ten mile afoot to see a good armour and now will he lie ten nights awake carving the fashion of a new doublet He was wont to speak plain and to the purpose like an honest man and a soldier and now is he turned orthography his words are a very fantastical banquet just so many strange dishes May I be so converted and see with these eyes I cannot tell I think not I will not be sworn but love may transform me to an oyster but Ill take my oath on it till he have made an oyster of me he shall never make me such a fool One woman is fair yet I am well another is wise yet I am well another virtuous yet I am well but till all graces be in one woman one woman shall not come in my grace Rich she shall be thats certain wise or Ill none virtuous or Ill never cheapen her fair or Ill never look on her mild or come not near me noble or not I for an angel of good discourse an excellent musician and her hair shall be of what colour it please God Ha the Prince and Monsieur Love I will hide me in the arbour
Withdraws
Enter Don Pedro Leonato and Claudio followed by Balthasar and Musicians
DON PEDRO
Come shall we hear this music
CLAUDIO
Yea my good lord How still the evening is
As hushd on purpose to grace harmony
DON PEDRO
See you where Benedick hath hid himself
CLAUDIO
O very well my lord the music ended
Well fit the kidfox with a pennyworth
DON PEDRO
Come Balthasar well hear that song again
BALTHASAR
O good my lord tax not so bad a voice
To slander music any more than once
DON PEDRO
It is the witness still of excellency
To put a strange face on his own perfection
I pray thee sing and let me woo no more
BALTHASAR
Because you talk of wooing I will sing
Since many a wooer doth commence his suit
To her he thinks not worthy yet he wooes
Yet will he swear he loves
DON PEDRO
Nay pray thee come
Or if thou wilt hold longer argument
Do it in notes
BALTHASAR
Note this before my notes
Theres not a note of mine thats worth the noting
DON PEDRO
Why these are very crotchets that he speaks
Notes notes forsooth and nothing
Music
BENEDICK
Now divine air now is his soul ravished Is it not strange that sheeps guts should hale souls out of mens bodies Well a horn for my money when alls done
BALTHASAR sings
Sigh no more ladies sigh no more
Men were deceivers ever
One foot in sea and one on shore
To one thing constant never
Then sigh not so but let them go
And be you blithe and bonny
Converting all your sounds of woe
Into Hey nonny nonny
Sing no more ditties sing no mo
Of dumps so dull and heavy
The fraud of men was ever so
Since summer first was leavy
Then sigh not so but let them go
And be you blithe and bonny
Converting all your sounds of woe
Into Hey nonny nonny
DON PEDRO
By my troth a good song
BALTHASAR
And an ill singer my lord
DON PEDRO
Ha no no faith thou singest well enough for a shift
BENEDICK
Aside And he had been a dog that should have howled thus they would have hanged him and I pray God his bad voice bode no mischief I had as lief have heard the nightraven come what plague could have come after it
DON PEDRO Yea marry dost thou hear Balthasar I pray thee get us some excellent music for tomorrow night we would have it at the Lady Heros chamber window
BALTHASAR
The best I can my lord
DON PEDRO
Do so farewell
Exeunt Balthasar and Musicians
Come hither Leonato what was it you told me of today that your niece Beatrice was in love with Signior Benedick
CLAUDIO
O ayAside to Don Pedro Stalk on stalk on the fowl sits I did never think that lady would have loved any man
LEONATO
No nor I neither but most wonderful that she should so dote on Signior Benedick whom she hath in all outward behaviours seemed ever to abhor
BENEDICK
Aside Ist possible Sits the wind in that corner
LEONATO
By my troth my lord I cannot tell what to think of it but that she loves him with an enraged affection it is past the infinite of thought
DON PEDRO
Maybe she doth but counterfeit
CLAUDIO
Faith like enough
LEONATO
O God counterfeit There was never counterfeit of passion came so near the life of passion as she discovers it
DON PEDRO
Why what effects of passion shows she
CLAUDIO
Aside Bait the hook well this fish will bite
LEONATO
What effects my lord She will sit you To Claudio You heard my daughter tell you how
CLAUDIO
She did indeed
DON PEDRO
How how I pray you You amaze me I would have thought her spirit had been invincible against all assaults of affection
LEONATO
I would have sworn it had my lord especially against Benedick
BENEDICK
Aside I should think this a gull but that the whitebearded fellow speaks it knavery cannot sure hide itself in such reverence
CLAUDIO
Aside He hath taen the infection hold it up
DON PEDRO
Hath she made her affection known to Benedick
LEONATO
No and swears she never will thats her torment
CLAUDIO
Tis true indeed so your daughter says Shall I says she that have so oft encountered him with scorn write to him that I love him
LEONATO
This says she now when she is beginning to write to him for shell be up twenty times a night and there will she sit in her smock till she have writ a sheet of paper my daughter tells us all
CLAUDIO
Now you talk of a sheet of paper I remember a pretty jest your daughter told us of
LEONATO
O when she had writ it and was reading it over she found Benedick and Beatrice between the sheet
CLAUDIO
That
LEONATO
O she tore the letter into a thousand halfpence railed at herself that she should be so immodest to write to one that she knew would flout her I measure him says she by my own spirit for I should flout him if he writ to me yea though I love him I should
CLAUDIO
Then down upon her knees she falls weeps sobs beats her heart tears her hair prays curses O sweet Benedick God give me patience
LEONATO
She doth indeed my daughter says so and the ecstasy hath so much overborne her that my daughter is sometimes afeard she will do a desperate outrage to herself It is very true
DON PEDRO
It were good that Benedick knew of it by some other if she will not discover it
CLAUDIO
To what end he would make but a sport of it and torment the poor lady worse
DON PEDRO
And he should it were an alms to hang him Shes an excellent sweet lady and out of all suspicion she is virtuous
CLAUDIO
And she is exceeding wise
DON PEDRO
In everything but in loving Benedick
LEONATO
O my lord wisdom and blood combating in so tender a body we have ten proofs to one that blood hath the victory I am sorry for her as I have just cause being her uncle and her guardian
DON PEDRO
I would she had bestowed this dotage on me I would have daffed all other respects and made her half myself I pray you tell Benedick of it and hear what he will say
LEONATO
Were it good think you
CLAUDIO
Hero thinks surely she will die for she says she will die if he love her not and she will die ere she make her love known and she will die if he woo her rather than she will bate one breath of her accustomed crossness
DON PEDRO
She doth well if she should make tender of her love tis very possible hell scorn it for the manas you know allhath a contemptible spirit
CLAUDIO
He is a very proper man
DON PEDRO
He hath indeed a good outward happiness
CLAUDIO
Fore God and in my mind very wise
DON PEDRO
He doth indeed show some sparks that are like wit
CLAUDIO
And I take him to be valiant
DON PEDRO
As Hector I assure you and in the managing of quarrels you may say he is wise for either he avoids them with great discretion or undertakes them with a most Christianlike fear
LEONATO
If he do fear God a must necessarily keep peace if he break the peace he ought to enter into a quarrel with fear and trembling
DON PEDRO
And so will he do for the man doth fear God howsoever it seems not in him by some large jests he will make Well I am sorry for your niece Shall we go seek Benedick and tell him of her love
CLAUDIO
Never tell him my lord let her wear it out with good counsel
LEONATO
Nay thats impossible she may wear her heart out first
DON PEDRO
Well we will hear further of it by your daughter let it cool the while I love Benedick well and I could wish he would modestly examine himself to see how much he is unworthy so good a lady
LEONATO
My lord will you walk dinner is ready
CLAUDIO
Aside If he do not dote on her upon this I will never trust my expectation
DON PEDRO
Aside Let there be the same net spread for her and that must your daughter and her gentlewoman carry The sport will be when they hold one an opinion of anothers dotage and no such matter thats the scene that I would see which will be merely a dumb show Let us send her to call him in to dinner
Exeunt Don Pedro Claudio and Leonato
BENEDICK
Advancing from the arbour This can be no trick the conference was sadly borne They have the truth of this from Hero They seem to pity the lady it seems her affections have their full bent Love me why it must be requited I hear how I am censured they say I will bear myself proudly if I perceive the love come from her they say too that she will rather die than give any sign of affection I did never think to marry I must not seem proud happy are they that hear their detractions and can put them to mending They say the lady is fair tis a truth I can bear them witness and virtuous tis so I cannot reprove it and wise but for loving me by my troth it is no addition to her wit nor no great argument of her folly for I will be horribly in love with her I may chance have some odd quirks and remnants of wit broken on me because I have railed so long against marriage but doth not the appetite alter A man loves the meat in his youth that he cannot endure in his age Shall quips and sentences and these paper bullets of the brain awe a man from the career of his humour No the world must be peopled When I said I would die a bachelor I did not think I should live till I were married Here comes Beatrice By this day shes a fair lady I do spy some marks of love in her
Enter Beatrice
BEATRICE
Against my will I am sent to bid you come in to dinner
BENEDICK
Fair Beatrice I thank you for your pains
BEATRICE
I took no more pains for those thanks than you take pains to thank me if it had been painful I would not have come
BENEDICK
You take pleasure then in the message
BEATRICE
Yea just so much as you may take upon a knifes point and choke a daw withal You have no stomach signior fare you well
Exit
BENEDICK
Ha Against my will I am sent to bid you come in to dinner theres a double meaning in that I took no more pains for those thanks than you took pains to thank me thats as much as to say Any pains that I take for you is as easy as thanks If I do not take pity of her I am a villain if I do not love her I am a Jew I will go get her picture
Exit
ACT III
SCENE I Leonatos Garden
Enter Hero Margaret and Ursula
HERO
Good Margaret run thee to the parlour
There shalt thou find my cousin Beatrice
Proposing with the Prince and Claudio
Whisper her ear and tell her I and Ursala
Walk in the orchard and our whole discourse
Is all of her say that thou overheardst us
And bid her steal into the pleached bower
Where honeysuckles ripend by the sun
Forbid the sun to enter like favourites
Made proud by princes that advance their pride
Against that power that bred it There will she hide her
To listen our propose This is thy office
Bear thee well in it and leave us alone
MARGARET
Ill make her come I warrant you presently
Exit
HERO
Now Ursula when Beatrice doth come
As we do trace this alley up and down
Our talk must only be of Benedick
When I do name him let it be thy part
To praise him more than ever man did merit
My talk to thee must be how Benedick
Is sick in love with Beatrice of this matter
Is little Cupids crafty arrow made
That only wounds by hearsay
Enter Beatrice behind
Now begin
For look where Beatrice like a lapwing runs
Close by the ground to hear our conference
URSULA
The pleasantst angling is to see the fish
Cut with her golden oars the silver stream
And greedily devour the treacherous bait
So angle we for Beatrice who even now
Is couched in the woodbine coverture
Fear you not my part of the dialogue
HERO
Then go we near her that her ear lose nothing
Of the false sweet bait that we lay for it
They advance to the bower
No truly Ursula she is too disdainful
I know her spirits are as coy and wild
As haggards of the rock
URSULA
But are you sure
That Benedick loves Beatrice so entirely
HERO
So says the Prince and my newtrothed lord
URSULA
And did they bid you tell her of it madam
HERO
They did entreat me to acquaint her of it
But I persuaded them if they lovd Benedick
To wish him wrestle with affection
And never to let Beatrice know of it
URSULA
Why did you so Doth not the gentleman
Deserve as full as fortunate a bed
As ever Beatrice shall couch upon
HERO
O god of love I know he doth deserve
As much as may be yielded to a man
But Nature never framd a womans heart
Of prouder stuff than that of Beatrice
Disdain and scorn ride sparkling in her eyes
Misprising what they look on and her wit
Values itself so highly that to her
All matter else seems weak She cannot love
Nor take no shape nor project of affection
She is so selfendeard
URSULA
Sure I think so
And therefore certainly it were not good
She knew his love lest she make sport at it
HERO
Why you speak truth I never yet saw man
How wise how noble young how rarely featurd
But she would spell him backward if fairfacd
She would swear the gentleman should be her sister
If black why Nature drawing of an antick
Made a foul blot if tall a lance illheaded
If low an agate very vilely cut
If speaking why a vane blown with all winds
If silent why a block moved with none
So turns she every man the wrong side out
And never gives to truth and virtue that
Which simpleness and merit purchaseth
URSULA
Sure sure such carping is not commendable
HERO
No not to be so odd and from all fashions
As Beatrice is cannot be commendable
But who dare tell her so If I should speak
She would mock me into air O she would laugh me
Out of myself press me to death with wit
Therefore let Benedick like coverd fire
Consume away in sighs waste inwardly
It were a better death than die with mocks
Which is as bad as die with tickling
URSULA
Yet tell her of it hear what she will say
HERO
No rather I will go to Benedick
And counsel him to fight against his passion
And truly Ill devise some honest slanders
To stain my cousin with One doth not know
How much an ill word may empoison liking
URSULA
O do not do your cousin such a wrong
She cannot be so much without true judgment
Having so swift and excellent a wit
As she is prizd to haveas to refuse
So rare a gentleman as Signior Benedick
HERO
He is the only man of Italy
Always excepted my dear Claudio
URSULA
I pray you be not angry with me madam
Speaking my fancy Signior Benedick
For shape for bearing argument and valour
Goes foremost in report through Italy
HERO
Indeed he hath an excellent good name
URSULA
His excellence did earn it ere he had it
When are you married madam
HERO
Why every day tomorrow Come go in
Ill show thee some attires and have thy counsel
Which is the best to furnish me tomorrow
URSULA
Shes limd I warrant you
We have caught her madam
HERO
If it prove so then loving goes by haps
Some Cupid kills with arrows some with traps
Exeunt Hero and Ursula
BEATRICE
Advancing What fire is in mine ears Can this be true
Stand I condemnd for pride and scorn so much
Contempt farewell and maiden pride adieu
No glory lives behind the back of such
And Benedick love on I will requite thee
Taming my wild heart to thy loving hand
If thou dost love my kindness shall incite thee
To bind our loves up in a holy band
For others say thou dost deserve and I
Believe it better than reportingly
Exit
SCENE II A Room in Leonatos House
Enter Don Pedro Claudio Benedick and Leonato
DON PEDRO
I do but stay till your marriage be consummate and then go I toward Arragon
CLAUDIO
Ill bring you thither my lord if youll vouchsafe me
DON PEDRO
Nay that would be as great a soil in the new gloss of your marriage as to show a child his new coat and forbid him to wear it I will only be bold with Benedick for his company for from the crown of his head to the sole of his foot he is all mirth he hath twice or thrice cut Cupids bowstring and the little hangman dare not shoot at him He hath a heart as sound as a bell and his tongue is the clapper for what his heart thinks his tongue speaks
BENEDICK
Gallants I am not as I have been
LEONATO
So say I methinks you are sadder
CLAUDIO
I hope he be in love
DON PEDRO
Hang him truant theres no true drop of blood in him to be truly touched with love If he be sad he wants money
BENEDICK
I have the toothache
DON PEDRO
Draw it
BENEDICK
Hang it
CLAUDIO
You must hang it first and draw it afterwards
DON PEDRO
What sigh for the toothache
LEONATO
Where is but a humour or a worm
BENEDICK
Well everyone can master a grief but he that has it
CLAUDIO
Yet say I he is in love
DON PEDRO
There is no appearance of fancy in him unless it be a fancy that he hath to strange disguises as to be a Dutchman today a Frenchman tomorrow or in the shape of two countries at once as a German from the waist downward all slops and a Spaniard from the hip upward no doublet Unless he have a fancy to this foolery as it appears he hath he is no fool for fancy as you would have it appear he is
CLAUDIO
If he be not in love with some woman there is no believing old signs a brushes his hat a mornings what should that bode
DON PEDRO
Hath any man seen him at the barbers
CLAUDIO
No but the barbers man hath been seen with him and the old ornament of his cheek hath already stuffed tennis balls
LEONATO
Indeed he looks younger than he did by the loss of a beard
DON PEDRO
Nay a rubs himself with civet can you smell him out by that
CLAUDIO
Thats as much as to say the sweet youths in love
DON PEDRO
The greatest note of it is his melancholy
CLAUDIO
And when was he wont to wash his face
DON PEDRO
Yea or to paint himself for the which I hear what they say of him
CLAUDIO
Nay but his jesting spirit which is now crept into a lutestring and now governed by stops
DON PEDRO
Indeed that tells a heavy tale for him Conclude conclude he is in love
CLAUDIO
Nay but I know who loves him
DON PEDRO
That would I know too I warrant one that knows him not
CLAUDIO
Yes and his ill conditions and in despite of all dies for him
DON PEDRO
She shall be buried with her face upwards
BENEDICK
Yet is this no charm for the toothache Old signior walk aside with me I have studied eight or nine wise words to speak to you which these hobbyhorses must not hear
Exeunt Benedick and Leonato
DON PEDRO
For my life to break with him about Beatrice
CLAUDIO
Tis even so Hero and Margaret have by this played their parts with Beatrice and then the two bears will not bite one another when they meet
Enter Don John
DON JOHN
My lord and brother God save you
DON PEDRO
Good den brother
DON JOHN
If your leisure served I would speak with you
DON PEDRO
In private
DON JOHN
If it please you yet Count Claudio may hear for what I would speak of concerns him
DON PEDRO
Whats the matter
DON JOHN
To Claudio Means your lordship to be married tomorrow
DON PEDRO
You know he does
DON JOHN
I know not that when he knows what I know
CLAUDIO
If there be any impediment I pray you discover it
DON JOHN
You may think I love you not let that appear hereafter and aim better at me by that I now will manifest For my brother I think he holds you well and in dearness of heart hath holp to effect your ensuing marriage surely suit illspent and labour ill bestowed
DON PEDRO
Why whats the matter
DON JOHN
I came hither to tell you and circumstances shortenedfor she has been too long a talking ofthe lady is disloyal
CLAUDIO
Who Hero
DON JOHN
Even she Leonatos Hero your Hero every mans Hero
CLAUDIO
Disloyal
DON JOHN
The words too good to paint out her wickedness I could say she were worse think you of a worse title and I will fit her to it Wonder not till further warrant go but with me tonight you shall see her chamber window entered even the night before her weddingday if you love her then tomorrow wed her but it would better fit your honour to change your mind
CLAUDIO
May this be so
DON PEDRO
I will not think it
DON JOHN
If you dare not trust that you see confess not that you know If you will follow me I will show you enough and when you have seen more and heard more proceed accordingly
CLAUDIO
If I see anything tonight why I should not marry her tomorrow in the congregation where I should wed there will I shame her
DON PEDRO
And as I wooed for thee to obtain her I will join with thee to disgrace her
DON JOHN
I will disparage her no farther till you are my witnesses bear it coldly but till midnight and let the issue show itself
DON PEDRO
O day untowardly turned
CLAUDIO
O mischief strangely thwarting
DON JOHN
O plague right well prevented So will you say when you have seen the sequel
Exeunt
Scene III A Street
Enter Dogberry and Verges with the Watch
DOGBERRY
Are you good men and true
VERGES
Yea or else it were pity but they should suffer salvation body and soul
DOGBERRY
Nay that were a punishment too good for them if they should have any allegiance in them being chosen for the Princes watch
VERGES
Well give them their charge neighbour Dogberry
DOGBERRY
First who think you the most desartless man to be constable
FIRST WATCH
Hugh Oatcake sir or George Seacoal for they can write and read
DOGBERRY
Come hither neighbour Seacoal God hath blessed you with a good name to be a wellfavoured man is the gift of Fortune but to write and read comes by Nature
SECOND WATCH
Both which Master Constable
DOGBERRY
You have I knew it would be your answer Well for your favour sir why give God thanks and make no boast of it and for your writing and reading let that appear when there is no need of such vanity You are thought here to be the most senseless and fit man for the constable of the watch therefore bear you the lanthorn This is your charge you shall comprehend all vagrom men you are to bid any man stand in the Princes name
SECOND WATCH
How if a will not stand
DOGBERRY
Why then take no note of him but let him go and presently call the rest of the watch together and thank God you are rid of a knave
VERGES
If he will not stand when he is bidden he is none of the Princes subjects
DOGBERRY
True and they are to meddle with none but the Princes subjects You shall also make no noise in the streets for for the watch to babble and to talk is most tolerable and not to be endured
SECOND WATCH
We will rather sleep than talk we know what belongs to a watch
DOGBERRY
Why you speak like an ancient and most quiet watchman for I cannot see how sleeping should offend only have a care that your bills be not stolen Well you are to call at all the alehouses and bid those that are drunk get them to bed
SECOND WATCH
How if they will not
DOGBERRY
Why then let them alone till they are sober if they make you not then the better answer you may say they are not the men you took them for
SECOND WATCH
Well sir
DOGBERRY
If you meet a thief you may suspect him by virtue of your office to be no true man and for such kind of men the less you meddle or make with them why the more is for your honesty
SECOND WATCH
If we know him to be a thief shall we not lay hands on him
DOGBERRY
Truly by your office you may but I think they that touch pitch will be defiled The most peaceable way for you if you do take a thief is to let him show himself what he is and steal out of your company
VERGES
You have been always called a merciful man partner
DOGBERRY
Truly I would not hang a dog by my will much more a man who hath any honesty in him
VERGES
If you hear a child cry in the night you must call to the nurse and bid her still it
SECOND WATCH
How if the nurse be asleep and will not hear us
DOGBERRY
Why then depart in peace and let the child wake her with crying for the ewe that will not hear her lamb when it baes will never answer a calf when he bleats
VERGES
Tis very true
DOGBERRY
This is the end of the charge You constable are to present the Princes own person if you meet the Prince in the night you may stay him
VERGES
Nay byr lady that I think a cannot
DOGBERRY
Five shillings to one ont with any man that knows the statutes he may stay him marry not without the Prince be willing for indeed the watch ought to offend no man and it is an offence to stay a man against his will
VERGES
Byr lady I think it be so
DOGBERRY
Ha ah ha Well masters good night an there be any matter of weight chances call up me keep your fellows counsels and your own and good night Come neighbour
SECOND WATCH
Well masters we hear our charge let us go sit here upon the church bench till two and then all to bed
DOGBERRY
One word more honest neighbours I pray you watch about Signior Leonatos door for the wedding being there tomorrow there is a great coil tonight Adieu be vigitant I beseech you
Exeunt Dogberry and Verges
Enter Borachio and Conrade
BORACHIO
What Conrade
WATCH
Aside Peace stir not
BORACHIO
Conrade I say
CONRADE
Here man I am at thy elbow
BORACHIO
Mass and my elbow itched I thought there would a scab follow
CONRADE
I will owe thee an answer for that and now forward with thy tale
BORACHIO
Stand thee close then under this penthouse for it drizzles rain and I will like a true drunkard utter all to thee
WATCH
Aside Some treason masters yet stand close
BORACHIO
Therefore know I have earned of Don John a thousand ducats
CONRADE
Is it possible that any villainy should be so dear
BORACHIO
Thou shouldst rather ask if it were possible any villainy should be so rich for when rich villains have need of poor ones poor ones may make what price they will
CONRADE
I wonder at it
BORACHIO
That shows thou art unconfirmed Thou knowest that the fashion of a doublet or a hat or a cloak is nothing to a man
CONRADE
Yes it is apparel
BORACHIO
I mean the fashion
CONRADE
Yes the fashion is the fashion
BORACHIO
Tush I may as well say the fools the fool But seest thou not what a deformed thief this fashion is
WATCH
Aside I know that Deformed a has been a vile thief this seven years a goes up and down like a gentleman I remember his name
BORACHIO
Didst thou not hear somebody
CONRADE
No twas the vane on the house
BORACHIO
Seest thou not I say what a deformed thief this fashion is how giddily he turns about all the hot bloods between fourteen and fiveandthirty sometime fashioning them like Pharaohs soldiers in the reechy painting sometime like god Bels priests in the old church window sometime like the shaven Hercules in the smirched wormeaten tapestry where his codpiece seems as massy as his club
CONRADE
All this I see and I see that the fashion wears out more apparel than the man But art not thou thyself giddy with the fashion too that thou hast shifted out of thy tale into telling me of the fashion
BORACHIO
Not so neither but know that I have tonight wooed Margaret the Lady Heros gentlewoman by the name of Hero she leans me out at her mistress chamber window bids me a thousand times good nightI tell this tale vilelyI should first tell thee how the Prince Claudio and my master planted and placed and possessed by my master Don John saw afar off in the orchard this amiable encounter
CONRADE
And thought they Margaret was Hero
BORACHIO
Two of them did the Prince and Claudio but the devil my master knew she was Margaret and partly by his oaths which first possessed them partly by the dark night which did deceive them but chiefly by my villainy which did confirm any slander that Don John had made away went Claudio enraged swore he would meet her as he was appointed next morning at the temple and there before the whole congregation shame her with what he saw oer night and send her home again without a husband
FIRST WATCH
We charge you in the Princes name stand
SECOND WATCH
Call up the right Master Constable We have here recovered the most dangerous piece of lechery that ever was known in the commonwealth
FIRST WATCH
And one Deformed is one of them I know him a wears a lock
CONRADE
Masters masters
SECOND WATCH
Youll be made bring Deformed forth I warrant you
CONRADE
Masters
FIRST WATCH
Never speak we charge you let us obey you to go with us
BORACHIO We are like to prove a goodly commodity being taken up of these mens bills
CONRADE
A commodity in question I warrant you Come well obey you
Exeunt
Scene IV A Room in Leonatos House
Enter Hero Margaret and Ursula
HERO
Good Ursula wake my cousin Beatrice and desire her to rise
URSULA
I will lady
HERO
And bid her come hither
URSULA
Well
Exit
MARGARET
Troth I think your other rebato were better
HERO
No pray thee good Meg Ill wear this
MARGARET
By my troths not so good and I warrant your cousin will say so
HERO
My cousins a fool and thou art another Ill wear none but this
MARGARET
I like the new tire within excellently if the hair were a thought browner and your gowns a most rare fashion i faith I saw the Duchess of Milans gown that they praise so
HERO
O that exceeds they say
MARGARET
By my troth s but a nightgown in respect of yours cloth o gold and cuts and laced with silver set with pearls down sleeves side sleeves and skirts round underborne with a bluish tinsel but for a fine quaint graceful and excellent fashion yours is worth ten ont
HERO
God give me joy to wear it for my heart is exceeding heavy
MARGARET
Twill be heavier soon by the weight of a man
HERO
Fie upon thee art not ashamed
MARGARET
Of what lady of speaking honourably Is not marriage honourable in a beggar Is not your lord honourable without marriage I think you would have me say saving your reverence a husband an bad thinking do not wrest true speaking Ill offend nobody Is there any harm in the heavier for a husband None I think and it be the right husband and the right wife otherwise tis light and not heavy ask my Lady Beatrice else here she comes
Enter Beatrice
HERO
Good morrow coz
BEATRICE
Good morrow sweet Hero
HERO
Why how now do you speak in the sick tune
BEATRICE
I am out of all other tune methinks
MARGARET
Claps into Light o love that goes without a burden do you sing it and Ill dance it
BEATRICE
Ye light o love with your heels then if your husband have stables enough youll see he shall lack no barnes
MARGARET
O illegitimate construction I scorn that with my heels
BEATRICE
Tis almost five oclock cousin tis time you were ready By my troth I am exceeding ill Heighho
MARGARET
For a hawk a horse or a husband
BEATRICE
For the letter that begins them all H
MARGARET
Well and you be not turned Turk theres no more sailing by the star
BEATRICE
What means the fool trow
MARGARET
Nothing I but God send everyone their hearts desire
HERO
These gloves the Count sent me they are an excellent perfume
BEATRICE
I am stuffed cousin I cannot smell
MARGARET
A maid and stuffed theres goodly catching of cold
BEATRICE
O God help me God help me how long have you professed apprehension
MARGARET
Ever since you left it Doth not my wit become me rarely
BEATRICE
It is not seen enough you should wear it in your cap By my troth I am sick
MARGARET
Get you some of this distilled Carduus benedictus and lay it to your heart it is the only thing for a qualm
HERO
There thou prickst her with a thistle
BEATRICE
Benedictus why benedictus you have some moral in this benedictus
MARGARET
Moral no by my troth I have no moral meaning I meant plain holy thistle You may think perchance that I think you are in love nay byr Lady I am not such a fool to think what I list nor I list not to think what I can nor indeed I cannot think if I would think my heart out of thinking that you are in love or that you will be in love or that you can be in love Yet Benedick was such another and now is he become a man he swore he would never marry and yet now in despite of his heart he eats his meat without grudging and how you may be converted I know not but methinks you look with your eyes as other women do
BEATRICE
What pace is this that thy tongue keeps
MARGARET
Not a false gallop
Reenter Ursula
URSULA
Madam withdraw the Prince the Count Signior Benedick Don John and all the gallants of the town are come to fetch you to church
HERO
Help to dress me good coz good Meg good Ursula
Exeunt
Scene V Another Room in Leonatos House
Enter Leonato and Dogberry and Verges
LEONATO
What would you with me honest neighbour
DOGBERRY
Marry sir I would have some confidence with you that decerns you nearly
LEONATO
Brief I pray you for you see it is a busy time with me
DOGBERRY
Marry this it is sir
VERGES
Yes in truth it is sir
LEONATO
What is it my good friends
DOGBERRY
Goodman Verges sir speaks a little off the matter an old man sir and his wits are not so blunt as God help I would desire they were but in faith honest as the skin between his brows
VERGES
Yes I thank God I am as honest as any man living that is an old man and no honester than I
DOGBERRY
Comparisons are odorous palabras neighbour Verges
LEONATO
Neighbours you are tedious
DOGBERRY
It pleases your worship to say so but we are the poor Dukes officers but truly for mine own part if I were as tedious as a king I could find in my heart to bestow it all of your worship
LEONATO
All thy tediousness on me ah
DOGBERRY
Yea and twere a thousand pound more than tis for I hear as good exclamation on your worship as of any man in the city and though I be but a poor man I am glad to hear it
VERGES
And so am I
LEONATO
I would fain know what you have to say
VERGES
Marry sir our watch tonight excepting your worships presence ha taen a couple of as arrant knaves as any in Messina
DOGBERRY
A good old man sir he will be talking as they say when the age is in the wit is out God help us it is a world to see Well said i faith neighbour Verges well Gods a good man and two men ride of a horse one must ride behind An honest soul i faith sir by my troth he is as ever broke bread but God is to be worshipped all men are not alike alas good neighbour
LEONATO
Indeed neighbour he comes too short of you
DOGBERRY
Gifts that God gives
LEONATO
I must leave you
DOGBERRY
One word sir our watch sir have indeed comprehended two aspicious persons and we would have them this morning examined before your worship
LEONATO
Take their examination yourself and bring it me I am now in great haste as may appear unto you
DOGBERRY
It shall be suffigance
LEONATO
Drink some wine ere you go fare you well
Enter a Messenger
MESSENGER
My lord they stay for you to give your daughter to her husband
LEONATO
Ill wait upon them I am ready
Exeunt Leonato and Messenger
DOGBERRY
Go good partner go get you to Francis Seacoal bid him bring his pen and inkhorn to the gaol we are now to examination these men
VERGES
And we must do it wisely
DOGBERRY
We will spare for no wit I warrant you heres that shall drive some of them to a noncome only get the learned writer to set down our excommunication and meet me at the gaol
Exeunt
ACT IV
SCENE I The Inside of a Church
Enter Don Pedro Don John Leonato Friar Francis Claudio Benedick Hero Beatrice c
LEONATO
Come Friar Francis be brief only to the plain form of marriage and you shall recount their particular duties afterwards
FRIAR
You come hither my lord to marry this lady
CLAUDIO
No
LEONATO
To be married to her friar you come to marry her
FRIAR
Lady you come hither to be married to this Count
HERO
I do
FRIAR
If either of you know any inward impediment why you should not be conjoined I charge you on your souls to utter it
CLAUDIO
Know you any Hero
HERO
None my lord
FRIAR
Know you any Count
LEONATO
I dare make his answer none
CLAUDIO
O what men dare do what men may do what men daily do not knowing what they do
BENEDICK
How now Interjections Why then some be of laughing as ah ha he
CLAUDIO
Stand thee by Friar Father by your leave
Will you with free and unconstrained soul
Give me this maid your daughter
LEONATO
As freely son as God did give her me
CLAUDIO
And what have I to give you back whose worth
May counterpoise this rich and precious gift
DON PEDRO
Nothing unless you render her again
CLAUDIO
Sweet Prince you learn me noble thankfulness
There Leonato take her back again
Give not this rotten orange to your friend
Shes but the sign and semblance of her honour
Behold how like a maid she blushes here
O what authority and show of truth
Can cunning sin cover itself withal
Comes not that blood as modest evidence
To witness simple virtue Would you not swear
All you that see her that she were a maid
By these exterior shows But she is none
She knows the heat of a luxurious bed
Her blush is guiltiness not modesty
LEONATO
What do you mean my lord
CLAUDIO
Not to be married
Not to knit my soul to an approved wanton
LEONATO
Dear my lord if you in your own proof
Have vanquishd the resistance of her youth
And made defeat of her virginity
CLAUDIO
I know what you would say if I have known her
You will say she did embrace me as a husband
And so extenuate the forehand sin No Leonato
I never tempted her with word too large
But as a brother to his sister showd
Bashful sincerity and comely love
HERO
And seemd I ever otherwise to you
CLAUDIO
Out on thee Seeming I will write against it
You seem to me as Dian in her orb
As chaste as is the bud ere it be blown
But you are more intemperate in your blood
Than Venus or those pamperd animals
That rage in savage sensuality
HERO
Is my lord well that he doth speak so wide
LEONATO
Sweet Prince why speak not you
DON PEDRO
What should I speak
I stand dishonourd that have gone about
To link my dear friend to a common stale
LEONATO
Are these things spoken or do I but dream
DON JOHN
Sir they are spoken and these things are true
BENEDICK
This looks not like a nuptial
HERO
True O God
CLAUDIO
Leonato stand I here
Is this the Prince Is this the Princes brother
Is this face Heros Are our eyes our own
LEONATO
All this is so but what of this my lord
CLAUDIO
Let me but move one question to your daughter
And by that fatherly and kindly power
That you have in her bid her answer truly
LEONATO
I charge thee do so as thou art my child
HERO
O God defend me how am I beset
What kind of catechizing call you this
CLAUDIO
To make you answer truly to your name
HERO
Is it not Hero Who can blot that name
With any just reproach
CLAUDIO
Marry that can Hero
Hero itself can blot out Heros virtue
What man was he talkd with you yesternight
Out at your window betwixt twelve and one
Now if you are a maid answer to this
HERO
I talkd with no man at that hour my lord
DON PEDRO
Why then are you no maiden
Leonato I am sorry you must hear upon my honour
Myself my brother and this grieved Count
Did see her hear her at that hour last night
Talk with a ruffian at her chamber window
Who hath indeed most like a liberal villain
Confessd the vile encounters they have had
A thousand times in secret
DON JOHN
Fie fie they are not to be namd my lord
Not to be spoke of
There is not chastity enough in language
Without offence to utter them Thus pretty lady
I am sorry for thy much misgovernment
CLAUDIO
O Hero what a Hero hadst thou been
If half thy outward graces had been placd
About thy thoughts and counsels of thy heart
But fare thee well most foul most fair farewell
Thou pure impiety and impious purity
For thee Ill lock up all the gates of love
And on my eyelids shall conjecture hang
To turn all beauty into thoughts of harm
And never shall it more be gracious
LEONATO
Hath no mans dagger here a point for me
Hero swoons
BEATRICE
Why how now cousin wherefore sink you down
DON JOHN
Come let us go These things come thus to light
Smother her spirits up
Exeunt Don Pedro Don John and Claudio
BENEDICK
How doth the lady
BEATRICE
Dead I think Help uncle Hero why Hero Uncle Signior Benedick Friar
LEONATO
O Fate take not away thy heavy hand
Death is the fairest cover for her shame
That may be wishd for
BEATRICE
How now cousin Hero
FRIAR
Have comfort lady
LEONATO
Dost thou look up
FRIAR
Yea wherefore should she not
LEONATO
Wherefore Why doth not every earthly thing
Cry shame upon her Could she here deny
The story that is printed in her blood
Do not live Hero do not ope thine eyes
For did I think thou wouldst not quickly die
Thought I thy spirits were stronger than thy shames
Myself would on the rearward of reproaches
Strike at thy life Grievd I I had but one
Chid I for that at frugal Natures frame
O one too much by thee Why had I one
Why ever wast thou lovely in my eyes
Why had I not with charitable hand
Took up a beggars issue at my gates
Who smirched thus and mird with infamy
I might have said No part of it is mine
This shame derives itself from unknown loins
But mine and mine I lovd and mine I praisd
And mine that I was proud on mine so much
That I myself was to myself not mine
Valuing of her why sheO she is fallen
Into a pit of ink that the wide sea
Hath drops too few to wash her clean again
And salt too little which may season give
To her foul tainted flesh
BENEDICK
Sir sir be patient
For my part I am so attird in wonder
I know not what to say
BEATRICE
O on my soul my cousin is belied
BENEDICK
Lady were you her bedfellow last night
BEATRICE
No truly not although until last night
I have this twelvemonth been her bedfellow
LEONATO
Confirmd confirmd O that is stronger made
Which was before barrd up with ribs of iron
Would the two princes lie and Claudio lie
Who lovd her so that speaking of her foulness
Washd it with tears Hence from her let her die
FRIAR
Hear me a little
For I have only been silent so long
And given way unto this course of fortune
By noting of the lady I have markd
A thousand blushing apparitions
To start into her face a thousand innocent shames
In angel whiteness bear away those blushes
And in her eye there hath appeard a fire
To burn the errors that these princes hold
Against her maiden truth Call me a fool
Trust not my reading nor my observations
Which with experimental seal doth warrant
The tenure of my book trust not my age
My reverence calling nor divinity
If this sweet lady lie not guiltless here
Under some biting error
LEONATO
Friar it cannot be
Thou seest that all the grace that she hath left
Is that she will not add to her damnation
A sin of perjury she not denies it
Why seekst thou then to cover with excuse
That which appears in proper nakedness
FRIAR
Lady what man is he you are accusd of
HERO
They know that do accuse me I know none
If I know more of any man alive
Than that which maiden modesty doth warrant
Let all my sins lack mercy O my father
Prove you that any man with me conversd
At hours unmeet or that I yesternight
Maintaind the change of words with any creature
Refuse me hate me torture me to death
FRIAR
There is some strange misprision in the princes
BENEDICK
Two of them have the very bent of honour
And if their wisdoms be misled in this
The practice of it lives in John the bastard
Whose spirits toil in frame of villainies
LEONATO
I know not If they speak but truth of her
These hands shall tear her if they wrong her honour
The proudest of them shall well hear of it
Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine
Nor age so eat up my invention
Nor fortune made such havoc of my means
Nor my bad life reft me so much of friends
But they shall find awakd in such a kind
Both strength of limb and policy of mind
Ability in means and choice of friends
To quit me of them throughly
FRIAR
Pause awhile
And let my counsel sway you in this case
Your daughter here the princes left for dead
Let her awhile be secretly kept in
And publish it that she is dead indeed
Maintain a mourning ostentation
And on your familys old monument
Hang mournful epitaphs and do all rites
That appertain unto a burial
LEONATO
What shall become of this What will this do
FRIAR
Marry this well carried shall on her behalf
Change slander to remorse that is some good
But not for that dream I on this strange course
But on this travail look for greater birth
She dying as it must be so maintaind
Upon the instant that she was accusd
Shall be lamented pitied and excusd
Of every hearer for it so falls out
That what we have we prize not to the worth
Whiles we enjoy it but being lackd and lost
Why then we rack the value then we find
The virtue that possession would not show us
Whiles it was ours So will it fare with Claudio
When he shall hear she died upon his words
The idea of her life shall sweetly creep
Into his study of imagination
And every lovely organ of her life
Shall come apparelld in more precious habit
More moving delicate and full of life
Into the eye and prospect of his soul
Than when she livd indeed then shall he mourn
If ever love had interest in his liver
And wish he had not so accused her
No though he thought his accusation true
Let this be so and doubt not but success
Will fashion the event in better shape
Than I can lay it down in likelihood
But if all aim but this be levelld false
The supposition of the ladys death
Will quench the wonder of her infamy
And if it sort not well you may conceal her
As best befits her wounded reputation
In some reclusive and religious life
Out of all eyes tongues minds and injuries
BENEDICK
Signior Leonato let the friar advise you
And though you know my inwardness and love
Is very much unto the Prince and Claudio
Yet by mine honour I will deal in this
As secretly and justly as your soul
Should with your body
LEONATO
Being that I flow in grief
The smallest twine may lead me
FRIAR
Tis well consented presently away
For to strange sores strangely they strain the cure
Come lady die to live this wedding day
Perhaps is but prolongd have patience and endure
Exeunt Friar Hero and Leonato
BENEDICK
Lady Beatrice have you wept all this while
BEATRICE
Yea and I will weep a while longer
BENEDICK
I will not desire that
BEATRICE
You have no reason I do it freely
BENEDICK
Surely I do believe your fair cousin is wronged
BEATRICE
Ah how much might the man deserve of me that would right her
BENEDICK
Is there any way to show such friendship
BEATRICE
A very even way but no such friend
BENEDICK
May a man do it
BEATRICE
It is a mans office but not yours
BENEDICK
I do love nothing in the world so well as you is not that strange
BEATRICE
As strange as the thing I know not It were as possible for me to say I loved nothing so well as you but believe me not and yet I lie not I confess nothing nor I deny nothing I am sorry for my cousin
BENEDICK
By my sword Beatrice thou lovest me
BEATRICE
Do not swear by it and eat it
BENEDICK
I will swear by it that you love me and I will make him eat it that says I love not you
BEATRICE
Will you not eat your word
BENEDICK
With no sauce that can be devised to it I protest I love thee
BEATRICE
Why then God forgive me
BENEDICK
What offence sweet Beatrice
BEATRICE
You have stayed me in a happy hour I was about to protest I loved you
BENEDICK
And do it with all thy heart
BEATRICE
I love you with so much of my heart that none is left to protest
BENEDICK
Come bid me do anything for thee
BEATRICE
Kill Claudio
BENEDICK
Ha not for the wide world
BEATRICE
You kill me to deny it Farewell
BENEDICK
Tarry sweet Beatrice
BEATRICE
I am gone though I am here there is no love in you nay I pray you let me go
BENEDICK
Beatrice
BEATRICE
In faith I will go
BENEDICK
Well be friends first
BEATRICE
You dare easier be friends with me than fight with mine enemy
BENEDICK
Is Claudio thine enemy
BEATRICE
Is he not approved in the height a villain that hath slandered scorned dishonoured my kinswoman O that I were a man What bear her in hand until they come to take hands and then with public accusation uncovered slander unmitigated rancourO God that I were a man I would eat his heart in the marketplace
BENEDICK
Hear me Beatrice
BEATRICE
Talk with a man out at a window a proper saying
BENEDICK
Nay but Beatrice
BEATRICE
Sweet Hero she is wronged she is slandered she is undone
BENEDICK
Beat
BEATRICE
Princes and Counties Surely a princely testimony a goodly Count Comfect a sweet gallant surely O that I were a man for his sake or that I had any friend would be a man for my sake But manhood is melted into curtsies valour into compliment and men are only turned into tongue and trim ones too he is now as valiant as Hercules that only tells a lie and swears it I cannot be a man with wishing therefore I will die a woman with grieving
BENEDICK
Tarry good Beatrice By this hand I love thee
BEATRICE
Use it for my love some other way than swearing by it
BENEDICK
Think you in your soul the Count Claudio hath wronged Hero
BEATRICE
Yea as sure is I have a thought or a soul
BENEDICK
Enough I am engaged I will challenge him I will kiss your hand and so leave you By this hand Claudio shall render me a dear account As you hear of me so think of me Go comfort your cousin I must say she is dead and so farewell
Exeunt
Scene II A Prison
Enter Dogberry Verges and Sexton in gowns and the Watch with Conrade and Borachio
DOGBERRY
Is our whole dissembly appeared
VERGES
O a stool and a cushion for the sexton
SEXTON
Which be the malefactors
DOGBERRY
Marry that am I and my partner
VERGES
Nay thats certain we have the exhibition to examine
SEXTON
But which are the offenders that are to be examined let them come before Master Constable
DOGBERRY
Yea marry let them come before me What is your name friend
BORACHIO
Borachio
DOGBERRY
Pray write down Borachio Yours sirrah
CONRADE
I am a gentleman sir and my name is Conrade
DOGBERRY
Write down Master gentleman Conrade Masters do you serve God
BOTH
Yea sir we hope
DOGBERRY
Write down that they hope they serve God and write God first for God defend but God should go before such villains Masters it is proved already that you are little better than false knaves and it will go near to be thought so shortly How answer you for yourselves
CONRADE
Marry sir we say we are none
DOGBERRY
A marvellous witty fellow I assure you but I will go about with him Come you hither sirrah a word in your ear sir I say to you it is thought you are false knaves
BORACHIO
Sir I say to you we are none
DOGBERRY
Well stand aside Fore God they are both in a tale Have you writ down that they are none
SEXTON
Master Constable you go not the way to examine you must call forth the watch that are their accusers
DOGBERRY
Yea marry thats the eftest way Let the watch come forth Masters I charge you in the Princes name accuse these men
FIRST WATCH
This man said sir that Don John the Princes brother was a villain
DOGBERRY
Write down Prince John a villain Why this is flat perjury to call a Princes brother villain
BORACHIO
Master Constable
DOGBERRY
Pray thee fellow peace I do not like thy look I promise thee
SEXTON
What heard you him say else
SECOND WATCH
Marry that he had received a thousand ducats of Don John for accusing the Lady Hero wrongfully
DOGBERRY
Flat burglary as ever was committed
VERGES
Yea by the mass that it is
SEXTON
What else fellow
FIRST WATCH
And that Count Claudio did mean upon his words to disgrace Hero before the whole assembly and not marry her
DOGBERRY
O villain thou wilt be condemned into everlasting redemption for this
SEXTON
What else
SECOND WATCH
This is all
SEXTON
And this is more masters than you can deny Prince John is this morning secretly stolen away Hero was in this manner accused in this manner refused and upon the grief of this suddenly died Master Constable let these men be bound and brought to Leonatos I will go before and show him their examination
Exit
DOGBERRY
Come let them be opinioned
VERGES
Let them be in the hands
CONRADE
Off coxcomb
DOGBERRY
Gods my life wheres the sexton let him write down the Princes officer coxcomb Come bind them Thou naughty varlet
CONRADE
Away you are an ass you are an ass
DOGBERRY
Dost thou not suspect my place Dost thou not suspect my years O that he were here to write me down an ass but masters remember that I am an ass though it be not written down yet forget not that I am an ass No thou villain thou art full of piety as shall be proved upon thee by good witness I am a wise fellow and which is more an officer and which is more a householder and which is more as pretty a piece of flesh as any in Messina and one that knows the law go to and a rich fellow enough go to and a fellow that hath had losses and one that hath two gowns and everything handsome about him Bring him away O that I had been writ down an ass
Exeunt
ACT V
SCENE I Before Leonatos House
Enter Leonato and Antonio
ANTONIO
If you go on thus you will kill yourself
And tis not wisdom thus to second grief
Against yourself
LEONATO
I pray thee cease thy counsel
Which falls into mine ears as profitless
As water in a sieve give not me counsel
Nor let no comforter delight mine ear
But such a one whose wrongs do suit with mine
Bring me a father that so lovd his child
Whose joy of her is overwhelmd like mine
And bid him speak of patience
Measure his woe the length and breadth of mine
And let it answer every strain for strain
As thus for thus and such a grief for such
In every lineament branch shape and form
If such a one will smile and stroke his beard
Bid sorrow wag cry hem when he should groan
Patch grief with proverbs make misfortune drunk
With candlewasters bring him yet to me
And I of him will gather patience
But there is no such man for brother men
Can counsel and speak comfort to that grief
Which they themselves not feel but tasting it
Their counsel turns to passion which before
Would give preceptial medicine to rage
Fetter strong madness in a silken thread
Charm ache with air and agony with words
No no tis all mens office to speak patience
To those that wring under the load of sorrow
But no mans virtue nor sufficiency
To be so moral when he shall endure
The like himself Therefore give me no counsel
My griefs cry louder than advertisement
ANTONIO
Therein do men from children nothing differ
LEONATO
I pray thee peace I will be flesh and blood
For there was never yet philosopher
That could endure the toothache patiently
However they have writ the style of gods
And made a push at chance and sufferance
ANTONIO
Yet bend not all the harm upon yourself
Make those that do offend you suffer too
LEONATO
There thou speakst reason nay I will do so
My soul doth tell me Hero is belied
And that shall Claudio know so shall the Prince
And all of them that thus dishonour her
ANTONIO
Here comes the Prince and Claudio hastily
Enter Don Pedro and Claudio
DON PEDRO
Good den good den
CLAUDIO
Good day to both of you
LEONATO
Hear you my lords
DON PEDRO
We have some haste Leonato
LEONATO
Some haste my lord well fare you well my lord
Are you so hasty nowwell all is one
DON PEDRO
Nay do not quarrel with us good old man
ANTONIO
If he could right himself with quarrelling
Some of us would lie low
CLAUDIO
Who wrongs him
LEONATO
Marry thou dost wrong me thou dissembler thou
Nay never lay thy hand upon thy sword
I fear thee not
CLAUDIO
Marry beshrew my hand
If it should give your age such cause of fear
In faith my hand meant nothing to my sword
LEONATO
Tush tush man never fleer and jest at me
I speak not like a dotard nor a fool
As under privilege of age to brag
What I have done being young or what would do
Were I not old Know Claudio to thy head
Thou hast so wrongd mine innocent child and me
That I am forcd to lay my reverence by
And with grey hairs and bruise of many days
Do challenge thee to trial of a man
I say thou hast belied mine innocent child
Thy slander hath gone through and through her heart
And she lies buried with her ancestors
O in a tomb where never scandal slept
Save this of hers framd by thy villainy
CLAUDIO
My villainy
LEONATO
Thine Claudio thine I say
DON PEDRO
You say not right old man
LEONATO
My lord my lord
Ill prove it on his body if he dare
Despite his nice fence and his active practice
His May of youth and bloom of lustihood
CLAUDIO
Away I will not have to do with you
LEONATO
Canst thou so daff me Thou hast killd my child
If thou killst me boy thou shalt kill a man
ANTONIO
He shall kill two of us and men indeed
But thats no matter let him kill one first
Win me and wear me let him answer me
Come follow me boy come sir boy come follow me
Sir boy Ill whip you from your foining fence
Nay as I am a gentleman I will
LEONATO
Brother
ANTONIO
Content yourself God knows I lovd my niece
And she is dead slanderd to death by villains
That dare as well answer a man indeed
As I dare take a serpent by the tongue
Boys apes braggarts Jacks milksops
LEONATO
Brother Anthony
ANTONIO
Hold you content What man I know them yea
And what they weigh even to the utmost scruple
Scambling outfacing fashionmonging boys
That lie and cog and flout deprave and slander
Go antickly show outward hideousness
And speak off half a dozen dangerous words
How they might hurt their enemies if they durst
And this is all
LEONATO
But brother Anthony
ANTONIO
Come tis no matter
Do not you meddle let me deal in this
DON PEDRO
Gentlemen both we will not wake your patience
My heart is sorry for your daughters death
But on my honour she was chargd with nothing
But what was true and very full of proof
LEONATO
My lord my lord
DON PEDRO
I will not hear you
LEONATO
No Come brother away I will be heard
ANTONIO
And shall or some of us will smart for it
Exeunt Leonato and Antonio
Enter Benedick
DON PEDRO
See see here comes the man we went to seek
CLAUDIO
Now signior what news
BENEDICK
Good day my lord
DON PEDRO
Welcome signior you are almost come to part almost a fray
CLAUDIO
We had like to have had our two noses snapped off with two old men without teeth
DON PEDRO
Leonato and his brother What thinkst thou Had we fought I doubt we should have been too young for them
BENEDICK
In a false quarrel there is no true valour I came to seek you both
CLAUDIO
We have been up and down to seek thee for we are highproof melancholy and would fain have it beaten away Wilt thou use thy wit
BENEDICK
It is in my scabbard shall I draw it
DON PEDRO
Dost thou wear thy wit by thy side
CLAUDIO
Never any did so though very many have been beside their wit I will bid thee draw as we do the minstrels draw to pleasure us
DON PEDRO
As I am an honest man he looks pale Art thou sick or angry
CLAUDIO
What courage man What though care killed a cat thou hast mettle enough in thee to kill care
BENEDICK
Sir I shall meet your wit in the career and you charge it against me I pray you choose another subject
CLAUDIO
Nay then give him another staff this last was broke cross
DON PEDRO
By this light he changes more and more I think he be angry indeed
CLAUDIO
If he be he knows how to turn his girdle
BENEDICK
Shall I speak a word in your ear
CLAUDIO
God bless me from a challenge
BENEDICK
Aside to Claudio You are a villain I jest not I will make it good how you dare with what you dare and when you dare Do me right or I will protest your cowardice You have killed a sweet lady and her death shall fall heavy on you Let me hear from you
CLAUDIO
Well I will meet you so I may have good cheer
DON PEDRO
What a feast a feast
CLAUDIO
I faith I thank him he hath bid me to a calfshead and a capon the which if I do not carve most curiously say my knifes naught Shall I not find a woodcock too
BENEDICK
Sir your wit ambles well it goes easily
DON PEDRO
Ill tell thee how Beatrice praised thy wit the other day I said thou hadst a fine wit True says she a fine little one No said I a great wit Right said she a great gross one Nay said I a good wit Just said she it hurts nobody Nay said I the gentleman is wise Certain said she a wise gentleman Nay said I he hath the tongues That I believe said she for he swore a thing to me on Monday night which he forswore on Tuesday morning theres a double tongue theres two tongues Thus did she an hour together transshape thy particular virtues yet at last she concluded with a sigh thou wast the properest man in Italy
CLAUDIO
For the which she wept heartily and said she cared not
DON PEDRO
Yea that she did but yet for all that an if she did not hate him deadly she would love him dearly The old mans daughter told us all
CLAUDIO
All all and moreover God saw him when he was hid in the garden
DON PEDRO
But when shall we set the savage bulls horns on the sensible Benedicks head
CLAUDIO
Yea and text underneath Here dwells Benedick the married man
BENEDICK
Fare you well boy you know my mind I will leave you now to your gossiplike humour you break jests as braggarts do their blades which God be thanked hurt not My lord for your many courtesies I thank you I must discontinue your company Your brother the bastard is fled from Messina you have among you killed a sweet and innocent lady For my Lord Lackbeard there he and I shall meet and till then peace be with him
Exit
DON PEDRO
He is in earnest
CLAUDIO
In most profound earnest and Ill warrant you for the love of Beatrice
DON PEDRO
And hath challenged thee
CLAUDIO
Most sincerely
DON PEDRO
What a pretty thing man is when he goes in his doublet and hose and leaves off his wit
CLAUDIO
He is then a giant to an ape but then is an ape a doctor to such a man
DON PEDRO
But soft you let me be pluck up my heart and be sad Did he not say my brother was fled
Enter Dogberry Verges and the Watch with Conrade and Borachio
DOGBERRY
Come you sir if justice cannot tame you she shall neer weigh more reasons in her balance Nay an you be a cursing hypocrite once you must be looked to
DON PEDRO
How now two of my brothers men bound Borachio one
CLAUDIO
Hearken after their offence my lord
DON PEDRO
Officers what offence have these men done
DOGBERRY
Marry sir they have committed false report moreover they have spoken untruths secondarily they are slanders sixth and lastly they have belied a lady thirdly they have verified unjust things and to conclude they are lying knaves
DON PEDRO
First I ask thee what they have done thirdly I ask thee whats their offence sixth and lastly why they are committed and to conclude what you lay to their charge
CLAUDIO
Rightly reasoned and in his own division and by my troth theres one meaning well suited
DON PEDRO
Who have you offended masters that you are thus bound to your answer This learned constable is too cunning to be understood Whats your offence
BORACHIO
Sweet Prince let me go no farther to mine answer do you hear me and let this Count kill me I have deceived even your very eyes what your wisdoms could not discover these shallow fools have brought to light who in the night overheard me confessing to this man how Don John your brother incensed me to slander the Lady Hero how you were brought into the orchard and saw me court Margaret in Heros garments how you disgraced her when you should marry her My villainy they have upon record which I had rather seal with my death than repeat over to my shame The lady is dead upon mine and my masters false accusation and briefly I desire nothing but the reward of a villain
DON PEDRO
Runs not this speech like iron through your blood
CLAUDIO
I have drunk poison whiles he utterd it
DON PEDRO
But did my brother set thee on to this
BORACHIO
Yea and paid me richly for the practice of it
DON PEDRO
He is composd and framd of treachery And fled he is upon this villainy
CLAUDIO
Sweet Hero now thy image doth appear
In the rare semblance that I lovd it first
DOGBERRY
Come bring away the plaintiffs by this time our sexton hath reformed Signior Leonato of the matter And masters do not forget to specify when time and place shall serve that I am an ass
VERGES
Here here comes Master Signior Leonato and the sexton too
Reenter Leonato Antonio and the Sexton
LEONATO
Which is the villain Let me see his eyes
That when I note another man like him
I may avoid him Which of these is he
BORACHIO
If you would know your wronger look on me
LEONATO
Art thou the slave that with thy breath hast killd
Mine innocent child
BORACHIO
Yea even I alone
LEONATO
No not so villain thou beliest thyself
Here stand a pair of honourable men
A third is fled that had a hand in it
I thank you princes for my daughters death
Record it with your high and worthy deeds
Twas bravely done if you bethink you of it
CLAUDIO
I know not how to pray your patience
Yet I must speak Choose your revenge yourself
Impose me to what penance your invention
Can lay upon my sin yet sinnd I not
But in mistaking
DON PEDRO
By my soul nor I
And yet to satisfy this good old man
I would bend under any heavy weight
That hell enjoin me to
LEONATO
I cannot bid you bid my daughter live
That were impossible but I pray you both
Possess the people in Messina here
How innocent she died and if your love
Can labour aught in sad invention
Hang her an epitaph upon her tomb
And sing it to her bones sing it tonight
Tomorrow morning come you to my house
And since you could not be my soninlaw
Be yet my nephew My brother hath a daughter
Almost the copy of my child thats dead
And she alone is heir to both of us
Give her the right you should have given her cousin
And so dies my revenge
CLAUDIO
O noble sir
Your overkindness doth wring tears from me
I do embrace your offer and dispose
For henceforth of poor Claudio
LEONATO
Tomorrow then I will expect your coming
Tonight I take my leave This naughty man
Shall face to face be brought to Margaret
Who I believe was packd in all this wrong
Hird to it by your brother
BORACHIO
No by my soul she was not
Nor knew not what she did when she spoke to me
But always hath been just and virtuous
In anything that I do know by her
DOGBERRY
Moreover sirwhich indeed is not under white and black this plaintiff here the offender did call me ass I beseech you let it be remembered in his punishment And also the watch heard them talk of one Deformed they say he wears a key in his ear and a lock hanging by it and borrows money in Gods name the which he hath used so long and never paid that now men grow hardhearted and will lend nothing for Gods sake Pray you examine him upon that point
LEONATO
I thank thee for thy care and honest pains
DOGBERRY
Your worship speaks like a most thankful and reverent youth and I praise God for you
LEONATO
Theres for thy pains
DOGBERRY
God save the foundation
LEONATO
Go I discharge thee of thy prisoner and I thank thee
DOGBERRY
I leave an arrant knave with your worship which I beseech your worship to correct yourself for the example of others God keep your worship I wish your worship well God restore you to health I humbly give you leave to depart and if a merry meeting may be wished God prohibit it Come neighbour
Exeunt Dogberry and Verges
LEONATO
Until tomorrow morning lords farewell
ANTONIO
Farewell my lords we look for you tomorrow
DON PEDRO
We will not fail
CLAUDIO
Tonight Ill mourn with Hero
Exeunt Don Pedro and Claudio
LEONATO
To the Watch Bring you these fellows on Well talk with Margaret
How her acquaintance grew with this lewd fellow
Exeunt
SCENE II Leonatos Garden
Enter Benedick and Margaret meeting
BENEDICK
Pray thee sweet Mistress Margaret deserve well at my hands by helping me to the speech of Beatrice
MARGARET
Will you then write me a sonnet in praise of my beauty
BENEDICK
In so high a style Margaret that no man living shall come over it for in most comely truth thou deservest it
MARGARET
To have no man come over me why shall I always keep below stairs
BENEDICK
Thy wit is as quick as the greyhounds mouth it catches
MARGARET
And yours as blunt as the fencers foils which hit but hurt not
BENEDICK
A most manly wit Margaret it will not hurt a woman and so I pray thee call Beatrice I give thee the bucklers
MARGARET
Give us the swords we have bucklers of our own
BENEDICK
If you use them Margaret you must put in the pikes with a vice and they are dangerous weapons for maids
MARGARET
Well I will call Beatrice to you who I think hath legs
BENEDICK
And therefore will come
Exit Margaret
The god of love
That sits above
And knows me and knows me
How pitiful I deserve
I mean in singing but in loving Leander the good swimmer Troilus the first employer of panders and a whole book full of these quondam carpetmongers whose names yet run smoothly in the even road of a blank verse why they were never so truly turned over and over as my poor self in love Marry I cannot show it in rime I have tried I can find out no rime to lady but baby an innocent rime for scorn horn a hard rime for school fool a babbling rime very ominous endings no I was not born under a riming planet nor I cannot woo in festival terms
Enter Beatrice
Sweet Beatrice wouldst thou come when I called thee
BEATRICE
Yea signior and depart when you bid me
BENEDICK
O stay but till then
BEATRICE
Then is spoken fare you well now and yet ere I go let me go with that I came for which is with knowing what hath passed between you and Claudio
BENEDICK
Only foul words and thereupon I will kiss thee
BEATRICE
Foul words is but foul wind and foul wind is but foul breath and foul breath is noisome therefore I will depart unkissed
BENEDICK
Thou hast frighted the word out of his right sense so forcible is thy wit But I must tell thee plainly Claudio undergoes my challenge and either I must shortly hear from him or I will subscribe him a coward And I pray thee now tell me for which of my bad parts didst thou first fall in love with me
BEATRICE
For them all together which maintained so politic a state of evil that they will not admit any good part to intermingle with them But for which of my good parts did you first suffer love for me
BENEDICK
Suffer love a good epithet I do suffer love indeed for I love thee against my will
BEATRICE
In spite of your heart I think Alas poor heart If you spite it for my sake I will spite it for yours for I will never love that which my friend hates
BENEDICK
Thou and I are too wise to woo peaceably
BEATRICE
It appears not in this confession theres not one wise man among twenty that will praise himself
BENEDICK
An old an old instance Beatrice that lived in the time of good neighbours If a man do not erect in this age his own tomb ere he dies he shall live no longer in monument than the bell rings and the widow weeps
BEATRICE
And how long is that think you
BENEDICK
Question why an hour in clamour and a quarter in rheum therefore is it most expedient for the wiseif Don Worm his conscience find no impediment to the contraryto be the trumpet of his own virtues as I am to myself So much for praising myself who I myself will bear witness is praiseworthy And now tell me how doth your cousin
BEATRICE
Very ill
BENEDICK
And how do you
BEATRICE
Very ill too
BENEDICK
Serve God love me and mend There will I leave you too for here comes one in haste
Enter Ursula
URSULA
Madam you must come to your uncle Yonders old coil at home it is proved my Lady Hero hath been falsely accused the Prince and Claudio mightily abused and Don John is the author of all who is fled and gone Will you come presently
BEATRICE
Will you go hear this news signior
BENEDICK
I will live in thy heart die in thy lap and be buried in thy eyes and moreover I will go with thee to thy uncles
Exeunt
SCENE III The Inside of a Church
Enter Don Pedro Claudio and Attendants with music and tapers
CLAUDIO
Is this the monument of Leonato
A LORD
It is my lord
CLAUDIO
Reads from a scroll
Epitaph
Done to death by slanderous tongues
Was the Hero that here lies
Death in guerdon of her wrongs
Gives her fame which never dies
So the life that died with shame
Lives in death with glorious fame
Hang thou there upon the tomb
Praising her when I am dumb
Now music sound and sing your solemn hymn
Song
Pardon goddess of the night
Those that slew thy virgin knight
For the which with songs of woe
Round about her tomb they go
Midnight assist our moan
Help us to sigh and groan
Heavily heavily
Graves yawn and yield your dead
Till death be uttered
Heavily heavily
CLAUDIO
Now unto thy bones good night
Yearly will I do this rite
DON PEDRO
Good morrow masters put your torches out
The wolves have preyd and look the gentle day
Before the wheels of Phoebus round about
Dapples the drowsy East with spots of grey
Thanks to you all and leave us fare you well
CLAUDIO
Good morrow masters each his several way
DON PEDRO
Come let us hence and put on other weeds
And then to Leonatos we will go
CLAUDIO
And Hymen now with luckier issue speeds
Than this for whom we rendred up this woe
Exeunt
SCENE IV A Room in Leonatos House
Enter Leonato Antonio Benedick Beatrice Margaret Ursula Friar Francis and Hero
FRIAR
Did I not tell you she was innocent
LEONATO
So are the Prince and Claudio who accusd her
Upon the error that you heard debated
But Margaret was in some fault for this
Although against her will as it appears
In the true course of all the question
ANTONIO
Well I am glad that all things sort so well
BENEDICK
And so am I being else by faith enforcd
To call young Claudio to a reckoning for it
LEONATO
Well daughter and you gentlewomen all
Withdraw into a chamber by yourselves
And when I send for you come hither maskd
The Prince and Claudio promisd by this hour
To visit me
Exeunt Ladies
You know your office brother
You must be father to your brothers daughter
And give her to young Claudio
ANTONIO
Which I will do with confirmd countenance
BENEDICK
Friar I must entreat your pains I think
FRIAR
To do what signior
BENEDICK
To bind me or undo me one of them
Signior Leonato truth it is good signior
Your niece regards me with an eye of favour
LEONATO
That eye my daughter lent her Tis most true
BENEDICK
And I do with an eye of love requite her
LEONATO
The sight whereof I think you had from me
From Claudio and the Prince But whats your will
BENEDICK
Your answer sir is enigmatical
But for my will my will is your good will
May stand with ours this day to be conjoind
In the state of honourable marriage
In which good friar I shall desire your help
LEONATO
My heart is with your liking
FRIAR
And my help Here comes the Prince and Claudio
Enter Don Pedro and Claudio with Attendants
DON PEDRO
Good morrow to this fair assembly
LEONATO
Good morrow Prince good morrow Claudio
We here attend you Are you yet determind
Today to marry with my brothers daughter
CLAUDIO
Ill hold my mind were she an Ethiope
LEONATO
Call her forth brother heres the friar ready
Exit Antonio
DON PEDRO
Good morrow Benedick Why whats the matter
That you have such a February face
So full of frost of storm and cloudiness
CLAUDIO
I think he thinks upon the savage bull
Tush fear not man well tip thy horns with gold
And all Europa shall rejoice at thee
As once Europa did at lusty Jove
When he would play the noble beast in love
BENEDICK
Bull Jove sir had an amiable low
And some such strange bull leapd your fathers cow
And got a calf in that same noble feat
Much like to you for you have just his bleat
CLAUDIO
For this I owe you here comes other reckonings
Reenter Antonio with the ladies masked
Which is the lady I must seize upon
ANTONIO
This same is she and I do give you her
CLAUDIO
Why then shes mine Sweet let me see your face
LEONATO
No that you shall not till you take her hand
Before this friar and swear to marry her
CLAUDIO
Give me your hand before this holy friar
I am your husband if you like of me
HERO
And when I livd I was your other wife
Unmasking And when you lovd you were my other husband
CLAUDIO
Another Hero
HERO
Nothing certainer
One Hero died defild but I do live
And surely as I live I am a maid
DON PEDRO
The former Hero Hero that is dead
LEONATO
She died my lord but whiles her slander livd
FRIAR
All this amazement can I qualify
When after that the holy rites are ended
Ill tell you largely of fair Heros death
Meantime let wonder seem familiar
And to the chapel let us presently
BENEDICK
Soft and fair friar Which is Beatrice
BEATRICE
Unmasking I answer to that name What is your will
BENEDICK
Do not you love me
BEATRICE
Why no no more than reason
BENEDICK
Why then your uncle and the Prince and Claudio
Have been deceived for they swore you did
BEATRICE
Do not you love me
BENEDICK
Troth no no more than reason
BEATRICE
Why then my cousin Margaret and Ursula
Are much deceivd for they did swear you did
BENEDICK
They swore that you were almost sick for me
BEATRICE
They swore that you were wellnigh dead for me
BENEDICK
Tis no such matter Then you do not love me
BEATRICE
No truly but in friendly recompense
LEONATO
Come cousin I am sure you love the gentleman
CLAUDIO
And Ill be sworn upon t that he loves her
For heres a paper written in his hand
A halting sonnet of his own pure brain
Fashiond to Beatrice
HERO
And heres another
Writ in my cousins hand stolen from her pocket
Containing her affection unto Benedick
BENEDICK
A miracle heres our own hands against our hearts Come I will have thee but by this light I take thee for pity
BEATRICE
I would not deny you but by this good day I yield upon great persuasion and partly to save your life for I was told you were in a consumption
BENEDICK
Peace I will stop your mouth Kisses her
DON PEDRO
How dost thou Benedick the married man
BENEDICK
Ill tell thee what Prince a college of witcrackers cannot flout me out of my humour Dost thou think I care for a satire or an epigram No if man will be beaten with brains a shall wear nothing handsome about him In brief since I do purpose to marry I will think nothing to any purpose that the world can say against it and therefore never flout at me for what I have said against it for man is a giddy thing and this is my conclusion For thy part Claudio I did think to have beaten thee but in that thou art like to be my kinsman live unbruised and love my cousin
CLAUDIO
I had well hoped thou wouldst have denied Beatrice that I might have cudgelled thee out of thy single life to make thee a doubledealer which out of question thou wilt be if my cousin do not look exceeding narrowly to thee
BENEDICK
Come come we are friends Lets have a dance ere we are married that we may lighten our own hearts and our wives heels
LEONATO
Well have dancing afterward
BENEDICK
First of my word therefore play music Prince thou art sad get thee a wife get thee a wife there is no staff more reverent than one tipped with horn
Enter Messenger
MESSENGER
My lord your brother John is taen in flight
And brought with armed men back to Messina
BENEDICK
Think not on him till tomorrow Ill devise thee brave punishments for him Strike up pipers
Dance Exeunt
THE TRAGEDY OF OTHELLO THE MOOR OF VENICE
Contents
ACT I
Scene I Venice A street
Scene II Venice Another street
Scene III Venice A council chamber
ACT II
Scene I A seaport in Cyprus A Platform
Scene II A street
Scene III A Hall in the Castle
ACT III
Scene I Cyprus Before the Castle
Scene II Cyprus A Room in the Castle
Scene III Cyprus The Garden of the Castle
Scene IV Cyprus Before the Castle
ACT IV
Scene I Cyprus Before the Castle
Scene II Cyprus A Room in the Castle
Scene III Cyprus Another Room in the Castle
ACT V
Scene I Cyprus A Street
Scene II Cyprus A Bedchamber in the castle
Dramatis Person
DUKE OF VENICE
BRABANTIO a Senator of Venice and Desdemonas father
Other Senators
GRATIANO Brother to Brabantio
LODOVICO Kinsman to Brabantio
OTHELLO a noble Moor in the service of Venice
CASSIO his Lieutenant
IAGO his Ancient
MONTANO Othellos predecessor in the government of Cyprus
RODERIGO a Venetian Gentleman
CLOWN Servant to Othello
DESDEMONA Daughter to Brabantio and Wife to Othello
EMILIA Wife to Iago
BIANCA Mistress to Cassio
Officers Gentlemen Messenger Musicians Herald Sailor Attendants c
SCENE The First Act in Venice during the rest of the Play at a Seaport in Cyprus
ACT I
SCENE I Venice A street
Enter Roderigo and Iago
RODERIGO
Tush never tell me I take it much unkindly
That thou Iago who hast had my purse
As if the strings were thine shouldst know of this
IAGO
Sblood but you will not hear me
If ever I did dream of such a matter
Abhor me
RODERIGO
Thou toldst me thou didst hold him in thy hate
IAGO
Despise me if I do not Three great ones of the city
In personal suit to make me his lieutenant
Offcappd to him and by the faith of man
I know my price I am worth no worse a place
But he as loving his own pride and purposes
Evades them with a bombast circumstance
Horribly stuffd with epithets of war
And in conclusion
Nonsuits my mediators for Certes says he
I have already chose my officer
And what was he
Forsooth a great arithmetician
One Michael Cassio a Florentine
A fellow almost damnd in a fair wife
That never set a squadron in the field
Nor the division of a battle knows
More than a spinster unless the bookish theoric
Wherein the toged consuls can propose
As masterly as he mere prattle without practice
Is all his soldiership But he sir had the election
And I of whom his eyes had seen the proof
At Rhodes at Cyprus and on other grounds
Christian and heathen must be beleed and calmd
By debitor and creditor this countercaster
He in good time must his lieutenant be
And I God bless the mark his Moorships ancient
RODERIGO
By heaven I rather would have been his hangman
IAGO
Why theres no remedy Tis the curse of service
Preferment goes by letter and affection
And not by old gradation where each second
Stood heir to the first Now sir be judge yourself
Whether I in any just term am affind
To love the Moor
RODERIGO
I would not follow him then
IAGO
O sir content you
I follow him to serve my turn upon him
We cannot all be masters nor all masters
Cannot be truly followd You shall mark
Many a duteous and kneecrooking knave
That doting on his own obsequious bondage
Wears out his time much like his masters ass
For nought but provender and when hes old cashierd
Whip me such honest knaves Others there are
Who trimmd in forms and visages of duty
Keep yet their hearts attending on themselves
And throwing but shows of service on their lords
Do well thrive by them and when they have lind their coats
Do themselves homage These fellows have some soul
And such a one do I profess myself For sir
It is as sure as you are Roderigo
Were I the Moor I would not be Iago
In following him I follow but myself
Heaven is my judge not I for love and duty
But seeming so for my peculiar end
For when my outward action doth demonstrate
The native act and figure of my heart
In complement extern tis not long after
But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve
For daws to peck at I am not what I am
RODERIGO
What a full fortune does the thicklips owe
If he can carryt thus
IAGO
Call up her father
Rouse him make after him poison his delight
Proclaim him in the streets incense her kinsmen
And though he in a fertile climate dwell
Plague him with flies though that his joy be joy
Yet throw such changes of vexation ont
As it may lose some color
RODERIGO
Here is her fathers house Ill call aloud
IAGO
Do with like timorous accent and dire yell
As when by night and negligence the fire
Is spied in populous cities
RODERIGO
What ho Brabantio Signior Brabantio ho
IAGO
Awake what ho Brabantio Thieves thieves
Look to your house your daughter and your bags
Thieves thieves
Brabantio appears above at a window
BRABANTIO
What is the reason of this terrible summons
What is the matter there
RODERIGO
Signior is all your family within
IAGO
Are your doors locked
BRABANTIO
Why wherefore ask you this
IAGO
Zounds sir youre robbd for shame put on your gown
Your heart is burst you have lost half your soul
Even now now very now an old black ram
Is tupping your white ewe Arise arise
Awake the snorting citizens with the bell
Or else the devil will make a grandsire of you
Arise I say
BRABANTIO
What have you lost your wits
RODERIGO
Most reverend signior do you know my voice
BRABANTIO
Not I What are you
RODERIGO
My name is Roderigo
BRABANTIO
The worser welcome
I have chargd thee not to haunt about my doors
In honest plainness thou hast heard me say
My daughter is not for thee and now in madness
Being full of supper and distempering draughts
Upon malicious bravery dost thou come
To start my quiet
RODERIGO
Sir sir sir
BRABANTIO
But thou must needs be sure
My spirit and my place have in them power
To make this bitter to thee
RODERIGO
Patience good sir
BRABANTIO
What tellst thou me of robbing
This is Venice My house is not a grange
RODERIGO
Most grave Brabantio
In simple and pure soul I come to you
IAGO
Zounds sir you are one of those that will not serve God if the devil bid you Because we come to do you service and you think we are ruffians youll have your daughter coverd with a Barbary horse youll have your nephews neigh to you youll have coursers for cousins and gennets for germans
BRABANTIO
What profane wretch art thou
IAGO
I am one sir that comes to tell you your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs
BRABANTIO
Thou art a villain
IAGO
You are a senator
BRABANTIO
This thou shalt answer I know thee Roderigo
RODERIGO
Sir I will answer anything But I beseech you
If t be your pleasure and most wise consent
As partly I find it is that your fair daughter
At this oddeven and dull watch o the night
Transported with no worse nor better guard
But with a knave of common hire a gondolier
To the gross clasps of a lascivious Moor
If this be known to you and your allowance
We then have done you bold and saucy wrongs
But if you know not this my manners tell me
We have your wrong rebuke Do not believe
That from the sense of all civility
I thus would play and trifle with your reverence
Your daughter if you have not given her leave
I say again hath made a gross revolt
Tying her duty beauty wit and fortunes
In an extravagant and wheeling stranger
Of here and everywhere Straight satisfy yourself
If she be in her chamber or your house
Let loose on me the justice of the state
For thus deluding you
BRABANTIO
Strike on the tinder ho
Give me a taper Call up all my people
This accident is not unlike my dream
Belief of it oppresses me already
Light I say light
Exit from above
IAGO
Farewell for I must leave you
It seems not meet nor wholesome to my place
To be producd as if I stay I shall
Against the Moor For I do know the state
However this may gall him with some check
Cannot with safety cast him for hes embarkd
With such loud reason to the Cyprus wars
Which even now stand in act that for their souls
Another of his fathom they have none
To lead their business In which regard
Though I do hate him as I do hell pains
Yet for necessity of present life
I must show out a flag and sign of love
Which is indeed but sign That you shall surely find him
Lead to the Sagittary the raised search
And there will I be with him So farewell
Exit
Enter Brabantio with Servants and torches
BRABANTIO
It is too true an evil Gone she is
And whats to come of my despised time
Is naught but bitterness Now Roderigo
Where didst thou see her O unhappy girl
With the Moor sayst thou Who would be a father
How didst thou know twas she O she deceives me
Past thought What said she to you Get more tapers
Raise all my kindred Are they married think you
RODERIGO
Truly I think they are
BRABANTIO
O heaven How got she out O treason of the blood
Fathers from hence trust not your daughters minds
By what you see them act Is there not charms
By which the property of youth and maidhood
May be abused Have you not read Roderigo
Of some such thing
RODERIGO
Yes sir I have indeed
BRABANTIO
Call up my brother O would you had had her
Some one way some another Do you know
Where we may apprehend her and the Moor
RODERIGO
I think I can discover him if you please
To get good guard and go along with me
BRABANTIO
Pray you lead on At every house Ill call
I may command at most Get weapons ho
And raise some special officers of night
On good Roderigo I will deserve your pains
Exeunt
SCENE II Venice Another street
Enter Othello Iago and Attendants with torches
IAGO
Though in the trade of war I have slain men
Yet do I hold it very stuff o the conscience
To do no contrivd murder I lack iniquity
Sometimes to do me service nine or ten times
I had thought to have yerkd him here under the ribs
OTHELLO
Tis better as it is
IAGO
Nay but he prated
And spoke such scurvy and provoking terms
Against your honour
That with the little godliness I have
I did full hard forbear him But I pray you sir
Are you fast married Be assurd of this
That the magnifico is much belovd
And hath in his effect a voice potential
As double as the dukes he will divorce you
Or put upon you what restraint and grievance
The law with all his might to enforce it on
Will give him cable
OTHELLO
Let him do his spite
My services which I have done the signiory
Shall outtongue his complaints Tis yet to know
Which when I know that boasting is an honour
I shall promulgateI fetch my life and being
From men of royal siege And my demerits
May speak unbonneted to as proud a fortune
As this that I have reachd For know Iago
But that I love the gentle Desdemona
I would not my unhoused free condition
Put into circumscription and confine
For the seas worth But look what lights come yond
IAGO
Those are the raised father and his friends
You were best go in
OTHELLO
Not I I must be found
My parts my title and my perfect soul
Shall manifest me rightly Is it they
IAGO
By Janus I think no
Enter Cassio and Officers with torches
OTHELLO
The servants of the duke and my lieutenant
The goodness of the night upon you friends
What is the news
CASSIO
The duke does greet you general
And he requires your hasteposthaste appearance
Even on the instant
OTHELLO
What is the matter think you
CASSIO
Something from Cyprus as I may divine
It is a business of some heat The galleys
Have sent a dozen sequent messengers
This very night at one anothers heels
And many of the consuls raisd and met
Are at the dukes already You have been hotly calld for
When being not at your lodging to be found
The senate hath sent about three several quests
To search you out
OTHELLO
Tis well I am found by you
I will but spend a word here in the house
And go with you
Exit
CASSIO
Ancient what makes he here
IAGO
Faith he tonight hath boarded a land carrack
If it prove lawful prize hes made forever
CASSIO
I do not understand
IAGO
Hes married
CASSIO
To who
Enter Othello
IAGO
Marry toCome captain will you go
OTHELLO
Have with you
CASSIO
Here comes another troop to seek for you
Enter Brabantio Roderigo and Officers with torches and weapons
IAGO
It is Brabantio General be advisd
He comes to bad intent
OTHELLO
Holla stand there
RODERIGO
Signior it is the Moor
BRABANTIO
Down with him thief
They draw on both sides
IAGO
You Roderigo Come sir I am for you
OTHELLO
Keep up your bright swords for the dew will rust them
Good signior you shall more command with years
Than with your weapons
BRABANTIO
O thou foul thief where hast thou stowd my daughter
Damnd as thou art thou hast enchanted her
For Ill refer me to all things of sense
If she in chains of magic were not bound
Whether a maid so tender fair and happy
So opposite to marriage that she shunnd
The wealthy curled darlings of our nation
Would ever have to incur a general mock
Run from her guardage to the sooty bosom
Of such a thing as thouto fear not to delight
Judge me the world if tis not gross in sense
That thou hast practisd on her with foul charms
Abusd her delicate youth with drugs or minerals
That weakens motion Ill havet disputed on
Tis probable and palpable to thinking
I therefore apprehend and do attach thee
For an abuser of the world a practiser
Of arts inhibited and out of warrant
Lay hold upon him if he do resist
Subdue him at his peril
OTHELLO
Hold your hands
Both you of my inclining and the rest
Were it my cue to fight I should have known it
Without a prompter Where will you that I go
To answer this your charge
BRABANTIO
To prison till fit time
Of law and course of direct session
Call thee to answer
OTHELLO
What if I do obey
How may the duke be therewith satisfied
Whose messengers are here about my side
Upon some present business of the state
To bring me to him
OFFICER
Tis true most worthy signior
The dukes in council and your noble self
I am sure is sent for
BRABANTIO
How The duke in council
In this time of the night Bring him away
Mines not an idle cause The duke himself
Or any of my brothers of the state
Cannot but feel this wrong as twere their own
For if such actions may have passage free
Bondslaves and pagans shall our statesmen be
Exeunt
SCENE III Venice A council chamber
The Duke and Senators sitting at a table Officers attending
DUKE
There is no composition in these news
That gives them credit
FIRST SENATOR
Indeed they are disproportiond
My letters say a hundred and seven galleys
DUKE
And mine a hundred and forty
SECOND SENATOR
And mine two hundred
But though they jump not on a just account
As in these cases where the aim reports
Tis oft with difference yet do they all confirm
A Turkish fleet and bearing up to Cyprus
DUKE
Nay it is possible enough to judgement
I do not so secure me in the error
But the main article I do approve
In fearful sense
SAILOR
Within What ho what ho what ho
OFFICER
A messenger from the galleys
Enter Sailor
DUKE
Nowwhats the business
SAILOR
The Turkish preparation makes for Rhodes
So was I bid report here to the state
By Signior Angelo
DUKE
How say you by this change
FIRST SENATOR
This cannot be
By no assay of reason Tis a pageant
To keep us in false gaze When we consider
The importancy of Cyprus to the Turk
And let ourselves again but understand
That as it more concerns the Turk than Rhodes
So may he with more facile question bear it
For that it stands not in such warlike brace
But altogether lacks the abilities
That Rhodes is dressd in If we make thought of this
We must not think the Turk is so unskilful
To leave that latest which concerns him first
Neglecting an attempt of ease and gain
To wake and wage a danger profitless
DUKE
Nay in all confidence hes not for Rhodes
OFFICER
Here is more news
Enter a Messenger
MESSENGER
The Ottomites reverend and gracious
Steering with due course toward the isle of Rhodes
Have there injointed them with an after fleet
FIRST SENATOR
Ay so I thought How many as you guess
MESSENGER
Of thirty sail and now they do restem
Their backward course bearing with frank appearance
Their purposes toward Cyprus Signior Montano
Your trusty and most valiant servitor
With his free duty recommends you thus
And prays you to believe him
DUKE
Tis certain then for Cyprus
Marcus Luccicos is not he in town
FIRST SENATOR
Hes now in Florence
DUKE
Write from us to him postposthaste dispatch
FIRST SENATOR
Here comes Brabantio and the valiant Moor
Enter Brabantio Othello Iago Roderigo and Officers
DUKE
Valiant Othello we must straight employ you
Against the general enemy Ottoman
To Brabantio I did not see you welcome gentle signior
We lackd your counsel and your help tonight
BRABANTIO
So did I yours Good your grace pardon me
Neither my place nor aught I heard of business
Hath raisd me from my bed nor doth the general care
Take hold on me for my particular grief
Is of so floodgate and oerbearing nature
That it engluts and swallows other sorrows
And it is still itself
DUKE
Why whats the matter
BRABANTIO
My daughter O my daughter
DUKE and SENATORS
Dead
BRABANTIO
Ay to me
She is abused stoln from me and corrupted
By spells and medicines bought of mountebanks
For nature so preposterously to err
Being not deficient blind or lame of sense
Sans witchcraft could not
DUKE
Whoeer he be that in this foul proceeding
Hath thus beguild your daughter of herself
And you of her the bloody book of law
You shall yourself read in the bitter letter
After your own sense yea though our proper son
Stood in your action
BRABANTIO
Humbly I thank your grace
Here is the man this Moor whom now it seems
Your special mandate for the state affairs
Hath hither brought
ALL
We are very sorry for t
DUKE
To Othello What in your own part can you say to this
BRABANTIO
Nothing but this is so
OTHELLO
Most potent grave and reverend signiors
My very noble and approvd good masters
That I have taen away this old mans daughter
It is most true true I have married her
The very head and front of my offending
Hath this extent no more Rude am I in my speech
And little blessd with the soft phrase of peace
For since these arms of mine had seven years pith
Till now some nine moons wasted they have usd
Their dearest action in the tented field
And little of this great world can I speak
More than pertains to feats of broil and battle
And therefore little shall I grace my cause
In speaking for myself Yet by your gracious patience
I will a round unvarnishd tale deliver
Of my whole course of love what drugs what charms
What conjuration and what mighty magic
For such proceeding I am charged withal
I won his daughter
BRABANTIO
A maiden never bold
Of spirit so still and quiet that her motion
Blushd at herself and she in spite of nature
Of years of country credit everything
To fall in love with what she feard to look on
It is judgement maimd and most imperfect
That will confess perfection so could err
Against all rules of nature and must be driven
To find out practices of cunning hell
Why this should be I therefore vouch again
That with some mixtures powerful oer the blood
Or with some dram conjurd to this effect
He wrought upon her
DUKE
To vouch this is no proof
Without more wider and more overt test
Than these thin habits and poor likelihoods
Of modern seeming do prefer against him
FIRST SENATOR
But Othello speak
Did you by indirect and forced courses
Subdue and poison this young maids affections
Or came it by request and such fair question
As soul to soul affordeth
OTHELLO
I do beseech you
Send for the lady to the Sagittary
And let her speak of me before her father
If you do find me foul in her report
The trust the office I do hold of you
Not only take away but let your sentence
Even fall upon my life
DUKE
Fetch Desdemona hither
OTHELLO
Ancient conduct them you best know the place
Exeunt Iago and Attendants
And till she come as truly as to heaven
I do confess the vices of my blood
So justly to your grave ears Ill present
How I did thrive in this fair ladys love
And she in mine
DUKE
Say it Othello
OTHELLO
Her father lovd me oft invited me
Still questiond me the story of my life
From year to yearthe battles sieges fortunes
That I have passd
I ran it through even from my boyish days
To the very moment that he bade me tell it
Wherein I spake of most disastrous chances
Of moving accidents by flood and field
Of hairbreadth scapes i th imminent deadly breach
Of being taken by the insolent foe
And sold to slavery of my redemption thence
And portance in my travelers history
Wherein of antres vast and deserts idle
Rough quarries rocks and hills whose heads touch heaven
It was my hint to speaksuch was the process
And of the Cannibals that each other eat
The Anthropophagi and men whose heads
Do grow beneath their shoulders This to hear
Would Desdemona seriously incline
But still the house affairs would draw her thence
Which ever as she could with haste dispatch
Shed come again and with a greedy ear
Devour up my discourse which I observing
Took once a pliant hour and found good means
To draw from her a prayer of earnest heart
That I would all my pilgrimage dilate
Whereof by parcels she had something heard
But not intentively I did consent
And often did beguile her of her tears
When I did speak of some distressful stroke
That my youth sufferd My story being done
She gave me for my pains a world of sighs
She swore in faith twas strange twas passing strange
Twas pitiful twas wondrous pitiful
She wishd she had not heard it yet she wishd
That heaven had made her such a man she thankd me
And bade me if I had a friend that lovd her
I should but teach him how to tell my story
And that would woo her Upon this hint I spake
She lovd me for the dangers I had passd
And I lovd her that she did pity them
This only is the witchcraft I have usd
Here comes the lady Let her witness it
Enter Desdemona Iago and Attendants
DUKE
I think this tale would win my daughter too
Good Brabantio
Take up this mangled matter at the best
Men do their broken weapons rather use
Than their bare hands
BRABANTIO
I pray you hear her speak
If she confess that she was half the wooer
Destruction on my head if my bad blame
Light on the manCome hither gentle mistress
Do you perceive in all this noble company
Where most you owe obedience
DESDEMONA
My noble father
I do perceive here a divided duty
To you I am bound for life and education
My life and education both do learn me
How to respect you You are the lord of duty
I am hitherto your daughter but heres my husband
And so much duty as my mother showd
To you preferring you before her father
So much I challenge that I may profess
Due to the Moor my lord
BRABANTIO
God be with you I have done
Please it your grace on to the state affairs
I had rather to adopt a child than get it
Come hither Moor
I here do give thee that with all my heart
Which but thou hast already with all my heart
I would keep from theeFor your sake jewel
I am glad at soul I have no other child
For thy escape would teach me tyranny
To hang clogs on themI have done my lord
DUKE
Let me speak like yourself and lay a sentence
Which as a grise or step may help these lovers
Into your favour
When remedies are past the griefs are ended
By seeing the worst which late on hopes depended
To mourn a mischief that is past and gone
Is the next way to draw new mischief on
What cannot be preserved when fortune takes
Patience her injury a mockery makes
The robbd that smiles steals something from the thief
He robs himself that spends a bootless grief
BRABANTIO
So let the Turk of Cyprus us beguile
We lose it not so long as we can smile
He bears the sentence well that nothing bears
But the free comfort which from thence he hears
But he bears both the sentence and the sorrow
That to pay grief must of poor patience borrow
These sentences to sugar or to gall
Being strong on both sides are equivocal
But words are words I never yet did hear
That the bruisd heart was pierced through the ear
I humbly beseech you proceed to the affairs of state
DUKE
The Turk with a most mighty preparation makes for Cyprus Othello the fortitude of the place is best known to you And though we have there a substitute of most allowed sufficiency yet opinion a sovereign mistress of effects throws a more safer voice on you you must therefore be content to slubber the gloss of your new fortunes with this more stubborn and boisterous expedition
OTHELLO
The tyrant custom most grave senators
Hath made the flinty and steel couch of war
My thricedriven bed of down I do agnize
A natural and prompt alacrity
I find in hardness and do undertake
This present wars against the Ottomites
Most humbly therefore bending to your state
I crave fit disposition for my wife
Due reference of place and exhibition
With such accommodation and besort
As levels with her breeding
DUKE
If you please
Bet at her fathers
BRABANTIO
Ill not have it so
OTHELLO
Nor I
DESDEMONA
Nor I I would not there reside
To put my father in impatient thoughts
By being in his eye Most gracious duke
To my unfolding lend your prosperous ear
And let me find a charter in your voice
T assist my simpleness
DUKE
What would you Desdemona
DESDEMONA
That I did love the Moor to live with him
My downright violence and storm of fortunes
May trumpet to the world my hearts subdued
Even to the very quality of my lord
I saw Othellos visage in his mind
And to his honours and his valiant parts
Did I my soul and fortunes consecrate
So that dear lords if I be left behind
A moth of peace and he go to the war
The rites for which I love him are bereft me
And I a heavy interim shall support
By his dear absence Let me go with him
OTHELLO
Let her have your voice
Vouch with me heaven I therefore beg it not
To please the palate of my appetite
Nor to comply with heat the young affects
In me defunct and proper satisfaction
But to be free and bounteous to her mind
And heaven defend your good souls that you think
I will your serious and great business scant
For she is with me No when lightwingd toys
Of featherd Cupid seel with wanton dullness
My speculative and officd instruments
That my disports corrupt and taint my business
Let housewives make a skillet of my helm
And all indign and base adversities
Make head against my estimation
DUKE
Be it as you shall privately determine
Either for her stay or going The affair cries haste
And speed must answer it
FIRST SENATOR
You must away tonight
OTHELLO
With all my heart
DUKE
At nine i the morning here well meet again
Othello leave some officer behind
And he shall our commission bring to you
With such things else of quality and respect
As doth import you
OTHELLO
So please your grace my ancient
A man he is of honesty and trust
To his conveyance I assign my wife
With what else needful your good grace shall think
To be sent after me
DUKE
Let it be so
Good night to everyone To Brabantio And noble signior
If virtue no delighted beauty lack
Your soninlaw is far more fair than black
FIRST SENATOR
Adieu brave Moor use Desdemona well
BRABANTIO
Look to her Moor if thou hast eyes to see
She has deceivd her father and may thee
Exeunt Duke Senators Officers c
OTHELLO
My life upon her faith Honest Iago
My Desdemona must I leave to thee
I prithee let thy wife attend on her
And bring them after in the best advantage
Come Desdemona I have but an hour
Of love of worldly matters and direction
To spend with thee We must obey the time
Exeunt Othello and Desdemona
RODERIGO
Iago
IAGO
What sayst thou noble heart
RODERIGO
What will I do thinkest thou
IAGO
Why go to bed and sleep
RODERIGO
I will incontinently drown myself
IAGO
If thou dost I shall never love thee after Why thou silly gentleman
RODERIGO
It is silliness to live when to live is torment and then have we a prescription to die when death is our physician
IAGO
O villainous I have looked upon the world for four times seven years and since I could distinguish betwixt a benefit and an injury I never found man that knew how to love himself Ere I would say I would drown myself for the love of a guineahen I would change my humanity with a baboon
RODERIGO
What should I do I confess it is my shame to be so fond but it is not in my virtue to amend it
IAGO
Virtue a fig Tis in ourselves that we are thus or thus Our bodies are gardens to the which our wills are gardeners So that if we will plant nettles or sow lettuce set hyssop and weed up thyme supply it with one gender of herbs or distract it with many either to have it sterile with idleness or manured with industry why the power and corrigible authority of this lies in our wills If the balance of our lives had not one scale of reason to poise another of sensuality the blood and baseness of our natures would conduct us to most preposterous conclusions But we have reason to cool our raging motions our carnal stings our unbitted lusts whereof I take this that you call love to be a sect or scion
RODERIGO
It cannot be
IAGO
It is merely a lust of the blood and a permission of the will Come be a man Drown thyself Drown cats and blind puppies I have professed me thy friend and I confess me knit to thy deserving with cables of perdurable toughness I could never better stead thee than now Put money in thy purse follow thou the wars defeat thy favour with an usurped beard I say put money in thy purse It cannot be that Desdemona should long continue her love to the Moorput money in thy pursenor he his to her It was a violent commencement and thou shalt see an answerable sequestrationput but money in thy purse These Moors are changeable in their wills Fill thy purse with money The food that to him now is as luscious as locusts shall be to him shortly as acerb as the coloquintida She must change for youth When she is sated with his body she will find the error of her choice She must have change she must Therefore put money in thy purse If thou wilt needs damn thyself do it a more delicate way than drowning Make all the money thou canst If sanctimony and a frail vow betwixt an erring barbarian and a supersubtle Venetian be not too hard for my wits and all the tribe of hell thou shalt enjoy her therefore make money A pox of drowning thyself It is clean out of the way seek thou rather to be hanged in compassing thy joy than to be drowned and go without her
RODERIGO
Wilt thou be fast to my hopes if I depend on the issue
IAGO
Thou art sure of me Go make money I have told thee often and I retell thee again and again I hate the Moor My cause is hearted thine hath no less reason Let us be conjunctive in our revenge against him if thou canst cuckold him thou dost thyself a pleasure me a sport There are many events in the womb of time which will be delivered Traverse go provide thy money We will have more of this tomorrow Adieu
RODERIGO
Where shall we meet i the morning
IAGO
At my lodging
RODERIGO
Ill be with thee betimes
IAGO
Go to farewell Do you hear Roderigo
RODERIGO
What say you
IAGO
No more of drowning do you hear
RODERIGO
I am changed Ill sell all my land
Exit
IAGO
Thus do I ever make my fool my purse
For I mine own gaind knowledge should profane
If I would time expend with such a snipe
But for my sport and profit I hate the Moor
And it is thought abroad that twixt my sheets
He has done my office I know not if t be true
But I for mere suspicion in that kind
Will do as if for surety He holds me well
The better shall my purpose work on him
Cassios a proper man Let me see now
To get his place and to plume up my will
In double knavery How how Lets see
After some time to abuse Othellos ear
That he is too familiar with his wife
He hath a person and a smooth dispose
To be suspected framd to make women false
The Moor is of a free and open nature
That thinks men honest that but seem to be so
And will as tenderly be led by the nose
As asses are
I havet It is engenderd Hell and night
Must bring this monstrous birth to the worlds light
Exit
ACT II
SCENE I A seaport in Cyprus A Platform
Enter Montano and two Gentlemen
MONTANO
What from the cape can you discern at sea
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Nothing at all it is a highwrought flood
I cannot twixt the heaven and the main
Descry a sail
MONTANO
Methinks the wind hath spoke aloud at land
A fuller blast neer shook our battlements
If it hath ruffiand so upon the sea
What ribs of oak when mountains melt on them
Can hold the mortise What shall we hear of this
SECOND GENTLEMAN
A segregation of the Turkish fleet
For do but stand upon the foaming shore
The chidden billow seems to pelt the clouds
The windshakd surge with high and monstrous main
Seems to cast water on the burning Bear
And quench the guards of the everfixed pole
I never did like molestation view
On the enchafed flood
MONTANO
If that the Turkish fleet
Be not enshelterd and embayd they are drownd
It is impossible to bear it out
Enter a third Gentleman
THIRD GENTLEMAN
News lads Our wars are done
The desperate tempest hath so bangd the Turks
That their designment halts A noble ship of Venice
Hath seen a grievous wreck and sufferance
On most part of their fleet
MONTANO
How Is this true
THIRD GENTLEMAN
The ship is here put in
A Veronessa Michael Cassio
Lieutenant to the warlike Moor Othello
Is come on shore the Moor himself at sea
And is in full commission here for Cyprus
MONTANO
I am glad ont Tis a worthy governor
THIRD GENTLEMAN
But this same Cassio though he speak of comfort
Touching the Turkish loss yet he looks sadly
And prays the Moor be safe for they were parted
With foul and violent tempest
MONTANO
Pray heavens he be
For I have servd him and the man commands
Like a full soldier Lets to the seaside ho
As well to see the vessel thats come in
As to throw out our eyes for brave Othello
Even till we make the main and the aerial blue
An indistinct regard
THIRD GENTLEMAN
Come lets do so
For every minute is expectancy
Of more arrivance
Enter Cassio
CASSIO
Thanks you the valiant of this warlike isle
That so approve the Moor O let the heavens
Give him defence against the elements
For I have lost him on a dangerous sea
MONTANO
Is he well shippd
CASSIO
His bark is stoutly timberd and his pilot
Of very expert and approvd allowance
Therefore my hopes not surfeited to death
Stand in bold cure
Within A sail a sail a sail
Enter a Messenger
CASSIO
What noise
MESSENGER
The town is empty on the brow o the sea
Stand ranks of people and they cry A sail
CASSIO
My hopes do shape him for the governor
A shot
SECOND GENTLEMAN
They do discharge their shot of courtesy
Our friends at least
CASSIO
I pray you sir go forth
And give us truth who tis that is arrivd
SECOND GENTLEMAN
I shall
Exit
MONTANO
But good lieutenant is your general wivd
CASSIO
Most fortunately he hath achievd a maid
That paragons description and wild fame
One that excels the quirks of blazoning pens
And in the essential vesture of creation
Does tire the ingener
Enter second Gentleman
How now Who has put in
SECOND GENTLEMAN
Tis one Iago ancient to the general
CASSIO
He has had most favourable and happy speed
Tempests themselves high seas and howling winds
The gutterd rocks and congregated sands
Traitors ensteepd to clog the guiltless keel
As having sense of beauty do omit
Their mortal natures letting go safely by
The divine Desdemona
MONTANO
What is she
CASSIO
She that I spake of our great captains captain
Left in the conduct of the bold Iago
Whose footing here anticipates our thoughts
A sennights speed Great Jove Othello guard
And swell his sail with thine own powerful breath
That he may bless this bay with his tall ship
Make loves quick pants in Desdemonas arms
Give renewd fire to our extincted spirits
And bring all Cyprus comfort
Enter Desdemona Iago Roderigo and Emilia
O behold
The riches of the ship is come on shore
Ye men of Cyprus let her have your knees
Hail to thee lady and the grace of heaven
Before behind thee and on every hand
Enwheel thee round
DESDEMONA
I thank you valiant Cassio
What tidings can you tell me of my lord
CASSIO
He is not yet arrived nor know I aught
But that hes well and will be shortly here
DESDEMONA
O but I fearHow lost you company
Within A sail a sail
CASSIO
The great contention of the sea and skies
Parted our fellowship But hark a sail
Guns within
SECOND GENTLEMAN
They give their greeting to the citadel
This likewise is a friend
CASSIO
See for the news
Exit Gentleman
Good ancient you are welcome To Emilia Welcome mistress
Let it not gall your patience good Iago
That I extend my manners tis my breeding
That gives me this bold show of courtesy
Kissing her
IAGO
Sir would she give you so much of her lips
As of her tongue she oft bestows on me
You would have enough
DESDEMONA
Alas she has no speech
IAGO
In faith too much
I find it still when I have list to sleep
Marry before your ladyship I grant
She puts her tongue a little in her heart
And chides with thinking
EMILIA
You have little cause to say so
IAGO
Come on come on you are pictures out of doors
Bells in your parlours wildcats in your kitchens
Saints in your injuries devils being offended
Players in your housewifery and housewives in your beds
DESDEMONA
O fie upon thee slanderer
IAGO
Nay it is true or else I am a Turk
You rise to play and go to bed to work
EMILIA
You shall not write my praise
IAGO
No let me not
DESDEMONA
What wouldst thou write of me if thou shouldst praise me
IAGO
O gentle lady do not put me tot
For I am nothing if not critical
DESDEMONA
Come on assayTheres one gone to the harbour
IAGO
Ay madam
DESDEMONA
I am not merry but I do beguile
The thing I am by seeming otherwise
Come how wouldst thou praise me
IAGO
I am about it but indeed my invention
Comes from my pate as birdlime does from frieze
It plucks out brains and all but my Muse labours
And thus she is deliverd
If she be fair and wise fairness and wit
The ones for use the other useth it
DESDEMONA
Well praisd How if she be black and witty
IAGO
If she be black and thereto have a wit
Shell find a white that shall her blackness fit
DESDEMONA
Worse and worse
EMILIA
How if fair and foolish
IAGO
She never yet was foolish that was fair
For even her folly helpd her to an heir
DESDEMONA
These are old fond paradoxes to make fools laugh i the alehouse What miserable praise hast thou for her thats foul and foolish
IAGO
Theres none so foul and foolish thereunto
But does foul pranks which fair and wise ones do
DESDEMONA
O heavy ignorance Thou praisest the worst best But what praise couldst thou bestow on a deserving woman indeed one that in the authority of her merit did justly put on the vouch of very malice itself
IAGO
She that was ever fair and never proud
Had tongue at will and yet was never loud
Never lackd gold and yet went never gay
Fled from her wish and yet said Now I may
She that being angerd her revenge being nigh
Bade her wrong stay and her displeasure fly
She that in wisdom never was so frail
To change the cods head for the salmons tail
She that could think and neer disclose her mind
See suitors following and not look behind
She was a wight if ever such wight were
DESDEMONA
To do what
IAGO
To suckle fools and chronicle small beer
DESDEMONA
O most lame and impotent conclusionDo not learn of him Emilia though he be thy husbandHow say you Cassio is he not a most profane and liberal counsellor
CASSIO
He speaks home madam You may relish him more in the soldier than in the scholar
IAGO
Aside He takes her by the palm Ay well said whisper With as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio Ay smile upon her do I will gyve thee in thine own courtship You say true tis so indeed If such tricks as these strip you out of your lieutenantry it had been better you had not kissed your three fingers so oft which now again you are most apt to play the sir in Very good well kissed an excellent courtesy Tis so indeed Yet again your fingers to your lips Would they were clysterpipes for your sake
Trumpets within
The Moor I know his trumpet
CASSIO
Tis truly so
DESDEMONA
Lets meet him and receive him
CASSIO
Lo where he comes
Enter Othello and Attendants
OTHELLO
O my fair warrior
DESDEMONA
My dear Othello
OTHELLO
It gives me wonder great as my content
To see you here before me O my souls joy
If after every tempest come such calms
May the winds blow till they have wakend death
And let the labouring bark climb hills of seas
Olympushigh and duck again as low
As hells from heaven If it were now to die
Twere now to be most happy for I fear
My soul hath her content so absolute
That not another comfort like to this
Succeeds in unknown fate
DESDEMONA
The heavens forbid
But that our loves and comforts should increase
Even as our days do grow
OTHELLO
Amen to that sweet powers
I cannot speak enough of this content
It stops me here it is too much of joy
And this and this the greatest discords be They kiss
That eer our hearts shall make
IAGO
Aside O you are well tund now
But Ill set down the pegs that make this music
As honest as I am
OTHELLO
Come let us to the castle
News friends our wars are done the Turks are drownd
How does my old acquaintance of this isle
Honey you shall be well desird in Cyprus
I have found great love amongst them O my sweet
I prattle out of fashion and I dote
In mine own comfortsI prithee good Iago
Go to the bay and disembark my coffers
Bring thou the master to the citadel
He is a good one and his worthiness
Does challenge much respectCome Desdemona
Once more well met at Cyprus
Exeunt Othello Desdemona and Attendants
IAGO
Do thou meet me presently at the harbour Come hither If thou best valiantas they say base men being in love have then a nobility in their natures more than is native to themlist me The lieutenant tonight watches on the court of guard first I must tell thee this Desdemona is directly in love with him
RODERIGO
With him Why tis not possible
IAGO
Lay thy finger thus and let thy soul be instructed Mark me with what violence she first loved the Moor but for bragging and telling her fantastical lies And will she love him still for prating Let not thy discreet heart think it Her eye must be fed And what delight shall she have to look on the devil When the blood is made dull with the act of sport there should be again to inflame it and to give satiety a fresh appetite loveliness in favour sympathy in years manners and beauties all which the Moor is defective in now for want of these required conveniences her delicate tenderness will find itself abused begin to heave the gorge disrelish and abhor the Moor very nature will instruct her in it and compel her to some second choice Now sir this granted as it is a most pregnant and unforced position who stands so eminently in the degree of this fortune as Cassio does a knave very voluble no further conscionable than in putting on the mere form of civil and humane seeming for the better compassing of his salt and most hidden loose affection Why none why none A slipper and subtle knave a finder out of occasions that has an eye can stamp and counterfeit advantages though true advantage never present itself a devilish knave Besides the knave is handsome young and hath all those requisites in him that folly and green minds look after A pestilent complete knave and the woman hath found him already
RODERIGO
I cannot believe that in her she is full of most blessed condition
IAGO
Blest figs end the wine she drinks is made of grapes if she had been blessed she would never have loved the Moor Blessed pudding Didst thou not see her paddle with the palm of his hand Didst not mark that
RODERIGO
Yes that I did But that was but courtesy
IAGO
Lechery by this hand An index and obscure prologue to the history of lust and foul thoughts They met so near with their lips that their breaths embracd together Villainous thoughts Roderigo When these mutualities so marshal the way hard at hand comes the master and main exercise the incorporate conclusion Pish But sir be you ruled by me I have brought you from Venice Watch you tonight For the command Ill layt upon you Cassio knows you not Ill not be far from you Do you find some occasion to anger Cassio either by speaking too loud or tainting his discipline or from what other course you please which the time shall more favourably minister
RODERIGO
Well
IAGO
Sir he is rash and very sudden in choler and haply with his truncheon may strike at you provoke him that he may for even out of that will I cause these of Cyprus to mutiny whose qualification shall come into no true taste again but by the displanting of Cassio So shall you have a shorter journey to your desires by the means I shall then have to prefer them and the impediment most profitably removed without the which there were no expectation of our prosperity
RODERIGO
I will do this if I can bring it to any opportunity
IAGO
I warrant thee Meet me by and by at the citadel I must fetch his necessaries ashore Farewell
RODERIGO
Adieu
Exit
IAGO
That Cassio loves her I do well believe it
That she loves him tis apt and of great credit
The Moor howbeit that I endure him not
Is of a constant loving noble nature
And I dare think hell prove to Desdemona
A most dear husband Now I do love her too
Not out of absolute lust though peradventure
I stand accountant for as great a sin
But partly led to diet my revenge
For that I do suspect the lusty Moor
Hath leapd into my seat The thought whereof
Doth like a poisonous mineral gnaw my inwards
And nothing can or shall content my soul
Till I am evend with him wife for wife
Or failing so yet that I put the Moor
At least into a jealousy so strong
That judgement cannot cure Which thing to do
If this poor trash of Venice whom I trash
For his quick hunting stand the putting on
Ill have our Michael Cassio on the hip
Abuse him to the Moor in the rank garb
For I fear Cassio with my nightcap too
Make the Moor thank me love me and reward me
For making him egregiously an ass
And practicing upon his peace and quiet
Even to madness Tis here but yet confusd
Knaverys plain face is never seen till usd
Exit
SCENE II A street
Enter Othellos Herald with a proclamation
HERALD
It is Othellos pleasure our noble and valiant general that upon certain tidings now arrived importing the mere perdition of the Turkish fleet every man put himself into triumph some to dance some to make bonfires each man to what sport and revels his addition leads him For besides these beneficial news it is the celebration of his nuptial So much was his pleasure should be proclaimed All offices are open and there is full liberty of feasting from this present hour of five till the bell have told eleven Heaven bless the isle of Cyprus and our noble general Othello
Exit
SCENE III A Hall in the Castle
Enter Othello Desdemona Cassio and Attendants
OTHELLO
Good Michael look you to the guard tonight
Lets teach ourselves that honourable stop
Not to outsport discretion
CASSIO
Iago hath direction what to do
But notwithstanding with my personal eye
Will I look tot
OTHELLO
Iago is most honest
Michael good night Tomorrow with your earliest
Let me have speech with you To Desdemona Come my dear love
The purchase made the fruits are to ensue
That profits yet to come tween me and you
Good night
Exeunt Othello Desdemona and Attendants
Enter Iago
CASSIO
Welcome Iago We must to the watch
IAGO
Not this hour lieutenant Tis not yet ten o th clock Our general cast us thus early for the love of his Desdemona who let us not therefore blame he hath not yet made wanton the night with her and she is sport for Jove
CASSIO
Shes a most exquisite lady
IAGO
And Ill warrant her full of game
CASSIO
Indeed she is a most fresh and delicate creature
IAGO
What an eye she has methinks it sounds a parley to provocation
CASSIO
An inviting eye and yet methinks right modest
IAGO
And when she speaks is it not an alarm to love
CASSIO
She is indeed perfection
IAGO
Well happiness to their sheets Come lieutenant I have a stoup of wine and here without are a brace of Cyprus gallants that would fain have a measure to the health of black Othello
CASSIO
Not tonight good Iago I have very poor and unhappy brains for drinking I could well wish courtesy would invent some other custom of entertainment
IAGO
O they are our friends but one cup Ill drink for you
CASSIO
I have drunk but one cup tonight and that was craftily qualified too and behold what innovation it makes here I am unfortunate in the infirmity and dare not task my weakness with any more
IAGO
What man Tis a night of revels The gallants desire it
CASSIO
Where are they
IAGO
Here at the door I pray you call them in
CASSIO
Ill dot but it dislikes me
Exit
IAGO
If I can fasten but one cup upon him
With that which he hath drunk tonight already
Hell be as full of quarrel and offence
As my young mistress dog Now my sick fool Roderigo
Whom love hath turnd almost the wrong side out
To Desdemona hath tonight carousd
Potations pottledeep and hes to watch
Three lads of Cyprus noble swelling spirits
That hold their honours in a wary distance
The very elements of this warlike isle
Have I tonight flusterd with flowing cups
And they watch too Now mongst this flock of drunkards
Am I to put our Cassio in some action
That may offend the isle But here they come
If consequence do but approve my dream
My boat sails freely both with wind and stream
Enter Cassio Montano and Gentlemen followed by Servant with wine
CASSIO
Fore God they have given me a rouse already
MONTANO
Good faith a little one not past a pint as I am a soldier
IAGO
Some wine ho
Sings
And let me the cannikin clink clink
And let me the cannikin clink clink
A soldiers a man
O mans lifes but a span
Why then let a soldier drink
Some wine boys
CASSIO
Fore God an excellent song
IAGO
I learned it in England where indeed they are most potent in potting your Dane your German and your swagbellied Hollanderdrink hoare nothing to your English
CASSIO
Is your Englishman so expert in his drinking
IAGO
Why he drinks you with facility your Dane dead drunk he sweats not to overthrow your Almain he gives your Hollander a vomit ere the next pottle can be filled
CASSIO
To the health of our general
MONTANO
I am for it lieutenant and Ill do you justice
IAGO
O sweet England
Sings
King Stephen was a worthy peer
His breeches cost him but a crown
He held them sixpence all too dear
With that he calld the tailor lown
He was a wight of high renown
And thou art but of low degree
Tis pride that pulls the country down
Then take thine auld cloak about thee
Some wine ho
CASSIO
Fore God this is a more exquisite song than the other
IAGO
Will you hear t again
CASSIO
No for I hold him to be unworthy of his place that does those things Well Gods above all and there be souls must be saved and there be souls must not be saved
IAGO
Its true good lieutenant
CASSIO
For mine own part no offence to the general nor any man of quality I hope to be saved
IAGO
And so do I too lieutenant
CASSIO
Ay but by your leave not before me the lieutenant is to be saved before the ancient Lets have no more of this lets to our affairs Forgive us our sins Gentlemen lets look to our business Do not think gentlemen I am drunk This is my ancient this is my right hand and this is my left I am not drunk now I can stand well enough and I speak well enough
ALL
Excellent well
CASSIO
Why very well then You must not think then that I am drunk
Exit
MONTANO
To the platform masters Come lets set the watch
IAGO
You see this fellow that is gone before
He is a soldier fit to stand by Csar
And give direction and do but see his vice
Tis to his virtue a just equinox
The one as long as th other Tis pity of him
I fear the trust Othello puts him in
On some odd time of his infirmity
Will shake this island
MONTANO
But is he often thus
IAGO
Tis evermore the prologue to his sleep
Hell watch the horologe a double set
If drink rock not his cradle
MONTANO
It were well
The general were put in mind of it
Perhaps he sees it not or his good nature
Prizes the virtue that appears in Cassio
And looks not on his evils is not this true
Enter Roderigo
IAGO
Aside to him How now Roderigo
I pray you after the lieutenant go
Exit Roderigo
MONTANO
And tis great pity that the noble Moor
Should hazard such a place as his own second
With one of an ingraft infirmity
It were an honest action to say so
To the Moor
IAGO
Not I for this fair island
I do love Cassio well and would do much
To cure him of this evil But hark What noise
Cry within Help help
Enter Cassio driving in Roderigo
CASSIO
Zounds you rogue you rascal
MONTANO
Whats the matter lieutenant
CASSIO
A knave teach me my duty Ill beat the knave into a twiggen bottle
RODERIGO
Beat me
CASSIO
Dost thou prate rogue
Striking Roderigo
MONTANO
Nay good lieutenant
I pray you sir hold your hand
CASSIO
Let me go sir
Or Ill knock you oer the mazard
MONTANO
Come come youre drunk
CASSIO
Drunk
They fight
IAGO
Aside to Roderigo Away I say Go out and cry a mutiny
Exit Roderigo
Nay good lieutenant Gods will gentlemen
Help hoLieutenantsirMontanosir
Help masters Heres a goodly watch indeed
A bell rings
Whos that which rings the bellDiablo ho
The town will rise Gods will lieutenant hold
You will be shamd forever
Enter Othello and Attendants
OTHELLO
What is the matter here
MONTANO
Zounds I bleed still I am hurt to the death
OTHELLO
Hold for your lives
IAGO
Hold ho lieutenantsirMontanogentlemen
Have you forgot all place of sense and duty
Hold The general speaks to you hold hold for shame
OTHELLO
Why how now ho From whence ariseth this
Are we turnd Turks and to ourselves do that
Which heaven hath forbid the Ottomites
For Christian shame put by this barbarous brawl
He that stirs next to carve for his own rage
Holds his soul light he dies upon his motion
Silence that dreadful bell it frights the isle
From her propriety What is the matter masters
Honest Iago that looks dead with grieving
Speak who began this On thy love I charge thee
IAGO
I do not know Friends all but now even now
In quarter and in terms like bride and groom
Devesting them for bed and then but now
As if some planet had unwitted men
Swords out and tilting one at others breast
In opposition bloody I cannot speak
Any beginning to this peevish odds
And would in action glorious I had lost
Those legs that brought me to a part of it
OTHELLO
How comes it Michael you are thus forgot
CASSIO
I pray you pardon me I cannot speak
OTHELLO
Worthy Montano you were wont be civil
The gravity and stillness of your youth
The world hath noted and your name is great
In mouths of wisest censure whats the matter
That you unlace your reputation thus
And spend your rich opinion for the name
Of a nightbrawler Give me answer to it
MONTANO
Worthy Othello I am hurt to danger
Your officer Iago can inform you
While I spare speech which something now offends me
Of all that I do know nor know I aught
By me thats said or done amiss this night
Unless selfcharity be sometimes a vice
And to defend ourselves it be a sin
When violence assails us
OTHELLO
Now by heaven
My blood begins my safer guides to rule
And passion having my best judgement collied
Assays to lead the way Zounds if I stir
Or do but lift this arm the best of you
Shall sink in my rebuke Give me to know
How this foul rout began who set it on
And he that is approvd in this offence
Though he had twinnd with me both at a birth
Shall lose me What in a town of war
Yet wild the peoples hearts brimful of fear
To manage private and domestic quarrel
In night and on the court and guard of safety
Tis monstrous Iago who begant
MONTANO
If partially affind or leagud in office
Thou dost deliver more or less than truth
Thou art no soldier
IAGO
Touch me not so near
I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth
Than it should do offence to Michael Cassio
Yet I persuade myself to speak the truth
Shall nothing wrong him Thus it is general
Montano and myself being in speech
There comes a fellow crying out for help
And Cassio following him with determind sword
To execute upon him Sir this gentleman
Steps in to Cassio and entreats his pause
Myself the crying fellow did pursue
Lest by his clamour as it so fell out
The town might fall in fright he swift of foot
Outran my purpose and I returnd the rather
For that I heard the clink and fall of swords
And Cassio high in oath which till tonight
I neer might say before When I came back
For this was brief I found them close together
At blow and thrust even as again they were
When you yourself did part them
More of this matter cannot I report
But men are men the best sometimes forget
Though Cassio did some little wrong to him
As men in rage strike those that wish them best
Yet surely Cassio I believe receivd
From him that fled some strange indignity
Which patience could not pass
OTHELLO
I know Iago
Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter
Making it light to Cassio Cassio I love thee
But never more be officer of mine
Enter Desdemona attended
Look if my gentle love be not raisd up
Ill make thee an example
DESDEMONA
Whats the matter
OTHELLO
Alls well now sweeting come away to bed
Sir for your hurts myself will be your surgeon
Lead him off
Montano is led off
Iago look with care about the town
And silence those whom this vile brawl distracted
Come Desdemona tis the soldiers life
To have their balmy slumbers wakd with strife
Exeunt all but Iago and Cassio
IAGO
What are you hurt lieutenant
CASSIO
Ay past all surgery
IAGO
Marry Heaven forbid
CASSIO
Reputation reputation reputation O I have lost my reputation I have lost the immortal part of myself and what remains is bestial My reputation Iago my reputation
IAGO
As I am an honest man I thought you had received some bodily wound there is more sense in that than in reputation Reputation is an idle and most false imposition oft got without merit and lost without deserving You have lost no reputation at all unless you repute yourself such a loser What man there are ways to recover the general again you are but now cast in his mood a punishment more in policy than in malice even so as one would beat his offenceless dog to affright an imperious lion sue to him again and hes yours
CASSIO
I will rather sue to be despised than to deceive so good a commander with so slight so drunken and so indiscreet an officer Drunk and speak parrot and squabble swagger swear and discourse fustian with ones own shadow O thou invisible spirit of wine if thou hast no name to be known by let us call thee devil
IAGO
What was he that you followed with your sword What had he done to you
CASSIO
I know not
IAGO
Ist possible
CASSIO
I remember a mass of things but nothing distinctly a quarrel but nothing wherefore O God that men should put an enemy in their mouths to steal away their brains That we should with joy pleasance revel and applause transform ourselves into beasts
IAGO
Why but you are now well enough how came you thus recovered
CASSIO
It hath pleased the devil drunkenness to give place to the devil wrath One unperfectness shows me another to make me frankly despise myself
IAGO
Come you are too severe a moraler As the time the place and the condition of this country stands I could heartily wish this had not befallen but since it is as it is mend it for your own good
CASSIO
I will ask him for my place again he shall tell me I am a drunkard Had I as many mouths as Hydra such an answer would stop them all To be now a sensible man by and by a fool and presently a beast O strange Every inordinate cup is unblessd and the ingredient is a devil
IAGO
Come come good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used Exclaim no more against it And good lieutenant I think you think I love you
CASSIO
I have well approved it sirI drunk
IAGO
You or any man living may be drunk at a time man Ill tell you what you shall do Our generals wife is now the general I may say so in this respect for that he hath devoted and given up himself to the contemplation mark and denotement of her parts and graces Confess yourself freely to her Importune her help to put you in your place again She is of so free so kind so apt so blessed a disposition she holds it a vice in her goodness not to do more than she is requested This broken joint between you and her husband entreat her to splinter and my fortunes against any lay worth naming this crack of your love shall grow stronger than it was before
CASSIO
You advise me well
IAGO
I protest in the sincerity of love and honest kindness
CASSIO
I think it freely and betimes in the morning I will beseech the virtuous Desdemona to undertake for me I am desperate of my fortunes if they check me here
IAGO
You are in the right Good night lieutenant I must to the watch
CASSIO
Good night honest Iago
Exit
IAGO
And whats he then that says I play the villain
When this advice is free I give and honest
Probal to thinking and indeed the course
To win the Moor again For tis most easy
The inclining Desdemona to subdue
In any honest suit Shes framd as fruitful
As the free elements And then for her
To win the Moor weret to renounce his baptism
All seals and symbols of redeemed sin
His soul is so enfetterd to her love
That she may make unmake do what she list
Even as her appetite shall play the god
With his weak function How am I then a villain
To counsel Cassio to this parallel course
Directly to his good Divinity of hell
When devils will the blackest sins put on
They do suggest at first with heavenly shows
As I do now for whiles this honest fool
Plies Desdemona to repair his fortune
And she for him pleads strongly to the Moor
Ill pour this pestilence into his ear
That she repeals him for her bodys lust
And by how much she strives to do him good
She shall undo her credit with the Moor
So will I turn her virtue into pitch
And out of her own goodness make the net
That shall enmesh them all
Enter Roderigo
How now Roderigo
RODERIGO
I do follow here in the chase not like a hound that hunts but one that fills up the cry My money is almost spent I have been tonight exceedingly well cudgelled and I think the issue will be I shall have so much experience for my pains and so with no money at all and a little more wit return again to Venice
IAGO
How poor are they that have not patience
What wound did ever heal but by degrees
Thou knowst we work by wit and not by witchcraft
And wit depends on dilatory time
Doest not go well Cassio hath beaten thee
And thou by that small hurt hast cashierd Cassio
Though other things grow fair against the sun
Yet fruits that blossom first will first be ripe
Content thyself awhile By the mass tis morning
Pleasure and action make the hours seem short
Retire thee go where thou art billeted
Away I say thou shalt know more hereafter
Nay get thee gone
Exit Roderigo
Two things are to be done
My wife must move for Cassio to her mistress
Ill set her on
Myself the while to draw the Moor apart
And bring him jump when he may Cassio find
Soliciting his wife Ay thats the way
Dull not device by coldness and delay
Exit
ACT III
SCENE I Cyprus Before the Castle
Enter Cassio and some Musicians
CASSIO
Masters play here I will content your pains
Something thats brief and bid Good morrow general
Music
Enter Clown
CLOWN
Why masters have your instruments been in Naples that they speak i the nose thus
FIRST MUSICIAN
How sir how
CLOWN
Are these I pray you wind instruments
FIRST MUSICIAN
Ay marry are they sir
CLOWN
O thereby hangs a tail
FIRST MUSICIAN
Whereby hangs a tale sir
CLOWN
Marry sir by many a wind instrument that I know But masters heres money for you and the general so likes your music that he desires you for loves sake to make no more noise with it
FIRST MUSICIAN
Well sir we will not
CLOWN
If you have any music that may not be heard tot again But as they say to hear music the general does not greatly care
FIRST MUSICIAN
We have none such sir
CLOWN
Then put up your pipes in your bag for Ill away Go vanish into air away
Exeunt Musicians
CASSIO
Dost thou hear mine honest friend
CLOWN
No I hear not your honest friend I hear you
CASSIO
Prithee keep up thy quillets Theres a poor piece of gold for thee if the gentlewoman that attends the generals wife be stirring tell her theres one Cassio entreats her a little favour of speech Wilt thou do this
CLOWN
She is stirring sir if she will stir hither I shall seem to notify unto her
CASSIO
Do good my friend
Exit Clown
Enter Iago
In happy time Iago
IAGO
You have not been abed then
CASSIO
Why no The day had broke
Before we parted I have made bold Iago
To send in to your wife My suit to her
Is that she will to virtuous Desdemona
Procure me some access
IAGO
Ill send her to you presently
And Ill devise a mean to draw the Moor
Out of the way that your converse and business
May be more free
CASSIO
I humbly thank you fort
Exit Iago
I never knew
A Florentine more kind and honest
Enter Emilia
EMILIA
Good morrow good lieutenant I am sorry
For your displeasure but all will sure be well
The general and his wife are talking of it
And she speaks for you stoutly the Moor replies
That he you hurt is of great fame in Cyprus
And great affinity and that in wholesome wisdom
He might not but refuse you but he protests he loves you
And needs no other suitor but his likings
To take the safest occasion by the front
To bring you in again
CASSIO
Yet I beseech you
If you think fit or that it may be done
Give me advantage of some brief discourse
With Desdemona alone
EMILIA
Pray you come in
I will bestow you where you shall have time
To speak your bosom freely
CASSIO
I am much bound to you
Exeunt
SCENE II Cyprus A Room in the Castle
Enter Othello Iago and Gentlemen
OTHELLO
These letters give Iago to the pilot
And by him do my duties to the senate
That done I will be walking on the works
Repair there to me
IAGO
Well my good lord Ill dot
OTHELLO
This fortification gentlemen shall we seet
GENTLEMEN
Well wait upon your lordship
Exeunt
SCENE III Cyprus The Garden of the Castle
Enter Desdemona Cassio and Emilia
DESDEMONA
Be thou assured good Cassio I will do
All my abilities in thy behalf
EMILIA
Good madam do I warrant it grieves my husband
As if the cause were his
DESDEMONA
O thats an honest fellow Do not doubt Cassio
But I will have my lord and you again
As friendly as you were
CASSIO
Bounteous madam
Whatever shall become of Michael Cassio
Hes never anything but your true servant
DESDEMONA
I knowt I thank you You do love my lord
You have known him long and be you well assurd
He shall in strangeness stand no farther off
Than in a politic distance
CASSIO
Ay but lady
That policy may either last so long
Or feed upon such nice and waterish diet
Or breed itself so out of circumstance
That I being absent and my place supplied
My general will forget my love and service
DESDEMONA
Do not doubt that Before Emilia here
I give thee warrant of thy place Assure thee
If I do vow a friendship Ill perform it
To the last article My lord shall never rest
Ill watch him tame and talk him out of patience
His bed shall seem a school his board a shrift
Ill intermingle everything he does
With Cassios suit Therefore be merry Cassio
For thy solicitor shall rather die
Than give thy cause away
Enter Othello and Iago
EMILIA
Madam here comes my lord
CASSIO
Madam Ill take my leave
DESDEMONA
Why stay and hear me speak
CASSIO
Madam not now I am very ill at ease
Unfit for mine own purposes
DESDEMONA
Well do your discretion
Exit Cassio
IAGO
Ha I like not that
OTHELLO
What dost thou say
IAGO
Nothing my lord or ifI know not what
OTHELLO
Was not that Cassio parted from my wife
IAGO
Cassio my lord No sure I cannot think it
That he would steal away so guiltylike
Seeing you coming
OTHELLO
I do believe twas he
DESDEMONA
How now my lord
I have been talking with a suitor here
A man that languishes in your displeasure
OTHELLO
Who ist you mean
DESDEMONA
Why your lieutenant Cassio Good my lord
If I have any grace or power to move you
His present reconciliation take
For if he be not one that truly loves you
That errs in ignorance and not in cunning
I have no judgement in an honest face
I prithee call him back
OTHELLO
Went he hence now
DESDEMONA
Ay sooth so humbled
That he hath left part of his grief with me
To suffer with him Good love call him back
OTHELLO
Not now sweet Desdemon some other time
DESDEMONA
But shallt be shortly
OTHELLO
The sooner sweet for you
DESDEMONA
Shallt be tonight at supper
OTHELLO
No not tonight
DESDEMONA
Tomorrow dinner then
OTHELLO
I shall not dine at home
I meet the captains at the citadel
DESDEMONA
Why then tomorrow night or Tuesday morn
On Tuesday noon or night on Wednesday morn
I prithee name the time but let it not
Exceed three days In faith hes penitent
And yet his trespass in our common reason
Save that they say the wars must make examples
Out of their best is not almost a fault
To incur a private check When shall he come
Tell me Othello I wonder in my soul
What you would ask me that I should deny
Or stand so mammering on What Michael Cassio
That came awooing with you and so many a time
When I have spoke of you dispraisingly
Hath taen your part to have so much to do
To bring him in Trust me I could do much
OTHELLO
Prithee no more Let him come when he will
I will deny thee nothing
DESDEMONA
Why this is not a boon
Tis as I should entreat you wear your gloves
Or feed on nourishing dishes or keep you warm
Or sue to you to do a peculiar profit
To your own person nay when I have a suit
Wherein I mean to touch your love indeed
It shall be full of poise and difficult weight
And fearful to be granted
OTHELLO
I will deny thee nothing
Whereon I do beseech thee grant me this
To leave me but a little to myself
DESDEMONA
Shall I deny you No farewell my lord
OTHELLO
Farewell my Desdemona Ill come to thee straight
DESDEMONA
Emilia come Be as your fancies teach you
Whateer you be I am obedient
Exit with Emilia
OTHELLO
Excellent wretch Perdition catch my soul
But I do love thee And when I love thee not
Chaos is come again
IAGO
My noble lord
OTHELLO
What dost thou say Iago
IAGO
Did Michael Cassio when you wood my lady
Know of your love
OTHELLO
He did from first to last Why dost thou ask
IAGO
But for a satisfaction of my thought
No further harm
OTHELLO
Why of thy thought Iago
IAGO
I did not think he had been acquainted with her
OTHELLO
O yes and went between us very oft
IAGO
Indeed
OTHELLO
Indeed Ay indeed Discernst thou aught in that
Is he not honest
IAGO
Honest my lord
OTHELLO
Honest ay honest
IAGO
My lord for aught I know
OTHELLO
What dost thou think
IAGO
Think my lord
OTHELLO
Think my lord By heaven he echoes me
As if there were some monster in his thought
Too hideous to be shown Thou dost mean something
I heard thee say even now thou likst not that
When Cassio left my wife What didst not like
And when I told thee he was of my counsel
In my whole course of wooing thou criedst Indeed
And didst contract and purse thy brow together
As if thou then hadst shut up in thy brain
Some horrible conceit if thou dost love me
Show me thy thought
IAGO
My lord you know I love you
OTHELLO
I think thou dost
And for I know thourt full of love and honesty
And weighst thy words before thou givst them breath
Therefore these stops of thine fright me the more
For such things in a false disloyal knave
Are tricks of custom but in a man thats just
Theyre close dilations working from the heart
That passion cannot rule
IAGO
For Michael Cassio
I dare be sworn I think that he is honest
OTHELLO
I think so too
IAGO
Men should be what they seem
Or those that be not would they might seem none
OTHELLO
Certain men should be what they seem
IAGO
Why then I think Cassios an honest man
OTHELLO
Nay yet theres more in this
I prithee speak to me as to thy thinkings
As thou dost ruminate and give thy worst of thoughts
The worst of words
IAGO
Good my lord pardon me
Though I am bound to every act of duty
I am not bound to that all slaves are free to
Utter my thoughts Why say they are vile and false
As wheres that palace whereinto foul things
Sometimes intrude not Who has a breast so pure
But some uncleanly apprehensions
Keep leets and lawdays and in session sit
With meditations lawful
OTHELLO
Thou dost conspire against thy friend Iago
If thou but thinkst him wrongd and makst his ear
A stranger to thy thoughts
IAGO
I do beseech you
Though I perchance am vicious in my guess
As I confess it is my natures plague
To spy into abuses and of my jealousy
Shapes faults that are notthat your wisdom
From one that so imperfectly conceits
Would take no notice nor build yourself a trouble
Out of his scattering and unsure observance
It were not for your quiet nor your good
Nor for my manhood honesty or wisdom
To let you know my thoughts
OTHELLO
What dost thou mean
IAGO
Good name in man and woman dear my lord
Is the immediate jewel of their souls
Who steals my purse steals trash Tis something nothing
Twas mine tis his and has been slave to thousands
But he that filches from me my good name
Robs me of that which not enriches him
And makes me poor indeed
OTHELLO
By heaven Ill know thy thoughts
IAGO
You cannot if my heart were in your hand
Nor shall not whilst tis in my custody
OTHELLO
Ha
IAGO
O beware my lord of jealousy
It is the greeneyd monster which doth mock
The meat it feeds on That cuckold lives in bliss
Who certain of his fate loves not his wronger
But O what damned minutes tells he oer
Who dotes yet doubts suspects yet strongly loves
OTHELLO
O misery
IAGO
Poor and content is rich and rich enough
But riches fineless is as poor as winter
To him that ever fears he shall be poor
Good heaven the souls of all my tribe defend
From jealousy
OTHELLO
Why why is this
Thinkst thou Id make a life of jealousy
To follow still the changes of the moon
With fresh suspicions No To be once in doubt
Is once to be resolvd exchange me for a goat
When I shall turn the business of my soul
To such exsufflicate and blown surmises
Matching thy inference Tis not to make me jealous
To say my wife is fair feeds well loves company
Is free of speech sings plays and dances well
Where virtue is these are more virtuous
Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw
The smallest fear or doubt of her revolt
For she had eyes and chose me No Iago
Ill see before I doubt when I doubt prove
And on the proof there is no more but this
Away at once with love or jealousy
IAGO
I am glad of it for now I shall have reason
To show the love and duty that I bear you
With franker spirit therefore as I am bound
Receive it from me I speak not yet of proof
Look to your wife observe her well with Cassio
Wear your eye thus not jealous nor secure
I would not have your free and noble nature
Out of selfbounty be abusd Look tot
I know our country disposition well
In Venice they do let heaven see the pranks
They dare not show their husbands Their best conscience
Is not to leave undone but keep unknown
OTHELLO
Dost thou say so
IAGO
She did deceive her father marrying you
And when she seemd to shake and fear your looks
She loved them most
OTHELLO
And so she did
IAGO
Why go to then
She that so young could give out such a seeming
To seal her fathers eyes up close as oak
He thought twas witchcraft But I am much to blame
I humbly do beseech you of your pardon
For too much loving you
OTHELLO
I am bound to thee for ever
IAGO
I see this hath a little dashd your spirits
OTHELLO
Not a jot not a jot
IAGO
Trust me I fear it has
I hope you will consider what is spoke
Comes from my love But I do see youre movd
I am to pray you not to strain my speech
To grosser issues nor to larger reach
Than to suspicion
OTHELLO
I will not
IAGO
Should you do so my lord
My speech should fall into such vile success
Which my thoughts aimd not Cassios my worthy friend
My lord I see youre movd
OTHELLO
No not much movd
I do not think but Desdemonas honest
IAGO
Long live she so And long live you to think so
OTHELLO
And yet how nature erring from itself
IAGO
Ay theres the point As to be bold with you
Not to affect many proposed matches
Of her own clime complexion and degree
Whereto we see in all things nature tends
Foh One may smell in such a will most rank
Foul disproportion thoughts unnatural
But pardon me I do not in position
Distinctly speak of her though I may fear
Her will recoiling to her better judgement
May fall to match you with her country forms
And happily repent
OTHELLO
Farewell farewell
If more thou dost perceive let me know more
Set on thy wife to observe Leave me Iago
IAGO
Going My lord I take my leave
OTHELLO
Why did I marry This honest creature doubtless
Sees and knows more much more than he unfolds
IAGO
Returning My lord I would I might entreat your honour
To scan this thing no further Leave it to time
Though it be fit that Cassio have his place
For sure he fills it up with great ability
Yet if you please to hold him off awhile
You shall by that perceive him and his means
Note if your lady strain his entertainment
With any strong or vehement importunity
Much will be seen in that In the meantime
Let me be thought too busy in my fears
As worthy cause I have to fear I am
And hold her free I do beseech your honour
OTHELLO
Fear not my government
IAGO
I once more take my leave
Exit
OTHELLO
This fellows of exceeding honesty
And knows all qualities with a learned spirit
Of human dealings If I do prove her haggard
Though that her jesses were my dear heartstrings
Id whistle her off and let her down the wind
To prey at fortune Haply for I am black
And have not those soft parts of conversation
That chamberers have or for I am declind
Into the vale of yearsyet thats not much
Shes gone I am abusd and my relief
Must be to loathe her O curse of marriage
That we can call these delicate creatures ours
And not their appetites I had rather be a toad
And live upon the vapour of a dungeon
Than keep a corner in the thing I love
For others uses Yet tis the plague of great ones
Prerogativd are they less than the base
Tis destiny unshunnable like death
Even then this forked plague is fated to us
When we do quicken Desdemona comes
If she be false O then heaven mocks itself
Ill not believet
Enter Desdemona and Emilia
DESDEMONA
How now my dear Othello
Your dinner and the generous islanders
By you invited do attend your presence
OTHELLO
I am to blame
DESDEMONA
Why do you speak so faintly
Are you not well
OTHELLO
I have a pain upon my forehead here
DESDEMONA
Faith thats with watching twill away again
Let me but bind it hard within this hour
It will be well
OTHELLO
Your napkin is too little
He puts the handkerchief from him and she drops it
Let it alone Come Ill go in with you
DESDEMONA
I am very sorry that you are not well
Exeunt Othello and Desdemona
EMILIA
I am glad I have found this napkin
This was her first remembrance from the Moor
My wayward husband hath a hundred times
Wood me to steal it But she so loves the token
For he conjurd her she should ever keep it
That she reserves it evermore about her
To kiss and talk to Ill have the work taen out
And givet Iago What he will do with it
Heaven knows not I
I nothing but to please his fantasy
Enter Iago
IAGO
How now What do you here alone
EMILIA
Do not you chide I have a thing for you
IAGO
A thing for me It is a common thing
EMILIA
Ha
IAGO
To have a foolish wife
EMILIA
O is that all What will you give me now
For that same handkerchief
IAGO
What handkerchief
EMILIA
What handkerchief
Why that the Moor first gave to Desdemona
That which so often you did bid me steal
IAGO
Hast stoln it from her
EMILIA
No faith she let it drop by negligence
And to the advantage I being here took t up
Look here it is
IAGO
A good wench give it me
EMILIA
What will you do witht that you have been so earnest
To have me filch it
IAGO
Snatching it Why whats that to you
EMILIA
If it be not for some purpose of import
Give t me again Poor lady shell run mad
When she shall lack it
IAGO
Be not acknown ont I have use for it
Go leave me
Exit Emilia
I will in Cassios lodging lose this napkin
And let him find it Trifles light as air
Are to the jealous confirmations strong
As proofs of holy writ This may do something
The Moor already changes with my poison
Dangerous conceits are in their natures poisons
Which at the first are scarce found to distaste
But with a little act upon the blood
Burn like the mines of sulphur I did say so
Enter Othello
Look where he comes Not poppy nor mandragora
Nor all the drowsy syrups of the world
Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep
Which thou owdst yesterday
OTHELLO
Ha ha false to me
IAGO
Why how now general No more of that
OTHELLO
Avaunt be gone Thou hast set me on the rack
I swear tis better to be much abusd
Than but to knowt a little
IAGO
How now my lord
OTHELLO
What sense had I of her stoln hours of lust
I sawt not thought it not it harmd not me
I slept the next night well was free and merry
I found not Cassios kisses on her lips
He that is robbd not wanting what is stoln
Let him not knowt and hes not robbd at all
IAGO
I am sorry to hear this
OTHELLO
I had been happy if the general camp
Pioners and all had tasted her sweet body
So I had nothing known O now for ever
Farewell the tranquil mind Farewell content
Farewell the plumed troops and the big wars
That make ambition virtue O farewell
Farewell the neighing steed and the shrill trump
The spiritstirring drum the earpiercing fife
The royal banner and all quality
Pride pomp and circumstance of glorious war
And O you mortal engines whose rude throats
The immortal Joves dread clamours counterfeit
Farewell Othellos occupations gone
IAGO
Ist possible my lord
OTHELLO
Villain be sure thou prove my love a whore
Be sure of it Give me the ocular proof
Or by the worth of mans eternal soul
Thou hadst been better have been born a dog
Than answer my wakd wrath
IAGO
Ist come to this
OTHELLO
Make me to seet or at the least so prove it
That the probation bear no hinge nor loop
To hang a doubt on or woe upon thy life
IAGO
My noble lord
OTHELLO
If thou dost slander her and torture me
Never pray more Abandon all remorse
On horrors head horrors accumulate
Do deeds to make heaven weep all earth amazd
For nothing canst thou to damnation add
Greater than that
IAGO
O grace O heaven defend me
Are you a man Have you a soul or sense
God be wi you Take mine officeO wretched fool
That livst to make thine honesty a vice
O monstrous world Take note take note O world
To be direct and honest is not safe
I thank you for this profit and from hence
Ill love no friend sith love breeds such offence
OTHELLO
Nay stay Thou shouldst be honest
IAGO
I should be wise for honestys a fool
And loses that it works for
OTHELLO
By the world
I think my wife be honest and think she is not
I think that thou art just and think thou art not
Ill have some proof her name that was as fresh
As Dians visage is now begrimd and black
As mine own face If there be cords or knives
Poison or fire or suffocating streams
Ill not endure t Would I were satisfied
IAGO
I see sir you are eaten up with passion
I do repent me that I put it to you
You would be satisfied
OTHELLO
Would Nay I will
IAGO
And may but how How satisfied my lord
Would you the supervisor grossly gape on
Behold her toppd
OTHELLO
Death and damnation O
IAGO
It were a tedious difficulty I think
To bring them to that prospect Damn them then
If ever mortal eyes do see them bolster
More than their own What then How then
What shall I say Wheres satisfaction
It is impossible you should see this
Were they as prime as goats as hot as monkeys
As salt as wolves in pride and fools as gross
As ignorance made drunk But yet I say
If imputation and strong circumstances
Which lead directly to the door of truth
Will give you satisfaction you may havet
OTHELLO
Give me a living reason shes disloyal
IAGO
I do not like the office
But sith I am enterd in this cause so far
Prickd to t by foolish honesty and love
I will go on I lay with Cassio lately
And being troubled with a raging tooth
I could not sleep
There are a kind of men so loose of soul
That in their sleeps will mutter their affairs
One of this kind is Cassio
In sleep I heard him say Sweet Desdemona
Let us be wary let us hide our loves
And then sir would he gripe and wring my hand
Cry O sweet creature and then kiss me hard
As if he pluckd up kisses by the roots
That grew upon my lips then laid his leg
Over my thigh and sighd and kissd and then
Cried Cursed fate that gave thee to the Moor
OTHELLO
O monstrous monstrous
IAGO
Nay this was but his dream
OTHELLO
But this denoted a foregone conclusion
Tis a shrewd doubt though it be but a dream
IAGO
And this may help to thicken other proofs
That do demonstrate thinly
OTHELLO
Ill tear her all to pieces
IAGO
Nay but be wise Yet we see nothing done
She may be honest yet Tell me but this
Have you not sometimes seen a handkerchief
Spotted with strawberries in your wifes hand
OTHELLO
I gave her such a one twas my first gift
IAGO
I know not that but such a handkerchief
I am sure it was your wifes did I today
See Cassio wipe his beard with
OTHELLO
If it be that
IAGO
If it be that or any that was hers
It speaks against her with the other proofs
OTHELLO
O that the slave had forty thousand lives
One is too poor too weak for my revenge
Now do I see tis true Look here Iago
All my fond love thus do I blow to heaven
Tis gone
Arise black vengeance from thy hollow hell
Yield up O love thy crown and hearted throne
To tyrannous hate Swell bosom with thy fraught
For tis of aspics tongues
IAGO
Yet be content
OTHELLO
O blood Iago blood
IAGO
Patience I say Your mind perhaps may change
OTHELLO
Never Iago Like to the Pontic Sea
Whose icy current and compulsive course
Neer feels retiring ebb but keeps due on
To the Propontic and the Hellespont
Even so my bloody thoughts with violent pace
Shall neer look back neer ebb to humble love
Till that a capable and wide revenge
Swallow them up Now by yond marble heaven
In the due reverence of a sacred vow Kneels
I here engage my words
IAGO
Do not rise yet Kneels
Witness you everburning lights above
You elements that clip us round about
Witness that here Iago doth give up
The execution of his wit hands heart
To wrongd Othellos service Let him command
And to obey shall be in me remorse
What bloody business ever
They rise
OTHELLO
I greet thy love
Not with vain thanks but with acceptance bounteous
And will upon the instant put thee to t
Within these three days let me hear thee say
That Cassios not alive
IAGO
My friend is dead Tis done at your request
But let her live
OTHELLO
Damn her lewd minx O damn her damn her
Come go with me apart I will withdraw
To furnish me with some swift means of death
For the fair devil Now art thou my lieutenant
IAGO
I am your own for ever
Exeunt
SCENE IV Cyprus Before the Castle
Enter Desdemona Emilia and Clown
DESDEMONA
Do you know sirrah where Lieutenant Cassio lies
CLOWN
I dare not say he lies anywhere
DESDEMONA
Why man
CLOWN
Hes a soldier and for one to say a soldier lies is stabbing
DESDEMONA
Go to Where lodges he
CLOWN
To tell you where he lodges is to tell you where I lie
DESDEMONA
Can anything be made of this
CLOWN
I know not where he lodges and for me to devise a lodging and say he lies here or he lies there were to lie in mine own throat
DESDEMONA
Can you inquire him out and be edified by report
CLOWN
I will catechize the world for him that is make questions and by them answer
DESDEMONA
Seek him bid him come hither Tell him I have moved my lord on his behalf and hope all will be well
CLOWN
To do this is within the compass of mans wit and therefore I will attempt the doing it
Exit
DESDEMONA
Where should I lose that handkerchief Emilia
EMILIA
I know not madam
DESDEMONA
Believe me I had rather have lost my purse
Full of crusadoes And but my noble Moor
Is true of mind and made of no such baseness
As jealous creatures are it were enough
To put him to ill thinking
EMILIA
Is he not jealous
DESDEMONA
Who he I think the sun where he was born
Drew all such humours from him
EMILIA
Look where he comes
Enter Othello
DESDEMONA
I will not leave him now till Cassio
Be calld to him How ist with you my lord
OTHELLO
Well my good lady Aside O hardness to dissemble
How do you Desdemona
DESDEMONA
Well my good lord
OTHELLO
Give me your hand This hand is moist my lady
DESDEMONA
It yet hath felt no age nor known no sorrow
OTHELLO
This argues fruitfulness and liberal heart
Hot hot and moist This hand of yours requires
A sequester from liberty fasting and prayer
Much castigation exercise devout
For heres a young and sweating devil here
That commonly rebels Tis a good hand
A frank one
DESDEMONA
You may indeed say so
For twas that hand that gave away my heart
OTHELLO
A liberal hand The hearts of old gave hands
But our new heraldry is hands not hearts
DESDEMONA
I cannot speak of this Come now your promise
OTHELLO
What promise chuck
DESDEMONA
I have sent to bid Cassio come speak with you
OTHELLO
I have a salt and sorry rheum offends me
Lend me thy handkerchief
DESDEMONA
Here my lord
OTHELLO
That which I gave you
DESDEMONA
I have it not about me
OTHELLO
Not
DESDEMONA
No faith my lord
OTHELLO
That is a fault That handkerchief
Did an Egyptian to my mother give
She was a charmer and could almost read
The thoughts of people She told her while she kept it
Twould make her amiable and subdue my father
Entirely to her love But if she lost it
Or made a gift of it my fathers eye
Should hold her loathed and his spirits should hunt
After new fancies she dying gave it me
And bid me when my fate would have me wive
To give it her I did so and take heed ont
Make it a darling like your precious eye
To loset or givet away were such perdition
As nothing else could match
DESDEMONA
Ist possible
OTHELLO
Tis true Theres magic in the web of it
A sibyl that had numberd in the world
The sun to course two hundred compasses
In her prophetic fury sewd the work
The worms were hallowd that did breed the silk
And it was dyed in mummy which the skillful
Conservd of maidens hearts
DESDEMONA
Indeed Ist true
OTHELLO
Most veritable therefore look to t well
DESDEMONA
Then would to God that I had never seen t
OTHELLO
Ha wherefore
DESDEMONA
Why do you speak so startingly and rash
OTHELLO
Ist lost ist gone speak is it out of the way
DESDEMONA
Heaven bless us
OTHELLO
Say you
DESDEMONA
It is not lost but what and if it were
OTHELLO
How
DESDEMONA
I say it is not lost
OTHELLO
Fetcht let me see t
DESDEMONA
Why so I can sir but I will not now
This is a trick to put me from my suit
Pray you let Cassio be receivd again
OTHELLO
Fetch me the handkerchief My mind misgives
DESDEMONA
Come come
Youll never meet a more sufficient man
OTHELLO
The handkerchief
DESDEMONA
I pray talk me of Cassio
OTHELLO
The handkerchief
DESDEMONA
A man that all his time
Hath founded his good fortunes on your love
Shard dangers with you
OTHELLO
The handkerchief
DESDEMONA
In sooth you are to blame
OTHELLO
Away
Exit
EMILIA
Is not this man jealous
DESDEMONA
I neer saw this before
Sure theres some wonder in this handkerchief
I am most unhappy in the loss of it
EMILIA
Tis not a year or two shows us a man
They are all but stomachs and we all but food
They eat us hungerly and when they are full
They belch us
Enter Cassio and Iago
Look you Cassio and my husband
IAGO
There is no other way tis she must do t
And lo the happiness Go and importune her
DESDEMONA
How now good Cassio whats the news with you
CASSIO
Madam my former suit I do beseech you
That by your virtuous means I may again
Exist and be a member of his love
Whom I with all the office of my heart
Entirely honour I would not be delayd
If my offence be of such mortal kind
That nor my service past nor present sorrows
Nor purposd merit in futurity
Can ransom me into his love again
But to know so must be my benefit
So shall I clothe me in a forcd content
And shut myself up in some other course
To fortunes alms
DESDEMONA
Alas thricegentle Cassio
My advocation is not now in tune
My lord is not my lord nor should I know him
Were he in favour as in humour alterd
So help me every spirit sanctified
As I have spoken for you all my best
And stood within the blank of his displeasure
For my free speech You must awhile be patient
What I can do I will and more I will
Than for myself I dare Let that suffice you
IAGO
Is my lord angry
EMILIA
He went hence but now
And certainly in strange unquietness
IAGO
Can he be angry I have seen the cannon
When it hath blown his ranks into the air
And like the devil from his very arm
Puffd his own brother and can he be angry
Something of moment then I will go meet him
Theres matter int indeed if he be angry
DESDEMONA
I prithee do so
Exit Iago
Something sure of state
Either from Venice or some unhatchd practice
Made demonstrable here in Cyprus to him
Hath puddled his clear spirit and in such cases
Mens natures wrangle with inferior things
Though great ones are their object Tis even so
For let our finger ache and it indues
Our other healthful members even to that sense
Of pain Nay we must think men are not gods
Nor of them look for such observancy
As fits the bridal Beshrew me much Emilia
I was unhandsome warrior as I am
Arraigning his unkindness with my soul
But now I find I had subornd the witness
And hes indicted falsely
EMILIA
Pray heaven it be state matters as you think
And no conception nor no jealous toy
Concerning you
DESDEMONA
Alas the day I never gave him cause
EMILIA
But jealous souls will not be answerd so
They are not ever jealous for the cause
But jealous for they are jealous tis a monster
Begot upon itself born on itself
DESDEMONA
Heaven keep that monster from Othellos mind
EMILIA
Lady amen
DESDEMONA
I will go seek him Cassio walk hereabout
If I do find him fit Ill move your suit
And seek to effect it to my uttermost
CASSIO
I humbly thank your ladyship
Exeunt Desdemona and Emilia
Enter Bianca
BIANCA
Save you friend Cassio
CASSIO
What make you from home
How is it with you my most fair Bianca
I faith sweet love I was coming to your house
BIANCA
And I was going to your lodging Cassio
What keep a week away Seven days and nights
Eight score eight hours and lovers absent hours
More tedious than the dial eight score times
O weary reckoning
CASSIO
Pardon me Bianca
I have this while with leaden thoughts been pressd
But I shall in a more continuate time
Strike off this score of absence Sweet Bianca
Giving her Desdemonas handkerchief
Take me this work out
BIANCA
O Cassio whence came this
This is some token from a newer friend
To the felt absence now I feel a cause
Ist come to this Well well
CASSIO
Go to woman
Throw your vile guesses in the devils teeth
From whence you have them You are jealous now
That this is from some mistress some remembrance
No in good troth Bianca
BIANCA
Why whose is it
CASSIO
I know not neither I found it in my chamber
I like the work well Ere it be demanded
As like enough it will Id have it copied
Take it and do t and leave me for this time
BIANCA
Leave you wherefore
CASSIO
I do attend here on the general
And think it no addition nor my wish
To have him see me womand
BIANCA
Why I pray you
CASSIO
Not that I love you not
BIANCA
But that you do not love me
I pray you bring me on the way a little
And say if I shall see you soon at night
CASSIO
Tis but a little way that I can bring you
For I attend here But Ill see you soon
BIANCA
Tis very good I must be circumstancd
Exeunt
ACT IV
SCENE I Cyprus Before the Castle
Enter Othello and Iago
IAGO
Will you think so
OTHELLO
Think so Iago
IAGO
What
To kiss in private
OTHELLO
An unauthorizd kiss
IAGO
Or to be naked with her friend in bed
An hour or more not meaning any harm
OTHELLO
Naked in bed Iago and not mean harm
It is hypocrisy against the devil
They that mean virtuously and yet do so
The devil their virtue tempts and they tempt heaven
IAGO
So they do nothing tis a venial slip
But if I give my wife a handkerchief
OTHELLO
What then
IAGO
Why then tis hers my lord and being hers
She may I think bestowt on any man
OTHELLO
She is protectress of her honour too
May she give that
IAGO
Her honour is an essence thats not seen
They have it very oft that have it not
But for the handkerchief
OTHELLO
By heaven I would most gladly have forgot it
Thou saidst O it comes oer my memory
As doth the raven oer the infected house
Boding to all he had my handkerchief
IAGO
Ay what of that
OTHELLO
Thats not so good now
IAGO
What
If I had said I had seen him do you wrong
Or heard him say as knaves be such abroad
Who having by their own importunate suit
Or voluntary dotage of some mistress
Convinced or supplied them cannot choose
But they must blab
OTHELLO
Hath he said anything
IAGO
He hath my lord but be you well assurd
No more than hell unswear
OTHELLO
What hath he said
IAGO
Faith that he didI know not what he did
OTHELLO
What What
IAGO
Lie
OTHELLO
With her
IAGO
With her on her what you will
OTHELLO
Lie with her lie on herWe say lie on her when they belie herLie with her thats fulsome Handkerchiefconfessionshandkerchief To confess and be hanged for his labour First to be hanged and then to confess I tremble at it Nature would not invest herself in such shadowing passion without some instruction It is not words that shake me thus Pish Noses ears and lips Ist possibleConfesshandkerchiefO devil
Falls in a trance
IAGO
Work on
My medicine work Thus credulous fools are caught
And many worthy and chaste dames even thus
All guiltless meet reproach What ho my lord
My lord I say Othello
Enter Cassio
How now Cassio
CASSIO
Whats the matter
IAGO
My lord is fallen into an epilepsy
This is his second fit He had one yesterday
CASSIO
Rub him about the temples
IAGO
No forbear
The lethargy must have his quiet course
If not he foams at mouth and by and by
Breaks out to savage madness Look he stirs
Do you withdraw yourself a little while
He will recover straight When he is gone
I would on great occasion speak with you
Exit Cassio
How is it general Have you not hurt your head
OTHELLO
Dost thou mock me
IAGO
I mock you No by heaven
Would you would bear your fortune like a man
OTHELLO
A horned mans a monster and a beast
IAGO
Theres many a beast then in a populous city
And many a civil monster
OTHELLO
Did he confess it
IAGO
Good sir be a man
Think every bearded fellow thats but yokd
May draw with you Theres millions now alive
That nightly lie in those unproper beds
Which they dare swear peculiar your case is better
O tis the spite of hell the fiends archmock
To lip a wanton in a secure couch
And to suppose her chaste No let me know
And knowing what I am I know what she shall be
OTHELLO
O thou art wise tis certain
IAGO
Stand you awhile apart
Confine yourself but in a patient list
Whilst you were here oerwhelmed with your grief
A passion most unsuiting such a man
Cassio came hither I shifted him away
And laid good scuse upon your ecstasy
Bade him anon return and here speak with me
The which he promisd Do but encave yourself
And mark the fleers the gibes and notable scorns
That dwell in every region of his face
For I will make him tell the tale anew
Where how how oft how long ago and when
He hath and is again to cope your wife
I say but mark his gesture Marry patience
Or I shall say you are all in all in spleen
And nothing of a man
OTHELLO
Dost thou hear Iago
I will be found most cunning in my patience
Butdost thou hearmost bloody
IAGO
Thats not amiss
But yet keep time in all Will you withdraw
Othello withdraws
Now will I question Cassio of Bianca
A housewife that by selling her desires
Buys herself bread and clothes it is a creature
That dotes on Cassio as tis the strumpets plague
To beguile many and be beguild by one
He when he hears of her cannot refrain
From the excess of laughter Here he comes
Enter Cassio
As he shall smile Othello shall go mad
And his unbookish jealousy must construe
Poor Cassios smiles gestures and light behaviour
Quite in the wrong How do you now lieutenant
CASSIO
The worser that you give me the addition
Whose want even kills me
IAGO
Ply Desdemona well and you are sure ont
Speaking lower Now if this suit lay in Biancas power
How quickly should you speed
CASSIO
Alas poor caitiff
OTHELLO
Aside Look how he laughs already
IAGO
I never knew a woman love man so
CASSIO
Alas poor rogue I think i faith she loves me
OTHELLO
Aside Now he denies it faintly and laughs it out
IAGO
Do you hear Cassio
OTHELLO
Now he importunes him
To tell it oer Go to well said well said
IAGO
She gives it out that you shall marry her
Do you intend it
CASSIO
Ha ha ha
OTHELLO
Do you triumph Roman Do you triumph
CASSIO
I marry her What A customer I prithee bear some charity to my wit do not think it so unwholesome Ha ha ha
OTHELLO
So so so so They laugh that wins
IAGO
Faith the cry goes that you shall marry her
CASSIO
Prithee say true
IAGO
I am a very villain else
OTHELLO
Have you scored me Well
CASSIO
This is the monkeys own giving out She is persuaded I will marry her out of her own love and flattery not out of my promise
OTHELLO
Iago beckons me Now he begins the story
CASSIO
She was here even now She haunts me in every place I was the other day talking on the seabank with certain Venetians and thither comes the bauble and falls thus about my neck
OTHELLO
Crying O dear Cassio as it were his gesture imports it
CASSIO
So hangs and lolls and weeps upon me so hales and pulls me Ha ha ha
OTHELLO
Now he tells how she plucked him to my chamber O I see that nose of yours but not that dog I shall throw it to
CASSIO
Well I must leave her company
IAGO
Before me look where she comes
Enter Bianca
CASSIO
Tis such another fitchew Marry a perfumd one
What do you mean by this haunting of me
BIANCA
Let the devil and his dam haunt you What did you mean by that same handkerchief you gave me even now I was a fine fool to take it I must take out the work A likely piece of work that you should find it in your chamber and not know who left it there This is some minxs token and I must take out the work There give it your hobbyhorse Wheresoever you had it Ill take out no work ont
CASSIO
How now my sweet Bianca How now how now
OTHELLO
By heaven that should be my handkerchief
BIANCA
If youll come to supper tonight you may If you will not come when you are next prepared for
Exit
IAGO
After her after her
CASSIO
Faith I must shell rail in the street else
IAGO
Will you sup there
CASSIO
Faith I intend so
IAGO
Well I may chance to see you for I would very fain speak with you
CASSIO
Prithee come will you
IAGO
Go to say no more
Exit Cassio
OTHELLO
Coming forward How shall I murder him Iago
IAGO
Did you perceive how he laughed at his vice
OTHELLO
O Iago
IAGO
And did you see the handkerchief
OTHELLO
Was that mine
IAGO
Yours by this hand and to see how he prizes the foolish woman your wife she gave it him and he hath given it his whore
OTHELLO
I would have him nine years akilling A fine woman a fair woman a sweet woman
IAGO
Nay you must forget that
OTHELLO
Ay let her rot and perish and be damned tonight for she shall not live No my heart is turned to stone I strike it and it hurts my hand O the world hath not a sweeter creature She might lie by an emperors side and command him tasks
IAGO
Nay thats not your way
OTHELLO
Hang her I do but say what she is So delicate with her needle an admirable musician O she will sing the savageness out of a bear Of so high and plenteous wit and invention
IAGO
Shes the worse for all this
OTHELLO
O a thousand a thousand times and then of so gentle a condition
IAGO
Ay too gentle
OTHELLO
Nay thats certain But yet the pity of it Iago O Iago the pity of it Iago
IAGO
If you are so fond over her iniquity give her patent to offend for if it touch not you it comes near nobody
OTHELLO
I will chop her into messes Cuckold me
IAGO
O tis foul in her
OTHELLO
With mine officer
IAGO
Thats fouler
OTHELLO
Get me some poison Iago this night Ill not expostulate with her lest her body and beauty unprovide my mind again This night Iago
IAGO
Do it not with poison strangle her in her bed even the bed she hath contaminated
OTHELLO
Good good The justice of it pleases Very good
IAGO
And for Cassio let me be his undertaker You shall hear more by midnight
OTHELLO
Excellent good A trumpet within What trumpet is that same
Enter Lodovico Desdemona and Attendant
IAGO
Something from Venice sure Tis Lodovico
Come from the duke See your wife is with him
LODOVICO
Save you worthy general
OTHELLO
With all my heart sir
LODOVICO
The duke and senators of Venice greet you
Gives him a packet
OTHELLO
I kiss the instrument of their pleasures
Opens the packet and reads
DESDEMONA
And whats the news good cousin Lodovico
IAGO
I am very glad to see you signior
Welcome to Cyprus
LODOVICO
I thank you How does Lieutenant Cassio
IAGO
Lives sir
DESDEMONA
Cousin theres falln between him and my lord
An unkind breach but you shall make all well
OTHELLO
Are you sure of that
DESDEMONA
My lord
OTHELLO
Reads This fail you not to do as you will
LODOVICO
He did not call hes busy in the paper
Is there division twixt my lord and Cassio
DESDEMONA
A most unhappy one I would do much
To atone them for the love I bear to Cassio
OTHELLO
Fire and brimstone
DESDEMONA
My lord
OTHELLO
Are you wise
DESDEMONA
What is he angry
LODOVICO
May be the letter movd him
For as I think they do command him home
Deputing Cassio in his government
DESDEMONA
Trust me I am glad ont
OTHELLO
Indeed
DESDEMONA
My lord
OTHELLO
I am glad to see you mad
DESDEMONA
Why sweet Othello
OTHELLO
Devil
Striking her
DESDEMONA
I have not deservd this
LODOVICO
My lord this would not be believd in Venice
Though I should swear I sawt tis very much
Make her amends She weeps
OTHELLO
O devil devil
If that the earth could teem with womans tears
Each drop she falls would prove a crocodile
Out of my sight
DESDEMONA
I will not stay to offend you
Going
LODOVICO
Truly an obedient lady
I do beseech your lordship call her back
OTHELLO
Mistress
DESDEMONA
My lord
OTHELLO
What would you with her sir
LODOVICO
Who I my lord
OTHELLO
Ay you did wish that I would make her turn
Sir she can turn and turn and yet go on
And turn again And she can weep sir weep
And shes obedient as you say obedient
Very obedient Proceed you in your tears
Concerning this sirO wellpainted passion
I am commanded homeGet you away
Ill send for you anonSir I obey the mandate
And will return to VeniceHence avaunt
Exit Desdemona
Cassio shall have my place And sir tonight
I do entreat that we may sup together
You are welcome sir to Cyprus Goats and monkeys
Exit
LODOVICO
Is this the noble Moor whom our full senate
Call all in all sufficient Is this the nature
Whom passion could not shake whose solid virtue
The shot of accident nor dart of chance
Could neither graze nor pierce
IAGO
He is much changd
LODOVICO
Are his wits safe Is he not light of brain
IAGO
Hes that he is I may not breathe my censure
What he might be If what he might he is not
I would to heaven he were
LODOVICO
What strike his wife
IAGO
Faith that was not so well yet would I knew
That stroke would prove the worst
LODOVICO
Is it his use
Or did the letters work upon his blood
And newcreate this fault
IAGO
Alas alas
It is not honesty in me to speak
What I have seen and known You shall observe him
And his own courses will denote him so
That I may save my speech do but go after
And mark how he continues
LODOVICO
I am sorry that I am deceivd in him
Exeunt
SCENE II Cyprus A Room in the Castle
Enter Othello and Emilia
OTHELLO
You have seen nothing then
EMILIA
Nor ever heard nor ever did suspect
OTHELLO
Yes you have seen Cassio and she together
EMILIA
But then I saw no harm and then I heard
Each syllable that breath made up between them
OTHELLO
What did they never whisper
EMILIA
Never my lord
OTHELLO
Nor send you out o the way
EMILIA
Never
OTHELLO
To fetch her fan her gloves her mask nor nothing
EMILIA
Never my lord
OTHELLO
Thats strange
EMILIA
I durst my lord to wager she is honest
Lay down my soul at stake if you think other
Remove your thought it doth abuse your bosom
If any wretch have put this in your head
Let heaven requite it with the serpents curse
For if she be not honest chaste and true
Theres no man happy The purest of their wives
Is foul as slander
OTHELLO
Bid her come hither Go
Exit Emilia
She says enough Yet shes a simple bawd
That cannot say as much This is a subtle whore
A closet lock and key of villainous secrets
And yet shell kneel and pray I have seen her do t
Enter Desdemona and Emilia
DESDEMONA
My lord what is your will
OTHELLO
Pray chuck come hither
DESDEMONA
What is your pleasure
OTHELLO
Let me see your eyes
Look in my face
DESDEMONA
What horrible fancys this
OTHELLO
To Emilia Some of your function mistress
Leave procreants alone and shut the door
Cough or cry hem if anybody come
Your mystery your mystery Nay dispatch
Exit Emilia
DESDEMONA
Upon my knees what doth your speech import
I understand a fury in your words
But not the words
OTHELLO
Why what art thou
DESDEMONA
Your wife my lord your true and loyal wife
OTHELLO
Come swear it damn thyself
Lest being like one of heaven the devils themselves
Should fear to seize thee Therefore be doubledamnd
Swear thou art honest
DESDEMONA
Heaven doth truly know it
OTHELLO
Heaven truly knows that thou art false as hell
DESDEMONA
To whom my lord With whom How am I false
OTHELLO
O Desdemona away away away
DESDEMONA
Alas the heavy day why do you weep
Am I the motive of these tears my lord
If haply you my father do suspect
An instrument of this your calling back
Lay not your blame on me If you have lost him
Why I have lost him too
OTHELLO
Had it pleasd heaven
To try me with affliction had they raind
All kinds of sores and shames on my bare head
Steepd me in poverty to the very lips
Given to captivity me and my utmost hopes
I should have found in some place of my soul
A drop of patience But alas to make me
A fixed figure for the time of scorn
To point his slow unmoving finger at
Yet could I bear that too well very well
But there where I have garnerd up my heart
Where either I must live or bear no life
The fountain from the which my current runs
Or else dries up to be discarded thence
Or keep it as a cistern for foul toads
To knot and gender inturn thy complexion there
Patience thou young and roselippd cherubin
Ay there look grim as hell
DESDEMONA
I hope my noble lord esteems me honest
OTHELLO
O ay as summer flies are in the shambles
That quicken even with blowing O thou weed
Who art so lovely fair and smellst so sweet
That the sense aches at thee
Would thou hadst neer been born
DESDEMONA
Alas what ignorant sin have I committed
OTHELLO
Was this fair paper this most goodly book
Made to write whore upon What committed
Committed O thou public commoner
I should make very forges of my cheeks
That would to cinders burn up modesty
Did I but speak thy deeds What committed
Heaven stops the nose at it and the moon winks
The bawdy wind that kisses all it meets
Is hushd within the hollow mine of earth
And will not hear it What committed
Impudent strumpet
DESDEMONA
By heaven you do me wrong
OTHELLO
Are not you a strumpet
DESDEMONA
No as I am a Christian
If to preserve this vessel for my lord
From any other foul unlawful touch
Be not to be a strumpet I am none
OTHELLO
What not a whore
DESDEMONA
No as I shall be savd
OTHELLO
Ist possible
DESDEMONA
O heaven forgive us
OTHELLO
I cry you mercy then
I took you for that cunning whore of Venice
That married with OthelloYou mistress
Enter Emilia
That have the office opposite to Saint Peter
And keeps the gate of hell You you ay you
We have done our course theres money for your pains
I pray you turn the key and keep our counsel
Exit
EMILIA
Alas what does this gentleman conceive
How do you madam How do you my good lady
DESDEMONA
Faith half asleep
EMILIA
Good madam whats the matter with my lord
DESDEMONA
With who
EMILIA
Why with my lord madam
DESDEMONA
Who is thy lord
EMILIA
He that is yours sweet lady
DESDEMONA
I have none Do not talk to me Emilia
I cannot weep nor answer have I none
But what should go by water Prithee tonight
Lay on my bed my wedding sheets remember
And call thy husband hither
EMILIA
Heres a change indeed
Exit
DESDEMONA
Tis meet I should be usd so very meet
How have I been behavd that he might stick
The smallst opinion on my least misuse
Enter Iago and Emilia
IAGO
What is your pleasure madam How ist with you
DESDEMONA
I cannot tell Those that do teach young babes
Do it with gentle means and easy tasks
He might have chid me so for in good faith
I am a child to chiding
IAGO
Whats the matter lady
EMILIA
Alas Iago my lord hath so bewhord her
Thrown such despite and heavy terms upon her
As true hearts cannot bear
DESDEMONA
Am I that name Iago
IAGO
What name fair lady
DESDEMONA
Such as she says my lord did say I was
EMILIA
He calld her whore a beggar in his drink
Could not have laid such terms upon his callet
IAGO
Why did he so
DESDEMONA
I do not know I am sure I am none such
IAGO
Do not weep do not weep alas the day
EMILIA
Hath she forsook so many noble matches
Her father and her country and her friends
To be calld whore would it not make one weep
DESDEMONA
It is my wretched fortune
IAGO
Beshrew him fort
How comes this trick upon him
DESDEMONA
Nay heaven doth know
EMILIA
I will be hangd if some eternal villain
Some busy and insinuating rogue
Some cogging cozening slave to get some office
Have not devisd this slander Ill be hangd else
IAGO
Fie there is no such man It is impossible
DESDEMONA
If any such there be heaven pardon him
EMILIA
A halter pardon him and hell gnaw his bones
Why should he call her whore who keeps her company
What place what time what form what likelihood
The Moors abused by some most villainous knave
Some base notorious knave some scurvy fellow
O heaven that such companions thoudst unfold
And put in every honest hand a whip
To lash the rascals naked through the world
Even from the east to the west
IAGO
Speak within door
EMILIA
O fie upon them Some such squire he was
That turnd your wit the seamy side without
And made you to suspect me with the Moor
IAGO
You are a fool Go to
DESDEMONA
Alas Iago
What shall I do to win my lord again
Good friend go to him For by this light of heaven
I know not how I lost him Here I kneel
If eer my will did trespass gainst his love
Either in discourse of thought or actual deed
Or that mine eyes mine ears or any sense
Delighted them in any other form
Or that I do not yet and ever did
And ever will though he do shake me off
To beggarly divorcement love him dearly
Comfort forswear me Unkindness may do much
And his unkindness may defeat my life
But never taint my love I cannot say whore
It does abhor me now I speak the word
To do the act that might the addition earn
Not the worlds mass of vanity could make me
IAGO
I pray you be content Tis but his humour
The business of the state does him offence
And he does chide with you
DESDEMONA
If twere no other
IAGO
Tis but so I warrant
Trumpets within
Hark how these instruments summon to supper
The messengers of Venice stay the meat
Go in and weep not All things shall be well
Exeunt Desdemona and Emilia
Enter Roderigo
How now Roderigo
RODERIGO
I do not find that thou dealest justly with me
IAGO
What in the contrary
RODERIGO
Every day thou daffest me with some device Iago and rather as it seems to me now keepest from me all conveniency than suppliest me with the least advantage of hope I will indeed no longer endure it Nor am I yet persuaded to put up in peace what already I have foolishly suffered
IAGO
Will you hear me Roderigo
RODERIGO
Faith I have heard too much for your words and performances are no kin together
IAGO
You charge me most unjustly
RODERIGO
With naught but truth I have wasted myself out of my means The jewels you have had from me to deliver to Desdemona would half have corrupted a votarist you have told me she hath received them and returned me expectations and comforts of sudden respect and acquaintance but I find none
IAGO
Well go to very well
RODERIGO
Very well go to I cannot go to man nor tis not very well Nay I say tis very scurvy and begin to find myself fopped in it
IAGO
Very well
RODERIGO
I tell you tis not very well I will make myself known to Desdemona If she will return me my jewels I will give over my suit and repent my unlawful solicitation If not assure yourself I will seek satisfaction of you
IAGO
You have said now
RODERIGO
Ay and said nothing but what I protest intendment of doing
IAGO
Why now I see theres mettle in thee and even from this instant do build on thee a better opinion than ever before Give me thy hand Roderigo Thou hast taken against me a most just exception but yet I protest I have dealt most directly in thy affair
RODERIGO
It hath not appeared
IAGO
I grant indeed it hath not appeared and your suspicion is not without wit and judgement But Roderigo if thou hast that in thee indeed which I have greater reason to believe now than everI mean purpose courage and valourthis night show it If thou the next night following enjoy not Desdemona take me from this world with treachery and devise engines for my life
RODERIGO
Well what is it Is it within reason and compass
IAGO
Sir there is especial commission come from Venice to depute Cassio in Othellos place
RODERIGO
Is that true Why then Othello and Desdemona return again to Venice
IAGO
O no he goes into Mauritania and takes away with him the fair Desdemona unless his abode be lingered here by some accident wherein none can be so determinate as the removing of Cassio
RODERIGO
How do you mean removing of him
IAGO
Why by making him uncapable of Othellos place knocking out his brains
RODERIGO
And that you would have me to do
IAGO
Ay if you dare do yourself a profit and a right He sups tonight with a harlotry and thither will I go to him He knows not yet of his honourable fortune If you will watch his going thence which I will fashion to fall out between twelve and one you may take him at your pleasure I will be near to second your attempt and he shall fall between us Come stand not amazed at it but go along with me I will show you such a necessity in his death that you shall think yourself bound to put it on him It is now high suppertime and the night grows to waste About it
RODERIGO
I will hear further reason for this
IAGO
And you shall be satisfied
Exeunt
SCENE III Cyprus Another Room in the Castle
Enter Othello Lodovico Desdemona Emilia and Attendants
LODOVICO
I do beseech you sir trouble yourself no further
OTHELLO
O pardon me twill do me good to walk
LODOVICO
Madam good night I humbly thank your ladyship
DESDEMONA
Your honour is most welcome
OTHELLO
Will you walk sir
O Desdemona
DESDEMONA
My lord
OTHELLO
Get you to bed on th instant I will be returnd forthwith Dismiss your attendant there Look t be done
DESDEMONA
I will my lord
Exeunt Othello Lodovico and Attendants
EMILIA
How goes it now He looks gentler than he did
DESDEMONA
He says he will return incontinent
He hath commanded me to go to bed
And bade me to dismiss you
EMILIA
Dismiss me
DESDEMONA
It was his bidding Therefore good Emilia
Give me my nightly wearing and adieu
We must not now displease him
EMILIA
I would you had never seen him
DESDEMONA
So would not I My love doth so approve him
That even his stubbornness his checks his frowns
Prithee unpin mehave grace and favour in them
EMILIA
I have laid those sheets you bade me on the bed
DESDEMONA
Alls one Good faith how foolish are our minds
If I do die before thee prithee shroud me
In one of those same sheets
EMILIA
Come come you talk
DESDEMONA
My mother had a maid calld Barbary
She was in love and he she lovd provd mad
And did forsake her She had a song of willow
An old thing twas but it expressd her fortune
And she died singing it That song tonight
Will not go from my mind I have much to do
But to go hang my head all at one side
And sing it like poor Barbary Prithee dispatch
EMILIA
Shall I go fetch your nightgown
DESDEMONA
No unpin me here
This Lodovico is a proper man
EMILIA
A very handsome man
DESDEMONA
He speaks well
EMILIA
I know a lady in Venice would have walked barefoot to Palestine for a touch of his nether lip
DESDEMONA
Singing
The poor soul sat sighing by a sycamore tree
Sing all a green willow
Her hand on her bosom her head on her knee
Sing willow willow willow
The fresh streams ran by her and murmurd her moans
Sing willow willow willow
Her salt tears fell from her and softend the stones
Lay by these
Sings
Sing willow willow willow
Prithee hie thee Hell come anon
Sings
Sing all a green willow must be my garland
Let nobody blame him his scorn I approve
Nay thats not next Hark who ist that knocks
EMILIA
Its the wind
DESDEMONA
Sings
I calld my love false love but what said he then
Sing willow willow willow
If I court mo women youll couch with mo men
So get thee gone good night Mine eyes do itch
Doth that bode weeping
EMILIA
Tis neither here nor there
DESDEMONA
I have heard it said so O these men these men
Dost thou in conscience thinktell me Emilia
That there be women do abuse their husbands
In such gross kind
EMILIA
There be some such no question
DESDEMONA
Wouldst thou do such a deed for all the world
EMILIA
Why would not you
DESDEMONA
No by this heavenly light
EMILIA
Nor I neither by this heavenly light
I might dot as well i the dark
DESDEMONA
Wouldst thou do such a deed for all the world
EMILIA
The worlds a huge thing It is a great price
For a small vice
DESDEMONA
In troth I think thou wouldst not
EMILIA
In troth I think I should and undot when I had done Marry I would not do such a thing for a jointring nor for measures of lawn nor for gowns petticoats nor caps nor any petty exhibition but for the whole worldwhy who would not make her husband a cuckold to make him a monarch I should venture purgatory for t
DESDEMONA
Beshrew me if I would do such a wrong for the whole world
EMILIA
Why the wrong is but a wrong i the world and having the world for your labour tis a wrong in your own world and you might quickly make it right
DESDEMONA
I do not think there is any such woman
EMILIA
Yes a dozen and as many to the vantage as would store the world they played for
But I do think it is their husbands faults
If wives do fall say that they slack their duties
And pour our treasures into foreign laps
Or else break out in peevish jealousies
Throwing restraint upon us Or say they strike us
Or scant our former having in despite
Why we have galls and though we have some grace
Yet have we some revenge Let husbands know
Their wives have sense like them they see and smell
And have their palates both for sweet and sour
As husbands have What is it that they do
When they change us for others Is it sport
I think it is And doth affection breed it
I think it doth Ist frailty that thus errs
It is so too And have not we affections
Desires for sport and frailty as men have
Then let them use us well else let them know
The ills we do their ills instruct us so
DESDEMONA
Good night good night Heaven me such usage send
Not to pick bad from bad but by bad mend
Exeunt
ACT V
SCENE I Cyprus A Street
Enter Iago and Roderigo
IAGO
Here stand behind this bulk Straight will he come
Wear thy good rapier bare and put it home
Quick quick fear nothing Ill be at thy elbow
It makes us or it mars us think on that
And fix most firm thy resolution
RODERIGO
Be near at hand I may miscarry in t
IAGO
Here at thy hand Be bold and take thy stand
Retires to a little distance
RODERIGO
I have no great devotion to the deed
And yet he hath given me satisfying reasons
Tis but a man gone Forth my sword he dies
Goes to his stand
IAGO
I have rubbd this young quat almost to the sense
And he grows angry Now whether he kill Cassio
Or Cassio him or each do kill the other
Every way makes my gain Live Roderigo
He calls me to a restitution large
Of gold and jewels that I bobbd from him
As gifts to Desdemona
It must not be If Cassio do remain
He hath a daily beauty in his life
That makes me ugly And besides the Moor
May unfold me to him there stand I in much peril
No he must die But so I hear him coming
Enter Cassio
RODERIGO
I know his gait tis he Villain thou diest
Rushes out and makes a pass at Cassio
CASSIO
That thrust had been mine enemy indeed
But that my coat is better than thou knowst
I will make proof of thine
Draws and wounds Roderigo
RODERIGO
O I am slain
Iago rushes from his post cuts Cassio behind in the leg and exit
CASSIO
I am maimd forever Help ho murder murder
Falls
Enter Othello
OTHELLO
The voice of Cassio Iago keeps his word
RODERIGO
O villain that I am
OTHELLO
It is even so
CASSIO
O help ho light a surgeon
OTHELLO
Tis he O brave Iago honest and just
That hast such noble sense of thy friends wrong
Thou teachest meminion your dear lies dead
And your unblessd fate hies Strumpet I come
Forth of my heart those charms thine eyes are blotted
Thy bed luststaind shall with lusts blood be spotted
Exit
Enter Lodovico and Gratiano
CASSIO
What ho No watch No passage murder murder
GRATIANO
Tis some mischance the cry is very direful
CASSIO
O help
LODOVICO
Hark
RODERIGO
O wretched villain
LODOVICO
Two or three groan It is a heavy night
These may be counterfeits Lets thinkt unsafe
To come in to the cry without more help
RODERIGO
Nobody come Then shall I bleed to death
Enter Iago with a light
LODOVICO
Hark
GRATIANO
Heres one comes in his shirt with light and weapons
IAGO
Whos there Whose noise is this that cries on murder
LODOVICO
We do not know
IAGO
Did not you hear a cry
CASSIO
Here here for heavens sake help me
IAGO
Whats the matter
GRATIANO
This is Othellos ancient as I take it
LODOVICO
The same indeed a very valiant fellow
IAGO
What are you here that cry so grievously
CASSIO
Iago O I am spoild undone by villains
Give me some help
IAGO
O me lieutenant What villains have done this
CASSIO
I think that one of them is hereabout
And cannot make away
IAGO
O treacherous villains
To Lodovico and Gratiano What are you there
Come in and give some help
RODERIGO
O help me here
CASSIO
Thats one of them
IAGO
O murderous slave O villain
Stabs Roderigo
RODERIGO
O damnd Iago O inhuman dog
IAGO
Kill men i the dark Where be these bloody thieves
How silent is this town Ho murder murder
What may you be Are you of good or evil
LODOVICO
As you shall prove us praise us
IAGO
Signior Lodovico
LODOVICO
He sir
IAGO
I cry you mercy Heres Cassio hurt by villains
GRATIANO
Cassio
IAGO
How ist brother
CASSIO
My leg is cut in two
IAGO
Marry heaven forbid
Light gentlemen Ill bind it with my shirt
Enter Bianca
BIANCA
What is the matter ho Who ist that cried
IAGO
Who ist that cried
BIANCA
O my dear Cassio my sweet Cassio O Cassio Cassio Cassio
IAGO
O notable strumpet Cassio may you suspect
Who they should be that have thus mangled you
CASSIO
No
GRATIANO
I am sorry to find you thus I have been to seek you
IAGO
Lend me a garter SoO for a chair
To bear him easily hence
BIANCA
Alas he faints O Cassio Cassio Cassio
IAGO
Gentlemen all I do suspect this trash
To be a party in this injury
Patience awhile good Cassio Come come
Lend me a light Know we this face or no
Alas my friend and my dear countryman
Roderigo No Yes sure O heaven Roderigo
GRATIANO
What of Venice
IAGO
Even he sir Did you know him
GRATIANO
Know him Ay
IAGO
Signior Gratiano I cry you gentle pardon
These bloody accidents must excuse my manners
That so neglected you
GRATIANO
I am glad to see you
IAGO
How do you Cassio O a chair a chair
GRATIANO
Roderigo
IAGO
He he tis he
A chair brought in
O thats well said the chair
Some good man bear him carefully from hence
Ill fetch the generals surgeon To Bianca For you mistress
Save you your labour He that lies slain here Cassio
Was my dear friend What malice was between you
CASSIO
None in the world Nor do I know the man
IAGO
To Bianca What look you paleO bear him out o the air
Cassio and Roderigo are borne off
Stay you good gentlemenLook you pale mistress
Do you perceive the gastness of her eye
Nay if you stare we shall hear more anon
Behold her well I pray you look upon her
Do you see gentlemen Nay guiltiness will speak
Though tongues were out of use
Enter Emilia
EMILIA
Las whats the matter Whats the matter husband
IAGO
Cassio hath here been set on in the dark
By Roderigo and fellows that are scapd
Hes almost slain and Roderigo dead
EMILIA
Alas good gentleman alas good Cassio
IAGO
This is the fruit of whoring Prithee Emilia
Go know of Cassio where he suppd tonight
What do you shake at that
BIANCA
He suppd at my house but I therefore shake not
IAGO
O did he so I charge you go with me
EMILIA
Fie fie upon thee strumpet
BIANCA
I am no strumpet but of life as honest
As you that thus abuse me
EMILIA
As I Foh fie upon thee
IAGO
Kind gentlemen lets go see poor Cassio dressd
Come mistress you must tells another tale
Emilia run you to the citadel
And tell my lord and lady what hath happd
Will you go on afore Aside This is the night
That either makes me or fordoes me quite
Exeunt
SCENE II Cyprus A Bedchamber in the castle
Desdemona in bed asleep a light burning
Enter Othello
OTHELLO
It is the cause it is the cause my soul
Let me not name it to you you chaste stars
It is the cause Yet Ill not shed her blood
Nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow
And smooth as monumental alabaster
Yet she must die else shell betray more men
Put out the light and then put out the light
If I quench thee thou flaming minister
I can again thy former light restore
Should I repent me But once put out thy light
Thou cunningst pattern of excelling nature
I know not where is that Promethean heat
That can thy light relume When I have pluckd thy rose
I cannot give it vital growth again
It must needs wither Ill smell it on the tree
Kissing her
O balmy breath that dost almost persuade
Justice to break her sword One more one more
Be thus when thou art dead and I will kill thee
And love thee after One more and this the last
So sweet was neer so fatal I must weep
But they are cruel tears This sorrows heavenly
It strikes where it doth love She wakes
DESDEMONA
Whos there Othello
OTHELLO
Ay Desdemona
DESDEMONA
Will you come to bed my lord
OTHELLO
Have you prayd tonight Desdemona
DESDEMONA
Ay my lord
OTHELLO
If you bethink yourself of any crime
Unreconcild as yet to heaven and grace
Solicit for it straight
DESDEMONA
Alack my lord what may you mean by that
OTHELLO
Well do it and be brief I will walk by
I would not kill thy unprepared spirit
No heaven forfend I would not kill thy soul
DESDEMONA
Talk you of killing
OTHELLO
Ay I do
DESDEMONA
Then heaven have mercy on me
OTHELLO
Amen with all my heart
DESDEMONA
If you say so I hope you will not kill me
OTHELLO
Hum
DESDEMONA
And yet I fear you for you are fatal then
When your eyes roll so why I should fear I know not
Since guiltiness I know not but yet I feel I fear
OTHELLO
Think on thy sins
DESDEMONA
They are loves I bear to you
OTHELLO
Ay and for that thou diest
DESDEMONA
That deaths unnatural that kills for loving
Alas why gnaw you so your nether lip
Some bloody passion shakes your very frame
These are portents but yet I hope I hope
They do not point on me
OTHELLO
Peace and be still
DESDEMONA
I will so Whats the matter
OTHELLO
That handkerchief which I so loved and gave thee
Thou gavst to Cassio
DESDEMONA
No by my life and soul
Send for the man and ask him
OTHELLO
Sweet soul take heed take heed of perjury
Thourt on thy deathbed
DESDEMONA
Ay but not yet to die
OTHELLO
Yes presently
Therefore confess thee freely of thy sin
For to deny each article with oath
Cannot remove nor choke the strong conception
That I do groan withal Thou art to die
DESDEMONA
Then Lord have mercy on me
OTHELLO
I say amen
DESDEMONA
And have you mercy too I never did
Offend you in my life never lovd Cassio
But with such general warranty of heaven
As I might love I never gave him token
OTHELLO
By heaven I saw my handkerchief in s hand
O perjurd woman thou dost stone my heart
And makst me call what I intend to do
A murder which I thought a sacrifice
I saw the handkerchief
DESDEMONA
He found it then
I never gave it him Send for him hither
Let him confess a truth
OTHELLO
He hath confessd
DESDEMONA
What my lord
OTHELLO
That he hath usd thee
DESDEMONA
How Unlawfully
OTHELLO
Ay
DESDEMONA
He will not say so
OTHELLO
No his mouth is stoppd
Honest Iago hath taen order for t
DESDEMONA
O my fear interprets What is he dead
OTHELLO
Had all his hairs been lives my great revenge
Had stomach for them all
DESDEMONA
Alas he is betrayd and I undone
OTHELLO
Out strumpet Weepst thou for him to my face
DESDEMONA
O banish me my lord but kill me not
OTHELLO
Down strumpet
DESDEMONA
Kill me tomorrow let me live tonight
OTHELLO
Nay if you strive
DESDEMONA
But half an hour
OTHELLO
Being done there is no pause
DESDEMONA
But while I say one prayer
OTHELLO
It is too late
Smothers her
EMILIA
Within My lord my lord what ho my lord my lord
OTHELLO
What noise is this Not dead Not yet quite dead
I that am cruel am yet merciful
I would not have thee linger in thy pain
So so
EMILIA
Within What ho my lord my lord
OTHELLO
Whos there
EMILIA
Within O good my lord I would speak a word with you
OTHELLO
Yes Tis Emilia by and by Shes dead
Tis like she comes to speak of Cassios death
The noise was highHa no more moving
Still as the grave Shall she come in Weret good
I think she stirs again no Whats best to do
If she come in shell sure speak to my wife
My wife my wife what wife I have no wife
O insupportable O heavy hour
Methinks it should be now a huge eclipse
Of sun and moon and that the affrighted globe
Should yawn at alteration
EMILIA
Within I do beseech you
That I may speak with you O good my lord
OTHELLO
I had forgot thee O come in Emilia
Soft by and by let me the curtains draw
Where art thou
Unlocks the door
Enter Emilia
Whats the matter with thee now
EMILIA
O my good lord yonders foul murders done
OTHELLO
What now
EMILIA
But now my lord
OTHELLO
It is the very error of the moon
She comes more nearer earth than she was wont
And makes men mad
EMILIA
Cassio my lord hath killd a young Venetian
Calld Roderigo
OTHELLO
Roderigo killd
And Cassio killd
EMILIA
No Cassio is not killd
OTHELLO
Not Cassio killd Then murders out of tune
And sweet revenge grows harsh
DESDEMONA
O falsely falsely murderd
EMILIA
Alas what cry is that
OTHELLO
That What
EMILIA
Out and alas That was my ladys voice
Help help ho help O lady speak again
Sweet Desdemona O sweet mistress speak
DESDEMONA
A guiltless death I die
EMILIA
O who hath done this deed
DESDEMONA
Nobody I myself Farewell
Commend me to my kind lord O farewell
She dies
OTHELLO
Why how should she be murderd
EMILIA
Alas who knows
OTHELLO
You heard her say herself it was not I
EMILIA
She said so I must needs report the truth
OTHELLO
Shes like a liar gone to burning hell
Twas I that killd her
EMILIA
O the more angel she
And you the blacker devil
OTHELLO
She turnd to folly and she was a whore
EMILIA
Thou dost belie her and thou art a devil
OTHELLO
She was false as water
EMILIA
Thou art rash as fire to say
That she was false O she was heavenly true
OTHELLO
Cassio did top her ask thy husband else
O I were damnd beneath all depth in hell
But that I did proceed upon just grounds
To this extremity Thy husband knew it all
EMILIA
My husband
OTHELLO
Thy husband
EMILIA
That she was false to wedlock
OTHELLO
Ay with Cassio Nay had she been true
If heaven would make me such another world
Of one entire and perfect chrysolite
Id not have sold her for it
EMILIA
My husband
OTHELLO
Ay twas he that told me first
An honest man he is and hates the slime
That sticks on filthy deeds
EMILIA
My husband
OTHELLO
What needs this iterance woman I say thy husband
EMILIA
O mistress villainy hath made mocks with love
My husband say that she was false
OTHELLO
He woman
I say thy husband dost understand the word
My friend thy husband honest honest Iago
EMILIA
If he say so may his pernicious soul
Rot half a grain a day he lies to the heart
She was too fond of her most filthy bargain
OTHELLO
Ha
EMILIA
Do thy worst
This deed of thine is no more worthy heaven
Than thou wast worthy her
OTHELLO
Peace you were best
EMILIA
Thou hast not half that power to do me harm
As I have to be hurt O gull O dolt
As ignorant as dirt Thou hast done a deed
I care not for thy sword Ill make thee known
Though I lost twenty lives Help help ho help
The Moor hath killd my mistress Murder murder
Enter Montano Gratiano and Iago
MONTANO
What is the matter How now general
EMILIA
O are you come Iago You have done well
That men must lay their murders on your neck
GRATIANO
What is the matter
EMILIA
Disprove this villain if thou best a man
He says thou toldst him that his wife was false
I know thou didst not thourt not such a villain
Speak for my heart is full
IAGO
I told him what I thought and told no more
Than what he found himself was apt and true
EMILIA
But did you ever tell him she was false
IAGO
I did
EMILIA
You told a lie an odious damned lie
Upon my soul a lie a wicked lie
She false with Cassio Did you say with Cassio
IAGO
With Cassio mistress Go to charm your tongue
EMILIA
I will not charm my tongue I am bound to speak
My mistress here lies murderd in her bed
ALL
O heavens forfend
EMILIA
And your reports have set the murder on
OTHELLO
Nay stare not masters it is true indeed
GRATIANO
Tis a strange truth
MONTANO
O monstrous act
EMILIA
Villany villany villany
I think upont I think I smellt O villany
I thought so then Ill kill myself for grief
O villany villany
IAGO
What are you mad I charge you get you home
EMILIA
Good gentlemen let me have leave to speak
Tis proper I obey him but not now
Perchance Iago I will neer go home
OTHELLO
O O O
Hanging over his wife
EMILIA
Nay lay thee down and roar
For thou hast killd the sweetest innocent
That eer did lift up eye
OTHELLO
Rising O she was foul
I scarce did know you uncle there lies your niece
Whose breath indeed these hands have newly stoppd
I know this act shows horrible and grim
GRATIANO
Poor Desdemona I am glad thy fathers dead
Thy match was mortal to him and pure grief
Shore his old thread in twain did he live now
This sight would make him do a desperate turn
Yea curse his better angel from his side
And fall to reprobance
OTHELLO
Tis pitiful But yet Iago knows
That she with Cassio hath the act of shame
A thousand times committed Cassio confessd it
And she did gratify his amorous works
With that recognizance and pledge of love
Which I first gave her I saw it in his hand
It was a handkerchief an antique token
My father gave my mother
EMILIA
O heaven O heavenly powers
IAGO
Come hold your peace
EMILIA
Twill out twill out I peace
No I will speak as liberal as the north
Let heaven and men and devils let them all
All all cry shame against me yet Ill speak
IAGO
Be wise and get you home
EMILIA
I will not
Iago offers to stab his wife
GRATIANO
Fie
Your sword upon a woman
EMILIA
O thou dull Moor that handkerchief thou speakst of
I found by fortune and did give my husband
For often with a solemn earnestness
More than indeed belongd to such a trifle
He beggd of me to steal it
IAGO
Villanous whore
EMILIA
She give it Cassio no alas I found it
And I did givet my husband
IAGO
Filth thou liest
EMILIA
By heaven I do not I do not gentlemen
O murderous coxcomb What should such a fool
Do with so good a wife
OTHELLO
Are there not stones in heaven
But what serve for thunder Precious villain
Iago stabs Emilia and then runs out
GRATIANO
The woman falls Sure he hath killd his wife
EMILIA
Ay ay O lay me by my mistress side
GRATIANO
Hes gone but his wifes killd
MONTANO
Tis a notorious villain Take you this weapon
Which I have here recoverd from the Moor
Come guard the door without let him not pass
But kill him rather Ill after that same villain
For tis a damned slave
Exit Montano and Gratiano
OTHELLO
I am not valiant neither
But every puny whipster gets my sword
But why should honour outlive honesty
Let it go all
EMILIA
What did thy song bode lady
Hark canst thou hear me I will play the swan
And die in music
Sings Willow willow willow
Moor she was chaste She lovd thee cruel Moor
So come my soul to bliss as I speak true
So speaking as I think I die I die
She dies
OTHELLO
I have another weapon in this chamber
It is a sword of Spain the icebrooks temper
O here it is Uncle I must come forth
GRATIANO
Within If thou attempt it it will cost thee dear
Thou hast no weapon and perforce must suffer
OTHELLO
Look in upon me then and speak with me
Or naked as I am I will assault thee
Enter Gratiano
GRATIANO
What is the matter
OTHELLO
Behold I have a weapon
A better never did itself sustain
Upon a soldiers thigh I have seen the day
That with this little arm and this good sword
I have made my way through more impediments
Than twenty times your stop But O vain boast
Who can control his fate Tis not so now
Be not afraid though you do see me weapond
Here is my journeys end here is my butt
And very seamark of my utmost sail
Do you go back dismayd Tis a lost fear
Man but a rush against Othellos breast
And he retires Where should Othello go
Now how dost thou look now O illstarrd wench
Pale as thy smock when we shall meet at compt
This look of thine will hurl my soul from heaven
And fiends will snatch at it Cold cold my girl
Even like thy chastity
O cursed cursed slave Whip me ye devils
From the possession of this heavenly sight
Blow me about in winds roast me in sulphur
Wash me in steepdown gulfs of liquid fire
O Desdemon Dead Desdemon dead Oh oh
Enter Lodovico Montano Cassio carried in a chair and Officers with Iago prisoner
LODOVICO
Where is this rash and most unfortunate man
OTHELLO
Thats he that was Othello Here I am
LODOVICO
Where is that viper Bring the villain forth
OTHELLO
I look down towards his feet but thats a fable
If that thou best a devil I cannot kill thee
Wounds Iago
LODOVICO
Wrench his sword from him
IAGO
I bleed sir but not killd
OTHELLO
I am not sorry neither Id have thee live
For in my sense tis happiness to die
LODOVICO
O thou Othello that wert once so good
Falln in the practice of a damned slave
What shall be said to thee
OTHELLO
Why anything
An honourable murderer if you will
For naught did I in hate but all in honour
LODOVICO
This wretch hath part confessd his villany
Did you and he consent in Cassios death
OTHELLO
Ay
CASSIO
Dear general I never gave you cause
OTHELLO
I do believe it and I ask your pardon
Will you I pray demand that demidevil
Why he hath thus ensnard my soul and body
IAGO
Demand me nothing What you know you know
From this time forth I never will speak word
LODOVICO
What not to pray
GRATIANO
Torments will ope your lips
OTHELLO
Well thou dost best
LODOVICO
Sir you shall understand what hath befalln
Which as I think you know not Here is a letter
Found in the pocket of the slain Roderigo
And here another The one of them imports
The death of Cassio to be undertook
By Roderigo
OTHELLO
O villain
CASSIO
Most heathenish and most gross
LODOVICO
Now heres another discontented paper
Found in his pocket too and this it seems
Roderigo meant to have sent this damned villain
But that belike Iago in the interim
Came in and satisfied him
OTHELLO
O the pernicious caitiff
How came you Cassio by that handkerchief
That was my wifes
CASSIO
I found it in my chamber
And he himself confessd but even now
That there he droppd it for a special purpose
Which wrought to his desire
OTHELLO
O fool fool fool
CASSIO
There is besides in Roderigos letter
How he upbraids Iago that he made him
Brave me upon the watch whereon it came
That I was cast And even but now he spake
After long seeming dead Iago hurt him
Iago set him on
LODOVICO
You must forsake this room and go with us
Your power and your command is taken off
And Cassio rules in Cyprus For this slave
If there be any cunning cruelty
That can torment him much and hold him long
It shall be his You shall close prisoner rest
Till that the nature of your fault be known
To the Venetian state Come bring away
OTHELLO
Soft you a word or two before you go
I have done the state some service and they knowt
No more of that I pray you in your letters
When you shall these unlucky deeds relate
Speak of me as I am Nothing extenuate
Nor set down aught in malice Then must you speak
Of one that loved not wisely but too well
Of one not easily jealous but being wrought
Perplexd in the extreme of one whose hand
Like the base Judean threw a pearl away
Richer than all his tribe of one whose subdud eyes
Albeit unused to the melting mood
Drop tears as fast as the Arabian trees
Their medicinal gum Set you down this
And say besides that in Aleppo once
Where a malignant and a turband Turk
Beat a Venetian and traducd the state
I took by the throat the circumcised dog
And smote him thus
Stabs himself
LODOVICO
O bloody period
GRATIANO
All thats spoke is marrd
OTHELLO
I kissd thee ere I killd thee No way but this
Killing myself to die upon a kiss
Falling upon Desdemona
CASSIO
This did I fear but thought he had no weapon
For he was great of heart
LODOVICO
To Iago O Spartan dog
More fell than anguish hunger or the sea
Look on the tragic loading of this bed
This is thy work The object poisons sight
Let it be hid Gratiano keep the house
And seize upon the fortunes of the Moor
For they succeed on you To you lord governor
Remains the censure of this hellish villain
The time the place the torture O enforce it
Myself will straight aboard and to the state
This heavy act with heavy heart relate
Exeunt
PERICLES PRINCE OF TYRE
Contents
ACT I
Chorus Before the palace of Antioch
Scene I Antioch A room in the palace
Scene II Tyre A room in the palace
Scene III Tyre An antechamber in the Palace
Scene IV Tarsus A room in the Governors house
ACT II
Chorus Chorus
Scene I Pentapolis An open place by the seaside
Scene II The same A public way or platform leading to the lists
Scene III The same A hall of state a banquet prepared
Scene IV Tyre A room in the Governors house
Scene V Pentapolis A room in the palace
ACT III
Chorus Chorus
Scene I On shipboard
Scene II Ephesus A room in Cerimons house
Scene III Tarsus A room in Cleons house
Scene IV Ephesus A room in Cerimons house
ACT IV
Chorus Chorus
Scene I Tarsus An open place near the seashore
Scene II Mytilene A room in a brothel
Scene III Tarsus A room in Cleons house
Scene IV Before the monument of Marina at Tarsus
Scene V Mytilene A street before the brothel
Scene VI The same A room in the brothel
ACT V
Chorus Chorus
Scene I On board Pericles ship off Mytilene
Scene II Before the temple of Diana at Ephesus
Scene III The temple of Diana at Ephesus
Dramatis Person
ANTIOCHUS king of Antioch
PERICLES prince of Tyre
HELICANUS ESCANES two lords of Tyre
SIMONIDES king of Pentapolis
CLEON governor of Tarsus
LYSIMACHUS governor of Mytilene
CERIMON a lord of Ephesus
THALIARD a lord of Antioch
PHILEMON servant to Cerimon
LEONINE servant to Dionyza
Marshal
A Pandar
BOULT his servant
The Daughter of Antiochus
DIONYZA wife to Cleon
THAISA daughter to Simonides
MARINA daughter to Pericles and Thaisa
LYCHORIDA nurse to Marina
A Bawd
Lords Knights Gentlemen Sailors Pirates Fishermen and Messengers
DIANA
GOWER as Chorus
SCENE Dispersedly in various countries
ACT I
Enter Gower
Before the palace of Antioch
To sing a song that old was sung
From ashes ancient Gower is come
Assuming mans infirmities
To glad your ear and please your eyes
It hath been sung at festivals
On embereves and holyales
And lords and ladies in their lives
Have read it for restoratives
The purchase is to make men glorious
Et bonum quo antiquius eo melius
If you born in these latter times
When wits more ripe accept my rhymes
And that to hear an old man sing
May to your wishes pleasure bring
I life would wish and that I might
Waste it for you like taperlight
This Antioch then Antiochus the Great
Built up this city for his chiefest seat
The fairest in all Syria
I tell you what mine authors say
This king unto him took a fere
Who died and left a female heir
So buxom blithe and full of face
As heaven had lent her all his grace
With whom the father liking took
And her to incest did provoke
Bad child worse father to entice his own
To evil should be done by none
But custom what they did begin
Was with long use accountd no sin
The beauty of this sinful dame
Made many princes thither frame
To seek her as a bedfellow
In marriage pleasures playfellow
Which to prevent he made a law
To keep her still and men in awe
That whoso askd her for his wife
His riddle told not lost his life
So for her many a wight did die
As yon grim looks do testify
What now ensues to the judgement your eye
I give my cause who best can justify
Exit
SCENE I Antioch A room in the palace
Enter Antiochus Prince Pericles and followers
ANTIOCHUS
Young prince of Tyre you have at large received
The danger of the task you undertake
PERICLES
I have Antiochus and with a soul
Emboldened with the glory of her praise
Think death no hazard in this enterprise
ANTIOCHUS
Music Bring in our daughter clothed like a bride
For the embracements even of Jove himself
At whose conception till Lucina reigned
Nature this dowry gave to glad her presence
The senate house of planets all did sit
To knit in her their best perfections
Music Enter the Daughter of Antiochus
PERICLES
See where she comes apparelld like the spring
Graces her subjects and her thoughts the king
Of every virtue gives renown to men
Her face the book of praises where is read
Nothing but curious pleasures as from thence
Sorrow were ever razed and testy wrath
Could never be her mild companion
You gods that made me man and sway in love
That have inflamed desire in my breast
To taste the fruit of yon celestial tree
Or die in the adventure be my helps
As I am son and servant to your will
To compass such a boundless happiness
ANTIOCHUS
Prince Pericles
PERICLES
That would be son to great Antiochus
ANTIOCHUS
Before thee stands this fair Hesperides
With golden fruit but dangerous to be touchd
For deathlike dragons here affright thee hard
Her face like heaven enticeth thee to view
Her countless glory which desert must gain
And which without desert because thine eye
Presumes to reach all the whole heap must die
Yon sometimes famous princes like thyself
Drawn by report adventurous by desire
Tell thee with speechless tongues and semblance pale
That without covering save yon field of stars
Here they stand Martyrs slain in Cupids wars
And with dead cheeks advise thee to desist
For going on deaths net whom none resist
PERICLES
Antiochus I thank thee who hath taught
My frail mortality to know itself
And by those fearful objects to prepare
This body like to them to what I must
For death rememberd should be like a mirror
Who tells us lifes but breath to trust it error
Ill make my will then and as sick men do
Who know the world see heaven but feeling woe
Gripe not at earthly joys as erst they did
So I bequeath a happy peace to you
And all good men as every prince should do
My riches to the earth from whence they came
To the daughter of Antiochus But my unspotted fire of love to you
Thus ready for the way of life or death
I wait the sharpest blow Antiochus
ANTIOCHUS
Scorning advice read the conclusion then
Which read and not expounded tis decreed
As these before thee thou thyself shalt bleed
DAUGHTER
Of all ssayed yet mayst thou prove prosperous
Of all ssayed yet I wish thee happiness
PERICLES
Like a bold champion I assume the lists
Nor ask advice of any other thought
But faithfulness and courage
He reads the riddle
I am no viper yet I feed
On mothers flesh which did me breed
I sought a husband in which labour
I found that kindness in a father
Hes father son and husband mild
I mother wife and yet his child
How they may be and yet in two
As you will live resolve it you
Sharp physic is the last but O you powers
That give heaven countless eyes to view mens acts
Why cloud they not their sights perpetually
If this be true which makes me pale to read it
Fair glass of light I loved you and could still
Takes hold of the hand of the Princess
Were not this glorious casket stored with ill
But I must tell you now my thoughts revolt
For hes no man on whom perfections wait
That knowing sin within will touch the gate
You are a fair viol and your sense the strings
Who fingerd to make man his lawful music
Would draw heaven down and all the gods to hearken
But being playd upon before your time
Hell only danceth at so harsh a chime
Good sooth I care not for you
ANTIOCHUS
Prince Pericles touch not upon thy life
For thats an article within our law
As dangerous as the rest Your times expired
Either expound now or receive your sentence
PERICLES
Great king
Few love to hear the sins they love to act
Twould braid yourself too near for me to tell it
Who has a book of all that monarchs do
Hes more secure to keep it shut than shown
For vice repeated is like the wandering wind
Blows dust in others eyes to spread itself
And yet the end of all is bought thus dear
The breath is gone and the sore eyes see clear
To stop the air would hurt them The blind mole casts
Coppd hills towards heaven to tell the earth is throngd
By mans oppression and the poor worm doth die fort
Kind are earths gods in vice their laws their will
And if Jove stray who dares say Jove doth ill
It is enough you know and it is fit
What being more known grows worse to smother it
All love the womb that their first bred
Then give my tongue like leave to love my head
ANTIOCHUS
Aside Heaven that I had thy head He has found the meaning
But I will gloze with himYoung prince of Tyre
Though by the tenour of our strict edict
Your exposition misinterpreting
We might proceed to cancel of your days
Yet hope succeeding from so fair a tree
As your fair self doth tune us otherwise
Forty days longer we do respite you
If by which time our secret be undone
This mercy shows well joy in such a son
And until then your entertain shall be
As doth befit our honour and your worth
Exeunt all but Pericles
PERICLES
How courtesy would seem to cover sin
When what is done is like an hypocrite
The which is good in nothing but in sight
If it be true that I interpret false
Then were it certain you were not so bad
As with foul incest to abuse your soul
Where now youre both a father and a son
By your untimely claspings with your child
Which pleasures fits a husband not a father
And she an eater of her mothers flesh
By the defiling of her parents bed
And both like serpents are who though they feed
On sweetest flowers yet they poison breed
Antioch farewell for wisdom sees those men
Blush not in actions blacker than the night
Will schew no course to keep them from the light
One sin I know another doth provoke
Murders as near to lust as flame to smoke
Poison and treason are the hands of sin
Ay and the targets to put off the shame
Then lest my life be croppd to keep you clear
By flight Ill shun the danger which I fear
Exit
Reenter Antiochus
ANTIOCHUS
He hath found the meaning
For which we mean to have his head
He must not live to trumpet forth my infamy
Nor tell the world Antiochus doth sin
In such a loathed manner
And therefore instantly this prince must die
For by his fall my honour must keep high
Who attends us there
Enter Thaliard
THALIARD
Doth your highness call
ANTIOCHUS
Thaliard you are of our chamber
And our mind partakes her private actions
To your secrecy and for your faithfulness
We will advance you Thaliard
Behold heres poison and heres gold
We hate the prince of Tyre and thou must kill him
It fits thee not to ask the reason why
Because we bid it Say is it done
THALIARD
My lord tis done
ANTIOCHUS
Enough
Enter a Messenger
Let your breath cool yourself telling your haste
MESSENGER
My lord Prince Pericles is fled
Exit
ANTIOCHUS
As thou wilt live fly after and like an arrow shot
From a wellexperienced archer hits the mark
His eye doth level at so thou neer return
Unless thou say Prince Pericles is dead
THALIARD
My lord if I can get him within my pistols length Ill make him sure enough so farewell to your highness
ANTIOCHUS
Thaliard adieu
Exit Thaliard
Till Pericles be dead
My heart can lend no succour to my head
Exit
SCENE II Tyre A room in the palace
Enter Pericles with his Lords
PERICLES
To Lords without Let none disturb usWhy should this change of thoughts
The sad companion dulleyed melancholy
Be my so used a guest as not an hour
In the days glorious walk or peaceful night
The tomb where grief should sleep can breed me quiet
Here pleasures court mine eyes and mine eyes shun them
And danger which I feard is at Antioch
Whose arm seems far too short to hit me here
Yet neither pleasures art can joy my spirits
Nor yet the others distance comfort me
Then it is thus the passions of the mind
That have their first conception by misdread
Have afternourishment and life by care
And what was first but fear what might be done
Grows elder now and cares it be not done
And so with me the great Antiochus
Gainst whom I am too little to contend
Since hes so great can make his will his act
Will think me speaking though I swear to silence
Nor boots it me to say I honour him
If he suspect I may dishonour him
And what may make him blush in being known
Hell stop the course by which it might be known
With hostile forces hell oerspread the land
And with the ostent of war will look so huge
Amazement shall drive courage from the state
Our men be vanquishd ere they do resist
And subjects punishd that neer thought offence
Which care of them not pity of myself
Who am no more but as the tops of trees
Which fence the roots they grow by and defend them
Makes both my body pine and soul to languish
And punish that before that he would punish
Enter Helicanus with other Lords
FIRST LORD
Joy and all comfort in your sacred breast
SECOND LORD
And keep your mind till you return to us
Peaceful and comfortable
HELICANUS
Peace peace and give experience tongue
They do abuse the king that flatter him
For flattery is the bellows blows up sin
The thing the which is flatterd but a spark
To which that spark gives heat and stronger glowing
Whereas reproof obedient and in order
Fits kings as they are men for they may err
When Signior Sooth here does proclaim peace
He flatters you makes war upon your life
Prince pardon me or strike me if you please
I cannot be much lower than my knees
PERICLES
All leave us else but let your cares oerlook
What shipping and what ladings in our haven
And then return to us
Exeunt Lords
Helicanus thou
Hast moved us what seest thou in our looks
HELICANUS
An angry brow dread lord
PERICLES
If there be such a dart in princes frowns
How durst thy tongue move anger to our face
HELICANUS
How dares the plants look up to heaven from whence
They have their nourishment
PERICLES
Thou knowst I have power
To take thy life from thee
HELICANUS Kneeling
I have ground the axe myself
Do but you strike the blow
PERICLES
Rise prithee rise
Sit down thou art no flatterer
I thank thee for it and heaven forbid
That kings should let their ears hear their faults hid
Fit counsellor and servant for a prince
Who by thy wisdom makest a prince thy servant
What wouldst thou have me do
HELICANUS
To bear with patience
Such griefs as you yourself do lay upon yourself
PERICLES
Thou speakst like a physician Helicanus
That ministers a potion unto me
That thou wouldst tremble to receive thyself
Attend me then I went to Antioch
Where as thou knowst against the face of death
I sought the purchase of a glorious beauty
From whence an issue I might propagate
Are arms to princes and bring joys to subjects
Her face was to mine eye beyond all wonder
The resthark in thine earas black as incest
Which by my knowledge found the sinful father
Seemd not to strike but smooth but thou knowst this
Tis time to fear when tyrants seems to kiss
Which fear so grew in me I hither fled
Under the covering of a careful night
Who seemd my good protector and being here
Bethought me what was past what might succeed
I knew him tyrannous and tyrants fears
Decrease not but grow faster than the years
And should he doubt as no doubt he doth
That I should open to the listening air
How many worthy princes bloods were shed
To keep his bed of blackness unlaid ope
To lop that doubt hell fill this land with arms
And make pretence of wrong that I have done him
When all for mine if I may call offence
Must feel wars blow who spares not innocence
Which love to all of which thyself art one
Who now reprovest me for it
HELICANUS
Alas sir
PERICLES
Drew sleep out of mine eyes blood from my cheeks
Musings into my mind with thousand doubts
How I might stop this tempest ere it came
And finding little comfort to relieve them
I thought it princely charity to grieve them
HELICANUS
Well my lord since you have given me leave to speak
Freely will I speak Antiochus you fear
And justly too I think you fear the tyrant
Who either by public war or private treason
Will take away your life
Therefore my lord go travel for a while
Till that his rage and anger be forgot
Or till the Destinies do cut his thread of life
Your rule direct to any if to me
Day serves not light more faithful than Ill be
PERICLES
I do not doubt thy faith
But should he wrong my liberties in my absence
HELCANUS
Well mingle our bloods together in the earth
From whence we had our being and our birth
PERICLES
Tyre I now look from thee then and to Tarsus
Intend my travel where Ill hear from thee
And by whose letters Ill dispose myself
The care I had and have of subjects good
On thee I lay whose wisdoms strength can bear it
Ill take thy word for faith not ask thine oath
Who shuns not to break one will sure crack both
But in our orbs well live so round and safe
That time of both this truth shall neer convince
Thou showdst a subjects shine I a true prince
Exeunt
SCENE III Tyre An antechamber in the Palace
Enter Thaliard
THALIARD
So this is Tyre and this the court Here must I kill King Pericles and if I do it not I am sure to be hanged at home tis dangerous Well I perceive he was a wise fellow and had good discretion that being bid to ask what he would of the king desired he might know none of his secrets now do I see he had some reason fort for if a king bid a man be a villain hes bound by the indenture of his oath to be one Husht here come the lords of Tyre
Enter Helicanus and Escanes with other Lords of Tyre
HELICANUS
You shall not need my fellow peers of Tyre
Further to question me of your kings departure
His seald commission left in trust with me
Doth speak sufficiently hes gone to travel
THALIARD
Aside How the king gone
HELICANUS
If further yet you will be satisfied
Why as it were unlicensed of your loves
He would depart Ill give some light unto you
Being at Antioch
THALIARD
Aside What from Antioch
HELICANUS
Royal Antiochuson what cause I know not
Took some displeasure at him at least he judged so
And doubting lest that he had errd or sinnd
To show his sorrow hed correct himself
So puts himself unto the shipmans toil
With whom each minute threatens life or death
THALIARD
Aside Well I perceive
I shall not be hangd now although I would
But since hes gone the kings seas must please
He scaped the land to perish at the sea
Ill present myself Peace to the lords of Tyre
HELICANUS
Lord Thaliard from Antiochus is welcome
THALIARD
From him I come
With message unto princely Pericles
But since my landing I have understood
Your lord has betook himself to unknown travels
My message must return from whence it came
HELICANUS
We have no reason to desire it
Commended to our master not to us
Yet ere you shall depart this we desire
As friends to Antioch we may feast in Tyre
Exeunt
SCENE IV Tarsus A room in the Governors house
Enter Cleon the governor of Tarsus with Dionyza and others
CLEON
My Dionyza shall we rest us here
And by relating tales of others griefs
See if twill teach us to forget our own
DIONYZA
That were to blow at fire in hope to quench it
For who digs hills because they do aspire
Throws down one mountain to cast up a higher
O my distressed lord even such our griefs are
Here theyre but felt and seen with mischiefs eyes
But like to groves being toppd they higher rise
CLEON
O Dionyza
Who wanteth food and will not say he wants it
Or can conceal his hunger till he famish
Our tongues and sorrows do sound deep
Our woes into the air our eyes do weep
Till tongues fetch breath that may proclaim them louder
That if heaven slumber while their creatures want
They may awake their helps to comfort them
Ill then discourse our woes felt several years
And wanting breath to speak help me with tears
DIONYZA
Ill do my best sir
CLEON
This Tarsus oer which I have the government
A city on whom plenty held full hand
For riches strewd herself even in the streets
Whose towers bore heads so high they kissd the clouds
And strangers neer beheld but wonderd at
Whose men and dames so jetted and adornd
Like one anothers glass to trim them by
Their tables were stored full to glad the sight
And not so much to feed on as delight
All poverty was scornd and pride so great
The name of help grew odious to repeat
DIONYZA
O tis too true
CLEON
But see what heaven can do By this our change
These mouths who but of late earth sea and air
Were all too little to content and please
Although they gave their creatures in abundance
As houses are defiled for want of use
They are now starved for want of exercise
Those palates who not yet two summers younger
Must have inventions to delight the taste
Would now be glad of bread and beg for it
Those mothers who to nousle up their babes
Thought nought too curious are ready now
To eat those little darlings whom they loved
So sharp are hungers teeth that man and wife
Draw lots who first shall die to lengthen life
Here stands a lord and there a lady weeping
Here many sink yet those which see them fall
Have scarce strength left to give them burial
Is not this true
DIONYZA
Our cheeks and hollow eyes do witness it
CLEON
O let those cities that of plentys cup
And her prosperities so largely taste
With their superflous riots hear these tears
The misery of Tarsus may be theirs
Enter a Lord
LORD
Wheres the lord governor
CLEON
Here
Speak out thy sorrows which thou bringst in haste
For comfort is too far for us to expect
LORD
We have descried upon our neighbouring shore
A portly sail of ships make hitherward
CLEON
I thought as much
One sorrow never comes but brings an heir
That may succeed as his inheritor
And so in ours some neighbouring nation
Taking advantage of our misery
That stuffd the hollow vessels with their power
To beat us down the which are down already
And make a conquest of unhappy me
Whereas no glorys got to overcome
LORD
Thats the least fear for by the semblance
Of their white flags displayd they bring us peace
And come to us as favourers not as foes
CLEON
Thou speakst like hims untutord to repeat
Who makes the fairest show means most deceit
But bring they what they will and what they can
What need we fear
The grounds the lowest and we are half way there
Go tell their general we attend him here
To know for what he comes and whence he comes
And what he craves
LORD
I go my lord
Exit
CLEON
Welcome is peace if he on peace consist
If wars we are unable to resist
Enter Pericles with Attendants
PERICLES
Lord governor for so we hear you are
Let not our ships and number of our men
Be like a beacon fired to amaze your eyes
We have heard your miseries as far as Tyre
And seen the desolation of your streets
Nor come we to add sorrow to your tears
But to relieve them of their heavy load
And these our ships you happily may think
Are like the Trojan horse was stuffd within
With bloody veins expecting overthrow
Are stored with corn to make your needy bread
And give them life whom hunger starved half dead
ALL
The gods of Greece protect you
And well pray for you
PERICLES
Arise I pray you rise
We do not look for reverence but for love
And harbourage for ourself our ships and men
CLEON
The which when any shall not gratify
Or pay you with unthankfulness in thought
Be it our wives our children or ourselves
The curse of heaven and men succeed their evils
Till whenthe which I hope shall neer be seen
Your grace is welcome to our town and us
PERICLES
Which welcome well accept feast here awhile
Until our stars that frown lend us a smile
Exeunt
ACT II
Enter Gower
GOWER
Here have you seen a mighty king
His child iwis to incest bring
A better prince and benign lord
That will prove awful both in deed and word
Be quiet then as men should be
Till he hath passd necessity
Ill show you those in troubles reign
Losing a mite a mountain gain
The good in conversation
To whom I give my benison
Is still at Tarsus where each man
Thinks all is writ he speken can
And to remember what he does
Build his statue to make him glorious
But tidings to the contrary
Are brought your eyes what need speak I
Dumbshow Enter at one door Pericles talking with Cleon all the train with them Enter at another door a Gentleman with a letter to Pericles Pericles shows the letter to Cleon gives the Messenger a reward and knights him Exit Pericles at one door and Cleon at another
Good Helicane that stayd at home
Not to eat honey like a drone
From others labours for though he strive
To killen bad keep good alive
And to fulfil his prince desire
Sends word of all that haps in Tyre
How Thaliard came full bent with sin
And had intent to murder him
And that in Tarsus was not best
Longer for him to make his rest
He doing so put forth to seas
Where when men been theres seldom ease
For now the wind begins to blow
Thunder above and deeps below
Make such unquiet that the ship
Should house him safe is wreckd and split
And he good prince having all lost
By waves from coast to coast is tost
All perishen of man of pelf
Ne aught escapen but himself
Till Fortune tired with doing bad
Threw him ashore to give him glad
And here he comes What shall be next
Pardon old Gowerthis longs the text
Exit
SCENE I Pentapolis An open place by the seaside
Enter Pericles wet
PERICLES
Yet cease your ire you angry stars of heaven
Wind rain and thunder remember earthly man
Is but a substance that must yield to you
And I as fits my nature do obey you
Alas the sea hath cast me on the rocks
Washd me from shore to shore and left me breath
Nothing to think on but ensuing death
Let it suffice the greatness of your powers
To have bereft a prince of all his fortunes
And having thrown him from your watery grave
Here to have death in peace is all hell crave
Enter three Fishermen
FIRST FISHERMAN
What ho Pilch
SECOND FISHERMAN
Ha come and bring away the nets
FIRST FISHERMAN
What Patchbreech I say
THIRD FISHERMAN
What say you master
FIRST FISHERMAN
Look how thou stirrest now Come away or Ill fetch thee with a wanion
THIRD FISHERMAN
Faith master I am thinking of the poor men that were cast away before us even now
FIRST FISHERMAN
Alas poor souls it grieved my heart to hear what pitiful cries they made to us to help them when welladay we could scarce help ourselves
THIRD FISHERMAN
Nay master said not I as much when I saw the porpus how he bounced and tumbled They say theyre half fish half flesh a plague on them they neer come but I look to be washed Master I marvel how the fishes live in the sea
FIRST FISHERMAN
Why as men do aland the great ones eat up the little ones I can compare our rich misers to nothing so fitly as to a whale a plays and tumbles driving the poor fry before him and at last devours them all at a mouthful Such whales have I heard on o the land who never leave gaping till they swallowed the whole parish church steeple bells and all
PERICLES
Aside A pretty moral
THIRD FISHERMAN
But master if I had been the sexton I would have been that day in the belfry
SECOND FISHERMAN
Why man
THIRD FISHERMAN
Because he should have swallowed me too and when I had been in his belly I would have kept such a jangling of the bells that he should never have left till he cast bells steeple church and parish up again But if the good King Simonides were of my mind
PERICLES
Aside Simonides
THIRD FISHERMAN
We would purge the land of these drones that rob the bee of her honey
PERICLES
Aside How from the finny subject of the sea
These fishers tell the infirmities of men
And from their watery empire recollect
All that may men approve or men detect
Peace be at your labour honest fishermen
SECOND FISHERMAN
Honest good fellow whats that If it be a day fits you search out of the calendar and nobody look after it
PERICLES
May see the sea hath cast upon your coast
SECOND FISHERMAN
What a drunken knave was the sea to cast thee in our way
PERICLES
A man whom both the waters and the wind
In that vast tenniscourt have made the ball
For them to play upon entreats you pity him
He asks of you that never used to beg
FIRST FISHERMAN
No friend cannot you beg Heres them in our country of Greece gets more with begging than we can do with working
SECOND FISHERMAN
Canst thou catch any fishes then
PERICLES
I never practised it
SECOND FISHERMAN
Nay then thou wilt starve sure for heres nothing to be got nowadays unless thou canst fish fort
PERICLES
What I have been I have forgot to know
But what I am want teaches me to think on
A man throngd up with cold my veins are chill
And have no more of life than may suffice
To give my tongue that heat to ask your help
Which if you shall refuse when I am dead
For that I am a man pray see me buried
FIRST FISHERMAN
Die quotha Now gods forbidt and I have a gown here come put it on keep thee warm Now afore me a handsome fellow Come thou shalt go home and well have flesh for holidays fish for fastingdays and moreoer puddings and flapjacks and thou shalt be welcome
PERICLES
I thank you sir
SECOND FISHERMAN
Hark you my friend you said you could not beg
PERICLES
I did but crave
SECOND FISHERMAN
But crave Then Ill turn craver too and so I shall scape whipping
PERICLES
Why are your beggars whipped then
SECOND FISHERMAN
O not all my friend not all for if all your beggars were whipped I would wish no better office than to be beadle But master Ill go draw up the net
Exit with Third Fisherman
PERICLES
Aside How well this honest mirth becomes their labour
FIRST FISHERMAN
Hark you sir do you know where ye are
PERICLES
Not well
FIRST FISHERMAN
Why Ill tell you this is called Pentapolis and our King the good Simonides
PERICLES
The good Simonides do you call him
FIRST FISHERMAN
Ay sir and he deserves so to be called for his peaceable reign and good government
PERICLES
He is a happy king since he gains from his subjects the name of good government How far is his court distant from this shore
FIRST FISHERMAN
Marry sir half a days journey and Ill tell you he hath a fair daughter and tomorrow is her birthday and there are princes and knights come from all parts of the world to joust and tourney for her love
PERICLES
Were my fortunes equal to my desires I could wish to make one there
FIRST FISHERMAN
O sir things must be as they may and what a man cannot get he may lawfully deal forhis wifes soul
Reenter Second and Third Fishermen drawing up a net
SECOND FISHERMAN
Help master help heres a fish hangs in the net like a poor mans right in the law twill hardly come out Ha bots ont tis come at last and tis turned to a rusty armour
PERICLES
An armour friends I pray you let me see it
Thanks Fortune yet that after all my crosses
Thou givest me somewhat to repair myself
And though it was mine own part of my heritage
Which my dead father did bequeath to me
With this strict charge even as he left his life
Keep it my Pericles it hath been a shield
Twixt me and deathand pointed to this brace
For that it saved me keep it in like necessity
The which the gods protect thee frommay defend thee
It kept where I kept I so dearly loved it
Till the rough seas that spares not any man
Took it in rage though calmd have givent again
I thank thee fort my shipwreck nows no ill
Since I have here my father gave in his will
FIRST FISHERMAN
What mean you sir
PERICLES
To beg of you kind friends this coat of worth
For it was sometime target to a king
I know it by this mark He loved me dearly
And for his sake I wish the having of it
And that youd guide me to your sovereign court
Where with it I may appear a gentleman
And if that ever my low fortunes better
Ill pay your bounties till then rest your debtor
FIRST FISHERMAN
Why wilt thou tourney for the lady
PERICLES
Ill show the virtue I have borne in arms
FIRST FISHERMAN
Why dye take it and the gods give thee good ont
SECOND FISHERMAN
Ay but hark you my friend twas we that made up this garment through the rough seams of the waters there are certain condolements certain vails I hope sir if you thrive youll remember from whence you had them
PERICLES
Believet I will
By your furtherance I am clothed in steel
And spite of all the rapture of the sea
This jewel holds his building on my arm
Unto thy value I will mount myself
Upon a courser whose delightful steps
Shall make the gazer joy to see him tread
Only my friend I yet am unprovided
Of a pair of bases
SECOND FISHERMAN
Well sure provide thou shalt have my best gown to make thee a pair and Ill bring thee to the court myself
PERICLES
Then honour be but a goal to my will
This day Ill rise or else add ill to ill
Exeunt
SCENE II The same A public way or platform leading to the lists A pavilion by the side of it for the reception of the King Princess Lords etc
Enter Simonides Thaisa Lords and Attendants
SIMONIDES
Are the knights ready to begin the triumph
FIRST LORD
They are my liege
And stay your coming to present themselves
SIMONIDES
Return them we are ready and our daughter
In honour of whose birth these triumphs are
Sits here like beautys child whom Nature gat
For men to see and seeing wonder at
Exit a Lord
THAISA
It pleaseth you my royal father to express
My commendations great whose merits less
SIMONIDES
Its fit it should be so for princes are
A model which heaven makes like to itself
As jewels lose their glory if neglected
So princes their renowns if not respected
Tis now your honour daughter to entertain
The labour of each knight in his device
THAISA
Which to preserve mine honour Ill perform
The first Knight passes by and his Squire presents his shield to Thaisa
SIMONIDES
Who is the first that doth prefer himself
THAISA
A knight of Sparta my renowned father
And the device he bears upon his shield
Is a black Ethiope reaching at the sun
The word Lux tua vita mihi
SIMONIDES
He loves you well that holds his life of you
The second Knight passes by and his Squire presents his shield to Thaisa
Who is the second that presents himself
THAISA
A prince of Macedon my royal father
And the device he bears upon his shield
Is an armd knight thats conquerd by a lady
The motto thus in Spanish Piu por dulzura que por forza
The third Knight passes by and his Squire presents his shield to Thaisa
SIMONIDES
And whats the third
THAISA
The third of Antioch
And his device a wreath of chivalry
The word Me pompae provexit apex
The fourth Knight passes by and his Squire presents his shield to Thaisa
SIMONIDES
What is the fourth
THAISA
A burning torch thats turned upside down
The word Quod me alit me extinguit
SIMONIDES
Which shows that beauty hath his power and will
Which can as well inflame as it can kill
The fifth Knight passes by and his Squire presents his shield to Thaisa
THAISA
The fifth an hand environed with clouds
Holding out gold thats by the touchstone tried
The motto thus Sic spectanda fides
The sixth Knight Pericles passes in rusty armour with bases and unaccompanied He presents his device directly to Thaisa
SIMONIDES
And whats the sixth and last the which the knight himself
With such a graceful courtesy deliverd
THAISA
He seems to be a stranger but his present is
A witherd branch thats only green at top
The motto In hac spe vivo
SIMONIDES
A pretty moral
From the dejected state wherein he is
He hopes by you his fortunes yet may flourish
FIRST LORD
He had need mean better than his outward show
Can any way speak in his just commend
For by his rusty outside he appears
To have practised more the whipstock than the lance
SECOND LORD
He well may be a stranger for he comes
To an honourd triumph strangely furnished
THIRD LORD
And on set purpose let his armour rust
Until this day to scour it in the dust
SIMONIDES
Opinions but a fool that makes us scan
The outward habit by the inward man
But stay the knights are coming
We will withdraw into the gallery
Exeunt Great shouts within and all cry The mean Knight
SCENE III The same A hall of state a banquet prepared
Enter Simonides Thaisa Lords Attendants and Knights from tilting
SIMONIDES
Knights
To say youre welcome were superfluous
To place upon the volume of your deeds
As in a titlepage your worth in arms
Were more than you expect or more thans fit
Since every worth in show commends itself
Prepare for mirth for mirth becomes a feast
You are princes and my guests
THAISA
But you my knight and guest
To whom this wreath of victory I give
And crown you king of this days happiness
PERICLES
Tis more by fortune lady than by merit
SIMONIDES
Call it by what you will the day is yours
And here I hope is none that envies it
In framing an artist art hath thus decreed
To make some good but others to exceed
And you are her labourd scholar Come queen of the feast
For daughter so you arehere take your place
Marshal the rest as they deserve their grace
KNIGHTS
We are honourd much by good Simonides
SIMONIDES
Your presence glads our days honour we love
For who hates honour hates the gods above
MARSHALL
Sir yonder is your place
PERICLES
Some other is more fit
FIRST KNIGHT
Contend not sir for we are gentlemen
Have neither in our hearts nor outward eyes
Envied the great nor shall the low despise
PERICLES
You are right courteous knights
SIMONIDES
Sit sir sit
By Jove I wonder that is king of thoughts
These cates resist me he but thought upon
THAISA
By Juno that is queen of marriage
All viands that I eat do seem unsavoury
Wishing him my meat Sure hes a gallant gentleman
SIMONIDES
Hes but a country gentleman
Has done no more than other knights have done
Has broken a staff or so so let it pass
THAISA
To me he seems like diamond to glass
PERICLES
Yon kings to me like to my fathers picture
Which tells me in that glory once he was
Had princes sit like stars about his throne
And he the sun for them to reverence
None that beheld him but like lesser lights
Did vail their crowns to his supremacy
Where now his sons like a glowworm in the night
The which hath fire in darkness none in light
Whereby I see that times the king of men
Hes both their parent and he is their grave
And gives them what he will not what they crave
SIMONIDES
What are you merry knights
KNIGHTS
Who can be other in this royal presence
SIMONIDES
Here with a cup thats stored unto the brim
As you do love fill to your mistress lips
We drink this health to you
KNIGHTS
We thank your grace
SIMONIDES
Yet pause awhile Yon knight doth sit too melancholy
As if the entertainment in our court
Had not a show might countervail his worth
Note it not you Thaisa
THAISA
What ist to me my father
SIMONIDES
O attend my daughter
Princes in this should live like gods above
Who freely give to everyone that comes to honour them
And princes not doing so are like to gnats
Which make a sound but killd are wonderd at
Therefore to make his entrance more sweet
Here say we drink this standingbowl of wine to him
THAISA
Alas my father it befits not me
Unto a stranger knight to be so bold
He may my proffer take for an offence
Since men take womens gifts for impudence
SIMONIDES
How Do as I bid you or youll move me else
THAISA
Aside Now by the gods he could not please me better
SIMONIDES
And furthermore tell him we desire to know of him
Of whence he is his name and parentage
THAISA
The king my father sir has drunk to you
PERICLES
I thank him
THAISA
Wishing it so much blood unto your life
PERICLES
I thank both him and you and pledge him freely
THAISA
And further he desires to know of you
Of whence you are your name and parentage
PERICLES
A gentleman of Tyre my name Pericles
My education been in arts and arms
Who looking for adventures in the world
Was by the rough seas reft of ships and men
And after shipwreck driven upon this shore
THAISA
He thanks your grace names himself Pericles
A gentleman of Tyre
Who only by misfortune of the seas
Bereft of ships and men cast on this shore
SIMONIDES
Now by the gods I pity his misfortune
And will awake him from his melancholy
Come gentlemen we sit too long on trifles
And waste the time which looks for other revels
Even in your armours as you are addressd
Will well become a soldiers dance
I will not have excuse with saying this
Loud music is too harsh for ladies heads
Since they love men in arms as well as beds
The Knights dance
So this was well askd twas so well performd
Come sir here is a lady which wants breathing too
And I have heard you knights of Tyre
Are excellent in making ladies trip
And that their measures are as excellent
PERICLES
In those that practise them they are my lord
SIMONIDES
O thats as much as you would be denied
Of your fair courtesy
The Knights and Ladies dance
Unclasp unclasp
Thanks gentlemen to all all have done well
To Pericles But you the best Pages and lights to conduct
These knights unto their several lodgings
To Pericles Yours sir we have given order to be next our own
PERICLES
I am at your graces pleasure
SIMONIDES
Princes it is too late to talk of love
And thats the mark I know you level at
Therefore each one betake him to his rest
Tomorrow all for speeding do their best
Exeunt
SCENE IV Tyre A room in the Governors house
Enter Helicanus and Escanes
HELICANUS
No Escanes know this of me
Antiochus from incest lived not free
For which the most high gods not minding longer
To withhold the vengeance that they had in store
Due to this heinous capital offence
Even in the height and pride of all his glory
When he was seated in a chariot
Of an inestimable value and his daughter with him
A fire from heaven came and shrivelld up
Their bodies even to loathing for they so stunk
That all those eyes adored them ere their fall
Scorn now their hand should give them burial
ESCANES
Twas very strange
HELICANUS
And yet but justice for though this king were great
His greatness was no guard to bar heavens shaft
But sin had his reward
ESCANES
Tis very true
Enter two or three Lords
FIRST LORD
See not a man in private conference
Or council has respect with him but he
SECOND LORD
It shall no longer grieve without reproof
THIRD LORD
And cursed be he that will not second it
FIRST LORD
Follow me then Lord Helicane a word
HELICANUS
With me and welcome happy day my lords
FIRST LORD
Know that our griefs are risen to the top
And now at length they overflow their banks
HELICANUS
Your griefs for what Wrong not your prince you love
FIRST LORD
Wrong not yourself then noble Helicane
But if the prince do live let us salute him
Or know what grounds made happy by his breath
If in the world he live well seek him out
If in his grave he rest well find him there
Well be resolved he lives to govern us
Or dead gives cause to mourn his funeral
And leave us to our free election
SECOND LORD
Whose deaths indeed the strongest in our censure
And knowing this kingdom is without a head
Like goodly buildings left without a roof
Soon fall to ruinyour noble self
That best know how to rule and how to reign
We thus submit untoour sovereign
ALL
Live noble Helicane
HELICANUS
For honours cause forbear your suffrages
If that you love Prince Pericles forbear
Take I your wish I leap into the seas
Wheres hourly trouble for a minutes ease
A twelvemonth longer let me entreat you
To forbear the absence of your king
If in which time expired he not return
I shall with aged patience bear your yoke
But if I cannot win you to this love
Go search like nobles like noble subjects
And in your search spend your adventurous worth
Whom if you find and win unto return
You shall like diamonds sit about his crown
FIRST LORD
To wisdom hes a fool that will not yield
And since Lord Helicane enjoineth us
We with our travels will endeavour us
HELICANUS
Then you love us we you and well clasp hands
When peers thus knit a kingdom ever stands
Exeunt
SCENE V Pentapolis A room in the palace
Enter Simonides reading a letter at one door the Knights meet him
FIRST KNIGHT
Good morrow to the good Simonides
SIMONIDES
Knights from my daughter this I let you know
That for this twelvemonth shell not undertake
A married life
Her reason to herself is only known
Which yet from her by no means can I get
SECOND KNIGHT
May we not get access to her my lord
SIMONIDES
Faith by no means she hath so strictly tied
Her to her chamber that tis impossible
One twelve moons more shell wear Dianas livery
This by the eye of Cynthia hath she vowd
And on her virgin honour will not break it
THIRD KNIGHT
Loath to bid farewell we take our leaves
Exeunt Knights
SIMONIDES
So they are well dispatchd now to my daughters letter
She tells me here shell wed the stranger knight
Or never more to view nor day nor light
Tis well mistress your choice agrees with mine
I like that well nay how absolute shes int
Not minding whether I dislike or no
Well I do commend her choice
And will no longer have it be delayd
Soft here he comes I must dissemble it
Enter Pericles
PERICLES
All fortune to the good Simonides
SIMONIDES
To you as much Sir I am beholding to you
For your sweet music this last night I do
Protest my ears were never better fed
With such delightful pleasing harmony
PERICLES
It is your graces pleasure to commend
Not my desert
SIMONIDES
Sir you are musics master
PERICLES
The worst of all her scholars my good lord
SIMONIDES
Let me ask you one thing
What do you think of my daughter sir
PERICLES
A most virtuous princess
SIMONIDES
And she is fair too is she not
PERICLES
As a fair day in summer wondrous fair
SIMONIDES
Sir my daughter thinks very well of you
Ay so well that you must be her master
And she will be your scholar therefore look to it
PERICLES
I am unworthy for her schoolmaster
SIMONIDES
She thinks not so peruse this writing else
PERICLES
Aside Whats here A letter that she loves the knight of Tyre
Tis the kings subtlety to have my life
O seek not to entrap me gracious lord
A stranger and distressed gentleman
That never aimd so high to love your daughter
But bent all offices to honour her
SIMONIDES
Thou hast bewitchd my daughter
And thou art a villain
PERICLES
By the gods I have not
Never did thought of mine levy offence
Nor never did my actions yet commence
A deed might gain her love or your displeasure
SIMONIDES
Traitor thou liest
PERICLES
Traitor
SIMONIDES
Ay traitor
PERICLES
Even in his throatunless it be the king
That calls me traitor I return the lie
SIMONIDES
Aside Now by the gods I do applaud his courage
PERICLES
My actions are as noble as my thoughts
That never relishd of a base descent
I came unto your court for honours cause
And not to be a rebel to her state
And he that otherwise accounts of me
This sword shall prove hes honours enemy
SIMONIDES
No
Here comes my daughter she can witness it
Enter Thaisa
PERICLES
Then as you are as virtuous as fair
Resolve your angry father if my tongue
Did eer solicit or my hand subscribe
To any syllable that made love to you
THAISA
Why sir say if you had
Who takes offence at that would make me glad
SIMONIDES
Yea mistress are you so peremptory
Aside I am glad ont with all my heart
Ill tame you Ill bring you in subjection
Will you not having my consent
Bestow your love and your affections
Upon a stranger Aside Who for aught I know
May be nor can I think the contrary
As great in blood as I myself
Therefore hear you mistress either frame
Your will to mine and you sir hear you
Either be ruled by me or I will make you
Man and wife Nay come your hands
And lips must seal it too and being joind
Ill thus your hopes destroy and for further grief
God give you joy What are you both pleased
THAISA
Yes if you love me sir
PERICLES
Even as my life my blood that fosters it
SIMONIDES
What are you both agreed
BOTH
Yes ift please your majesty
SIMONIDES
It pleaseth me so well that I will see you wed
And then with what haste you can get you to bed
Exeunt
ACT III
Enter Gower
GOWER
Now sleep yslaked hath the rouse
No din but snores about the house
Made louder by the oerfed breast
Of this most pompous marriage feast
The cat with eyne of burning coal
Now couches fore the mouses hole
And crickets sing at the ovens mouth
Are the blither for their drouth
Hymen hath brought the bride to bed
Where by the loss of maidenhead
A babe is moulded Be attent
And time that is so briefly spent
With your fine fancies quaintly eche
Whats dumb in show Ill plain with speech
Dumbshow Enter Pericles and Simonides at one door with Attendants a Messenger meets them kneels and gives Pericles a letter Pericles shows it Simonides the Lords kneel to him Then enter Thaisa with child with Lychorida a nurse The King shows her the letter she rejoices she and Pericles take leave of her father and depart with Lychorida and their Attendants Then exeunt Simonides and the rest
By many a dern and painful perch
Of Pericles the careful search
By the four opposing coigns
Which the world together joins
Is made with all due diligence
That horse and sail and high expense
Can stead the quest At last from Tyre
Fame answering the most strange enquire
To th court of King Simonides
Are letters brought the tenour these
Antiochus and his daughter dead
The men of Tyrus on the head
Of Helicanus would set on
The crown of Tyre but he will none
The mutiny he there hastes toppress
Says to em if King Pericles
Come not home in twice six moons
He obedient to their dooms
Will take the crown The sum of this
Brought hither to Pentapolis
Yravished the regions round
And everyone with claps can sound
Our heir apparent is a king
Who dreamt who thought of such a thing
Brief he must hence depart to Tyre
His queen with child makes her desire
Which who shall crossalong to go
Omit we all their dole and woe
Lychorida her nurse she takes
And so to sea Their vessel shakes
On Neptunes billow half the flood
Hath their keel cut but fortunes mood
Varies again the grisled north
Disgorges such a tempest forth
That as a duck for life that dives
So up and down the poor ship drives
The lady shrieks and wellanear
Does fall in travail with her fear
And what ensues in this fell storm
Shall for itself itself perform
I nill relate action may
Conveniently the rest convey
Which might not what by me is told
In your imagination hold
This stage the ship upon whose deck
The seatost Pericles appears to speak
Exit
SCENE I
Enter Pericles on shipboard
PERICLES
Thou god of this great vast rebuke these surges
Which wash both heaven and hell and thou that hast
Upon the winds command bind them in brass
Having calld them from the deep O still
Thy deafening dreadful thunders gently quench
Thy nimble sulphurous flashes O how Lychorida
How does my queen Thou stormest venomously
Wilt thou spit all thyself The seamans whistle
Is as a whisper in the ears of death
Unheard Lychorida Lucina O
Divinest patroness and midwife gentle
To those that cry by night convey thy deity
Aboard our dancing boat make swift the pangs
Of my queens travails Now Lychorida
Enter Lychorida with an infant
LYCHORIDA
Here is a thing too young for such a place
Who if it had conceit would die as I
Am like to do take in your arms this piece
Of your dead queen
PERICLES
How how Lychorida
LYCHORIDA
Patience good sir do not assist the storm
Heres all that is left living of your queen
A little daughter for the sake of it
Be manly and take comfort
PERICLES
O you gods
Why do you make us love your goodly gifts
And snatch them straight away We here below
Recall not what we give and therein may
Vie honour with you
LYCHORIDA
Patience good sir
Even for this charge
PERICLES
Now mild may be thy life
For a more blustrous birth had never babe
Quiet and gentle thy conditions for
Thou art the rudeliest welcome to this world
That ever was princes child Happy what follows
Thou hast as chiding a nativity
As fire air water earth and heaven can make
To herald thee from the womb
Even at the first thy loss is more than can
Thy portage quit with all thou canst find here
Now the good gods throw their best eyes upont
Enter two Sailors
FIRST SAILOR
What courage sir God save you
PERICLES
Courage enough I do not fear the flaw
It hath done to me the worst Yet for the love
Of this poor infant this fresh new seafarer
I would it would be quiet
FIRST SAILOR
Slack the bolins there Thou wilt not wilt thou Blow and split thyself
SECOND SAILOR
But searoom and the brine and cloudy billow kiss the moon I care not
FIRST SAILOR
Sir your queen must overboard the sea works high the wind is loud and will not lie till the ship be cleared of the dead
PERICLES
Thats your superstition
FIRST SAILOR
Pardon us sir with us at sea it has been still observed and we are strong in custom Therefore briefly yield her for she must overboard straight
PERICLES
As you think meet Most wretched queen
LYCHORIDA
Here she lies sir
PERICLES
A terrible childbed hast thou had my dear
No light no fire thunfriendly elements
Forgot thee utterly nor have I time
To give thee hallowd to thy grave but straight
Must cast thee scarcely coffind in the ooze
Where for a monument upon thy bones
And eerremaining lamps the belching whale
And humming water must oerwhelm thy corpse
Lying with simple shells O Lychorida
Bid Nestor bring me spices ink and paper
My casket and my jewels and bid Nicander
Bring me the satin coffer lay the babe
Upon the pillow hie thee whiles I say
A priestly farewell to her suddenly woman
Exit Lychorida
SECOND SAILOR
Sir we have a chest beneath the hatches caulked and bitumed ready
PERICLES
I thank thee Mariner say what coast is this
SECOND SAILOR
We are near Tarsus
PERICLES
Thither gentle mariner
Alter thy course for Tyre When canst thou reach it
SECOND SAILOR
By break of day if the wind cease
PERICLES
O make for Tarsus
There will I visit Cleon for the babe
Cannot hold out to Tyrus There Ill leave it
At careful nursing Go thy ways good mariner
Ill bring the body presently
Exeunt
SCENE II Ephesus A room in Cerimons house
Enter Cerimon with a Servant and some Persons who have been shipwrecked
CERIMON
Philemon ho
Enter Philemon
PHILEMON
Doth my lord call
CERIMON
Get fire and meat for these poor men
T has been a turbulent and stormy night
SERVANT
I have been in many but such a night as this
Till now I neer endured
CERIMON
Your master will be dead ere you return
Theres nothing can be ministerd to nature
That can recover him To Philemon Give this to the pothecary
And tell me how it works
Exeunt all but Cerimon
Enter two Gentlemen
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Good morrow
SECOND GENTLEMAN
Good morrow to your lordship
CERIMON
Gentlemen why do you stir so early
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Sir our lodgings standing bleak upon the sea
Shook as the earth did quake
The very principals did seem to rend
And all to topple pure surprise and fear
Made me to quit the house
SECOND GENTLEMAN
That is the cause we trouble you so early
Tis not our husbandry
CERIMON
O you say well
FIRST GENTLEMAN
But I much marvel that your lordship having
Rich tire about you should at these early hours
Shake off the golden slumber of repose
Tis most strange
Nature should be so conversant with pain
Being thereto not compelld
CERIMON
I hold it ever
Virtue and cunning were endowments greater
Than nobleness and riches careless heirs
May the two latter darken and expend
But immortality attends the former
Making a man a god Tis known I ever
Have studied physic through which secret art
By turning oer authorities I have
Together with my practice made familiar
To me and to my aid the blest infusions
That dwell in vegetives in metals stones
And I can speak of the disturbances
That nature works and of her cures which doth give me
A more content in course of true delight
Than to be thirsty after tottering honour
Or tie my pleasure up in silken bags
To please the fool and death
SECOND GENTLEMAN
Your honour has through Ephesus pourd forth
Your charity and hundreds call themselves
Your creatures who by you have been restored
And not your knowledge your personal pain but even
Your purse still open hath built Lord Cerimon
Such strong renown as time shall never
Enter two or three Servants with a chest
FIRST SERVANT
So lift there
CERIMON
Whats that
FIRST SERVANT
Sir even now
Did the sea toss upon our shore this chest
Tis of some wreck
CERIMON
Sett down lets look upont
SECOND GENTLEMAN
Tis like a coffin sir
CERIMON
Whateer it be
Tis wondrous heavy Wrench it open straight
If the seas stomach be oercharged with gold
Tis a good constraint of fortune it belches upon us
SECOND GENTLEMAN
Tis so my lord
CERIMON
How close tis caulkd and bitumed
Did the sea cast it up
FIRST SERVANT
I never saw so huge a billow sir
As tossd it upon shore
CERIMON
Wrench it open
Soft it smells most sweetly in my sense
SECOND GENTLEMAN
A delicate odour
CERIMON
As ever hit my nostril So up with it
O you most potent gods whats here a corpse
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Most strange
CERIMON
Shrouded in cloth of state balmd and entreasured
With full bags of spices A passport too
Apollo perfect me in the characters
Reads from a scroll
Here I give to understand
If eer this coffin drives aland
I King Pericles have lost
This queen worth all our mundane cost
Who finds her give her burying
She was the daughter of a king
Besides this treasure for a fee
The gods requite his charity
If thou livest Pericles thou hast a heart
That even cracks for woe This chanced tonight
SECOND GENTLEMAN
Most likely sir
CERIMON
Nay certainly tonight
For look how fresh she looks They were too rough
That threw her in the sea Make a fire within
Fetch hither all my boxes in my closet
Exit a Servant
Death may usurp on nature many hours
And yet the fire of life kindle again
The oerpressd spirits I heard of an Egyptian
That had nine hours lain dead
Who was by good appliance recovered
Reenter a Servant with napkins and fire
Well said well said the fire and cloths
The rough and woeful music that we have
Cause it to sound beseech you
The viol once more how thou stirrst thou block
The music thereI pray you give her air
Gentlemen this queen will live
Nature awakes a warmth breathes out of her
She hath not been entranced above five hours
See how she gins to blow into lifes flower again
FIRST GENTLEMAN
The heavens through you increase our wonder
And sets up your fame for ever
CERIMON
She is alive behold her eyelids
Cases to those heavenly jewels which Pericles hath lost
Begin to part their fringes of bright gold
The diamonds of a most praised water doth appear
To make the world twice rich Live and make us weep
To hear your fate fair creature rare as you seem to be
She moves
THAISA
O dear Diana
Where am I Wheres my lord What world is this
SECOND GENTLEMAN
Is not this strange
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Most rare
CERIMON
Hush my gentle neighbours
Lend me your hands to the next chamber bear her
Get linen now this matter must be lookd to
For her relapse is mortal Come come
And Aesculapius guide us
Exeunt carrying her away
SCENE III Tarsus A room in Cleons house
Enter Pericles Cleon Dionyza and Lychorida with Marina in her arms
PERICLES
Most honourd Cleon I must needs be gone
My twelve months are expired and Tyrus stands
In a litigious peace You and your lady
Take from my heart all thankfulness The gods
Make up the rest upon you
CLEON
Your shafts of fortune though they hurt you mortally
Yet glance full wanderingly on us
DIONYZA
O your sweet queen
That the strict fates had pleased you had brought her hither
To have blessd mine eyes with her
PERICLES
We cannot but obey
The powers above us Could I rage and roar
As doth the sea she lies in yet the end
Must be as tis My gentle babe Marina
Whom for she was born at sea I have named so
Here I charge your charity withal
Leaving her the infant of your care
Beseeching you to give her princely training
That she may be mannerd as she is born
CLEON
Fear not my lord but think
Your grace that fed my country with your corn
For which the peoples prayers still fall upon you
Must in your child be thought on If neglection
Should therein make me vile the common body
By you relieved would force me to my duty
But if to that my nature need a spur
The gods revenge it upon me and mine
To the end of generation
PERICLES
I believe you
Your honour and your goodness teach me tot
Without your vows Till she be married madam
By bright Diana whom we honour all
Unscissored shall this hair of mine remain
Though I show ill int So I take my leave
Good madam make me blessed in your care
In bringing up my child
DIONYZA
I have one myself
Who shall not be more dear to my respect
Than yours my lord
PERICLES
Madam my thanks and prayers
CLEON
Well bring your grace een to the edge othe shore
Then give you up to the maskd Neptune and
The gentlest winds of heaven
PERICLES
I will embrace your offer Come dearest madam
O no tears Lychorida no tears
Look to your little mistress on whose grace
You may depend hereafter Come my lord
Exeunt
SCENE IV Ephesus A room in Cerimons house
Enter Cerimon and Thaisa
CERIMON
Madam this letter and some certain jewels
Lay with you in your coffer which are
At your command Know you the character
THAISA
It is my lords
That I was shippd at sea I well remember
Even on my groaning time but whether there
Deliverd by the holy gods
I cannot rightly say But since King Pericles
My wedded lord I neer shall see again
A vestal livery will I take me to
And never more have joy
CERIMON
Madam if this you purpose as ye speak
Dianas temple is not distant far
Where you may abide till your date expire
Moreover if you please a niece of mine
Shall there attend you
THAISA
My recompense is thanks thats all
Yet my good will is great though the gift small
Exeunt
ACT IV
Enter Gower
GOWER
Imagine Pericles arrived at Tyre
Welcomed and settled to his own desire
His woeful queen we leave at Ephesus
Unto Diana there a votaress
Now to Marina bend your mind
Whom our fastgrowing scene must find
At Tarsus and by Cleon traind
In musics letters who hath gaind
Of education all the grace
Which makes her both the heart and place
Of general wonder But alack
That monster envy oft the wrack
Of earned praise Marinas life
Seeks to take off by treasons knife
And in this kind our Cleon hath
One daughter and a full grown wench
Even ripe for marriagerite this maid
Hight Philoten and it is said
For certain in our story she
Would ever with Marina be
Bet when she weaved the sleided silk
With fingers long small white as milk
Or when she would with sharp needle wound
The cambric which she made more sound
By hurting it or when to th lute
She sung and made the nightbird mute
That still records with moan or when
She would with rich and constant pen
Vail to her mistress Dian still
This Philoten contends in skill
With absolute Marina so
The dove of Paphos might with the crow
Vie feathers white Marina gets
All praises which are paid as debts
And not as given This so darks
In Philoten all graceful marks
That Cleons wife with envy rare
A present murderer does prepare
For good Marina that her daughter
Might stand peerless by this slaughter
The sooner her vile thoughts to stead
Lychorida our nurse is dead
And cursed Dionyza hath
The pregnant instrument of wrath
Prest for this blow The unborn event
I do commend to your content
Only I carry winged time
Post on the lame feet of my rhyme
Which never could I so convey
Unless your thoughts went on my way
Dionyza does appear
With Leonine a murderer
Exit
Scene I Tarsus An open place near the seashore
Enter Dionyza with Leonine
DIONYZA
Thy oath remember thou hast sworn to dot
Tis but a blow which never shall be known
Thou canst not do a thing in the world so soon
To yield thee so much profit Let not conscience
Which is but cold inflaming love i thy bosom
Inflame too nicely nor let pity which
Even women have cast off melt thee but be
A soldier to thy purpose
LEONINE
I will dot but yet she is a goodly creature
DIONYZA
The fitter then the gods should have her Here she comes weeping for her only mistress death Thou art resolved
LEONINE
I am resolved
Enter Marina with a basket of flowers
MARINA
No I will rob Tellus of her weed
To strew thy green with flowers the yellows blues
The purple violets and marigolds
Shall as a carpet hang upon thy grave
While summer days do last Ay me poor maid
Born in a tempest when my mother died
This world to me is like a lasting storm
Whirring me from my friends
DIONYZA
How now Marina why do you keep alone
How chance my daughter is not with you
Do not consume your blood with sorrowing
Have you a nurse of me Lord how your favours
Changed with this unprofitable woe
Come give me your flowers ere the sea mar it
Walk with Leonine the air is quick there
And it pierces and sharpens the stomach
Come Leonine take her by the arm walk with her
MARINA
No I pray you
Ill not bereave you of your servant
DIONYZA
Come come
I love the king your father and yourself
With more than foreign heart We every day
Expect him here when he shall come and find
Our paragon to all reports thus blasted
He will repent the breadth of his great voyage
Blame both my lord and me that we have taken
No care to your best courses Go I pray you
Walk and be cheerful once again reserve
That excellent complexion which did steal
The eyes of young and old Care not for me
I can go home alone
MARINA
Well I will go
But yet I have no desire to it
DIONYZA
Come come I know tis good for you
Walk half an hour Leonine at the least
Remember what I have said
LEONINE
I warrant you madam
DIONYZA
Ill leave you my sweet lady for a while
Pray walk softly do not heat your blood
What I must have a care of you
MARINA
My thanks sweet madam
Exit Dionyza
Is this wind westerly that blows
LEONINE
Southwest
MARINA
When I was born the wind was north
LEONINE
Wast so
MARINA
My father as nurse said did never fear
But cried Good seamen to the sailors
Galling his kingly hands haling ropes
And clasping to the mast endured a sea
That almost burst the deck
LEONINE
When was this
MARINA
When I was born
Never was waves nor wind more violent
And from the ladder tackle washes off
A canvasclimber Ha says one wolt out
And with a dropping industry they skip
From stem to stern the boatswain whistles and
The master calls and trebles their confusion
LEONINE
Come say your prayers
MARINA
What mean you
LEONINE
If you require a little space for prayer
I grant it pray but be not tedious
For the gods are quick of ear and I am sworn
To do my work with haste
MARINA
Why will you kill me
LEONINE
To satisfy my lady
MARINA
Why would she have me killd now
As I can remember by my troth
I never did her hurt in all my life
I never spake bad word nor did ill turn
To any living creature believe me la
I never killd a mouse nor hurt a fly
I trod upon a worm against my will
But I wept for it How have I offended
Wherein my death might yield her any profit
Or my life imply her any danger
LEONINE
My commission
Is not to reason of the deed but do it
MARINA
You will not dot for all the world I hope
You are well favourd and your looks foreshow
You have a gentle heart I saw you lately
When you caught hurt in parting two that fought
Good sooth it showd well in you do so now
Your lady seeks my life come you between
And save poor me the weaker
LEONINE
I am sworn
And will dispatch
He seizes her
Enter Pirates
FIRST PIRATE
Hold villain
Leonine runs away
SECOND PIRATE
A prize a prize
THIRD PIRATE
Half part mates half part
Come lets have her aboard suddenly
Exeunt Pirates with Marina
Reenter Leonine
LEONINE
These roguing thieves serve the great pirate Valdes
And they have seized Marina Let her go
Theres no hope she will return Ill swear shes dead
And thrown into the sea But Ill see further
Perhaps they will but please themselves upon her
Not carry her aboard If she remain
Whom they have ravishd must by me be slain
Exit
Scene II Mytilene A room in a brothel
Enter Pandar Bawd and Boult
PANDAR
Boult
BOULT
Sir
PANDAR
Search the market narrowly Mytilene is full of gallants We lost too much money this mart by being too wenchless
BAWD
We were never so much out of creatures We have but poor three and they can do no more than they can do and they with continual action are even as good as rotten
PANDAR
Therefore lets have fresh ones whateer we pay for them If there be not a conscience to be used in every trade we shall never prosper
BAWD
Thou sayest true tis not our bringing up of poor bastardsas I think I have brought up some eleven
BOULT
Ay to eleven and brought them down again But shall I search the market
BAWD
What else man The stuff we have a strong wind will blow it to pieces they are so pitifully sodden
PANDAR
Thou sayest true theyre too unwholesome o conscience The poor Transylvanian is dead that lay with the little baggage
BOULT
Ay she quickly pooped him she made him roastmeat for worms But Ill go search the market
Exit
PANDAR
Three or four thousand chequins were as pretty a proportion to live quietly and so give over
BAWD
Why to give over I pray you Is it a shame to get when we are old
PANDAR
O our credit comes not in like the commodity nor the commodity wages not with the danger therefore if in our youths we could pick up some pretty estate twere not amiss to keep our door hatched Besides the sore terms we stand upon with the gods will be strong with us for giving over
BAWD
Come others sorts offend as well as we
PANDAR
As well as we ay and better too we offend worse Neither is our profession any trade its no calling But here comes Boult
Reenter Boult with the Pirates and Marina
BOULT
To Pirates Come your ways My masters you say shes a virgin
FIRST PIRATE
O sir we doubt it not
BOULT
Master I have gone through for this piece you see if you like her so if not I have lost my earnest
BAWD
Boult has she any qualities
BOULT
She has a good face speaks well and has excellent good clothes theres no farther necessity of qualities can make her be refused
BAWD
What is her price Boult
BOULT
I cannot be baited one doit of a thousand pieces
PANDAR
Well follow me my masters you shall have your money presently Wife take her in instruct her what she has to do that she may not be raw in her entertainment
Exeunt Pandar and Pirates
BAWD
Boult take you the marks of her the colour of her hair complexion height her age with warrant of her virginity and cry He that will give most shall have her first Such a maidenhead were no cheap thing if men were as they have been Get this done as I command you
BOULT
Performance shall follow
Exit
MARINA
Alack that Leonine was so slack so slow
He should have struck not spoke or that these pirates
Not enough barbarous had not oerboard thrown me
For to seek my mother
BAWD
Why lament you pretty one
MARINA
That I am pretty
BAWD
Come the gods have done their part in you
MARINA
I accuse them not
BAWD
You are light into my hands where you are like to live
MARINA
The more my fault
To scape his hands where I was like to die
BAWD
Ay and you shall live in pleasure
MARINA
No
BAWD
Yes indeed shall you and taste gentlemen of all fashions you shall fare well you shall have the difference of all complexions What do you stop your ears
MARINA
Are you a woman
BAWD
What would you have me be an I be not a woman
MARINA
An honest woman or not a woman
BAWD
Marry whip the gosling I think I shall have something to do with you Come youre a young foolish sapling and must be bowed as I would have you
MARINA
The gods defend me
BAWD
If it please the gods to defend you by men then men must comfort you men must feed you men stir you up Boults returned
Reenter Boult
Now sir hast thou cried her through the market
BOULT
I have cried her almost to the number of her hairs I have drawn her picture with my voice
BAWD
And I prithee tell me how dost thou find the inclination of the people especially of the younger sort
BOULT
Faith they listened to me as they would have hearkened to their fathers testament There was a Spaniards mouth so watered that he went to bed to her very description
BAWD
We shall have him here tomorrow with his best ruff on
BOULT
Tonight tonight But mistress do you know the French knight that cowers i the hams
BAWD
Who Monsieur Veroles
BOULT
Ay he he offered to cut a caper at the proclamation but he made a groan at it and swore he would see her tomorrow
BAWD
Well well as for him he brought his disease hither here he does but repair it I know he will come in our shadow to scatter his crowns in the sun
BOULT
Well if we had of every nation a traveller we should lodge them with this sign
To Marina Pray you come hither awhile You have fortunes coming upon you Mark me you must seem to do that fearfully which you commit willingly despise profit where you have most gain To weep that you live as ye do makes pity in your lovers seldom but that pity begets you a good opinion and that opinion a mere profit
MARINA
I understand you not
BOULT
O take her home mistress take her home these blushes of hers must be quenched with some present practice
BAWD
Thou sayest true ifaith so they must for your bride goes to that with shame which is her way to go with warrant
BOULT
Faith some do and some do not But mistress if I have bargained for the joint
BAWD
Thou mayst cut a morsel off the spit
BOULT
I may so
BAWD
Who should deny it Come young one I like the manner of your garments well
BOULT
Ay by my faith they shall not be changed yet
BAWD
Boult spend thou that in the town report what a sojourner we have youll lose nothing by custom When nature framed this piece she meant thee a good turn therefore say what a paragon she is and thou hast the harvest out of thine own report
BOULT
I warrant you mistress thunder shall not so awake the beds of eels as my giving out her beauty stirs up the lewdly inclined Ill bring home some tonight
BAWD
Come your ways follow me
MARINA
If fires be hot knives sharp or waters deep
Untied I still my virgin knot will keep
Diana aid my purpose
BAWD
What have we to do with Diana Pray you will you go with us
Exeunt
SCENE III Tarsus A room in Cleons house
Enter Cleon and Dionyza
DIONYZA
Why are you foolish Can it be undone
CLEON
O Dionyza such a piece of slaughter
The sun and moon neer lookd upon
DIONYZA
I think youll turn a child again
CLEON
Were I chief lord of all this spacious world
Id give it to undo the deed A lady
Much less in blood than virtue yet a princess
To equal any single crown o the earth
I the justice of compare O villain Leonine
Whom thou hast poisond too
If thou hadst drunk to him t had been a kindness
Becoming well thy face What canst thou say
When noble Pericles shall demand his child
DIONYZA
That she is dead Nurses are not the fates
To foster it nor ever to preserve
She died at night Ill say so Who can cross it
Unless you play the pious innocent
And for an honest attribute cry out
She died by foul play
CLEON
O go to Well well
Of all the faults beneath the heavens the gods
Do like this worst
DIONYZA
Be one of those that thinks
The petty wrens of Tarsus will fly hence
And open this to Pericles I do shame
To think of what a noble strain you are
And of how coward a spirit
CLEON
To such proceeding
Whoever but his approbation added
Though not his prime consent he did not flow
From honourable courses
DIONYZA
Be it so then
Yet none does know but you how she came dead
Nor none can know Leonine being gone
She did distain my child and stood between
Her and her fortunes none would look on her
But cast their gazes on Marinas face
Whilst ours was blurted at and held a malkin
Not worth the time of day It pierced me through
And though you call my course unnatural
You not your child well loving yet I find
It greets me as an enterprise of kindness
Performd to your sole daughter
CLEON
Heavens forgive it
DIONYZA
And as for Pericles what should he say
We wept after her hearse and yet we mourn
Her monument is almost finishd and her epitaphs
In glittering golden characters express
A general praise to her and care in us
At whose expense tis done
CLEON
Thou art like the harpy
Which to betray dost with thine angels face
Seize with thine eagles talons
DIONYZA
You are like one that superstitiously
Doth swear to the gods that winter kills the flies
But yet I know youll do as I advise
Exeunt
SCENE IV
Enter Gower before the monument of Marina at Tarsus
GOWER
Thus time we waste and long leagues make short
Sail seas in cockles have and wish but fort
Making to take your imagination
From bourn to bourn region to region
By you being pardond we commit no crime
To use one language in each several clime
Where our scenes seem to live I do beseech you
To learn of me who stand ithe gaps to teach you
The stages of our story Pericles
Is now again thwarting the wayward seas
Attended on by many a lord and knight
To see his daughter all his lifes delight
Old Helicanus goes along Behind
Is left to govern if you bear in mind
Old Escanes whom Helicanus late
Advanced in time to great and high estate
Wellsailing ships and bounteous winds have brought
This king to Tarsusthink his pilot thought
So with his steerage shall your thoughts go on
To fetch his daughter home who first is gone
Like motes and shadows see them move awhile
Your ears unto your eyes Ill reconcile
Dumbshow Enter Pericles at one door with all his train Cleon and Dionyza at the other Cleon shows Pericles the tomb whereat Pericles makes lamentation puts on sackcloth and in a mighty passion departs Then exeunt Cleon and Dionyza
See how belief may suffer by foul show
This borrowd passion stands for true old woe
And Pericles in sorrow all devourd
With sighs shot through and biggest tears oershowerd
Leaves Tarsus and again embarks He swears
Never to wash his face nor cut his hairs
He puts on sackcloth and to sea he bears
A tempest which his mortal vessel tears
And yet he rides it out Now please you wit
The epitaph is for Marina writ
By wicked Dionyza
Reads the inscription on Marinas monument
The fairest sweetst and best lies here
Who witherd in her spring of year
She was of Tyrus the Kings daughter
On whom foul death hath made this slaughter
Marina was she calld and at her birth
Thetis being proud swallowd some part o the earth
Therefore the earth fearing to be oerflowd
Hath Thetis birthchild on the heavens bestowd
Wherefore she does and swears shell never stint
Make raging battery upon shores of flint
No visor does become black villany
So well as soft and tender flattery
Let Pericles believe his daughters dead
And bear his courses to be ordered
By Lady Fortune while our scene must play
His daughters woe and heavy welladay
In her unholy service Patience then
And think you now are all in Mytilene
Exit
SCENE V Mytilene A street before the brothel
Enter from the brothel two Gentlemen
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Did you ever hear the like
SECOND GENTLEMAN
No nor never shall do in such a place as this she being once gone
FIRST GENTLEMAN
But to have divinity preached there did you ever dream of such a thing
SECOND GENTLEMAN
No no Come I am for no more bawdy houses shalls go hear the vestals sing
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Ill do anything now that is virtuous but I am out of the road of rutting for ever
Exeunt
SCENE VI The same A room in the brothel
Enter Pandar Bawd and Boult
PANDAR
Well I had rather than twice the worth of her she had neer come here
BAWD
Fie fie upon her Shes able to freeze the god Priapus and undo a whole generation We must either get her ravished or be rid of her When she should do for clients her fitment and do me the kindness of our profession she has me her quirks her reasons her master reasons her prayers her knees that she would make a puritan of the devil if he should cheapen a kiss of her
BOULT
Faith I must ravish her or shell disfurnish us of all our cavaliers and make our swearers priests
PANDAR
Now the pox upon her green sickness for me
BAWD
Faith theres no way to be rid ont but by the way to the pox
Here comes the Lord Lysimachus disguised
BOULT
We should have both lord and lown if the peevish baggage would but give way to customers
Enter Lysimachus
LYSIMACHUS
How now How a dozen of virginities
BAWD
Now the gods to bless your honour
BOULT
I am glad to see your honour in good health
LYSIMACHUS
You may so tis the better for you that your resorters stand upon sound legs How now Wholesome iniquity have you that a man may deal withal and defy the surgeon
BAWD
We have here one sir if she wouldbut there never came her like in Mytilene
LYSIMACHUS
If shed do the deed of darkness thou wouldst say
BAWD
Your honour knows what tis to say well enough
LYSIMACHUS
Well call forth call forth
BOULT
For flesh and blood sir white and red you shall see a rose and she were a rose indeed if she had but
LYSIMACHUS
What prithee
BOULT
O sir I can be modest
LYSIMACHUS
That dignifies the renown of a bawd no less than it gives a good report to a number to be chaste
Exit Boult
BAWD
Here comes that which grows to the stalk never plucked yet I can assure you
Reenter Boult with Marina
Is she not a fair creature
LYSIMACHUS
Faith she would serve after a long voyage at sea Well theres for you leave us
BAWD
I beseech your honour give me leave a word and Ill have done presently
LYSIMACHUS
I beseech you do
BAWD
To Marina First I would have you note this is an honourable man
MARINA
I desire to find him so that I may worthily note him
BAWD
Next hes the governor of this country and a man whom I am bound to
MARINA
If he govern the country you are bound to him indeed but how honourable he is in that I know not
BAWD
Pray you without any more virginal fencing will you use him kindly He will line your apron with gold
MARINA
What he will do graciously I will thankfully receive
LYSIMACHUS
Ha you done
BAWD
My lord shes not paced yet you must take some pains to work her to your manage Come we will leave his honour and her together Go thy ways
Exeunt Bawd Pandar and Boult
LYSIMACHUS
Now pretty one how long have you been at this trade
MARINA
What trade sir
LYSIMACHUS
Why I cannot namet but I shall offend
MARINA
I cannot be offended with my trade Please you to name it
LYSIMACHUS
How long have you been of this profession
MARINA
Eer since I can remember
LYSIMACHUS Did you go tot so young Were you a gamester at five or at seven
MARINA
Earlier too sir if now I be one
LYSIMACHUS
Why the house you dwell in proclaims you to be a creature of sale
MARINA
Do you know this house to be a place of such resort and will come intot I hear say you are of honourable parts and are the governor of this place
LYSIMACHUS
Why hath your principal made known unto you who I am
MARINA
Who is my principal
LYSIMACHUS
Why your herbwoman she that sets seeds and roots of shame and iniquity O you have heard something of my power and so stand aloof for more serious wooing But I protest to thee pretty one my authority shall not see thee or else look friendly upon thee Come bring me to some private place come come
MARINA
If you were born to honour show it now
If put upon you make the judgement good
That thought you worthy of it
LYSIMACHUS
Hows this hows this Some more be sage
MARINA
For me
That am a maid though most ungentle Fortune
Have placed me in this sty where since I came
Diseases have been sold dearer than physic
O that the gods
Would set me free from this unhallowd place
Though they did change me to the meanest bird
That flies i the purer air
LYSIMACHUS
I did not think
Thou couldst have spoke so well neer dreamd thou couldst
Had I brought hither a corrupted mind
Thy speech had alterd it Hold heres gold for thee
Persever in that clear way thou goest
And the gods strengthen thee
MARINA
The good gods preserve you
LYSIMACHUS
For me be you thoughten
That I came with no ill intent for to me
The very doors and windows savour vilely
Fare thee well Thou art a piece of virtue and
I doubt not but thy training hath been noble
Hold heres more gold for thee
A curse upon him die he like a thief
That robs thee of thy goodness If thou dost
Hear from me it shall be for thy good
Reenter Boult
BOULT
I beseech your honour one piece for me
LYSIMACHUS
Avaunt thou damned doorkeeper
Your house but for this virgin that doth prop it
Would sink and overwhelm you Away
Exit
BOULT
Hows this We must take another course with you If your peevish chastity which is not worth a breakfast in the cheapest country under the cope shall undo a whole household let me be gelded like a spaniel Come your ways
MARINA
Whither would you have me
BOULT
I must have your maidenhead taken off or the common hangman shall execute it Come your ways Well have no more gentlemen driven away Come your ways I say
Reenter Bawd
BAWD
How now whats the matter
BOULT
Worse and worse mistress she has here spoken holy words to the Lord Lysimachus
BAWD
O abominable
BOULT
She makes our profession as it were to stink afore the face of the gods
BAWD
Marry hang her up for ever
BOULT
The nobleman would have dealt with her like a nobleman and she sent him away as cold as a snowball saying his prayers too
BAWD
Boult take her away use her at thy pleasure crack the glass of her virginity and make the rest malleable
BOULT
An if she were a thornier piece of ground than she is she shall be ploughed
MARINA
Hark hark you gods
BAWD
She conjures away with her Would she had never come within my doors Marry hang you Shes born to undo us Will you not go the way of womankind Marry come up my dish of chastity with rosemary and bays
Exit
BOULT
Come mistress come your way with me
MARINA
Whither wilt thou have me
BOULT
To take from you the jewel you hold so dear
MARINA
Prithee tell me one thing first
BOULT
Come now your one thing
MARINA
What canst thou wish thine enemy to be
BOULT
Why I could wish him to be my master or rather my mistress
MARINA
Neither of these are so bad as thou art
Since they do better thee in their command
Thou holdst a place for which the painedst fiend
Of hell would not in reputation change
Thou art the damned doorkeeper to every
Coistrel that comes inquiring for his Tib
To the choleric fisting of every rogue
Thy ear is liable thy food is such
As hath been belchd on by infected lungs
BOULT
What would you have me do Go to the wars would you where a man may serve seven years for the loss of a leg and have not money enough in the end to buy him a wooden one
MARINA
Do anything but this thou doest Empty
Old receptacles or common shores of filth
Serve by indenture to the common hangman
Any of these ways are yet better than this
For what thou professest a baboon could he speak
Would own a name too dear O that the gods
Would safely deliver me from this place
Here heres gold for thee
If that thy master would gain by me
Proclaim that I can sing weave sew and dance
With other virtues which Ill keep from boast
And I will undertake all these to teach
I doubt not but this populous city will
Yield many scholars
BOULT
But can you teach all this you speak of
MARINA
Prove that I cannot take me home again
And prostitute me to the basest groom
That doth frequent your house
BOULT
Well I will see what I can do for thee if I can place thee I will
MARINA
But amongst honest women
BOULT
Faith my acquaintance lies little amongst them But since my master and mistress have bought you theres no going but by their consent therefore I will make them acquainted with your purpose and I doubt not but I shall find them tractable enough Come Ill do for thee what I can come your ways
Exeunt
ACT V
Enter Gower
GOWER
Marina thus the brothel scapes and chances
Into an honest house our story says
She sings like one immortal and she dances
As goddesslike to her admired lays
Deep clerks she dumbs and with her neele composes
Natures own shape of bud bird branch or berry
That even her art sisters the natural roses
Her inkle silk twin with the rubied cherry
That pupils lacks she none of noble race
Who pour their bounty on her and her gain
She gives the cursed bawd Here we her place
And to her father turn our thoughts again
Where we left him on the sea We there him lost
Whence driven before the winds he is arrived
Here where his daughter dwells and on this coast
Suppose him now at anchor The city strived
God Neptunes annual feast to keep from whence
Lysimachus our Tyrian ship espies
His banners sable trimmd with rich expense
And to him in his barge with fervour hies
In your supposing once more put your sight
Of heavy Pericles think this his bark
Where what is done in action more if might
Shall be discoverd please you sit and hark
Exit
SCENE I On board Pericles ship off Mytilene A close pavilion on deck with a curtain before it Pericles within it reclined on a couch A barge lying beside the Tyrian vessel
Enter two Sailors one belonging to the Tyrian vessel the other to the barge to them Helicanus
TYRIAN SAILOR
To the Sailor of Mytilene
Where is lord Helicanus He can resolve you
O here he is
Sir theres a barge put off from Mytilene
And in it is Lysimachus the governor
Who craves to come aboard What is your will
HELICANUS
That he have his Call up some gentlemen
TYRIAN SAILOR
Ho gentlemen my lord calls
Enter two or three Gentlemen
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Doth your lordship call
HELICANUS
Gentlemen there is some of worth would come aboard
I pray ye greet them fairly
The Gentlemen and the two Sailors descend and go on board the barge
Enter from thence Lysimachus and Lords with the Gentlemen and the two Sailors
TYRIAN SAILOR
Sir
This is the man that can in aught you would
Resolve you
LYSIMACHUS
Hail reverend sir the gods preserve you
HELICANUS
And you sir to outlive the age I am
And die as I would do
LYSIMACHUS
You wish me well
Being on shore honouring of Neptunes triumphs
Seeing this goodly vessel ride before us
I made to it to know of whence you are
HELICANUS
First what is your place
LYSIMACHUS
I am the governor of this place you lie before
HELICANUS
Sir our vessel is of Tyre in it the king
A man who for this three months hath not spoken
To anyone nor taken sustenance
But to prorogue his grief
LYSIMACHUS
Upon what ground is his distemperature
HELICANUS
Twould be too tedious to repeat
But the main grief springs from the loss
Of a beloved daughter and a wife
LYSIMACHUS
May we not see him
HELICANUS
You may
But bootless is your sight he will not speak
To any
LYSIMACHUS
Yet let me obtain my wish
HELICANUS
Behold him
Pericles discovered
This was a goodly person
Till the disaster that one mortal night
Drove him to this
LYSIMACHUS
Sir king all hail The gods preserve you
Hail royal sir
HELICANUS
It is in vain he will not speak to you
FIRST LORD
Sir we have a maid in Mytilene I durst wager
Would win some words of him
LYSIMACHUS
Tis well bethought
She questionless with her sweet harmony
And other chosen attractions would allure
And make a battery through his deafend parts
Which now are midway stoppd
She is all happy as the fairest of all
And with her fellow maids is now upon
The leafy shelter that abuts against
The islands side
Whispers a Lord who goes off in the barge of Lysimachus
HELICANUS
Sure alls effectless yet nothing well omit
That bears recoverys name But since your kindness
We have stretchd thus far let us beseech you
That for our gold we may provision have
Wherein we are not destitute for want
But weary for the staleness
LYSIMACHUS
O sir a courtesy
Which if we should deny the most just gods
For every graff would send a caterpillar
And so inflict our province Yet once more
Let me entreat to know at large the cause
Of your kings sorrow
HELICANUS
Sit sir I will recount it to you
But see I am prevented
Reenter from the barge Lord with Marina and a young Lady
LYSIMACHUS
O here is the lady that I sent for Welcome fair one
Ist not a goodly presence
HELICANUS
Shes a gallant lady
LYSIMACHUS
Shes such a one that were I well assured
Came of a gentle kind and noble stock
Id wish no better choice and think me rarely wed
Fair one all goodness that consists in bounty
Expect even here where is a kingly patient
If that thy prosperous and artificial feat
Can draw him but to answer thee in aught
Thy sacred physic shall receive such pay
As thy desires can wish
MARINA
Sir I will use
My utmost skill in his recovery provided
That none but I and my companion maid
Be sufferd to come near him
LYSIMACHUS
Come let us leave her
And the gods make her prosperous
Marina sings
LYSIMACHUS
Markd he your music
MARINA
No nor lookd on us
LYSIMACHUS
See she will speak to him
MARINA
Hail sir My lord lend ear
PERICLES
Hum ha
MARINA
I am a maid
My lord that neer before invited eyes
But have been gazed on like a comet she speaks
My lord that may be hath endured a grief
Might equal yours if both were justly weighd
Though wayward Fortune did malign my state
My derivation was from ancestors
Who stood equivalent with mighty kings
But time hath rooted out my parentage
And to the world and awkward casualties
Bound me in servitude
Aside I will desist
But there is something glows upon my cheek
And whispers in mine ear Go not till he speak
PERICLES
My fortunesparentagegood parentage
To equal minewas it not thus what say you
MARINA
I said my lord if you did know my parentage
You would not do me violence
PERICLES
I do think so Pray you turn your eyes upon me
You are like something thatwhat countrywoman
Here of these shores
MARINA
No nor of any shores
Yet I was mortally brought forth and am
No other than I appear
PERICLES
I am great with woe and shall deliver weeping
My dearest wife was like this maid and such a one
My daughter might have been my queens square brows
Her stature to an inch as wandlike straight
As silvervoiced her eyes as jewellike
And cased as richly in pace another Juno
Who starves the ears she feeds and makes them hungry
The more she gives them speech Where do you live
MARINA
Where I am but a stranger from the deck
You may discern the place
PERICLES
Where were you bred
And how achieved you these endowments which
You make more rich to owe
MARINA
If I should tell my history it would seem
Like lies disdaind in the reporting
PERICLES
Prithee speak
Falseness cannot come from thee for thou lookst
Modest as Justice and thou seemst a palace
For the crownd Truth to dwell in I will believe thee
And make my senses credit thy relation
To points that seem impossible for thou lookst
Like one I loved indeed What were thy friends
Didst thou not say when I did push thee back
Which was when I perceived theethat thou camst
From good descending
MARINA
So indeed I did
PERICLES
Report thy parentage I think thou saidst
Thou hadst been tossd from wrong to injury
And that thou thoughtst thy griefs might equal mine
If both were opend
MARINA
Some such thing
I said and said no more but what my thoughts
Did warrant me was likely
PERICLES
Tell thy story
If thine considerd prove the thousand part
Of my endurance thou art a man and I
Have sufferd like a girl yet thou dost look
Like Patience gazing on kings graves and smiling
Extremity out of act What were thy friends
How lost thou them Thy name my most kind virgin
Recount I do beseech thee come sit by me
MARINA
My name is Marina
PERICLES
O I am mockd
And thou by some incensed god sent hither
To make the world to laugh at me
MARINA
Patience good sir
Or here Ill cease
PERICLES
Nay Ill be patient
Thou little knowst how thou dost startle me
To call thyself Marina
MARINA
The name
Was given me by one that had some power
My father and a king
PERICLES
How a kings daughter
And calld Marina
MARINA
You said you would believe me
But not to be a troubler of your peace
I will end here
PERICLES
But are you flesh and blood
Have you a working pulse and are no fairy
Motion Well speak on Where were you born
And wherefore calld Marina
MARINA
Calld Marina
For I was born at sea
PERICLES
At sea What mother
MARINA
My mother was the daughter of a king
Who died the minute I was born
As my good nurse Lychorida hath oft
Deliverd weeping
PERICLES
O stop there a little Aside This is the rarest dream that eer dull sleep
Did mock sad fools withal this cannot be
My daughter buried Well where were you bred
Ill hear you more to the bottom of your story
And never interrupt you
MARINA
You scorn believe me twere best I did give oer
PERICLES
I will believe you by the syllable
Of what you shall deliver Yet give me leave
How came you in these parts Where were you bred
MARINA
The king my father did in Tarsus leave me
Till cruel Cleon with his wicked wife
Did seek to murder me and having wood
A villain to attempt it who having drawn to dot
A crew of pirates came and rescued me
Brought me to Mytilene But good sir
Whither will you have me Why do you weep It may be
You think me an impostor no good faith
I am the daughter to King Pericles
If good King Pericles be
PERICLES
Ho Helicanus
Enter Helicanus and Lysimachus
HELICANUS
Calls my lord
PERICLES
Thou art a grave and noble counsellor
Most wise in general tell me if thou canst
What this maid is or what is like to be
That thus hath made me weep
HELICANUS
I know not
But here is the regent sir of Mytilene
Speaks nobly of her
LYSIMACHUS
She would never tell
Her parentage being demanded that
She would sit still and weep
PERICLES
O Helicanus strike me honourd sir
Give me a gash put me to present pain
Lest this great sea of joys rushing upon me
Oerbear the shores of my mortality
And drown me with their sweetness
To Marina O come hither
Thou that begetst him that did thee beget
Thou that wast born at sea buried at Tarsus
And found at sea again O Helicanus
Down on thy knees thank the holy gods as loud
As thunder threatens us this is Marina
What was thy mothers name tell me but that
For truth can never be confirmd enough
Though doubts did ever sleep
MARINA
First sir I pray what is your title
PERICLES
I am Pericles of Tyre but tell me now
My drownd queens name as in the rest you said
Thou hast been godlike perfect
The heir of kingdoms and another life
To Pericles thy father
MARINA
Is it no more to be your daughter than
To say my mothers name was Thaisa
Thaisa was my mother who did end
The minute I began
PERICLES
Now blessing on thee rise thou art my child
Give me fresh garments Mine own Helicanus
She is not dead at Tarsus as she should have been
By savage Cleon she shall tell thee all
When thou shalt kneel and justify in knowledge
She is thy very princess Who is this
HELICANUS
Sir tis the governor of Mytilene
Who hearing of your melancholy state
Did come to see you
PERICLES
I embrace you
Give me my robes I am wild in my beholding
O heavens bless my girl But hark what music
Tell Helicanus my Marina tell him
Oer point by point for yet he seems to doubt
How sure you are my daughter But what music
HELICANUS
My lord I hear none
PERICLES
None
The music of the spheres List my Marina
LYSIMACHUS
It is not good to cross him give him way
PERICLES
Rarest sounds Do ye not hear
LYSIMACHUS
Music my lord I hear
Music
PERICLES
Most heavenly music
It nips me unto listening and thick slumber
Hangs upon mine eyes let me rest
Sleeps
LYSIMACHUS
A pillow for his head
So leave him all Well my companion friends
If this but answer to my just belief
Ill well remember you
Exeunt all but Pericles
Diana appears to Pericles as in a vision
DIANA
My temple stands in Ephesus hie thee thither
And do upon mine altar sacrifice
There when my maiden priests are met together
Before the people all
Reveal how thou at sea didst lose thy wife
To mourn thy crosses with thy daughters call
And give them repetition to the life
Or perform my bidding or thou livest in woe
Do it and happy by my silver bow
Awake and tell thy dream
Disappears
PERICLES
Celestial Dian goddess argentine
I will obey thee Helicanus
Reenter Helicanus Lysimachus and Marina
HELICANUS
Sir
PERICLES
My purpose was for Tarsus there to strike
The inhospitable Cleon but I am
For other service first toward Ephesus
Turn our blown sails eftsoons Ill tell thee why
To Lysimachus Shall we refresh us sir upon your shore
And give you gold for such provision
As our intents will need
LYSIMACHUS
Sir with all my heart
And when you come ashore I have another suit
PERICLES
You shall prevail were it to woo my daughter
For it seems you have been noble towards her
LYSIMACHUS
Sir lend me your arm
PERICLES
Come my Marina
Exeunt
SCENE II
Enter Gower before the temple of Diana at Ephesus
GOWER
Now our sands are almost run
More a little and then dumb
This my last boon give me
For such kindness must relieve me
That you aptly will suppose
What pageantry what feats what shows
What minstrelsy and pretty din
The regent made in Mytilene
To greet the king So he thrived
That he is promised to be wived
To fair Marina but in no wise
Till he had done his sacrifice
As Dian bade whereto being bound
The interim pray you all confound
In featherd briefness sails are filld
And wishes fall out as theyre willd
At Ephesus the temple see
Our king and all his company
That he can hither come so soon
Is by your fancys thankful doom
Exit
SCENE III The temple of Diana at Ephesus Thaisa standing near the altar as high priestess a number of Virgins on each side Cerimon and other inhabitants of Ephesus attending
Enter Pericles with his train Lysimachus Helicanus Marina and a Lady
PERICLES
Hail Dian to perform thy just command
I here confess myself the King of Tyre
Who frighted from my country did wed
At Pentapolis the fair Thaisa
At sea in childbed died she but brought forth
A maid child calld Marina whom O goddess
Wears yet thy silver livery She at Tarsus
Was nursed with Cleon who at fourteen years
He sought to murder but her better stars
Brought her to Mytilene gainst whose shore
Riding her fortunes brought the maid aboard us
Where by her own most clear remembrance she
Made known herself my daughter
THAISA
Voice and favour
You are you areO royal Pericles
Faints
PERICLES
What means the nun She dies help gentlemen
CERIMON
Noble sir
If you have told Dianas altar true
This is your wife
PERICLES
Reverend appearer no
I threw her overboard with these very arms
CERIMON
Upon this coast I warrant you
PERICLES
Tis most certain
CERIMON
Look to the lady O shes but oerjoyd
Early in blustering morn this lady was
Thrown upon this shore I oped the coffin
Found there rich jewels recoverd her and placed her
Here in Dianas temple
PERICLES
May we see them
CERIMON
Great sir they shall be brought you to my house
Whither I invite you Look Thaisa is
Recovered
THAISA
O let me look
If he be none of mine my sanctity
Will to my sense bend no licentious ear
But curb it spite of seeing O my lord
Are you not Pericles Like him you spake
Like him you are did you not name a tempest
A birth and death
PERICLES
The voice of dead Thaisa
THAISA
That Thaisa am I supposed dead
And drownd
PERICLES
Immortal Dian
THAISA
Now I know you better
When we with tears parted Pentapolis
The king my father gave you such a ring
Shows a ring
PERICLES
This this no more you gods your present kindness
Makes my past miseries sports you shall do well
That on the touching of her lips I may
Melt and no more be seen O come be buried
A second time within these arms
MARINA
My heart
Leaps to be gone into my mothers bosom
Kneels to Thaisa
PERICLES
Look who kneels here Flesh of thy flesh Thaisa
Thy burden at the sea and calld Marina
For she was yielded there
THAISA
Blest and mine own
HELICANUS
Hail madam and my queen
THAISA
I know you not
PERICLES
You have heard me say when I did fly from Tyre
I left behind an ancient substitute
Can you remember what I calld the man
I have named him oft
THAISA
Twas Helicanus then
PERICLES
Still confirmation
Embrace him dear Thaisa this is he
Now do I long to hear how you were found
How possibly preserved and who to thank
Besides the gods for this great miracle
THAISA
Lord Cerimon my lord this man
Through whom the gods have shown their power that can
From first to last resolve you
PERICLES
Reverend sir
The gods can have no mortal officer
More like a god than you Will you deliver
How this dead queen relives
CERIMON
I will my lord
Beseech you first go with me to my house
Where shall be shown you all was found with her
How she came placed here in the temple
No needful thing omitted
PERICLES
Pure Dian bless thee for thy vision I
Will offer nightoblations to thee Thaisa
This prince the fair betrothed of your daughter
Shall marry her at Pentapolis
And now this ornament
Makes me look dismal will I clip to form
And what this fourteen years no razor touchd
To grace thy marriageday Ill beautify
THAISA
Lord Cerimon hath letters of good credit sir
My fathers dead
PERICLES
Heavens make a star of him Yet there my queen
Well celebrate their nuptials and ourselves
Will in that kingdom spend our following days
Our son and daughter shall in Tyrus reign
Lord Cerimon we do our longing stay
To hear the rest untold Sir leads the way
Exeunt
Enter Gower
GOWER
In Antiochus and his daughter you have heard
Of monstrous lust the due and just reward
In Pericles his queen and daughter seen
Although assaild with Fortune fierce and keen
Virtue preserved from fell destructions blast
Led on by heaven and crownd with joy at last
In Helicanus may you well descry
A figure of truth of faith of loyalty
In reverend Cerimon there well appears
The worth that learned charity aye wears
For wicked Cleon and his wife when fame
Had spread their cursed deed the honourd name
Of Pericles to rage the city turn
That him and his they in his palace burn
The gods for murder seemed so content
To punish although not done but meant
So on your patience evermore attending
New joy wait on you Here our play has ending
Exit
THE LIFE AND DEATH OF KING RICHARD THE SECOND
Contents
ACT I
Scene I London A Room in the palace
Scene II The same A room in the Duke of Lancasters palace
Scene III Open Space near Coventry Lists set out and a Throne Heralds c attending
Scene IV London A Room in the Kings Castle
ACT II
Scene I London An Apartment in Ely House
Scene II The Same A Room in the Castle
Scene III The Wolds in Gloucestershire
Scene IV A camp in Wales
ACT III
Scene I Bristol Bolingbrokes camp
Scene II The coast of Wales A castle in view
Scene III Wales Before Flint Castle
Scene IV Langley The Duke of Yorks garden
ACT IV
Scene I Westminster Hall
ACT V
Scene I London A street leading to the Tower
Scene II The same A room in the Duke of Yorks palace
Scene III Windsor A room in the Castle
Scene IV Another room in the Castle
Scene V Pomfret The dungeon of the Castle
Scene VI Windsor An Apartment in the Castle
Dramatis Person
KING RICHARD THE SECOND
JOHN OF GAUNT Duke of Lancaster uncle to the King
EDMUND LANGLEY Duke of York uncle to the King
HENRY surnamed BOLINGBROKE Duke of Hereford son of John of Gaunt afterwards King Henry IV
DUKE OF AUMERLE son of the Duke of York
THOMAS MOWBRAY Duke of Norfolk
DUKE OF SURREY
EARL OF SALISBURY
LORD BERKELEY
BUSHY Servant to King Richard
BAGOT Servant to King Richard
GREEN Servant to King Richard
EARL OF NORTHUMBERLAND
HARRY PERCY surnamed Hotspur his son
LORD ROSS
LORD WILLOUGHBY
LORD FITZWATER
BISHOP OF CARLISLE
ABBOT OF WESTMINSTER
LORD MARSHAL
SIR PIERCE OF EXTON
SIR STEPHEN SCROOP
Captain of a band of Welshmen
QUEEN TO KING RICHARD
DUCHESS OF GLOUCESTER
DUCHESS OF YORK
Lady attending on the Queen
Lords Heralds Officers Soldiers Gardeners Keeper Messenger Groom and other Attendants
SCENE Dispersedly in England and Wales
ACT I
SCENE I London A Room in the palace
Enter King Richard John of Gaunt with other Nobles and Attendants
KING RICHARD
Old John of Gaunt timehonoured Lancaster
Hast thou according to thy oath and band
Brought hither Henry Hereford thy bold son
Here to make good the boistrous late appeal
Which then our leisure would not let us hear
Against the Duke of Norfolk Thomas Mowbray
GAUNT
I have my liege
KING RICHARD
Tell me moreover hast thou sounded him
If he appeal the Duke on ancient malice
Or worthily as a good subject should
On some known ground of treachery in him
GAUNT
As near as I could sift him on that argument
On some apparent danger seen in him
Aimed at your Highness no inveterate malice
KING RICHARD
Then call them to our presence Face to face
And frowning brow to brow ourselves will hear
The accuser and the accused freely speak
Highstomached are they both and full of ire
In rage deaf as the sea hasty as fire
Enter Bolingbroke and Mowbray
BOLINGBROKE
Many years of happy days befall
My gracious sovereign my most loving liege
MOWBRAY
Each day still better others happiness
Until the heavens envying earths good hap
Add an immortal title to your crown
KING RICHARD
We thank you both Yet one but flatters us
As well appeareth by the cause you come
Namely to appeal each other of high treason
Cousin of Hereford what dost thou object
Against the Duke of Norfolk Thomas Mowbray
BOLINGBROKE
Firstheaven be the record to my speech
In the devotion of a subjects love
Tendring the precious safety of my prince
And free from other misbegotten hate
Come I appellant to this princely presence
Now Thomas Mowbray do I turn to thee
And mark my greeting well for what I speak
My body shall make good upon this earth
Or my divine soul answer it in heaven
Thou art a traitor and a miscreant
Too good to be so and too bad to live
Since the more fair and crystal is the sky
The uglier seem the clouds that in it fly
Once more the more to aggravate the note
With a foul traitors name stuff I thy throat
And wish so please my sovereign ere I move
What my tongue speaks my rightdrawn sword may prove
MOWBRAY
Let not my cold words here accuse my zeal
Tis not the trial of a womans war
The bitter clamour of two eager tongues
Can arbitrate this cause betwixt us twain
The blood is hot that must be cooled for this
Yet can I not of such tame patience boast
As to be hushed and naught at all to say
First the fair reverence of your highness curbs me
From giving reins and spurs to my free speech
Which else would post until it had returned
These terms of treason doubled down his throat
Setting aside his high bloods royalty
And let him be no kinsman to my liege
I do defy him and I spit at him
Call him a slanderous coward and a villain
Which to maintain I would allow him odds
And meet him were I tied to run afoot
Even to the frozen ridges of the Alps
Or any other ground inhabitable
Wherever Englishman durst set his foot
Meantime let this defend my loyalty
By all my hopes most falsely doth he lie
BOLINGBROKE
Pale trembling coward there I throw my gage
Disclaiming here the kindred of the King
And lay aside my high bloods royalty
Which fear not reverence makes thee to except
If guilty dread have left thee so much strength
As to take up mine honours pawn then stoop
By that and all the rites of knighthood else
Will I make good against thee arm to arm
What I have spoke or thou canst worst devise
MOWBRAY
I take it up and by that sword I swear
Which gently laid my knighthood on my shoulder
Ill answer thee in any fair degree
Or chivalrous design of knightly trial
And when I mount alive may I not light
If I be traitor or unjustly fight
KING RICHARD
What doth our cousin lay to Mowbrays charge
It must be great that can inherit us
So much as of a thought of ill in him
BOLINGBROKE
Look what I speak my life shall prove it true
That Mowbray hath received eight thousand nobles
In name of lendings for your highness soldiers
The which he hath detained for lewd employments
Like a false traitor and injurious villain
Besides I say and will in battle prove
Or here or elsewhere to the furthest verge
That ever was surveyed by English eye
That all the treasons for these eighteen years
Complotted and contrived in this land
Fetch from false Mowbray their first head and spring
Further I say and further will maintain
Upon his bad life to make all this good
That he did plot the Duke of Gloucesters death
Suggest his soonbelieving adversaries
And consequently like a traitor coward
Sluiced out his innocent soul through streams of blood
Which blood like sacrificing Abels cries
Even from the tongueless caverns of the earth
To me for justice and rough chastisement
And by the glorious worth of my descent
This arm shall do it or this life be spent
KING RICHARD
How high a pitch his resolution soars
Thomas of Norfolk what sayst thou to this
MOWBRAY
O let my sovereign turn away his face
And bid his ears a little while be deaf
Till I have told this slander of his blood
How God and good men hate so foul a liar
KING RICHARD
Mowbray impartial are our eyes and ears
Were he my brother nay my kingdoms heir
As he is but my fathers brothers son
Now by my sceptres awe I make a vow
Such neighbour nearness to our sacred blood
Should nothing privilege him nor partialize
The unstooping firmness of my upright soul
He is our subject Mowbray so art thou
Free speech and fearless I to thee allow
MOWBRAY
Then Bolingbroke as low as to thy heart
Through the false passage of thy throat thou liest
Three parts of that receipt I had for Calais
Disbursed I duly to his highness soldiers
The other part reserved I by consent
For that my sovereign liege was in my debt
Upon remainder of a dear account
Since last I went to France to fetch his queen
Now swallow down that lie For Gloucesters death
I slew him not but to my own disgrace
Neglected my sworn duty in that case
For you my noble Lord of Lancaster
The honourable father to my foe
Once did I lay an ambush for your life
A trespass that doth vex my grieved soul
But ere I last received the sacrament
I did confess it and exactly begged
Your Graces pardon and I hope I had it
This is my fault As for the rest appealed
It issues from the rancour of a villain
A recreant and most degenerate traitor
Which in myself I boldly will defend
And interchangeably hurl down my gage
Upon this overweening traitors foot
To prove myself a loyal gentleman
Even in the best blood chambered in his bosom
In haste whereof most heartily I pray
Your highness to assign our trial day
KING RICHARD
Wrathkindled gentlemen be ruled by me
Lets purge this choler without letting blood
This we prescribe though no physician
Deep malice makes too deep incision
Forget forgive conclude and be agreed
Our doctors say this is no month to bleed
Good uncle let this end where it begun
Well calm the Duke of Norfolk you your son
GAUNT
To be a makepeace shall become my age
Throw down my son the Duke of Norfolks gage
KING RICHARD
And Norfolk throw down his
GAUNT
When Harry when
Obedience bids I should not bid again
KING RICHARD
Norfolk throw down we bid there is no boot
MOWBRAY
Myself I throw dread sovereign at thy foot
My life thou shalt command but not my shame
The one my duty owes but my fair name
Despite of death that lives upon my grave
To dark dishonours use thou shalt not have
I am disgraced impeached and baffled here
Pierced to the soul with slanders venomed spear
The which no balm can cure but his heartblood
Which breathed this poison
KING RICHARD
Rage must be withstood
Give me his gage Lions make leopards tame
MOWBRAY
Yea but not change his spots Take but my shame
And I resign my gage My dear dear lord
The purest treasure mortal times afford
Is spotless reputation that away
Men are but gilded loam or painted clay
A jewel in a tentimesbarredup chest
Is a bold spirit in a loyal breast
Mine honour is my life both grow in one
Take honour from me and my life is done
Then dear my liege mine honour let me try
In that I live and for that will I die
KING RICHARD
Cousin throw up your gage do you begin
BOLINGBROKE
O God defend my soul from such deep sin
Shall I seem crestfallen in my fathers sight
Or with pale beggarfear impeach my height
Before this outdared dastard Ere my tongue
Shall wound my honour with such feeble wrong
Or sound so base a parle my teeth shall tear
The slavish motive of recanting fear
And spit it bleeding in his high disgrace
Where shame doth harbour even in Mowbrays face
Exit Gaunt
KING RICHARD
We were not born to sue but to command
Which since we cannot do to make you friends
Be ready as your lives shall answer it
At Coventry upon Saint Lamberts day
There shall your swords and lances arbitrate
The swelling difference of your settled hate
Since we cannot atone you we shall see
Justice design the victors chivalry
Lord Marshal command our officersatarms
Be ready to direct these home alarms
Exeunt
SCENE II The same A room in the Duke of Lancasters palace
Enter John of Gaunt with the Duchess of Gloucester
GAUNT
Alas the part I had in Woodstocks blood
Doth more solicit me than your exclaims
To stir against the butchers of his life
But since correction lieth in those hands
Which made the fault that we cannot correct
Put we our quarrel to the will of heaven
Who when they see the hours ripe on earth
Will rain hot vengeance on offenders heads
DUCHESS
Finds brotherhood in thee no sharper spur
Hath love in thy old blood no living fire
Edwards seven sons whereof thyself art one
Were as seven vials of his sacred blood
Or seven fair branches springing from one root
Some of those seven are dried by natures course
Some of those branches by the Destinies cut
But Thomas my dear lord my life my Gloucester
One vial full of Edwards sacred blood
One flourishing branch of his most royal root
Is cracked and all the precious liquor spilt
Is hacked down and his summer leaves all faded
By envys hand and murders bloody axe
Ah Gaunt his blood was thine That bed that womb
That metal that self mould that fashioned thee
Made him a man and though thou livest and breathest
Yet art thou slain in him Thou dost consent
In some large measure to thy fathers death
In that thou seest thy wretched brother die
Who was the model of thy fathers life
Call it not patience Gaunt it is despair
In suffring thus thy brother to be slaughtered
Thou showest the naked pathway to thy life
Teaching stern murder how to butcher thee
That which in mean men we entitle patience
Is pale cold cowardice in noble breasts
What shall I say To safeguard thine own life
The best way is to venge my Gloucesters death
GAUNT
Gods is the quarrel for Gods substitute
His deputy anointed in His sight
Hath caused his death the which if wrongfully
Let heaven revenge for I may never lift
An angry arm against His minister
DUCHESS
Where then alas may I complain myself
GAUNT
To God the widows champion and defence
DUCHESS
Why then I will Farewell old Gaunt
Thou goest to Coventry there to behold
Our cousin Hereford and fell Mowbray fight
O sit my husbands wrongs on Herefords spear
That it may enter butcher Mowbrays breast
Or if misfortune miss the first career
Be Mowbrays sins so heavy in his bosom
That they may break his foaming coursers back
And throw the rider headlong in the lists
A caitiff recreant to my cousin Hereford
Farewell old Gaunt Thy sometimes brothers wife
With her companion Grief must end her life
GAUNT
Sister farewell I must to Coventry
As much good stay with thee as go with me
DUCHESS
Yet one word more Grief boundeth where it falls
Not with the empty hollowness but weight
I take my leave before I have begun
For sorrow ends not when it seemeth done
Commend me to thy brother Edmund York
Lo this is all Nay yet depart not so
Though this be all do not so quickly go
I shall remember more Bid himah what
With all good speed at Plashy visit me
Alack and what shall good old York there see
But empty lodgings and unfurnished walls
Unpeopled offices untrodden stones
And what hear there for welcome but my groans
Therefore commend me let him not come there
To seek out sorrow that dwells everywhere
Desolate desolate will I hence and die
The last leave of thee takes my weeping eye
Exeunt
SCENE III Open Space near Coventry Lists set out and a Throne Heralds c attending
Enter the Lord Marshal and the Duke of Aumerle
MARSHAL
My Lord Aumerle is Harry Hereford armed
AUMERLE
Yea at all points and longs to enter in
MARSHAL
The Duke of Norfolk sprightfully and bold
Stays but the summons of the appelants trumpet
AUMERLE
Why then the champions are prepared and stay
For nothing but his Majestys approach
Enter King Richard who takes his seat on his Throne Gaunt Bushy Bagot Green and others who take their places A trumpet is sounded and answered by another trumpet within Then enter Mowbray in armour defendant preceded by a Herald
KING RICHARD
Marshal demand of yonder champion
The cause of his arrival here in arms
Ask him his name and orderly proceed
To swear him in the justice of his cause
MARSHAL
In Gods name and the Kings say who thou art
And why thou comest thus knightly clad in arms
Against what man thou comst and what thy quarrel
Speak truly on thy knighthood and thy oath
As so defend thee heaven and thy valour
MOWBRAY
My name is Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolk
Who hither come engaged by my oath
Which God defend a knight should violate
Both to defend my loyalty and truth
To God my King and my succeeding issue
Against the Duke of Hereford that appeals me
And by the grace of God and this mine arm
To prove him in defending of myself
A traitor to my God my king and me
And as I truly fight defend me heaven
He takes his seat
Trumpet sounds Enter Bolingbroke appellant in armour preceded by a Herald
KING RICHARD
Marshal ask yonder knight in arms
Both who he is and why he cometh hither
Thus plated in habiliments of war
And formally according to our law
Depose him in the justice of his cause
MARSHAL
What is thy name And wherefore comst thou hither
Before King Richard in his royal lists
Against whom comest thou and whats thy quarrel
Speak like a true knight so defend thee heaven
BOLINGBROKE
Harry of Hereford Lancaster and Derby
Am I who ready here do stand in arms
To prove by Gods grace and my bodys valour
In lists on Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolk
That hes a traitor foul and dangerous
To God of heaven King Richard and to me
And as I truly fight defend me heaven
MARSHAL
On pain of death no person be so bold
Or daringhardy as to touch the lists
Except the Marshal and such officers
Appointed to direct these fair designs
BOLINGBROKE
Lord Marshal let me kiss my sovereigns hand
And bow my knee before his Majesty
For Mowbray and myself are like two men
That vow a long and weary pilgrimage
Then let us take a ceremonious leave
And loving farewell of our several friends
MARSHAL
The appellant in all duty greets your highness
And craves to kiss your hand and take his leave
KING RICHARD Descends from his throne
We will descend and fold him in our arms
Cousin of Hereford as thy cause is right
So be thy fortune in this royal fight
Farewell my blood which if today thou shed
Lament we may but not revenge thee dead
BOLINGBROKE
O let no noble eye profane a tear
For me if I be gored with Mowbrays spear
As confident as is the falcons flight
Against a bird do I with Mowbray fight
My loving lord I take my leave of you
Of you my noble cousin Lord Aumerle
Not sick although I have to do with death
But lusty young and cheerly drawing breath
Lo as at English feasts so I regreet
The daintiest last to make the end most sweet
O thou the earthly author of my blood
Whose youthful spirit in me regenerate
Doth with a twofold vigour lift me up
To reach at victory above my head
Add proof unto mine armour with thy prayers
And with thy blessings steel my lances point
That it may enter Mowbrays waxen coat
And furbish new the name of John o Gaunt
Even in the lusty haviour of his son
GAUNT
God in thy good cause make thee prosperous
Be swift like lightning in the execution
And let thy blows doubly redoubled
Fall like amazing thunder on the casque
Of thy adverse pernicious enemy
Rouse up thy youthful blood be valiant and live
BOLINGBROKE
Mine innocence and Saint George to thrive
He takes his seat
MOWBRAY Rising
However God or fortune cast my lot
There lives or dies true to King Richards throne
A loyal just and upright gentleman
Never did captive with a freer heart
Cast off his chains of bondage and embrace
His golden uncontrolled enfranchisement
More than my dancing soul doth celebrate
This feast of battle with mine adversary
Most mighty liege and my companion peers
Take from my mouth the wish of happy years
As gentle and as jocund as to jest
Go I to fight Truth hath a quiet breast
KING RICHARD
Farewell my lord Securely I espy
Virtue with valour couched in thine eye
Order the trial Marshal and begin
The King and the Lords return to their seats
MARSHAL
Harry of Hereford Lancaster and Derby
Receive thy lance and God defend the right
BOLINGBROKE Rising
Strong as a tower in hope I cry Amen
MARSHAL
To an officer Go bear this lance to Thomas Duke of Norfolk
FIRST HERALD
Harry of Hereford Lancaster and Derby
Stands here for God his sovereign and himself
On pain to be found false and recreant
To prove the Duke of Norfolk Thomas Mowbray
A traitor to his God his King and him
And dares him to set forward to the fight
SECOND HERALD
Here standeth Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolk
On pain to be found false and recreant
Both to defend himself and to approve
Henry of Hereford Lancaster and Derby
To God his sovereign and to him disloyal
Courageously and with a free desire
Attending but the signal to begin
MARSHAL
Sound trumpets and set forward combatants
A charge sounded
Stay the King hath thrown his warder down
KING RICHARD
Let them lay by their helmets and their spears
And both return back to their chairs again
Withdraw with us and let the trumpets sound
While we return these dukes what we decree
A long flourish
To the Combatants Draw near
And list what with our council we have done
For that our kingdoms earth should not be soiled
With that dear blood which it hath fostered
And for our eyes do hate the dire aspect
Of civil wounds ploughed up with neighbours swords
And for we think the eaglewinged pride
Of skyaspiring and ambitious thoughts
With rivalhating envy set on you
To wake our peace which in our countrys cradle
Draws the sweet infant breath of gentle sleep
Which so roused up with boistrous untuned drums
With harshresounding trumpets dreadful bray
And grating shock of wrathful iron arms
Might from our quiet confines fright fair peace
And make us wade even in our kindreds blood
Therefore we banish you our territories
You cousin Hereford upon pain of life
Till twice five summers have enriched our fields
Shall not regreet our fair dominions
But tread the stranger paths of banishment
BOLINGBROKE
Your will be done This must my comfort be
That sun that warms you here shall shine on me
And those his golden beams to you here lent
Shall point on me and gild my banishment
KING RICHARD
Norfolk for thee remains a heavier doom
Which I with some unwillingness pronounce
The sly slow hours shall not determinate
The dateless limit of thy dear exile
The hopeless word of never to return
Breathe I against thee upon pain of life
MOWBRAY
A heavy sentence my most sovereign liege
And all unlooked for from your highness mouth
A dearer merit not so deep a maim
As to be cast forth in the common air
Have I deserved at your highness hands
The language I have learnt these forty years
My native English now I must forgo
And now my tongues use is to me no more
Than an unstringed viol or a harp
Or like a cunning instrument cased up
Or being open put into his hands
That knows no touch to tune the harmony
Within my mouth you have engaoled my tongue
Doubly portcullised with my teeth and lips
And dull unfeeling barren ignorance
Is made my gaoler to attend on me
I am too old to fawn upon a nurse
Too far in years to be a pupil now
What is thy sentence then but speechless death
Which robs my tongue from breathing native breath
KING RICHARD
It boots thee not to be compassionate
After our sentence plaining comes too late
MOWBRAY
Then thus I turn me from my countrys light
To dwell in solemn shades of endless night
Retiring
KING RICHARD
Return again and take an oath with thee
Lay on our royal sword your banished hands
Swear by the duty that you owe to God
Our part therein we banish with yourselves
To keep the oath that we administer
You never shall so help you truth and God
Embrace each others love in banishment
Nor never look upon each others face
Nor never write regreet nor reconcile
This louring tempest of your homebred hate
Nor never by advised purpose meet
To plot contrive or complot any ill
Gainst us our state our subjects or our land
BOLINGBROKE
I swear
MOWBRAY
And I to keep all this
BOLINGBROKE
Norfolk so far as to mine enemy
By this time had the King permitted us
One of our souls had wandered in the air
Banished this frail sepulchre of our flesh
As now our flesh is banished from this land
Confess thy treasons ere thou fly the realm
Since thou hast far to go bear not along
The clogging burden of a guilty soul
MOWBRAY
No Bolingbroke If ever I were traitor
My name be blotted from the book of life
And I from heaven banished as from hence
But what thou art God thou and I do know
And all too soon I fear the King shall rue
Farewell my liege Now no way can I stray
Save back to England all the worlds my way
Exit
KING RICHARD
Uncle even in the glasses of thine eyes
I see thy grieved heart Thy sad aspect
Hath from the number of his banished years
Plucked four away To Bolingbroke Six frozen winters spent
Return with welcome home from banishment
BOLINGBROKE
How long a time lies in one little word
Four lagging winters and four wanton springs
End in a word such is the breath of kings
GAUNT
I thank my liege that in regard of me
He shortens four years of my sons exile
But little vantage shall I reap thereby
For ere the six years that he hath to spend
Can change their moons and bring their times about
My oildried lamp and timebewasted light
Shall be extinct with age and endless night
My inch of taper will be burnt and done
And blindfold death not let me see my son
KING RICHARD
Why uncle thou hast many years to live
GAUNT
But not a minute king that thou canst give
Shorten my days thou canst with sullen sorrow
And pluck nights from me but not lend a morrow
Thou canst help time to furrow me with age
But stop no wrinkle in his pilgrimage
Thy word is current with him for my death
But dead thy kingdom cannot buy my breath
KING RICHARD
Thy son is banished upon good advice
Whereto thy tongue a partyverdict gave
Why at our justice seemst thou then to lour
GAUNT
Things sweet to taste prove in digestion sour
You urged me as a judge but I had rather
You would have bid me argue like a father
O had it been a stranger not my child
To smooth his fault I should have been more mild
A partial slander sought I to avoid
And in the sentence my own life destroyed
Alas I looked when some of you should say
I was too strict to make mine own away
But you gave leave to my unwilling tongue
Against my will to do myself this wrong
KING RICHARD
Cousin farewell and uncle bid him so
Six years we banish him and he shall go
Flourish Exit King Richard and Train
AUMERLE
Cousin farewell What presence must not know
From where you do remain let paper show
MARSHAL
My lord no leave take I for I will ride
As far as land will let me by your side
GAUNT
O to what purpose dost thou hoard thy words
That thou returnst no greeting to thy friends
BOLINGBROKE
I have too few to take my leave of you
When the tongues office should be prodigal
To breathe the abundant dolour of the heart
GAUNT
Thy grief is but thy absence for a time
BOLINGBROKE
Joy absent grief is present for that time
GAUNT
What is six winters They are quickly gone
BOLINGBROKE
To men in joy but grief makes one hour ten
GAUNT
Call it a travel that thou takst for pleasure
BOLINGBROKE
My heart will sigh when I miscall it so
Which finds it an enforced pilgrimage
GAUNT
The sullen passage of thy weary steps
Esteem as foil wherein thou art to set
The precious jewel of thy home return
BOLINGBROKE
Nay rather every tedious stride I make
Will but remember me what a deal of world
I wander from the jewels that I love
Must I not serve a long apprenticehood
To foreign passages and in the end
Having my freedom boast of nothing else
But that I was a journeyman to grief
GAUNT
All places that the eye of heaven visits
Are to a wise man ports and happy havens
Teach thy necessity to reason thus
There is no virtue like necessity
Think not the King did banish thee
But thou the King Woe doth the heavier sit
Where it perceives it is but faintly borne
Go say I sent thee forth to purchase honour
And not the King exiled thee or suppose
Devouring pestilence hangs in our air
And thou art flying to a fresher clime
Look what thy soul holds dear imagine it
To lie that way thou goest not whence thou comst
Suppose the singing birds musicians
The grass whereon thou treadst the presence strewed
The flowers fair ladies and thy steps no more
Than a delightful measure or a dance
For gnarling sorrow hath less power to bite
The man that mocks at it and sets it light
BOLINGBROKE
O who can hold a fire in his hand
By thinking on the frosty Caucasus
Or cloy the hungry edge of appetite
By bare imagination of a feast
Or wallow naked in December snow
By thinking on fantastic summers heat
O no the apprehension of the good
Gives but the greater feeling to the worse
Fell sorrows tooth doth never rankle more
Than when it bites but lanceth not the sore
GAUNT
Come come my son Ill bring thee on thy way
Had I thy youth and cause I would not stay
BOLINGBROKE
Then Englands ground farewell sweet soil adieu
My mother and my nurse that bears me yet
Whereer I wander boast of this I can
Though banished yet a trueborn Englishman
Exeunt
SCENE IV London A Room in the Kings Castle
Enter King Richard Green and Bagot at one door Aumerle at another
KING RICHARD
We did observeCousin Aumerle
How far brought you high Hereford on his way
AUMERLE
I brought high Hereford if you call him so
But to the next highway and there I left him
KING RICHARD
And say what store of parting tears were shed
AUMERLE
Faith none for me except the northeast wind
Which then blew bitterly against our faces
Awaked the sleeping rheum and so by chance
Did grace our hollow parting with a tear
KING RICHARD
What said our cousin when you parted with him
AUMERLE
Farewell
And for my heart disdained that my tongue
Should so profane the word that taught me craft
To counterfeit oppression of such grief
That words seemed buried in my sorrows grave
Marry would the word farewell have lengthened hours
And added years to his short banishment
He should have had a volume of farewells
But since it would not he had none of me
KING RICHARD
He is our cousin cousin but tis doubt
When time shall call him home from banishment
Whether our kinsman come to see his friends
Ourself and Bushy Bagot here and Green
Observed his courtship to the common people
How he did seem to dive into their hearts
With humble and familiar courtesy
What reverence he did throw away on slaves
Wooing poor craftsmen with the craft of smiles
And patient underbearing of his fortune
As twere to banish their affects with him
Off goes his bonnet to an oysterwench
A brace of draymen bid God speed him well
And had the tribute of his supple knee
With Thanks my countrymen my loving friends
As were our England in reversion his
And he our subjects next degree in hope
GREEN
Well he is gone and with him go these thoughts
Now for the rebels which stand out in Ireland
Expedient manage must be made my liege
Ere further leisure yield them further means
For their advantage and your highness loss
KING RICHARD
We will ourself in person to this war
And for our coffers with too great a court
And liberal largess are grown somewhat light
We are enforced to farm our royal realm
The revenue whereof shall furnish us
For our affairs in hand If that come short
Our substitutes at home shall have blank charters
Whereto when they shall know what men are rich
They shall subscribe them for large sums of gold
And send them after to supply our wants
For we will make for Ireland presently
Enter Bushy
Bushy what news
BUSHY
Old John of Gaunt is grievous sick my lord
Suddenly taken and hath sent posthaste
To entreat your Majesty to visit him
KING RICHARD
Where lies he
BUSHY
At Ely House
KING RICHARD
Now put it God in his physicians mind
To help him to his grave immediately
The lining of his coffers shall make coats
To deck our soldiers for these Irish wars
Come gentlemen lets all go visit him
Pray God we may make haste and come too late
ALL
Amen
Exeunt
ACT II
SCENE I London An Apartment in Ely House
Gaunt on a couch the Duke of York and Others standing by him
GAUNT
Will the King come that I may breathe my last
In wholesome counsel to his unstaid youth
YORK
Vex not yourself nor strive not with your breath
For all in vain comes counsel to his ear
GAUNT
O but they say the tongues of dying men
Enforce attention like deep harmony
Where words are scarce they are seldom spent in vain
For they breathe truth that breathe their words in pain
He that no more must say is listened more
Than they whom youth and ease have taught to glose
More are mens ends marked than their lives before
The setting sun and music at the close
As the last taste of sweets is sweetest last
Writ in remembrance more than things long past
Though Richard my lifes counsel would not hear
My deaths sad tale may yet undeaf his ear
YORK
No it is stopped with other flattering sounds
As praises of whose state the wise are fond
Lascivious metres to whose venom sound
The open ear of youth doth always listen
Report of fashions in proud Italy
Whose manners still our tardyapish nation
Limps after in base imitation
Where doth the world thrust forth a vanity
So it be new theres no respect how vile
That is not quickly buzzed into his ears
Then all too late comes counsel to be heard
Where will doth mutiny with wits regard
Direct not him whose way himself will choose
Tis breath thou lackst and that breath wilt thou lose
GAUNT
Methinks I am a prophet new inspired
And thus expiring do foretell of him
His rash fierce blaze of riot cannot last
For violent fires soon burn out themselves
Small showers last long but sudden storms are short
He tires betimes that spurs too fast betimes
With eager feeding food doth choke the feeder
Light vanity insatiate cormorant
Consuming means soon preys upon itself
This royal throne of kings this sceptered isle
This earth of majesty this seat of Mars
This other Eden demiparadise
This fortress built by Nature for herself
Against infection and the hand of war
This happy breed of men this little world
This precious stone set in the silver sea
Which serves it in the office of a wall
Or as a moat defensive to a house
Against the envy of less happier lands
This blessed plot this earth this realm this England
This nurse this teeming womb of royal kings
Feared by their breed and famous by their birth
Renowned for their deeds as far from home
For Christian service and true chivalry
As is the sepulchre in stubborn Jewry
Of the worlds ransom blessed Marys Son
This land of such dear souls this dear dear land
Dear for her reputation through the world
Is now leased outI die pronouncing it
Like to a tenement or pelting farm
England bound in with the triumphant sea
Whose rocky shore beats back the envious siege
Of watry Neptune is now bound in with shame
With inky blots and rotten parchment bonds
That England that was wont to conquer others
Hath made a shameful conquest of itself
Ah would the scandal vanish with my life
How happy then were my ensuing death
Enter King Richard and Queen Aumerle Bushy Green Bagot Ross and Willoughby
YORK
The King is come Deal mildly with his youth
For young hot colts being raged do rage the more
QUEEN
How fares our noble uncle Lancaster
KING RICHARD
What comfort man How ist with aged Gaunt
GAUNT
O how that name befits my composition
Old Gaunt indeed and gaunt in being old
Within me grief hath kept a tedious fast
And who abstains from meat that is not gaunt
For sleeping England long time have I watched
Watching breeds leanness leanness is all gaunt
The pleasure that some fathers feed upon
Is my strict fastI mean my childrens looks
And therein fasting hast thou made me gaunt
Gaunt am I for the grave gaunt as a grave
Whose hollow womb inherits nought but bones
KING RICHARD
Can sick men play so nicely with their names
GAUNT
No misery makes sport to mock itself
Since thou dost seek to kill my name in me
I mock my name great king to flatter thee
KING RICHARD
Should dying men flatter with those that live
GAUNT
No no men living flatter those that die
KING RICHARD
Thou now adying sayest thou flatterest me
GAUNT
O no thou diest though I the sicker be
KING RICHARD
I am in health I breathe and see thee ill
GAUNT
Now He that made me knows I see thee ill
Ill in myself to see and in thee seeing ill
Thy deathbed is no lesser than thy land
Wherein thou liest in reputation sick
And thou too careless patient as thou art
Committst thy anointed body to the cure
Of those physicians that first wounded thee
A thousand flatterers sit within thy crown
Whose compass is no bigger than thy head
And yet encaged in so small a verge
The waste is no whit lesser than thy land
O had thy grandsire with a prophets eye
Seen how his sons son should destroy his sons
From forth thy reach he would have laid thy shame
Deposing thee before thou wert possessed
Which art possessed now to depose thyself
Why cousin wert thou regent of the world
It were a shame to let this land by lease
But for thy world enjoying but this land
Is it not more than shame to shame it so
Landlord of England art thou now not king
Thy state of law is bondslave to the law
And thou
KING RICHARD
A lunatic leanwitted fool
Presuming on an agues privilege
Darest with thy frozen admonition
Make pale our cheek chasing the royal blood
With fury from his native residence
Now by my seats right royal majesty
Wert thou not brother to great Edwards son
This tongue that runs so roundly in thy head
Should run thy head from thy unreverent shoulders
GAUNT
O spare me not my brother Edwards son
For that I was his father Edwards son
That blood already like the pelican
Hast thou tapped out and drunkenly caroused
My brother Gloucester plain wellmeaning soul
Whom fair befall in heaven mongst happy souls
May be a precedent and witness good
That thou respectst not spilling Edwards blood
Join with the present sickness that I have
And thy unkindness be like crooked age
To crop at once a toolong withered flower
Live in thy shame but die not shame with thee
These words hereafter thy tormentors be
Convey me to my bed then to my grave
Love they to live that love and honour have
Exit borne off by his Attendants
KING RICHARD
And let them die that age and sullens have
For both hast thou and both become the grave
YORK
I do beseech your Majesty impute his words
To wayward sickliness and age in him
He loves you on my life and holds you dear
As Harry Duke of Hereford were he here
KING RICHARD
Right you say true as Herefords love so his
As theirs so mine and all be as it is
Enter Northumberland
NORTHUMBERLAND
My liege old Gaunt commends him to your Majesty
KING RICHARD
What says he
NORTHUMBERLAND
Nay nothing all is said
His tongue is now a stringless instrument
Words life and all old Lancaster hath spent
YORK
Be York the next that must be bankrupt so
Though death be poor it ends a mortal woe
KING RICHARD
The ripest fruit first falls and so doth he
His time is spent our pilgrimage must be
So much for that Now for our Irish wars
We must supplant those rough rugheaded kerns
Which live like venom where no venom else
But only they have privilege to live
And for these great affairs do ask some charge
Towards our assistance we do seize to us
The plate coin revenues and moveables
Whereof our uncle Gaunt did stand possessed
YORK
How long shall I be patient Ah how long
Shall tender duty make me suffer wrong
Not Gloucesters death nor Herefords banishment
Nor Gaunts rebukes nor Englands private wrongs
Nor the prevention of poor Bolingbroke
About his marriage nor my own disgrace
Have ever made me sour my patient cheek
Or bend one wrinkle on my sovereigns face
I am the last of noble Edwards sons
Of whom thy father Prince of Wales was first
In war was never lion raged more fierce
In peace was never gentle lamb more mild
Than was that young and princely gentleman
His face thou hast for even so looked he
Accomplished with the number of thy hours
But when he frowned it was against the French
And not against his friends His noble hand
Did win what he did spend and spent not that
Which his triumphant fathers hand had won
His hands were guilty of no kindreds blood
But bloody with the enemies of his kin
O Richard York is too far gone with grief
Or else he never would compare between
KING RICHARD
Why uncle whats the matter
YORK
O my liege
Pardon me if you please if not I pleased
Not to be pardoned am content withal
Seek you to seize and gripe into your hands
The royalties and rights of banished Hereford
Is not Gaunt dead And doth not Hereford live
Was not Gaunt just And is not Harry true
Did not the one deserve to have an heir
Is not his heir a welldeserving son
Take Herefords rights away and take from Time
His charters and his customary rights
Let not tomorrow then ensue today
Be not thyself for how art thou a king
But by fair sequence and succession
Now afore GodGod forbid I say true
If you do wrongfully seize Herefords rights
Call in the letters patents that he hath
By his attorneysgeneral to sue
His livery and deny his offered homage
You pluck a thousand dangers on your head
You lose a thousand welldisposed hearts
And prick my tender patience to those thoughts
Which honour and allegiance cannot think
KING RICHARD
Think what you will we seize into our hands
His plate his goods his money and his lands
YORK
Ill not be by the while My liege farewell
What will ensue hereof theres none can tell
But by bad courses may be understood
That their events can never fall out good
Exit
KING RICHARD
Go Bushy to the Earl of Wiltshire straight
Bid him repair to us to Ely House
To see this business Tomorrow next
We will for Ireland and tis time I trow
And we create in absence of ourself
Our Uncle York Lord Governor of England
For he is just and always loved us well
Come on our queen Tomorrow must we part
Be merry for our time of stay is short
Exeunt King Queen Bushy Aumerle Green and Bagot
NORTHUMBERLAND
Well lords the Duke of Lancaster is dead
ROSS
And living too for now his son is Duke
WILLOUGHBY
Barely in title not in revenues
NORTHUMBERLAND
Richly in both if justice had her right
ROSS
My heart is great but it must break with silence
Eret be disburdened with a liberal tongue
NORTHUMBERLAND
Nay speak thy mind and let him neer speak more
That speaks thy words again to do thee harm
WILLOUGHBY
Tends that thou wouldst speak to the Duke of Hereford
If it be so out with it boldly man
Quick is mine ear to hear of good towards him
ROSS
No good at all that I can do for him
Unless you call it good to pity him
Bereft and gelded of his patrimony
NORTHUMBERLAND
Now afore God tis shame such wrongs are borne
In him a royal prince and many moe
Of noble blood in this declining land
The King is not himself but basely led
By flatterers and what they will inform
Merely in hate gainst any of us all
That will the King severely prosecute
Gainst us our lives our children and our heirs
ROSS
The commons hath he pilled with grievous taxes
And quite lost their hearts The nobles hath he fined
For ancient quarrels and quite lost their hearts
WILLOUGHBY
And daily new exactions are devised
As blanks benevolences and I wot not what
But what i Gods name doth become of this
NORTHUMBERLAND
Wars hath not wasted it for warred he hath not
But basely yielded upon compromise
That which his ancestors achieved with blows
More hath he spent in peace than they in wars
ROSS
The Earl of Wiltshire hath the realm in farm
WILLOUGHBY
The Kings grown bankrupt like a broken man
NORTHUMBERLAND
Reproach and dissolution hangeth over him
ROSS
He hath not money for these Irish wars
His burdenous taxations notwithstanding
But by the robbing of the banished Duke
NORTHUMBERLAND
His noble kinsman Most degenerate king
But lords we hear this fearful tempest sing
Yet seek no shelter to avoid the storm
We see the wind sit sore upon our sails
And yet we strike not but securely perish
ROSS
We see the very wrack that we must suffer
And unavoided is the danger now
For suffering so the causes of our wrack
NORTHUMBERLAND
Not so Even through the hollow eyes of death
I spy life peering but I dare not say
How near the tidings of our comfort is
WILLOUGHBY
Nay let us share thy thoughts as thou dost ours
ROSS
Be confident to speak Northumberland
We three are but thyself and speaking so
Thy words are but as thoughts Therefore be bold
NORTHUMBERLAND
Then thus I have from Le Port Blanc a bay
In Brittany received intelligence
That Harry Duke of Hereford Rainold Lord Cobham
That late broke from the Duke of Exeter
His brother Archbishop late of Canterbury
Sir Thomas Erpingham Sir John Ramston
Sir John Norbery Sir Robert Waterton and Francis Coint
All these well furnished by the Duke of Brittany
With eight tall ships three thousand men of war
Are making hither with all due expedience
And shortly mean to touch our northern shore
Perhaps they had ere this but that they stay
The first departing of the king for Ireland
If then we shall shake off our slavish yoke
Imp out our drooping countrys broken wing
Redeem from broking pawn the blemished crown
Wipe off the dust that hides our sceptres gilt
And make high majesty look like itself
Away with me in post to Ravenspurgh
But if you faint as fearing to do so
Stay and be secret and myself will go
ROSS
To horse to horse Urge doubts to them that fear
WILLOUGHBY
Hold out my horse and I will first be there
Exeunt
SCENE II The Same A Room in the Castle
Enter Queen Bushy and Bagot
BUSHY
Madam your Majesty is too much sad
You promised when you parted with the King
To lay aside lifeharming heaviness
And entertain a cheerful disposition
QUEEN
To please the King I did to please myself
I cannot do it Yet I know no cause
Why I should welcome such a guest as grief
Save bidding farewell to so sweet a guest
As my sweet Richard Yet again methinks
Some unborn sorrow ripe in Fortunes womb
Is coming towards me and my inward soul
With nothing trembles At something it grieves
More than with parting from my lord the King
BUSHY
Each substance of a grief hath twenty shadows
Which shows like grief itself but is not so
For sorrows eye glazed with blinding tears
Divides one thing entire to many objects
Like perspectives which rightly gazed upon
Show nothing but confusion eyed awry
Distinguish form So your sweet Majesty
Looking awry upon your lords departure
Find shapes of grief more than himself to wail
Which looked on as it is is naught but shadows
Of what it is not Then thricegracious Queen
More than your lords departure weep not More is not seen
Or if it be tis with false sorrows eye
Which for things true weeps things imaginary
QUEEN
It may be so but yet my inward soul
Persuades me it is otherwise Howeer it be
I cannot but be sadso heavy sad
As thought in thinking on no thought I think
Makes me with heavy nothing faint and shrink
BUSHY
Tis nothing but conceit my gracious lady
QUEEN
Tis nothing less Conceit is still derived
From some forefather grief Mine is not so
For nothing hath begot my something grief
Or something hath the nothing that I grieve
Tis in reversion that I do possess
But what it is that is not yet known what
I cannot name Tis nameless woe I wot
Enter Green
GREEN
God save your majesty And well met gentlemen
I hope the King is not yet shipped for Ireland
QUEEN
Why hopst thou so Tis better hope he is
For his designs crave haste his haste good hope
Then wherefore dost thou hope he is not shipped
GREEN
That he our hope might have retired his power
And driven into despair an enemys hope
Who strongly hath set footing in this land
The banished Bolingbroke repeals himself
And with uplifted arms is safe arrived
At Ravenspurgh
QUEEN
Now God in heaven forbid
GREEN
Ah madam tis too true and that is worse
The Lord Northumberland his son young Harry Percy
The Lords of Ross Beaumond and Willoughby
With all their powerful friends are fled to him
BUSHY
Why have you not proclaimed Northumberland
And all the rest revolted faction traitors
GREEN
We have whereupon the Earl of Worcester
Hath broken his staff resigned his stewardship
And all the household servants fled with him
To Bolingbroke
QUEEN
So Green thou art the midwife to my woe
And Bolingbroke my sorrows dismal heir
Now hath my soul brought forth her prodigy
And I a gasping newdelivered mother
Have woe to woe sorrow to sorrow joined
BUSHY
Despair not madam
QUEEN
Who shall hinder me
I will despair and be at enmity
With cozening hope He is a flatterer
A parasite a keeperback of death
Who gently would dissolve the bands of life
Which false hope lingers in extremity
Enter York
GREEN
Here comes the Duke of York
QUEEN
With signs of war about his aged neck
O full of careful business are his looks
Uncle for Gods sake speak comfortable words
YORK
Should I do so I should belie my thoughts
Comforts in heaven and we are on the earth
Where nothing lives but crosses cares and grief
Your husband he is gone to save far off
Whilst others come to make him lose at home
Here am I left to underprop his land
Who weak with age cannot support myself
Now comes the sick hour that his surfeit made
Now shall he try his friends that flattered him
Enter a Servingman
SERVINGMAN
My lord your son was gone before I came
YORK
He was Why so Go all which way it will
The nobles they are fled the commons they are cold
And will I fear revolt on Herefords side
Sirrah get thee to Plashy to my sister Gloucester
Bid her send me presently a thousand pound
Hold take my ring
SERVINGMAN
My lord I had forgot to tell your lordship
Today as I came by I called there
But I shall grieve you to report the rest
YORK
What ist knave
SERVINGMAN
An hour before I came the Duchess died
YORK
God for his mercy what a tide of woes
Comes rushing on this woeful land at once
I know not what to do I would to God
So my untruth had not provoked him to it
The King had cut off my head with my brothers
What are there no posts dispatched for Ireland
How shall we do for money for these wars
Come sistercousin I would say pray pardon me
Go fellow get thee home provide some carts
And bring away the armour that is there
Exit Servingman
Gentlemen will you go muster men
If I know how or which way to order these affairs
Thus disorderly thrust into my hands
Never believe me Both are my kinsmen
Th one is my sovereign whom both my oath
And duty bids defend th other again
Is my kinsman whom the King hath wronged
Whom conscience and my kindred bids to right
Well somewhat we must do Come cousin
Ill dispose of you Gentlemen go muster up your men
And meet me presently at Berkeley Castle
I should to Plashy too
But time will not permit All is uneven
And everything is left at six and seven
Exeunt York and Queen
BUSHY
The wind sits fair for news to go to Ireland
But none returns For us to levy power
Proportionable to the enemy
Is all unpossible
GREEN
Besides our nearness to the King in love
Is near the hate of those love not the King
BAGOT
And that is the wavering commons for their love
Lies in their purses and whoso empties them
By so much fills their hearts with deadly hate
BUSHY
Wherein the King stands generally condemned
BAGOT
If judgment lie in them then so do we
Because we ever have been near the King
GREEN
Well I will for refuge straight to Bristol Castle
The Earl of Wiltshire is already there
BUSHY
Thither will I with you for little office
Will the hateful commons perform for us
Except like curs to tear us all to pieces
Will you go along with us
BAGOT
No I will to Ireland to his Majesty
Farewell If hearts presages be not vain
We three here part that neer shall meet again
BUSHY
Thats as York thrives to beat back Bolingbroke
GREEN
Alas poor Duke The task he undertakes
Is numbring sands and drinking oceans dry
Where one on his side fights thousands will fly
Farewell at once for once for all and ever
BUSHY
Well we may meet again
BAGOT
I fear me never
Exeunt
SCENE III The Wolds in Gloucestershire
Enter Bolingbroke and Northumberland with Forces
BOLINGBROKE
How far is it my lord to Berkeley now
NORTHUMBERLAND
Believe me noble lord
I am a stranger here in Gloucestershire
These high wild hills and rough uneven ways
Draws out our miles and makes them wearisome
And yet your fair discourse hath been as sugar
Making the hard way sweet and delectable
But I bethink me what a weary way
From Ravenspurgh to Cotshall will be found
In Ross and Willoughby wanting your company
Which I protest hath very much beguiled
The tediousness and process of my travel
But theirs is sweetened with the hope to have
The present benefit which I possess
And hope to joy is little less in joy
Than hope enjoyed By this the weary lords
Shall make their way seem short as mine hath done
By sight of what I have your noble company
BOLINGBROKE
Of much less value is my company
Than your good words But who comes here
Enter Harry Percy
NORTHUMBERLAND
It is my son young Harry Percy
Sent from my brother Worcester whencesoever
Harry how fares your uncle
PERCY
I had thought my lord to have learned his health of you
NORTHUMBERLAND
Why is he not with the Queen
PERCY
No my good lord He hath forsook the court
Broken his staff of office and dispersed
The household of the King
NORTHUMBERLAND
What was his reason
He was not so resolved when last we spake together
PERCY
Because your lordship was proclaimed traitor
But he my lord is gone to Ravenspurgh
To offer service to the Duke of Hereford
And sent me over by Berkeley to discover
What power the Duke of York had levied there
Then with directions to repair to Ravenspurgh
NORTHUMBERLAND
Have you forgot the Duke of Hereford boy
PERCY
No my good lord for that is not forgot
Which neer I did remember To my knowledge
I never in my life did look on him
NORTHUMBERLAND
Then learn to know him now This is the Duke
PERCY
My gracious lord I tender you my service
Such as it is being tender raw and young
Which elder days shall ripen and confirm
To more approved service and desert
BOLINGBROKE
I thank thee gentle Percy and be sure
I count myself in nothing else so happy
As in a soul remembring my good friends
And as my fortune ripens with thy love
It shall be still thy true loves recompense
My heart this covenant makes my hand thus seals it
NORTHUMBERLAND
How far is it to Berkeley and what stir
Keeps good old York there with his men of war
PERCY
There stands the castle by yon tuft of trees
Manned with three hundred men as I have heard
And in it are the Lords of York Berkeley and Seymour
None else of name and noble estimate
Enter Ross and Willoughby
NORTHUMBERLAND
Here come the Lords of Ross and Willoughby
Bloody with spurring fieryred with haste
BOLINGBROKE
Welcome my lords I wot your love pursues
A banished traitor All my treasury
Is yet but unfelt thanks which more enriched
Shall be your love and labours recompense
ROSS
Your presence makes us rich most noble lord
WILLOUGHBY
And far surmounts our labour to attain it
BOLINGBROKE
Evermore thanks the exchequer of the poor
Which till my infant fortune comes to years
Stands for my bounty But who comes here
Enter Berkeley
NORTHUMBERLAND
It is my Lord of Berkeley as I guess
BERKELEY
My Lord of Hereford my message is to you
BOLINGBROKE
My lord my answer isto Lancaster
And I am come to seek that name in England
And I must find that title in your tongue
Before I make reply to aught you say
BERKELEY
Mistake me not my lord tis not my meaning
To rase one title of your honour out
To you my lord I come what lord you will
From the most gracious regent of this land
The Duke of York to know what pricks you on
To take advantage of the absent time
And fright our native peace with selfborne arms
Enter York attended
BOLINGBROKE
I shall not need transport my words by you
Here comes his Grace in person My noble uncle
Kneels
YORK
Show me thy humble heart and not thy knee
Whose duty is deceivable and false
BOLINGBROKE
My gracious uncle
YORK
Tut tut
Grace me no grace nor uncle me no uncle
I am no traitors uncle and that word grace
In an ungracious mouth is but profane
Why have those banished and forbidden legs
Dared once to touch a dust of Englands ground
But then more why why have they dared to march
So many miles upon her peaceful bosom
Frighting her palefaced villages with war
And ostentation of despised arms
Comst thou because the anointed king is hence
Why foolish boy the King is left behind
And in my loyal bosom lies his power
Were I but now lord of such hot youth
As when brave Gaunt thy father and myself
Rescued the Black Prince that young Mars of men
From forth the ranks of many thousand French
O then how quickly should this arm of mine
Now prisoner to the palsy chastise thee
And minister correction to thy fault
BOLINGBROKE
My gracious uncle let me know my fault
On what condition stands it and wherein
YORK
Even in condition of the worst degree
In gross rebellion and detested treason
Thou art a banished man and here art come
Before the expiration of thy time
In braving arms against thy sovereign
BOLINGBROKE
As I was banished I was banished Hereford
But as I come I come for Lancaster
And noble uncle I beseech your Grace
Look on my wrongs with an indifferent eye
You are my father for methinks in you
I see old Gaunt alive O then my father
Will you permit that I shall stand condemned
A wandering vagabond my rights and royalties
Plucked from my arms perforce and given away
To upstart unthrifts Wherefore was I born
If that my cousin king be King in England
It must be granted I am Duke of Lancaster
You have a son Aumerle my noble cousin
Had you first died and he been thus trod down
He should have found his uncle Gaunt a father
To rouse his wrongs and chase them to the bay
I am denied to sue my livery here
And yet my letters patents give me leave
My fathers goods are all distrained and sold
And these and all are all amiss employed
What would you have me do I am a subject
And challenge law Attorneys are denied me
And therefore personally I lay my claim
To my inheritance of free descent
NORTHUMBERLAND
The noble Duke hath been too much abused
ROSS
It stands your Grace upon to do him right
WILLOUGHBY
Base men by his endowments are made great
YORK
My lords of England let me tell you this
I have had feeling of my cousins wrongs
And laboured all I could to do him right
But in this kind to come in braving arms
Be his own carver and cut out his way
To find out right with wrong it may not be
And you that do abet him in this kind
Cherish rebellion and are rebels all
NORTHUMBERLAND
The noble Duke hath sworn his coming is
But for his own and for the right of that
We all have strongly sworn to give him aid
And let him never see joy that breaks that oath
YORK
Well well I see the issue of these arms
I cannot mend it I must needs confess
Because my power is weak and all illleft
But if I could by Him that gave me life
I would attach you all and make you stoop
Unto the sovereign mercy of the King
But since I cannot be it known unto you
I do remain as neuter So fare you well
Unless you please to enter in the castle
And there repose you for this night
BOLINGBROKE
An offer uncle that we will accept
But we must win your Grace to go with us
To Bristol Castle which they say is held
By Bushy Bagot and their complices
The caterpillars of the commonwealth
Which I have sworn to weed and pluck away
YORK
It may be I will go with you but yet Ill pause
For I am loath to break our countrys laws
Nor friends nor foes to me welcome you are
Things past redress are now with me past care
Exeunt
SCENE IV A camp in Wales
Enter Earl of Salisbury and a Welsh Captain
CAPTAIN
My Lord of Salisbury we have stayed ten days
And hardly kept our countrymen together
And yet we hear no tidings from the King
Therefore we will disperse ourselves Farewell
SALISBURY
Stay yet another day thou trusty Welshman
The King reposeth all his confidence in thee
CAPTAIN
Tis thought the King is dead We will not stay
The bay trees in our country are all withered
And meteors fright the fixed stars of heaven
The palefaced moon looks bloody on the earth
And leanlooked prophets whisper fearful change
Rich men look sad and ruffians dance and leap
The one in fear to lose what they enjoy
The other to enjoy by rage and war
These signs forerun the death or fall of kings
Farewell Our countrymen are gone and fled
As well assured Richard their king is dead
Exit
SALISBURY
Ah Richard With the eyes of heavy mind
I see thy glory like a shooting star
Fall to the base earth from the firmament
Thy sun sets weeping in the lowly west
Witnessing storms to come woe and unrest
Thy friends are fled to wait upon thy foes
And crossly to thy good all fortune goes
Exit
ACT III
SCENE I Bristol Bolingbrokes camp
Enter Bolingbroke York Northumberland Harry Percy Willoughby Ross Officers behind with Bushy and Green prisoners
BOLINGBROKE
Bring forth these men
Bushy and Green I will not vex your souls
Since presently your souls must part your bodies
With too much urging your pernicious lives
For twere no charity yet to wash your blood
From off my hands here in the view of men
I will unfold some causes of your deaths
You have misled a prince a royal king
A happy gentleman in blood and lineaments
By you unhappied and disfigured clean
You have in manner with your sinful hours
Made a divorce betwixt his queen and him
Broke the possession of a royal bed
And stained the beauty of a fair queens cheeks
With tears drawn from her eyes by your foul wrongs
Myself a prince by fortune of my birth
Near to the King in blood and near in love
Till you did make him misinterpret me
Have stooped my neck under your injuries
And sighed my English breath in foreign clouds
Eating the bitter bread of banishment
Whilst you have fed upon my signories
Disparked my parks and felled my forest woods
From my own windows torn my household coat
Rased out my imprese leaving me no sign
Save mens opinions and my living blood
To show the world I am a gentleman
This and much more much more than twice all this
Condemns you to the death See them delivered over
To execution and the hand of death
BUSHY
More welcome is the stroke of death to me
Than Bolingbroke to England Lords farewell
GREEN
My comfort is that heaven will take our souls
And plague injustice with the pains of hell
BOLINGBROKE
My Lord Northumberland see them dispatched
Exeunt Northumberland and Others with Bushy and Green
Uncle you say the Queen is at your house
For Gods sake fairly let her be entreated
Tell her I send to her my kind commends
Take special care my greetings be delivered
YORK
A gentleman of mine I have dispatched
With letters of your love to her at large
BOLINGBROKE
Thanks gentle uncle Come lords away
To fight with Glendower and his complices
A while to work and after holiday
Exeunt
SCENE II The coast of Wales A castle in view
Flourish drums and trumpets Enter King Richard the Bishop of Carlisle Aumerle and soldiers
KING RICHARD
Barkloughly Castle call they this at hand
AUMERLE
Yea my lord How brooks your Grace the air
After your late tossing on the breaking seas
KING RICHARD
Needs must I like it well I weep for joy
To stand upon my kingdom once again
Dear earth I do salute thee with my hand
Though rebels wound thee with their horses hoofs
As a longparted mother with her child
Plays fondly with her tears and smiles in meeting
So weepingsmiling greet I thee my earth
And do thee favours with my royal hands
Feed not thy sovereigns foe my gentle earth
Nor with thy sweets comfort his ravenous sense
But let thy spiders that suck up thy venom
And heavygaited toads lie in their way
Doing annoyance to the treacherous feet
Which with usurping steps do trample thee
Yield stinging nettles to mine enemies
And when they from thy bosom pluck a flower
Guard it I pray thee with a lurking adder
Whose double tongue may with a mortal touch
Throw death upon thy sovereigns enemies
Mock not my senseless conjuration lords
This earth shall have a feeling and these stones
Prove armed soldiers ere her native king
Shall falter under foul rebellions arms
CARLISLE
Fear not my lord That Power that made you king
Hath power to keep you king in spite of all
The means that heaven yields must be embraced
And not neglected else if heaven would
And we will not Heavens offer we refuse
The proffered means of succour and redress
AUMERLE
He means my lord that we are too remiss
Whilst Bolingbroke through our security
Grows strong and great in substance and in power
KING RICHARD
Discomfortable cousin knowst thou not
That when the searching eye of heaven is hid
Behind the globe that lights the lower world
Then thieves and robbers range abroad unseen
In murders and in outrage boldly here
But when from under this terrestrial ball
He fires the proud tops of the eastern pines
And darts his light through every guilty hole
Then murders treasons and detested sins
The cloak of night being plucked from off their backs
Stand bare and naked trembling at themselves
So when this thief this traitor Bolingbroke
Who all this while hath revelled in the night
Whilst we were wandring with the Antipodes
Shall see us rising in our throne the east
His treasons will sit blushing in his face
Not able to endure the sight of day
But selfaffrighted tremble at his sin
Not all the water in the rough rude sea
Can wash the balm off from an anointed king
The breath of worldly men cannot depose
The deputy elected by the Lord
For every man that Bolingbroke hath pressed
To lift shrewd steel against our golden crown
God for his Richard hath in heavenly pay
A glorious angel Then if angels fight
Weak men must fall for heaven still guards the right
Enter Salisbury
Welcome my lord How far off lies your power
SALISBURY
Nor near nor farther off my gracious lord
Than this weak arm Discomfort guides my tongue
And bids me speak of nothing but despair
One day too late I fear me noble lord
Hath clouded all thy happy days on earth
O call back yesterday bid time return
And thou shalt have twelve thousand fighting men
Today today unhappy day too late
Oerthrows thy joys friends fortune and thy state
For all the Welshmen hearing thou wert dead
Are gone to Bolingbroke dispersed and fled
AUMERLE
Comfort my liege Why looks your Grace so pale
KING RICHARD
But now the blood of twenty thousand men
Did triumph in my face and they are fled
And till so much blood thither come again
Have I not reason to look pale and dead
All souls that will be safe fly from my side
For time hath set a blot upon my pride
AUMERLE
Comfort my liege Remember who you are
KING RICHARD
I had forgot myself Am I not king
Awake thou coward majesty thou sleepest
Is not the Kings name twenty thousand names
Arm arm my name A puny subject strikes
At thy great glory Look not to the ground
Ye favourites of a king Are we not high
High be our thoughts I know my uncle York
Hath power enough to serve our turn But who comes here
Enter Sir Stephen Scroop
SCROOP
More health and happiness betide my liege
Than can my caretuned tongue deliver him
KING RICHARD
Mine ear is open and my heart prepared
The worst is worldly loss thou canst unfold
Say is my kingdom lost Why twas my care
And what loss is it to be rid of care
Strives Bolingbroke to be as great as we
Greater he shall not be If he serve God
Well serve Him too and be his fellow so
Revolt our subjects That we cannot mend
They break their faith to God as well as us
Cry woe destruction ruin loss decay
The worst is death and death will have his day
SCROOP
Glad am I that your highness is so armed
To bear the tidings of calamity
Like an unseasonable stormy day
Which makes the silver rivers drown their shores
As if the world were all dissolved to tears
So high above his limits swells the rage
Of Bolingbroke covering your fearful land
With hard bright steel and hearts harder than steel
Whitebeards have armed their thin and hairless scalps
Against thy majesty boys with womens voices
Strive to speak big and clap their female joints
In stiff unwieldy arms against thy crown
Thy very beadsmen learn to bend their bows
Of doublefatal yew against thy state
Yea distaffwomen manage rusty bills
Against thy seat Both young and old rebel
And all goes worse than I have power to tell
KING RICHARD
Too well too well thou tellst a tale so ill
Where is the Earl of Wiltshire Where is Bagot
What is become of Bushy Where is Green
That they have let the dangerous enemy
Measure our confines with such peaceful steps
If we prevail their heads shall pay for it
I warrant they have made peace with Bolingbroke
SCROOP
Peace have they made with him indeed my lord
KING RICHARD
O villains vipers damned without redemption
Dogs easily won to fawn on any man
Snakes in my heartblood warmed that sting my heart
Three Judases each one thrice worse than Judas
Would they make peace Terrible hell
Make war upon their spotted souls for this
SCROOP
Sweet love I see changing his property
Turns to the sourest and most deadly hate
Again uncurse their souls Their peace is made
With heads and not with hands Those whom you curse
Have felt the worst of deaths destroying wound
And lie full low graved in the hollow ground
AUMERLE
Is Bushy Green and the Earl of Wiltshire dead
SCROOP
Ay all of them at Bristol lost their heads
AUMERLE
Where is the Duke my father with his power
KING RICHARD
No matter where Of comfort no man speak
Lets talk of graves of worms and epitaphs
Make dust our paper and with rainy eyes
Write sorrow on the bosom of the earth
Lets choose executors and talk of wills
And yet not so for what can we bequeath
Save our deposed bodies to the ground
Our lands our lives and all are Bolingbrokes
And nothing can we call our own but death
And that small model of the barren earth
Which serves as paste and cover to our bones
For Gods sake let us sit upon the ground
And tell sad stories of the death of kings
How some have been deposed some slain in war
Some haunted by the ghosts they have deposed
Some poisoned by their wives some sleeping killed
All murdered For within the hollow crown
That rounds the mortal temples of a king
Keeps Death his court and there the antic sits
Scoffing his state and grinning at his pomp
Allowing him a breath a little scene
To monarchize be feared and kill with looks
Infusing him with self and vain conceit
As if this flesh which walls about our life
Were brass impregnable and humoured thus
Comes at the last and with a little pin
Bores through his castle wall and farewell king
Cover your heads and mock not flesh and blood
With solemn reverence Throw away respect
Tradition form and ceremonious duty
For you have but mistook me all this while
I live with bread like you feel want
Taste grief need friends Subjected thus
How can you say to me I am a king
CARLISLE
My lord wise men neer sit and wail their woes
But presently prevent the ways to wail
To fear the foe since fear oppresseth strength
Gives in your weakness strength unto your foe
And so your follies fight against yourself
Fear and be slainno worse can come to fight
And fight and die is death destroying death
Where fearing dying pays death servile breath
AUMERLE
My father hath a power Enquire of him
And learn to make a body of a limb
KING RICHARD
Thou chidst me well Proud Bolingbroke I come
To change blows with thee for our day of doom
This ague fit of fear is overblown
An easy task it is to win our own
Say Scroop where lies our uncle with his power
Speak sweetly man although thy looks be sour
SCROOP
Men judge by the complexion of the sky
The state in inclination of the day
So may you by my dull and heavy eye
My tongue hath but a heavier tale to say
I play the torturer by small and small
To lengthen out the worst that must be spoken
Your uncle York is joined with Bolingbroke
And all your northern castles yielded up
And all your southern gentlemen in arms
Upon his party
KING RICHARD
Thou hast said enough
To Aumerle Beshrew thee cousin which didst lead me forth
Of that sweet way I was in to despair
What say you now What comfort have we now
By heaven Ill hate him everlastingly
That bids me be of comfort any more
Go to Flint Castle There Ill pine away
A king woes slave shall kingly woe obey
That power I have discharge and let them go
To ear the land that hath some hope to grow
For I have none Let no man speak again
To alter this for counsel is but vain
AUMERLE
My liege one word
KING RICHARD
He does me double wrong
That wounds me with the flatteries of his tongue
Discharge my followers Let them hence away
From Richards night to Bolingbrokes fair day
Exeunt
SCENE III Wales Before Flint Castle
Enter with drum and colours Bolingbroke and Forces Northumberland and Others
BOLINGBROKE
So that by this intelligence we learn
The Welshmen are dispersed and Salisbury
Is gone to meet the King who lately landed
With some few private friends upon this coast
NORTHUMBERLAND
The news is very fair and good my lord
Richard not far from hence hath hid his head
YORK
It would beseem the Lord Northumberland
To say King Richard Alack the heavy day
When such a sacred king should hide his head
NORTHUMBERLAND
Your Grace mistakes only to be brief
Left I his title out
YORK
The time hath been
Would you have been so brief with him he would
Have been so brief with you to shorten you
For taking so the head your whole heads length
BOLINGBROKE
Mistake not uncle further than you should
YORK
Take not good cousin further than you should
Lest you mistake The heavens are oer our heads
BOLINGBROKE
I know it uncle and oppose not myself
Against their will But who comes here
Enter Harry Percy
Welcome Harry What will not this castle yield
PERCY
The castle royally is manned my lord
Against thy entrance
BOLINGBROKE
Royally
Why it contains no king
PERCY
Yes my good lord
It doth contain a king King Richard lies
Within the limits of yon lime and stone
And with him are the Lord Aumerle Lord Salisbury
Sir Stephen Scroop besides a clergyman
Of holy reverencewho I cannot learn
NORTHUMBERLAND
O belike it is the Bishop of Carlisle
BOLINGBROKE
To Northumberland Noble lord
Go to the rude ribs of that ancient castle
Through brazen trumpet send the breath of parley
Into his ruined ears and thus deliver
Henry Bolingbroke
On both his knees doth kiss King Richards hand
And sends allegiance and true faith of heart
To his most royal person hither come
Even at his feet to lay my arms and power
Provided that my banishment repealed
And lands restored again be freely granted
If not Ill use the advantage of my power
And lay the summers dust with showers of blood
Rained from the wounds of slaughtered Englishmen
The which how far off from the mind of Bolingbroke
It is such crimson tempest should bedrench
The fresh green lap of fair King Richards land
My stooping duty tenderly shall show
Go signify as much while here we march
Upon the grassy carpet of this plain
Lets march without the noise of threatning drum
That from this castles tottered battlements
Our fair appointments may be well perused
Methinks King Richard and myself should meet
With no less terror than the elements
Of fire and water when their thundring shock
At meeting tears the cloudy cheeks of heaven
Be he the fire Ill be the yielding water
The rage be his whilst on the earth I rain
My waterson the earth and not on him
March on and mark King Richard how he looks
A parley sounded and answered by a trumpet within Flourish Enter on the Walls the King the Bishop of Carlisle Aumerle Scroop and Salisbury
See see King Richard doth himself appear
As doth the blushing discontented sun
From out the fiery portal of the east
When he perceives the envious clouds are bent
To dim his glory and to stain the track
Of his bright passage to the occident
YORK
Yet he looks like a king Behold his eye
As bright as is the eagles lightens forth
Controlling majesty Alack alack for woe
That any harm should stain so fair a show
KING RICHARD
To Northumberland We are amazed and thus long have we stood
To watch the fearful bending of thy knee
Because we thought ourself thy lawful king
And if we be how dare thy joints forget
To pay their awful duty to our presence
If we be not show us the hand of God
That hath dismissed us from our stewardship
For well we know no hand of blood and bone
Can gripe the sacred handle of our sceptre
Unless he do profane steal or usurp
And though you think that all as you have done
Have torn their souls by turning them from us
And we are barren and bereft of friends
Yet know my master God omnipotent
Is mustering in his clouds on our behalf
Armies of pestilence and they shall strike
Your children yet unborn and unbegot
That lift your vassal hands against my head
And threat the glory of my precious crown
Tell Bolingbrokefor yon methinks he stands
That every stride he makes upon my land
Is dangerous treason He is come to open
The purple testament of bleeding war
But ere the crown he looks for live in peace
Ten thousand bloody crowns of mothers sons
Shall ill become the flower of Englands face
Change the complexion of her maidpale peace
To scarlet indignation and bedew
Her pastures grass with faithful English blood
NORTHUMBERLAND
The King of Heaven forbid our lord the King
Should so with civil and uncivil arms
Be rushed upon Thy thricenoble cousin
Harry Bolingbroke doth humbly kiss thy hand
And by the honourable tomb he swears
That stands upon your royal grandsires bones
And by the royalties of both your bloods
Currents that spring from one most gracious head
And by the buried hand of warlike Gaunt
And by the worth and honour of himself
Comprising all that may be sworn or said
His coming hither hath no further scope
Than for his lineal royalties and to beg
Enfranchisement immediate on his knees
Which on thy royal party granted once
His glittering arms he will commend to rust
His barbed steeds to stables and his heart
To faithful service of your Majesty
This swears he as he is a prince and just
And as I am a gentleman I credit him
KING RICHARD
Northumberland say thus the King returns
His noble cousin is right welcome hither
And all the number of his fair demands
Shall be accomplished without contradiction
With all the gracious utterance thou hast
Speak to his gentle hearing kind commends
Northumberland returns to Bolingbroke
To Aumerle We do debase ourselves cousin do we not
To look so poorly and to speak so fair
Shall we call back Northumberland and send
Defiance to the traitor and so die
AUMERLE
No good my lord Lets fight with gentle words
Till time lend friends and friends their helpful swords
KING RICHARD
O God O God that eer this tongue of mine
That laid the sentence of dread banishment
On yon proud man should take it off again
With words of sooth O that I were as great
As is my grief or lesser than my name
Or that I could forget what I have been
Or not remember what I must be now
Swellst thou proud heart Ill give thee scope to beat
Since foes have scope to beat both thee and me
AUMERLE
Northumberland comes back from Bolingbroke
KING RICHARD
What must the King do now Must he submit
The King shall do it Must he be deposed
The King shall be contented Must he lose
The name of King I Gods name let it go
Ill give my jewels for a set of beads
My gorgeous palace for a hermitage
My gay apparel for an almsmans gown
My figured goblets for a dish of wood
My sceptre for a palmers walkingstaff
My subjects for a pair of carved saints
And my large kingdom for a little grave
A little little grave an obscure grave
Or Ill be buried in the Kings highway
Some way of common trade where subjects feet
May hourly trample on their sovereigns head
For on my heart they tread now whilst I live
And buried once why not upon my head
Aumerle thou weepst my tenderhearted cousin
Well make foul weather with despised tears
Our sighs and they shall lodge the summer corn
And make a dearth in this revolting land
Or shall we play the wantons with our woes
And make some pretty match with shedding tears
As thus to drop them still upon one place
Till they have fretted us a pair of graves
Within the earth and therein laid there lies
Two kinsmen digged their graves with weeping eyes
Would not this ill do well Well well I see
I talk but idly and you laugh at me
Most mighty prince my Lord Northumberland
What says King Bolingbroke Will his Majesty
Give Richard leave to live till Richard die
You make a leg and Bolingbroke says ay
NORTHUMBERLAND
My lord in the base court he doth attend
To speak with you May it please you to come down
KING RICHARD
Down down I come like glistring Phathon
Wanting the manage of unruly jades
In the base court Base court where kings grow base
To come at traitors calls and do them grace
In the base court Come down Down court down king
For nightowls shriek where mounting larks should sing
Exeunt from above
BOLINGBROKE
What says his Majesty
NORTHUMBERLAND
Sorrow and grief of heart
Makes him speak fondly like a frantic man
Yet he is come
Enter King Richard and his attendants
BOLINGBROKE
Stand all apart
And show fair duty to his Majesty Kneeling
My gracious lord
KING RICHARD
Fair cousin you debase your princely knee
To make the base earth proud with kissing it
Me rather had my heart might feel your love
Than my unpleased eye see your courtesy
Up cousin up Your heart is up I know
Thus high at least although your knee be low
BOLINGBROKE
My gracious lord I come but for mine own
KING RICHARD
Your own is yours and I am yours and all
BOLINGBROKE
So far be mine my most redoubted lord
As my true service shall deserve your love
KING RICHARD
Well you deserve They well deserve to have
That know the strongst and surest way to get
Uncle give me your hands Nay dry your eyes
Tears show their love but want their remedies
Cousin I am too young to be your father
Though you are old enough to be my heir
What you will have Ill give and willing too
For do we must what force will have us do
Set on towards London cousin is it so
BOLINGBROKE
Yea my good lord
KING RICHARD
Then I must not say no
Flourish Exeunt
SCENE IV Langley The Duke of Yorks garden
Enter the Queen and two Ladies
QUEEN
What sport shall we devise here in this garden
To drive away the heavy thought of care
LADY
Madam well play at bowls
QUEEN
Twill make me think the world is full of rubs
And that my fortune runs against the bias
LADY
Madam well dance
QUEEN
My legs can keep no measure in delight
When my poor heart no measure keeps in grief
Therefore no dancing girl some other sport
LADY
Madam well tell tales
QUEEN
Of sorrow or of joy
LADY
Of either madam
QUEEN
Of neither girl
For if of joy being altogether wanting
It doth remember me the more of sorrow
Or if of grief being altogether had
It adds more sorrow to my want of joy
For what I have I need not to repeat
And what I want it boots not to complain
LADY
Madam Ill sing
QUEEN
Tis well that thou hast cause
But thou shouldst please me better wouldst thou weep
LADY
I could weep madam would it do you good
QUEEN
And I could sing would weeping do me good
And never borrow any tear of thee
But stay here come the gardeners
Lets step into the shadow of these trees
My wretchedness unto a row of pins
They will talk of state for everyone doth so
Against a change woe is forerun with woe
Queen and Ladies retire
Enter a Gardener and two Servants
GARDENER
Go bind thou up young dangling apricocks
Which like unruly children make their sire
Stoop with oppression of their prodigal weight
Give some supportance to the bending twigs
Go thou and like an executioner
Cut off the heads of too fastgrowing sprays
That look too lofty in our commonwealth
All must be even in our government
You thus employed I will go root away
The noisome weeds which without profit suck
The soils fertility from wholesome flowers
SERVANT
Why should we in the compass of a pale
Keep law and form and due proportion
Showing as in a model our firm estate
When our seawalled garden the whole land
Is full of weeds her fairest flowers choked up
Her fruit trees all unpruned her hedges ruined
Her knots disordered and her wholesome herbs
Swarming with caterpillars
GARDENER
Hold thy peace
He that hath suffered this disordered spring
Hath now himself met with the fall of leaf
The weeds which his broadspreading leaves did shelter
That seemed in eating him to hold him up
Are plucked up root and all by Bolingbroke
I mean the Earl of Wiltshire Bushy Green
SERVANT
What are they dead
GARDENER
They are And Bolingbroke
Hath seized the wasteful King O what pity is it
That he had not so trimmed and dressed his land
As we this garden We at time of year
Do wound the bark the skin of our fruit trees
Lest being overproud in sap and blood
With too much riches it confound itself
Had he done so to great and growing men
They might have lived to bear and he to taste
Their fruits of duty Superfluous branches
We lop away that bearing boughs may live
Had he done so himself had home the crown
Which waste of idle hours hath quite thrown down
SERVANT
What think you the King shall be deposed
GARDENER
Depressed he is already and deposed
Tis doubt he will be Letters came last night
To a dear friend of the good Duke of Yorks
That tell black tidings
QUEEN
O I am pressed to death through want of speaking
Coming forward
Thou old Adams likeness set to dress this garden
How dares thy harsh rude tongue sound this unpleasing news
What Eve what serpent hath suggested thee
To make a second fall of cursed man
Why dost thou say King Richard is deposed
Darst thou thou little better thing than earth
Divine his downfall Say where when and how
Camst thou by this ill tidings Speak thou wretch
GARDENER
Pardon me madam Little joy have I
To breathe this news yet what I say is true
King Richard he is in the mighty hold
Of Bolingbroke Their fortunes both are weighed
In your lords scale is nothing but himself
And some few vanities that make him light
But in the balance of great Bolingbroke
Besides himself are all the English peers
And with that odds he weighs King Richard down
Post you to London and you will find it so
I speak no more than everyone doth know
QUEEN
Nimble mischance that art so light of foot
Doth not thy embassage belong to me
And am I last that knows it O thou thinkest
To serve me last that I may longest keep
Thy sorrow in my breast Come ladies go
To meet at London Londons king in woe
What was I born to this that my sad look
Should grace the triumph of great Bolingbroke
Gardner for telling me these news of woe
Pray God the plants thou graftst may never grow
Exeunt Queen and Ladies
GARDENER
Poor Queen so that thy state might be no worse
I would my skill were subject to thy curse
Here did she fall a tear Here in this place
Ill set a bank of rue sour herb of grace
Rue even for ruth here shortly shall be seen
In the remembrance of a weeping queen
Exeunt
ACT IV
SCENE I Westminster Hall
The Lords spiritual on the right side of the throne the Lords temporal on the left the Commons below Enter Bolingbroke Aumerle Surrey Northumberland Harry Percy Fitzwater another Lord the Bishop of Carlisle the Abbot of Westminster and attendants
BOLINGBROKE
Call forth Bagot
Enter Officers with Bagot
Now Bagot freely speak thy mind
What thou dost know of noble Gloucesters death
Who wrought it with the King and who performed
The bloody office of his timeless end
BAGOT
Then set before my face the Lord Aumerle
BOLINGBROKE
Cousin stand forth and look upon that man
BAGOT
My Lord Aumerle I know your daring tongue
Scorns to unsay what once it hath delivered
In that dead time when Gloucesters death was plotted
I heard you say Is not my arm of length
That reacheth from the restful English Court
As far as Calais to mine uncles head
Amongst much other talk that very time
I heard you say that you had rather refuse
The offer of an hundred thousand crowns
Than Bolingbrokes return to England
Adding withal how blest this land would be
In this your cousins death
AUMERLE
Princes and noble lords
What answer shall I make to this base man
Shall I so much dishonour my fair stars
On equal terms to give him chastisement
Either I must or have mine honour soiled
With the attainder of his slanderous lips
There is my gage the manual seal of death
That marks thee out for hell I say thou liest
And will maintain what thou hast said is false
In thy heartblood though being all too base
To stain the temper of my knightly sword
BOLINGBROKE
Bagot forbear Thou shalt not take it up
AUMERLE
Excepting one I would he were the best
In all this presence that hath moved me so
FITZWATER
If that thy valour stand on sympathy
There is my gage Aumerle in gage to thine
By that fair sun which shows me where thou standst
I heard thee say and vauntingly thou spakst it
That thou wert cause of noble Gloucesters death
If thou deniest it twenty times thou liest
And I will turn thy falsehood to thy heart
Where it was forged with my rapiers point
AUMERLE
Thou darst not coward live to see that day
FITZWATER
Now by my soul I would it were this hour
AUMERLE
Fitzwater thou art damned to hell for this
HARRY PERCY
Aumerle thou liest His honour is as true
In this appeal as thou art an unjust
And that thou art so there I throw my gage
To prove it on thee to the extremest point
Of mortal breathing Seize it if thou darst
AUMERLE
And if I do not may my hands rot off
And never brandish more revengeful steel
Over the glittering helmet of my foe
ANOTHER LORD
I task the earth to the like forsworn Aumerle
And spur thee on with full as many lies
As may be holloaed in thy treacherous ear
From sun to sun There is my honours pawn
Engage it to the trial if thou darst
AUMERLE
Who sets me else By heaven Ill throw at all
I have a thousand spirits in one breast
To answer twenty thousand such as you
SURREY
My Lord Fitzwater I do remember well
The very time Aumerle and you did talk
FITZWATER
Tis very true You were in presence then
And you can witness with me this is true
SURREY
As false by heaven as heaven itself is true
FITZWATER
Surrey thou liest
SURREY
Dishonourable boy
That lie shall lie so heavy on my sword
That it shall render vengeance and revenge
Till thou the liegiver and that lie do lie
In earth as quiet as thy fathers skull
In proof whereof there is my honours pawn
Engage it to the trial if thou darst
FITZWATER
How fondly dost thou spur a forward horse
If I dare eat or drink or breathe or live
I dare meet Surrey in a wilderness
And spit upon him whilst I say he lies
And lies and lies There is my bond of faith
To tie thee to my strong correction
As I intend to thrive in this new world
Aumerle is guilty of my true appeal
Besides I heard the banished Norfolk say
That thou Aumerle didst send two of thy men
To execute the noble duke at Calais
AUMERLE
Some honest Christian trust me with a gage
That Norfolk lies here do I throw down this
If he may be repealed to try his honour
BOLINGBROKE
These differences shall all rest under gage
Till Norfolk be repealed Repealed he shall be
And though mine enemy restored again
To all his lands and signories When he is returned
Against Aumerle we will enforce his trial
CARLISLE
That honourable day shall neer be seen
Many a time hath banished Norfolk fought
For Jesu Christ in glorious Christian field
Streaming the ensign of the Christian cross
Against black pagans Turks and Saracens
And toiled with works of war retired himself
To Italy and there at Venice gave
His body to that pleasant countrys earth
And his pure soul unto his captain Christ
Under whose colours he had fought so long
BOLINGBROKE
Why Bishop is Norfolk dead
CARLISLE
As surely as I live my lord
BOLINGBROKE
Sweet peace conduct his sweet soul to the bosom
Of good old Abraham Lords appellants
Your differences shall all rest under gage
Till we assign you to your days of trial
Enter York attended
YORK
Great Duke of Lancaster I come to thee
From plumeplucked Richard who with willing soul
Adopts thee heir and his high sceptre yields
To the possession of thy royal hand
Ascend his throne descending now from him
And long live Henry of that name the fourth
BOLINGBROKE
In Gods name Ill ascend the regal throne
CARLISLE
Marry God forbid
Worst in this royal presence may I speak
Yet best beseeming me to speak the truth
Would God that any in this noble presence
Were enough noble to be upright judge
Of noble Richard Then true noblesse would
Learn him forbearance from so foul a wrong
What subject can give sentence on his king
And who sits here that is not Richards subject
Thieves are not judged but they are by to hear
Although apparent guilt be seen in them
And shall the figure of Gods majesty
His captain steward deputy elect
Anointed crowned planted many years
Be judged by subject and inferior breath
And he himself not present O forfend it God
That in a Christian climate souls refined
Should show so heinous black obscene a deed
I speak to subjects and a subject speaks
Stirred up by God thus boldly for his king
My Lord of Hereford here whom you call king
Is a foul traitor to proud Herefords king
And if you crown him let me prophesy
The blood of English shall manure the ground
And future ages groan for this foul act
Peace shall go sleep with Turks and infidels
And in this seat of peace tumultuous wars
Shall kin with kin and kind with kind confound
Disorder horror fear and mutiny
Shall here inhabit and this land be called
The field of Golgotha and dead mens skulls
O if you raise this house against this house
It will the woefullest division prove
That ever fell upon this cursed earth
Prevent it resist it let it not be so
Lest child childs children cry against you woe
NORTHUMBERLAND
Well have you argued sir and for your pains
Of capital treason we arrest you here
My Lord of Westminster be it your charge
To keep him safely till his day of trial
May it please you lords to grant the commons suit
BOLINGBROKE
Fetch hither Richard that in common view
He may surrender So we shall proceed
Without suspicion
YORK
I will be his conduct
Exit
BOLINGBROKE
Lords you that here are under our arrest
Procure your sureties for your days of answer
Little are we beholding to your love
And little looked for at your helping hands
Enter York with King Richard and Officers bearing the Crown c
KING RICHARD
Alack why am I sent for to a king
Before I have shook off the regal thoughts
Wherewith I reigned I hardly yet have learned
To insinuate flatter bow and bend my knee
Give sorrow leave awhile to tutor me
To this submission Yet I well remember
The favours of these men Were they not mine
Did they not sometime cry All hail to me
So Judas did to Christ but He in twelve
Found truth in all but one I in twelve thousand none
God save the King Will no man say Amen
Am I both priest and clerk Well then amen
God save the King although I be not he
And yet Amen if heaven do think him me
To do what service am I sent for hither
YORK
To do that office of thine own good will
Which tired majesty did make thee offer
The resignation of thy state and crown
To Henry Bolingbroke
KING RICHARD
Give me the crown Here cousin seize the crown
Here cousin
On this side my hand and on that side thine
Now is this golden crown like a deep well
That owes two buckets filling one another
The emptier ever dancing in the air
The other down unseen and full of water
That bucket down and full of tears am I
Drinking my griefs whilst you mount up on high
BOLINGBROKE
I thought you had been willing to resign
KING RICHARD
My crown I am but still my griefs are mine
You may my glories and my state depose
But not my griefs still am I king of those
BOLINGBROKE
Part of your cares you give me with your crown
KING RICHARD
Your cares set up do not pluck my cares down
My care is loss of care by old care done
Your care is gain of care by new care won
The cares I give I have though given away
They tend the crown yet still with me they stay
BOLINGBROKE
Are you contented to resign the crown
KING RICHARD
Ay no no ay for I must nothing be
Therefore no no for I resign to thee
Now mark me how I will undo myself
I give this heavy weight from off my head
And this unwieldy sceptre from my hand
The pride of kingly sway from out my heart
With mine own tears I wash away my balm
With mine own hands I give away my crown
With mine own tongue deny my sacred state
With mine own breath release all duteous oaths
All pomp and majesty I do forswear
My manors rents revenues I forgo
My acts decrees and statutes I deny
God pardon all oaths that are broke to me
God keep all vows unbroke are made to thee
Make me that nothing have with nothing grieved
And thou with all pleased that hast all achieved
Long mayst thou live in Richards seat to sit
And soon lie Richard in an earthly pit
God save King Henry unkinged Richard says
And send him many years of sunshine days
What more remains
NORTHUMBERLAND
Offering a paper No more but that you read
These accusations and these grievous crimes
Committed by your person and your followers
Against the state and profit of this land
That by confessing them the souls of men
May deem that you are worthily deposed
KING RICHARD
Must I do so And must I ravel out
My weavedup follies Gentle Northumberland
If thy offences were upon record
Would it not shame thee in so fair a troop
To read a lecture of them If thou wouldst
There shouldst thou find one heinous article
Containing the deposing of a king
And cracking the strong warrant of an oath
Marked with a blot damned in the book of heaven
Nay all of you that stand and look upon me
Whilst that my wretchedness doth bait myself
Though some of you with Pilate wash your hands
Showing an outward pity yet you Pilates
Have here delivered me to my sour cross
And water cannot wash away your sin
NORTHUMBERLAND
My lord dispatch Read oer these articles
KING RICHARD
Mine eyes are full of tears I cannot see
And yet salt water blinds them not so much
But they can see a sort of traitors here
Nay if I turn mine eyes upon myself
I find myself a traitor with the rest
For I have given here my souls consent
T undeck the pompous body of a king
Made glory base and sovereignty a slave
Proud majesty a subject state a peasant
NORTHUMBERLAND
My lord
KING RICHARD
No lord of thine thou haught insulting man
Nor no mans lord I have no name no title
No not that name was given me at the font
But tis usurped Alack the heavy day
That I have worn so many winters out
And know not now what name to call myself
O that I were a mockery king of snow
Standing before the sun of Bolingbroke
To melt myself away in waterdrops
Good king great king and yet not greatly good
An if my word be sterling yet in England
Let it command a mirror hither straight
That it may show me what a face I have
Since it is bankrupt of his majesty
BOLINGBROKE
Go some of you and fetch a lookingglass
Exit an Attendant
NORTHUMBERLAND
Read oer this paper while the glass doth come
KING RICHARD
Fiend thou torments me ere I come to hell
BOLINGBROKE
Urge it no more my Lord Northumberland
NORTHUMBERLAND
The commons will not then be satisfied
KING RICHARD
They shall be satisfied Ill read enough
When I do see the very book indeed
Where all my sins are writ and thats myself
Reenter Attendant with glass
Give me that glass and therein will I read
No deeper wrinkles yet Hath sorrow struck
So many blows upon this face of mine
And made no deeper wounds O flattring glass
Like to my followers in prosperity
Thou dost beguile me Was this face the face
That every day under his household roof
Did keep ten thousand men Was this the face
That like the sun did make beholders wink
Is this the face which faced so many follies
That was at last outfaced by Bolingbroke
A brittle glory shineth in this face
As brittle as the glory is the face
Dashes the glass against the ground
For there it is cracked in an hundred shivers
Mark silent king the moral of this sport
How soon my sorrow hath destroyed my face
BOLINGBROKE
The shadow of your sorrow hath destroyed
The shadow of your face
KING RICHARD
Say that again
The shadow of my sorrow Ha lets see
Tis very true my grief lies all within
And these external manner of laments
Are merely shadows to the unseen grief
That swells with silence in the tortured soul
There lies the substance And I thank thee king
For thy great bounty that not only givst
Me cause to wail but teachest me the way
How to lament the cause Ill beg one boon
And then be gone and trouble you no more
Shall I obtain it
BOLINGBROKE
Name it fair cousin
KING RICHARD
Fair cousin I am greater than a king
For when I was a king my flatterers
Were then but subjects Being now a subject
I have a king here to my flatterer
Being so great I have no need to beg
BOLINGBROKE
Yet ask
KING RICHARD
And shall I have
BOLINGBROKE
You shall
KING RICHARD
Then give me leave to go
BOLINGBROKE
Whither
KING RICHARD
Whither you will so I were from your sights
BOLINGBROKE
Go some of you convey him to the Tower
KING RICHARD
O good Convey Conveyers are you all
That rise thus nimbly by a true kings fall
Exeunt King Richard and Guard
BOLINGBROKE
On Wednesday next we solemnly set down
Our coronation Lords prepare yourselves
Exeunt all but the Bishop of Carlisle the Abbot of Westminster and Aumerle
ABBOT
A woeful pageant have we here beheld
CARLISLE
The woes to come The children yet unborn
Shall feel this day as sharp to them as thorn
AUMERLE
You holy clergymen is there no plot
To rid the realm of this pernicious blot
ABBOT
My lord
Before I freely speak my mind herein
You shall not only take the sacrament
To bury mine intents but also to effect
Whatever I shall happen to devise
I see your brows are full of discontent
Your hearts of sorrow and your eyes of tears
Come home with me to supper I will lay
A plot shall show us all a merry day
Exeunt
ACT V
SCENE I London A street leading to the Tower
Enter the Queen and ladies
QUEEN
This way the King will come This is the way
To Julius Caesars illerected tower
To whose flint bosom my condemned lord
Is doomed a prisoner by proud Bolingbroke
Here let us rest if this rebellious earth
Have any resting for her true kings queen
Enter King Richard and Guard
But soft but see or rather do not see
My fair rose wither yet look up behold
That you in pity may dissolve to dew
And wash him fresh again with truelove tears
Ah thou the model where old Troy did stand
Thou map of honour thou King Richards tomb
And not King Richard Thou most beauteous inn
Why should hardfavoured grief be lodged in thee
When triumph is become an alehouse guest
KING RICHARD
Join not with grief fair woman do not so
To make my end too sudden Learn good soul
To think our former state a happy dream
From which awaked the truth of what we are
Shows us but this I am sworn brother sweet
To grim Necessity and he and I
Will keep a league till death Hie thee to France
And cloister thee in some religious house
Our holy lives must win a new worlds crown
Which our profane hours here have thrown down
QUEEN
What is my Richard both in shape and mind
Transformed and weakened Hath Bolingbroke
Deposed thine intellect Hath he been in thy heart
The lion dying thrusteth forth his paw
And wounds the earth if nothing else with rage
To be oerpowered and wilt thou pupillike
Take the correction mildly kiss the rod
And fawn on rage with base humility
Which art a lion and the king of beasts
KING RICHARD
A king of beasts indeed If aught but beasts
I had been still a happy king of men
Good sometimes queen prepare thee hence for France
Think I am dead and that even here thou takst
As from my deathbed thy last living leave
In winters tedious nights sit by the fire
With good old folks and let them tell thee tales
Of woeful ages long ago betid
And ere thou bid good night to quit their griefs
Tell thou the lamentable tale of me
And send the hearers weeping to their beds
For why the senseless brands will sympathize
The heavy accent of thy moving tongue
And in compassion weep the fire out
And some will mourn in ashes some coalblack
For the deposing of a rightful king
Enter Northumberland attended
NORTHUMBERLAND
My lord the mind of Bolingbroke is changed
You must to Pomfret not unto the Tower
And madam there is order taen for you
With all swift speed you must away to France
KING RICHARD
Northumberland thou ladder wherewithal
The mounting Bolingbroke ascends my throne
The time shall not be many hours of age
More than it is ere foul sin gathering head
Shall break into corruption Thou shalt think
Though he divide the realm and give thee half
It is too little helping him to all
And he shall think that thou which knowst the way
To plant unrightful kings wilt know again
Being neer so little urged another way
To pluck him headlong from the usurped throne
The love of wicked men converts to fear
That fear to hate and hate turns one or both
To worthy danger and deserved death
NORTHUMBERLAND
My guilt be on my head and there an end
Take leave and part for you must part forthwith
KING RICHARD
Doubly divorced Bad men you violate
A twofold marriage twixt my crown and me
And then betwixt me and my married wife
Let me unkiss the oath twixt thee and me
And yet not so for with a kiss twas made
Part us Northumberland I towards the north
Where shivering cold and sickness pines the clime
My wife to France from whence set forth in pomp
She came adorned hither like sweet May
Sent back like Hallowmas or shortst of day
QUEEN
And must we be divided Must we part
KING RICHARD
Ay hand from hand my love and heart from heart
QUEEN
Banish us both and send the King with me
NORTHUMBERLAND
That were some love but little policy
QUEEN
Then whither he goes thither let me go
KING RICHARD
So two together weeping make one woe
Weep thou for me in France I for thee here
Better far off than near be neer the near
Go count thy way with sighs I mine with groans
QUEEN
So longest way shall have the longest moans
KING RICHARD
Twice for one step Ill groan the way being short
And piece the way out with a heavy heart
Come come in wooing sorrow lets be brief
Since wedding it there is such length in grief
One kiss shall stop our mouths and dumbly part
Thus give I mine and thus take I thy heart
They kiss
QUEEN
Give me mine own again twere no good part
To take on me to keep and kill thy heart
They kiss again
So now I have mine own again be gone
That I may strive to kill it with a groan
KING RICHARD
We make woe wanton with this fond delay
Once more adieu The rest let sorrow say
Exeunt
SCENE II The same A room in the Duke of Yorks palace
Enter York and his Duchess
DUCHESS
My Lord you told me you would tell the rest
When weeping made you break the story off
Of our two cousins coming into London
YORK
Where did I leave
DUCHESS
At that sad stop my lord
Where rude misgoverned hands from windows tops
Threw dust and rubbish on King Richards head
YORK
Then as I said the Duke great Bolingbroke
Mounted upon a hot and fiery steed
Which his aspiring rider seemed to know
With slow but stately pace kept on his course
Whilst all tongues cried God save thee Bolingbroke
You would have thought the very windows spake
So many greedy looks of young and old
Through casements darted their desiring eyes
Upon his visage and that all the walls
With painted imagery had said at once
Jesu preserve thee Welcome Bolingbroke
Whilst he from the one side to the other turning
Bareheaded lower than his proud steeds neck
Bespake them thus I thank you countrymen
And thus still doing thus he passed along
DUCHESS
Alack poor Richard Where rode he the whilst
YORK
As in a theatre the eyes of men
After a wellgraced actor leaves the stage
Are idly bent on him that enters next
Thinking his prattle to be tedious
Even so or with much more contempt mens eyes
Did scowl on gentle Richard No man cried God save him
No joyful tongue gave him his welcome home
But dust was thrown upon his sacred head
Which with such gentle sorrow he shook off
His face still combating with tears and smiles
The badges of his grief and patience
That had not God for some strong purpose steeled
The hearts of men they must perforce have melted
And barbarism itself have pitied him
But heaven hath a hand in these events
To whose high will we bound our calm contents
To Bolingbroke are we sworn subjects now
Whose state and honour I for aye allow
Enter Aumerle
DUCHESS
Here comes my son Aumerle
YORK
Aumerle that was
But that is lost for being Richards friend
And madam you must call him Rutland now
I am in Parliament pledge for his truth
And lasting fealty to the newmade king
DUCHESS
Welcome my son Who are the violets now
That strew the green lap of the newcome spring
AUMERLE
Madam I know not nor I greatly care not
God knows I had as lief be none as one
YORK
Well bear you well in this new spring of time
Lest you be cropped before you come to prime
What news from Oxford Do these jousts and triumphs hold
AUMERLE
For aught I know my lord they do
YORK
You will be there I know
AUMERLE
If God prevent not I purpose so
YORK
What seal is that that hangs without thy bosom
Yea lookst thou pale Let me see the writing
AUMERLE
My lord tis nothing
YORK
No matter then who see it
I will be satisfied Let me see the writing
AUMERLE
I do beseech your Grace to pardon me
It is a matter of small consequence
Which for some reasons I would not have seen
YORK
Which for some reasons sir I mean to see
I fear I fear
DUCHESS
What should you fear
Tis nothing but some bond that he is entered into
For gay apparel gainst the triumph day
YORK
Bound to himself What doth he with a bond
That he is bound to Wife thou art a fool
Boy let me see the writing
AUMERLE
I do beseech you pardon me I may not show it
YORK
I will be satisfied Let me see it I say
Snatches it and reads it
Treason foul treason Villain traitor slave
DUCHESS
What is the matter my lord
YORK
Ho who is within there
Enter a Servant
Saddle my horse
God for his mercy what treachery is here
DUCHESS
Why what is it my lord
YORK
Give me my boots I say Saddle my horse
Now by mine honour by my life my troth
I will appeach the villain
Exit Servant
DUCHESS
What is the matter
YORK
Peace foolish woman
DUCHESS
I will not peace What is the matter Aumerle
AUMERLE
Good mother be content It is no more
Than my poor life must answer
DUCHESS
Thy life answer
YORK
Bring me my boots I will unto the King
Reenter Servant with boots
DUCHESS
Strike him Aumerle Poor boy thou art amazed
To Servant
Hence villain Never more come in my sight
Exit Servant
YORK
Give me my boots I say
DUCHESS
Why York what wilt thou do
Wilt thou not hide the trespass of thine own
Have we more sons Or are we like to have
Is not my teeming date drunk up with time
And wilt thou pluck my fair son from mine age
And rob me of a happy mothers name
Is he not like thee Is he not thine own
YORK
Thou fond mad woman
Wilt thou conceal this dark conspiracy
A dozen of them here have taen the sacrament
And interchangeably set down their hands
To kill the King at Oxford
DUCHESS
He shall be none
Well keep him here Then what is that to him
YORK
Away fond woman Were he twenty times my son
I would appeach him
DUCHESS
Hadst thou groaned for him
As I have done thou wouldst be more pitiful
But now I know thy mind thou dost suspect
That I have been disloyal to thy bed
And that he is a bastard not thy son
Sweet York sweet husband be not of that mind
He is as like thee as a man may be
Not like to me or any of my kin
And yet I love him
YORK
Make way unruly woman
Exit
DUCHESS
After Aumerle Mount thee upon his horse
Spur post and get before him to the King
And beg thy pardon ere he do accuse thee
Ill not be long behind Though I be old
I doubt not but to ride as fast as York
And never will I rise up from the ground
Till Bolingbroke have pardoned thee Away be gone
Exeunt
SCENE III Windsor A room in the Castle
Enter Bolingbroke as King Harry Percy and other Lords
KING HENRY
Can no man tell me of my unthrifty son
Tis full three months since I did see him last
If any plague hang over us tis he
I would to God my lords he might be found
Inquire at London mongst the taverns there
For there they say he daily doth frequent
With unrestrained loose companions
Even such they say as stand in narrow lanes
And beat our watch and rob our passengers
While he young wanton and effeminate boy
Takes on the point of honour to support
So dissolute a crew
PERCY
My lord some two days since I saw the Prince
And told him of those triumphs held at Oxford
KING HENRY
And what said the gallant
PERCY
His answer was he would unto the stews
And from the commonst creature pluck a glove
And wear it as a favour and with that
He would unhorse the lustiest challenger
KING HENRY
As dissolute as desperate Yet through both
I see some sparks of better hope which elder years
May happily bring forth But who comes here
Enter Aumerle
AUMERLE
Where is the King
KING HENRY
What means our cousin that he stares and looks so wildly
AUMERLE
God save your Grace I do beseech your majesty
To have some conference with your Grace alone
KING HENRY
Withdraw yourselves and leave us here alone
Exeunt Harry Percy and Lords
What is the matter with our cousin now
AUMERLE
Kneels For ever may my knees grow to the earth
My tongue cleave to my roof within my mouth
Unless a pardon ere I rise or speak
KING HENRY
Intended or committed was this fault
If on the first how heinous eer it be
To win thy afterlove I pardon thee
AUMERLE
Then give me leave that I may turn the key
That no man enter till my tale be done
KING HENRY
Have thy desire
Aumerle locks the door
YORK
Within My liege beware Look to thyself
Thou hast a traitor in thy presence there
KING HENRY
Drawing Villain Ill make thee safe
AUMERLE
Stay thy revengeful hand Thou hast no cause to fear
YORK
Within Open the door secure foolhardy king
Shall I for love speak treason to thy face
Open the door or I will break it open
King Henry unlocks the door and afterwards relocks it
Enter York
KING HENRY
What is the matter uncle Speak
Recover breath Tell us how near is danger
That we may arm us to encounter it
YORK
Peruse this writing here and thou shalt know
The treason that my haste forbids me show
AUMERLE
Remember as thou readst thy promise passed
I do repent me Read not my name there
My heart is not confederate with my hand
YORK
It was villain ere thy hand did set it down
I tore it from the traitors bosom king
Fear and not love begets his penitence
Forget to pity him lest thy pity prove
A serpent that will sting thee to the heart
KING HENRY
O heinous strong and bold conspiracy
O loyal father of a treacherous son
Thou sheer immaculate and silver fountain
From whence this stream through muddy passages
Hath held his current and defiled himself
Thy overflow of good converts to bad
And thy abundant goodness shall excuse
This deadly blot in thy digressing son
YORK
So shall my virtue be his vices bawd
And he shall spend mine honour with his shame
As thriftless sons their scraping fathers gold
Mine honour lives when his dishonour dies
Or my shamed life in his dishonour lies
Thou killst me in his life giving him breath
The traitor lives the true mans put to death
DUCHESS
Within What ho my liege For Gods sake let me in
KING HENRY
What shrillvoiced suppliant makes this eager cry
DUCHESS
Within A woman and thine aunt great king tis I
Speak with me pity me open the door
A beggar begs that never begged before
KING HENRY
Our scene is altered from a serious thing
And now changed to The Beggar and the King
My dangerous cousin let your mother in
I know shes come to pray for your foul sin
Enter Duchess
YORK
If thou do pardon whosoever pray
More sins for this forgiveness prosper may
This festered joint cut off the rest rest sound
This let alone will all the rest confound
DUCHESS
O King believe not this hardhearted man
Love loving not itself none other can
YORK
Thou frantic woman what dost thou make here
Shall thy old dugs once more a traitor rear
DUCHESS
Sweet York be patient Kneels Hear me gentle liege
KING HENRY
Rise up good aunt
DUCHESS
Not yet I thee beseech
For ever will I walk upon my knees
And never see day that the happy sees
Till thou give joy until thou bid me joy
By pardoning Rutland my transgressing boy
AUMERLE
Unto my mothers prayers I bend my knee
Kneels
YORK
Against them both my true joints bended be
Kneels
Ill mayst thou thrive if thou grant any grace
DUCHESS
Pleads he in earnest Look upon his face
His eyes do drop no tears his prayers are in jest
His words come from his mouth ours from our breast
He prays but faintly and would be denied
We pray with heart and soul and all beside
His weary joints would gladly rise I know
Our knees still kneel till to the ground they grow
His prayers are full of false hypocrisy
Ours of true zeal and deep integrity
Our prayers do outpray his then let them have
That mercy which true prayer ought to have
KING HENRY
Good aunt stand up
DUCHESS
Nay do not say stand up
Say pardon first and afterwards stand up
An if I were thy nurse thy tongue to teach
Pardon should be the first word of thy speech
I never longed to hear a word till now
Say pardon king let pity teach thee how
The word is short but not so short as sweet
No word like pardon for kings mouths so meet
YORK
Speak it in French King say pardonne moy
DUCHESS
Dost thou teach pardon pardon to destroy
Ah my sour husband my hardhearted lord
That sets the word itself against the word
Speak pardon as tis current in our land
The chopping French we do not understand
Thine eye begins to speak set thy tongue there
Or in thy piteous heart plant thou thine ear
That hearing how our plaints and prayers do pierce
Pity may move thee pardon to rehearse
KING HENRY
Good aunt stand up
DUCHESS
I do not sue to stand
Pardon is all the suit I have in hand
KING HENRY
I pardon him as God shall pardon me
DUCHESS
O happy vantage of a kneeling knee
Yet am I sick for fear Speak it again
Twice saying pardon doth not pardon twain
But makes one pardon strong
KING HENRY
With all my heart
I pardon him
DUCHESS
A god on earth thou art
KING HENRY
But for our trusty brotherinlaw and the Abbot
With all the rest of that consorted crew
Destruction straight shall dog them at the heels
Good uncle help to order several powers
To Oxford or whereer these traitors are
They shall not live within this world I swear
But I will have them if I once know where
Uncle farewell and cousin adieu
Your mother well hath prayed and prove you true
DUCHESS
Come my old son I pray God make thee new
Exeunt
SCENE IV Another room in the Castle
Enter Exton and a Servant
EXTON
Didst thou not mark the King what words he spake
Have I no friend will rid me of this living fear
Was it not so
SERVANT
These were his very words
EXTON
Have I no friend quoth he He spake it twice
And urged it twice together did he not
SERVANT
He did
EXTON
And speaking it he wishtly looked on me
As who should say I would thou wert the man
That would divorce this terror from my heart
Meaning the king at Pomfret Come lets go
I am the Kings friend and will rid his foe
Exeunt
SCENE V Pomfret The dungeon of the Castle
Enter Richard
RICHARD
I have been studying how I may compare
This prison where I live unto the world
And for because the world is populous
And here is not a creature but myself
I cannot do it Yet Ill hammer it out
My brain Ill prove the female to my soul
My soul the father and these two beget
A generation of stillbreeding thoughts
And these same thoughts people this little world
In humours like the people of this world
For no thought is contented The better sort
As thoughts of things divine are intermixed
With scruples and do set the word itself
Against the word as thus Come little ones
And then again
It is as hard to come as for a camel
To thread the postern of a needles eye
Thoughts tending to ambition they do plot
Unlikely wonders how these vain weak nails
May tear a passage through the flinty ribs
Of this hard world my ragged prison walls
And for they cannot die in their own pride
Thoughts tending to content flatter themselves
That they are not the first of fortunes slaves
Nor shall not be the last like silly beggars
Who sitting in the stocks refuge their shame
That many have and others must sit there
And in this thought they find a kind of ease
Bearing their own misfortunes on the back
Of such as have before endured the like
Thus play I in one person many people
And none contented Sometimes am I king
Then treasons make me wish myself a beggar
And so I am Then crushing penury
Persuades me I was better when a king
Then am I kinged again and by and by
Think that I am unkinged by Bolingbroke
And straight am nothing But whateer I be
Nor I nor any man that but man is
With nothing shall be pleased till he be eased
With being nothing
Music do I hear Music
Ha ha keep time How sour sweet music is
When time is broke and no proportion kept
So is it in the music of mens lives
And here have I the daintiness of ear
To check time broke in a disordered string
But for the concord of my state and time
Had not an ear to hear my true time broke
I wasted time and now doth time waste me
For now hath time made me his numbring clock
My thoughts are minutes and with sighs they jar
Their watches on unto mine eyes the outward watch
Whereto my finger like a dials point
Is pointing still in cleansing them from tears
Now sir the sound that tells what hour it is
Are clamorous groans which strike upon my heart
Which is the bell So sighs and tears and groans
Show minutes times and hours But my time
Runs posting on in Bolingbrokes proud joy
While I stand fooling here his Jack o the clock
This music mads me Let it sound no more
For though it have holp madmen to their wits
In me it seems it will make wise men mad
Yet blessing on his heart that gives it me
For tis a sign of love and love to Richard
Is a strange brooch in this allhating world
Enter a Groom of the stable
GROOM
Hail royal Prince
RICHARD
Thanks noble peer
The cheapest of us is ten groats too dear
What art thou and how comest thou hither
Where no man never comes but that sad dog
That brings me food to make misfortune live
GROOM
I was a poor groom of thy stable king
When thou wert king who travelling towards York
With much ado at length have gotten leave
To look upon my sometimes royal masters face
O how it erned my heart when I beheld
In London streets that coronation day
When Bolingbroke rode on roan Barbary
That horse that thou so often hast bestrid
That horse that I so carefully have dressed
RICHARD
Rode he on Barbary Tell me gentle friend
How went he under him
GROOM
So proudly as if he disdained the ground
RICHARD
So proud that Bolingbroke was on his back
That jade hath eat bread from my royal hand
This hand hath made him proud with clapping him
Would he not stumble Would he not fall down
Since pride must have a fall and break the neck
Of that proud man that did usurp his back
Forgiveness horse Why do I rail on thee
Since thou created to be awed by man
Wast born to bear I was not made a horse
And yet I bear a burden like an ass
Spurred galled and tired by jauncing Bolingbroke
Enter Keeper with a dish
KEEPER To the Groom
Fellow give place Here is no longer stay
RICHARD
If thou love me tis time thou wert away
GROOM
My tongue dares not that my heart shall say
Exit
KEEPER
My lord willt please you to fall to
RICHARD
Taste of it first as thou art wont to do
KEEPER
My lord I dare not Sir Pierce of Exton
Who lately came from the King commands the contrary
RICHARD
The devil take Henry of Lancaster and thee
Patience is stale and I am weary of it
Strikes the Keeper
KEEPER
Help help help
Enter Exton and Servants armed
RICHARD
How now What means death in this rude assault
Villain thy own hand yields thy deaths instrument
Snatching a weapon and killing one
Go thou and fill another room in hell
He kills another then Exton strikes him down
That hand shall burn in neverquenching fire
That staggers thus my person Exton thy fierce hand
Hath with the Kings blood stained the Kings own land
Mount mount my soul Thy seat is up on high
Whilst my gross flesh sinks downward here to die
Dies
EXTON
As full of valour as of royal blood
Both have I spilled O would the deed were good
For now the devil that told me I did well
Says that this deed is chronicled in hell
This dead king to the living king Ill bear
Take hence the rest and give them burial here
Exeunt
SCENE VI Windsor An Apartment in the Castle
Flourish Enter King Henry and York with Lords and Attendants
KING HENRY
Kind uncle York the latest news we hear
Is that the rebels have consumed with fire
Our town of Cicester in Gloucestershire
But whether they be taen or slain we hear not
Enter Northumberland
Welcome my lord What is the news
NORTHUMBERLAND
First to thy sacred state wish I all happiness
The next news is I have to London sent
The heads of Salisbury Spencer Blunt and Kent
The manner of their taking may appear
At large discoursed in this paper here
KING HENRY
We thank thee gentle Percy for thy pains
And to thy worth will add right worthy gains
Enter Fitzwater
FITZWATER
My lord I have from Oxford sent to London
The heads of Brocas and Sir Bennet Seely
Two of the dangerous consorted traitors
That sought at Oxford thy dire overthrow
KING HENRY
Thy pains Fitzwater shall not be forgot
Right noble is thy merit well I wot
Enter Harry Percy with the Bishop of Carlisle
PERCY
The grand conspirator Abbot of Westminster
With clog of conscience and sour melancholy
Hath yielded up his body to the grave
But here is Carlisle living to abide
Thy kingly doom and sentence of his pride
KING HENRY
Carlisle this is your doom
Choose out some secret place some reverend room
More than thou hast and with it joy thy life
So as thou livst in peace die free from strife
For though mine enemy thou hast ever been
High sparks of honour in thee have I seen
Enter Exton with attendants bearing a coffin
EXTON
Great king within this coffin I present
Thy buried fear Herein all breathless lies
The mightiest of thy greatest enemies
Richard of Bordeaux by me hither brought
KING HENRY
Exton I thank thee not for thou hast wrought
A deed of slander with thy fatal hand
Upon my head and all this famous land
EXTON
From your own mouth my lord did I this deed
KING HENRY
They love not poison that do poison need
Nor do I thee Though I did wish him dead
I hate the murderer love him murdered
The guilt of conscience take thou for thy labour
But neither my good word nor princely favour
With Cain go wander thorough shades of night
And never show thy head by day nor light
Lords I protest my soul is full of woe
That blood should sprinkle me to make me grow
Come mourn with me for what I do lament
And put on sullen black incontinent
Ill make a voyage to the Holy Land
To wash this blood off from my guilty hand
March sadly after grace my mournings here
In weeping after this untimely bier
Exeunt
KING RICHARD THE THIRD
Contents
ACT I
Scene I London A street
Scene II London Another street
Scene III London A Room in the Palace
Scene IV London A Room in the Tower
ACT II
Scene I London A Room in the palace
Scene II Another Room in the palace
Scene III London A street
Scene IV London A Room in the Palace
ACT III
Scene I London A street
Scene II Before Lord Hastings house
Scene III Pomfret Before the Castle
Scene IV London A Room in the Tower
Scene V London The Tower Walls
Scene VI London A street
Scene VII London Court of Baynards Castle
ACT IV
Scene I London Before the Tower
Scene II London A Room of State in the Palace
Scene III London Another Room in the Palace
Scene IV London Before the Palace
Scene V A Room in Lord Stanleys house
ACT V
Scene I Salisbury An open place
Scene II Plain near Tamworth
Scene III Bosworth Field
Scene IV Another part of the Field
Scene V Another part of the Field
Dramatis Person
RICHARD DUKE OF GLOUCESTER afterwards KING RICHARD III
LADY ANNE widow to Edward Prince of Wales son to King Henry VI afterwards married to the Duke of Gloucester
KING EDWARD THE FOURTH brother to Richard
QUEEN ELIZABETH Queen to King Edward IV
Sons to the king
EDWARD PRINCE OF WALES afterwards KING EDWARD V
RICHARD DUKE OF YORK
GEORGE DUKE OF CLARENCE brother to Edward and Richard
BOY son to Clarence
GIRL daughter to Clarence
DUCHESS OF YORK mother to King Edward IV Clarence and Gloucester
QUEEN MARGARET widow to King Henry VI
DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM
LORD HASTINGS the Lord Chamberlain
LORD STANLEY the Earl of Derby
EARL RIVERS brother to Queen Elizabeth
LORD GREY son of Queen Elizabeth by her former marriage
MARQUESS OF DORSET son of Queen Elizabeth by her former marriage
SIR THOMAS VAUGHAN
SIR WILLIAM CATESBY
SIR RICHARD RATCLIFFE
LORD LOVELL
DUKE OF NORFOLK
EARL OF SURREY
HENRY EARL OF RICHMOND afterwards KING HENRY VII
EARL OF OXFORD
SIR JAMES BLUNT
SIR WALTER HERBERT
SIR WILLIAM BRANDON
CHRISTOPHER URSWICK a priest
THOMAS ROTHERHAM ARCHBISHOP OF YORK
CARDINAL BOURCHIER ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY
John Morton BISHOP OF ELY
SIR ROBERT BRAKENBURY Lieutenant of the Tower
SIR JAMES TYRREL
Another Priest
LORD MAYOR OF LONDON
SHERIFF OF WILTSHIRE
Lords and other Attendants two Gentlemen a Pursuivant Scrivener Citizens Murderers Messengers Ghosts Soldiers c
SCENE England
ACT I
SCENE I London A street
Enter Richard Duke of Gloucester alone
RICHARD
Now is the winter of our discontent
Made glorious summer by this son of York
And all the clouds that loured upon our house
In the deep bosom of the ocean buried
Now are our brows bound with victorious wreaths
Our bruised arms hung up for monuments
Our stern alarums changed to merry meetings
Our dreadful marches to delightful measures
Grimvisaged war hath smoothed his wrinkled front
And now instead of mounting barbed steeds
To fright the souls of fearful adversaries
He capers nimbly in a ladys chamber
To the lascivious pleasing of a lute
But I that am not shaped for sportive tricks
Nor made to court an amorous lookingglass
I that am rudely stamped and want loves majesty
To strut before a wanton ambling nymph
I that am curtailed of this fair proportion
Cheated of feature by dissembling nature
Deformed unfinished sent before my time
Into this breathing world scarce half made up
And that so lamely and unfashionable
That dogs bark at me as I halt by them
Why I in this weak piping time of peace
Have no delight to pass away the time
Unless to spy my shadow in the sun
And descant on mine own deformity
And therefore since I cannot prove a lover
To entertain these fair wellspoken days
I am determined to prove a villain
And hate the idle pleasures of these days
Plots have I laid inductions dangerous
By drunken prophecies libels 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 mewed up
About a prophecy which says that G
Of Edwards heirs the murderer shall be
Dive thoughts down to my soul Here Clarence comes
Enter Clarence guarded and Brakenbury
Brother good day What means this armed guard
That waits upon your Grace
CLARENCE
His Majesty
Tendring my persons safety hath appointed
This conduct to convey me to the Tower
RICHARD
Upon what cause
CLARENCE
Because my name is George
RICHARD
Alack my lord that fault is none of yours
He should for that commit your godfathers
O belike his Majesty hath some intent
That you should be newchristened in the Tower
But whats the matter Clarence May I know
CLARENCE
Yea Richard when I know for I protest
As yet I do not But as I can learn
He hearkens after prophecies and dreams
And from the crossrow plucks the letter G
And says a wizard told him that by G
His issue disinherited should be
And for my name of George begins with G
It follows in his thought that I am he
These as I learn and such like toys as these
Hath moved his Highness to commit me now
RICHARD
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 tis she
That tempers him to this extremity
Was it not she and that good man of worship
Antony Woodville her brother there
That made him send Lord Hastings to the Tower
From whence this present day he is delivered
We are not safe Clarence we are not safe
CLARENCE
By heaven I think there is no man secure
But the Queens kindred and nightwalking heralds
That trudge betwixt the King and Mistress Shore
Heard you not what an humble suppliant
Lord Hastings was to her for his delivery
RICHARD
Humbly complaining to her deity
Got my Lord Chamberlain his liberty
Ill tell you what I think it is our way
If we will keep in favour with the King
To be her men and wear her livery
The jealous oerworn widow and herself
Since that our brother dubbed them gentlewomen
Are mighty gossips in our monarchy
BRAKENBURY
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 your brother
RICHARD
Even so an please your worship Brakenbury
You may partake of anything we say
We speak no treason man We say the King
Is wise and virtuous and his noble Queen
Well struck in years fair and not jealous
We say that Shores wife hath a pretty foot
A cherry lip a bonny eye a passing pleasing tongue
And that the Queens kindred are made gentlefolks
How say you sir Can you deny all this
BRAKENBURY
With this my lord myself have naught to do
RICHARD
Naught to do with Mistress Shore I tell thee fellow
He that doth naught with her excepting one
Were best to do it secretly alone
BRAKENBURY
What one my lord
RICHARD
Her husband knave Wouldst thou betray me
BRAKENBURY
I do beseech your Grace to pardon me and withal
Forbear your conference with the noble Duke
CLARENCE
We know thy charge Brakenbury and will obey
RICHARD
We are the Queens abjects and must obey
Brother farewell I will unto the King
And whatsoeer you will employ me in
Were it to call King Edwards widow sister
I will perform it to enfranchise you
Meantime this deep disgrace in brotherhood
Touches me deeper than you can imagine
CLARENCE
I know it pleaseth neither of us well
RICHARD
Well your imprisonment shall not be long
I will deliver or else lie for you
Meantime have patience
CLARENCE
I must perforce Farewell
Exeunt Clarence Brakenbury and guard
RICHARD
Go tread the path that thou shalt neer return
Simple plain Clarence I do love thee so
That I will shortly send thy soul to heaven
If heaven will take the present at our hands
But who comes here The newdelivered Hastings
Enter Lord Hastings
HASTINGS
Good time of day unto my gracious lord
RICHARD
As much unto my good Lord Chamberlain
Well are you welcome to the open air
How hath your lordship brooked imprisonment
HASTINGS
With patience noble lord as prisoners must
But I shall live my lord to give them thanks
That were the cause of my imprisonment
RICHARD
No doubt no doubt and so shall Clarence too
For they that were your enemies are his
And have prevailed as much on him as you
HASTINGS
More pity that the eagles should be mewed
Whiles kites and buzzards prey at liberty
RICHARD
What news abroad
HASTINGS
No news so bad abroad as this at home
The King is sickly weak and melancholy
And his physicians fear him mightily
RICHARD
Now by Saint John that news is bad indeed
O he hath kept an evil diet long
And overmuch consumed his royal person
Tis very grievous to be thought upon
Where is he in his bed
HASTINGS
He is
RICHARD
Go you before and I will follow you
Exit Hastings
He cannot live I hope and must not die
Till George be packed with posthorse up to heaven
Ill in to urge his hatred more to Clarence
With lies well steeled with weighty arguments
And if I fail not in my deep intent
Clarence hath not another day to live
Which done God take King Edward to his mercy
And leave the world for me to bustle in
For then Ill marry Warwicks youngest daughter
What though I killed her husband and her father
The readiest way to make the wench amends
Is to become her husband and her father
The which will I not all so much for love
As for another secret close intent
By marrying her which I must reach unto
But yet I run before my horse to market
Clarence still breathes Edward still lives and reigns
When they are gone then must I count my gains
Exit
SCENE II London Another street
Enter the corse of King Henry the Sixth with Halberds to guard it Lady Anne being the mourner Tressel and Berkeley and other Gentlemen
ANNE
Set down set down your honourable load
If honour may be shrouded in a hearse
Whilst I awhile obsequiously lament
Th untimely fall of virtuous Lancaster
Poor keycold figure of a holy king
Pale ashes of the house of Lancaster
Thou bloodless remnant of that royal blood
Be it lawful that I invocate thy ghost
To hear the lamentations of poor Anne
Wife to thy Edward to thy slaughtered son
Stabbed by the selfsame hand that made these wounds
Lo in these windows that let forth thy life
I pour the helpless balm of my poor eyes
O cursed be the hand that made these holes
Cursed the heart that had the heart to do it
Cursed the blood that let this blood from hence
More direful hap betide that hated wretch
That makes us wretched by the death of thee
Than I can wish to adders spiders toads
Or any creeping venomed thing that lives
If ever he have child abortive be it
Prodigious and untimely brought to light
Whose ugly and unnatural aspect
May fright the hopeful mother at the view
And that be heir to his unhappiness
If ever he have wife let her be made
More miserable by the death of him
Than I am made by my young lord and thee
Come now towards Chertsey with your holy load
Taken from Pauls to be interred there
And still as you are weary of this weight
Rest you whiles I lament King Henrys corse
They take up the bier
Enter Richard Duke of Gloucester
RICHARD
Stay you that bear the corse and set it down
ANNE
What black magician conjures up this fiend
To stop devoted charitable deeds
RICHARD
Villains set down the corse or by Saint Paul
Ill make a corse of him that disobeys
GENTLEMAN
My lord stand back and let the coffin pass
RICHARD
Unmannered dog stand thou when I command
Advance thy halberd higher than my breast
Or by Saint Paul Ill strike thee to my foot
And spurn upon thee beggar for thy boldness
They set down the bier
ANNE
What do you tremble Are you all afraid
Alas I blame you not for you are mortal
And mortal eyes cannot endure the devil
Avaunt thou dreadful minister of hell
Thou hadst but power over his mortal body
His soul thou canst not have therefore begone
RICHARD
Sweet saint for charity be not so curst
ANNE
Foul devil for Gods sake hence and trouble us not
For thou hast made the happy earth thy hell
Filled it with cursing cries and deep exclaims
If thou delight to view thy heinous deeds
Behold this pattern of thy butcheries
O gentlemen see see dead Henrys wounds
Open their congealed mouths and bleed afresh
Blush blush thou lump of foul deformity
For tis thy presence that exhales this blood
From cold and empty veins where no blood dwells
Thy deeds inhuman and unnatural
Provokes this deluge most unnatural
O God which this blood madst revenge his death
O earth which this blood drinkst revenge his death
Either heaven with lightning strike the murderer dead
Or earth gape open wide and eat him quick
As thou dost swallow up this good Kings blood
Which his hellgoverned arm hath butchered
RICHARD
Lady you know no rules of charity
Which renders good for bad blessings for curses
ANNE
Villain thou knowst nor law of God nor man
No beast so fierce but knows some touch of pity
RICHARD
But I know none and therefore am no beast
ANNE
O wonderful when devils tell the truth
RICHARD
More wonderful when angels are so angry
Vouchsafe divine perfection of a woman
Of these supposed crimes to give me leave
By circumstance but to acquit myself
ANNE
Vouchsafe diffused infection of a man
Of these known evils but to give me leave
By circumstance to accuse thy cursed self
RICHARD
Fairer than tongue can name thee let me have
Some patient leisure to excuse myself
ANNE
Fouler than heart can think thee thou canst make
No excuse current but to hang thyself
RICHARD
By such despair I should accuse myself
ANNE
And by despairing shalt thou stand excused
For doing worthy vengeance on thyself
That didst unworthy slaughter upon others
RICHARD
Say that I slew them not
ANNE
Then say they were not slain
But dead they are and devilish slave by thee
RICHARD
I did not kill your husband
ANNE
Why then he is alive
RICHARD
Nay he is dead and slain by Edwards hand
ANNE
In thy foul throat thou liest Queen Margaret saw
Thy murdrous falchion smoking in his blood
The which thou once didst bend against her breast
But that thy brothers beat aside the point
RICHARD
I was provoked by her slandrous tongue
That laid their guilt upon my guiltless shoulders
ANNE
Thou wast provoked by thy bloody mind
That never dreamst on aught but butcheries
Didst thou not kill this King
RICHARD
I grant ye
ANNE
Dost grant me hedgehog Then God grant me too
Thou mayst be damned for that wicked deed
O he was gentle mild and virtuous
RICHARD
The better for the King of Heaven that hath him
ANNE
He is in heaven where thou shalt never come
RICHARD
Let him thank me that holp to send him thither
For he was fitter for that place than earth
ANNE
And thou unfit for any place but hell
RICHARD
Yes one place else if you will hear me name it
ANNE
Some dungeon
RICHARD
Your bedchamber
ANNE
Ill rest betide the chamber where thou liest
RICHARD
So will it madam till I lie with you
ANNE
I hope so
RICHARD
I know so But gentle Lady Anne
To leave this keen encounter of our wits
And fall something into a slower method
Is not the causer of the timeless deaths
Of these Plantagenets Henry and Edward
As blameful as the executioner
ANNE
Thou wast the cause and most accursed effect
RICHARD
Your beauty was the cause of that effect
Your beauty that did haunt me in my sleep
To undertake the death of all the world
So I might live one hour in your sweet bosom
ANNE
If I thought that I tell thee homicide
These nails should rend that beauty from my cheeks
RICHARD
These eyes could not endure that beautys wrack
You should not blemish it if I stood by
As all the world is cheered by the sun
So I by that it is my day my life
ANNE
Black night oershade thy day and death thy life
RICHARD
Curse not thyself fair creature thou art both
ANNE
I would I were to be revenged on thee
RICHARD
It is a quarrel most unnatural
To be revenged on him that loveth thee
ANNE
It is a quarrel just and reasonable
To be revenged on him that killed my husband
RICHARD
He that bereft thee lady of thy husband
Did it to help thee to a better husband
ANNE
His better doth not breathe upon the earth
RICHARD
He lives that loves thee better than he could
ANNE
Name him
RICHARD
Plantagenet
ANNE
Why that was he
RICHARD
The selfsame name but one of better nature
ANNE
Where is he
RICHARD
Here
She spits at him
Why dost thou spit at me
ANNE
Would it were mortal poison for thy sake
RICHARD
Never came poison from so sweet a place
ANNE
Never hung poison on a fouler toad
Out of my sight Thou dost infect mine eyes
RICHARD
Thine eyes sweet lady have infected mine
ANNE
Would they were basilisks to strike thee dead
RICHARD
I would they were that I might die at once
For now they kill me with a living death
Those eyes of thine from mine have drawn salt tears
Shamed their aspects with store of childish drops
These eyes which never shed remorseful tear
No when my father York and Edward wept
To hear the piteous moan that Rutland made
When blackfaced Clifford shook his sword at him
Nor when thy warlike father like a child
Told the sad story of my fathers death
And twenty times made pause to sob and weep
That all the standersby had wet their cheeks
Like trees bedashed with rain In that sad time
My manly eyes did scorn an humble tear
And what these sorrows could not thence exhale
Thy beauty hath and made them blind with weeping
I never sued to friend nor enemy
My tongue could never learn sweet smoothing word
But now thy beauty is proposed my fee
My proud heart sues and prompts my tongue to speak
She looks scornfully at him
Teach not thy lip such scorn for it was made
For kissing lady not for such contempt
If thy revengeful heart cannot forgive
Lo here I lend thee this sharppointed sword
Which if thou please to hide in this true breast
And let the soul forth that adoreth thee
I lay it naked to the deadly stroke
And humbly beg the death upon my knee
He kneels and lays his breast open she offers at it with his sword
Nay do not pause for I did kill King Henry
But twas thy beauty that provoked me
Nay now dispatch twas I that stabbed young Edward
But twas thy heavenly face that set me on
She falls the sword
Take up the sword again or take up me
ANNE
Arise dissembler Though I wish thy death
I will not be thy executioner
RICHARD
Then bid me kill myself and I will do it
ANNE
I have already
RICHARD
That was in thy rage
Speak it again and even with the word
This hand which for thy love did kill thy love
Shall for thy love kill a far truer love
To both their deaths shalt thou be accessary
ANNE
I would I knew thy heart
RICHARD
Tis figured in my tongue
ANNE
I fear me both are false
RICHARD
Then never was man true
ANNE
Well well put up your sword
RICHARD
Say then my peace is made
ANNE
That shalt thou know hereafter
RICHARD
But shall I live in hope
ANNE
All men I hope live so
RICHARD
Vouchsafe to wear this ring
ANNE
To take is not to give
He places the ring on her hand
RICHARD
Look how my ring encompasseth thy finger
Even so thy breast encloseth my poor heart
Wear both of them for both of them are thine
And if thy poor devoted servant may
But beg one favour at thy gracious hand
Thou dost confirm his happiness for ever
ANNE
What is it
RICHARD
That it may please you leave these sad designs
To him that hath most cause to be a mourner
And presently repair to Crosby Place
Where after I have solemnly interred
At Chertsey monastery this noble King
And wet his grave with my repentant tears
I will with all expedient duty see you
For divers unknown reasons I beseech you
Grant me this boon
ANNE
With all my heart and much it joys me too
To see you are become so penitent
Tressel and Berkeley go along with me
RICHARD
Bid me farewell
ANNE
Tis more than you deserve
But since you teach me how to flatter you
Imagine I have said farewell already
Exeunt Lady Anne Tressel and Berkeley
RICHARD
Sirs take up the corse
GENTLEMAN
Towards Chertsey noble lord
RICHARD
No to White Friars there attend my coming
Exeunt Halberds and Gentlemen with corse
Was ever woman in this humour wooed
Was ever woman in this humour won
Ill have her but I will not keep her long
What I that killed her husband and his father
To take her in her hearts extremest hate
With curses in her mouth tears in her eyes
The bleeding witness of her hatred by
Having God her conscience and these bars against me
And I no friends to back my suit at all
But the plain devil and dissembling looks
And yet to win her all the world to nothing
Ha
Hath she forgot already that brave prince
Edward her lord whom I some three months since
Stabbed in my angry mood at Tewksbury
A sweeter and a lovelier gentleman
Framed in the prodigality of nature
Young valiant wise and no doubt right royal
The spacious world cannot again afford
And will she yet abase her eyes on me
That cropped the golden prime of this sweet prince
And made her widow to a woeful bed
On me whose all not equals Edwards moiety
On me that halt and am misshapen thus
My dukedom to a beggarly denier
I do mistake my person all this while
Upon my life she finds although I cannot
Myself to be a marvellous proper man
Ill be at charges for a lookingglass
And entertain a score or two of tailors
To study fashions to adorn my body
Since I am crept in favour with myself
I will maintain it with some little cost
But first Ill turn yon fellow in his grave
And then return lamenting to my love
Shine out fair sun till I have bought a glass
That I may see my shadow as I pass
Exit
SCENE III London A Room in the Palace
Enter Queen Elizabeth the Marquess of Dorset Lord Rivers and Lord Grey
RIVERS
Have patience madam Theres no doubt his Majesty
Will soon recover his accustomed health
GREY
In that you brook it ill it makes him worse
Therefore for Gods sake entertain good comfort
And cheer his Grace with quick and merry eyes
QUEEN ELIZABETH
If he were dead what would betide on me
GREY
No other harm but loss of such a lord
QUEEN ELIZABETH
The loss of such a lord includes all harms
GREY
The heavens have blessed you with a goodly son
To be your comforter when he is gone
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Ah he is young and his minority
Is put unto the trust of Richard Gloucester
A man that loves not me nor none of you
RIVERS
Is it concluded he shall be Protector
QUEEN ELIZABETH
It is determined not concluded yet
But so it must be if the King miscarry
Enter Buckingham and Stanley Earl of Derby
GREY
Here come the Lords of Buckingham and Derby
BUCKINGHAM
Good time of day unto your royal Grace
STANLEY
God make your Majesty joyful as you have been
QUEEN ELIZABETH
The Countess Richmond good my Lord of Derby
To your good prayer will scarcely say amen
Yet Derby notwithstanding shes your wife
And loves not me be you good lord assured
I hate not you for her proud arrogance
STANLEY
I do beseech you either not believe
The envious slanders of her false accusers
Or if she be accused on true report
Bear with her weakness which I think proceeds
From wayward sickness and no grounded malice
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Saw you the King today my Lord of Derby
STANLEY
But now the Duke of Buckingham and I
Are come from visiting his Majesty
QUEEN ELIZABETH
What likelihood of his amendment lords
BUCKINGHAM
Madam good hope his Grace speaks cheerfully
QUEEN ELIZABETH
God grant him health Did you confer with him
BUCKINGHAM
Ay madam he desires to make atonement
Between the Duke of Gloucester and your brothers
And between them and my Lord Chamberlain
And sent to warn them to his royal presence
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Would all were wellbut that will never be
I fear our happiness is at the height
Enter Richard Duke of Gloucester and Hastings
RICHARD
They do me wrong and I will not endure it
Who is it that complains unto the King
That I forsooth am stern and love them not
By holy Paul they love his Grace but lightly
That fill his ears with such dissentious rumours
Because I cannot flatter and look fair
Smile in mens faces smooth deceive and cog
Duck with French nods and apish courtesy
I must be held a rancorous enemy
Cannot a plain man live and think no harm
But thus his simple truth must be abused
With silken sly insinuating Jacks
GREY
To who in all this presence speaks your Grace
RICHARD
To thee that hast nor honesty nor grace
When have I injured thee When done thee wrong
Or thee Or thee Or any of your faction
A plague upon you all His royal Grace
Whom God preserve better than you would wish
Cannot be quiet scarce a breathing while
But you must trouble him with lewd complaints
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Brother of Gloucester you mistake the matter
The King on his own royal disposition
And not provoked by any suitor else
Aiming belike at your interior hatred
That in your outward action shows itself
Against my children brothers and myself
Makes him to send that he may learn the ground
Of your ill will and thereby to remove it
RICHARD
I cannot tell The world is grown so bad
That wrens make prey where eagles dare not perch
Since every Jack became a gentleman
Theres many a gentle person made a Jack
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Come come we know your meaning brother Gloucester
You envy my advancement and my friends
God grant we never may have need of you
RICHARD
Meantime God grants that we have need of you
Our brother is imprisoned by your means
Myself disgraced and the nobility
Held in contempt while great promotions
Are daily given to ennoble those
That scarce some two days since were worth a noble
QUEEN ELIZABETH
By Him that raised me to this careful height
From that contented hap which I enjoyed
I never did incense his Majesty
Against the Duke of Clarence but have been
An earnest advocate to plead for him
My lord you do me shameful injury
Falsely to draw me in these vile suspects
RICHARD
You may deny that you were not the mean
Of my Lord Hastings late imprisonment
RIVERS
She may my lord for
RICHARD
She may Lord Rivers why who knows not so
She may do more sir than denying that
She may help you to many fair preferments
And then deny her aiding hand therein
And lay those honours on your high desert
What may she not She may ay marry may she
RIVERS
What marry may she
RICHARD
What marry may she Marry with a king
A bachelor and a handsome stripling too
Iwis your grandam had a worser match
QUEEN ELIZABETH
My lord of Gloucester I have too long borne
Your blunt upbraidings and your bitter scoffs
By heaven I will acquaint his Majesty
Of those gross taunts that oft I have endured
I had rather be a country servantmaid
Than a great queen with this condition
To be so baited scorned and stormed at
Enter old Queen Margaret behind
Small joy have I in being Englands queen
QUEEN MARGARET
Aside And lessened be that small God I beseech Him
Thy honour state and seat is due to me
RICHARD
What threat you me with telling of the King
Tell him and spare not Look what I have said
I will avouch t in presence of the King
I dare adventure to be sent to th Tower
Tis time to speak My pains are quite forgot
QUEEN MARGARET
Aside Out devil I do remember them too well
Thou killedst my husband Henry in the Tower
And Edward my poor son at Tewksbury
RICHARD
Ere you were queen ay or your husband king
I was a packhorse in his great affairs
A weederout of his proud adversaries
A liberal rewarder of his friends
To royalize his blood I spilt mine own
QUEEN MARGARET
Aside Ay and much better blood than his or thine
RICHARD
In all which time you and your husband Grey
Were factious for the house of Lancaster
And Rivers so were you Was not your husband
In Margarets battle at Saint Albans slain
Let me put in your minds if you forget
What you have been ere this and what you are
Withal what I have been and what I am
QUEEN MARGARET
Aside A murdrous villain and so still thou art
RICHARD
Poor Clarence did forsake his father Warwick
Ay and forswore himselfwhich Jesu pardon
QUEEN MARGARET
Aside Which God revenge
RICHARD
To fight on Edwards party for the crown
And for his meed poor lord he is mewed up
I would to God my heart were flint like Edwards
Or Edwards soft and pitiful like mine
I am too childishfoolish for this world
QUEEN MARGARET
Aside Hie thee to hell for shame and leave this world
Thou cacodemon There thy kingdom is
RIVERS
My lord of Gloucester in those busy days
Which here you urge to prove us enemies
We followed then our lord our sovereign king
So should we you if you should be our king
RICHARD
If I should be I had rather be a pedler
Far be it from my heart the thought thereof
QUEEN ELIZABETH
As little joy my lord as you suppose
You should enjoy were you this countrys king
As little joy you may suppose in me
That I enjoy being the Queen thereof
QUEEN MARGARET
Aside As little joy enjoys the Queen thereof
For I am she and altogether joyless
I can no longer hold me patient
Coming forward
Hear me you wrangling pirates that fall out
In sharing that which you have pilled from me
Which of you trembles not that looks on me
If not that I am Queen you bow like subjects
Yet that by you deposed you quake like rebels
Ah gentle villain do not turn away
RICHARD
Foul wrinkled witch what makst thou in my sight
QUEEN MARGARET
But repetition of what thou hast marred
That will I make before I let thee go
RICHARD
Wert thou not banished on pain of death
QUEEN MARGARET
I was but I do find more pain in banishment
Than death can yield me here by my abode
A husband and a son thou owst to me
And thou a kingdom all of you allegiance
This sorrow that I have by right is yours
And all the pleasures you usurp are mine
RICHARD
The curse my noble father laid on thee
When thou didst crown his warlike brows with paper
And with thy scorns drewst rivers from his eyes
And then to dry them gavst the Duke a clout
Steeped in the faultless blood of pretty Rutland
His curses then from bitterness of soul
Denounced against thee are all falln upon thee
And God not we hath plagued thy bloody deed
QUEEN ELIZABETH
So just is God to right the innocent
HASTINGS
O twas the foulest deed to slay that babe
And the most merciless that eer was heard of
RIVERS
Tyrants themselves wept when it was reported
DORSET
No man but prophesied revenge for it
BUCKINGHAM
Northumberland then present wept to see it
QUEEN MARGARET
What were you snarling all before I came
Ready to catch each other by the throat
And turn you all your hatred now on me
Did Yorks dread curse prevail so much with heaven
That Henrys death my lovely Edwards death
Their kingdoms loss my woeful banishment
Should all but answer for that peevish brat
Can curses pierce the clouds and enter heaven
Why then give way dull clouds to my quick curses
Though not by war by surfeit die your King
As ours by murder to make him a king
Edward thy son that now is Prince of Wales
For Edward our son that was Prince of Wales
Die in his youth by like untimely violence
Thyself a queen for me that was a queen
Outlive thy glory like my wretched self
Long mayst thou live to wail thy childrens death
And see another as I see thee now
Decked in thy rights as thou art stalled in mine
Long die thy happy days before thy death
And after many lengthened hours of grief
Die neither mother wife nor Englands Queen
Rivers and Dorset you were standersby
And so wast thou Lord Hastings when my son
Was stabbed with bloody daggers God I pray Him
That none of you may live his natural age
But by some unlooked accident cut off
RICHARD
Have done thy charm thou hateful withered hag
QUEEN MARGARET
And leave out thee Stay dog for thou shalt hear me
If heaven have any grievous plague in store
Exceeding those that I can wish upon thee
O let them keep it till thy sins be ripe
And then hurl down their indignation
On thee the troubler of the poor worlds peace
The worm of conscience still begnaw thy soul
Thy friends suspect for traitors while thou livst
And take deep traitors for thy dearest friends
No sleep close up that deadly eye of thine
Unless it be while some tormenting dream
Affrights thee with a hell of ugly devils
Thou elvishmarked abortive rooting hog
Thou that wast sealed in thy nativity
The slave of nature and the son of hell
Thou slander of thy heavy mothers womb
Thou loathed issue of thy fathers loins
Thou rag of honour thou detested
RICHARD
Margaret
QUEEN MARGARET
Richard
RICHARD
Ha
QUEEN MARGARET
I call thee not
RICHARD
I cry thee mercy then for I did think
That thou hadst called me all these bitter names
QUEEN MARGARET
Why so I did but looked for no reply
O let me make the period to my curse
RICHARD
Tis done by me and ends in Margaret
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Thus have you breathed your curse against yourself
QUEEN MARGARET
Poor painted queen vain flourish of my fortune
Why strewst thou sugar on that bottled spider
Whose deadly web ensnareth thee about
Fool fool thou whetst a knife to kill thyself
The day will come that thou shalt wish for me
To help thee curse this poisonous bunchbacked toad
HASTINGS
Falseboding woman end thy frantic curse
Lest to thy harm thou move our patience
QUEEN MARGARET
Foul shame upon you you have all moved mine
RIVERS
Were you well served you would be taught your duty
QUEEN MARGARET
To serve me well you all should do me duty
Teach me to be your queen and you my subjects
O serve me well and teach yourselves that duty
DORSET
Dispute not with her she is lunatic
QUEEN MARGARET
Peace Master Marquess you are malapert
Your firenew stamp of honour is scarce current
O that your young nobility could judge
What twere to lose it and be miserable
They that stand high have many blasts to shake them
And if they fall they dash themselves to pieces
RICHARD
Good counsel marry Learn it learn it Marquess
DORSET
It touches you my lord as much as me
RICHARD
Ay and much more but I was born so high
Our aery buildeth in the cedars top
And dallies with the wind and scorns the sun
QUEEN MARGARET
And turns the sun to shade alas alas
Witness my son now in the shade of death
Whose bright outshining beams thy cloudy wrath
Hath in eternal darkness folded up
Your aery buildeth in our aerys nest
O God that seest it do not suffer it
As it is won with blood lost be it so
BUCKINGHAM
Peace peace for shame if not for charity
QUEEN MARGARET
Urge neither charity nor shame to me
Uncharitably with me have you dealt
And shamefully my hopes by you are butchered
My charity is outrage life my shame
And in that shame still live my sorrows rage
BUCKINGHAM
Have done have done
QUEEN MARGARET
O princely Buckingham Ill kiss thy hand
In sign of league and amity with thee
Now fair befall thee and thy noble house
Thy garments are not spotted with our blood
Nor thou within the compass of my curse
BUCKINGHAM
Nor no one here for curses never pass
The lips of those that breathe them in the air
QUEEN MARGARET
I will not think but they ascend the sky
And there awake Gods gentle sleeping peace
O Buckingham take heed of yonder dog
Look when he fawns he bites and when he bites
His venom tooth will rankle to the death
Have not to do with him beware of him
Sin death and hell have set their marks on him
And all their ministers attend on him
RICHARD
What doth she say my lord of Buckingham
BUCKINGHAM
Nothing that I respect my gracious lord
QUEEN MARGARET
What dost thou scorn me for my gentle counsel
And soothe the devil that I warn thee from
O but remember this another day
When he shall split thy very heart with sorrow
And say poor Margaret was a prophetess
Live each of you the subjects to his hate
And he to yours and all of you to Gods
Exit
BUCKINGHAM
My hair doth stand on end to hear her curses
RIVERS
And so doth mine I muse why shes at liberty
RICHARD
I cannot blame her By Gods holy mother
She hath had too much wrong and I repent
My part thereof that I have done to her
QUEEN ELIZABETH
I never did her any to my knowledge
RICHARD
Yet you have all the vantage of her wrong
I was too hot to do somebody good
That is too cold in thinking of it now
Marry as for Clarence he is well repaid
He is franked up to fatting for his pains
God pardon them that are the cause thereof
RIVERS
A virtuous and a Christianlike conclusion
To pray for them that have done scathe to us
RICHARD
So do I everSpeaks to himself being well advised
For had I cursed now I had cursed myself
Enter Catesby
CATESBY
Madam his Majesty doth call for you
And for your Grace and you my gracious lords
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Catesby I come Lords will you go with me
RIVERS
We wait upon your Grace
Exeunt all but Richard
RICHARD
I do the wrong and first begin to brawl
The secret mischiefs that I set abroach
I lay unto the grievous charge of others
Clarence whom I indeed have cast in darkness
I do beweep to many simple gulls
Namely to Derby Hastings Buckingham
And tell them tis the Queen and her allies
That stir the King against the Duke my brother
Now they believe it and withal whet me
To be revenged on Rivers Dorset Grey
But then I sigh and with a piece of Scripture
Tell them that God bids us do good for evil
And thus I clothe my naked villany
With odd old ends stoln forth of Holy Writ
And seem a saint when most I play the devil
Enter two Murderers
But soft here come my executioners
How now my hardy stout resolved mates
Are you now going to dispatch this thing
FIRST MURDERER
We are my lord and come to have the warrant
That we may be admitted where he is
RICHARD
Well thought upon I have it here about me
Gives the warrant
When you have done repair to Crosby Place
But sirs be sudden in the execution
Withal obdurate do not hear him plead
For Clarence is wellspoken and perhaps
May move your hearts to pity if you mark him
SECOND MURDERER
Tut tut my lord we will not stand to prate
Talkers are no good doers Be assured
We go to use our hands and not our tongues
RICHARD
Your eyes drop millstones when fools eyes fall tears
I like you lads About your business straight
Go go dispatch
BOTH MURDERERS
We will my noble lord
Exeunt
SCENE IV London A Room in the Tower
Enter Clarence and Keeper
KEEPER
Why looks your Grace so heavily today
CLARENCE
O I have passed a miserable night
So full of fearful dreams of ugly sights
That as I am a Christian faithful man
I would not spend another such a night
Though twere to buy a world of happy days
So full of dismal terror was the time
KEEPER
What was your dream my lord I pray you tell me
CLARENCE
Methoughts that I had broken from the Tower
And was embarked to cross to Burgundy
And in my company my brother Gloucester
Who from my cabin tempted me to walk
Upon the hatches Thence we looked toward England
And cited up a thousand heavy times
During the wars of York and Lancaster
That had befalln us As we paced along
Upon the giddy footing of the hatches
Methought that Gloucester stumbled and in falling
Struck me that thought to stay him overboard
Into the tumbling billows of the main
O Lord methought what pain it was to drown
What dreadful noise of waters in my ears
What sights of ugly death within my eyes
Methoughts I saw a thousand fearful wracks
A thousand men that fishes gnawed upon
Wedges of gold great anchors heaps of pearl
Inestimable stones unvalued jewels
All scattered in the bottom of the sea
Some lay in dead mens skulls and in the holes
Where eyes did once inhabit there were crept
As twere in scorn of eyesreflecting gems
That wooed the slimy bottom of the deep
And mocked the dead bones that lay scattered by
KEEPER
Had you such leisure in the time of death
To gaze upon these secrets of the deep
CLARENCE
Methought I had and often did I strive
To yield the ghost but still the envious flood
Stopped in my soul and would not let it forth
To find the empty vast and wandring air
But smothered it within my panting bulk
Who almost burst to belch it in the sea
KEEPER
Awaked you not in this sore agony
CLARENCE
No no my dream was lengthened after life
O then began the tempest to my soul
I passed methought the melancholy flood
With that sour ferryman which poets write of
Unto the kingdom of perpetual night
The first that there did greet my strangersoul
Was my great fatherinlaw renowned Warwick
Who spake aloud What scourge for perjury
Can this dark monarchy afford false Clarence
And so he vanished Then came wandring by
A shadow like an angel with bright hair
Dabbled in blood and he shrieked out aloud
Clarence is comefalse fleeting perjured Clarence
That stabbed me in the field by Tewksbury
Seize on him Furies Take him unto torment
With that methoughts a legion of foul fiends
Environed me and howled in mine ears
Such hideous cries that with the very noise
I trembling waked and for a season after
Could not believe but that I was in hell
Such terrible impression made my dream
KEEPER
No marvel lord though it affrighted you
I am afraid methinks to hear you tell it
CLARENCE
Ah Keeper Keeper I have done these things
That now give evidence against my soul
For Edwards sake and see how he requites me
O God if my deep prayers cannot appease Thee
But Thou wilt be avenged on my misdeeds
Yet execute Thy wrath in me alone
O spare my guiltless wife and my poor children
Keeper I prithee sit by me awhile
My soul is heavy and I fain would sleep
KEEPER
I will my lord God give your Grace good rest
Clarence reposes himself on a chair
Enter Brakenbury the Lieutenant
BRAKENBURY
Sorrow breaks seasons and reposing hours
Makes the night morning and the noontide night
Princes have but their titles for their glories
An outward honour for an inward toil
And for unfelt imaginations
They often feel a world of restless cares
So that between their titles and low name
Theres nothing differs but the outward fame
Enter the two Murderers
FIRST MURDERER
Ho whos here
BRAKENBURY
What wouldst thou fellow And how camst thou hither
SECOND MURDERER
I would speak with Clarence and I came hither on my legs
BRAKENBURY
What so brief
FIRST MURDERER
Tis better sir than to be tedious Let him see our commission and talk no more
Brakenbury reads the commission
BRAKENBURY
I am in this commanded to deliver
The noble Duke of Clarence to your hands
I will not reason what is meant hereby
Because I will be guiltless of the meaning
There lies the Duke asleep and there the keys
Ill to the King and signify to him
That thus I have resigned to you my charge
FIRST MURDERER
You may sir tis a point of wisdom Fare you well
Exeunt Brakenbury and the Keeper
SECOND MURDERER
What shall I stab him as he sleeps
FIRST MURDERER
No Hell say twas done cowardly when he wakes
SECOND MURDERER
Why he shall never wake until the great Judgement Day
FIRST MURDERER
Why then hell say we stabbed him sleeping
SECOND MURDERER
The urging of that word judgement hath bred a kind of remorse in me
FIRST MURDERER
What art thou afraid
SECOND MURDERER
Not to kill him having a warrant but to be damned for killing him from the which no warrant can defend me
FIRST MURDERER
I thought thou hadst been resolute
SECOND MURDERER
So I amto let him live
FIRST MURDERER
Ill back to the Duke of Gloucester and tell him so
SECOND MURDERER
Nay I prithee stay a little I hope this passionate humour will change It was wont to hold me but while one tells twenty
FIRST MURDERER
How dost thou feel thyself now
SECOND MURDERER
Faith some certain dregs of conscience are yet within me
FIRST MURDERER
Remember our reward when the deeds done
SECOND MURDERER
Zounds he dies I had forgot the reward
FIRST MURDERER
Wheres thy conscience now
SECOND MURDERER
O in the Duke of Gloucesters purse
FIRST MURDERER
So when he opens his purse to give us our reward thy conscience flies out
SECOND MURDERER
Tis no matter let it go Theres few or none will entertain it
FIRST MURDERER
What if it come to thee again
SECOND MURDERER
Ill not meddle with it it makes a man coward A man cannot steal but it accuseth him a man cannot swear but it checks him a man cannot lie with his neighbours wife but it detects him Tis a blushing shamefaced spirit that mutinies in a mans bosom It fills a man full of obstacles It made me once restore a purse of gold that by chance I found It beggars any man that keeps it It is turned out of towns and cities for a dangerous thing and every man that means to live well endeavours to trust to himself and live without it
FIRST MURDERER
Zounds tis even now at my elbow persuading me not to kill the Duke
SECOND MURDERER
Take the devil in thy mind and believe him not He would insinuate with thee but to make thee sigh
FIRST MURDERER
I am strongframed he cannot prevail with me
SECOND MURDERER
Spoke like a tall man that respects thy reputation Come shall we fall to work
FIRST MURDERER
Take him on the costard with the hilts of thy sword and then throw him in the malmseybutt in the next room
SECOND MURDERER
O excellent deviceand make a sop of him
FIRST MURDERER
Soft he wakes
SECOND MURDERER
Strike
FIRST MURDERER
No well reason with him
CLARENCE
Where art thou keeper Give me a cup of wine
SECOND MURDERER
You shall have wine enough my lord anon
CLARENCE
In Gods name what art thou
FIRST MURDERER
A man as you are
CLARENCE
But not as I am royal
SECOND MURDERER
Nor you as we are loyal
CLARENCE
Thy voice is thunder but thy looks are humble
FIRST MURDERER
My voice is now the Kings my looks mine own
CLARENCE
How darkly and how deadly dost thou speak
Your eyes do menace me why look you pale
Who sent you hither Wherefore do you come
SECOND MURDERER
To to to
CLARENCE
To murder me
BOTH MURDERERS
Ay ay
CLARENCE
You scarcely have the hearts to tell me so
And therefore cannot have the hearts to do it
Wherein my friends have I offended you
FIRST MURDERER
Offended us you have not but the King
CLARENCE
I shall be reconciled to him again
SECOND MURDERER
Never my lord therefore prepare to die
CLARENCE
Are you drawn forth among a world of men
To slay the innocent What is my offence
Where is the evidence that doth accuse me
What lawful quest have given their verdict up
Unto the frowning judge Or who pronounced
The bitter sentence of poor Clarence death
Before I be convict by course of law
To threaten me with death is most unlawful
I charge you as you hope to have redemption
By Christs dear blood shed for our grievous sins
That you depart and lay no hands on me
The deed you undertake is damnable
FIRST MURDERER
What we will do we do upon command
SECOND MURDERER
And he that hath commanded is our King
CLARENCE
Erroneous vassals The great King of kings
Hath in the table of his law commanded
That thou shalt do no murder Will you then
Spurn at His edict and fulfil a mans
Take heed for He holds vengeance in His hand
To hurl upon their heads that break His law
SECOND MURDERER
And that same vengeance doth He hurl on thee
For false forswearing and for murder too
Thou didst receive the sacrament to fight
In quarrel of the house of Lancaster
FIRST MURDERER
And like a traitor to the name of God
Didst break that vow and with thy treacherous blade
Unrippedst the bowels of thy sovereigns son
SECOND MURDERER
Whom thou wast sworn to cherish and defend
FIRST MURDERER
How canst thou urge Gods dreadful law to us
When thou hast broke it in such dear degree
CLARENCE
Alas for whose sake did I that ill deed
For Edward for my brother for his sake
He sends you not to murder me for this
For in that sin he is as deep as I
If God will be avenged for the deed
O know you yet He doth it publicly
Take not the quarrel from His powerful arm
He needs no indirect or lawless course
To cut off those that have offended Him
FIRST MURDERER
Who made thee then a bloody minister
When gallantspringing brave Plantagenet
That princely novice was struck dead by thee
CLARENCE
My brothers love the devil and my rage
FIRST MURDERER
Thy brothers love our duty and thy faults
Provoke us hither now to slaughter thee
CLARENCE
If you do love my brother hate not me
I am his brother and I love him well
If you are hired for meed go back again
And I will send you to my brother Gloucester
Who shall reward you better for my life
Than Edward will for tidings of my death
SECOND MURDERER
You are deceived Your brother Gloucester hates you
CLARENCE
O no he loves me and he holds me dear
Go you to him from me
FIRST MURDERER
Ay so we will
CLARENCE
Tell him when that our princely father York
Blessed his three sons with his victorious arm
And charged us from his soul to love each other
He little thought of this divided friendship
Bid Gloucester think of this and he will weep
FIRST MURDERER
Ay millstones as he lessoned us to weep
CLARENCE
O do not slander him for he is kind
FIRST MURDERER
Right as snow in harvest Come you deceive yourself
Tis he that sends us to destroy you here
CLARENCE
It cannot be for he bewept my fortune
And hugged me in his arms and swore with sobs
That he would labour my delivery
FIRST MURDERER
Why so he doth when he delivers you
From this earths thraldom to the joys of heaven
SECOND MURDERER
Make peace with God for you must die my lord
CLARENCE
Have you that holy feeling in your souls
To counsel me to make my peace with God
And are you yet to your own souls so blind
That you will war with God by murdring me
O sirs consider they that set you on
To do this deed will hate you for the deed
SECOND MURDERER
What shall we do
CLARENCE
Relent and save your souls
FIRST MURDERER
Relent No tis cowardly and womanish
CLARENCE
Not to relent is beastly savage devilish
Which of youif you were a princes son
Being pent from liberty as I am now
If two such murderers as yourselves came to you
Would not entreat for life Ay you would beg
Were you in my distress
My friend I spy some pity in thy looks
O if thine eye be not a flatterer
Come thou on my side and entreat for me
A begging prince what beggar pities not
SECOND MURDERER
Look behind you my lord
FIRST MURDERER
Take that and that Stabs him If all this will not do
Ill drown you in the malmseybutt within
Exit with the body
SECOND MURDERER
A bloody deed and desperately dispatched
How fain like Pilate would I wash my hands
Of this most grievous murder
Enter First Murderer
FIRST MURDERER
How now What meanst thou that thou helpst me not
By heavens the Duke shall know how slack you have been
SECOND MURDERER
I would he knew that I had saved his brother
Take thou the fee and tell him what I say
For I repent me that the Duke is slain
Exit
FIRST MURDERER
So do not I Go coward as thou art
Well Ill go hide the body in some hole
Till that the Duke give order for his burial
And when I have my meed I will away
For this will out and then I must not stay
Exit
ACT II
SCENE I London A Room in the palace
Enter King Edward sick Queen Elizabeth Dorset Rivers Hastings Buckingham Grey and others
KING EDWARD
Why so Now have I done a good days work
You peers continue this united league
I every day expect an embassage
From my Redeemer to redeem me hence
And more at peace my soul shall part to heaven
Since I have made my friends at peace on earth
Rivers and Hastings take each others hand
Dissemble not your hatred Swear your love
RIVERS
By heaven my soul is purged from grudging hate
And with my hand I seal my true hearts love
HASTINGS
So thrive I as I truly swear the like
KING EDWARD
Take heed you dally not before your King
Lest He that is the supreme King of kings
Confound your hidden falsehood and award
Either of you to be the others end
HASTINGS
So prosper I as I swear perfect love
RIVERS
And I as I love Hastings with my heart
KING EDWARD
Madam yourself is not exempt from this
Nor you son Dorset Buckingham nor you
You have been factious one against the other
Wife love Lord Hastings let him kiss your hand
And what you do do it unfeignedly
QUEEN ELIZABETH
There Hastings I will never more remember
Our former hatred so thrive I and mine
KING EDWARD
Dorset embrace him Hastings love lord Marquess
DORSET
This interchange of love I here protest
Upon my part shall be inviolable
HASTINGS
And so swear I
They embrace
KING EDWARD
Now princely Buckingham seal thou this league
With thy embracements to my wifes allies
And make me happy in your unity
BUCKINGHAM
Whenever Buckingham doth turn his hate
Upon your Grace but with all duteous love
Doth cherish you and yours God punish me
With hate in those where I expect most love
When I have most need to employ a friend
And most assured that he is a friend
Deep hollow treacherous and full of guile
Be he unto me this do I beg of God
When I am cold in love to you or yours
Embrace
KING EDWARD
A pleasing cordial princely Buckingham
Is this thy vow unto my sickly heart
There wanteth now our brother Gloucester here
To make the blessed period of this peace
BUCKINGHAM
And in good time
Here comes Sir Ratcliffe and the Duke
Enter Ratcliffe and Richard
RICHARD
Good morrow to my sovereign King and Queen
And princely peers a happy time of day
KING EDWARD
Happy indeed as we have spent the day
Gloucester we have done deeds of charity
Made peace of enmity fair love of hate
Between these swelling wrongincensed peers
RICHARD
A blessed labour my most sovereign lord
Among this princely heap if any here
By false intelligence or wrong surmise
Hold me a foe
If I unwittingly or in my rage
Have aught committed that is hardly borne
By any in this presence I desire
To reconcile me to his friendly peace
Tis death to me to be at enmity
I hate it and desire all good mens love
First madam I entreat true peace of you
Which I will purchase with my duteous service
Of you my noble cousin Buckingham
If ever any grudge were lodged between us
Of you and you Lord Rivers and of Dorset
That all without desert have frowned on me
Of you Lord Woodville and Lord Scalesof you
Dukes earls lords gentlemen indeed of all
I do not know that Englishman alive
With whom my soul is any jot at odds
More than the infant that is born tonight
I thank my God for my humility
QUEEN ELIZABETH
A holy day shall this be kept hereafter
I would to God all strifes were well compounded
My sovereign lord I do beseech your Highness
To take our brother Clarence to your grace
RICHARD
Why madam have I offered love for this
To be so flouted in this royal presence
Who knows not that the gentle Duke is dead
They all start
You do him injury to scorn his corse
KING EDWARD
Who knows not he is dead Who knows he is
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Allseeing heaven what a world is this
BUCKINGHAM
Look I so pale Lord Dorset as the rest
DORSET
Ay my good lord and no man in the presence
But his red colour hath forsook his cheeks
KING EDWARD
Is Clarence dead The order was reversed
RICHARD
But he poor man by your first order died
And that a winged Mercury did bear
Some tardy cripple bore the countermand
That came too lag to see him buried
God grant that some less noble and less loyal
Nearer in bloody thoughts and not in blood
Deserve not worse than wretched Clarence did
And yet go current from suspicion
Enter Stanley Earl of Derby
STANLEY
A boon my sovereign for my service done
KING EDWARD
I prithee peace My soul is full of sorrow
STANLEY
I will not rise unless your Highness hear me
KING EDWARD
Then say at once what is it thou requests
STANLEY
The forfeit sovereign of my servants life
Who slew today a riotous gentleman
Lately attendant on the Duke of Norfolk
KING EDWARD
Have I a tongue to doom my brothers death
And shall that tongue give pardon to a slave
My brother killed no man his fault was thought
And yet his punishment was bitter death
Who sued to me for him Who in my wrath
Kneeled at my feet and bid me be advised
Who spoke of brotherhood Who spoke of love
Who told me how the poor soul did forsake
The mighty Warwick and did fight for me
Who told me in the field at Tewksbury
When Oxford had me down he rescued me
And said Dear brother live and be a king
Who told me when we both lay in the field
Frozen almost to death how he did lap me
Even in his garments and did give himself
All thin and naked to the numbcold night
All this from my remembrance brutish wrath
Sinfully plucked and not a man of you
Had so much grace to put it in my mind
But when your carters or your waiting vassals
Have done a drunken slaughter and defaced
The precious image of our dear Redeemer
You straight are on your knees for pardon pardon
And I unjustly too must grant it you
But for my brother not a man would speak
Nor I ungracious speak unto myself
For him poor soul The proudest of you all
Have been beholding to him in his life
Yet none of you would once beg for his life
O God I fear Thy justice will take hold
On me and you and mine and yours for this
Come Hastings help me to my closet
Ah poor Clarence
Exeunt some with King and Queen
RICHARD
This is the fruit of rashness Marked you not
How that the guilty kindred of the Queen
Looked pale when they did hear of Clarence death
O they did urge it still unto the King
God will revenge it Come lords will you go
To comfort Edward with our company
BUCKINGHAM
We wait upon your Grace
Exeunt
SCENE II Another Room in the palace
Enter the old Duchess of York with the two Children of Clarence
BOY
Good grandam tell us is our father dead
DUCHESS
No boy
GIRL
Why do you weep so oft and beat your breast
And cry O Clarence my unhappy son
BOY
Why do you look on us and shake your head
And call us orphans wretches castaways
If that our noble father were alive
DUCHESS
My pretty cousins you mistake me both
I do lament the sickness of the King
As loath to lose him not your fathers death
It were lost sorrow to wail one thats lost
BOY
Then you conclude my grandam he is dead
The King mine uncle is to blame for it
God will revenge it whom I will importune
With earnest prayers all to that effect
GIRL
And so will I
DUCHESS
Peace children peace The King doth love you well
Incapable and shallow innocents
You cannot guess who caused your fathers death
BOY
Grandam we can for my good uncle Gloucester
Told me the King provoked to it by the Queen
Devised impeachments to imprison him
And when my uncle told me so he wept
And pitied me and kindly kissed my cheek
Bade me rely on him as on my father
And he would love me dearly as his child
DUCHESS
Ah that deceit should steal such gentle shape
And with a virtuous visard hide deep vice
He is my son ay and therein my shame
Yet from my dugs he drew not this deceit
BOY
Think you my uncle did dissemble grandam
DUCHESS
Ay boy
BOY
I cannot think it Hark what noise is this
Enter Queen Elizabeth with her hair about her ears Rivers and Dorset after her
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Ah who shall hinder me to wail and weep
To chide my fortune and torment myself
Ill join with black despair against my soul
And to myself become an enemy
DUCHESS
What means this scene of rude impatience
QUEEN ELIZABETH
To make an act of tragic violence
Edward my lord thy son our King is dead
Why grow the branches when the root is gone
Why wither not the leaves that want their sap
If you will live lament if die be brief
That our swiftwinged souls may catch the Kings
Or like obedient subjects follow him
To his new kingdom of neerchanging night
DUCHESS
Ah so much interest have I in thy sorrow
As I had title in thy noble husband
I have bewept a worthy husbands death
And lived by looking on his images
But now two mirrors of his princely semblance
Are cracked in pieces by malignant death
And I for comfort have but one false glass
That grieves me when I see my shame in him
Thou art a widow yet thou art a mother
And hast the comfort of thy children left
But death hath snatched my husband from mine arms
And plucked two crutches from my feeble hands
Clarence and Edward O what cause have I
Thine being but a moiety of my moan
To overgo thy woes and drown thy cries
BOY
Ah aunt you wept not for our fathers death
How can we aid you with our kindred tears
GIRL
Our fatherless distress was left unmoaned
Your widowdolour likewise be unwept
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Give me no help in lamentation
I am not barren to bring forth complaints
All springs reduce their currents to mine eyes
That I being governed by the watery moon
May send forth plenteous tears to drown the world
Ah for my husband for my dear Lord Edward
CHILDREN
Ah for our father for our dear Lord Clarence
DUCHESS
Alas for both both mine Edward and Clarence
QUEEN ELIZABETH
What stay had I but Edward And hes gone
CHILDREN
What stay had we but Clarence And hes gone
DUCHESS
What stays had I but they And they are gone
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Was never widow had so dear a loss
CHILDREN
Were never orphans had so dear a loss
DUCHESS
Was never mother had so dear a loss
Alas I am the mother of these griefs
Their woes are parcelled mine is general
She for an Edward weeps and so do I
I for a Clarence weep so doth not she
These babes for Clarence weep and so do I
I for an Edward weep so do not they
Alas you three on me threefold distressed
Pour all your tears I am your sorrows nurse
And I will pamper it with lamentation
DORSET
Comfort dear mother God is much displeased
That you take with unthankfulness His doing
In common worldly things tis called ungrateful
With dull unwillingness to repay a debt
Which with a bounteous hand was kindly lent
Much more to be thus opposite with heaven
For it requires the royal debt it lent you
RIVERS
Madam bethink you like a careful mother
Of the young prince your son Send straight for him
Let him be crowned in him your comfort lives
Drown desperate sorrow in dead Edwards grave
And plant your joys in living Edwards throne
Enter Richard Buckingham Stanley Earl of Derby Hastings and Ratcliffe
RICHARD
Sister have comfort All of us have cause
To wail the dimming of our shining star
But none can help our harms by wailing them
Madam my mother I do cry you mercy
I did not see your Grace Humbly on my knee
I crave your blessing
Kneels
DUCHESS
God bless thee and put meekness in thy breast
Love charity obedience and true duty
RICHARD
Amen Aside And make me die a good old man
That is the butt end of a mothers blessing
I marvel that her Grace did leave it out
BUCKINGHAM
You cloudy princes and heartsorrowing peers
That bear this heavy mutual load of moan
Now cheer each other in each others love
Though we have spent our harvest of this king
We are to reap the harvest of his son
The broken rancour of your highswolln hates
But lately splintered knit and joined together
Must gently be preserved cherished and kept
Me seemeth good that with some little train
Forthwith from Ludlow the young Prince be fet
Hither to London to be crowned our King
RIVERS
Why with some little train my Lord of Buckingham
BUCKINGHAM
Marry my lord lest by a multitude
The newhealed wound of malice should break out
Which would be so much the more dangerous
By how much the estate is green and yet ungoverned
Where every horse bears his commanding rein
And may direct his course as please himself
As well the fear of harm as harm apparent
In my opinion ought to be prevented
RICHARD
I hope the King made peace with all of us
And the compact is firm and true in me
RIVERS
And so in me and so I think in all
Yet since it is but green it should be put
To no apparent likelihood of breach
Which haply by much company might be urged
Therefore I say with noble Buckingham
That it is meet so few should fetch the Prince
HASTINGS
And so say I
RICHARD
Then be it so and go we to determine
Who they shall be that straight shall post to Ludlow
Madam and you my sister will you go
To give your censures in this business
Exeunt all but Buckingham and Richard
BUCKINGHAM
My lord whoever journeys to the Prince
For Gods sake let not us two stay at home
For by the way Ill sort occasion
As index to the story we late talked of
To part the Queens proud kindred from the Prince
RICHARD
My other self my counsels consistory
My oracle my prophet my dear cousin
I as a child will go by thy direction
Toward Ludlow then for well not stay behind
Exeunt
SCENE III London A street
Enter one Citizen at one door and Another at the other
FIRST CITIZEN
Good morrow neighbour whither away so fast
SECOND CITIZEN
I promise you I scarcely know myself
Hear you the news abroad
FIRST CITIZEN
Yes that the King is dead
SECOND CITIZEN
Ill news byr Lady seldom comes the better
I fear I fear twill prove a giddy world
Enter another Citizen
THIRD CITIZEN
Neighbours God speed
FIRST CITIZEN
Give you good morrow sir
THIRD CITIZEN
Doth the news hold of good King Edwards death
SECOND CITIZEN
Ay sir it is too true God help the while
THIRD CITIZEN
Then masters look to see a troublous world
FIRST CITIZEN
No no by Gods good grace his son shall reign
THIRD CITIZEN
Woe to that land thats governed by a child
SECOND CITIZEN
In him there is a hope of government
Which in his nonage council under him
And in his full and ripened years himself
No doubt shall then and till then govern well
FIRST CITIZEN
So stood the state when Henry the Sixth
Was crowned in Paris but at nine months old
THIRD CITIZEN
Stood the state so No no good friends God wot
For then this land was famously enriched
With politic grave counsel then the King
Had virtuous uncles to protect his Grace
FIRST CITIZEN
Why so hath this both by his father and mother
THIRD CITIZEN
Better it were they all came by his father
Or by his father there were none at all
For emulation who shall now be nearest
Will touch us all too near if God prevent not
O full of danger is the Duke of Gloucester
And the Queens sons and brothers haught and proud
And were they to be ruled and not to rule
This sickly land might solace as before
FIRST CITIZEN
Come come we fear the worst all will be well
THIRD CITIZEN
When clouds are seen wise men put on their cloaks
When great leaves fall then winter is at hand
When the sun sets who doth not look for night
Untimely storms make men expect a dearth
All may be well but if God sort it so
Tis more than we deserve or I expect
SECOND CITIZEN
Truly the hearts of men are full of fear
You cannot reason almost with a man
That looks not heavily and full of dread
THIRD CITIZEN
Before the days of change still is it so
By a divine instinct mens minds mistrust
Ensuing danger as by proof we see
The water swell before a boistrous storm
But leave it all to God Whither away
SECOND CITIZEN
Marry we were sent for to the Justices
THIRD CITIZEN
And so was I Ill bear you company
Exeunt
SCENE IV London A Room in the Palace
Enter the Archbishop of York the young Duke of York Queen Elizabeth and the Duchess of York
ARCHBISHOP
Last night I hear they lay at Stony Stratford
And at Northampton they do rest tonight
Tomorrow or next day they will be here
DUCHESS
I long with all my heart to see the Prince
I hope he is much grown since last I saw him
QUEEN ELIZABETH
But I hear no they say my son of York
Has almost overtaen him in his growth
YORK
Ay mother but I would not have it so
DUCHESS
Why my good cousin It is good to grow
YORK
Grandam one night as we did sit at supper
My uncle Rivers talked how I did grow
More than my brother Ay quoth my uncle Gloucester
Small herbs have grace great weeds do grow apace
And since methinks I would not grow so fast
Because sweet flowers are slow and weeds make haste
DUCHESS
Good faith good faith the saying did not hold
In him that did object the same to thee
He was the wretchedst thing when he was young
So long agrowing and so leisurely
That if his rule were true he should be gracious
ARCHBISHOP
And so no doubt he is my gracious madam
DUCHESS
I hope he is but yet let mothers doubt
YORK
Now by my troth if I had been remembered
I could have given my uncles Grace a flout
To touch his growth nearer than he touched mine
DUCHESS
How my young York I prithee let me hear it
YORK
Marry they say my uncle grew so fast
That he could gnaw a crust at two hours old
Twas full two years ere I could get a tooth
Grandam this would have been a biting jest
DUCHESS
I prithee pretty York who told thee this
YORK
Grandam his nurse
DUCHESS
His nurse Why she was dead ere thou wast born
YORK
If twere not she I cannot tell who told me
QUEEN ELIZABETH
A parlous boy Go to you are too shrewd
DUCHESS
Good madam be not angry with the child
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Pitchers have ears
Enter a Messenger
ARCHBISHOP
Here comes a messenger What news
MESSENGER
Such news my lord as grieves me to report
QUEEN ELIZABETH
How doth the Prince
MESSENGER
Well madam and in health
DUCHESS
What is thy news
MESSENGER
Lord Rivers and Lord Grey are sent to Pomfret
And with them Sir Thomas Vaughan prisoners
DUCHESS
Who hath committed them
MESSENGER
The mighty Dukes Gloucester and Buckingham
ARCHBISHOP
For what offence
MESSENGER
The sum of all I can I have disclosed
Why or for what the nobles were committed
Is all unknown to me my gracious lord
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Ah me I see the ruin of my house
The tiger now hath seized the gentle hind
Insulting tyranny begins to jut
Upon the innocent and aweless throne
Welcome destruction blood and massacre
I see as in a map the end of all
DUCHESS
Accursed and unquiet wrangling days
How many of you have mine eyes beheld
My husband lost his life to get the crown
And often up and down my sons were tossed
For me to joy and weep their gain and loss
And being seated and domestic broils
Clean overblown themselves the conquerors
Make war upon themselves brother to brother
Blood to blood self against self O preposterous
And frantic outrage end thy damned spleen
Or let me die to look on earth no more
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Come come my boy We will to sanctuary
Madam farewell
DUCHESS
Stay I will go with you
QUEEN ELIZABETH
You have no cause
ARCHBISHOP
To the Queen My gracious lady go
And thither bear your treasure and your goods
For my part Ill resign unto your Grace
The seal I keep and so betide to me
As well I tender you and all of yours
Go Ill conduct you to the sanctuary
Exeunt
ACT III
SCENE I London A street
The trumpets sound Enter young Prince Edward Richard Buckingham Cardinal Bourchier Catesby and others
BUCKINGHAM
Welcome sweet Prince to London to your chamber
RICHARD
Welcome dear cousin my thoughts sovereign
The weary way hath made you melancholy
PRINCE
No uncle but our crosses on the way
Have made it tedious wearisome and heavy
I want more uncles here to welcome me
RICHARD
Sweet prince the untainted virtue of your years
Hath not yet dived into the worlds deceit
Nor more can you distinguish of a man
Than of his outward show which God He knows
Seldom or never jumpeth with the heart
Those uncles which you want were dangerous
Your Grace attended to their sugared words
But looked not on the poison of their hearts
God keep you from them and from such false friends
PRINCE
God keep me from false friends but they were none
RICHARD
My lord the Mayor of London comes to greet you
Enter Lord Mayor with Attendants
MAYOR
God bless your Grace with health and happy days
PRINCE
I thank you good my lord and thank you all
I thought my mother and my brother York
Would long ere this have met us on the way
Fie what a slug is Hastings that he comes not
To tell us whether they will come or no
Enter Lord Hastings
BUCKINGHAM
And in good time here comes the sweating lord
PRINCE
Welcome my lord What will our mother come
HASTINGS
On what occasion God He knows not I
The Queen your mother and your brother York
Have taken sanctuary The tender prince
Would fain have come with me to meet your Grace
But by his mother was perforce withheld
BUCKINGHAM
Fie what an indirect and peevish course
Is this of hers Lord cardinal will your Grace
Persuade the Queen to send the Duke of York
Unto his princely brother presently
If she deny Lord Hastings go with him
And from her jealous arms pluck him perforce
CARDINAL
My Lord of Buckingham if my weak oratory
Can from his mother win the Duke of York
Anon expect him here but if she be obdurate
To mild entreaties God in heaven forbid
We should infringe the holy privilege
Of blessed sanctuary Not for all this land
Would I be guilty of so deep a sin
BUCKINGHAM
You are too senselessobstinate my lord
Too ceremonious and traditional
Weigh it but with the grossness of this age
You break not sanctuary in seizing him
The benefit thereof is always granted
To those whose dealings have deserved the place
And those who have the wit to claim the place
This prince hath neither claimed it nor deserved it
And therefore in mine opinion cannot have it
Then taking him from thence that is not there
You break no privilege nor charter there
Oft have I heard of sanctuarymen
But sanctuary children never till now
CARDINAL
My lord you shall oerrule my mind for once
Come on Lord Hastings will you go with me
HASTINGS
I go my lord
PRINCE
Good lords make all the speedy haste you may
Exeunt Cardinal and Hastings
Say uncle Gloucester if our brother come
Where shall we sojourn till our coronation
RICHARD
Where it seems best unto your royal self
If I may counsel you some day or two
Your Highness shall repose you at the Tower
Then where you please and shall be thought most fit
For your best health and recreation
PRINCE
I do not like the Tower of any place
Did Julius Caesar build that place my lord
BUCKINGHAM
He did my gracious lord begin that place
Which since succeeding ages have reedified
PRINCE
Is it upon record or else reported
Successively from age to age he built it
BUCKINGHAM
Upon record my gracious lord
PRINCE
But say my lord it were not registered
Methinks the truth should live from age to age
As twere retailed to all posterity
Even to the general allending day
RICHARD
Aside So wise so young they say do never live long
PRINCE
What say you uncle
RICHARD
I say without characters fame lives long
Aside Thus like the formal Vice Iniquity
I moralize two meanings in one word
PRINCE
That Julius Caesar was a famous man
With what his valour did enrich his wit
His wit set down to make his valour live
Death makes no conquest of this conqueror
For now he lives in fame though not in life
Ill tell you what my cousin Buckingham
BUCKINGHAM
What my gracious lord
PRINCE
An if I live until I be a man
Ill win our ancient right in France again
Or die a soldier as I lived a king
RICHARD
Aside Short summers lightly have a forward spring
Enter young Duke of York Hastings and the Cardinal
BUCKINGHAM
Now in good time here comes the Duke of York
PRINCE
Richard of York how fares our loving brother
YORK
Well my dread lordso must I call you now
PRINCE
Ay brother to our grief as it is yours
Too late he died that might have kept that title
Which by his death hath lost much majesty
RICHARD
How fares our cousin noble lord of York
YORK
I thank you gentle uncle O my lord
You said that idle weeds are fast in growth
The Prince my brother hath outgrown me far
RICHARD
He hath my lord
YORK
And therefore is he idle
RICHARD
O my fair cousin I must not say so
YORK
Then he is more beholding to you than I
RICHARD
He may command me as my sovereign
But you have power in me as in a kinsman
YORK
I pray you uncle give me this dagger
RICHARD
My dagger little cousin With all my heart
PRINCE
A beggar brother
YORK
Of my kind uncle that I know will give
And being but a toy which is no grief to give
RICHARD
A greater gift than that Ill give my cousin
YORK
A greater gift O thats the sword to it
RICHARD
Ay gentle cousin were it light enough
YORK
O then I see you will part but with light gifts
In weightier things youll say a beggar nay
RICHARD
It is too heavy for your Grace to wear
YORK
I weigh it lightly were it heavier
RICHARD
What would you have my weapon little lord
YORK
I would that I might thank you as you call me
RICHARD
How
YORK
Little
PRINCE
My lord of York will still be cross in talk
Uncle your Grace knows how to bear with him
YORK
You mean to bear me not to bear with me
Uncle my brother mocks both you and me
Because that I am little like an ape
He thinks that you should bear me on your shoulders
BUCKINGHAM
With what a sharpprovided wit he reasons
To mitigate the scorn he gives his uncle
He prettily and aptly taunts himself
So cunning and so young is wonderful
RICHARD
My lord wilt please you pass along
Myself and my good cousin Buckingham
Will to your mother to entreat of her
To meet you at the Tower and welcome you
YORK
What will you go unto the Tower my lord
PRINCE
My Lord Protector needs will have it so
YORK
I shall not sleep in quiet at the Tower
RICHARD
Why what should you fear
YORK
Marry my uncle Clarence angry ghost
My grandam told me he was murdered there
PRINCE
I fear no uncles dead
RICHARD
Nor none that live I hope
PRINCE
An if they live I hope I need not fear
But come my lord With a heavy heart
Thinking on them go I unto the Tower
A Sennet Exeunt Prince Edward York Hastings Dorset and all but Richard Buckingham and Catesby
BUCKINGHAM
Think you my lord this little prating York
Was not incensed by his subtle mother
To taunt and scorn you thus opprobriously
RICHARD
No doubt no doubt O tis a parlous boy
Bold quick ingenious forward capable
He is all the mothers from the top to toe
BUCKINGHAM
Well let them rest Come hither Catesby
Thou art sworn as deeply to effect what we intend
As closely to conceal what we impart
Thou knowst our reasons urged upon the way
What thinkst thou Is it not an easy matter
To make William Lord Hastings of our mind
For the instalment of this noble Duke
In the seat royal of this famous isle
CATESBY
He for his fathers sake so loves the Prince
That he will not be won to aught against him
BUCKINGHAM
What thinkst thou then of Stanley Will not he
CATESBY
He will do all in all as Hastings doth
BUCKINGHAM
Well then no more but this go gentle Catesby
And as it were far off sound thou Lord Hastings
How he doth stand affected to our purpose
And summon him tomorrow to the Tower
To sit about the coronation
If thou dost find him tractable to us
Encourage him and tell him all our reasons
If he be leaden icy cold unwilling
Be thou so too and so break off the talk
And give us notice of his inclination
For we tomorrow hold divided councils
Wherein thyself shalt highly be employed
RICHARD
Commend me to Lord William Tell him Catesby
His ancient knot of dangerous adversaries
Tomorrow are let blood at Pomfret Castle
And bid my lord for joy of this good news
Give Mistress Shore one gentle kiss the more
BUCKINGHAM
Good Catesby go effect this business soundly
CATESBY
My good lords both with all the heed I can
RICHARD
Shall we hear from you Catesby ere we sleep
CATESBY
You shall my lord
RICHARD
At Crosby Place there shall you find us both
Exit Catesby
BUCKINGHAM
Now my lord what shall we do if we perceive
Lord Hastings will not yield to our complots
RICHARD
Chop off his head man somewhat we will do
And look when I am king claim thou of me
The earldom of Hereford and all the movables
Whereof the King my brother was possessed
BUCKINGHAM
Ill claim that promise at your Graces hand
RICHARD
And look to have it yielded with all kindness
Come let us sup betimes that afterwards
We may digest our complots in some form
Exeunt
SCENE II Before Lord Hastings house
Enter a Messenger to the door of Hastings
MESSENGER
My lord my lord
Knocking
HASTINGS
Within Who knocks
MESSENGER
One from the Lord Stanley
HASTINGS
Within What ist oclock
MESSENGER
Upon the stroke of four
Enter Hastings
HASTINGS
Cannot my Lord Stanley sleep these tedious nights
MESSENGER
So it appears by that I have to say
First he commends him to your noble self
HASTINGS
What then
MESSENGER
Then certifies your lordship that this night
He dreamt the boar had razed off his helm
Besides he says there are two councils kept
And that may be determined at the one
Which may make you and him to rue at th other
Therefore he sends to know your lordships pleasure
If you will presently take horse with him
And with all speed post with him toward the north
To shun the danger that his soul divines
HASTINGS
Go fellow go Return unto thy lord
Bid him not fear the separated council
His honour and myself are at the one
And at the other is my good friend Catesby
Where nothing can proceed that toucheth us
Whereof I shall not have intelligence
Tell him his fears are shallow without instance
And for his dreams I wonder hes so simple
To trust the mockery of unquiet slumbers
To fly the boar before the boar pursues
Were to incense the boar to follow us
And make pursuit where he did mean no chase
Go bid thy master rise and come to me
And we will both together to the Tower
Where he shall see the boar will use us kindly
MESSENGER
Ill go my lord and tell him what you say
Exit
Enter Catesby
CATESBY
Many good morrows to my noble lord
HASTINGS
Good morrow Catesby you are early stirring
What news what news in this our tottring state
CATESBY
It is a reeling world indeed my lord
And I believe will never stand upright
Till Richard wear the garland of the realm
HASTINGS
How wear the garland Dost thou mean the crown
CATESBY
Ay my good lord
HASTINGS
Ill have this crown of mine cut from my shoulders
Before Ill see the crown so foul misplaced
But canst thou guess that he doth aim at it
CATESBY
Ay on my life and hopes to find you forward
Upon his party for the gain thereof
And thereupon he sends you this good news
That this same very day your enemies
The kindred of the Queen must die at Pomfret
HASTINGS
Indeed I am no mourner for that news
Because they have been still my adversaries
But that Ill give my voice on Richards side
To bar my masters heirs in true descent
God knows I will not do it to the death
CATESBY
God keep your lordship in that gracious mind
HASTINGS
But I shall laugh at this a twelvemonth hence
That they which brought me in my masters hate
I live to look upon their tragedy
Well Catesby ere a fortnight make me older
Ill send some packing that yet think not ont
CATESBY
Tis a vile thing to die my gracious lord
When men are unprepared and look not for it
HASTINGS
O monstrous monstrous And so falls it out
With Rivers Vaughan Grey and so twill do
With some men else that think themselves as safe
As thou and I who as thou knowst are dear
To princely Richard and to Buckingham
CATESBY
The Princes both make high account of you
Aside For they account his head upon the Bridge
HASTINGS
I know they do and I have well deserved it
Enter Stanley Earl of Derby
Come on come on Where is your boarspear man
Fear you the boar and go so unprovided
STANLEY
My lord good morrow good morrow Catesby
You may jest on but by the Holy Rood
I do not like these several councils I
HASTINGS
My lord I hold my life as dear as you do yours
And never in my days I do protest
Was it so precious to me as tis now
Think you but that I know our state secure
I would be so triumphant as I am
STANLEY
The lords at Pomfret when they rode from London
Were jocund and supposed their states were sure
And they indeed had no cause to mistrust
But yet you see how soon the day oercast
This sudden stab of rancour I misdoubt
Pray God I say I prove a needless coward
What shall we toward the Tower The day is spent
HASTINGS
Come come Have with you Wot you what my lord
Today the lords you talked of are beheaded
STANLEY
They for their truth might better wear their heads
Than some that have accused them wear their hats
But come my lord lets away
Enter a Pursuivant
HASTINGS
Go on before Ill talk with this good fellow
Exeunt Stanley and Catesby
How now sirrah How goes the world with thee
PURSUIVANT
The better that your lordship please to ask
HASTINGS
I tell thee man tis better with me now
Than when thou metst me last where now we meet
Then was I going prisoner to the Tower
By the suggestion of the Queens allies
But now I tell theekeep it to thyself
This day those enemies are put to death
And I in better state than eer I was
PURSUIVANT
God hold it to your honours good content
HASTINGS
Gramercy fellow There drink that for me
Throws him his purse
PURSUIVANT
I thank your honour
Exit
Enter a Priest
PRIEST
Well met my lord I am glad to see your honour
HASTINGS
I thank thee good Sir John with all my heart
I am in your debt for your last exercise
Come the next sabbath and I will content you
Enter Buckingham
PRIEST
Ill wait upon your lordship
Exit Priest
BUCKINGHAM
What talking with a priest Lord Chamberlain
Your friends at Pomfret they do need the priest
Your honour hath no shriving work in hand
HASTINGS
Good faith and when I met this holy man
The men you talk of came into my mind
What go you toward the Tower
BUCKINGHAM
I do my lord but long I cannot stay there
I shall return before your lordship thence
HASTINGS
Nay like enough for I stay dinner there
BUCKINGHAM
Aside And supper too although thou knowest it not
Come will you go
HASTINGS
Ill wait upon your lordship
Exeunt
SCENE III Pomfret Before the Castle
Enter Sir Richard Ratcliffe with Halberds carrying the nobles Rivers Grey and Vaughan to death at Pomfret
RIVERS
Sir Richard Ratcliffe let me tell thee this
Today shalt thou behold a subject die
For truth for duty and for loyalty
GREY
God bless the Prince from all the pack of you
A knot you are of damned bloodsuckers
VAUGHAN
You live that shall cry woe for this hereafter
RATCLIFFE
Dispatch The limit of your lives is out
RIVERS
O Pomfret Pomfret O thou bloody prison
Fatal and ominous to noble peers
Within the guilty closure of thy walls
Richard the Second here was hacked to death
And for more slander to thy dismal seat
We give to thee our guiltless blood to drink
GREY
Now Margarets curse is falln upon our heads
When she exclaimed on Hastings you and I
For standing by when Richard stabbed her son
RIVERS
Then cursed she Richard then cursed she Buckingham
Then cursed she Hastings O remember God
To hear her prayer for them as now for us
And for my sister and her princely sons
Be satisfied dear God with our true blood
Which as thou knowst unjustly must be spilt
RATCLIFFE
Make haste The hour of death is expiate
RIVERS
Come Grey come Vaughan let us here embrace
Farewell until we meet again in heaven
Exeunt
SCENE IV London A Room in the Tower
Enter Buckingham Stanley Earl of Derby Hastings the Bishop of Ely Norfolk Ratcliffe Lovell with others at a table
HASTINGS
Now noble peers the cause why we are met
Is to determine of the coronation
In Gods name speak When is the royal day
BUCKINGHAM
Is all things ready for that royal time
STANLEY
It is and wants but nomination
ELY
Tomorrow then I judge a happy day
BUCKINGHAM
Who knows the Lord Protectors mind herein
Who is most inward with the noble Duke
ELY
Your Grace we think should soonest know his mind
BUCKINGHAM
We know each others faces for our hearts
He knows no more of mine than I of yours
Or I of his my lord than you of mine
Lord Hastings you and he are near in love
HASTINGS
I thank his Grace I know he loves me well
But for his purpose in the coronation
I have not sounded him nor he delivered
His gracious pleasure any way therein
But you my honourable lords may name the time
And in the Dukes behalf Ill give my voice
Which I presume hell take in gentle part
Enter Richard
ELY
In happy time here comes the Duke himself
RICHARD
My noble lords and cousins all good morrow
I have been long a sleeper but I trust
My absence doth neglect no great design
Which by my presence might have been concluded
BUCKINGHAM
Had you not come upon your cue my lord
William Lord Hastings had pronounced your part
I mean your voice for crowning of the King
RICHARD
Than my Lord Hastings no man might be bolder
His lordship knows me well and loves me well
My lord of Ely when I was last in Holborn
I saw good strawberries in your garden there
I do beseech you send for some of them
ELY
Marry and will my lord with all my heart
Exit
RICHARD
Cousin of Buckingham a word with you
They move aside
Catesby hath sounded Hastings in our business
And finds the testy gentleman so hot
That he will lose his head ere give consent
His masters child as worshipfully he terms it
Shall lose the royalty of Englands throne
BUCKINGHAM
Withdraw yourself awhile Ill go with you
Exeunt Richard and Buckingham
STANLEY
We have not yet set down this day of triumph
Tomorrow in my judgement is too sudden
For I myself am not so well provided
As else I would be were the day prolonged
Enter Bishop of Ely
ELY
Where is my lord the Duke of Gloucester
I have sent for these strawberries
HASTINGS
His Grace looks cheerfully and smooth this morning
Theres some conceit or other likes him well
When that he bids good morrow with such spirit
I think theres never a man in Christendom
Can lesser hide his love or hate than he
For by his face straight shall you know his heart
STANLEY
What of his heart perceive you in his face
By any livelihood he showed today
HASTINGS
Marry that with no man here he is offended
For were he he had shown it in his looks
Enter Richard and Buckingham
RICHARD
I pray you all tell me what they deserve
That do conspire my death with devilish plots
Of damned witchcraft and that have prevailed
Upon my body with their hellish charms
HASTINGS
The tender love I bear your Grace my lord
Makes me most forward in this princely presence
To doom th offenders whosoeer they be
I say my lord they have deserved death
RICHARD
Then be your eyes the witness of their evil
Look how I am bewitched Behold mine arm
Is like a blasted sapling withered up
And this is Edwards wife that monstrous witch
Consorted with that harlot strumpet Shore
That by their witchcraft thus have marked me
HASTINGS
If they have done this deed my noble lord
RICHARD
If Thou protector of this damned strumpet
Talkst thou to me of ifs Thou art a traitor
Off with his head Now by Saint Paul I swear
I will not dine until I see the same
Lovell and Ratcliffe look that it be done
The rest that love me rise and follow me
Exeunt all but Lovell and Ratcliffe with the Lord Hastings
HASTINGS
Woe woe for England Not a whit for me
For I too fond might have prevented this
Stanley did dream the boar did raze his helm
And I did scorn it and disdain to fly
Three times today my footcloth horse did stumble
And started when he looked upon the Tower
As loath to bear me to the slaughterhouse
O now I need the priest that spake to me
I now repent I told the pursuivant
As too triumphing how mine enemies
Today at Pomfret bloodily were butchered
And I myself secure in grace and favour
O Margaret Margaret now thy heavy curse
Is lighted on poor Hastings wretched head
RATCLIFFE
Come come dispatch The Duke would be at dinner
Make a short shrift He longs to see your head
HASTINGS
O momentary grace of mortal men
Which we more hunt for than the grace of God
Who builds his hope in air of your good looks
Lives like a drunken sailor on a mast
Ready with every nod to tumble down
Into the fatal bowels of the deep
LOVELL
Come come dispatch Tis bootless to exclaim
HASTINGS
O bloody Richard Miserable England
I prophesy the fearfullst time to thee
That ever wretched age hath looked upon
Come lead me to the block Bear him my head
They smile at me who shortly shall be dead
Exeunt
SCENE V London The Tower Walls
Enter Richard and Buckingham in rotten armour marvellous illfavoured
RICHARD
Come cousin canst thou quake and change thy colour
Murder thy breath in middle of a word
And then again begin and stop again
As if thou were distraught and mad with terror
BUCKINGHAM
Tut I can counterfeit the deep tragedian
Speak and look back and pry on every side
Tremble and start at wagging of a straw
Intending deep suspicion Ghastly looks
Are at my service like enforced smiles
And both are ready in their offices
At anytime to grace my stratagems
But what is Catesby gone
RICHARD
He is and see he brings the Mayor along
Enter the Lord Mayor and Catesby
BUCKINGHAM
Lord Mayor
RICHARD
Look to the drawbridge there
BUCKINGHAM
Hark a drum
RICHARD
Catesby oerlook the walls
BUCKINGHAM
Lord Mayor the reason we have sent
RICHARD
Look back Defend thee here are enemies
BUCKINGHAM
God and our innocence defend and guard us
Enter Lovell and Ratcliffe with Hastings head
RICHARD
Be patient they are friends Ratcliffe and Lovell
LOVELL
Here is the head of that ignoble traitor
The dangerous and unsuspected Hastings
RICHARD
So dear I loved the man that I must weep
I took him for the plainest harmless creature
That breathed upon the earth a Christian
Made him my book wherein my soul recorded
The history of all her secret thoughts
So smooth he daubed his vice with show of virtue
That his apparent open guilt omitted
I mean his conversation with Shores wife
He lived from all attainder of suspects
BUCKINGHAM
Well well he was the covertst sheltered traitor
That ever lived
Would you imagine or almost believe
Weret not that by great preservation
We live to tell it that the subtle traitor
This day had plotted in the councilhouse
To murder me and my good lord of Gloucester
MAYOR
Had he done so
RICHARD
What think you we are Turks or Infidels
Or that we would against the form of law
Proceed thus rashly in the villains death
But that the extreme peril of the case
The peace of England and our persons safety
Enforced us to this execution
MAYOR
Now fair befall you He deserved his death
And your good Graces both have well proceeded
To warn false traitors from the like attempts
BUCKINGHAM
I never looked for better at his hands
After he once fell in with Mistress Shore
Yet had we not determined he should die
Until your lordship came to see his end
Which now the loving haste of these our friends
Something against our meanings have prevented
Because my lord we would have had you heard
The traitor speak and timorously confess
The manner and the purpose of his treasons
That you might well have signified the same
Unto the citizens who haply may
Misconster us in him and wail his death
MAYOR
But my good lord your Graces word shall serve
As well as I had seen and heard him speak
And do not doubt right noble princes both
But Ill acquaint our duteous citizens
With all your just proceedings in this case
RICHARD
And to that end we wished your lordship here
T avoid the censures of the carping world
BUCKINGHAM
But since you come too late of our intent
Yet witness what you hear we did intend
And so my good Lord Mayor we bid farewell
Exit Lord Mayor
RICHARD
Go after after cousin Buckingham
The Mayor towards Guildhall hies him in all post
There at your meetst advantage of the time
Infer the bastardy of Edwards children
Tell them how Edward put to death a citizen
Only for saying he would make his son
Heir to the Crownmeaning indeed his house
Which by the sign thereof was termed so
Moreover urge his hateful luxury
And bestial appetite in change of lust
Which stretched unto their servants daughters wives
Even where his raging eye or savage heart
Without control lusted to make a prey
Nay for a need thus far come near my person
Tell them when that my mother went with child
Of that insatiate Edward noble York
My princely father then had wars in France
And by true computation of the time
Found that the issue was not his begot
Which well appeared in his lineaments
Being nothing like the noble Duke my father
Yet touch this sparingly as twere far off
Because my lord you know my mother lives
BUCKINGHAM
Doubt not my lord Ill play the orator
As if the golden fee for which I plead
Were for myself And so my lord adieu
RICHARD
If you thrive well bring them to Baynards Castle
Where you shall find me well accompanied
With reverend fathers and welllearned bishops
BUCKINGHAM
I go and towards three or four oclock
Look for the news that the Guildhall affords
Exit
RICHARD
Go Lovell with all speed to Doctor Shaa
To Ratcliffe Go thou to Friar Penker bid them both
Meet me within this hour at Baynards Castle
Exeunt Ratcliffe and Lovell
Now will I go to take some privy order
To draw the brats of Clarence out of sight
And to give order that no manner person
Have any time recourse unto the Princes
Exit
SCENE VI London A street
Enter a Scrivener
SCRIVENER
Here is the indictment of the good Lord Hastings
Which in a set hand fairly is engrossed
That it may be today read oer in Pauls
And mark how well the sequel hangs together
Eleven hours I have spent to write it over
For yesternight by Catesby was it sent me
The precedent was full as long adoing
And yet within these five hours Hastings lived
Untainted unexamined free at liberty
Heres a good world the while Who is so gross
That cannot see this palpable device
Yet who so bold but says he sees it not
Bad is the world and all will come to naught
When such ill dealing must be seen in thought
Exit
SCENE VII London Court of Baynards Castle
Enter Richard and Buckingham at several doors
RICHARD
How now how now What say the citizens
BUCKINGHAM
Now by the holy mother of our Lord
The citizens are mum say not a word
RICHARD
Touched you the bastardy of Edwards children
BUCKINGHAM
I did with his contract with Lady Lucy
And his contract by deputy in France
Th insatiate greediness of his desire
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
Withal 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
Your bounty virtue fair humility
Indeed left nothing fitting for your purpose
Untouched or slightly handled in discourse
And when mine oratory drew toward end
I bid them that did love their countrys good
Cry God save Richard Englands royal King
RICHARD
And did they so
BUCKINGHAM
No so God help me they spake not a word
But like dumb statues or breathing stones
Stared each on other and looked deadly pale
Which when I saw I reprehended them
And asked the Mayor what meant this wilful silence
His answer was the people were not used
To be spoke to but by the Recorder
Then he was urged to tell my tale again
Thus saith the Duke thus hath the Duke inferred
But nothing spoke in warrant from himself
When he had done some followers of mine own
At lower end of the hall hurled up their caps
And some ten voices cried God save King Richard
And thus I took the vantage of those few
Thanks gentle citizens and friends quoth I
This general applause and cheerful shout
Argues your wisdoms and your love to Richard
And even here brake off and came away
RICHARD
What tongueless blocks were they Would they not speak
Will not the Mayor then and his brethren come
BUCKINGHAM
The mayor is here at hand Intend some fear
Be not you spoke with but by mighty suit
And look you get a prayerbook in your hand
And stand between two churchmen good my lord
For on that ground Ill make a holy descant
And be not easily won to our requests
Play the maids part still answer nay and take it
RICHARD
I go and if you plead as well for them
As I can say nay to thee for myself
No doubt we bring it to a happy issue
BUCKINGHAM
Go go up to the leads the Lord Mayor knocks
Exit Richard
Enter the Lord Mayor and Citizens
Welcome my lord I dance attendance here
I think the Duke will not be spoke withal
Enter Catesby
Now Catesby what says your lord to my request
CATESBY
He doth entreat your Grace my noble lord
To visit him tomorrow or next day
He is within with two right reverend fathers
Divinely bent to meditation
And in no worldly suits would he be moved
To draw him from his holy exercise
BUCKINGHAM
Return good Catesby to the gracious Duke
Tell him myself the Mayor and aldermen
In deep designs in matter of great moment
No less importing than our general good
Are come to have some conference with his Grace
CATESBY
Ill signify so much unto him straight
Exit
BUCKINGHAM
Ah ha my lord this prince is not an Edward
He is not lolling on a lewd lovebed
But on his knees at meditation
Not dallying with a brace of courtesans
But meditating with two deep divines
Not sleeping to engross his idle body
But praying to enrich his watchful soul
Happy were England would this virtuous prince
Take on his Grace the sovereignty thereof
But sure I fear we shall not win him to it
MAYOR
Marry God defend his Grace should say us nay
BUCKINGHAM
I fear he will Here Catesby comes again
Enter Catesby
Now Catesby what says his Grace
CATESBY
He wonders to what end you have assembled
Such troops of citizens to come to him
His Grace not being warned thereof before
He fears my lord you mean no good to him
BUCKINGHAM
Sorry I am my noble cousin should
Suspect me that I mean no good to him
By heaven we come to him in perfect love
And so once more return and tell his Grace
Exit Catesby
When holy and devout religious men
Are at their beads tis much to draw them thence
So sweet is zealous contemplation
Enter Richard aloft between two Bishops Catesby reenters
MAYOR
See where his Grace stands tween two clergymen
BUCKINGHAM
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 ear to our requests
And pardon us the interruption
Of thy devotion and right Christian zeal
RICHARD
My lord there needs no such apology
I do beseech your Grace to pardon me
Who earnest in the service of my God
Deferred the visitation of my friends
But leaving this what is your Graces pleasure
BUCKINGHAM
Even that I hope which pleaseth God above
And all good men of this ungoverned isle
RICHARD
I do suspect I have done some offence
That seems disgracious in the citys eye
And that you come to reprehend my ignorance
BUCKINGHAM
You have my lord Would it might please your Grace
On our entreaties to amend your fault
RICHARD
Else wherefore breathe I in a Christian land
BUCKINGHAM
Know then it is your fault that you resign
The supreme seat the throne majestical
The sceptered office of your ancestors
Your state of fortune and your due of birth
The lineal glory of your royal house
To the corruption of a blemished stock
Whiles in the mildness of your sleepy thoughts
Which here we waken to our countrys good
The noble isle doth want her proper limbs
Her face defaced with scars of infamy
Her royal stock graft with ignoble plants
And almost shouldered in the swallowing gulf
Of dark forgetfulness and deep oblivion
Which to recure we heartily solicit
Your gracious self to take on you the charge
And kingly government of this your land
Not as Protector steward substitute
Or lowly factor for anothers gain
But as successively from blood to blood
Your right of birth your empery your own
For this consorted with the citizens
Your very worshipful and loving friends
And by their vehement instigation
In this just cause come I to move your Grace
RICHARD
I cannot tell if 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
Tonguetied 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 seasoned with your faithful love to me
Then on the other side I checked my friends
Therefore to speak and to avoid the first
And then in speaking not to incur the last
Definitively thus I answer you
Your love deserves my thanks but my desert
Unmeritable shuns your high request
First if all obstacles were cut away
And that my path were even to the crown
As the ripe revenue and due of birth
Yet so much is my poverty of spirit
So mighty and so many my defects
That I would rather hide me from my greatness
Being a bark to brook no mighty sea
Than in my greatness covet to be hid
And in the vapour of my glory smothered
But God be thanked there is no need of me
And much I need to help you were there need
The royal tree hath left us royal fruit
Which mellowed by the stealing hours of time
Will well become the seat of majesty
And make no doubt us happy by his reign
On him I lay that you would lay on me
The right and fortune of his happy stars
Which God defend that I should wring from him
BUCKINGHAM
My lord this argues conscience in your Grace
But the respects thereof are nice and trivial
All circumstances well considered
You say that Edward is your brothers son
So say we too but not by Edwards wife
For first was he contract to Lady Lucy
Your mother lives a witness to his vow
And afterward by substitute betrothed
To Bona sister to the King of France
These both put off a poor petitioner
A carecrazed mother to a many sons
A beautywaning and distressed widow
Even in the afternoon of her best days
Made prize and purchase of his wanton eye
Seduced the pitch and height of his degree
To base declension and loathed bigamy
By her in his unlawful bed he got
This Edward whom our manners call the Prince
More bitterly could I expostulate
Save that for reverence to some alive
I give a sparing limit to my tongue
Then good my lord take to your royal self
This proffered benefit of dignity
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 truederived course
MAYOR
Do good my lord Your citizens entreat you
BUCKINGHAM
Refuse not mighty lord this proffered love
CATESBY
O make them joyful grant their lawful suit
RICHARD
Alas why would you heap those cares on me
I am unfit for state and majesty
I do beseech you take it not amiss
I cannot nor I will not yield to you
BUCKINGHAM
If you refuse it as in love and zeal
Loath to depose the child your brothers son
As well we know your tenderness of heart
And gentle kind effeminate remorse
Which we have noted in you to your kindred
And equally indeed to all estates
Yet know wheer you accept our suit or no
Your brothers son shall never reign our king
But we will plant some other in the throne
To the disgrace and downfall of your house
And in this resolution here we leave you
Come citizens zounds Ill entreat no more
Exeunt Buckingham the Mayor and citizens
CATESBY
Call him again sweet Prince accept their suit
If you deny them all the land will rue it
RICHARD
Will you enforce me to a world of cares
Call them again I am not made of stones
But penetrable to your kind entreaties
Albeit against my conscience and my soul
Enter Buckingham and the rest
Cousin of Buckingham and sage grave men
Since you will buckle Fortune on my back
To bear her burden wheer I will or no
I must have patience to endure the load
But if black scandal or foulfaced reproach
Attend the sequel of your imposition
Your mere enforcement shall acquittance me
From all the impure blots and stains thereof
For God doth know and you may partly see
How far I am from the desire of this
MAYOR
God bless your Grace We see it and will say it
RICHARD
In saying so you shall but say the truth
BUCKINGHAM
Then I salute you with this royal title
Long live King Richard Englands worthy King
ALL
Amen
BUCKINGHAM
Tomorrow may it please you to be crowned
RICHARD
Even when you please for you will have it so
BUCKINGHAM
Tomorrow then we will attend your Grace
And so most joyfully we take our leave
RICHARD
To the Bishops Come let us to our holy work again
Farewell my cousin farewell gentle friends
Exeunt
ACT IV
SCENE I London Before the Tower
Enter Queen Elizabeth the Duchess of York and Marquess of Dorset at one door Anne Duchess of Gloucester with Clarences young Daughter at another door
DUCHESS
Who meets us here My niece Plantagenet
Led in the hand of her kind aunt of Gloucester
Now for my life shes wandering to the Tower
On pure hearts love to greet the tender Prince
Daughter well met
ANNE
God give your Graces both
A happy and a joyful time of day
QUEEN ELIZABETH
As much to you good sister Whither away
ANNE
No farther than the Tower and as I guess
Upon the like devotion as yourselves
To gratulate the gentle Princes there
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Kind sister thanks well enter all together
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
BRAKENBURY
Right well dear madam By your patience
I may not suffer you to visit them
The King hath strictly charged the contrary
QUEEN ELIZABETH
The King Whos that
BRAKENBURY
I mean the Lord Protector
QUEEN ELIZABETH
The Lord protect him from that kingly title
Hath he set bounds between their love and me
I am their mother who shall bar me from them
DUCHESS
I am their fathers mother I will see them
ANNE
Their aunt I am in law in love their mother
Then bring me to their sights Ill bear thy blame
And take thy office from thee on my peril
BRAKENBURY
No madam no I may not leave it so
I am bound by oath and therefore pardon me
Exit
Enter Stanley
STANLEY
Let me but meet you ladies one hour hence
And Ill salute your Grace of York as mother
And reverend lookeron of two fair queens
To Anne Come madam you must straight to Westminster
There to be crowned Richards royal queen
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Ah cut my lace asunder
That my pent heart may have some scope to beat
Or else I swoon with this deadkilling news
ANNE
Despiteful tidings O unpleasing news
DORSET
Be of good cheer mother How fares your Grace
QUEEN ELIZABETH
O Dorset speak not to me get thee gone
Death and destruction dog thee at thy heels
Thy mothers name is ominous to children
If thou wilt outstrip death go cross the seas
And live with Richmond from the reach of hell
Go hie thee hie thee from this slaughterhouse
Lest thou increase the number of the dead
And make me die the thrall of Margarets curse
Nor mother wife nor Englands counted Queen
STANLEY
Full 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
In your behalf to meet you on the way
Be not taen tardy by unwise delay
DUCHESS
O illdispersing wind of misery
O my accursed womb the bed of death
A cockatrice hast thou hatched to the world
Whose unavoided eye is murderous
STANLEY
Come madam come I in all haste was sent
ANNE
And I with all unwillingness will go
O would to God that the inclusive verge
Of golden metal that must round my brow
Were redhot steel to sear me to the brains
Anointed let me be with deadly venom
And die ere men can say God save the Queen
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Go go poor soul I envy not thy glory
To feed my humour wish thyself no harm
ANNE
No Why When he that is my husband now
Came to me as I followed Henrys corse
When scarce the blood was well washed from his hands
Which issued from my other angel husband
And that dear saint which then I weeping followed
O when I say I looked on Richards face
This was my wish Be thou quoth I accursed
For making me so young so old a widow
And when thou weddst let sorrow haunt thy bed
And be thy wife if any be so mad
More miserable by the life of thee
Than thou hast made me by my dear lords death
Lo ere I can repeat this curse again
Within so small a time my womans heart
Grossly grew captive to his honey words
And proved the subject of mine own souls curse
Which hitherto hath held my eyes from rest
For never yet one hour in his bed
Did I enjoy the golden dew of sleep
But with his timorous dreams was still awaked
Besides he hates me for my father Warwick
And will no doubt shortly be rid of me
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Poor heart adieu I pity thy complaining
ANNE
No more than with my soul I mourn for yours
DORSET
Farewell thou woeful welcomer of glory
ANNE
Adieu poor soul that takst thy leave of it
DUCHESS
To Dorset Go thou to Richmond and good fortune guide thee
To Anne Go thou to Richard and good angels tend 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 hours joy wracked with a week of teen
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Stay yet look back with me unto the Tower
Pity you ancient stones those tender babes
Whom envy hath immured within your walls
Rough cradle for such little pretty one
Rude ragged nurse old sullen playfellow
For tender princes use my babies well
So foolish sorrows bids your stones farewell
Exeunt
SCENE II London A Room of State in the Palace
The trumpets sound a sennet Enter Richard in pomp Buckingham Catesby Ratcliffe Lovell a Page and others
KING RICHARD
Stand all apart Cousin of Buckingham
BUCKINGHAM
My gracious sovereign
KING RICHARD
Give me thy hand
Here he ascendeth the throne Sound trumpets
Thus high by thy advice
And thy assistance is King Richard seated
But shall we wear these glories for a day
Or shall they last and we rejoice in them
BUCKINGHAM
Still live they and for ever let them last
KING RICHARD
Ah Buckingham now do I play the touch
To try if thou be current gold indeed
Young Edward lives think now what I would speak
BUCKINGHAM
Say on my loving lord
KING RICHARD
Why Buckingham I say I would be King
BUCKINGHAM
Why so you are my thricerenowned lord
KING RICHARD
Ha Am I King Tis sobut Edward lives
BUCKINGHAM
True noble Prince
KING RICHARD
O bitter consequence
That Edward still should live true noble prince
Cousin thou wast not wont to be so dull
Shall I be plain I wish the bastards dead
And I would have it suddenly performed
What sayst thou now Speak suddenly be brief
BUCKINGHAM
Your Grace may do your pleasure
KING RICHARD
Tut tut thou art all ice thy kindness freezes
Say have I thy consent that they shall die
BUCKINGHAM
Give me some little breath some pause dear lord
Before I positively speak in this
I will resolve you herein presently
Exit
CATESBY
Aside The King is angry See he gnaws his lip
KING RICHARD
Aside I will converse with ironwitted fools
And unrespective boys none are for me
That look into me with considerate eyes
Highreaching Buckingham grows circumspect
Boy
PAGE
My lord
KING RICHARD
Knowst thou not any whom corrupting gold
Will tempt unto a close exploit of death
PAGE
I know a discontented gentleman
Whose humble means match not his haughty spirit
Gold were as good as twenty orators
And will no doubt tempt him to anything
KING RICHARD
What is his name
PAGE
His name my lord is Tyrrel
KING RICHARD
I partly know the man Go call him hither boy
Exit Page
Aside The deeprevolving witty Buckingham
No more shall be the neighbour to my counsels
Hath he so long held out with me untired
And stops he now for breath Well be it so
Enter Stanley
How now Lord Stanley whats the news
STANLEY
Know my loving lord
The Marquess Dorset as I hear is fled
To Richmond in the parts where he abides
KING RICHARD
Come hither Catesby Rumour it abroad
That Anne my wife is very grievous sick
I will take order for her keeping close
Inquire me out some mean poor gentleman
Whom I will marry straight to Clarence daughter
The boy is foolish and I fear not him
Look how thou dreamst I say again give out
That Anne my Queen is sick and like to die
About it for it stands me much upon
To stop all hopes whose growth may damage me
Exit Catesby
I must be married to my brothers 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
Tearfalling pity dwells not in this eye
Enter Tyrrel
Is thy name Tyrrel
TYRREL
James Tyrrel and your most obedient subject
KING RICHARD
Art thou indeed
TYRREL
Prove me my gracious lord
KING RICHARD
Darst thou resolve to kill a friend of mine
TYRREL
Please you But I had rather kill two enemies
KING RICHARD
Why then thou hast it two deep enemies
Foes to my rest and my sweet sleeps disturbers
Are they that I would have thee deal upon
Tyrell I mean those bastards in the Tower
TYRREL
Let me have open means to come to them
And soon Ill rid you from the fear of them
KING RICHARD
Thou singst sweet music Hark come hither Tyrrel
Go by this token Rise and lend thine ear
Whispers There is no more but so Say it is done
And I will love thee and prefer thee for it
TYRREL
I will dispatch it straight
Exit
Enter Buckingham
BUCKINGHAM
My lord I have considered in my mind
The late request that you did sound me in
KING RICHARD
Well let that rest Dorset is fled to Richmond
BUCKINGHAM
I hear the news my lord
KING RICHARD
Stanley he is your wifes son Well look unto it
BUCKINGHAM
My lord I claim the gift my due by promise
For which your honour and your faith is pawned
Th earldom of Hereford and the movables
Which you have promised I shall possess
KING RICHARD
Stanley look to your wife If she convey
Letters to Richmond you shall answer it
BUCKINGHAM
What says your Highness to my just request
KING RICHARD
I do remember me Henry the Sixth
Did prophesy that Richmond should be King
When Richmond was a little peevish boy
A king perhaps
BUCKINGHAM
My lord
KING RICHARD
How chance the prophet could not at that time
Have told me I being by that I should kill him
BUCKINGHAM
My lord your promise for the earldom
KING RICHARD
Richmond When last I was at Exeter
The Mayor in courtesy showed me the castle
And called it Rougemount at which name I started
Because a bard of Ireland told me once
I should not live long after I saw Richmond
BUCKINGHAM
My lord
KING RICHARD
Ay whats oclock
BUCKINGHAM
I am thus bold to put your Grace in mind
Of what you promised me
KING RICHARD
Well but whats oclock
BUCKINGHAM
Upon the stroke of ten
KING RICHARD
Well let it strike
BUCKINGHAM
Why let it strike
KING RICHARD
Because that like a jack thou keepst the stroke
Betwixt thy begging and my meditation
I am not in the giving vein today
BUCKINGHAM
Why then resolve me whether you will or no
KING RICHARD
Thou troublest me I am not in the vein
Exit followed by all save Buckingham
BUCKINGHAM
And is it thus Repays he my deep service
With such contempt Made I him King for this
O let me think on Hastings and be gone
To Brecknock while my fearful head is on
Exit
SCENE III London Another Room in the Palace
Enter Tyrrel
TYRREL
The tyrannous and bloody act is done
The most arch deed of piteous massacre
That ever yet this land was guilty of
Dighton and Forrest who I did suborn
To do this piece of ruthless butchery
Albeit they were fleshed villains bloody dogs
Melted with tenderness and mild compassion
Wept like two children in their deaths sad story
O thus quoth Dighton lay the gentle babes
Thus thus quoth Forrest girdling one another
Within their alabaster innocent arms
Their lips were four red roses on a stalk
And in their summer beauty kissed each other
A book of prayers on their pillow lay
Which once quoth Forrest almost changed my mind
But O the devil There the villain stopped
When Dighton thus told on We smothered
The most replenished sweet work of nature
That from the prime creation eer she framed
Hence both are gone with conscience and remorse
They could not speak and so I left them both
To bear this tidings to the bloody King
Enter King Richard
And here he comes All health my sovereign lord
KING RICHARD
Kind Tyrrel am I happy in thy news
TYRREL
If to have done the thing you gave in charge
Beget your happiness be happy then
For it is done
KING RICHARD
But didst thou see them dead
TYRREL
I did my lord
KING RICHARD
And buried gentle Tyrrel
TYRREL
The chaplain of the Tower hath buried them
But where to say the truth I do not know
KING RICHARD
Come to me Tyrrel soon at aftersupper
When thou shalt tell the process of their death
Meantime but think how I may do thee good
And be inheritor of thy desire
Farewell till then
TYRREL
I humbly take my leave
Exit
KING RICHARD
The son of Clarence have I pent up close
His daughter meanly have I matched in marriage
The sons of Edward sleep in Abrahams bosom
And Anne my wife hath bid the world good night
Now for I know the Breton Richmond aims
At young Elizabeth my brothers daughter
And by that knot looks proudly on the crown
To her go I a jolly thriving wooer
Enter Ratcliffe
RATCLIFFE
My lord
KING RICHARD
Good or bad news that thou comst in so bluntly
RATCLIFFE
Bad news my lord Morton is fled to Richmond
And Buckingham backed with the hardy Welshmen
Is in the field and still his power increaseth
KING RICHARD
Ely with Richmond troubles me more near
Than Buckingham and his rashlevied strength
Come I have learned that fearful commenting
Is leaden servitor to dull delay
Delay leads impotent and snailpaced beggary
Then fiery expedition be my wing
Joves Mercury and herald for a king
Go muster men My counsel is my shield
We must be brief when traitors brave the field
Exeunt
SCENE IV London Before the Palace
Enter old Queen Margaret
QUEEN MARGARET
So now prosperity begins to mellow
And drop into the rotten mouth of death
Here in these confines slily have I lurked
To watch the waning of mine enemies
A dire induction am I witness to
And will to France hoping the consequence
Will prove as bitter black and tragical
Withdraw thee wretched Margaret Who comes here
Retires
Enter Duchess of York and Queen Elizabeth
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Ah my poor Princes Ah my tender babes
My unblown flowers newappearing sweets
If yet your gentle souls fly in the air
And be not fixed in doom perpetual
Hover about me with your airy wings
And hear your mothers lamentation
QUEEN MARGARET
Aside Hover about her say that right for right
Hath dimmed your infant morn to aged night
DUCHESS
So many miseries have crazed my voice
That my woewearied tongue is still and mute
Edward Plantagenet why art thou dead
QUEEN MARGARET
Aside Plantagenet doth quit Plantagenet
Edward for Edward pays a dying debt
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Wilt thou O God fly from such gentle lambs
And throw them in the entrails of the wolf
When didst Thou sleep when such a deed was done
QUEEN MARGARET
Aside When holy Harry died and my sweet son
DUCHESS
Dead life blind sight poor mortal living ghost
Woes scene worlds shame graves due by life usurped
Brief abstract and record of tedious days
Rest thy unrest on Englands lawful earth
Sitting Unlawfully made drunk with innocent blood
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Ah that thou wouldst as soon afford a grave
As thou canst yield a melancholy seat
Then would I hide my bones not rest them here
Sitting Ah who hath any cause to mourn but we
QUEEN MARGARET
Coming forward
If ancient sorrow be most reverend
Give mine the benefit of seigniory
And let my griefs frown on the upper hand
If sorrow can admit society
Sitting down with them
Tell oer your woes again by viewing mine
I had an Edward till a Richard killed him
I had a husband till a Richard killed him
Thou hadst an Edward till a Richard killed him
Thou hadst a Richard till a Richard killed him
DUCHESS
I had a Richard too and thou didst kill him
I had a Rutland too thou holpst to kill him
QUEEN MARGARET
Thou hadst a Clarence too and Richard killed him
From forth the kennel of thy womb hath crept
A hellhound that doth hunt us all to death
That dog that had his teeth before his eyes
To worry lambs and lap their gentle blood
That excellent grand tyrant of the earth
That reigns in galled eyes of weeping souls
That foul defacer of Gods handiwork
Thy womb let loose to chase us to our graves
O upright just and truedisposing God
How do I thank thee that this carnal cur
Preys on the issue of his mothers body
And makes her pewfellow with others moan
DUCHESS
O Harrys wife triumph not in my woes
God witness with me I have wept for thine
QUEEN MARGARET
Bear with me I am hungry for revenge
And now I cloy me with beholding it
Thy Edward he is dead that killed my Edward
The other Edward dead to quit my Edward
Young York he is but boot because both they
Matched not the high perfection of my loss
Thy Clarence he is dead that stabbed my Edward
And the beholders of this frantic play
Th adulterate Hastings Rivers Vaughan Grey
Untimely smothered in their dusky graves
Richard yet lives hells black intelligencer
Only reserved their factor to buy souls
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 conveyed from hence
Cancel his bond of life dear God I pray
That I may live to say The dog is dead
QUEEN ELIZABETH
O thou didst prophesy the time would come
That I should wish for thee to help me curse
That bottled spider that foul bunchbacked toad
QUEEN MARGARET
I called thee then vain flourish of my fortune
I called thee then poor shadow painted queen
The presentation of but what I was
The flattering index of a direful pageant
One heaved ahigh to be hurled down below
A mother only mocked with two fair babes
A dream of what thou wast a garish flag
To be the aim of every dangerous shot
A sign of dignity a breath a bubble
A queen in jest only to fill the scene
Where is thy husband now Where be thy brothers
Where are thy two sons Wherein dost thou joy
Who sues and kneels and says God save the Queen
Where be the bending peers that flattered thee
Where be the thronging troops that followed thee
Decline all this and see what now thou art
For happy wife a most distressed widow
For joyful mother one that wails the name
For one being sued to one that humbly sues
For Queen a very caitiff crowned with care
For she that scorned at me now scorned of me
For she being feared of all now fearing one
For she commanding all obeyed of none
Thus hath the course of justice wheeled about
And left thee but a very prey to time
Having no more but thought of what thou wast
To torture thee the more being what thou art
Thou didst usurp my place and dost thou not
Usurp the just proportion of my sorrow
Now thy proud neck bears half my burdened yoke
From which even here I slip my weary head
And leave the burden of it all on thee
Farewell Yorks wife and Queen of sad mischance
These English woes shall make me smile in France
QUEEN ELIZABETH
O thou well skilled in curses stay awhile
And teach me how to curse mine enemies
QUEEN MARGARET
Forbear to sleep the night and fast the days
Compare dead happiness with living woe
Think that thy babes were sweeter than they were
And he that slew them fouler than he is
Bettering thy loss makes the badcauser worse
Revolving this will teach thee how to curse
QUEEN ELIZABETH
My words are dull O quicken them with thine
QUEEN MARGARET
Thy woes will make them sharp and pierce like mine
Exit
DUCHESS
Why should calamity be full of words
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Windy attorneys to their clients woes
Airy succeeders of intestate joys
Poor breathing orators of miseries
Let them have scope though what they do impart
Help nothing else yet do they ease the heart
DUCHESS
If so then be not tonguetied Go with me
And in the breath of bitter words lets smother
My damned son that thy two sweet sons smothered
A trumpet sounds
The trumpet sounds Be copious in exclaims
Enter King Richard and his Train including Catesby marching
KING RICHARD
Who intercepts me in my expedition
DUCHESS
O she that might have intercepted thee
By strangling thee in her accursed womb
From all the slaughters wretch that thou hast done
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Hidst thou that forehead with a golden crown
Where should be branded if that right were right
The slaughter of the Prince that owed that crown
And the dire death of my poor sons and brothers
Tell me thou villainslave where are my children
DUCHESS
Thou toad thou toad where is thy brother Clarence
And little Ned Plantagenet his son
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Where is the gentle Rivers Vaughan Grey
DUCHESS
Where is kind Hastings
KING RICHARD
A flourish trumpets Strike alarum drums
Let not the heavens hear these telltale women
Rail on the Lords anointed Strike I say
Flourish Alarums
Either be patient and entreat me fair
Or with the clamorous report of war
Thus will I drown your exclamations
DUCHESS
Art thou my son
KING RICHARD
Ay I thank God my father and yourself
DUCHESS
Then patiently hear my impatience
KING RICHARD
Madam I have a touch of your condition
That cannot brook the accent of reproof
DUCHESS
O let me speak
KING RICHARD
Do then but Ill not hear
DUCHESS
I will be mild and gentle in my words
KING RICHARD
And brief good mother for I am in haste
DUCHESS
Art thou so hasty I have stayed for thee
God knows in torment and in agony
KING RICHARD
And came I not at last to comfort you
DUCHESS
No by the Holy Rood thou knowst it well
Thou camst on earth to make the earth my hell
A grievous burden was thy birth to me
Tetchy and wayward was thy infancy
Thy schooldays frightful desprate wild and furious
Thy prime of manhood daring bold and venturous
Thy age confirmed proud subtle sly and bloody
More mild but yet more harmful kind in hatred
What comfortable hour canst thou name
That ever graced me with thy company
KING RICHARD
Faith none but Humphrey Hower that called your Grace
To breakfast once forth of my company
If I be so disgracious in your eye
Let me march on and not offend you madam
Strike up the drum
DUCHESS
I prithee hear me speak
KING RICHARD
You speak too bitterly
DUCHESS
Hear me a word
For I shall never speak to thee again
KING RICHARD
So
DUCHESS
Either thou wilt die by Gods just ordinance
Ere from this war thou turn a conqueror
Or I with grief and extreme age shall perish
And never more behold thy face again
Therefore take with thee my most grievous curse
Which in the day of battle tire thee more
Than all the complete armour that thou wearst
My prayers on the adverse party fight
And there the little souls of Edwards 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
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Though far more cause yet much less spirit to curse
Abides in me I say amen to her
KING RICHARD
Stay madam I must talk a word with you
QUEEN ELIZABETH
I have no more sons of the royal blood
For thee to slaughter For my daughters Richard
They shall be praying nuns not weeping queens
And therefore level not to hit their lives
KING RICHARD
You have a daughter called Elizabeth
Virtuous and fair royal and gracious
QUEEN ELIZABETH
And must she die for this O let her live
And Ill corrupt her manners stain her beauty
Slander myself as false to Edwards bed
Throw over her the veil of infamy
So she may live unscarred of bleeding slaughter
I will confess she was not Edwards daughter
KING RICHARD
Wrong not her birth she is a royal princess
QUEEN ELIZABETH
To save her life Ill say she is not so
KING RICHARD
Her life is safest only in her birth
QUEEN ELIZABETH
And only in that safety died her brothers
KING RICHARD
Lo at their births good stars were opposite
QUEEN ELIZABETH
No to their lives ill friends were contrary
KING RICHARD
All unavoided is the doom of destiny
QUEEN ELIZABETH
True when avoided grace makes destiny
My babes were destined to a fairer death
If grace had blessed thee with a fairer life
KING RICHARD
You speak as if that I had slain my cousins
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Cousins indeed and by their uncle cozened
Of comfort kingdom kindred freedom life
Whose hand soever lanced their tender hearts
Thy head all indirectly gave direction
No doubt the murdrous knife was dull and blunt
Till it was whetted on thy stonehard heart
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 my nails were anchored in thine eyes
And I in such a desprate bay of death
Like a poor bark of sails and tackling reft
Rush all to pieces on thy rocky bosom
KING RICHARD
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 by me were harmed
QUEEN ELIZABETH
What good is covered with the face of heaven
To be discovered that can do me good
KING RICHARD
Th advancement of your children gentle lady
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Up to some scaffold there to lose their heads
KING RICHARD
Unto the dignity and height of fortune
The high imperial type of this earths glory
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Flatter my sorrows with report of it
Tell me what state what dignity what honour
Canst thou demise to any child of mine
KING RICHARD
Even all I haveay and myself and all
Will I withal endow a child of thine
So in the Lethe of thy angry soul
Thou drown the sad remembrance of those wrongs
Which thou supposest I have done to thee
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Be brief lest that the process of thy kindness
Last longer telling than thy kindness date
KING RICHARD
Then know that from my soul I love thy daughter
QUEEN ELIZABETH
My daughters mother thinks it with her soul
KING RICHARD
What do you think
QUEEN ELIZABETH
That thou dost love my daughter from thy soul
So from thy souls love didst thou love her brothers
And from my hearts love I do thank thee for it
KING RICHARD
Be not so hasty to confound my meaning
I mean that with my soul I love thy daughter
And do intend to make her Queen of England
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Well then who dost thou mean shall be her king
KING RICHARD
Even he that makes her Queen Who else should be
QUEEN ELIZABETH
What thou
KING RICHARD
Even so How think you of it
QUEEN ELIZABETH
How canst thou woo her
KING RICHARD
That would I learn of you
As one being best acquainted with her humour
QUEEN ELIZABETH
And wilt thou learn of me
KING RICHARD
Madam with all my heart
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Send to her by the man that slew her brothers
A pair of bleeding hearts thereon engrave
Edward and York Then haply will she weep
Therefore present to heras sometimes Margaret
Did to thy father steeped in Rutlands blood
A handkerchief which say to her did drain
The purple sap from her sweet brothers body
And bid her wipe her weeping eyes withal
If this inducement move her not to love
Send her a letter of thy noble deeds
Tell her thou madst away her uncle Clarence
Her uncle Rivers ay and for her sake
Madst quick conveyance with her good aunt Anne
KING RICHARD
You mock me madam this is not the way
To win your daughter
QUEEN ELIZABETH
There is no other way
Unless thou couldst put on some other shape
And not be Richard that hath done all this
KING RICHARD
Say that I did all this for love of her
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Nay then indeed she cannot choose but hate thee
Having bought love with such a bloody spoil
KING RICHARD
Look what is done cannot be now amended
Men shall deal unadvisedly sometimes
Which afterhours gives leisure to repent
If I did take the kingdom from your sons
To make amends Ill give it to your daughter
If I have killed the issue of your womb
To quicken your increase I will beget
Mine issue of your blood upon your daughter
A grandams name is little less in love
Than is the doting title of a mother
They are as children but one step below
Even of your mettle of your very blood
Of all one pain save for a night of groans
Endured of her for whom you bid like sorrow
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
Therefore accept such kindness as I can
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 wife
Familiarly shall call thy Dorset brother
Again shall you be mother to a king
And all the ruins of distressful times
Repaired with double riches of content
What we have many goodly days to see
The liquid drops of tears that you have shed
Shall come again transformed to orient pearl
Advantaging their loan with interest
Of ten 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 wooers tale
Put in her tender heart th aspiring flame
Of golden sovereignty acquaint the Princess
With the sweet silent hours of marriage joys
And when this arm of mine hath chastised
The petty rebel dullbrained Buckingham
Bound with triumphant garlands will I come
And lead thy daughter to a conquerors bed
To whom I will retail my conquest won
And she shall be sole victoress Caesars Caesar
QUEEN ELIZABETH
What were I best to say Her fathers brother
Would be her lord Or shall I say her uncle
Or he that slew her brothers and her uncles
Under what title shall I woo for thee
That God the law my honour and her love
Can make seem pleasing to her tender years
KING RICHARD
Infer fair Englands peace by this alliance
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Which she shall purchase with stilllasting war
KING RICHARD
Tell her the King that may command entreats
QUEEN ELIZABETH
That at her hands which the Kings King forbids
KING RICHARD
Say she shall be a high and mighty queen
QUEEN ELIZABETH
To vail the title as her mother doth
KING RICHARD
Say I will love her everlastingly
QUEEN ELIZABETH
But how long shall that title ever last
KING RICHARD
Sweetly in force unto her fair lifes end
QUEEN ELIZABETH
But how long fairly shall her sweet life last
KING RICHARD
As long as heaven and nature lengthens it
QUEEN ELIZABETH
As long as hell and Richard likes of it
KING RICHARD
Say I her sovereign am her subject low
QUEEN ELIZABETH
But she your subject loathes such sovereignty
KING RICHARD
Be eloquent in my behalf to her
QUEEN ELIZABETH
An honest tale speeds best being plainly told
KING RICHARD
Then plainly to her tell my loving tale
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Plain and not honest is too harsh a style
KING RICHARD
Your reasons are too shallow and too quick
QUEEN ELIZABETH
O no my reasons are too deep and dead
Too deep and dead poor infants in their graves
KING RICHARD
Harp not on that string madam that is past
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Harp on it still shall I till heartstrings break
KING RICHARD
Now by my George my Garter and my crown
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Profaned dishonoured and the third usurped
KING RICHARD
I swear
QUEEN ELIZABETH
By nothing for this is no oath
Thy George profaned hath lost his lordly honour
Thy Garter blemished pawned his knightly virtue
Thy crown usurped disgraced his kingly glory
If something thou wouldst swear to be believed
Swear then by something that thou hast not wronged
KING RICHARD
Now by the world
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Tis full of thy foul wrongs
KING RICHARD
My fathers death
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Thy life hath that dishonoured
KING RICHARD
Then by myself
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Thyself is selfmisused
KING RICHARD
Why then by God
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Gods wrong is most of all
If thou didst fear to break an oath with Him
The unity the King my husband made
Thou hadst not broken nor my brothers died
If thou hadst feared to break an oath by Him
Th imperial metal circling now thy head
Had graced the tender temples of my child
And both the Princes had been breathing here
Which now two tender bedfellows for dust
Thy broken faith hath made a prey for worms
What canst thou swear by now
KING RICHARD
The time to come
QUEEN ELIZABETH
That thou hast wronged in the time oerpast
For I myself have many tears to wash
Hereafter time for time past wronged by thee
The children live whose fathers thou hast slaughtered
Ungoverned youth to wail it in their age
The parents live whose children thou hast butchered
Old barren plants to wail it with their age
Swear not by time to come for that thou hast
Misused ere used by times illused oerpast
KING RICHARD
As I intend to prosper and repent
So thrive I in my dangerous affairs
Of hostile arms Myself myself confound
Heaven and fortune bar me happy hours
Day yield me not thy light nor night thy rest
Be opposite all planets of good luck
To my proceeding if with dear hearts love
Immaculate devotion holy thoughts
I tender not thy beauteous princely daughter
In her consists my happiness and thine
Without her follows to myself and thee
Herself the land and many a Christian soul
Death desolation ruin and decay
It cannot be avoided but by this
It will not be avoided but by this
Therefore dear motherI 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 found in great designs
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Shall I be tempted of the devil thus
KING RICHARD
Ay if the devil tempt you to do good
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Shall I forget myself to be myself
KING RICHARD
Ay if your selfs remembrance wrong yourself
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Yet thou didst kill my children
KING RICHARD
But in your daughters womb I bury them
Where in that nest of spicery they will breed
Selves of themselves to your recomforture
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Shall I go win my daughter to thy will
KING RICHARD
And be a happy mother by the deed
QUEEN ELIZABETH
I go Write to me very shortly
And you shall understand from me her mind
KING RICHARD
Bear her my true loves kiss and so farewell
Kissing her Exit Queen Elizabeth
Relenting fool and shallow changing woman
Enter Ratcliffe
How now what news
RATCLIFFE
Most mighty sovereign on the western coast
Rideth a puissant navy to our shores
Throng many doubtful hollowhearted friends
Unarmed and unresolved to beat them back
Tis thought that Richmond is their admiral
And there they hull expecting but the aid
Of Buckingham to welcome them ashore
KING RICHARD
Some lightfoot friend post to the Duke of Norfolk
Ratcliffe thyself or Catesby Where is he
CATESBY
Here my good lord
KING RICHARD
Catesby fly to the Duke
CATESBY
I will my lord with all convenient haste
KING RICHARD
Ratcliffe come hither Post to Salisbury
When thou comst thither
To Catesby Dull unmindful villain
Why stayst thou here and gost not to the Duke
CATESBY
First mighty liege tell me your Highness pleasure
What from your Grace I shall deliver to him
KING RICHARD
O true good Catesby Bid him levy straight
The greatest strength and power that he can make
And meet me suddenly at Salisbury
CATESBY
I go
Exit
RATCLIFFE
What may it please you shall I do at Salisbury
KING RICHARD
Why what wouldst thou do there before I go
RATCLIFFE
Your Highness told me I should post before
KING RICHARD
My mind is changed
Enter Stanley Earl of Derby
Stanley what news with you
STANLEY
None good my liege to please you with the hearing
Nor none so bad but well may be reported
KING RICHARD
Hoyday a riddle Neither good nor bad
What needst thou run so many miles about
When thou mayst tell thy tale the nearest way
Once more what news
STANLEY
Richmond is on the seas
KING RICHARD
There let him sink and be the seas on him
Whitelivered runagate what doth he there
STANLEY
I know not mighty sovereign but by guess
KING RICHARD
Well as you guess
STANLEY
Stirred up by Dorset Buckingham and Morton
He makes for England here to claim the crown
KING RICHARD
Is the chair empty Is the sword unswayed
Is the King dead The empire unpossessed
What heir of York is there alive but we
And who is Englands King but great Yorks heir
Then tell me what makes he upon the seas
STANLEY
Unless for that my liege I cannot guess
KING RICHARD
Unless for that he comes to be your liege
You cannot guess wherefore the Welshman comes
Thou wilt revolt and fly to him I fear
STANLEY
No my good lord therefore mistrust me not
KING RICHARD
Where is thy power then to beat him back
Where be thy tenants and thy followers
Are they not now upon the western shore
Safeconducting the rebels from their ships
STANLEY
No my good lord my friends are in the north
KING RICHARD
Cold friends to me What do they in the north
When they should serve their sovereign in the west
STANLEY
They have not been commanded mighty King
Pleaseth your Majesty to give me leave
Ill muster up my friends and meet your Grace
Where and what time your Majesty shall please
KING RICHARD
Ay ay thou wouldst be gone to join with Richmond
But Ill not trust thee
STANLEY
Most mighty sovereign
You have no cause to hold my friendship doubtful
I never was nor never will be false
KING RICHARD
Go then and muster men but leave behind
Your son George Stanley Look your heart be firm
Or else his heads assurance is but frail
STANLEY
So deal with him as I prove true to you
Exit
Enter a Messenger
MESSENGER
My gracious sovereign now in Devonshire
As I by friends am well advertised
Sir Edward Courtney and the haughty prelate
Bishop of Exeter his elder brother
With many more confederates are in arms
Enter another Messenger
SECOND MESSENGER
In Kent my liege the Guilfords are in arms
And every hour more competitors
Flock to the rebels and their power grows strong
Enter another Messenger
THIRD MESSENGER
My lord the army of great Buckingham
KING RICHARD
Out on you owls Nothing but songs of death
He strikes him
There take thou that till thou bring better news
THIRD MESSENGER
The news I have to tell your Majesty
Is that by sudden floods and fall of waters
Buckinghams army is dispersed and scattered
And he himself wandered away alone
No man knows whither
KING RICHARD
I cry thee mercy
There is my purse to cure that blow of thine
Hath any welladvised friend proclaimed
Reward to him that brings the traitor in
THIRD MESSENGER
Such proclamation hath been made my lord
Enter another Messenger
FOURTH MESSENGER
Sir Thomas Lovell and Lord Marquess Dorset
Tis said my liege in Yorkshire are in arms
But this good comfort bring I to your Highness
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 answered him they came from Buckingham
Upon his party He mistrusting them
Hoised sail and made his course again for Brittany
KING RICHARD
March on march on since we are up in arms
If not to fight with foreign enemies
Yet to beat down these rebels here at home
Enter Catesby
CATESBY
My liege the Duke of Buckingham is taken
That is the best news That the Earl of Richmond
Is with a mighty power landed at Milford
Is colder tidings yet they must be told
KING RICHARD
Away towards Salisbury While we reason here
A royal battle might be won and lost
Someone take order Buckingham be brought
To Salisbury the rest march on with me
Flourish Exeunt
SCENE V A Room in Lord Stanleys house
Enter Stanley Earl of Derby and Sir Christopher Urswick
STANLEY
Sir Christopher tell Richmond this from me
That in the sty of the most deadly boar
My son George Stanley is franked up in hold
If I revolt off goes young Georges head
The fear of that holds off my present aid
So get thee gone Commend me to thy lord
Withal say that the Queen hath heartily consented
He should espouse Elizabeth her daughter
But tell me where is princely Richmond now
CHRISTOPHER
At Pembroke or at Harfordwest in Wales
STANLEY
What men of name resort to him
CHRISTOPHER
Sir Walter Herbert a renowned soldier
Sir Gilbert Talbot Sir William Stanley
Oxford redoubted Pembroke Sir James Blunt
And Rice ap Thomas with a valiant crew
And many other of great name and worth
And towards London do they bend their power
If by the way they be not fought withal
STANLEY
Well hie thee to thy lord I kiss his hand
My letter will resolve him of my mind
Farewell
Exeunt
ACT V
SCENE I Salisbury An open place
Enter Sheriff and Halberds with Buckingham led to execution
BUCKINGHAM
Will not King Richard let me speak with him
SHERIFF
No my good lord therefore be patient
BUCKINGHAM
Hastings and Edwards children Grey and Rivers
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 behold this present hour
Even for revenge mock my destruction
This is AllSouls day fellow is it not
SHERIFF
It is
BUCKINGHAM
Why then AllSouls day is my bodys doomsday
This is the day which in King Edwards time
I wished might fall on me when I was found
False to his children and his wifes allies
This is the day wherein I wished to fall
By the false faith of him whom most I trusted
This this AllSouls day to my fearful soul
Is the determined respite of my wrongs
That high AllSeer which I dallied with
Hath turned my feigned prayer on my head
And given in earnest what I begged in jest
Thus doth He force the swords of wicked men
To turn their own points in their masters bosoms
Thus Margarets curse falls heavy on my neck
When he quoth she shall split thy heart with sorrow
Remember Margaret was a prophetess
Come lead me officers to the block of shame
Wrong hath but wrong and blame the due of blame
Exit with Officers
SCENE II Plain near Tamworth
Enter Richmond Oxford Blunt Herbert and others with drum and colours
RICHMOND
Fellows in arms and my most loving friends
Bruised underneath the yoke of tyranny
Thus far into the bowels of the land
Have we marched on without impediment
And here receive we from our father Stanley
Lines of fair comfort and encouragement
The wretched bloody and usurping boar
That spoiled your summer fields and fruitful vines
Swills your warm blood like wash and makes his trough
In your embowelled bosomsthis foul swine
Is now even in the centre of this isle
Near to the town of Leicester as we learn
From Tamworth thither is but one days march
In Gods name cheerly on courageous friends
To reap the harvest of perpetual peace
By this one bloody trial of sharp war
OXFORD
Every mans conscience is a thousand men
To fight against that guilty homicide
HERBERT
I doubt not but his friends will turn to us
BLUNT
He hath no friends but what are friends for fear
Which in his dearest need will fly from him
RICHMOND
All for our vantage Then in Gods name march
True hope is swift and flies with swallows wings
Kings it makes gods and meaner creatures kings
Exeunt
SCENE III Bosworth Field
Enter King Richard in arms with Norfolk Ratcliffe and the Earl of Surrey with others
KING RICHARD
Here pitch our tent even here in Bosworth field
My Lord of Surrey why look you so sad
SURREY
My heart is ten times lighter than my looks
KING RICHARD
My lord of Norfolk
NORFOLK
Here most gracious liege
KING RICHARD
Norfolk we must have knocks ha must we not
NORFOLK
We must both give and take my loving lord
KING RICHARD
Up with my tent Here will I lie tonight
But where tomorrow Well alls one for that
Who hath descried the number of the traitors
NORFOLK
Six or seven thousand is their utmost power
KING RICHARD
Why our battalia trebles that account
Besides the Kings name is a tower of strength
Which they upon the adverse faction want
Up with the tent Come noble gentlemen
Let us survey the vantage of the ground
Call for some men of sound direction
Lets lack no discipline make no delay
For lords tomorrow is a busy day
The tent is now ready Exeunt
Enter Richmond Sir William Brandon Oxford Herbert Blunt and others who pitch Richmonds tent
RICHMOND
The weary sun hath made a golden set
And by the bright track of his fiery car
Gives token of a goodly day tomorrow
Sir William Brandon you shall bear my standard
Give me some ink and paper in my tent
Ill draw the form and model of our battle
Limit each leader to his several charge
And part in just proportion our small power
My Lord of Oxford you Sir William Brandon
And you Sir Walter Herbert stay with me
The Earl of Pembroke keeps his regiment
Good Captain Blunt bear my goodnight to him
And by the second hour in the morning
Desire the Earl to see me in my tent
Yet one thing more good captain do for me
Where is Lord Stanley quartered do you know
BLUNT
Unless I have mistaen 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
RICHMOND
If without peril it be possible
Sweet Blunt make some good means to speak with him
And give him from me this most needful note
BLUNT
Upon my life my lord Ill undertake it
And so God give you quiet rest tonight
RICHMOND
Good night good Captain Blunt
Exit Blunt
Come gentlemen
Let us consult upon tomorrows business
Into my tent The dew is raw and cold
Richmond Brandon Herbert and Oxford withdraw into the tent The others exeunt
Enter to his tent King Richard Ratcliffe Norfolk and Catesby with Soldiers
KING RICHARD
What ist oclock
CATESBY
Its supper time my lord Its nine oclock
KING RICHARD
I will not sup tonight Give me some ink and paper
What is my beaver easier than it was
And all my armour laid into my tent
CATESBY
It is my liege and all things are in readiness
KING RICHARD
Good Norfolk hie thee to thy charge
Use careful watch choose trusty sentinels
NORFOLK
I go my lord
KING RICHARD
Stir with the lark tomorrow gentle Norfolk
NORFOLK
I warrant you my lord
Exit
KING RICHARD
Catesby
CATESBY
My lord
KING RICHARD
Send out a pursuivantatarms
To Stanleys regiment Bid him bring his power
Before sunrising lest his son George fall
Into the blind cave of eternal night
Exit Catesby
Fill me a bowl of wine Give me a watch
Saddle white Surrey for the field tomorrow
Look that my staves be sound and not too heavy
Ratcliffe
RATCLIFFE
My lord
KING RICHARD
Sawst thou the melancholy Lord Northumberland
RATCLIFFE
Thomas the Earl of Surrey and himself
Much about cockshut time from troop to troop
Went through the army cheering up the soldiers
KING RICHARD
So I am satisfied Give me a bowl of wine
I have not that alacrity of spirit
Nor cheer of mind that I was wont to have
Set it down Is ink and paper ready
RATCLIFFE
It is my lord
KING RICHARD
Bid my guard watch leave me
Ratcliffe about the mid of night come to my tent
And help to arm me Leave me I say
Exit Ratcliffe Richard withdraws into his tent attendant soldiers guard it
Enter Stanley Earl of Derby to Richmond in his tent
STANLEY
Fortune and victory sit on thy helm
RICHMOND
All comfort that the dark night can afford
Be to thy person noble fatherinlaw
Tell me how fares our loving mother
STANLEY
I by attorney bless thee from thy mother
Who prays continually for Richmonds good
So much for that The silent hours steal on
And flaky darkness breaks within the east
In brief 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 mortalstaring war
I as I maythat 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 fathers sight
Farewell the leisure and the fearful time
Cuts off the ceremonious vows of love
And ample interchange of sweet discourse
Which solongsundered friends should dwell upon
God give us leisure for these rites of love
Once more adieu Be valiant and speed well
RICHMOND
Good lords conduct him to his regiment
Ill strive with troubled thoughts to take a nap
Lest leaden slumber peise me down tomorrow
When I should mount with wings of victory
Once more good night kind lords and gentlemen
All but Richmond leave his tent
Kneels O Thou whose captain I account myself
Look on my forces with a gracious eye
Put in their hands Thy bruising irons of wrath
That they may crush down with a heavy fall
Th usurping helmets of our adversaries
Make us Thy ministers of chastisement
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
Sleeps
Enter the Ghost of young Prince Edward son to Harry the Sixth
GHOST OF EDWARD
To King Richard Let me sit heavy on thy soul tomorrow
Think how thou stabbedst me in my prime of youth
At Tewksbury despair therefore and die
To Richmond Be cheerful Richmond for the wronged souls
Of butchered princes fight in thy behalf
King Henrys issue Richmond comforts thee
Exit
Enter the Ghost of Henry the Sixth
GHOST OF HENRY
To King Richard 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
To Richmond Virtuous and holy be thou conqueror
Harry that prophesied thou shouldst be King
Doth comfort thee in thy sleep Live and flourish
Exit
Enter the Ghost of Clarence
GHOST OF CLARENCE
To King Richard Let me sit heavy in thy soul tomorrow
I that was washed to death with fulsome wine
Poor Clarence by thy guile betrayed to death
Tomorrow in the battle think on me
And fall thy edgeless sword Despair and die
To Richmond Thou offspring of the house of Lancaster
The wronged heirs of York do pray for thee
Good angels guard thy battle live and flourish
Exit
Enter the Ghosts of Rivers Grey and Vaughan
GHOST OF RIVERS
To King Richard Let me sit heavy in thy soul tomorrow
Rivers that died at Pomfret Despair and die
GHOST OF GREY
To King Richard Think upon Grey and let thy soul despair
GHOST OF VAUGHAN
To King Richard Think upon Vaughan and with guilty fear
Let fall thy lance Despair and die
ALL THREE
To Richmond Awake and think our wrongs in Richards bosom
Will conquer him Awake and win the day
Exeunt
Enter the Ghost of Hastings
GHOST OF HASTINGS
To King Richard Bloody and guilty guiltily awake
And in a 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 Englands sake
Exit
Enter the Ghosts of the two young Princes
GHOSTS OF PRINCES
To King Richard Dream on thy cousins smothered in the Tower
Let us be lead within thy bosom Richard
And weigh thee down to ruin shame and death
Thy nephews souls bid thee despair and die
To Richmond Sleep Richmond sleep in peace and wake in joy
Good angels guard thee from the boars annoy
Live and beget a happy race of kings
Edwards unhappy sons do bid thee flourish
Exeunt
Enter the Ghost of Lady Anne his wife
GHOST OF ANNE
To King Richard Richard thy wife that wretched Anne thy wife
That never slept a quiet hour with thee
Now fills thy sleep with perturbations
Tomorrow in the battle think on me
And fall thy edgeless sword Despair and die
To Richmond Thou quiet soul sleep thou a quiet sleep
Dream of success and happy victory
Thy adversarys wife doth pray for thee
Exit
Enter the Ghost of Buckingham
GHOST OF BUCKINGHAM
To King Richard The first was I that helped thee to the crown
The last was I that felt thy tyranny
O in the battle think on Buckingham
And die in terror of thy guiltiness
Dream on dream on of bloody deeds and death
Fainting despair despairing yield thy breath
To Richmond I died for hope ere I could lend thee aid
But cheer thy heart and be thou not dismayed
God and good angels fight on Richmonds side
And Richard fall in height of all his pride
Exit
King Richard starts up out of his dream
KING RICHARD
Give me another horse Bind up my wounds
Have mercy JesuSoft I did but dream
O 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 Theres 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 why
Lest I revenge What myself upon myself
Alack I 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
I am a villain Yet I lie I am not
Fool of thyself speak well Fool do not flatter
My conscience hath a thousand several tongues
And every tongue brings in a several tale
And every tale condemns me for a villain
Perjury perjury in the highest degree
Murder stern murder in the direst degree
All several sins all used in each degree
Throng to the bar crying all Guilty guilty
I shall despair There is no creature loves me
And if I die no soul will pity me
And wherefore should they since that I myself
Find in myself no pity to myself
Methought the souls of all that I had murdered
Came to my tent and everyone did threat
Tomorrows vengeance on the head of Richard
Enter Ratcliffe
RATCLIFFE
My lord
KING RICHARD
Zounds Whos there
RATCLIFFE
Ratcliffe my lord tis I The early village cock
Hath twice done salutation to the morn
Your friends are up and buckle on their armour
KING RICHARD
O Ratcliffe I have dreamed a fearful dream
What thinkst thou will our friends prove all true
RATCLIFFE
No doubt my lord
KING RICHARD
O Ratcliffe I fear I fear
RATCLIFFE
Nay good my lord be not afraid of shadows
KING RICHARD
By the apostle Paul shadows tonight
Have struck more terror to the soul of Richard
Than can the substance of ten thousand soldiers
Armed in proof and led by shallow Richmond
Tis not yet near day Come go with me
Under our tents Ill play the eavesdropper
To see if any mean to shrink from me
Exeunt Richard and Ratcliffe
Enter the Lords to Richmond in his tent
LORDS
Good morrow Richmond
RICHMOND
Cry mercy lords and watchful gentlemen
That you have taen a tardy sluggard here
LORDS
How have you slept my lord
RICHMOND
The sweetest sleep and fairestboding dreams
That ever entered in a drowsy head
Have I since your departure had my lords
Methought their souls whose bodies Richard murdered
Came to my tent and cried on victory
I promise you my heart is very jocund
In the remembrance of so fair a dream
How far into the morning is it lords
LORDS
Upon the stroke of four
RICHMOND
Why then tis time to arm and give direction
His oration to his soldiers
More than I have said loving countrymen
The leisure and enforcement of the time
Forbids to dwell upon Yet remember this
God and our good cause fight upon our side
The prayers of holy saints and wronged souls
Like highreared 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 established
One that made means to come by what he hath
And slaughtered those that were the means to help him
A base foul stone made precious by the foil
Of Englands chair where he is falsely set
One that hath ever been Gods enemy
Then if you fight against Gods enemy
God will in justice ward you as his soldiers
If you do sweat to put a tyrant down
You sleep in peace the tyrant being slain
If you do fight against your countrys foes
Your countrys fat shall pay your pains the hire
If you do fight in safeguard of your wives
Your wives shall welcome home the conquerors
If you do free your children from the sword
Your childrens children quits it in your age
Then in the name of God and all these rights
Advance your standards draw your willing swords
For me the ransom of my bold attempt
Shall be this cold corpse on the earths cold face
But if I thrive the gain of my attempt
The least of you shall share his part thereof
Sound drums and trumpets boldly and cheerfully
God and Saint George Richmond and victory
Exeunt
Enter King Richard Ratcliffe and Soldiers
KING RICHARD
What said Northumberland as touching Richmond
RATCLIFFE
That he was never trained up in arms
KING RICHARD
He said the truth And what said Surrey then
RATCLIFFE
He smiled and said The better for our purpose
KING RICHARD
He was in the right and so indeed it is
The clock striketh
Tell the clock there Give me a calendar
Who saw the sun today
RATCLIFFE
Not I my lord
KING RICHARD
Then he disdains to shine for by the book
He should have braved the east an hour ago
A black day will it be to somebody
Ratcliffe
RATCLIFFE
My lord
KING RICHARD
The sun will not be seen today
The sky doth frown and lour upon our army
I would these dewy tears were from the ground
Not shine today Why what is that to me
More than to Richmond For the selfsame heaven
That frowns on me looks sadly upon him
Enter Norfolk
NORFOLK
Arm arm my lord The foe vaunts in the field
KING RICHARD
Come bustle bustle Caparison my horse
Call up Lord Stanley bid him bring his power
I will lead forth my soldiers to the plain
And thus my battle shall be ordered
My foreward shall be drawn out all in length
Consisting equally of horse and foot
Our archers shall be placed in the midst
John Duke of Norfolk Thomas Earl of Surrey
Shall have the leading of this foot and horse
They thus directed we will follow
In the main battle whose puissance on either side
Shall be well winged with our chiefest horse
This and Saint George to boot What thinkst thou Norfolk
NORFOLK
A good direction warlike sovereign
He sheweth him a paper
This found I on my tent this morning
KING RICHARD
Reads Jockey of Norfolk be not too bold
For Dickon thy master is bought and sold
A thing devised by the enemy
Go gentlemen every man unto his charge
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
Our strong arms be our conscience swords our law
March on Join bravely Let us to it pellmell
If not to heaven then hand in hand to hell
His oration to his army
What shall I say more than I have inferred
Remember whom you are to cope withal
A sort of vagabonds rascals and runaways
A scum of Bretons and base lackey peasants
Whom their oercloyed country vomits forth
To desperate adventures and assured destruction
You sleeping safe they bring to you unrest
You having lands and blessed with beauteous wives
They would restrain the one distain the other
And who doth lead them but a paltry fellow
Long kept in Brittany at our mothers cost
A milksop one that never in his life
Felt so much cold as overshoes in snow
Lets whip these stragglers oer the seas again
Lash hence these overweening rags of France
These famished beggars weary of their lives
Who but for dreaming on this fond exploit
For want of means poor rats had hanged themselves
If we be conquered let men conquer us
And not these bastard Bretons whom our fathers
Have in their own land beaten bobbed and thumped
And in record left them the heirs of shame
Shall these enjoy our lands Lie with our wives
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
Enter a Messenger
What says Lord Stanley Will he bring his power
MESSENGER
My lord he doth deny to come
KING RICHARD
Off with his son Georges head
NORFOLK
My lord the enemy is past the marsh
After the battle let George Stanley die
KING RICHARD
A thousand hearts are great within my bosom
Advance our standards Set upon our foes
Our ancient word of courage fair Saint George
Inspire us with the spleen of fiery dragons
Upon them Victory sits on our helms
Exeunt
SCENE IV Another part of the Field
Alarum Excursions Enter Norfolk and Soldiers to him Catesby
CATESBY
Rescue my lord of Norfolk rescue rescue
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
Exeunt Norfolk and Soldiers
Alarum Enter King Richard
KING RICHARD
A horse A horse My kingdom for a horse
CATESBY
Withdraw my lord Ill help you to a horse
KING RICHARD
Slave I have set my life upon a cast
And I will stand the hazard of the die
I think there be six Richmonds in the field
Five have I slain today instead of him
A horse A horse My kingdom for a horse
Exeunt
SCENE V Another part of the Field
Alarum Enter King Richard and Richmond They fight Richard is slain Then retreat being sounded Richmond exits and Richards body is carried off Flourish Enter Richmond Stanley Earl of Derby bearing the crown with other Lords and Soldiers
RICHMOND
God and your arms be praised victorious friends
The day is ours the bloody dog is dead
STANLEY
Courageous Richmond well hast thou acquit thee
Lo here this longusurped royalty
From the dead temples of this bloody wretch
Have I plucked off to grace thy brows withal
Wear it enjoy it and make much of it
RICHMOND
Great God of heaven say Amen to all
But tell me is young George Stanley living
STANLEY
He is my lord and safe in Leicester town
Whither if it please you we may now withdraw us
RICHMOND
What men of name are slain on either side
STANLEY
John Duke of Norfolk Walter Lord Ferrers
Sir Robert Brakenbury and Sir William Brandon
RICHMOND
Inter their bodies as becomes their births
Proclaim a pardon to the soldiers fled
That in submission will return to us
And then as we have taen the sacrament
We will unite the white rose and the red
Smile heaven upon this fair conjunction
That long have frowned upon their enmity
What traitor hears me and says not Amen
England hath long been mad and scarred herself
The brother blindly shed the brothers blood
The father rashly slaughtered his own son
The son compelled been butcher to the sire
All this divided York and Lancaster
Divided in their dire division
O now let Richmond and Elizabeth
The true succeeders of each royal house
By Gods fair ordinance conjoin together
And let their heirs God if Thy will be so
Enrich the time to come with smoothedfaced 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 blood
Let them not live to taste this lands increase
That would with treason wound this fair lands peace
Now civil wounds are stopped peace lives again
That she may long live here God say Amen
Exeunt
THE TRAGEDY OF ROMEO AND JULIET
Contents
THE PROLOGUE
ACT I
Scene I A public place
Scene II A Street
Scene III Room in Capulets House
Scene IV A Street
Scene V A Hall in Capulets House
ACT II
CHORUS
Scene I An open place adjoining Capulets Garden
Scene II Capulets Garden
Scene III Friar Lawrences Cell
Scene IV A Street
Scene V Capulets Garden
Scene VI Friar Lawrences Cell
ACT III
Scene I A public Place
Scene II A Room in Capulets House
Scene III Friar Lawrences cell
Scene IV A Room in Capulets House
Scene V An open Gallery to Juliets Chamber overlooking the Garden
ACT IV
Scene I Friar Lawrences Cell
Scene II Hall in Capulets House
Scene III Juliets Chamber
Scene IV Hall in Capulets House
Scene V Juliets Chamber Juliet on the bed
ACT V
Scene I Mantua A Street
Scene II Friar Lawrences Cell
Scene III A churchyard in it a Monument belonging to the Capulets
Dramatis Person
ESCALUS Prince of Verona
MERCUTIO kinsman to the Prince and friend to Romeo
PARIS a young Nobleman kinsman to the Prince
Page to Paris
MONTAGUE head of a Veronese family at feud with the Capulets
LADY MONTAGUE wife to Montague
ROMEO son to Montague
BENVOLIO nephew to Montague and friend to Romeo
ABRAM servant to Montague
BALTHASAR servant to Romeo
CAPULET head of a Veronese family at feud with the Montagues
LADY CAPULET wife to Capulet
JULIET daughter to Capulet
TYBALT nephew to Lady Capulet
CAPULETS COUSIN an old man
NURSE to Juliet
PETER servant to Juliets Nurse
SAMPSON servant to Capulet
GREGORY servant to Capulet
Servants
FRIAR LAWRENCE a Franciscan
FRIAR JOHN of the same Order
An Apothecary
CHORUS
Three Musicians
An Officer
Citizens of Verona several Men and Women relations to both houses Maskers Guards Watchmen and Attendants
SCENE During the greater part of the Play in Verona once in the Fifth Act at Mantua
THE PROLOGUE
Enter Chorus
CHORUS
Two households both alike in dignity
In fair Verona where we lay our scene
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of starcrossd lovers take their life
Whose misadventurd piteous overthrows
Doth with their death bury their parents strife
The fearful passage of their deathmarkd love
And the continuance of their parents rage
Which but their childrens end nought could remove
Is now the two hours traffic of our stage
The which if you with patient ears attend
What here shall miss our toil shall strive to mend
Exit
ACT I
SCENE I A public place
Enter Sampson and Gregory armed with swords and bucklers
SAMPSON
Gregory on my word well not carry coals
GREGORY
No for then we should be colliers
SAMPSON
I mean if we be in choler well draw
GREGORY
Ay while you live draw your neck out o the collar
SAMPSON
I strike quickly being moved
GREGORY
But thou art not quickly moved to strike
SAMPSON
A dog of the house of Montague moves me
GREGORY
To move is to stir and to be valiant is to stand therefore if thou art moved thou runnst away
SAMPSON
A dog of that house shall move me to stand
I will take the wall of any man or maid of Montagues
GREGORY
That shows thee a weak slave for the weakest goes to the wall
SAMPSON
True and therefore women being the weaker vessels are ever thrust to the wall therefore I will push Montagues men from the wall and thrust his maids to the wall
GREGORY
The quarrel is between our masters and us their men
SAMPSON
Tis all one I will show myself a tyrant when I have fought with the men I will be civil with the maids I will cut off their heads
GREGORY
The heads of the maids
SAMPSON
Ay the heads of the maids or their maidenheads take it in what sense thou wilt
GREGORY
They must take it in sense that feel it
SAMPSON
Me they shall feel while I am able to stand and tis known I am a pretty piece of flesh
GREGORY
Tis well thou art not fish if thou hadst thou hadst been poor John Draw thy tool here comes of the house of Montagues
Enter Abram and Balthasar
SAMPSON
My naked weapon is out quarrel I will back thee
GREGORY
How Turn thy back and run
SAMPSON
Fear me not
GREGORY
No marry I fear thee
SAMPSON
Let us take the law of our sides let them begin
GREGORY
I will frown as I pass by and let them take it as they list
SAMPSON
Nay as they dare I will bite my thumb at them which is disgrace to them if they bear it
ABRAM
Do you bite your thumb at us sir
SAMPSON
I do bite my thumb sir
ABRAM
Do you bite your thumb at us sir
SAMPSON
Is the law of our side if I say ay
GREGORY
No
SAMPSON
No sir I do not bite my thumb at you sir but I bite my thumb sir
GREGORY
Do you quarrel sir
ABRAM
Quarrel sir No sir
SAMPSON
But if you do sir I am for you I serve as good a man as you
ABRAM
No better
SAMPSON
Well sir
Enter Benvolio
GREGORY
Say better here comes one of my masters kinsmen
SAMPSON
Yes better sir
ABRAM
You lie
SAMPSON
Draw if you be men Gregory remember thy washing blow
They fight
BENVOLIO
Part fools put up your swords you know not what you do
Beats down their swords
Enter Tybalt
TYBALT
What art thou drawn among these heartless hinds
Turn thee Benvolio look upon thy death
BENVOLIO
I do but keep the peace put up thy sword
Or manage it to part these men with me
TYBALT
What drawn and talk of peace I hate the word
As I hate hell all Montagues and thee
Have at thee coward
They fight
Enter three or four Citizens with clubs
FIRST CITIZEN
Clubs bills and partisans Strike Beat them down
Down with the Capulets Down with the Montagues
Enter Capulet in his gown and Lady Capulet
CAPULET
What noise is this Give me my long sword ho
LADY CAPULET
A crutch a crutch Why call you for a sword
CAPULET
My sword I say Old Montague is come
And flourishes his blade in spite of me
Enter Montague and his Lady Montague
MONTAGUE
Thou villain Capulet Hold me not let me go
LADY MONTAGUE
Thou shalt not stir one foot to seek a foe
Enter Prince Escalus with Attendants
PRINCE
Rebellious subjects enemies to peace
Profaners of this neighbourstained steel
Will they not hear What ho You men you beasts
That quench the fire of your pernicious rage
With purple fountains issuing from your veins
On pain of torture from those bloody hands
Throw your mistemperd weapons to the ground
And hear the sentence of your moved prince
Three civil brawls bred of an airy word
By thee old Capulet and Montague
Have thrice disturbd the quiet of our streets
And made Veronas ancient citizens
Cast by their grave beseeming ornaments
To wield old partisans in hands as old
Cankerd with peace to part your cankerd hate
If ever you disturb our streets again
Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace
For this time all the rest depart away
You Capulet shall go along with me
And Montague come you this afternoon
To know our farther pleasure in this case
To old Freetown our common judgementplace
Once more on pain of death all men depart
Exeunt Prince and Attendants Capulet Lady Capulet Tybalt Citizens and Servants
MONTAGUE
Who set this ancient quarrel new abroach
Speak nephew were you by when it began
BENVOLIO
Here were the servants of your adversary
And yours close fighting ere I did approach
I drew to part them in the instant came
The fiery Tybalt with his sword prepard
Which as he breathd defiance to my ears
He swung about his head and cut the winds
Who nothing hurt withal hissd him in scorn
While we were interchanging thrusts and blows
Came more and more and fought on part and part
Till the Prince came who parted either part
LADY MONTAGUE
O where is Romeo saw you him today
Right glad I am he was not at this fray
BENVOLIO
Madam an hour before the worshippd sun
Peerd forth the golden window of the east
A troubled mind drave me to walk abroad
Where underneath the grove of sycamore
That westward rooteth from this city side
So early walking did I see your son
Towards him I made but he was ware of me
And stole into the covert of the wood
I measuring his affections by my own
Which then most sought where most might not be found
Being one too many by my weary self
Pursud my humour not pursuing his
And gladly shunnd who gladly fled from me
MONTAGUE
Many a morning hath he there been seen
With tears augmenting the fresh mornings dew
Adding to clouds more clouds with his deep sighs
But all so soon as the allcheering sun
Should in the farthest east begin to draw
The shady curtains from Auroras bed
Away from light steals home my heavy son
And private in his chamber pens himself
Shuts up his windows locks fair daylight out
And makes himself an artificial night
Black and portentous must this humour prove
Unless good counsel may the cause remove
BENVOLIO
My noble uncle do you know the cause
MONTAGUE
I neither know it nor can learn of him
BENVOLIO
Have you importund him by any means
MONTAGUE
Both by myself and many other friends
But he his own affections counsellor
Is to himselfI will not say how true
But to himself so secret and so close
So far from sounding and discovery
As is the bud bit with an envious worm
Ere he can spread his sweet leaves to the air
Or dedicate his beauty to the sun
Could we but learn from whence his sorrows grow
We would as willingly give cure as know
Enter Romeo
BENVOLIO
See where he comes So please you step aside
Ill know his grievance or be much denied
MONTAGUE
I would thou wert so happy by thy stay
To hear true shrift Come madam lets away
Exeunt Montague and Lady Montague
BENVOLIO
Good morrow cousin
ROMEO
Is the day so young
BENVOLIO
But new struck nine
ROMEO
Ay me sad hours seem long
Was that my father that went hence so fast
BENVOLIO
It was What sadness lengthens Romeos hours
ROMEO
Not having that which having makes them short
BENVOLIO
In love
ROMEO
Out
BENVOLIO
Of love
ROMEO
Out of her favour where I am in love
BENVOLIO
Alas that love so gentle in his view
Should be so tyrannous and rough in proof
ROMEO
Alas that love whose view is muffled still
Should without eyes see pathways to his will
Where shall we dine O me What fray was here
Yet tell me not for I have heard it all
Heres much to do with hate but more with love
Why then O brawling love O loving hate
O anything of nothing first create
O heavy lightness serious vanity
Misshapen chaos of wellseeming forms
Feather of lead bright smoke cold fire sick health
Stillwaking sleep that is not what it is
This love feel I that feel no love in this
Dost thou not laugh
BENVOLIO
No coz I rather weep
ROMEO
Good heart at what
BENVOLIO
At thy good hearts oppression
ROMEO
Why such is loves transgression
Griefs of mine own lie heavy in my breast
Which thou wilt propagate to have it prest
With more of thine This love that thou hast shown
Doth add more grief to too much of mine own
Love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs
Being purgd a fire sparkling in lovers eyes
Being vexd a sea nourishd with lovers tears
What is it else A madness most discreet
A choking gall and a preserving sweet
Farewell my coz
Going
BENVOLIO
Soft I will go along
And if you leave me so you do me wrong
ROMEO
Tut I have lost myself I am not here
This is not Romeo hes some other where
BENVOLIO
Tell me in sadness who is that you love
ROMEO
What shall I groan and tell thee
BENVOLIO
Groan Why no but sadly tell me who
ROMEO
Bid a sick man in sadness make his will
A word ill urgd to one that is so ill
In sadness cousin I do love a woman
BENVOLIO
I aimd so near when I supposd you lovd
ROMEO
A right good markman and shes fair I love
BENVOLIO
A right fair mark fair coz is soonest hit
ROMEO
Well in that hit you miss shell not be hit
With Cupids arrow she hath Dians wit
And in strong proof of chastity well armd
From loves weak childish bow she lives uncharmd
She will not stay the siege of loving terms
Nor bide thencounter of assailing eyes
Nor ope her lap to saintseducing gold
O shes rich in beauty only poor
That when she dies with beauty dies her store
BENVOLIO
Then she hath sworn that she will still live chaste
ROMEO
She hath and in that sparing makes huge waste
For beauty starvd with her severity
Cuts beauty off from all posterity
She is too fair too wise wisely too fair
To merit bliss by making me despair
She hath forsworn to love and in that vow
Do I live dead that live to tell it now
BENVOLIO
Be ruld by me forget to think of her
ROMEO
O teach me how I should forget to think
BENVOLIO
By giving liberty unto thine eyes
Examine other beauties
ROMEO
Tis the way
To call hers exquisite in question more
These happy masks that kiss fair ladies brows
Being black puts us in mind they hide the fair
He that is strucken blind cannot forget
The precious treasure of his eyesight lost
Show me a mistress that is passing fair
What doth her beauty serve but as a note
Where I may read who passd that passing fair
Farewell thou canst not teach me to forget
BENVOLIO
Ill pay that doctrine or else die in debt
Exeunt
SCENE II A Street
Enter Capulet Paris and Servant
CAPULET
But Montague is bound as well as I
In penalty alike and tis not hard I think
For men so old as we to keep the peace
PARIS
Of honourable reckoning are you both
And pity tis you livd at odds so long
But now my lord what say you to my suit
CAPULET
But saying oer what I have said before
My child is yet a stranger in the world
She hath not seen the change of fourteen years
Let two more summers wither in their pride
Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride
PARIS
Younger than she are happy mothers made
CAPULET
And too soon marrd are those so early made
The earth hath swallowed all my hopes but she
She is the hopeful lady of my earth
But woo her gentle Paris get her heart
My will to her consent is but a part
And she agree within her scope of choice
Lies my consent and fair according voice
This night I hold an old accustomd feast
Whereto I have invited many a guest
Such as I love and you among the store
One more most welcome makes my number more
At my poor house look to behold this night
Earthtreading stars that make dark heaven light
Such comfort as do lusty young men feel
When well apparelld April on the heel
Of limping winter treads even such delight
Among fresh female buds shall you this night
Inherit at my house Hear all all see
And like her most whose merit most shall be
Which on more view of many mine being one
May stand in number though in reckoning none
Come go with me Go sirrah trudge about
Through fair Verona find those persons out
Whose names are written there gives a paper and to them say
My house and welcome on their pleasure stay
Exeunt Capulet and Paris
SERVANT
Find them out whose names are written here It is written that the shoemaker should meddle with his yard and the tailor with his last the fisher with his pencil and the painter with his nets but I am sent to find those persons whose names are here writ and can never find what names the writing person hath here writ I must to the learned In good time
Enter Benvolio and Romeo
BENVOLIO
Tut man one fire burns out anothers burning
One pain is lessend by anothers anguish
Turn giddy and be holp by backward turning
One desperate grief cures with anothers languish
Take thou some new infection to thy eye
And the rank poison of the old will die
ROMEO
Your plantain leaf is excellent for that
BENVOLIO
For what I pray thee
ROMEO
For your broken shin
BENVOLIO
Why Romeo art thou mad
ROMEO
Not mad but bound more than a madman is
Shut up in prison kept without my food
Whippd and tormented andGodden good fellow
SERVANT
God gi goden I pray sir can you read
ROMEO
Ay mine own fortune in my misery
SERVANT
Perhaps you have learned it without book
But I pray can you read anything you see
ROMEO
Ay If I know the letters and the language
SERVANT
Ye say honestly rest you merry
ROMEO
Stay fellow I can read
He reads the letter
Signior Martino and his wife and daughters
County Anselmo and his beauteous sisters
The lady widow of Utruvio
Signior Placentio and his lovely nieces
Mercutio and his brother Valentine
Mine uncle Capulet his wife and daughters
My fair niece Rosaline and Livia
Signior Valentio and his cousin Tybalt
Lucio and the lively Helena
A fair assembly Gives back the paper Whither should they come
SERVANT
Up
ROMEO
Whither to supper
SERVANT
To our house
ROMEO
Whose house
SERVANT
My masters
ROMEO
Indeed I should have askd you that before
SERVANT
Now Ill tell you without asking My master is the great rich Capulet and if you be not of the house of Montagues I pray come and crush a cup of wine Rest you merry
Exit
BENVOLIO
At this same ancient feast of Capulets
Sups the fair Rosaline whom thou so lovst
With all the admired beauties of Verona
Go thither and with unattainted eye
Compare her face with some that I shall show
And I will make thee think thy swan a crow
ROMEO
When the devout religion of mine eye
Maintains such falsehood then turn tears to fire
And these who often drownd could never die
Transparent heretics be burnt for liars
One fairer than my love The allseeing sun
Neer saw her match since first the world begun
BENVOLIO
Tut you saw her fair none else being by
Herself poisd with herself in either eye
But in that crystal scales let there be weighd
Your ladys love against some other maid
That I will show you shining at this feast
And she shall scant show well that now shows best
ROMEO
Ill go along no such sight to be shown
But to rejoice in splendour of my own
Exeunt
SCENE III Room in Capulets House
Enter Lady Capulet and Nurse
LADY CAPULET
Nurse wheres my daughter Call her forth to me
NURSE
Now by my maidenhead at twelve year old
I bade her come What lamb What ladybird
God forbid Wheres this girl What Juliet
Enter Juliet
JULIET
How now who calls
NURSE
Your mother
JULIET
Madam I am here What is your will
LADY CAPULET
This is the matter Nurse give leave awhile
We must talk in secret Nurse come back again
I have rememberd me thous hear our counsel
Thou knowest my daughters of a pretty age
NURSE
Faith I can tell her age unto an hour
LADY CAPULET
Shes not fourteen
NURSE
Ill lay fourteen of my teeth
And yet to my teen be it spoken I have but four
She is not fourteen How long is it now
To Lammastide
LADY CAPULET
A fortnight and odd days
NURSE
Even or odd of all days in the year
Come Lammas Eve at night shall she be fourteen
Susan and sheGod rest all Christian souls
Were of an age Well Susan is with God
She was too good for me But as I said
On Lammas Eve at night shall she be fourteen
That shall she marry I remember it well
Tis since the earthquake now eleven years
And she was weandI never shall forget it
Of all the days of the year upon that day
For I had then laid wormwood to my dug
Sitting in the sun under the dovehouse wall
My lord and you were then at Mantua
Nay I do bear a brain But as I said
When it did taste the wormwood on the nipple
Of my dug and felt it bitter pretty fool
To see it tetchy and fall out with the dug
Shake quoth the dovehouse twas no need I trow
To bid me trudge
And since that time it is eleven years
For then she could stand alone nay by throod
She could have run and waddled all about
For even the day before she broke her brow
And then my husbandGod be with his soul
A was a merry mantook up the child
Yea quoth he dost thou fall upon thy face
Thou wilt fall backward when thou hast more wit
Wilt thou not Jule and by my holidame
The pretty wretch left crying and said Ay
To see now how a jest shall come about
I warrant and I should live a thousand years
I never should forget it Wilt thou not Jule quoth he
And pretty fool it stinted and said Ay
LADY CAPULET
Enough of this I pray thee hold thy peace
NURSE
Yes madam yet I cannot choose but laugh
To think it should leave crying and say Ay
And yet I warrant it had upon it brow
A bump as big as a young cockerels stone
A perilous knock and it cried bitterly
Yea quoth my husband fallst upon thy face
Thou wilt fall backward when thou comest to age
Wilt thou not Jule it stinted and said Ay
JULIET
And stint thou too I pray thee Nurse say I
NURSE
Peace I have done God mark thee to his grace
Thou wast the prettiest babe that eer I nursd
And I might live to see thee married once I have my wish
LADY CAPULET
Marry that marry is the very theme
I came to talk of Tell me daughter Juliet
How stands your disposition to be married
JULIET
It is an honour that I dream not of
NURSE
An honour Were not I thine only nurse
I would say thou hadst suckd wisdom from thy teat
LADY CAPULET
Well think of marriage now younger than you
Here in Verona ladies of esteem
Are made already mothers By my count
I was your mother much upon these years
That you are now a maid Thus then in brief
The valiant Paris seeks you for his love
NURSE
A man young lady Lady such a man
As all the worldwhy hes a man of wax
LADY CAPULET
Veronas summer hath not such a flower
NURSE
Nay hes a flower in faith a very flower
LADY CAPULET
What say you can you love the gentleman
This night you shall behold him at our feast
Read oer the volume of young Paris face
And find delight writ there with beautys pen
Examine every married lineament
And see how one another lends content
And what obscurd in this fair volume lies
Find written in the margent of his eyes
This precious book of love this unbound lover
To beautify him only lacks a cover
The fish lives in the sea and tis much pride
For fair without the fair within to hide
That book in manys eyes doth share the glory
That in gold clasps locks in the golden story
So shall you share all that he doth possess
By having him making yourself no less
NURSE
No less nay bigger Women grow by men
LADY CAPULET
Speak briefly can you like of Paris love
JULIET
Ill look to like if looking liking move
But no more deep will I endart mine eye
Than your consent gives strength to make it fly
Enter a Servant
SERVANT
Madam the guests are come supper served up you called my young lady asked for the Nurse cursed in the pantry and everything in extremity I must hence to wait I beseech you follow straight
LADY CAPULET
We follow thee
Exit Servant
Juliet the County stays
NURSE
Go girl seek happy nights to happy days
Exeunt
SCENE IV A Street
Enter Romeo Mercutio Benvolio with five or six Maskers Torchbearers and others
ROMEO
What shall this speech be spoke for our excuse
Or shall we on without apology
BENVOLIO
The date is out of such prolixity
Well have no Cupid hoodwinkd with a scarf
Bearing a Tartars painted bow of lath
Scaring the ladies like a crowkeeper
Nor no withoutbook prologue faintly spoke
After the prompter for our entrance
But let them measure us by what they will
Well measure them a measure and be gone
ROMEO
Give me a torch I am not for this ambling
Being but heavy I will bear the light
MERCUTIO
Nay gentle Romeo we must have you dance
ROMEO
Not I believe me you have dancing shoes
With nimble soles I have a soul of lead
So stakes me to the ground I cannot move
MERCUTIO
You are a lover borrow Cupids wings
And soar with them above a common bound
ROMEO
I am too sore enpierced with his shaft
To soar with his light feathers and so bound
I cannot bound a pitch above dull woe
Under loves heavy burden do I sink
MERCUTIO
And to sink in it should you burden love
Too great oppression for a tender thing
ROMEO
Is love a tender thing It is too rough
Too rude too boisterous and it pricks like thorn
MERCUTIO
If love be rough with you be rough with love
Prick love for pricking and you beat love down
Give me a case to put my visage in Putting on a mask
A visor for a visor What care I
What curious eye doth quote deformities
Here are the beetlebrows shall blush for me
BENVOLIO
Come knock and enter and no sooner in
But every man betake him to his legs
ROMEO
A torch for me let wantons light of heart
Tickle the senseless rushes with their heels
For I am proverbd with a grandsire phrase
Ill be a candleholder and look on
The game was neer so fair and I am done
MERCUTIO
Tut duns the mouse the constables own word
If thou art dun well draw thee from the mire
Or save your reverence love wherein thou stickest
Up to the ears Come we burn daylight ho
ROMEO
Nay thats not so
MERCUTIO
I mean sir in delay
We waste our lights in vain light lights by day
Take our good meaning for our judgment sits
Five times in that ere once in our five wits
ROMEO
And we mean well in going to this mask
But tis no wit to go
MERCUTIO
Why may one ask
ROMEO
I dreamt a dream tonight
MERCUTIO
And so did I
ROMEO
Well what was yours
MERCUTIO
That dreamers often lie
ROMEO
In bed asleep while they do dream things true
MERCUTIO
O then I see Queen Mab hath been with you
She is the fairies midwife and she comes
In shape no bigger than an agatestone
On the forefinger of an alderman
Drawn with a team of little atomies
Over mens noses as they lie asleep
Her waggonspokes made of long spinners legs
The cover of the wings of grasshoppers
Her traces of the smallest spiders web
The collars of the moonshines watery beams
Her whip of crickets bone the lash of film
Her waggoner a small greycoated gnat
Not half so big as a round little worm
Prickd from the lazy finger of a maid
Her chariot is an empty hazelnut
Made by the joiner squirrel or old grub
Time out o mind the fairies coachmakers
And in this state she gallops night by night
Through lovers brains and then they dream of love
Oer courtiers knees that dream on curtsies straight
Oer lawyers fingers who straight dream on fees
Oer ladies lips who straight on kisses dream
Which oft the angry Mab with blisters plagues
Because their breaths with sweetmeats tainted are
Sometime she gallops oer a courtiers nose
And then dreams he of smelling out a suit
And sometime comes she with a tithepigs tail
Tickling a parsons nose as a lies asleep
Then dreams he of another benefice
Sometime she driveth oer a soldiers neck
And then dreams he of cutting foreign throats
Of breaches ambuscados Spanish blades
Of healths five fathom deep and then anon
Drums in his ear at which he starts and wakes
And being thus frighted swears a prayer or two
And sleeps again This is that very Mab
That plats the manes of horses in the night
And bakes the elflocks in foul sluttish hairs
Which once untangled much misfortune bodes
This is the hag when maids lie on their backs
That presses them and learns them first to bear
Making them women of good carriage
This is she
ROMEO
Peace peace Mercutio peace
Thou talkst of nothing
MERCUTIO
True I talk of dreams
Which are the children of an idle brain
Begot of nothing but vain fantasy
Which is as thin of substance as the air
And more inconstant than the wind who woos
Even now the frozen bosom of the north
And being angerd puffs away from thence
Turning his side to the dewdropping south
BENVOLIO
This wind you talk of blows us from ourselves
Supper is done and we shall come too late
ROMEO
I fear too early for my mind misgives
Some consequence yet hanging in the stars
Shall bitterly begin his fearful date
With this nights revels and expire the term
Of a despised life closd in my breast
By some vile forfeit of untimely death
But he that hath the steerage of my course
Direct my suit On lusty gentlemen
BENVOLIO
Strike drum
Exeunt
SCENE V A Hall in Capulets House
Musicians waiting Enter Servants
FIRST SERVANT
Wheres Potpan that he helps not to take away
He shift a trencher He scrape a trencher
SECOND SERVANT
When good manners shall lie all in one or two mens hands and they unwashd too tis a foul thing
FIRST SERVANT
Away with the joinstools remove the courtcupboard look to the plate Good thou save me a piece of marchpane and as thou loves me let the porter let in Susan Grindstone and Nell Antony and Potpan
SECOND SERVANT
Ay boy ready
FIRST SERVANT
You are looked for and called for asked for and sought for in the great chamber
SECOND SERVANT
We cannot be here and there too Cheerly boys Be brisk awhile and the longer liver take all
Exeunt
Enter Capulet c with the Guests and Gentlewomen to the Maskers
CAPULET
Welcome gentlemen ladies that have their toes
Unplagud with corns will have a bout with you
Ah my mistresses which of you all
Will now deny to dance She that makes dainty
She Ill swear hath corns Am I come near ye now
Welcome gentlemen I have seen the day
That I have worn a visor and could tell
A whispering tale in a fair ladys ear
Such as would please tis gone tis gone tis gone
You are welcome gentlemen Come musicians play
A hall a hall give room And foot it girls
Music plays and they dance
More light you knaves and turn the tables up
And quench the fire the room is grown too hot
Ah sirrah this unlookdfor sport comes well
Nay sit nay sit good cousin Capulet
For you and I are past our dancing days
How long ist now since last yourself and I
Were in a mask
CAPULETS COUSIN
Byr Lady thirty years
CAPULET
What man tis not so much tis not so much
Tis since the nuptial of Lucentio
Come Pentecost as quickly as it will
Some five and twenty years and then we maskd
CAPULETS COUSIN
Tis more tis more his son is elder sir
His son is thirty
CAPULET
Will you tell me that
His son was but a ward two years ago
ROMEO
What lady is that which doth enrich the hand
Of yonder knight
SERVANT
I know not sir
ROMEO
O she doth teach the torches to burn bright
It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night
As a rich jewel in an Ethiops ear
Beauty too rich for use for earth too dear
So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows
As yonder lady oer her fellows shows
The measure done Ill watch her place of stand
And touching hers make blessed my rude hand
Did my heart love till now Forswear it sight
For I neer saw true beauty till this night
TYBALT
This by his voice should be a Montague
Fetch me my rapier boy What dares the slave
Come hither coverd with an antic face
To fleer and scorn at our solemnity
Now by the stock and honour of my kin
To strike him dead I hold it not a sin
CAPULET
Why how now kinsman
Wherefore storm you so
TYBALT
Uncle this is a Montague our foe
A villain that is hither come in spite
To scorn at our solemnity this night
CAPULET
Young Romeo is it
TYBALT
Tis he that villain Romeo
CAPULET
Content thee gentle coz let him alone
A bears him like a portly gentleman
And to say truth Verona brags of him
To be a virtuous and wellgovernd youth
I would not for the wealth of all the town
Here in my house do him disparagement
Therefore be patient take no note of him
It is my will the which if thou respect
Show a fair presence and put off these frowns
An illbeseeming semblance for a feast
TYBALT
It fits when such a villain is a guest
Ill not endure him
CAPULET
He shall be endurd
What goodman boy I say he shall go to
Am I the master here or you Go to
Youll not endure him God shall mend my soul
Youll make a mutiny among my guests
You will set cockahoop youll be the man
TYBALT
Why uncle tis a shame
CAPULET
Go to go to
You are a saucy boy Ist so indeed
This trick may chance to scathe you I know what
You must contrary me Marry tis time
Well said my heartsYou are a princox go
Be quiet orMore light more lightFor shame
Ill make you quiet What cheerly my hearts
TYBALT
Patience perforce with wilful choler meeting
Makes my flesh tremble in their different greeting
I will withdraw but this intrusion shall
Now seeming sweet convert to bitter gall
Exit
ROMEO
To Juliet If I profane with my unworthiest hand
This holy shrine the gentle sin is this
My lips two blushing pilgrims ready stand
To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss
JULIET
Good pilgrim you do wrong your hand too much
Which mannerly devotion shows in this
For saints have hands that pilgrims hands do touch
And palm to palm is holy palmers kiss
ROMEO
Have not saints lips and holy palmers too
JULIET
Ay pilgrim lips that they must use in prayer
ROMEO
O then dear saint let lips do what hands do
They pray grant thou lest faith turn to despair
JULIET
Saints do not move though grant for prayers sake
ROMEO
Then move not while my prayers effect I take
Thus from my lips by thine my sin is purgd
Kissing her
JULIET
Then have my lips the sin that they have took
ROMEO
Sin from my lips O trespass sweetly urgd
Give me my sin again
JULIET
You kiss by the book
NURSE
Madam your mother craves a word with you
ROMEO
What is her mother
NURSE
Marry bachelor
Her mother is the lady of the house
And a good lady and a wise and virtuous
I nursd her daughter that you talkd withal
I tell you he that can lay hold of her
Shall have the chinks
ROMEO
Is she a Capulet
O dear account My life is my foes debt
BENVOLIO
Away be gone the sport is at the best
ROMEO
Ay so I fear the more is my unrest
CAPULET
Nay gentlemen prepare not to be gone
We have a trifling foolish banquet towards
Is it een so Why then I thank you all
I thank you honest gentlemen good night
More torches here Come on then lets to bed
Ah sirrah by my fay it waxes late
Ill to my rest
Exeunt all but Juliet and Nurse
JULIET
Come hither Nurse What is yond gentleman
NURSE
The son and heir of old Tiberio
JULIET
Whats he that now is going out of door
NURSE
Marry that I think be young Petruchio
JULIET
Whats he that follows here that would not dance
NURSE
I know not
JULIET
Go ask his name If he be married
My grave is like to be my wedding bed
NURSE
His name is Romeo and a Montague
The only son of your great enemy
JULIET
My only love sprung from my only hate
Too early seen unknown and known too late
Prodigious birth of love it is to me
That I must love a loathed enemy
NURSE
Whats this Whats this
JULIET
A rhyme I learnd even now
Of one I dancd withal
One calls within Juliet
NURSE
Anon anon
Come lets away the strangers all are gone
Exeunt
ACT II
Enter Chorus
CHORUS
Now old desire doth in his deathbed lie
And young affection gapes to be his heir
That fair for which love groand for and would die
With tender Juliet matchd is now not fair
Now Romeo is belovd and loves again
Alike bewitched by the charm of looks
But to his foe supposd he must complain
And she steal loves sweet bait from fearful hooks
Being held a foe he may not have access
To breathe such vows as lovers use to swear
And she as much in love her means much less
To meet her new beloved anywhere
But passion lends them power time means to meet
Tempering extremities with extreme sweet
Exit
SCENE I An open place adjoining Capulets Garden
Enter Romeo
ROMEO
Can I go forward when my heart is here
Turn back dull earth and find thy centre out
He climbs the wall and leaps down within it
Enter Benvolio and Mercutio
BENVOLIO
Romeo My cousin Romeo Romeo
MERCUTIO
He is wise
And on my life hath stoln him home to bed
BENVOLIO
He ran this way and leapd this orchard wall
Call good Mercutio
MERCUTIO
Nay Ill conjure too
Romeo Humours Madman Passion Lover
Appear thou in the likeness of a sigh
Speak but one rhyme and I am satisfied
Cry but Ah me Pronounce but Love and dove
Speak to my gossip Venus one fair word
One nickname for her purblind son and heir
Young Abraham Cupid he that shot so trim
When King Cophetua lovd the beggarmaid
He heareth not he stirreth not he moveth not
The ape is dead and I must conjure him
I conjure thee by Rosalines bright eyes
By her high forehead and her scarlet lip
By her fine foot straight leg and quivering thigh
And the demesnes that there adjacent lie
That in thy likeness thou appear to us
BENVOLIO
An if he hear thee thou wilt anger him
MERCUTIO
This cannot anger him Twould anger him
To raise a spirit in his mistress circle
Of some strange nature letting it there stand
Till she had laid it and conjurd it down
That were some spite My invocation
Is fair and honest and in his mistress name
I conjure only but to raise up him
BENVOLIO
Come he hath hid himself among these trees
To be consorted with the humorous night
Blind is his love and best befits the dark
MERCUTIO
If love be blind love cannot hit the mark
Now will he sit under a medlar tree
And wish his mistress were that kind of fruit
As maids call medlars when they laugh alone
O Romeo that she were O that she were
An openarse and thou a poperin pear
Romeo good night Ill to my trucklebed
This fieldbed is too cold for me to sleep
Come shall we go
BENVOLIO
Go then for tis in vain
To seek him here that means not to be found
Exeunt
SCENE II Capulets Garden
Enter Romeo
ROMEO
He jests at scars that never felt a wound
Juliet appears above at a window
But soft what light through yonder window breaks
It is the east and Juliet is the sun
Arise fair sun and kill the envious moon
Who is already sick and pale with grief
That thou her maid art far more fair than she
Be not her maid since she is envious
Her vestal livery is but sick and green
And none but fools do wear it cast it off
It is my lady O it is my love
O that she knew she were
She speaks yet she says nothing What of that
Her eye discourses I will answer it
I am too bold tis not to me she speaks
Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven
Having some business do entreat her eyes
To twinkle in their spheres till they return
What if her eyes were there they in her head
The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars
As daylight doth a lamp her eyes in heaven
Would through the airy region stream so bright
That birds would sing and think it were not night
See how she leans her cheek upon her hand
O that I were a glove upon that hand
That I might touch that cheek
JULIET
Ay me
ROMEO
She speaks
O speak again bright angel for thou art
As glorious to this night being oer my head
As is a winged messenger of heaven
Unto the whiteupturned wondering eyes
Of mortals that fall back to gaze on him
When he bestrides the lazypuffing clouds
And sails upon the bosom of the air
JULIET
O Romeo Romeo wherefore art thou Romeo
Deny thy father and refuse thy name
Or if thou wilt not be but sworn my love
And Ill no longer be a Capulet
ROMEO
Aside Shall I hear more or shall I speak at this
JULIET
Tis but thy name that is my enemy
Thou art thyself though not a Montague
Whats Montague It is nor hand nor foot
Nor arm nor face nor any other part
Belonging to a man O be some other name
Whats in a name That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet
So Romeo would were he not Romeo calld
Retain that dear perfection which he owes
Without that title Romeo doff thy name
And for thy name which is no part of thee
Take all myself
ROMEO
I take thee at thy word
Call me but love and Ill be new baptisd
Henceforth I never will be Romeo
JULIET
What man art thou that thus bescreend in night
So stumblest on my counsel
ROMEO
By a name
I know not how to tell thee who I am
My name dear saint is hateful to myself
Because it is an enemy to thee
Had I it written I would tear the word
JULIET
My ears have yet not drunk a hundred words
Of thy tongues utterance yet I know the sound
Art thou not Romeo and a Montague
ROMEO
Neither fair maid if either thee dislike
JULIET
How camst thou hither tell me and wherefore
The orchard walls are high and hard to climb
And the place death considering who thou art
If any of my kinsmen find thee here
ROMEO
With loves light wings did I oerperch these walls
For stony limits cannot hold love out
And what love can do that dares love attempt
Therefore thy kinsmen are no stop to me
JULIET
If they do see thee they will murder thee
ROMEO
Alack there lies more peril in thine eye
Than twenty of their swords Look thou but sweet
And I am proof against their enmity
JULIET
I would not for the world they saw thee here
ROMEO
I have nights cloak to hide me from their eyes
And but thou love me let them find me here
My life were better ended by their hate
Than death prorogued wanting of thy love
JULIET
By whose direction foundst thou out this place
ROMEO
By love that first did prompt me to enquire
He lent me counsel and I lent him eyes
I am no pilot yet wert thou as far
As that vast shore washd with the farthest sea
I should adventure for such merchandise
JULIET
Thou knowest the mask of night is on my face
Else would a maiden blush bepaint my cheek
For that which thou hast heard me speak tonight
Fain would I dwell on form fain fain deny
What I have spoke but farewell compliment
Dost thou love me I know thou wilt say Ay
And I will take thy word Yet if thou swearst
Thou mayst prove false At lovers perjuries
They say Jove laughs O gentle Romeo
If thou dost love pronounce it faithfully
Or if thou thinkest I am too quickly won
Ill frown and be perverse and say thee nay
So thou wilt woo But else not for the world
In truth fair Montague I am too fond
And therefore thou mayst think my haviour light
But trust me gentleman Ill prove more true
Than those that have more cunning to be strange
I should have been more strange I must confess
But that thou overheardst ere I was ware
My truelove passion therefore pardon me
And not impute this yielding to light love
Which the dark night hath so discovered
ROMEO
Lady by yonder blessed moon I vow
That tips with silver all these fruittree tops
JULIET
O swear not by the moon thinconstant moon
That monthly changes in her circled orb
Lest that thy love prove likewise variable
ROMEO
What shall I swear by
JULIET
Do not swear at all
Or if thou wilt swear by thy gracious self
Which is the god of my idolatry
And Ill believe thee
ROMEO
If my hearts dear love
JULIET
Well do not swear Although I joy in thee
I have no joy of this contract tonight
It is too rash too unadvisd too sudden
Too like the lightning which doth cease to be
Ere one can say It lightens Sweet good night
This bud of love by summers ripening breath
May prove a beauteous flower when next we meet
Good night good night As sweet repose and rest
Come to thy heart as that within my breast
ROMEO
O wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied
JULIET
What satisfaction canst thou have tonight
ROMEO
Thexchange of thy loves faithful vow for mine
JULIET
I gave thee mine before thou didst request it
And yet I would it were to give again
ROMEO
Wouldst thou withdraw it For what purpose love
JULIET
But to be frank and give it thee again
And yet I wish but for the thing I have
My bounty is as boundless as the sea
My love as deep the more I give to thee
The more I have for both are infinite
I hear some noise within Dear love adieu
Nurse calls within
Anon good NurseSweet Montague be true
Stay but a little I will come again
Exit
ROMEO
O blessed blessed night I am afeard
Being in night all this is but a dream
Too flattering sweet to be substantial
Enter Juliet above
JULIET
Three words dear Romeo and good night indeed
If that thy bent of love be honourable
Thy purpose marriage send me word tomorrow
By one that Ill procure to come to thee
Where and what time thou wilt perform the rite
And all my fortunes at thy foot Ill lay
And follow thee my lord throughout the world
NURSE
Within Madam
JULIET
I come anon But if thou meanest not well
I do beseech thee
NURSE
Within Madam
JULIET
By and by I come
To cease thy strife and leave me to my grief
Tomorrow will I send
ROMEO
So thrive my soul
JULIET
A thousand times good night
Exit
ROMEO
A thousand times the worse to want thy light
Love goes toward love as schoolboys from their books
But love from love towards school with heavy looks
Retiring slowly
Reenter Juliet above
JULIET
Hist Romeo hist O for a falconers voice
To lure this tasselgentle back again
Bondage is hoarse and may not speak aloud
Else would I tear the cave where Echo lies
And make her airy tongue more hoarse than mine
With repetition of my Romeos name
ROMEO
It is my soul that calls upon my name
How silversweet sound lovers tongues by night
Like softest music to attending ears
JULIET
Romeo
ROMEO
My nyas
JULIET
What oclock tomorrow
Shall I send to thee
ROMEO
By the hour of nine
JULIET
I will not fail Tis twenty years till then
I have forgot why I did call thee back
ROMEO
Let me stand here till thou remember it
JULIET
I shall forget to have thee still stand there
Remembering how I love thy company
ROMEO
And Ill still stay to have thee still forget
Forgetting any other home but this
JULIET
Tis almost morning I would have thee gone
And yet no farther than a wantons bird
That lets it hop a little from her hand
Like a poor prisoner in his twisted gyves
And with a silk thread plucks it back again
So lovingjealous of his liberty
ROMEO
I would I were thy bird
JULIET
Sweet so would I
Yet I should kill thee with much cherishing
Good night good night Parting is such sweet sorrow
That I shall say good night till it be morrow
Exit
ROMEO
Sleep dwell upon thine eyes peace in thy breast
Would I were sleep and peace so sweet to rest
Hence will I to my ghostly Sires cell
His help to crave and my dear hap to tell
Exit
SCENE III Friar Lawrences Cell
Enter Friar Lawrence with a basket
FRIAR LAWRENCE
The greyeyd morn smiles on the frowning night
Chequering the eastern clouds with streaks of light
And fleckled darkness like a drunkard reels
From forth days pathway made by Titans fiery wheels
Now ere the sun advance his burning eye
The day to cheer and nights dank dew to dry
I must upfill this osier cage of ours
With baleful weeds and preciousjuiced flowers
The earth thats natures mother is her tomb
What is her burying grave that is her womb
And from her womb children of divers kind
We sucking on her natural bosom find
Many for many virtues excellent
None but for some and yet all different
O mickle is the powerful grace that lies
In plants herbs stones and their true qualities
For naught so vile that on the earth doth live
But to the earth some special good doth give
Nor aught so good but straind from that fair use
Revolts from true birth stumbling on abuse
Virtue itself turns vice being misapplied
And vice sometimes by action dignified
Enter Romeo
Within the infant rind of this weak flower
Poison hath residence and medicine power
For this being smelt with that part cheers each part
Being tasted slays all senses with the heart
Two such opposed kings encamp them still
In man as well as herbsgrace and rude will
And where the worser is predominant
Full soon the canker death eats up that plant
ROMEO
Good morrow father
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Benedicite
What early tongue so sweet saluteth me
Young son it argues a distemperd head
So soon to bid good morrow to thy bed
Care keeps his watch in every old mans eye
And where care lodges sleep will never lie
But where unbruised youth with unstuffd brain
Doth couch his limbs there golden sleep doth reign
Therefore thy earliness doth me assure
Thou art uprousd with some distemperature
Or if not so then here I hit it right
Our Romeo hath not been in bed tonight
ROMEO
That last is true the sweeter rest was mine
FRIAR LAWRENCE
God pardon sin Wast thou with Rosaline
ROMEO
With Rosaline my ghostly father No
I have forgot that name and that names woe
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Thats my good son But where hast thou been then
ROMEO
Ill tell thee ere thou ask it me again
I have been feasting with mine enemy
Where on a sudden one hath wounded me
Thats by me wounded Both our remedies
Within thy help and holy physic lies
I bear no hatred blessed man for lo
My intercession likewise steads my foe
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Be plain good son and homely in thy drift
Riddling confession finds but riddling shrift
ROMEO
Then plainly know my hearts dear love is set
On the fair daughter of rich Capulet
As mine on hers so hers is set on mine
And all combind save what thou must combine
By holy marriage When and where and how
We met we wood and made exchange of vow
Ill tell thee as we pass but this I pray
That thou consent to marry us today
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Holy Saint Francis What a change is here
Is Rosaline that thou didst love so dear
So soon forsaken Young mens love then lies
Not truly in their hearts but in their eyes
Jesu Maria what a deal of brine
Hath washd thy sallow cheeks for Rosaline
How much salt water thrown away in waste
To season love that of it doth not taste
The sun not yet thy sighs from heaven clears
Thy old groans yet ring in mine ancient ears
Lo here upon thy cheek the stain doth sit
Of an old tear that is not washd off yet
If ere thou wast thyself and these woes thine
Thou and these woes were all for Rosaline
And art thou changd Pronounce this sentence then
Women may fall when theres no strength in men
ROMEO
Thou chiddst me oft for loving Rosaline
FRIAR LAWRENCE
For doting not for loving pupil mine
ROMEO
And badst me bury love
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Not in a grave
To lay one in another out to have
ROMEO
I pray thee chide me not her I love now
Doth grace for grace and love for love allow
The other did not so
FRIAR LAWRENCE
O she knew well
Thy love did read by rote that could not spell
But come young waverer come go with me
In one respect Ill thy assistant be
For this alliance may so happy prove
To turn your households rancour to pure love
ROMEO
O let us hence I stand on sudden haste
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Wisely and slow they stumble that run fast
Exeunt
SCENE IV A Street
Enter Benvolio and Mercutio
MERCUTIO
Where the devil should this Romeo be Came he not home tonight
BENVOLIO
Not to his fathers I spoke with his man
MERCUTIO
Why that same pale hardhearted wench that Rosaline torments him so that he will sure run mad
BENVOLIO
Tybalt the kinsman to old Capulet hath sent a letter to his fathers house
MERCUTIO
A challenge on my life
BENVOLIO
Romeo will answer it
MERCUTIO
Any man that can write may answer a letter
BENVOLIO
Nay he will answer the letters master how he dares being dared
MERCUTIO
Alas poor Romeo he is already dead stabbed with a white wenchs black eye run through the ear with a love song the very pin of his heart cleft with the blind bowboys buttshaft And is he a man to encounter Tybalt
BENVOLIO
Why what is Tybalt
MERCUTIO
More than Prince of cats O hes the courageous captain of compliments He fights as you sing pricksong keeps time distance and proportion He rests his minim rest one two and the third in your bosom the very butcher of a silk button a duellist a duellist a gentleman of the very first house of the first and second cause Ah the immortal passado the punto reverso the hay
BENVOLIO
The what
MERCUTIO
The pox of such antic lisping affecting phantasies these new tuners of accent By Jesu a very good blade a very tall man a very good whore Why is not this a lamentable thing grandsire that we should be thus afflicted with these strange flies these fashionmongers these pardonmes who stand so much on the new form that they cannot sit at ease on the old bench O their bones their bones
Enter Romeo
BENVOLIO
Here comes Romeo here comes Romeo
MERCUTIO
Without his roe like a dried herring O flesh flesh how art thou fishified Now is he for the numbers that Petrarch flowed in Laura to his lady was but a kitchen wenchmarry she had a better love to berhyme her Dido a dowdy Cleopatra a gypsy Helen and Hero hildings and harlots Thisbe a grey eye or so but not to the purpose Signior Romeo bonjour Theres a French salutation to your French slop You gave us the counterfeit fairly last night
ROMEO
Good morrow to you both What counterfeit did I give you
MERCUTIO
The slip sir the slip can you not conceive
ROMEO
Pardon good Mercutio my business was great and in such a case as mine a man may strain courtesy
MERCUTIO
Thats as much as to say such a case as yours constrains a man to bow in the hams
ROMEO
Meaning to curtsy
MERCUTIO
Thou hast most kindly hit it
ROMEO
A most courteous exposition
MERCUTIO
Nay I am the very pink of courtesy
ROMEO
Pink for flower
MERCUTIO
Right
ROMEO
Why then is my pump well flowered
MERCUTIO
Sure wit follow me this jest now till thou hast worn out thy pump that when the single sole of it is worn the jest may remain after the wearing solely singular
ROMEO
O singlesoled jest solely singular for the singleness
MERCUTIO
Come between us good Benvolio my wits faint
ROMEO
Swits and spurs swits and spurs or Ill cry a match
MERCUTIO
Nay if thy wits run the wildgoose chase I am done For thou hast more of the wildgoose in one of thy wits than I am sure I have in my whole five Was I with you there for the goose
ROMEO
Thou wast never with me for anything when thou wast not there for the goose
MERCUTIO
I will bite thee by the ear for that jest
ROMEO
Nay good goose bite not
MERCUTIO
Thy wit is a very bitter sweeting it is a most sharp sauce
ROMEO
And is it not then well served in to a sweet goose
MERCUTIO
O heres a wit of cheveril that stretches from an inch narrow to an ell broad
ROMEO
I stretch it out for that word broad which added to the goose proves thee far and wide a broad goose
MERCUTIO
Why is not this better now than groaning for love Now art thou sociable now art thou Romeo now art thou what thou art by art as well as by nature For this drivelling love is like a great natural that runs lolling up and down to hide his bauble in a hole
BENVOLIO
Stop there stop there
MERCUTIO
Thou desirest me to stop in my tale against the hair
BENVOLIO
Thou wouldst else have made thy tale large
MERCUTIO
O thou art deceived I would have made it short for I was come to the whole depth of my tale and meant indeed to occupy the argument no longer
Enter Nurse and Peter
ROMEO
Heres goodly gear
A sail a sail
MERCUTIO
Two two a shirt and a smock
NURSE
Peter
PETER
Anon
NURSE
My fan Peter
MERCUTIO
Good Peter to hide her face for her fans the fairer face
NURSE
God ye good morrow gentlemen
MERCUTIO
God ye goodden fair gentlewoman
NURSE
Is it goodden
MERCUTIO
Tis no less I tell ye for the bawdy hand of the dial is now upon the prick of noon
NURSE
Out upon you What a man are you
ROMEO
One gentlewoman that God hath made for himself to mar
NURSE
By my troth it is well said for himself to mar quoth a Gentlemen can any of you tell me where I may find the young Romeo
ROMEO
I can tell you but young Romeo will be older when you have found him than he was when you sought him I am the youngest of that name for fault of a worse
NURSE
You say well
MERCUTIO
Yea is the worst well Very well took ifaith wisely wisely
NURSE
If you be he sir I desire some confidence with you
BENVOLIO
She will endite him to some supper
MERCUTIO
A bawd a bawd a bawd So ho
ROMEO
What hast thou found
MERCUTIO
No hare sir unless a hare sir in a lenten pie that is something stale and hoar ere it be spent
Sings
An old hare hoar
And an old hare hoar
Is very good meat in Lent
But a hare that is hoar
Is too much for a score
When it hoars ere it be spent
Romeo will you come to your fathers Well to dinner thither
ROMEO
I will follow you
MERCUTIO
Farewell ancient lady farewell lady lady lady
Exeunt Mercutio and Benvolio
NURSE
I pray you sir what saucy merchant was this that was so full of his ropery
ROMEO
A gentleman Nurse that loves to hear himself talk and will speak more in a minute than he will stand to in a month
NURSE
And a speak anything against me Ill take him down and a were lustier than he is and twenty such Jacks And if I cannot Ill find those that shall Scurvy knave I am none of his flirtgills I am none of his skainsmatesAnd thou must stand by too and suffer every knave to use me at his pleasure
PETER
I saw no man use you at his pleasure if I had my weapon should quickly have been out I warrant you I dare draw as soon as another man if I see occasion in a good quarrel and the law on my side
NURSE
Now afore God I am so vexed that every part about me quivers Scurvy knave Pray you sir a word and as I told you my young lady bid me enquire you out what she bade me say I will keep to myself But first let me tell ye if ye should lead her in a fools paradise as they say it were a very gross kind of behaviour as they say for the gentlewoman is young And therefore if you should deal double with her truly it were an ill thing to be offered to any gentlewoman and very weak dealing
ROMEO
Nurse commend me to thy lady and mistress I protest unto thee
NURSE
Good heart and ifaith I will tell her as much Lord Lord she will be a joyful woman
ROMEO
What wilt thou tell her Nurse Thou dost not mark me
NURSE
I will tell her sir that you do protest which as I take it is a gentlemanlike offer
ROMEO
Bid her devise
Some means to come to shrift this afternoon
And there she shall at Friar Lawrence cell
Be shrivd and married Here is for thy pains
NURSE
No truly sir not a penny
ROMEO
Go to I say you shall
NURSE
This afternoon sir Well she shall be there
ROMEO
And stay good Nurse behind the abbey wall
Within this hour my man shall be with thee
And bring thee cords made like a tackled stair
Which to the high topgallant of my joy
Must be my convoy in the secret night
Farewell be trusty and Ill quit thy pains
Farewell commend me to thy mistress
NURSE
Now God in heaven bless thee Hark you sir
ROMEO
What sayst thou my dear Nurse
NURSE
Is your man secret Did you neer hear say
Two may keep counsel putting one away
ROMEO
I warrant thee my mans as true as steel
NURSE
Well sir my mistress is the sweetest lady Lord Lord When twas a little prating thingO there is a nobleman in town one Paris that would fain lay knife aboard but she good soul had as lief see a toad a very toad as see him I anger her sometimes and tell her that Paris is the properer man but Ill warrant you when I say so she looks as pale as any clout in the versal world Doth not rosemary and Romeo begin both with a letter
ROMEO
Ay Nurse what of that Both with an R
NURSE
Ah mocker Thats the dogs name R is for theno I know it begins with some other letter and she hath the prettiest sententious of it of you and rosemary that it would do you good to hear it
ROMEO
Commend me to thy lady
NURSE
Ay a thousand times Peter
Exit Romeo
PETER
Anon
NURSE
Before and apace
Exeunt
SCENE V Capulets Garden
Enter Juliet
JULIET
The clock struck nine when I did send the Nurse
In half an hour she promised to return
Perchance she cannot meet him Thats not so
O she is lame Loves heralds should be thoughts
Which ten times faster glides than the suns beams
Driving back shadows over lowering hills
Therefore do nimblepiniond doves draw love
And therefore hath the windswift Cupid wings
Now is the sun upon the highmost hill
Of this days journey and from nine till twelve
Is three long hours yet she is not come
Had she affections and warm youthful blood
Shed be as swift in motion as a ball
My words would bandy her to my sweet love
And his to me
But old folks many feign as they were dead
Unwieldy slow heavy and pale as lead
Enter Nurse and Peter
O God she comes O honey Nurse what news
Hast thou met with him Send thy man away
NURSE
Peter stay at the gate
Exit Peter
JULIET
Now good sweet NurseO Lord why lookst thou sad
Though news be sad yet tell them merrily
If good thou shamst the music of sweet news
By playing it to me with so sour a face
NURSE
I am aweary give me leave awhile
Fie how my bones ache What a jaunt have I had
JULIET
I would thou hadst my bones and I thy news
Nay come I pray thee speak good good Nurse speak
NURSE
Jesu what haste Can you not stay a while Do you not see that I am out of breath
JULIET
How art thou out of breath when thou hast breath
To say to me that thou art out of breath
The excuse that thou dost make in this delay
Is longer than the tale thou dost excuse
Is thy news good or bad Answer to that
Say either and Ill stay the circumstance
Let me be satisfied ist good or bad
NURSE
Well you have made a simple choice you know not how to choose a man Romeo No not he Though his face be better than any mans yet his leg excels all mens and for a hand and a foot and a body though they be not to be talked on yet they are past compare He is not the flower of courtesy but Ill warrant him as gentle as a lamb Go thy ways wench serve God What have you dined at home
JULIET
No no But all this did I know before
What says he of our marriage What of that
NURSE
Lord how my head aches What a head have I
It beats as it would fall in twenty pieces
My back o tother sideO my back my back
Beshrew your heart for sending me about
To catch my death with jauncing up and down
JULIET
Ifaith I am sorry that thou art not well
Sweet sweet sweet Nurse tell me what says my love
NURSE
Your love says like an honest gentleman
And a courteous and a kind and a handsome
And I warrant a virtuousWhere is your mother
JULIET
Where is my mother Why she is within
Where should she be How oddly thou repliest
Your love says like an honest gentleman
Where is your mother
NURSE
O Gods lady dear
Are you so hot Marry come up I trow
Is this the poultice for my aching bones
Henceforward do your messages yourself
JULIET
Heres such a coil Come what says Romeo
NURSE
Have you got leave to go to shrift today
JULIET
I have
NURSE
Then hie you hence to Friar Lawrence cell
There stays a husband to make you a wife
Now comes the wanton blood up in your cheeks
Theyll be in scarlet straight at any news
Hie you to church I must another way
To fetch a ladder by the which your love
Must climb a birds nest soon when it is dark
I am the drudge and toil in your delight
But you shall bear the burden soon at night
Go Ill to dinner hie you to the cell
JULIET
Hie to high fortune Honest Nurse farewell
Exeunt
SCENE VI Friar Lawrences Cell
Enter Friar Lawrence and Romeo
FRIAR LAWRENCE
So smile the heavens upon this holy act
That afterhours with sorrow chide us not
ROMEO
Amen amen but come what sorrow can
It cannot countervail the exchange of joy
That one short minute gives me in her sight
Do thou but close our hands with holy words
Then lovedevouring death do what he dare
It is enough I may but call her mine
FRIAR LAWRENCE
These violent delights have violent ends
And in their triumph die like fire and powder
Which as they kiss consume The sweetest honey
Is loathsome in his own deliciousness
And in the taste confounds the appetite
Therefore love moderately long love doth so
Too swift arrives as tardy as too slow
Enter Juliet
Here comes the lady O so light a foot
Will neer wear out the everlasting flint
A lover may bestride the gossamers
That idles in the wanton summer air
And yet not fall so light is vanity
JULIET
Good even to my ghostly confessor
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Romeo shall thank thee daughter for us both
JULIET
As much to him else is his thanks too much
ROMEO
Ah Juliet if the measure of thy joy
Be heapd like mine and that thy skill be more
To blazon it then sweeten with thy breath
This neighbour air and let rich musics tongue
Unfold the imagind happiness that both
Receive in either by this dear encounter
JULIET
Conceit more rich in matter than in words
Brags of his substance not of ornament
They are but beggars that can count their worth
But my true love is grown to such excess
I cannot sum up sum of half my wealth
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Come come with me and we will make short work
For by your leaves you shall not stay alone
Till holy church incorporate two in one
Exeunt
ACT III
SCENE I A public Place
Enter Mercutio Benvolio Page and Servants
BENVOLIO
I pray thee good Mercutio lets retire
The day is hot the Capulets abroad
And if we meet we shall not scape a brawl
For now these hot days is the mad blood stirring
MERCUTIO
Thou art like one of these fellows that when he enters the confines of a tavern claps me his sword upon the table and says God send me no need of thee and by the operation of the second cup draws him on the drawer when indeed there is no need
BENVOLIO
Am I like such a fellow
MERCUTIO
Come come thou art as hot a Jack in thy mood as any in Italy and as soon moved to be moody and as soon moody to be moved
BENVOLIO
And what to
MERCUTIO
Nay an there were two such we should have none shortly for one would kill the other Thou Why thou wilt quarrel with a man that hath a hair more or a hair less in his beard than thou hast Thou wilt quarrel with a man for cracking nuts having no other reason but because thou hast hazel eyes What eye but such an eye would spy out such a quarrel Thy head is as full of quarrels as an egg is full of meat and yet thy head hath been beaten as addle as an egg for quarrelling Thou hast quarrelled with a man for coughing in the street because he hath wakened thy dog that hath lain asleep in the sun Didst thou not fall out with a tailor for wearing his new doublet before Easter with another for tying his new shoes with an old riband And yet thou wilt tutor me from quarrelling
BENVOLIO
And I were so apt to quarrel as thou art any man should buy the fee simple of my life for an hour and a quarter
MERCUTIO
The fee simple O simple
Enter Tybalt and others
BENVOLIO
By my head here comes the Capulets
MERCUTIO
By my heel I care not
TYBALT
Follow me close for I will speak to them
Gentlemen goodden a word with one of you
MERCUTIO
And but one word with one of us Couple it with something make it a word and a blow
TYBALT
You shall find me apt enough to that sir and you will give me occasion
MERCUTIO
Could you not take some occasion without giving
TYBALT
Mercutio thou consortest with Romeo
MERCUTIO
Consort What dost thou make us minstrels And thou make minstrels of us look to hear nothing but discords Heres my fiddlestick heres that shall make you dance Zounds consort
BENVOLIO
We talk here in the public haunt of men
Either withdraw unto some private place
And reason coldly of your grievances
Or else depart here all eyes gaze on us
MERCUTIO
Mens eyes were made to look and let them gaze
I will not budge for no mans pleasure I
Enter Romeo
TYBALT
Well peace be with you sir here comes my man
MERCUTIO
But Ill be hanged sir if he wear your livery
Marry go before to field hell be your follower
Your worship in that sense may call him man
TYBALT
Romeo the love I bear thee can afford
No better term than this Thou art a villain
ROMEO
Tybalt the reason that I have to love thee
Doth much excuse the appertaining rage
To such a greeting Villain am I none
Therefore farewell I see thou knowst me not
TYBALT
Boy this shall not excuse the injuries
That thou hast done me therefore turn and draw
ROMEO
I do protest I never injurd thee
But love thee better than thou canst devise
Till thou shalt know the reason of my love
And so good Capulet which name I tender
As dearly as mine own be satisfied
MERCUTIO
O calm dishonourable vile submission
Draws Alla stoccata carries it away
Tybalt you ratcatcher will you walk
TYBALT
What wouldst thou have with me
MERCUTIO
Good King of Cats nothing but one of your nine lives that I mean to make bold withal and as you shall use me hereafter drybeat the rest of the eight Will you pluck your sword out of his pilcher by the ears Make haste lest mine be about your ears ere it be out
TYBALT
Drawing I am for you
ROMEO
Gentle Mercutio put thy rapier up
MERCUTIO
Come sir your passado
They fight
ROMEO
Draw Benvolio beat down their weapons
Gentlemen for shame forbear this outrage
Tybalt Mercutio the Prince expressly hath
Forbid this bandying in Verona streets
Hold Tybalt Good Mercutio
Exeunt Tybalt with his Partizans
MERCUTIO
I am hurt
A plague o both your houses I am sped
Is he gone and hath nothing
BENVOLIO
What art thou hurt
MERCUTIO
Ay ay a scratch a scratch Marry tis enough
Where is my page Go villain fetch a surgeon
Exit Page
ROMEO
Courage man the hurt cannot be much
MERCUTIO
No tis not so deep as a well nor so wide as a church door but tis enough twill serve Ask for me tomorrow and you shall find me a grave man I am peppered I warrant for this world A plague o both your houses Zounds a dog a rat a mouse a cat to scratch a man to death A braggart a rogue a villain that fights by the book of arithmeticWhy the devil came you between us I was hurt under your arm
ROMEO
I thought all for the best
MERCUTIO
Help me into some house Benvolio
Or I shall faint A plague o both your houses
They have made worms meat of me
I have it and soundly too Your houses
Exeunt Mercutio and Benvolio
ROMEO
This gentleman the Princes near ally
My very friend hath got his mortal hurt
In my behalf my reputation staind
With Tybalts slanderTybalt that an hour
Hath been my cousin O sweet Juliet
Thy beauty hath made me effeminate
And in my temper softend valours steel
Reenter Benvolio
BENVOLIO
O Romeo Romeo brave Mercutios dead
That gallant spirit hath aspird the clouds
Which too untimely here did scorn the earth
ROMEO
This days black fate on mo days doth depend
This but begins the woe others must end
Reenter Tybalt
BENVOLIO
Here comes the furious Tybalt back again
ROMEO
Again in triumph and Mercutio slain
Away to heaven respective lenity
And fireeyd fury be my conduct now
Now Tybalt take the villain back again
That late thou gavst me for Mercutios soul
Is but a little way above our heads
Staying for thine to keep him company
Either thou or I or both must go with him
TYBALT
Thou wretched boy that didst consort him here
Shalt with him hence
ROMEO
This shall determine that
They fight Tybalt falls
BENVOLIO
Romeo away be gone
The citizens are up and Tybalt slain
Stand not amazd The Prince will doom thee death
If thou art taken Hence be gone away
ROMEO
O I am fortunes fool
BENVOLIO
Why dost thou stay
Exit Romeo
Enter Citizens
FIRST CITIZEN
Which way ran he that killd Mercutio
Tybalt that murderer which way ran he
BENVOLIO
There lies that Tybalt
FIRST CITIZEN
Up sir go with me
I charge thee in the Princes name obey
Enter Prince attended Montague Capulet their Wives and others
PRINCE
Where are the vile beginners of this fray
BENVOLIO
O noble Prince I can discover all
The unlucky manage of this fatal brawl
There lies the man slain by young Romeo
That slew thy kinsman brave Mercutio
LADY CAPULET
Tybalt my cousin O my brothers child
O Prince O husband O the blood is spilld
Of my dear kinsman Prince as thou art true
For blood of ours shed blood of Montague
O cousin cousin
PRINCE
Benvolio who began this bloody fray
BENVOLIO
Tybalt here slain whom Romeos hand did slay
Romeo that spoke him fair bid him bethink
How nice the quarrel was and urgd withal
Your high displeasure All this uttered
With gentle breath calm look knees humbly bowd
Could not take truce with the unruly spleen
Of Tybalt deaf to peace but that he tilts
With piercing steel at bold Mercutios breast
Who all as hot turns deadly point to point
And with a martial scorn with one hand beats
Cold death aside and with the other sends
It back to Tybalt whose dexterity
Retorts it Romeo he cries aloud
Hold friends Friends part and swifter than his tongue
His agile arm beats down their fatal points
And twixt them rushes underneath whose arm
An envious thrust from Tybalt hit the life
Of stout Mercutio and then Tybalt fled
But by and by comes back to Romeo
Who had but newly entertaind revenge
And tot they go like lightning for ere I
Could draw to part them was stout Tybalt slain
And as he fell did Romeo turn and fly
This is the truth or let Benvolio die
LADY CAPULET
He is a kinsman to the Montague
Affection makes him false he speaks not true
Some twenty of them fought in this black strife
And all those twenty could but kill one life
I beg for justice which thou Prince must give
Romeo slew Tybalt Romeo must not live
PRINCE
Romeo slew him he slew Mercutio
Who now the price of his dear blood doth owe
MONTAGUE
Not Romeo Prince he was Mercutios friend
His fault concludes but what the law should end
The life of Tybalt
PRINCE
And for that offence
Immediately we do exile him hence
I have an interest in your hates proceeding
My blood for your rude brawls doth lie ableeding
But Ill amerce you with so strong a fine
That you shall all repent the loss of mine
I will be deaf to pleading and excuses
Nor tears nor prayers shall purchase out abuses
Therefore use none Let Romeo hence in haste
Else when he is found that hour is his last
Bear hence this body and attend our will
Mercy but murders pardoning those that kill
Exeunt
SCENE II A Room in Capulets House
Enter Juliet
JULIET
Gallop apace you fieryfooted steeds
Towards Phoebus lodging Such a waggoner
As Phaeton would whip you to the west
And bring in cloudy night immediately
Spread thy close curtain loveperforming night
That runaways eyes may wink and Romeo
Leap to these arms untalkd of and unseen
Lovers can see to do their amorous rites
By their own beauties or if love be blind
It best agrees with night Come civil night
Thou sobersuited matron all in black
And learn me how to lose a winning match
Playd for a pair of stainless maidenhoods
Hood my unmannd blood bating in my cheeks
With thy black mantle till strange love grow bold
Think true love acted simple modesty
Come night come Romeo come thou day in night
For thou wilt lie upon the wings of night
Whiter than new snow upon a ravens back
Come gentle night come loving blackbrowd night
Give me my Romeo and when I shall die
Take him and cut him out in little stars
And he will make the face of heaven so fine
That all the world will be in love with night
And pay no worship to the garish sun
O I have bought the mansion of a love
But not possessd it and though I am sold
Not yet enjoyd So tedious is this day
As is the night before some festival
To an impatient child that hath new robes
And may not wear them O here comes my Nurse
And she brings news and every tongue that speaks
But Romeos name speaks heavenly eloquence
Enter Nurse with cords
Now Nurse what news What hast thou there
The cords that Romeo bid thee fetch
NURSE
Ay ay the cords
Throws them down
JULIET
Ay me what news Why dost thou wring thy hands
NURSE
Ah welladay hes dead hes dead hes dead
We are undone lady we are undone
Alack the day hes gone hes killd hes dead
JULIET
Can heaven be so envious
NURSE
Romeo can
Though heaven cannot O Romeo Romeo
Who ever would have thought it Romeo
JULIET
What devil art thou that dost torment me thus
This torture should be roard in dismal hell
Hath Romeo slain himself Say thou but Ay
And that bare vowel I shall poison more
Than the deathdarting eye of cockatrice
I am not I if there be such an I
Or those eyes shut that make thee answer Ay
If he be slain say Ay or if not No
Brief sounds determine of my weal or woe
NURSE
I saw the wound I saw it with mine eyes
God save the markhere on his manly breast
A piteous corse a bloody piteous corse
Pale pale as ashes all bedaubd in blood
All in goreblood I swounded at the sight
JULIET
O break my heart Poor bankrout break at once
To prison eyes neer look on liberty
Vile earth to earth resign end motion here
And thou and Romeo press one heavy bier
NURSE
O Tybalt Tybalt the best friend I had
O courteous Tybalt honest gentleman
That ever I should live to see thee dead
JULIET
What storm is this that blows so contrary
Is Romeo slaughterd and is Tybalt dead
My dearest cousin and my dearer lord
Then dreadful trumpet sound the general doom
For who is living if those two are gone
NURSE
Tybalt is gone and Romeo banished
Romeo that killd him he is banished
JULIET
O God Did Romeos hand shed Tybalts blood
NURSE
It did it did alas the day it did
JULIET
O serpent heart hid with a flowering face
Did ever dragon keep so fair a cave
Beautiful tyrant fiend angelical
Dovefeatherd raven wolvishravening lamb
Despised substance of divinest show
Just opposite to what thou justly seemst
A damned saint an honourable villain
O nature what hadst thou to do in hell
When thou didst bower the spirit of a fiend
In mortal paradise of such sweet flesh
Was ever book containing such vile matter
So fairly bound O that deceit should dwell
In such a gorgeous palace
NURSE
Theres no trust
No faith no honesty in men All perjurd
All forsworn all naught all dissemblers
Ah wheres my man Give me some aqua vitae
These griefs these woes these sorrows make me old
Shame come to Romeo
JULIET
Blisterd be thy tongue
For such a wish He was not born to shame
Upon his brow shame is ashamd to sit
For tis a throne where honour may be crownd
Sole monarch of the universal earth
O what a beast was I to chide at him
NURSE
Will you speak well of him that killd your cousin
JULIET
Shall I speak ill of him that is my husband
Ah poor my lord what tongue shall smooth thy name
When I thy threehours wife have mangled it
But wherefore villain didst thou kill my cousin
That villain cousin would have killd my husband
Back foolish tears back to your native spring
Your tributary drops belong to woe
Which you mistaking offer up to joy
My husband lives that Tybalt would have slain
And Tybalts dead that would have slain my husband
All this is comfort wherefore weep I then
Some word there was worser than Tybalts death
That murderd me I would forget it fain
But O it presses to my memory
Like damned guilty deeds to sinners minds
Tybalt is dead and Romeo banished
That banished that one word banished
Hath slain ten thousand Tybalts Tybalts death
Was woe enough if it had ended there
Or if sour woe delights in fellowship
And needly will be rankd with other griefs
Why followd not when she said Tybalts dead
Thy father or thy mother nay or both
Which modern lamentation might have movd
But with a rearward following Tybalts death
Romeo is banishedto speak that word
Is father mother Tybalt Romeo Juliet
All slain all dead Romeo is banished
There is no end no limit measure bound
In that words death no words can that woe sound
Where is my father and my mother Nurse
NURSE
Weeping and wailing over Tybalts corse
Will you go to them I will bring you thither
JULIET
Wash they his wounds with tears Mine shall be spent
When theirs are dry for Romeos banishment
Take up those cords Poor ropes you are beguild
Both you and I for Romeo is exild
He made you for a highway to my bed
But I a maid die maidenwidowed
Come cords come Nurse Ill to my wedding bed
And death not Romeo take my maidenhead
NURSE
Hie to your chamber Ill find Romeo
To comfort you I wot well where he is
Hark ye your Romeo will be here at night
Ill to him he is hid at Lawrence cell
JULIET
O find him give this ring to my true knight
And bid him come to take his last farewell
Exeunt
SCENE III Friar Lawrences cell
Enter Friar Lawrence
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Romeo come forth come forth thou fearful man
Affliction is enanmourd of thy parts
And thou art wedded to calamity
Enter Romeo
ROMEO
Father what news What is the Princes doom
What sorrow craves acquaintance at my hand
That I yet know not
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Too familiar
Is my dear son with such sour company
I bring thee tidings of the Princes doom
ROMEO
What less than doomsday is the Princes doom
FRIAR LAWRENCE
A gentler judgment vanishd from his lips
Not bodys death but bodys banishment
ROMEO
Ha banishment Be merciful say death
For exile hath more terror in his look
Much more than death Do not say banishment
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Hence from Verona art thou banished
Be patient for the world is broad and wide
ROMEO
There is no world without Verona walls
But purgatory torture hell itself
Hence banished is banishd from the world
And worlds exile is death Then banished
Is death mistermd Calling death banished
Thou cuttst my head off with a golden axe
And smilest upon the stroke that murders me
FRIAR LAWRENCE
O deadly sin O rude unthankfulness
Thy fault our law calls death but the kind Prince
Taking thy part hath brushd aside the law
And turnd that black word death to banishment
This is dear mercy and thou seest it not
ROMEO
Tis torture and not mercy Heaven is here
Where Juliet lives and every cat and dog
And little mouse every unworthy thing
Live here in heaven and may look on her
But Romeo may not More validity
More honourable state more courtship lives
In carrion flies than Romeo They may seize
On the white wonder of dear Juliets hand
And steal immortal blessing from her lips
Who even in pure and vestal modesty
Still blush as thinking their own kisses sin
But Romeo may not he is banished
This may flies do when I from this must fly
They are free men but I am banished
And sayst thou yet that exile is not death
Hadst thou no poison mixd no sharpground knife
No sudden mean of death though neer so mean
But banished to kill me Banished
O Friar the damned use that word in hell
Howling attends it How hast thou the heart
Being a divine a ghostly confessor
A sinabsolver and my friend professd
To mangle me with that word banished
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Thou fond mad man hear me speak a little
ROMEO
O thou wilt speak again of banishment
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Ill give thee armour to keep off that word
Adversitys sweet milk philosophy
To comfort thee though thou art banished
ROMEO
Yet banished Hang up philosophy
Unless philosophy can make a Juliet
Displant a town reverse a Princes doom
It helps not it prevails not talk no more
FRIAR LAWRENCE
O then I see that mad men have no ears
ROMEO
How should they when that wise men have no eyes
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Let me dispute with thee of thy estate
ROMEO
Thou canst not speak of that thou dost not feel
Wert thou as young as I Juliet thy love
An hour but married Tybalt murdered
Doting like me and like me banished
Then mightst thou speak then mightst thou tear thy hair
And fall upon the ground as I do now
Taking the measure of an unmade grave
Knocking within
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Arise one knocks Good Romeo hide thyself
ROMEO
Not I unless the breath of heartsick groans
Mistlike infold me from the search of eyes
Knocking
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Hark how they knockWhos thereRomeo arise
Thou wilt be takenStay awhileStand up
Knocking
Run to my studyByandbyGods will
What simpleness is thisI come I come
Knocking
Who knocks so hard Whence come you whats your will
NURSE
Within Let me come in and you shall know my errand
I come from Lady Juliet
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Welcome then
Enter Nurse
NURSE
O holy Friar O tell me holy Friar
Where is my ladys lord wheres Romeo
FRIAR LAWRENCE
There on the ground with his own tears made drunk
NURSE
O he is even in my mistress case
Just in her case O woeful sympathy
Piteous predicament Even so lies she
Blubbering and weeping weeping and blubbering
Stand up stand up stand and you be a man
For Juliets sake for her sake rise and stand
Why should you fall into so deep an O
ROMEO
Nurse
NURSE
Ah sir ah sir deaths the end of all
ROMEO
Spakest thou of Juliet How is it with her
Doth not she think me an old murderer
Now I have staind the childhood of our joy
With blood removd but little from her own
Where is she And how doth she And what says
My conceald lady to our cancelld love
NURSE
O she says nothing sir but weeps and weeps
And now falls on her bed and then starts up
And Tybalt calls and then on Romeo cries
And then down falls again
ROMEO
As if that name
Shot from the deadly level of a gun
Did murder her as that names cursed hand
Murderd her kinsman O tell me Friar tell me
In what vile part of this anatomy
Doth my name lodge Tell me that I may sack
The hateful mansion
Drawing his sword
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Hold thy desperate hand
Art thou a man Thy form cries out thou art
Thy tears are womanish thy wild acts denote
The unreasonable fury of a beast
Unseemly woman in a seeming man
And illbeseeming beast in seeming both
Thou hast amazd me By my holy order
I thought thy disposition better temperd
Hast thou slain Tybalt Wilt thou slay thyself
And slay thy lady that in thy life lives
By doing damned hate upon thyself
Why railst thou on thy birth the heaven and earth
Since birth and heaven and earth all three do meet
In thee at once which thou at once wouldst lose
Fie fie thou shamst thy shape thy love thy wit
Which like a usurer aboundst in all
And usest none in that true use indeed
Which should bedeck thy shape thy love thy wit
Thy noble shape is but a form of wax
Digressing from the valour of a man
Thy dear love sworn but hollow perjury
Killing that love which thou hast vowd to cherish
Thy wit that ornament to shape and love
Misshapen in the conduct of them both
Like powder in a skilless soldiers flask
Is set afire by thine own ignorance
And thou dismemberd with thine own defence
What rouse thee man Thy Juliet is alive
For whose dear sake thou wast but lately dead
There art thou happy Tybalt would kill thee
But thou slewst Tybalt there art thou happy
The law that threatend death becomes thy friend
And turns it to exile there art thou happy
A pack of blessings light upon thy back
Happiness courts thee in her best array
But like a misshaped and sullen wench
Thou puttst up thy Fortune and thy love
Take heed take heed for such die miserable
Go get thee to thy love as was decreed
Ascend her chamber hence and comfort her
But look thou stay not till the watch be set
For then thou canst not pass to Mantua
Where thou shalt live till we can find a time
To blaze your marriage reconcile your friends
Beg pardon of the Prince and call thee back
With twenty hundred thousand times more joy
Than thou wentst forth in lamentation
Go before Nurse Commend me to thy lady
And bid her hasten all the house to bed
Which heavy sorrow makes them apt unto
Romeo is coming
NURSE
O Lord I could have stayd here all the night
To hear good counsel O what learning is
My lord Ill tell my lady you will come
ROMEO
Do so and bid my sweet prepare to chide
NURSE
Here sir a ring she bid me give you sir
Hie you make haste for it grows very late
Exit
ROMEO
How well my comfort is revivd by this
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Go hence good night and here stands all your state
Either be gone before the watch be set
Or by the break of day disguisd from hence
Sojourn in Mantua Ill find out your man
And he shall signify from time to time
Every good hap to you that chances here
Give me thy hand tis late farewell good night
ROMEO
But that a joy past joy calls out on me
It were a grief so brief to part with thee
Farewell
Exeunt
SCENE IV A Room in Capulets House
Enter Capulet Lady Capulet and Paris
CAPULET
Things have fallen out sir so unluckily
That we have had no time to move our daughter
Look you she lovd her kinsman Tybalt dearly
And so did I Well we were born to die
Tis very late shell not come down tonight
I promise you but for your company
I would have been abed an hour ago
PARIS
These times of woe afford no tune to woo
Madam good night Commend me to your daughter
LADY CAPULET
I will and know her mind early tomorrow
Tonight shes mewd up to her heaviness
CAPULET
Sir Paris I will make a desperate tender
Of my childs love I think she will be ruld
In all respects by me nay more I doubt it not
Wife go you to her ere you go to bed
Acquaint her here of my son Paris love
And bid her mark you me on Wednesday next
But soft what day is this
PARIS
Monday my lord
CAPULET
Monday Ha ha Well Wednesday is too soon
A Thursday let it be a Thursday tell her
She shall be married to this noble earl
Will you be ready Do you like this haste
Well keep no great adoa friend or two
For hark you Tybalt being slain so late
It may be thought we held him carelessly
Being our kinsman if we revel much
Therefore well have some half a dozen friends
And there an end But what say you to Thursday
PARIS
My lord I would that Thursday were tomorrow
CAPULET
Well get you gone A Thursday be it then
Go you to Juliet ere you go to bed
Prepare her wife against this wedding day
Farewell my lordLight to my chamber ho
Afore me it is so very very late that we
May call it early by and by Good night
Exeunt
SCENE V An open Gallery to Juliets Chamber overlooking the Garden
Enter Romeo and Juliet
JULIET
Wilt thou be gone It is not yet near day
It was the nightingale and not the lark
That piercd the fearful hollow of thine ear
Nightly she sings on yond pomegranate tree
Believe me love it was the nightingale
ROMEO
It was the lark the herald of the morn
No nightingale Look love what envious streaks
Do lace the severing clouds in yonder east
Nights candles are burnt out and jocund day
Stands tiptoe on the misty mountain tops
I must be gone and live or stay and die
JULIET
Yond light is not daylight I know it I
It is some meteor that the sun exhales
To be to thee this night a torchbearer
And light thee on thy way to Mantua
Therefore stay yet thou needst not to be gone
ROMEO
Let me be taen let me be put to death
I am content so thou wilt have it so
Ill say yon grey is not the mornings eye
Tis but the pale reflex of Cynthias brow
Nor that is not the lark whose notes do beat
The vaulty heaven so high above our heads
I have more care to stay than will to go
Come death and welcome Juliet wills it so
How ist my soul Lets talk It is not day
JULIET
It is it is Hie hence be gone away
It is the lark that sings so out of tune
Straining harsh discords and unpleasing sharps
Some say the lark makes sweet division
This doth not so for she divideth us
Some say the lark and loathed toad change eyes
O now I would they had changd voices too
Since arm from arm that voice doth us affray
Hunting thee hence with huntsup to the day
O now be gone more light and light it grows
ROMEO
More light and light more dark and dark our woes
Enter Nurse
NURSE
Madam
JULIET
Nurse
NURSE
Your lady mother is coming to your chamber
The day is broke be wary look about
Exit
JULIET
Then window let day in and let life out
ROMEO
Farewell farewell one kiss and Ill descend
Descends
JULIET
Art thou gone so Love lord ay husband friend
I must hear from thee every day in the hour
For in a minute there are many days
O by this count I shall be much in years
Ere I again behold my Romeo
ROMEO
Farewell
I will omit no opportunity
That may convey my greetings love to thee
JULIET
O thinkest thou we shall ever meet again
ROMEO
I doubt it not and all these woes shall serve
For sweet discourses in our time to come
JULIET
O God I have an illdivining soul
Methinks I see thee now thou art so low
As one dead in the bottom of a tomb
Either my eyesight fails or thou lookst pale
ROMEO
And trust me love in my eye so do you
Dry sorrow drinks our blood Adieu adieu
Exit below
JULIET
O Fortune Fortune All men call thee fickle
If thou art fickle what dost thou with him
That is renownd for faith Be fickle Fortune
For then I hope thou wilt not keep him long
But send him back
LADY CAPULET
Within Ho daughter are you up
JULIET
Who ist that calls Is it my lady mother
Is she not down so late or up so early
What unaccustomd cause procures her hither
Enter Lady Capulet
LADY CAPULET
Why how now Juliet
JULIET
Madam I am not well
LADY CAPULET
Evermore weeping for your cousins death
What wilt thou wash him from his grave with tears
And if thou couldst thou couldst not make him live
Therefore have done some grief shows much of love
But much of grief shows still some want of wit
JULIET
Yet let me weep for such a feeling loss
LADY CAPULET
So shall you feel the loss but not the friend
Which you weep for
JULIET
Feeling so the loss
I cannot choose but ever weep the friend
LADY CAPULET
Well girl thou weepst not so much for his death
As that the villain lives which slaughterd him
JULIET
What villain madam
LADY CAPULET
That same villain Romeo
JULIET
Villain and he be many miles asunder
God pardon him I do with all my heart
And yet no man like he doth grieve my heart
LADY CAPULET
That is because the traitor murderer lives
JULIET
Ay madam from the reach of these my hands
Would none but I might venge my cousins death
LADY CAPULET
We will have vengeance for it fear thou not
Then weep no more Ill send to one in Mantua
Where that same banishd runagate doth live
Shall give him such an unaccustomd dram
That he shall soon keep Tybalt company
And then I hope thou wilt be satisfied
JULIET
Indeed I never shall be satisfied
With Romeo till I behold himdead
Is my poor heart so for a kinsman vexd
Madam if you could find out but a man
To bear a poison I would temper it
That Romeo should upon receipt thereof
Soon sleep in quiet O how my heart abhors
To hear him namd and cannot come to him
To wreak the love I bore my cousin
Upon his body that hath slaughterd him
LADY CAPULET
Find thou the means and Ill find such a man
But now Ill tell thee joyful tidings girl
JULIET
And joy comes well in such a needy time
What are they I beseech your ladyship
LADY CAPULET
Well well thou hast a careful father child
One who to put thee from thy heaviness
Hath sorted out a sudden day of joy
That thou expects not nor I lookd not for
JULIET
Madam in happy time what day is that
LADY CAPULET
Marry my child early next Thursday morn
The gallant young and noble gentleman
The County Paris at Saint Peters Church
Shall happily make thee there a joyful bride
JULIET
Now by Saint Peters Church and Peter too
He shall not make me there a joyful bride
I wonder at this haste that I must wed
Ere he that should be husband comes to woo
I pray you tell my lord and father madam
I will not marry yet and when I do I swear
It shall be Romeo whom you know I hate
Rather than Paris These are news indeed
LADY CAPULET
Here comes your father tell him so yourself
And see how he will take it at your hands
Enter Capulet and Nurse
CAPULET
When the sun sets the air doth drizzle dew
But for the sunset of my brothers son
It rains downright
How now A conduit girl What still in tears
Evermore showering In one little body
Thou counterfeits a bark a sea a wind
For still thy eyes which I may call the sea
Do ebb and flow with tears the bark thy body is
Sailing in this salt flood the winds thy sighs
Who raging with thy tears and they with them
Without a sudden calm will overset
Thy tempesttossed body How now wife
Have you deliverd to her our decree
LADY CAPULET
Ay sir but she will none she gives you thanks
I would the fool were married to her grave
CAPULET
Soft Take me with you take me with you wife
How will she none Doth she not give us thanks
Is she not proud Doth she not count her blest
Unworthy as she is that we have wrought
So worthy a gentleman to be her bridegroom
JULIET
Not proud you have but thankful that you have
Proud can I never be of what I hate
But thankful even for hate that is meant love
CAPULET
How now how now choppd logic What is this
Proud and I thank you and I thank you not
And yet not proud Mistress minion you
Thank me no thankings nor proud me no prouds
But fettle your fine joints gainst Thursday next
To go with Paris to Saint Peters Church
Or I will drag thee on a hurdle thither
Out you greensickness carrion Out you baggage
You tallowface
LADY CAPULET
Fie fie What are you mad
JULIET
Good father I beseech you on my knees
Hear me with patience but to speak a word
CAPULET
Hang thee young baggage disobedient wretch
I tell thee whatget thee to church a Thursday
Or never after look me in the face
Speak not reply not do not answer me
My fingers itch Wife we scarce thought us blest
That God had lent us but this only child
But now I see this one is one too much
And that we have a curse in having her
Out on her hilding
NURSE
God in heaven bless her
You are to blame my lord to rate her so
CAPULET
And why my lady wisdom Hold your tongue
Good prudence smatter with your gossips go
NURSE
I speak no treason
CAPULET
O God ye gooden
NURSE
May not one speak
CAPULET
Peace you mumbling fool
Utter your gravity oer a gossips bowl
For here we need it not
LADY CAPULET
You are too hot
CAPULET
Gods bread it makes me mad
Day night hour ride time work play
Alone in company still my care hath been
To have her matchd and having now provided
A gentleman of noble parentage
Of fair demesnes youthful and nobly allied
Stuffd as they say with honourable parts
Proportiond as ones thought would wish a man
And then to have a wretched puling fool
A whining mammet in her fortunes tender
To answer Ill not wed I cannot love
I am too young I pray you pardon me
But and you will not wed Ill pardon you
Graze where you will you shall not house with me
Look tot think ont I do not use to jest
Thursday is near lay hand on heart advise
And you be mine Ill give you to my friend
And you be not hang beg starve die in the streets
For by my soul Ill neer acknowledge thee
Nor what is mine shall never do thee good
Trust tot bethink you Ill not be forsworn
Exit
JULIET
Is there no pity sitting in the clouds
That sees into the bottom of my grief
O sweet my mother cast me not away
Delay this marriage for a month a week
Or if you do not make the bridal bed
In that dim monument where Tybalt lies
LADY CAPULET
Talk not to me for Ill not speak a word
Do as thou wilt for I have done with thee
Exit
JULIET
O God O Nurse how shall this be prevented
My husband is on earth my faith in heaven
How shall that faith return again to earth
Unless that husband send it me from heaven
By leaving earth Comfort me counsel me
Alack alack that heaven should practise stratagems
Upon so soft a subject as myself
What sayst thou Hast thou not a word of joy
Some comfort Nurse
NURSE
Faith here it is
Romeo is banished and all the world to nothing
That he dares neer come back to challenge you
Or if he do it needs must be by stealth
Then since the case so stands as now it doth
I think it best you married with the County
O hes a lovely gentleman
Romeos a dishclout to him An eagle madam
Hath not so green so quick so fair an eye
As Paris hath Beshrew my very heart
I think you are happy in this second match
For it excels your first or if it did not
Your first is dead or twere as good he were
As living here and you no use of him
JULIET
Speakest thou from thy heart
NURSE
And from my soul too
Or else beshrew them both
JULIET
Amen
NURSE
What
JULIET
Well thou hast comforted me marvellous much
Go in and tell my lady I am gone
Having displeasd my father to Lawrence cell
To make confession and to be absolvd
NURSE
Marry I will and this is wisely done
Exit
JULIET
Ancient damnation O most wicked fiend
Is it more sin to wish me thus forsworn
Or to dispraise my lord with that same tongue
Which she hath praisd him with above compare
So many thousand times Go counsellor
Thou and my bosom henceforth shall be twain
Ill to the Friar to know his remedy
If all else fail myself have power to die
Exit
ACT IV
SCENE I Friar Lawrences Cell
Enter Friar Lawrence and Paris
FRIAR LAWRENCE
On Thursday sir The time is very short
PARIS
My father Capulet will have it so
And I am nothing slow to slack his haste
FRIAR LAWRENCE
You say you do not know the ladys mind
Uneven is the course I like it not
PARIS
Immoderately she weeps for Tybalts death
And therefore have I little talkd of love
For Venus smiles not in a house of tears
Now sir her father counts it dangerous
That she do give her sorrow so much sway
And in his wisdom hastes our marriage
To stop the inundation of her tears
Which too much minded by herself alone
May be put from her by society
Now do you know the reason of this haste
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Aside I would I knew not why it should be slowd
Look sir here comes the lady toward my cell
Enter Juliet
PARIS
Happily met my lady and my wife
JULIET
That may be sir when I may be a wife
PARIS
That may be must be love on Thursday next
JULIET
What must be shall be
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Thats a certain text
PARIS
Come you to make confession to this father
JULIET
To answer that I should confess to you
PARIS
Do not deny to him that you love me
JULIET
I will confess to you that I love him
PARIS
So will ye I am sure that you love me
JULIET
If I do so it will be of more price
Being spoke behind your back than to your face
PARIS
Poor soul thy face is much abusd with tears
JULIET
The tears have got small victory by that
For it was bad enough before their spite
PARIS
Thou wrongst it more than tears with that report
JULIET
That is no slander sir which is a truth
And what I spake I spake it to my face
PARIS
Thy face is mine and thou hast slanderd it
JULIET
It may be so for it is not mine own
Are you at leisure holy father now
Or shall I come to you at evening mass
FRIAR LAWRENCE
My leisure serves me pensive daughter now
My lord we must entreat the time alone
PARIS
God shield I should disturb devotion
Juliet on Thursday early will I rouse ye
Till then adieu and keep this holy kiss
Exit
JULIET
O shut the door and when thou hast done so
Come weep with me past hope past cure past help
FRIAR LAWRENCE
O Juliet I already know thy grief
It strains me past the compass of my wits
I hear thou must and nothing may prorogue it
On Thursday next be married to this County
JULIET
Tell me not Friar that thou hearst of this
Unless thou tell me how I may prevent it
If in thy wisdom thou canst give no help
Do thou but call my resolution wise
And with this knife Ill help it presently
God joind my heart and Romeos thou our hands
And ere this hand by thee to Romeos seald
Shall be the label to another deed
Or my true heart with treacherous revolt
Turn to another this shall slay them both
Therefore out of thy longexperiencd time
Give me some present counsel or behold
Twixt my extremes and me this bloody knife
Shall play the empire arbitrating that
Which the commission of thy years and art
Could to no issue of true honour bring
Be not so long to speak I long to die
If what thou speakst speak not of remedy
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Hold daughter I do spy a kind of hope
Which craves as desperate an execution
As that is desperate which we would prevent
If rather than to marry County Paris
Thou hast the strength of will to slay thyself
Then is it likely thou wilt undertake
A thing like death to chide away this shame
That copst with death himself to scape from it
And if thou darst Ill give thee remedy
JULIET
O bid me leap rather than marry Paris
From off the battlements of yonder tower
Or walk in thievish ways or bid me lurk
Where serpents are Chain me with roaring bears
Or hide me nightly in a charnelhouse
Oercoverd quite with dead mens rattling bones
With reeky shanks and yellow chapless skulls
Or bid me go into a newmade grave
And hide me with a dead man in his shroud
Things that to hear them told have made me tremble
And I will do it without fear or doubt
To live an unstaind wife to my sweet love
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Hold then Go home be merry give consent
To marry Paris Wednesday is tomorrow
Tomorrow night look that thou lie alone
Let not thy Nurse lie with thee in thy chamber
Take thou this vial being then in bed
And this distilled liquor drink thou off
When presently through all thy veins shall run
A cold and drowsy humour for no pulse
Shall keep his native progress but surcease
No warmth no breath shall testify thou livest
The roses in thy lips and cheeks shall fade
To paly ashes thy eyes windows fall
Like death when he shuts up the day of life
Each part deprivd of supple government
Shall stiff and stark and cold appear like death
And in this borrowd likeness of shrunk death
Thou shalt continue two and forty hours
And then awake as from a pleasant sleep
Now when the bridegroom in the morning comes
To rouse thee from thy bed there art thou dead
Then as the manner of our country is
In thy best robes uncoverd on the bier
Thou shalt be borne to that same ancient vault
Where all the kindred of the Capulets lie
In the meantime against thou shalt awake
Shall Romeo by my letters know our drift
And hither shall he come and he and I
Will watch thy waking and that very night
Shall Romeo bear thee hence to Mantua
And this shall free thee from this present shame
If no inconstant toy nor womanish fear
Abate thy valour in the acting it
JULIET
Give me give me O tell not me of fear
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Hold get you gone be strong and prosperous
In this resolve Ill send a friar with speed
To Mantua with my letters to thy lord
JULIET
Love give me strength and strength shall help afford
Farewell dear father
Exeunt
SCENE II Hall in Capulets House
Enter Capulet Lady Capulet Nurse and Servants
CAPULET
So many guests invite as here are writ
Exit first Servant
Sirrah go hire me twenty cunning cooks
SECOND SERVANT
You shall have none ill sir for Ill try if they can lick their fingers
CAPULET
How canst thou try them so
SECOND SERVANT
Marry sir tis an ill cook that cannot lick his own fingers therefore he that cannot lick his fingers goes not with me
CAPULET
Go begone
Exit second Servant
We shall be much unfurnishd for this time
What is my daughter gone to Friar Lawrence
NURSE
Ay forsooth
CAPULET
Well he may chance to do some good on her
A peevish selfwilld harlotry it is
Enter Juliet
NURSE
See where she comes from shrift with merry look
CAPULET
How now my headstrong Where have you been gadding
JULIET
Where I have learnt me to repent the sin
Of disobedient opposition
To you and your behests and am enjoind
By holy Lawrence to fall prostrate here
To beg your pardon Pardon I beseech you
Henceforward I am ever ruld by you
CAPULET
Send for the County go tell him of this
Ill have this knot knit up tomorrow morning
JULIET
I met the youthful lord at Lawrence cell
And gave him what becomed love I might
Not stepping oer the bounds of modesty
CAPULET
Why I am glad ont This is well Stand up
This is ast should be Let me see the County
Ay marry Go I say and fetch him hither
Now afore God this reverend holy Friar
All our whole city is much bound to him
JULIET
Nurse will you go with me into my closet
To help me sort such needful ornaments
As you think fit to furnish me tomorrow
LADY CAPULET
No not till Thursday There is time enough
CAPULET
Go Nurse go with her Well to church tomorrow
Exeunt Juliet and Nurse
LADY CAPULET
We shall be short in our provision
Tis now near night
CAPULET
Tush I will stir about
And all things shall be well I warrant thee wife
Go thou to Juliet help to deck up her
Ill not to bed tonight let me alone
Ill play the housewife for this onceWhat ho
They are all forth well I will walk myself
To County Paris to prepare him up
Against tomorrow My heart is wondrous light
Since this same wayward girl is so reclaimd
Exeunt
SCENE III Juliets Chamber
Enter Juliet and Nurse
JULIET
Ay those attires are best But gentle Nurse
I pray thee leave me to myself tonight
For I have need of many orisons
To move the heavens to smile upon my state
Which well thou knowst is cross and full of sin
Enter Lady Capulet
LADY CAPULET
What are you busy ho Need you my help
JULIET
No madam we have culld such necessaries
As are behoveful for our state tomorrow
So please you let me now be left alone
And let the nurse this night sit up with you
For I am sure you have your hands full all
In this so sudden business
LADY CAPULET
Good night
Get thee to bed and rest for thou hast need
Exeunt Lady Capulet and Nurse
JULIET
Farewell God knows when we shall meet again
I have a faint cold fear thrills through my veins
That almost freezes up the heat of life
Ill call them back again to comfort me
NurseWhat should she do here
My dismal scene I needs must act alone
Come vial
What if this mixture do not work at all
Shall I be married then tomorrow morning
No No This shall forbid it Lie thou there
Laying down her dagger
What if it be a poison which the Friar
Subtly hath ministerd to have me dead
Lest in this marriage he should be dishonourd
Because he married me before to Romeo
I fear it is And yet methinks it should not
For he hath still been tried a holy man
How if when I am laid into the tomb
I wake before the time that Romeo
Come to redeem me Theres a fearful point
Shall I not then be stifled in the vault
To whose foul mouth no healthsome air breathes in
And there die strangled ere my Romeo comes
Or if I live is it not very like
The horrible conceit of death and night
Together with the terror of the place
As in a vault an ancient receptacle
Where for this many hundred years the bones
Of all my buried ancestors are packd
Where bloody Tybalt yet but green in earth
Lies festering in his shroud where as they say
At some hours in the night spirits resort
Alack alack is it not like that I
So early waking what with loathsome smells
And shrieks like mandrakes torn out of the earth
That living mortals hearing them run mad
O if I wake shall I not be distraught
Environed with all these hideous fears
And madly play with my forefathers joints
And pluck the mangled Tybalt from his shroud
And in this rage with some great kinsmans bone
As with a club dash out my desperate brains
O look methinks I see my cousins ghost
Seeking out Romeo that did spit his body
Upon a rapiers point Stay Tybalt stay
Romeo Romeo Romeo heres drink I drink to thee
Throws herself on the bed
SCENE IV Hall in Capulets House
Enter Lady Capulet and Nurse
LADY CAPULET
Hold take these keys and fetch more spices Nurse
NURSE
They call for dates and quinces in the pastry
Enter Capulet
CAPULET
Come stir stir stir The second cock hath crowd
The curfew bell hath rung tis three oclock
Look to the bakd meats good Angelica
Spare not for cost
NURSE
Go you cotquean go
Get you to bed faith youll be sick tomorrow
For this nights watching
CAPULET
No not a whit What I have watchd ere now
All night for lesser cause and neer been sick
LADY CAPULET
Ay you have been a mousehunt in your time
But I will watch you from such watching now
Exeunt Lady Capulet and Nurse
CAPULET
A jealoushood a jealoushood
Enter Servants with spits logs and baskets
Now fellow whats there
FIRST SERVANT
Things for the cook sir but I know not what
CAPULET
Make haste make haste
Exit First Servant
Sirrah fetch drier logs
Call Peter he will show thee where they are
SECOND SERVANT
I have a head sir that will find out logs
And never trouble Peter for the matter
Exit
CAPULET
Mass and well said a merry whoreson ha
Thou shalt be loggerheadGood faith tis day
The County will be here with music straight
For so he said he would I hear him near
Play music
Nurse Wife What ho What Nurse I say
Reenter Nurse
Go waken Juliet go and trim her up
Ill go and chat with Paris Hie make haste
Make haste the bridegroom he is come already
Make haste I say
Exeunt
SCENE V Juliets Chamber Juliet on the bed
Enter Nurse
NURSE
Mistress What mistress Juliet Fast I warrant her she
Why lamb why lady fie you slugabed
Why love I say Madam Sweetheart Why bride
What not a word You take your pennyworths now
Sleep for a week for the next night I warrant
The County Paris hath set up his rest
That you shall rest but little God forgive me
Marry and amen How sound is she asleep
I needs must wake her Madam madam madam
Ay let the County take you in your bed
Hell fright you up ifaith Will it not be
What dressd and in your clothes and down again
I must needs wake you Lady Lady Lady
Alas alas Help help My ladys dead
O welladay that ever I was born
Some aqua vitae ho My lord My lady
Enter Lady Capulet
LADY CAPULET
What noise is here
NURSE
O lamentable day
LADY CAPULET
What is the matter
NURSE
Look look O heavy day
LADY CAPULET
O me O me My child my only life
Revive look up or I will die with thee
Help help Call help
Enter Capulet
CAPULET
For shame bring Juliet forth her lord is come
NURSE
Shes dead deceasd shes dead alack the day
LADY CAPULET
Alack the day shes dead shes dead shes dead
CAPULET
Ha Let me see her Out alas Shes cold
Her blood is settled and her joints are stiff
Life and these lips have long been separated
Death lies on her like an untimely frost
Upon the sweetest flower of all the field
NURSE
O lamentable day
LADY CAPULET
O woful time
CAPULET
Death that hath taen her hence to make me wail
Ties up my tongue and will not let me speak
Enter Friar Lawrence and Paris with Musicians
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Come is the bride ready to go to church
CAPULET
Ready to go but never to return
O son the night before thy wedding day
Hath death lain with thy bride There she lies
Flower as she was deflowered by him
Death is my soninlaw death is my heir
My daughter he hath wedded I will die
And leave him all life living all is deaths
PARIS
Have I thought long to see this mornings face
And doth it give me such a sight as this
LADY CAPULET
Accursd unhappy wretched hateful day
Most miserable hour that eer time saw
In lasting labour of his pilgrimage
But one poor one one poor and loving child
But one thing to rejoice and solace in
And cruel death hath catchd it from my sight
NURSE
O woe O woeful woeful woeful day
Most lamentable day most woeful day
That ever ever I did yet behold
O day O day O day O hateful day
Never was seen so black a day as this
O woeful day O woeful day
PARIS
Beguild divorced wronged spited slain
Most detestable death by thee beguild
By cruel cruel thee quite overthrown
O love O life Not life but love in death
CAPULET
Despisd distressed hated martyrd killd
Uncomfortable time why camst thou now
To murder murder our solemnity
O child O child My soul and not my child
Dead art thou Alack my child is dead
And with my child my joys are buried
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Peace ho for shame Confusions cure lives not
In these confusions Heaven and yourself
Had part in this fair maid now heaven hath all
And all the better is it for the maid
Your part in her you could not keep from death
But heaven keeps his part in eternal life
The most you sought was her promotion
For twas your heaven she should be advancd
And weep ye now seeing she is advancd
Above the clouds as high as heaven itself
O in this love you love your child so ill
That you run mad seeing that she is well
Shes not well married that lives married long
But shes best married that dies married young
Dry up your tears and stick your rosemary
On this fair corse and as the custom is
And in her best array bear her to church
For though fond nature bids us all lament
Yet natures tears are reasons merriment
CAPULET
All things that we ordained festival
Turn from their office to black funeral
Our instruments to melancholy bells
Our wedding cheer to a sad burial feast
Our solemn hymns to sullen dirges change
Our bridal flowers serve for a buried corse
And all things change them to the contrary
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Sir go you in and madam go with him
And go Sir Paris everyone prepare
To follow this fair corse unto her grave
The heavens do lower upon you for some ill
Move them no more by crossing their high will
Exeunt Capulet Lady Capulet Paris and Friar
FIRST MUSICIAN
Faith we may put up our pipes and be gone
NURSE
Honest good fellows ah put up put up
For well you know this is a pitiful case
FIRST MUSICIAN
Ay by my troth the case may be amended
Exit Nurse
Enter Peter
PETER
Musicians O musicians Hearts ease Hearts ease O and you will have me live play Hearts ease
FIRST MUSICIAN
Why Hearts ease
PETER
O musicians because my heart itself plays My heart is full O play me some merry dump to comfort me
FIRST MUSICIAN
Not a dump we tis no time to play now
PETER
You will not then
FIRST MUSICIAN
No
PETER
I will then give it you soundly
FIRST MUSICIAN
What will you give us
PETER
No money on my faith but the gleek I will give you the minstrel
FIRST MUSICIAN
Then will I give you the servingcreature
PETER
Then will I lay the servingcreatures dagger on your pate I will carry no crotchets Ill re you Ill fa you Do you note me
FIRST MUSICIAN
And you re us and fa us you note us
SECOND MUSICIAN
Pray you put up your dagger and put out your wit
PETER
Then have at you with my wit I will drybeat you with an iron wit and put up my iron dagger Answer me like men
When griping griefs the heart doth wound
And doleful dumps the mind oppress
Then music with her silver sound
Why silver sound Why music with her silver sound What say you Simon Catling
FIRST MUSICIAN
Marry sir because silver hath a sweet sound
PETER
Prates What say you Hugh Rebeck
SECOND MUSICIAN
I say silver sound because musicians sound for silver
PETER
Prates too What say you James Soundpost
THIRD MUSICIAN
Faith I know not what to say
PETER
O I cry you mercy you are the singer I will say for you It is music with her silver sound because musicians have no gold for sounding
Then music with her silver sound
With speedy help doth lend redress
Exit
FIRST MUSICIAN
What a pestilent knave is this same
SECOND MUSICIAN
Hang him Jack Come well in here tarry for the mourners and stay dinner
Exeunt
ACT V
SCENE I Mantua A Street
Enter Romeo
ROMEO
If I may trust the flattering eye of sleep
My dreams presage some joyful news at hand
My bosoms lord sits lightly in his throne
And all this day an unaccustomd spirit
Lifts me above the ground with cheerful thoughts
I dreamt my lady came and found me dead
Strange dream that gives a dead man leave to think
And breathd such life with kisses in my lips
That I revivd and was an emperor
Ah me how sweet is love itself possessd
When but loves shadows are so rich in joy
Enter Balthasar
News from Verona How now Balthasar
Dost thou not bring me letters from the Friar
How doth my lady Is my father well
How fares my Juliet That I ask again
For nothing can be ill if she be well
BALTHASAR
Then she is well and nothing can be ill
Her body sleeps in Capels monument
And her immortal part with angels lives
I saw her laid low in her kindreds vault
And presently took post to tell it you
O pardon me for bringing these ill news
Since you did leave it for my office sir
ROMEO
Is it even so Then I defy you stars
Thou knowst my lodging Get me ink and paper
And hire posthorses I will hence tonight
BALTHASAR
I do beseech you sir have patience
Your looks are pale and wild and do import
Some misadventure
ROMEO
Tush thou art deceivd
Leave me and do the thing I bid thee do
Hast thou no letters to me from the Friar
BALTHASAR
No my good lord
ROMEO
No matter Get thee gone
And hire those horses Ill be with thee straight
Exit Balthasar
Well Juliet I will lie with thee tonight
Lets see for means O mischief thou art swift
To enter in the thoughts of desperate men
I do remember an apothecary
And hereabouts he dwellswhich late I noted
In tatterd weeds with overwhelming brows
Culling of simples meagre were his looks
Sharp misery had worn him to the bones
And in his needy shop a tortoise hung
An alligator stuffd and other skins
Of illshaped fishes and about his shelves
A beggarly account of empty boxes
Green earthen pots bladders and musty seeds
Remnants of packthread and old cakes of roses
Were thinly scatterd to make up a show
Noting this penury to myself I said
And if a man did need a poison now
Whose sale is present death in Mantua
Here lives a caitiff wretch would sell it him
O this same thought did but forerun my need
And this same needy man must sell it me
As I remember this should be the house
Being holiday the beggars shop is shut
What ho Apothecary
Enter Apothecary
APOTHECARY
Who calls so loud
ROMEO
Come hither man I see that thou art poor
Hold there is forty ducats Let me have
A dram of poison such soonspeeding gear
As will disperse itself through all the veins
That the lifeweary taker may fall dead
And that the trunk may be dischargd of breath
As violently as hasty powder fird
Doth hurry from the fatal cannons womb
APOTHECARY
Such mortal drugs I have but Mantuas law
Is death to any he that utters them
ROMEO
Art thou so bare and full of wretchedness
And fearst to die Famine is in thy cheeks
Need and oppression starveth in thine eyes
Contempt and beggary hangs upon thy back
The world is not thy friend nor the worlds law
The world affords no law to make thee rich
Then be not poor but break it and take this
APOTHECARY
My poverty but not my will consents
ROMEO
I pay thy poverty and not thy will
APOTHECARY
Put this in any liquid thing you will
And drink it off and if you had the strength
Of twenty men it would despatch you straight
ROMEO
There is thy gold worse poison to mens souls
Doing more murder in this loathsome world
Than these poor compounds that thou mayst not sell
I sell thee poison thou hast sold me none
Farewell buy food and get thyself in flesh
Come cordial and not poison go with me
To Juliets grave for there must I use thee
Exeunt
SCENE II Friar Lawrences Cell
Enter Friar John
FRIAR JOHN
Holy Franciscan Friar Brother ho
Enter Friar Lawrence
FRIAR LAWRENCE
This same should be the voice of Friar John
Welcome from Mantua What says Romeo
Or if his mind be writ give me his letter
FRIAR JOHN
Going to find a barefoot brother out
One of our order to associate me
Here in this city visiting the sick
And finding him the searchers of the town
Suspecting that we both were in a house
Where the infectious pestilence did reign
Seald up the doors and would not let us forth
So that my speed to Mantua there was stayd
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Who bare my letter then to Romeo
FRIAR JOHN
I could not send ithere it is again
Nor get a messenger to bring it thee
So fearful were they of infection
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Unhappy fortune By my brotherhood
The letter was not nice but full of charge
Of dear import and the neglecting it
May do much danger Friar John go hence
Get me an iron crow and bring it straight
Unto my cell
FRIAR JOHN
Brother Ill go and bring it thee
Exit
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Now must I to the monument alone
Within this three hours will fair Juliet wake
She will beshrew me much that Romeo
Hath had no notice of these accidents
But I will write again to Mantua
And keep her at my cell till Romeo come
Poor living corse closd in a dead mans tomb
Exit
SCENE III A churchyard in it a Monument belonging to the Capulets
Enter Paris and his Page bearing flowers and a torch
PARIS
Give me thy torch boy Hence and stand aloof
Yet put it out for I would not be seen
Under yond yew tree lay thee all along
Holding thy ear close to the hollow ground
So shall no foot upon the churchyard tread
Being loose unfirm with digging up of graves
But thou shalt hear it Whistle then to me
As signal that thou hearst something approach
Give me those flowers Do as I bid thee go
PAGE
Aside I am almost afraid to stand alone
Here in the churchyard yet I will adventure
Retires
PARIS
Sweet flower with flowers thy bridal bed I strew
O woe thy canopy is dust and stones
Which with sweet water nightly I will dew
Or wanting that with tears distilld by moans
The obsequies that I for thee will keep
Nightly shall be to strew thy grave and weep
The Page whistles
The boy gives warning something doth approach
What cursed foot wanders this way tonight
To cross my obsequies and true loves rite
What with a torch Muffle me night awhile
Retires
Enter Romeo and Balthasar with a torch mattock c
ROMEO
Give me that mattock and the wrenching iron
Hold take this letter early in the morning
See thou deliver it to my lord and father
Give me the light upon thy life I charge thee
Whateer thou hearst or seest stand all aloof
And do not interrupt me in my course
Why I descend into this bed of death
Is partly to behold my ladys face
But chiefly to take thence from her dead finger
A precious ring a ring that I must use
In dear employment Therefore hence be gone
But if thou jealous dost return to pry
In what I further shall intend to do
By heaven I will tear thee joint by joint
And strew this hungry churchyard with thy limbs
The time and my intents are savagewild
More fierce and more inexorable far
Than empty tigers or the roaring sea
BALTHASAR
I will be gone sir and not trouble you
ROMEO
So shalt thou show me friendship Take thou that
Live and be prosperous and farewell good fellow
BALTHASAR
For all this same Ill hide me hereabout
His looks I fear and his intents I doubt
Retires
ROMEO
Thou detestable maw thou womb of death
Gorgd with the dearest morsel of the earth
Thus I enforce thy rotten jaws to open
Breaking open the door of the monument
And in despite Ill cram thee with more food
PARIS
This is that banishd haughty Montague
That murderd my loves cousinwith which grief
It is supposed the fair creature died
And here is come to do some villainous shame
To the dead bodies I will apprehend him
Advances
Stop thy unhallowd toil vile Montague
Can vengeance be pursud further than death
Condemned villain I do apprehend thee
Obey and go with me for thou must die
ROMEO
I must indeed and therefore came I hither
Good gentle youth tempt not a desperate man
Fly hence and leave me Think upon these gone
Let them affright thee I beseech thee youth
Put not another sin upon my head
By urging me to fury O be gone
By heaven I love thee better than myself
For I come hither armd against myself
Stay not be gone live and hereafter say
A madmans mercy bid thee run away
PARIS
I do defy thy conjuration
And apprehend thee for a felon here
ROMEO
Wilt thou provoke me Then have at thee boy
They fight
PAGE
O lord they fight I will go call the watch
Exit
PARIS
O I am slain Falls If thou be merciful
Open the tomb lay me with Juliet
Dies
ROMEO
In faith I will Let me peruse this face
Mercutios kinsman noble County Paris
What said my man when my betossed soul
Did not attend him as we rode I think
He told me Paris should have married Juliet
Said he not so Or did I dream it so
Or am I mad hearing him talk of Juliet
To think it was so O give me thy hand
One writ with me in sour misfortunes book
Ill bury thee in a triumphant grave
A grave O no a lantern slaughtred youth
For here lies Juliet and her beauty makes
This vault a feasting presence full of light
Death lie thou there by a dead man interrd
Laying Paris in the monument
How oft when men are at the point of death
Have they been merry Which their keepers call
A lightning before death O how may I
Call this a lightning O my love my wife
Death that hath suckd the honey of thy breath
Hath had no power yet upon thy beauty
Thou art not conquerd Beautys ensign yet
Is crimson in thy lips and in thy cheeks
And deaths pale flag is not advanced there
Tybalt liest thou there in thy bloody sheet
O what more favour can I do to thee
Than with that hand that cut thy youth in twain
To sunder his that was thine enemy
Forgive me cousin Ah dear Juliet
Why art thou yet so fair Shall I believe
That unsubstantial death is amorous
And that the lean abhorred monster keeps
Thee here in dark to be his paramour
For fear of that I still will stay with thee
And never from this palace of dim night
Depart again Here here will I remain
With worms that are thy chambermaids O here
Will I set up my everlasting rest
And shake the yoke of inauspicious stars
From this worldwearied flesh Eyes look your last
Arms take your last embrace And lips O you
The doors of breath seal with a righteous kiss
A dateless bargain to engrossing death
Come bitter conduct come unsavoury guide
Thou desperate pilot now at once run on
The dashing rocks thy seasick weary bark
Heres to my love Drinks O true apothecary
Thy drugs are quick Thus with a kiss I die
Dies
Enter at the other end of the Churchyard Friar Lawrence with a lantern crow and spade
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Saint Francis be my speed How oft tonight
Have my old feet stumbled at graves Whos there
Who is it that consorts so late the dead
BALTHASAR
Heres one a friend and one that knows you well
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Bliss be upon you Tell me good my friend
What torch is yond that vainly lends his light
To grubs and eyeless skulls As I discern
It burneth in the Capels monument
BALTHASAR
It doth so holy sir and theres my master
One that you love
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Who is it
BALTHASAR
Romeo
FRIAR LAWRENCE
How long hath he been there
BALTHASAR
Full half an hour
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Go with me to the vault
BALTHASAR
I dare not sir
My master knows not but I am gone hence
And fearfully did menace me with death
If I did stay to look on his intents
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Stay then Ill go alone Fear comes upon me
O much I fear some ill unlucky thing
BALTHASAR
As I did sleep under this yew tree here
I dreamt my master and another fought
And that my master slew him
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Romeo Advances
Alack alack what blood is this which stains
The stony entrance of this sepulchre
What mean these masterless and gory swords
To lie discolourd by this place of peace
Enters the monument
Romeo O pale Who else What Paris too
And steepd in blood Ah what an unkind hour
Is guilty of this lamentable chance
The lady stirs
Juliet wakes and stirs
JULIET
O comfortable Friar where is my lord
I do remember well where I should be
And there I am Where is my Romeo
Noise within
FRIAR LAWRENCE
I hear some noise Lady come from that nest
Of death contagion and unnatural sleep
A greater power than we can contradict
Hath thwarted our intents Come come away
Thy husband in thy bosom there lies dead
And Paris too Come Ill dispose of thee
Among a sisterhood of holy nuns
Stay not to question for the watch is coming
Come go good Juliet I dare no longer stay
JULIET
Go get thee hence for I will not away
Exit Friar Lawrence
Whats here A cup closd in my true loves hand
Poison I see hath been his timeless end
O churl Drink all and left no friendly drop
To help me after I will kiss thy lips
Haply some poison yet doth hang on them
To make me die with a restorative
Kisses him
Thy lips are warm
FIRST WATCH
Within Lead boy Which way
JULIET
Yea noise Then Ill be brief O happy dagger
Snatching Romeos dagger
This is thy sheath stabs herself There rest and let me die
Falls on Romeos body and dies
Enter Watch with the Page of Paris
PAGE
This is the place There where the torch doth burn
FIRST WATCH
The ground is bloody Search about the churchyard
Go some of you whoeer you find attach
Exeunt some of the Watch
Pitiful sight Here lies the County slain
And Juliet bleeding warm and newly dead
Who here hath lain this two days buried
Go tell the Prince run to the Capulets
Raise up the Montagues some others search
Exeunt others of the Watch
We see the ground whereon these woes do lie
But the true ground of all these piteous woes
We cannot without circumstance descry
Reenter some of the Watch with Balthasar
SECOND WATCH
Heres Romeos man We found him in the churchyard
FIRST WATCH
Hold him in safety till the Prince come hither
Reenter others of the Watch with Friar Lawrence
THIRD WATCH
Here is a Friar that trembles sighs and weeps
We took this mattock and this spade from him
As he was coming from this churchyard side
FIRST WATCH
A great suspicion Stay the Friar too
Enter the Prince and Attendants
PRINCE
What misadventure is so early up
That calls our person from our mornings rest
Enter Capulet Lady Capulet and others
CAPULET
What should it be that they so shriek abroad
LADY CAPULET
O the people in the street cry Romeo
Some Juliet and some Paris and all run
With open outcry toward our monument
PRINCE
What fear is this which startles in our ears
FIRST WATCH
Sovereign here lies the County Paris slain
And Romeo dead and Juliet dead before
Warm and new killd
PRINCE
Search seek and know how this foul murder comes
FIRST WATCH
Here is a Friar and slaughterd Romeos man
With instruments upon them fit to open
These dead mens tombs
CAPULET
O heaven O wife look how our daughter bleeds
This dagger hath mistaen for lo his house
Is empty on the back of Montague
And it missheathed in my daughters bosom
LADY CAPULET
O me This sight of death is as a bell
That warns my old age to a sepulchre
Enter Montague and others
PRINCE
Come Montague for thou art early up
To see thy son and heir more early down
MONTAGUE
Alas my liege my wife is dead tonight
Grief of my sons exile hath stoppd her breath
What further woe conspires against mine age
PRINCE
Look and thou shalt see
MONTAGUE
O thou untaught What manners is in this
To press before thy father to a grave
PRINCE
Seal up the mouth of outrage for a while
Till we can clear these ambiguities
And know their spring their head their true descent
And then will I be general of your woes
And lead you even to death Meantime forbear
And let mischance be slave to patience
Bring forth the parties of suspicion
FRIAR LAWRENCE
I am the greatest able to do least
Yet most suspected as the time and place
Doth make against me of this direful murder
And here I stand both to impeach and purge
Myself condemned and myself excusd
PRINCE
Then say at once what thou dost know in this
FRIAR LAWRENCE
I will be brief for my short date of breath
Is not so long as is a tedious tale
Romeo there dead was husband to that Juliet
And she there dead that Romeos faithful wife
I married them and their stoln marriage day
Was Tybalts doomsday whose untimely death
Banishd the newmade bridegroom from this city
For whom and not for Tybalt Juliet pind
You to remove that siege of grief from her
Betrothd and would have married her perforce
To County Paris Then comes she to me
And with wild looks bid me devise some means
To rid her from this second marriage
Or in my cell there would she kill herself
Then gave I her so tutored by my art
A sleeping potion which so took effect
As I intended for it wrought on her
The form of death Meantime I writ to Romeo
That he should hither come as this dire night
To help to take her from her borrowd grave
Being the time the potions force should cease
But he which bore my letter Friar John
Was stayd by accident and yesternight
Returnd my letter back Then all alone
At the prefixed hour of her waking
Came I to take her from her kindreds vault
Meaning to keep her closely at my cell
Till I conveniently could send to Romeo
But when I came some minute ere the time
Of her awaking here untimely lay
The noble Paris and true Romeo dead
She wakes and I entreated her come forth
And bear this work of heaven with patience
But then a noise did scare me from the tomb
And she too desperate would not go with me
But as it seems did violence on herself
All this I know and to the marriage
Her Nurse is privy And if ought in this
Miscarried by my fault let my old life
Be sacrificd some hour before his time
Unto the rigour of severest law
PRINCE
We still have known thee for a holy man
Wheres Romeos man What can he say to this
BALTHASAR
I brought my master news of Juliets death
And then in post he came from Mantua
To this same place to this same monument
This letter he early bid me give his father
And threatend me with death going in the vault
If I departed not and left him there
PRINCE
Give me the letter I will look on it
Where is the Countys Page that raisd the watch
Sirrah what made your master in this place
PAGE
He came with flowers to strew his ladys grave
And bid me stand aloof and so I did
Anon comes one with light to ope the tomb
And by and by my master drew on him
And then I ran away to call the watch
PRINCE
This letter doth make good the Friars words
Their course of love the tidings of her death
And here he writes that he did buy a poison
Of a poor pothecary and therewithal
Came to this vault to die and lie with Juliet
Where be these enemies Capulet Montague
See what a scourge is laid upon your hate
That heaven finds means to kill your joys with love
And I for winking at your discords too
Have lost a brace of kinsmen All are punishd
CAPULET
O brother Montague give me thy hand
This is my daughters jointure for no more
Can I demand
MONTAGUE
But I can give thee more
For I will raise her statue in pure gold
That whiles Verona by that name is known
There shall no figure at such rate be set
As that of true and faithful Juliet
CAPULET
As rich shall Romeos by his ladys lie
Poor sacrifices of our enmity
PRINCE
A glooming peace this morning with it brings
The sun for sorrow will not show his head
Go hence to have more talk of these sad things
Some shall be pardond and some punished
For never was a story of more woe
Than this of Juliet and her Romeo
Exeunt
THE TAMING OF THE SHREW
Contents
INDUCTION
Scene I Before an alehouse on a heath
Scene II A bedchamber in the Lords house
ACT I
Scene I Padua A public place
Scene II Padua Before Hortensios house
ACT II
Scene I Padua A room in Baptistas house
ACT III
Scene I Padua A room in Baptistas house
Scene II The same Before Baptistas house
ACT IV
Scene I A hall in Petruchios country house
Scene II Padua Before Baptistas house
Scene III A room in Petruchios house
Scene IV Before Baptistas house
Scene V A public road
ACT V
Scene I Padua Before Lucentios house
Scene II A room in Lucentios house
Dramatis Person
Persons in the Induction
A LORD
CHRISTOPHER SLY a tinker
HOSTESS
PAGE
PLAYERS
HUNTSMEN
SERVANTS
BAPTISTA MINOLA a rich gentleman of Padua
VINCENTIO an old gentleman of Pisa
LUCENTIO son to Vincentio in love with Bianca
PETRUCHIO a gentleman of Verona suitor to Katherina
Suitors to Bianca
GREMIO
HORTENSIO
Servants to Lucentio
TRANIO
BIONDELLO
Servants to Petruchio
GRUMIO
CURTIS
PEDANT set up to personate Vincentio
Daughters to Baptista
KATHERINA the shrew
BIANCA
WIDOW
Tailor Haberdasher and Servants attending on Baptista and Petruchio
SCENE Sometimes in Padua and sometimes in Petruchios house in the country
INDUCTION
SCENE I Before an alehouse on a heath
Enter Hostess and Sly
SLY
Ill pheeze you in faith
HOSTESS
A pair of stocks you rogue
SLY
Yare a baggage the Slys are no rogues look in the chronicles we came in with Richard Conqueror Therefore paucas pallabris let the world slide Sessa
HOSTESS
You will not pay for the glasses you have burst
SLY
No not a denier Go by Saint Jeronimy go to thy cold bed and warm thee
HOSTESS
I know my remedy I must go fetch the thirdborough
Exit
SLY
Third or fourth or fifth borough Ill answer him by law Ill not budge an inch boy let him come and kindly
Lies down on the ground and falls asleep
Horns winded Enter a Lord from hunting with Huntsmen and Servants
LORD
Huntsman I charge thee tender well my hounds
Brach Merriman the poor cur is embossd
And couple Clowder with the deepmouthd brach
Sawst thou not boy how Silver made it good
At the hedgecorner in the coldest fault
I would not lose the dog for twenty pound
FIRST HUNTSMAN
Why Bellman is as good as he my lord
He cried upon it at the merest loss
And twice today pickd out the dullest scent
Trust me I take him for the better dog
LORD
Thou art a fool if Echo were as fleet
I would esteem him worth a dozen such
But sup them well and look unto them all
Tomorrow I intend to hunt again
FIRST HUNTSMAN
I will my lord
LORD
Sees Sly Whats here One dead or drunk
See doth he breathe
SECOND HUNTSMAN
He breathes my lord Were he not warmd with ale
This were a bed but cold to sleep so soundly
LORD
O monstrous beast how like a swine he lies
Grim death how foul and loathsome is thine image
Sirs I will practise on this drunken man
What think you if he were conveyd to bed
Wrappd in sweet clothes rings put upon his fingers
A most delicious banquet by his bed
And brave attendants near him when he wakes
Would not the beggar then forget himself
FIRST HUNTSMAN
Believe me lord I think he cannot choose
SECOND HUNTSMAN
It would seem strange unto him when he wakd
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
Balm his foul head in warm distilled waters
And burn sweet wood to make the lodging sweet
Procure me music ready when he wakes
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 rosewater and bestrewd with flowers
Another bear the ewer the third a diaper
And say Willt please your lordship cool your hands
Someone be ready with a costly suit
And ask him what apparel he will wear
Another tell him of his hounds and horse
And that his lady mourns at his disease
Persuade him that he hath been lunatic
And when he says he issay 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
FIRST HUNTSMAN
My lord I warrant you we will play our part
As he shall think by our true diligence
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
Sly is borne out A trumpet sounds
Sirrah go see what trumpet tis that sounds
Exit Servant
Belike some noble gentleman that means
Travelling some journey to repose him here
Reenter Servant
How now who is it
SERVANT
An it please your honour players
That offer service to your lordship
LORD
Bid them come near
Enter Players
Now fellows you are welcome
PLAYERS
We thank your honour
LORD
Do you intend to stay with me tonight
PLAYER
So please your lordship to accept our duty
LORD
With all my heart This fellow I remember
Since once he playd a farmers eldest son
Twas where you wood the gentlewoman so well
I have forgot your name but sure that part
Was aptly fitted and naturally performd
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
There is a lord will hear you play tonight
But I am doubtful of your modesties
Lest overeying 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
PLAYER
Fear not my lord we can contain ourselves
Were he the veriest antick in the world
LORD
Go sirrah take them to the buttery
And give them friendly welcome everyone
Let them want nothing that my house affords
Exit one with the Players
Sirrah go you to Bartholmew my page
And see him dressd in all suits like a lady
That done conduct him to the drunkards chamber
And call him madam do him obeisance
Tell him from meas he will win my love
He bear himself with honourable action
Such as he hath observd in noble ladies
Unto their lords by them accomplished
Such duty to the drunkard let him do
With soft low tongue and lowly courtesy
And say What ist your honour will command
Wherein your lady and your humble wife
May show her duty and make known her love
And then with kind embracements tempting kisses
And with declining head into his bosom
Bid him shed tears as being overjoyd
To see her noble lord restord to health
Who for this seven years hath esteemed him
No better than a poor and loathsome beggar
And if the boy have not a womans gift
To rain a shower of commanded tears
An onion will do well for such a shift
Which in a napkin being close conveyd
Shall in despite enforce a watery eye
See this dispatchd with all the haste thou canst
Anon Ill give thee more instructions
Exit Servant
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
And how my men will stay themselves from laughter
When they do homage to this simple peasant
Ill in to counsel them haply my presence
May well abate the overmerry spleen
Which otherwise would grow into extremes
Exeunt
SCENE II A bedchamber in the Lords house
Sly is discovered in a rich nightgown with Attendants some with apparel basin ewer and other appurtenances and Lord dressed like a servant
SLY
For Gods sake a pot of small ale
FIRST SERVANT
Willt please your lordship drink a cup of sack
SECOND SERVANT
Willt please your honour taste of these conserves
THIRD SERVANT
What raiment will your honour wear today
SLY
I am Christophero Sly call not me honour nor lordship I neer drank sack in my life and if you give me any conserves give me conserves of beef Neer ask me what raiment Ill 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 overleather
LORD
Heaven cease this idle humour in your honour
O that a mighty man of such descent
Of such possessions and so high esteem
Should be infused with so foul a spirit
SLY
What would you make me mad Am not I Christopher Sly old Slys son of Burtonheath by birth a pedlar by education a cardmaker by transmutation a bearherd and now by present profession a tinker Ask Marian Hacket the fat alewife of Wincot if she know me not if she say I am not fourteen pence on the score for sheer ale score me up for the lyingest knave in Christendom What I am not bestraught Heres
THIRD SERVANT
O this it is that makes your lady mourn
SECOND SERVANT
O this is it that makes your servants droop
LORD
Hence comes it that your kindred shuns your house
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
And twenty caged nightingales do sing
Or wilt thou sleep Well have thee to a couch
Softer and sweeter than the lustful bed
On purpose trimmd up for Semiramis
Say thou wilt walk we will bestrew the ground
Or wilt thou ride Thy horses shall be trappd
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
FIRST SERVANT
Say thou wilt course thy greyhounds are as swift
As breathed stags ay fleeter than the roe
SECOND SERVANT
Dost thou love pictures We will fetch thee straight
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
Well show thee Io as she was a maid
And how she was beguiled and surprisd
As lively painted as the deed was done
THIRD SERVANT
Or Daphne roaming through a thorny wood
Scratching her legs that one shall swear she bleeds
And at that sight shall sad Apollo weep
So workmanly the blood and tears are drawn
LORD
Thou art a lord and nothing but a lord
Thou hast a lady far more beautiful
Than any woman in this waning age
FIRST SERVANT
And till the tears that she hath shed for thee
Like envious floods oerrun her lovely face
She was the fairest creature in the world
And yet she is inferior to none
SLY
Am I a lord and have I such a lady
Or do I dream Or have I dreamd till now
I do not sleep I see I hear I speak
I smell sweet savours and I feel soft things
Upon my life I am a lord indeed
And not a tinker nor Christophero Sly
Well bring our lady hither to our sight
And once again a pot o the smallest ale
SECOND SERVANT
Willt please your mightiness to wash your hands
Servants present a ewer basin and napkin
O how we joy to see your wit restord
O that once more you knew but what you are
These fifteen years you have been in a dream
Or when you wakd so wakd as if you slept
SLY
These fifteen years by my fay a goodly nap
But did I never speak of all that time
FIRST SERVANT
O yes my lord but very idle words
For though you lay here in this goodly chamber
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 seald quarts
Sometimes you would call out for Cicely Hacket
SLY
Ay the womans maid of the house
THIRD SERVANT
Why sir you know no house nor no such maid
Nor no such men as you have reckond 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
Now Lord be thanked for my good amends
ALL
Amen
Enter the Page as a lady with Attendants
SLY
I thank thee thou shalt not lose by it
PAGE
How fares my noble lord
SLY
Marry I fare well for here is cheer enough
Where is my wife
PAGE
Here noble lord what is thy will with her
SLY
Are you my wife and will not call me husband
My men should call me lord I am your goodman
PAGE
My husband and my lord my lord and husband
I am your wife in all obedience
SLY
I know it well What must I call her
LORD
Madam
SLY
Alice madam or Joan madam
LORD
Madam and nothing else so lords call ladies
SLY
Madam wife they say that I have dreamd
And slept above some fifteen year or more
PAGE
Ay and the time seems thirty unto me
Being all this time abandond from your bed
SLY
Tis much Servants leave me and her alone
Madam undress you and come now to bed
PAGE
Thrice noble lord let me entreat of you
To pardon me yet for a night or two
Or if not so until the sun be set
For your physicians have expressly chargd
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 it stands so that I may hardly tarry so long but I would be loath to fall into my dreams again I will therefore tarry in despite of the flesh and the blood
Enter a Messenger
MESSENGER
Your honours players hearing your amendment
Are come to play a pleasant comedy
For so your doctors hold it very meet
Seeing too much sadness hath congeald your blood
And melancholy 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
SLY
Marry I will let them play it Is not a commonty a Christmas gambold or a tumblingtrick
PAGE
No my good lord it is more pleasing stuff
SLY
What household stuff
PAGE
It is a kind of history
SLY
Well well seet Come madam wife sit by my side and let the world slip we shall neer be younger
ACT I
SCENE I Padua A public place
Flourish Enter Lucentio and Tranio
LUCENTIO
Tranio since for the great desire I had
To see fair Padua nursery of arts
I am arrivd for fruitful Lombardy
The pleasant garden of great Italy
And by my fathers love and leave am armd
With his good will and thy good company
My trusty servant well approvd in all
Here let us breathe and haply institute
A course of learning and ingenious studies
Pisa renowned for grave citizens
Gave me my being and my father first
A merchant of great traffic through the world
Vincentio come of the Bentivolii
Vincentios son brought up in Florence
It shall become to serve all hopes conceivd
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 achievd
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
TRANIO
Mi perdonato gentle master mine
I am in all affected as yourself
Glad 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
Lets be no stoics nor no stocks I pray
Or so devote to Aristotles checks
As Ovid be an outcast quite abjurd
Balk logic with acquaintance that you have
And practise rhetoric in your common talk
Music and poesy use to quicken you
The mathematics and the metaphysics
Fall to them as you find your stomach serves you
No profit grows where is no pleasure taen
In brief sir study what you most affect
LUCENTIO
Gramercies Tranio well dost thou advise
If Biondello thou wert come ashore
We could at once put us in readiness
And take a lodging fit to entertain
Such friends as time in Padua shall beget
But stay awhile what company is this
TRANIO
Master some show to welcome us to town
Lucentio and Tranio stand aside
Enter Baptista Katherina Bianca Gremio and Hortensio
BAPTISTA
Gentlemen importune me no farther
For how I firmly am resolvd you know
That is not to bestow my youngest daughter
Before I have a husband for the elder
If either of you both love Katherina
Because I know you well and love you well
Leave shall you have to court her at your pleasure
GREMIO
To cart her rather shes too rough for me
There there Hortensio will you any wife
KATHERINA
To Baptista I pray you sir is it your will
To make a stale of me amongst these mates
HORTENSIO
Mates maid How mean you that No mates for you
Unless you were of gentler milder mould
KATHERINA
I faith sir you shall never need to fear
I wis it is not half way to her heart
But if it were doubt not her care should be
To comb your noddle with a threeleggd stool
And paint your face and use you like a fool
HORTENSIO
From all such devils good Lord deliver us
GREMIO
And me too good Lord
TRANIO
Husht master Heres some good pastime toward
That wench is stark mad or wonderful froward
LUCENTIO
But in the others silence do I see
Maids mild behaviour and sobriety
Peace Tranio
TRANIO
Well said master mum and gaze your fill
BAPTISTA
Gentlemen that I may soon make good
What I have saidBianca get you in
And let it not displease thee good Bianca
For I will love thee neer the less my girl
KATHERINA
A pretty peat it is best put finger in the eye and she knew why
BIANCA
Sister content you in my discontent
Sir to your pleasure humbly I subscribe
My books and instruments shall be my company
On them to look and practise by myself
LUCENTIO
Hark Tranio thou mayst hear Minerva speak
HORTENSIO
Signior Baptista will you be so strange
Sorry am I that our good will effects
Biancas grief
GREMIO
Why will you mew her up
Signior Baptista for this fiend of hell
And make her bear the penance of her tongue
BAPTISTA
Gentlemen content ye I am resolvd
Go in Bianca
Exit Bianca
And for I know she taketh most delight
In music instruments and poetry
Schoolmasters will I keep within my house
Fit to instruct her youth If you Hortensio
Or Signior Gremio you know any such
Prefer them hither for to cunning men
I will be very kind and liberal
To mine own children in good bringing up
And so farewell Katherina you may stay
For I have more to commune with Bianca
Exit
KATHERINA
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 Ha
Exit
GREMIO
You may go to the devils dam your gifts are so good heres none will hold you Their love is not so great Hortensio but we may blow our nails together and fast it fairly out our cakes 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
HORTENSIO
So will I Signior Gremio but a word I pray Though the nature of our quarrel yet never brooked parle know now upon advice it toucheth us boththat we may yet again have access to our fair mistress and be happy rivals in Biancas loveto labour and effect one thing specially
GREMIO
Whats that I pray
HORTENSIO
Marry sir to get a husband for her sister
GREMIO
A husband a devil
HORTENSIO
I say a husband
GREMIO
I say a devil Thinkest thou Hortensio though her father be very rich any man is so very a fool to be married to hell
HORTENSIO
Tush Gremio Though it pass your patience and mine to endure her loud alarums why man there be good fellows in the world and a man could light on them would take her with all faults and money enough
GREMIO
I cannot tell but I had as lief take her dowry with this condition to be whippd at the high cross every morning
HORTENSIO
Faith as you say theres 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 Baptistas eldest daughter to a husband we set his youngest free for a husband and then have tot afresh Sweet Bianca Happy man be his dole He that runs fastest gets the ring How say you Signior Gremio
GREMIO
I am agreed and would I had given him 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
Exeunt Gremio and Hortensio
TRANIO
I pray sir tell me is it possible
That love should of a sudden take such hold
LUCENTIO
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
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 wilt
TRANIO
Master it is no time to chide you now
Affection is not rated from the heart
If love have touchd you nought remains but so
Redime te captum quam queas minimo
LUCENTIO
Gramercies lad go forward this contents
The rest will comfort for thy counsels sound
TRANIO
Master you lookd so longly on the maid
Perhaps you markd not whats the pith of all
LUCENTIO
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
When with his knees he kissd the Cretan strand
TRANIO
Saw you no more markd you not how her sister
Began to scold and raise up such a storm
That mortal ears might hardly endure the din
LUCENTIO
Tranio I saw her coral lips to move
And with her breath she did perfume the air
Sacred and sweet was all I saw in her
TRANIO
Nay then tis time to stir him from his trance
I pray awake sir if you love the maid
Bend thoughts and wits to achieve her Thus it stands
Her elder sister is so curst and shrewd
That till the father rid his hands of her
Master your love must live a maid at home
And therefore has he closely mewd her up
Because she will not be annoyd with suitors
LUCENTIO
Ah Tranio what a cruel fathers he
But art thou not advisd he took some care
To get her cunning schoolmasters to instruct her
TRANIO
Ay marry am I sir and now tis plotted
LUCENTIO
I have it Tranio
TRANIO
Master for my hand
Both our inventions meet and jump in one
LUCENTIO
Tell me thine first
TRANIO
You will be schoolmaster
And undertake the teaching of the maid
Thats your device
LUCENTIO
It is may it be done
TRANIO
Not possible for who shall bear your part
And be in Padua here Vincentios son
Keep house and ply his book welcome his friends
Visit his countrymen and banquet them
LUCENTIO
Basta content thee for I have it full
We have not yet been seen in any house
Nor can we be distinguishd 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
I will some other be some Florentine
Some Neapolitan or meaner man of Pisa
Tis hatchd and shall be so Tranio at once
Uncase thee take my colourd hat and cloak
When Biondello comes he waits on thee
But I will charm him first to keep his tongue
They exchange habits
TRANIO
So had you need
In brief sir sith it your pleasure is
And I am tied to be obedient
For so your father chargd me at our parting
Be serviceable to my son quoth he
Although I think twas in another sense
I am content to be Lucentio
Because so well I love Lucentio
LUCENTIO
Tranio be so because Lucentio loves
And let me be a slave to achieve that maid
Whose sudden sight hath thralld my wounded eye
Enter Biondello
Here comes the rogue Sirrah where have you been
BIONDELLO
Where have I been Nay how now where are you
Master has my fellow Tranio stoln your clothes
Or you stoln his or both Pray whats the news
LUCENTIO
Sirrah come hither tis no time to jest
And therefore frame your manners to the time
Your fellow Tranio here to save my life
Puts my apparel and my countnance on
And I for my escape have put on his
For in a quarrel since I came ashore
I killd a man and fear I was descried
Wait you on him I charge you as becomes
While I make way from hence to save my life
You understand me
BIONDELLO
I sir Neer a whit
LUCENTIO
And not a jot of Tranio in your mouth
Tranio is changed to Lucentio
BIONDELLO
The better for him would I were so too
TRANIO
So could I faith boy to have the next wish after
That Lucentio indeed had Baptistas youngest daughter
But sirrah not for my sake but your masters I advise
You use your manners discreetly in all kind of companies
When I am alone why then I am Tranio
But in all places else your master Lucentio
LUCENTIO
Tranio lets 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
Exeunt
The Presenters above speak
FIRST SERVANT
My lord you nod you do not mind the play
SLY
Yes by Saint Anne I do A good matter surely comes there any more of it
PAGE
My lord tis but begun
SLY
Tis a very excellent piece of work madam lady would twere done
They sit and mark
SCENE II Padua Before Hortensios house
Enter Petruchio and his man Grumio
PETRUCHIO
Verona for a while I take my leave
To see my friends in Padua but of all
My best beloved and approved friend
Hortensio and I trow this is his house
Here sirrah Grumio knock I say
GRUMIO
Knock sir Whom should I knock Is there any man has rebused your worship
PETRUCHIO
Villain I say knock me here soundly
GRUMIO
Knock you here sir Why sir what am I sir that I should knock you here sir
PETRUCHIO
Villain I say knock me at this gate
And rap me well or Ill knock your knaves pate
GRUMIO
My master is grown quarrelsome I should knock you first
And then I know after who comes by the worst
PETRUCHIO
Will it not be
Faith sirrah and youll not knock Ill ring it
Ill try how you can sol fa and sing it
He wrings Grumio by the ears
GRUMIO
Help masters help my master is mad
PETRUCHIO
Now knock when I bid you sirrah villain
Enter Hortensio
HORTENSIO
How now whats the matter My old friend Grumio and my good friend Petruchio How do you all at Verona
PETRUCHIO
Signior Hortensio come you to part the fray
Con tutto il cuore ben trovato may I say
HORTENSIO
Alla nostra casa ben venuto molto honorato signor mio Petruchio
Rise Grumio rise we will compound this quarrel
GRUMIO
Nay tis no matter sir what he leges in Latin If this be not a lawful cause for me to leave his service 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 twoandthirty a pip out Whom would to God I had well knockd at first then had not Grumio come by the worst
PETRUCHIO
A senseless villain Good Hortensio
I bade the rascal knock upon your gate
And could not get him for my heart to do it
GRUMIO
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
PETRUCHIO
Sirrah be gone or talk not I advise you
HORTENSIO
Petruchio patience I am Grumios pledge
Why thiss a heavy chance twixt him and you
Your ancient trusty pleasant servant Grumio
And tell me now sweet friend what happy gale
Blows you to Padua here from old Verona
PETRUCHIO
Such wind as scatters young men through the world
To seek their fortunes farther than at home
Where small experience grows But in a few
Signior Hortensio thus it stands with me
Antonio my father is deceasd
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
HORTENSIO
Petruchio shall I then come roundly to thee
And wish thee to a shrewd illfavourd wife
Thoudst thank me but a little for my counsel
And yet Ill promise thee she shall be rich
And very rich but thart too much my friend
And Ill not wish thee to her
PETRUCHIO
Signior Hortensio twixt such friends as we
Few words suffice and therefore if thou know
One rich enough to be Petruchios wife
As wealth is burden of my wooing dance
Be she as foul as was Florentius love
As old as Sibyl and as curst and shrewd
As Socrates Xanthippe or a worse
She moves me not or not removes at least
Affections 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
GRUMIO
Nay look you sir he tells you flatly what his mind is why give him gold enough and marry him to a puppet or an agletbaby or an old trot with neer a tooth in her head though she have as many diseases as twoandfifty horses why nothing comes amiss so money comes withal
HORTENSIO
Petruchio since we are steppd thus far in
I will continue that I broachd in jest
I can Petruchio help thee to a wife
With wealth enough and young and beauteous
Brought up as best becomes a gentlewoman
Her only faultand that is faults enough
Is that she is intolerable curst
And shrewd and froward so beyond all measure
That were my state far worser than it is
I would not wed her for a mine of gold
PETRUCHIO
Hortensio peace thou knowst not golds effect
Tell me her fathers name and tis enough
For I will board her though she chide as loud
As thunder when the clouds in autumn crack
HORTENSIO
Her father is Baptista Minola
An affable and courteous gentleman
Her name is Katherina Minola
Renownd in Padua for her scolding tongue
PETRUCHIO
I know her father though I know not her
And he knew my deceased father well
I will not sleep Hortensio till I see her
And therefore let me be thus bold with you
To give you over at this first encounter
Unless you will accompany me thither
GRUMIO
I pray you sir let him go while the humour lasts O my word and she knew him as well as I do she would think scolding would do little good upon him She may perhaps call him half a score knaves or so why thats nothing and he begin once hell rail in his ropetricks Ill tell you what sir and 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
HORTENSIO
Tarry Petruchio I must go with thee
For in Baptistas keep my treasure is
He hath the jewel of my life in hold
His youngest daughter beautiful Bianca
And her withholds from me and other more
Suitors to her and rivals in my love
Supposing it a thing impossible
For those defects I have before rehearsd
That ever Katherina will be wood
Therefore this order hath Baptista taen
That none shall have access unto Bianca
Till Katherine the curst have got a husband
GRUMIO
Katherine the curst
A title for a maid of all titles the worst
HORTENSIO
Now shall my friend Petruchio do me grace
And offer me disguisd in sober robes
To old Baptista as a schoolmaster
Well seen in music to instruct Bianca
That so I may by this device at least
Have leave and leisure to make love to her
And unsuspected court her by herself
GRUMIO
Heres no knavery See to beguile the old folks how the young folks lay their heads together
Enter Gremio and Lucentio disguised with books under his arm
Master master look about you who goes there ha
HORTENSIO
Peace Grumio It is the rival of my love Petruchio stand by awhile
GRUMIO
A proper stripling and an amorous
GREMIO
O very well I have perusd the note
Hark you sir Ill have them very fairly bound
All books of love see that at any hand
And see you read no other lectures to her
You understand me Over and beside
Signior Baptistas liberality
Ill mend it with a largess Take your papers too
And let me have them very well perfumd
For she is sweeter than perfume itself
To whom they go to What will you read to her
LUCENTIO
Whateer I read to her Ill plead for you
As for my patron stand you so assurd
As firmly as yourself were still in place
Yea and perhaps with more successful words
Than you unless you were a scholar sir
GREMIO
O this learning what a thing it is
GRUMIO
O this woodcock what an ass it is
PETRUCHIO
Peace sirrah
HORTENSIO
Grumio mum God save you Signior Gremio
GREMIO
And you are well met Signior Hortensio
Trow you whither I am going To Baptista Minola
I promisd to enquire carefully
About a schoolmaster for the fair Bianca
And by good fortune I have lighted well
On this young man for learning and behaviour
Fit for her turn well read in poetry
And other books good ones I warrant ye
HORTENSIO
Tis well and I have met a gentleman
Hath promisd 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 belovd of me
GREMIO
Belovd of me and that my deeds shall prove
GRUMIO
Aside And that his bags shall prove
HORTENSIO
Gremio tis now no time to vent our love
Listen to me and if you speak me fair
Ill tell you news indifferent good for either
Here is a gentleman whom by chance I met
Upon agreement from us to his liking
Will undertake to woo curst Katherine
Yea and to marry her if her dowry please
GREMIO
So said so done is well
Hortensio have you told him all her faults
PETRUCHIO
I know she is an irksome brawling scold
If that be all masters I hear no harm
GREMIO
No sayst me so friend What countryman
PETRUCHIO
Born in Verona old Antonios son
My father dead my fortune lives for me
And I do hope good days and long to see
GREMIO
O sir such a life with such a wife were strange
But if you have a stomach tot a Gods name
You shall have me assisting you in all
But will you woo this wildcat
PETRUCHIO
Will I live
GRUMIO
Will he woo her Ay or Ill hang her
PETRUCHIO
Why came I hither but to that intent
Think you a little din can daunt mine ears
Have I not in my time heard lions roar
Have I not heard the sea puffd up with winds
Rage like an angry boar chafed with sweat
Have I not heard great ordnance in the field
And heavens artillery thunder in the skies
Have I not in a pitched battle heard
Loud larums neighing steeds and trumpets clang
And do you tell me of a womans tongue
That gives not half so great a blow to hear
As will a chestnut in a farmers fire
Tush tush fear boys with bugs
GRUMIO
Aside For he fears none
GREMIO
Hortensio hark
This gentleman is happily arrivd
My mind presumes for his own good and yours
HORTENSIO
I promisd we would be contributors
And bear his charge of wooing whatsoeer
GREMIO
And so we will provided that he win her
GRUMIO
I would I were as sure of a good dinner
Enter Tranio brave and Biondello
TRANIO
Gentlemen God save you If I may be bold
Tell me I beseech you which is the readiest way
To the house of Signior Baptista Minola
BIONDELLO
He that has the two fair daughters ist he you mean
TRANIO
Even he Biondello
GREMIO
Hark you sir you mean not her to
TRANIO
Perhaps him and her sir what have you to do
PETRUCHIO
Not her that chides sir at any hand I pray
TRANIO
I love no chiders sir Biondello lets away
LUCENTIO
Aside Well begun Tranio
HORTENSIO
Sir a word ere you go
Are you a suitor to the maid you talk of yea or no
TRANIO
And if I be sir is it any offence
GREMIO
No if without more words you will get you hence
TRANIO
Why sir I pray are not the streets as free
For me as for you
GREMIO
But so is not she
TRANIO
For what reason I beseech you
GREMIO
For this reason if youll know
That shes the choice love of Signior Gremio
HORTENSIO
That shes the chosen of Signior Hortensio
TRANIO
Softly my masters If you be gentlemen
Do me this right hear me with patience
Baptista is a noble gentleman
To whom my father is not all unknown
And were his daughter fairer than she is
She may more suitors have and me for one
Fair Ledas daughter had a thousand wooers
Then well one more may fair Bianca have
And so she shall Lucentio shall make one
Though Paris came in hope to speed alone
GREMIO
What this gentleman will outtalk us all
LUCENTIO
Sir give him head I know hell prove a jade
PETRUCHIO
Hortensio to what end are all these words
HORTENSIO
Sir let me be so bold as ask you
Did you yet ever see Baptistas daughter
TRANIO
No sir but hear I do that he hath two
The one as famous for a scolding tongue
As is the other for beauteous modesty
PETRUCHIO
Sir sir the firsts for me let her go by
GREMIO
Yea leave that labour to great Hercules
And let it be more than Alcides twelve
PETRUCHIO
Sir understand you this of me in sooth
The youngest daughter whom you hearken for
Her father keeps from all access of suitors
And will not promise her to any man
Until the elder sister first be wed
The younger then is free and not before
TRANIO
If it be so sir that you are the man
Must stead us all and me amongst the rest
And if you break the ice and do this feat
Achieve the elder set the younger free
For our access whose hap shall be to have her
Will not so graceless be to be ingrate
HORTENSIO
Sir you say well and well you do conceive
And since you do profess to be a suitor
You must as we do gratify this gentleman
To whom we all rest generally beholding
TRANIO
Sir I shall not be slack in sign whereof
Please ye we may contrive this afternoon
And quaff carouses to our mistress health
And do as adversaries do in law
Strive mightily but eat and drink as friends
GRUMIO BIONDELLO
O excellent motion Fellows lets be gone
HORTENSIO
The motions good indeed and be it so
Petruchio I shall be your ben venuto
Exeunt
ACT II
SCENE I Padua A room in Baptistas house
Enter Katherina and Bianca
BIANCA
Good sister wrong me not nor wrong yourself
To make a bondmaid and a slave of me
That I disdain but for these other gawds
Unbind my hands Ill pull them off myself
Yea all my raiment to my petticoat
Or what you will command me will I do
So well I know my duty to my elders
KATHERINA
Of all thy suitors here I charge thee tell
Whom thou lovst best see thou dissemble not
BIANCA
Believe me sister of all the men alive
I never yet beheld that special face
Which I could fancy more than any other
KATHERINA
Minion thou liest Ist not Hortensio
BIANCA
If you affect him sister here I swear
Ill plead for you myself but you shall have him
KATHERINA
O then belike you fancy riches more
You will have Gremio to keep you fair
BIANCA
Is it for him you do envy me so
Nay then you jest and now I well perceive
You have but jested with me all this while
I prithee sister Kate untie my hands
KATHERINA
If that be jest then all the rest was so
Strikes her
Enter Baptista
BAPTISTA
Why how now dame Whence grows this insolence
Bianca stand aside Poor girl 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 neer wrong thee
When did she cross thee with a bitter word
KATHERINA
Her silence flouts me and Ill be revengd
Flies after Bianca
BAPTISTA
What in my sight Bianca get thee in
Exit Bianca
KATHERINA
What will you not suffer me Nay now I see
She is your treasure she must have a husband
I must dance barefoot on her weddingday
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
BAPTISTA
Was ever gentleman thus grievd as I
But who comes here
Enter Gremio with Lucentio in the habit of a mean man Petruchio with Hortensio as a musician and Tranio with Biondello bearing a lute and books
GREMIO
Good morrow neighbour Baptista
BAPTISTA
Good morrow neighbour Gremio God save you gentlemen
PETRUCHIO
And you good sir Pray have you not a daughter
Calld Katherina fair and virtuous
BAPTISTA
I have a daughter sir calld Katherina
GREMIO
You are too blunt go to it orderly
PETRUCHIO
You wrong me Signior Gremio give me leave
I 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
Am bold to show myself a forward guest
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
BAPTISTA
Yare welcome sir and he for your good sake
But for my daughter Katherine this I know
She is not for your turn the more my grief
PETRUCHIO
I see you do not mean to part with her
Or else you like not of my company
BAPTISTA
Mistake me not I speak but as I find
Whence are you sir What may I call your name
PETRUCHIO
Petruchio is my name Antonios son
A man well known throughout all Italy
BAPTISTA
I know him well you are welcome for his sake
GREMIO
Saving your tale Petruchio I pray
Let us that are poor petitioners speak too
Backare you are marvellous forward
PETRUCHIO
O pardon me Signior Gremio I would fain be doing
GREMIO
I doubt it not sir but you will curse your wooing 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
Presenting Lucentio
that has been long studying at Rheims as cunning in Greek Latin and other languages as the other in music and mathematics His name is Cambio pray accept his service
BAPTISTA
A thousand thanks Signior Gremio welcome good Cambio To Tranio But gentle sir methinks you walk like a stranger May I be so bold to know the cause of your coming
TRANIO
Pardon me sir the boldness is mine own
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
In the preferment of the eldest sister
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
I here bestow a simple instrument
And this small packet of Greek and Latin books
If you accept them then their worth is great
BAPTISTA
Lucentio is your name of whence I pray
TRANIO
Of Pisa sir son to Vincentio
BAPTISTA
A mighty man of Pisa by report
I know him well you are very welcome sir
To Hortensio Take you the lute
To Lucentio and you the set of books
You shall go see your pupils presently
Holla within
Enter a Servant
Sirrah lead these gentlemen
To my daughters and tell them both
These are their tutors bid them use them well
Exeunt Servant with Hortensio Lucentio and Biondello
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
PETRUCHIO
Signior Baptista 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 lands and goods
Which I have bettered rather than decreasd
Then tell me if I get your daughters love
What dowry shall I have with her to wife
BAPTISTA
After my death the one half of my lands
And in possession twenty thousand crowns
PETRUCHIO
And for that dowry Ill assure her of
Her widowhood be it that she survive me
In all my lands and leases whatsoever
Let specialities be therefore drawn between us
That covenants may be kept on either hand
BAPTISTA
Ay when the special thing is well obtaind
That is her love for that is all in all
PETRUCHIO
Why that is nothing for I tell you father
I am as peremptory as she proudminded
And where two raging fires meet together
They do consume the thing that feeds their fury
Though little fire 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
BAPTISTA
Well mayst thou woo and happy be thy speed
But be thou armd for some unhappy words
PETRUCHIO
Ay to the proof as mountains are for winds
That shake not though they blow perpetually
Reenter Hortensio with his head broke
BAPTISTA
How now my friend Why dost thou look so pale
HORTENSIO
For fear I promise you if I look pale
BAPTISTA
What will my daughter prove a good musician
HORTENSIO
I think shell sooner prove a soldier
Iron may hold with her but never lutes
BAPTISTA
Why then thou canst not break her to the lute
HORTENSIO
Why no for she hath broke the lute to me
I did but tell her she mistook her frets
And bowd her hand to teach her fingering
When with a most impatient devilish spirit
Frets call you these quoth she Ill 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 lute
While she did call me rascal fiddler
And twangling Jack with twenty such vile terms
As had she studied to misuse me so
PETRUCHIO
Now by the world it is a lusty wench
I love her ten times more than eer I did
O how I long to have some chat with her
BAPTISTA
To Hortensio Well go with me and be not so discomfited
Proceed in practice with my younger daughter
Shes apt to learn and thankful for good turns
Signior Petruchio will you go with us
Or shall I send my daughter Kate to you
PETRUCHIO
I pray you do
Exeunt Baptista Gremio Tranio and Hortensio
I will attend her here
And woo her with some spirit when she comes
Say that she rail why then Ill tell her plain
She sings as sweetly as a nightingale
Say that she frown Ill say she looks as clear
As morning roses newly washd with dew
Say she be mute and will not speak a word
Then Ill commend her volubility
And say she uttereth piercing eloquence
If she do bid me pack Ill give her thanks
As though she bid me stay by her a week
If she deny to wed Ill crave the day
When I shall ask the banns and when be married
But here she comes and now Petruchio speak
Enter Katherina
Good morrow Kate for thats your name I hear
KATHERINA
Well have you heard but something hard of hearing
They call me Katherine that do talk of me
PETRUCHIO
You lie in faith for you are calld plain Kate
And bonny Kate and sometimes Kate the curst
But Kate the prettiest Kate in Christendom
Kate of Kate Hall my superdainty Kate
For dainties are all Kates and therefore Kate
Take this of me Kate of my consolation
Hearing thy mildness praisd in every town
Thy virtues spoke of and thy beauty sounded
Yet not so deeply as to thee belongs
Myself am movd to woo thee for my wife
KATHERINA
Movd in good time let him that movd you hither
Remove you hence I knew you at the first
You were a moveable
PETRUCHIO
Why whats a moveable
KATHERINA
A jointstool
PETRUCHIO
Thou hast hit it come sit on me
KATHERINA
Asses are made to bear and so are you
PETRUCHIO
Women are made to bear and so are you
KATHERINA
No such jade as bear you if me you mean
PETRUCHIO
Alas good Kate I will not burden thee
For knowing thee to be but young and light
KATHERINA
Too light for such a swain as you to catch
And yet as heavy as my weight should be
PETRUCHIO
Should be should buz
KATHERINA
Well taen and like a buzzard
PETRUCHIO
O slowwingd turtle shall a buzzard take thee
KATHERINA
Ay for a turtle as he takes a buzzard
PETRUCHIO
Come come you wasp i faith you are too angry
KATHERINA
If I be waspish best beware my sting
PETRUCHIO
My remedy is then to pluck it out
KATHERINA
Ay if the fool could find it where it lies
PETRUCHIO
Who knows not where a wasp does wear his sting
In his tail
KATHERINA
In his tongue
PETRUCHIO
Whose tongue
KATHERINA
Yours if you talk of tales and so farewell
PETRUCHIO
What with my tongue in your tail Nay come again
Good Kate I am a gentleman
KATHERINA
That Ill try
Striking him
PETRUCHIO
I swear Ill cuff you if you strike again
KATHERINA
So may you lose your arms
If you strike me you are no gentleman
And if no gentleman why then no arms
PETRUCHIO
A herald Kate O put me in thy books
KATHERINA
What is your crest a coxcomb
PETRUCHIO
A combless cock so Kate will be my hen
KATHERINA
No cock of mine you crow too like a craven
PETRUCHIO
Nay come Kate come you must not look so sour
KATHERINA
It is my fashion when I see a crab
PETRUCHIO
Why heres no crab and therefore look not sour
KATHERINA
There is there is
PETRUCHIO
Then show it me
KATHERINA
Had I a glass I would
PETRUCHIO
What you mean my face
KATHERINA
Well aimd of such a young one
PETRUCHIO
Now by Saint George I am too young for you
KATHERINA
Yet you are witherd
PETRUCHIO
Tis with cares
KATHERINA
I care not
PETRUCHIO
Nay hear you Kate in sooth you scape not so
KATHERINA
I chafe you if I tarry let me go
PETRUCHIO
No not a whit I find you passing gentle
Twas told me you were rough and coy and sullen
And now I find report a very liar
For thou art pleasant gamesome passing courteous
But slow in speech yet sweet as springtime flowers
Thou canst not frown thou canst not look askance
Nor bite the lip as angry wenches will
Nor hast thou pleasure to be cross in talk
But thou with mildness entertainst thy wooers
With gentle conference soft and affable
Why does the world report that Kate doth limp
O slandrous world Kate like the hazeltwig
Is straight and slender and as brown in hue
As hazelnuts and sweeter than the kernels
O let me see thee walk thou dost not halt
KATHERINA
Go fool and whom thou keepst command
PETRUCHIO
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
KATHERINA
Where did you study all this goodly speech
PETRUCHIO
It is extempore from my motherwit
KATHERINA
A witty mother witless else her son
PETRUCHIO
Am I not wise
KATHERINA
Yes keep you warm
PETRUCHIO
Marry so I mean sweet Katherine in thy bed
And therefore setting all this chat aside
Thus in plain terms your father hath consented
That you shall be my wife your dowry greed on
And will you nill you I will marry you
Now Kate I am a husband for your turn
For by this light whereby I see thy beauty
Thy beauty that doth 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
Conformable as other household Kates
Reenter Baptista Gremio and Tranio
Here comes your father Never make denial
I must and will have Katherine to my wife
BAPTISTA
Now Signior Petruchio how speed you with my daughter
PETRUCHIO
How but well sir how but well
It were impossible I should speed amiss
BAPTISTA
Why how now daughter Katherine in your dumps
KATHERINA
Call you me daughter Now I promise you
You have showd a tender fatherly regard
To wish me wed to one half lunatic
A madcap ruffian and a swearing Jack
That thinks with oaths to face the matter out
PETRUCHIO
Father tis thus yourself and all the world
That talkd of her have talkd amiss of her
If she be curst it is for policy
For shes 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 weddingday
KATHERINA
Ill see thee hangd on Sunday first
GREMIO
Hark Petruchio she says shell see thee hangd first
TRANIO
Is this your speeding Nay then goodnight our part
PETRUCHIO
Be patient gentlemen I choose her for myself
If she and I be pleasd whats that to you
Tis bargaind twixt us twain being alone
That she shall still be curst in company
I tell you tis incredible to believe
How much she loves me O the kindest Kate
She hung about my neck and kiss on kiss
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 unto Venice
To buy apparel gainst the weddingday
Provide the feast father and bid the guests
I will be sure my Katherine shall be fine
BAPTISTA
I know not what to say but give me your hands
God send you joy Petruchio Tis a match
GREMIO TRANIO
Amen say we we will be witnesses
PETRUCHIO
Father and wife and gentlemen adieu
I will to Venice Sunday comes apace
We will have rings and things and fine array
And kiss me Kate we will be married o Sunday
Exeunt Petruchio and Katherina severally
GREMIO
Was ever match clappd up so suddenly
BAPTISTA
Faith gentlemen now I play a merchants part
And venture madly on a desperate mart
TRANIO
Twas a commodity lay fretting by you
Twill bring you gain or perish on the seas
BAPTISTA
The gain I seek is quiet in the match
GREMIO
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
TRANIO
And I am one that love Bianca more
Than words can witness or your thoughts can guess
GREMIO
Youngling thou canst not love so dear as I
TRANIO
Greybeard thy love doth freeze
GREMIO
But thine doth fry
Skipper stand back tis age that nourisheth
TRANIO
But youth in ladies eyes that flourisheth
BAPTISTA
Content you gentlemen Ill compound this strife
Tis deeds must win the prize and he of both
That can assure my daughter greatest dower
Shall have my Biancas love
Say Signior Gremio what can you assure her
GREMIO
First as you know my house within the city
Is richly furnished with plate and gold
Basins and ewers to lave her dainty hands
My hangings all of Tyrian tapestry
In ivory coffers I have stuffd my crowns
In cypress chests my arras counterpoints
Costly apparel tents and canopies
Fine linen Turkey cushions bossd 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 milchkine to the pail
Six score fat oxen standing in my stalls
And all things answerable to this portion
Myself am struck in years I must confess
And if I die tomorrow this is hers
If whilst I live she will be only mine
TRANIO
That only came well in Sir list to me
I am my fathers heir and only son
If I may have your daughter to my wife
Ill leave her houses three or four as good
Within rich Pisas walls as anyone
Old Signior Gremio has in Padua
Besides two thousand ducats by the year
Of fruitful land all which shall be her jointure
What have I pinchd you Signior Gremio
GREMIO
Two thousand ducats by the year of land
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 chokd you with an argosy
TRANIO
Gremio tis known my father hath no less
Than three great argosies besides two galliasses
And twelve tight galleys these I will assure her
And twice as much whateer thou offerst next
GREMIO
Nay I have offerd 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
TRANIO
Why then the maid is mine from all the world
By your firm promise Gremio is outvied
BAPTISTA
I must confess your offer is the best
And let your father make her the assurance
She is your own else you must pardon me
If you should die before him wheres her dower
TRANIO
Thats but a cavil he is old I young
GREMIO
And may not young men die as well as old
BAPTISTA
Well gentlemen
I am thus resolvd On Sunday next you know
My daughter Katherine is to be married
Now on the Sunday following shall Bianca
Be bride to you if you make this assurance
If not to Signior Gremio
And so I take my leave and thank you both
GREMIO
Adieu good neighbour
Exit Baptista
Now I fear thee not
Sirrah young gamester your father were a fool
To give thee all and in his waning age
Set foot under thy table Tut a toy
An old Italian fox is not so kind my boy
Exit
TRANIO
A vengeance on your crafty witherd hide
Yet I have facd it with a card of ten
Tis in my head to do my master good
I see no reason but supposd Lucentio
Must get a father calld supposd Vincentio
And thats a wonder fathers commonly
Do get their children but in this case of wooing
A child shall get a sire if I fail not of my cunning
Exit
ACT III
SCENE I Padua A room in Baptistas house
Enter Lucentio Hortensio and Bianca
LUCENTIO
Fiddler forbear you grow too forward sir
Have you so soon forgot the entertainment
Her sister Katherine welcomed you withal
HORTENSIO
But wrangling pedant this is
The patroness of heavenly harmony
Then give me leave to have prerogative
And when in music we have spent an hour
Your lecture shall have leisure for as much
LUCENTIO
Preposterous ass that never read so far
To know the cause why music was ordaind
Was it not to refresh the mind of man
After his studies or his usual pain
Then give me leave to read philosophy
And while I pause serve in your harmony
HORTENSIO
Sirrah I will not bear these braves of thine
BIANCA
Why gentlemen you do me double wrong
To strive for that which resteth in my choice
I am no breeching scholar in the schools
Ill not be tied to hours nor pointed times
But learn my lessons as I please myself
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 tund
HORTENSIO
Youll leave his lecture when I am in tune
Retires
LUCENTIO
That will be never tune your instrument
BIANCA
Where left we last
LUCENTIO
Here madam
Hic ibat Simois hic est Sigeia tellus
Hic steterat Priami regia celsa senis
BIANCA
Construe them
LUCENTIO
Hic ibat as I told you before Simois I am Lucentio hic est son unto Vincentio of Pisa Sigeia tellus disguised thus to get your love Hic steterat and that Lucentio that comes awooing Priami is my man Tranio regia bearing my port celsa senis that we might beguile the old pantaloon
HORTENSIO Returning
Madam my instruments in tune
BIANCA
Lets hear
Hortensio plays
O fie the treble jars
LUCENTIO
Spit in the hole man and tune again
BIANCA
Now let me see if I can construe it Hic ibat Simois I know you not hic est Sigeia tellus I trust you not Hic steterat Priami take heed he hear us not regia presume not celsa senis despair not
HORTENSIO
Madam tis now in tune
LUCENTIO
All but the base
HORTENSIO
The base is right tis the base knave that jars
Aside How fiery and forward our pedant is
Now for my life the knave doth court my love
Pedascule Ill watch you better yet
BIANCA
In time I may believe yet I mistrust
LUCENTIO
Mistrust it not for sure acides
Was Ajax calld so from his grandfather
BIANCA
I must believe my master else I promise you
I should be arguing still upon that doubt
But let it rest Now Licio to you
Good master take it not unkindly pray
That I have been thus pleasant with you both
HORTENSIO
To Lucentio You may go walk and give me leave a while
My lessons make no music in three parts
LUCENTIO
Are you so formal sir Well I must wait
Aside And watch withal for but I be deceivd
Our fine musician groweth amorous
HORTENSIO
Madam before you touch the instrument
To learn the order of my fingering
I must begin with rudiments of art
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
BIANCA
Why I am past my gamut long ago
HORTENSIO
Yet read the gamut of Hortensio
BIANCA
Gamut I am the ground of all accord
A re to plead Hortensios passion
B mi Bianca take him for thy lord
C fa ut that loves with all affection
D sol re one clef two notes have I
E la mi show pity or I die
Call you this gamut Tut I like it not
Old fashions please me best I am not so nice
To change true rules for odd inventions
Enter a Servant
SERVANT
Mistress your father prays you leave your books
And help to dress your sisters chamber up
You know tomorrow is the weddingday
BIANCA
Farewell sweet masters both I must be gone
Exeunt Bianca and Servant
LUCENTIO
Faith mistress then I have no cause to stay
Exit
HORTENSIO
But I 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 wandring eyes on every stale
Seize thee that list if once I find thee ranging
Hortensio will be quit with thee by changing
Exit
SCENE II The same Before Baptistas house
Enter Baptista Gremio Tranio Katherina Bianca Lucentio and Attendants
BAPTISTA To Tranio
Signior Lucentio this is the pointed day
That Katherine and Petruchio should be married
And yet we hear not of our soninlaw
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
KATHERINA
No shame but mine I must forsooth be forcd
To give my hand opposd against my heart
Unto a madbrain rudesby full of spleen
Who wood in haste and means to wed at leisure
I told you I he was a frantic fool
Hiding his bitter jests in blunt behaviour
And to be noted for a merry man
Hell woo a thousand point the day of marriage
Make friends invite and proclaim the banns
Yet never means to wed where he hath wood
Now must the world point at poor Katherine
And say Lo there is mad Petruchios wife
If it would please him come and marry her
TRANIO
Patience good Katherine 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 hes honest
KATHERINA
Would Katherine had never seen him though
Exit weeping followed by Bianca and others
BAPTISTA
Go girl I cannot blame thee now to weep
For such an injury would vex a very saint
Much more a shrew of thy impatient humour
Enter Biondello
Master master News old news and such news as you never heard of
BAPTISTA
Is it new and old too How may that be
BIONDELLO
Why is it not news to hear of Petruchios coming
BAPTISTA
Is he come
BIONDELLO
Why no sir
BAPTISTA
What then
BIONDELLO
He is coming
BAPTISTA
When will he be here
BIONDELLO
When he stands where I am and sees you there
TRANIO
But say what to thine old news
BIONDELLO
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 taen out of the town armoury with a broken hilt and chapeless with two broken 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 shouldershotten nearlegged before and with a halfchecked bit and a headstall of sheeps 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 womans crupper of velure which hath two letters for her name fairly set down in studs and here and there pieced with packthread
BAPTISTA
Who comes with him
BIONDELLO
O sir his lackey for all the world caparisoned like the horse with a linen stock on one leg and a kersey boothose on the other gartered with a red and blue list an old hat and the humour of forty fancies prickd int for a feather a monster a very monster in apparel and not like a Christian footboy or a gentlemans lackey
TRANIO
Tis some odd humour pricks him to this fashion
Yet oftentimes he goes but meanapparelld
BAPTISTA
I am glad hes come howsoeer he comes
BIONDELLO
Why sir he comes not
BAPTISTA
Didst thou not say he comes
BIONDELLO
Who that Petruchio came
BAPTISTA
Ay that Petruchio came
BIONDELLO
No sir I say his horse comes with him on his back
BAPTISTA
Why thats all one
BIONDELLO
Nay by Saint Jamy
I hold you a penny
A horse and a man
Is more than one
And yet not many
Enter Petruchio and Grumio
PETRUCHIO
Come where be these gallants Who is at home
BAPTISTA
You are welcome sir
PETRUCHIO
And yet I come not well
BAPTISTA
And yet you halt not
TRANIO
Not so well apparelld as I wish you were
PETRUCHIO
Were it better 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
BAPTISTA
Why sir you know this is your weddingday
First were we sad fearing you would not come
Now sadder that you come so unprovided
Fie doff this habit shame to your estate
An eyesore to our solemn festival
TRANIO
And tell us what occasion of import
Hath all so long detaind you from your wife
And sent you hither so unlike yourself
PETRUCHIO
Tedious it were to tell and harsh to hear
Sufficeth I am come to keep my word
Though in some part enforced to digress
Which at more leisure I will so excuse
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
TRANIO
See not your bride in these unreverent robes
Go to my chamber put on clothes of mine
PETRUCHIO
Not I believe me thus Ill visit her
BAPTISTA
But thus I trust you will not marry her
PETRUCHIO
Good sooth even thus therefore ha done with words
To me shes married not unto my clothes
Could I repair what she will wear in me
As I can change these poor accoutrements
Twere well for Kate and better for myself
But what a fool am I to chat with you
When I should bid good morrow to my bride
And seal the title with a lovely kiss
Exeunt Petruchio Grumio and Biondello
TRANIO
He hath some meaning in his mad attire
We will persuade him be it possible
To put on better ere he go to church
BAPTISTA
Ill after him and see the event of this
Exeunt Baptista Gremio and Attendants
TRANIO
But sir to love concerneth us to add
Her fathers liking which to bring to pass
As I before imparted to your worship
I am to get a manwhateer he be
It skills not much well 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
So shall you quietly enjoy your hope
And marry sweet Bianca with consent
LUCENTIO
Were it not that my fellow schoolmaster
Doth watch Biancas steps so narrowly
Twere good methinks to steal our marriage
Which once performd let all the world say no
Ill keep mine own despite of all the world
TRANIO
That by degrees we mean to look into
And watch our vantage in this business
Well overreach the greybeard Gremio
The narrowprying father Minola
The quaint musician amorous Licio
All for my masters sake Lucentio
Reenter Gremio
Signior Gremio came you from the church
GREMIO
As willingly as eer I came from school
TRANIO
And is the bride and bridegroom coming home
GREMIO
A bridegroom say you Tis a groom indeed
A grumbling groom and that the girl shall find
TRANIO
Curster than she Why tis impossible
GREMIO
Why hes a devil a devil a very fiend
TRANIO
Why shes a devil a devil the devils dam
GREMIO
Tut shes a lamb a dove a fool to him
Ill tell you Sir Lucentio when the priest
Should ask if Katherine should be his wife
Ay by gogswouns quoth he and swore so loud
That all amazd the priest let fall the book
And as he stoopd again to take it up
The madbraind bridegroom took him such a cuff
That down fell priest and book and book and priest
Now take them up quoth he if any list
TRANIO
What said the wench when he rose again
GREMIO
Trembled and shook for why he stampd and swore
As if the vicar meant to cozen him
But after many ceremonies done
He calls for wine A health quoth he as if
He had been abroad carousing to his mates
After a storm quaffd off the muscadel
And threw the sops all in the sextons face
Having no other reason
But that his beard grew thin and hungerly
And seemd to ask him sops as he was drinking
This done he took the bride about the neck
And kissd her lips with such a clamorous smack
That at the parting all the church did echo
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 plays
Enter Petruchio Katherina Bianca Baptista Hortensio Grumio and Train
PETRUCHIO
Gentlemen and friends I thank you for your pains
I know you think to dine with me today
And have prepard great store of wedding cheer
But so it is my haste doth call me hence
And therefore here I mean to take my leave
BAPTISTA
Ist possible you will away tonight
PETRUCHIO
I must away today before night come
Make it no wonder if you knew my business
You would entreat me rather go than stay
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
TRANIO
Let us entreat you stay till after dinner
PETRUCHIO
It may not be
GREMIO
Let me entreat you
PETRUCHIO
It cannot be
KATHERINA
Let me entreat you
PETRUCHIO
I am content
KATHERINA
Are you content to stay
PETRUCHIO
I am content you shall entreat me stay
But yet not stay entreat me how you can
KATHERINA
Now if you love me stay
PETRUCHIO
Grumio my horse
GRUMIO
Ay sir they be ready the oats have eaten the horses
KATHERINA
Nay then
Do what thou canst I will not go today
No nor tomorrow not till I please myself
The door is open sir there lies your way
You may be jogging whiles your boots are green
For me Ill not be gone till I please myself
Tis like youll prove a jolly surly groom
That take it on you at the first so roundly
PETRUCHIO
O Kate content thee prithee be not angry
KATHERINA
I will be angry what hast thou to do
Father be quiet he shall stay my leisure
GREMIO
Ay marry sir now it begins to work
KATHERINA
Gentlemen forward to the bridal dinner
I see a woman may be made a fool
If she had not a spirit to resist
PETRUCHIO
They shall go forward Kate at thy command
Obey the bride you that attend on her
Go to the feast revel and domineer
Carouse full measure to her maidenhead
Be mad and merry or go hang yourselves
But for my bonny Kate she must with me
Nay look not big nor stamp nor stare nor fret
I will be master of what is mine own
She is my goods my chattels she is my house
My household stuff my field my barn
My horse my ox my ass my anything
And here she stands touch her whoever dare
Ill bring mine action on the proudest he
That stops my way in Padua Grumio
Draw 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
Ill buckler thee against a million
Exeunt Petruchio Katherina and Grumio
BAPTISTA
Nay let them go a couple of quiet ones
GREMIO
Went they not quickly I should die with laughing
TRANIO
Of all mad matches never was the like
LUCENTIO
Mistress whats your opinion of your sister
BIANCA
That being mad herself shes madly mated
GREMIO
I warrant him Petruchio is Kated
BAPTISTA
Neighbours and friends though bride and bridegroom wants
For to supply the places at the table
You know there wants no junkets at the feast
Lucentio you shall supply the bridegrooms place
And let Bianca take her sisters room
TRANIO
Shall sweet Bianca practise how to bride it
BAPTISTA
She shall Lucentio Come gentlemen lets go
Exeunt
ACT IV
SCENE I A hall in Petruchios country house
Enter Grumio
GRUMIO
Fie fie on all tired jades on all mad masters and all foul ways Was ever man so beaten Was ever man so rayd Was ever man so weary I am sent before to make a fire and they 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 to thaw me But I with blowing the fire shall warm myself for considering the weather a taller man than I will take cold Holla ho Curtis
Enter Curtis
CURTIS
Who is that calls so coldly
GRUMIO
A piece of ice if thou doubt it thou mayst slide from my shoulder to my heel with no greater a run but my head and my neck A fire good Curtis
CURTIS
Is my master and his wife coming Grumio
GRUMIO
O ay Curtis ay and therefore fire fire cast on no water
CURTIS
Is she so hot a shrew as shes reported
GRUMIO
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
CURTIS
Away you threeinch fool I am no beast
GRUMIO
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 mistress whose handshe being now at hand thou shalt soon feel to thy cold comfort for being slow in thy hot office
CURTIS
I prithee good Grumio tell me how goes the world
GRUMIO
A cold world Curtis in every office but thine and therefore fire Do thy duty and have thy duty for my master and mistress are almost frozen to death
CURTIS
Theres fire ready and therefore good Grumio the news
GRUMIO
Why Jack boy ho boy and as much news as wilt thou
CURTIS
Come you are so full of conycatching
GRUMIO
Why therefore fire for I have caught extreme cold Wheres the cook Is supper ready the house trimmed rushes strewed cobwebs swept the servingmen in their new fustian their white stockings and every officer his weddinggarment on Be the Jacks fair within the Jills fair without and carpets laid and everything in order
CURTIS
All ready and therefore I pray thee news
GRUMIO
First know my horse is tired my master and mistress fallen out
CURTIS
How
GRUMIO
Out of their saddles into the dirt and thereby hangs a tale
CURTIS
Lets hat good Grumio
GRUMIO
Lend thine ear
CURTIS
Here
GRUMIO
Striking him There
CURTIS
This tis to feel a tale not to hear a tale
GRUMIO
And therefore tis called a sensible tale and this cuff was but to knock at your ear and beseech listening Now I begin Imprimis we came down a foul hill my master riding behind my mistress
CURTIS
Both of one horse
GRUMIO
Whats that to thee
CURTIS
Why a horse
GRUMIO
Tell thou the tale but hadst thou not crossed 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 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
CURTIS
By this reckoning he is more shrew than she
GRUMIO
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 brushd and their garters of an indifferent knit let them curtsy with their left legs and not presume to touch a hair of my masters horsetail till they kiss their hands Are they all ready
CURTIS
They are
GRUMIO
Call them forth
CURTIS
Do you hear ho You must meet my master to countenance my mistress
GRUMIO
Why she hath a face of her own
CURTIS
Who knows not that
GRUMIO
Thou it seems that calls for company to countenance her
CURTIS
I call them forth to credit her
GRUMIO
Why she comes to borrow nothing of them
Enter four or five Servants
NATHANIEL
Welcome home Grumio
PHILIP
How now Grumio
JOSEPH
What Grumio
NICHOLAS
Fellow Grumio
NATHANIEL
How now old lad
GRUMIO
Welcome you how now you what you fellow you and thus much for greeting Now my spruce companions is all ready and all things neat
NATHANIEL
All things is ready How near is our master
GRUMIO
Een at hand alighted by this and therefore be not
Cocks passion silence I hear my master
Enter Petruchio and Katherina
PETRUCHIO
Where be these knaves What no man at door
To hold my stirrup nor to take my horse
Where is Nathaniel Gregory Philip
ALL SERVANTS
Here here sir here sir
PETRUCHIO
Here sir here sir here sir here sir
You loggerheaded and unpolishd grooms
What no attendance no regard no duty
Where is the foolish knave I sent before
GRUMIO
Here sir as foolish as I was before
PETRUCHIO
You peasant swain you whoreson malthorse drudge
Did I not bid thee meet me in the park
And bring along these rascal knaves with thee
GRUMIO
Nathaniels coat sir was not fully made
And Gabriels pumps were all unpinkd i the heel
There was no link to colour Peters hat
And Walters dagger was not come from sheathing
There was none fine but Adam Ralph and Gregory
The rest were ragged old and beggarly
Yet as they are here are they come to meet you
PETRUCHIO
Go rascals go and fetch my supper in
Exeunt some of the Servants
Where is the life that late I led
Where are those Sit down Kate and welcome
Food food food food
Reenter Servants with supper
Why when I sayNay good sweet Kate be merry
Off with my boots you rogues you villains when
It was the friar of orders grey
As he forth walked on his way
Out you rogue you pluck my foot awry
Strikes him
Take that and mend the plucking off the other
Be merry Kate Some water here what ho
Wheres my spaniel Troilus Sirrah get you hence
And bid my cousin Ferdinand come hither
Exit Servant
One Kate that you must kiss and be acquainted with
Where are my slippers Shall I have some water
Come Kate and wash and welcome heartily
Servant lets the ewer fall Petruchio strikes him
You whoreson villain will you let it fall
KATHERINA
Patience I pray you twas a fault unwilling
PETRUCHIO
A whoreson beetleheaded flapeard knave
Come Kate sit down I know you have a stomach
Will you give thanks sweet Kate or else shall I
Whats this Mutton
FIRST SERVANT
Ay
PETRUCHIO
Who brought it
PETER
I
PETRUCHIO
Tis burnt and so is all the meat
What dogs are these Where is the rascal cook
How durst you villains bring it from the dresser
And serve it thus to me that love it not
Throws the meat etc at them
There take it to you trenchers cups and all
You heedless joltheads and unmannerd slaves
What do you grumble Ill be with you straight
KATHERINA
I pray you husband be not so disquiet
The meat was well if you were so contented
PETRUCHIO
I tell thee Kate twas burnt and dried away
And I expressly am forbid to touch it
For it engenders choler planteth anger
And better twere that both of us did fast
Since of ourselves ourselves are choleric
Than feed it with such overroasted flesh
Be patient tomorrow t shall be mended
And for this night well fast for company
Come I will bring thee to thy bridal chamber
Exeunt Petruchio Katherina and Curtis
NATHANIEL
Peter didst ever see the like
PETER
He kills her in her own humour
Reenter Curtis
GRUMIO
Where is he
CURTIS
In her chamber making a sermon of continency to her
And rails and swears and rates that she poor soul
Knows not which way to stand to look to speak
And sits as one new risen from a dream
Away away for he is coming hither
Exeunt
Reenter Petruchio
PETRUCHIO
Thus have I politicly begun my reign
And tis my hope to end successfully
My falcon now is sharp and passing empty
And till she stoop she must not be fullgorgd
For then she never looks upon her lure
Another way I have to man my haggard
To make her come and know her keepers call
That is to watch her as we watch these kites
That bate and beat and will not be obedient
She eat no meat today nor none shall eat
Last night she slept not nor tonight she shall not
As with the meat some undeserved fault
Ill find about the making of the bed
And here Ill fling the pillow there the bolster
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 Ill rail and brawl
And with the clamour keep her still awake
This is a way to kill a wife with kindness
And thus Ill curb her mad and headstrong humour
He that knows better how to tame a shrew
Now let him speak tis charity to show
Exit
SCENE II Padua Before Baptistas house
Enter Tranio and Hortensio
TRANIO
Is t possible friend Licio that Mistress Bianca
Doth fancy any other but Lucentio
I tell you sir she bears me fair in hand
HORTENSIO
Sir to satisfy you in what I have said
Stand by and mark the manner of his teaching
They stand aside
Enter Bianca and Lucentio
LUCENTIO
Now mistress profit you in what you read
BIANCA
What master read you First resolve me that
LUCENTIO
I read that I profess The Art to Love
BIANCA
And may you prove sir master of your art
LUCENTIO
While you sweet dear prove mistress of my heart
They retire
HORTENSIO
Quick proceeders marry Now tell me I pray
You that durst swear that your Mistress Bianca
Lovd none in the world so well as Lucentio
TRANIO
O despiteful love unconstant womankind
I tell thee Licio this is wonderful
HORTENSIO
Mistake no more I am not Licio
Nor a musician as I seem to be
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
Know sir that I am calld Hortensio
TRANIO
Signior Hortensio I have often heard
Of your entire affection to Bianca
And since mine eyes are witness of her lightness
I will with you if you be so contented
Forswear Bianca and her love for ever
HORTENSIO
See how they kiss and court Signior Lucentio
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
That I have fondly flatterd her withal
TRANIO
And here I take the like unfeigned oath
Never to marry with her though she would entreat
Fie on her See how beastly she doth court him
HORTENSIO
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 lovd me
As I have lovd this proud disdainful haggard
And so farewell Signior Lucentio
Kindness in women not their beauteous looks
Shall win my love and so I take my leave
In resolution as I swore before
Exit Hortensio Lucentio and Bianca advance
TRANIO
Mistress Bianca bless you with such grace
As longeth to a lovers blessed case
Nay I have taen you napping gentle love
And have forsworn you with Hortensio
BIANCA
Tranio you jest but have you both forsworn me
TRANIO
Mistress we have
LUCENTIO
Then we are rid of Licio
TRANIO
I faith hell have a lusty widow now
That shall be wood and wedded in a day
BIANCA
God give him joy
TRANIO
Ay and hell tame her
BIANCA
He says so Tranio
TRANIO
Faith he is gone unto the tamingschool
BIANCA
The tamingschool What is there such a place
TRANIO
Ay mistress and Petruchio is the master
That teacheth tricks eleven and twenty long
To tame a shrew and charm her chattering tongue
Enter Biondello running
BIONDELLO
O master master I have watchd so long
That I am dogweary but at last I spied
An ancient angel coming down the hill
Will serve the turn
TRANIO
What is he Biondello
BIONDELLO
Master a mercatante or a pedant
I know not what but formal in apparel
In gait and countenance surely like a father
LUCENTIO
And what of him Tranio
TRANIO
If he be credulous and trust my tale
Ill make him glad to seem Vincentio
And give assurance to Baptista Minola
As if he were the right Vincentio
Take in your love and then let me alone
Exeunt Lucentio and Bianca
Enter a Pedant
PEDANT
God save you sir
TRANIO
And you sir you are welcome
Travel you far on or are you at the farthest
PEDANT
Sir at the farthest for a week or two
But then up farther and as far as Rome
And so to Tripoli if God lend me life
TRANIO
What countryman I pray
PEDANT
Of Mantua
TRANIO
Of Mantua sir Marry God forbid
And come to Padua careless of your life
PEDANT
My life sir How I pray for that goes hard
TRANIO
Tis death for anyone in Mantua
To come to Padua Know you not the cause
Your ships are stayd at Venice and the Duke
For private quarrel twixt your Duke and him
Hath publishd and proclaimd it openly
Tis marvel but that you are but newly come
You might have heard it else proclaimd about
PEDANT
Alas sir it is worse for me than so
For I have bills for money by exchange
From Florence and must here deliver them
TRANIO
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
PEDANT
Ay sir in Pisa have I often been
Pisa renowned for grave citizens
TRANIO
Among them know you one Vincentio
PEDANT
I know him not but I have heard of him
A merchant of incomparable wealth
TRANIO
He is my father sir and sooth to say
In countenance somewhat doth resemble you
BIONDELLO
Aside As much as an apple doth an oyster and all one
TRANIO
To save your life in this extremity
This favour will I do you for his sake
And think it 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 lodgd
Look that you take upon you as you should
You understand me sir so shall you stay
Till you have done your business in the city
If this be courtesy sir accept of it
PEDANT
O sir I do and will repute you ever
The patron of my life and liberty
TRANIO
Then go with me to make the matter good
This by the way I let you understand
My father is here lookd for every day
To pass assurance of a dower in marriage
Twixt me and one Baptistas daughter here
In all these circumstances Ill instruct you
Go with me to clothe you as becomes you
Exeunt
SCENE III A room in Petruchios house
Enter Katherina and Grumio
GRUMIO
No no forsooth I dare not for my life
KATHERINA
The more my wrong the more his spite appears
What did he marry me to famish me
Beggars that come unto my fathers door
Upon entreaty have a present alms
If not elsewhere they meet with charity
But I who never knew how to entreat
Nor never needed that I should entreat
Am starvd for meat giddy for lack of sleep
With oaths kept waking and with brawling fed
And that which spites me more than all these wants
He does it under name of perfect love
As who should say if I 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
GRUMIO
What say you to a neats foot
KATHERINA
Tis passing good I prithee let me have it
GRUMIO
I fear it is too choleric a meat
How say you to a fat tripe finely broild
KATHERINA
I like it well good Grumio fetch it me
GRUMIO
I cannot tell I fear tis choleric
What say you to a piece of beef and mustard
KATHERINA
A dish that I do love to feed upon
GRUMIO
Ay but the mustard is too hot a little
KATHERINA
Why then the beef and let the mustard rest
GRUMIO
Nay then I will not you shall have the mustard
Or else you get no beef of Grumio
KATHERINA
Then both or one or anything thou wilt
GRUMIO
Why then the mustard without the beef
KATHERINA
Go get thee gone thou false deluding slave
Beats him
That feedst 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
Enter Petruchio with a dish of meat and Hortensio
PETRUCHIO
How fares my Kate What sweeting all amort
HORTENSIO
Mistress what cheer
KATHERINA
Faith as cold as can be
PETRUCHIO
Pluck up thy spirits look cheerfully upon me
Here love thou seest how diligent I am
To dress thy meat myself and bring it thee
Sets the dish on a table
I am sure sweet Kate this kindness merits thanks
What not a word Nay then thou lovst it not
And all my pains is sorted to no proof
Here take away this dish
KATHERINA
I pray you let it stand
PETRUCHIO
The poorest service is repaid with thanks
And so shall mine before you touch the meat
KATHERINA
I thank you sir
HORTENSIO
Signior Petruchio fie you are to blame
Come Mistress Kate Ill bear you company
PETRUCHIO
Aside Eat it up all Hortensio if thou lovest me
Much good do it unto thy gentle heart
Kate eat apace and now my honey love
Will we return unto thy fathers house
And revel it as bravely as the best
With silken coats and caps and golden rings
With ruffs and cuffs and farthingales and things
With scarfs and fans and double change of bravery
With amber bracelets beads and all this knavery
What hast thou dind The tailor stays thy leisure
To deck thy body with his ruffling treasure
Enter Tailor
Come tailor let us see these ornaments
Lay forth the gown
Enter Haberdasher
What news with you sir
HABERDASHER
Here is the cap your worship did bespeak
PETRUCHIO
Why this was moulded on a porringer
A velvet dish fie fie tis lewd and filthy
Why tis a cockle or a walnutshell
A knack a toy a trick a babys cap
Away with it come let me have a bigger
KATHERINA
Ill have no bigger this doth fit the time
And gentlewomen wear such caps as these
PETRUCHIO
When you are gentle you shall have one too
And not till then
HORTENSIO
Aside That will not be in haste
KATHERINA
Why sir I trust I may have leave to speak
And speak I will I am no child no babe
Your betters have endurd me say my mind
And 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
And rather than it shall I will be free
Even to the uttermost as I please in words
PETRUCHIO
Why thou sayst true it is a paltry cap
A custardcoffin a bauble a silken pie
I love thee well in that thou likst it not
KATHERINA
Love me or love me not I like the cap
And it I will have or I will have none
Exit Haberdasher
PETRUCHIO
Thy gown Why ay come tailor let us seet
O mercy God what masquing stuff is here
Whats this A sleeve Tis like a demicannon
What up and down carvd like an apple tart
Heres snip and nip and cut and slish and slash
Like to a censer in a barbers shop
Why what i devils name tailor callst thou this
HORTENSIO
Aside I see shes like to have neither cap nor gown
TAILOR
You bid me make it orderly and well
According to the fashion and the time
PETRUCHIO
Marry and did but if you be rememberd
I did not bid you mar it to the time
Go hop me over every kennel home
For you shall hop without my custom sir
Ill none of it hence make your best of it
KATHERINA
I never saw a better fashiond gown
More quaint more pleasing nor more commendable
Belike you mean to make a puppet of me
PETRUCHIO
Why true he means to make a puppet of thee
TAILOR
She says your worship means to make a puppet of her
PETRUCHIO
O monstrous arrogance Thou liest thou thread
Thou thimble
Thou yard threequarters halfyard quarter nail
Thou flea thou nit thou wintercricket thou
Bravd in mine own house with a skein of thread
Away thou rag thou quantity thou remnant
Or I shall so bemete thee with thy yard
As thou shalt think on prating whilst thou livst
I tell thee I that thou hast marrd her gown
TAILOR
Your worship is deceivd the gown is made
Just as my master had direction
Grumio gave order how it should be done
GRUMIO
I gave him no order I gave him the stuff
TAILOR
But how did you desire it should be made
GRUMIO
Marry sir with needle and thread
TAILOR
But did you not request to have it cut
GRUMIO
Thou hast faced many things
TAILOR
I have
GRUMIO
Face not me Thou hast braved many men brave not me I will neither be facd nor bravd I say unto thee I bid thy master cut out the gown but I did not bid him cut it to pieces ergo thou liest
TAILOR
Why here is the note of the fashion to testify
PETRUCHIO
Read it
GRUMIO
The note lies in s throat if he say I said so
TAILOR
Imprimis a loosebodied gown
GRUMIO
Master if ever I said loosebodied gown sew me in the skirts of it and beat me to death with a bottom of brown thread I said a gown
PETRUCHIO
Proceed
TAILOR
With a small compassed cape
GRUMIO
I confess the cape
TAILOR
With a trunk sleeve
GRUMIO
I confess two sleeves
TAILOR
The sleeves curiously cut
PETRUCHIO
Ay theres the villainy
GRUMIO
Error i the bill sir error i the bill I commanded the sleeves should be cut out and sewd up again and that Ill prove upon thee though thy little finger be armed in a thimble
TAILOR
This is true that I say and I had thee in place where thou shouldst know it
GRUMIO
I am for thee straight take thou the bill give me thy meteyard and spare not me
HORTENSIO
Godamercy Grumio Then he shall have no odds
PETRUCHIO
Well sir in brief the gown is not for me
GRUMIO
You are i the right sir tis for my mistress
PETRUCHIO
Go take it up unto thy masters use
GRUMIO
Villain not for thy life Take up my mistress gown for thy masters use
PETRUCHIO
Why sir whats your conceit in that
GRUMIO
O sir the conceit is deeper than you think for
Take up my mistress gown to his masters use
O fie fie fie
PETRUCHIO
Aside Hortensio say thou wilt see the tailor paid
To Tailor Go take it hence be gone and say no more
HORTENSIO
Aside to Tailor Tailor Ill pay thee for thy gown tomorrow
Take no unkindness of his hasty words
Away I say commend me to thy master
Exit Tailor
PETRUCHIO
Well come my Kate we will unto your fathers
Even in these honest mean habiliments
Our 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
So honour peereth in the meanest habit
What is the jay more precious than the lark
Because his feathers are more beautiful
Or is the adder better than the eel
Because his painted skin contents the eye
O no good Kate neither art thou the worse
For this poor furniture and mean array
If thou accountst it shame lay it on me
And therefore frolic we will hence forthwith
To feast and sport us at thy fathers house
Go call my men and let us straight to him
And bring our horses unto Longlane end
There will we mount and thither walk on foot
Lets see I think tis now some seven oclock
And well we may come there by dinnertime
KATHERINA
I dare assure you sir tis almost two
And twill be suppertime ere you come there
PETRUCHIO
It shall 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 today and ere I do
It shall be what oclock I say it is
HORTENSIO
Why so this gallant will command the sun
Exeunt
SCENE IV Padua Before Baptistas house
Enter Tranio and the Pedant dressed like Vincentio
TRANIO
Sir this is the house please it you that I call
PEDANT
Ay what else and but I be deceived
Signior Baptista may remember me
Near twenty years ago in Genoa
Where we were lodgers at the Pegasus
TRANIO
Tis well and hold your own in any case
With such austerity as longeth to a father
PEDANT
I warrant you But sir here comes your boy
Twere good he were schoold
Enter Biondello
TRANIO
Fear you not him Sirrah Biondello
Now do your duty throughly I advise you
Imagine twere the right Vincentio
BIONDELLO
Tut fear not me
TRANIO
But hast thou done thy errand to Baptista
BIONDELLO
I told him that your father was at Venice
And that you lookd for him this day in Padua
TRANIO
Thart a tall fellow hold thee that to drink
Here comes Baptista Set your countenance sir
Enter Baptista and Lucentio
Signior Baptista you are happily met
To the Pedant Sir this is the gentleman I told you of
I pray you stand good father to me now
Give me Bianca for my patrimony
PEDANT
Soft son
Sir by your leave having come to Padua
To gather in some debts my son Lucentio
Made me acquainted with a weighty cause
Of love between your daughter and himself
Andfor the good report I hear of you
And for the love he beareth to your daughter
And she to himto stay him not too long
I am content in a good fathers care
To have him matchd and if you please to like
No worse than I upon some agreement
Me shall you find ready and willing
With one consent to have her so bestowd
For curious I cannot be with you
Signior Baptista of whom I hear so well
BAPTISTA
Sir pardon me in what I have to say
Your plainness and your shortness please me well
Right true it is your son Lucentio here
Doth love my daughter and she loveth him
Or both dissemble deeply their affections
And therefore if you say no more than this
That like a father you will deal with him
And pass my daughter a sufficient dower
The match is made and all is done
Your son shall have my daughter with consent
TRANIO
I thank you sir Where then do you know best
We be affied and such assurance taen
As shall with either parts agreement stand
BAPTISTA
Not in my house Lucentio for you know
Pitchers have ears and I have many servants
Besides old Gremio is hearkening still
And happily we might be interrupted
TRANIO
Then at my lodging and it like you
There doth my father lie and there this night
Well pass the business privately and well
Send for your daughter by your servant here
My boy shall fetch the scrivener presently
The worst is this that at so slender warning
You are like to have a thin and slender pittance
BAPTISTA
It likes me well Cambio hie you home
And bid Bianca make her ready straight
And if you will tell what hath happened
Lucentios father is arrivd in Padua
And how shes like to be Lucentios wife
LUCENTIO
I pray the gods she may with all my heart
TRANIO
Dally not with the gods but get thee gone
Signior Baptista shall I lead the way
Welcome One mess is like to be your cheer
Come sir we will better it in Pisa
BAPTISTA
I follow you
Exeunt Tranio Pedant and Baptista
BIONDELLO
Cambio
LUCENTIO
What sayst thou Biondello
BIONDELLO
You saw my master wink and laugh upon you
LUCENTIO
Biondello what of that
BIONDELLO
Faith nothing but has left me here behind to expound the meaning or moral of his signs and tokens
LUCENTIO
I pray thee moralize them
BIONDELLO
Then thus Baptista is safe talking with the deceiving father of a deceitful son
LUCENTIO
And what of him
BIONDELLO
His daughter is to be brought by you to the supper
LUCENTIO
And then
BIONDELLO
The old priest at Saint Lukes church is at your command at all hours
LUCENTIO
And what of all this
BIONDELLO
I cannot tell except they are busied about a counterfeit assurance Take your assurance of her cum privilegio ad imprimendum solum to the church take the priest clerk and some sufficient honest witnesses
If this be not that you look for I have more to say
But bid Bianca farewell for ever and a day
Going
LUCENTIO
Hearst thou Biondello
BIONDELLO
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 Lukes to bid the priest be ready to come against you come with your appendix
Exit
LUCENTIO
I may and will if she be so contented
She will be pleasd then wherefore should I doubt
Hap what hap may Ill roundly go about her
It shall go hard if Cambio go without her
Exit
SCENE V A public road
Enter Petruchio Katherina Hortensio and Servants
PETRUCHIO
Come on i Gods name once more toward our fathers
Good Lord how bright and goodly shines the moon
KATHERINA
The moon The sun it is not moonlight now
PETRUCHIO
I say it is the moon that shines so bright
KATHERINA
I know it is the sun that shines so bright
PETRUCHIO
Now by my mothers son and thats myself
It shall be moon or star or what I list
Or ere I journey to your fathers house
Go on and fetch our horses back again
Evermore crossd and crossd nothing but crossd
HORTENSIO
Say as he says or we shall never go
KATHERINA
Forward I pray since we have come so far
And be it moon or sun or what you please
And if you please to call it a rushcandle
Henceforth I vow it shall be so for me
PETRUCHIO
I say it is the moon
KATHERINA
I know it is the moon
PETRUCHIO
Nay then you lie it is the blessed sun
KATHERINA
Then God be blessd it is the blessed sun
But sun it is not when you say it is not
And the moon changes even as your mind
What you will have it namd even that it is
And so it shall be so for Katherine
HORTENSIO
Petruchio go thy ways the field is won
PETRUCHIO
Well forward forward thus the bowl should run
And not unluckily against the bias
But soft Company is coming here
Enter Vincentio in a travelling dress
To Vincentio Good morrow gentle mistress where away
Tell me sweet Kate and tell me truly too
Hast thou beheld a fresher gentlewoman
Such war of white and red within her cheeks
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 beautys sake
HORTENSIO
A will make the man mad to make a woman of him
KATHERINA
Young budding virgin fair and fresh and sweet
Whither away or where is thy abode
Happy the parents of so fair a child
Happier the man whom favourable stars
Allot thee for his lovely bedfellow
PETRUCHIO
Why how now Kate I hope thou art not mad
This is a man old wrinkled faded witherd
And not a maiden as thou sayst he is
KATHERINA
Pardon old father my mistaking eyes
That have been so bedazzled with the sun
That everything I look on seemeth green
Now I perceive thou art a reverend father
Pardon I pray thee for my mad mistaking
PETRUCHIO
Do good old grandsire and withal make known
Which way thou travellest if along with us
We shall be joyful of thy company
VINCENTIO
Fair sir and you my merry mistress
That with your strange encounter much amazd me
My name is called Vincentio my dwelling Pisa
And bound I am to Padua there to visit
A son of mine which long I have not seen
PETRUCHIO
What is his name
VINCENTIO
Lucentio gentle sir
PETRUCHIO
Happily met the happier for thy son
And now by law as well as reverend age
I may entitle thee my loving father
The sister to my wife this gentlewoman
Thy son by this hath married Wonder not
Nor be not grievd she is of good esteem
Her dowry wealthy and of worthy birth
Beside so qualified as may beseem
The spouse of any noble gentleman
Let me embrace with old Vincentio
And wander we to see thy honest son
Who will of thy arrival be full joyous
VINCENTIO
But is this true or is it else your pleasure
Like pleasant travellers to break a jest
Upon the company you overtake
HORTENSIO
I do assure thee father so it is
PETRUCHIO
Come go along and see the truth hereof
For our first merriment hath made thee jealous
Exeunt all but Hortensio
HORTENSIO
Well Petruchio this has put me in heart
Have to my widow and if she be froward
Then hast thou taught Hortensio to be untoward
Exit
ACT V
SCENE I Padua Before Lucentios house
Enter on one side Biondello Lucentio and Bianca Gremio walking on other side
BIONDELLO
Softly and swiftly sir for the priest is ready
LUCENTIO
I fly Biondello but they may chance to need thee at home therefore leave us
BIONDELLO
Nay faith Ill see the church o your back and then come back to my masters as soon as I can
Exeunt Lucentio Bianca and Biondello
GREMIO
I marvel Cambio comes not all this while
Enter Petruchio Katherina Vincentio and Attendants
PETRUCHIO
Sir heres the door this is Lucentios house
My fathers bears more toward the marketplace
Thither must I and here I leave you sir
VINCENTIO
You shall not choose but drink before you go
I think I shall command your welcome here
And by all likelihood some cheer is toward
Knocks
GREMIO
Theyre busy within you were best knock louder
Enter Pedant above at a window
PEDANT
Whats he that knocks as he would beat down the gate
VINCENTIO
Is Signior Lucentio within sir
PEDANT
Hes within sir but not to be spoken withal
VINCENTIO
What if a man bring him a hundred pound or two to make merry withal
PEDANT
Keep your hundred pounds to yourself he shall need none so long as I live
PETRUCHIO
Nay I told you your son was well beloved in 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
PEDANT
Thou liest his father is come from Padua and here looking out at the window
VINCENTIO
Art thou his father
PEDANT
Ay sir so his mother says if I may believe her
PETRUCHIO
To Vincentio Why how now gentleman why this is flat knavery to take upon you another mans name
PEDANT
Lay hands on the villain I believe a means to cozen somebody in this city under my countenance
Reenter Biondello
BIONDELLO
I have seen them in the church together God send em good shipping But who is here Mine old master Vincentio Now we are undone and brought to nothing
VINCENTIO
Seeing Biondello Come hither crackhemp
BIONDELLO
I hope I may choose sir
VINCENTIO
Come hither you rogue What have you forgot me
BIONDELLO
Forgot you No sir I could not forget you for I never saw you before in all my life
VINCENTIO
What you notorious villain didst thou never see thy masters father Vincentio
BIONDELLO
What my old worshipful old master Yes marry sir see where he looks out of the window
VINCENTIO
Ist so indeed
He beats Biondello
BIONDELLO
Help help help heres a madman will murder me
Exit
PEDANT
Help son help Signior Baptista
Exit from the window
PETRUCHIO
Prithee Kate lets stand aside and see the end of this controversy
They retire
Reenter Pedant below Baptista Tranio and Servants
TRANIO
Sir what are you that offer to beat my servant
VINCENTIO
What am I sir nay what are you sir O immortal gods O fine villain A 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 all at the university
TRANIO
How now whats the matter
BAPTISTA
What is the man lunatic
TRANIO
Sir 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 gold I thank my good father I am able to maintain it
VINCENTIO
Thy father O villain he is a sailmaker in Bergamo
BAPTISTA
You mistake sir you mistake sir Pray what do you think is his name
VINCENTIO
His name As if I knew not his name I have brought him up ever since he was three years old and his name is Tranio
PEDANT
Away away mad ass His name is Lucentio and he is mine only son and heir to the lands of me Signior Vincentio
VINCENTIO
Lucentio O he hath murdered his master Lay hold on him I charge you in the Dukes name O my son my son Tell me thou villain where is my son Lucentio
TRANIO
Call forth an officer
Enter one with an Officer
Carry this mad knave to the gaol Father Baptista I charge you see that he be forthcoming
VINCENTIO
Carry me to the gaol
GREMIO
Stay officer he shall not go to prison
BAPTISTA
Talk not Signior Gremio I say he shall go to prison
GREMIO
Take heed Signior Baptista lest you be conycatched in this business I dare swear this is the right Vincentio
PEDANT
Swear if thou darest
GREMIO
Nay I dare not swear it
TRANIO
Then thou wert best say that I am not Lucentio
GREMIO
Yes I know thee to be Signior Lucentio
BAPTISTA
Away with the dotard to the gaol with him
VINCENTIO
Thus strangers may be haled and abusd O monstrous villain
Reenter Biondello with Lucentio and Bianca
BIONDELLO
O we are spoiled and yonder he is deny him forswear him or else we are all undone
LUCENTIO
Kneeling Pardon sweet father
VINCENTIO
Lives my sweetest son
Biondello Tranio and Pedant run out
BIANCA
Kneeling Pardon dear father
BAPTISTA
How hast thou offended
Where is Lucentio
LUCENTIO
Heres Lucentio
Right son to the right Vincentio
That have by marriage made thy daughter mine
While counterfeit supposes bleard thine eyne
GREMIO
Here s packing with a witness to deceive us all
VINCENTIO
Where is that damned villain Tranio
That facd and bravd me in this matter so
BAPTISTA
Why tell me is not this my Cambio
BIANCA
Cambio is changd into Lucentio
LUCENTIO
Love wrought these miracles Biancas love
Made me exchange my state with Tranio
While he did bear my countenance in the town
And happily I have arrivd at the last
Unto the wished haven of my bliss
What Tranio did myself enforcd him to
Then pardon him sweet father for my sake
VINCENTIO
Ill slit the villains nose that would have sent me to the gaol
BAPTISTA
To Lucentio But do you hear sir Have you married my daughter without asking my good will
VINCENTIO
Fear not Baptista we will content you go to but I will in to be revenged for this villainy
Exit
BAPTISTA
And I to sound the depth of this knavery
Exit
LUCENTIO
Look not pale Bianca thy father will not frown
Exeunt Lucentio and Bianca
GREMIO
My cake is dough but Ill in among the rest
Out of hope of all but my share of the feast
Exit
Petruchio and Katherina advance
KATHERINA
Husband lets follow to see the end of this ado
PETRUCHIO
First kiss me Kate and we will
KATHERINA
What in the midst of the street
PETRUCHIO
What art thou ashamed of me
KATHERINA
No sir God forbid but ashamed to kiss
PETRUCHIO
Why then lets home again Come sirrah lets away
KATHERINA
Nay I will give thee a kiss now pray thee love stay
PETRUCHIO
Is not this well Come my sweet Kate
Better once than never for never too late
Exeunt
SCENE II A room in Lucentios house
Enter Baptista Vincentio Gremio the Pedant Lucentio Bianca Petruchio Katherina Hortensio and Widow Tranio Biondello and Grumio and Others attending
LUCENTIO
At last though long our jarring notes agree
And time it is when raging war is done
To smile at scapes and perils overblown
My fair Bianca bid my father welcome
While I with selfsame kindness welcome thine
Brother Petruchio sister Katherina
And thou Hortensio with thy loving widow
Feast with the best and welcome to my house
My banquet is to close our stomachs up
After our great good cheer Pray you sit down
For now we sit to chat as well as eat
They sit at table
PETRUCHIO
Nothing but sit and sit and eat and eat
BAPTISTA
Padua affords this kindness son Petruchio
PETRUCHIO
Padua affords nothing but what is kind
HORTENSIO
For both our sakes I would that word were true
PETRUCHIO
Now for my life Hortensio fears his widow
WIDOW
Then never trust me if I be afeard
PETRUCHIO
You are very sensible and yet you miss my sense
I mean Hortensio is afeard of you
WIDOW
He that is giddy thinks the world turns round
PETRUCHIO
Roundly replied
KATHERINA
Mistress how mean you that
WIDOW
Thus I conceive by him
PETRUCHIO
Conceives by me How likes Hortensio that
HORTENSIO
My widow says thus she conceives her tale
PETRUCHIO
Very well mended Kiss him for that good widow
KATHERINA
He that is giddy thinks the world turns round
I pray you tell me what you meant by that
WIDOW
Your husband being troubled with a shrew
Measures my husbands sorrow by his woe
And now you know my meaning
KATHERINA
A very mean meaning
WIDOW
Right I mean you
KATHERINA
And I am mean indeed respecting you
PETRUCHIO
To her Kate
HORTENSIO
To her widow
PETRUCHIO
A hundred marks my Kate does put her down
HORTENSIO
Thats my office
PETRUCHIO
Spoke like an officer ha to thee lad
Drinks to Hortensio
BAPTISTA
How likes Gremio these quickwitted folks
GREMIO
Believe me sir they butt together well
BIANCA
Head and butt An hastywitted body
Would say your head and butt were head and horn
VINCENTIO
Ay mistress bride hath that awakend you
BIANCA
Ay but not frighted me therefore Ill sleep again
PETRUCHIO
Nay that you shall not since you have begun
Have at you for a bitter jest or two
BIANCA
Am I your bird I mean to shift my bush
And then pursue me as you draw your bow
You are welcome all
Exeunt Bianca Katherina and Widow
PETRUCHIO
She hath prevented me Here Signior Tranio
This bird you aimd at though you hit her not
Therefore a health to all that shot and missd
TRANIO
O sir Lucentio slippd me like his greyhound
Which runs himself and catches for his master
PETRUCHIO
A good swift simile but something currish
TRANIO
Tis well sir that you hunted for yourself
Tis thought your deer does hold you at a bay
BAPTISTA
O ho Petruchio Tranio hits you now
LUCENTIO
I thank thee for that gird good Tranio
HORTENSIO
Confess confess hath he not hit you here
PETRUCHIO
A has a little galld me I confess
And as the jest did glance away from me
Tis ten to one it maimd you two outright
BAPTISTA
Now in good sadness son Petruchio
I think thou hast the veriest shrew of all
PETRUCHIO
Well I say no and therefore for assurance
Lets 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
HORTENSIO
Content Whats the wager
LUCENTIO
Twenty crowns
PETRUCHIO
Twenty crowns
Ill venture so much of my hawk or hound
But twenty times so much upon my wife
LUCENTIO
A hundred then
HORTENSIO
Content
PETRUCHIO
A match tis done
HORTENSIO
Who shall begin
LUCENTIO
That will I
Go Biondello bid your mistress come to me
BIONDELLO
I go
Exit
BAPTISTA
Son Ill be your half Bianca comes
LUCENTIO
Ill have no halves Ill bear it all myself
Reenter Biondello
How now what news
BIONDELLO
Sir my mistress sends you word
That she is busy and she cannot come
PETRUCHIO
How Shes busy and she cannot come
Is that an answer
GREMIO
Ay and a kind one too
Pray God sir your wife send you not a worse
PETRUCHIO
I hope better
HORTENSIO
Sirrah Biondello go and entreat my wife
To come to me forthwith
Exit Biondello
PETRUCHIO
O ho entreat her
Nay then she must needs come
HORTENSIO
I am afraid sir
Do what you can yours will not be entreated
Reenter Biondello
Now wheres my wife
BIONDELLO
She says you have some goodly jest in hand
She will not come she bids you come to her
PETRUCHIO
Worse and worse she will not come O vile
Intolerable not to be endurd
Sirrah Grumio go to your mistress
Say I command her come to me
Exit Grumio
HORTENSIO
I know her answer
PETRUCHIO
What
HORTENSIO
She will not
PETRUCHIO
The fouler fortune mine and there an end
Reenter Katherina
BAPTISTA
Now by my holidame here comes Katherina
KATHERINA
What is your will sir that you send for me
PETRUCHIO
Where is your sister and Hortensios wife
KATHERINA
They sit conferring by the parlour fire
PETRUCHIO
Go fetch them hither if they deny to come
Swinge me them soundly forth unto their husbands
Away I say and bring them hither straight
Exit Katherina
LUCENTIO
Here is a wonder if you talk of a wonder
HORTENSIO
And so it is I wonder what it bodes
PETRUCHIO
Marry peace it bodes and love and quiet life
An awful rule and right supremacy
And to be short what not thats sweet and happy
BAPTISTA
Now fair befall thee good Petruchio
The wager thou hast won and I will add
Unto their losses twenty thousand crowns
Another dowry to another daughter
For she is changd as she had never been
PETRUCHIO
Nay I will win my wager better yet
And show more sign of her obedience
Her newbuilt virtue and obedience
See where she comes and brings your froward wives
As prisoners to her womanly persuasion
Reenter Katherina with Bianca and Widow
Katherine that cap of yours becomes you not
Off with that bauble throw it underfoot
Katherina pulls off her cap and throws it down
WIDOW
Lord let me never have a cause to sigh
Till I be brought to such a silly pass
BIANCA
Fie what a foolish duty call you this
LUCENTIO
I would your duty were as foolish too
The wisdom of your duty fair Bianca
Hath cost me a hundred crowns since suppertime
BIANCA
The more fool you for laying on my duty
PETRUCHIO
Katherine I charge thee tell these headstrong women
What duty they do owe their lords and husbands
WIDOW
Come come youre mocking we will have no telling
PETRUCHIO
Come on I say and first begin with her
WIDOW
She shall not
PETRUCHIO
I say she shall and first begin with her
KATHERINA
Fie fie unknit that threatening unkind brow
And dart not scornful 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 buds
And in no sense is meet or amiable
A woman movd is like a fountain troubled
Muddy illseeming thick bereft of beauty
And while 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
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
And when she is froward peevish sullen sour
And not obedient to his honest will
What is she but a foul contending rebel
And graceless traitor to her loving lord
I am ashamd that women are so simple
To offer war where they should kneel for peace
Or seek for rule supremacy and sway
When they are bound to serve love 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
My mind hath been as big as one of yours
My heart as great my reason haply more
To bandy word for word and frown for frown
But now I see our lances are but straws
Our strength as weak our weakness past compare
That seeming to be most which we indeed least are
Then vail your stomachs for it is no boot
And place your hands below your husbands foot
In token of which duty if he please
My hand is ready may it do him ease
PETRUCHIO
Why theres a wench Come on and kiss me Kate
LUCENTIO
Well go thy ways old lad for thou shalt hat
VINCENTIO
Tis a good hearing when children are toward
LUCENTIO
But a harsh hearing when women are froward
PETRUCHIO
Come Kate well to bed
We three are married but you two are sped
Twas I won the wager
To Lucentio though you hit the white
And being a winner God give you good night
Exeunt Petruchio and Katherina
HORTENSIO
Now go thy ways thou hast tamd a curst shrew
LUCENTIO
Tis a wonder by your leave she will be tamd so
Exeunt
THE TEMPEST
Contents
ACT I
Scene I On a ship at sea a tempestuous noise of thunder and lightning heard
Scene II The Island Before the cell of Prospero
ACT II
Scene I Another part of the island
Scene II Another part of the island
ACT III
Scene I Before Prosperos cell
Scene II Another part of the island
Scene III Another part of the island
ACT IV
Scene I Before Prosperos cell
ACT V
Scene I Before the cell of Prospero
Epilogue
Dramatis Person
ALONSO King of Naples
SEBASTIAN his brother
PROSPERO the right Duke of Milan
ANTONIO his brother the usurping Duke of Milan
FERDINAND Son to the King of Naples
GONZALO an honest old counsellor
ADRIAN Lord
FRANCISCO Lord
CALIBAN a savage and deformed slave
TRINCULO a jester
STEPHANO a drunken butler
MASTER OF A SHIP
BOATSWAIN
MARINERS
MIRANDA daughter to Prospero
ARIEL an airy Spirit
IRIS presented by Spirits
CERES presented by Spirits
JUNO presented by Spirits
NYMPHS presented by Spirits
REAPERS presented by Spirits
Other Spirits attending on Prospero
SCENE The sea with a Ship afterwards an Island
ACT I
SCENE I On a ship at sea a tempestuous noise of thunder and lightning heard
Enter a Shipmaster and a Boatswain severally
MASTER
Boatswain
BOATSWAIN
Here master what cheer
MASTER
Good Speak to the mariners fall to t yarely or we run ourselves aground bestir bestir
Exit
Enter Mariners
BOATSWAIN
Heigh my hearts cheerly cheerly my hearts yare yare Take in the topsail Tend to th masters whistle Blow till thou burst thy wind if room enough
Enter Alonso Sebastian Antonio Ferdinand Gonzalo and others
ALONSO
Good boatswain have care Wheres the master
Play the men
BOATSWAIN
I pray now keep below
ANTONIO
Where is the master boson
BOATSWAIN
Do you not hear him You mar our labour keep your cabins you do assist the storm
GONZALO
Nay good be patient
BOATSWAIN
When the sea is Hence What cares these roarers for the name of king To cabin silence Trouble us not
GONZALO
Good yet remember whom thou hast aboard
BOATSWAIN
None that I more love than myself You are a counsellor if you can command these elements to silence and work the peace of the present we will not hand a rope more Use your authority if you cannot give thanks you have lived so long and make yourself ready in your cabin for the mischance of the hour if it so hapCheerly good heartsOut of our way I say
Exit
GONZALO
I have great comfort from this fellow Methinks he hath no drowning mark upon him His complexion is perfect gallows Stand fast good Fate to his hanging Make the rope of his destiny our cable for our own doth little advantage If he be not born to be hangd our case is miserable
Exeunt
Reenter Boatswain
BOATSWAIN
Down with the topmast yare lower lower Bring her to try wi th maincourse
A cry within
A plague upon this howling They are louder than the weather or our office
Enter Sebastian Antonio and Gonzalo
Yet again What do you here Shall we give oer and drown Have you a mind to sink
SEBASTIAN
A pox o your throat you bawling blasphemous incharitable dog
BOATSWAIN
Work you then
ANTONIO
Hang cur hang you whoreson insolent noisemaker We are less afraid to be drowned than thou art
GONZALO
Ill warrant him for drowning though the ship were no stronger than a nutshell and as leaky as an unstanched wench
BOATSWAIN
Lay her ahold ahold Set her two courses off to sea again lay her off
Enter Mariners wet
MARINERS
All lost to prayers to prayers all lost
Exeunt
BOATSWAIN
What must our mouths be cold
GONZALO
The King and Prince at prayers Lets assist them
For our case is as theirs
SEBASTIAN
I am out of patience
ANTONIO
We are merely cheated of our lives by drunkards
This widechappd rascalwould thou mightst lie drowning
The washing of ten tides
GONZALO
Hell be hangd yet
Though every drop of water swear against it
And gape at widst to glut him
A confused noise within Mercy on us
We split we splitFarewell my wife and children
Farewell brotherWe split we split we split
ANTONIO
Lets all sink wi th King
Exit
SEBASTIAN
Lets take leave of him
Exit
GONZALO
Now would I give a thousand furlongs of sea for an acre of barren ground Long heath brown furze anything The wills above be done but I would fain die a dry death
Exit
SCENE II The Island Before the cell of Prospero
Enter Prospero and Miranda
MIRANDA
If by your art my dearest father you have
Put the wild waters in this roar allay them
The sky it seems would pour down stinking pitch
But that the sea mounting to th welkins cheek
Dashes the fire out O I have suffered
With those that I saw suffer A brave vessel
Who had no doubt some noble creature in her
Dashd all to pieces O the cry did knock
Against my very heart Poor souls they perishd
Had I been any god of power I would
Have sunk the sea within the earth or ere
It should the good ship so have swallowd and
The fraughting souls within her
PROSPERO
Be collected
No more amazement tell your piteous heart
Theres no harm done
MIRANDA
O woe the day
PROSPERO
No harm
I have done nothing but in care of thee
Of thee my dear one thee my daughter who
Art ignorant of what thou art nought knowing
Of whence I am nor that I am more better
Than Prospero master of a full poor cell
And thy no greater father
MIRANDA
More to know
Did never meddle with my thoughts
PROSPERO
Tis time
I should inform thee farther Lend thy hand
And pluck my magic garment from meSo
Lays down his mantle
Lie there my art Wipe thou thine eyes have comfort
The direful spectacle of the wrack which touchd
The very virtue of compassion in thee
I have with such provision in mine art
So safely ordered that there is no soul
No not so much perdition as an hair
Betid to any creature in the vessel
Which thou heardst cry which thou sawst sink Sit down
For thou must now know farther
MIRANDA
You have often
Begun to tell me what I am but stoppd
And left me to a bootless inquisition
Concluding Stay not yet
PROSPERO
The hours now come
The very minute bids thee ope thine ear
Obey and be attentive Canst thou remember
A time before we came unto this cell
I do not think thou canst for then thou wast not
Out three years old
MIRANDA
Certainly sir I can
PROSPERO
By what By any other house or person
Of anything the image tell me that
Hath kept with thy remembrance
MIRANDA
Tis far off
And rather like a dream than an assurance
That my remembrance warrants Had I not
Four or five women once that tended me
PROSPERO
Thou hadst and more Miranda But how is it
That this lives in thy mind What seest thou else
In the dark backward and abysm of time
If thou remembrest aught ere thou camst here
How thou camst here thou mayst
MIRANDA
But that I do not
PROSPERO
Twelve year since Miranda twelve year since
Thy father was the Duke of Milan and
A prince of power
MIRANDA
Sir are not you my father
PROSPERO
Thy mother was a piece of virtue and
She said thou wast my daughter And thy father
Was Duke of Milan and his only heir
And princess no worse issued
MIRANDA
O the heavens
What foul play had we that we came from thence
Or blessed wast we did
PROSPERO
Both both my girl
By foul play as thou sayst were we heavd thence
But blessedly holp hither
MIRANDA
O my heart bleeds
To think o th teen that I have turnd you to
Which is from my remembrance Please you farther
PROSPERO
My brother and thy uncle calld Antonio
I pray thee mark me that a brother should
Be so perfidioushe whom next thyself
Of all the world I lovd and to him put
The manage of my state as at that time
Through all the signories it was the first
And Prospero the prime duke being so reputed
In dignity and for the liberal arts
Without a parallel those being all my study
The government I cast upon my brother
And to my state grew stranger being transported
And rapt in secret studies Thy false uncle
Dost thou attend me
MIRANDA
Sir most heedfully
PROSPERO
Being once perfected how to grant suits
How to deny them who t advance and who
To trash for overtopping new created
The creatures that were mine I say or changd em
Or else new formd em having both the key
Of officer and office set all hearts i th state
To what tune pleasd his ear that now he was
The ivy which had hid my princely trunk
And suckd my verdure out on t Thou attendst not
MIRANDA
O good sir I do
PROSPERO
I pray thee mark me
I thus neglecting worldly ends all dedicated
To closeness and the bettering of my mind
With that which but by being so retird
Oerprizd all popular rate in my false brother
Awakd an evil nature and my trust
Like a good parent did beget of him
A falsehood in its contrary as great
As my trust was which had indeed no limit
A confidence sans bound He being thus lorded
Not only with what my revenue yielded
But what my power might else exact like one
Who having into truth by telling of it
Made such a sinner of his memory
To credit his own lie he did believe
He was indeed the Duke out o the substitution
And executing th outward face of royalty
With all prerogative Hence his ambition growing
Dost thou hear
MIRANDA
Your tale sir would cure deafness
PROSPERO
To have no screen between this part he playd
And him he playd it for he needs will be
Absolute Milan Me poor man my library
Was dukedom large enough of temporal royalties
He thinks me now incapable confederates
So dry he was for sway wi th King of Naples
To give him annual tribute do him homage
Subject his coronet to his crown and bend
The dukedom yet unbowdalas poor Milan
To most ignoble stooping
MIRANDA
O the heavens
PROSPERO
Mark his condition and the event then tell me
If this might be a brother
MIRANDA
I should sin
To think but nobly of my grandmother
Good wombs have borne bad sons
PROSPERO
Now the condition
This King of Naples being an enemy
To me inveterate hearkens my brothers suit
Which was that he in lieu o th premises
Of homage and I know not how much tribute
Should presently extirpate me and mine
Out of the dukedom and confer fair Milan
With all the honours on my brother whereon
A treacherous army levied one midnight
Fated to th purpose did Antonio open
The gates of Milan and i th dead of darkness
The ministers for th purpose hurried thence
Me and thy crying self
MIRANDA
Alack for pity
I not remembring how I cried out then
Will cry it oer again it is a hint
That wrings mine eyes to t
PROSPERO
Hear a little further
And then Ill bring thee to the present business
Which nows upon us without the which this story
Were most impertinent
MIRANDA
Wherefore did they not
That hour destroy us
PROSPERO
Well demanded wench
My tale provokes that question Dear they durst not
So dear the love my people bore me nor set
A mark so bloody on the business but
With colours fairer painted their foul ends
In few they hurried us aboard a bark
Bore us some leagues to sea where they prepared
A rotten carcass of a butt not riggd
Nor tackle sail nor mast the very rats
Instinctively have quit it There they hoist us
To cry to th sea that roard to us to sigh
To th winds whose pity sighing back again
Did us but loving wrong
MIRANDA
Alack what trouble
Was I then to you
PROSPERO
O a cherubin
Thou wast that did preserve me Thou didst smile
Infused with a fortitude from heaven
When I have deckd the sea with drops full salt
Under my burden groand which raisd in me
An undergoing stomach to bear up
Against what should ensue
MIRANDA
How came we ashore
PROSPERO
By Providence divine
Some food we had and some fresh water that
A noble Neapolitan Gonzalo
Out of his charity who being then appointed
Master of this design did give us with
Rich garments linens stuffs and necessaries
Which since have steaded much so of his gentleness
Knowing I lovd my books he furnishd me
From mine own library with volumes that
I prize above my dukedom
MIRANDA
Would I might
But ever see that man
PROSPERO
Now I arise
Sit still and hear the last of our seasorrow
Here in this island we arrivd and here
Have I thy schoolmaster made thee more profit
Than other princes can that have more time
For vainer hours and tutors not so careful
MIRANDA
Heavens thank you for t And now I pray you sir
For still tis beating in my mind your reason
For raising this seastorm
PROSPERO
Know thus far forth
By accident most strange bountiful Fortune
Now my dear lady hath mine enemies
Brought to this shore and by my prescience
I find my zenith doth depend upon
A most auspicious star whose influence
If now I court not but omit my fortunes
Will ever after droop Here cease more questions
Thou art inclind to sleep tis a good dulness
And give it way I know thou canst not choose
Miranda sleeps
Come away servant come I am ready now
Approach my Ariel Come
Enter Ariel
ARIEL
All hail great master grave sir hail I come
To answer thy best pleasure bet to fly
To swim to dive into the fire to ride
On the curld clouds to thy strong bidding task
Ariel and all his quality
PROSPERO
Hast thou spirit
Performd to point the tempest that I bade thee
ARIEL
To every article
I boarded the Kings ship now on the beak
Now in the waist the deck in every cabin
I flamd amazement sometime Id divide
And burn in many places on the topmast
The yards and bowsprit would I flame distinctly
Then meet and join Joves lightning the precursors
O th dreadful thunderclaps more momentary
And sightoutrunning were not the fire and cracks
Of sulphurous roaring the most mighty Neptune
Seem to besiege and make his bold waves tremble
Yea his dread trident shake
PROSPERO
My brave spirit
Who was so firm so constant that this coil
Would not infect his reason
ARIEL
Not a soul
But felt a fever of the mad and playd
Some tricks of desperation All but mariners
Plunged in the foaming brine and quit the vessel
Then all afire with me the Kings son Ferdinand
With hair upstaringthen like reeds not hair
Was the first man that leapt cried Hell is empty
And all the devils are here
PROSPERO
Why thats my spirit
But was not this nigh shore
ARIEL
Close by my master
PROSPERO
But are they Ariel safe
ARIEL
Not a hair perishd
On their sustaining garments not a blemish
But fresher than before and as thou badst me
In troops I have dispersd them bout the isle
The Kings son have I landed by himself
Whom I left cooling of the air with sighs
In an odd angle of the isle and sitting
His arms in this sad knot
PROSPERO
Of the Kings ship
The mariners say how thou hast disposd
And all the rest o th fleet
ARIEL
Safely in harbour
Is the Kings ship in the deep nook where once
Thou calldst me up at midnight to fetch dew
From the stillvexd Bermoothes there shes hid
The mariners all under hatches stowed
Who with a charm joind to their suffred labour
I have left asleep and for the rest o th fleet
Which I dispersd they all have met again
And are upon the Mediterranean flote
Bound sadly home for Naples
Supposing that they saw the Kings ship wrackd
And his great person perish
PROSPERO
Ariel thy charge
Exactly is performd but theres more work
What is the time o th day
ARIEL
Past the mid season
PROSPERO
At least two glasses The time twixt six and now
Must by us both be spent most preciously
ARIEL
Is there more toil Since thou dost give me pains
Let me remember thee what thou hast promisd
Which is not yet performd me
PROSPERO
How now moody
What ist thou canst demand
ARIEL
My liberty
PROSPERO
Before the time be out No more
ARIEL
I prithee
Remember I have done thee worthy service
Told thee no lies made no mistakings servd
Without or grudge or grumblings thou didst promise
To bate me a full year
PROSPERO
Dost thou forget
From what a torment I did free thee
ARIEL
No
PROSPERO
Thou dost and thinkst it much to tread the ooze
Of the salt deep
To run upon the sharp wind of the north
To do me business in the veins o th earth
When it is bakd with frost
ARIEL
I do not sir
PROSPERO
Thou liest malignant thing Hast thou forgot
The foul witch Sycorax who with age and envy
Was grown into a hoop Hast thou forgot her
ARIEL
No sir
PROSPERO
Thou hast Where was she born Speak tell me
ARIEL
Sir in Argier
PROSPERO
O was she so I must
Once in a month recount what thou hast been
Which thou forgetst This damnd witch Sycorax
For mischiefs manifold and sorceries terrible
To enter human hearing from Argier
Thou knowst was banishd for one thing she did
They would not take her life Is not this true
ARIEL
Ay sir
PROSPERO
This blueeyd hag was hither brought with child
And here was left by th sailors Thou my slave
As thou reportst thyself wast then her servant
And for thou wast a spirit too delicate
To act her earthy and abhorrd commands
Refusing her grand hests she did confine thee
By help of her more potent ministers
And in her most unmitigable rage
Into a cloven pine within which rift
Imprisond thou didst painfully remain
A dozen years within which space she died
And left thee there where thou didst vent thy groans
As fast as millwheels strike Then was this island
Save for the son that she did litter here
A freckld whelp hagbornnot honourd with
A human shape
ARIEL
Yes Caliban her son
PROSPERO
Dull thing I say so he that Caliban
Whom now I keep in service Thou best knowst
What torment I did find thee in thy groans
Did make wolves howl and penetrate the breasts
Of everangry bears it was a torment
To lay upon the damnd which Sycorax
Could not again undo it was mine art
When I arrivd and heard thee that made gape
The pine and let thee out
ARIEL
I thank thee master
PROSPERO
If thou more murmurst I will rend an oak
And peg thee in his knotty entrails till
Thou hast howld away twelve winters
ARIEL
Pardon master
I will be correspondent to command
And do my spriting gently
PROSPERO
Do so and after two days
I will discharge thee
ARIEL
Thats my noble master
What shall I do Say what What shall I do
PROSPERO
Go make thyself like a nymph o th sea Be subject
To no sight but thine and mine invisible
To every eyeball else Go take this shape
And hither come in t Go hence with diligence
Exit Ariel
Awake dear heart awake thou hast slept well
Awake
MIRANDA
Waking The strangeness of your story put
Heaviness in me
PROSPERO
Shake it off Come on
Well visit Caliban my slave who never
Yields us kind answer
MIRANDA
Tis a villain sir
I do not love to look on
PROSPERO
But as tis
We cannot miss him he does make our fire
Fetch in our wood and serves in offices
That profit us What ho slave Caliban
Thou earth thou Speak
CALIBAN
Within Theres wood enough within
PROSPERO
Come forth I say theres other business for thee
Come thou tortoise when
Reenter Ariel like a waternymph
Fine apparition My quaint Ariel
Hark in thine ear
ARIEL
My lord it shall be done
Exit
PROSPERO
Thou poisonous slave got by the devil himself
Upon thy wicked dam come forth
Enter Caliban
CALIBAN
As wicked dew as eer my mother brushd
With ravens feather from unwholesome fen
Drop on you both A southwest blow on ye
And blister you all oer
PROSPERO
For this be sure tonight thou shalt have cramps
Sidestitches that shall pen thy breath up urchins
Shall forth at vast of night that they may work
All exercise on thee Thou shalt be pinchd
As thick as honeycomb each pinch more stinging
Than bees that made them
CALIBAN
I must eat my dinner
This islands mine by Sycorax my mother
Which thou takst from me When thou camst first
Thou strokst me and made much of me wouldst give me
Water with berries in t and teach me how
To name the bigger light and how the less
That burn by day and night and then I lovd thee
And showd thee all the qualities o th isle
The fresh springs brinepits barren place and fertile
Cursd be I that did so All the charms
Of Sycorax toads beetles bats light on you
For I am all the subjects that you have
Which first was mine own King and here you sty me
In this hard rock whiles you do keep from me
The rest o th island
PROSPERO
Thou most lying slave
Whom stripes may move not kindness I have usd thee
Filth as thou art with human care and lodgd thee
In mine own cell till thou didst seek to violate
The honour of my child
CALIBAN
Oh ho Oh ho Would t had been done
Thou didst prevent me I had peopled else
This isle with Calibans
PROSPERO
Abhorred slave
Which any print of goodness wilt not take
Being capable of all ill I pitied thee
Took pains to make thee speak taught thee each hour
One thing or other when thou didst not savage
Know thine own meaning but wouldst gabble like
A thing most brutish I endowd thy purposes
With words that made them known But thy vile race
Though thou didst learn had that in t which good natures
Could not abide to be with therefore wast thou
Deservedly confind into this rock
Who hadst deservd more than a prison
CALIBAN
You taught me language and my profit on t
Is I know how to curse The red plague rid you
For learning me your language
PROSPERO
Hagseed hence
Fetch us in fuel and be quick thou rt best
To answer other business Shrugst thou malice
If thou neglectst or dost unwillingly
What I command Ill rack thee with old cramps
Fill all thy bones with aches make thee roar
That beasts shall tremble at thy din
CALIBAN
No pray thee
Aside I must obey His art is of such power
It would control my dams god Setebos
And make a vassal of him
PROSPERO
So slave hence
Exit Caliban
Reenter Ariel playing and singing Ferdinand following
ARIELS SONG
Come unto these yellow sands
And then take hands
Curtsied when you have and kissd
The wild waves whist
Foot it featly here and there
And sweet sprites bear
The burden Hark hark
Burden dispersedly Bowwow
The watch dogs bark
Burden dispersedly Bowwow
Hark hark I hear
The strain of strutting chanticleer
Cry cockadiddledow
FERDINAND
Where should this music be i th air or th earth
It sounds no more and sure it waits upon
Some god o th island Sitting on a bank
Weeping again the King my fathers wrack
This music crept by me upon the waters
Allaying both their fury and my passion
With its sweet air thence I have followd it
Or it hath drawn me ratherbut tis gone
No it begins again
ARIEL
Sings
Full fathom five thy father lies
Of his bones are coral made
Those are pearls that were his eyes
Nothing of him that doth fade
But doth suffer a seachange
Into something rich and strange
Seanymphs hourly ring his knell
Burden Dingdong
Hark now I hear them dingdong bell
FERDINAND
The ditty does remember my drownd father
This is no mortal business nor no sound
That the earth owesI hear it now above me
PROSPERO
The fringed curtains of thine eye advance
And say what thou seest yond
MIRANDA
What ist a spirit
Lord how it looks about Believe me sir
It carries a brave form But tis a spirit
PROSPERO
No wench it eats and sleeps and hath such senses
As we have such This gallant which thou seest
Was in the wrack and but hes something staind
With griefthats beautys cankerthou mightst call him
A goodly person he hath lost his fellows
And strays about to find em
MIRANDA
I might call him
A thing divine for nothing natural
I ever saw so noble
PROSPERO
Aside It goes on I see
As my soul prompts it Spirit fine spirit Ill free thee
Within two days for this
FERDINAND
Most sure the goddess
On whom these airs attend Vouchsafe my prayer
May know if you remain upon this island
And that you will some good instruction give
How I may bear me here my prime request
Which I do last pronounce is O you wonder
If you be maid or no
MIRANDA
No wonder sir
But certainly a maid
FERDINAND
My language Heavens
I am the best of them that speak this speech
Were I but where tis spoken
PROSPERO
How the best
What wert thou if the King of Naples heard thee
FERDINAND
A single thing as I am now that wonders
To hear thee speak of Naples He does hear me
And that he does I weep myself am Naples
Who with mine eyes never since at ebb beheld
The King my father wrackd
MIRANDA
Alack for mercy
FERDINAND
Yes faith and all his lords the Duke of Milan
And his brave son being twain
PROSPERO
Aside The Duke of Milan
And his more braver daughter could control thee
If now twere fit to dot At the first sight
They have changed eyes Delicate Ariel
Ill set thee free for this To Ferdinand A word good sir
I fear you have done yourself some wrong a word
MIRANDA
Why speaks my father so ungently This
Is the third man that eer I saw the first
That eer I sighd for Pity move my father
To be inclind my way
FERDINAND
O if a virgin
And your affection not gone forth Ill make you
The Queen of Naples
PROSPERO
Soft sir one word more
Aside They are both in eithers powers But this swift business
I must uneasy make lest too light winning
Make the prize light To Ferdinand One word more I charge thee
That thou attend me Thou dost here usurp
The name thou owst not and hast put thyself
Upon this island as a spy to win it
From me the lord on t
FERDINAND
No as I am a man
MIRANDA
Theres nothing ill can dwell in such a temple
If the ill spirit have so fair a house
Good things will strive to dwell with t
PROSPERO
To Ferdinand Follow me
To Miranda Speak not you for him hes a traitor
To Ferdinand Come
Ill manacle thy neck and feet together
Seawater shalt thou drink thy food shall be
The freshbrook mussels witherd roots and husks
Wherein the acorn cradled Follow
FERDINAND
No
I will resist such entertainment till
Mine enemy has more power
He draws and is charmed from moving
MIRANDA
O dear father
Make not too rash a trial of him for
Hes gentle and not fearful
PROSPERO
What I say
My foot my tutor Put thy sword up traitor
Who makst a show but darst not strike thy conscience
Is so possessd with guilt come from thy ward
For I can here disarm thee with this stick
And make thy weapon drop
MIRANDA
Beseech you father
PROSPERO
Hence Hang not on my garments
MIRANDA
Sir have pity
Ill be his surety
PROSPERO
Silence One word more
Shall make me chide thee if not hate thee What
An advocate for an impostor hush
Thou thinkst there is no more such shapes as he
Having seen but him and Caliban foolish wench
To th most of men this is a Caliban
And they to him are angels
MIRANDA
My affections
Are then most humble I have no ambition
To see a goodlier man
PROSPERO
To Ferdinand Come on obey
Thy nerves are in their infancy again
And have no vigour in them
FERDINAND
So they are
My spirits as in a dream are all bound up
My fathers loss the weakness which I feel
The wrack of all my friends nor this mans threats
To whom I am subdued are but light to me
Might I but through my prison once a day
Behold this maid all corners else o th earth
Let liberty make use of space enough
Have I in such a prison
PROSPERO
Aside It works To Ferdinand Come on
Thou hast done well fine Ariel To Ferdinand Follow me
To Ariel Hark what thou else shalt do me
MIRANDA
Be of comfort
My fathers of a better nature sir
Than he appears by speech this is unwonted
Which now came from him
PROSPERO
Thou shalt be as free
As mountain winds but then exactly do
All points of my command
ARIEL
To th syllable
PROSPERO
To Ferdinand Come follow Speak not for him
Exeunt
ACT II
SCENE I Another part of the island
Enter Alonso Sebastian Antonio Gonzalo Adrian Francisco and others
GONZALO
Beseech you sir be merry you have cause
So have we all of joy for our escape
Is much beyond our loss Our hint of woe
Is common every day some sailors wife
The masters of some merchant and the merchant
Have just our theme of woe but for the miracle
I mean our preservation few in millions
Can speak like us then wisely good sir weigh
Our sorrow with our comfort
ALONSO
Prithee peace
SEBASTIAN
He receives comfort like cold porridge
ANTONIO
The visitor will not give him oer so
SEBASTIAN
Look hes winding up the watch of his wit by and by it will strike
GONZALO
Sir
SEBASTIAN
One tell
GONZALO
When every grief is entertaind thats offerd
Comes to the entertainer
SEBASTIAN
A dollar
GONZALO
Dolour comes to him indeed you have spoken truer than you purposed
SEBASTIAN
You have taken it wiselier than I meant you should
GONZALO
Therefore my lord
ANTONIO
Fie what a spendthrift is he of his tongue
ALONSO
I prithee spare
GONZALO
Well I have done but yet
SEBASTIAN
He will be talking
ANTONIO
Which of he or Adrian for a good wager first begins to crow
SEBASTIAN
The old cock
ANTONIO
The cockerel
SEBASTIAN
Done The wager
ANTONIO
A laughter
SEBASTIAN
A match
ADRIAN
Though this island seem to be desert
ANTONIO
Ha ha ha
SEBASTIAN
So Youre paid
ADRIAN
Uninhabitable and almost inaccessible
SEBASTIAN
Yet
ADRIAN
Yet
ANTONIO
He could not miss t
ADRIAN
It must needs be of subtle tender and delicate temperance
ANTONIO
Temperance was a delicate wench
SEBASTIAN
Ay and a subtle as he most learnedly delivered
ADRIAN
The air breathes upon us here most sweetly
SEBASTIAN
As if it had lungs and rotten ones
ANTONIO
Or as twere perfumd by a fen
GONZALO
Here is everything advantageous to life
ANTONIO
True save means to live
SEBASTIAN
Of that theres none or little
GONZALO
How lush and lusty the grass looks how green
ANTONIO
The ground indeed is tawny
SEBASTIAN
With an eye of green int
ANTONIO
He misses not much
SEBASTIAN
No he doth but mistake the truth totally
GONZALO
But the rarity of it iswhich is indeed almost beyond credit
SEBASTIAN
As many vouchd rarities are
GONZALO
That our garments being as they were drenched in the sea hold notwithstanding their freshness and glosses being rather newdyed than stained with salt water
ANTONIO
If but one of his pockets could speak would it not say he lies
SEBASTIAN
Ay or very falsely pocket up his report
GONZALO
Methinks our garments are now as fresh as when we put them on first in Afric at the marriage of the Kings fair daughter Claribel to the King of Tunis
SEBASTIAN
Twas a sweet marriage and we prosper well in our return
ADRIAN
Tunis was never graced before with such a paragon to their Queen
GONZALO
Not since widow Didos time
ANTONIO
Widow a pox o that How came that widow in Widow Dido
SEBASTIAN
What if he had said widower Aeneas too
Good Lord how you take it
ADRIAN
Widow Dido said you You make me study of that she was of Carthage not of Tunis
GONZALO
This Tunis sir was Carthage
ADRIAN
Carthage
GONZALO
I assure you Carthage
ANTONIO
His word is more than the miraculous harp
SEBASTIAN
He hath raisd the wall and houses too
ANTONIO
What impossible matter will he make easy next
SEBASTIAN
I think he will carry this island home in his pocket and give it his son for an apple
ANTONIO
And sowing the kernels of it in the sea bring forth more islands
ALONSO
Ay
ANTONIO
Why in good time
GONZALO
To Alonso Sir we were talking that our garments seem now as fresh as when we were at Tunis at the marriage of your daughter who is now Queen
ANTONIO
And the rarest that eer came there
SEBASTIAN
Bate I beseech you widow Dido
ANTONIO
O widow Dido ay widow Dido
GONZALO
Is not sir my doublet as fresh as the first day I wore it I mean in a sort
ANTONIO
That sort was well fishd for
GONZALO
When I wore it at your daughters marriage
ALONSO
You cram these words into mine ears against
The stomach of my sense Would I had never
Married my daughter there for coming thence
My son is lost and in my rate she too
Who is so far from Italy removed
I neer again shall see her O thou mine heir
Of Naples and of Milan what strange fish
Hath made his meal on thee
FRANCISCO
Sir he may live
I saw him beat the surges under him
And ride upon their backs He trod the water
Whose enmity he flung aside and breasted
The surge most swoln that met him His bold head
Bove the contentious waves he kept and oared
Himself with his good arms in lusty stroke
To th shore that oer his waveworn basis bowed
As stooping to relieve him I not doubt
He came alive to land
ALONSO
No no hes gone
SEBASTIAN
Sir you may thank yourself for this great loss
That would not bless our Europe with your daughter
But rather lose her to an African
Where she at least is banishd from your eye
Who hath cause to wet the grief on t
ALONSO
Prithee peace
SEBASTIAN
You were kneeld to and importund otherwise
By all of us and the fair soul herself
Weighd between loathness and obedience at
Which end o th beam should bow We have lost your son
I fear for ever Milan and Naples have
More widows in them of this business making
Than we bring men to comfort them
The faults your own
ALONSO
So is the dearst o th loss
GONZALO
My lord Sebastian
The truth you speak doth lack some gentleness
And time to speak it in You rub the sore
When you should bring the plaster
SEBASTIAN
Very well
ANTONIO
And most chirurgeonly
GONZALO
It is foul weather in us all good sir
When you are cloudy
SEBASTIAN
Foul weather
ANTONIO
Very foul
GONZALO
Had I plantation of this isle my lord
ANTONIO
Hed sow t with nettleseed
SEBASTIAN
Or docks or mallows
GONZALO
And were the King ont what would I do
SEBASTIAN
Scape being drunk for want of wine
GONZALO
I th commonwealth I would by contraries
Execute all things for no kind of traffic
Would I admit no name of magistrate
Letters should not be known riches poverty
And use of service none contract succession
Bourn bound of land tilth vineyard none
No use of metal corn or wine or oil
No occupation all men idle all
And women too but innocent and pure
No sovereignty
SEBASTIAN
Yet he would be King ont
ANTONIO
The latter end of his commonwealth forgets the beginning
GONZALO
All things in common nature should produce
Without sweat or endeavour treason felony
Sword pike knife gun or need of any engine
Would I not have but nature should bring forth
Of it own kind all foison all abundance
To feed my innocent people
SEBASTIAN
No marrying mong his subjects
ANTONIO
None man all idle whores and knaves
GONZALO
I would with such perfection govern sir
T excel the Golden Age
SEBASTIAN
Save his Majesty
ANTONIO
Long live Gonzalo
GONZALO
Anddo you mark me sir
ALONSO
Prithee no more thou dost talk nothing to me
GONZALO
I do well believe your highness and did it to minister occasion to these gentlemen who are of such sensible and nimble lungs that they always use to laugh at nothing
ANTONIO
Twas you we laughed at
GONZALO
Who in this kind of merry fooling am nothing to you So you may continue and laugh at nothing still
ANTONIO
What a blow was there given
SEBASTIAN
An it had not fallen flatlong
GONZALO
You are gentlemen of brave mettle You would lift the moon out of her sphere if she would continue in it five weeks without changing
Enter Ariel invisible playing solemn music
SEBASTIAN
We would so and then go abatfowling
ANTONIO
Nay good my lord be not angry
GONZALO
No I warrant you I will not adventure my discretion so weakly Will you laugh me asleep for I am very heavy
ANTONIO
Go sleep and hear us
All sleep but Alonso Sebastian and Antonio
ALONSO
What all so soon asleep I wish mine eyes
Would with themselves shut up my thoughts I find
They are inclind to do so
SEBASTIAN
Please you sir
Do not omit the heavy offer of it
It seldom visits sorrow when it doth
It is a comforter
ANTONIO
We two my lord
Will guard your person while you take your rest
And watch your safety
ALONSO
Thank you Wondrous heavy
Alonso sleeps Exit Ariel
SEBASTIAN
What a strange drowsiness possesses them
ANTONIO
It is the quality o th climate
SEBASTIAN
Why
Doth it not then our eyelids sink I find not
Myself disposd to sleep
ANTONIO
Nor I My spirits are nimble
They fell together all as by consent
They droppd as by a thunderstroke What might
Worthy Sebastian O what mightNo more
And yet methinks I see it in thy face
What thou shouldst be Th occasion speaks thee and
My strong imagination sees a crown
Dropping upon thy head
SEBASTIAN
What art thou waking
ANTONIO
Do you not hear me speak
SEBASTIAN
I do and surely
It is a sleepy language and thou speakst
Out of thy sleep What is it thou didst say
This is a strange repose to be asleep
With eyes wide open standing speaking moving
And yet so fast asleep
ANTONIO
Noble Sebastian
Thou letst thy fortune sleepdie rather winkst
Whiles thou art waking
SEBASTIAN
Thou dost snore distinctly
Theres meaning in thy snores
ANTONIO
I am more serious than my custom you
Must be so too if heed me which to do
Trebles thee oer
SEBASTIAN
Well I am standing water
ANTONIO
Ill teach you how to flow
SEBASTIAN
Do so to ebb
Hereditary sloth instructs me
ANTONIO
O
If you but knew how you the purpose cherish
Whiles thus you mock it how in stripping it
You more invest it Ebbing men indeed
Most often do so near the bottom run
By their own fear or sloth
SEBASTIAN
Prithee say on
The setting of thine eye and cheek proclaim
A matter from thee and a birth indeed
Which throes thee much to yield
ANTONIO
Thus sir
Although this lord of weak remembrance this
Who shall be of as little memory
When he is earthd hath here almost persuaded
For hes a spirit of persuasion only
Professes to persuadethe King his sons alive
Tis as impossible that hes undrownd
As he that sleeps here swims
SEBASTIAN
I have no hope
That hes undrownd
ANTONIO
O out of that no hope
What great hope have you No hope that way is
Another way so high a hope that even
Ambition cannot pierce a wink beyond
But doubts discovery there Will you grant with me
That Ferdinand is drownd
SEBASTIAN
Hes gone
ANTONIO
Then tell me
Whos the next heir of Naples
SEBASTIAN
Claribel
ANTONIO
She that is Queen of Tunis she that dwells
Ten leagues beyond mans life she that from Naples
Can have no note unless the sun were post
The Man i th Moons too slowtill newborn chins
Be rough and razorable she that from whom
We all were seaswallowd though some cast again
And by that destiny to perform an act
Whereof whats past is prologue what to come
In yours and my discharge
SEBASTIAN
What stuff is this How say you
Tis true my brothers daughters Queen of Tunis
So is she heir of Naples twixt which regions
There is some space
ANTONIO
A space whose evry cubit
Seems to cry out How shall that Claribel
Measure us back to Naples Keep in Tunis
And let Sebastian wake Say this were death
That now hath seizd them why they were no worse
Than now they are There be that can rule Naples
As well as he that sleeps lords that can prate
As amply and unnecessarily
As this Gonzalo I myself could make
A chough of as deep chat O that you bore
The mind that I do What a sleep were this
For your advancement Do you understand me
SEBASTIAN
Methinks I do
ANTONIO
And how does your content
Tender your own good fortune
SEBASTIAN
I remember
You did supplant your brother Prospero
ANTONIO
True
And look how well my garments sit upon me
Much feater than before my brothers servants
Were then my fellows now they are my men
SEBASTIAN
But for your conscience
ANTONIO
Ay sir where lies that If twere a kibe
Twould put me to my slipper but I feel not
This deity in my bosom twenty consciences
That stand twixt me and Milan candied be they
And melt ere they molest Here lies your brother
No better than the earth he lies upon
If he were that which now hes like thats dead
Whom I with this obedient steel three inches of it
Can lay to bed for ever whiles you doing thus
To the perpetual wink for aye might put
This ancient morsel this Sir Prudence who
Should not upbraid our course For all the rest
Theyll take suggestion as a cat laps milk
Theyll tell the clock to any business that
We say befits the hour
SEBASTIAN
Thy case dear friend
Shall be my precedent as thou gotst Milan
Ill come by Naples Draw thy sword one stroke
Shall free thee from the tribute which thou payest
And I the King shall love thee
ANTONIO
Draw together
And when I rear my hand do you the like
To fall it on Gonzalo
SEBASTIAN
O but one word
They converse apart
Music Reenter Ariel invisible
ARIEL
My master through his art foresees the danger
That you his friend are in and sends me forth
For else his project diesto keep them living
Sings in Gonzalos ear
While you here do snoring lie
Openeyd conspiracy
His time doth take
If of life you keep a care
Shake off slumber and beware
Awake awake
ANTONIO
Then let us both be sudden
GONZALO
Now good angels
Preserve the King
They wake
ALONSO
Why how now Ho awake Why are you drawn
Wherefore this ghastly looking
GONZALO
Whats the matter
SEBASTIAN
Whiles we stood here securing your repose
Even now we heard a hollow burst of bellowing
Like bulls or rather lions did t not wake you
It struck mine ear most terribly
ALONSO
I heard nothing
ANTONIO
O twas a din to fright a monsters ear
To make an earthquake Sure it was the roar
Of a whole herd of lions
ALONSO
Heard you this Gonzalo
GONZALO
Upon mine honour sir I heard a humming
And that a strange one too which did awake me
I shakd you sir and cried as mine eyes opend
I saw their weapons drawnthere was a noise
Thats verily Tis best we stand upon our guard
Or that we quit this place lets draw our weapons
ALONSO
Lead off this ground and lets make further search
For my poor son
GONZALO
Heavens keep him from these beasts
For he is sure i th island
ALONSO
Lead away
Exit with the others
ARIEL
Prospero my lord shall know what I have done
So King go safely on to seek thy son
Exit
SCENE II Another part of the island
Enter Caliban with a burden of wood A noise of thunder heard
CALIBAN
All the infections that the sun sucks up
From bogs fens flats on Prosper fall and make him
By inchmeal a disease His spirits hear me
And yet I needs must curse But theyll nor pinch
Fright me with urchinshows pitch me i the mire
Nor lead me like a firebrand in the dark
Out of my way unless he bid em but
For every trifle are they set upon me
Sometime like apes that mow and chatter at me
And after bite me then like hedgehogs which
Lie tumbling in my barefoot way and mount
Their pricks at my footfall sometime am I
All wound with adders who with cloven tongues
Do hiss me into madness
Enter Trinculo
Lo now lo
Here comes a spirit of his and to torment me
For bringing wood in slowly Ill fall flat
Perchance he will not mind me
TRINCULO
Heres neither bush nor shrub to bear off any weather at all and another storm brewing I hear it sing i th wind Yond same black cloud yond huge one looks like a foul bombard that would shed his liquor If it should thunder as it did before I know not where to hide my head yond same cloud cannot choose but fall by pailfuls What have we here a man or a fish dead or alive A fish he smells like a fish a very ancient and fishlike smell a kind of not of the newest PoorJohn A strange fish Were I in England now as once I was and had but this fish painted not a holiday fool there but would give a piece of silver there would this monster make a man any strange beast there makes a man When they will not give a doit to relieve a lame beggar they will lay out ten to see a dead Indian Leggd like a man and his fins like arms Warm o my troth I do now let loose my opinion hold it no longer this is no fish but an islander that hath lately suffered by thunderbolt Thunder Alas the storm is come again My best way is to creep under his gaberdine there is no other shelter hereabout misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows I will here shroud till the dregs of the storm be past
Enter Stephano singing a bottle in his hand
STEPHANO
I shall no more to sea to sea
Here shall I die ashore
This is a very scurvy tune to sing at a mans funeral
Well heres my comfort
Drinks
The master the swabber the boatswain and I
The gunner and his mate
Lovd Mall Meg and Marian and Margery
But none of us card for Kate
For she had a tongue with a tang
Would cry to a sailor Go hang
She lovd not the savour of tar nor of pitch
Yet a tailor might scratch her whereer she did itch
Then to sea boys and let her go hang
This is a scurvy tune too but heres my comfort
Drinks
CALIBAN
Do not torment me O
STEPHANO
Whats the matter Have we devils here Do you put tricks upon s with savages and men of Ind Ha I have not scapd drowning to be afeard now of your four legs for it hath been said As proper a man as ever went on four legs cannot make him give ground and it shall be said so again while Stephano breathes at nostrils
CALIBAN
The spirit torments me O
STEPHANO
This is some monster of the isle with four legs who hath got as I take it an ague Where the devil should he learn our language I will give him some relief if it be but for that If I can recover him and keep him tame and get to Naples with him hes a present for any emperor that ever trod on neatsleather
CALIBAN
Do not torment me prithee Ill bring my wood home faster
STEPHANO
Hes in his fit now and does not talk after the wisest He shall taste of my bottle if he have never drunk wine afore it will go near to remove his fit If I can recover him and keep him tame I will not take too much for him He shall pay for him that hath him and that soundly
CALIBAN
Thou dost me yet but little hurt thou wilt anon
I know it by thy trembling now Prosper works upon thee
STEPHANO
Come on your ways Open your mouth here is that which will give language to you cat Open your mouth This will shake your shaking I can tell you and that soundly gives Caliban a drink You cannot tell whos your friend open your chaps again
TRINCULO
I should know that voice it should bebut he is drowned and these are devils O defend me
STEPHANO
Four legs and two voices a most delicate monster His forward voice now is to speak well of his friend his backward voice is to utter foul speeches and to detract If all the wine in my bottle will recover him I will help his ague Come Amen I will pour some in thy other mouth
TRINCULO
Stephano
STEPHANO
Doth thy other mouth call me Mercy mercy
This is a devil and no monster I will leave him I
have no long spoon
TRINCULO
Stephano If thou beest Stephano touch me and speak to me for I am Trinculobe not afearedthy good friend Trinculo
STEPHANO
If thou beest Trinculo come forth Ill pull thee by the lesser legs if any be Trinculos legs these are they Thou art very Trinculo indeed How camst thou to be the siege of this mooncalf Can he vent Trinculos
TRINCULO
I took him to be killd with a thunderstroke But art thou not drownd Stephano I hope now thou are not drownd Is the storm overblown I hid me under the dead mooncalfs gaberdine for fear of the storm And art thou living Stephano O Stephano two Neapolitans scapd
STEPHANO
Prithee do not turn me about My stomach is not constant
CALIBAN
Aside These be fine things an if they be not sprites
Thats a brave god and bears celestial liquor
I will kneel to him
STEPHANO
How didst thou scape How camst thou hither Swear by this bottle how thou camst hitherI escaped upon a butt of sack which the sailors heaved oerboard by this bottle which I made of the bark of a tree with mine own hands since I was cast ashore
CALIBAN
Ill swear upon that bottle to be thy true subject for the liquor is not earthly
STEPHANO
Here Swear then how thou escapedst
TRINCULO
Swum ashore man like a duck I can swim like a duck Ill be sworn
STEPHANO
Here kiss the book Though thou canst swim like a duck thou art made like a goose
TRINCULO
O Stephano hast any more of this
STEPHANO
The whole butt man my cellar is in a rock by th seaside where my wine is hid How now mooncalf How does thine ague
CALIBAN
Hast thou not dropped from heaven
STEPHANO
Out o the moon I do assure thee I was the Man in the Moon when time was
CALIBAN
I have seen thee in her and I do adore thee My mistress showed me thee and thy dog and thy bush
STEPHANO
Come swear to that Kiss the book I will furnish it anon with new contents Swear
TRINCULO
By this good light this is a very shallow monster I afeard of him A very weak monster The Man i the Moon A most poor credulous monster Well drawn monster in good sooth
CALIBAN
Ill show thee every fertile inch o the island and I will kiss thy foot I prithee be my god
TRINCULO
By this light a most perfidious and drunken monster When s gods asleep hell rob his bottle
CALIBAN
Ill kiss thy foot Ill swear myself thy subject
STEPHANO
Come on then down and swear
TRINCULO
I shall laugh myself to death at this puppyheaded monster A most scurvy monster I could find in my heart to beat him
STEPHANO
Come kiss
TRINCULO
But that the poor monsters in drink An abominable monster
CALIBAN
Ill show thee the best springs Ill pluck thee berries
Ill fish for thee and get thee wood enough
A plague upon the tyrant that I serve
Ill bear him no more sticks but follow thee
Thou wondrous man
TRINCULO
A most ridiculous monster to make a wonder of a poor drunkard
CALIBAN
I prithee let me bring thee where crabs grow
And I with my long nails will dig thee pignuts
Show thee a jays nest and instruct thee how
To snare the nimble marmoset Ill bring thee
To clustering filberts and sometimes Ill get thee
Young scamels from the rock Wilt thou go with me
STEPHANO
I prithee now lead the way without any more talking Trinculo the King and all our company else being drowned we will inherit here Here bear my bottle Fellow Trinculo well fill him by and by again
CALIBAN
Sings drunkenly Farewell master farewell farewell
TRINCULO
A howling monster a drunken monster
CALIBAN
No more dams Ill make for fish
Nor fetch in firing
At requiring
Nor scrape trenchering nor wash dish
Ban Ban Cacaliban
Has a new masterGet a new man
Freedom highday highday freedom freedom
highday freedom
STEPHANO
O brave monster lead the way
Exeunt
ACT III
SCENE I Before Prosperos cell
Enter Ferdinand bearing a log
FERDINAND
There be some sports are painful and their labour
Delight in them sets off some kinds of baseness
Are nobly undergone and most poor matters
Point to rich ends This my mean task
Would be as heavy to me as odious but
The mistress which I serve quickens whats dead
And makes my labours pleasures O she is
Ten times more gentle than her fathers crabbed
And hes composd of harshness I must remove
Some thousands of these logs and pile them up
Upon a sore injunction my sweet mistress
Weeps when she sees me work and says such baseness
Had never like executor I forget
But these sweet thoughts do even refresh my labours
Most busy least when I do it
Enter Miranda and Prospero behind
MIRANDA
Alas now pray you
Work not so hard I would the lightning had
Burnt up those logs that you are enjoind to pile
Pray set it down and rest you When this burns
Twill weep for having wearied you My father
Is hard at study pray now rest yourself
Hes safe for these three hours
FERDINAND
O most dear mistress
The sun will set before I shall discharge
What I must strive to do
MIRANDA
If youll sit down
Ill bear your logs the while Pray give me that
Ill carry it to the pile
FERDINAND
No precious creature
I had rather crack my sinews break my back
Than you should such dishonour undergo
While I sit lazy by
MIRANDA
It would become me
As well as it does you and I should do it
With much more ease for my good will is to it
And yours it is against
PROSPERO
Aside Poor worm thou art infected
This visitation shows it
MIRANDA
You look wearily
FERDINAND
No noble mistress tis fresh morning with me
When you are by at night I do beseech you
Chiefly that I might set it in my prayers
What is your name
MIRANDA
MirandaO my father
I have broke your hest to say so
FERDINAND
Admird Miranda
Indeed the top of admiration worth
Whats dearest to the world Full many a lady
I have eyd with best regard and many a time
Th harmony of their tongues hath into bondage
Brought my too diligent ear for several virtues
Have I likd several women never any
With so full soul but some defect in her
Did quarrel with the noblest grace she owd
And put it to the foil but you O you
So perfect and so peerless are created
Of every creatures best
MIRANDA
I do not know
One of my sex no womans face remember
Save from my glass mine own nor have I seen
More that I may call men than you good friend
And my dear father how features are abroad
I am skilless of but by my modesty
The jewel in my dower I would not wish
Any companion in the world but you
Nor can imagination form a shape
Besides yourself to like of But I prattle
Something too wildly and my fathers precepts
I therein do forget
FERDINAND
I am in my condition
A prince Miranda I do think a King
I would not soand would no more endure
This wooden slavery than to suffer
The fleshfly blow my mouth Hear my soul speak
The very instant that I saw you did
My heart fly to your service there resides
To make me slave to it and for your sake
Am I this patient logman
MIRANDA
Do you love me
FERDINAND
O heaven O earth bear witness to this sound
And crown what I profess with kind event
If I speak true if hollowly invert
What best is boded me to mischief I
Beyond all limit of what else i the world
Do love prize honour you
MIRANDA
I am a fool
To weep at what I am glad of
PROSPERO
Aside Fair encounter
Of two most rare affections Heavens rain grace
On that which breeds between em
FERDINAND
Wherefore weep you
MIRANDA
At mine unworthiness that dare not offer
What I desire to give and much less take
What I shall die to want But this is trifling
And all the more it seeks to hide itself
The bigger bulk it shows Hence bashful cunning
And prompt me plain and holy innocence
I am your wife if you will marry me
If not Ill die your maid to be your fellow
You may deny me but Ill be your servant
Whether you will or no
FERDINAND
My mistress dearest
And I thus humble ever
MIRANDA
My husband then
FERDINAND
Ay with a heart as willing
As bondage eer of freedom heres my hand
MIRANDA
And mine with my heart in t and now farewell
Till half an hour hence
FERDINAND
A thousand thousand
Exeunt Ferdinand and Miranda severally
PROSPERO
So glad of this as they I cannot be
Who are surprisd withal but my rejoicing
At nothing can be more Ill to my book
For yet ere supper time must I perform
Much business appertaining
Exit
SCENE II Another part of the island
Enter Caliban with a bottle Stephano and Trinculo
STEPHANO
Tell not mewhen the butt is out we will drink water not a drop before therefore bear up and board em Servantmonster drink to me
TRINCULO
Servantmonster The folly of this island They say theres but five upon this isle we are three of them if th other two be brained like us the state totters
STEPHANO
Drink servantmonster when I bid thee thy eyes are almost set in thy head
TRINCULO
Where should they be set else He were a brave monster indeed if they were set in his tail
STEPHANO
My manmonster hath drownd his tongue in sack for my part the sea cannot drown me I swam ere I could recover the shore fiveandthirty leagues off and on by this light Thou shalt be my lieutenant monster or my standard
TRINCULO
Your lieutenant if you list hes no standard
STEPHANO
Well not run Monsieur monster
TRINCULO
Nor go neither But youll lie like dogs and yet say nothing neither
STEPHANO
Mooncalf speak once in thy life if thou beest a good mooncalf
CALIBAN
How does thy honour Let me lick thy shoe Ill not serve him he is not valiant
TRINCULO
Thou liest most ignorant monster I am in case to justle a constable Why thou deboshed fish thou was there ever man a coward that hath drunk so much sack as I today Wilt thou tell a monstrous lie being but half a fish and half a monster
CALIBAN
Lo how he mocks me wilt thou let him my lord
TRINCULO
Lord quoth he That a monster should be such a natural
CALIBAN
Lo lo again bite him to death I prithee
STEPHANO
Trinculo keep a good tongue in your head if you prove a mutineer the next tree The poor monsters my subject and he shall not suffer indignity
CALIBAN
I thank my noble lord Wilt thou be pleasd to hearken once again to the suit I made to thee
STEPHANO
Marry will I Kneel and repeat it I will stand and so shall Trinculo
Enter Ariel invisible
CALIBAN
As I told thee before I am subject to a tyrant a sorcerer that by his cunning hath cheated me of the island
ARIEL
Thou liest
CALIBAN
Thou liest thou jesting monkey thou
I would my valiant master would destroy thee
I do not lie
STEPHANO
Trinculo if you trouble him any more in his tale by this hand I will supplant some of your teeth
TRINCULO
Why I said nothing
STEPHANO
Mum then and no more Proceed
CALIBAN
I say by sorcery he got this isle
From me he got it If thy greatness will
Revenge it on himfor I know thou darst
But this thing dare not
STEPHANO
Thats most certain
CALIBAN
Thou shalt be lord of it and Ill serve thee
STEPHANO
How now shall this be compassed Canst thou bring me to the party
CALIBAN
Yea yea my lord Ill yield him thee asleep
Where thou mayst knock a nail into his head
ARIEL
Thou liest Thou canst not
CALIBAN
What a pied ninnys this Thou scurvy patch
I do beseech thy greatness give him blows
And take his bottle from him when thats gone
He shall drink nought but brine for Ill not show him
Where the quick freshes are
STEPHANO
Trinculo run into no further danger interrupt the monster one word further and by this hand Ill turn my mercy out o doors and make a stockfish of thee
TRINCULO
Why what did I I did nothing Ill go farther off
STEPHANO
Didst thou not say he lied
ARIEL
Thou liest
STEPHANO
Do I so Take thou that
Strikes Trinculo
As you like this give me the lie another time
TRINCULO
I did not give the lie Out o your wits and hearing too A pox o your bottle this can sack and drinking do A murrain on your monster and the devil take your fingers
CALIBAN
Ha ha ha
STEPHANO
Now forward with your talePrithee stand further off
CALIBAN
Beat him enough after a little time
Ill beat him too
STEPHANO
Stand fartherCome proceed
CALIBAN
Why as I told thee tis a custom with him
I th afternoon to sleep there thou mayst brain him
Having first seizd his books or with a log
Batter his skull or paunch him with a stake
Or cut his wezand with thy knife Remember
First to possess his books for without them
Hes but a sot as I am nor hath not
One spirit to command they all do hate him
As rootedly as I Burn but his books
He has brave utensilsfor so he calls them
Which when he has a house hell deck withal
And that most deeply to consider is
The beauty of his daughter he himself
Calls her a nonpareil I never saw a woman
But only Sycorax my dam and she
But she as far surpasseth Sycorax
As greatst does least
STEPHANO
Is it so brave a lass
CALIBAN
Ay lord she will become thy bed I warrant
And bring thee forth brave brood
STEPHANO
Monster I will kill this man His daughter and I will be king and queensave our gracesand Trinculo and thyself shall be viceroys Dost thou like the plot Trinculo
TRINCULO
Excellent
STEPHANO
Give me thy hand I am sorry I beat thee but while thou livst keep a good tongue in thy head
CALIBAN
Within this half hour will he be asleep
Wilt thou destroy him then
STEPHANO
Ay on mine honour
ARIEL
This will I tell my master
CALIBAN
Thou makst me merry I am full of pleasure
Let us be jocund will you troll the catch
You taught me but whileere
STEPHANO
At thy request monster I will do reason any reason Come on Trinculo let us sing
Sings
Flout em and cout em
and scout em and flout em
Thought is free
CALIBAN
Thats not the tune
Ariel plays the tune on a tabor and pipe
STEPHANO
What is this same
TRINCULO
This is the tune of our catch played by the picture of Nobody
STEPHANO
If thou beest a man show thyself in thy likeness if thou beest a devil take t as thou list
TRINCULO
O forgive me my sins
STEPHANO
He that dies pays all debts I defy thee Mercy upon us
CALIBAN
Art thou afeard
STEPHANO
No monster not I
CALIBAN
Be not afeard The isle is full of noises
Sounds and sweet airs that give delight and hurt not
Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
Will hum about mine ears and sometimes voices
That if I then had wakd after long sleep
Will make me sleep again and then in dreaming
The clouds methought would open and show riches
Ready to drop upon me that when I wakd
I cried to dream again
STEPHANO
This will prove a brave kingdom to me where I shall have my music for nothing
CALIBAN
When Prospero is destroyed
STEPHANO
That shall be by and by I remember the story
TRINCULO
The sound is going away Lets follow it and after do our work
STEPHANO
Lead monster well follow I would I could see this taborer he lays it on Wilt come
TRINCULO
Ill follow Stephano
Exeunt
SCENE III Another part of the island
Enter Alonso Sebastian Antonio Gonzalo Adrian Francisco c
GONZALO
By r lakin I can go no further sir
My old bones ache heres a maze trod indeed
Through forthrights and meanders By your patience
I needs must rest me
ALONSO
Old lord I cannot blame thee
Who am myself attachd with weariness
To th dulling of my spirits sit down and rest
Even here I will put off my hope and keep it
No longer for my flatterer he is drownd
Whom thus we stray to find and the sea mocks
Our frustrate search on land Well let him go
ANTONIO
Aside to Sebastian I am right glad that hes
so out of hope
Do not for one repulse forgo the purpose
That you resolvd to effect
SEBASTIAN
Aside to Antonio The next advantage
Will we take throughly
ANTONIO
Aside to Sebastian Let it be tonight
For now they are oppressd with travel they
Will not nor cannot use such vigilance
As when they are fresh
SEBASTIAN
Aside to Antonio I say tonight no more
Solemn and strange music and Prospero above invisible Enter several strange Shapes bringing in a banquet they dance about it with gentle actions of salutation and inviting the King c to eat they depart
ALONSO
What harmony is this My good friends hark
GONZALO
Marvellous sweet music
ALONSO
Give us kind keepers heavens What were these
SEBASTIAN
A living drollery Now I will believe
That there are unicorns that in Arabia
There is one tree the phoenix throne one phoenix
At this hour reigning there
ANTONIO
Ill believe both
And what does else want credit come to me
And Ill be sworn tis true travellers neer did lie
Though fools at home condemn them
GONZALO
If in Naples
I should report this now would they believe me
If I should say I saw such islanders
For certes these are people of the island
Who though they are of monstrous shape yet note
Their manners are more gentle kind than of
Our human generation you shall find
Many nay almost any
PROSPERO
Aside Honest lord
Thou hast said well for some of you there present
Are worse than devils
ALONSO
I cannot too much muse
Such shapes such gesture and such sound expressing
Although they want the use of tonguea kind
Of excellent dumb discourse
PROSPERO
Aside Praise in departing
FRANCISCO
They vanishd strangely
SEBASTIAN
No matter since
They have left their viands behind for we have stomachs
Willt please you taste of what is here
ALONSO
Not I
GONZALO
Faith sir you need not fear When we were boys
Who would believe that there were mountaineers
Dewlappd like bulls whose throats had hanging at em
Wallets of flesh Or that there were such men
Whose heads stood in their breasts which now we find
Each putterout of five for one will bring us
Good warrant of
ALONSO
I will stand to and feed
Although my last no matter since I feel
The best is past Brother my lord the duke
Stand to and do as we
Thunder and lightning Enter Ariel like a Harpy claps his wings upon the table and with a quaint device the banquet vanishes
ARIEL
You are three men of sin whom Destiny
That hath to instrument this lower world
And what is intthe neversurfeited sea
Hath caused to belch up you and on this island
Where man doth not inhabit you mongst men
Being most unfit to live I have made you mad
And even with suchlike valour men hang and drown
Their proper selves
Seeing Alonso Sebastian c draw their swords
You fools I and my fellows
Are ministers of Fate the elements
Of whom your swords are temperd may as well
Wound the loud winds or with bemockdat stabs
Kill the stillclosing waters as diminish
One dowle thats in my plume My fellowministers
Are like invulnerable If you could hurt
Your swords are now too massy for your strengths
And will not be uplifted But remember
For thats my business to youthat you three
From Milan did supplant good Prospero
Exposd unto the sea which hath requit it
Him and his innocent child for which foul deed
The powers delaying not forgetting have
Incensd the seas and shores yea all the creatures
Against your peace Thee of thy son Alonso
They have bereft and do pronounce by me
Lingring perditionworse than any death
Can be at onceshall step by step attend
You and your ways whose wraths to guard you from
Which here in this most desolate isle else falls
Upon your headsis nothing but heartsorrow
And a clear life ensuing
He vanishes in thunder then to soft music enter the Shapes again and dance with mocks and mows and carry out the table
PROSPERO
Aside Bravely the figure of this Harpy hast thou
Performd my Ariel a grace it had devouring
Of my instruction hast thou nothing bated
In what thou hadst to say so with good life
And observation strange my meaner ministers
Their several kinds have done My high charms work
And these mine enemies are all knit up
In their distractions they now are in my power
And in these fits I leave them while I visit
Young Ferdinandwhom they suppose is drownd
And his and mine lovd darling
Exit above
GONZALO
I the name of something holy sir why stand you
In this strange stare
ALONSO
O it is monstrous monstrous
Methought the billows spoke and told me of it
The winds did sing it to me and the thunder
That deep and dreadful organpipe pronouncd
The name of Prosper it did bass my trespass
Therefore my son i th ooze is bedded and
Ill seek him deeper than eer plummet sounded
And with him there lie mudded
Exit
SEBASTIAN
But one fiend at a time
Ill fight their legions oer
ANTONIO
Ill be thy second
Exeunt Sebastian and Antonio
GONZALO
All three of them are desperate their great guilt
Like poison given to work a great time after
Now gins to bite the spirits I do beseech you
That are of suppler joints follow them swiftly
And hinder them from what this ecstasy
May now provoke them to
ADRIAN
Follow I pray you
Exeunt
ACT IV
SCENE I Before Prosperos cell
Enter Prospero Ferdinand and Miranda
PROSPERO
If I have too austerely punishd you
Your compensation makes amends for I
Have given you here a third of mine own life
Or that for which I live who once again
I tender to thy hand all thy vexations
Were but my trials of thy love and thou
Hast strangely stood the test here afore Heaven
I ratify this my rich gift O Ferdinand
Do not smile at me that I boast her off
For thou shalt find she will outstrip all praise
And make it halt behind her
FERDINAND
I do believe it
Against an oracle
PROSPERO
Then as my gift and thine own acquisition
Worthily purchasd take my daughter but
If thou dost break her virgin knot before
All sanctimonious ceremonies may
With full and holy rite be ministerd
No sweet aspersion shall the heavens let fall
To make this contract grow but barren hate
Soureyd disdain and discord shall bestrew
The union of your bed with weeds so loathly
That you shall hate it both therefore take heed
As Hymens lamps shall light you
FERDINAND
As I hope
For quiet days fair issue and long life
With such love as tis now the murkiest den
The most opportune place the strongst suggestion
Our worser genius can shall never melt
Mine honour into lust to take away
The edge of that days celebration
When I shall think or Phoebus steeds are founderd
Or Night kept chaind below
PROSPERO
Fairly spoke
Sit then and talk with her she is thine own
What Ariel my industrious servant Ariel
Enter Ariel
ARIEL
What would my potent master here I am
PROSPERO
Thou and thy meaner fellows your last service
Did worthily perform and I must use you
In such another trick Go bring the rabble
Oer whom I give thee power here to this place
Incite them to quick motion for I must
Bestow upon the eyes of this young couple
Some vanity of mine art it is my promise
And they expect it from me
ARIEL
Presently
PROSPERO
Ay with a twink
ARIEL
Before you can say Come and Go
And breathe twice and cry so so
Each one tripping on his toe
Will be here with mop and mow
Do you love me master no
PROSPERO
Dearly my delicate Ariel Do not approach
Till thou dost hear me call
ARIEL
Well I conceive
Exit
PROSPERO
Look thou be true do not give dalliance
Too much the rein the strongest oaths are straw
To th fire i the blood be more abstemious
Or else good night your vow
FERDINAND
I warrant you sir
The white cold virgin snow upon my heart
Abates the ardour of my liver
PROSPERO
Well
Now come my Ariel bring a corollary
Rather than want a spirit appear and pertly
No tongue all eyes be silent
Soft music
A Masque Enter Iris
IRIS
Ceres most bounteous lady thy rich leas
Of wheat rye barley vetches oats and peas
Thy turfy mountains where live nibbling sheep
And flat meads thatchd with stover them to keep
Thy banks with pioned and twilled brims
Which spongy April at thy hest betrims
To make cold nymphs chaste crowns and thy broom groves
Whose shadow the dismissed bachelor loves
Being lasslorn thy poleclipt vineyard
And thy seamarge sterile and rockyhard
Where thou thyself dost air the Queen o th sky
Whose watry arch and messenger am I
Bids thee leave these and with her sovereign grace
Here on this grassplot in this very place
To come and sport her peacocks fly amain
Approach rich Ceres her to entertain
Enter Ceres
CERES
Hail manycolourd messenger that neer
Dost disobey the wife of Jupiter
Who with thy saffron wings upon my flowers
Diffusest honey drops refreshing showers
And with each end of thy blue bow dost crown
My bosky acres and my unshrubbd down
Rich scarf to my proud earth why hath thy queen
Summond me hither to this shortgrassd green
IRIS
A contract of true love to celebrate
And some donation freely to estate
On the blest lovers
CERES
Tell me heavenly bow
If Venus or her son as thou dost know
Do now attend the queen Since they did plot
The means that dusky Dis my daughter got
Her and her blind boys scandald company
I have forsworn
IRIS
Of her society
Be not afraid I met her deity
Cutting the clouds towards Paphos and her son
Dovedrawn with her Here thought they to have done
Some wanton charm upon this man and maid
Whose vows are that no bedright shall be paid
Till Hymens torch be lighted but in vain
Marss hot minion is returnd again
Her waspishheaded son has broke his arrows
Swears he will shoot no more but play with sparrows
And be a boy right out
CERES
Highest queen of State
Great Juno comes I know her by her gait
Enter Juno
JUNO
How does my bounteous sister Go with me
To bless this twain that they may prosperous be
And honourd in their issue
They sing
JUNO
Honour riches marriageblessing
Long continuance and increasing
Hourly joys be still upon you
Juno sings her blessings on you
CERES
Earths increase foison plenty
Barns and garners never empty
Vines with clustring bunches growing
Plants with goodly burden bowing
Spring come to you at the farthest
In the very end of harvest
Scarcity and want shall shun you
Ceres blessing so is on you
FERDINAND
This is a most majestic vision and
Harmonious charmingly May I be bold
To think these spirits
PROSPERO
Spirits which by mine art
I have from their confines calld to enact
My present fancies
FERDINAND
Let me live here ever
So rare a wonderd father and a wise
Makes this place Paradise
Juno and Ceres whisper and send Iris on employment
PROSPERO
Sweet now silence
Juno and Ceres whisper seriously
Theres something else to do hush and be mute
Or else our spell is marrd
IRIS
You nymphs calld Naiads of the windring brooks
With your sedgd crowns and everharmless looks
Leave your crisp channels and on this green land
Answer your summons Juno does command
Come temperate nymphs and help to celebrate
A contract of true love Be not too late
Enter certain Nymphs
You sunburnd sicklemen of August weary
Come hither from the furrow and be merry
Make holiday your ryestraw hats put on
And these fresh nymphs encounter every one
In country footing
Enter certain Reapers properly habited they join with the Nymphs in a graceful dance towards the end whereof Prospero starts suddenly and speaks after which to a strange hollow and confused noise they heavily vanish
PROSPERO
Aside I had forgot that foul conspiracy
Of the beast Caliban and his confederates
Against my life the minute of their plot
Is almost come To the Spirits Well done avoid no
more
FERDINAND
This is strange your fathers in some passion
That works him strongly
MIRANDA
Never till this day
Saw I him touchd with anger so distemperd
PROSPERO
You do look my son in a movd sort
As if you were dismayd be cheerful sir
Our revels now are ended These our actors
As I foretold you were all spirits and
Are melted into air into thin air
And like the baseless fabric of this vision
The cloudcappd towers the gorgeous palaces
The solemn temples the great globe itself
Yea all which it inherit shall dissolve
And like this insubstantial pageant faded
Leave not a rack behind We are such stuff
As dreams are made on and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep Sir I am vexd
Bear with my weakness my old brain is troubled
Be not disturbd with my infirmity
If you be pleasd retire into my cell
And there repose a turn or two Ill walk
To still my beating mind
FERDINAND MIRANDA
We wish your peace
Exeunt
PROSPERO
Come with a thought I thank thee Ariel Come
Enter Ariel
ARIEL
Thy thoughts I cleave to Whats thy pleasure
PROSPERO
Spirit
We must prepare to meet with Caliban
ARIEL
Ay my commander When I presented Ceres
I thought to have told thee of it but I feard
Lest I might anger thee
PROSPERO
Say again where didst thou leave these varlets
ARIEL
I told you sir they were redhot with drinking
So full of valour that they smote the air
For breathing in their faces beat the ground
For kissing of their feet yet always bending
Towards their project Then I beat my tabor
At which like unbackd colts they prickd their ears
Advancd their eyelids lifted up their noses
As they smelt music so I charmd their ears
That calflike they my lowing followd through
Toothd briers sharp furzes pricking goss and thorns
Which enterd their frail shins at last I left them
I th filthymantled pool beyond your cell
There dancing up to th chins that the foul lake
Oerstunk their feet
PROSPERO
This was well done my bird
Thy shape invisible retain thou still
The trumpery in my house go bring it hither
For stale to catch these thieves
ARIEL
I go I go
Exit
PROSPERO
A devil a born devil on whose nature
Nurture can never stick on whom my pains
Humanely taken all all lost quite lost
And as with age his body uglier grows
So his mind cankers I will plague them all
Even to roaring
Reenter Ariel loaden with glistering apparel c
Come hang them on this line
Prospero and Ariel remain invisible Enter Caliban Stephano and Trinculo all wet
CALIBAN
Pray you tread softly that the blind mole may not
Hear a foot fall we now are near his cell
STEPHANO
Monster your fairy which you say is a harmless fairy has done little better than played the Jack with us
TRINCULO
Monster I do smell all horsepiss at which my nose is in great indignation
STEPHANO
So is mine Do you hear monster If I should take a displeasure against you look you
TRINCULO
Thou wert but a lost monster
CALIBAN
Good my lord give me thy favour still
Be patient for the prize Ill bring thee to
Shall hoodwink this mischance therefore speak softly
Alls hushd as midnight yet
TRINCULO
Ay but to lose our bottles in the pool
STEPHANO
There is not only disgrace and dishonour in that monster but an infinite loss
TRINCULO
Thats more to me than my wetting yet this is your harmless fairy monster
STEPHANO
I will fetch off my bottle though I be oer ears for my labour
CALIBAN
Prithee my King be quiet Seest thou here
This is the mouth o th cell no noise and enter
Do that good mischief which may make this island
Thine own for ever and I thy Caliban
For aye thy footlicker
STEPHANO
Give me thy hand I do begin to have bloody thoughts
TRINCULO
O King Stephano O peer O worthy Stephano
Look what a wardrobe here is for thee
CALIBAN
Let it alone thou fool it is but trash
TRINCULO
O ho monster we know what belongs to a frippery O King Stephano
STEPHANO
Put off that gown Trinculo by this hand Ill have that gown
TRINCULO
Thy Grace shall have it
CALIBAN
The dropsy drown this fool What do you mean
To dote thus on such luggage Lett alone
And do the murder first If he awake
From toe to crown hell fill our skins with pinches
Make us strange stuff
STEPHANO
Be you quiet monster Mistress line is not this my jerkin Now is the jerkin under the line now jerkin you are like to lose your hair and prove a bald jerkin
TRINCULO
Do do we steal by line and level ant like your Grace
STEPHANO
I thank thee for that jest Heres a garment for t wit shall not go unrewarded while I am King of this country Steal by line and level is an excellent pass of pate Theres another garment for t
TRINCULO
Monster come put some lime upon your fingers and away with the rest
CALIBAN
I will have none ont We shall lose our time
And all be turnd to barnacles or to apes
With foreheads villainous low
STEPHANO
Monster layto your fingers help to bear this away where my hogshead of wine is or Ill turn you out of my kingdom Go to carry this
TRINCULO
And this
STEPHANO
Ay and this
A noise of hunters heard Enter divers Spirits in shape of dogs and hounds and hunt them about Prospero and Ariel setting them on
PROSPERO
Hey Mountain hey
ARIEL
Silver there it goes Silver
PROSPERO
Fury Fury There Tyrant there hark hark
Caliban Stephano and Trinculo are driven out
Go charge my goblins that they grind their joints
With dry convulsions shorten up their sinews
With aged cramps and more pinchspotted make them
Than pard or cat o mountain
ARIEL
Hark they roar
PROSPERO
Let them be hunted soundly At this hour
Lies at my mercy all mine enemies
Shortly shall all my labours end and thou
Shalt have the air at freedom For a little
Follow and do me service
Exeunt
ACT V
SCENE I Before the cell of Prospero
Enter Prospero in his magic robes and Ariel
PROSPERO
Now does my project gather to a head
My charms crack not my spirits obey and time
Goes upright with his carriage Hows the day
ARIEL
On the sixth hour at which time my lord
You said our work should cease
PROSPERO
I did say so
When first I raisd the tempest Say my spirit
How fares the King and s followers
ARIEL
Confind together
In the same fashion as you gave in charge
Just as you left them all prisoners sir
In the line grove which weatherfends your cell
They cannot budge till your release The King
His brother and yours abide all three distracted
And the remainder mourning over them
Brimful of sorrow and dismay but chiefly
Him you termd sir the good old lord Gonzalo
His tears run down his beard like winters drops
From eaves of reeds your charm so strongly works em
That if you now beheld them your affections
Would become tender
PROSPERO
Dost thou think so spirit
ARIEL
Mine would sir were I human
PROSPERO
And mine shall
Hast thou which art but air a touch a feeling
Of their afflictions and shall not myself
One of their kind that relish all as sharply
Passion as they be kindlier movd than thou art
Though with their high wrongs I am struck to th quick
Yet with my nobler reason gainst my fury
Do I take part the rarer action is
In virtue than in vengeance they being penitent
The sole drift of my purpose doth extend
Not a frown further Go release them Ariel
My charms Ill break their senses Ill restore
And they shall be themselves
ARIEL
Ill fetch them sir
Exit
PROSPERO
Ye elves of hills brooks standing lakes and
groves
And ye that on the sands with printless foot
Do chase the ebbing Neptune and do fly him
When he comes back you demipuppets that
By moonshine do the green sour ringlets make
Whereof the ewe not bites and you whose pastime
Is to make midnight mushrooms that rejoice
To hear the solemn curfew by whose aid
Weak masters though ye be I have bedimmd
The noontide sun calld forth the mutinous winds
And twixt the green sea and the azurd vault
Set roaring war to the dread rattling thunder
Have I given fire and rifted Joves stout oak
With his own bolt the strongbasd promontory
Have I made shake and by the spurs pluckd up
The pine and cedar graves at my command
Have wakd their sleepers opd and let em forth
By my so potent art But this rough magic
I here abjure and when I have requird
Some heavenly musicwhich even now I do
To work mine end upon their senses that
This airy charm is for Ill break my staff
Bury it certain fathoms in the earth
And deeper than did ever plummet sound
Ill drown my book
Solemn music
Reenter Ariel after him Alonso with a frantic gesture attended by Gonzalo Sebastian and Antonio in like manner attended by Adrian and Francisco they all enter the circle which Prospero had made and there stand charmed which Prospero observing speaks
A solemn air and the best comforter
To an unsettled fancy cure thy brains
Now useless boild within thy skull There stand
For you are spellstoppd
Holy Gonzalo honourable man
Mine eyes een sociable to the show of thine
Fall fellowly drops The charm dissolves apace
And as the morning steals upon the night
Melting the darkness so their rising senses
Begin to chase the ignorant fumes that mantle
Their clearer reason O good Gonzalo
My true preserver and a loyal sir
To him thou followst I will pay thy graces
Home both in word and deed Most cruelly
Didst thou Alonso use me and my daughter
Thy brother was a furtherer in the act
Thou art pinchd for t now Sebastian Flesh and blood
You brother mine that entertaind ambition
Expelld remorse and nature who with Sebastian
Whose inward pinches therefore are most strong
Would here have killd your King I do forgive thee
Unnatural though thou art Their understanding
Begins to swell and the approaching tide
Will shortly fill the reasonable shores
That now lie foul and muddy Not one of them
That yet looks on me or would know me Ariel
Fetch me the hat and rapier in my cell
Exit Ariel
I will discase me and myself present
As I was sometime Milan Quickly spirit
Thou shalt ere long be free
Ariel reenters singing and helps to attire Prospero
ARIEL
Where the bee sucks there suck I
In a cowslips bell I lie
There I couch when owls do cry
On the bats back I do fly
After summer merrily
Merrily merrily shall I live now
Under the blossom that hangs on the bough
PROSPERO
Why thats my dainty Ariel I shall miss thee
But yet thou shalt have freedom so so so
To the Kings ship invisible as thou art
There shalt thou find the mariners asleep
Under the hatches the master and the boatswain
Being awake enforce them to this place
And presently I prithee
ARIEL
I drink the air before me and return
Or ere your pulse twice beat
Exit
GONZALO
All torment trouble wonder and amazement
Inhabits here Some heavenly power guide us
Out of this fearful country
PROSPERO
Behold sir King
The wronged Duke of Milan Prospero
For more assurance that a living prince
Does now speak to thee I embrace thy body
And to thee and thy company I bid
A hearty welcome
ALONSO
Wheer thou best he or no
Or some enchanted trifle to abuse me
As late I have been I not know thy pulse
Beats as of flesh and blood and since I saw thee
Th affliction of my mind amends with which
I fear a madness held me this must crave
An if this be at all a most strange story
Thy dukedom I resign and do entreat
Thou pardon me my wrongs But how should Prospero
Be living and be here
PROSPERO
First noble friend
Let me embrace thine age whose honour cannot
Be measurd or confind
GONZALO
Whether this be
Or be not Ill not swear
PROSPERO
You do yet taste
Some subtleties o the isle that will not let you
Believe things certain Welcome my friends all
Aside to Sebastian and Antonio But you my brace of lords were I so minded
I here could pluck his highness frown upon you
And justify you traitors at this time
I will tell no tales
SEBASTIAN
Aside The devil speaks in him
PROSPERO
No
For you most wicked sir whom to call brother
Would even infect my mouth I do forgive
Thy rankest fault all of them and require
My dukedom of thee which perforce I know
Thou must restore
ALONSO
If thou beest Prospero
Give us particulars of thy preservation
How thou hast met us here whom three hours since
Were wrackd upon this shore where I have lost
How sharp the point of this remembrance is
My dear son Ferdinand
PROSPERO
I am woe for t sir
ALONSO
Irreparable is the loss and patience
Says it is past her cure
PROSPERO
I rather think
You have not sought her help of whose soft grace
For the like loss I have her sovereign aid
And rest myself content
ALONSO
You the like loss
PROSPERO
As great to me as late and supportable
To make the dear loss have I means much weaker
Than you may call to comfort you for I
Have lost my daughter
ALONSO
A daughter
O heavens that they were living both in Naples
The King and Queen there That they were I wish
Myself were mudded in that oozy bed
Where my son lies When did you lose your daughter
PROSPERO
In this last tempest I perceive these lords
At this encounter do so much admire
That they devour their reason and scarce think
Their eyes do offices of truth their words
Are natural breath but howsoeer you have
Been justled from your senses know for certain
That I am Prospero and that very duke
Which was thrust forth of Milan who most strangely
Upon this shore where you were wrackd was landed
To be the lord ont No more yet of this
For tis a chronicle of day by day
Not a relation for a breakfast nor
Befitting this first meeting Welcome sir
This cells my court here have I few attendants
And subjects none abroad pray you look in
My dukedom since you have given me again
I will requite you with as good a thing
At least bring forth a wonder to content ye
As much as me my dukedom
Here Prospero discovers Ferdinand and Miranda playing at chess
MIRANDA
Sweet lord you play me false
FERDINAND
No my dearest love
I would not for the world
MIRANDA
Yes for a score of kingdoms you should wrangle
And I would call it fair play
ALONSO
If this prove
A vision of the island one dear son
Shall I twice lose
SEBASTIAN
A most high miracle
FERDINAND
Though the seas threaten they are merciful
I have cursd them without cause
Kneels to Alonso
ALONSO
Now all the blessings
Of a glad father compass thee about
Arise and say how thou camst here
MIRANDA
O wonder
How many goodly creatures are there here
How beauteous mankind is O brave new world
That has such people in t
PROSPERO
Tis new to thee
ALONSO
What is this maid with whom thou wast at play
Your eldst acquaintance cannot be three hours
Is she the goddess that hath severd us
And brought us thus together
FERDINAND
Sir she is mortal
But by immortal Providence shes mine
I chose her when I could not ask my father
For his advice nor thought I had one She
Is daughter to this famous Duke of Milan
Of whom so often I have heard renown
But never saw before of whom I have
Receivd a second life and second father
This lady makes him to me
ALONSO
I am hers
But O how oddly will it sound that I
Must ask my child forgiveness
PROSPERO
There sir stop
Let us not burden our remembrances with
A heaviness thats gone
GONZALO
I have inly wept
Or should have spoke ere this Look down you gods
And on this couple drop a blessed crown
For it is you that have chalkd forth the way
Which brought us hither
ALONSO
I say Amen Gonzalo
GONZALO
Was Milan thrust from Milan that his issue
Should become Kings of Naples O rejoice
Beyond a common joy and set it down
With gold on lasting pillars in one voyage
Did Claribel her husband find at Tunis
And Ferdinand her brother found a wife
Where he himself was lost Prospero his dukedom
In a poor isle and all of us ourselves
When no man was his own
ALONSO
To Ferdinand and Miranda Give me your hands
Let grief and sorrow still embrace his heart
That doth not wish you joy
GONZALO
Be it so Amen
Reenter Ariel with the Master and Boatswain amazedly following
O look sir look sir Here are more of us
I prophesied if a gallows were on land
This fellow could not drown Now blasphemy
That swearst grace oerboard not an oath on shore
Hast thou no mouth by land What is the news
BOATSWAIN
The best news is that we have safely found
Our King and company The next our ship
Which but three glasses since we gave out split
Is tight and yare and bravely riggd as when
We first put out to sea
ARIEL
Aside to Prospero Sir all this service
Have I done since I went
PROSPERO
Aside to Ariel My tricksy spirit
ALONSO
These are not natural events they strengthen
From strange to stranger Say how came you hither
BOATSWAIN
If I did think sir I were well awake
Id strive to tell you We were dead of sleep
Andhow we know notall clappd under hatches
Where but even now with strange and several noises
Of roaring shrieking howling jingling chains
And mo diversity of sounds all horrible
We were awakd straightway at liberty
Where we in all her trim freshly beheld
Our royal good and gallant ship our master
Capring to eye her On a trice so please you
Even in a dream were we divided from them
And were brought moping hither
ARIEL
Aside to Prospero Wast well done
PROSPERO
Aside to Ariel Bravely my diligence Thou shalt be free
ALONSO
This is as strange a maze as eer men trod
And there is in this business more than nature
Was ever conduct of some oracle
Must rectify our knowledge
PROSPERO
Sir my liege
Do not infest your mind with beating on
The strangeness of this business At pickd leisure
Which shall be shortly single Ill resolve you
Which to you shall seem probable of every
These happend accidents till when be cheerful
And think of each thing well Aside to Ariel Come hither spirit
Set Caliban and his companions free
Untie the spell
Exit Ariel
How fares my gracious sir
There are yet missing of your company
Some few odd lads that you remember not
Reenter Ariel driving in Caliban Stephano and Trinculo in their stolen apparel
STEPHANO
Every man shift for all the rest and let no man take care for himself for all is but fortuneCoragio bullymonster coragio
TRINCULO
If these be true spies which I wear in my head heres a goodly sight
CALIBAN
O Setebos these be brave spirits indeed
How fine my master is I am afraid
He will chastise me
SEBASTIAN
Ha ha
What things are these my lord Antonio
Will money buy them
ANTONIO
Very like one of them
Is a plain fish and no doubt marketable
PROSPERO
Mark but the badges of these men my lords
Then say if they be true This misshapen knave
His mother was a witch and one so strong
That could control the moon make flows and ebbs
And deal in her command without her power
These three have robbd me and this demidevil
For hes a bastard one had plotted with them
To take my life Two of these fellows you
Must know and own this thing of darkness I
Acknowledge mine
CALIBAN
I shall be pinchd to death
ALONSO
Is not this Stephano my drunken butler
SEBASTIAN
He is drunk now where had he wine
ALONSO
And Trinculo is reelingripe where should they
Find this grand liquor that hath gilded em
How camst thou in this pickle
TRINCULO
I have been in such a pickle since I saw you last that I fear me will never out of my bones I shall not fear flyblowing
SEBASTIAN
Why how now Stephano
STEPHANO
O touch me not I am not Stephano but a cramp
PROSPERO
Youd be King o the isle sirrah
STEPHANO
I should have been a sore one then
ALONSO
This is as strange a thing as eer I lookd on
Pointing to Caliban
PROSPERO
He is as disproportioned in his manners
As in his shape Go sirrah to my cell
Take with you your companions As you look
To have my pardon trim it handsomely
CALIBAN
Ay that I will and Ill be wise hereafter
And seek for grace What a thricedouble ass
Was I to take this drunkard for a god
And worship this dull fool
PROSPERO
Go to away
ALONSO
Hence and bestow your luggage where you found it
SEBASTIAN
Or stole it rather
Exeunt Caliban Stephano and Trinculo
PROSPERO
Sir I invite your Highness and your train
To my poor cell where you shall take your rest
For this one night which part of it Ill waste
With such discourse as I not doubt shall make it
Go quick away the story of my life
And the particular accidents gone by
Since I came to this isle and in the morn
Ill bring you to your ship and so to Naples
Where I have hope to see the nuptial
Of these our dearbelovd solemnized
And thence retire me to my Milan where
Every third thought shall be my grave
ALONSO
I long
To hear the story of your life which must
Take the ear strangely
PROSPERO
Ill deliver all
And promise you calm seas auspicious gales
And sail so expeditious that shall catch
Your royal fleet far off Aside to Ariel My Ariel
chick
That is thy charge then to the elements
Be free and fare thou well Please you draw near
Exeunt
EPILOGUE
PROSPERO
Now my charms are all oerthrown
And what strength I haves mine own
Which is most faint Now tis true
I must be here confind by you
Or sent to Naples Let me not
Since I have my dukedom got
And pardond the deceiver dwell
In this bare island by your spell
But release me from my bands
With the help of your good hands
Gentle breath of yours my sails
Must fill or else my project fails
Which was to please Now I want
Spirits to enforce art to enchant
And my ending is despair
Unless I be relievd by prayer
Which pierces so that it assaults
Mercy itself and frees all faults
As you from crimes would pardond be
Let your indulgence set me free
Exit
THE LIFE OF TIMON OF ATHENS
Contents
ACT I
Scene I Athens A hall in Timons house
Scene II The Same A room of state in Timons house
ACT II
Scene I Athens A room in a senators house
Scene II The same A hall in Timons house
ACT III
Scene I Athens A room in Lucullus house
Scene II A public place
Scene III The same A room in Sempronius house
Scene IV A hall in Timons house
Scene V The same The senate house
Scene VI A room of state in Timons house
ACT IV
Scene I Without the walls of Athens
Scene II Athens A room in Timons house
Scene III Woods and caves near the seashore
ACT V
Scene I The woods Before Timons cave
Scene III The same
Scene III Before the walls of Athens
Scene IV The woods Timons cave and a rude tomb seen
Scene V Before the walls of Athens
Dramatis Person
TIMON a noble Athenian
FLAVIUS steward to Timon
FLAMINIUS servant to Timon
LUCILIUS servant to Timon
SERVILIUS servant to Timon
APEMANTUS a churlish philosopher
ALCIBIADES an Athenian captain
PHRYNIA mistress to Alcibiades
TIMANDRA mistress to Alcibiades
LUCIUS friend of Timon
LUCULLUS friend of Timon
SEMPRONIUS friend of Timon
VENTIDIUS friend of Timon
CAPHIS servant of Timons creditors
SERVANT of Isidore
Two SERVANTS of Varro
TITUS servant of Timons creditors
HORTENSIUS servant of Timons creditors
LUCIUS servant of Timons creditors
PHILOTUS servant of Timons creditors
LORDS and SENATORS of Athens
Three STRANGERS one called HOSTILIUS
An OLD ATHENIAN
POET
PAINTER
JEWELLER
MERCHANT
A FOOL
A PAGE
CUPID and Amazons in the Masque
BANDITTI
Officers Soldiers Servants Thieves Messengers and Attendants
SCENE Athens and the neighbouring woods
ACT I
SCENE I Athens A hall in Timons house
Enter Poet Painter Jeweller and Merchant at several doors
POET
Good day sir
PAINTER
I am glad youre well
POET
I have not seen you long How goes the world
PAINTER
It wears sir as it grows
POET
Ay thats well known
But what particular rarity What strange
Which manifold record not matches See
Magic of bounty all these spirits thy power
Hath conjured to attend I know the merchant
PAINTER
I know them both Th others a jeweller
MERCHANT
O tis a worthy lord
JEWELLER
Nay thats most fixed
MERCHANT
A most incomparable man breathed as it were
To an untirable and continuate goodness
He passes
JEWELLER
I have a jewel here
MERCHANT
O pray lets seet For the Lord Timon sir
JEWELLER
If he will touch the estimate But for that
POET
When we for recompense have praised the vile
It stains the glory in that happy verse
Which aptly sings the good
MERCHANT
Looking at the jewel
Tis a good form
JEWELLER
And rich Here is a water look ye
PAINTER
You are rapt sir in some work some dedication
To the great lord
POET
A thing slipped idly from me
Our poesy is as a gum which oozes
From whence tis nourished The fire i th flint
Shows not till it be struck our gentle flame
Provokes itself and like the current flies
Each bound it chases What have you there
PAINTER
A picture sir When comes your book forth
POET
Upon the heels of my presentment sir
Lets see your piece
PAINTER
Tis a good piece
POET
So tis This comes off well and excellent
PAINTER
Indifferent
POET
Admirable How this grace
Speaks his own standing What a mental power
This eye shoots forth How big imagination
Moves in this lip To th dumbness of the gesture
One might interpret
PAINTER
It is a pretty mocking of the life
Here is a touch Ist good
POET
Ill say of it
It tutors nature Artificial strife
Lives in these touches livelier than life
Enter certain Senators who pass over the stage
PAINTER
How this lord is followed
POET
The senators of Athens happy men
PAINTER
Look more
POET
You see this confluence this great flood of visitors
I have in this rough work shaped out a man
Whom this beneath world doth embrace and hug
With amplest entertainment My free drift
Halts not particularly but moves itself
In a wide sea of wax No levelled malice
Infects one comma in the course I hold
But flies an eagle flight bold and forth on
Leaving no tract behind
PAINTER
How shall I understand you
POET
I will unbolt to you
You see how all conditions how all minds
As well of glib and slippry creatures as
Of grave and austere quality tender down
Their services to Lord Timon His large fortune
Upon his good and gracious nature hanging
Subdues and properties to his love and tendance
All sorts of hearts yea from the glassfaced flatterer
To Apemantus that few things loves better
Than to abhor himself even he drops down
The knee before him and returns in peace
Most rich in Timons nod
PAINTER
I saw them speak together
POET
Sir I have upon a high and pleasant hill
Feigned Fortune to be throned The base o th mount
Is ranked with all deserts all kind of natures
That labour on the bosom of this sphere
To propagate their states Amongst them all
Whose eyes are on this sovereign lady fixed
One do I personate of Lord Timons frame
Whom Fortune with her ivory hand wafts to her
Whose present grace to present slaves and servants
Translates his rivals
PAINTER
Tis conceived to scope
This throne this Fortune and this hill methinks
With one man beckoned from the rest below
Bowing his head against the steepy mount
To climb his happiness would be well expressed
In our condition
POET
Nay sir but hear me on
All those which were his fellows but of late
Some better than his value on the moment
Follow his strides his lobbies fill with tendance
Rain sacrificial whisperings in his ear
Make sacred even his stirrup and through him
Drink the free air
PAINTER
Ay marry what of these
POET
When Fortune in her shift and change of mood
Spurns down her late beloved all his dependants
Which laboured after him to the mountains top
Even on their knees and hands let him slip down
Not one accompanying his declining foot
PAINTER
Tis common
A thousand moral paintings I can show
That shall demonstrate these quick blows of Fortunes
More pregnantly than words Yet you do well
To show Lord Timon that mean eyes have seen
The foot above the head
Trumpets sound Enter Lord Timon addressing himself courteously to every suitor He is accompanied by a Messenger Lucilius and other servants follow
TIMON
Imprisoned is he say you
MESSENGER
Ay my good lord Five talents is his debt
His means most short his creditors most strait
Your honourable letter he desires
To those have shut him up which failing
Periods his comfort
TIMON
Noble Ventidius Well
I am not of that feather to shake off
My friend when he must need me I do know him
A gentleman that well deserves a help
Which he shall have Ill pay the debt and free him
MESSENGER
Your lordship ever binds him
TIMON
Commend me to him I will send his ransom
And being enfranchised bid him come to me
Tis not enough to help the feeble up
But to support him after Fare you well
MESSENGER
All happiness to your honour
Exit
Enter an Old Athenian
OLD ATHENIAN
Lord Timon hear me speak
TIMON
Freely good father
OLD ATHENIAN
Thou hast a servant named Lucilius
TIMON
I have so What of him
OLD ATHENIAN
Most noble Timon call the man before thee
TIMON
Attends he here or no Lucilius
LUCILIUS
Here at your lordships service
OLD ATHENIAN
This fellow here Lord Timon this thy creature
By night frequents my house I am a man
That from my first have been inclined to thrift
And my estate deserves an heir more raised
Than one which holds a trencher
TIMON
Well what further
OLD ATHENIAN
One only daughter have I no kin else
On whom I may confer what I have got
The maid is fair o th youngest for a bride
And I have bred her at my dearest cost
In qualities of the best This man of thine
Attempts her love I prithee noble lord
Join with me to forbid him her resort
Myself have spoke in vain
TIMON
The man is honest
OLD ATHENIAN
Therefore he will be Timon
His honesty rewards him in itself
It must not bear my daughter
TIMON
Does she love him
OLD ATHENIAN
She is young and apt
Our own precedent passions do instruct us
What levitys in youth
TIMON
To Lucilius Love you the maid
LUCILIUS
Ay my good lord and she accepts of it
OLD ATHENIAN
If in her marriage my consent be missing
I call the gods to witness I will choose
Mine heir from forth the beggars of the world
And dispossess her all
TIMON
How shall she be endowed
If she be mated with an equal husband
OLD ATHENIAN
Three talents on the present in future all
TIMON
This gentleman of mine hath served me long
To build his fortune I will strain a little
For tis a bond in men Give him thy daughter
What you bestow in him Ill counterpoise
And make him weigh with her
OLD ATHENIAN
Most noble lord
Pawn me to this your honour she is his
TIMON
My hand to thee mine honour on my promise
LUCILIUS
Humbly I thank your lordship Never may
That state or fortune fall into my keeping
Which is not owed to you
Exeunt Lucilius and Old Athenian
POET
Presenting his poem
Vouchsafe my labour and long live your lordship
TIMON
I thank you you shall hear from me anon
Go not awayWhat have you there my friend
PAINTER
A piece of painting which I do beseech
Your lordship to accept
TIMON
Painting is welcome
The painting is almost the natural man
For since dishonour traffics with mans nature
He is but outside these pencilled figures are
Even such as they give out I like your work
And you shall find I like it Wait attendance
Till you hear further from me
PAINTER
The gods preserve you
TIMON
Well fare you gentleman Give me your hand
We must needs dine together Sir your jewel
Hath suffered under praise
JEWELLER
What my lord dispraise
TIMON
A mere satiety of commendations
If I should pay you for t as tis extolled
It would unclew me quite
JEWELLER
My lord tis rated
As those which sell would give But you well know
Things of like value differing in the owners
Are prized by their masters Believet dear lord
You mend the jewel by the wearing it
TIMON
Well mocked
MERCHANT
No my good lord he speaks the common tongue
Which all men speak with him
Enter Apemantus
TIMON
Look who comes here Will you be chid
JEWELLER
Well bear with your lordship
MERCHANT
Hell spare none
TIMON
Good morrow to thee gentle Apemantus
APEMANTUS
Till I be gentle stay thou for thy good morrow
When thou art Timons dog and these knaves honest
TIMON
Why dost thou call them knaves Thou knowst them not
APEMANTUS
Are they not Athenians
TIMON
Yes
APEMANTUS
Then I repent not
JEWELLER
You know me Apemantus
APEMANTUS
Thou knowst I do I called thee by thy name
TIMON
Thou art proud Apemantus
APEMANTUS
Of nothing so much as that I am not like Timon
TIMON
Whither art going
APEMANTUS
To knock out an honest Athenians brains
TIMON
Thats a deed thoult die for
APEMANTUS
Right if doing nothing be death by th law
TIMON
How likst thou this picture Apemantus
APEMANTUS
The best for the innocence
TIMON
Wrought he not well that painted it
APEMANTUS
He wrought better that made the painter and yet hes but a filthy piece of work
PAINTER
Youre a dog
APEMANTUS
Thy mothers of my generation Whats she if I be a dog
TIMON
Wilt dine with me Apemantus
APEMANTUS
No I eat not lords
TIMON
An thou shouldst thoudst anger ladies
APEMANTUS
O they eat lords So they come by great bellies
TIMON
Thats a lascivious apprehension
APEMANTUS
So thou apprehendst it take it for thy labour
TIMON
How dost thou like this jewel Apemantus
APEMANTUS
Not so well as plaindealing which will not cost a man a doit
TIMON
What dost thou think tis worth
APEMANTUS
Not worth my thinking How now poet
POET
How now philosopher
APEMANTUS
Thou liest
POET
Art not one
APEMANTUS
Yes
POET
Then I lie not
APEMANTUS
Art not a poet
POET
Yes
APEMANTUS
Then thou liest Look in thy last work where thou hast feigned him a worthy fellow
POET
Thats not feigned he is so
APEMANTUS
Yes he is worthy of thee and to pay thee for thy labour He that loves to be flattered is worthy o th flatterer Heavens that I were a lord
TIMON
What wouldst do then Apemantus
APEMANTUS
Een as Apemantus does now hate a lord with my heart
TIMON
What thyself
APEMANTUS
Ay
TIMON
Wherefore
APEMANTUS
That I had no angry wit to be a lord Art not thou a merchant
MERCHANT
Ay Apemantus
APEMANTUS
Traffic confound thee if the gods will not
MERCHANT
If traffic do it the gods do it
APEMANTUS
Traffics thy god and thy god confound thee
Trumpet sounds Enter a Messenger
TIMON
What trumpets that
MESSENGER
Tis Alcibiades and some twenty horse
All of companionship
TIMON
Pray entertain them give them guide to us
Exeunt some Attendants
You must needs dine with me Go not you hence
Till I have thanked you when dinners done
Show me this piece I am joyful of your sights
Enter Alcibiades with his company
Most welcome sir
They bow to each other
APEMANTUS
Aside So so there
Aches contract and starve your supple joints
That there should be small love amongst these sweet knaves
And all this courtesy The strain of mans bred out
Into baboon and monkey
ALCIBIADES
Sir you have saved my longing and I feed
Most hungerly on your sight
TIMON
Right welcome sir
Ere we depart well share a bounteous time
In different pleasures Pray you let us in
Exeunt all but Apemantus
Enter two Lords
FIRST LORD
What time o day ist Apemantus
APEMANTUS
Time to be honest
FIRST LORD
That time serves still
APEMANTUS
The more accursed thou that still omittst it
SECOND LORD
Thou art going to Lord Timons feast
APEMANTUS
Ay to see meat fill knaves and wine heat fools
SECOND LORD
Fare thee well fare thee well
APEMANTUS
Thou art a fool to bid me farewell twice
SECOND LORD
Why Apemantus
APEMANTUS
Shouldst have kept one to thyself for I mean to give thee none
FIRST LORD
Hang thyself
APEMANTUS
No I will do nothing at thy bidding Make thy requests to thy friend
SECOND LORD
Away unpeaceable dog or Ill spurn thee hence
APEMANTUS
I will fly like a dog the heels o th ass
Exit
FIRST LORD
Hes opposite to humanity Come shall we in
And taste Lord Timons bounty He outgoes
The very heart of kindness
SECOND LORD
He pours it out Plutus the god of gold
Is but his steward No meed but he repays
Sevenfold above itself no gift to him
But breeds the giver a return exceeding
All use of quittance
FIRST LORD
The noblest mind he carries
That ever governed man
SECOND LORD
Long may he live in fortunes Shall we in
FIRST LORD
Ill keep you company
Exeunt
SCENE II The Same A room of state in Timons house
Hautboys playing loud music A great banquet served in Flavius and others attending and then enter Lord Timon the Senators the Athenian Lords Alcibiades and Ventidius which Timon redeemded from prison Then comes dropping after all Apemantus discontentedly like himself
VENTIDIUS
Most honoured Timon
It hath pleased the gods to remember my fathers age
And call him to long peace
He is gone happy and has left me rich
Then as in grateful virtue I am bound
To your free heart I do return those talents
Doubled with thanks and service from whose help
I derived liberty
TIMON
O by no means
Honest Ventidius You mistake my love
I gave it freely ever and theres none
Can truly say he gives if he receives
If our betters play at that game we must not dare
To imitate them faults that are rich are fair
VENTIDIUS
A noble spirit
TIMON
Nay my lords ceremony was but devised at first
To set a gloss on faint deeds hollow welcomes
Recanting goodness sorry ere tis shown
But where there is true friendship there needs none
Pray sit more welcome are ye to my fortunes
Than my fortunes to me
They sit
FIRST LORD
My lord we always have confessed it
APEMANTUS
Ho ho confessed it Hanged it have you not
TIMON
O Apemantus you are welcome
APEMANTUS
No
You shall not make me welcome
I come to have thee thrust me out of doors
TIMON
Fie thourt a churl yeve got a humour there
Does not become a man tis much to blame
They say my lords ira furor brevis est
But yond man is ever angry
Go let him have a table by himself
For he does neither affect company
Nor is he fit for it indeed
APEMANTUS
Let me stay at thine apperil Timon
I come to observe I give thee warning ont
TIMON
I take no heed of thee Thourt an Athenian therefore welcome I myself would have no power prithee let my meat make thee silent
APEMANTUS
I scorn thy meat twould choke me for I should neer flatter thee O you gods what a number of men eats Timon and he sees em not It grieves me to see so many dip their meat in one mans blood and all the madness is he cheers them up too
I wonder men dare trust themselves with men
Methinks they should invite them without knives
Good for their meat and safer for their lives
Theres much example for t The fellow that sits next him now parts bread with him pledges the breath of him in a divided draft is the readiest man to kill him T has been proved If I were a huge man I should fear to drink at meals
Lest they should spy my windpipes dangerous notes
Great men should drink with harness on their throats
TIMON
My lord in heart and let the health go round
SECOND LORD
Let it flow this way my good lord
APEMANTUS
Flow this way A brave fellow He keeps his tides well Those healths will make thee and thy state look ill Timon
Heres that which is too weak to be a sinner
Honest water which neer left man i the mire
This and my food are equals theres no odds
Feasts are too proud to give thanks to the gods
Apemantus grace
Immortal gods I crave no pelf
I pray for no man but myself
Grant I may never prove so fond
To trust man on his oath or bond
Or a harlot for her weeping
Or a dog that seems asleeping
Or a keeper with my freedom
Or my friends if I should need em
Amen So fall tot
Rich men sin and I eat root
He eats and drinks
Much good dich thy good heart Apemantus
TIMON
Captain Alcibiades your hearts in the field now
ALCIBIADES
My heart is ever at your service my lord
TIMON
You had rather be at a breakfast of enemies than a dinner of friends
ALCIBIADES
So they were bleeding new my lord theres no meat like em I could wish my best friend at such a feast
APEMANTUS
Would all those flatterers were thine enemies then that then thou mightst kill em and bid me to em
FIRST LORD
Might we but have that happiness my lord that you would once use our hearts whereby we might express some part of our zeals we should think ourselves for ever perfect
TIMON
O no doubt my good friends but the gods themselves have provided that I shall have much help from you How had you been my friends else Why have you that charitable title from thousands did not you chiefly belong to my heart I have told more of you to myself than you can with modesty speak in your own behalf And thus far I confirm you O you gods think I what need we have any friends if we should neer have need of em They were the most needless creatures living should we neer have use for em and would most resemble sweet instruments hung up in cases that keep their sounds to themselves Why I have often wished myself poorer that I might come nearer to you We are born to do benefits and what better or properer can we call our own than the riches of our friends O what a precious comfort tis to have so many like brothers commanding one anothers fortunes O joys een made away eret can be born Mine eyes cannot hold out water methinks To forget their faults I drink to you
APEMANTUS
Thou weepst to make them drink Timon
SECOND LORD
Joy had the like conception in our eyes
And at that instant like a babe sprung up
APEMANTUS
Ho ho I laugh to think that babe a bastard
THIRD LORD
I promise you my lord you moved me much
APEMANTUS
Much
A tucket sounds
TIMON
What means that trump
Enter a Servant
How now
SERVANT
Please you my lord there are certain ladies most desirous of admittance
TIMON
Ladies What are their wills
SERVANT
There comes with them a forerunner my lord which bears that office to signify their pleasures
TIMON
I pray let them be admitted
Exit Servant
Enter Cupid
CUPID
Hail to thee worthy Timon and to all
That of his bounties taste The five best senses
Acknowledge thee their patron and come freely
To gratulate thy plenteous bosom There
Taste touch all pleased from thy table rise
They only now come but to feast thine eyes
TIMON
Theyre welcome all let em have kind admittance
Music make their welcome
FIRST LORD
You see my lord how ample youre beloved
Music Enter a masque of Ladies as Amazons with lutes in their hands dancing and playing
APEMANTUS
Hoyday
What a sweep of vanity comes this way
They dance They are madwomen
Like madness is the glory of this life
As this pomp shows to a little oil and root
We make ourselves fools to disport ourselves
And spend our flatteries to drink those men
Upon whose age we void it up again
With poisonous spite and envy
Who lives thats not depraved or depraves
Who dies that bears not one spurn to their graves
Of their friends gift
I should fear those that dance before me now
Would one day stamp upon me T has been done
Men shut their doors against a setting sun
The Lords rise from table with much adoring of Timon and to show their loves each singles out an Amazon and all dance men with women a lofty strain or two to the hautboys and cease
TIMON
You have done our pleasures much grace fair ladies
Set a fair fashion on our entertainment
Which was not half so beautiful and kind
You have added worth unto t and lustre
And entertained me with mine own device
I am to thank you for t
FIRST LADY
My lord you take us even at the best
APEMANTUS
Faith for the worst is filthy and would not hold taking I doubt me
TIMON
Ladies there is an idle banquet attends you
Please you to dispose yourselves
ALL LADIES
Most thankfully my lord
Exeunt Cupid and Ladies
TIMON
Flavius
FLAVIUS
My lord
TIMON
The little casket bring me hither
FLAVIUS
Yes my lord Aside More jewels yet
There is no crossing him in s humour
Else I should tell him well i faith I should
When alls spent hed be crossed then an he could
Tis pity bounty had not eyes behind
That man might neer be wretched for his mind
Exit
FIRST LORD
Where be our men
SERVANT
Here my lord in readiness
SECOND LORD
Our horses
Enter Flavius with the casket
TIMON
O my friends I have one word
To say to you Look you my good lord
I must entreat you honour me so much
As to advance this jewel Accept it and wear it
Kind my lord
FIRST LORD
I am so far already in your gifts
ALL
So are we all
Enter a Servant
SERVANT
My lord there are certain nobles of the Senate
Newly alighted and come to visit you
TIMON
They are fairly welcome
Exit Servant
FLAVIUS
I beseech your honour
Vouchsafe me a word It does concern you near
TIMON
Near Why then another time Ill hear thee
I prithee lets be provided to show them entertainment
FLAVIUS
Aside I scarce know how
Enter another Servant
SECOND SERVANT
May it please your honour Lord Lucius
Out of his free love hath presented to you
Four milkwhite horses trapped in silver
TIMON
I shall accept them fairly let the presents
Be worthily entertained
Exit Servant
Enter a third Servant
How now What news
THIRD SERVANT
Please you my lord that honourable gentleman Lord Lucullus entreats your company tomorrow to hunt with him and has sent your honour two brace of greyhounds
TIMON
Ill hunt with him and let them be received
Not without fair reward
Exit Servant
FLAVIUS
Aside What will this come to
He commands us to provide and give great gifts
And all out of an empty coffer
Nor will he know his purse or yield me this
To show him what a beggar his heart is
Being of no power to make his wishes good
His promises fly so beyond his state
That what he speaks is all in debt he owes
For every word He is so kind that he now
Pays interest for t his lands put to their books
Well would I were gently put out of office
Before I were forced out
Happier is he that has no friend to feed
Than such that do een enemies exceed
I bleed inwardly for my lord
Exit
TIMON
You do yourselves much wrong
You bate too much of your own merits
Here my lord a trifle of our love
SECOND LORD
With more than common thanks I will receive it
THIRD LORD
O hes the very soul of bounty
TIMON
And now I remember my lord you gave good words the other day of a bay courser I rode on Tis yours because you liked it
THIRD LORD
O I beseech you pardon me my lord in that
TIMON
You may take my word my lord I know no man
Can justly praise but what he does affect
I weigh my friends affection with mine own
Ill tell you true Ill call to you
ALL LORDS
O none so welcome
TIMON
I take all and your several visitations
So kind to heart tis not enough to give
Methinks I could deal kingdoms to my friends
And neer be weary Alcibiades
Thou art a soldier therefore seldom rich
It comes in charity to thee for all thy living
Is mongst the dead and all the lands thou hast
Lie in a pitched field
ALCIBIADES
Ay defiled land my lord
FIRST LORD
We are so virtuously bound
TIMON
And so am I to you
SECOND LORD
So infinitely endeared
TIMON
All to you Lights more lights
FIRST LORD
The best of happiness honour and fortunes keep with you Lord Timon
TIMON
Ready for his friends
Exeunt all but Apemantus and Timon
APEMANTUS
What a coils here
Serving of becks and jutting out of bums
I doubt whether their legs be worth the sums
That are given for em Friendships full of dregs
Methinks false hearts should never have sound legs
Thus honest fools lay out their wealth on curtsies
TIMON
Now Apemantus if thou wert not sullen
I would be good to thee
APEMANTUS
No Ill nothing for if I should be bribed too there would be none left to rail upon thee and then thou wouldst sin the faster Thou givst so long Timon I fear me thou wilt give away thyself in paper shortly What needs these feasts pomps and vainglories
TIMON
Nay an you begin to rail on society once I am sworn not to give regard to you Farewell and come with better music
Exit
APEMANTUS
So Thou wilt not hear me now thou shalt not then
Ill lock thy heaven from thee
O that mens ears should be
To counsel deaf but not to flattery
Exit
ACT II
SCENE I Athens A room in a senators house
Enter a Senator with papers
SENATOR
And late five thousand To Varro and to Isidore
He owes nine thousand besides my former sum
Which makes it fiveandtwenty Still in motion
Of raging waste It cannot hold it will not
If I want gold steal but a beggars dog
And give it Timon why the dog coins gold
If I would sell my horse and buy twenty more
Better than he why give my horse to Timon
Ask nothing give it himit foals me straight
And able horses No porter at his gate
But rather one that smiles and still invites
All that pass by It cannot hold no reason
Can sound his state in safety Caphis ho
Caphis I say
Enter Caphis
CAPHIS
Here sir what is your pleasure
SENATOR
Get on your cloak and haste you to Lord Timon
Importune him for my moneys be not ceased
With slight denial nor then silenced when
Commend me to your master and the cap
Plays in the right hand thus but tell him
My uses cry to me I must serve my turn
Out of mine own his days and times are past
And my reliances on his fracted dates
Have smit my credit I love and honour him
But must not break my back to heal his finger
Immediate are my needs and my relief
Must not be tossed and turned to me in words
But find supply immediate Get you gone
Put on a most importunate aspect
A visage of demand for I do fear
When every feather sticks in his own wing
Lord Timon will be left a naked gull
Which flashes now a phoenix Get you gone
CAPHIS
I go sir
SENATOR
Take the bonds along with you
And have the dates in Come
CAPHIS
I will sir
SENATOR
Go
Exeunt
SCENE II The same A hall in Timons house
Enter Flavius with many bills in his hand
FLAVIUS
No care no stop so senseless of expense
That he will neither know how to maintain it
Nor cease his flow of riot Takes no account
How things go from him nor resumes no care
Of what is to continue Never mind
Was to be so unwise to be so kind
What shall be done He will not hear till feel
I must be round with him now he comes from hunting
Fie fie fie fie
Enter Caphis and the Servants of Isidore and Varro
CAPHIS
Good even Varro What you come for money
VARROS SERVANT
Ist not your business too
CAPHIS
It is And yours too Isidore
ISIDORES SERVANT
It is so
CAPHIS
Would we were all discharged
VARROS SERVANT
I fear it
CAPHIS
Here comes the lord
Enter Timon and his train with Alcibiades
TIMON
So soon as dinners done well forth again
My Alcibiades With me What is your will
CAPHIS
My lord here is a note of certain dues
TIMON
Dues Whence are you
CAPHIS
Of Athens here my lord
TIMON
Go to my steward
CAPHIS
Please it your lordship he hath put me off
To the succession of new days this month
My master is awaked by great occasion
To call upon his own and humbly prays you
That with your other noble parts youll suit
In giving him his right
TIMON
Mine honest friend
I prithee but repair to me next morning
CAPHIS
Nay good my lord
TIMON
Contain thyself good friend
VARROS SERVANT
One Varros servant my good lord
ISIDORES SERVANT
From Isidore He humbly prays your speedy payment
CAPHIS
If you did know my lord my masters wants
VARROS SERVANT
Twas due on forfeiture my lord six weeks and past
ISIDORES SERVANT
Your steward puts me off my lord and I
Am sent expressly to your lordship
TIMON
Give me breath
I do beseech you good my lords keep on
Ill wait upon you instantly
Exeunt Alcibiades and Timons train
To Flavius Come hither Pray you
How goes the world that I am thus encountered
With clamorous demands of debt broken bonds
And the detention of longsincedue debts
Against my honour
FLAVIUS
Please you gentlemen
The time is unagreeable to this business
Your importunacy cease till after dinner
That I may make his lordship understand
Wherefore you are not paid
TIMON
Do so my friends
See them well entertained
Exit
FLAVIUS
Pray draw near
Exit
Enter Apemantus and Fool
CAPHIS
Stay stay here comes the fool with Apemantus
Lets ha some sport with em
VARROS SERVANT
Hang him hell abuse us
ISIDORES SERVANT
A plague upon him dog
VARROS SERVANT
How dost fool
APEMANTUS
Dost dialogue with thy shadow
VARROS SERVANT
I speak not to thee
APEMANTUS
No tis to thyself
To the Fool Come away
ISIDORES SERVANT
To Varros servant Theres the fool hangs on your back already
APEMANTUS
No thou standst single thourt not on him yet
CAPHIS
Wheres the fool now
APEMANTUS
He last asked the question Poor rogues and usurers men bawds between gold and want
ALL SERVANTS
What are we Apemantus
APEMANTUS
Asses
ALL SERVANTS
Why
APEMANTUS
That you ask me what you are and do not know yourselves Speak to em fool
FOOL
How do you gentlemen
ALL SERVANTS
Gramercies good fool How does your mistress
FOOL
Shes een setting on water to scald such chickens as you are Would we could see you at Corinth
APEMANTUS
Good gramercy
Enter Page
FOOL
Look you here comes my mistress page
PAGE
To the Fool Why how now captain What do you in this wise company How dost thou Apemantus
APEMANTUS
Would I had a rod in my mouth that I might answer thee profitably
PAGE
Prithee Apemantus read me the superscription of these letters I know not which is which
APEMANTUS
Canst not read
PAGE
No
APEMANTUS
There will little learning die then that day thou art hanged This is to Lord Timon this to Alcibiades Go thou wast born a bastard and thoult die a bawd
PAGE
Thou wast whelped a dog and thou shalt famish a dogs death Answer not I am gone
Exit Page
APEMANTUS
Een so thou outrunnst grace Fool I will go with you to Lord Timons
FOOL
Will you leave me there
APEMANTUS
If Timon stay at homeYou three serve three usurers
ALL SERVANTS
Ay would they served us
APEMANTUS
So would Ias good a trick as ever hangman served thief
FOOL
Are you three usurers men
ALL SERVANTS
Ay fool
FOOL
I think no usurer but has a fool to his servant My mistress is one and I am her fool When men come to borrow of your masters they approach sadly and go away merry but they enter my mistresss house merrily and go away sadly The reason of this
VARROS SERVANT
I could render one
APEMANTUS
Do it then that we may account thee a whoremaster and a knave which notwithstanding thou shalt be no less esteemed
VARROS SERVANT
What is a whoremaster fool
FOOL
A fool in good clothes and something like thee Tis a spirit sometime t appears like a lord sometime like a lawyer sometime like a philosopher with two stones more thans artificial one He is very often like a knight and generally in all shapes that man goes up and down in from fourscore to thirteen this spirit walks in
VARROS SERVANT
Thou art not altogether a fool
FOOL
Nor thou altogether a wise man As much foolery as I have so much wit thou lackst
APEMANTUS
That answer might have become Apemantus
VARROS SERVANT
Aside aside here comes Lord Timon
Enter Timon and Flavius
APEMANTUS
Come with me fool come
FOOL
I do not always follow lover elder brother and woman sometime the philosopher
Exeunt Apemantus and Fool
FLAVIUS
Pray you walk near Ill speak with you anon
Exeunt Servants
TIMON
You make me marvel wherefore ere this time
Had you not fully laid my state before me
That I might so have rated my expense
As I had leave of means
FLAVIUS
You would not hear me
At many leisures I proposed
TIMON
Go to
Perchance some single vantages you took
When my indisposition put you back
And that unaptness made your minister
Thus to excuse yourself
FLAVIUS
O my good lord
At many times I brought in my accounts
Laid them before you you would throw them off
And say you found them in mine honesty
When for some trifling present you have bid me
Return so much I have shook my head and wept
Yea gainst th authority of manners prayed you
To hold your hand more close I did endure
Not seldom nor no slight checks when I have
Prompted you in the ebb of your estate
And your great flow of debts My loved lord
Though you hear now too late yet nows a time
The greatest of your having lacks a half
To pay your present debts
TIMON
Let all my land be sold
FLAVIUS
Tis all engaged some forfeited and gone
And what remains will hardly stop the mouth
Of present dues the future comes apace
What shall defend the interim And at length
How goes our reckoning
TIMON
To Lacedaemon did my land extend
FLAVIUS
O my good lord the world is but a word
Were it all yours to give it in a breath
How quickly were it gone
TIMON
You tell me true
FLAVIUS
If you suspect my husbandry or falsehood
Call me before th exactest auditors
And set me on the proof So the gods bless me
When all our offices have been oppressed
With riotous feeders when our vaults have wept
With drunken spilth of wine when every room
Hath blazed with lights and brayed with minstrelsy
I have retired me to a wasteful cock
And set mine eyes at flow
TIMON
Prithee no more
FLAVIUS
Heavens have I said the bounty of this lord
How many prodigal bits have slaves and peasants
This night englutted Who is not Timons
What heart head sword force means but is Lord Timons
Great Timon noble worthy royal Timon
Ah when the means are gone that buy this praise
The breath is gone whereof this praise is made
Feastwon fastlost one cloud of winter showers
These flies are couched
TIMON
Come sermon me no further
No villainous bounty yet hath passed my heart
Unwisely not ignobly have I given
Why dost thou weep Canst thou the conscience lack
To think I shall lack friends Secure thy heart
If I would broach the vessels of my love
And try the argument of hearts by borrowing
Men and mens fortunes could I frankly use
As I can bid thee speak
FLAVIUS
Assurance bless your thoughts
TIMON
And in some sort these wants of mine are crowned
That I account them blessings For by these
Shall I try friends You shall perceive how you
Mistake my fortunes I am wealthy in my friends
Within there Flaminius Servilius
Enter Flaminius Servilius and a third Servant
SERVANTS
My lord my lord
TIMON
I will dispatch you severally To Servilius You to Lord Lucius To Flaminius to Lord Lucullus you I hunted with his honour today To the third Servant you to Sempronius Commend me to their loves and I am proud say that my occasions have found time to use em toward a supply of money Let the request be fifty talents
FLAMINIUS
As you have said my lord
Exeunt Servants
FLAVIUS
Aside Lord Lucius and Lucullus Humh
TIMON
Go you sir to the senators
Of whom even to the states best health I have
Deserved this hearing Bid em send o th instant
A thousand talents to me
FLAVIUS
I have been bold
For that I knew it the most general way
To them to use your signet and your name
But they do shake their heads and I am here
No richer in return
TIMON
Ist true Cant be
FLAVIUS
They answer in a joint and corporate voice
That now they are at fall want treasure cannot
Do what they would are sorry You are honourable
But yet they could have wishedthey know not
Something hath been amissa noble nature
May catch a wrenchwould all were welltis pity
And so intending other serious matters
After distasteful looks and these hard fractions
With certain halfcaps and coldmoving nods
They froze me into silence
TIMON
You gods reward them
Prithee man look cheerly These old fellows
Have their ingratitude in them hereditary
Their blood is caked tis cold it seldom flows
Tis lack of kindly warmth they are not kind
And nature as it grows again toward earth
Is fashioned for the journey dull and heavy
Go to Ventidius Prithee be not sad
Thou art true and honest ingenuously I speak
No blame belongs to thee Ventidius lately
Buried his father by whose death hes stepped
Into a great estate When he was poor
Imprisoned and in scarcity of friends
I cleared him with five talents Greet him from me
Bid him suppose some good necessity
Touches his friend which craves to be remembered
With those five talents That had givet these fellows
To whom tis instant due Neer speak or think
That Timons fortunes mong his friends can sink
Exit
FLAVIUS
I would I could not think it
That thought is bountys foe
Being free itself it thinks all others so
Exit
ACT III
SCENE I Athens A room in Lucullus house
Flaminius waiting to speak with Lucullus from his master
Enter a Servant to him
SERVANT
I have told my lord of you he is coming down to you
FLAMINIUS
I thank you sir
Enter Lucullus
SERVANT
Heres my lord
LUCULLUS
Aside One of Lord Timons men A gift I warrant Why this hits right I dreamt of a silver basin and ewer tonightFlaminius honest Flaminius you are very respectively welcome sir Fill me some wine
Exit Servant
And how does that honourable complete freehearted gentleman of Athens thy very bountiful good lord and master
FLAMINIUS
His health is well sir
LUCULLUS
I am right glad that his health is well sir And what hast thou there under thy cloak pretty Flaminius
FLAMINIUS
Faith nothing but an empty box sir which in my lords behalf I come to entreat your honour to supply who having great and instant occasion to use fifty talents hath sent to your lordship to furnish him nothing doubting your present assistance therein
LUCULLUS
La la la la Nothing doubting says he Alas good lord A noble gentleman tis if he would not keep so good a house Many a time and often I ha dined with him and told him ont and come again to supper to him of purpose to have him spend less and yet he would embrace no counsel take no warning by my coming Every man has his fault and honesty is his I ha told him ont but I could neer get him from t
Enter Servant with wine
SERVANT
Please your lordship here is the wine
LUCULLUS
Flaminius I have noted thee always wise Heres to thee
FLAMINIUS
Your lordship speaks your pleasure
LUCULLUS
I have observed thee always for a towardly prompt spirit give thee thy due and one that knows what belongs to reason and canst use the time well if the time use thee well Good parts in thee To Servant Get you gone sirrah
Exit Servant
Draw nearer honest Flaminius Thy lords a bountiful gentleman but thou art wise and thou knowst well enough although thou comst to me that this is no time to lend money especially upon bare friendship without security Heres three solidares for thee Good boy wink at me and say thou sawst me not Fare thee well
FLAMINIUS
Ist possible the world should so much differ
And we alive that lived Fly damned baseness
To him that worships thee
Throws the money back
LUCULLUS
Ha Now I see thou art a fool and fit for thy master
Exit
FLAMINIUS
May these add to the number that may scald thee
Let molten coin be thy damnation
Thou disease of a friend and not himself
Has friendship such a faint and milky heart
It turns in less than two nights O you gods
I feel my masters passion This slave
Unto his honour has my lords meat in him
Why should it thrive and turn to nutriment
When he is turned to poison
O may diseases only work upont
And when hes sick to death let not that part of nature
Which my lord paid for be of any power
To expel sickness but prolong his hour
Exit
SCENE II A public place
Enter Lucius with three Strangers
LUCIUS
Who the Lord Timon He is my very good friend and an honourable gentleman
FIRST STRANGER
We know him for no less though we are but strangers to him But I can tell you one thing my lord and which I hear from common rumours now Lord Timons happy hours are done and past and his estate shrinks from him
LUCIUS
Fie no do not believe it he cannot want for money
SECOND STRANGER
But believe you this my lord that not long ago one of his men was with the Lord Lucullus to borrow so many talents nay urged extremely fort and showed what necessity belonged tot and yet was denied
LUCIUS
How
SECOND STRANGER
I tell you denied my lord
LUCIUS
What a strange case was that Now before the gods I am ashamed ont Denied that honourable man There was very little honour showed int For my own part I must needs confess I have received some small kindnesses from him as money plate jewels and such like trifles nothing comparing to his yet had he mistook him and sent to me I should neer have denied his occasion so many talents
Enter Servilius
SERVILIUS
See by good hap yonders my lord I have sweat to see his honour To Lucius My honoured lord
LUCIUS
Servilius You are kindly met sir Fare thee well Commend me to thy honourable virtuous lord my very exquisite friend
SERVILIUS
May it please your honour my lord hath sent
LUCIUS
Ha What has he sent I am so much endeared to that lord hes ever sending How shall I thank him thinkest thou And what has he sent now
SERVILIUS
Has only sent his present occasion now my lord requesting your lordship to supply his instant use with so many talents
LUCIUS
I know his lordship is but merry with me
He cannot want fiftyfive hundred talents
SERVILIUS
But in the meantime he wants less my lord
If his occasion were not virtuous
I should not urge it half so faithfully
LUCIUS
Dost thou speak seriously Servilius
SERVILIUS
Upon my soul tis true sir
LUCIUS
What a wicked beast was I to disfurnish myself against such a good time when I might ha shown myself honourable How unluckily it happened that I should purchase the day before for a little part and undo a great deal of honour Servilius now before the gods I am not able to dothe more beast I sayI was sending to use Lord Timon myself these gentlemen can witness but I would not for the wealth of Athens I had done it now Commend me bountifully to his good lordship and I hope his honour will conceive the fairest of me because I have no power to be kind And tell him this from me I count it one of my greatest afflictions say that I cannot pleasure such an honourable gentleman Good Servilius will you befriend me so far as to use mine own words to him
SERVILIUS
Yes sir I shall
LUCIUS
Ill look you out a good turn Servilius
Exit Servilius
True as you said Timon is shrunk indeed
And he thats once denied will hardly speed
Exit
FIRST STRANGER
Do you observe this Hostilius
SECOND STRANGER
Ay too well
FIRST STRANGER
Why this is the worlds soul and just of the same piece
Is every flatterers spirit Who can call him his friend
That dips in the same dish For in my knowing
Timon has been this lords father
And kept his credit with his purse
Supported his estate nay Timons money
Has paid his men their wages He neer drinks
But Timons silver treads upon his lip
And yetO see the monstrousness of man
When he looks out in an ungrateful shape
He does deny him in respect of his
What charitable men afford to beggars
THIRD STRANGER
Religion groans at it
FIRST STRANGER
For mine own part
I never tasted Timon in my life
Nor came any of his bounties over me
To mark me for his friend Yet I protest
For his right noble mind illustrious virtue
And honourable carriage
Had his necessity made use of me
I would have put my wealth into donation
And the best half should have returned to him
So much I love his heart But I perceive
Men must learn now with pity to dispense
For policy sits above conscience
Exeunt
SCENE III The same A room in Sempronius house
Enter a Third Servant of Timons with Sempronius another of Timons friends
SEMPRONIUS
Must he needs trouble me int Hum Bove all others
He might have tried Lord Lucius or Lucullus
And now Ventidius is wealthy too
Whom he redeemed from prison All these
Owe their estates unto him
SERVANT
My lord
They have all been touched and found base metal
For they have all denied him
SEMPRONIUS
How Have they denied him
Has Ventidius and Lucullus denied him
And does he send to me Three Humh
It shows but little love or judgment in him
Must I be his last refuge His friends like physicians
Thrive give him over Must I take th cure upon me
Has much disgraced me int Im angry at him
That might have known my place I see no sense fort
But his occasions might have wooed me first
For in my conscience I was the first man
That eer received gift from him
And does he think so backwardly of me now
That Ill requite it last No
So it may prove an argument of laughter
To th rest and I mongst lords be thought a fool
Id rather than the worth of thrice the sum
Had sent to me first but for my minds sake
Id such a courage to do him good But now return
And with their faint reply this answer join
Who bates mine honour shall not know my coin
Exit
SERVANT
Excellent Your lordships a goodly villain The devil knew not what he did when he made man politic he crossed himself byt and I cannot think but in the end the villainies of man will set him clear How fairly this lord strives to appear foul Takes virtuous copies to be wicked like those that under hot ardent zeal would set whole realms on fire
Of such a nature is his politic love
This was my lords best hope now all are fled
Save only the gods Now his friends are dead
Doors that were neer acquainted with their wards
Many a bounteous year must be employed
Now to guard sure their master
And this is all a liberal course allows
Who cannot keep his wealth must keep his house
Exit
SCENE IV A hall in Timons house
Enter two of Varros Servants meeting Titus and Hortensius and then Lucius all Servants of Timons creditors to wait for his coming out
FIRST VARROS SERVANT
Well met good morrow Titus and Hortensius
TITUS
The like to you kind Varro
HORTENSIUS
Lucius
What do we meet together
LUCIUS
Ay and I think
One business does command us all
For mine is money
TITUS
So is theirs and ours
Enter Philotus
LUCIUS
And sir Philotus too
PHILOTUS
Good day at once
LUCIUS
Welcome good brother
What do you think the hour
PHILOTUS
Labouring for nine
LUCIUS
So much
PHILOTUS
Is not my lord seen yet
LUCIUS
Not yet
PHILOTUS
I wonder ont he was wont to shine at seven
LUCIUS
Ay but the days are waxed shorter with him
You must consider that a prodigal course
Is like the suns but not like his recoverable
I fear tis deepest winter in Lord Timons purse
That is one may reach deep enough and yet
Find little
PHILOTUS
I am of your fear for that
TITUS
Ill show you how t observe a strange event
Your lord sends now for money
HORTENSIUS
Most true he does
TITUS
And he wears jewels now of Timons gift
For which I wait for money
HORTENSIUS
It is against my heart
LUCIUS
Mark how strange it shows
Timon in this should pay more than he owes
And een as if your lord should wear rich jewels
And send for money for em
HORTENSIUS
Im weary of this charge the gods can witness
I know my lord hath spent of Timons wealth
And now ingratitude makes it worse than stealth
FIRST VARROS SERVANT
Yes mines three thousand crowns Whats yours
LUCIUS
Five thousand mine
FIRST VARROS SERVANT
Tis much deep and it should seem by th sum
Your masters confidence was above mine
Else surely his had equalled
Enter Flaminius
TITUS
One of Lord Timons men
LUCIUS
Flaminius Sir a word Pray is my lord ready to come forth
FLAMINIUS
No indeed he is not
TITUS
We attend his lordship pray signify so much
FLAMINIUS
I need not tell him that he knows you are too diligent
Exit Flaminius
Enter Flavius in a cloak muffled
LUCIUS
Ha is not that his steward muffled so
He goes away in a cloud Call him call him
TITUS
Do you hear sir
SECOND VARROS SERVANT
By your leave sir
FLAVIUS
What do you ask of me my friend
TITUS
We wait for certain money here sir
FLAVIUS
Ay
If money were as certain as your waiting
Twere sure enough
Why then preferred you not your sums and bills
When your false masters eat of my lords meat
Then they could smile and fawn upon his debts
And take down th interest into their gluttonous maws
You do yourselves but wrong to stir me up
Let me pass quietly
Believet my lord and I have made an end
I have no more to reckon he to spend
LUCIUS
Ay but this answer will not serve
FLAVIUS
If twill not serve tis not so base as you
For you serve knaves
Exit
FIRST VARROS SERVANT
How What does his cashiered worship mutter
SECOND VARROS SERVANT
No matter what hes poor and thats revenge enough Who can speak broader than he that has no house to put his head in Such may rail against great buildings
Enter Servilius
TITUS
O heres Servilius now we shall know some answer
SERVILIUS
If I might beseech you gentlemen to repair some other hour I should derive much fromt For taket of my soul my lord leans wondrously to discontent His comfortable temper has forsook him hes much out of health and keeps his chamber
LUCIUS
Many do keep their chambers are not sick
And if it be so far beyond his health
Methinks he should the sooner pay his debts
And make a clear way to the gods
SERVILIUS
Good gods
TITUS
We cannot take this for answer sir
FLAMINIUS
Within Servilius help My lord my lord
Enter Timon in a rage
TIMON
What are my doors opposed against my passage
Have I been ever free and must my house
Be my retentive enemy my jail
The place which I have feasted does it now
Like all mankind show me an iron heart
LUCIUS
Put in now Titus
TITUS
My lord here is my bill
LUCIUS
Heres mine
HORTENSIUS
And mine my lord
BOTH VARROS SERVANTS
And ours my lord
PHILOTUS
All our bills
TIMON
Knock me down with em Cleave me to the girdle
LUCIUS
Alas my lord
TIMON
Cut my heart in sums
TITUS
Mine fifty talents
TIMON
Tell out my blood
LUCIUS
Five thousand crowns my lord
TIMON
Five thousand drops pays that What yours and yours
FIRST VARROS SERVANT
My lord
SECOND VARROS SERVANT
My lord
TIMON
Tear me take me and the gods fall upon you
Exit
HORTENSIUS
Faith I perceive our masters may throw their caps at their money These debts may well be called desperate ones for a madman owes em
Exeunt
Enter Timon and Flavius
TIMON
They have een put my breath from me the slaves
Creditors Devils
FLAVIUS
My dear lord
TIMON
What if it should be so
FLAVIUS
My lord
TIMON
Ill have it soMy steward
FLAVIUS
Here my lord
TIMON
So fitly Go bid all my friends again
Lucius Lucullus and Sempronius all
Ill once more feast the rascals
FLAVIUS
O my lord
You only speak from your distracted soul
There is not so much left to furnish out
A moderate table
TIMON
Be it not in thy care Go
I charge thee invite them all Let in the tide
Of knaves once more My cook and Ill provide
Exeunt
SCENE V The same The senate house
Enter three Senators at one door Alcibiades meeting them with Attendants
FIRST SENATOR
My lord you have my voice to t The faults
Bloody Tis necessary he should die
Nothing emboldens sin so much as mercy
SECOND SENATOR
Most true the law shall bruise em
ALCIBIADES
Honour health and compassion to the senate
FIRST SENATOR
Now captain
ALCIBIADES
I am a humble suitor to your virtues
For pity is the virtue of the law
And none but tyrants use it cruelly
It pleases time and fortune to lie heavy
Upon a friend of mine who in hot blood
Hath stepped into the law which is past depth
To those that without heed do plunge intot
He is a man setting his fate aside
Of comely virtues
Nor did he soil the fact with cowardice
An honour in him which buys out his fault
But with a noble fury and fair spirit
Seeing his reputation touched to death
He did oppose his foe
And with such sober and unnoted passion
He did behave his anger ere twas spent
As if he had but proved an argument
FIRST SENATOR
You undergo too strict a paradox
Striving to make an ugly deed look fair
Your words have took such pains as if they laboured
To bring manslaughter into form and set quarrelling
Upon the head of valour which indeed
Is valour misbegot and came into the world
When sects and factions were newly born
Hes truly valiant that can wisely suffer
The worst that man can breathe and make his wrongs
His outsides to wear them like his raiment carelessly
And neer prefer his injuries to his heart
To bring it into danger
If wrongs be evils and enforce us kill
What folly tis to hazard life for ill
ALCIBIADES
My lord
FIRST SENATOR
You cannot make gross sins look clear
To revenge is no valour but to bear
ALCIBIADES
My lords then under favour pardon me
If I speak like a captain
Why do fond men expose themselves to battle
And not endure all threats Sleep upont
And let the foes quietly cut their throats
Without repugnancy If there be
Such valour in the bearing what make we
Abroad Why then women are more valiant
That stay at home if bearing carry it
And the ass more captain than the lion the felon
Loaden with irons wiser than the judge
If wisdom be in suffering O my lords
As you are great be pitifully good
Who cannot condemn rashness in cold blood
To kill I grant is sins extremest gust
But in defence by mercy tis most just
To be in anger is impiety
But who is man that is not angry
Weigh but the crime with this
SECOND SENATOR
You breathe in vain
ALCIBIADES
In vain His service done
At Lacedaemon and Byzantium
Were a sufficient briber for his life
FIRST SENATOR
Whats that
ALCIBIADES
Why I say my lords has done fair service
And slain in fight many of your enemies
How full of valour did he bear himself
In the last conflict and made plenteous wounds
SECOND SENATOR
He has made too much plenty with em
Hes a sworn rioter He has a sin
That often drowns him and takes his valour prisoner
If there were no foes that were enough
To overcome him In that beastly fury
He has been known to commit outrages
And cherish factions Tis inferred to us
His days are foul and his drink dangerous
FIRST SENATOR
He dies
ALCIBIADES
Hard fate He might have died in war
My lords if not for any parts in him
Though his right arm might purchase his own time
And be in debt to none yet more to move you
Take my deserts to his and join em both
And for I know your reverend ages love
Security Ill pawn my victories all
My honour to you upon his good returns
If by this crime he owes the law his life
Why let the war receivet in valiant gore
For law is strict and war is nothing more
FIRST SENATOR
We are for law He dies Urge it no more
On height of our displeasure Friend or brother
He forfeits his own blood that spills another
ALCIBIADES
Must it be so It must not be
My lords I do beseech you know me
SECOND SENATOR
How
ALCIBIADES
Call me to your remembrances
THIRD SENATOR
What
ALCIBIADES
I cannot think but your age has forgot me
It could not else be I should prove so base
To sue and be denied such common grace
My wounds ache at you
FIRST SENATOR
Do you dare our anger
Tis in few words but spacious in effect
We banish thee for ever
ALCIBIADES
Banish me
Banish your dotage banish usury
That makes the Senate ugly
FIRST SENATOR
If after two days shine Athens contain thee
Attend our weightier judgment
And not to swell our spirit
He shall be executed presently
Exeunt Senators
ALCIBIADES
Now the gods keep you old enough that you may live
Only in bone that none may look on you
Im worse than mad I have kept back their foes
While they have told their money and let out
Their coin upon large interest I myself
Rich only in large hurts All those for this
Is this the balsam that the usuring senate
Pours into captains wounds Banishment
It comes not ill I hate not to be banished
It is a cause worthy my spleen and fury
That I may strike at Athens Ill cheer up
My discontented troops and lay for hearts
Tis honour with most lands to be at odds
Soldiers should brook as little wrongs as gods
Exit
SCENE VI A room of state in Timons house
Music Enter divers Friends at several doors
FIRST FRIEND
The good time of day to you sir
SECOND FRIEND
I also wish it to you I think this honourable lord did but try us this other day
FIRST FRIEND
Upon that were my thoughts tiring when we encountered I hope it is not so low with him as he made it seem in the trial of his several friends
SECOND FRIEND
It should not be by the persuasion of his new feasting
FIRST FRIEND
I should think so He hath sent me an earnest inviting which many my near occasions did urge me to put off but he hath conjured me beyond them and I must needs appear
SECOND FRIEND
In like manner was I in debt to my importunate business but he would not hear my excuse I am sorry when he sent to borrow of me that my provision was out
FIRST FRIEND
I am sick of that grief too as I understand how all things go
SECOND FRIEND
Every man heres so What would he have borrowed you
FIRST FRIEND
A thousand pieces
SECOND FRIEND
A thousand pieces
FIRST FRIEND
What of you
SECOND FRIEND
He sent to me sirhere he comes
Enter Timon and Attendants
TIMON
With all my heart gentlemen both And how fare you
FIRST FRIEND
Ever at the best hearing well of your lordship
SECOND FRIEND
The swallow follows not summer more willing than we your lordship
TIMON
Aside Nor more willingly leaves winter such summer birds are men Gentlemen our dinner will not recompense this long stay Feast your ears with the music awhile if they will fare so harshly o th trumpets sound we shall tot presently
FIRST FRIEND
I hope it remains not unkindly with your lordship that I returned you an empty messenger
TIMON
O sir let it not trouble you
SECOND FRIEND
My noble lord
TIMON
Ah my good friend what cheer
SECOND FRIEND
My most honourable lord I am een sick of shame that when your lordship this other day sent to me I was so unfortunate a beggar
TIMON
Think not ont sir
SECOND FRIEND
If you had sent but two hours before
TIMON
Let it not cumber your better remembrance
The banquet brought in
Come bring in all together
SECOND FRIEND
All covered dishes
FIRST FRIEND
Royal cheer I warrant you
THIRD FRIEND
Doubt not that if money and the season can yield it
FIRST FRIEND
How do you Whats the news
THIRD FRIEND
Alcibiades is banished Hear you of it
FIRST AND SECOND FRIENDS
Alcibiades banished
THIRD FRIEND
Tis so be sure of it
FIRST FRIEND
How how
SECOND FRIEND
I pray you upon what
TIMON
My worthy friends will you draw near
THIRD FRIEND
Ill tell you more anon Heres a noble feast toward
SECOND FRIEND
This is the old man still
THIRD FRIEND
Willt hold willt hold
SECOND FRIEND
It does but time willand so
THIRD FRIEND
I do conceive
TIMON
Each man to his stool with that spur as he would to the lip of his mistress Your diet shall be in all places alike Make not a city feast of it to let the meat cool ere we can agree upon the first place Sit sit The gods require our thanks
You great benefactors sprinkle our society with thankfulness For your own gifts make yourselves praised but reserve still to give lest your deities be despised Lend to each man enough that one need not lend to another for were your godheads to borrow of men men would forsake the gods Make the meat be beloved more than the man that gives it Let no assembly of twenty be without a score of villains If there sit twelve women at the table let a dozen of them be as they are The rest of your foes O gods the senators of Athens together with the common lag of people what is amiss in them you gods make suitable for destruction For these my present friends as they are to me nothing so in nothing bless them and to nothing are they welcome
Uncover dogs and lap
The dishes are uncovered and prove to be full of lukewarm water
SOME SPEAK
What does his lordship mean
SOME OTHER
I know not
TIMON
May you a better feast never behold
You knot of mouthfriends Smoke and lukewarm water
Is your perfection This is Timons last
Who stuck and spangled with your flatteries
Washes it off and sprinkles in your faces
Your reeking villainy
Throws water in their faces
Live loathed and long
Most smiling smooth detested parasites
Courteous destroyers affable wolves meek bears
You fools of fortune trencherfriends times flies
Capandknee slaves vapours and minutejacks
Of man and beast the infinite malady
Crust you quite oer They stand What dost thou go
Soft Take thy physic first thou too and thou
Stay I will lend thee money borrow none
He attacks them and forces them out
What all in motion Henceforth be no feast
Whereat a villains not a welcome guest
Burn house Sink Athens Henceforth hated be
Of Timon man and all humanity
Exit
Enter Timons Friends the Senators with other Lords
FIRST FRIEND
How now my lords
SECOND FRIEND
Know you the quality of Lord Timons fury
THIRD FRIEND
Push Did you see my cap
FOURTH FRIEND
I have lost my gown
FIRST FRIEND
Hes but a mad lord and nought but humours sways him He gave me a jewel th other day and now he has beat it out of my hat Did you see my jewel
THIRD FRIEND
Did you see my cap
SECOND FRIEND
Here tis
FOURTH FRIEND
Here lies my gown
FIRST FRIEND
Lets make no stay
SECOND FRIEND
Lord Timons mad
THIRD FRIEND
I feelt upon my bones
FOURTH FRIEND
One day he gives us diamonds next day stones
Exeunt
ACT IV
SCENE I Without the walls of Athens
Enter Timon
TIMON
Let me look back upon thee O thou wall
That girdles in those wolves dive in the earth
And fence not Athens Matrons turn incontinent
Obedience fail in children Slaves and fools
Pluck the grave wrinkled senate from the bench
And minister in their steads To general filths
Convert o th instant green virginity
Dot in your parents eyes Bankrupts hold fast
Rather than render back out with your knives
And cut your trusters throats Bound servants steal
Largehanded robbers your grave masters are
And pill by law Maid to thy masters bed
Thy mistress is o th brothel Son of sixteen
Pluck the lined crutch from thy old limping sire
With it beat out his brains Piety and fear
Religion to the gods peace justice truth
Domestic awe nightrest and neighbourhood
Instruction manners mysteries and trades
Degrees observances customs and laws
Decline to your confounding contraries
And let confusion live Plagues incident to men
Your potent and infectious fevers heap
On Athens ripe for stroke Thou cold sciatica
Cripple our senators that their limbs may halt
As lamely as their manners Lust and liberty
Creep in the minds and marrows of our youth
That gainst the stream of virtue they may strive
And drown themselves in riot Itches blains
Sow all th Athenian bosoms and their crop
Be general leprosy Breath infect breath
That their society as their friendship may
Be merely poison Nothing Ill bear from thee
But nakedness thou detestable town
Take thou that too with multiplying bans
Timon will to the woods where he shall find
Th unkindest beast more kinder than mankind
The gods confoundhear me you good gods all
Th Athenians both within and out that wall
And grant as Timon grows his hate may grow
To the whole race of mankind high and low
Amen
Exit
SCENE II Athens A room in Timons house
Enter Flavius with two or three Servants
FIRST SERVANT
Hear you Master Steward wheres our master
Are we undone cast off nothing remaining
FLAVIUS
Alack my fellows what should I say to you
Let me be recorded by the righteous gods
I am as poor as you
FIRST SERVANT
Such a house broke
So noble a master falln All gone and not
One friend to take his fortune by the arm
And go along with him
SECOND SERVANT
As we do turn our backs
From our companion thrown into his grave
So his familiars to his buried fortunes
Slink all away leave their false vows with him
Like empty purses picked and his poor self
A dedicated beggar to the air
With his disease of allshunned poverty
Walks like contempt aloneMore of our fellows
Enter other Servants
FLAVIUS
All broken implements of a ruined house
THIRD SERVANT
Yet do our hearts wear Timons livery
That see I by our faces We are fellows still
Serving alike in sorrow Leaked is our bark
And we poor mates stand on the dying deck
Hearing the surges threat We must all part
Into this sea of air
FLAVIUS
Good fellows all
The latest of my wealth Ill share amongst you
Wherever we shall meet for Timons sake
Lets yet be fellows Lets shake our heads and say
As twere a knell unto our masters fortune
We have seen better days Let each take some
Offering them money
Nay put out all your hands Not one word more
Thus part we rich in sorrow parting poor
They embrace and part several ways
O the fierce wretchedness that glory brings us
Who would not wish to be from wealth exempt
Since riches point to misery and contempt
Who would be so mocked with glory or to live
But in a dream of friendship
To have his pomp and all what state compounds
But only painted like his varnished friends
Poor honest lord brought low by his own heart
Undone by goodness Strange unusual blood
When mans worst sin is he does too much good
Who then dares to be half so kind again
For bounty that makes gods does still mar men
My dearest lord blessed to be most accursed
Rich only to be wretched thy great fortunes
Are made thy chief afflictions Alas kind lord
Hes flung in rage from this ingrateful seat
Of monstrous friends
Nor has he with him to supply his life
Or that which can command it
Ill follow and inquire him out
Ill ever serve his mind with my best will
Whilst I have gold Ill be his steward still
Exit
SCENE III Woods and caves near the seashore
Enter Timon in the woods
TIMON
O blessed breeding sun draw from the earth
Rotten humidity below thy sisters orb
Infect the air Twinned brothers of one womb
Whose procreation residence and birth
Scarce is dividant touch them with several fortunes
The greater scorns the lesser Not nature
To whom all sores lay siege can bear great fortune
But by contempt of nature
Raise me this beggar and denyt that lord
The senator shall bear contempt hereditary
The beggar native honour
It is the pasture lards the rothers sides
The want that makes him lean Who dares who dares
In purity of manhood stand upright
And say This mans a flatterer If one be
So are they all for every grece of fortune
Is smoothed by that below The learned pate
Ducks to the golden fool Alls obliquy
Theres nothing level in our cursed natures
But direct villainy Therefore be abhorred
All feasts societies and throngs of men
His semblable yea himself Timon disdains
Destruction fang mankind Earth yield me roots
Digs in the earth
Who seeks for better of thee sauce his palate
With thy most operant poison What is here
Gold Yellow glittering precious gold
No gods I am no idle votarist
Roots you clear heavens Thus much of this will make
Black white foul fair wrong right
Base noble old young coward valiant
Ha you gods why this What this you gods Why this
Will lug your priests and servants from your sides
Pluck stout mens pillows from below their heads
This yellow slave
Will knit and break religions bless th accursed
Make the hoar leprosy adored place thieves
And give them title knee and approbation
With senators on the bench This is it
That makes the wappened widow wed again
She whom the spittlehouse and ulcerous sores
Would cast the gorge at this embalms and spices
To th April day again Come damned earth
Thou common whore of mankind that puts odds
Among the rout of nations I will make thee
Do thy right nature
March afar off
Ha A drum Thourt quick
But yet Ill bury thee Thoult go strong thief
When gouty keepers of thee cannot stand
Nay stay thou out for earnest
Keeping some gold
Enter Alcibiades with drum and fife in warlike manner and Phrynia and Timandra
ALCIBIADES
What art thou there Speak
TIMON
A beast as thou art The canker gnaw thy heart
For showing me again the eyes of man
ALCIBIADES
What is thy name Is man so hateful to thee
That art thyself a man
TIMON
I am Misanthropos and hate mankind
For thy part I do wish thou wert a dog
That I might love thee something
ALCIBIADES
I know thee well
But in thy fortunes am unlearned and strange
TIMON
I know thee too and more than that I know thee
I not desire to know Follow thy drum
With mans blood paint the ground gules gules
Religious canons civil laws are cruel
Then what should war be This fell whore of thine
Hath in her more destruction than thy sword
For all her cherubin look
PHRYNIA
Thy lips rot off
TIMON
I will not kiss thee then the rot returns
To thine own lips again
ALCIBIADES
How came the noble Timon to this change
TIMON
As the moon does by wanting light to give
But then renew I could not like the moon
There were no suns to borrow of
ALCIBIADES
Noble Timon
What friendship may I do thee
TIMON
None but to maintain my opinion
ALCIBIADES
What is it Timon
TIMON
Promise me friendship but perform none If thou wilt not promise the gods plague thee for thou art a man If thou dost perform confound thee for thou art a man
ALCIBIADES
I have heard in some sort of thy miseries
TIMON
Thou sawst them when I had prosperity
ALCIBIADES
I see them now then was a blessed time
TIMON
As thine is now held with a brace of harlots
TIMANDRA
Is this th Athenian minion whom the world
Voiced so regardfully
TIMON
Art thou Timandra
TIMANDRA
Yes
TIMON
Be a whore still they love thee not that use thee
Give them diseases leaving with thee their lust
Make use of thy salt hours Season the slaves
For tubs and baths bring down rosecheeked youth
To the tubfast and the diet
TIMANDRA
Hang thee monster
ALCIBIADES
Pardon him sweet Timandra for his wits
Are drowned and lost in his calamities
I have but little gold of late brave Timon
The want whereof doth daily make revolt
In my penurious band I have heard and grieved
How cursed Athens mindless of thy worth
Forgetting thy great deeds when neighbour states
But for thy sword and fortune trod upon them
TIMON
I prithee beat thy drum and get thee gone
ALCIBIADES
I am thy friend and pity thee dear Timon
TIMON
How dost thou pity him whom thou dost trouble
I had rather be alone
ALCIBIADES
Why fare thee well
Here is some gold for thee
TIMON
Keep it I cannot eat it
ALCIBIADES
When I have laid proud Athens on a heap
TIMON
Warrst thou gainst Athens
ALCIBIADES
Ay Timon and have cause
TIMON
The gods confound them all in thy conquest
And thee after when thou hast conquered
ALCIBIADES
Why me Timon
TIMON
That by killing of villains
Thou wast born to conquer my country
Put up thy gold Go on heres gold go on
Be as a planetary plague when Jove
Will oer some highviced city hang his poison
In the sick air Let not thy sword skip one
Pity not honoured age for his white beard
He is an usurer Strike me the counterfeit matron
It is her habit only that is honest
Herselfs a bawd Let not the virgins cheek
Make soft thy trenchant sword for those milk paps
That through the windowbars bore at mens eyes
Are not within the leaf of pity writ
But set them down horrible traitors Spare not the babe
Whose dimpled smiles from fools exhaust their mercy
Think it a bastard whom the oracle
Hath doubtfully pronounced thy throat shall cut
And mince it sans remorse Swear against objects
Put armour on thine ears and on thine eyes
Whose proof nor yells of mothers maids nor babes
Nor sight of priests in holy vestments bleeding
Shall pierce a jot Theres gold to pay thy soldiers
Make large confusion and thy fury spent
Confounded be thyself Speak not be gone
ALCIBIADES
Hast thou gold yet Ill take the gold thou givst me
Not all thy counsel
TIMON
Dost thou or dost thou not heavens curse upon thee
PHRYNIA AND TIMANDRA
Give us some gold good Timon
Hast thou more
TIMON
Enough to make a whore forswear her trade
And to make whores a bawd Hold up you sluts
Your aprons mountant You are not oathable
Although I know youll swearterribly swear
Into strong shudders and to heavenly agues
Th immortal gods that hear you Spare your oaths
Ill trust to your conditions Be whores still
And he whose pious breath seeks to convert you
Be strong in whore allure him burn him up
Let your close fire predominate his smoke
And be no turncoats Yet may your pains six months
Be quite contrary And thatch your poor thin roofs
With burdens of the deadsome that were hanged
No matter wear them betray with them Whore still
Paint till a horse may mire upon your face
A pox of wrinkles
PHRYNIA AND TIMANDRA
Well more gold What then
Believet that well do anything for gold
TIMON
Consumptions sow
In hollow bones of man strike their sharp shins
And mar mens spurring Crack the lawyers voice
That he may never more false title plead
Nor sound his quillets shrilly Hoar the flamen
That scolds against the quality of flesh
And not believes himself Down with the nose
Down with it flat take the bridge quite away
Of him that his particular to foresee
Smells from the general weal Make curledpate ruffians bald
And let the unscarred braggarts of the war
Derive some pain from you Plague all
That your activity may defeat and quell
The source of all erection Theres more gold
Do you damn others and let this damn you
And ditches grave you all
PHRYNIA AND TIMANDRA
More counsel with more money bounteous Timon
TIMON
More whore more mischief first I have given you earnest
ALCIBIADES
Strike up the drum towards Athens Farewell Timon
If I thrive well Ill visit thee again
TIMON
If I hope well Ill never see thee more
ALCIBIADES
I never did thee harm
TIMON
Yes thou spokst well of me
ALCIBIADES
Callst thou that harm
TIMON
Men daily find it Get thee away and take
Thy beagles with thee
ALCIBIADES
We but offend him Strike
Drum beats Exeunt all but Timon
TIMON
That nature being sick of mans unkindness
Should yet be hungry He digs Common mother thou
Whose womb unmeasurable and infinite breast
Teems and feeds all whose selfsame mettle
Whereof thy proud child arrogant man is puffed
Engenders the black toad and adder blue
The gilded newt and eyeless venomed worm
With all the abhorred births below crisp heaven
Whereon Hyperions quickening fire doth shine
Yield him who all thy human sons doth hate
From forth thy plenteous bosom one poor root
Ensear thy fertile and conceptious womb
Let it no more bring out ingrateful man
Go great with tigers dragons wolves and bears
Teem with new monsters whom thy upward face
Hath to the marbled mansion all above
Never presented O a root dear thanks
Dry up thy marrows vines and ploughtorn leas
Whereof ingrateful man with liquorish draughts
And morsels unctuous greases his pure mind
That from it all consideration slips
Enter Apemantus
More man Plague plague
APEMANTUS
I was directed hither Men report
Thou dost affect my manners and dost use them
TIMON
Tis then because thou dost not keep a dog
Whom I would imitate Consumption catch thee
APEMANTUS
This is in thee a nature but infected
A poor unmanly melancholy sprung
From change of fortune Why this spade this place
This slavelike habit and these looks of care
Thy flatterers yet wear silk drink wine lie soft
Hug their diseased perfumes and have forgot
That ever Timon was Shame not these woods
By putting on the cunning of a carper
Be thou a flatterer now and seek to thrive
By that which has undone thee Hinge thy knee
And let his very breath whom thoult observe
Blow off thy cap praise his most vicious strain
And call it excellent Thou wast told thus
Thou gavst thine ears like tapsters that bade welcome
To knaves and all approachers Tis most just
That thou turn rascal hadst thou wealth again
Rascals should havet Do not assume my likeness
TIMON
Were I like thee Id throw away myself
APEMANTUS
Thou hast cast away thyself being like thyself
A madman so long now a fool What thinkst
That the bleak air thy boisterous chamberlain
Will put thy shirt on warm Will these mossed trees
That have outlived the eagle page thy heels
And skip when thou pointst out Will the cold brook
Candied with ice caudle thy morning taste
To cure thy oernights surfeit Call the creatures
Whose naked natures live in all the spite
Of wreakful heaven whose bare unhoused trunks
To the conflicting elements exposed
Answer mere nature bid them flatter thee
O thou shalt find
TIMON
A fool of thee Depart
APEMANTUS
I love thee better now than eer I did
TIMON
I hate thee worse
APEMANTUS
Why
TIMON
Thou flatterst misery
APEMANTUS
I flatter not but say thou art a caitiff
TIMON
Why dost thou seek me out
APEMANTUS
To vex thee
TIMON
Always a villains office or a fools
Dost please thyself int
APEMANTUS
Ay
TIMON
What a knave too
APEMANTUS
If thou didst put this sour cold habit on
To castigate thy pride twere well but thou
Dost it enforcedly Thoudst courtier be again
Wert thou not beggar Willing misery
Outlives incertain pomp is crowned before
The one is filling still never complete
The other at high wish Best state contentless
Hath a distracted and most wretched being
Worse than the worst content
Thou shouldst desire to die being miserable
TIMON
Not by his breath that is more miserable
Thou art a slave whom Fortunes tender arm
With favour never clasped but bred a dog
Hadst thou like us from our first swath proceeded
The sweet degrees that this brief world affords
To such as may the passive drugs of it
Freely command thou wouldst have plunged thyself
In general riot melted down thy youth
In different beds of lust and never learned
The icy precepts of respect but followed
The sugared game before thee But myself
Who had the world as my confectionary
The mouths the tongues the eyes and hearts of men
At duty more than I could frame employment
That numberless upon me stuck as leaves
Do on the oak have with one winters brush
Fell from their boughs and left me open bare
For every storm that blowsI to bear this
That never knew but better is some burden
Thy nature did commence in sufferance time
Hath made thee hard int Why shouldst thou hate men
They never flattered thee What hast thou given
If thou wilt curse thy father that poor rag
Must be thy subject who in spite put stuff
To some shebeggar and compounded thee
Poor rogue hereditary Hence be gone
If thou hadst not been born the worst of men
Thou hadst been a knave and flatterer
APEMANTUS
Art thou proud yet
TIMON
Ay that I am not thee
APEMANTUS
I that I was no prodigal
TIMON
I that I am one now
Were all the wealth I have shut up in thee
Id give thee leave to hang it Get thee gone
That the whole life of Athens were in this
Thus would I eat it
Eats a root
APEMANTUS
Here I will mend thy feast
TIMON
First mend my company take away thyself
APEMANTUS
So I shall mend mine own by th lack of thine
TIMON
Tis not well mended so it is but botched
If not I would it were
APEMANTUS
What wouldst thou have to Athens
TIMON
Thee thither in a whirlwind If thou wilt
Tell them there I have gold Look so I have
APEMANTUS
Here is no use for gold
TIMON
The best and truest
For here it sleeps and does no hired harm
APEMANTUS
Where liest anights Timon
TIMON
Under thats above me Where feedst thou adays Apemantus
APEMANTUS
Where my stomach finds meat or rather where I eat it
TIMON
Would poison were obedient and knew my mind
APEMANTUS
Where wouldst thou send it
TIMON
To sauce thy dishes
APEMANTUS
The middle of humanity thou never knewest but the extremity of both ends When thou wast in thy gilt and thy perfume they mocked thee for too much curiosity in thy rags thou knowst none but art despised for the contrary Theres a medlar for thee Eat it
TIMON
On what I hate I feed not
APEMANTUS
Dost hate a medlar
TIMON
Ay though it look like thee
APEMANTUS
An thoudst hated medlars sooner thou shouldst have loved thyself better now What man didst thou ever know unthrift that was beloved after his means
TIMON
Who without those means thou talkst of didst thou ever know beloved
APEMANTUS
Myself
TIMON
I understand thee Thou hadst some means to keep a dog
APEMANTUS
What things in the world canst thou nearest compare to thy flatterers
TIMON
Women nearest but menmen are the things themselves What wouldst thou do with the world Apemantus if it lay in thy power
APEMANTUS
Give it the beasts to be rid of the men
TIMON
Wouldst thou have thyself fall in the confusion of men and remain a beast with the beasts
APEMANTUS
Ay Timon
TIMON
A beastly ambition which the gods grant thee t attain to If thou wert the lion the fox would beguile thee if thou wert the lamb the fox would eat thee if thou wert the fox the lion would suspect thee when peradventure thou wert accused by the ass if thou wert the ass thy dulness would torment thee and still thou livedst but as a breakfast to the wolf if thou wert the wolf thy greediness would afflict thee and oft thou shouldst hazard thy life for thy dinner Wert thou the unicorn pride and wrath would confound thee and make thine own self the conquest of thy fury wert thou a bear thou wouldst be killed by the horse wert thou a horse thou wouldst be seized by the leopard wert thou a leopard thou wert germane to the lion and the spots of thy kindred were jurors on thy life All thy safety were remotion and thy defence absence What beast couldst thou be that were not subject to a beast And what beast art thou already that seest not thy loss in transformation
APEMANTUS
If thou couldst please me with speaking to me thou mightst have hit upon it here The commonwealth of Athens is become a forest of beasts
TIMON
How has the ass broke the wall that thou art out of the city
APEMANTUS
Yonder comes a poet and a painter The plague of company light upon thee I will fear to catch it and give way When I know not what else to do Ill see thee again
TIMON
When there is nothing living but thee thou shalt be welcome I had rather be a beggars dog than Apemantus
APEMANTUS
Thou art the cap of all the fools alive
TIMON
Would thou wert clean enough to spit upon
APEMANTUS
A plague on thee Thou art too bad to curse
TIMON
All villains that do stand by thee are pure
APEMANTUS
There is no leprosy but what thou speakst
TIMON
If I name thee
Ill beat thee but I should infect my hands
APEMANTUS
I would my tongue could rot them off
TIMON
Away thou issue of a mangy dog
Choler does kill me that thou art alive
I swoon to see thee
APEMANTUS
Would thou wouldst burst
TIMON
Away thou tedious rogue
I am sorry I shall lose a stone by thee
Throws a stone at him
APEMANTUS
Beast
TIMON
Slave
APEMANTUS
Toad
TIMON
Rogue rogue rogue
I am sick of this false world and will love nought
But even the mere necessities upont
Then Timon presently prepare thy grave
Lie where the light foam of the sea may beat
Thy gravestone daily Make thine epitaph
That death in me at others lives may laugh
To the gold O thou sweet kingkiller and dear divorce
Twixt natural son and sire thou bright defiler
Of Hymens purest bed thou valiant Mars
Thou ever young fresh loved and delicate wooer
Whose blush doth thaw the consecrated snow
That lies on Dians lap thou visible god
That solderst close impossibilities
And makst them kiss that speakst with every tongue
To every purpose O thou touch of hearts
Think thy slave man rebels and by thy virtue
Set them into confounding odds that beasts
May have the world in empire
APEMANTUS
Would twere so
But not till I am dead Ill say thoust gold
Thou wilt be thronged to shortly
TIMON
Thronged to
APEMANTUS
Ay
TIMON
Thy back I prithee
APEMANTUS
Live and love thy misery
TIMON
Long live so and so die I am quit
APEMANTUS
More things like men Eat Timon and abhor them
Exit Apemantus
Enter Banditti
FIRST BANDIT
Where should he have this gold It is some poor fragment some slender ort of his remainder The mere want of gold and the fallingfrom of his friends drove him into this melancholy
SECOND BANDIT
It is noised he hath a mass of treasure
THIRD BANDIT
Let us make the assay upon him If he care not fort he will supply us easily if he covetously reserve it how shalls get it
SECOND BANDIT
True for he bears it not about him Tis hid
FIRST BANDIT
Is not this he
BANDITTI
Where
SECOND BANDIT
Tis his description
THIRD BANDIT
He I know him
BANDITTI
Save thee Timon
TIMON
Now thieves
BANDITTI
Soldiers not thieves
TIMON
Both too and womens sons
BANDITTI
We are not thieves but men that much do want
TIMON
Your greatest want is you want much of meat
Why should you want Behold the earth hath roots
Within this mile break forth a hundred springs
The oaks bear mast the briars scarlet hips
The bounteous housewife Nature on each bush
Lays her full mess before you Want Why want
FIRST BANDIT
We cannot live on grass on berries water
As beasts and birds and fishes
TIMON
Nor on the beasts themselves the birds and fishes
You must eat men Yet thanks I must you con
That you are thieves professed that you work not
In holier shapes for there is boundless theft
In limited professions Rascal thieves
Heres gold Go suck the subtle blood o th grape
Till the high fever seethe your blood to froth
And so scape hanging Trust not the physician
His antidotes are poison and he slays
More than you rob Take wealth and lives together
Do villainy do since you protest to dot
Like workmen Ill example you with thievery
The suns a thief and with his great attraction
Robs the vast sea the moons an arrant thief
And her pale fire she snatches from the sun
The seas a thief whose liquid surge resolves
The moon into salt tears the earths a thief
That feeds and breeds by a composture stoln
From general excrement Each things a thief
The laws your curb and whip in their rough power
Has unchecked theft Love not yourselves away
Rob one another Theres more gold Cut throats
All that you meet are thieves To Athens go
Break open shops nothing can you steal
But thieves do lose it Steal no less for this I give you
And gold confound you howsoeer Amen
THIRD BANDIT
Has almost charmed me from my profession by persuading me to it
FIRST BANDIT
Tis in the malice of mankind that he thus advises us not to have us thrive in our mystery
SECOND BANDIT
Ill believe him as an enemy and give over my trade
FIRST BANDIT
Let us first see peace in Athens There is no time so miserable but a man may be true
Exeunt Banditti
Enter Flavius
FLAVIUS
O you gods
Is yond despised and ruinous man my lord
Full of decay and failing O monument
And wonder of good deeds evilly bestowed
What an alteration of honour has desperate want made
What viler thing upon the earth than friends
Who can bring noblest minds to basest ends
How rarely does it meet with this times guise
When man was wished to love his enemies
Grant I may ever love and rather woo
Those that would mischief me than those that do
He has caught me in his eye I will present
My honest grief unto him and as my lord
Still serve him with my lifeMy dearest master
TIMON
Away What art thou
FLAVIUS
Have you forgot me sir
TIMON
Why dost ask that I have forgot all men
Then if thou grantst thourt a man I have forgot thee
FLAVIUS
An honest poor servant of yours
TIMON
Then I know thee not
I never had honest man about me I all
I kept were knaves to serve in meat to villains
FLAVIUS
The gods are witness
Neer did poor steward wear a truer grief
For his undone lord than mine eyes for you
TIMON
What dost thou weep Come nearer then I love thee
Because thou art a woman and disclaimst
Flinty mankind whose eyes do never give
But thorough lust and laughter Pitys sleeping
Strange times that weep with laughing not with weeping
FLAVIUS
I beg of you to know me good my lord
T accept my grief and whilst this poor wealth lasts
To entertain me as your steward still
TIMON
Had I a steward
So true so just and now so comfortable
It almost turns my dangerous nature mild
Let me behold thy face Surely this man
Was born of woman
Forgive my general and exceptless rashness
You perpetual sober gods I do proclaim
One honest man mistake me not but one
No more I pray and hes a steward
How fain would I have hated all mankind
And thou redeemst thyself But all save thee
I fell with curses
Methinks thou art more honest now than wise
For by oppressing and betraying me
Thou mightst have sooner got another service
For many so arrive at second masters
Upon their first lords neck But tell me true
For I must ever doubt though neer so sure
Is not thy kindness subtle covetous
A usuring kindness and as rich men deal gifts
Expecting in return twenty for one
FLAVIUS
No my most worthy master in whose breast
Doubt and suspect alas are placed too late
You should have feared false times when you did feast
Suspect still comes where an estate is least
That which I show heaven knows is merely love
Duty and zeal to your unmatched mind
Care of your food and living And believe it
My most honoured lord
For any benefit that points to me
Either in hope or present Id exchange
For this one wish that you had power and wealth
To requite me by making rich yourself
TIMON
Look thee tis so Thou singly honest man
Here take The gods out of my misery
Have sent thee treasure Go live rich and happy
But thus conditioned thou shalt build from men
Hate all curse all show charity to none
But let the famished flesh slide from the bone
Ere thou relieve the beggar give to dogs
What thou deniest to men let prisons swallow em
Debts wither em to nothing be men like blasted woods
And may diseases lick up their false bloods
And so farewell and thrive
FLAVIUS
O let me stay
And comfort you my master
TIMON
If thou hatst curses
Stay not Fly whilst thourt blest and free
Neer see thou man and let me neer see thee
Exeunt severally
ACT V
SCENE I The woods Before Timons cave
Enter Poet and Painter
PAINTER
As I took note of the place it cannot be far where he abides
POET
Whats to be thought of him Does the rumour hold for true that he is so full of gold
PAINTER
Certain Alcibiades reports it Phrynia and Timandra had gold of him He likewise enriched poor straggling soldiers with great quantity Tis said he gave unto his steward a mighty sum
POET
Then this breaking of his has been but a try for his friends
PAINTER
Nothing else You shall see him a palm in Athens again and flourish with the highest Therefore tis not amiss we tender our loves to him in this supposed distress of his It will show honestly in us and is very likely to load our purposes with what they travail for if it be a just and true report that goes of his having
POET
What have you now to present unto him
PAINTER
Nothing at this time but my visitation only I will promise him an excellent piece
POET
I must serve him so too tell him of an intent thats coming toward him
PAINTER
Good as the best Promising is the very air o th time it opens the eyes of expectation Performance is ever the duller for his act and but in the plainer and simpler kind of people the deed of saying is quite out of use To promise is most courtly and fashionable performance is a kind of will or testament which argues a great sickness in his judgment that makes it
Enter Timon from his cave
TIMON
Aside Excellent workman Thou canst not paint a man so bad as is thyself
POET
I am thinking what I shall say I have provided for him It must be a personating of himself a satire against the softness of prosperity with a discovery of the infinite flatteries that follow youth and opulency
TIMON
Aside Must thou needs stand for a villain in thine own work Wilt thou whip thine own faults in other men Do so I have gold for thee
POET
Nay lets seek him
Then do we sin against our own estate
When we may profit meet and come too late
PAINTER
True
When the day serves before blackcornered night
Find what thou wantst by free and offered light
Come
TIMON
Aside Ill meet you at the turn What a gods gold
That he is worshipped in a baser temple
Than where swine feed
Tis thou that riggst the bark and ploughst the foam
Settlest admired reverence in a slave
To thee be worship and thy saints for aye
Be crowned with plagues that thee alone obey
Fit I meet them
He comes forward
POET
Hail worthy Timon
PAINTER
Our late noble master
TIMON
Have I once lived to see two honest men
POET
Sir
Having often of your open bounty tasted
Hearing you were retired your friends falln off
Whose thankless naturesO abhorred spirits
Not all the whips of heaven are large enough
What to you
Whose starlike nobleness gave life and influence
To their whole being I am rapt and cannot cover
The monstrous bulk of this ingratitude
With any size of words
TIMON
Let it go naked Men may seet the better
You that are honest by being what you are
Make them best seen and known
PAINTER
He and myself
Have travailed in the great shower of your gifts
And sweetly felt it
TIMON
Ay you are honest men
PAINTER
We are hither come to offer you our service
TIMON
Most honest men Why how shall I requite you
Can you eat roots and drink cold water No
BOTH
What we can do well do to do you service
TIMON
Yere honest men Yeve heard that I have gold
I am sure you have Speak truth youre honest men
PAINTER
So it is said my noble lord but therefore
Came not my friend nor I
TIMON
Good honest men To Painter Thou drawst a counterfeit
Best in all Athens Thourt indeed the best
Thou counterfeitst most lively
PAINTER
So so my lord
TIMON
Een so sir as I say To the Poet And for thy fiction
Why thy verse swells with stuff so fine and smooth
That thou art even natural in thine art
But for all this my honestnatured friends
I must needs say you have a little fault
Marry tis not monstrous in you neither wish I
You take much pains to mend
BOTH
Beseech your honour
To make it known to us
TIMON
Youll take it ill
BOTH
Most thankfully my lord
TIMON
Will you indeed
BOTH
Doubt it not worthy lord
TIMON
Theres never a one of you but trusts a knave
That mightily deceives you
BOTH
Do we my lord
TIMON
Ay and you hear him cog see him dissemble
Know his gross patchery love him feed him
Keep in your bosom yet remain assured
That hes a madeup villain
PAINTER
I know not such my lord
POET
Nor I
TIMON
Look you I love you well Ill give you gold
Rid me these villains from your companies
Hang them or stab them drown them in a draught
Confound them by some course and come to me
Ill give you gold enough
BOTH
Name them my lord lets know them
TIMON
You that way and you this but two in company
Each man apart all single and alone
Yet an archvillain keeps him company
To one If where thou art two villians shall not be
Come not near him To the other If thou wouldst not reside
But where one villain is then him abandon
Hence pack Theres gold You came for gold ye slaves
To one You have work for me theres payment hence
To the other You are an alchemist make gold of that
Out rascal dogs
Timon drives them out and then retires to his cave
SCENE II The same
Enter Flavius and two Senators
FLAVIUS
It is vain that you would speak with Timon
For he is set so only to himself
That nothing but himself which looks like man
Is friendly with him
FIRST SENATOR
Bring us to his cave
It is our part and promise to th Athenians
To speak with Timon
SECOND SENATOR
At all times alike
Men are not still the same twas time and griefs
That framed him thus Time with his fairer hand
Offering the fortunes of his former days
The former man may make him Bring us to him
And chance it as it may
FLAVIUS
Here is his cave
Peace and content be here Lord Timon Timon
Look out and speak to friends The Athenians
By two of their most reverend senate greet thee
Speak to them noble Timon
Enter Timon out of his cave
TIMON
Thou sun that comforts burn Speak and be hanged
For each true word a blister and each false
Be as a cantherizing to the root o th tongue
Consuming it with speaking
FIRST SENATOR
Worthy Timon
TIMON
Of none but such as you and you of Timon
FIRST SENATOR
The senators of Athens greet thee Timon
TIMON
Aside I thank them and would send them back the plague
Could I but catch it for them
FIRST SENATOR
O forget
What we are sorry for ourselves in thee
The senators with one consent of love
Entreat thee back to Athens who have thought
On special dignities which vacant lie
For thy best use and wearing
SECOND SENATOR
They confess
Toward thee forgetfulness too general gross
Which now the public body which doth seldom
Play the recanter feeling in itself
A lack of Timons aid hath sense withal
Of its own fall restraining aid to Timon
And send forth us to make their sorrowed render
Together with a recompense more fruitful
Than their offence can weigh down by the dram
Ay even such heaps and sums of love and wealth
As shall to thee blot out what wrongs were theirs
And write in thee the figures of their love
Ever to read them thine
TIMON
You witch me in it
Surprise me to the very brink of tears
Lend me a fools heart and a womans eyes
And Ill beweep these comforts worthy senators
FIRST SENATOR
Therefore so please thee to return with us
And of our Athens thine and ours to take
The captainship thou shalt be met with thanks
Allowed with absolute power and thy good name
Live with authority So soon we shall drive back
Of Alcibiades th approaches wild
Who like a boar too savage doth root up
His countrys peace
SECOND SENATOR
And shakes his threatening sword
Against the walls of Athens
FIRST SENATOR
Therefore Timon
TIMON
Well sir I will Therefore I will sir thus
If Alcibiades kill my countrymen
Let Alcibiades know this of Timon
That Timon cares not But if he sack fair Athens
And take our goodly aged men by th beards
Giving our holy virgins to the stain
Of contumelious beastly madbrained war
Then let him know and tell him Timon speaks it
In pity of our aged and our youth
I cannot choose but tell him that I care not
Andlet him taket at worstfor their knives care not
While you have throats to answer For myself
Theres not a whittle in th unruly camp
But I do prize it at my love before
The reverendst throat in Athens So I leave you
To the protection of the prosperous gods
As thieves to keepers
FLAVIUS
Stay not alls in vain
TIMON
Why I was writing of my epitaph
It will be seen tomorrow My long sickness
Of health and living now begins to mend
And nothing brings me all things Go live still
Be Alcibiades your plague you his
And last so long enough
FIRST SENATOR
We speak in vain
TIMON
But yet I love my country and am not
One that rejoices in the common wrack
As common bruit doth put it
FIRST SENATOR
Thats well spoke
TIMON
Commend me to my loving countrymen
FIRST SENATOR
These words become your lips as they pass through them
SECOND SENATOR
And enter in our ears like great triumphers
In their applauding gates
TIMON
Commend me to them
And tell them that to ease them of their griefs
Their fears of hostile strokes their aches losses
Their pangs of love with other incident throes
That natures fragile vessel doth sustain
In lifes uncertain voyage I will some kindness do them
Ill teach them to prevent wild Alcibiades wrath
FIRST SENATOR
Aside I like this well he will return again
TIMON
I have a tree which grows here in my close
That mine own use invites me to cut down
And shortly must I fell it Tell my friends
Tell Athens in the sequence of degree
From high to low throughout that whoso please
To stop affliction let him take his haste
Come hither ere my tree hath felt the axe
And hang himself I pray you do my greeting
FLAVIUS
Trouble him no further thus you still shall find him
TIMON
Come not to me again but say to Athens
Timon hath made his everlasting mansion
Upon the beached verge of the salt flood
Who once a day with his embossed froth
The turbulent surge shall cover thither come
And let my gravestone be your oracle
Lips let sour words go by and language end
What is amiss plague and infection mend
Graves only be mens works and death their gain
Sun hide thy beams Timon hath done his reign
Exit Timon into his cave
FIRST SENATOR
His discontents are unremovably
Coupled to nature
SECOND SENATOR
Our hope in him is dead Let us return
And strain what other means is left unto us
In our dear peril
FIRST SENATOR
It requires swift foot
Exeunt
SCENE III Before the walls of Athens
Enter two other Senators with a Messenger
FIRST SENATOR
Thou hast painfully discovered Are his files
As full as thy report
MESSENGER
I have spoke the least
Besides his expedition promises
Present approach
SECOND SENATOR
We stand much hazard if they bring not Timon
MESSENGER
I met a courier one mine ancient friend
Whom though in general part we were opposed
Yet our old love made a particular force
And made us speak like friends This man was riding
From Alcibiades to Timons cave
With letters of entreaty which imported
His fellowship i th cause against your city
In part for his sake moved
Enter the other Senators from Timon
THIRD SENATOR
Here come our brothers
FIRST SENATOR
No talk of Timon nothing of him expect
The enemys drum is heard and fearful scouring
Doth choke the air with dust In and prepare
Ours is the fall I fear our foes the snare
Exeunt
SCENE IV The woods Timons cave and a rude tomb seen
Enter a Soldier in the woods seeking Timon
SOLDIER
By all description this should be the place
Whos here Speak ho No answer What is this
Timon is dead who hath outstretched his span
Some beast read this there does not live a man
Dead sure and this his grave Whats on this tomb
I cannot read The character Ill take with wax
Our captain hath in every figure skill
An aged interpreter though young in days
Before proud Athens hes set down by this
Whose fall the mark of his ambition is
Exit
SCENE V Before the walls of Athens
Trumpets sound Enter Alcibiades with his powers before Athens
ALCIBIADES
Sound to this coward and lascivious town
Our terrible approach
A parley sounds
The Senators appear upon the walls
Till now you have gone on and filled the time
With all licentious measure making your wills
The scope of justice Till now myself and such
As slept within the shadow of your power
Have wandered with our traversed arms and breathed
Our sufferance vainly Now the time is flush
When crouching marrow in the bearer strong
Cries of itself No more Now breathless wrong
Shall sit and pant in your great chairs of ease
And pursy insolence shall break his wind
With fear and horrid flight
FIRST SENATOR
Noble and young
When thy first griefs were but a mere conceit
Ere thou hadst power or we had cause of fear
We sent to thee to give thy rages balm
To wipe out our ingratitude with loves
Above their quantity
SECOND SENATOR
So did we woo
Transformed Timon to our citys love
By humble message and by promised means
We were not all unkind nor all deserve
The common stroke of war
FIRST SENATOR
These walls of ours
Were not erected by their hands from whom
You have received your griefs nor are they such
That these great towers trophies and schools should fall
For private faults in them
SECOND SENATOR
Nor are they living
Who were the motives that you first went out
Shame that they wanted cunning in excess
Hath broke their hearts March noble lord
Into our city with thy banners spread
By decimation and a tithed death
If thy revenges hunger for that food
Which nature loathes take thou the destined tenth
And by the hazard of the spotted die
Let die the spotted
FIRST SENATOR
All have not offended
For those that were it is not square to take
On those that are revenge Crimes like lands
Are not inherited Then dear countryman
Bring in thy ranks but leave without thy rage
Spare thy Athenian cradle and those kin
Which in the bluster of thy wrath must fall
With those that have offended Like a shepherd
Approach the fold and cull th infected forth
But kill not all together
SECOND SENATOR
What thou wilt
Thou rather shalt enforce it with thy smile
Than hew to t with thy sword
FIRST SENATOR
Set but thy foot
Against our rampired gates and they shall ope
So thou wilt send thy gentle heart before
To say thoult enter friendly
SECOND SENATOR
Throw thy glove
Or any token of thine honour else
That thou wilt use the wars as thy redress
And not as our confusion all thy powers
Shall make their harbour in our town till we
Have sealed thy full desire
ALCIBIADES
Then theres my glove
Descend and open your uncharged ports
Those enemies of Timons and mine own
Whom you yourselves shall set out for reproof
Fall and no more And to atone your fears
With my more noble meaning not a man
Shall pass his quarter or offend the stream
Of regular justice in your citys bounds
But shall be remedied to your public laws
At heaviest answer
BOTH
Tis most nobly spoken
ALCIBIADES
Descend and keep your words
The Senators descend
Enter a Soldier
SOLDIER
My noble general Timon is dead
Entombed upon the very hem o th sea
And on his gravestone this insculpture which
With wax I brought away whose soft impression
Interprets for my poor ignorance
ALCIBIADES
Reads the Epitaph Here lies a wretched corse of wretched soul bereft
Seek not my name A plague consume you wicked caitiffs left
Here lie I Timon who alive all living men did hate
Pass by and curse thy fill but pass and stay not here thy gait
These well express in thee thy latter spirits
Though thou abhorredst in us our human griefs
Scornedst our brains flow and those our droplets which
From niggard nature fall yet rich conceit
Taught thee to make vast Neptune weep for aye
On thy low grave on faults forgiven Dead
Is noble Timon of whose memory
Hereafter more Bring me into your city
And I will use the olive with my sword
Make war breed peace make peace stint war make each
Prescribe to other as each others leech
Let our drums strike
Exeunt
THE TRAGEDY OF TITUS ANDRONICUS
Contents
ACT I
Scene I Rome Before the Capitol
ACT II
Scene I Rome Before the palace
Scene II A Forest near Rome a Lodge seen at a distance Horns and cry of hounds heard
Scene III A lonely part of the Forest
Scene IV Another part of the Forest
ACT III
Scene I Rome A street
Scene II Rome A Room in Tituss House A banquet set out
ACT IV
Scene I Rome Before Tituss House
Scene II Rome A Room in the Palace
Scene III Rome A public Place
Scene IV Rome Before the Palace
ACT V
Scene I Plains near Rome
Scene II Rome Before Tituss House
Scene III Rome A Pavilion in Tituss Gardens with tables c
Dramatis Person
SATURNINUS elder son to the late Emperor of Rome afterwards Emperor
BASSIANUS brother to Saturninus
TITUS ANDRONICUS a noble Roman General against the Goths
MARCUS ANDRONICUS Tribune of the People and brother to Titus
LAVINIA daughter to Titus Andronicus
LUCIUS son to Titus Andronicus
QUINTUS son to Titus Andronicus
MARTIUS son to Titus Andronicus
MUTIUS son to Titus Andronicus
YOUNG LUCIUS a boy son to Lucius
PUBLIUS son to Marcus the Tribune
SEMPRONIUS kinsman to Titus
CAIUS kinsman to Titus
VALENTINE kinsman to Titus
AEMILIUS a noble Roman
TAMORA Queen of the Goths
AARON a Moor beloved by Tamora
ALARBUS son to Tamora
DEMETRIUS son to Tamora
CHIRON son to Tamora
A CAPTAIN
MESSENGER
A NURSE and a black child
CLOWN
Goths and Romans
Tribunes Senators Officers Soldiers and Attendants
SCENE Rome and the Country near it
ACT I
SCENE I Rome Before the Capitol
Enter the Tribunes and Senators aloft And then enter Saturninus and his followers at one door and Bassianus and his followers at the other with drums and trumpets
SATURNINUS
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
I am his firstborn son that was the last
That wore the imperial diadem of Rome
Then let my fathers honours live in me
Nor wrong mine age with this indignity
BASSIANUS
Romans friends followers favourers of my right
If ever Bassianus Caesars son
Were gracious in the eyes of royal Rome
Keep then this passage to the Capitol
And suffer not dishonour to approach
The imperial 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 holding the crown
MARCUS
Princes that strive by factions and by friends
Ambitiously for rule and empery
Know that the people of Rome for whom we stand
A special party have by common voice
In election for the 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
That with his sons a terror to our foes
Hath yoked a nation strong trained up in arms
Ten years are spent since first he undertook
This cause of Rome and chastised with arms
Our enemies pride Five times he hath returned
Bleeding to Rome bearing his valiant sons
In coffins from the field
And now at last laden with honours 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 senates right
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
SATURNINUS
How fair the tribune speaks to calm my thoughts
BASSIANUS
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
And her to whom my thoughts are humbled all
Gracious Lavinia Romes rich ornament
That I will here dismiss my loving friends
And to my fortunes and the peoples favour
Commit my cause in balance to be weighed
Exeunt the followers of Bassianus
SATURNINUS
Friends that have been thus forward in my right
I thank you all and here dismiss you all
And to the love and favour of my country
Commit myself my person and the cause
Exeunt the followers of Saturninus
Rome be as just and gracious unto me
As I am confident and kind to thee
Open the gates and let me in
BASSIANUS
Tribunes and me a poor competitor
Flourish They go up into the Senate House
Enter a Captain
CAPTAIN
Romans make way The good Andronicus
Patron of virtue Romes best champion
Successful in the battles that he fights
With honour and with fortune is returned
From where he circumscribed with his sword
And brought to yoke the enemies of Rome
Sound drums and trumpets and then enter two of Titus sons and then two men bearing a coffin covered with black then two other sons then Titus Andronicus and then Tamora the Queen of Goths and her sons Alarbus Chiron and Demetrius with Aaron the Moor and others as many as can be then set down the coffin and Titus speaks
TITUS
Hail Rome victorious in thy mourning weeds
Lo as the bark that hath discharged her fraught
Returns with precious lading to the bay
From whence at first she weighed her anchorage
Cometh Andronicus bound with laurel boughs
To resalute 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 fiveandtwenty valiant sons
Half of the number that King Priam had
Behold the poor remains alive and dead
These that survive let Rome reward with love
These that I bring unto their latest home
With burial amongst their ancestors
Here Goths have given me leave to sheathe my sword
Titus unkind and careless of thine own
Why sufferst thou thy sons unburied yet
To hover on the dreadful shore of Styx
Make way to lay them by their brethren
They open the tomb
There greet in silence as the dead are wont
And sleep in peace slain in your countrys wars
O sacred receptacle of my joys
Sweet cell of virtue and nobility
How many sons hast thou of mine in store
That thou wilt never render to me more
LUCIUS
Give us the proudest prisoner of the Goths
That we may hew his limbs and on a pile
Ad manes fratrum sacrifice his flesh
Before this earthy prison of their bones
That so the shadows be not unappeased
Nor we disturbed with prodigies on earth
TITUS
I give him you the noblest that survives
The eldest son of this distressed queen
TAMORA
Stay Roman brethren Gracious conqueror
Victorious Titus rue the tears I shed
A mothers tears in passion for her son
And if thy sons were ever dear to thee
O think my son to be as dear to me
Sufficeth not that we are brought to Rome
To beautify thy triumphs and return
Captive to thee and to thy Roman yoke
But must my sons be slaughtered in the streets
For valiant doings in their countrys 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 nobilitys true badge
Thricenoble Titus spare my firstborn son
TITUS
Patient yourself madam and pardon me
These are their brethren whom your Goths beheld
Alive and dead and for their brethren slain
Religiously they ask a sacrifice
To this your son is marked and die he must
T appease their groaning shadows that are gone
LUCIUS
Away with him and make a fire straight
And with our swords upon a pile of wood
Lets hew his limbs till they be clean consumed
Exeunt Titus sons with Alarbus
TAMORA
O cruel irreligious piety
CHIRON
Was never Scythia half so barbarous
DEMETRIUS
Oppose not Scythia to ambitious Rome
Alarbus goes to rest and we survive
To tremble under Titus threatning look
Then madam stand resolved but hope withal
The selfsame gods that armed the Queen of Troy
With opportunity of sharp revenge
Upon the Thracian tyrant in his tent
May favour Tamora the queen of Goths
When Goths were Goths and Tamora was queen
To quit the bloody wrongs upon her foes
Enter the sons of Andronicus again with bloody swords
LUCIUS
See lord and father how we have performed
Our Roman rites Alarbus limbs are lopped
And entrails feed the sacrificing fire
Whose smoke like incense doth perfume the sky
Remaineth naught but to inter our brethren
And with loud larums welcome them to Rome
TITUS
Let it be so and let Andronicus
Make this his latest farewell to their souls
Sound trumpets and lay the coffin in the tomb
In peace and honour rest you here my sons
Romes 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 drugs here are no storms
No noise but silence and eternal sleep
In peace and honour rest you here my sons
Enter Lavinia
LAVINIA
In peace and honour live Lord Titus long
My noble lord and father live in fame
Lo at this tomb my tributary tears
I render for my brethrens obsequies
And at thy feet I kneel with tears of joy
Shed on this earth for thy return to Rome
O bless me here with thy victorious hand
Whose fortunes Romes best citizens applaud
TITUS
Kind Rome that hast thus lovingly reserved
The cordial of mine age to glad my heart
Lavinia live outlive thy fathers days
And fames eternal date for virtues praise
Enter Marcus Andronicus and Tribunes reenter Saturninus Bassianus and others
MARCUS
Long live Lord Titus my beloved brother
Gracious triumpher in the eyes of Rome
TITUS
Thanks gentle tribune noble brother Marcus
MARCUS
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 countrys service drew your swords
But safer triumph is this funeral pomp
That hath aspired to Solons happiness
And triumphs over chance in honours bed
Titus Andronicus the people of Rome
Whose friend in justice thou hast ever been
Send thee by me their tribune and their trust
This palliament of white and spotless hue
And name thee in election for the empire
With these our latedeceased emperors sons
Be candidatus then and put it on
And help to set a head on headless Rome
TITUS
A better head her glorious body fits
Than his that shakes for age and feebleness
What should I don this robe and trouble you
Be chosen with proclamations today
Tomorrow yield up rule resign my life
And set abroad new business for you all
Rome I have been thy soldier forty years
And led my countrys 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
MARCUS
Titus thou shalt obtain and ask the empery
SATURNINUS
Proud and ambitious tribune canst thou tell
TITUS
Patience Prince Saturninus
SATURNINUS
Romans do me right
Patricians draw your swords and sheathe them not
Till Saturninus be Romes emperor
Andronicus would thou were shipped to hell
Rather than rob me of the peoples hearts
LUCIUS
Proud Saturnine interrupter of the good
That nobleminded Titus means to thee
TITUS
Content thee prince I will restore to thee
The peoples hearts and wean them from themselves
BASSIANUS
Andronicus 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
TITUS
People of Rome and peoples tribunes here
I ask your voices and your suffrages
Will you bestow them friendly on Andronicus
TRIBUNES
To gratify the good Andronicus
And gratulate his safe return to Rome
The people will accept whom he admits
TITUS
Tribunes I thank you and this suit I make
That you create your emperors eldest son
Lord Saturnine whose virtues will I hope
Reflect on Rome as Titans rays on earth
And ripen justice in this commonweal
Then if you will elect by my advice
Crown him and say Long live our emperor
MARCUS
With voices and applause of every sort
Patricians and plebeians we create
Lord Saturninus Romes great emperor
And say Long live our Emperor Saturnine
A long flourish
SATURNINUS
Titus Andronicus 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
Lavinia will I make my empress
Romes royal mistress mistress of my heart
And in the sacred Pantheon her espouse
Tell me Andronicus doth this motion please thee
TITUS
It doth my worthy lord and in this match
I hold me highly honoured of your grace
And here in sight of Rome to Saturnine
King and commander of our commonweal
The wide worlds emperor do I consecrate
My sword my chariot and my prisoners
Presents well worthy Romes imperious lord
Receive them then the tribute that I owe
Mine honours ensigns humbled at thy feet
SATURNINUS
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
TITUS
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
SATURNINUS
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 comst 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
Lavinia you are not displeased with this
LAVINIA
Not I my lord sith true nobility
Warrants these words in princely courtesy
SATURNINUS
Thanks sweet Lavinia Romans let us go
Ransomless here we set our prisoners free
Proclaim our honours lords with trump and drum
Flourish Saturninus and his Guards exit with Drums and Trumpets Tribunes and Senators exit aloft
BASSIANUS
Lord Titus by your leave this maid is mine
TITUS
How sir Are you in earnest then my lord
BASSIANUS
Ay noble Titus and resolved withal
To do myself this reason and this right
MARCUS
Suum cuique is our Roman justice
This prince in justice seizeth but his own
LUCIUS
And that he will and shall if Lucius live
TITUS
Traitors avaunt Where is the emperors guard
Enter Saturninus and his Guards
Treason my lord Lavinia is surprised
SATURNINUS
Surprised By whom
BASSIANUS
By him that justly may
Bear his betrothed from all the world away
Exeunt Bassianus and Marcus with Lavinia
MUTIUS
Brothers help to convey her hence away
And with my sword Ill keep this door safe
Exeunt Lucius Quintus and Martius
TITUS
Follow my lord and Ill soon bring her back
Exeunt Saturninus Tamora Demetrius Chiron Aaron and Guards
MUTIUS
My lord you pass not here
TITUS
What villain boy
Barrst me my way in Rome
Stabbing Mutius
MUTIUS
Help Lucius help
Dies
Reenter Lucius
LUCIUS
My lord you are unjust and more than so
In wrongful quarrel you have slain your son
TITUS
Nor thou nor he are any sons of mine
My sons would never so dishonour me
Traitor restore Lavinia to the Emperor
LUCIUS
Dead if you will but not to be his wife
That is anothers lawful promised love
Exit
Enter aloft the Emperor Saturninus with Tamora and her two sons and Aaron the Moor
SATURNINUS
No Titus no the emperor needs her not
Nor her nor thee nor any of thy stock
Ill trust by leisure him that mocks me once
Thee never nor thy traitorous haughty sons
Confederates all thus to dishonour me
Was none in Rome to make a stale
But Saturnine Full well Andronicus
Agree these deeds with that proud brag of thine
That saidst I begged the empire at thy hands
TITUS
O monstrous What reproachful words are these
SATURNINUS
But go thy ways go give that changing piece
To him that flourished for her with his sword
A valiant soninlaw thou shalt enjoy
One fit to bandy with thy lawless sons
To ruffle in the commonwealth of Rome
TITUS
These words are razors to my wounded heart
SATURNINUS
And therefore lovely Tamora Queen of Goths
That like the stately Phbe mongst her nymphs
Dost overshine the gallantst dames of Rome
If thou be pleased with this my sudden choice
Behold I choose thee Tamora for my bride
And will create thee Empress of Rome
Speak Queen of Goths dost thou applaud my choice
And here I swear by all the Roman gods
Sith priest and holy water are so near
And tapers burn so bright and everything
In readiness for Hymenus stand
I will not resalute the streets of Rome
Or climb my palace till from forth this place
I lead espoused my bride along with me
TAMORA
And here in sight of heaven to Rome I swear
If Saturnine advance the Queen of Goths
She will a handmaid be to his desires
A loving nurse a mother to his youth
SATURNINUS
Ascend fair queen Pantheon Lords 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
Exeunt all but Titus
TITUS
I am not bid to wait upon this bride
Titus when wert thou wont to walk alone
Dishonoured thus and challenged of wrongs
Reenter Marcus Lucius Quintus and Martius
MARCUS
O Titus see O see what thou hast done
In a bad quarrel slain a virtuous son
TITUS
No foolish tribune no no son of mine
Nor thou nor these confederates in the deed
That hath dishonoured all our family
Unworthy brother and unworthy sons
LUCIUS
But let us give him burial as becomes
Give Mutius burial with our brethren
TITUS
Traitors away He rests not in this tomb
This monument five hundred years hath stood
Which I have sumptuously reedified
Here none but soldiers and Romes servitors
Repose in fame none basely slain in brawls
Bury him where you can he comes not here
MARCUS
My lord this is impiety in you
My nephew Mutius deeds do plead for him
He must be buried with his brethren
MARTIUS
And shall or him we will accompany
TITUS
And shall What villain was it spake that word
QUINTUS
He that would vouch it in any place but here
TITUS
What would you bury him in my despite
MARCUS
No noble Titus but entreat of thee
To pardon Mutius and to bury him
TITUS
Marcus even thou hast struck upon my crest
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
QUINTUS
He is not with himself let us withdraw
MARTIUS
Not I till Mutius bones be buried
Marcus and the sons of Titus kneel
MARCUS
Brother for in that name doth nature plead
QUINTUS
Father and in that name doth nature speak
TITUS
Speak thou no more if all the rest will speed
MARCUS
Renowned Titus more than half my soul
LUCIUS
Dear father soul and substance of us all
MARCUS
Suffer thy brother Marcus to inter
His noble nephew here in virtues nest
That died in honour and Lavinias 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 joy
Be barred his entrance here
TITUS
Rise Marcus rise
The dismallst day is this that eer I saw
To be dishonoured by my sons in Rome
Well bury him and bury me the next
They put Mutius in the tomb
LUCIUS
There lie thy bones sweet Mutius with thy friends
Till we with trophies do adorn thy tomb
ALL
Kneeling No man shed tears for noble Mutius
He lives in fame that died in virtues cause
MARCUS
My lord to step out of these dreary dumps
How comes it that the subtle Queen of Goths
Is of a sudden thus advanced in Rome
TITUS
I know not Marcus but I know it is
Whether by device or no the heavens can tell
Is she not then beholding to the man
That brought her for this high good turn so far
Yes and will nobly him remunerate
Flourish Enter the Emperor Saturninus Tamora and her two sons with Aaron the Moor Drums and Trumpets at one door Enter at the other door Bassianus and Lavinia with others
SATURNINUS
So Bassianus you have played your prize
God give you joy sir of your gallant bride
BASSIANUS
And you of yours my lord I say no more
Nor wish no less and so I take my leave
SATURNINUS
Traitor if Rome have law or we have power
Thou and thy faction shall repent this rape
BASSIANUS
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 am I possessed of that is mine
SATURNINUS
Tis good sir You are very short with us
But if we live well be as sharp with you
BASSIANUS
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
By all the duties that I owe to Rome
This noble gentleman Lord Titus here
Is in opinion and in honour wronged
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 controlled in that he frankly gave
Receive him then to favour Saturnine
That hath expressed himself in all his deeds
A father and a friend to thee and Rome
TITUS
Prince Bassianus leave to plead my deeds
Tis thou and those that have dishonoured me
Rome and the righteous heavens be my judge
How I have loved and honoured Saturnine
TAMORA
My worthy lord if ever Tamora
Were gracious in those princely eyes of thine
Then hear me speak indifferently for all
And at my suit sweet pardon what is past
SATURNINUS
What madam be dishonoured openly
And basely put it up without revenge
TAMORA
Not so my lord the gods of Rome 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
Nor with sour looks afflict his gentle heart
Aside 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
And so supplant you for ingratitude
Which Rome reputes to be a heinous sin
Yield at entreats and then let me alone
Ill find a day to massacre them all
And raze their faction and their family
The cruel father and his traitorous sons
To whom I sued for my dear sons life
And make them know what tis to let a queen
Kneel in the streets and beg for grace in vain
Aloud Come come sweet emperor come Andronicus
Take up this good old man and cheer the heart
That dies in tempest of thy angry frown
SATURNINUS
Rise Titus rise my empress hath prevailed
TITUS
I thank your majesty and her my lord
These words these looks infuse new life in me
TAMORA
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 passed
My word and promise to the emperor
That you will be more mild and tractable
And fear not lords and you Lavinia
By my advice all humbled on your knees
You shall ask pardon of his majesty
LUCIUS
We do and vow to heaven and to his highness
That what we did was mildly as we might
Tendring our sisters honour and our own
MARCUS
That on mine honour here do I protest
SATURNINUS
Away and talk not trouble us no more
TAMORA
Nay nay sweet emperor we must all be friends
The tribune and his nephews kneel for grace
I will not be denied Sweet heart look back
SATURNINUS
Marcus for thy sake and thy brothers here
And at my lovely Tamoras entreats
I do remit these young mens 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 emperors court can feast two brides
You are my guest Lavinia and your friends
This day shall be a loveday Tamora
TITUS
Tomorrow an it please your majesty
To hunt the panther and the hart with me
With horn and hound well give your grace bonjour
SATURNINUS
Be it so Titus and gramercy too
Sound trumpets Exeunt all but Aaron
ACT II
SCENE I Rome Before the palace
Aaron alone
AARON
Now climbeth Tamora Olympus top
Safe out of Fortunes shot and sits aloft
Secure of thunders crack or lightnings flash
Advanced above pale envys threatning reach
As when the golden sun salutes the morn
And having gilt the ocean with his beams
Gallops the zodiac in his glistening coach
And overlooks the highestpeering hills
So Tamora
Upon her wit doth earthly honour wait
And virtue stoops and trembles at her frown
Then Aaron arm thy heart and fit thy thoughts
To mount aloft with thy imperial mistress
And mount her pitch whom thou in triumph long
Hast prisoner held fettred in amorous chains
And faster bound to Aarons charming eyes
Than is Prometheus tied to Caucasus
Away with slavish weeds and servile thoughts
I will be bright and shine in pearl and gold
To wait upon this newmade empress
To wait said I To wanton with this queen
This goddess this Semiramis this nymph
This siren that will charm Romes Saturnine
And see his shipwrack and his commonweals
Holla What storm is this
Enter Chiron and Demetrius braving
DEMETRIUS
Chiron thy years wants wit thy wit wants edge
And manners to intrude where I am graced
And may for aught thou knowest affected be
CHIRON
Demetrius thou dost overween in all
And so in this to bear me down with braves
Tis not the difference of a year or two
Makes me less gracious or thee more fortunate
I am as able and as fit as thou
To serve and to deserve my mistress grace
And that my sword upon thee shall approve
And plead my passions for Lavinias love
AARON
Aside Clubs clubs These lovers will not keep the peace
DEMETRIUS
Why boy although our mother unadvised
Gave you a dancingrapier by your side
Are you so desperate grown to threat your friends
Go to have your lath glued within your sheath
Till you know better how to handle it
CHIRON
Meanwhile sir with the little skill I have
Full well shalt thou perceive how much I dare
DEMETRIUS
Ay boy grow ye so brave
They draw
AARON
Why how now lords
So near the emperors palace dare ye draw
And maintain such a quarrel openly
Full well I wot the ground of all this grudge
I would not for a million of gold
The cause were known to them it most concerns
Nor would your noble mother for much more
Be so dishonoured in the court of Rome
For shame put up
DEMETRIUS
Not I till I have sheathed
My rapier in his bosom and withal
Thrust those reproachful speeches down his throat
That he hath breathed in my dishonour here
CHIRON
For that I am prepared and full resolved
Foulspoken coward that thundrest with thy tongue
And with thy weapon nothing darst perform
AARON
Away I say
Now by the gods that warlike Goths adore
This pretty brabble will undo us all
Why lords and think you not how dangerous
It is to jet upon a princes right
What is Lavinia then become so loose
Or Bassianus so degenerate
That for her love such quarrels may be broached
Without controlment justice or revenge
Young lords beware And should the empress know
This discords ground the music would not please
CHIRON
I care not I knew she and all the world
I love Lavinia more than all the world
DEMETRIUS
Youngling learn thou to make some meaner choice
Lavina is thine elder brothers hope
AARON
Why are ye mad Or know ye not in Rome
How furious and impatient they be
And cannot brook competitors in love
I tell you lords you do but plot your deaths
By this device
CHIRON
Aaron a thousand deaths
Would I propose to achieve her whom I love
AARON
To achieve her How
DEMETRIUS
Why makes thou it so strange
She is a woman therefore may be wooed
She is a woman therefore may be won
She is Lavinia therefore must be loved
What man 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 emperors brother
Better than he have worn Vulcans badge
AARON
Aside Ay and as good as Saturninus may
DEMETRIUS
Then why should he despair that knows to court it
With words fair looks and liberality
What hast not thou full often struck a doe
And borne her cleanly by the keepers nose
AARON
Why then it seems some certain snatch or so
Would serve your turns
CHIRON
Ay so the turn were served
DEMETRIUS
Aaron thou hast hit it
AARON
Would you had hit it too
Then should not we be tired with this ado
Why hark ye hark ye and are you such fools
To square for this Would it offend you then
That both should speed
CHIRON
Faith not me
DEMETRIUS
Nor me so I were one
AARON
For shame be friends and join for that you jar
Tis policy and stratagem 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
Than this Lavinia Bassianus love
A speedier course than lingring languishment
Must we pursue and I have found the path
My lords a solemn hunting is in hand
There will the lovely Roman ladies troop
The forest walks are wide and spacious
And many unfrequented plots there are
Fitted by kind for rape and villainy
Single you thither then this dainty doe
And strike her home by force if not by words
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 what we intend
And she shall file our engines with advice
That will not suffer you to square yourselves
But to your wishes height advance you both
The emperors court is like the house of Fame
The palace full of tongues of eyes and ears
The woods are ruthless dreadful deaf and dull
There speak and strike brave boys and take your turns
There serve your lust shadowed from heavens eye
And revel in Lavinias treasury
CHIRON
Thy counsel lad smells of no cowardice
DEMETRIUS
Sit fas aut nefas till I find the stream
To cool this heat a charm to calm these fits
Per Stygia per manes vehor
Exeunt
SCENE II A Forest near Rome a Lodge seen at a distance Horns and cry of hounds heard
Enter Titus Andronicus and his three sons and Marcus making a noise with hounds and horns
TITUS
The hunt is up the morn is bright and grey
The fields are fragrant and the woods are green
Uncouple here and let us make a bay
And wake the emperor and his lovely bride
And rouse the prince and ring a hunters peal
That all the court may echo with the noise
Sons let it be your charge as it is ours
To attend the emperors person carefully
I have been troubled in my sleep this night
But dawning day new comfort hath inspired
Here a cry of hounds and wind horns in a peal Then enter Saturninus Tamora Bassianus Lavinia Chiron Demetrius and their Attendants
Many good morrows to your majesty
Madam to you as many and as good
I promised your grace a hunters peal
SATURNINUS
And you have rung it lustily my lords
Somewhat too early for newmarried ladies
BASSIANUS
Lavinia how say you
LAVINIA
I say no
I have been broad awake two hours and more
SATURNINUS
Come on then horse and chariots let us have
And to our sport To Tamora Madam now shall ye see
Our Roman hunting
MARCUS
I have dogs my lord
Will rouse the proudest panther in the chase
And climb the highest promontory top
TITUS
And I have horse will follow where the game
Makes way and run like swallows oer the plain
DEMETRIUS
Chiron we hunt not we with horse nor hound
But hope to pluck a dainty doe to ground
Exeunt
SCENE III A lonely part of the Forest
Enter Aaron alone carrying a bag of gold
AARON
He that had wit would think that I had none
To bury so much gold under a tree
And never 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
That have their alms out of the empress chest
He hides the bag
Enter Tamora alone to the Moor
TAMORA
My lovely Aaron wherefore lookst thou sad
When everything doth make a gleeful boast
The birds chant melody on every bush
The snakes lie rolled in the cheerful sun
The green leaves quiver with the cooling wind
And make a chequered shadow on the ground
Under their sweet shade Aaron let us sit
And whilst the babbling echo mocks the hounds
Replying shrilly to the welltuned horns
As if a double hunt were heard at once
Let us sit down and mark their yelping noise
And after conflict such as was supposed
The wandring prince and Dido once enjoyed
When with a happy storm they were surprised
And curtained with a counselkeeping cave
We may each wreathed in the others arms
Our pastimes done possess a golden slumber
Whiles hounds and horns and sweet melodious birds
Be unto us as is a nurses song
Of lullaby to bring her babe asleep
AARON
Madam though Venus govern your desires
Saturn is dominator over mine
What signifies my deadlystanding eye
My silence and my cloudy melancholy
My fleece of woolly hair that now uncurls
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
Which never hopes more heaven than rests in thee
This is the day of doom for Bassianus
His Philomel must lose her tongue today
Thy sons make pillage of her chastity
And wash their hands in Bassianus blood
Seest thou this letter Take it up I pray thee
And give the king this fatalplotted scroll
Now question me no more we are espied
Here comes a parcel of our hopeful booty
Which dreads not yet their lives destruction
Enter Bassianus and Lavinia
TAMORA
Ah my sweet Moor sweeter to me than life
AARON
No more great empress Bassianus comes
Be cross with him and Ill go fetch thy sons
To back thy quarrels whatsoeer they be
Exit
BASSIANUS
Who have we here Romes royal empress
Unfurnished of her wellbeseeming troop
Or is it Dian habited like her
Who hath abandoned her holy groves
To see the general hunting in this forest
TAMORA
Saucy controller of my private steps
Had I the power that some say Dian had
Thy temples should be planted presently
With horns as was Actaeons and the hounds
Should drive upon thy newtransformed limbs
Unmannerly intruder as thou art
LAVINIA
Under your patience gentle empress
Tis thought you have a goodly gift in horning
And to be doubted that your Moor and you
Are singled forth to try experiments
Jove shield your husband from his hounds today
Tis pity they should take him for a stag
BASSIANUS
Believe me queen your swarthy Cimmerian
Doth make your honour of his bodys hue
Spotted detested and abominable
Why are you sequestered from all your train
Dismounted from your snowwhite goodly steed
And wandered hither to an obscure plot
Accompanied but with a barbarous Moor
If foul desire had not conducted you
LAVINIA
And being intercepted in your sport
Great reason that my noble lord be rated
For sauciness I pray you let us hence
And let her joy her ravencoloured love
This valley fits the purpose passing well
BASSIANUS
The king my brother shall have notice of this
LAVINIA
Ay for these slips have made him noted long
Good king to be so mightily abused
TAMORA
Why I have patience to endure all this
Enter Chiron and Demetrius
DEMETRIUS
How now dear sovereign and our gracious mother
Why doth your highness look so pale and wan
TAMORA
Have I not reason think you to look pale
These two have ticed me hither to this place
A barren detested vale you see it is
The trees though summer yet forlorn and lean
Overcome with moss and baleful mistletoe
Here never shines the sun here nothing breeds
Unless the nightly owl or fatal raven
And when they showed me this abhorred pit
They told me here at dead time of the night
A thousand fiends a thousand hissing snakes
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
But straight they told me they would bind me here
Unto the body of a dismal yew
And leave me to this miserable death
And then they called me foul adulteress
Lascivious Goth and all the bitterest terms
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 mothers life
Or be ye not henceforth called my children
DEMETRIUS
This is a witness that I am thy son
Stabs Bassianus
CHIRON
And this for me struck home to show my strength
Also stabs Bassianus who dies
LAVINIA
Ay come Semiramis nay barbarous Tamora
For no name fits thy nature but thy own
TAMORA
Give me thy poniard you shall know my boys
Your mothers hand shall right your mothers wrong
DEMETRIUS
Stay 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 mightiness
And shall she carry this unto her grave
CHIRON
And 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
TAMORA
But when ye have the honey ye desire
Let not this wasp outlive us both to sting
CHIRON
I warrant you madam we will make that sure
Come mistress now perforce we will enjoy
That nicepreserved honesty of yours
LAVINIA
O Tamora thou bearest a womans face
TAMORA
I will not hear her speak away with her
LAVINIA
Sweet lords entreat her hear me but a word
DEMETRIUS
Listen fair madam let it be your glory
To see her tears but be your heart to them
As unrelenting flint to drops of rain
LAVINIA
When did the tigers young ones teach the dam
O do not learn her wrath she taught it thee
The milk thou suckst from her did turn to marble
Even at thy teat thou hadst thy tyranny
Yet every mother breeds not sons alike
To Chiron Do thou entreat her show a womans pity
CHIRON
What wouldst thou have me prove myself a bastard
LAVINIA
Tis true the raven doth not hatch a lark
Yet have I heardO could I find it now
The lion moved with pity did endure
To have his princely paws pared all away
Some say that ravens foster forlorn children
The whilst their own birds famish in their nests
O be to me though thy hard heart say no
Nothing so kind but something pitiful
TAMORA
I know not what it means away with her
LAVINIA
O let me teach thee For my fathers sake
That gave thee life when well he might have slain thee
Be not obdurate open thy deaf ears
TAMORA
Hadst thou in person neer offended me
Even for his sake am I pitiless
Remember boys I poured 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 will
The worse to her the better loved of me
LAVINIA
O Tamora be called a gentle queen
And with thine own hands kill me in this place
For tis not life that I have begged so long
Poor I was slain when Bassianus died
TAMORA
What beggst thou then Fond woman let me go
LAVINIA
Tis present death I beg and one thing more
That womanhood denies my tongue to tell
O keep me from their worse than killing lust
And tumble me into some loathsome pit
Where never mans eye may behold my body
Do this and be a charitable murderer
TAMORA
So should I rob my sweet sons of their fee
No let them satisfy their lust on thee
DEMETRIUS
Away for thou hast stayed us here too long
LAVINIA
No grace no womanhood Ah beastly creature
The blot and enemy to our general name
Confusion fall
CHIRON
Nay then Ill stop your mouth Bring thou her husband
This is the hole where Aaron bid us hide him
They put Bassianuss body in the pit and exit carrying off Lavinia
TAMORA
Farewell my sons See that you make her sure
Neer let my heart know merry cheer indeed
Till all the Andronici be made away
Now will I hence to seek my lovely Moor
And let my spleenful sons this trull deflower
Exit
Enter Aaron with two of Titus sons Quintus and Martius
AARON
Come on my lords the better foot before
Straight will I bring you to the loathsome pit
Where I espied the panther fast asleep
QUINTUS
My sight is very dull whateer it bodes
MARTIUS
And mine I promise you Were it not for shame
Well could I leave our sport to sleep awhile
He falls into the pit
QUINTUS
What art thou fallen What subtle hole is this
Whose mouth is covered with rudegrowing briers
Upon whose leaves are drops of newshed blood
As fresh as morning dew distilled on flowers
A very fatal place it seems to me
Speak brother hast thou hurt thee with the fall
MARTIUS
O brother with the dismallst object hurt
That ever eye with sight made heart lament
AARON
Aside Now will I fetch the king to find them here
That he thereby may have a likely guess
How these were they that made away his brother
Exit
MARTIUS
Why dost not comfort me and help me out
From this unhallowed and bloodstained hole
QUINTUS
I am surprised with an uncouth fear
A chilling sweat oerruns my trembling joints
My heart suspects more than mine eye can see
MARTIUS
To prove thou hast a truedivining heart
Aaron and thou look down into this den
And see a fearful sight of blood and death
QUINTUS
Aaron is gone and my compassionate heart
Will not permit mine eyes once to behold
The thing whereat it trembles by surmise
O tell me who it is for neer till now
Was I a child to fear I know not what
MARTIUS
Lord Bassianus lies berayed in blood
All on a heap like to a slaughtered lamb
In this detested dark blooddrinking pit
QUINTUS
If it be dark how dost thou know tis he
MARTIUS
Upon his bloody finger he doth wear
A precious ring that lightens all the hole
Which like a taper in some monument
Doth shine upon the dead mans earthy cheeks
And shows the ragged entrails of the pit
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
If fear hath made thee faint as me it hath
Out of this fell devouring receptacle
As hateful as Cocytus misty mouth
QUINTUS
Reach me thy hand that I may help thee out
Or wanting strength to do thee so much good
I may be plucked into the swallowing womb
Of this deep pit poor Bassianus grave
I have no strength to pluck thee to the brink
MARTIUS
Nor I no strength to climb without thy help
QUINTUS
Thy hand once more I will not loose again
Till thou art here aloft or I below
Thou canst not come to me I come to thee
Falls in
Enter the Emperor Saturninus and Aaron the Moor
SATURNINUS
Along with me Ill see what hole is here
And what he is that now is leapt into it
Say who art thou that lately didst descend
Into this gaping hollow of the earth
MARTIUS
The unhappy sons of old Andronicus
Brought hither in a most unlucky hour
To find thy brother Bassianus dead
SATURNINUS
My brother dead I know thou dost but jest
He and his lady both are at the lodge
Upon the north side of this pleasant chase
Tis not an hour since I left them there
MARTIUS
We know not where you left them all alive
But out alas here have we found him dead
Enter Tamora Titus Andronicus and Lucius
TAMORA
Where is my lord the king
SATURNINUS
Here Tamora though grieved with killing grief
TAMORA
Where is thy brother Bassianus
SATURNINUS
Now to the bottom dost thou search my wound
Poor Bassianus here lies murdered
TAMORA
Then all too late I bring this fatal writ
The complot of this timeless tragedy
And wonder greatly that mans face can fold
In pleasing smiles such murderous tyranny
She giveth Saturnine a letter
SATURNINUS
Reads An if we miss to meet him handsomely
Sweet huntsman Bassianus tis we mean
Do thou so much as dig the grave for him
Thou knowst our meaning Look for thy reward
Among the nettles at the eldertree
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 eldertree
Look sirs if you can find the huntsman out
That should have murdered Bassianus here
AARON
My gracious lord here is the bag of gold
Showing it
SATURNINUS
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 neverheardof torturing pain for them
TAMORA
What are they in this pit O wondrous thing
How easily murder is discovered
TITUS
High emperor upon my feeble knee
I beg this boon with tears not lightly shed
That this fell fault of my accursed sons
Accursed if the fault be proved in them
SATURNINUS
If it be proved You see it is apparent
Who found this letter Tamora was it you
TAMORA
Andronicus himself did take it up
TITUS
I did my lord yet let me be their bail
For by my fathers reverend tomb I vow
They shall be ready at your highness will
To answer their suspicion with their lives
SATURNINUS
Thou shalt not bail them See thou follow me
Some bring the murdered body some the murderers
Let them not speak a word the guilt is plain
For by my soul were there worse end than death
That end upon them should be executed
TAMORA
Andronicus I will entreat the king
Fear not thy sons they shall do well enough
TITUS
Come Lucius come stay not to talk with them
Exeunt severally Attendants bearing the body
SCENE IV Another part of the Forest
Enter the empress sons Demetrius and Chiron with Lavinia her hands cut off and her tongue cut out and ravished
DEMETRIUS
So now go tell an if thy tongue can speak
Who twas that cut thy tongue and ravished thee
CHIRON
Write down thy mind bewray thy meaning so
An if thy stumps will let thee play the scribe
DEMETRIUS
See how with signs and tokens she can scrowl
CHIRON
Go home call for sweet water wash thy hands
DEMETRIUS
She hath no tongue to call nor hands to wash
And so lets leave her to her silent walks
CHIRON
An twere my cause I should go hang myself
DEMETRIUS
If thou hadst hands to help thee knit the cord
Exeunt Chiron and Demetrius
Enter Marcus from hunting
MARCUS
Who is this My niece that flies away so fast
Cousin a word where is your husband
If I do dream would all my wealth would wake me
If I do wake some planet strike me down
That I may slumber an eternal sleep
Speak gentle niece what stern ungentle hands
Hath lopped and hewed and made thy body bare
Of her two branches those sweet ornaments
Whose circling shadows kings have sought to sleep in
And might not gain so great a happiness
As half thy love Why dost not speak to me
Alas a crimson river of warm blood
Like to a bubbling fountain stirred 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 turnst away thy face for shame
And notwithstanding all this loss of blood
As from a conduit with three issuing spouts
Yet do thy cheeks look red as Titans face
Blushing to be encountered with a cloud
Shall I speak for thee shall I say tis so
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 stopped
Doth burn the heart to cinders where it is
Fair Philomela why she but lost her tongue
And in a tedious sampler sewed her mind
But lovely niece that mean is cut from thee
A craftier Tereus cousin hast thou met
And he hath cut those pretty fingers off
That could have better sewed 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
He would not then have touched them for his life
Or had he heard the heavenly harmony
Which that sweet tongue hath made
He would have dropped his knife and fell asleep
As Cerberus at the Thracian poets feet
Come let us go and make thy father blind
For such a sight will blind a fathers eye
One hours storm will drown the fragrant meads
What will whole months of tears thy fathers eyes
Do not draw back for we will mourn with thee
O could our mourning ease thy misery
Exeunt
ACT III
SCENE I Rome A street
Enter the Judges and Senators with Titus two sons Quintus and Martius bound passing on the stage to the place of execution and Titus going before pleading
TITUS
Hear me grave fathers noble tribunes stay
For pity of mine age whose youth was spent
In dangerous wars whilst you securely slept
For all my blood in Romes great quarrel shed
For all the frosty nights that I have watched
And for these bitter tears which now you see
Filling the aged wrinkles in my cheeks
Be pitiful to my condemned sons
Whose souls are not corrupted as tis thought
For two and twenty sons I never wept
Because they died in honours lofty bed
Andronicus lieth down and the Judges pass by him
Exeunt with the prisoners as Titus continues speaking
For these tribunes in the dust I write
My hearts deep languor and my souls sad tears
Let my tears staunch the earths dry appetite
My sons sweet blood will make it shame and blush
O earth I will befriend thee more with rain
That shall distil from these two ancient urns
Than youthful April shall with all his showers
In summers drought Ill drop upon thee still
In winter with warm tears Ill melt the snow
And keep eternal springtime on thy face
So thou refuse to drink my dear sons blood
Enter Lucius with his weapon drawn
O reverend tribunes O gentle aged men
Unbind my sons reverse the doom of death
And let me say that never wept before
My tears are now prevailing orators
LUCIUS
O noble father you lament in vain
The tribunes hear you not no man is by
And you recount your sorrows to a stone
TITUS
Ah Lucius for thy brothers let me plead
Grave tribunes once more I entreat of you
LUCIUS
My gracious lord no tribune hears you speak
TITUS
Why tis no matter man If they did hear
They would not mark me if they did mark
They would not pity me yet plead I must
And bootless unto them
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
Receive my tears and seem to weep with me
And were they but attired in grave weeds
Rome could afford no tribunes like to these
A stone is soft as wax tribunes more hard than stones
A stone is silent and offendeth not
And tribunes with their tongues doom men to death
But wherefore standst thou with thy weapon drawn
LUCIUS
To rescue my two brothers from their death
For which attempt the judges have pronounced
My everlasting doom of banishment
TITUS
O happy man they have befriended thee
Why foolish Lucius dost thou not perceive
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
From these devourers to be banished
But who comes with our brother Marcus here
Enter Marcus with Lavinia
MARCUS
Titus prepare thy aged eyes to weep
Or if not so thy noble heart to break
I bring consuming sorrow to thine age
TITUS
Will it consume me Let me see it then
MARCUS
This was thy daughter
TITUS
Why Marcus so she is
LUCIUS
Ay me this object kills me
TITUS
Fainthearted boy arise and look upon her
Speak Lavinia what accursed hand
Hath made thee handless in thy fathers sight
What fool hath added water to the sea
Or brought a faggot to brightburning Troy
My grief was at the height before thou camst
And now like Nilus it disdaineth bounds
Give me a sword Ill 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 is but vain
LUCIUS
Speak gentle sister who hath martyred thee
MARCUS
O that delightful engine of her thoughts
That blabbed 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
LUCIUS
O say thou for her who hath done this deed
MARCUS
O thus I found her straying in the park
Seeking to hide herself as doth the deer
That hath received some unrecuring wound
TITUS
It was my dear and he that wounded her
Hath hurt me more than had he killed me dead
For now I stand as one upon a rock
Environed with a wilderness of sea
Who marks the waxing tide grow wave by wave
Expecting ever when some envious surge
Will in his brinish bowels swallow him
This way to death my wretched sons are gone
Here stands my other son a banished man
And here my brother weeping at my woes
But that which gives my soul the greatest spurn
Is dear Lavinia dearer than my soul
Had I but seen thy picture in this plight
It would have madded me What shall I do
Now I behold thy lively body so
Thou hast no hands to wipe away thy tears
Nor tongue to tell me who hath martyred thee
Thy husband he is dead and for his death
Thy brothers are condemned and dead by this
Look Marcus Ah son Lucius look on her
When I did name her brothers then fresh tears
Stood on her cheeks as doth the honeydew
Upon a gathered lily almost withered
MARCUS
Perchance she weeps because they killed her husband
Perchance because she knows them innocent
TITUS
If they did kill thy husband then be joyful
Because the law hath taen revenge on them
No no they would not do so foul a deed
Witness the sorrow that their sister makes
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 stained like 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 brinepit with our bitter tears
Or shall we cut away our hands like thine
Or shall we bite our tongues and in dumb shows
Pass the remainder of our hateful days
What shall we do Let us that have our tongues
Plot some device of further misery
To make us wondered at in time to come
LUCIUS
Sweet father cease your tears for at your grief
See how my wretched sister sobs and weeps
MARCUS
Patience dear niece Good Titus dry thine eyes
TITUS
Ah Marcus Marcus Brother well I wot
Thy napkin cannot drink a tear of mine
For thou poor man hast drowned it with thine own
LUCIUS
Ah my Lavinia I will wipe thy cheeks
TITUS
Mark Marcus mark I understand her signs
Had she a tongue to speak now would she say
That to her brother which I said to thee
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
Enter Aaron the Moor alone
AARON
Titus Andronicus my lord the emperor
Sends thee this word that if thou love thy sons
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
TITUS
O gracious emperor O gentle Aaron
Did ever raven sing so like a lark
That gives sweet tidings of the suns uprise
With all my heart Ill send the emperor my hand
Good Aaron wilt thou help to chop it off
LUCIUS
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
MARCUS
Which of your hands hath not defended Rome
And reared aloft the bloody battleaxe
Writing destruction on the enemys castle
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
AARON
Nay come agree whose hand shall go along
For fear they die before their pardon come
MARCUS
My hand shall go
LUCIUS
By heaven it shall not go
TITUS
Sirs strive no more Such withered herbs as these
Are meet for plucking up and therefore mine
LUCIUS
Sweet father if I shall be thought thy son
Let me redeem my brothers both from death
MARCUS
And for our fathers sake and mothers care
Now let me show a brothers love to thee
TITUS
Agree between you I will spare my hand
LUCIUS
Then Ill go fetch an axe
MARCUS
But I will use the axe
Exeunt Lucius and Marcus
TITUS
Come hither Aaron Ill deceive them both
Lend me thy hand and I will give thee mine
AARON
Aside If that be called deceit I will be honest
And never whilst I live deceive men so
But Ill deceive you in another sort
And that youll say ere half an hour pass
He cuts off Tituss hand
Enter Lucius and Marcus again
TITUS
Now stay your strife What shall be is dispatched
Good Aaron give his majesty my hand
Tell him it was a hand that warded him
From thousand dangers bid him bury it
More hath it merited that let it have
As for my sons say I account of them
As jewels purchased at an easy price
And yet dear too because I bought mine own
AARON
I go Andronicus and for thy hand
Look by and by to have thy sons with thee
Aside Their heads 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
TITUS
O here I lift this one hand up to heaven
And bow this feeble ruin to the earth
If any power pities wretched tears
To that I call To Lavinia What wouldst thou kneel with me
Do then dear heart for heaven shall hear our prayers
Or with our sighs well breathe the welkin dim
And stain the sun with fog as sometime clouds
When they do hug him in their melting bosoms
MARCUS
O brother speak with possibility
And do not break into these deep extremes
TITUS
Is not my sorrow deep having no bottom
Then be my passions bottomless with them
MARCUS
But yet let reason govern thy lament
TITUS
If there were reason for these miseries
Then into limits could I bind my woes
When heaven doth weep doth not the earth oerflow
If the winds rage doth not the sea wax mad
Threatening the welkin with his bigswoln face
And wilt thou have a reason for this coil
I am the sea Hark how her sighs doth flow
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 overflowed and drowned
For why my bowels cannot hide her woes
But like a drunkard must I vomit them
Then give me leave for losers will have leave
To ease their stomachs with their bitter tongues
Enter a Messenger with two heads and a hand
MESSENGER
Worthy Andronicus ill art thou repaid
For that good hand thou sentst the emperor
Here are the heads of thy two noble sons
And heres thy hand in scorn to thee sent back
Thy grief their sports thy resolution mocked
That woe is me to think upon thy woes
More than remembrance of my fathers death
Exit
MARCUS
Now let hot Etna cool in Sicily
And be my heart an everburning hell
These miseries are more than may be borne
To weep with them that weep doth ease some deal
But sorrow flouted at is double death
LUCIUS
Ah that this sight should make so deep a wound
And yet detested life not shrink thereat
That ever death should let life bear his name
Where life hath no more interest but to breathe
Lavinia kisses Titus
MARCUS
Alas poor heart that kiss is comfortless
As frozen water to a starved snake
TITUS
When will this fearful slumber have an end
MARCUS
Now farewell flattery die Andronicus
Thou dost not slumber See thy two sons heads
Thy warlike hand thy mangled daughter here
Thy other banished son with this dear sight
Struck pale and bloodless and thy brother I
Even like a stony image cold and numb
Ah now no more will I control thy griefs
Rent 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
TITUS
Ha ha ha
MARCUS
Why dost thou laugh It fits not with this hour
TITUS
Why I have not another tear to shed
Besides this sorrow is an enemy
And would usurp upon my watery eyes
And make them blind with tributary tears
Then which way shall I find Revenges cave
For these two heads do seem to speak to me
And threat me I shall never come to bliss
Till all these mischiefs be returned again
Even in their throats that have committed them
Come let 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
The vow is made Come brother take a head
And in this hand the other will I bear
And Lavinia thou shalt be employed in these arms
Bear thou my hand sweet wench between thy teeth
As for thee boy go get thee from my sight
Thou art an exile and thou must not stay
Hie to the Goths and raise an army there
And if you love me as I think you do
Lets kiss and part for we have much to do
Exeunt Titus Marcus and Lavinia
LUCIUS
Farewell Andronicus my noble father
The woefullst man that ever lived in Rome
Farewell proud Rome till Lucius come again
He loves his pledges dearer than his life
Farewell Lavinia my noble sister
O would thou wert as 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 to the Goths and raise a power
To be revenged on Rome and Saturnine
Exit
SCENE II Rome A Room in Tituss House A banquet set out
Enter Titus Andronicus Marcus Lavinia and the boy Young Lucius
TITUS
So so now sit and look you eat no more
Than will preserve just so much strength in us
As will revenge these bitter woes of ours
Marcus unknit that sorrowwreathen knot
Thy niece and I poor creatures want our hands
And cannot passionate our tenfold grief
With folded arms This poor right hand of mine
Is left to tyrannize upon my breast
Who when my heart all mad with misery
Beats in this hollow prison of my flesh
Then thus I thump it down
Thou map of woe that thus dost talk in signs
When thy poor heart beats with outrageous beating
Thou canst not strike it thus to make it still
Wound it with sighing girl kill it with groans
Or get some little knife between thy teeth
And just against thy heart make thou a hole
That all the tears that thy poor eyes let fall
May run into that sink and soaking in
Drown the lamenting fool in seasalt tears
MARCUS
Fie brother fie Teach her not thus to lay
Such violent hands upon her tender life
TITUS
How now Has sorrow made thee dote already
Why Marcus no man should be mad but I
What violent hands can she lay on her life
Ah wherefore dost thou urge the name of hands
To bid neas tell the tale twice oer
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
Fie fie how frantically I square my talk
As if we should forget we had no hands
If Marcus did not name the word of hands
Come lets fall to and gentle girl eat this
Here is no drink Hark Marcus what she says
I can interpret all her martyred signs
She says she drinks no other drink but tears
Brewed with her sorrow meshed upon her cheeks
Speechless complainer I will learn thy thought
In thy dumb action will I be as perfect
As begging hermits in their holy prayers
Thou shalt not sigh nor hold thy stumps to heaven
Nor wink nor nod nor kneel nor make a sign
But I of these will wrest an alphabet
And by still practice learn to know thy meaning
YOUNG LUCIUS
Good grandsire leave these bitter deep laments
Make my aunt merry with some pleasing tale
MARCUS
Alas the tender boy in passion moved
Doth weep to see his grandsires heaviness
TITUS
Peace tender sapling thou art made of tears
And tears will quickly melt thy life away
Marcus strikes the dish with a knife
What dost thou strike at Marcus with thy knife
MARCUS
At that that I have killed my lord a fly
TITUS
Out on thee murderer Thou killst my heart
Mine eyes are cloyed with view of tyranny
A deed of death done on the innocent
Becomes not Titus brother Get thee gone
I see thou art not for my company
MARCUS
Alas my lord I have but killed a fly
TITUS
But How if that fly had a father and 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 killed him
MARCUS
Pardon me sir twas a black illfavoured fly
Like to the empress Moor therefore I killed him
TITUS
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
Flattering myself as if it were the Moor
Come hither purposely to poison me
Theres for thyself and thats for Tamora
Ah sirrah
Yet I think we are not brought so low
But that between us we can kill a fly
That comes in likeness of a coalblack Moor
MARCUS
Alas poor man grief has so wrought on him
He takes false shadows for true substances
TITUS
Come take away Lavinia go with me
Ill 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 begin to dazzle
Exeunt
ACT IV
SCENE I Rome Before Tituss House
Enter Young Lucius and Lavinia running after him and the boy flies from her with his books under his arm Enter Titus and Marcus
YOUNG LUCIUS
Help grandsire help My aunt Lavinia
Follows me everywhere I know not why
Good uncle Marcus see how swift she comes
Alas sweet aunt I know not what you mean
MARCUS
Stand by me Lucius Do not fear thine aunt
TITUS
She loves thee boy too well to do thee harm
YOUNG LUCIUS
Ay when my father was in Rome she did
MARCUS
What means my niece Lavinia by these signs
TITUS
Fear her not Lucius Somewhat doth she mean
See Lucius see how much she makes of thee
Somewhither would she have thee go with her
Ah boy Cornelia never with more care
Read to her sons than she hath read to thee
Sweet poetry and Tullys Orator
MARCUS
Canst thou not guess wherefore she plies thee thus
YOUNG LUCIUS
My lord I know not I nor can I 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 eer my mother did
And would not but in fury fright my youth
Which made me down to throw my books and fly
Causeless perhaps But pardon me sweet aunt
And madam if my uncle Marcus go
I will most willingly attend your ladyship
MARCUS
Lucius I will
Lavinia turns over with her stumps the books which Lucius has let fall
TITUS
How now Lavinia Marcus what means this
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 skilled
Come and take choice of all my library
And so beguile thy sorrow till the heavens
Reveal the damned contriver of this deed
Why lifts she up her arms in sequence thus
MARCUS
I think she means that there were more than one
Confederate in the fact Ay more there was
Or else to heaven she heaves them for revenge
TITUS
Lucius what book is that she tosseth so
YOUNG LUCIUS
Grandsire tis Ovids Metamorphosis
My mother gave it me
MARCUS
For love of her thats gone
Perhaps she culled it from among the rest
TITUS
Soft So busily she turns the leaves
Help her What would she find Lavinia shall I read
This is the tragic tale of Philomel
And treats of Tereus treason and his rape
And rape I fear was root of thy annoy
MARCUS
See brother see Note how she quotes the leaves
TITUS
Lavinia wert thou thus surprised sweet girl
Ravished and wronged as Philomela was
Forced in the ruthless vast and gloomy woods
See see
Ay such a place there is where we did hunt
O had we never never hunted there
Patterned by that the poet here describes
By nature made for murders and for rapes
MARCUS
O why should nature build so foul a den
Unless the gods delight in tragedies
TITUS
Give signs sweet girl for here are none but friends
What Roman lord it was durst do the deed
Or slunk not Saturnine as Tarquin erst
That left the camp to sin in Lucrece bed
MARCUS
Sit down sweet niece Brother sit down by me
Apollo Pallas Jove or Mercury
Inspire me that I may this treason find
My lord look here Look here Lavinia
This sandy plot is plain guide if thou canst
This after me I have writ my name
He writes his name with his staff and guides it with feet and mouth
Without the help of any hand at all
Cursed be that heart that forced us to this shift
Write thou good niece and here display at last
What God will have discovered 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 mouth and guides it with her stumps and writes
O do ye read my lord what she hath writ
TITUS
Stuprum Chiron Demetrius
MARCUS
What what The lustful sons of Tamora
Performers of this heinous bloody deed
TITUS
Magni Dominator poli
Tam lentus audis scelera tam lentus vides
MARCUS
O calm thee gentle lord although I know
There is enough written upon this earth
To stir a mutiny in the mildest thoughts
And arm the minds of infants to exclaims
My lord kneel down with me Lavinia kneel
And kneel sweet boy the Roman Hectors hope
And swear with me as with the woeful fere
And father of that chaste dishonoured dame
Lord Junius Brutus sware for Lucrece rape
That we will prosecute by good advice
Mortal revenge upon these traitorous Goths
And see their blood or die with this reproach
TITUS
Tis sure enough an you knew how
But if you hunt these bearwhelps then beware
The dam will wake and if she wind you once
Shes with the lion deeply still in league
And lulls him whilst she playeth on her back
And when he sleeps will she do what she list
You are a young huntsman Marcus let alone
And come I will go get a leaf of brass
And with a gad of steel will write these words
And lay it by The angry northern wind
Will blow these sands like Sibyls leaves abroad
And wheres our lesson then Boy what say you
YOUNG LUCIUS
I say my lord that if I were a man
Their mothers bedchamber should not be safe
For these base bondmen to the yoke of Rome
MARCUS
Ay thats my boy Thy father hath full oft
For his ungrateful country done the like
YOUNG LUCIUS
And uncle so will I an if I live
TITUS
Come go with me into mine armoury
Lucius Ill fit thee and withal my boy
Shall carry from me to the empress sons
Presents that I intend to send them both
Come come thoult do my message wilt thou not
YOUNG LUCIUS
Ay with my dagger in their bosoms grandsire
TITUS
No boy not so Ill teach thee another course
Lavinia come Marcus look to my house
Lucius and Ill go brave it at the court
Ay marry will we sir and well be waited on
Exeunt Titus Lavinia and Young Lucius
MARCUS
O heavens can you hear a good man groan
And not relent or not compassion him
Marcus attend him in his ecstasy
That hath more scars of sorrow in his heart
Than foemens marks upon his battered shield
But yet so just that he will not revenge
Revenge ye heavens for old Andronicus
Exit
SCENE II Rome A Room in the Palace
Enter Aaron Chiron and Demetrius at one door and at the other door Young Lucius and another with a bundle of weapons and verses writ upon them
CHIRON
Demetrius heres the son of Lucius
He hath some message to deliver us
AARON
Ay some mad message from his mad grandfather
YOUNG LUCIUS
My lords with all the humbleness I may
I greet your honours from Andronicus
Aside And pray the Roman gods confound you both
DEMETRIUS
Gramercy lovely Lucius Whats the news
YOUNG LUCIUS
Aside That you are both deciphered thats the news
For villains marked with rape Aloud May it please you
My grandsire well advised hath sent by me
The goodliest weapons of his armoury
To gratify your honourable youth
The hope of Rome for so he bid me say
And so I do and with his gifts present
Your lordships that 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
DEMETRIUS
Whats here A scroll and written round about
Lets see
Reads Integer vitae scelerisque purus
Non eget Mauri iaculis nec arcu
CHIRON
O tis a verse in Horace I know it well
I read it in the grammar long ago
AARON
Ay just a verse in Horace right you have it
Aside Now what a thing it is to be an ass
Heres no sound jest The old man hath found their guilt
And sends them weapons wrapped about with lines
That wound beyond their feeling to the quick
But were our witty empress well afoot
She would applaud Andronicus conceit
But let her rest in her unrest awhile
And now young lords wast not a happy star
Led us to Rome strangers and more than so
Captives to be advanced to this height
It did me good before the palace gate
To brave the tribune in his brothers hearing
DEMETRIUS
But me more good to see so great a lord
Basely insinuate and send us gifts
AARON
Had he not reason Lord Demetrius
Did you not use his daughter very friendly
DEMETRIUS
I would we had a thousand Roman dames
At such a bay by turn to serve our lust
CHIRON
A charitable wish and full of love
AARON
Here lacks but your mother for to say amen
CHIRON
And that would she for twenty thousand more
DEMETRIUS
Come let us go and pray to all the gods
For our beloved mother in her pains
AARON
Aside Pray to the devils the gods have given us over
Trumpets sound
DEMETRIUS
Why do the emperors trumpets flourish thus
CHIRON
Belike for joy the emperor hath a son
DEMETRIUS
Soft who comes here
Enter Nurse with a blackamoor Child in her arms
NURSE
Good morrow lords
O tell me did you see Aaron the Moor
AARON
Well more or less or neer a whit at all
Here Aaron is and what with Aaron now
NURSE
O gentle Aaron we are all undone
Now help or woe betide thee evermore
AARON
Why what a caterwauling dost thou keep
What dost thou wrap and fumble in thy arms
NURSE
O that which I would hide from heavens eye
Our empress shame and stately Romes disgrace
She is delivered lords she is delivered
AARON
To whom
NURSE
I mean shes brought abed
AARON
Well God give her good rest What hath he sent her
NURSE
A devil
AARON
Why then she is the devils dam A joyful issue
NURSE
A joyless dismal black and sorrowful issue
Here is the babe as loathsome as a toad
Amongst the fairfaced breeders of our clime
The empress sends it thee thy stamp thy seal
And bids thee christen it with thy daggers point
AARON
Zounds ye whore is black so base a hue
Sweet blowse you are a beauteous blossom sure
DEMETRIUS
Villain what hast thou done
AARON
That which thou canst not undo
CHIRON
Thou hast undone our mother
AARON
Villain I have done thy mother
DEMETRIUS
And therein hellish dog thou hast undone her
Woe to her chance and damned her loathed choice
Accursed the offspring of so foul a fiend
CHIRON
It shall not live
AARON
It shall not die
NURSE
Aaron it must the mother wills it so
AARON
What must it nurse Then let no man but I
Do execution on my flesh and blood
DEMETRIUS
Ill broach the tadpole on my rapiers point
Nurse give it me my sword shall soon dispatch it
AARON
Sooner this sword shall plough thy bowels up
Taking the baby
Stay murderous villains will 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 scimitars sharp point
That touches this my firstborn son and heir
I tell you younglings not Enceladus
With all his threatening band of Typhons brood
Nor great Alcides nor the god of war
Shall seize this prey out of his fathers hands
What what ye sanguine shallowhearted boys
Ye whitelimed walls ye alehousepainted signs
Coalblack is better than another hue
In that it scorns to bear another hue
For all the water in the ocean
Can never turn the swans 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
DEMETRIUS
Wilt thou betray thy noble mistress thus
AARON
My mistress is my mistress this my self
The vigour and the picture of my youth
This before all the world do I prefer
This maugre all the world will I keep safe
Or some of you shall smoke for it in Rome
DEMETRIUS
By this our mother is for ever shamed
CHIRON
Rome will despise her for this foul escape
NURSE
The emperor in his rage will doom her death
CHIRON
I blush to think upon this ignomy
AARON
Why theres the privilege your beauty bears
Fie treacherous hue that will betray with blushing
The close enacts and counsels of thy heart
Heres a young lad framed of another leer
Look how the black slave smiles upon the father
As who should say Old lad I am thine own
He is your brother lords sensibly fed
Of that self blood that first gave life to you
And from your womb where you imprisoned were
He is enfranchised and come to light
Nay he is your brother by the surer side
Although my seal be stamped in his face
NURSE
Aaron what shall I say unto the empress
DEMETRIUS
Advise thee Aaron what is to be done
And we will all subscribe to thy advice
Save thou the child so we may all be safe
AARON
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
DEMETRIUS
How many women saw this child of his
AARON
Why so brave lords When we join in league
I am a lamb but if you brave the Moor
The chafed boar the mountain lioness
The ocean swells not so as Aaron storms
But say again how many saw the child
NURSE
Cornelia the midwife and myself
And no one else but the delivered empress
AARON
The empress the midwife and yourself
Two may keep counsel when the thirds away
Go to the empress tell her this I said
He kills her
Wheak wheak So cries a pig prepared to the spit
DEMETRIUS
What meanst thou Aaron Wherefore didst thou this
AARON
O Lord sir tis a deed of policy
Shall she live to betray this guilt of ours
A longtongued babbling gossip No lords no
And now be it known to you my full intent
Not far one Muliteus 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 emperors heir
And substituted in the place of mine
To calm this tempest whirling in the court
And let the emperor dandle him for his own
Hark ye lords ye see I have given her physic
Indicating the Nurse
And you must needs bestow her funeral
The fields are near and you are gallant grooms
This done see that you take no longer days
But send the midwife presently to me
The midwife and the nurse well made away
Then let the ladies tattle what they please
CHIRON
Aaron I see thou wilt not trust the air
With secrets
DEMETRIUS
For this care of Tamora
Herself and hers are highly bound to thee
Exeunt Demetrius and Chiron carrying the Nurses body
AARON
Now to the Goths as swift as swallow flies
There to dispose this treasure in mine arms
And secretly to greet the empress friends
Come on you thicklipped slave Ill bear you hence
For it is you that puts us to our shifts
Ill make 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
To be a warrior and command a camp
Exit
SCENE III Rome A public Place
Enter Titus old Marcus his son Publius Young Lucius and other gentlemen with bows and Titus bears the arrows with letters on the ends of them
TITUS
Come Marcus come Kinsmen this is the way
Sir boy let me see your archery
Look ye draw home enough and tis there straight
Terras Astraea reliquit
Be you remembered Marcus shes gone shes 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 theres as little justice as at land
No Publius and Sempronius you must do it
Tis you must dig with mattock and with spade
And pierce the inmost centre of the earth
Then when you come to Plutos region
I pray you deliver him this petition
Tell him it is for justice and for aid
And that it comes from old Andronicus
Shaken with sorrows in ungrateful Rome
Ah Rome Well well I made thee miserable
What time I threw the peoples suffrages
On him that thus doth tyrannize oer me
Go get you gone and pray be careful all
And leave you not a manofwar unsearched
This wicked emperor may have shipped her hence
And kinsmen then we may go pipe for justice
MARCUS
O Publius is not this a heavy case
To see thy noble uncle thus distract
PUBLIUS
Therefore my lords it highly us concerns
By day and night to attend him carefully
And feed his humour kindly as we may
Till time beget some careful remedy
MARCUS
Kinsmen his sorrows are past remedy
But
Join with the Goths and with revengeful war
Take wreak on Rome for this ingratitude
And vengeance on the traitor Saturnine
TITUS
Publius how now How now my masters
What have you met with her
PUBLIUS
No my good lord but Pluto sends you word
If you will have Revenge from hell you shall
Marry for Justice she is so employed
He thinks with Jove in heaven or somewhere else
So that perforce you must needs stay a time
TITUS
He doth me wrong to feed me with delays
Ill dive into the burning lake below
And pull her out of Acheron by the heels
Marcus we are but shrubs no cedars we
No bigboned 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 theres no justice in earth nor hell
We will solicit heaven and move the gods
To send down Justice for to wreak our wrongs
Come to this gear You are a good archer Marcus
He gives them the arrows
Ad Jovem thats for you here Ad Apollinem
Ad Martem thats for myself
Here boy to Pallas here to Mercury
To Saturn Caius not to Saturnine
You were as good to shoot against the wind
To it boyMarcus loose when I bid
Of my word I have written to effect
Theres not a god left unsolicited
MARCUS
Kinsmen shoot all your shafts into the court
We will afflict the emperor in his pride
TITUS
Now masters draw They shoot O well said Lucius
Good boy in Virgos lap Give it Pallas
MARCUS
My lord I aim a mile beyond the moon
Your letter is with Jupiter by this
TITUS
Ha ha Publius Publius what hast thou done
See see thou hast shot off one of Taurus horns
MARCUS
This was the sport my lord when Publius shot
The Bull being galled gave Aries such a knock
That down fell both the Rams horns in the court
And who should find them but the empress villain
She laughed and told the Moor he should not choose
But give them to his master for a present
TITUS
Why there it goes God give his lordship joy
Enter the Clown with a basket and two pigeons in it
News news from heaven Marcus the post is come
Sirrah what tidings Have you any letters
Shall I have justice What says Jupiter
CLOWN
Ho the gibbetmaker He says that he hath taken them down again for the man must not be hanged till the next week
TITUS
But what says Jupiter I ask thee
CLOWN
Alas sir I know not Jubiter I never drank with him in all my life
TITUS
Why villain art not thou the carrier
CLOWN
Ay of my pigeons sir nothing else
TITUS
Why didst thou not come from heaven
CLOWN
From heaven Alas sir I never came there God forbid I should be so bold to press to heaven 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 emperals men
MARCUS
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
TITUS
Tell me can you deliver an oration to the emperor with a grace
CLOWN
Nay truly sir I could never say grace in all my life
TITUS
Sirrah come hither Make no more ado
But give your pigeons to the emperor
By me thou shalt have justice at his hands
Hold hold meanwhile heres money for thy charges
Give me pen and ink
Sirrah can you with a grace deliver up a supplication
CLOWN
Ay sir
TITUS
Then here is a supplication for you And when you come to him at the first approach you must kneel then kiss his foot then deliver up your pigeons and then look for your reward Ill be at hand sir see you do it bravely
CLOWN
I warrant you sir let me alone
TITUS
Sirrah hast thou a knife Come let me see it
Here Marcus fold it in the oration
For thou hast made it like a humble suppliant
And when thou hast given it to the emperor
Knock at my door and tell me what he says
CLOWN
God be with you sir I will
Exit
TITUS
Come Marcus let us go Publius follow me
Exeunt
SCENE IV Rome Before the Palace
Enter Emperor Saturninus and Empress Tamora and her two sons Chiron and Demetrius with Attendants The Emperor brings the arrows in his hand that Titus shot at him
SATURNINUS
Why lords what wrongs are these Was ever seen
An emperor in Rome thus overborne
Troubled confronted thus and for the extent
Of legal justice used in such contempt
My lords you know as know the mightful gods
However these disturbers of our peace
Buzz in the peoples ears there naught hath passed
But even with law against the wilful sons
Of old Andronicus And what an if
His sorrows have so overwhelmed 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 heres to Jove and this to Mercury
This to Apollo this to the god of war
Sweet scrolls to fly about the streets of Rome
Whats this but libelling against the senate
And blazoning our injustice everywhere
A goodly humour is it not my lords
As who would say in Rome no justice were
But if I live his feigned ecstasies
Shall be no shelter to these outrages
But he and his shall know that justice lives
In Saturninus health whom if she sleep
Hell so awake as he in fury shall
Cut off the proudst conspirator that lives
TAMORA
My gracious lord my lovely Saturnine
Lord of my life commander of my thoughts
Calm thee and bear the faults of Titus age
Th effects of sorrow for his valiant sons
Whose loss hath pierced him deep and scarred his heart
And rather comfort his distressed plight
Than prosecute the meanest or the best
For these contempts Aside Why thus it shall become
Highwitted Tamora to gloze with all
But Titus I have touched thee to the quick
Thy lifeblood out if Aaron now be wise
Then is all safe the anchor in the port
Enter Clown
How now good fellow wouldst thou speak with us
CLOWN
Yes forsooth an your mistresship be emperial
TAMORA
Empress I am but yonder sits the emperor
CLOWN
Tis he God and Saint Stephen give you good een I have brought you a letter and a couple of pigeons here
Saturninus reads the letter
SATURNINUS
Go take him away and hang him presently
CLOWN
How much money must I have
TAMORA
Come sirrah you must be hanged
CLOWN
Hanged byr Lady then I have brought up a neck to a fair end
Exit guarded
SATURNINUS
Despiteful and intolerable wrongs
Shall I endure this monstrous villainy
I know from whence this same device proceeds
May this be borne as if his traitorous sons
That died by law for murder of our brother
Have by my means been butchered wrongfully
Go drag the villain hither by the hair
Nor age nor honour shall shape privilege
For this proud mock Ill be thy slaughterman
Sly frantic wretch that holpst to make me great
In hope thyself should govern Rome and me
Enter Aemilius
What news with thee Aemilius
AEMILIUS
Arm my lord Rome never had more cause
The Goths have gathered head and with a power
Of highresolved men bent to the spoil
They hither march amain under conduct
Of Lucius son to old Andronicus
Who threats in course of this revenge to do
As much as ever Coriolanus did
SATURNINUS
Is warlike Lucius general of the Goths
These tidings nip me and I hang the head
As flowers with frost or grass beat down with storms
Ay now begins our sorrows to approach
Tis he the common people love so much
Myself hath often overheard them say
When I have walked like a private man
That Lucius banishment was wrongfully
And they have wished that Lucius were their emperor
TAMORA
Why should you fear Is not your city strong
SATURNINUS
Ay but the citizens favour Lucius
And will revolt from me to succour him
TAMORA
King be thy thoughts imperious like thy name
Is the sun dimmed 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
He can at pleasure stint their melody
Even so mayest thou the giddy men of Rome
Then cheer thy spirit for know thou emperor
I will enchant the old Andronicus
With words more sweet and yet more dangerous
Than baits to fish or honeystalks to sheep
Whenas the one is wounded with the bait
The other rotted with delicious feed
SATURNINUS
But he will not entreat his son for us
TAMORA
If Tamora entreat him then he will
For I can smooth and fill his aged ears
With golden promises that were his heart
Almost impregnable his old ears deaf
Yet should both ear and heart obey my tongue
to Aemilius Go thou before be our ambassador
Say that the emperor requests a parley
Of warlike Lucius and appoint the meeting
Even at his fathers house the old Andronicus
SATURNINUS
Aemilius do this message honourably
And if he stand on hostage for his safety
Bid him demand what pledge will please him best
AEMILIUS
Your bidding shall I do effectually
Exit
TAMORA
Now will I to that old Andronicus
And temper him with all the art I have
To pluck proud Lucius from the warlike Goths
And now sweet emperor be blithe again
And bury all thy fear in my devices
SATURNINUS
Then go successantly and plead to him
Exeunt
ACT V
SCENE I Plains near Rome
Enter Lucius with an army of Goths with drums and soldiers
LUCIUS
Approved warriors and my faithful friends
I have received letters from great Rome
Which signifies 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
And wherein Rome hath done you any scath
Let him make treble satisfaction
FIRST GOTH
Brave slip sprung from the great Andronicus
Whose name was once our terror now our comfort
Whose high exploits and honourable deeds
Ingrateful Rome requites with foul contempt
Be bold in us Well follow where thou leadst
Like stinging bees in hottest summers day
Led by their master to the flowered fields
And be avenged on cursed Tamora
GOTHS
And as he saith so say we all with him
LUCIUS
I humbly thank him and I thank you all
But who comes here led by a lusty Goth
Enter a Goth leading of Aaron with his Child in his arms
SECOND GOTH
Renowned Lucius from our troops I strayed
To gaze upon a ruinous monastery
And as I earnestly did fix mine eye
Upon the wasted building suddenly
I heard a child cry underneath a wall
I made unto the noise when soon I heard
The crying babe controlled with this discourse
Peace tawny slave half me and half thy dame
Did not thy hue bewray whose brat thou art
Had nature lent thee but thy mothers look
Villain thou mightst have been an emperor
But where the bull and cow are both milkwhite
They never do beget a coalblack calf
Peace villain peace even thus he rates the babe
For I must bear thee to a trusty Goth
Who when he knows thou art the empress babe
Will hold thee dearly for thy mothers sake
With this my weapon drawn I rushed upon him
Surprised him suddenly and brought him hither
To use as you think needful of the man
LUCIUS
O worthy Goth this is the incarnate devil
That robbed Andronicus of his good hand
This is the pearl that pleased your empress eye
And heres the base fruit of her burning lust
Say walleyed slave whither wouldst thou convey
This growing image of thy fiendlike 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
AARON
Touch not the boy he is of royal blood
LUCIUS
Too like the sire for ever being good
First hang the child that he may see it sprawl
A sight to vex the fathers soul withal
Get me a ladder
A ladder is brought which Aaron is made to ascend
AARON
Lucius save the child
And bear it from me to the empress
If thou do this Ill show thee wondrous things
That highly may advantage thee to hear
If thou wilt not befall what may befall
Ill speak no more but Vengeance rot you all
LUCIUS
Say on and if it please me which thou speakst
Thy child shall live and I will see it nourished
AARON
And if it please thee Why assure thee Lucius
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 villainies
Ruthful to hear yet piteously performed
And this shall all be buried in my death
Unless thou swear to me my child shall live
LUCIUS
Tell on thy mind I say thy child shall live
AARON
Swear that he shall and then I will begin
LUCIUS
Who should I swear by Thou believst no god
That granted how canst thou believe an oath
AARON
What if I do not As indeed I do not
Yet for I know thou 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
And keeps the oath which by that god he swears
To that Ill urge him Therefore thou shalt vow
By that same god what god soeer it be
That thou adorest and hast in reverence
To save my boy to nourish and bring him up
Or else I will discover naught to thee
LUCIUS
Even by my god I swear to thee I will
AARON
First know thou I begot him on the empress
LUCIUS
O most insatiate and luxurious woman
AARON
Tut Lucius this was but a deed of charity
To that which thou shalt hear of me anon
Twas her two sons that murdered Bassianus
They cut thy sisters tongue and ravished her
And cut her hands and trimmed her as thou sawest
LUCIUS
O detestable villain callst thou that trimming
AARON
Why she was washed and cut and trimmed and twas
Trim sport for them which had the doing of it
LUCIUS
O barbarous beastly villains like thyself
AARON
Indeed I was their tutor to instruct them
That codding spirit had they from their mother
As sure a card as ever won the set
That bloody mind I think they learned of me
As true a dog as ever fought at head
Well let my deeds be witness of my worth
I trained thy brethren to that guileful hole
Where the dead corpse of Bassianus lay
I wrote the letter that thy father found
And hid the gold within that letter mentioned
Confederate with the queen and her two sons
And what not done that thou hast cause to rue
Wherein I had no stroke of mischief int
I played the cheater for thy fathers hand
And when I had it drew myself apart
And almost broke my heart with extreme laughter
I pried me through the crevice of a wall
When for his hand he had his two sons heads
Beheld his tears and laughed so heartily
That both mine eyes were rainy like to his
And when I told the empress of this sport
She sounded almost at my pleasing tale
And for my tidings gave me twenty kisses
GOTH
What canst thou say all this and never blush
AARON
Ay like a black dog as the saying is
LUCIUS
Art thou not sorry for these heinous deeds
AARON
Ay that I had not done a thousand more
Even now I curse the day and yet I think
Few come within the compass of my curse
Wherein 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
Set deadly enmity between two friends
Make poor mens cattle break their necks
Set fire on barns and haystalks in the night
And bid the owners quench them with their tears
Oft have I digged up dead men from their graves
And set them upright at their dear friends door
Even when their sorrows almost was 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
But I have done a thousand dreadful things
As willingly as one would kill a fly
And nothing grieves me heartily indeed
But that I cannot do ten thousand more
LUCIUS
Bring down the devil for he must not die
So sweet a death as hanging presently
AARON
If there be devils would I were a devil
To live and burn in everlasting fire
So I might have your company in hell
But to torment you with my bitter tongue
LUCIUS
Sirs stop his mouth and let him speak no more
Enter Aemilius
GOTH
My lord there is a messenger from Rome
Desires to be admitted to your presence
LUCIUS
Let him come near
Welcome Aemilius Whats the news from Rome
AEMILIUS
Lord Lucius and you princes of the Goths
The Roman emperor greets you all by me
And for he understands you are in arms
He craves a parley at your fathers house
Willing you to demand your hostages
And they shall be immediately delivered
FIRST GOTH
What says our general
LUCIUS
Aemilius let the emperor give his pledges
Unto my father and my uncle Marcus
And we will come March away
Exeunt
SCENE II Rome Before Tituss House
Enter Tamora and her two sons disguised
TAMORA
Thus in this strange and sad habiliment
I will encounter with Andronicus
And say I am Revenge sent from below
To join with him and right his heinous wrongs
Knock at his study where they say he keeps
To ruminate strange plots of dire revenge
Tell him Revenge is come to join with him
And work confusion on his enemies
They knock
Titus above opens his study door
TITUS
Who doth molest my contemplation
Is it your trick to make me ope the door
That so my sad decrees may fly away
And all my study be to no effect
You are deceived for what I mean to do
See here in bloody lines I have set down
And what is written shall be executed
TAMORA
Titus I am come to talk with thee
TITUS
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
TAMORA
If thou didst know me thou wouldst talk with me
TITUS
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
TAMORA
Know thou sad man I am not Tamora
She is thy enemy and I thy friend
I am Revenge sent from th infernal kingdom
To ease the gnawing vulture of thy mind
By working wreakful vengeance on thy foes
Come down and welcome me to this worlds light
Confer with me of murder and of death
Theres not a hollow cave or lurkingplace
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
TITUS
Art thou Revenge And art thou sent to me
To be a torment to mine enemies
TAMORA
I am therefore come down and welcome me
TITUS
Do me some service ere I come to thee
Lo by thy side where Rape and Murder stands
Now give some surance that thou art Revenge
Stab them or tear them on thy chariot wheels
And then Ill come and be thy waggoner
And whirl along with thee about the globe
Provide thee two proper palfreys black as jet
To hale thy vengeful waggon swift away
And find out murderers in their guilty caves
And when thy car is loaden with their heads
I will dismount and by the waggonwheel
Trot like a servile footman all day long
Even from Hyperions rising in the east
Until his very downfall in the sea
And day by day Ill do this heavy task
So thou destroy Rapine and Murder there
TAMORA
These are my ministers and come with me
TITUS
Are they thy ministers What are they called
TAMORA
Rapine and Murder therefore called so
Cause they take vengeance of such kind of men
TITUS
Good Lord how like the empress sons they are
And you the empress But we worldly men
Have miserable mad mistaking eyes
O sweet Revenge now do I come to thee
And if one arms embracement will content thee
I will embrace thee in it by and by
He exits above
TAMORA
This closing with him fits his lunacy
Whateer I forge to feed his brainsick humours
Do you uphold and maintain in your speeches
For now he firmly takes me for Revenge
And being credulous in this mad thought
Ill make him send for Lucius his son
And whilst I at a banquet hold him sure
Ill find some cunning practice out of hand
To scatter and disperse the giddy Goths
Or at the least make them his enemies
See here he comes and I must ply my theme
Enter Titus
TITUS
Long have I been forlorn and all for thee
Welcome dread Fury to my woeful 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
TAMORA
What wouldst thou have us do Andronicus
DEMETRIUS
Show me a murderer Ill deal with him
CHIRON
Show me a villain that hath done a rape
And I am sent to be revenged on him
TAMORA
Show me a thousand that hath done thee wrong
And I will be revenged on them all
TITUS
Look round about the wicked streets of Rome
And when thou findst a man thats like thyself
Good Murder stab him hes a murderer
Go thou with him and when it is thy hap
To find another that is like to thee
Good Rapine stab him he is a ravisher
Go thou with them and in the emperors court
There is a queen attended by a Moor
Well shalt thou know her by thine own proportion
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
TAMORA
Well hast thou lessoned us this shall we do
But would it please thee good Andronicus
To send for Lucius thy thricevaliant son
Who leads towards Rome a band of warlike Goths
And bid him come and banquet at thy house
When he is here even at thy solemn feast
I will bring in the 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
What says Andronicus to this device
TITUS
Marcus my brother tis sad Titus calls
Enter Marcus
Go gentle Marcus to thy nephew Lucius
Thou shalt inquire him out among the Goths
Bid him repair to me and bring with him
Some of the chiefest princes of the Goths
Bid him encamp his soldiers where they are
Tell him the emperor and the empress too
Feast at my house and he shall feast with them
This do thou for my love and so let him
As he regards his aged fathers life
MARCUS
This will I do and soon return again
Exit
TAMORA
Now will I hence about thy business
And take my ministers along with me
TITUS
Nay nay let Rape and Murder stay with me
Or else Ill call my brother back again
And cleave to no revenge but Lucius
TAMORA
Aside to them What say you boys Will you abide with him
Whiles I go tell my lord the emperor
How I have governed our determined jest
Yield to his humour smooth and speak him fair
And tarry with him till I come again
TITUS
Aside I knew them all though they suppose me mad
And will oerreach them in their own devices
A pair of cursed hellhounds and their dam
DEMETRIUS
Madam depart at pleasure leave us here
TAMORA
Farewell Andronicus Revenge now goes
To lay a complot to betray thy foes
TITUS
I know thou dost and sweet Revenge farewell
Exit Tamora
CHIRON
Tell us old man how shall we be employed
TITUS
Tut I have work enough for you to do
Publius come hither Caius and Valentine
Enter Publius and others
PUBLIUS
What is your will
TITUS
Know you these two
PUBLIUS
The empress sons I take them Chiron Demetrius
TITUS
Fie Publius fie thou art too much deceived
The one is Murder and Rape is the others name
And therefore bind them gentle Publius
Caius and Valentine lay hands on them
Oft have you heard me wish for such an hour
And now I find it Therefore bind them sure
And stop their mouths if they begin to cry
Exit Titus
CHIRON
Villains forbear We are the empress sons
PUBLIUS
And therefore do we what we are commanded
Stop close their mouths let them not speak a word
Is he sure bound Look that you bind them fast
Enter Titus Andronicus with a knife and Lavinia with a basin
TITUS
Come come Lavinia look thy foes are bound
Sirs stop their mouths let them not speak to me
But let them hear what fearful words I utter
O villains Chiron and Demetrius
Here stands the spring whom you have stained with mud
This goodly summer with your winter mixed
You killed her husband and for that vile fault
Two of her brothers were condemned to death
My hand cut off and made a merry jest
Both her sweet hands her tongue and that more dear
Than hands or tongue her spotless chastity
Inhuman traitors you constrained and forced
What would you say if I should let you speak
Villains for shame you could not beg for grace
Hark wretches how I mean to martyr you
This one hand yet is left to cut your throats
Whiles 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 Ill make a paste
And of the paste a coffin I will rear
And make two pasties of your shameful heads
And bid that strumpet your unhallowed dam
Like to the earth swallow her own increase
This is the feast that I have bid her to
And this the banquet she shall surfeit on
For worse than Philomel you used my daughter
And worse than Procne I will be revenged
And now prepare your throatsLavinia come
Receive the blood
He cuts their throats
And when that they are dead
Let me go grind their bones to powder small
And with this hateful liquor temper it
And in that paste let their vile heads be baked
Come come be everyone officious
To make this banquet which I wish may prove
More stern and bloody than the Centaurs feast
So now bring them in for Ill play the cook
And see them ready against their mother comes
Exeunt carrying the dead bodies
SCENE III Rome A Pavilion in Tituss Gardens with tables c
Enter Lucius Marcus and the Goths with Aaron prisoner
LUCIUS
Uncle Marcus since tis my fathers mind
That I repair to Rome I am content
FIRST GOTH
And ours with thine befall what fortune will
LUCIUS
Good uncle take you in this barbarous Moor
This ravenous tiger this accursed devil
Let him receive no sustnance 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
AARON
Some devil whisper curses in my ear
And prompt me that my tongue may utter forth
The venomous malice of my swelling heart
LUCIUS
Away inhuman dog unhallowed slave
Sirs help our uncle to convey him in
Sound trumpets
The trumpets show the emperor is at hand
Exeunt Goths with Aaron
Enter Emperor Saturninus and Empress Tamora with Aemilius Tribunes and others
SATURNINUS
What hath the firmament more suns than one
LUCIUS
What boots it thee to call thyself a sun
MARCUS
Romes emperor and nephew break the parle
These quarrels must be quietly debated
The feast is ready which the careful Titus
Hath ordained to an honourable end
For peace for love for league and good to Rome
Please you therefore draw nigh and take your places
SATURNINUS
Marcus we will
Trumpets sounding enter Titus like a cook placing the dishes with Young Lucius and others and Lavinia with a veil over her face
TITUS
Welcome my 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
SATURNINUS
Why art thou thus attired Andronicus
TITUS
Because I would be sure to have all well
To entertain your highness and your empress
TAMORA
We are beholden to you good Andronicus
TITUS
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 stained and deflowered
SATURNINUS
It was Andronicus
TITUS
Your reason mighty lord
SATURNINUS
Because the girl should not survive her shame
And by her presence still renew his sorrows
TITUS
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
And with thy shame thy fathers sorrow die
He kills Lavinia
SATURNINUS
What hast thou done unnatural and unkind
TITUS
Killed her for whom my tears have made me blind
I am as woeful as Virginius was
And have a thousand times more cause than he
To do this outrage and it now is done
SATURNINUS
What was she ravished Tell who did the deed
TITUS
Willt please you eat Willt please your highness feed
TAMORA
Why hast thou slain thine only daughter thus
TITUS
Not I twas Chiron and Demetrius
They ravished her and cut away her tongue
And they twas they that did her all this wrong
SATURNINUS
Go fetch them hither to us presently
TITUS
Why there they are both baked in that pie
Whereof their mother daintily hath fed
Eating the flesh that she herself hath bred
Tis true tis true witness my knifes sharp point
He stabs the Empress
SATURNINUS
Die frantic wretch for this accursed deed
He kills Titus
LUCIUS
Can the sons eye behold his father bleed
He kills Saturninus
Theres meed for meed death for a deadly deed
A great tumult Lucius Marcus and others go aloft to the upper stage
MARCUS
You sadfaced men people and sons of Rome
By uproar severed as a flight of fowl
Scattered by winds and high tempestuous gusts
O let me teach you how to knit again
This scattered corn into one mutual sheaf
These broken limbs again into one body
Lest Rome herself be bane unto herself
And she whom mighty kingdoms curtsy 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
Speak Romes dear friend to Lucius as erst our ancestor
When with his solemn tongue he did discourse
To lovesick Didos sad attending ear
The story of that baleful burning night
When subtle Greeks surprised King Priams Troy
Tell us what Sinon hath bewitched our ears
Or who hath brought the fatal engine in
That gives our Troy our Rome the civil wound
My heart is not compact of flint nor steel
Nor can I utter all our bitter grief
But floods of tears will drown my oratory
And break my utterance even in the time
When it should move you to attend me most
And force you to commiseration
Heres Romes young captain let him tell the tale
While I stand by and weep to hear him speak
LUCIUS
Then noble auditory be it known to you
That Chiron and the damned Demetrius
Were they that murdered our emperors brother
And they it were that ravished our sister
For their fell faults our brothers were beheaded
Our fathers tears despised and basely cozened
Of that true hand that fought Romes quarrel out
And sent her enemies unto the grave
Lastly myself unkindly banished
The gates shut on me and turned weeping out
To beg relief among Romes enemies
Who drowned their enmity in my true tears
And oped their arms to embrace me as a friend
I am the turnedforth be it known to you
That have preserved her welfare in my blood
And from her bosom took the enemys point
Sheathing the steel in my adventrous body
Alas you know I am no vaunter I
My scars can witness dumb although they are
That my report is just and full of truth
But soft methinks I do digress too much
Citing my worthless praise O pardon me
For when no friends are by men praise themselves
MARCUS
Now is my turn to speak Behold the child
Of this was Tamora delivered
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 have you heard the truth What say you Romans
Have we done aught amiss Show us wherein
And from the place where you behold us pleading
The poor remainder of Andronici
Will hand in hand all headlong hurl ourselves
And on the ragged stones beat forth our souls
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
AEMILIUS
Come come thou reverend man of Rome
And bring our emperor gently in thy hand
Lucius our emperor for well I know
The common voice do cry it shall be so
ROMANS
Lucius all hail Romes royal emperor
MARCUS
Go go into old Titus sorrowful house
And hither hale that misbelieving Moor
To be adjudged some direful slaughtring death
As punishment for his most wicked life
Exeunt Attendants Lucius and Marcus come down from the upper stage
ROMANS
Lucius all hail Romes gracious governor
LUCIUS
Thanks gentle Romans May I govern so
To heal Romes harms and wipe away her woe
But gentle people give me aim awhile
For nature puts me to a heavy task
Stand all aloof but uncle draw you near
To shed obsequious tears upon this trunk
He kisses Titus
O take this warm kiss on thy pale cold lips
These sorrowful drops upon thy bloodstained face
The last true duties of thy noble son
MARCUS
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
LUCIUS
Come hither boy come come and learn of us
To melt in showers Thy grandsire loved thee well
Many a time he danced thee on his knee
Sung thee asleep his loving breast thy pillow
Many a story hath he told to thee
And bid thee bear his pretty tales in mind
And talk of them when he was dead and gone
MARCUS
How many thousand times hath these poor lips
When they were living warmed themselves on thine
O now sweet boy give them their latest kiss
Bid him farewell commit him to the grave
Do them that kindness and take leave of them
YOUNG LUCIUS
O grandsire grandsire een with all my heart
Would I were dead so you did live again
O Lord I cannot speak to him for weeping
My tears will choke me if I ope my mouth
Reenter Attendants with Aaron
AEMILIUS
You sad Andronici have done with woes
Give sentence on the execrable wretch
That hath been breeder of these dire events
LUCIUS
Set him breastdeep in earth and famish him
There let him stand and rave and cry for food
If anyone relieves or pities him
For the offence he dies This is our doom
Some stay to see him fastened in the earth
AARON
Ah why should wrath be mute and fury dumb
I am no baby I that with base prayers
I should repent the evils I have done
Ten thousand worse than ever yet I did
Would I perform if I might have my will
If one good deed in all my life I did
I do repent it from my very soul
LUCIUS
Some loving friends convey the emperor hence
And give him burial in his fathers grave
My father and Lavinia shall forthwith
Be closed in our households monument
As for that ravenous tiger Tamora
No funeral rite nor man in mournful weed
No mournful bell shall ring her burial
But throw her forth to beasts and birds of prey
Her life was beastly and devoid of pity
And being dead let birds on her take pity
Exeunt
TROILUS AND CRESSIDA
Contents
ACT I
Prologue
Scene I Troy Before Priams palace
Scene II Troy A street
Scene III The Grecian camp Before Agamemnons tent
ACT II
Scene I The Grecian camp
Scene II Troy Priams palace
Scene III The Grecian camp Before the tent of Achilles
ACT III
Scene I Troy Priams palace
Scene II Troy Pandarus orchard
Scene III The Greek camp
ACT IV
Scene I Troy A street
Scene II Troy The court of Pandarus house
Scene III Troy A street before Pandarus house
Scene IV Troy Pandarus house
Scene V The Grecian camp Lists set out
ACT V
Scene I The Grecian camp Before the tent of Achilles
Scene II The Grecian camp Before Calchas tent
Scene III Troy Before Priams palace
Scene IV The plain between Troy and the Grecian camp
Scene V Another part of the plain
Scene VI Another part of the plain
Scene VII Another part of the plain
Scene VIII Another part of the plain
Scene IX Another part of the plain
Scene X Another part of the plain
Dramatis Person
PRIAM King of Troy
His sons
HECTOR
TROILUS
PARIS
DEIPHOBUS
HELENUS
MARGARELON a bastard son of Priam
Trojan commanders
AENEAS
ANTENOR
CALCHAS a Trojan priest taking part with the Greeks
PANDARUS uncle to Cressida
AGAMEMNON the Greek general
MENELAUS his brother
Greek commanders
ACHILLES
AJAX
ULYSSES
NESTOR
DIOMEDES
PATROCLUS
THERSITES a deformed and scurrilous Greek
ALEXANDER servant to Cressida
SERVANT to Troilus
SERVANT to Paris
SERVANT to Diomedes
HELEN wife to Menelaus
ANDROMACHE wife to Hector
CASSANDRA daughter to Priam a prophetess
CRESSIDA daughter to Calchas
Trojan and Greek Soldiers and Attendants
SCENE Troy and the Greek camp before it
PROLOGUE
In Troy there lies the scene From isles of Greece
The princes orgulous their high blood chafd
Have to the port of Athens sent their ships
Fraught with the ministers and instruments
Of cruel war Sixty and nine that wore
Their crownets regal from the Athenian bay
Put forth toward Phrygia and their vow is made
To ransack Troy within whose strong immures
The ravishd Helen Menelaus queen
With wanton Paris sleepsand thats the quarrel
To Tenedos they come
And the deepdrawing barks do there disgorge
Their warlike fraughtage Now on Dardan plains
The fresh and yet unbruised Greeks do pitch
Their brave pavilions Priams sixgated city
Dardan and Tymbria Ilias Chetas Troien
And Antenorides with massy staples
And corresponsive and fulfilling bolts
Stir up the sons of Troy
Now expectation tickling skittish spirits
On one and other side Trojan and Greek
Sets all on hazard And hither am I come
A prologue armd but not in confidence
Of authors pen or actors voice but suited
In like conditions as our argument
To tell you fair beholders that our play
Leaps oer the vaunt and firstlings of those broils
Beginning in the middle starting thence away
To what may be digested in a play
Like or find fault do as your pleasures are
Now good or bad tis but the chance of war
ACT I
SCENE I Troy Before Priams palace
Enter Troilus armed and Pandarus
TROILUS
Call here my varlet Ill unarm again
Why should I war without the walls of Troy
That find such cruel battle here within
Each Trojan that is master of his heart
Let him to field Troilus alas hath none
PANDARUS
Will this gear neer be mended
TROILUS
The Greeks are strong and skilful to their strength
Fierce to their skill and to their fierceness valiant
But I am weaker than a womans tear
Tamer than sleep fonder than ignorance
Less valiant than the virgin in the night
And skilless as unpractisd infancy
PANDARUS
Well I have told you enough of this for my part Ill not meddle nor make no farther He that will have a cake out of the wheat must tarry the grinding
TROILUS
Have I not tarried
PANDARUS
Ay the grinding but you must tarry the bolting
TROILUS
Have I not tarried
PANDARUS
Ay the bolting but you must tarry the leavening
TROILUS
Still have I tarried
PANDARUS
Ay to the leavening but heres yet in the word hereafter the kneading the making of the cake the heating of the oven and the baking nay you must stay the cooling too or you may chance burn your lips
TROILUS
Patience herself what goddess eer she be
Doth lesser blench at suffrance than I do
At Priams royal table do I sit
And when fair Cressid comes into my thoughts
So traitor when she comes when she is thence
PANDARUS
Well she lookd yesternight fairer than ever I saw her look or any woman else
TROILUS
I was about to tell thee when my heart
As wedged with a sigh would rive in twain
Lest Hector or my father should perceive me
I have as when the sun doth light a storm
Buried this sigh in wrinkle of a smile
But sorrow that is couchd in seeming gladness
Is like that mirth fate turns to sudden sadness
PANDARUS
An her hair were not somewhat darker than Helens well go to there were no more comparison between the women But for my part she is my kinswoman I would not as they term it praise her but I would somebody had heard her talk yesterday as I did I will not dispraise your sister Cassandras wit but
TROILUS
O Pandarus I tell thee Pandarus
When I do tell thee there my hopes lie drownd
Reply not in how many fathoms deep
They lie indrenchd I tell thee I am mad
In Cressids love Thou answerst She is fair
Pourst in the open ulcer of my heart
Her eyes her hair her cheek her gait her voice
Handlest in thy discourse O that her hand
In whose comparison all whites are ink
Writing their own reproach to whose soft seizure
The cygnets down is harsh and spirit of sense
Hard as the palm of ploughman This thou tellst me
As true thou tellst me when I say I love her
But saying thus instead of oil and balm
Thou layst in every gash that love hath given me
The knife that made it
PANDARUS
I speak no more than truth
TROILUS
Thou dost not speak so much
PANDARUS
Faith Ill not meddle int Let her be as she is if she be fair tis the better for her and she be not she has the mends in her own hands
TROILUS
Good Pandarus How now Pandarus
PANDARUS
I have had my labour for my travail ill thought on of her and ill thought on of you gone between and between but small thanks for my labour
TROILUS
What art thou angry Pandarus What with me
PANDARUS
Because shes kin to me therefore shes not so fair as Helen And she were not kin to me she would be as fair on Friday as Helen is on Sunday But what care I I care not and she were a blackamoor tis all one to me
TROILUS
Say I she is not fair
PANDARUS
I do not care whether you do or no Shes a fool to stay behind her father Let her to the Greeks and so Ill tell her the next time I see her For my part Ill meddle nor make no more i the matter
TROILUS
Pandarus
PANDARUS
Not I
TROILUS
Sweet Pandarus
PANDARUS
Pray you speak no more to me I will leave all as I found it and there an end
Exit Pandarus An alarum
TROILUS
Peace you ungracious clamours Peace rude sounds
Fools on both sides Helen must needs be fair
When with your blood you daily paint her thus
I cannot fight upon this argument
It is too starvd a subject for my sword
But Pandarus O gods how do you plague me
I cannot come to Cressid but by Pandar
And hes as tetchy to be wood to woo
As she is stubbornchaste against all suit
Tell me Apollo for thy Daphnes love
What Cressid is what Pandar and what we
Her bed is India there she lies a pearl
Between our Ilium and where she resides
Let it be calld the wild and wandering flood
Ourself the merchant and this sailing Pandar
Our doubtful hope our convoy and our bark
Alarum Enter Aeneas
AENEAS
How now Prince Troilus Wherefore not afield
TROILUS
Because not there This womans answer sorts
For womanish it is to be from thence
What news Aeneas from the field today
AENEAS
That Paris is returned home and hurt
TROILUS
By whom Aeneas
AENEAS
Troilus by Menelaus
TROILUS
Let Paris bleed tis but a scar to scorn
Paris is gord with Menelaus horn
Alarum
AENEAS
Hark what good sport is out of town today
TROILUS
Better at home if would I might were may
But to the sport abroad Are you bound thither
AENEAS
In all swift haste
TROILUS
Come go we then together
Exeunt
SCENE II Troy A street
Enter Cressida and her man Alexander
CRESSIDA
Who were those went by
ALEXANDER
Queen Hecuba and Helen
CRESSIDA
And whither go they
ALEXANDER
Up to the eastern tower
Whose height commands as subject all the vale
To see the battle Hector whose patience
Is as a virtue fixd today was movd
He chid Andromache and struck his armourer
And like as there were husbandry in war
Before the sun rose he was harnessd light
And to the field goes he where every flower
Did as a prophet weep what it foresaw
In Hectors wrath
CRESSIDA
What was his cause of anger
ALEXANDER
The noise goes this there is among the Greeks
A lord of Trojan blood nephew to Hector
They call him Ajax
CRESSIDA
Good and what of him
ALEXANDER
They say he is a very man per se
And stands alone
CRESSIDA
So do all men unless they are drunk sick or have no legs
ALEXANDER
This man lady hath robbd many beasts of their particular additions he is as valiant as the lion churlish as the bear slow as the elephanta man into whom nature hath so crowded humours that his valour is crushd into folly his folly sauced with discretion There is no man hath a virtue that he hath not a glimpse of nor any man an attaint but he carries some stain of it he is melancholy without cause and merry against the hair he hath the joints of everything but everything so out of joint that he is a gouty Briareus many hands and no use or purblind Argus all eyes and no sight
CRESSIDA
But how should this man that makes me smile make Hector angry
ALEXANDER
They say he yesterday copd Hector in the battle and struck him down the disdain and shame whereof hath ever since kept Hector fasting and waking
Enter Pandarus
CRESSIDA
Who comes here
ALEXANDER
Madam your uncle Pandarus
CRESSIDA
Hectors a gallant man
ALEXANDER
As may be in the world lady
PANDARUS
Whats that Whats that
CRESSIDA
Good morrow uncle Pandarus
PANDARUS
Good morrow cousin Cressid What do you talk ofGood morrow AlexanderHow do you cousin When were you at Ilium
CRESSIDA
This morning uncle
PANDARUS
What were you talking of when I came Was Hector armd and gone ere you came to Ilium Helen was not up was she
CRESSIDA
Hector was gone but Helen was not up
PANDARUS
Een so Hector was stirring early
CRESSIDA
That were we talking of and of his anger
PANDARUS
Was he angry
CRESSIDA
So he says here
PANDARUS
True he was so I know the cause too hell lay about him today I can tell them that And theres Troilus will not come far behind him let them take heed of Troilus I can tell them that too
CRESSIDA
What is he angry too
PANDARUS
Who Troilus Troilus is the better man of the two
CRESSIDA
O Jupiter theres no comparison
PANDARUS
What not between Troilus and Hector Do you know a man if you see him
CRESSIDA
Ay if I ever saw him before and knew him
PANDARUS
Well I say Troilus is Troilus
CRESSIDA
Then you say as I say for I am sure he is not Hector
PANDARUS
No nor Hector is not Troilus in some degrees
CRESSIDA
Tis just to each of them he is himself
PANDARUS
Himself Alas poor Troilus I would he were
CRESSIDA
So he is
PANDARUS
Condition I had gone barefoot to India
CRESSIDA
He is not Hector
PANDARUS
Himself no hes not himself Would a were himself Well the gods are above time must friend or end Well Troilus well I would my heart were in her body No Hector is not a better man than Troilus
CRESSIDA
Excuse me
PANDARUS
He is elder
CRESSIDA
Pardon me pardon me
PANDARUS
Thothers not come tot you shall tell me another tale when thothers come tot Hector shall not have his wit this year
CRESSIDA
He shall not need it if he have his own
ANDARUS
Nor his qualities
CRESSIDA
No matter
PANDARUS
Nor his beauty
CRESSIDA
Twould not become him his owns better
PANDARUS
You have no judgement niece Helen herself swore thother day that Troilus for a brown favour for so tis I must confessnot brown neither
CRESSIDA
No but brown
PANDARUS
Faith to say truth brown and not brown
CRESSIDA
To say the truth true and not true
PANDARUS
She praisd his complexion above Paris
CRESSIDA
Why Paris hath colour enough
PANDARUS
So he has
CRESSIDA
Then Troilus should have too much If she praisd him above his complexion is higher than his he having colour enough and the other higher is too flaming a praise for a good complexion I had as lief Helens golden tongue had commended Troilus for a copper nose
PANDARUS
I swear to you I think Helen loves him better than Paris
CRESSIDA
Then shes a merry Greek indeed
PANDARUS
Nay I am sure she does She came to him thother day into the compassd windowand you know he has not past three or four hairs on his chin
CRESSIDA
Indeed a tapsters arithmetic may soon bring his particulars therein to a total
PANDARUS
Why he is very young and yet will he within three pound lift as much as his brother Hector
CRESSIDA
Is he so young a man and so old a lifter
PANDARUS
But to prove to you that Helen loves him she came and puts me her white hand to his cloven chin
CRESSIDA
Juno have mercy How came it cloven
PANDARUS
Why you know tis dimpled I think his smiling becomes him better than any man in all Phrygia
CRESSIDA
O he smiles valiantly
PANDARUS
Does he not
CRESSIDA
O yes an twere a cloud in autumn
PANDARUS
Why go to then But to prove to you that Helen loves Troilus
CRESSIDA
Troilus will stand to the proof if youll prove it so
PANDARUS
Troilus Why he esteems her no more than I esteem an addle egg
CRESSIDA
If you love an addle egg as well as you love an idle head you would eat chickens i th shell
PANDARUS
I cannot choose but laugh to think how she tickled his chin Indeed she has a marvells white hand I must needs confess
CRESSIDA
Without the rack
PANDARUS
And she takes upon her to spy a white hair on his chin
CRESSIDA
Alas poor chin Many a wart is richer
PANDARUS
But there was such laughing Queen Hecuba laughd that her eyes ran oer
CRESSIDA
With millstones
PANDARUS
And Cassandra laughd
CRESSIDA
But there was a more temperate fire under the pot of her eyes Did her eyes run oer too
PANDARUS
And Hector laughd
CRESSIDA
At what was all this laughing
PANDARUS
Marry at the white hair that Helen spied on Troilus chin
CRESSIDA
Andt had been a green hair I should have laughd too
PANDARUS
They laughd not so much at the hair as at his pretty answer
CRESSIDA
What was his answer
PANDARUS
Quoth she Heres but two and fifty hairs on your chin and one of them is white
CRESSIDA
This is her question
PANDARUS
Thats true make no question of that Two and fifty hairs quoth he and one white That white hair is my father and all the rest are his sons Jupiter quoth she which of these hairs is Paris my husband The forked one quoth he pluckt out and give it him But there was such laughing and Helen so blushd and Paris so chafd and all the rest so laughd that it passd
CRESSIDA
So let it now for it has been a great while going by
PANDARUS
Well cousin I told you a thing yesterday think ont
CRESSIDA
So I do
PANDARUS
Ill be sworn tis true he will weep you and twere a man born in April
CRESSIDA
And Ill spring up in his tears an twere a nettle against May
Sound a retreat
PANDARUS
Hark they are coming from the field Shall we stand up here and see them as they pass toward Ilium Good niece do sweet niece Cressida
CRESSIDA
At your pleasure
PANDARUS
Here here heres an excellent place here we may see most bravely Ill tell you them all by their names as they pass by but mark Troilus above the rest
Aeneas passes
CRESSIDA
Speak not so loud
PANDARUS
Thats Aeneas Is not that a brave man Hes one of the flowers of Troy I can tell you But mark Troilus you shall see anon
Antenor passes
CRESSIDA
Whos that
PANDARUS
Thats Antenor He has a shrewd wit I can tell you and hes a man good enough hes one o th soundest judgements in Troy whosoever and a proper man of person When comes Troilus Ill show you Troilus anon If he see me you shall see him nod at me
CRESSIDA
Will he give you the nod
PANDARUS
You shall see
CRESSIDA
If he do the rich shall have more
Hector passes
PANDARUS
Thats Hector that that look you that theres a fellow Go thy way Hector Theres a brave man niece O brave Hector Look how he looks Theres a countenance Ist not a brave man
CRESSIDA
O a brave man
PANDARUS
Is a not It does a mans heart good Look you what hacks are on his helmet Look you yonder do you see Look you there Theres no jesting theres laying on taket off who will as they say There be hacks
CRESSIDA
Be those with swords
PANDARUS
Swords anything he cares not and the devil come to him its all one By Gods lid it does ones heart good Yonder comes Paris yonder comes Paris
Paris passes
Look ye yonder niece ist not a gallant man too ist not Why this is brave now Who said he came hurt home today Hes not hurt Why this will do Helens heart good now ha Would I could see Troilus now You shall see Troilus anon
Helenus passes
CRESSIDA
Whos that
PANDARUS
Thats Helenus I marvel where Troilus is Thats
Helenus I think he went not forth today Thats Helenus
CRESSIDA
Can Helenus fight uncle
PANDARUS
Helenus no Yes hell fight indifferent well I marvel where Troilus is Hark do you not hear the people cry TroilusHelenus is a priest
CRESSIDA
What sneaking fellow comes yonder
Troilus passes
PANDARUS
Where yonder Thats Deiphobus Tis Troilus Theres a man niece Hem Brave Troilus the prince of chivalry
CRESSIDA
Peace for shame peace
PANDARUS
Mark him note him O brave Troilus Look well upon him niece look you how his sword is bloodied and his helm more hackd than Hectors and how he looks and how he goes O admirable youth he never saw three and twenty Go thy way Troilus go thy way Had I a sister were a grace or a daughter a goddess he should take his choice O admirable man Paris Paris is dirt to him and I warrant Helen to change would give an eye to boot
CRESSIDA
Here comes more
Common soldiers pass
PANDARUS
Asses fools dolts chaff and bran chaff and bran porridge after meat I could live and die in the eyes of Troilus Neer look neer look the eagles are gone Crows and daws crows and daws I had rather be such a man as Troilus than Agamemnon and all Greece
CRESSIDA
There is amongst the Greeks Achilles a better man than Troilus
PANDARUS
Achilles A drayman a porter a very camel
CRESSIDA
Well well
PANDARUS
Well well Why have you any discretion Have you any eyes Do you know what a man is Is not birth beauty good shape discourse manhood learning gentleness virtue youth liberality and such like the spice and salt that season a man
CRESSIDA
Ay a mincd man and then to be bakd with no date in the pie for then the mans date is out
PANDARUS
You are such a woman A man knows not at what ward you lie
CRESSIDA
Upon my back to defend my belly upon my wit to defend my wiles upon my secrecy to defend mine honesty my mask to defend my beauty and you to defend all these and at all these wards I lie at a thousand watches
PANDARUS
Say one of your watches
CRESSIDA
Nay Ill watch you for that and thats one of the chiefest of them too If I cannot ward what I would not have hit I can watch you for telling how I took the blow unless it swell past hiding and then its past watching
PANDARUS
You are such another
Enter Troilus Boy
BOY
Sir my lord would instantly speak with you
PANDARUS
Where
BOY
At your own house there he unarms him
PANDARUS
Good boy tell him I come Exit Boy I doubt he be hurt Fare ye well good niece
CRESSIDA
Adieu uncle
PANDARUS
I will be with you niece by and by
CRESSIDA
To bring uncle
PANDARUS
Ay a token from Troilus
Exit Pandarus
CRESSIDA
By the same token you are a bawd
Words vows gifts tears and loves full sacrifice
He offers in anothers enterprise
But more in Troilus thousandfold I see
Than in the glass of Pandars praise may be
Yet hold I off Women are angels wooing
Things won are done joys soul lies in the doing
That she belovd knows naught that knows not this
Men prize the thing ungaind more than it is
That she was never yet that ever knew
Love got so sweet as when desire did sue
Therefore this maxim out of love I teach
Achievement is command ungaind beseech
Then though my hearts content firm love doth bear
Nothing of that shall from mine eyes appear
Exit
SCENE III The Grecian camp Before Agamemnons tent
Sennet Enter Agamemnon Nestor Ulysses Diomedes Menelaus and others
AGAMEMNON
Princes
What grief hath set these jaundies oer your cheeks
The ample proposition that hope makes
In all designs begun on earth below
Fails in the promisd largeness checks and disasters
Grow in the veins of actions highest reard
As knots by the conflux of meeting sap
Infects the sound pine and diverts his grain
Tortive and errant from his course of growth
Nor princes is it matter new to us
That we come short of our suppose so far
That after seven years siege yet Troy walls stand
Sith every action that hath gone before
Whereof we have record trial did draw
Bias and thwart not answering the aim
And that unbodied figure of the thought
That gavet surmised shape Why then you princes
Do you with cheeks abashd behold our works
And call them shames which are indeed naught else
But the protractive trials of great Jove
To find persistive constancy in men
The fineness of which metal is not found
In fortunes love For then the bold and coward
The wise and fool the artist and unread
The hard and soft seem all affind and kin
But in the wind and tempest of her frown
Distinction with a broad and powerful fan
Puffing at all winnows the light away
And what hath mass or matter by itself
Lies rich in virtue and unmingled
NESTOR
With due observance of thy godlike seat
Great Agamemnon Nestor shall apply
Thy latest words In the reproof of chance
Lies the true proof of men The sea being smooth
How many shallow bauble boats dare sail
Upon her patient breast making their way
With those of nobler bulk
But let the ruffian Boreas once enrage
The gentle Thetis and anon behold
The strongribbd bark through liquid mountains cut
Bounding between the two moist elements
Like Perseus horse Wheres then the saucy boat
Whose weak untimberd sides but even now
Corivalld greatness Either to harbour fled
Or made a toast for Neptune Even so
Doth valours show and valours worth divide
In storms of fortune for in her ray and brightness
The herd hath more annoyance by the breeze
Than by the tiger but when the splitting wind
Makes flexible the knees of knotted oaks
And flies fled under shadewhy then the thing of courage
As rousd with rage with rage doth sympathise
And with an accent tund in selfsame key
Retorts to chiding fortune
ULYSSES
Agamemnon
Thou great commander nerve and bone of Greece
Heart of our numbers soul and only spirit
In whom the tempers and the minds of all
Should be shut uphear what Ulysses speaks
Besides thapplause and approbation
The which To Agamemnon most mighty for thy place and sway
To Nestor And thou most reverend for thy stretchdout life
I give to both your speecheswhich were such
As Agamemnon and the hand of Greece
Should hold up high in brass and such again
As venerable Nestor hatchd in silver
Should with a bond of air strong as the axletree
On which heaven rides knit all the Greekish ears
To his experiencd tongueyet let it please both
Thou great and wise to hear Ulysses speak
AGAMEMNON
Speak Prince of Ithaca and bet of less expect
That matter needless of importless burden
Divide thy lips than we are confident
When rank Thersites opes his mastic jaws
We shall hear music wit and oracle
ULYSSES
Troy yet upon his basis had been down
And the great Hectors sword had lackd a master
But for these instances
The specialty of rule hath been neglected
And look how many Grecian tents do stand
Hollow upon this plain so many hollow factions
When that the general is not like the hive
To whom the foragers shall all repair
What honey is expected Degree being vizarded
Thunworthiest shows as fairly in the mask
The heavens themselves the planets and this centre
Observe degree priority and place
Insisture course proportion season form
Office and custom in all line of order
And therefore is the glorious planet Sol
In noble eminence enthrond and spherd
Amidst the other whose medcinable eye
Corrects the influence of evil planets
And posts like the commandment of a king
Sans check to good and bad But when the planets
In evil mixture to disorder wander
What plagues and what portents what mutiny
What raging of the sea shaking of earth
Commotion in the winds Frights changes horrors
Divert and crack rend and deracinate
The unity and married calm of states
Quite from their fixture O when degree is shakd
Which is the ladder of all high designs
The enterprise is sick How could communities
Degrees in schools and brotherhoods in cities
Peaceful commerce from dividable shores
The primogenity and due of birth
Prerogative of age crowns sceptres laurels
But by degree stand in authentic place
Take but degree away untune that string
And hark what discord follows Each thing melts
In mere oppugnancy the bounded waters
Should lift their bosoms higher than the shores
And make a sop of all this solid globe
Strength should be lord of imbecility
And the rude son should strike his father dead
Force should be right or rather right and wrong
Between whose endless jar justice resides
Should lose their names and so should justice too
Then everything includes itself in power
Power into will will into appetite
And appetite an universal wolf
So doubly seconded with will and power
Must make perforce an universal prey
And last eat up himself Great Agamemnon
This chaos when degree is suffocate
Follows the choking
And this neglection of degree it is
That by a pace goes backward with a purpose
It hath to climb The generals disdaind
By him one step below he by the next
That next by him beneath so every step
Exampld by the first pace that is sick
Of his superior grows to an envious fever
Of pale and bloodless emulation
And tis this fever that keeps Troy on foot
Not her own sinews To end a tale of length
Troy in our weakness stands not in her strength
NESTOR
Most wisely hath Ulysses here discoverd
The fever whereof all our power is sick
AGAMEMNON
The nature of the sickness found Ulysses
What is the remedy
ULYSSES
The great Achilles whom opinion crowns
The sinew and the forehand of our host
Having his ear full of his airy fame
Grows dainty of his worth and in his tent
Lies mocking our designs with him Patroclus
Upon a lazy bed the livelong day
Breaks scurril jests
And with ridiculous and awkward action
Which slanderer he imitation calls
He pageants us Sometime great Agamemnon
Thy topless deputation he puts on
And like a strutting player whose conceit
Lies in his hamstring and doth think it rich
To hear the wooden dialogue and sound
Twixt his stretchd footing and the scaffoldage
Such tobepitied and oerwrested seeming
He acts thy greatness in and when he speaks
Tis like a chime amending with terms unsquard
Which from the tongue of roaring Typhon droppd
Would seem hyperboles At this fusty stuff
The large Achilles on his pressd bed lolling
From his deep chest laughs out a loud applause
Cries Excellent Tis Agamemnon right
Now play me Nestor hem and stroke thy beard
As he being drest to some oration
Thats doneas near as the extremest ends
Of parallels as like as Vulcan and his wife
Yet god Achilles still cries Excellent
Tis Nestor right Now play him me Patroclus
Arming to answer in a night alarm
And then forsooth the faint defects of age
Must be the scene of mirth to cough and spit
And with a palsy fumbling on his gorget
Shake in and out the rivet And at this sport
Sir Valour dies cries O enough Patroclus
Or give me ribs of steel I shall split all
In pleasure of my spleen And in this fashion
All our abilities gifts natures shapes
Severals and generals of grace exact
Achievements plots orders preventions
Excitements to the field or speech for truce
Success or loss what is or is not serves
As stuff for these two to make paradoxes
NESTOR
And in the imitation of these twain
Who as Ulysses says opinion crowns
With an imperial voicemany are infect
Ajax is grown selfwilld and bears his head
In such a rein in full as proud a place
As broad Achilles keeps his tent like him
Makes factious feasts rails on our state of war
Bold as an oracle and sets Thersites
A slave whose gall coins slanders like a mint
To match us in comparisons with dirt
To weaken and discredit our exposure
How rank soever rounded in with danger
ULYSSES
They tax our policy and call it cowardice
Count wisdom as no member of the war
Forestall prescience and esteem no act
But that of hand The still and mental parts
That do contrive how many hands shall strike
When fitness calls them on and know by measure
Of their observant toil the enemies weight
Why this hath not a fingers dignity
They call this bedwork mappry closetwar
So that the ram that batters down the wall
For the great swinge and rudeness of his poise
They place before his hand that made the engine
Or those that with the fineness of their souls
By reason guide his execution
NESTOR
Let this be granted and Achilles horse
Makes many Thetis sons
Tucket
AGAMEMNON
What trumpet Look Menelaus
MENELAUS
From Troy
Enter Aeneas
AGAMEMNON
What would you fore our tent
AENEAS
Is this great Agamemnons tent I pray you
AGAMEMNON
Even this
AENEAS
May one that is a herald and a prince
Do a fair message to his kingly eyes
AGAMEMNON
With surety stronger than Achilles arm
Fore all the Greekish heads which with one voice
Call Agamemnon head and general
AENEAS
Fair leave and large security How may
A stranger to those most imperial looks
Know them from eyes of other mortals
AGAMEMNON
How
AENEAS
Ay
I ask that I might waken reverence
And bid the cheek be ready with a blush
Modest as morning when she coldly eyes
The youthful Phoebus
Which is that god in office guiding men
Which is the high and mighty Agamemnon
AGAMEMNON
This Trojan scorns us or the men of Troy
Are ceremonious courtiers
AENEAS
Courtiers as free as debonair unarmd
As bending angels thats their fame in peace
But when they would seem soldiers they have galls
Good arms strong joints true swords and Joves accord
Nothing so full of heart But peace Aeneas
Peace Trojan lay thy finger on thy lips
The worthiness of praise distains his worth
If that the praisd himself bring the praise forth
But what the repining enemy commends
That breath fame blows that praise sole pure transcends
AGAMEMNON
Sir you of Troy call you yourself Aeneas
AENEAS
Ay Greek that is my name
AGAMEMNON
Whats your affairs I pray you
AENEAS
Sir pardon tis for Agamemnons ears
AGAMEMNON
He hears naught privately that comes from Troy
AENEAS
Nor I from Troy come not to whisper with him
I bring a trumpet to awake his ear
To set his sense on the attentive bent
And then to speak
AGAMEMNON
Speak frankly as the wind
It is not Agamemnons sleeping hour
That thou shalt know Trojan he is awake
He tells thee so himself
AENEAS
Trumpet blow loud
Send thy brass voice through all these lazy tents
And every Greek of mettle let him know
What Troy means fairly shall be spoke aloud
Sound trumpet
We have great Agamemnon here in Troy
A prince called HectorPriam is his father
Who in this dull and longcontinued truce
Is resty grown he bade me take a trumpet
And to this purpose speak Kings princes lords
If there be one among the fairst of Greece
That holds his honour higher than his ease
That feeds his praise more than he fears his peril
That knows his valour and knows not his fear
That loves his mistress more than in confession
With truant vows to her own lips he loves
And dare avow her beauty and her worth
In other arms than hersto him this challenge
Hector in view of Trojans and of Greeks
Shall make it good or do his best to do it
He hath a lady wiser fairer truer
Than ever Greek did couple in his arms
And will tomorrow with his trumpet call
Midway between your tents and walls of Troy
To rouse a Grecian that is true in love
If any come Hector shall honour him
If none hell say in Troy when he retires
The Grecian dames are sunburnt and not worth
The splinter of a lance Even so much
AGAMEMNON
This shall be told our lovers Lord Aeneas
If none of them have soul in such a kind
We left them all at home But we are soldiers
And may that soldier a mere recreant prove
That means not hath not or is not in love
If then one is or hath or means to be
That one meets Hector if none else I am he
NESTOR
Tell him of Nestor one that was a man
When Hectors grandsire suckd He is old now
But if there be not in our Grecian host
A noble man that hath one spark of fire
To answer for his love tell him from me
Ill hide my silver beard in a gold beaver
And in my vambrace put this witherd brawns
And meeting him will tell him that my lady
Was fairer than his grandam and as chaste
As may be in the world His youth in flood
Ill prove this troth with my three drops of blood
AENEAS
Now heavens forfend such scarcity of youth
ULYSSES
Amen
AGAMEMNON
Fair Lord Aeneas let me touch your hand
To our pavilion shall I lead you sir
Achilles shall have word of this intent
So shall each lord of Greece from tent to tent
Yourself shall feast with us before you go
And find the welcome of a noble foe
Exeunt all but Ulysses and Nestor
ULYSSES
Nestor
NESTOR
What says Ulysses
ULYSSES
I have a young conception in my brain
Be you my time to bring it to some shape
NESTOR
What ist
ULYSSES
This tis
Blunt wedges rive hard knots The seeded pride
That hath to this maturity blown up
In rank Achilles must or now be croppd
Or shedding breed a nursery of like evil
To overbulk us all
NESTOR
Well and how
ULYSSES
This challenge that the gallant Hector sends
However it is spread in general name
Relates in purpose only to Achilles
NESTOR
True The purpose is perspicuous even as substance
Whose grossness little characters sum up
And in the publication make no strain
But that Achilles were his brain as barren
As banks of Libyathough Apollo knows
Tis dry enoughwill with great speed of judgement
Ay with celerity find Hectors purpose
Pointing on him
ULYSSES
And wake him to the answer think you
NESTOR
Why tis most meet Who may you else oppose
That can from Hector bring those honours off
If not Achilles Though t be a sportful combat
Yet in this trial much opinion dwells
For here the Trojans taste our dearst repute
With their finst palate and trust to me Ulysses
Our imputation shall be oddly poisd
In this vile action for the success
Although particular shall give a scantling
Of good or bad unto the general
And in such indexes although small pricks
To their subsequent volumes there is seen
The baby figure of the giant mass
Of things to come at large It is supposd
He that meets Hector issues from our choice
And choice being mutual act of all our souls
Makes merit her election and doth boil
As twere from forth us all a man distilld
Out of our virtues who miscarrying
What heart receives from hence a conquering part
To steel a strong opinion to themselves
Which entertaind limbs are his instruments
In no less working than are swords and bows
Directive by the limbs
ULYSSES
Give pardon to my speech Therefore tis meet
Achilles meet not Hector Let us like merchants
First show foul wares and think perchance theyll sell
If not the lustre of the better shall exceed
By showing the worse first Do not consent
That ever Hector and Achilles meet
For both our honour and our shame in this
Are doggd with two strange followers
NESTOR
I see them not with my old eyes What are they
ULYSSES
What glory our Achilles shares from Hector
Were he not proud we all should share with him
But he already is too insolent
And it were better parch in Afric sun
Than in the pride and salt scorn of his eyes
Should he scape Hector fair If he were foild
Why then we do our main opinion crush
In taint of our best man No make a lottry
And by device let blockish Ajax draw
The sort to fight with Hector Among ourselves
Give him allowance for the better man
For that will physic the great Myrmidon
Who broils in loud applause and make him fall
His crest that prouder than blue Iris bends
If the dull brainless Ajax come safe off
Well dress him up in voices if he fail
Yet go we under our opinion still
That we have better men But hit or miss
Our projects life this shape of sense assumes
Ajax employd plucks down Achilles plumes
NESTOR
Now Ulysses I begin to relish thy advice
And I will give a taste thereof forthwith
To Agamemnon Go we to him straight
Two curs shall tame each other pride alone
Must tarre the mastiffs on as twere their bone
Exeunt
ACT II
SCENE I The Grecian camp
Enter Ajax and Thersites
AJAX
Thersites
THERSITES
Agamemnonhow if he had boils full all over generally
AJAX
Thersites
THERSITES
And those boils did runsay so Did not the general run then Were not that a botchy core
AJAX
Dog
THERSITES
Then there would come some matter from him
I see none now
AJAX
Thou bitchwolfs son canst thou not hear Feel then
Strikes him
THERSITES
The plague of Greece upon thee thou mongrel beefwitted lord
AJAX
Speak then thou unsalted leaven speak I will beat thee into handsomeness
THERSITES
I shall sooner rail thee into wit and holiness but I think thy horse will sooner con an oration than thou learn a prayer without book Thou canst strike canst thou A red murrain o thy jades tricks
AJAX
Toadstool learn me the proclamation
THERSITES
Dost thou think I have no sense thou strikest me thus
AJAX
The proclamation
THERSITES
Thou art proclaimd fool I think
AJAX
Do not porpentine do not my fingers itch
THERSITES
I would thou didst itch from head to foot and I had the scratching of thee I would make thee the loathsomest scab in Greece When thou art forth in the incursions thou strikest as slow as another
AJAX
I say the proclamation
THERSITES
Thou grumblest and railest every hour on Achilles and thou art as full of envy at his greatness as Cerberus is at Proserpinas beautyay that thou barkst at him
AJAX
Mistress Thersites
THERSITES
Thou shouldst strike him
AJAX
Cobloaf
THERSITES
He would pun thee into shivers with his fist as a sailor breaks a biscuit
AJAX
You whoreson cur
Strikes him
THERSITES
Do do
AJAX
Thou stool for a witch
THERSITES
Ay do do thou soddenwitted lord Thou hast no more brain than I have in mine elbows an asinico may tutor thee You scurvy valiant ass Thou art here but to thrash Trojans and thou art bought and sold among those of any wit like a barbarian slave If thou use to beat me I will begin at thy heel and tell what thou art by inches thou thing of no bowels thou
AJAX
You dog
THERSITES
You scurvy lord
AJAX
You cur
Strikes him
THERSITES
Mars his idiot Do rudeness do camel do do
Enter Achilles and Patroclus
ACHILLES
Why how now Ajax Wherefore do ye thus
How now Thersites Whats the matter man
THERSITES
You see him there do you
ACHILLES
Ay whats the matter
THERSITES
Nay look upon him
ACHILLES
So I do Whats the matter
THERSITES
Nay but regard him well
ACHILLES
Well why so I do
THERSITES
But yet you look not well upon him for whosomever you take him to be he is Ajax
ACHILLES
I know that fool
THERSITES
Ay but that fool knows not himself
AJAX
Therefore I beat thee
THERSITES
Lo lo lo lo what modicums of wit he utters His evasions have ears thus long I have bobbd his brain more than he has beat my bones I will buy nine sparrows for a penny and his pia mater is not worth the ninth part of a sparrow This lord AchillesAjax who wears his wit in his belly and his guts in his headIll tell you what I say of him
ACHILLES
What
THERSITES
I say this Ajax
Ajax offers to strike him
ACHILLES
Nay good Ajax
THERSITES
Has not so much wit
ACHILLES
Nay I must hold you
THERSITES
As will stop the eye of Helens needle for whom he comes to fight
ACHILLES
Peace fool
THERSITES
I would have peace and quietness but the fool will not he there that he look you there
AJAX
O thou damned cur I shall
ACHILLES
Will you set your wit to a fools
THERSITES
No I warrant you the fools will shame it
PATROCLUS
Good words Thersites
ACHILLES
Whats the quarrel
AJAX
I bade the vile owl go learn me the tenour of the proclamation and he rails upon me
THERSITES
I serve thee not
AJAX
Well go to go to
THERSITES
I serve here voluntary
ACHILLES
Your last service was suffrance twas not voluntary No man is beaten voluntary Ajax was here the voluntary and you as under an impress
THERSITES
Een so a great deal of your wit too lies in your sinews or else there be liars Hector shall have a great catch and knock out either of your brains a were as good crack a fusty nut with no kernel
ACHILLES
What with me too Thersites
THERSITES
Theres Ulysses and old Nestorwhose wit was mouldy ere your grandsires had nails on their toesyoke you like draught oxen and make you plough up the wars
ACHILLES
What what
THERSITES
Yes good sooth To Achilles to Ajax to
AJAX
I shall cut out your tongue
THERSITES
Tis no matter I shall speak as much as thou afterwards
PATROCLUS
No more words Thersites peace
THERSITES
I will hold my peace when Achilles brach bids me shall I
ACHILLES
Theres for you Patroclus
THERSITES
I will see you hangd like clotpoles ere I come any more to your tents I will keep where there is wit stirring and leave the faction of fools
Exit
PATROCLUS
A good riddance
ACHILLES
Marry this sir is proclaimd through all our host
That Hector by the fifth hour of the sun
Will with a trumpet twixt our tents and Troy
Tomorrow morning call some knight to arms
That hath a stomach and such a one that dare
Maintain I know not what tis trash Farewell
AJAX
Farewell Who shall answer him
ACHILLES
I know not tis put to lottry otherwise
He knew his man
AJAX
O meaning you I will go learn more of it
Exeunt
SCENE II Troy Priams palace
Enter Priam Hector Troilus Paris and Helenus
PRIAM
After so many hours lives speeches spent
Thus once again says Nestor from the Greeks
Deliver Helen and all damage else
As honour loss of time travail expense
Wounds friends and what else dear that is consumd
In hot digestion of this cormorant war
Shall be struck off Hector what say you tot
HECTOR
Though no man lesser fears the Greeks than I
As far as toucheth my particular
Yet dread Priam
There is no lady of more softer bowels
More spongy to suck in the sense of fear
More ready to cry out Who knows what follows
Than Hector is The wound of peace is surety
Surety secure but modest doubt is calld
The beacon of the wise the tent that searches
To th bottom of the worst Let Helen go
Since the first sword was drawn about this question
Every tithe soul mongst many thousand dismes
Hath been as dear as HelenI mean of ours
If we have lost so many tenths of ours
To guard a thing not ours nor worth to us
Had it our name the value of one ten
What merits in that reason which denies
The yielding of her up
TROILUS
Fie fie my brother
Weigh you the worth and honour of a king
So great as our dread fathers in a scale
Of common ounces Will you with counters sum
The pastproportion of his infinite
And buckle in a waist most fathomless
With spans and inches so diminutive
As fears and reasons Fie for godly shame
HELENUS
No marvel though you bite so sharp of reasons
You are so empty of them Should not our father
Bear the great sway of his affairs with reason
Because your speech hath none that tells him so
TROILUS
You are for dreams and slumbers brother priest
You fur your gloves with reason Here are your reasons
You know an enemy intends you harm
You know a sword employd is perilous
And reason flies the object of all harm
Who marvels then when Helenus beholds
A Grecian and his sword if he do set
The very wings of reason to his heels
And fly like chidden Mercury from Jove
Or like a star disorbd Nay if we talk of reason
Lets shut our gates and sleep Manhood and honour
Should have hare hearts would they but fat their thoughts
With this crammd reason Reason and respect
Make livers pale and lustihood deject
HECTOR
Brother she is not worth what she doth cost the keeping
TROILUS
Whats aught but as tis valued
HECTOR
But value dwells not in particular will
It holds his estimate and dignity
As well wherein tis precious of itself
As in the prizer Tis mad idolatry
To make the service greater than the god
And the will dotes that is attributive
To what infectiously itself affects
Without some image of thaffected merit
TROILUS
I take today a wife and my election
Is led on in the conduct of my will
My will enkindled by mine eyes and ears
Two traded pilots twixt the dangerous shores
Of will and judgement how may I avoid
Although my will distaste what it elected
The wife I chose There can be no evasion
To blench from this and to stand firm by honour
We turn not back the silks upon the merchant
When we have soild them nor the remainder viands
We do not throw in unrespective sieve
Because we now are full It was thought meet
Paris should do some vengeance on the Greeks
Your breath with full consent bellied his sails
The seas and winds old wranglers took a truce
And did him service He touchd the ports desird
And for an old aunt whom the Greeks held captive
He brought a Grecian queen whose youth and freshness
Wrinkles Apollos and makes stale the morning
Why keep we her The Grecians keep our aunt
Is she worth keeping Why she is a pearl
Whose price hath launchd above a thousand ships
And turnd crownd kings to merchants
If youll avouch twas wisdom Paris went
As you must needs for you all cried Go go
If youll confess he brought home worthy prize
As you must needs for you all clappd your hands
And cried Inestimablewhy do you now
The issue of your proper wisdoms rate
And do a deed that never Fortune did
Beggar the estimation which you prizd
Richer than sea and land O theft most base
That we have stoln what we do fear to keep
But thieves unworthy of a thing so stoln
That in their country did them that disgrace
We fear to warrant in our native place
CASSANDRA
Within Cry Trojans cry
PRIAM
What noise what shriek is this
TROILUS
Tis our mad sister I do know her voice
CASSANDRA
Within Cry Trojans
HECTOR
It is Cassandra
Enter Cassandra raving
CASSANDRA
Cry Trojans cry Lend me ten thousand eyes
And I will fill them with prophetic tears
HECTOR
Peace sister peace
CASSANDRA
Virgins and boys midage and wrinkled eld
Soft infancy that nothing canst but cry
Add to my clamours Let us pay betimes
A moiety of that mass of moan to come
Cry Trojans cry Practise your eyes with tears
Troy must not be nor goodly Ilion stand
Our firebrand brother Paris burns us all
Cry Trojans cry A Helen and a woe
Cry cry Troy burns or else let Helen go
Exit
HECTOR
Now youthful Troilus do not these high strains
Of divination in our sister work
Some touches of remorse Or is your blood
So madly hot that no discourse of reason
Nor fear of bad success in a bad cause
Can qualify the same
TROILUS
Why brother Hector
We may not think the justness of each act
Such and no other than event doth form it
Nor once deject the courage of our minds
Because Cassandras mad Her brainsick raptures
Cannot distaste the goodness of a quarrel
Which hath our several honours all engagd
To make it gracious For my private part
I am no more touchd than all Priams sons
And Jove forbid there should be done amongst us
Such things as might offend the weakest spleen
To fight for and maintain
PARIS
Else might the world convince of levity
As well my undertakings as your counsels
But I attest the gods your full consent
Gave wings to my propension and cut off
All fears attending on so dire a project
For what alas can these my single arms
What propugnation is in one mans valour
To stand the push and enmity of those
This quarrel would excite Yet I protest
Were I alone to pass the difficulties
And had as ample power as I have will
Paris should neer retract what he hath done
Nor faint in the pursuit
PRIAM
Paris you speak
Like one besotted on your sweet delights
You have the honey still but these the gall
So to be valiant is no praise at all
PARIS
Sir I propose not merely to myself
The pleasures such a beauty brings with it
But I would have the soil of her fair rape
Wipd off in honourable keeping her
What treason were it to the ransackd queen
Disgrace to your great worths and shame to me
Now to deliver her possession up
On terms of base compulsion Can it be
That so degenerate a strain as this
Should once set footing in your generous bosoms
Theres not the meanest spirit on our party
Without a heart to dare or sword to draw
When Helen is defended nor none so noble
Whose life were ill bestowd or death unfamd
Where Helen is the subject Then I say
Well may we fight for her whom we know well
The worlds large spaces cannot parallel
HECTOR
Paris and Troilus you have both said well
And on the cause and question now in hand
Have glozd but superficially not much
Unlike young men whom Aristotle thought
Unfit to hear moral philosophy
The reasons you allege do more conduce
To the hot passion of distempred blood
Than to make up a free determination
Twixt right and wrong for pleasure and revenge
Have ears more deaf than adders to the voice
Of any true decision Nature craves
All dues be rendred to their owners Now
What nearer debt in all humanity
Than wife is to the husband If this law
Of nature be corrupted through affection
And that great minds of partial indulgence
To their benumbed wills resist the same
There is a law in each wellorderd nation
To curb those raging appetites that are
Most disobedient and refractory
If Helen then be wife to Spartas king
As it is known she isthese moral laws
Of nature and of nations speak aloud
To have her back returnd Thus to persist
In doing wrong extenuates not wrong
But makes it much more heavy Hectors opinion
Is this in way of truth Yet neertheless
My spritely brethren I propend to you
In resolution to keep Helen still
For tis a cause that hath no mean dependence
Upon our joint and several dignities
TROILUS
Why there you touchd the life of our design
Were it not glory that we more affected
Than the performance of our heaving spleens
I would not wish a drop of Trojan blood
Spent more in her defence But worthy Hector
She is a theme of honour and renown
A spur to valiant and magnanimous deeds
Whose present courage may beat down our foes
And fame in time to come canonize us
For I presume brave Hector would not lose
So rich advantage of a promisd glory
As smiles upon the forehead of this action
For the wide worlds revenue
HECTOR
I am yours
You valiant offspring of great Priamus
I have a roisting challenge sent amongst
The dull and factious nobles of the Greeks
Will strike amazement to their drowsy spirits
I was advertisd their great general slept
Whilst emulation in the army crept
This I presume will wake him
Exeunt
SCENE III The Grecian camp Before the tent of Achilles
Enter Thersites solus
THERSITES
How now Thersites What lost in the labyrinth of thy fury Shall the elephant Ajax carry it thus He beats me and I rail at him O worthy satisfaction Would it were otherwise that I could beat him whilst he raild at me Sfoot Ill learn to conjure and raise devils but Ill see some issue of my spiteful execrations Then theres Achilles a rare engineer If Troy be not taken till these two undermine it the walls will stand till they fall of themselves O thou great thunderdarter of Olympus forget that thou art Jove the king of gods and Mercury lose all the serpentine craft of thy caduceus if ye take not that little little less than little wit from them that they have which shortarmd ignorance itself knows is so abundant scarce it will not in circumvention deliver a fly from a spider without drawing their massy irons and cutting the web After this the vengeance on the whole camp or rather the Neapolitan boneache for that methinks is the curse depending on those that war for a placket I have said my prayers and devil Envy say Amen What ho my Lord Achilles
Enter Patroclus
PATROCLUS
Whos there Thersites Good Thersites come in and rail
THERSITES
If I could a remembred a gilt counterfeit thou wouldst not have slippd out of my contemplation but it is no matter thyself upon thyself The common curse of mankind folly and ignorance be thine in great revenue Heaven bless thee from a tutor and discipline come not near thee Let thy blood be thy direction till thy death Then if she that lays thee out says thou art a fair corse Ill be sworn and sworn upont she never shrouded any but lazars Amen Wheres Achilles
PATROCLUS
What art thou devout Wast thou in prayer
THERSITES
Ay the heavens hear me
PATROCLUS
Amen
Enter Achilles
ACHILLES
Whos there
PATROCLUS
Thersites my lord
ACHILLES
Where where O where Art thou come Why my cheese my digestion why hast thou not served thyself in to my table so many meals Come whats Agamemnon
THERSITES
Thy commander Achilles Then tell me Patroclus whats Achilles
PATROCLUS
Thy lord Thersites Then tell me I pray thee whats Thersites
THERSITES
Thy knower Patroclus Then tell me Patroclus what art thou
PATROCLUS
Thou must tell that knowest
ACHILLES
O tell tell
THERSITES
Ill decline the whole question Agamemnon commands Achilles Achilles is my lord I am Patroclus knower and Patroclus is a fool
PATROCLUS
You rascal
THERSITES
Peace fool I have not done
ACHILLES
He is a privilegd man Proceed Thersites
THERSITES
Agamemnon is a fool Achilles is a fool Thersites is a fool and as aforesaid Patroclus is a fool
ACHILLES
Derive this come
THERSITES
Agamemnon is a fool to offer to command Achilles Achilles is a fool to be commanded of Agamemnon Thersites is a fool to serve such a fool and this Patroclus is a fool positive
PATROCLUS
Why am I a fool
THERSITES
Make that demand of the Creator It suffices me thou art Look you who comes here
Enter Agamemnon Ulysses Nestor Diomedes Ajax and Calchas
ACHILLES
Come Patroclus Ill speak with nobody Come in with me Thersites
Exit
THERSITES
Here is such patchery such juggling and such knavery All the argument is a whore and a cuckolda good quarrel to draw emulous factions and bleed to death upon Now the dry serpigo on the subject and war and lechery confound all
Exit
AGAMEMNON
Where is Achilles
PATROCLUS
Within his tent but illdisposd my lord
AGAMEMNON
Let it be known to him that we are here
He shent our messengers and we lay by
Our appertainings visiting of him
Let him be told so lest perchance he think
We dare not move the question of our place
Or know not what we are
PATROCLUS
I shall say so to him
Exit
ULYSSES
We saw him at the opening of his tent
He is not sick
AJAX
Yes lionsick sick of proud heart You may call it melancholy if you will favour the man but by my head tis pride But why why Let him show us a cause A word my lord
Takes Agamemnon aside
NESTOR
What moves Ajax thus to bay at him
ULYSSES
Achilles hath inveigled his fool from him
NESTOR
Who Thersites
ULYSSES
He
NESTOR
Then will Ajax lack matter if he have lost his argument
ULYSSES
No you see he is his argument that has his argument Achilles
NESTOR
All the better their fraction is more our wish than their faction But it was a strong composure a fool could disunite
ULYSSES
The amity that wisdom knits not folly may easily untie
Reenter Patroclus
Here comes Patroclus
NESTOR
No Achilles with him
ULYSSES
The elephant hath joints but none for courtesy his legs are legs for necessity not for flexure
PATROCLUS
Achilles bids me say he is much sorry
If any thing more than your sport and pleasure
Did move your greatness and this noble state
To call upon him he hopes it is no other
But for your health and your digestion sake
An afterdinners breath
AGAMEMNON
Hear you Patroclus
We are too well acquainted with these answers
But his evasion wingd thus swift with scorn
Cannot outfly our apprehensions
Much attribute he hath and much the reason
Why we ascribe it to him Yet all his virtues
Not virtuously on his own part beheld
Do in our eyes begin to lose their gloss
Yea like fair fruit in an unwholesome dish
Are like to rot untasted Go and tell him
We come to speak with him and you shall not sin
If you do say we think him overproud
And underhonest in selfassumption greater
Than in the note of judgement and worthier than himself
Here tend the savage strangeness he puts on
Disguise the holy strength of their command
And underwrite in an observing kind
His humorous predominance yea watch
His course and time his ebbs and flows as if
The passage and whole stream of this commencement
Rode on his tide Go tell him this and add
That if he overhold his price so much
Well none of him but let him like an engine
Not portable lie under this report
Bring action hither this cannot go to war
A stirring dwarf we do allowance give
Before a sleeping giant Tell him so
PATROCLUS
I shall and bring his answer presently
Exit
AGAMEMNON
In second voice well not be satisfied
We come to speak with him Ulysses enter you
Exit Ulysses
AJAX
What is he more than another
AGAMEMNON
No more than what he thinks he is
AJAX
Is he so much Do you not think he thinks himself a better man than I am
AGAMEMNON
No question
AJAX
Will you subscribe his thought and say he is
AGAMEMNON
No noble Ajax you are as strong as valiant as wise no less noble much more gentle and altogether more tractable
AJAX
Why should a man be proud How doth pride grow I know not what pride is
AGAMEMNON
Your mind is the clearer Ajax and your virtues the fairer He that is proud eats up himself Pride is his own glass his own trumpet his own chronicle and whatever praises itself but in the deed devours the deed in the praise
Reenter Ulysses
AJAX
I do hate a proud man as I do hate the engendring of toads
NESTOR
Aside And yet he loves himself ist not strange
ULYSSES
Achilles will not to the field tomorrow
AGAMEMNON
Whats his excuse
ULYSSES
He doth rely on none
But carries on the stream of his dispose
Without observance or respect of any
In will peculiar and in selfadmission
AGAMEMNON
Why will he not upon our fair request
Untent his person and share thair with us
ULYSSES
Things small as nothing for requests sake only
He makes important possessd he is with greatness
And speaks not to himself but with a pride
That quarrels at selfbreath Imagind worth
Holds in his blood such swoln and hot discourse
That twixt his mental and his active parts
Kingdomd Achilles in commotion rages
And batters down himself What should I say
He is so plaguy proud that the death tokens of it
Cry No recovery
AGAMEMNON
Let Ajax go to him
Dear lord go you and greet him in his tent
Tis said he holds you well and will be led
At your request a little from himself
ULYSSES
O Agamemnon let it not be so
Well consecrate the steps that Ajax makes
When they go from Achilles Shall the proud lord
That bastes his arrogance with his own seam
And never suffers matter of the world
Enter his thoughts save such as doth revolve
And ruminate himselfshall he be worshippd
Of that we hold an idol more than he
No this thrice worthy and right valiant lord
Shall not so stale his palm nobly acquird
Nor by my will assubjugate his merit
As amply titled as Achilles is
By going to Achilles
That were to enlard his fatalready pride
And add more coals to Cancer when he burns
With entertaining great Hyperion
This lord go to him Jupiter forbid
And say in thunder Achilles go to him
NESTOR
Aside O this is well He rubs the vein of him
DIOMEDES
Aside And how his silence drinks up this applause
AJAX
If I go to him with my armed fist Ill pash him oer the face
AGAMEMNON
O no you shall not go
AJAX
An a be proud with me Ill pheeze his pride
Let me go to him
ULYSSES
Not for the worth that hangs upon our quarrel
AJAX
A paltry insolent fellow
NESTOR
Aside How he describes himself
AJAX
Can he not be sociable
ULYSSES
Aside The raven chides blackness
AJAX
Ill let his humours blood
AGAMEMNON
Aside He will be the physician that should be the patient
AJAX
And all men were o my mind
ULYSSES
Aside Wit would be out of fashion
AJAX
A should not bear it so a should eats words first
Shall pride carry it
NESTOR
Aside And twould youd carry half
ULYSSES
Aside A would have ten shares
AJAX
I will knead him Ill make him supple
NESTOR
Aside Hes not yet through warm Force him with praises pour in pour in his ambition is dry
ULYSSES
To Agamemnon My lord you feed too much on this dislike
NESTOR
Our noble general do not do so
DIOMEDES
You must prepare to fight without Achilles
ULYSSES
Why tis this naming of him does him harm
Here is a manbut tis before his face
I will be silent
NESTOR
Wherefore should you so
He is not emulous as Achilles is
ULYSSES
Know the whole world he is as valiant
AJAX
A whoreson dog that shall palter with us thus
Would he were a Trojan
NESTOR
What a vice were it in Ajax now
ULYSSES
If he were proud
DIOMEDES
Or covetous of praise
ULYSSES
Ay or surly borne
DIOMEDES
Or strange or selfaffected
ULYSSES
Thank the heavens lord thou art of sweet composure
Praise him that gat thee she that gave thee suck
Famd be thy tutor and thy parts of nature
Thrice famd beyond beyond all erudition
But he that disciplind thine arms to fight
Let Mars divide eternity in twain
And give him half and for thy vigour
Bullbearing Milo his addition yield
To sinewy Ajax I will not praise thy wisdom
Which like a bourn a pale a shore confines
Thy spacious and dilated parts Heres Nestor
Instructed by the antiquary times
He must he is he cannot but be wise
But pardon father Nestor were your days
As green as Ajax and your brain so temperd
You should not have the eminence of him
But be as Ajax
AJAX
Shall I call you father
NESTOR
Ay my good son
DIOMEDES
Be ruld by him Lord Ajax
ULYSSES
There is no tarrying here the hart Achilles
Keeps thicket Please it our great general
To call together all his state of war
Fresh kings are come to Troy Tomorrow
We must with all our main of power stand fast
And heres a lordcome knights from east to west
And cull their flower Ajax shall cope the best
AGAMEMNON
Go we to council Let Achilles sleep
Light boats sail swift though greater hulks draw deep
Exeunt
ACT III
SCENE I Troy Priams palace
Music sounds within Enter Pandarus and a Servant
PANDARUS
Friend youpray you a word Do you not follow the young Lord Paris
SERVANT
Ay sir when he goes before me
PANDARUS
You depend upon him I mean
SERVANT
Sir I do depend upon the Lord
PANDARUS
You depend upon a notable gentleman I must needs praise him
SERVANT
The Lord be praised
PANDARUS
You know me do you not
SERVANT
Faith sir superficially
PANDARUS
Friend know me better I am the Lord Pandarus
SERVANT
I hope I shall know your honour better
PANDARUS
I do desire it
SERVANT
You are in the state of grace
PANDARUS
Grace Not so friend honour and lordship are my titles What music is this
SERVANT
I do but partly know sir it is music in parts
PANDARUS
Know you the musicians
SERVANT
Wholly sir
PANDARUS
Who play they to
SERVANT
To the hearers sir
PANDARUS
At whose pleasure friend
SERVANT
At mine sir and theirs that love music
PANDARUS
Command I mean friend
SERVANT
Who shall I command sir
PANDARUS
Friend we understand not one another I am too courtly and thou art too cunning At whose request do these men play
SERVANT
Thats tot indeed sir Marry sir at the request of Paris my lord who is there in person with him the mortal Venus the heartblood of beauty loves invisible soul
PANDARUS
Who my cousin Cressida
SERVANT
No sir Helen Could not you find out that by her attributes
PANDARUS
It should seem fellow that thou hast not seen the Lady Cressida I come to speak with Paris from the Prince Troilus I will make a complimental assault upon him for my business seethes
SERVANT
Sodden business Theres a stewd phrase indeed
Enter Paris and Helen attended
PANDARUS
Fair be to you my lord and to all this fair company Fair desires in all fair measure fairly guide themespecially to you fair queen Fair thoughts be your fair pillow
HELEN
Dear lord you are full of fair words
PANDARUS
You speak your fair pleasure sweet queen Fair prince here is good broken music
PARIS
You have broke it cousin and by my life you shall make it whole again you shall piece it out with a piece of your performance
HELEN
He is full of harmony
PANDARUS
Truly lady no
HELEN
O sir
PANDARUS
Rude in sooth in good sooth very rude
PARIS
Well said my lord Well you say so in fits
PANDARUS
I have business to my lord dear queen My lord will you vouchsafe me a word
HELEN
Nay this shall not hedge us out Well hear you sing certainly
PANDARUS
Well sweet queen you are pleasant with me But marry thus my lord my dear lord and most esteemed friend your brother Troilus
HELEN
My Lord Pandarus honeysweet lord
PANDARUS
Go to sweet queen go tocommends himself most affectionately to you
HELEN
You shall not bob us out of our melody If you do our melancholy upon your head
PANDARUS
Sweet queen sweet queen thats a sweet queen i faith
HELEN
And to make a sweet lady sad is a sour offence
PANDARUS
Nay that shall not serve your turn that shall it not in truth la Nay I care not for such words no noAnd my lord he desires you that if the King call for him at supper you will make his excuse
HELEN
My Lord Pandarus
PANDARUS
What says my sweet queen my very very sweet queen
PARIS
What exploits in hand Where sups he tonight
HELEN
Nay but my lord
PANDARUS
What says my sweet queenMy cousin will fall out with you
HELEN
You must not know where he sups
PARIS
Ill lay my life with my disposer Cressida
PANDARUS
No no no such matter you are wide Come your disposer is sick
PARIS
Well Ill makes excuse
PANDARUS
Ay good my lord Why should you say Cressida
No your poor disposers sick
PARIS
I spy
PANDARUS
You spy What do you spyCome give me an instrument Now sweet queen
HELEN
Why this is kindly done
PANDARUS
My niece is horribly in love with a thing you have sweet queen
HELEN
She shall have it my lord if it be not my Lord Paris
PANDARUS
He No shell none of him they two are twain
HELEN
Falling in after falling out may make them three
PANDARUS
Come come Ill hear no more of this Ill sing you a song now
HELEN
Ay ay prithee now By my troth sweet lord thou hast a fine forehead
PANDARUS
Ay you may you may
HELEN
Let thy song be love This love will undo us all O Cupid Cupid Cupid
PANDARUS
Love Ay that it shall i faith
PARIS
Ay good now love love nothing but love
PANDARUS
In good troth it begins so
Sings
Love love nothing but love still love still more
For oh loves bow
Shoots buck and doe
The shaft confounds
Not that it wounds
But tickles still the sore
These lovers cry O ho they die
Yet that which seems the wound to kill
Doth turn O ho to ha ha he
So dying love lives still
O ho a while but ha ha ha
O ho groans out for ha ha hahey ho
HELEN
In love i faith to the very tip of the nose
PARIS
He eats nothing but doves love and that breeds hot blood and hot blood begets hot thoughts and hot thoughts beget hot deeds and hot deeds is love
PANDARUS
Is this the generation of love hot blood hot thoughts and hot deeds Why they are vipers Is love a generation of vipers Sweet lord whos afield today
PARIS
Hector Deiphobus Helenus Antenor and all the gallantry of Troy I would fain have armd today but my Nell would not have it so How chance my brother Troilus went not
HELEN
He hangs the lip at something You know all Lord Pandarus
PANDARUS
Not I honeysweet queen I long to hear how they spend today Youll remember your brothers excuse
PARIS
To a hair
PANDARUS
Farewell sweet queen
HELEN
Commend me to your niece
PANDARUS
I will sweet queen
Exit Sound a retreat
PARIS
Theyre come from the field Let us to Priams hall
To greet the warriors Sweet Helen I must woo you
To help unarm our Hector His stubborn buckles
With these your white enchanting fingers touchd
Shall more obey than to the edge of steel
Or force of Greekish sinews you shall do more
Than all the island kingsdisarm great Hector
HELEN
Twill make us proud to be his servant Paris
Yea what he shall receive of us in duty
Gives us more palm in beauty than we have
Yea overshines ourself
PARIS
Sweet above thought I love thee
Exeunt
SCENE II Troy Pandarus orchard
Enter Pandarus and Troilus Boy meeting
PANDARUS
How now Wheres thy master At my cousin Cressidas
BOY
No sir he stays for you to conduct him thither
Enter Troilus
PANDARUS
O here he comes How now how now
TROILUS
Sirrah walk off
Exit Boy
PANDARUS
Have you seen my cousin
TROILUS
No Pandarus I stalk about her door
Like a strange soul upon the Stygian banks
Staying for waftage O be thou my Charon
And give me swift transportance to these fields
Where I may wallow in the lily beds
Proposd for the deserver O gentle Pandar
from Cupids shoulder pluck his painted wings
and fly with me to Cressid
PANDARUS
Walk here i th orchard Ill bring her straight
Exit
TROILUS
I am giddy expectation whirls me round
Thimaginary relish is so sweet
That it enchants my sense what will it be
When that the watry palate tastes indeed
Loves thricerepured nectar Death I fear me
Sounding destruction or some joy too fine
Too subtlepotent tund too sharp in sweetness
For the capacity of my ruder powers
I fear it much and I do fear besides
That I shall lose distinction in my joys
As doth a battle when they charge on heaps
The enemy flying
Reenter Pandarus
PANDARUS
Shes making her ready shell come straight you must be witty now She does so blush and fetches her wind so short as if she were frayd with a sprite Ill fetch her It is the prettiest villain she fetches her breath as short as a newtaen sparrow
Exit
TROILUS
Even such a passion doth embrace my bosom
My heart beats thicker than a feverous pulse
And all my powers do their bestowing lose
Like vassalage at unawares encountring
The eye of majesty
Reenter Pandarus with Cressida
PANDARUS
Come come what need you blush Shames a baby Here she is now swear the oaths now to her that you have sworn to meWhat are you gone again You must be watchd ere you be made tame must you Come your ways come your ways and you draw backward well put you i th fills Why do you not speak to her Come draw this curtain and lets see your picture Alas the day how loath you are to offend daylight And twere dark youd close sooner So so rub on and kiss the mistress How now a kiss in feefarm Build there carpenter the air is sweet Nay you shall fight your hearts out ere I part you The falcon as the tercel for all the ducks i th river Go to go to
TROILUS
You have bereft me of all words lady
PANDARUS
Words pay no debts give her deeds but shell bereave you o th deeds too if she call your activity in question What billing again Heres In witness whereof the parties interchangeably Come in come in Ill go get a fire
Exit
CRESSIDA
Will you walk in my lord
TROILUS
O Cressid how often have I wishd me thus
CRESSIDA
Wishd my lord The gods grantO my lord
TROILUS
What should they grant What makes this pretty abruption What too curious dreg espies my sweet lady in the fountain of our love
CRESSIDA
More dregs than water if my fears have eyes
TROILUS
Fears make devils of cherubins they never see truly
CRESSIDA
Blind fear that seeing reason leads finds safer footing than blind reason stumbling without fear To fear the worst oft cures the worse
TROILUS
O let my lady apprehend no fear In all Cupids pageant there is presented no monster
CRESSIDA
Nor nothing monstrous neither
TROILUS
Nothing but our undertakings when we vow to weep seas live in fire eat rocks tame tigers thinking it harder for our mistress to devise imposition enough than for us to undergo any difficulty imposed This is the monstruosity in love lady that the will is infinite and the execution confind that the desire is boundless and the act a slave to limit
CRESSIDA
They say all lovers swear more performance than they are able and yet reserve an ability that they never perform vowing more than the perfection of ten and discharging less than the tenth part of one They that have the voice of lions and the act of hares are they not monsters
TROILUS
Are there such Such are not we Praise us as we are tasted allow us as we prove our head shall go bare till merit crown it No perfection in reversion shall have a praise in present We will not name desert before his birth and being born his addition shall be humble Few words to fair faith Troilus shall be such to Cressid as what envy can say worst shall be a mock for his truth and what truth can speak truest not truer than Troilus
CRESSIDA
Will you walk in my lord
Reenter Pandarus
PANDARUS
What blushing still Have you not done talking yet
CRESSIDA
Well uncle what folly I commit I dedicate to you
PANDARUS
I thank you for that if my lord get a boy of you youll give him me Be true to my lord if he flinch chide me for it
TROILUS
You know now your hostages your uncles word and my firm faith
PANDARUS
Nay Ill give my word for her too our kindred though they be long ere they are wooed they are constant being won they are burs I can tell you theyll stick where they are thrown
CRESSIDA
Boldness comes to me now and brings me heart
Prince Troilus I have lovd you night and day
For many weary months
TROILUS
Why was my Cressid then so hard to win
CRESSIDA
Hard to seem won but I was won my lord
With the first glance that everpardon me
If I confess much you will play the tyrant
I love you now but till now not so much
But I might master it In faith I lie
My thoughts were like unbridled children grown
Too headstrong for their mother See we fools
Why have I blabbd Who shall be true to us
When we are so unsecret to ourselves
But though I lovd you well I wood you not
And yet good faith I wishd myself a man
Or that we women had mens privilege
Of speaking first Sweet bid me hold my tongue
For in this rapture I shall surely speak
The thing I shall repent See see your silence
Cunning in dumbness from my weakness draws
My very soul of counsel Stop my mouth
TROILUS
And shall albeit sweet music issues thence
PANDARUS
Pretty i faith
CRESSIDA
My lord I do beseech you pardon me
Twas not my purpose thus to beg a kiss
I am ashamd O heavens what have I done
For this time will I take my leave my lord
TROILUS
Your leave sweet Cressid
PANDARUS
Leave And you take leave till tomorrow morning
CRESSIDA
Pray you content you
TROILUS
What offends you lady
CRESSIDA
Sir mine own company
TROILUS
You cannot shun yourself
CRESSIDA
Let me go and try
I have a kind of self resides with you
But an unkind self that itself will leave
To be anothers fool I would be gone
Where is my wit I know not what I speak
TROILUS
Well know they what they speak that speak so wisely
CRESSIDA
Perchance my lord I show more craft than love
And fell so roundly to a large confession
To angle for your thoughts but you are wise
Or else you love not for to be wise and love
Exceeds mans might that dwells with gods above
TROILUS
O that I thought it could be in a woman
As if it can I will presume in you
To feed for aye her lamp and flames of love
To keep her constancy in plight and youth
Outliving beautys outward with a mind
That doth renew swifter than blood decays
Or that persuasion could but thus convince me
That my integrity and truth to you
Might be affronted with the match and weight
Of such a winnowed purity in love
How were I then uplifted But alas
I am as true as truths simplicity
And simpler than the infancy of truth
CRESSIDA
In that Ill war with you
TROILUS
O virtuous fight
When right with right wars who shall be most right
True swains in love shall in the world to come
Approve their truth by Troilus when their rhymes
Full of protest of oath and big compare
Want similes truth tird with iteration
As true as steel as plantage to the moon
As sun to day as turtle to her mate
As iron to adamant as earth to th centre
Yet after all comparisons of truth
As truths authentic author to be cited
As true as Troilus shall crown up the verse
And sanctify the numbers
CRESSIDA
Prophet may you be
If I be false or swerve a hair from truth
When time is old and hath forgot itself
When waterdrops have worn the stones of Troy
And blind oblivion swallowd cities up
And mighty states characterless are grated
To dusty nothingyet let memory
From false to false among false maids in love
Upbraid my falsehood when th have said As false
As air as water wind or sandy earth
As fox to lamb or wolf to heifers calf
Pard to the hind or stepdame to her son
Yea let them say to stick the heart of falsehood
As false as Cressid
PANDARUS
Go to a bargain made seal it seal it Ill be the witness Here I hold your hand here my cousins If ever you prove false one to another since I have taken such pains to bring you together let all pitiful goersbetween be calld to the worlds end after my namecall them all Pandars let all constant men be Troiluses all false women Cressids and all brokers between Pandars Say Amen
TROILUS
Amen
CRESSIDA
Amen
PANDARUS
Amen Whereupon I will show you a chamber and a bed which bed because it shall not speak of your pretty encounters press it to death Away
Exeunt Troilus and Cressida
And Cupid grant all tonguetied maidens here
Bed chamber pander to provide this gear
Exit
SCENE III The Greek camp
Flourish Enter Agamemnon Ulysses Diomedes Nestor Ajax Menelaus and Calchas
CALCHAS
Now Princes for the service I have done
Thadvantage of the time prompts me aloud
To call for recompense Appear it to your mind
That through the sight I bear in things to come
I have abandond Troy left my possession
Incurrd a traitors name exposd myself
From certain and possessd conveniences
To doubtful fortunes sequestring from me all
That time acquaintance custom and condition
Made tame and most familiar to my nature
And here to do you service am become
As new into the world strange unacquainted
I do beseech you as in way of taste
To give me now a little benefit
Out of those many registred in promise
Which you say live to come in my behalf
AGAMEMNON
What wouldst thou of us Trojan Make demand
CALCHAS
You have a Trojan prisoner calld Antenor
Yesterday took Troy holds him very dear
Oft have youoften have you thanks therefore
Desird my Cressid in right great exchange
Whom Troy hath still denied but this Antenor
I know is such a wrest in their affairs
That their negotiations all must slack
Wanting his manage and they will almost
Give us a prince of blood a son of Priam
In change of him Let him be sent great Princes
And he shall buy my daughter and her presence
Shall quite strike off all service I have done
In most accepted pain
AGAMEMNON
Let Diomedes bear him
And bring us Cressid hither Calchas shall have
What he requests of us Good Diomed
Furnish you fairly for this interchange
Withal bring word if Hector will tomorrow
Be answerd in his challenge Ajax is ready
DIOMEDES
This shall I undertake and tis a burden
Which I am proud to bear
Exeunt Diomedes and Calchas
Achilles and Patroclus stand in their tent
ULYSSES
Achilles stands i thentrance of his tent
Please it our general pass strangely by him
As if he were forgot and Princes all
Lay negligent and loose regard upon him
I will come last Tis like hell question me
Why such unplausive eyes are bent why turnd on him
If so I have derision medcinable
To use between your strangeness and his pride
Which his own will shall have desire to drink
It may do good Pride hath no other glass
To show itself but pride for supple knees
Feed arrogance and are the proud mans fees
AGAMEMNON
Well execute your purpose and put on
A form of strangeness as we pass along
So do each lord and either greet him not
Or else disdainfully which shall shake him more
Than if not lookd on I will lead the way
ACHILLES
What comes the general to speak with me
You know my mind Ill fight no more gainst Troy
AGAMEMNON
What says Achilles Would he aught with us
NESTOR
Would you my lord aught with the general
ACHILLES
No
NESTOR
Nothing my lord
AGAMEMNON
The better
Exeunt Agamemnon and Nestor
ACHILLES
Good day good day
MENELAUS
How do you How do you
Exit
ACHILLES
What does the cuckold scorn me
AJAX
How now Patroclus
ACHILLES
Good morrow Ajax
AJAX
Ha
ACHILLES
Good morrow
AJAX
Ay and good next day too
Exit
ACHILLES
What mean these fellows Know they not Achilles
PATROCLUS
They pass by strangely They were usd to bend
To send their smiles before them to Achilles
To come as humbly as they usd to creep
To holy altars
ACHILLES
What am I poor of late
Tis certain greatness once falln out with fortune
Must fall out with men too What the declind is
He shall as soon read in the eyes of others
As feel in his own fall for men like butterflies
Show not their mealy wings but to the summer
And not a man for being simply man
Hath any honour but honour for those honours
That are without him as place riches and favour
Prizes of accident as oft as merit
Which when they fall as being slippery standers
The love that leand on them as slippery too
Doth one pluck down another and together
Die in the fall But tis not so with me
Fortune and I are friends I do enjoy
At ample point all that I did possess
Save these mens looks who do methinks find out
Something not worth in me such rich beholding
As they have often given Here is Ulysses
Ill interrupt his reading
How now Ulysses
ULYSSES
Now great Thetis son
ACHILLES
What are you reading
ULYSSES
A strange fellow here
Writes me that manhow dearly ever parted
How much in having or without or in
Cannot make boast to have that which he hath
Nor feels not what he owes but by reflection
As when his virtues shining upon others
Heat them and they retort that heat again
To the first giver
ACHILLES
This is not strange Ulysses
The beauty that is borne here in the face
The bearer knows not but commends itself
To others eyes nor doth the eye itself
That most pure spirit of sensebehold itself
Not going from itself but eye to eye opposed
Salutes each other with each others form
For speculation turns not to itself
Till it hath travelld and is mirrord there
Where it may see itself This is not strange at all
ULYSSES
I do not strain at the position
It is familiarbut at the authors drift
Who in his circumstance expressly proves
That no man is the lord of anything
Though in and of him there be much consisting
Till he communicate his parts to others
Nor doth he of himself know them for aught
Till he behold them formed in the applause
Where thare extended who like an arch reverbrate
The voice again or like a gate of steel
Fronting the sun receives and renders back
His figure and his heat I was much rapt in this
And apprehended here immediately
Thunknown Ajax Heavens what a man is there
A very horse that has he knows not what
Nature what things there are
Most abject in regard and dear in use
What things again most dear in the esteem
And poor in worth Now shall we see tomorrow
An act that very chance doth throw upon him
Ajax renownd O heavens what some men do
While some men leave to do
How some men creep in skittish Fortunes hall
Whiles others play the idiots in her eyes
How one man eats into anothers pride
While pride is fasting in his wantonness
To see these Grecian lordswhy even already
They clap the lubber Ajax on the shoulder
As if his foot were on brave Hectors breast
And great Troy shrieking
ACHILLES
I do believe it for they passd by me
As misers do by beggars neither gave to me
Good word nor look What are my deeds forgot
ULYSSES
Time hath my lord a wallet at his back
Wherein he puts alms for oblivion
A greatsizd monster of ingratitudes
Those scraps are good deeds past which are devourd
As fast as they are made forgot as soon
As done Perseverance dear my lord
Keeps honour bright To have done is to hang
Quite out of fashion like a rusty mail
In monumental mockry Take the instant way
For honour travels in a strait so narrow
Where one but goes abreast Keep then the path
For emulation hath a thousand sons
That one by one pursue if you give way
Or hedge aside from the direct forthright
Like to an entred tide they all rush by
And leave you hindmost
Or like a gallant horse falln in first rank
Lie there for pavement to the abject rear
Oerrun and trampled on Then what they do in present
Though less than yours in past must oertop yours
For Time is like a fashionable host
That slightly shakes his parting guest by thhand
And with his arms outstretchd as he would fly
Grasps in the comer The welcome ever smiles
And farewell goes out sighing O let not virtue seek
Remuneration for the thing it was
For beauty wit
High birth vigour of bone desert in service
Love friendship charity are subjects all
To envious and calumniating Time
One touch of nature makes the whole world kin
That all with one consent praise newborn gauds
Though they are made and moulded of things past
And give to dust that is a little gilt
More laud than gilt oerdusted
The present eye praises the present object
Then marvel not thou great and complete man
That all the Greeks begin to worship Ajax
Since things in motion sooner catch the eye
Than what stirs not The cry went once on thee
And still it might and yet it may again
If thou wouldst not entomb thyself alive
And case thy reputation in thy tent
Whose glorious deeds but in these fields of late
Made emulous missions mongst the gods themselves
And drave great Mars to faction
ACHILLES
Of this my privacy
I have strong reasons
ULYSSES
But gainst your privacy
The reasons are more potent and heroical
Tis known Achilles that you are in love
With one of Priams daughters
ACHILLES
Ha known
ULYSSES
Is that a wonder
The providence thats in a watchful state
Knows almost every grain of Plutus gold
Finds bottom in thuncomprehensive deeps
Keeps place with thought and almost like the gods
Do thoughts unveil in their dumb cradles
There is a mysterywith whom relation
Durst never meddlein the soul of state
Which hath an operation more divine
Than breath or pen can give expressure to
All the commerce that you have had with Troy
As perfectly is ours as yours my lord
And better would it fit Achilles much
To throw down Hector than Polyxena
But it must grieve young Pyrrhus now at home
When fame shall in our island sound her trump
And all the Greekish girls shall tripping sing
Great Hectors sister did Achilles win
But our great Ajax bravely beat down him
Farewell my lord I as your lover speak
The fool slides oer the ice that you should break
Exit
PATROCLUS
To this effect Achilles have I movd you
A woman impudent and mannish grown
Is not more loathd than an effeminate man
In time of action I stand condemnd for this
They think my little stomach to the war
And your great love to me restrains you thus
Sweet rouse yourself and the weak wanton Cupid
Shall from your neck unloose his amorous fold
And like a dewdrop from the lions mane
Be shook to air
ACHILLES
Shall Ajax fight with Hector
PATROCLUS
Ay and perhaps receive much honour by him
ACHILLES
I see my reputation is at stake
My fame is shrewdly gord
PATROCLUS
O then beware
Those wounds heal ill that men do give themselves
Omission to do what is necessary
Seals a commission to a blank of danger
And danger like an ague subtly taints
Even then when they sit idly in the sun
ACHILLES
Go call Thersites hither sweet Patroclus
Ill send the fool to Ajax and desire him
Tinvite the Trojan lords after the combat
To see us here unarmd I have a womans longing
An appetite that I am sick withal
To see great Hector in his weeds of peace
To talk with him and to behold his visage
Even to my full of view
Enter Thersites
A labour savd
THERSITES
A wonder
ACHILLES
What
THERSITES
Ajax goes up and down the field asking for himself
ACHILLES
How so
THERSITES
He must fight singly tomorrow with Hector and is so prophetically proud of an heroical cudgelling that he raves in saying nothing
ACHILLES
How can that be
THERSITES
Why a stalks up and down like a peacocka stride and a stand ruminates like an hostess that hath no arithmetic but her brain to set down her reckoning bites his lip with a politic regard as who should say There were wit in this head and twould out and so there is but it lies as coldly in him as fire in a flint which will not show without knocking The mans undone for ever for if Hector break not his neck i th combat hell breakt himself in vainglory He knows not me I said Good morrow Ajax and he replies Thanks Agamemnon What think you of this man that takes me for the general Hes grown a very land fish languageless a monster A plague of opinion A man may wear it on both sides like leather jerkin
ACHILLES
Thou must be my ambassador to him Thersites
THERSITES
Who I Why hell answer nobody he professes not answering Speaking is for beggars he wears his tongue ins arms I will put on his presence Let Patroclus make his demands to me you shall see the pageant of Ajax
ACHILLES
To him Patroclus Tell him I humbly desire the valiant Ajax to invite the most valorous Hector to come unarmd to my tent and to procure safe conduct for his person of the magnanimous and most illustrious sixorseventimeshonourd Captain General of the Grecian army Agamemnon Do this
PATROCLUS
Jove bless great Ajax
THERSITES
Hum
PATROCLUS
I come from the worthy Achilles
THERSITES
Ha
PATROCLUS
Who most humbly desires you to invite Hector to his tent
THERSITES
Hum
PATROCLUS
And to procure safe conduct from Agamemnon
THERSITES
Agamemnon
PATROCLUS
Ay my lord
THERSITES
Ha
PATROCLUS
What you say tot
THERSITES
God buy you with all my heart
PATROCLUS
Your answer sir
THERSITES
If tomorrow be a fair day by eleven of the clock it will go one way or other Howsoever he shall pay for me ere he has me
PATROCLUS
Your answer sir
THERSITES
Fare ye well with all my heart
ACHILLES
Why but he is not in this tune is he
THERSITES
No but out of tune thus What music will be in him when Hector has knockd out his brains I know not but I am sure none unless the fiddler Apollo get his sinews to make catlings on
ACHILLES
Come thou shalt bear a letter to him straight
THERSITES
Let me bear another to his horse for thats the more capable creature
ACHILLES
My mind is troubled like a fountain stirrd
And I myself see not the bottom of it
Exeunt Achilles and Patroclus
THERSITES
Would the fountain of your mind were clear again that I might water an ass at it I had rather be a tick in a sheep than such a valiant ignorance
Exit
ACT IV
SCENE I Troy A street
Enter at one side Aeneas and servant with a torch at another Paris Deiphobus Antenor Diomedes the Grecian and others with torches
PARIS
See ho Who is that there
DEIPHOBUS
It is the Lord Aeneas
AENEAS
Is the Prince there in person
Had I so good occasion to lie long
As you Prince Paris nothing but heavenly business
Should rob my bedmate of my company
DIOMEDES
Thats my mind too Good morrow Lord Aeneas
PARIS
A valiant Greek Aeneastake his hand
Witness the process of your speech wherein
You told how Diomed a whole week by days
Did haunt you in the field
AENEAS
Health to you valiant sir
During all question of the gentle truce
But when I meet you armd as black defiance
As heart can think or courage execute
DIOMEDES
The one and other Diomed embraces
Our bloods are now in calm and so long health
But when contention and occasion meet
By Jove Ill play the hunter for thy life
With all my force pursuit and policy
AENEAS
And thou shalt hunt a lion that will fly
With his face backward In humane gentleness
Welcome to Troy Now by Anchises life
Welcome indeed By Venus hand I swear
No man alive can love in such a sort
The thing he means to kill more excellently
DIOMEDES
We sympathise Jove let Aeneas live
If to my sword his fate be not the glory
A thousand complete courses of the sun
But in mine emulous honour let him die
With every joint a wound and that tomorrow
AENEAS
We know each other well
DIOMEDES
We do and long to know each other worse
PARIS
This is the most despiteful gentle greeting
The noblest hateful love that eer I heard of
What business lord so early
AENEAS
I was sent for to the King but why I know not
PARIS
His purpose meets you twas to bring this Greek
To Calchas house and there to render him
For the enfreed Antenor the fair Cressid
Lets have your company or if you please
Haste there before us I constantly believe
Or rather call my thought a certain knowledge
My brother Troilus lodges there tonight
Rouse him and give him note of our approach
With the whole quality wherefore I fear
We shall be much unwelcome
AENEAS
That I assure you
Troilus had rather Troy were borne to Greece
Than Cressid borne from Troy
PARIS
There is no help
The bitter disposition of the time
Will have it so On lord well follow you
AENEAS
Good morrow all
Exit with servant
PARIS
And tell me noble Diomed faith tell me true
Even in the soul of sound goodfellowship
Who in your thoughts deserves fair Helen best
Myself or Menelaus
DIOMEDES
Both alike
He merits well to have her that doth seek her
Not making any scruple of her soilure
With such a hell of pain and world of charge
And you as well to keep her that defend her
Not palating the taste of her dishonour
With such a costly loss of wealth and friends
He like a puling cuckold would drink up
The lees and dregs of a flat tamed piece
You like a lecher out of whorish loins
Are pleasd to breed out your inheritors
Both merits poisd each weighs nor less nor more
But he as he the heavier for a whore
PARIS
You are too bitter to your countrywoman
DIOMEDES
Shes bitter to her country Hear me Paris
For every false drop in her bawdy veins
A Grecians life hath sunk for every scruple
Of her contaminated carrion weight
A Trojan hath been slain Since she could speak
She hath not given so many good words breath
As for her Greeks and Trojans suffred death
PARIS
Fair Diomed you do as chapmen do
Dispraise the thing that you desire to buy
But we in silence hold this virtue well
Well not commend what we intend to sell
Here lies our way
Exeunt
SCENE II Troy The court of Pandarus house
Enter Troilus and Cressida
TROILUS
Dear trouble not yourself the morn is cold
CRESSIDA
Then sweet my lord Ill call mine uncle down
He shall unbolt the gates
TROILUS
Trouble him not
To bed to bed Sleep kill those pretty eyes
And give as soft attachment to thy senses
As infants empty of all thought
CRESSIDA
Good morrow then
TROILUS
I prithee now to bed
CRESSIDA
Are you aweary of me
TROILUS
O Cressida but that the busy day
Wakd by the lark hath rousd the ribald crows
And dreaming night will hide our joys no longer
I would not from thee
CRESSIDA
Night hath been too brief
TROILUS
Beshrew the witch with venomous wights she stays
As tediously as hell but flies the grasps of love
With wings more momentaryswift than thought
You will catch cold and curse me
CRESSIDA
Prithee tarry
You men will never tarry
O foolish Cressid I might have still held off
And then you would have tarried Hark theres one up
PANDARUS
Within Whats all the doors open here
TROILUS
It is your uncle
Enter Pandarus
CRESSIDA
A pestilence on him Now will he be mocking
I shall have such a life
PANDARUS
How now how now How go maidenheads
Here you maid Wheres my cousin Cressid
CRESSIDA
Go hang yourself you naughty mocking uncle
You bring me to do and then you flout me too
PANDARUS
To do what to do what Let her say what
What have I brought you to do
CRESSIDA
Come come beshrew your heart Youll neer be good nor suffer others
PANDARUS
Ha ha Alas poor wretch Ah poor capocchia Hast not slept tonight Would he not a naughty man let it sleep A bugbear take him
CRESSIDA
Did not I tell you Would he were knockd i th head
One knocks
Whos that at door Good uncle go and see
My lord come you again into my chamber
You smile and mock me as if I meant naughtily
TROILUS
Ha ha
CRESSIDA
Come you are deceivd I think of no such thing
Knock
How earnestly they knock Pray you come in
I would not for half Troy have you seen here
Exeunt Troilus and Cressida
PANDARUS
Whos there Whats the matter Will you beat down the door How now Whats the matter
Enter Aeneas
AENEAS
Good morrow lord good morrow
PANDARUS
Whos there My lord Aeneas By my troth
I knew you not What news with you so early
AENEAS
Is not Prince Troilus here
PANDARUS
Here What should he do here
AENEAS
Come he is here my lord do not deny him
It doth import him much to speak with me
PANDARUS
Is he here say you Its more than I know Ill be sworn For my own part I came in late What should he do here
AENEAS
Who nay then Come come youll do him wrong ere you are ware youll be so true to him to be false to him Do not you know of him but yet go fetch him hither go
Reenter Troilus
TROILUS
How now Whats the matter
AENEAS
My lord I scarce have leisure to salute you
My matter is so rash There is at hand
Paris your brother and Deiphobus
The Grecian Diomed and our Antenor
Deliverd to us and for him forthwith
Ere the first sacrifice within this hour
We must give up to Diomedes hand
The Lady Cressida
TROILUS
Is it so concluded
AENEAS
By Priam and the general state of Troy
They are at hand and ready to effect it
TROILUS
How my achievements mock me
I will go meet them and my Lord Aeneas
We met by chance you did not find me here
AENEAS
Good good my lord the secrets of neighbour Pandar
Have not more gift in taciturnity
Exeunt Troilus and Aeneas
PANDARUS
Ist possible No sooner got but lost The devil take Antenor The young prince will go mad A plague upon Antenor I would they had brokes neck
Reenter Cressida
CRESSIDA
How now Whats the matter Who was here
PANDARUS
Ah ah
CRESSIDA
Why sigh you so profoundly Wheres my lord Gone Tell me sweet uncle whats the matter
PANDARUS
Would I were as deep under the earth as I am above
CRESSIDA
O the gods Whats the matter
PANDARUS
Pray thee get thee in Would thou hadst neer been born I knew thou wouldst be his death O poor gentleman A plague upon Antenor
CRESSIDA
Good uncle I beseech you on my knees I beseech you whats the matter
PANDARUS
Thou must be gone wench thou must be gone thou art changd for Antenor thou must to thy father and be gone from Troilus Twill be his death twill be his bane he cannot bear it
CRESSIDA
O you immortal gods I will not go
PANDARUS
Thou must
CRESSIDA
I will not uncle I have forgot my father
I know no touch of consanguinity
No kin no love no blood no soul so near me
As the sweet Troilus O you gods divine
Make Cressids name the very crown of falsehood
If ever she leave Troilus Time force and death
Do to this body what extremes you can
But the strong base and building of my love
Is as the very centre of the earth
Drawing all things to it Ill go in and weep
PANDARUS
Do do
CRESSIDA
Tear my bright hair and scratch my praised cheeks
Crack my clear voice with sobs and break my heart
With sounding Troilus I will not go from Troy
Exeunt
SCENE III Troy A street before Pandarus house
Enter Paris Troilus Aeneas Deiphobus Antenor and Diomedes
PARIS
It is great morning and the hour prefixd
For her delivery to this valiant Greek
Comes fast upon Good my brother Troilus
Tell you the lady what she is to do
And haste her to the purpose
TROILUS
Walk into her house
Ill bring her to the Grecian presently
And to his hand when I deliver her
Think it an altar and thy brother Troilus
A priest there offring to it his own heart
Exit
PARIS
I know what tis to love
And would as I shall pity I could help
Please you walk in my lords
Exeunt
SCENE IV Troy Pandarus house
Enter Pandarus and Cressida
PANDARUS
Be moderate be moderate
CRESSIDA
Why tell you me of moderation
The grief is fine full perfect that I taste
And violenteth in a sense as strong
As that which causeth it How can I moderate it
If I could temporize with my affections
Or brew it to a weak and colder palate
The like allayment could I give my grief
My love admits no qualifying dross
No more my grief in such a precious loss
Enter Troilus
PANDARUS
Here here here he comes Ah sweet ducks
CRESSIDA
Embracing him O Troilus Troilus
PANDARUS
What a pair of spectacles is here Let me embrace too O heart as the goodly saying is
O heart heavy heart
Why sighst thou without breaking
where he answers again
Because thou canst not ease thy smart
By friendship nor by speaking
There was never a truer rhyme Let us cast away nothing for we may live to have need of such a verse We see it we see it How now lambs
TROILUS
Cressid I love thee in so straind a purity
That the blessd gods as angry with my fancy
More bright in zeal than the devotion which
Cold lips blow to their deities take thee from me
CRESSIDA
Have the gods envy
PANDARUS
Ay ay ay ay tis too plain a case
CRESSIDA
And is it true that I must go from Troy
TROILUS
A hateful truth
CRESSIDA
What and from Troilus too
TROILUS
From Troy and Troilus
CRESSIDA
Ist possible
TROILUS
And suddenly where injury of chance
Puts back leavetaking justles roughly by
All time of pause rudely beguiles our lips
Of all rejoindure forcibly prevents
Our lockd embrasures strangles our dear vows
Even in the birth of our own labouring breath
We two that with so many thousand sighs
Did buy each other must poorly sell ourselves
With the rude brevity and discharge of one
Injurious time now with a robbers haste
Crams his rich thievry up he knows not how
As many farewells as be stars in heaven
With distinct breath and consignd kisses to them
He fumbles up into a loose adieu
And scants us with a single famishd kiss
Distasted with the salt of broken tears
AENEAS
Within My lord is the lady ready
TROILUS
Hark you are calld Some say the Genius
Cries so to him that instantly must die
Bid them have patience she shall come anon
PANDARUS
Where are my tears Rain to lay this wind or my heart will be blown up by my throat
Exit
CRESSIDA
I must then to the Grecians
TROILUS
No remedy
CRESSIDA
A woeful Cressid mongst the merry Greeks
When shall we see again
TROILUS
Hear me my love Be thou but true of heart
CRESSIDA
I true How now What wicked deem is this
TROILUS
Nay we must use expostulation kindly
For it is parting from us
I speak not Be thou true as fearing thee
For I will throw my glove to Death himself
That theres no maculation in thy heart
But Be thou true say I to fashion in
My sequent protestation be thou true
And I will see thee
CRESSIDA
O you shall be exposd my lord to dangers
As infinite as imminent But Ill be true
TROILUS
And Ill grow friend with danger Wear this sleeve
CRESSIDA
And you this glove When shall I see you
TROILUS
I will corrupt the Grecian sentinels
To give thee nightly visitation
But yet be true
CRESSIDA
O heavens Be true again
TROILUS
Hear why I speak it love
The Grecian youths are full of quality
Theyre loving well composd with gifts of nature
Flowing and swelling oer with arts and exercise
How novelty may move and parts with person
Alas a kind of godly jealousy
Which I beseech you call a virtuous sin
Makes me afeard
CRESSIDA
O heavens you love me not
TROILUS
Die I a villain then
In this I do not call your faith in question
So mainly as my merit I cannot sing
Nor heel the high lavolt nor sweeten talk
Nor play at subtle games fair virtues all
To which the Grecians are most prompt and pregnant
But I can tell that in each grace of these
There lurks a still and dumbdiscoursive devil
That tempts most cunningly But be not tempted
CRESSIDA
Do you think I will
TROILUS
No
But something may be done that we will not
And sometimes we are devils to ourselves
When we will tempt the frailty of our powers
Presuming on their changeful potency
AENEAS
Within Nay good my lord
TROILUS
Come kiss and let us part
PARIS
Within Brother Troilus
TROILUS
Good brother come you hither
And bring Aeneas and the Grecian with you
CRESSIDA
My lord will you be true
TROILUS
Who I Alas it is my vice my fault
Whiles others fish with craft for great opinion
I with great truth catch mere simplicity
Whilst some with cunning gild their copper crowns
With truth and plainness I do wear mine bare
Fear not my truth the moral of my wit
Is plain and true theres all the reach of it
Enter Aeneas Paris Antenor Deiphobus and Diomedes
Welcome Sir Diomed Here is the lady
Which for Antenor we deliver you
At the port lord Ill give her to thy hand
And by the way possess thee what she is
Entreat her fair and by my soul fair Greek
If eer thou stand at mercy of my sword
Name Cressid and thy life shall be as safe
As Priam is in Ilion
DIOMEDES
Fair Lady Cressid
So please you save the thanks this prince expects
The lustre in your eye heaven in your cheek
Pleads your fair usage and to Diomed
You shall be mistress and command him wholly
TROILUS
Grecian thou dost not use me courteously
To shame the zeal of my petition to thee
In praising her I tell thee lord of Greece
She is as far highsoaring oer thy praises
As thou unworthy to be calld her servant
I charge thee use her well even for my charge
For by the dreadful Pluto if thou dost not
Though the great bulk Achilles be thy guard
Ill cut thy throat
DIOMEDES
O be not movd Prince Troilus
Let me be privilegd by my place and message
To be a speaker free when I am hence
Ill answer to my lust And know you lord
Ill nothing do on charge to her own worth
She shall be prizd But that you say Bet so
I speak it in my spirit and honour No
TROILUS
Come to the port Ill tell thee Diomed
This brave shall oft make thee to hide thy head
Lady give me your hand and as we walk
To our own selves bend we our needful talk
Exeunt Troilus Cressida and Diomedes
Sound trumpet
PARIS
Hark Hectors trumpet
AENEAS
How have we spent this morning
The Prince must think me tardy and remiss
That swore to ride before him to the field
PARIS
Tis Troilus fault Come come to field with him
DEIPHOBUS
Let us make ready straight
AENEAS
Yea with a bridegrooms fresh alacrity
Let us address to tend on Hectors heels
The glory of our Troy doth this day lie
On his fair worth and single chivalry
Exeunt
SCENE V The Grecian camp Lists set out
Enter Ajax armed Agamemnon Achilles Patroclus Menelaus Ulysses Nestor and others
AGAMEMNON
Here art thou in appointment fresh and fair
Anticipating time with starting courage
Give with thy trumpet a loud note to Troy
Thou dreadful Ajax that the appalled air
May pierce the head of the great combatant
And hale him hither
AJAX
Thou trumpet theres my purse
Now crack thy lungs and split thy brazen pipe
Blow villain till thy sphered bias cheek
Outswell the colic of puffd Aquilon
Come stretch thy chest and let thy eyes spout blood
Thou blowest for Hector
Trumpet sounds
ULYSSES
No trumpet answers
ACHILLES
Tis but early days
AGAMEMNON
Is not yond Diomed with Calchas daughter
ULYSSES
Tis he I ken the manner of his gait
He rises on the toe That spirit of his
In aspiration lifts him from the earth
Enter Diomedes and Cressida
AGAMEMNON
Is this the Lady Cressid
DIOMEDES
Even she
AGAMEMNON
Most dearly welcome to the Greeks sweet lady
NESTOR
Our general doth salute you with a kiss
ULYSSES
Yet is the kindness but particular
Twere better she were kissd in general
NESTOR
And very courtly counsel Ill begin
So much for Nestor
ACHILLES
Ill take that winter from your lips fair lady
Achilles bids you welcome
MENELAUS
I had good argument for kissing once
PATROCLUS
But thats no argument for kissing now
For thus poppd Paris in his hardiment
And parted thus you and your argument
ULYSSES
O deadly gall and theme of all our scorns
For which we lose our heads to gild his horns
PATROCLUS
The first was Menelaus kiss this mine
Patroclus kisses you
MENELAUS
O this is trim
PATROCLUS
Paris and I kiss evermore for him
MENELAUS
Ill have my kiss sir Lady by your leave
CRESSIDA
In kissing do you render or receive
PATROCLUS
Both take and give
CRESSIDA
Ill make my match to live
The kiss you take is better than you give
Therefore no kiss
MENELAUS
Ill give you boot Ill give you three for one
CRESSIDA
You are an odd man give even or give none
MENELAUS
An odd man lady Every man is odd
CRESSIDA
No Paris is not for you know tis true
That you are odd and he is even with you
MENELAUS
You fillip me o thhead
CRESSIDA
No Ill be sworn
ULYSSES
It were no match your nail against his horn
May I sweet lady beg a kiss of you
CRESSIDA
You may
ULYSSES
I do desire it
CRESSIDA
Why beg then
ULYSSES
Why then for Venus sake give me a kiss
When Helen is a maid again and his
CRESSIDA
I am your debtor claim it when tis due
ULYSSES
Nevers my day and then a kiss of you
DIOMEDES
Lady a word Ill bring you to your father
Exit with Cressida
NESTOR
A woman of quick sense
ULYSSES
Fie fie upon her
Theres language in her eye her cheek her lip
Nay her foot speaks her wanton spirits look out
At every joint and motive of her body
O these encounterers so glib of tongue
That give a coasting welcome ere it comes
And wide unclasp the tables of their thoughts
To every tickling reader Set them down
For sluttish spoils of opportunity
And daughters of the game
Trumpet within
ALL
The Trojans trumpet
AGAMEMNON
Yonder comes the troop
Enter Hector armed Aeneas Troilus Paris Deiphobus and other
Trojans with attendants
AENEAS
Hail all you state of Greece What shall be done
To him that victory commands Or do you purpose
A victor shall be known Will you the knights
Shall to the edge of all extremity
Pursue each other or shall be divided
By any voice or order of the field
Hector bade ask
AGAMEMNON
Which way would Hector have it
AENEAS
He cares not hell obey conditions
AGAMEMNON
Tis done like Hector
ACHILLES
But securely done
A little proudly and great deal misprising
The knight opposd
AENEAS
If not Achilles sir
What is your name
ACHILLES
If not Achilles nothing
AENEAS
Therefore Achilles But whateer know this
In the extremity of great and little
Valour and pride excel themselves in Hector
The one almost as infinite as all
The other blank as nothing Weigh him well
And that which looks like pride is courtesy
This Ajax is half made of Hectors blood
In love whereof half Hector stays at home
Half heart half hand half Hector comes to seek
This blended knight half Trojan and half Greek
ACHILLES
A maiden battle then O I perceive you
Reenter Diomedes
AGAMEMNON
Here is Sir Diomed Go gentle knight
Stand by our Ajax As you and Lord Aeneas
Consent upon the order of their fight
So be it either to the uttermost
Or else a breath The combatants being kin
Half stints their strife before their strokes begin
Ajax and Hector enter the lists
ULYSSES
They are opposd already
AGAMEMNON
What Trojan is that same that looks so heavy
ULYSSES
The youngest son of Priam a true knight
Not yet mature yet matchless firm of word
Speaking in deeds and deedless in his tongue
Not soon provokd nor being provokd soon calmd
His heart and hand both open and both free
For what he has he gives what thinks he shows
Yet gives he not till judgement guide his bounty
Nor dignifies an impure thought with breath
Manly as Hector but more dangerous
For Hector in his blaze of wrath subscribes
To tender objects but he in heat of action
Is more vindicative than jealous love
They call him Troilus and on him erect
A second hope as fairly built as Hector
Thus says Aeneas one that knows the youth
Even to his inches and with private soul
Did in great Ilion thus translate him to me
Alarum Hector and Ajax fight
AGAMEMNON
They are in action
NESTOR
Now Ajax hold thine own
TROILUS
Hector thou sleepst awake thee
AGAMEMNON
His blows are well disposd There Ajax
Trumpets cease
DIOMEDES
You must no more
AENEAS
Princes enough so please you
AJAX
I am not warm yet let us fight again
DIOMEDES
As Hector pleases
HECTOR
Why then will I no more
Thou art great lord my fathers sisters son
A cousingerman to great Priams seed
The obligation of our blood forbids
A gory emulation twixt us twain
Were thy commixtion Greek and Trojan so
That thou couldst say This hand is Grecian all
And this is Trojan the sinews of this leg
All Greek and this all Troy my mothers blood
Runs on the dexter cheek and this sinister
Bounds in my fathers by Jove multipotent
Thou shouldst not bear from me a Greekish member
Wherein my sword had not impressure made
Of our rank feud but the just gods gainsay
That any drop thou borrowdst from thy mother
My sacred aunt should by my mortal sword
Be drained Let me embrace thee Ajax
By him that thunders thou hast lusty arms
Hector would have them fall upon him thus
Cousin all honour to thee
AJAX
I thank thee Hector
Thou art too gentle and too free a man
I came to kill thee cousin and bear hence
A great addition earned in thy death
HECTOR
Not Neoptolemus so mirable
On whose bright crest Fame with her loudst Oyes
Cries This is he could promise to himself
A thought of added honour torn from Hector
AENEAS
There is expectance here from both the sides
What further you will do
HECTOR
Well answer it
The issue is embracement Ajax farewell
AJAX
If I might in entreaties find success
As seld I have the chance I would desire
My famous cousin to our Grecian tents
DIOMEDES
Tis Agamemnons wish and great Achilles
Doth long to see unarmd the valiant Hector
HECTOR
Aeneas call my brother Troilus to me
And signify this loving interview
To the expecters of our Trojan part
Desire them home Give me thy hand my cousin
I will go eat with thee and see your knights
Agamemnon and the rest of the Greeks come forward
AJAX
Great Agamemnon comes to meet us here
HECTOR
The worthiest of them tell me name by name
But for Achilles my own searching eyes
Shall find him by his large and portly size
AGAMEMNON
Worthy all arms as welcome as to one
That would be rid of such an enemy
But thats no welcome Understand more clear
Whats past and whats to come is strewd with husks
And formless ruin of oblivion
But in this extant moment faith and troth
Straind purely from all hollow biasdrawing
Bids thee with most divine integrity
From heart of very heart great Hector welcome
HECTOR
I thank thee most imperious Agamemnon
AGAMEMNON
To Troilus My wellfamd lord of Troy no less to you
MENELAUS
Let me confirm my princely brothers greeting
You brace of warlike brothers welcome hither
HECTOR
Who must we answer
AENEAS
The noble Menelaus
HECTOR
O you my lord By Mars his gauntlet thanks
Mock not that I affect the untraded oath
Your quondam wife swears still by Venus glove
Shes well but bade me not commend her to you
MENELAUS
Name her not now sir shes a deadly theme
HECTOR
O pardon I offend
NESTOR
I have thou gallant Trojan seen thee oft
Labouring for destiny make cruel way
Through ranks of Greekish youth and I have seen thee
As hot as Perseus spur thy Phrygian steed
Despising many forfeits and subduements
When thou hast hung thy advanced sword i thair
Not letting it decline on the declined
That I have said to some my standersby
Lo Jupiter is yonder dealing life
And I have seen thee pause and take thy breath
When that a ring of Greeks have shrapd thee in
Like an Olympian wrestling This have I seen
But this thy countenance still lockd in steel
I never saw till now I knew thy grandsire
And once fought with him He was a soldier good
But by great Mars the captain of us all
Never like thee O let an old man embrace thee
And worthy warrior welcome to our tents
AENEAS
Tis the old Nestor
HECTOR
Let me embrace thee good old chronicle
That hast so long walkd hand in hand with time
Most reverend Nestor I am glad to clasp thee
NESTOR
I would my arms could match thee in contention
As they contend with thee in courtesy
HECTOR
I would they could
NESTOR
Ha
By this white beard Id fight with thee tomorrow
Well welcome welcome I have seen the time
ULYSSES
I wonder now how yonder city stands
When we have here her base and pillar by us
HECTOR
I know your favour Lord Ulysses well
Ah sir theres many a Greek and Trojan dead
Since first I saw yourself and Diomed
In Ilion on your Greekish embassy
ULYSSES
Sir I foretold you then what would ensue
My prophecy is but half his journey yet
For yonder walls that pertly front your town
Yon towers whose wanton tops do buss the clouds
Must kiss their own feet
HECTOR
I must not believe you
There they stand yet and modestly I think
The fall of every Phrygian stone will cost
A drop of Grecian blood The end crowns all
And that old common arbitrator Time
Will one day end it
ULYSSES
So to him we leave it
Most gentle and most valiant Hector welcome
After the General I beseech you next
To feast with me and see me at my tent
ACHILLES
I shall forestall thee Lord Ulysses thou
Now Hector I have fed mine eyes on thee
I have with exact view perusd thee Hector
And quoted joint by joint
HECTOR
Is this Achilles
ACHILLES
I am Achilles
HECTOR
Stand fair I pray thee let me look on thee
ACHILLES
Behold thy fill
HECTOR
Nay I have done already
ACHILLES
Thou art too brief I will the second time
As I would buy thee view thee limb by limb
HECTOR
O like a book of sport thoult read me oer
But theres more in me than thou understandst
Why dost thou so oppress me with thine eye
ACHILLES
Tell me you heavens in which part of his body
Shall I destroy him Whether there or there or there
That I may give the local wound a name
And make distinct the very breach whereout
Hectors great spirit flew Answer me heavens
HECTOR
It would discredit the blest gods proud man
To answer such a question Stand again
Thinkst thou to catch my life so pleasantly
As to prenominate in nice conjecture
Where thou wilt hit me dead
ACHILLES
I tell thee yea
HECTOR
Wert thou an oracle to tell me so
Id not believe thee Henceforth guard thee well
For Ill not kill thee there nor there nor there
But by the forge that stithied Mars his helm
Ill kill thee everywhere yea oer and oer
You wisest Grecians pardon me this brag
His insolence draws folly from my lips
But Ill endeavour deeds to match these words
Or may I never
AJAX
Do not chafe thee cousin
And you Achilles let these threats alone
Till accident or purpose bring you tot
You may have every day enough of Hector
If you have stomach The general state I fear
Can scarce entreat you to be odd with him
HECTOR
I pray you let us see you in the field
We have had pelting wars since you refusd
The Grecians cause
ACHILLES
Dost thou entreat me Hector
Tomorrow do I meet thee fell as death
Tonight all friends
HECTOR
Thy hand upon that match
AGAMEMNON
First all you peers of Greece go to my tent
There in the full convive we afterwards
As Hectors leisure and your bounties shall
Concur together severally entreat him
Beat loud the tambourines let the trumpets blow
That this great soldier may his welcome know
Exeunt all but Troilus and Ulysses
TROILUS
My Lord Ulysses tell me I beseech you
In what place of the field doth Calchas keep
ULYSSES
At Menelaus tent most princely Troilus
There Diomed doth feast with him tonight
Who neither looks upon the heaven nor earth
But gives all gaze and bent of amorous view
On the fair Cressid
TROILUS
Shall I sweet lord be bound to you so much
After we part from Agamemnons tent
To bring me thither
ULYSSES
You shall command me sir
As gentle tell me of what honour was
This Cressida in Troy Had she no lover there
That wails her absence
TROILUS
O sir to such as boasting show their scars
A mock is due Will you walk on my lord
She was belovd she lovd she is and doth
But still sweet love is food for fortunes tooth
Exeunt
ACT V
SCENE I The Grecian camp Before the tent of Achilles
Enter Achilles and Patroclus
ACHILLES
Ill heat his blood with Greekish wine tonight
Which with my scimitar Ill cool tomorrow
Patroclus let us feast him to the height
PATROCLUS
Here comes Thersites
Enter Thersites
ACHILLES
How now thou core of envy
Thou crusty batch of nature whats the news
THERSITES
Why thou picture of what thou seemest and idol of idiot worshippers heres a letter for thee
ACHILLES
From whence fragment
THERSITES
Why thou full dish of fool from Troy
PATROCLUS
Who keeps the tent now
THERSITES
The surgeons box or the patients wound
PATROCLUS
Well said adversity And what needs these tricks
THERSITES
Prithee be silent boy I profit not by thy talk thou art said to be Achilles male varlet
PATROCLUS
Male varlet you rogue Whats that
THERSITES
Why his masculine whore Now the rotten diseases of the south the gutsgriping ruptures catarrhs loads o gravel in the back lethargies cold palsies raw eyes dirtrotten livers wheezing lungs bladders full of imposthume sciaticas limekilns i th palm incurable boneache and the rivelled feesimple of the tetter take and take again such preposterous discoveries
PATROCLUS
Why thou damnable box of envy thou what meanest thou to curse thus
THERSITES
Do I curse thee
PATROCLUS
Why no you ruinous butt you whoreson indistinguishable cur no
THERSITES
No Why art thou then exasperate thou idle immaterial skein of sleave silk thou green sarcenet flap for a sore eye thou tassel of a prodigals purse thou Ah how the poor world is pestered with such waterflies diminutives of nature
PATROCLUS
Out gall
THERSITES
Finch egg
ACHILLES
My sweet Patroclus I am thwarted quite
From my great purpose in tomorrows battle
Here is a letter from Queen Hecuba
A token from her daughter my fair love
Both taxing me and gaging me to keep
An oath that I have sworn I will not break it
Fall Greeks fail fame honour or go or stay
My major vow lies here this Ill obey
Come come Thersites help to trim my tent
This night in banqueting must all be spent
Away Patroclus
Exit with Patroclus
THERSITES
With too much blood and too little brain these two may run mad but if with too much brain and too little blood they do Ill be a curer of madmen Heres Agamemnon an honest fellow enough and one that loves quails but he has not so much brain as earwax and the goodly transformation of Jupiter there his brother the bull the primitive statue and oblique memorial of cuckolds a thrifty shoeinghorn in a chain at his brothers leg to what form but that he is should wit larded with malice and malice forced with wit turn him to To an ass were nothing he is both ass and ox To an ox were nothing he is both ox and ass To be a dog a mule a cat a fitchook a toad a lizard an owl a puttock or a herring without a roe I would not care but to be Menelaus I would conspire against destiny Ask me not what I would be if I were not Thersites for I care not to be the louse of a lazar so I were not Menelaus Heyday sprites and fires
Enter Hector Troilus Ajax Agamemnon Ulysses Nestor Menelaus and Diomedes with lights
AGAMEMNON
We go wrong we go wrong
AJAX
No yonder tis
There where we see the lights
HECTOR
I trouble you
AJAX
No not a whit
ULYSSES
Here comes himself to guide you
Reenter Achilles
ACHILLES
Welcome brave Hector welcome Princes all
AGAMEMNON
So now fair Prince of Troy I bid good night
Ajax commands the guard to tend on you
HECTOR
Thanks and good night to the Greeks general
MENELAUS
Good night my lord
HECTOR
Good night sweet Lord Menelaus
THERSITES
Sweet draught Sweet quoth a
Sweet sink sweet sewer
ACHILLES
Good night and welcome both at once to those
That go or tarry
AGAMEMNON
Good night
Exeunt Agamemnon and Menelaus
ACHILLES
Old Nestor tarries and you too Diomed
Keep Hector company an hour or two
DIOMEDES
I cannot lord I have important business
The tide whereof is now Good night great Hector
HECTOR
Give me your hand
ULYSSES
Aside to Troilus Follow his torch he goes to
Calchas tent Ill keep you company
TROILUS
Sweet sir you honour me
HECTOR
And so good night
Exit Diomedes Ulysses and Troilus following
ACHILLES
Come come enter my tent
Exeunt all but Thersites
THERSITES
That same Diomeds a falsehearted rogue a most unjust knave I will no more trust him when he leers than I will a serpent when he hisses He will spend his mouth and promise like Brabbler the hound but when he performs astronomers foretell it it is prodigious there will come some change the sun borrows of the moon when Diomed keeps his word I will rather leave to see Hector than not to dog him They say he keeps a Trojan drab and uses the traitor Calchas tent Ill after Nothing but lechery All incontinent varlets
Exit
SCENE II The Grecian camp Before Calchas tent
Enter Diomedes
DIOMEDES
What are you up here ho Speak
CALCHAS
Within Who calls
DIOMEDES
Diomed Calchas I think Wheres your daughter
CALCHAS
Within She comes to you
Enter Troilus and Ulysses at a distance after them Thersites
ULYSSES
Stand where the torch may not discover us
Enter Cressida
TROILUS
Cressid comes forth to him
DIOMEDES
How now my charge
CRESSIDA
Now my sweet guardian Hark a word with you
Whispers
TROILUS
Yea so familiar
ULYSSES
She will sing any man at first sight
THERSITES
And any man may sing her if he can take her cliff shes noted
DIOMEDES
Will you remember
CRESSIDA
Remember Yes
DIOMEDES
Nay but do then
And let your mind be coupled with your words
TROILUS
What should she remember
ULYSSES
List
CRESSIDA
Sweet honey Greek tempt me no more to folly
THERSITES
Roguery
DIOMEDES
Nay then
CRESSIDA
Ill tell you what
DIOMEDES
Fo fo come tell a pin you are a forsworn
CRESSIDA
In faith I cannot What would you have me do
THERSITES
A juggling trick to be secretly open
DIOMEDES
What did you swear you would bestow on me
CRESSIDA
I prithee do not hold me to mine oath
Bid me do anything but that sweet Greek
DIOMEDES
Good night
TROILUS
Hold patience
ULYSSES
How now Trojan
CRESSIDA
Diomed
DIOMEDES
No no good night Ill be your fool no more
TROILUS
Thy better must
CRESSIDA
Hark a word in your ear
TROILUS
O plague and madness
ULYSSES
You are moved Prince let us depart I pray
Lest your displeasure should enlarge itself
To wrathful terms This place is dangerous
The time right deadly I beseech you go
TROILUS
Behold I pray you
ULYSSES
Nay good my lord go off
You flow to great distraction come my lord
TROILUS
I pray thee stay
ULYSSES
You have not patience come
TROILUS
I pray you stay by hell and all hells torments
I will not speak a word
DIOMEDES
And so good night
CRESSIDA
Nay but you part in anger
TROILUS
Doth that grieve thee O withered truth
ULYSSES
How now my lord
TROILUS
By Jove I will be patient
CRESSIDA
Guardian Why Greek
DIOMEDES
Fo fo adieu you palter
CRESSIDA
In faith I do not Come hither once again
ULYSSES
You shake my lord at something will you go
You will break out
TROILUS
She strokes his cheek
ULYSSES
Come come
TROILUS
Nay stay by Jove I will not speak a word
There is between my will and all offences
A guard of patience Stay a little while
THERSITES
How the devil Luxury with his fat rump and potato finger tickles these together Fry lechery fry
DIOMEDES
But will you then
CRESSIDA
In faith I will la never trust me else
DIOMEDES
Give me some token for the surety of it
CRESSIDA
Ill fetch you one
Exit
ULYSSES
You have sworn patience
TROILUS
Fear me not my lord
I will not be myself nor have cognition
Of what I feel I am all patience
Reenter Cressida
THERSITES
Now the pledge now now now
CRESSIDA
Here Diomed keep this sleeve
TROILUS
O beauty where is thy faith
ULYSSES
My lord
TROILUS
I will be patient outwardly I will
CRESSIDA
You look upon that sleeve behold it well
He lovd meO false wenchGivet me again
DIOMEDES
Whose wast
CRESSIDA
It is no matter now I havet again
I will not meet with you tomorrow night
I prithee Diomed visit me no more
THERSITES
Now she sharpens Well said whetstone
DIOMEDES
I shall have it
CRESSIDA
What this
DIOMEDES
Ay that
CRESSIDA
O all you gods O pretty pretty pledge
Thy master now lies thinking on his bed
Of thee and me and sighs and takes my glove
And gives memorial dainty kisses to it
As I kiss thee Nay do not snatch it from me
He that takes that doth take my heart withal
DIOMEDES
I had your heart before this follows it
TROILUS
I did swear patience
CRESSIDA
You shall not have it Diomed faith you shall not
Ill give you something else
DIOMEDES
I will have this Whose was it
CRESSIDA
It is no matter
DIOMEDES
Come tell me whose it was
CRESSIDA
Twas ones that lovd me better than you will
But now you have it take it
DIOMEDES
Whose was it
CRESSIDA
By all Dianas waiting women yond
And by herself I will not tell you whose
DIOMEDES
Tomorrow will I wear it on my helm
And grieve his spirit that dares not challenge it
TROILUS
Wert thou the devil and worst it on thy horn
It should be challengd
CRESSIDA
Well well tis done tis past and yet it is not
I will not keep my word
DIOMEDES
Why then farewell
Thou never shalt mock Diomed again
CRESSIDA
You shall not go One cannot speak a word
But it straight starts you
DIOMEDES
I do not like this fooling
THERSITES
Nor I by Pluto but that that likes not you
Pleases me best
DIOMEDES
What shall I come The hour
CRESSIDA
Ay come O Jove Do come I shall be plagud
DIOMEDES
Farewell till then
CRESSIDA
Good night I prithee come
Exit Diomedes
Troilus farewell One eye yet looks on thee
But with my heart the other eye doth see
Ah poor our sex this fault in us I find
The error of our eye directs our mind
What error leads must err O then conclude
Minds swayd by eyes are full of turpitude
Exit
THERSITES
A proof of strength she could not publish more
Unless she said My mind is now turnd whore
ULYSSES
Alls done my lord
TROILUS
It is
ULYSSES
Why stay we then
TROILUS
To make a recordation to my soul
Of every syllable that here was spoke
But if I tell how these two did coact
Shall I not lie in publishing a truth
Sith yet there is a credence in my heart
An esperance so obstinately strong
That doth invert thattest of eyes and ears
As if those organs had deceptious functions
Created only to calumniate
Was Cressid here
ULYSSES
I cannot conjure Trojan
TROILUS
She was not sure
ULYSSES
Most sure she was
TROILUS
Why my negation hath no taste of madness
ULYSSES
Nor mine my lord Cressid was here but now
TROILUS
Let it not be believd for womanhood
Think we had mothers do not give advantage
To stubborn critics apt without a theme
For depravation to square the general sex
By Cressids rule Rather think this not Cressid
ULYSSES
What hath she done Prince that can soil our mothers
TROILUS
Nothing at all unless that this were she
THERSITES
Will he swagger himself out ons own eyes
TROILUS
This she No this is Diomeds Cressida
If beauty have a soul this is not she
If souls guide vows if vows be sanctimonies
If sanctimony be the gods delight
If there be rule in unity itself
This was not she O madness of discourse
That cause sets up with and against itself
Bifold authority where reason can revolt
Without perdition and loss assume all reason
Without revolt this is and is not Cressid
Within my soul there doth conduce a fight
Of this strange nature that a thing inseparate
Divides more wider than the sky and earth
And yet the spacious breadth of this division
Admits no orifice for a point as subtle
As Ariachnes broken woof to enter
Instance O instance strong as Plutos gates
Cressid is mine tied with the bonds of heaven
Instance O instance strong as heaven itself
The bonds of heaven are slippd dissolvd and loosd
And with another knot fivefingertied
The fractions of her faith orts of her love
The fragments scraps the bits and greasy relics
Of her oereaten faith are given to Diomed
ULYSSES
May worthy Troilus be half attachd
With that which here his passion doth express
TROILUS
Ay Greek and that shall be divulged well
In characters as red as Mars his heart
Inflamd with Venus Never did young man fancy
With so eternal and so fixd a soul
Hark Greek as much as I do Cressid love
So much by weight hate I her Diomed
That sleeve is mine that hell bear on his helm
Were it a casque composd by Vulcans skill
My sword should bite it Not the dreadful spout
Which shipmen do the hurricano call
Constringd in mass by the almighty sun
Shall dizzy with more clamour Neptunes ear
In his descent than shall my prompted sword
Falling on Diomed
THERSITES
Hell tickle it for his concupy
TROILUS
O Cressid O false Cressid false false false
Let all untruths stand by thy stained name
And theyll seem glorious
ULYSSES
O contain yourself
Your passion draws ears hither
Enter Aeneas
AENEAS
I have been seeking you this hour my lord
Hector by this is arming him in Troy
Ajax your guard stays to conduct you home
TROILUS
Have with you Prince My courteous lord adieu
Fairwell revolted fair and Diomed
Stand fast and wear a castle on thy head
ULYSSES
Ill bring you to the gates
TROILUS
Accept distracted thanks
Exeunt Troilus Aeneas and Ulysses
THERSITES Would I could meet that rogue Diomed I would croak like a raven I would bode I would bode Patroclus will give me anything for the intelligence of this whore the parrot will not do more for an almond than he for a commodious drab Lechery lechery Still wars and lechery Nothing else holds fashion A burning devil take them
Exit
SCENE III Troy Before Priams palace
Enter Hector and Andromache
ANDROMACHE
When was my lord so much ungently temperd
To stop his ears against admonishment
Unarm unarm and do not fight today
HECTOR
You train me to offend you get you in
By all the everlasting gods Ill go
ANDROMACHE
My dreams will sure prove ominous to the day
HECTOR
No more I say
Enter Cassandra
CASSANDRA
Where is my brother Hector
ANDROMACHE
Here sister armd and bloody in intent
Consort with me in loud and dear petition
Pursue we him on knees for I have dreamt
Of bloody turbulence and this whole night
Hath nothing been but shapes and forms of slaughter
CASSANDRA
O tis true
HECTOR
Ho bid my trumpet sound
CASSANDRA
No notes of sally for the heavens sweet brother
HECTOR
Be gone I say The gods have heard me swear
CASSANDRA
The gods are deaf to hot and peevish vows
They are polluted offrings more abhorrd
Than spotted livers in the sacrifice
ANDROMACHE
O be persuaded Do not count it holy
To hurt by being just It is as lawful
For we would give much to use violent thefts
And rob in the behalf of charity
CASSANDRA
It is the purpose that makes strong the vow
But vows to every purpose must not hold
Unarm sweet Hector
HECTOR
Hold you still I say
Mine honour keeps the weather of my fate
Life every man holds dear but the dear man
Holds honour far more precious dear than life
Enter Troilus
How now young man Meanst thou to fight today
ANDROMACHE
Cassandra call my father to persuade
Exit Cassandra
HECTOR
No faith young Troilus doff thy harness youth
I am today i thvein of chivalry
Let grow thy sinews till their knots be strong
And tempt not yet the brushes of the war
Unarm thee go and doubt thou not brave boy
Ill stand today for thee and me and Troy
TROILUS
Brother you have a vice of mercy in you
Which better fits a lion than a man
HECTOR
What vice is that Good Troilus chide me for it
TROILUS
When many times the captive Grecian falls
Even in the fan and wind of your fair sword
You bid them rise and live
HECTOR
O tis fair play
TROILUS
Fools play by heaven Hector
HECTOR
How now how now
TROILUS
For th love of all the gods
Lets leave the hermit Pity with our mother
And when we have our armours buckled on
The venomd vengeance ride upon our swords
Spur them to ruthful work rein them from ruth
HECTOR
Fie savage fie
TROILUS
Hector then tis wars
HECTOR
Troilus I would not have you fight today
TROILUS
Who should withhold me
Not fate obedience nor the hand of Mars
Beckoning with fiery truncheon my retire
Not Priamus and Hecuba on knees
Their eyes oergalled with recourse of tears
Nor you my brother with your true sword drawn
Opposd to hinder me should stop my way
But by my ruin
Reenter Cassandra with Priam
CASSANDRA
Lay hold upon him Priam hold him fast
He is thy crutch now if thou lose thy stay
Thou on him leaning and all Troy on thee
Fall all together
PRIAM
Come Hector come go back
Thy wife hath dreamt thy mother hath had visions
Cassandra doth foresee and I myself
Am like a prophet suddenly enrapt
To tell thee that this day is ominous
Therefore come back
HECTOR
Aeneas is afield
And I do stand engagd to many Greeks
Even in the faith of valour to appear
This morning to them
PRIAM
Ay but thou shalt not go
HECTOR
I must not break my faith
You know me dutiful therefore dear sir
Let me not shame respect but give me leave
To take that course by your consent and voice
Which you do here forbid me royal Priam
CASSANDRA
O Priam yield not to him
ANDROMACHE
Do not dear father
HECTOR
Andromache I am offended with you
Upon the love you bear me get you in
Exit Andromache
TROILUS
This foolish dreaming superstitious girl
Makes all these bodements
CASSANDRA
O farewell dear Hector
Look how thou diest Look how thy eye turns pale
Look how thy wounds do bleed at many vents
Hark how Troy roars how Hecuba cries out
How poor Andromache shrills her dolours forth
Behold distraction frenzy and amazement
Like witless antics one another meet
And all cry Hector Hectors dead O Hector
TROILUS
Away away
CASSANDRA
Farewell yet soft Hector I take my leave
Thou dost thyself and all our Troy deceive
Exit
HECTOR
You are amazd my liege at her exclaim
Go in and cheer the town well forth and fight
Do deeds worth praise and tell you them at night
PRIAM
Farewell The gods with safety stand about thee
Exeunt severally Priam and Hector Alarums
TROILUS
They are at it hark Proud Diomed believe
I come to lose my arm or win my sleeve
Enter Pandarus
PANDARUS
Do you hear my lord Do you hear
TROILUS
What now
PANDARUS
Heres a letter come from yond poor girl
TROILUS
Let me read
PANDARUS
A whoreson tisick a whoreson rascally tisick so troubles me and the foolish fortune of this girl and what one thing what another that I shall leave you one o these days and I have a rheum in mine eyes too and such an ache in my bones that unless a man were cursd I cannot tell what to think ont What says she there
TROILUS
Words words mere words no matter from the heart
Theffect doth operate another way
Tearing the letter
Go wind to wind there turn and change together
My love with words and errors still she feeds
But edifies another with her deeds
Exeunt severally
SCENE IV The plain between Troy and the Grecian camp
Alarums Excursions Enter Thersites
THERSITES
Now they are clapperclawing one another Ill go look on That dissembling abominable varlet Diomed has got that same scurvy doting foolish young knaves sleeve of Troy there in his helm I would fain see them meet that that same young Trojan ass that loves the whore there might send that Greekish whoremasterly villain with the sleeve back to the dissembling luxurious drab of a sleeveless errand O the other side the policy of those crafty swearing rascals that stale old mouseeaten dry cheese Nestor and that same dogfox Ulysses is not provd worth a blackberry They set me up in policy that mongrel cur Ajax against that dog of as bad a kind Achilles and now is the cur Ajax prouder than the cur Achilles and will not arm today whereupon the Grecians begin to proclaim barbarism and policy grows into an ill opinion
Enter Diomedes Troilus following
Soft here comes sleeve and tother
TROILUS
Fly not for shouldst thou take the river Styx I would swim after
DIOMEDES
Thou dost miscall retire
I do not fly but advantageous care
Withdrew me from the odds of multitude
Have at thee
THERSITES
Hold thy whore Grecian now for thy whore
Trojan now the sleeve now the sleeve
Exeunt Troilus and Diomedes fighting
Enter Hector
HECTOR
What art thou Greek Art thou for Hectors match
Art thou of blood and honour
THERSITES
No no I am a rascal a scurvy railing knave a very filthy rogue
HECTOR
I do believe thee Live
Exit
THERSITES
Godamercy that thou wilt believe me but a plague break thy neck for frighting me Whats become of the wenching rogues I think they have swallowed one another I would laugh at that miracle Yet in a sort lechery eats itself Ill seek them
Exit
SCENE V Another part of the plain
Enter Diomedes and a Servant
DIOMEDES
Go go my servant take thou Troilus horse
Present the fair steed to my lady Cressid
Fellow commend my service to her beauty
Tell her I have chastisd the amorous Trojan
And am her knight by proof
SERVANT
I go my lord
Exit
Enter Agamemnon
AGAMEMNON
Renew renew The fierce Polydamas
Hath beat down Menon bastard Margarelon
Hath Doreus prisoner
And stands colossuswise waving his beam
Upon the pashed corses of the kings
Epistrophus and Cedius Polixenes is slain
Amphimacus and Thoas deadly hurt
Patroclus taen or slain and Palamedes
Sore hurt and bruisd The dreadful Sagittary
Appals our numbers Haste we Diomed
To reinforcement or we perish all
Enter Nestor
NESTOR
Go bear Patroclus body to Achilles
And bid the snailpacd Ajax arm for shame
There is a thousand Hectors in the field
Now here he fights on Galathe his horse
And there lacks work anon hes there afoot
And there they fly or die like scaled sculls
Before the belching whale then is he yonder
And there the strawy Greeks ripe for his edge
Fall down before him like the mowers swath
Here there and everywhere he leaves and takes
Dexterity so obeying appetite
That what he will he does and does so much
That proof is calld impossibility
Enter Ulysses
ULYSSES
O courage courage courage Princes Great Achilles
Is arming weeping cursing vowing vengeance
Patroclus wounds have rousd his drowsy blood
Together with his mangled Myrmidons
That noseless handless hackd and chippd come to him
Crying on Hector Ajax hath lost a friend
And foams at mouth and he is armd and at it
Roaring for Troilus who hath done today
Mad and fantastic execution
Engaging and redeeming of himself
With such a careless force and forceless care
As if that lust in very spite of cunning
Bade him win all
Enter Ajax
AJAX
Troilus thou coward Troilus
Exit
DIOMEDES
Ay there there
NESTOR
So so we draw together
Exit
Enter Achilles
ACHILLES
Where is this Hector
Come come thou boyqueller show thy face
Know what it is to meet Achilles angry
Hector wheres Hector I will none but Hector
Exeunt
SCENE VI Another part of the plain
Enter Ajax
AJAX
Troilus thou coward Troilus show thy head
Enter Diomedes
DIOMEDES
Troilus I say Wheres Troilus
AJAX
What wouldst thou
DIOMEDES
I would correct him
AJAX
Were I the general thou shouldst have my office
Ere that correction Troilus I say What Troilus
Enter Troilus
TROILUS
O traitor Diomed Turn thy false face thou traitor
And pay thy life thou owest me for my horse
DIOMEDES
Ha art thou there
AJAX
Ill fight with him alone Stand Diomed
DIOMEDES
He is my prize I will not look upon
TROILUS
Come both you cogging Greeks have at you both
Exeunt fighting
Enter Hector
HECTOR
Yea Troilus O well fought my youngest brother
Enter Achilles
ACHILLES
Now do I see thee Ha have at thee Hector
HECTOR
Pause if thou wilt
ACHILLES
I do disdain thy courtesy proud Trojan
Be happy that my arms are out of use
My rest and negligence befriend thee now
But thou anon shalt hear of me again
Till when go seek thy fortune
Exit
HECTOR
Fare thee well
I would have been much more a fresher man
Had I expected thee
Reenter Troilus
How now my brother
TROILUS
Ajax hath taen Aeneas Shall it be
No by the flame of yonder glorious heaven
He shall not carry him Ill be taen too
Or bring him off Fate hear me what I say
I reck not though thou end my life today
Exit
Enter one in armour
HECTOR
Stand stand thou Greek thou art a goodly mark
No wilt thou not I like thy armour well
Ill frush it and unlock the rivets all
But Ill be master of it Wilt thou not beast abide
Why then fly on Ill hunt thee for thy hide
Exeunt
SCENE VII Another part of the plain
Enter Achilles with Myrmidons
ACHILLES
Come here about me you my Myrmidons
Mark what I say Attend me where I wheel
Strike not a stroke but keep yourselves in breath
And when I have the bloody Hector found
Empale him with your weapons round about
In fellest manner execute your arms
Follow me sirs and my proceedings eye
It is decreed Hector the great must die
Exeunt
Enter Menelaus and Paris fighting then Thersites
THERSITES
The cuckold and the cuckoldmaker are at it Now bull Now dog Loo Paris loo now my doublehend Spartan loo Paris loo The bull has the game Ware horns ho
Exeunt Paris and Menelaus
Enter Margarelon
MARGARELON
Turn slave and fight
THERSITES
What art thou
MARGARELON
A bastard son of Priams
THERSITES
I am a bastard too I love bastards I am a bastard begot bastard instructed bastard in mind bastard in valour in everything illegitimate One bear will not bite another and wherefore should one bastard Take heed the quarrels most ominous to us if the son of a whore fight for a whore he tempts judgement Farewell bastard
Exit
MARGARELON
The devil take thee coward
Exit
SCENE VIII Another part of the plain
Enter Hector
HECTOR
Most putrified core so fair without
Thy goodly armour thus hath cost thy life
Now is my days work done Ill take my breath
Rest sword thou hast thy fill of blood and death
Disarms
Enter Achilles and Myrmidons
ACHILLES
Look Hector how the sun begins to set
How ugly night comes breathing at his heels
Even with the vail and darkning of the sun
To close the day up Hectors life is done
HECTOR
I am unarmd forego this vantage Greek
ACHILLES
Strike fellows strike this is the man I seek
Hector falls
So Ilion fall thou next Now Troy sink down
Here lies thy heart thy sinews and thy bone
On Myrmidons and cry you all amain
Achilles hath the mighty Hector slain
A retreat sounded
Hark a retire upon our Grecian part
MYRMIDON
The Trojan trumpets sound the like my lord
ACHILLES
The dragon wing of night oerspreads the earth
And sticklerlike the armies separates
My halfsuppd sword that frankly would have fed
Pleasd with this dainty bait thus goes to bed
Sheathes his sword
Come tie his body to my horses tail
Along the field I will the Trojan trail
Exeunt
SCENE IX Another part of the plain
Sound retreat Shout Enter Agamemnon Ajax Menelaus Nestor Diomedes and the rest marching
AGAMEMNON
Hark hark what shout is this
NESTOR
Peace drums
SOLDIERS
Within Achilles Achilles Hectors slain Achilles
DIOMEDES
The bruit is Hectors slain and by Achilles
AJAX
If it be so yet bragless let it be
Great Hector was as good a man as he
AGAMEMNON
March patiently along Let one be sent
To pray Achilles see us at our tent
If in his death the gods have us befriended
Great Troy is ours and our sharp wars are ended
Exeunt
SCENE X Another part of the plain
Enter Aeneas Paris Antenor and Deiphobus
AENEAS
Stand ho yet are we masters of the field
Never go home here starve we out the night
Enter Troilus
TROILUS
Hector is slain
ALL
Hector The gods forbid
TROILUS
Hes dead and at the murderers horses tail
In beastly sort draggd through the shameful field
Frown on you heavens effect your rage with speed
Sit gods upon your thrones and smile at Troy
I say at once let your brief plagues be mercy
And linger not our sure destructions on
AENEAS
My lord you do discomfort all the host
TROILUS
You understand me not that tell me so
I do not speak of flight of fear of death
But dare all imminence that gods and men
Address their dangers in Hector is gone
Who shall tell Priam so or Hecuba
Let him that will a screechowl aye be calld
Go in to Troy and say there Hectors dead
There is a word will Priam turn to stone
Make wells and Niobes of the maids and wives
Cold statues of the youth and in a word
Scare Troy out of itself But march away
Hector is dead there is no more to say
Stay yet You vile abominable tents
Thus proudly pight upon our Phrygian plains
Let Titan rise as early as he dare
Ill through and through you And thou greatsizd coward
No space of earth shall sunder our two hates
Ill haunt thee like a wicked conscience still
That mouldeth goblins swift as frenzys thoughts
Strike a free march to Troy With comfort go
Hope of revenge shall hide our inward woe
Enter Pandarus
PANDARUS
But hear you hear you
TROILUS
Hence brokerlackey Ignominy and shame
Pursue thy life and live aye with thy name
Exeunt all but Pandarus
PANDARUS
A goodly medicine for my aching bones O world world Thus is the poor agent despisd O traitors and bawds how earnestly are you set awork and how ill requited Why should our endeavour be so lovd and the performance so loathed What verse for it What instance for it Let me see
Full merrily the humblebee doth sing
Till he hath lost his honey and his sting
And being once subdud in armed trail
Sweet honey and sweet notes together fail
Good traders in the flesh set this in your painted cloths
As many as be here of Pandars hall
Your eyes half out weep out at Pandars fall
Or if you cannot weep yet give some groans
Though not for me yet for your aching bones
Brethren and sisters of the holddoor trade
Some two months hence my will shall here be made
It should be now but that my fear is this
Some galled goose of Winchester would hiss
Till then Ill sweat and seek about for eases
And at that time bequeath you my diseases
Exit
TWELFTH NIGHT OR WHAT YOU WILL
Contents
ACT I
Scene I An Apartment in the Dukes Palace
Scene II The seacoast
Scene III A Room in Olivias House
Scene IV A Room in the Dukes Palace
Scene V A Room in Olivias House
ACT II
Scene I The seacoast
Scene II A street
Scene III A Room in Olivias House
Scene IV A Room in the Dukes Palace
Scene V Olivias garden
ACT III
Scene I Olivias garden
Scene II A Room in Olivias House
Scene III A street
Scene IV Olivias garden
ACT IV
Scene I The Street before Olivias House
Scene II A Room in Olivias House
Scene III Olivias Garden
ACT V
Scene I The Street before Olivias House
Dramatis Person
ORSINO Duke of Illyria
VALENTINE Gentleman attending on the Duke
CURIO Gentleman attending on the Duke
VIOLA in love with the Duke
SEBASTIAN a young Gentleman twin brother to Viola
A SEA CAPTAIN friend to Viola
ANTONIO a Sea Captain friend to Sebastian
OLIVIA a rich Countess
MARIA Olivias Woman
SIR TOBY BELCH Uncle of Olivia
SIR ANDREW AGUECHEEK
MALVOLIO Steward to Olivia
FABIAN Servant to Olivia
CLOWN Servant to Olivia
PRIEST
Lords Sailors Officers Musicians and other Attendants
SCENE A City in Illyria and the Seacoast near it
ACT I
SCENE I An Apartment in the Dukes Palace
Enter Orsino Duke of Illyria Curio and other Lords Musicians attending
DUKE
If music be the food of love play on
Give me excess of it that surfeiting
The appetite may sicken and so die
That strain again it had a dying fall
O it came oer my ear like the sweet sound
That breathes upon a bank of violets
Stealing and giving odour Enough no more
Tis not so sweet now as it was before
O spirit of love how quick and fresh art thou
That notwithstanding thy capacity
Receiveth as the sea nought enters there
Of what validity and pitch soever
But falls into abatement and low price
Even in a minute So full of shapes is fancy
That it alone is high fantastical
CURIO
Will you go hunt my lord
DUKE
What Curio
CURIO
The hart
DUKE
Why so I do the noblest that I have
O when mine eyes did see Olivia first
Methought she purgd the air of pestilence
That instant was I turnd into a hart
And my desires like fell and cruel hounds
Eer since pursue me How now what news from her
Enter Valentine
VALENTINE
So please my lord I might not be admitted
But from her handmaid do return this answer
The element itself till seven years heat
Shall not behold her face at ample view
But like a cloistress she will veiled walk
And water once a day her chamber round
With eyeoffending brine all this to season
A brothers dead love which she would keep fresh
And lasting in her sad remembrance
DUKE
O she that hath a heart of that fine frame
To pay this debt of love but to a brother
How will she love when the rich golden shaft
Hath killd the flock of all affections else
That live in her when liver brain and heart
These sovereign thrones are all supplied and filld
Her sweet perfections with one self king
Away before me to sweet beds of flowers
Lovethoughts lie rich when canopied with bowers
Exeunt
SCENE II The seacoast
Enter Viola a Captain and Sailors
VIOLA
What country friends is this
CAPTAIN
This is Illyria lady
VIOLA
And what should I do in Illyria
My brother he is in Elysium
Perchance he is not drownd What think you sailors
CAPTAIN
It is perchance that you yourself were savd
VIOLA
O my poor brother and so perchance may he be
CAPTAIN
True madam and to comfort you with chance
Assure yourself after our ship did split
When you and those poor number savd with you
Hung on our driving boat I saw your brother
Most provident in peril bind himself
Courage and hope both teaching him the practice
To a strong mast that livd upon the sea
Where like Arion on the dolphins back
I saw him hold acquaintance with the waves
So long as I could see
VIOLA
For saying so theres gold
Mine own escape unfoldeth to my hope
Whereto thy speech serves for authority
The like of him Knowst thou this country
CAPTAIN
Ay madam well for I was bred and born
Not three hours travel from this very place
VIOLA
Who governs here
CAPTAIN
A noble duke in nature as in name
VIOLA
What is his name
CAPTAIN
Orsino
VIOLA
Orsino I have heard my father name him
He was a bachelor then
CAPTAIN
And so is now or was so very late
For but a month ago I went from hence
And then twas fresh in murmur as you know
What great ones do the less will prattle of
That he did seek the love of fair Olivia
VIOLA
Whats she
CAPTAIN
A virtuous maid the daughter of a count
That died some twelvemonth since then leaving her
In the protection of his son her brother
Who shortly also died for whose dear love
They say she hath abjurd the company
And sight of men
VIOLA
O that I served that lady
And might not be delivered to the world
Till I had made mine own occasion mellow
What my estate is
CAPTAIN
That were hard to compass
Because she will admit no kind of suit
No not the Dukes
VIOLA
There is a fair behaviour in thee Captain
And though that nature with a beauteous wall
Doth oft close in pollution yet of thee
I will believe thou hast a mind that suits
With this thy fair and outward character
I pray thee and Ill pay thee bounteously
Conceal me what I am and be my aid
For such disguise as haply shall become
The form of my intent Ill serve this duke
Thou shalt present me as an eunuch to him
It may be worth thy pains for I can sing
And speak to him in many sorts of music
That will allow me very worth his service
What else may hap to time I will commit
Only shape thou thy silence to my wit
CAPTAIN
Be you his eunuch and your mute Ill be
When my tongue blabs then let mine eyes not see
VIOLA
I thank thee Lead me on
Exeunt
SCENE III A Room in Olivias House
Enter Sir Toby and Maria
SIR TOBY
What a plague means my niece to take the death of her brother thus I am sure cares an enemy to life
MARIA
By my troth Sir Toby you must come in earlier o nights your cousin my lady takes great exceptions to your ill hours
SIR TOBY
Why let her except before excepted
MARIA
Ay but you must confine yourself within the modest limits of order
SIR TOBY
Confine Ill confine myself no finer than I am These clothes are good enough to drink in and so be these boots too and they be not let them hang themselves in their own straps
MARIA
That quaffing and drinking will undo you I heard my lady talk of it yesterday and of a foolish knight that you brought in one night here to be her wooer
SIR TOBY
Who Sir Andrew Aguecheek
MARIA
Ay he
SIR TOBY
Hes as tall a man as anys in Illyria
MARIA
Whats that to th purpose
SIR TOBY
Why he has three thousand ducats a year
MARIA
Ay but hell have but a year in all these ducats Hes a very fool and a prodigal
SIR TOBY
Fie that youll say so he plays o the violdegamboys and speaks three or four languages word for word without book and hath all the good gifts of nature
MARIA
He hath indeed almost natural for besides that hes a fool hes a great quarreller and but that he hath the gift of a coward to allay the gust he hath in quarrelling tis thought among the prudent he would quickly have the gift of a grave
SIR TOBY
By this hand they are scoundrels and substractors that say so of him Who are they
MARIA
They that add moreover hes drunk nightly in your company
SIR TOBY
With drinking healths to my niece Ill drink to her as long as there is a passage in my throat and drink in Illyria Hes a coward and a coystril that will not drink to my niece till his brains turn o the toe like a parish top What wench Castiliano vulgo for here comes Sir Andrew Agueface
Enter Sir Andrew
AGUECHEEK
Sir Toby Belch How now Sir Toby Belch
SIR TOBY
Sweet Sir Andrew
SIR ANDREW
Bless you fair shrew
MARIA
And you too sir
SIR TOBY
Accost Sir Andrew accost
SIR ANDREW
Whats that
SIR TOBY
My nieces chambermaid
SIR ANDREW
Good Mistress Accost I desire better acquaintance
MARIA
My name is Mary sir
SIR ANDREW
Good Mistress Mary Accost
SIR TOBY
You mistake knight accost is front her board her woo her assail her
SIR ANDREW
By my troth I would not undertake her in this company Is that the meaning of accost
MARIA
Fare you well gentlemen
SIR TOBY
And thou let part so Sir Andrew would thou mightst never draw sword again
SIR ANDREW
And you part so mistress I would I might never draw sword again Fair lady do you think you have fools in hand
MARIA
Sir I have not you by the hand
SIR ANDREW
Marry but you shall have and heres my hand
MARIA
Now sir thought is free I pray you bring your hand to th buttery bar and let it drink
SIR ANDREW
Wherefore sweetheart Whats your metaphor
MARIA
Its dry sir
SIR ANDREW
Why I think so I am not such an ass but I can keep my hand dry But whats your jest
MARIA
A dry jest sir
SIR ANDREW
Are you full of them
MARIA
Ay sir I have them at my fingers ends marry now I let go your hand I am barren
Exit Maria
SIR TOBY
O knight thou lackst a cup of canary When did I see thee so put down
SIR ANDREW
Never in your life I think unless you see canary put me down Methinks sometimes I have no more wit than a Christian or an ordinary man has but I am a great eater of beef and I believe that does harm to my wit
SIR TOBY
No question
SIR ANDREW
And I thought that Id forswear it Ill ride home tomorrow Sir Toby
SIR TOBY
Pourquoy my dear knight
SIR ANDREW
What is pourquoy Do or not do I would I had bestowed that time in the tongues that I have in fencing dancing and bearbaiting O had I but followed the arts
SIR TOBY
Then hadst thou had an excellent head of hair
SIR ANDREW
Why would that have mended my hair
SIR TOBY
Past question for thou seest it will not curl by nature
SIR ANDREW
But it becomes me well enough doest not
SIR TOBY
Excellent it hangs like flax on a distaff and I hope to see a huswife take thee between her legs and spin it off
SIR ANDREW
Faith Ill home tomorrow Sir Toby your niece will not be seen or if she be its four to one shell none of me the Count himself here hard by woos her
SIR TOBY
Shell none o the Count shell not match above her degree neither in estate years nor wit I have heard her sweart Tut theres life int man
SIR ANDREW
Ill stay a month longer I am a fellow o the strangest mind i the world I delight in masques and revels sometimes altogether
SIR TOBY
Art thou good at these kickshawses knight
SIR ANDREW
As any man in Illyria whatsoever he be under the degree of my betters and yet I will not compare with an old man
SIR TOBY
What is thy excellence in a galliard knight
SIR ANDREW
Faith I can cut a caper
SIR TOBY
And I can cut the mutton tot
SIR ANDREW
And I think I have the backtrick simply as strong as any man in Illyria
SIR TOBY
Wherefore are these things hid Wherefore have these gifts a curtain before em Are they like to take dust like Mistress Malls picture Why dost thou not go to church in a galliard and come home in a coranto My very walk should be a jig I would not so much as make water but in a sinkapace What dost thou mean Is it a world to hide virtues in I did think by the excellent constitution of thy leg it was formed under the star of a galliard
SIR ANDREW
Ay tis strong and it does indifferent well in a damdcolourd stock Shall we set about some revels
SIR TOBY
What shall we do else Were we not born under Taurus
SIR ANDREW
Taurus Thats sides and heart
SIR TOBY
No sir it is legs and thighs Let me see thee caper Ha higher ha ha excellent
Exeunt
SCENE IV A Room in the Dukes Palace
Enter Valentine and Viola in mans attire
VALENTINE
If the duke continue these favours towards you Cesario you are like to be much advanced he hath known you but three days and already you are no stranger
VIOLA
You either fear his humour or my negligence that you call in question the continuance of his love Is he inconstant sir in his favours
VALENTINE
No believe me
Enter Duke Curio and Attendants
VIOLA
I thank you Here comes the Count
DUKE
Who saw Cesario ho
VIOLA
On your attendance my lord here
DUKE
Stand you awhile aloofCesario
Thou knowst no less but all I have unclaspd
To thee the book even of my secret soul
Therefore good youth address thy gait unto her
Be not denied access stand at her doors
And tell them there thy fixed foot shall grow
Till thou have audience
VIOLA
Sure my noble lord
If she be so abandond to her sorrow
As it is spoke she never will admit me
DUKE
Be clamorous and leap all civil bounds
Rather than make unprofited return
VIOLA
Say I do speak with her my lord what then
DUKE
O then unfold the passion of my love
Surprise her with discourse of my dear faith
It shall become thee well to act my woes
She will attend it better in thy youth
Than in a nuncios of more grave aspect
VIOLA
I think not so my lord
DUKE
Dear lad believe it
For they shall yet belie thy happy years
That say thou art a man Dianas lip
Is not more smooth and rubious thy small pipe
Is as the maidens organ shrill and sound
And all is semblative a womans part
I know thy constellation is right apt
For this affair Some four or five attend him
All if you will for I myself am best
When least in company Prosper well in this
And thou shalt live as freely as thy lord
To call his fortunes thine
VIOLA
Ill do my best
To woo your lady Aside Yet a barful strife
Whoeer I woo myself would be his wife
Exeunt
SCENE V A Room in Olivias House
Enter Maria and Clown
MARIA
Nay either tell me where thou hast been or I will not open my lips so wide as a bristle may enter in way of thy excuse my lady will hang thee for thy absence
CLOWN
Let her hang me he that is well hanged in this world needs to fear no colours
MARIA
Make that good
CLOWN
He shall see none to fear
MARIA
A good lenten answer I can tell thee where that saying was born of I fear no colours
CLOWN
Where good Mistress Mary
MARIA
In the wars and that may you be bold to say in your foolery
CLOWN
Well God give them wisdom that have it and those that are fools let them use their talents
MARIA
Yet you will be hanged for being so long absent or to be turned away is not that as good as a hanging to you
CLOWN
Many a good hanging prevents a bad marriage and for turning away let summer bear it out
MARIA
You are resolute then
CLOWN
Not so neither but I am resolved on two points
MARIA
That if one break the other will hold or if both break your gaskins fall
CLOWN
Apt in good faith very apt Well go thy way if Sir Toby would leave drinking thou wert as witty a piece of Eves flesh as any in Illyria
MARIA
Peace you rogue no more o that Here comes my lady make your excuse wisely you were best
Exit
Enter Olivia with Malvolio
CLOWN
Wit andt be thy will put me into good fooling Those wits that think they have thee do very oft prove fools and I that am sure I lack thee may pass for a wise man For what says Quinapalus Better a witty fool than a foolish wit God bless thee lady
OLIVIA
Take the fool away
CLOWN
Do you not hear fellows Take away the lady
OLIVIA
Go to yare a dry fool Ill no more of you Besides you grow dishonest
CLOWN
Two faults madonna that drink and good counsel will amend for give the dry fool drink then is the fool not dry bid the dishonest man mend himself if he mend he is no longer dishonest if he cannot let the botcher mend him Anything thats mended is but patched virtue that transgresses is but patched with sin and sin that amends is but patched with virtue If that this simple syllogism will serve so if it will not what remedy As there is no true cuckold but calamity so beautys a flower The lady bade take away the fool therefore I say again take her away
OLIVIA
Sir I bade them take away you
CLOWN
Misprision in the highest degree Lady cucullus non facit monachum thats as much to say I wear not motley in my brain Good madonna give me leave to prove you a fool
OLIVIA
Can you do it
CLOWN
Dexteriously good madonna
OLIVIA
Make your proof
CLOWN
I must catechize you for it madonna Good my mouse of virtue answer me
OLIVIA
Well sir for want of other idleness Ill bide your proof
CLOWN
Good madonna why mournst thou
OLIVIA
Good fool for my brothers death
CLOWN
I think his soul is in hell madonna
OLIVIA
I know his soul is in heaven fool
CLOWN
The more fool you madonna to mourn for your brothers soul being in heaven Take away the fool gentlemen
OLIVIA
What think you of this fool Malvolio doth he not mend
MALVOLIO
Yes and shall do till the pangs of death shake him Infirmity that decays the wise doth ever make the better fool
CLOWN
God send you sir a speedy infirmity for the better increasing your folly Sir Toby will be sworn that I am no fox but he will not pass his word for twopence that you are no fool
OLIVIA
How say you to that Malvolio
MALVOLIO
I marvel your ladyship takes delight in such a barren rascal I saw him put down the other day with an ordinary fool that has no more brain than a stone Look you now hes out of his guard already unless you laugh and minister occasion to him he is gagged I protest I take these wise men that crow so at these set kind of fools no better than the fools zanies
OLIVIA
O you are sick of selflove Malvolio and taste with a distempered appetite To be generous guiltless and of free disposition is to take those things for birdbolts that you deem cannon bullets There is no slander in an allowed fool though he do nothing but rail nor no railing in a known discreet man though he do nothing but reprove
CLOWN
Now Mercury endue thee with leasing for thou speakst well of fools
Enter Maria
MARIA
Madam there is at the gate a young gentleman much desires to speak with you
OLIVIA
From the Count Orsino is it
MARIA
I know not madam tis a fair young man and well attended
OLIVIA
Who of my people hold him in delay
MARIA
Sir Toby madam your kinsman
OLIVIA
Fetch him off I pray you he speaks nothing but madman Fie on him
Exit Maria
Go you Malvolio If it be a suit from the Count I am sick or not at home What you will to dismiss it
Exit Malvolio
Now you see sir how your fooling grows old and people dislike it
CLOWN
Thou hast spoke for us madonna as if thy eldest son should be a fool whose skull Jove cram with brains for here he comes one of thy kin has a most weak pia mater
Enter Sir Toby
OLIVIA
By mine honour half drunk What is he at the gate cousin
SIR TOBY
A gentleman
OLIVIA
A gentleman What gentleman
SIR TOBY
Tis a gentleman here A plague o these pickleherrings How now sot
CLOWN
Good Sir Toby
OLIVIA
Cousin cousin how have you come so early by this lethargy
SIR TOBY
Lechery I defy lechery Theres one at the gate
OLIVIA
Ay marry what is he
SIR TOBY
Let him be the devil an he will I care not give me faith say I Well its all one
Exit
OLIVIA
Whats a drunken man like fool
CLOWN
Like a drowned man a fool and a madman one draught above heat makes him a fool the second mads him and a third drowns him
OLIVIA
Go thou and seek the coroner and let him sit o my coz for hes in the third degree of drink hes drowned Go look after him
CLOWN
He is but mad yet madonna and the fool shall look to the madman
Exit Clown
Enter Malvolio
MALVOLIO
Madam yond young fellow swears he will speak with you I told him you were sick he takes on him to understand so much and therefore comes to speak with you I told him you were asleep he seems to have a foreknowledge of that too and therefore comes to speak with you What is to be said to him lady Hes fortified against any denial
OLIVIA
Tell him he shall not speak with me
MALVOLIO
Has been told so and he says hell stand at your door like a sheriffs post and be the supporter of a bench but hell speak with you
OLIVIA
What kind o man is he
MALVOLIO
Why of mankind
OLIVIA
What manner of man
MALVOLIO
Of very ill manner hell speak with you will you or no
OLIVIA
Of what personage and years is he
MALVOLIO
Not yet old enough for a man nor young enough for a boy as a squash is before tis a peascod or a codling when tis almost an apple Tis with him in standing water between boy and man He is very wellfavoured and he speaks very shrewishly One would think his mothers milk were scarce out of him
OLIVIA
Let him approach Call in my gentlewoman
MALVOLIO
Gentlewoman my lady calls
Exit
Enter Maria
OLIVIA
Give me my veil come throw it oer my face
Well once more hear Orsinos embassy
Enter Viola
VIOLA
The honourable lady of the house which is she
OLIVIA
Speak to me I shall answer for her Your will
VIOLA
Most radiant exquisite and unmatchable beautyI pray you tell me if this be the lady of the house for I never saw her I would be loath to cast away my speech for besides that it is excellently well penned I have taken great pains to con it Good beauties let me sustain no scorn I am very comptible even to the least sinister usage
OLIVIA
Whence came you sir
VIOLA
I can say little more than I have studied and that questions out of my part Good gentle one give me modest assurance if you be the lady of the house that I may proceed in my speech
OLIVIA
Are you a comedian
VIOLA
No my profound heart and yet by the very fangs of malice I swear I am not that I play Are you the lady of the house
OLIVIA
If I do not usurp myself I am
VIOLA
Most certain if you are she you do usurp yourself for what is yours to bestow is not yours to reserve But this is from my commission I will on with my speech in your praise and then show you the heart of my message
OLIVIA
Come to what is important int I forgive you the praise
VIOLA
Alas I took great pains to study it and tis poetical
OLIVIA
It is the more like to be feigned I pray you keep it in I heard you were saucy at my gates and allowed your approach rather to wonder at you than to hear you If you be mad be gone if you have reason be brief tis not that time of moon with me to make one in so skipping a dialogue
MARIA
Will you hoist sail sir Here lies your way
VIOLA
No good swabber I am to hull here a little longer Some mollification for your giant sweet lady Tell me your mind I am a messenger
OLIVIA
Sure you have some hideous matter to deliver when the courtesy of it is so fearful Speak your office
VIOLA
It alone concerns your ear I bring no overture of war no taxation of homage I hold the olive in my hand my words are as full of peace as matter
OLIVIA
Yet you began rudely What are you What would you
VIOLA
The rudeness that hath appeared in me have I learned from my entertainment What I am and what I would are as secret as maidenhead to your ears divinity to any others profanation
OLIVIA
Give us the place alone we will hear this divinity
Exit Maria
Now sir what is your text
VIOLA
Most sweet lady
OLIVIA
A comfortable doctrine and much may be said of it Where lies your text
VIOLA
In Orsinos bosom
OLIVIA
In his bosom In what chapter of his bosom
VIOLA
To answer by the method in the first of his heart
OLIVIA
O I have read it it is heresy Have you no more to say
VIOLA
Good madam let me see your face
OLIVIA
Have you any commission from your lord to negotiate with my face You are now out of your text but we will draw the curtain and show you the picture Unveiling Look you sir such a one I was this present Ist not well done
VIOLA
Excellently done if God did all
OLIVIA
Tis in grain sir twill endure wind and weather
VIOLA
Tis beauty truly blent whose red and white
Natures own sweet and cunning hand laid on
Lady you are the cruelst she alive
If you will lead these graces to the grave
And leave the world no copy
OLIVIA
O sir I will not be so hardhearted I will give out divers schedules of my beauty It shall be inventoried and every particle and utensil labelled to my will as item two lips indifferent red item two grey eyes with lids to them item one neck one chin and so forth Were you sent hither to praise me
VIOLA
I see you what you are you are too proud
But if you were the devil you are fair
My lord and master loves you O such love
Could be but recompensd though you were crownd
The nonpareil of beauty
OLIVIA
How does he love me
VIOLA
With adorations fertile tears
With groans that thunder love with sighs of fire
OLIVIA
Your lord does know my mind I cannot love him
Yet I suppose him virtuous know him noble
Of great estate of fresh and stainless youth
In voices well divulgd free learnd and valiant
And in dimension and the shape of nature
A gracious person But yet I cannot love him
He might have took his answer long ago
VIOLA
If I did love you in my masters flame
With such a suffring such a deadly life
In your denial I would find no sense
I would not understand it
OLIVIA
Why what would you
VIOLA
Make me a willow cabin at your gate
And call upon my soul within the house
Write loyal cantons of contemned love
And sing them loud even in the dead of night
Hallow your name to the reverberate hills
And make the babbling gossip of the air
Cry out Olivia O you should not rest
Between the elements of air and earth
But you should pity me
OLIVIA
You might do much
What is your parentage
VIOLA
Above my fortunes yet my state is well
I am a gentleman
OLIVIA
Get you to your lord
I cannot love him let him send no more
Unless perchance you come to me again
To tell me how he takes it Fare you well
I thank you for your pains spend this for me
VIOLA
I am no feed post lady keep your purse
My master not myself lacks recompense
Love make his heart of flint that you shall love
And let your fervour like my masters be
Placd in contempt Farewell fair cruelty
Exit
OLIVIA
What is your parentage
Above my fortunes yet my state is well
I am a gentleman Ill be sworn thou art
Thy tongue thy face thy limbs actions and spirit
Do give thee fivefold blazon Not too fast soft soft
Unless the master were the man How now
Even so quickly may one catch the plague
Methinks I feel this youths perfections
With an invisible and subtle stealth
To creep in at mine eyes Well let it be
What ho Malvolio
Enter Malvolio
MALVOLIO
Here madam at your service
OLIVIA
Run after that same peevish messenger
The Countys man he left this ring behind him
Would I or not tell him Ill none of it
Desire him not to flatter with his lord
Nor hold him up with hopes I am not for him
If that the youth will come this way tomorrow
Ill give him reasons fort Hie thee Malvolio
MALVOLIO
Madam I will
Exit
OLIVIA
I do I know not what and fear to find
Mine eye too great a flatterer for my mind
Fate show thy force ourselves we do not owe
What is decreed must be and be this so
Exit
ACT II
SCENE I The seacoast
Enter Antonio and Sebastian
ANTONIO
Will you stay no longer Nor will you not that I go with you
SEBASTIAN
By your patience no my stars shine darkly over me the malignancy of my fate might perhaps distemper yours therefore I shall crave of you your leave that I may bear my evils alone It were a bad recompense for your love to lay any of them on you
ANTONIO
Let me know of you whither you are bound
SEBASTIAN
No sooth sir my determinate voyage is mere extravagancy But I perceive in you so excellent a touch of modesty that you will not extort from me what I am willing to keep in Therefore it charges me in manners the rather to express myself You must know of me then Antonio my name is Sebastian which I called Roderigo my father was that Sebastian of Messaline whom I know you have heard of He left behind him myself and a sister both born in an hour If the heavens had been pleased would we had so ended But you sir altered that for some hour before you took me from the breach of the sea was my sister drowned
ANTONIO
Alas the day
SEBASTIAN
A lady sir though it was said she much resembled me was yet of many accounted beautiful But though I could not with such estimable wonder overfar believe that yet thus far I will boldly publish her she bore a mind that envy could not but call fair She is drowned already sir with salt water though I seem to drown her remembrance again with more
ANTONIO
Pardon me sir your bad entertainment
SEBASTIAN
O good Antonio forgive me your trouble
ANTONIO
If you will not murder me for my love let me be your servant
SEBASTIAN
If you will not undo what you have done that is kill him whom you have recovered desire it not Fare ye well at once my bosom is full of kindness and I am yet so near the manners of my mother that upon the least occasion more mine eyes will tell tales of me I am bound to the Count Orsinos court farewell
Exit
ANTONIO
The gentleness of all the gods go with thee
I have many enemies in Orsinos court
Else would I very shortly see thee there
But come what may I do adore thee so
That danger shall seem sport and I will go
Exit
SCENE II A street
Enter Viola Malvolio at several doors
MALVOLIO
Were you not even now with the Countess Olivia
VIOLA
Even now sir on a moderate pace I have since arrived but hither
MALVOLIO
She returns this ring to you sir you might have saved me my pains to have taken it away yourself She adds moreover that you should put your lord into a desperate assurance she will none of him And one thing more that you be never so hardy to come again in his affairs unless it be to report your lords taking of this Receive it so
VIOLA
She took the ring of me Ill none of it
MALVOLIO
Come sir you peevishly threw it to her and her will is it should be so returned If it be worth stooping for there it lies in your eye if not be it his that finds it
Exit
VIOLA
I left no ring with her what means this lady
Fortune forbid my outside have not charmd her
She made good view of me indeed so much
That methought her eyes had lost her tongue
For she did speak in starts distractedly
She loves me sure the cunning of her passion
Invites me in this churlish messenger
None of my lords ring Why he sent her none
I am the man if it be so as tis
Poor lady she were better love a dream
Disguise I see thou art a wickedness
Wherein the pregnant enemy does much
How easy is it for the proper false
In womens waxen hearts to set their forms
Alas our frailty is the cause not we
For such as we are made of such we be
How will this fadge My master loves her dearly
And I poor monster fond as much on him
And she mistaken seems to dote on me
What will become of this As I am man
My state is desperate for my masters love
As I am woman now alas the day
What thriftless sighs shall poor Olivia breathe
O time thou must untangle this not I
It is too hard a knot for me tuntie
Exit
SCENE III A Room in Olivias House
Enter Sir Toby and Sir Andrew
SIR TOBY
Approach Sir Andrew not to be abed after midnight is to be up betimes and diluculo surgere thou knowst
SIR ANDREW
Nay by my troth I know not but I know to be up late is to be up late
SIR TOBY
A false conclusion I hate it as an unfilled can To be up after midnight and to go to bed then is early so that to go to bed after midnight is to go to bed betimes Does not our lives consist of the four elements
SIR ANDREW
Faith so they say but I think it rather consists of eating and drinking
SIR TOBY
Thart a scholar let us therefore eat and drink
Marian I say a stoup of wine
Enter Clown
SIR ANDREW
Here comes the fool i faith
CLOWN
How now my hearts Did you never see the picture of we three
SIR TOBY
Welcome ass Now lets have a catch
SIR ANDREW
By my troth the fool has an excellent breast I had rather than forty shillings I had such a leg and so sweet a breath to sing as the fool has In sooth thou wast in very gracious fooling last night when thou spokst of Pigrogromitus of the Vapians passing the equinoctial of Queubus twas very good i faith I sent thee sixpence for thy leman Hadst it
CLOWN
I did impeticos thy gratillity for Malvolios nose is no whipstock My lady has a white hand and the Myrmidons are no bottleale houses
SIR ANDREW
Excellent Why this is the best fooling when all is done Now a song
SIR TOBY
Come on there is sixpence for you Lets have a song
SIR ANDREW
Theres a testril of me too if one knight give a
CLOWN
Would you have a lovesong or a song of good life
SIR TOBY
A lovesong a lovesong
SIR ANDREW
Ay ay I care not for good life
CLOWN sings
O mistress mine where are you roaming
O stay and hear your true loves coming
That can sing both high and low
Trip no further pretty sweeting
Journeys end in lovers meeting
Every wise mans son doth know
SIR ANDREW
Excellent good i faith
SIR TOBY
Good good
CLOWN
What is love Tis not hereafter
Present mirth hath present laughter
Whats to come is still unsure
In delay there lies no plenty
Then come kiss me sweet and twenty
Youths a stuff will not endure
SIR ANDREW
A mellifluous voice as I am true knight
SIR TOBY
A contagious breath
SIR ANDREW
Very sweet and contagious i faith
SIR TOBY
To hear by the nose it is dulcet in contagion But shall we make the welkin dance indeed Shall we rouse the nightowl in a catch that will draw three souls out of one weaver Shall we do that
SIR ANDREW
And you love me lets dot I am dog at a catch
CLOWN
Byr lady sir and some dogs will catch well
SIR ANDREW
Most certain Let our catch be Thou knave
CLOWN
Hold thy peace thou knave knight I shall be constraind int to call thee knave knight
SIR ANDREW
Tis not the first time I have constrained one to call me knave Begin fool it begins Hold thy peace
CLOWN
I shall never begin if I hold my peace
SIR ANDREW
Good i faith Come begin
Catch sung
Enter Maria
MARIA
What a caterwauling do you keep here If my lady have not called up her steward Malvolio and bid him turn you out of doors never trust me
SIR TOBY
My ladys a Cataian we are politicians Malvolios a PegaRamsey and Sings Three merry men be we Am not I consanguineous Am I not of her blood Tillyvally Lady There dwelt a man in Babylon Lady Lady
CLOWN
Beshrew me the knights in admirable fooling
SIR ANDREW
Ay he does well enough if he be disposed and so do I too he does it with a better grace but I do it more natural
SIR TOBY
Sings O the twelfth day of December
MARIA
For the love o God peace
Enter Malvolio
MALVOLIO
My masters are you mad Or what are you Have you no wit manners nor honesty but to gabble like tinkers at this time of night Do ye make an alehouse of my ladys house that ye squeak out your coziers catches without any mitigation or remorse of voice Is there no respect of place persons nor time in you
SIR TOBY
We did keep time sir in our catches Sneck up
MALVOLIO
Sir Toby I must be round with you My lady bade me tell you that though she harbours you as her kinsman shes nothing allied to your disorders If you can separate yourself and your misdemeanours you are welcome to the house if not and it would please you to take leave of her she is very willing to bid you farewell
SIR TOBY
Sings Farewell dear heart since I must needs be gone
MARIA
Nay good Sir Toby
CLOWN
Sings His eyes do show his days are almost done
MALVOLIO
Ist even so
SIR TOBY
Sings But I will never die
CLOWN
Sings Sir Toby there you lie
MALVOLIO
This is much credit to you
SIR TOBY
Sings Shall I bid him go
CLOWN
Sings What and if you do
SIR TOBY
Sings Shall I bid him go and spare not
CLOWN
Sings O no no no no you dare not
SIR TOBY
Out o tune sir ye lie Art any more than a steward Dost thou think because thou art virtuous there shall be no more cakes and ale
CLOWN
Yes by Saint Anne and ginger shall be hot i the mouth too
SIR TOBY
Thart i the right Go sir rub your chain with crumbs A stoup of wine Maria
MALVOLIO
Mistress Mary if you prized my ladys favour at anything more than contempt you would not give means for this uncivil rule she shall know of it by this hand
Exit
MARIA
Go shake your ears
SIR ANDREW
Twere as good a deed as to drink when a mans ahungry to challenge him the field and then to break promise with him and make a fool of him
SIR TOBY
Dot knight Ill write thee a challenge or Ill deliver thy indignation to him by word of mouth
MARIA
Sweet Sir Toby be patient for tonight Since the youth of the Counts was today with my lady she is much out of quiet For Monsieur Malvolio let me alone with him If I do not gull him into a nayword and make him a common recreation do not think I have wit enough to lie straight in my bed I know I can do it
SIR TOBY
Possess us possess us tell us something of him
MARIA
Marry sir sometimes he is a kind of Puritan
SIR ANDREW
O if I thought that Id beat him like a dog
SIR TOBY
What for being a Puritan Thy exquisite reason dear knight
SIR ANDREW
I have no exquisite reason fort but I have reason good enough
MARIA
The devil a Puritan that he is or anything constantly but a timepleaser an affectioned ass that cons state without book and utters it by great swarths the best persuaded of himself so crammed as he thinks with excellencies that it is his grounds of faith that all that look on him love him And on that vice in him will my revenge find notable cause to work
SIR TOBY
What wilt thou do
MARIA
I will drop in his way some obscure epistles of love wherein by the colour of his beard the shape of his leg the manner of his gait the expressure of his eye forehead and complexion he shall find himself most feelingly personated I can write very like my lady your niece on a forgotten matter we can hardly make distinction of our hands
SIR TOBY
Excellent I smell a device
SIR ANDREW
I havet in my nose too
SIR TOBY
He shall think by the letters that thou wilt drop that they come from my niece and that she is in love with him
MARIA
My purpose is indeed a horse of that colour
SIR ANDREW
And your horse now would make him an ass
MARIA
Ass I doubt not
SIR ANDREW
O twill be admirable
MARIA
Sport royal I warrant you I know my physic will work with him I will plant you two and let the fool make a third where he shall find the letter Observe his construction of it For this night to bed and dream on the event Farewell
Exit
SIR TOBY
Good night Penthesilea
SIR ANDREW
Before me shes a good wench
SIR TOBY
Shes a beagle true bred and one that adores me What o that
SIR ANDREW
I was adored once too
SIR TOBY
Lets to bed knight Thou hadst need send for more money
SIR ANDREW
If I cannot recover your niece I am a foul way out
SIR TOBY
Send for money knight if thou hast her not i th end call me cut
SIR ANDREW
If I do not never trust me take it how you will
SIR TOBY
Come come Ill go burn some sack tis too late to go to bed now Come knight come knight
Exeunt
SCENE IV A Room in the Dukes Palace
Enter Duke Viola Curio and others
DUKE
Give me some music Now good morrow friends
Now good Cesario but that piece of song
That old and antique song we heard last night
Methought it did relieve my passion much
More than light airs and recollected terms
Of these most brisk and giddypaced times
Come but one verse
CURIO
He is not here so please your lordship that should sing it
DUKE
Who was it
CURIO
Feste the jester my lord a fool that the Lady Olivias father took much delight in He is about the house
DUKE
Seek him out and play the tune the while
Exit Curio Music plays
Come hither boy If ever thou shalt love
In the sweet pangs of it remember me
For such as I am all true lovers are
Unstaid and skittish in all motions else
Save in the constant image of the creature
That is belovd How dost thou like this tune
VIOLA
It gives a very echo to the seat
Where love is throned
DUKE
Thou dost speak masterly
My life upont young though thou art thine eye
Hath stayed upon some favour that it loves
Hath it not boy
VIOLA
A little by your favour
DUKE
What kind of woman ist
VIOLA
Of your complexion
DUKE
She is not worth thee then What years i faith
VIOLA
About your years my lord
DUKE
Too old by heaven Let still the woman take
An elder than herself so wears she to him
So sways she level in her husbands heart
For boy however we do praise ourselves
Our fancies are more giddy and unfirm
More longing wavering sooner lost and worn
Than womens are
VIOLA
I think it well my lord
DUKE
Then let thy love be younger than thyself
Or thy affection cannot hold the bent
For women are as roses whose fair flower
Being once displayd doth fall that very hour
VIOLA
And so they are alas that they are so
To die even when they to perfection grow
Enter Curio and Clown
DUKE
O fellow come the song we had last night
Mark it Cesario it is old and plain
The spinsters and the knitters in the sun
And the free maids that weave their thread with bones
Do use to chant it it is silly sooth
And dallies with the innocence of love
Like the old age
CLOWN
Are you ready sir
DUKE
Ay prithee sing
Music
The Clowns song
Come away come away death
And in sad cypress let me be laid
Fly away fly away breath
I am slain by a fair cruel maid
My shroud of white stuck all with yew
O prepare it
My part of death no one so true
Did share it
Not a flower not a flower sweet
On my black coffin let there be strown
Not a friend not a friend greet
My poor corpse where my bones shall be thrown
A thousand thousand sighs to save
Lay me O where
Sad true lover never find my grave
To weep there
DUKE
Theres for thy pains
CLOWN
No pains sir I take pleasure in singing sir
DUKE
Ill pay thy pleasure then
CLOWN
Truly sir and pleasure will be paid one time or another
DUKE
Give me now leave to leave thee
CLOWN
Now the melancholy god protect thee and the tailor make thy doublet of changeable taffeta for thy mind is a very opal I would have men of such constancy put to sea that their business might be everything and their intent everywhere for thats it that always makes a good voyage of nothing Farewell
Exit Clown
DUKE
Let all the rest give place
Exeunt Curio and Attendants
Once more Cesario
Get thee to yond same sovereign cruelty
Tell her my love more noble than the world
Prizes not quantity of dirty lands
The parts that fortune hath bestowd upon her
Tell her I hold as giddily as fortune
But tis that miracle and queen of gems
That nature pranks her in attracts my soul
VIOLA
But if she cannot love you sir
DUKE
I cannot be so answerd
VIOLA
Sooth but you must
Say that some lady as perhaps there is
Hath for your love as great a pang of heart
As you have for Olivia you cannot love her
You tell her so Must she not then be answerd
DUKE
There is no womans sides
Can bide the beating of so strong a passion
As love doth give my heart no womans heart
So big to hold so much they lack retention
Alas their love may be called appetite
No motion of the liver but the palate
That suffer surfeit cloyment and revolt
But mine is all as hungry as the sea
And can digest as much Make no compare
Between that love a woman can bear me
And that I owe Olivia
VIOLA
Ay but I know
DUKE
What dost thou know
VIOLA
Too well what love women to men may owe
In faith they are as true of heart as we
My father had a daughter loved a man
As it might be perhaps were I a woman
I should your lordship
DUKE
And whats her history
VIOLA
A blank my lord She never told her love
But let concealment like a worm i th bud
Feed on her damask cheek she pined in thought
And with a green and yellow melancholy
She sat like patience on a monument
Smiling at grief Was not this love indeed
We men may say more swear more but indeed
Our shows are more than will for still we prove
Much in our vows but little in our love
DUKE
But died thy sister of her love my boy
VIOLA
I am all the daughters of my fathers house
And all the brothers too and yet I know not
Sir shall I to this lady
DUKE
Ay thats the theme
To her in haste Give her this jewel say
My love can give no place bide no denay
Exeunt
SCENE V Olivias garden
Enter Sir Toby Sir Andrew and Fabian
SIR TOBY
Come thy ways Signior Fabian
FABIAN
Nay Ill come If I lose a scruple of this sport let me be boiled to death with melancholy
SIR TOBY
Wouldst thou not be glad to have the niggardly rascally sheepbiter come by some notable shame
FABIAN
I would exult man You know he brought me out o favour with my lady about a bearbaiting here
SIR TOBY
To anger him well have the bear again and we will fool him black and blue shall we not Sir Andrew
SIR ANDREW
And we do not it is pity of our lives
Enter Maria
SIR TOBY
Here comes the little villain How now my metal of India
MARIA
Get ye all three into the boxtree Malvolios coming down this walk he has been yonder i the sun practising behaviour to his own shadow this half hour observe him for the love of mockery for I know this letter will make a contemplative idiot of him Close in the name of jesting The men hide themselves Lie thou there Throws down a letter for here comes the trout that must be caught with tickling
Exit Maria
Enter Malvolio
MALVOLIO
Tis but fortune all is fortune Maria once told me she did affect me and I have heard herself come thus near that should she fancy it should be one of my complexion Besides she uses me with a more exalted respect than anyone else that follows her What should I think ont
SIR TOBY
Heres an overweening rogue
FABIAN
O peace Contemplation makes a rare turkeycock of him how he jets under his advanced plumes
SIR ANDREW
Slight I could so beat the rogue
SIR TOBY
Peace I say
MALVOLIO
To be Count Malvolio
SIR TOBY
Ah rogue
SIR ANDREW
Pistol him pistol him
SIR TOBY
Peace peace
MALVOLIO
There is example fort The lady of the Strachy married the yeoman of the wardrobe
SIR ANDREW
Fie on him Jezebel
FABIAN
O peace now hes deeply in look how imagination blows him
MALVOLIO
Having been three months married to her sitting in my state
SIR TOBY
O for a stonebow to hit him in the eye
MALVOLIO
Calling my officers about me in my branched velvet gown having come from a daybed where I have left Olivia sleeping
SIR TOBY
Fire and brimstone
FABIAN
O peace peace
MALVOLIO
And then to have the humour of state and after a demure travel of regard telling them I know my place as I would they should do theirs to ask for my kinsman Toby
SIR TOBY
Bolts and shackles
FABIAN
O peace peace peace Now now
MALVOLIO
Seven of my people with an obedient start make out for him I frown the while and perchance wind up my watch or play with some rich jewel Toby approaches curtsies there to me
SIR TOBY
Shall this fellow live
FABIAN
Though our silence be drawn from us with cars yet peace
MALVOLIO
I extend my hand to him thus quenching my familiar smile with an austere regard of control
SIR TOBY
And does not Toby take you a blow o the lips then
MALVOLIO
Saying Cousin Toby my fortunes having cast me on your niece give me this prerogative of speech
SIR TOBY
What what
MALVOLIO
You must amend your drunkenness
SIR TOBY
Out scab
FABIAN
Nay patience or we break the sinews of our plot
MALVOLIO
Besides you waste the treasure of your time with a foolish knight
SIR ANDREW
Thats me I warrant you
MALVOLIO
One Sir Andrew
SIR ANDREW
I knew twas I for many do call me fool
MALVOLIO
Taking up the letter What employment have we here
FABIAN
Now is the woodcock near the gin
SIR TOBY
O peace And the spirit of humours intimate reading aloud to him
MALVOLIO
By my life this is my ladys hand these be her very Cs her Us and her Ts and thus makes she her great Ps It is in contempt of question her hand
SIR ANDREW
Her Cs her Us and her Ts Why that
MALVOLIO
Reads To the unknown beloved this and my good wishes Her very phrases By your leave wax Soft and the impressure her Lucrece with which she uses to seal tis my lady To whom should this be
FABIAN
This wins him liver and all
MALVOLIO
Reads
Jove knows I love
But who
Lips do not move
No man must know
No man must know What follows The numbers alterd No man must knowIf this should be thee Malvolio
SIR TOBY
Marry hang thee brock
MALVOLIO
I may command where I adore
But silence like a Lucrece knife
With bloodless stroke my heart doth gore
MOAI doth sway my life
FABIAN
A fustian riddle
SIR TOBY
Excellent wench say I
MALVOLIO
MOAI doth sway my lifeNay but first let me see let me see let me see
FABIAN
What dish o poison has she dressed him
SIR TOBY
And with what wing the staniel checks at it
MALVOLIO
I may command where I adore Why she may command me I serve her she is my lady Why this is evident to any formal capacity There is no obstruction in this And the endwhat should that alphabetical position portend If I could make that resemble something in me Softly MOAI
SIR TOBY
O ay make up thathe is now at a cold scent
FABIAN
Sowter will cry upont for all this though it be as rank as a fox
MALVOLIO
MMalvolio M Why that begins my name
FABIAN
Did not I say he would work it out The cur is excellent at faults
MALVOLIO
MBut then there is no consonancy in the sequel that suffers under probation A should follow but O does
FABIAN
And O shall end I hope
SIR TOBY
Ay or Ill cudgel him and make him cry O
MALVOLIO
And then I comes behind
FABIAN
Ay and you had any eye behind you you might see more detraction at your heels than fortunes before you
MALVOLIO
MOAI This simulation is not as the former and yet to crush this a little it would bow to me for every one of these letters are in my name Soft here follows prose
Reads If this fall into thy hand revolve In my stars I am above thee but be not afraid of greatness Some are born great some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon em Thy fates open their hands let thy blood and spirit embrace them And to inure thyself to what thou art like to be cast thy humble slough and appear fresh Be opposite with a kinsman surly with servants Let thy tongue tang arguments of state put thyself into the trick of singularity She thus advises thee that sighs for thee Remember who commended thy yellow stockings and wished to see thee ever crossgartered I say remember Go to thou art made if thou desirst to be so If not let me see thee a steward still the fellow of servants and not worthy to touch Fortunes fingers Farewell She that would alter services with thee
The Fortunate Unhappy
Daylight and champian discovers not more This is open I will be proud I will read politic authors I will baffle Sir Toby I will wash off gross acquaintance I will be pointdevice the very man I do not now fool myself to let imagination jade me for every reason excites to this that my lady loves me She did commend my yellow stockings of late she did praise my leg being crossgartered and in this she manifests herself to my love and with a kind of injunction drives me to these habits of her liking I thank my stars I am happy I will be strange stout in yellow stockings and crossgartered even with the swiftness of putting on Jove and my stars be praisedHere is yet a postscript Reads Thou canst not choose but know who I am If thou entertainst my love let it appear in thy smiling thy smiles become thee well Therefore in my presence still smile dear my sweet I prithee Jove I thank thee I will smile I will do everything that thou wilt have me
Exit
FABIAN
I will not give my part of this sport for a pension of thousands to be paid from the Sophy
SIR TOBY
I could marry this wench for this device
SIR ANDREW
So could I too
SIR TOBY
And ask no other dowry with her but such another jest
Enter Maria
SIR ANDREW
Nor I neither
FABIAN
Here comes my noble gullcatcher
SIR TOBY
Wilt thou set thy foot o my neck
SIR ANDREW
Or o mine either
SIR TOBY
Shall I play my freedom at traytrip and become thy bondslave
SIR ANDREW
I faith or I either
SIR TOBY
Why thou hast put him in such a dream that when the image of it leaves him he must run mad
MARIA
Nay but say true does it work upon him
SIR TOBY
Like aquavitae with a midwife
MARIA
If you will then see the fruits of the sport mark his first approach before my lady he will come to her in yellow stockings and tis a colour she abhors and crossgartered a fashion she detests and he will smile upon her which will now be so unsuitable to her disposition being addicted to a melancholy as she is that it cannot but turn him into a notable contempt If you will see it follow me
SIR TOBY
To the gates of Tartar thou most excellent devil of wit
SIR ANDREW
Ill make one too
Exeunt
ACT III
SCENE I Olivias garden
Enter Viola and Clown with a tabor
VIOLA
Save thee friend and thy music Dost thou live by thy tabor
CLOWN
No sir I live by the church
VIOLA
Art thou a churchman
CLOWN
No such matter sir I do live by the church for I do live at my house and my house doth stand by the church
VIOLA
So thou mayst say the king lies by a beggar if a beggar dwell near him or the church stands by thy tabor if thy tabor stand by the church
CLOWN
You have said sir To see this age A sentence is but a chevril glove to a good wit How quickly the wrong side may be turned outward
VIOLA
Nay thats certain they that dally nicely with words may quickly make them wanton
CLOWN
I would therefore my sister had had no name sir
VIOLA
Why man
CLOWN
Why sir her names a word and to dally with that word might make my sister wanton But indeed words are very rascals since bonds disgraced them
VIOLA
Thy reason man
CLOWN
Troth sir I can yield you none without words and words are grown so false I am loath to prove reason with them
VIOLA
I warrant thou art a merry fellow and carst for nothing
CLOWN
Not so sir I do care for something But in my conscience sir I do not care for you If that be to care for nothing sir I would it would make you invisible
VIOLA
Art not thou the Lady Olivias fool
CLOWN
No indeed sir the Lady Olivia has no folly She will keep no fool sir till she be married and fools are as like husbands as pilchards are to herrings the husbands the bigger I am indeed not her fool but her corrupter of words
VIOLA
I saw thee late at the Count Orsinos
CLOWN
Foolery sir does walk about the orb like the sun it shines everywhere I would be sorry sir but the fool should be as oft with your master as with my mistress I think I saw your wisdom there
VIOLA
Nay and thou pass upon me Ill no more with thee Hold theres expenses for thee
CLOWN
Now Jove in his next commodity of hair send thee a beard
VIOLA
By my troth Ill tell thee I am almost sick for one though I would not have it grow on my chin Is thy lady within
CLOWN
Would not a pair of these have bred sir
VIOLA
Yes being kept together and put to use
CLOWN
I would play Lord Pandarus of Phrygia sir to bring a Cressida to this Troilus
VIOLA
I understand you sir tis well begged
CLOWN
The matter I hope is not great sir begging but a beggar Cressida was a beggar My lady is within sir I will conster to them whence you come who you are and what you would are out of my welkin I might say element but the word is overworn
Exit
VIOLA
This fellow is wise enough to play the fool
And to do that well craves a kind of wit
He must observe their mood on whom he jests
The quality of persons and the time
And like the haggard check at every feather
That comes before his eye This is a practice
As full of labour as a wise mans art
For folly that he wisely shows is fit
But wise men follyfalln quite taint their wit
Enter Sir Toby and Sir Andrew
SIR TOBY
Save you gentleman
VIOLA
And you sir
SIR ANDREW
Dieu vous garde monsieur
VIOLA
Et vous aussi votre serviteur
SIR ANDREW
I hope sir you are and I am yours
SIR TOBY
Will you encounter the house My niece is desirous you should enter if your trade be to her
VIOLA
I am bound to your niece sir I mean she is the list of my voyage
SIR TOBY
Taste your legs sir put them to motion
VIOLA
My legs do better understand me sir than I understand what you mean by bidding me taste my legs
SIR TOBY
I mean to go sir to enter
VIOLA
I will answer you with gait and entrance but we are prevented
Enter Olivia and Maria
Most excellent accomplished lady the heavens rain odours on you
SIR ANDREW
That youths a rare courtier Rain odours well
VIOLA
My matter hath no voice lady but to your own most pregnant and vouchsafed ear
SIR ANDREW
Odours pregnant and vouchsafedIll get em all three ready
OLIVIA
Let the garden door be shut and leave me to my hearing
Exeunt Sir Toby Sir Andrew and Maria
Give me your hand sir
VIOLA
My duty madam and most humble service
OLIVIA
What is your name
VIOLA
Cesario is your servants name fair princess
OLIVIA
My servant sir Twas never merry world
Since lowly feigning was calld compliment
Yare servant to the Count Orsino youth
VIOLA
And he is yours and his must needs be yours
Your servants servant is your servant madam
OLIVIA
For him I think not on him for his thoughts
Would they were blanks rather than filld with me
VIOLA
Madam I come to whet your gentle thoughts
On his behalf
OLIVIA
O by your leave I pray you
I bade you never speak again of him
But would you undertake another suit
I had rather hear you to solicit that
Than music from the spheres
VIOLA
Dear lady
OLIVIA
Give me leave beseech you I did send
After the last enchantment you did here
A ring in chase of you So did I abuse
Myself my servant and I fear me you
Under your hard construction must I sit
To force that on you in a shameful cunning
Which you knew none of yours What might you think
Have you not set mine honour at the stake
And baited it with all th unmuzzled thoughts
That tyrannous heart can think To one of your receiving
Enough is shown A cypress not a bosom
Hides my heart so let me hear you speak
VIOLA
I pity you
OLIVIA
Thats a degree to love
VIOLA
No not a grize for tis a vulgar proof
That very oft we pity enemies
OLIVIA
Why then methinks tis time to smile again
O world how apt the poor are to be proud
If one should be a prey how much the better
To fall before the lion than the wolf Clock strikes
The clock upbraids me with the waste of time
Be not afraid good youth I will not have you
And yet when wit and youth is come to harvest
Your wife is like to reap a proper man
There lies your way due west
VIOLA
Then westward ho
Grace and good disposition attend your ladyship
Youll nothing madam to my lord by me
OLIVIA
Stay
I prithee tell me what thou thinkst of me
VIOLA
That you do think you are not what you are
OLIVIA
If I think so I think the same of you
VIOLA
Then think you right I am not what I am
OLIVIA
I would you were as I would have you be
VIOLA
Would it be better madam than I am
I wish it might for now I am your fool
OLIVIA
O what a deal of scorn looks beautiful
In the contempt and anger of his lip
A murdrous guilt shows not itself more soon
Than love that would seem hid Loves night is noon
Cesario by the roses of the spring
By maidhood honour truth and everything
I love thee so that maugre all thy pride
Nor wit nor reason can my passion hide
Do not extort thy reasons from this clause
For that I woo thou therefore hast no cause
But rather reason thus with reason fetter
Love sought is good but given unsought is better
VIOLA
By innocence I swear and by my youth
I have one heart one bosom and one truth
And that no woman has nor never none
Shall mistress be of it save I alone
And so adieu good madam never more
Will I my masters tears to you deplore
OLIVIA
Yet come again for thou perhaps mayst move
That heart which now abhors to like his love
Exeunt
SCENE II A Room in Olivias House
Enter Sir Toby Sir Andrew and Fabian
SIR ANDREW
No faith Ill not stay a jot longer
SIR TOBY
Thy reason dear venom give thy reason
FABIAN
You must needs yield your reason Sir Andrew
SIR ANDREW
Marry I saw your niece do more favours to the Counts servingman than ever she bestowed upon me I sawt i th orchard
SIR TOBY
Did she see thee the while old boy Tell me that
SIR ANDREW
As plain as I see you now
FABIAN
This was a great argument of love in her toward you
SIR ANDREW
Slight will you make an ass o me
FABIAN
I will prove it legitimate sir upon the oaths of judgment and reason
SIR TOBY
And they have been grandjurymen since before Noah was a sailor
FABIAN
She did show favour to the youth in your sight only to exasperate you to awake your dormouse valour to put fire in your heart and brimstone in your liver You should then have accosted her and with some excellent jests firenew from the mint you should have banged the youth into dumbness This was looked for at your hand and this was balked the double gilt of this opportunity you let time wash off and you are now sailed into the north of my ladys opinion where you will hang like an icicle on Dutchmans beard unless you do redeem it by some laudable attempt either of valour or policy
SIR ANDREW
Andt be any way it must be with valour for policy I hate I had as lief be a Brownist as a politician
SIR TOBY
Why then build me thy fortunes upon the basis of valour Challenge me the Counts youth to fight with him Hurt him in eleven places my niece shall take note of it and assure thyself there is no lovebroker in the world can more prevail in mans commendation with woman than report of valour
FABIAN
There is no way but this Sir Andrew
SIR ANDREW
Will either of you bear me a challenge to him
SIR TOBY
Go write it in a martial hand be curst and brief it is no matter how witty so it be eloquent and full of invention Taunt him with the licence of ink If thou thoust him some thrice it shall not be amiss and as many lies as will lie in thy sheet of paper although the sheet were big enough for the bed of Ware in England set em down Go about it Let there be gall enough in thy ink though thou write with a goosepen no matter About it
SIR ANDREW
Where shall I find you
SIR TOBY
Well call thee at the cubiculo Go
Exit Sir Andrew
FABIAN
This is a dear manikin to you Sir Toby
SIR TOBY
I have been dear to him lad some two thousand strong or so
FABIAN
We shall have a rare letter from him but youll not deliver it
SIR TOBY
Never trust me then And by all means stir on the youth to an answer I think oxen and wainropes cannot hale them together For Andrew if he were opened and you find so much blood in his liver as will clog the foot of a flea Ill eat the rest of th anatomy
FABIAN
And his opposite the youth bears in his visage no great presage of cruelty
Enter Maria
SIR TOBY
Look where the youngest wren of nine comes
MARIA
If you desire the spleen and will laugh yourselves into stitches follow me Yond gull Malvolio is turned heathen a very renegado for there is no Christian that means to be saved by believing rightly can ever believe such impossible passages of grossness Hes in yellow stockings
SIR TOBY
And crossgartered
MARIA
Most villainously like a pedant that keeps a school i th church I have dogged him like his murderer He does obey every point of the letter that I dropped to betray him He does smile his face into more lines than is in the new map with the augmentation of the Indies You have not seen such a thing as tis I can hardly forbear hurling things at him I know my lady will strike him If she do hell smile and taket for a great favour
SIR TOBY
Come bring us bring us where he is
Exeunt
SCENE III A street
Enter Sebastian and Antonio
SEBASTIAN
I would not by my will have troubled you
But since you make your pleasure of your pains
I will no further chide you
ANTONIO
I could not stay behind you my desire
More sharp than filed steel did spur me forth
And not all love to see you though so much
As might have drawn one to a longer voyage
But jealousy what might befall your travel
Being skilless in these parts which to a stranger
Unguided and unfriended often prove
Rough and unhospitable My willing love
The rather by these arguments of fear
Set forth in your pursuit
SEBASTIAN
My kind Antonio
I can no other answer make but thanks
And thanks and ever thanks and oft good turns
Are shuffled off with such uncurrent pay
But were my worth as is my conscience firm
You should find better dealing Whats to do
Shall we go see the relics of this town
ANTONIO
Tomorrow sir best first go see your lodging
SEBASTIAN
I am not weary and tis long to night
I pray you let us satisfy our eyes
With the memorials and the things of fame
That do renown this city
ANTONIO
Would youd pardon me
I do not without danger walk these streets
Once in a seafight gainst the Count his galleys
I did some service of such note indeed
That were I taen here it would scarce be answerd
SEBASTIAN
Belike you slew great number of his people
ANTONIO
Th offence is not of such a bloody nature
Albeit the quality of the time and quarrel
Might well have given us bloody argument
It might have since been answered in repaying
What we took from them which for traffics sake
Most of our city did Only myself stood out
For which if I be lapsed in this place
I shall pay dear
SEBASTIAN
Do not then walk too open
ANTONIO
It doth not fit me Hold sir heres my purse
In the south suburbs at the Elephant
Is best to lodge I will bespeak our diet
Whiles you beguile the time and feed your knowledge
With viewing of the town There shall you have me
SEBASTIAN
Why I your purse
ANTONIO
Haply your eye shall light upon some toy
You have desire to purchase and your store
I think is not for idle markets sir
SEBASTIAN
Ill be your pursebearer and leave you for an hour
ANTONIO
To th Elephant
SEBASTIAN
I do remember
Exeunt
SCENE IV Olivias garden
Enter Olivia and Maria
OLIVIA
I have sent after him He says hell come
How shall I feast him What bestow of him
For youth is bought more oft than beggd or borrowd
I speak too loud
Wheres MalvolioHe is sad and civil
And suits well for a servant with my fortunes
Where is Malvolio
MARIA
Hes coming madam
But in very strange manner He is sure possessed madam
OLIVIA
Why whats the matter Does he rave
MARIA
No madam he does nothing but smile your ladyship were best to have some guard about you if he come for sure the man is tainted in s wits
OLIVIA
Go call him hither Im as mad as he
If sad and merry madness equal be
Enter Malvolio
How now Malvolio
MALVOLIO
Sweet lady ho ho
OLIVIA
Smilst thou I sent for thee upon a sad occasion
MALVOLIO
Sad lady I could be sad this does make some obstruction in the blood this crossgartering But what of that If it please the eye of one it is with me as the very true sonnet is Please one and please all
OLIVIA
Why how dost thou man What is the matter with thee
MALVOLIO
Not black in my mind though yellow in my legs It did come to his hands and commands shall be executed I think we do know the sweet Roman hand
OLIVIA
Wilt thou go to bed Malvolio
MALVOLIO
To bed Ay sweetheart and Ill come to thee
OLIVIA
God comfort thee Why dost thou smile so and kiss thy hand so oft
MARIA
How do you Malvolio
MALVOLIO
At your request Yes nightingales answer daws
MARIA
Why appear you with this ridiculous boldness before my lady
MALVOLIO
Be not afraid of greatness Twas well writ
OLIVIA
What meanst thou by that Malvolio
MALVOLIO
Some are born great
OLIVIA
Ha
MALVOLIO
Some achieve greatness
OLIVIA
What sayst thou
MALVOLIO
And some have greatness thrust upon them
OLIVIA
Heaven restore thee
MALVOLIO
Remember who commended thy yellow stockings
OLIVIA
Thy yellow stockings
MALVOLIO
And wished to see thee crossgartered
OLIVIA
Crossgartered
MALVOLIO
Go to thou art made if thou desirst to be so
OLIVIA
Am I made
MALVOLIO
If not let me see thee a servant still
OLIVIA
Why this is very midsummer madness
Enter Servant
SERVANT
Madam the young gentleman of the Count Orsinos is returned I could hardly entreat him back He attends your ladyships pleasure
OLIVIA
Ill come to him
Exit Servant
Good Maria let this fellow be looked to Wheres my cousin Toby Let some of my people have a special care of him I would not have him miscarry for the half of my dowry
Exeunt Olivia and Maria
MALVOLIO
O ho do you come near me now No worse man than Sir Toby to look to me This concurs directly with the letter she sends him on purpose that I may appear stubborn to him for she incites me to that in the letter Cast thy humble slough says she be opposite with a kinsman surly with servants let thy tongue tang with arguments of state put thyself into the trick of singularity and consequently sets down the manner how as a sad face a reverend carriage a slow tongue in the habit of some sir of note and so forth I have limed her but it is Joves doing and Jove make me thankful And when she went away now Let this fellow be looked to Fellow not Malvolio nor after my degree but fellow Why everything adheres together that no dram of a scruple no scruple of a scruple no obstacle no incredulous or unsafe circumstance What can be said Nothing that can be can come between me and the full prospect of my hopes Well Jove not I is the doer of this and he is to be thanked
Enter Sir Toby Fabian and Maria
SIR TOBY
Which way is he in the name of sanctity If all the devils of hell be drawn in little and Legion himself possessed him yet Ill speak to him
FABIAN
Here he is here he is How ist with you sir How ist with you man
MALVOLIO
Go off I discard you Let me enjoy my private Go off
MARIA
Lo how hollow the fiend speaks within him Did not I tell you Sir Toby my lady prays you to have a care of him
MALVOLIO
Ah ha does she so
SIR TOBY
Go to go to peace peace we must deal gently with him Let me alone How do you Malvolio How ist with you What man defy the devil Consider hes an enemy to mankind
MALVOLIO
Do you know what you say
MARIA
La you an you speak ill of the devil how he takes it at heart Pray God he be not bewitched
FABIAN
Carry his water to th wise woman
MARIA
Marry and it shall be done tomorrow morning if I live My lady would not lose him for more than Ill say
MALVOLIO
How now mistress
MARIA
O Lord
SIR TOBY
Prithee hold thy peace this is not the way Do you not see you move him Let me alone with him
FABIAN
No way but gentleness gently gently The fiend is rough and will not be roughly used
SIR TOBY
Why how now my bawcock How dost thou chuck
MALVOLIO
Sir
SIR TOBY
Ay biddy come with me What man tis not for gravity to play at cherrypit with Satan Hang him foul collier
MARIA
Get him to say his prayers good Sir Toby get him to pray
MALVOLIO
My prayers minx
MARIA
No I warrant you he will not hear of godliness
MALVOLIO
Go hang yourselves all You are idle shallow things I am not of your element You shall know more hereafter
Exit
SIR TOBY
Ist possible
FABIAN
If this were played upon a stage now I could condemn it as an improbable fiction
SIR TOBY
His very genius hath taken the infection of the device man
MARIA
Nay pursue him now lest the device take air and taint
FABIAN
Why we shall make him mad indeed
MARIA
The house will be the quieter
SIR TOBY
Come well have him in a dark room and bound My niece is already in the belief that hes mad We may carry it thus for our pleasure and his penance till our very pastime tired out of breath prompt us to have mercy on him at which time we will bring the device to the bar and crown thee for a finder of madmen But see but see
Enter Sir Andrew
FABIAN
More matter for a May morning
SIR ANDREW
Heres the challenge read it I warrant theres vinegar and pepper int
FABIAN
Ist so saucy
SIR ANDREW
Ay ist I warrant him Do but read
SIR TOBY
Give me Reads Youth whatsoever thou art thou art but a scurvy fellow
FABIAN
Good and valiant
SIR TOBY
Wonder not nor admire not in thy mind why I do call thee so for I will show thee no reason fort
FABIAN
A good note that keeps you from the blow of the law
SIR TOBY
Thou comest to the Lady Olivia and in my sight she uses thee kindly but thou liest in thy throat that is not the matter I challenge thee for
FABIAN
Very brief and to exceeding good senseless
SIR TOBY
I will waylay thee going home where if it be thy chance to kill me
FABIAN
Good
SIR TOBY
Thou killst me like a rogue and a villain
FABIAN
Still you keep o th windy side of the law Good
SIR TOBY
Fare thee well and God have mercy upon one of our souls He may have mercy upon mine but my hope is better and so look to thyself Thy friend as thou usest him and thy sworn enemy
Andrew Aguecheek
If this letter move him not his legs cannot Ill givet him
MARIA
You may have very fit occasion fort He is now in some commerce with my lady and will by and by depart
SIR TOBY
Go Sir Andrew Scout me for him at the corner of the orchard like a bumbaily So soon as ever thou seest him draw and as thou drawst swear horrible for it comes to pass oft that a terrible oath with a swaggering accent sharply twanged off gives manhood more approbation than ever proof itself would have earned him Away
SIR ANDREW
Nay let me alone for swearing
Exit
SIR TOBY
Now will not I deliver his letter for the behaviour of the young gentleman gives him out to be of good capacity and breeding his employment between his lord and my niece confirms no less Therefore this letter being so excellently ignorant will breed no terror in the youth He will find it comes from a clodpole But sir I will deliver his challenge by word of mouth set upon Aguecheek notable report of valour and drive the gentleman as I know his youth will aptly receive it into a most hideous opinion of his rage skill fury and impetuosity This will so fright them both that they will kill one another by the look like cockatrices
Enter Olivia and Viola
FABIAN
Here he comes with your niece give them way till he take leave and presently after him
SIR TOBY
I will meditate the while upon some horrid message for a challenge
Exeunt Sir Toby Fabian and Maria
OLIVIA
I have said too much unto a heart of stone
And laid mine honour too unchary ont
Theres something in me that reproves my fault
But such a headstrong potent fault it is
That it but mocks reproof
VIOLA
With the same haviour that your passion bears
Goes on my masters griefs
OLIVIA
Here wear this jewel for me tis my picture
Refuse it not it hath no tongue to vex you
And I beseech you come again tomorrow
What shall you ask of me that Ill deny
That honour savd may upon asking give
VIOLA
Nothing but this your true love for my master
OLIVIA
How with mine honour may I give him that
Which I have given to you
VIOLA
I will acquit you
OLIVIA
Well come again tomorrow Fare thee well
A fiend like thee might bear my soul to hell
Exit
Enter Sir Toby and Fabian
SIR TOBY
Gentleman God save thee
VIOLA
And you sir
SIR TOBY
That defence thou hast betake thee tot Of what nature the wrongs are thou hast done him I know not but thy intercepter full of despite bloody as the hunter attends thee at the orchard end Dismount thy tuck be yare in thy preparation for thy assailant is quick skilful and deadly
VIOLA
You mistake sir I am sure no man hath any quarrel to me My remembrance is very free and clear from any image of offence done to any man
SIR TOBY
Youll find it otherwise I assure you Therefore if you hold your life at any price betake you to your guard for your opposite hath in him what youth strength skill and wrath can furnish man withal
VIOLA
I pray you sir what is he
SIR TOBY
He is knight dubbed with unhatched rapier and on carpet consideration but he is a devil in private brawl Souls and bodies hath he divorced three and his incensement at this moment is so implacable that satisfaction can be none but by pangs of death and sepulchre Hob nob is his word givet or taket
VIOLA
I will return again into the house and desire some conduct of the lady I am no fighter I have heard of some kind of men that put quarrels purposely on others to taste their valour belike this is a man of that quirk
SIR TOBY
Sir no His indignation derives itself out of a very competent injury therefore get you on and give him his desire Back you shall not to the house unless you undertake that with me which with as much safety you might answer him Therefore on or strip your sword stark naked for meddle you must thats certain or forswear to wear iron about you
VIOLA
This is as uncivil as strange I beseech you do me this courteous office as to know of the knight what my offence to him is It is something of my negligence nothing of my purpose
SIR TOBY
I will do so Signior Fabian stay you by this gentleman till my return
Exit Sir Toby
VIOLA
Pray you sir do you know of this matter
FABIAN
I know the knight is incensed against you even to a mortal arbitrement but nothing of the circumstance more
VIOLA
I beseech you what manner of man is he
FABIAN
Nothing of that wonderful promise to read him by his form as you are like to find him in the proof of his valour He is indeed sir the most skilful bloody and fatal opposite that you could possibly have found in any part of Illyria Will you walk towards him I will make your peace with him if I can
VIOLA
I shall be much bound to you fort I am one that had rather go with sir priest than sir knight I care not who knows so much of my mettle
Exeunt
Enter Sir Toby and Sir Andrew
SIR TOBY
Why man hes a very devil I have not seen such a firago I had a pass with him rapier scabbard and all and he gives me the stuckin with such a mortal motion that it is inevitable and on the answer he pays you as surely as your feet hits the ground they step on They say he has been fencer to the Sophy
SIR ANDREW
Pox ont Ill not meddle with him
SIR TOBY
Ay but he will not now be pacified Fabian can scarce hold him yonder
SIR ANDREW
Plague ont an I thought he had been valiant and so cunning in fence Id have seen him damned ere Id have challenged him Let him let the matter slip and Ill give him my horse grey Capilet
SIR TOBY
Ill make the motion Stand here make a good show ont This shall end without the perdition of souls Aside Marry Ill ride your horse as well as I ride you
Enter Fabian and Viola
To Fabian I have his horse to take up the quarrel I have persuaded him the youths a devil
FABIAN
He is as horribly conceited of him and pants and looks pale as if a bear were at his heels
SIR TOBY
Theres no remedy sir he will fight with you fors oath sake Marry he hath better bethought him of his quarrel and he finds that now scarce to be worth talking of Therefore draw for the supportance of his vow he protests he will not hurt you
VIOLA
Aside Pray God defend me A little thing would make me tell them how much I lack of a man
FABIAN
Give ground if you see him furious
SIR TOBY
Come Sir Andrew theres no remedy the gentleman will for his honours sake have one bout with you He cannot by the duello avoid it but he has promised me as he is a gentleman and a soldier he will not hurt you Come on tot
SIR ANDREW
Draws Pray God he keep his oath
Enter Antonio
VIOLA
Draws I do assure you tis against my will
ANTONIO
Put up your sword If this young gentleman
Have done offence I take the fault on me
If you offend him I for him defy you
SIR TOBY
You sir Why what are you
ANTONIO
Draws One sir that for his love dares yet do more
Than you have heard him brag to you he will
SIR TOBY
Draws Nay if you be an undertaker I am for you
Enter Officers
FABIAN
O good Sir Toby hold Here come the officers
SIR TOBY
To Antonio Ill be with you anon
VIOLA
To Sir Andrew Pray sir put your sword up if you please
SIR ANDREW
Marry will I sir and for that I promised you Ill be as good as my word He will bear you easily and reins well
FIRST OFFICER
This is the man do thy office
SECOND OFFICER
Antonio I arrest thee at the suit
Of Count Orsino
ANTONIO
You do mistake me sir
FIRST OFFICER
No sir no jot I know your favour well
Though now you have no seacap on your head
Take him away he knows I know him well
ANTONIO
I must obey This comes with seeking you
But theres no remedy I shall answer it
What will you do Now my necessity
Makes me to ask you for my purse It grieves me
Much more for what I cannot do for you
Than what befalls myself You stand amazd
But be of comfort
SECOND OFFICER
Come sir away
ANTONIO
I must entreat of you some of that money
VIOLA
What money sir
For the fair kindness you have showd me here
And part being prompted by your present trouble
Out of my lean and low ability
Ill lend you something My having is not much
Ill make division of my present with you
Hold theres half my coffer
ANTONIO
Will you deny me now
Ist possible that my deserts to you
Can lack persuasion Do not tempt my misery
Lest that it make me so unsound a man
As to upbraid you with those kindnesses
That I have done for you
VIOLA
I know of none
Nor know I you by voice or any feature
I hate ingratitude more in a man
Than lying vainness babbling drunkenness
Or any taint of vice whose strong corruption
Inhabits our frail blood
ANTONIO
O heavens themselves
SECOND OFFICER
Come sir I pray you go
ANTONIO
Let me speak a little This youth that you see here
I snatchd one half out of the jaws of death
Relievd him with such sanctity of love
And to his image which methought did promise
Most venerable worth did I devotion
FIRST OFFICER
Whats that to us The time goes by Away
ANTONIO
But O how vile an idol proves this god
Thou hast Sebastian done good feature shame
In nature theres no blemish but the mind
None can be calld deformd but the unkind
Virtue is beauty but the beauteous evil
Are empty trunks oerflourished by the devil
FIRST OFFICER
The man grows mad away with him Come come sir
ANTONIO
Lead me on
Exeunt Officers with Antonio
VIOLA
Methinks his words do from such passion fly
That he believes himself so do not I
Prove true imagination O prove true
That I dear brother be now taen for you
SIR TOBY
Come hither knight come hither Fabian Well whisper oer a couplet or two of most sage saws
VIOLA
He namd Sebastian I my brother know
Yet living in my glass even such and so
In favour was my brother and he went
Still in this fashion colour ornament
For him I imitate O if it prove
Tempests are kind and salt waves fresh in love
Exit
SIR TOBY
A very dishonest paltry boy and more a coward than a hare His dishonesty appears in leaving his friend here in necessity and denying him and for his cowardship ask Fabian
FABIAN
A coward a most devout coward religious in it
SIR ANDREW
Slid Ill after him again and beat him
SIR TOBY
Do cuff him soundly but never draw thy sword
SIR ANDREW
And I do not
Exit
FABIAN
Come lets see the event
SIR TOBY
I dare lay any money twill be nothing yet
Exeunt
ACT IV
SCENE I The Street before Olivias House
Enter Sebastian and Clown
CLOWN
Will you make me believe that I am not sent for you
SEBASTIAN
Go to go to thou art a foolish fellow
Let me be clear of thee
CLOWN
Well held out i faith No I do not know you nor I am not sent to you by my lady to bid you come speak with her nor your name is not Master Cesario nor this is not my nose neither Nothing that is so is so
SEBASTIAN
I prithee vent thy folly somewhere else
Thou knowst not me
CLOWN
Vent my folly He has heard that word of some great man and now applies it to a fool Vent my folly I am afraid this great lubber the world will prove a cockney I prithee now ungird thy strangeness and tell me what I shall vent to my lady Shall I vent to her that thou art coming
SEBASTIAN
I prithee foolish Greek depart from me
Theres money for thee if you tarry longer
I shall give worse payment
CLOWN
By my troth thou hast an open hand These wise men that give fools money get themselves a good reportafter fourteen years purchase
Enter Sir Andrew Sir Toby and Fabian
SIR ANDREW
Now sir have I met you again Theres for you
Striking Sebastian
SEBASTIAN
Why theres for thee and there and there
Are all the people mad
Beating Sir Andrew
SIR TOBY
Hold sir or Ill throw your dagger oer the house
CLOWN
This will I tell my lady straight I would not be in some of your coats for twopence
Exit Clown
SIR TOBY
Come on sir hold
SIR ANDREW
Nay let him alone Ill go another way to work with him Ill have an action of battery against him if there be any law in Illyria Though I struck him first yet its no matter for that
SEBASTIAN
Let go thy hand
SIR TOBY
Come sir I will not let you go Come my young soldier put up your iron you are well fleshed Come on
SEBASTIAN
I will be free from thee What wouldst thou now
If thou darst tempt me further draw thy sword
Draws
SIR TOBY
What what Nay then I must have an ounce or two of this malapert blood from you
Draws
Enter Olivia
OLIVIA
Hold Toby On thy life I charge thee hold
SIR TOBY
Madam
OLIVIA
Will it be ever thus Ungracious wretch
Fit for the mountains and the barbarous caves
Where manners neer were preachd Out of my sight
Be not offended dear Cesario
Rudesby be gone
Exeunt Sir Toby Sir Andrew and Fabian
I prithee gentle friend
Let thy fair wisdom not thy passion sway
In this uncivil and unjust extent
Against thy peace Go with me to my house
And hear thou there how many fruitless pranks
This ruffian hath botchd up that thou thereby
Mayst smile at this Thou shalt not choose but go
Do not deny Beshrew his soul for me
He started one poor heart of mine in thee
SEBASTIAN
What relish is in this How runs the stream
Or I am mad or else this is a dream
Let fancy still my sense in Lethe steep
If it be thus to dream still let me sleep
OLIVIA
Nay come I prithee Would thoudst be ruled by me
SEBASTIAN
Madam I will
OLIVIA
O say so and so be
Exeunt
SCENE II A Room in Olivias House
Enter Maria and Clown
MARIA
Nay I prithee put on this gown and this beard make him believe thou art Sir Topas the curate Do it quickly Ill call Sir Toby the whilst
Exit Maria
CLOWN
Well Ill put it on and I will dissemble myself int and I would I were the first that ever dissembled in such a gown I am not tall enough to become the function well nor lean enough to be thought a good student but to be said an honest man and a good housekeeper goes as fairly as to say a careful man and a great scholar The competitors enter
Enter Sir Toby and Maria
SIR TOBY
Jove bless thee Master Parson
CLOWN
Bonos dies Sir Toby for as the old hermit of Prague that never saw pen and ink very wittily said to a niece of King Gorboduc That that is is so I being Master Parson am Master Parson for what is that but that and is but is
SIR TOBY
To him Sir Topas
CLOWN
What ho I say Peace in this prison
SIR TOBY
The knave counterfeits well A good knave
Malvolio within
MALVOLIO
Who calls there
CLOWN
Sir Topas the curate who comes to visit Malvolio the lunatic
MALVOLIO
Sir Topas Sir Topas good Sir Topas go to my lady
CLOWN
Out hyperbolical fiend how vexest thou this man Talkest thou nothing but of ladies
SIR TOBY
Well said Master Parson
MALVOLIO
Sir Topas never was man thus wronged Good Sir Topas do not think I am mad They have laid me here in hideous darkness
CLOWN
Fie thou dishonest Satan I call thee by the most modest terms for I am one of those gentle ones that will use the devil himself with courtesy Sayst thou that house is dark
MALVOLIO
As hell Sir Topas
CLOWN
Why it hath bay windows transparent as barricadoes and the clerestories toward the southnorth are as lustrous as ebony and yet complainest thou of obstruction
MALVOLIO
I am not mad Sir Topas I say to you this house is dark
CLOWN
Madman thou errest I say there is no darkness but ignorance in which thou art more puzzled than the Egyptians in their fog
MALVOLIO
I say this house is as dark as ignorance though ignorance were as dark as hell and I say there was never man thus abused I am no more mad than you are Make the trial of it in any constant question
CLOWN
What is the opinion of Pythagoras concerning wildfowl
MALVOLIO
That the soul of our grandam might haply inhabit a bird
CLOWN
What thinkst thou of his opinion
MALVOLIO
I think nobly of the soul and no way approve his opinion
CLOWN
Fare thee well Remain thou still in darkness Thou shalt hold the opinion of Pythagoras ere I will allow of thy wits and fear to kill a woodcock lest thou dispossess the soul of thy grandam Fare thee well
MALVOLIO
Sir Topas Sir Topas
SIR TOBY
My most exquisite Sir Topas
CLOWN
Nay I am for all waters
MARIA
Thou mightst have done this without thy beard and gown He sees thee not
SIR TOBY
To him in thine own voice and bring me word how thou findst him I would we were well rid of this knavery If he may be conveniently delivered I would he were for I am now so far in offence with my niece that I cannot pursue with any safety this sport to the upshot Come by and by to my chamber
Exeunt Sir Toby and Maria
CLOWN
Singing
Hey Robin jolly Robin
Tell me how thy lady does
MALVOLIO
Fool
CLOWN
My lady is unkind perdy
MALVOLIO
Fool
CLOWN
Alas why is she so
MALVOLIO
Fool I say
CLOWN
She loves another
Who calls ha
MALVOLIO
Good fool as ever thou wilt deserve well at my hand help me to a candle and pen ink and paper As I am a gentleman I will live to be thankful to thee fort
CLOWN
Master Malvolio
MALVOLIO
Ay good fool
CLOWN
Alas sir how fell you besides your five wits
MALVOLIO
Fool there was never man so notoriously abused I am as well in my wits fool as thou art
CLOWN
But as well Then you are mad indeed if you be no better in your wits than a fool
MALVOLIO
They have here propertied me keep me in darkness send ministers to me asses and do all they can to face me out of my wits
CLOWN
Advise you what you say the minister is here As Sir Topas Malvolio Malvolio thy wits the heavens restore Endeavour thyself to sleep and leave thy vain bibblebabble
MALVOLIO
Sir Topas
CLOWN
As Sir Topas Maintain no words with him good fellow As himself Who I sir not I sir God buy you good Sir Topas As Sir Topas Marry amen As himself I will sir I will
MALVOLIO
Fool fool fool I say
CLOWN
Alas sir be patient What say you sir I am shent for speaking to you
MALVOLIO
Good fool help me to some light and some paper I tell thee I am as well in my wits as any man in Illyria
CLOWN
Welladay that you were sir
MALVOLIO
By this hand I am Good fool some ink paper and light and convey what I will set down to my lady It shall advantage thee more than ever the bearing of letter did
CLOWN
I will help you tot But tell me true are you not mad indeed or do you but counterfeit
MALVOLIO
Believe me I am not I tell thee true
CLOWN
Nay Ill neer believe a madman till I see his brains I will fetch you light and paper and ink
MALVOLIO
Fool Ill requite it in the highest degree I prithee be gone
CLOWN
Singing
I am gone sir and anon sir
Ill be with you again
In a trice like to the old Vice
Your need to sustain
Who with dagger of lath in his rage and his wrath
Cries ah ha to the devil
Like a mad lad Pare thy nails dad
Adieu goodman devil
Exit
SCENE III Olivias Garden
Enter Sebastian
SEBASTIAN
This is the air that is the glorious sun
This pearl she gave me I do feelt and seet
And though tis wonder that enwraps me thus
Yet tis not madness Wheres Antonio then
I could not find him at the Elephant
Yet there he was and there I found this credit
That he did range the town to seek me out
His counsel now might do me golden service
For though my soul disputes well with my sense
That this may be some error but no madness
Yet doth this accident and flood of fortune
So far exceed all instance all discourse
That I am ready to distrust mine eyes
And wrangle with my reason that persuades me
To any other trust but that I am mad
Or else the ladys mad yet if twere so
She could not sway her house command her followers
Take and give back affairs and their dispatch
With such a smooth discreet and stable bearing
As I perceive she does Theres something int
That is deceivable But here the lady comes
Enter Olivia and a Priest
OLIVIA
Blame not this haste of mine If you mean well
Now go with me and with this holy man
Into the chantry by there before him
And underneath that consecrated roof
Plight me the full assurance of your faith
That my most jealous and too doubtful soul
May live at peace He shall conceal it
Whiles you are willing it shall come to note
What time we will our celebration keep
According to my birth What do you say
SEBASTIAN
Ill follow this good man and go with you
And having sworn truth ever will be true
OLIVIA
Then lead the way good father and heavens so shine
That they may fairly note this act of mine
Exeunt
ACT V
SCENE I The Street before Olivias House
Enter Clown and Fabian
FABIAN
Now as thou lovst me let me see his letter
CLOWN
Good Master Fabian grant me another request
FABIAN
Anything
CLOWN
Do not desire to see this letter
FABIAN
This is to give a dog and in recompense desire my dog again
Enter Duke Viola Curio and Lords
DUKE
Belong you to the Lady Olivia friends
CLOWN
Ay sir we are some of her trappings
DUKE
I know thee well How dost thou my good fellow
CLOWN
Truly sir the better for my foes and the worse for my friends
DUKE
Just the contrary the better for thy friends
CLOWN
No sir the worse
DUKE
How can that be
CLOWN
Marry sir they praise me and make an ass of me Now my foes tell me plainly I am an ass so that by my foes sir I profit in the knowledge of myself and by my friends I am abused So that conclusions to be as kisses if your four negatives make your two affirmatives why then the worse for my friends and the better for my foes
DUKE
Why this is excellent
CLOWN
By my troth sir no though it please you to be one of my friends
DUKE
Thou shalt not be the worse for me theres gold
CLOWN
But that it would be doubledealing sir I would you could make it another
DUKE
O you give me ill counsel
CLOWN
Put your grace in your pocket sir for this once and let your flesh and blood obey it
DUKE
Well I will be so much a sinner to be a doubledealer theres another
CLOWN
Primo secundo tertio is a good play and the old saying is the third pays for all the triplex sir is a good tripping measure or the bells of Saint Bennet sir may put you in mindone two three
DUKE
You can fool no more money out of me at this throw If you will let your lady know I am here to speak with her and bring her along with you it may awake my bounty further
CLOWN
Marry sir lullaby to your bounty till I come again I go sir but I would not have you to think that my desire of having is the sin of covetousness but as you say sir let your bounty take a nap I will awake it anon
Exit Clown
Enter Antonio and Officers
VIOLA
Here comes the man sir that did rescue me
DUKE
That face of his I do remember well
Yet when I saw it last it was besmeard
As black as Vulcan in the smoke of war
A baubling vessel was he captain of
For shallow draught and bulk unprizable
With which such scathful grapple did he make
With the most noble bottom of our fleet
That very envy and the tongue of loss
Cried fame and honour on him Whats the matter
FIRST OFFICER
Orsino this is that Antonio
That took the Phoenix and her fraught from Candy
And this is he that did the Tiger board
When your young nephew Titus lost his leg
Here in the streets desperate of shame and state
In private brabble did we apprehend him
VIOLA
He did me kindness sir drew on my side
But in conclusion put strange speech upon me
I know not what twas but distraction
DUKE
Notable pirate thou saltwater thief
What foolish boldness brought thee to their mercies
Whom thou in terms so bloody and so dear
Hast made thine enemies
ANTONIO
Orsino noble sir
Be pleased that I shake off these names you give me
Antonio never yet was thief or pirate
Though I confess on base and ground enough
Orsinos enemy A witchcraft drew me hither
That most ingrateful boy there by your side
From the rude seas enraged and foamy mouth
Did I redeem a wreck past hope he was
His life I gave him and did thereto add
My love without retention or restraint
All his in dedication For his sake
Did I expose myself pure for his love
Into the danger of this adverse town
Drew to defend him when he was beset
Where being apprehended his false cunning
Not meaning to partake with me in danger
Taught him to face me out of his acquaintance
And grew a twenty years removed thing
While one would wink denied me mine own purse
Which I had recommended to his use
Not half an hour before
VIOLA
How can this be
DUKE
When came he to this town
ANTONIO
Today my lord and for three months before
No intrim not a minutes vacancy
Both day and night did we keep company
Enter Olivia and Attendants
DUKE
Here comes the Countess now heaven walks on earth
But for thee fellow fellow thy words are madness
Three months this youth hath tended upon me
But more of that anon Take him aside
OLIVIA
What would my lord but that he may not have
Wherein Olivia may seem serviceable
Cesario you do not keep promise with me
VIOLA
Madam
DUKE
Gracious Olivia
OLIVIA
What do you say Cesario Good my lord
VIOLA
My lord would speak my duty hushes me
OLIVIA
If it be aught to the old tune my lord
It is as fat and fulsome to mine ear
As howling after music
DUKE
Still so cruel
OLIVIA
Still so constant lord
DUKE
What to perverseness You uncivil lady
To whose ingrate and unauspicious altars
My soul the faithfullst offrings hath breathed out
That eer devotion tenderd What shall I do
OLIVIA
Even what it please my lord that shall become him
DUKE
Why should I not had I the heart to do it
Like to the Egyptian thief at point of death
Kill what I lovea savage jealousy
That sometime savours nobly But hear me this
Since you to nonregardance cast my faith
And that I partly know the instrument
That screws me from my true place in your favour
Live you the marblebreasted tyrant still
But this your minion whom I know you love
And whom by heaven I swear I tender dearly
Him will I tear out of that cruel eye
Where he sits crowned in his masters spite
Come boy with me my thoughts are ripe in mischief
Ill sacrifice the lamb that I do love
To spite a ravens heart within a dove
VIOLA
And I most jocund apt and willingly
To do you rest a thousand deaths would die
OLIVIA
Where goes Cesario
VIOLA
After him I love
More than I love these eyes more than my life
More by all mores than eer I shall love wife
If I do feign you witnesses above
Punish my life for tainting of my love
OLIVIA
Ah me detested how am I beguild
VIOLA
Who does beguile you Who does do you wrong
OLIVIA
Hast thou forgot thyself Is it so long
Call forth the holy father
Exit an Attendant
DUKE
To Viola Come away
OLIVIA
Whither my lord Cesario husband stay
DUKE
Husband
OLIVIA
Ay husband Can he that deny
DUKE
Her husband sirrah
VIOLA
No my lord not I
OLIVIA
Alas it is the baseness of thy fear
That makes thee strangle thy propriety
Fear not Cesario take thy fortunes up
Be that thou knowst thou art and then thou art
As great as that thou fearst
Enter Priest
O welcome father
Father I charge thee by thy reverence
Here to unfoldthough lately we intended
To keep in darkness what occasion now
Reveals before tis ripewhat thou dost know
Hath newly passed between this youth and me
PRIEST
A contract of eternal bond of love
Confirmed by mutual joinder of your hands
Attested by the holy close of lips
Strengthend by interchangement of your rings
And all the ceremony of this compact
Sealed in my function by my testimony
Since when my watch hath told me toward my grave
I have travelled but two hours
DUKE
O thou dissembling cub What wilt thou be
When time hath sowed a grizzle on thy case
Or will not else thy craft so quickly grow
That thine own trip shall be thine overthrow
Farewell and take her but direct thy feet
Where thou and I henceforth may never meet
VIOLA
My lord I do protest
OLIVIA
O do not swear
Hold little faith though thou has too much fear
Enter Sir Andrew
SIR ANDREW
For the love of God a surgeon Send one presently to Sir Toby
OLIVIA
Whats the matter
SIR ANDREW
Has broke my head across and has given Sir Toby a bloody coxcomb too For the love of God your help I had rather than forty pound I were at home
OLIVIA
Who has done this Sir Andrew
SIR ANDREW
The Counts gentleman one Cesario We took him for a coward but hes the very devil incardinate
DUKE
My gentleman Cesario
SIR ANDREW
Ods lifelings here he isYou broke my head for nothing and that that I did I was set on to dot by Sir Toby
VIOLA
Why do you speak to me I never hurt you
You drew your sword upon me without cause
But I bespake you fair and hurt you not
Enter Sir Toby drunk led by the Clown
SIR ANDREW
If a bloody coxcomb be a hurt you have hurt me I think you set nothing by a bloody coxcomb Here comes Sir Toby halting you shall hear more but if he had not been in drink he would have tickled you othergates than he did
DUKE
How now gentleman How ist with you
SIR TOBY
Thats all one has hurt me and theres th end ont Sot didst see Dick Surgeon sot
CLOWN
O hes drunk Sir Toby an hour agone his eyes were set at eight i th morning
SIR TOBY
Then hes a rogue and a passy measures pavin I hate a drunken rogue
OLIVIA
Away with him Who hath made this havoc with them
SIR ANDREW
Ill help you Sir Toby because well be dressed together
SIR TOBY
Will you help An asshead and a coxcomb and a knave a thinfaced knave a gull
OLIVIA
Get him to bed and let his hurt be looked to
Exeunt Clown Fabian Sir Toby and Sir Andrew
Enter Sebastian
SEBASTIAN
I am sorry madam I have hurt your kinsman
But had it been the brother of my blood
I must have done no less with wit and safety
You throw a strange regard upon me and by that
I do perceive it hath offended you
Pardon me sweet one even for the vows
We made each other but so late ago
DUKE
One face one voice one habit and two persons
A natural perspective that is and is not
SEBASTIAN
Antonio O my dear Antonio
How have the hours rackd and torturd me
Since I have lost thee
ANTONIO
Sebastian are you
SEBASTIAN
Fearst thou that Antonio
ANTONIO
How have you made division of yourself
An apple cleft in two is not more twin
Than these two creatures Which is Sebastian
OLIVIA
Most wonderful
SEBASTIAN
Do I stand there I never had a brother
Nor can there be that deity in my nature
Of here and everywhere I had a sister
Whom the blind waves and surges have devoured
Of charity what kin are you to me
What countryman What name What parentage
VIOLA
Of Messaline Sebastian was my father
Such a Sebastian was my brother too
So went he suited to his watery tomb
If spirits can assume both form and suit
You come to fright us
SEBASTIAN
A spirit I am indeed
But am in that dimension grossly clad
Which from the womb I did participate
Were you a woman as the rest goes even
I should my tears let fall upon your cheek
And say Thrice welcome drowned Viola
VIOLA
My father had a mole upon his brow
SEBASTIAN
And so had mine
VIOLA
And died that day when Viola from her birth
Had numbered thirteen years
SEBASTIAN
O that record is lively in my soul
He finished indeed his mortal act
That day that made my sister thirteen years
VIOLA
If nothing lets to make us happy both
But this my masculine usurpd attire
Do not embrace me till each circumstance
Of place time fortune do cohere and jump
That I am Viola which to confirm
Ill bring you to a captain in this town
Where lie my maiden weeds by whose gentle help
I was preservd to serve this noble count
All the occurrence of my fortune since
Hath been between this lady and this lord
SEBASTIAN
To Olivia So comes it lady you have been mistook
But nature to her bias drew in that
You would have been contracted to a maid
Nor are you therein by my life deceived
You are betrothd both to a maid and man
DUKE
Be not amazed right noble is his blood
If this be so as yet the glass seems true
I shall have share in this most happy wreck
To Viola Boy thou hast said to me a thousand times
Thou never shouldst love woman like to me
VIOLA
And all those sayings will I overswear
And all those swearings keep as true in soul
As doth that orbed continent the fire
That severs day from night
DUKE
Give me thy hand
And let me see thee in thy womans weeds
VIOLA
The captain that did bring me first on shore
Hath my maids garments He upon some action
Is now in durance at Malvolios suit
A gentleman and follower of my ladys
OLIVIA
He shall enlarge him Fetch Malvolio hither
And yet alas now I remember me
They say poor gentleman hes much distract
Enter Clown with a letter and Fabian
A most extracting frenzy of mine own
From my remembrance clearly banished his
How does he sirrah
CLOWN
Truly madam he holds Belzebub at the staves end as well as a man in his case may do Has here writ a letter to you I should have given it you today morning but as a madmans epistles are no gospels so it skills not much when they are delivered
OLIVIA
Open t and read it
CLOWN
Look then to be well edified when the fool delivers the madman By the Lord madam
OLIVIA
How now art thou mad
CLOWN
No madam I do but read madness an your ladyship will have it as it ought to be you must allow vox
OLIVIA
Prithee read i thy right wits
CLOWN
So I do madonna But to read his right wits is to read thus therefore perpend my princess and give ear
OLIVIA
To Fabian Read it you sirrah
FABIAN
Reads By the Lord madam you wrong me and the world shall know it Though you have put me into darkness and given your drunken cousin rule over me yet have I the benefit of my senses as well as your ladyship I have your own letter that induced me to the semblance I put on with the which I doubt not but to do myself much right or you much shame Think of me as you please I leave my duty a little unthought of and speak out of my injury
The madlyused Malvolio
OLIVIA
Did he write this
CLOWN
Ay madam
DUKE
This savours not much of distraction
OLIVIA
See him delivered Fabian bring him hither
Exit Fabian
My lord so please you these things further thought on
To think me as well a sister as a wife
One day shall crown th alliance ont so please you
Here at my house and at my proper cost
DUKE
Madam I am most apt t embrace your offer
To Viola Your master quits you and for your service done him
So much against the mettle of your sex
So far beneath your soft and tender breeding
And since you calld me master for so long
Here is my hand you shall from this time be
Your masters mistress
OLIVIA
A sister You are she
Enter Fabian and Malvolio
DUKE
Is this the madman
OLIVIA
Ay my lord this same
How now Malvolio
MALVOLIO
Madam you have done me wrong
Notorious wrong
OLIVIA
Have I Malvolio No
MALVOLIO
Lady you have Pray you peruse that letter
You must not now deny it is your hand
Write from it if you can in hand or phrase
Or say tis not your seal not your invention
You can say none of this Well grant it then
And tell me in the modesty of honour
Why you have given me such clear lights of favour
Bade me come smiling and crossgarterd to you
To put on yellow stockings and to frown
Upon Sir Toby and the lighter people
And acting this in an obedient hope
Why have you sufferd me to be imprisond
Kept in a dark house visited by the priest
And made the most notorious geck and gull
That eer invention played on Tell me why
OLIVIA
Alas Malvolio this is not my writing
Though I confess much like the character
But out of question tis Marias hand
And now I do bethink me it was she
First told me thou wast mad then camst in smiling
And in such forms which here were presupposd
Upon thee in the letter Prithee be content
This practice hath most shrewdly passd upon thee
But when we know the grounds and authors of it
Thou shalt be both the plaintiff and the judge
Of thine own cause
FABIAN
Good madam hear me speak
And let no quarrel nor no brawl to come
Taint the condition of this present hour
Which I have wonderd at In hope it shall not
Most freely I confess myself and Toby
Set this device against Malvolio here
Upon some stubborn and uncourteous parts
We had conceivd against him Maria writ
The letter at Sir Tobys great importance
In recompense whereof he hath married her
How with a sportful malice it was followd
May rather pluck on laughter than revenge
If that the injuries be justly weighd
That have on both sides passed
OLIVIA
Alas poor fool how have they baffled thee
CLOWN
Why some are born great some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrown upon them I was one sir in this interlude one Sir Topas sir but thats all one By the Lord fool I am not mad But do you remember Madam why laugh you at such a barren rascal And you smile not hes gagged And thus the whirligig of time brings in his revenges
MALVOLIO
Ill be revenged on the whole pack of you
Exit
OLIVIA
He hath been most notoriously abusd
DUKE
Pursue him and entreat him to a peace
He hath not told us of the captain yet
When that is known and golden time convents
A solemn combination shall be made
Of our dear soulsMeantime sweet sister
We will not part from henceCesario come
For so you shall be while you are a man
But when in other habits you are seen
Orsinos mistress and his fancys queen
Exeunt
Clown sings
When that I was and a little tiny boy
With hey ho the wind and the rain
A foolish thing was but a toy
For the rain it raineth every day
But when I came to mans estate
With hey ho the wind and the rain
Gainst knaves and thieves men shut their gate
For the rain it raineth every day
But when I came alas to wive
With hey ho the wind and the rain
By swaggering could I never thrive
For the rain it raineth every day
But when I came unto my beds
With hey ho the wind and the rain
With tosspots still had drunken heads
For the rain it raineth every day
A great while ago the world begun
With hey ho the wind and the rain
But thats all one our play is done
And well strive to please you every day
Exit
THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA
Contents
ACT I
Scene I Verona An open place
Scene II The same The garden of Julias house
Scene III The same A room in Antonios house
ACT II
Scene I Milan A room in the Dukes palace
Scene II Verona A room in Julias house
Scene III The same A street
Scene IV Milan A room in the Dukes palace
Scene V The same A street
Scene VI The same The Dukes palace
Scene VII Verona A room in Julias house
ACT III
Scene I Milan An anteroom in the Dukes palace
Scene II The same A room in the Dukes palace
ACT IV
Scene I A forest between Milan and Verona
Scene II Milan The court of the Dukes palace
Scene III The same
Scene IV The same
ACT V
Scene I Milan An abbey
Scene II The same A room in the Dukes palace
Scene III Frontiers of Mantua The forest
Scene IV Another part of the forest
Dramatis Person
DUKE OF MILAN father to Silvia
VALENTINE one of the two gentlemen
PROTEUS one of the two gentlemen
ANTONIO father to Proteus
THURIO a foolish rival to Valentine
EGLAMOUR agent for Silvia in her escape
SPEED a clownish servant to Valentine
LANCE the like to Proteus
PANTINO servant to Antonio
HOST where Julia lodges in Milan
OUTLAWS with Valentine
JULIA a lady of Verona beloved of Proteus
SILVIA beloved of Valentine
LUCETTA waitingwoman to Julia
Servants Musicians
SCENE Verona Milan the frontiers of Mantua
ACT I
SCENE I Verona An open place
Enter Valentine and Proteus
VALENTINE
Cease to persuade my loving Proteus
Homekeeping youth have ever homely wits
Weret not affection chains thy tender days
To the sweet glances of thy honoured love
I rather would entreat thy company
To see the wonders of the world abroad
Than living dully sluggardized at home
Wear out thy youth with shapeless idleness
But since thou lovst love still and thrive therein
Even as I would when I to love begin
PROTEUS
Wilt thou be gone Sweet Valentine adieu
Think on thy Proteus when thou haply seest
Some rare noteworthy object in thy travel
Wish me partaker in thy happiness
When thou dost meet good hap and in thy danger
If ever danger do environ thee
Commend thy grievance to my holy prayers
For I will be thy headsman Valentine
VALENTINE
And on a lovebook pray for my success
PROTEUS
Upon some book I love Ill pray for thee
VALENTINE
Thats on some shallow story of deep love
How young Leander crossed the Hellespont
PROTEUS
Thats a deep story of a deeper love
For he was more than over shoes in love
VALENTINE
Tis true for you are over boots in love
And yet you never swam the Hellespont
PROTEUS
Over the boots Nay give me not the boots
VALENTINE
No I will not for it boots thee not
PROTEUS
What
VALENTINE
To be in love where scorn is bought with groans
Coy looks with heartsore sighs one fading moments mirth
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
PROTEUS
So by your circumstance you call me fool
VALENTINE
So by your circumstance I fear youll prove
PROTEUS
Tis love you cavil at I am not Love
VALENTINE
Love is your master for he masters you
And he that is so yoked by a fool
Methinks should not be chronicled for wise
PROTEUS
Yet writers say as in the sweetest bud
The eating canker dwells so eating love
Inhabits in the finest wits of all
VALENTINE
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
Is turned to folly blasting in the bud
Losing his 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
Expects my coming there to see me shipped
PROTEUS
And thither will I bring thee Valentine
VALENTINE
Sweet Proteus no Now let us take our leave
To Milan let me hear from thee by letters
Of thy success in love and what news else
Betideth here in absence of thy friend
And I likewise will visit thee with mine
PROTEUS
All happiness bechance to thee in Milan
VALENTINE
As much to you at home and so farewell
Exit
PROTEUS
He after honour hunts I after love
He leaves his friends to dignify them more
I leave myself my friends and all for love
Thou Julia thou hast metamorphosed me
Made me neglect my studies lose my time
War with good counsel set the world at nought
Made wit with musing weak heart sick with thought
Enter Speed
SPEED
Sir Proteus save you Saw you my master
PROTEUS
But now he parted hence to embark for Milan
SPEED
Twenty to one then he is shipped already
And I have played the sheep in losing him
PROTEUS
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
PROTEUS
I do
SPEED
Why then my horns are his horns whether I wake or sleep
PROTEUS
A silly answer and fitting well a sheep
SPEED
This proves me still a sheep
PROTEUS
True and thy master a shepherd
SPEED
Nay that I can deny by a circumstance
PROTEUS
It shall go hard but Ill prove it by another
SPEED
The shepherd seeks the sheep and not the sheep the shepherd but I seek my master and my master seeks not me Therefore I am no sheep
PROTEUS
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 thee Therefore thou art a sheep
SPEED
Such another proof will make me cry baa
PROTEUS
But dost thou hear Gavst thou my letter to Julia
SPEED
Ay sir I a lost mutton gave your letter to her a laced mutton and she a laced mutton gave me a lost mutton nothing for my labour
PROTEUS
Heres too small a pasture for such store of muttons
SPEED
If the ground be overcharged you were best stick her
PROTEUS
Nay in that you are astray twere best pound you
SPEED
Nay sir less than a pound shall serve me for carrying your letter
PROTEUS
You mistake I mean the pound a pinfold
SPEED
From a pound to a pin Fold it over and over
Tis threefold too little for carrying a letter to your lover
PROTEUS
But what said she
SPEED
Nods his head Ay
PROTEUS
NodAy Why thats noddy
SPEED
You mistook sir I say she did nod and you ask me if she did nod and I say Ay
PROTEUS
And that set together is noddy
SPEED
Now you have taken the pains to set it together take it for your pains
PROTEUS
No no you shall have it for bearing the letter
SPEED
Well I perceive I must be fain to bear with you
PROTEUS
Why sir how do you bear with me
SPEED
Marry sir the letter very orderly having nothing but the word noddy for my pains
PROTEUS
Beshrew me but you have a quick wit
SPEED
And yet it cannot overtake your slow purse
PROTEUS
Come come open the matter in brief what said she
SPEED
Open your purse that the money and the matter may be both at once delivered
PROTEUS
Giving him a coin Well sir here is for your pains What said she
SPEED
Truly sir I think youll hardly win her
PROTEUS
Why Couldst thou perceive so much from her
SPEED
Sir I could perceive nothing at all from her no not so much as a ducat for delivering your letter And being so hard to me that brought your mind I fear shell prove as hard to you in telling your mind Give her no token but stones for shes as hard as steel
PROTEUS
What said she nothing
SPEED
No not so much as Take this for thy pains To testify your bounty I thank you you have testerned me in requital whereof henceforth carry your letters yourself And so sir Ill commend you to my master
PROTEUS
Go go begone to save your ship from wrack
Which cannot perish having thee aboard
Being destined to a drier death on shore
Exit Speed
I must go send some better messenger
I fear my Julia would not deign my lines
Receiving them from such a worthless post
Exit
SCENE II The same The garden of Julias house
Enter Julia and Lucetta
JULIA
But say Lucetta now we are alone
Wouldst thou then counsel me to fall in love
LUCETTA
Ay madam so you stumble not unheedfully
JULIA
Of all the fair resort of gentlemen
That every day with parle encounter me
In thy opinion which is worthiest love
LUCETTA
Please you repeat their names Ill show my mind
According to my shallow simple skill
JULIA
What thinkst thou of the fair Sir Eglamour
LUCETTA
As of a knight wellspoken neat and fine
But were I you he never should be mine
JULIA
What thinkst thou of the rich Mercatio
LUCETTA
Well of his wealth but of himself soso
JULIA
What thinkst thou of the gentle Proteus
LUCETTA
Lord Lord to see what folly reigns in us
JULIA
How now What means this passion at his name
LUCETTA
Pardon dear madam tis a passing shame
That I unworthy body as I am
Should censure thus on lovely gentlemen
JULIA
Why not on Proteus as of all the rest
LUCETTA
Then thus of many good I think him best
JULIA
Your reason
LUCETTA
I have no other but a womans reason
I think him so because I think him so
JULIA
And wouldst thou have me cast my love on him
LUCETTA
Ay if you thought your love not cast away
JULIA
Why he of all the rest hath never moved me
LUCETTA
Yet he of all the rest I think best loves ye
JULIA
His little speaking shows his love but small
LUCETTA
Fire thats closest kept burns most of all
JULIA
They do not love that do not show their love
LUCETTA
O they love least that let men know their love
JULIA
I would I knew his mind
LUCETTA
Peruse this paper madam
Gives her a letter
JULIA
To JuliaSay from whom
LUCETTA
That the contents will show
JULIA
Say say who gave it thee
LUCETTA
Sir Valentines page and sent I think from Proteus
He would have given it you but I being in the way
Did in your name receive it Pardon the fault I pray
JULIA
Now by my modesty a goodly broker
Dare you presume to harbour wanton lines
To whisper and conspire against my youth
Now trust me tis an office of great worth
And you an officer fit for the place
There take the paper see it be returned
Or else return no more into my sight
LUCETTA
To plead for love deserves more fee than hate
JULIA
Will ye be gone
LUCETTA
That you may ruminate
Exit
JULIA
And yet I would I had oerlooked the letter
It were a shame to call her back again
And pray her to a fault for which I chid her
What fool is she that knows I am a maid
And would not force the letter to my view
Since maids in modesty say No to that
Which they would have the profferer construe Ay
Fie fie how wayward is this foolish love
That like a testy babe will scratch the nurse
And presently all humbled kiss the rod
How churlishly I chid Lucetta hence
When willingly I would have had her here
How angerly I taught my brow to frown
When inward joy enforced my heart to smile
My penance is to call Lucetta back
And ask remission for my folly past
What ho Lucetta
Enter Lucetta
LUCETTA
What would your ladyship
JULIA
Is t near dinner time
LUCETTA
I would it were
That you might kill your stomach on your meat
And not upon your maid
Drops and picks up the letter
JULIA
What ist that you took up so gingerly
LUCETTA
Nothing
JULIA
Why didst thou stoop then
LUCETTA
To take a paper up that I let fall
JULIA
And is that paper nothing
LUCETTA
Nothing concerning me
JULIA
Then let it lie for those that it concerns
LUCETTA
Madam it will not lie where it concerns
Unless it have a false interpreter
JULIA
Some love of yours hath writ to you in rhyme
LUCETTA
That I might sing it madam to a tune
Give me a note Your ladyship can set
JULIA
As little by such toys as may be possible
Best sing it to the tune of Light o Love
LUCETTA
It is too heavy for so light a tune
JULIA
Heavy Belike it hath some burden then
LUCETTA
Ay and melodious were it would you sing it
JULIA
And why not you
LUCETTA
I cannot reach so high
JULIA
Lets see your song Taking the letter
How now minion
LUCETTA
Keep tune there still so you will sing it out
And yet methinks I do not like this tune
JULIA
You do not
LUCETTA
No madam it is too sharp
JULIA
You minion are too saucy
LUCETTA
Nay now you are too flat
And mar the concord with too harsh a descant
There wanteth but a mean to fill your song
JULIA
The mean is drowned with your unruly bass
LUCETTA
Indeed I bid the base for Proteus
JULIA
This babble shall not henceforth trouble me
Here is a coil with protestation Tears the letter
Go get you gone and let the papers lie
You would be fingering them to anger me
LUCETTA
She makes it strange but she would be best pleased
To be so angered with another letter
Exit
JULIA
Nay would I were so angered with the same
O hateful hands to tear such loving words
Injurious wasps to feed on such sweet honey
And kill the bees that yield it with your stings
Ill kiss each several paper for amends
Look here is writ kind Julia Unkind Julia
As in revenge of thy ingratitude
I throw thy name against the bruising stones
Trampling contemptuously on thy disdain
And here is writ lovewounded Proteus
Poor wounded name my bosom as a bed
Shall lodge thee till thy wound be throughly healed
And thus 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
Unto a ragged fearful hanging rock
And throw it thence into the raging sea
Lo here in one line is his name twice writ
Poor forlorn Proteus passionate Proteus
To the sweet Julia That Ill tear away
And yet I will not sith so prettily
He couples it to his complaining names
Thus will I fold them one upon another
Now kiss embrace contend do what you will
Enter Lucetta
LUCETTA
Madam dinner is ready and your father stays
JULIA
Well let us go
LUCETTA
What shall these papers lie like telltales here
JULIA
If you respect them best to take them up
LUCETTA
Nay I was taken up for laying them down
Yet here they shall not lie for catching cold
Picks up pieces of the letter
JULIA
I see you have a months mind to them
LUCETTA
Ay madam you may say what sights you see
I see things too although you judge I wink
JULIA
Come come willt please you go
Exeunt
SCENE III The same A room in Antonios house
Enter Antonio and Pantino
ANTONIO
Tell me Pantino what sad talk was that
Wherewith my brother held you in the cloister
PANTINO
Twas of his nephew Proteus your son
ANTONIO
Why what of him
PANTINO
He wondered that your lordship
Would suffer him to spend his youth at home
While other men of slender reputation
Put forth their sons to seek preferment out
Some to the wars to try their fortune there
Some to discover islands far away
Some to the studious universities
For any or for all these exercises
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
ANTONIO
Nor needst thou much importune me to that
Whereon this month I have been hammering
I have considered well his loss of time
And how he cannot be a perfect man
Not being tried and tutored 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
PANTINO
I think your lordship is not ignorant
How his companion youthful Valentine
Attends the Emperor in his royal court
ANTONIO
I know it well
PANTINO
Twere good I think your lordship sent him thither
There shall he practise tilts and tournaments
Hear sweet discourse converse with noblemen
And be in eye of every exercise
Worthy his youth and nobleness of birth
ANTONIO
I like thy counsel well hast thou advised
And that thou mayst perceive how well I like it
The execution of it shall make known
Even with the speediest expedition
I will dispatch him to the Emperors court
PANTINO
Tomorrow may it please you Don Alphonso
With other gentlemen of good esteem
Are journeying to salute the Emperor
And to commend their service to his will
ANTONIO
Good company With them shall Proteus go
Enter Proteus reading a letter
And in good time Now will we break with him
PROTEUS
Sweet love sweet lines sweet life
Here is her hand the agent of her heart
Here is her oath for love her honours pawn
O that our fathers would applaud our loves
To seal our happiness with their consents
O heavenly Julia
ANTONIO
How now What letter are you reading there
PROTEUS
Mayt please your lordship tis a word or two
Of commendations sent from Valentine
Delivered by a friend that came from him
ANTONIO
Lend me the letter Let me see what news
PROTEUS
There is no news my lord but that he writes
How happily he lives how well beloved
And daily graced by the Emperor
Wishing me with him partner of his fortune
ANTONIO
And how stand you affected to his wish
PROTEUS
As one relying on your lordships will
And not depending on his friendly wish
ANTONIO
My will is something sorted with his wish
Muse not that I thus suddenly proceed
For what I will I will and there an end
I am resolved that thou shalt spend some time
With Valentinus in the Emperors court
What maintenance he from his friends receives
Like exhibition thou shalt have from me
Tomorrow be in readiness to go
Excuse it not for I am peremptory
PROTEUS
My lord I cannot be so soon provided
Please you deliberate a day or two
ANTONIO
Look what thou wantst shall be sent after thee
No more of stay Tomorrow thou must go
Come on Pantino you shall be employed
To hasten on his expedition
Exeunt Antonio and Pantino
PROTEUS
Thus have I shunned the fire for fear of burning
And drenched me in the sea where I am drowned
I feared to show my father Julias letter
Lest he should take exceptions to my love
And with the vantage of mine own excuse
Hath he excepted most against my love
O how this spring of love resembleth
The uncertain glory of an April day
Which now shows all the beauty of the sun
And by an by a cloud takes all away
Enter Pantino
PANTINO
Sir Proteus your father calls for you
He is in haste Therefore I pray you go
PROTEUS
Why this it is my heart accords thereto
And yet a thousand times it answers No
Exeunt
ACT II
SCENE I Milan A room in the Dukes palace
Enter Valentine and Speed
SPEED
Sir your glove
VALENTINE
Not mine My gloves are on
SPEED
Why then this may be yours for this is but one
VALENTINE
Ha Let me see Ay give it me its mine
Sweet ornament that decks a thing divine
Ah Silvia Silvia
SPEED
Calling Madam Silvia Madam Silvia
VALENTINE
How now sirrah
SPEED
She is not within hearing sir
VALENTINE
Why sir who bade you call her
SPEED
Your worship sir or else I mistook
VALENTINE
Well youll still be too forward
SPEED
And yet I was last chidden for being too slow
VALENTINE
Go to sir Tell me do you know Madam Silvia
SPEED
She that your worship loves
VALENTINE
Why how know you that I am in love
SPEED
Marry by these special marks first you have learned like Sir Proteus to wreathe your arms like a malcontent to relish a lovesong like a robin redbreast to walk alone like one that had the pestilence to sigh like a schoolboy that had lost his ABC 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 laughed to crow like a cock when you walked to walk like one of the lions when you fasted it was presently after dinner when you looked sadly it was for want of money And now you are metamorphosed with a mistress that when I look on you I can hardly think you my master
VALENTINE
Are all these things perceived in me
SPEED
They are all perceived without ye
VALENTINE
Without me They cannot
SPEED
Without you Nay thats 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 the water in an urinal that not an eye that sees you but is a physician to comment on your malady
VALENTINE
But tell me dost thou know my lady Silvia
SPEED
She that you gaze on so as she sits at supper
VALENTINE
Hast thou observed that Even she I mean
SPEED
Why sir I know her not
VALENTINE
Dost thou know her by my gazing on her and yet knowst her not
SPEED
Is she not hardfavoured sir
VALENTINE
Not so fair boy as wellfavoured
SPEED
Sir I know that well enough
VALENTINE
What dost thou know
SPEED
That she is not so fair as of you wellfavoured
VALENTINE
I mean that her beauty is exquisite but her favour infinite
SPEED
Thats because the one is painted and the other out of all count
VALENTINE
How painted And how out of count
SPEED
Marry sir so painted to make her fair that no man counts of her beauty
VALENTINE
How esteemst thou me I account of her beauty
SPEED
You never saw her since she was deformed
VALENTINE
How long hath she been deformed
SPEED
Ever since you loved her
VALENTINE
I have loved her ever since I saw her and still I see her beautiful
SPEED
If you love her you cannot see her
VALENTINE
Why
SPEED
Because Love is blind O that you had mine eyes or your own eyes had the lights they were wont to have when you chid at Sir Proteus for going ungartered
VALENTINE
What should I see then
SPEED
Your own present folly 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
VALENTINE
Belike boy then 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
VALENTINE
In conclusion I stand affected to her
SPEED
I would you were set so your affection would cease
VALENTINE
Last night she enjoined me to write some lines to one she loves
SPEED
And have you
VALENTINE
I have
SPEED
Are they not lamely writ
VALENTINE
No boy but as well as I can do them
Peace here she comes
Enter Silvia
SPEED
Aside O excellent motion O exceeding puppet
Now will he interpret to her
VALENTINE
Madam and mistress a thousand goodmorrows
SPEED
Aside O give ye good een Heres a million of manners
SILVIA
Sir Valentine and servant to you two thousand
SPEED
Aside He should give her interest and she gives it him
VALENTINE
As you enjoined me I have writ your letter
Unto the secret nameless friend of yours
Which I was much unwilling to proceed in
But for my duty to your ladyship
Gives her a letter
SILVIA
I thank you gentle servant tis very clerkly done
VALENTINE
Now trust me madam it came hardly off
For being ignorant to whom it goes
I writ at random very doubtfully
SILVIA
Perchance you think too much of so much pains
VALENTINE
No madam so it stead you I will write
Please you command a thousand times as much
And yet
SILVIA
A pretty period Well I guess the sequel
And yet I will not name it And yet I care not
And yet take this again
Offers him the letter
And yet I thank you
Meaning henceforth to trouble you no more
SPEED
Aside And yet you will and yet another yet
VALENTINE
What means your ladyship Do you not like it
SILVIA
Yes yes the lines are very quaintly writ
But since unwillingly take them again
Nay take them
Offers the letter again
VALENTINE
Madam they are for you
SILVIA
Ay ay you writ them sir at my request
But I will none of them They are for you
I would have had them writ more movingly
VALENTINE
Please you Ill write your ladyship another
SILVIA
And when its writ for my sake read it over
And if it please you so if not why so
VALENTINE
If it please me madam What then
SILVIA
Why if it please you take it for your labour
And so good morrow servant
Exit
SPEED
Aside O jest unseen inscrutable invisible
As a nose on a mans face or a weathercock on a steeple
My master sues to her and she hath taught her suitor
He being her pupil to become her tutor
O excellent device Was there ever heard a better
That my master being scribe to himself should write the letter
VALENTINE
How now sir What are you reasoning with yourself
SPEED
Nay I was rhyming Tis you that have the reason
VALENTINE
To do what
SPEED
To be a spokesman from Madam Silvia
VALENTINE
To whom
SPEED
To yourself Why she woos you by a figure
VALENTINE
What figure
SPEED
By a letter I should say
VALENTINE
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 jest
VALENTINE
No believe me
SPEED
No believing you indeed sir But did you perceive her earnest
VALENTINE
She gave me none except an angry word
SPEED
Why she hath given you a letter
VALENTINE
Thats the letter I writ to her friend
SPEED
And that letter hath she delivered and there an end
VALENTINE
I would it were no worse
SPEED
Ill 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 reply
Or fearing else some messenger that might her mind discover
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
VALENTINE
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
SCENE II Verona A room in Julias house
Enter Proteus and Julia
PROTEUS
Have patience gentle Julia
JULIA
I must where is no remedy
PROTEUS
When possibly I can I will return
JULIA
If you turn not you will return the sooner
Keep this remembrance for thy Julias sake
Gives him a ring
PROTEUS
Why then well make exchange Here take you this
Gives her a ring
JULIA
And seal the bargain with a holy kiss
PROTEUS
Here is my hand for my true constancy
And when that hour oerslips me in the day
Wherein I sigh not Julia for thy sake
The next ensuing hour some foul mischance
Torment me for my loves forgetfulness
My father stays my coming answer not
The tide is nownay not thy tide of tears
That tide will stay me longer than I should
Julia farewell
Exit Julia
What gone without a word
Ay so true love should do It cannot speak
For truth hath better deeds than words to grace it
Enter Pantino
PANTINO
Sir Proteus you are stayed for
PROTEUS
Go I come I come
Alas this parting strikes poor lovers dumb
Exeunt
SCENE III The same A street
Enter Lance with his dog Crab
LANCE
Nay twill be this hour ere I have done weeping all the kind of the Lances have this very fault I have received my proportion like the prodigious son and am going with Sir Proteus to the Imperials court I think Crab my dog be the sourestnatured dog that lives my mother weeping 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 cruelhearted cur shed one tear He is a stone a very pebblestone 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 Ill 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 dog is himself and I am the dog O 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 heres my mothers breath up and down Now come I to my sister Mark the moan she makes Now the dog all this while sheds not a tear nor speaks a word but see how I lay the dust with my tears
Enter Pantino
PANTINO
Lance away away Aboard Thy master is shipped and thou art to post after with oars Whats the matter Why weepst thou man Away ass Youll lose the tide if you tarry any longer
LANCE
It is no matter if the tied were lost for it is the unkindest tied that ever any man tied
PANTINO
Whats the unkindest tide
LANCE
Why he thats tied here Crab my dog
PANTINO
Tut man I mean thoult 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 servicewhy dost thou stop my mouth
LANCE
For fear thou shouldst lose thy tongue
PANTINO
Where should I lose my tongue
LANCE
In thy tale
PANTINO
In thy tail
LANCE
Lose the tide and the voyage and the master and the service and the tied Why man if the river were dry I am able to fill it with my tears if the wind were down I could drive the boat with my sighs
PANTINO
Come come away man I was sent to call thee
LANCE
Sir call me what thou darst
PANTINO
Will thou go
LANCE
Well I will go
Exeunt
SCENE IV Milan A room in the Dukes palace
Enter Valentine Silvia Thurio and Speed
SILVIA
Servant
VALENTINE
Mistress
SPEED
Master Sir Thurio frowns on you
VALENTINE
Ay boy its for love
SPEED
Not of you
VALENTINE
Of my mistress then
SPEED
Twere good you knocked him
SILVIA
Servant you are sad
VALENTINE
Indeed madam I seem so
THURIO
Seem you that you are not
VALENTINE
Haply I do
THURIO
So do counterfeits
VALENTINE
So do you
THURIO
What seem I that I am not
VALENTINE
Wise
THURIO
What instance of the contrary
VALENTINE
Your folly
THURIO
And how quote you my folly
VALENTINE
I quote it in your jerkin
THURIO
My jerkin is a doublet
VALENTINE
Well then Ill double your folly
THURIO
How
SILVIA
What angry Sir Thurio Do you change colour
VALENTINE
Give him leave madam he is a kind of chameleon
THURIO
That hath more mind to feed on your blood than live in your air
VALENTINE
You have said sir
THURIO
Ay sir and done too for this time
VALENTINE
I know it well sir You always end ere you begin
SILVIA
A fine volley of words gentlemen and quickly shot off
VALENTINE
Tis indeed madam we thank the giver
SILVIA
Who is that servant
VALENTINE
Yourself sweet lady for you gave the fire Sir Thurio borrows his wit from your ladyships looks and spends what he borrows kindly in your company
THURIO
Sir if you spend word for word with me I shall make your wit bankrupt
VALENTINE
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
SILVIA
No more gentlemen no more Here comes my father
Enter Duke
DUKE
Now daughter Silvia you are hard beset
Sir Valentine your father is in good health
What say you to a letter from your friends
Of much good news
VALENTINE
My lord I will be thankful
To any happy messenger from thence
DUKE
Know ye Don Antonio your countryman
VALENTINE
Ay my good lord I know the gentleman
To be of worth and worthy estimation
And not without desert so well reputed
DUKE
Hath he not a son
VALENTINE
Ay my good lord a son that well deserves
The honour and regard of such a father
DUKE
You know him well
VALENTINE
I knew him as myself for from our infancy
We have conversed and spent our hours together
And though myself have been an idle truant
Omitting the sweet benefit of time
To clothe mine age with angellike perfection
Yet hath Sir Proteus for thats his name
Made use and fair advantage of his days
His years but young but his experience old
His head unmellowed but his judgement ripe
And in a word for far behind his worth
Comes all the praises that I now bestow
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 emperors counsellor
Well sir this gentleman is come to me
With commendation from great potentates
And here he means to spend his time awhile
I think tis no unwelcome news to you
VALENTINE
Should I have wished a thing it had been he
DUKE
Welcome him then according to his worth
Silvia I speak to you and you Sir Thurio
For Valentine I need not cite him to it
I will send him hither to you presently
Exit
VALENTINE
This is the gentleman I told your ladyship
Had come along with me but that his mistresss
Did hold his eyes locked in her crystal looks
SILVIA
Belike that now she hath enfranchised them
Upon some other pawn for fealty
VALENTINE
Nay sure I think she holds them prisoners still
SILVIA
Nay then he should be blind and being blind
How could he see his way to seek out you
VALENTINE
Why lady Love hath twenty pair of eyes
THURIO
They say that Love hath not an eye at all
VALENTINE
To see such lovers Thurio as yourself
Upon a homely object Love can wink
SILVIA
Have done have done Here comes the gentleman
Enter Proteus
VALENTINE
Welcome dear Proteus Mistress I beseech you
Confirm his welcome with some special favour
SILVIA
His worth is warrant for his welcome hither
If this be he you oft have wished to hear from
VALENTINE
Mistress it is Sweet lady entertain him
To be my fellowservant to your ladyship
SILVIA
Too low a mistress for so high a servant
PROTEUS
Not so sweet lady but too mean a servant
To have a look of such a worthy mistress
VALENTINE
Leave off discourse of disability
Sweet lady entertain him for your servant
PROTEUS
My duty will I boast of nothing else
SILVIA
And duty never yet did want his meed
Servant you are welcome to a worthless mistress
PROTEUS
Ill die on him that says so but yourself
SILVIA
That you are welcome
PROTEUS
That you are worthless
Enter Servant
SERVANT
Madam my lord your father would speak with you
SILVIA
I wait upon his pleasure
Exit Servant
Come Sir Thurio
Go with meOnce more new servant welcome
Ill leave you to confer of home affairs
When you have done we look to hear from you
PROTEUS
Well both attend upon your ladyship
Exeunt Silvia and Thurio
VALENTINE
Now tell me how do all from whence you came
PROTEUS
Your friends are well and have them much commended
VALENTINE
And how do yours
PROTEUS
I left them all in health
VALENTINE
How does your lady And how thrives your love
PROTEUS
My tales of love were wont to weary you
I know you joy not in a lovediscourse
VALENTINE
Ay Proteus but that life is altered now
I have done penance for contemning Love
Whose high imperious thoughts have punished me
With bitter fasts with penitential groans
With nightly tears and daily heartsore sighs
For in revenge of my contempt of love
Love hath chased sleep from my enthralled eyes
And made them watchers of mine own hearts sorrow
O gentle Proteus Loves a mighty lord
And hath so humbled me as I confess
There is no woe to his correction
Nor to his service no such joy on earth
Now no discourse except it be of love
Now can I break my fast dine sup and sleep
Upon the very naked name of love
PROTEUS
Enough I read your fortune in your eye
Was this the idol that you worship so
VALENTINE
Even she and is she not a heavenly saint
PROTEUS
No but she is an earthly paragon
VALENTINE
Call her divine
PROTEUS
I will not flatter her
VALENTINE
O flatter me for love delights in praises
PROTEUS
When I was sick you gave me bitter pills
And I must minister the like to you
VALENTINE
Then speak the truth by her if not divine
Yet let her be a principality
Sovereign to all the creatures on the earth
PROTEUS
Except my mistress
VALENTINE
Sweet except not any
Except thou wilt except against my love
PROTEUS
Have I not reason to prefer mine own
VALENTINE
And I will help thee to prefer her too
She shall be dignified with this high honour
To bear my ladys train lest the base earth
Should from her vesture chance to steal a kiss
And of so great a favour growing proud
Disdain to root the summerswelling flower
And make rough winter everlastingly
PROTEUS
Why Valentine what braggartism is this
VALENTINE
Pardon me Proteus all I can is nothing
To her whose worth makes other worthies nothing
She is alone
PROTEUS
Then let her alone
VALENTINE
Not for the world Why man she is mine own
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
Forgive me that I do not dream on thee
Because thou seest me dote upon my love
My foolish rival that her father likes
Only for his possessions are so huge
Is gone with her along and I must after
For love thou knowst is full of jealousy
PROTEUS
But she loves you
VALENTINE
Ay and we are betrothed nay more our marriage hour
With all the cunning manner of our flight
Determined of how I must climb her window
The ladder made of cords and all the means
Plotted and greed on for my happiness
Good Proteus go with me to my chamber
In these affairs to aid me with thy counsel
PROTEUS
Go on before I shall enquire you forth
I must unto the road to disembark
Some necessaries that I needs must use
And then Ill presently attend you
VALENTINE
Will you make haste
PROTEUS
I will
Exit Valentine
Even as 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
Is it mine eye or Valentines praise
Her true perfection or my false transgression
That makes me reasonless to reason thus
She is fair and so is Julia that I love
That I did love for now my love is thawed
Which like a waxen image gainst a fire
Bears no impression of the thing it was
Methinks my zeal to Valentine is cold
And that I love him not as I was wont
O but I love his lady too too much
And thats the reason I love him so little
How shall I dote on her with more advice
That thus without advice begin to love her
Tis but her picture I have yet beheld
And that hath dazzled my reasons light
But when I look on her perfections
There is no reason but I shall be blind
If I can check my erring love I will
If not to compass her Ill use my skill
Exit
SCENE V The same A street
Enter Speed and Lance with his dog Crab
SPEED
Lance by mine honesty welcome to Milan
LANCE
Forswear not thyself sweet youth for I am not welcome I reckon this always that a man is never undone till he be hanged nor never welcome to a place till some certain shot be paid and the hostess say Welcome
SPEED
Come on you madcap Ill to the alehouse with you presently where for one shot of five pence thou shalt have five thousand welcomes But sirrah how did thy master part with Madam Julia
LANCE
Marry after they closed in earnest they parted very fairly in jest
SPEED
But shall she marry him
LANCE
No
SPEED
How then Shall he marry her
LANCE
No neither
SPEED
What are they broken
LANCE
No they are both as whole as a fish
SPEED
Why then how stands the matter with them
LANCE
Marry thus when it stands well with him it stands well with her
SPEED
What an ass art thou I understand thee not
LANCE
What a block art thou that thou canst not My staff understands me
SPEED
What thou sayst
LANCE
Ay and what I do too Look thee Ill but lean and my staff understands me
SPEED
It stands under thee indeed
LANCE
Why standunder and understand is all one
SPEED
But tell me true willt be a match
LANCE
Ask my dog If he say Ay it will if he say No it will if he shake his tail and say nothing it will
SPEED
The conclusion is then that it will
LANCE
Thou shalt never get such a secret from me but by a parable
SPEED
Tis well that I get it so But Lance how sayst thou that my master is become a notable lover
LANCE
I never knew him otherwise
SPEED
Than how
LANCE
A notable lubber as thou reportest him to be
SPEED
Why thou whoreson ass thou mistakst me
LANCE
Why fool I meant not thee I meant thy master
SPEED
I tell thee my master is become a hot lover
LANCE
Why I tell thee I care not though he burn himself in love If thou wilt go with me to the alehouse if not thou art an Hebrew a Jew and not worth the name of a Christian
SPEED
Why
LANCE
Because thou hast not so much charity in thee as to go to the ale with a Christian Wilt thou go
SPEED
At thy service
Exeunt
SCENE VI The same The Dukes palace
Enter Proteus alone
PROTEUS
To leave my Julia shall I be forsworn
To love fair Silvia shall I be forsworn
To wrong my friend I shall be much forsworn
And een that power which gave me first my oath
Provokes me to this threefold perjury
Love bade me swear and Love bids me forswear
O sweetsuggesting Love if thou hast sinned
Teach me thy tempted subject to excuse it
At first I did adore a twinkling star
But now I worship a celestial sun
Unheedful vows may heedfully be broken
And he wants wit that wants resolved will
To learn his wit t exchange the bad for better
Fie fie unreverend tongue to call her bad
Whose sovereignty so oft thou hast preferred
With twenty thousand soulconfirming oaths
I 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 Silviawitness heaven that made her fair
Shows Julia but a swarthy Ethiope
I will forget that Julia is alive
Remembering that my love to her is dead
And Valentine Ill hold an enemy
Aiming at Silvia as a sweeter friend
I cannot now prove constant to myself
Without some treachery used to Valentine
This night he meaneth with a corded ladder
To climb celestial Silvias chamber window
Myself in counsel his competitor
Now presently Ill give her father notice
Of their disguising and pretended flight
Who all enraged will banish Valentine
For Thurio he intends shall wed his daughter
But Valentine being gone Ill quickly cross
By some sly trick blunt Thurios dull proceeding
Love lend me wings to make my purpose swift
As thou hast lent me wit to plot this drift
Exit
SCENE VII Verona A room in Julias house
Enter Julia and Lucetta
JULIA
Counsel Lucetta gentle girl assist me
And evn in kind love I do conjure thee
Who art the table wherein all my thoughts
Are visibly charactered and engraved
To lesson me and tell me some good mean
How with my honour I may undertake
A journey to my loving Proteus
LUCETTA
Alas the way is wearisome and long
JULIA
A truedevoted pilgrim is not weary
To measure kingdoms with his feeble steps
Much less shall she that hath Loves wings to fly
And when the flight is made to one so dear
Of such divine perfection as Sir Proteus
LUCETTA
Better forbear till Proteus make return
JULIA
O knowst thou not his looks are my souls food
Pity the dearth that I have pined in
By longing for that food so long a time
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
LUCETTA
I do not seek to quench your loves hot fire
But qualify the fires extreme rage
Lest it should burn above the bounds of reason
JULIA
The more thou dammst it up the more it burns
The current that with gentle murmur glides
Thou knowst being stopped impatiently doth rage
But when his fair course is not hindered
He makes sweet music with th enamelled stones
Giving a gentle kiss to every sedge
He overtaketh in his pilgrimage
And so by many winding nooks he strays
With willing sport to the wild ocean
Then let me go and hinder not my course
Ill 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 Ill rest as after much turmoil
A blessed soul doth in Elysium
LUCETTA
But in what habit will you go along
JULIA
Not like a woman for I would prevent
The loose encounters of lascivious men
Gentle Lucetta fit me with such weeds
As may beseem some wellreputed page
LUCETTA
Why then your ladyship must cut your hair
JULIA
No girl Ill knit it up in silken strings
With twenty oddconceited truelove knots
To be fantastic may become a youth
Of greater time than I shall show to be
LUCETTA
What fashion madam shall I make your breeches
JULIA
That fits as well as Tell me good my lord
What compass will you wear your farthingale
Why een what fashion thou best likes Lucetta
LUCETTA
You must needs have them with a codpiece madam
JULIA
Out out Lucetta that will be illfavoured
LUCETTA
A round hose madam nows not worth a pin
Unless you have a codpiece to stick pins on
JULIA
Lucetta as thou lovst me let me have
What thou thinkst meet and is most mannerly
But tell me wench how will the world repute me
For undertaking so unstaid a journey
I fear me it will make me scandalized
LUCETTA
If you think so then stay at home and go not
JULIA
Nay that I will not
LUCETTA
Then never dream on infamy but go
If Proteus like your journey when you come
No matter whos displeased when you are gone
I fear me he will scarce be pleased withal
JULIA
That is the least Lucetta of my fear
A thousand oaths an ocean of his tears
And instances of infinite of love
Warrant me welcome to my Proteus
LUCETTA
All these are servants to deceitful men
JULIA
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
LUCETTA
Pray heavn he prove so when you come to him
JULIA
Now as thou lovst me do him not that wrong
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 leave at thy dispose
My goods my lands my reputation
Only in lieu thereof dispatch me hence
Come answer not but to it presently
I am impatient of my tarriance
Exeunt
ACT III
SCENE I Milan An anteroom in the Dukes palace
Enter Duke Thurio and Proteus
DUKE
Sir Thurio give us leave I pray awhile
We have some secrets to confer about
Exit Thurio
Now tell me Proteus whats your will with me
PROTEUS
My gracious lord that which I would discover
The law of friendship bids me to conceal
But when I call to mind your gracious favours
Done to me undeserving as I am
My duty pricks me on to utter that
Which else no worldly good should draw from me
Know worthy prince Sir Valentine 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 stoln away from you
It would be much vexation to your age
Thus for my dutys sake I rather chose
To cross my friend in his intended drift
Than by concealing it heap on your head
A pack of sorrows which would press you down
Being unprevented to your timeless grave
DUKE
Proteus I thank thee for thine honest care
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 shunned
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 conveyed away
PROTEUS
Know noble lord they have devised a mean
How he her chamberwindow will ascend
And with a corded ladder fetch her down
For which the youthful lover now is gone
And this way comes he with it presently
Where if it please you you may intercept him
But good my lord do it so cunningly
That my discovery be not aimed at
For love of you not hate unto my friend
Hath made me publisher of this pretence
DUKE
Upon mine honour he shall never know
That I had any light from thee of this
PROTEUS
Adieu my lord Sir Valentine is coming
Exit
Enter Valentine
DUKE
Sir Valentine whither away so fast
VALENTINE
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
VALENTINE
The tenor of them doth but signify
My health and happy being at your court
DUKE
Nay then no matter Stay with me awhile
I am to break with thee of some affairs
That touch me near wherein thou must be secret
Tis not unknown to thee that I have sought
To match my friend Sir Thurio to my daughter
VALENTINE
I know it well my lord and sure the match
Were rich and honourable Besides the gentleman
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 froward
Proud disobedient stubborn lacking duty
Neither regarding that she is my child
Nor fearing me as if I were her father
And may I say to thee this pride of hers
Upon advice hath drawn my love from her
And where I thought the remnant of mine age
Should have been cherished by her childlike duty
I now am full resolved to take a wife
And turn her out to who will take her in
Then let her beauty be her wedding dower
For me and my possessions she esteems not
VALENTINE
What would your Grace have me to do in this
DUKE
There is a lady of Verona here
Whom I affect but she is nice and coy
And nought esteems my aged eloquence
Now therefore would I have thee to my tutor
For long agone I 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 sunbright eye
VALENTINE
Win her with gifts if she respect not words
Dumb jewels often in their silent kind
More than quick words do move a womans mind
DUKE
But she did scorn a present that I sent her
VALENTINE
A woman sometime scorns what best contents her
Send her another never give her oer
For scorn at first makes afterlove the more
If she do frown tis not in hate of you
But rather to beget more love in you
If she do chide tis not to have you gone
Forwhy the fools are mad if left alone
Take no repulse whatever she doth say
For Get you gone she doth not mean Away
Flatter and praise commend extol their graces
Though neer so black say they have angels faces
That man that hath a tongue I say is no man
If with his 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
VALENTINE
Why then I would resort to her by night
DUKE
Ay but the doors be locked and keys kept safe
That no man hath recourse to her by night
VALENTINE
What lets but one may enter at her window
DUKE
Her chamber is aloft far from the ground
And built so shelving that one cannot climb it
Without apparent hazard of his life
VALENTINE
Why then a ladder quaintly made of cords
To cast up with a pair of anchoring hooks
Would serve to scale another Heros tower
So bold Leander would adventure it
DUKE
Now as thou art a gentleman of blood
Advise me where I may have such a ladder
VALENTINE
When would you use it Pray sir tell me that
DUKE
This very night for Love is like a child
That longs for everything that he can come by
VALENTINE
By seven oclock Ill get you such a ladder
DUKE
But hark thee I will go to her alone
How shall I best convey the ladder thither
VALENTINE
It will be light my lord that you may bear it
Under a cloak that is of any length
DUKE
A cloak as long as thine will serve the turn
VALENTINE
Ay my good lord
DUKE
Then let me see thy cloak
Ill get me one of such another length
VALENTINE
Why any cloak will serve the turn my lord
DUKE
How shall I fashion me to wear a cloak
I pray thee let me feel thy cloak upon me
Takes Valentines cloak and finds a letter and a rope ladder concealed under it
What letter is this same Whats hereTo Silvia
And here an engine fit for my proceeding
Ill 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 flying
O could their master come and go as lightly
Himself would lodge where senseless they are lying
My herald thoughts in thy pure bosom rest them
While I their king that thither them importune
Do curse the grace that with such grace hath blest them
Because myself do want my servants fortune
I curse myself for they are sent by me
That they should harbour where their lord should be
Whats here
Reads Silvia this night I will enfranchise thee
Tis so and heres the ladder for the purpose
Why Phathonfor thou art Merops son
Wilt thou aspire to guide the heavenly car
And with thy daring folly 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
Is privilege for thy departure hence
Thank me for this more than for all the favours
Which all too much I have bestowed 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
Begone I will not hear thy vain excuse
But as thou lovst thy life make speed from hence
Exit
VALENTINE
And why not death rather than living torment
To die is to be banished from myself
And Silvia is myself banished from her
Is self from selfa deadly banishment
What light is light if Silvia be not seen
What joy is joy if Silvia be not by
Unless it be to think that she is by
And feed upon the shadow of perfection
Except I be by Silvia in the night
There is 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
Fostered illumined cherished kept alive
I fly not death to fly his deadly doom
Tarry I here I but attend on death
But fly I hence I fly away from life
Enter Proteus and Lance
PROTEUS
Run boy run run seek him out
LANCE
Soho soho
PROTEUS
What seest thou
LANCE
Him we go to find Theres not a hair on s head but tis a Valentine
PROTEUS
Valentine
VALENTINE
No
PROTEUS
Who then His spirit
VALENTINE
Neither
PROTEUS
What then
VALENTINE
Nothing
LANCE
Can nothing speak Master shall I strike
PROTEUS
Who wouldst thou strike
LANCE
Nothing
PROTEUS
Villain forbear
LANCE
Why sir Ill strike nothing I pray you
PROTEUS
Sirrah I say forbearFriend Valentine a word
VALENTINE
My ears are stopped and cannot hear good news
So much of bad already hath possessed them
PROTEUS
Then in dumb silence will I bury mine
For they are harsh untuneable and bad
VALENTINE
Is Silvia dead
PROTEUS
No Valentine
VALENTINE
No Valentine indeed for sacred Silvia
Hath she forsworn me
PROTEUS
No Valentine
VALENTINE
No Valentine if Silvia have forsworn me
What is your news
LANCE
Sir there is a proclamation that you are vanished
PROTEUS
That thou art banishedO thats the news
From hence from Silvia and from me thy friend
VALENTINE
O I have fed upon this woe already
And now excess of it will make me surfeit
Doth Silvia know that I am banished
PROTEUS
Ay ay and she hath offered to the doom
Which unreversed stands in effectual force
A sea of melting pearl which some call tears
Those at her fathers churlish feet she tendered
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
But neither bended knees pure hands held up
Sad sighs deep groans nor silvershedding tears
Could penetrate her uncompassionate sire
But Valentine if he be taen must die
Besides her intercession chafed him so
When she for thy repeal was suppliant
That to close prison he commanded her
With many bitter threats of biding there
VALENTINE
No more unless the next word that thou speakst
Have some malignant power upon my life
If so I pray thee breathe it in mine ear
As ending anthem of my endless dolour
PROTEUS
Cease to lament for that thou canst not help
And study help for that which thou lamentst
Time is the nurse and breeder of all good
Here if thou stay thou canst not see thy love
Besides thy staying will abridge thy life
Hope is a lovers staff walk hence with that
And manage it against despairing thoughts
Thy letters may be here though thou art hence
Which being writ to me shall be delivered
Even in the milkwhite bosom of thy love
The time now serves not to expostulate
Come Ill convey thee through the citygate
And ere I part with thee confer at large
Of all that may concern thy love affairs
As thou lovst Silvia though not for thyself
Regard thy danger and along with me
VALENTINE
I pray thee Lance an if thou seest my boy
Bid him make haste and meet me at the North Gate
PROTEUS
Go sirrah find him out Come Valentine
VALENTINE
O my dear Silvia Hapless Valentine
Exeunt Valentine and Proteus
LANCE
I am but a fool look you and yet I have the wit to think my master is a kind of a knave but thats 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 woman but what woman I will not tell myself and yet tis a milkmaid yet tis not a maid for she hath had gossips yet tis a maid for she is her masters maid and serves for wages She hath more qualities than a waterspaniel which is much in a bare Christian Pulls out a paper Here is the catelog 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
Enter Speed
SPEED
How now Signior Lance What news with your mastership
LANCE
With my masters ship Why it is at sea
SPEED
Well your old vice still mistake the word What news then in your paper
LANCE
The blackest news that ever thou heardst
SPEED
Why man How black
LANCE
Why as black as ink
SPEED
Let me read them
LANCE
Fie on thee jolthead thou canst not read
SPEED
Thou liest I can
LANCE
I will try thee Tell me this who begot thee
SPEED
Marry the son of my grandfather
LANCE
O illiterate loiterer It was the son of thy grandmother
This proves that thou canst not read
SPEED
Come fool come try me in thy paper
LANCE
Gives him the paper There and Saint Nicholas be thy speed
SPEED
Imprimis She can milk
LANCE
Ay that she can
SPEED
Item She brews good ale
LANCE
And thereof comes the proverb Blessing of your heart you brew good ale
SPEED
Item She can sew
LANCE
Thats as much as to say Can she so
SPEED
Item She can knit
LANCE
What need a man care for a stock with a wench when she can knit him a stock
SPEED
Item She can wash and scour
LANCE
A special virtue for then she need not be washed and scoured
SPEED
Item She can spin
LANCE
Then may I set the world on wheels when she can spin for her living
SPEED
Item She hath many nameless virtues
LANCE
Thats as much as to say bastard virtues that indeed know not their fathers and therefore have no names
SPEED
Here follow her vices
LANCE
Close at the heels of her virtues
SPEED
Item She is not to be kissed fasting in respect of her breath
LANCE
Well that fault may be mended with a breakfast
Read on
SPEED
Item She hath a sweet mouth
LANCE
That makes amends for her sour breath
SPEED
Item She doth talk in her sleep
LANCE
Its no matter for that so she sleep not in her talk
SPEED
Item She is slow in words
LANCE
O villain that set this down among her vices To be slow in words is a womans only virtue I pray thee out witht and place it for her chief virtue
SPEED
Item She is proud
LANCE
Out with that too it was Eves legacy and cannot be taen from her
SPEED
Item She hath no teeth
LANCE
I care not for that neither because I love crusts
SPEED
Item She is curst
LANCE
Well the best is she hath no teeth to bite
SPEED
Item She will often praise her liquor
LANCE
If her liquor be good she shall if she will not I will for good things should be praised
SPEED
Item She is too liberal
LANCE
Of her tongue she cannot for thats writ down she is slow of of her purse she shall not for that Ill keep shut Now of another thing she may and that cannot I help Well proceed
SPEED
Item She hath more hair than wit and more faults than hairs and more wealth than faults
LANCE
Stop there Ill have her She was mine and not mine twice or thrice in that last article Rehearse that once more
SPEED
Item She hath more hair than wit
LANCE
More hair than wit It may be Ill prove it the cover of the salt hides the salt and therefore it is more than the salt the hair that covers the wit is more than the wit for the greater hides the less Whats next
SPEED
And more faults than hairs
LANCE
Thats monstrous O that that were out
SPEED
And more wealth than faults
LANCE
Why that word makes the faults gracious Well Ill have her an if it be a match as nothing is impossible
SPEED
What then
LANCE
Why then will I tell thee that thy master stays for thee at the North Gate
SPEED
For me
LANCE
For thee Ay who art thou He hath stayed for a better man than thee
SPEED
And must I go to him
LANCE
Thou must run to him for thou hast stayed so long that going will scarce serve the turn
SPEED
Why didst not tell me sooner Pox of your love letters
Exit
LANCE
Now will he be swinged for reading my letter an unmannerly slave that will thrust himself into secrets Ill after to rejoice in the boys correction
Exit
SCENE II The same A room in the Dukes palace
Enter Duke and Thurio
DUKE
Sir Thurio fear not but that she will love you
Now Valentine is banished from her sight
THURIO
Since his exile she hath despised me most
Forsworn my company and railed 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 hours heat
Dissolves to water and doth lose his form
A little time will melt her frozen thoughts
And worthless Valentine shall be forgot
Enter Proteus
How now Sir Proteus Is your countryman
According to our proclamation gone
PROTEUS
Gone my good lord
DUKE
My daughter takes his going grievously
PROTEUS
A little time my lord will kill that grief
DUKE
So I believe but Thurio thinks not so
Proteus the good conceit I hold of thee
For thou hast shown some sign of good desert
Makes me the better to confer with thee
PROTEUS
Longer than I prove loyal to your Grace
Let me not live to look upon your Grace
DUKE
Thou knowst how willingly I would effect
The match between Sir Thurio and my daughter
PROTEUS
I do my lord
DUKE
And also I think thou art not ignorant
How she opposes her against my will
PROTEUS
She did my lord when Valentine was here
DUKE
Ay and perversely she persevers so
What might we do to make the girl forget
The love of Valentine and love Sir Thurio
PROTEUS
The best way is to slander Valentine
With falsehood cowardice and poor descent
Three things that women highly hold in hate
DUKE
Ay but shell think that it is spoke in hate
PROTEUS
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
PROTEUS
And that my lord I shall be loath to do
Tis an ill office for a gentleman
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
PROTEUS
You have prevailed 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
THURIO
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
And Proteus we dare trust you in this kind
Because we know on Valentines report
You are already Loves 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
For she is lumpish heavy melancholy
And for your friends sake will be glad of you
Where you may temper her by your persuasion
To hate young Valentine and love my friend
PROTEUS
As much as I can do I will effect
But you Sir Thurio are not sharp enough
You must lay lime to tangle her desires
By wailful sonnets whose composed rhymes
Should be fullfraught with serviceable vows
DUKE
Ay much is the force of heavenbred poesy
PROTEUS
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
Make tigers tame and huge leviathans
Forsake unsounded deeps to dance on sands
After your direlamenting elegies
Visit by night your ladys chamberwindow
With some sweet consort to their instruments
Tune a deploring dump the nights dead silence
Will well become such sweetcomplaining grievance
This or else nothing will inherit her
DUKE
This discipline shows thou hast been in love
THURIO
And thy advice this night Ill put in practice
Therefore sweet Proteus my directiongiver
Let us into the city presently
To sort some gentlemen well skilled in music
I have a sonnet that will serve the turn
To give the onset to thy good advice
DUKE
About it gentlemen
PROTEUS
Well wait upon your Grace till after supper
And afterward determine our proceedings
DUKE
Even now about it I will pardon you
Exeunt
ACT IV
SCENE I A forest between Milan and Verona
Enter certain Outlaws
FIRST OUTLAW
Fellows stand fast I see a passenger
SECOND OUTLAW
If there be ten shrink not but down with em
Enter Valentine and Speed
THIRD OUTLAW
Stand sir and throw us that you have about ye
If not well make you sit and rifle you
SPEED
Sir we are undone these are the villains
That all the travellers do fear so much
VALENTINE
My friends
FIRST OUTLAW
Thats not so sir We are your enemies
SECOND OUTLAW
Peace Well hear him
THIRD OUTLAW
Ay by my beard will we for he is a proper man
VALENTINE
Then know that I have little wealth to lose
A man I am crossed with adversity
My riches are these poor habiliments
Of which if you should here disfurnish me
You take the sum and substance that I have
SECOND OUTLAW
Whither travel you
VALENTINE
To Verona
FIRST OUTLAW
Whence came you
VALENTINE
From Milan
THIRD OUTLAW
Have you long sojourned there
VALENTINE
Some sixteen months and longer might have stayed
If crooked fortune had not thwarted me
FIRST OUTLAW
What were you banished thence
VALENTINE
I was
SECOND OUTLAW
For what offence
VALENTINE
For that which now torments me to rehearse
I killed a man whose death I much repent
But yet I slew him manfully in fight
Without false vantage or base treachery
FIRST OUTLAW
Why neer repent it if it were done so
But were you banished for so small a fault
VALENTINE
I was and held me glad of such a doom
SECOND OUTLAW
Have you the tongues
VALENTINE
My youthful travel therein made me happy
Or else I often had been miserable
THIRD OUTLAW
By the bare scalp of Robin Hoods fat friar
This fellow were a king for our wild faction
FIRST OUTLAW
Well have him Sirs a word
SPEED
Master be one of them Its an honourable kind of thievery
VALENTINE
Peace villain
SECOND OUTLAW
Tell us this have you anything to take to
VALENTINE
Nothing but my fortune
THIRD OUTLAW
Know then that some of us are gentlemen
Such as the fury of ungoverned youth
Thrust from the company of awful men
Myself was from Verona banished
For practising to steal away a lady
An heir and near allied unto the Duke
SECOND OUTLAW
And I from Mantua for a gentleman
Who in my mood I stabbed unto the heart
FIRST OUTLAW
And I for suchlike petty crimes as these
But to the purpose for we cite our faults
That they may hold excused our lawless lives
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
SECOND OUTLAW
Indeed because you are a banished man
Therefore above the rest we parley to you
Are you content to be our general
To make a virtue of necessity
And live as we do in this wilderness
THIRD OUTLAW
What sayst thou Wilt thou be of our consort
Say Ay and be the captain of us all
Well do thee homage and be ruled by thee
Love thee as our commander and our king
FIRST OUTLAW
But if thou scorn our courtesy thou diest
SECOND OUTLAW
Thou shalt not live to brag what we have offered
VALENTINE
I take your offer and will live with you
Provided that you do no outrages
On silly women or poor passengers
THIRD OUTLAW
No we detest such vile base practices
Come go with us well bring thee to our crews
And show thee all the treasure we have got
Which with ourselves all rest at thy dispose
Exeunt
SCENE II Milan The court of the Dukes palace
Enter Proteus
PROTEUS
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
When I protest true loyalty to her
She twits me with my falsehood to my friend
When to her beauty I commend my vows
She bids me think how I have been forsworn
In breaking faith with Julia whom I loved
And notwithstanding all her sudden quips
The least whereof would quell a lovers hope
Yet spaniellike the more she spurns my love
The more it grows and fawneth on her still
But here comes Thurio Now must we to her window
And give some evening music to her ear
Enter Thurio and Musicians
THURIO
How now Sir Proteus are you crept before us
PROTEUS
Ay gentle Thurio for you know that love
Will creep in service where it cannot go
THURIO
Ay but I hope sir that you love not here
PROTEUS
Sir but I do or else I would be hence
THURIO
Who Silvia
PROTEUS
Ay Silvia for your sake
THURIO
I thank you for your own Now gentlemen
Lets tune and to it lustily awhile
Enter Host and Julia in boys clothes as Sebastian
HOST
Now my young guest methinks youre allycholly I pray you why is it
JULIA
Marry mine host because I cannot be merry
HOST
Come well have you merry Ill bring you where you shall hear music and see the gentleman that you asked for
JULIA
But shall I hear him speak
HOST
Ay that you shall
JULIA
That will be music
Music plays
HOST
Hark hark
JULIA
Is he among these
HOST
Ay but peace lets hear em
SONG
PROTEUS
Who is Silvia What is she
That all our swains commend her
Holy fair and wise is she
The heaven such grace did lend her
That she might admired be
Is she kind as she is fair
For beauty lives with kindness
Love doth to her eyes repair
To help him of his blindness
And being helped inhabits there
Then to Silvia let us sing
That Silvia is excelling
She excels each mortal thing
Upon the dull earth dwelling
To her let us garlands bring
HOST
How now are you sadder than you were before
How do you man The music likes you not
JULIA
You mistake the musician likes me not
HOST
Why my pretty youth
JULIA
He plays false father
HOST
How out of tune on the strings
JULIA
Not so but yet so false that he grieves my very heartstrings
HOST
You have a quick ear
JULIA
Ay I would I were deaf it makes me have a slow heart
HOST
I perceive you delight not in music
JULIA
Not a whit when it jars so
HOST
Hark what fine change is in the music
JULIA
Ay that change is the spite
HOST
You would have them always play but one thing
JULIA
I would always have one play but one thing
But host doth this Sir Proteus that we talk on
Often resort unto this gentlewoman
HOST
I tell you what Lance his man told me he loved her out of all nick
JULIA
Where is Lance
HOST
Gone to seek his dog which tomorrow by his masters command he must carry for a present to his lady
JULIA
Peace stand aside The company parts
PROTEUS
Sir Thurio fear not you I will so plead
That you shall say my cunning drift excels
THURIO
Where meet we
PROTEUS
At Saint Gregorys well
THURIO
Farewell
Exeunt Thurio and Musicians
Enter Silvia above
PROTEUS
Madam good even to your ladyship
SILVIA
I thank you for your music gentlemen
Who is that that spake
PROTEUS
One lady if you knew his pure hearts truth
You would quickly learn to know him by his voice
SILVIA
Sir Proteus as I take it
PROTEUS
Sir Proteus gentle lady and your servant
SILVIA
Whats your will
PROTEUS
That I may compass yours
SILVIA
You have your wish My will is even this
That presently you hie you home to bed
Thou subtle perjured false disloyal man
Thinkst 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
For me by this pale queen of night I swear
I am so far from granting thy request
That I despise thee for thy wrongful suit
And by and by intend to chide myself
Even for this time I spend in talking to thee
PROTEUS
I grant sweet love that I did love a lady
But she is dead
JULIA
Aside Twere false if I should speak it
For I am sure she is not buried
SILVIA
Say that she be yet Valentine thy friend
Survives to whom thyself art witness
I am betrothed And art thou not ashamed
To wrong him with thy importunacy
PROTEUS
I likewise hear that Valentine is dead
SILVIA
And so suppose am I for in his grave
Assure thyself my love is buried
PROTEUS
Sweet lady let me rake it from the earth
SILVIA
Go to thy ladys grave and call hers thence
Or at the least in hers sepulchre thine
JULIA
Aside He heard not that
PROTEUS
Madam if your heart be so obdurate
Vouchsafe me yet your picture for my love
The picture that is hanging in your chamber
To that Ill speak to that Ill 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
JULIA
Aside If twere a substance you would sure deceive it
And make it but a shadow as I am
SILVIA
I am very loath to be your idol sir
But since your falsehood shall become you well
To worship shadows and adore false shapes
Send to me in the morning and Ill send it
And so good rest
Exit
PROTEUS
As wretches have oernight
That wait for execution in the morn
Exit
JULIA
Host will you go
HOST
By my halidom I was fast asleep
JULIA
Pray you where lies Sir Proteus
HOST
Marry at my house Trust me I think tis almost day
JULIA
Not so but it hath been the longest night
That eer I watched and the most heaviest
Exeunt
SCENE III The same
Enter Eglamour
EGLAMOUR
This is the hour that Madam Silvia
Entreated me to call and know her mind
Theres some great matter shed employ me in
Madam madam
Enter Silvia above
SILVIA
Who calls
EGLAMOUR
Your servant and your friend
One that attends your ladyships command
SILVIA
Sir Eglamour a thousand times good morrow
EGLAMOUR
As many worthy lady to yourself
According to your ladyships impose
I am thus early come to know what service
It is your pleasure to command me in
SILVIA
O Eglamour thou art a gentleman
Think not I flatter for I swear I do not
Valiant wise remorseful well accomplished
Thou art not ignorant what dear good will
I bear unto the banished Valentine
Nor how my father would enforce me marry
Vain Thurio whom my very soul abhorred
Thyself hast loved and I have heard thee say
No grief did ever come so near thy heart
As when thy lady and thy true love died
Upon whose grave thou vowedst pure chastity
Sir Eglamour I would to Valentine
To Mantua 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
Urge not my fathers anger Eglamour
But think upon my grief a ladys grief
And on the justice of my flying hence
To keep me from a most unholy match
Which heaven and fortune still rewards with plagues
I do desire thee even from a heart
As 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
EGLAMOUR
Madam I pity much your grievances
Which since I know they virtuously are placed
I give consent to go along with you
Recking as little what betideth me
As much I wish all good befortune you
When will you go
SILVIA
This evening coming
EGLAMOUR
Where shall I meet you
SILVIA
At Friar Patricks cell
Where I intend holy confession
EGLAMOUR
I will not fail your ladyship Good morrow gentle lady
SILVIA
Good morrow kind Sir Eglamour
Exeunt
SCENE IV The same
Enter Lance with his dog Crab
LANCE
When a mans 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 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 diningchamber but he steps me to her trencher and steals her capons leg O tis a foul thing when a cur cannot keep himself in all companies I would have as one should say one that takes upon him to be a dog indeed to be as it 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 fort sure as I live he had suffered fort You shall judge He thrusts me himself into the company of three or four gentlemanlike dogs under the Dukes table he had not been therebless the marka pissingwhile but all the chamber smelt him Out with the dog says one What cur is that says another Whip him out says the third Hang him up says the Duke I having been acquainted with the smell before 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 did the thing you wot of He makes me no more ado but whips me out of the chamber How many masters would do this for his servant Nay Ill be sworn I have sat in the stock for puddings he hath stolen otherwise he had been executed I have stood on the pillory for geese he hath killed otherwise he had suffered fort To Crab Thou thinkst not of this now Nay I remember the trick you served me when I took my leave of Madam Silvia Did not I bid thee still mark me and do as I do When didst thou see me heave up my leg and make water against a gentlewomans farthingale Didst thou ever see me do such a trick
Enter Proteus and Julia disguised as Sebastian
PROTEUS
Sebastian is thy name I like thee well
And will employ thee in some service presently
JULIA
In what you please Ill do what I can
PROTEUS
I hope thou wilt To Lance How now you whoreson peasant
Where have you been these two days loitering
LANCE
Marry sir I carried Mistress Silvia the dog you bade me
PROTEUS
And what says she to my little jewel
LANCE
Marry she says your dog was a cur and tells you currish thanks is good enough for such a present
PROTEUS
But she received my dog
LANCE
No indeed did she not Here have I brought him back again
PROTEUS
What didst thou offer her this from me
LANCE
Ay sir the other squirrel was stolen from me by the hangmans 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 the greater
PROTEUS
Go get thee hence and find my dog again
Or neer return again into my sight
Away I say Stayest thou to vex me here
A slave that still an end turns me to shame
Exit Lance with Crab
Sebastian I have entertained thee
Partly that I have need of such a youth
That can with some discretion do my business
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
Therefore know thou for this I entertain thee
Go presently and take this ring with thee
Deliver it to Madam Silvia
She loved me well delivered it to me
JULIA
It seems you loved not her to leave her token
Shes dead belike
PROTEUS
Not so I think she lives
JULIA
Alas
PROTEUS
Why dost thou cry Alas
JULIA
I cannot choose
But pity her
PROTEUS
Wherefore shouldst thou pity her
JULIA
Because methinks that she loved you as 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
And thinking on it makes me cry Alas
PROTEUS
Well give her that ring and therewithal
This letter Thats 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
JULIA
How many women would do such a message
Alas poor Proteus thou hast entertained
A fox to be the shepherd of thy lambs
Alas poor fool why do I pity him
That with his very heart despiseth me
Because he loves her he despiseth me
Because I love him I must pity him
This ring I gave him when he parted from me
To bind him to remember my good will
And now am I 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 am my masters true confirmed love
But cannot be true servant to my master
Unless I prove false traitor to myself
Yet will I woo for him but yet so coldly
As heaven it knows I would not have him speed
Enter Silvia attended
Gentlewoman good day I pray you be my mean
To bring me where to speak with Madam Silvia
SILVIA
What would you with her if that I be she
JULIA
If you be she I do entreat your patience
To hear me speak the message I am sent on
SILVIA
From whom
JULIA
From my master Sir Proteus madam
SILVIA
O he sends you for a picture
JULIA
Ay madam
SILVIA
Ursula bring my picture there
She is brought the picture
Go give your master this Tell him from me
One Julia that his changing thoughts forget
Would better fit his chamber than this shadow
JULIA
Madam please you peruse this letter
Gives her a letter
Pardon me madam I have unadvised
Delivered you a paper that I should not
This is the letter to your ladyship
Takes back the letter and gives her another
SILVIA
I pray thee let me look on that again
JULIA
It may not be Good madam pardon me
SILVIA
There hold
I will not look upon your masters lines
I know they are stuffed with protestations
And full of newfound oaths which he will break
As easily as I do tear his paper
She tears the second letter
JULIA
Madam he sends your ladyship this ring
SILVIA
The more shame for him that he sends it me
For I have heard him say a thousand times
His Julia gave it him at his departure
Though his false finger have profaned the ring
Mine shall not do his Julia so much wrong
JULIA
She thanks you
SILVIA
What sayst thou
JULIA
I thank you madam that you tender her
Poor gentlewoman my master wrongs her much
SILVIA
Dost thou know her
JULIA
Almost as well as I do know myself
To think upon her woes I do protest
That I have wept a hundred several times
SILVIA
Belike she thinks that Proteus hath forsook her
JULIA
I think she doth and thats her cause of sorrow
SILVIA
Is she not passing fair
JULIA
She hath been fairer madam than she is
When she did think my master loved her well
She in my judgement was as fair as you
But since she did neglect her lookingglass
And threw her sunexpelling mask away
The air hath starved the roses in her cheeks
And pinched the lilytincture of her face
That now she is become as black as I
SILVIA
How tall was she
JULIA
About my stature for at Pentecost
When all our pageants of delight were played
Our youth got me to play the womans part
And I was trimmed in Madam Julias gown
Which served me as fit by all mens judgements
As if the garment had been made for me
Therefore I know she is about my height
And at that time I made her weep agood
For I did play a lamentable part
Madam twas Ariadne passioning
For Theseus perjury and unjust flight
Which I so lively acted with my tears
That my poor mistress moved therewithal
Wept bitterly and would I might be dead
If I in thought felt not her very sorrow
SILVIA
She is beholding to thee gentle youth
Alas poor lady desolate and left
I weep myself to think upon thy words
Here youth there is my purse I give thee this
For thy sweet mistress sake because thou lovst her
Farewell
JULIA
And she shall thank you fort if eer you know her
Exeunt Silvia and Attendants
A virtuous gentlewoman mild and beautiful
I hope my masters suit will be but cold
Since she respects my mistress love so much
Alas how love can trifle with itself
Here is her picture let me see I think
If I had such a tire this face of mine
Were full as lovely as is this of hers
And yet the painter flattered her a little
Unless I flatter with myself too much
Her hair is auburn mine is perfect yellow
If that be all the difference in his love
Ill get me such a coloured periwig
Her eyes are grey as glass and so are mine
Ay but her foreheads low and mines as high
What should it be that he respects in her
But I can make respective in myself
If this fond Love were not a blinded god
Come shadow come and take this shadow up
For tis thy rival O thou senseless form
Thou shalt be worshipped kissed loved and adored
And were there sense in his idolatry
My substance should be statue in thy stead
Ill use thee kindly for thy mistress sake
That used me so or else by Jove I vow
I should have scratched out your unseeing eyes
To make my master out of love with thee
Exit
ACT V
SCENE I Milan An abbey
Enter Eglamour
EGLAMOUR
The sun begins to gild the western sky
And now it is about the very hour
That Silvia at Friar Patricks cell should meet me
She will not fail for lovers break not hours
Unless it be to come before their time
So much they spur their expedition
Enter Silvia
See where she comes Lady a happy evening
SILVIA
Amen amen Go on good Eglamour
Out at the postern by the abbey wall
I fear I am attended by some spies
EGLAMOUR
Fear not The forest is not three leagues off
If we recover that we are sure enough
Exeunt
SCENE II The same A room in the Dukes palace
Enter Thurio Proteus and Julia
THURIO
Sir Proteus what says Silvia to my suit
PROTEUS
O sir I find her milder than she was
And yet she takes exceptions at your person
THURIO
What That my leg is too long
PROTEUS
No that it is too little
THURIO
Ill wear a boot to make it somewhat rounder
JULIA
Aside But love will not be spurred to what it loathes
THURIO
What says she to my face
PROTEUS
She says it is a fair one
THURIO
Nay then the wanton lies my face is black
PROTEUS
But pearls are fair and the old saying is
Black men are pearls in beauteous ladies eyes
JULIA
Aside Tis true such pearls as put out ladies eyes
For I had rather wink than look on them
THURIO
How likes she my discourse
PROTEUS
Ill when you talk of war
THURIO
But well when I discourse of love and peace
JULIA
Aside But better indeed when you hold your peace
THURIO
What says she to my valour
PROTEUS
O sir she makes no doubt of that
JULIA
Aside She needs not when she knows it cowardice
THURIO
What says she to my birth
PROTEUS
That you are well derived
JULIA
Aside True from a gentleman to a fool
THURIO
Considers she my possessions
PROTEUS
O ay and pities them
THURIO
Wherefore
JULIA
Aside That such an ass should owe them
PROTEUS
That they are out by lease
JULIA
Here comes the Duke
Enter Duke
DUKE
How now Sir Proteus How now Thurio
Which of you saw Sir Eglamour of late
THURIO
Not I
PROTEUS
Nor I
DUKE
Saw you my daughter
PROTEUS
Neither
DUKE
Why then shes fled unto that peasant Valentine
And Eglamour is in her company
Tis true for Friar Lawrence met them both
As he in penance wandered through the forest
Him he knew well and guessed that it was she
But being masked he was not sure of it
Besides she did intend confession
At Patricks cell this even and there she was not
These likelihoods confirm her flight from hence
Therefore I pray you stand not to discourse
But mount you presently and meet with me
Upon the rising of the mountain foot
That leads toward Mantua whither they are fled
Dispatch sweet gentlemen and follow me
Exit
THURIO
Why this it is to be a peevish girl
That flies her fortune when it follows her
Ill after more to be revenged on Eglamour
Than for the love of reckless Silvia
Exit
PROTEUS
And I will follow more for Silvias love
Than hate of Eglamour that goes with her
Exit
JULIA
And I will follow more to cross that love
Than hate for Silvia that is gone for love
Exit
SCENE III Frontiers of Mantua The forest
Enter Silvia and Outlaws
FIRST OUTLAW
Come come be patient We must bring you to our captain
SILVIA
A thousand more mischances than this one
Have learned me how to brook this patiently
SECOND OUTLAW
Come bring her away
FIRST OUTLAW
Where is the gentleman that was with her
SECOND OUTLAW
Being nimblefooted he hath outrun us
But Moyses and Valerius follow him
Go thou with her to the west end of the wood
There is our captain Well follow him thats fled
The thicket is beset he cannot scape
Exeunt Second and Third Outlaws
FIRST OUTLAW
Come I must bring you to our captains cave
Fear not he bears an honourable mind
And will not use a woman lawlessly
SILVIA
O Valentine this I endure for thee
Exeunt
SCENE IV Another part of the forest
Enter Valentine
VALENTINE
How use doth breed a habit in a man
This shadowy desert unfrequented woods
I better brook than flourishing peopled towns
Here can I sit alone unseen of any
And to the nightingales complaining notes
Tune my distresses and record my woes
O thou that dost inhabit in my breast
Leave not the mansion so long tenantless
Lest growing ruinous the building fall
And leave no memory of what it was
Repair me with thy presence Silvia
Thou gentle nymph cherish thy forlorn swain
Shouts within
What hallowing and what stir is this today
These are my mates that make their wills their law
Have some unhappy passenger in chase
They love me well yet I have much to do
To keep them from uncivil outrages
Withdraw thee Valentine Whos this comes here
Steps aside
Enter Proteus Silvia and Julia as Sebastian
PROTEUS
Madam this service I have done for you
Though you respect not aught your servant doth
To hazard life and rescue you from him
That would have forced your honour and your love
Vouchsafe me for my meed but one fair look
A smaller boon than this I cannot beg
And less than this I am sure you cannot give
VALENTINE
Aside How like a dream is this I see and hear
Love lend me patience to forbear awhile
SILVIA
O miserable unhappy that I am
PROTEUS
Unhappy were you madam ere I came
But by my coming I have made you happy
SILVIA
By thy approach thou makst me most unhappy
JULIA
Aside And me when he approacheth to your presence
SILVIA
Had I been seized by a hungry lion
I would have been a breakfast to the beast
Rather than have false Proteus rescue me
O heaven be judge how I love Valentine
Whose lifes as tender to me as my soul
And full as much for more there cannot be
I do detest false perjured Proteus
Therefore be gone solicit me no more
PROTEUS
What dangerous action stood it next to death
Would I not undergo for one calm look
O tis the curse in love and still approved
When women cannot love where theyre beloved
SILVIA
When Proteus cannot love where hes beloved
Read over Julias heart thy first best love
For whose dear sake thou didst then rend thy faith
Into a thousand oaths and all those oaths
Descended into perjury to love me
Thou hast no faith left now unless thoudst two
And thats far worse than none better have none
Than plural faith which is too much by one
Thou counterfeit to thy true friend
PROTEUS
In love
Who respects friend
SILVIA
All men but Proteus
PROTEUS
Nay if the gentle spirit of moving words
Can no way change you to a milder form
Ill woo you like a soldier at arms end
And love you gainst the nature of loveforce ye
He seizes her
SILVIA
O heaven
PROTEUS
Ill force thee yield to my desire
VALENTINE
Comes forward Ruffian let go that rude uncivil touch
Thou friend of an ill fashion
PROTEUS
Valentine
VALENTINE
Thou common friend thats without faith or love
For such is a friend now Treacherous man
Thou hast beguiled my hopes nought but mine eye
Could have persuaded me Now I dare not say
I have one friend alive thou wouldst disprove me
Who should be trusted when ones right hand
Is perjured to the bosom Proteus
I am sorry I must never trust thee more
But count the world a stranger for thy sake
The private wound is deepest O time most accurst
Mongst all foes that a friend should be the worst
PROTEUS
My shame and guilt confounds me
Forgive me Valentine if hearty sorrow
Be a sufficient ransom for offence
I tender t here I do as truly suffer
As eer I did commit
VALENTINE
Then I am paid
And once again I do receive thee honest
Who by repentance is not satisfied
Is nor of heaven nor earth for these are pleased
By penitence th Eternals wraths appeased
And that my love may appear plain and free
All that was mine in Silvia I give thee
JULIA
O me unhappy
Swoons
PROTEUS
Look to the boy
VALENTINE
Why boy
Why wag How now Whats the matter Look up speak
JULIA
O good sir my master charged me to deliver a ring to Madam Silvia which out of my neglect was never done
PROTEUS
Where is that ring boy
JULIA
Here tis this is it
Gives him a ring
PROTEUS
How let me see
Why this is the ring I gave to Julia
JULIA
O cry you mercy sir I have mistook
This is the ring you sent to Silvia
Shows another ring
PROTEUS
But how camst thou by this ring At my depart
I gave this unto Julia
JULIA
And Julia herself did give it me
And Julia herself have brought it hither
She reveals herself
PROTEUS
How Julia
JULIA
Behold her that gave aim to all thy oaths
And entertained em deeply in her heart
How oft hast thou with perjury cleft the root
O Proteus let this habit make thee blush
Be thou ashamed that I have took upon me
Such an immodest raiment if shame live
In a disguise of love
It is the lesser blot modesty finds
Women to change their shapes than men their minds
PROTEUS
Than men their minds Tis true O heaven were man
But constant he were perfect That one error
Fills him with faults makes him run through all th sins
Inconstancy falls off ere it begins
What is in Silvias face but I may spy
More fresh in Julias with a constant eye
VALENTINE
Come come a hand from either
Let me be blest to make this happy close
Twere pity two such friends should be long foes
PROTEUS
Bear witness heaven I have my wish for ever
JULIA
And I mine
Enter Outlaws with Duke and Thurio
OUTLAWS
A prize a prize a prize
VALENTINE
Forbear forbear I say It is my lord the Duke
Your Grace is welcome to a man disgraced
Banished Valentine
DUKE
Sir Valentine
THURIO
Yonder is Silvia and Silvias mine
VALENTINE
Thurio give back or else embrace thy death
Come not within the measure of my wrath
Do not name Silvia thine if once again
Verona shall not hold thee Here she stands
Take but possession of her with a touch
I dare thee but to breathe upon my love
THURIO
Sir Valentine I care not for her I
I hold him but a fool that will endanger
His body for a girl that loves him not
I claim her not and therefore she is thine
DUKE
The more degenerate and base art thou
To make such means for her as thou hast done
And leave her on such slight conditions
Now by the honour of my ancestry
I do applaud thy spirit Valentine
And think thee worthy of an empress love
Know then I here forget all former griefs
Cancel all grudge repeal thee home again
Plead a new state in thy unrivalled merit
To which I thus subscribe Sir Valentine
Thou art a gentleman and well derived
Take thou thy Silvia for thou hast deserved her
VALENTINE
I thank your Grace the gift hath made me happy
I now beseech you for your daughters sake
To grant one boon that I shall ask of you
DUKE
I grant it for thine own whateer it be
VALENTINE
These banished men that I have kept withal
Are men endued with worthy qualities
Forgive them what they have committed here
And let them be recalled from their exile
They are reformed civil full of good
And fit for great employment worthy lord
DUKE
Thou hast prevailed I pardon them and thee
Dispose of them as thou knowst their deserts
Come let us go we will include all jars
With triumphs mirth and rare solemnity
VALENTINE
And as we walk along I dare be bold
With our discourse to make your Grace to smile
What think you of this page my lord
DUKE
I think the boy hath grace in him he blushes
VALENTINE
I warrant you my lord more grace than boy
DUKE
What mean you by that saying
VALENTINE
Please you Ill tell you as we pass along
That you will wonder what hath fortuned
Come Proteus tis your penance but to hear
The story of your loves discovered
That done our day of marriage shall be yours
One feast one house one mutual happiness
Exeunt
THE TWO NOBLE KINSMEN
Contents
ACT I
PROLOGUE
Scene I Athens Before a temple
Scene II Thebes The Court of the Palace
Scene III Before the gates of Athens
Scene IV A field before Thebes
Scene V Another part of the same more remote from Thebes
ACT II
Scene I Athens A garden with a castle in the background
Scene II The prison
Scene III The country near Athens
Scene IV Athens A room in the prison
Scene V An open place in Athens
Scene VI Athens Before the prison
ACT III
Scene I A forest near Athens
Scene II Another part of the forest
Scene III The same part of the forest as in scene I
Scene IV Another part of the forest
Scene V Another part of the forest
Scene VI The same part of the forest as in scene III
ACT IV
Scene I Athens A room in the prison
Scene II A Room in the Palace
Scene III A room in the prison
ACT V
Scene I Athens Before the Temples of Mars Venus and Diana
Scene II Athens A Room in the Prison
Scene III A part of the Forest near Athens and near the Place appointed for the Combat
Scene IV The same a Block prepared
EPILOGUE
Dramatis Person
PROLOGUE
ARCITE the two noble kinsmen cousins
PALAMON nephews of Creon King of Thebes
THESEUS Duke of Athens
HIPPOLYTA Queen of the Amazons later Duchess of Athens
EMILIA Sister of Hippolyta
PIRITHOUS friend to Theseus
Three QUEENS widows of the kings killed in laying siege to Thebes
The JAILER of Theseuss prison
His DAUGHTER in love with Palamon
His BROTHER
The WOOER of the Jailers daughter
Two FRIENDS of the Jailer
A DOCTOR
ARTESIUS an Athenian soldier
VALERIUS a Theban
WOMAN attending on Emilia
An Athenian GENTLEMAN
Six KNIGHTS three accompanying Arcite three Palamon
Six COUNTRYMEN one dressed as a Bavian or baboon
Gerald a SCHOOLMASTER
NEL a countrywoman
A TABORER
A singing BOY
A HERALD
A MESSENGER
A SERVANT
EPILOGUE
Hymen god of weddings lords soldiers four countrywomen Fritz Maudlin Luce and Barbary nymphs attendants maids executioner guard
SCENE Athens and the Neighbourhood except in part of the first Act where it is Thebes and the Neighbourhood
PROLOGUE
Flourish Enter Prologue
PROLOGUE
New plays and maidenheads are near akin
Much followed both for both much money gien
If they stand sound and well And a good play
Whose modest scenes blush on his marriage day
And shake to lose his honour is like her
That after holy tie and first nights stir
Yet still is Modesty and still retains
More of the maid to sight than husbands pains
We pray our play may be so for I am sure
It has a noble breeder and a pure
A learned and a poet never went
More famous yet twixt Po and silver Trent
Chaucer of all admired the story gives
There constant to eternity it lives
If we let fall the nobleness of this
And the first sound this child hear be a hiss
How will it shake the bones of that good man
And make him cry from underground O fan
From me the witless chaff of such a writer
That blasts my bays and my famed works makes lighter
Than Robin Hood This is the fear we bring
For to say truth it were an endless thing
And too ambitious to aspire to him
Weak as we are and almost breathless swim
In this deep water Do but you hold out
Your helping hands and we shall tack about
And something do to save us You shall hear
Scenes though below his art may yet appear
Worth two hours travel To his bones sweet sleep
Content to you If this play do not keep
A little dull time from us we perceive
Our losses fall so thick we must needs leave
Flourish Exit
ACT I
SCENE I Athens Before a temple
Enter Hymen with a torch burning a Boy in a white robe before singing and strewing flowers After Hymen a Nymph encompassed in her tresses bearing a wheaten garland then Theseus between two other Nymphs with wheaten chaplets on their heads Then Hippolyta the bride led by Pirithous and another holding a garland over her head her tresses likewise hanging After her Emilia holding up her train Then Artesius and Attendants
Music
The Song
Roses their sharp spines being gone
Not royal in their smells alone
But in their hue
Maiden pinks of odour faint
Daisies smellless yet most quaint
And sweet thyme true
Primrose firstborn child of Ver
Merry springtimes harbinger
With harebells dim
Oxlips in their cradles growing
Marigolds on deathbeds blowing
Larksheels trim
Strews flowers
All dear Natures children sweet
Lie fore bride and bridegrooms feet
Blessing their sense
Not an angel of the air
Bird melodious or bird fair
Is absent hence
The crow the slandrous cuckoo nor
The boding raven nor chough hoar
Nor chattring pie
May on our bridehouse perch or sing
Or with them any discord bring
But from it fly
Enter three Queens in black with veils stained with imperial crowns The first Queen falls down at the foot of Theseus the second falls down at the foot of Hippolyta the third before Emilia
FIRST QUEEN
For pitys sake and true gentilitys
Hear and respect me
SECOND QUEEN
For your mothers sake
And as you wish your womb may thrive with fair ones
Hear and respect me
THIRD QUEEN
Now for the love of him whom Jove hath marked
The honour of your bed and for the sake
Of clear virginity be advocate
For us and our distresses This good deed
Shall raze you out o th book of trespasses
All you are set down there
THESEUS
Sad lady rise
HIPPOLYTA
Stand up
EMILIA
No knees to me
What woman I may stead that is distressed
Does bind me to her
THESEUS
Whats your request Deliver you for all
FIRST QUEEN
We are three queens whose sovereigns fell before
The wrath of cruel Creon who endure
The beaks of ravens talons of the kites
And pecks of crows in the foul fields of Thebes
He will not suffer us to burn their bones
To urn their ashes nor to take th offence
Of mortal loathsomeness from the blest eye
Of holy Phbus but infects the winds
With stench of our slain lords O pity Duke
Thou purger of the earth draw thy feared sword
That does good turns to th world give us the bones
Of our dead kings that we may chapel them
And of thy boundless goodness take some note
That for our crowned heads we have no roof
Save this which is the lions and the bears
And vault to everything
THESEUS
Pray you kneel not
I was transported with your speech and suffered
Your knees to wrong themselves I have heard the fortunes
Of your dead lords which gives me such lamenting
As wakes my vengeance and revenge for em
King Capaneus was your lord The day
That he should marry you at such a season
As now it is with me I met your groom
By Marss altar You were that time fair
Not Junos mantle fairer than your tresses
Nor in more bounty spread her Your wheaten wreath
Was then nor threshed nor blasted Fortune at you
Dimpled her cheek with smiles Hercules our kinsman
Then weaker than your eyes laid by his club
He tumbled down upon his Nemean hide
And swore his sinews thawed O grief and time
Fearful consumers you will all devour
FIRST QUEEN
O I hope some god
Some god hath put his mercy in your manhood
Whereto hell infuse power and press you forth
Our undertaker
THESEUS
O no knees none widow
Unto the helmeted Bellona use them
And pray for me your soldier
Troubled I am
Turns away
SECOND QUEEN
Honoured Hippolyta
Most dreaded Amazonian that hast slain
The scythetusked boar that with thy arm as strong
As it is white wast near to make the male
To thy sex captive but that this thy lord
Born to uphold creation in that honour
First nature styled it in shrunk thee into
The bound thou wast oerflowing at once subduing
Thy force and thy affection soldieress
That equally canst poise sternness with pity
Whom now I know hast much more power on him
Than ever he had on thee who owst his strength
And his love too who is a servant for
The tenor of thy speech dear glass of ladies
Bid him that we whom flaming war doth scorch
Under the shadow of his sword may cool us
Require him he advance it oer our heads
Speak t in a womans key like such a woman
As any of us three weep ere you fail
Lend us a knee
But touch the ground for us no longer time
Than a doves motion when the heads plucked off
Tell him if he i th bloodsized field lay swollen
Showing the sun his teeth grinning at the moon
What you would do
HIPPOLYTA
Poor lady say no more
I had as lief trace this good action with you
As that whereto I am going and never yet
Went I so willing way My lord is taken
Heartdeep with your distress Let him consider
Ill speak anon
THIRD QUEEN
O my petition was
Set down in ice which by hot grief uncandied
Melts into drops so sorrow wanting form
Is pressed with deeper matter
EMILIA
Pray stand up
Your grief is written in your cheek
THIRD QUEEN
O woe
You cannot read it there There through my tears
Like wrinkled pebbles in a glassy stream
You may behold em Lady lady alack
He that will all the treasure know o th earth
Must know the center too he that will fish
For my least minnow let him lead his line
To catch one at my heart O pardon me
Extremity that sharpens sundry wits
Makes me a fool
EMILIA
Pray you say nothing pray you
Who cannot feel nor see the rain being in t
Knows neither wet nor dry If that you were
The groundpiece of some painter I would buy you
T instruct me gainst a capital grief indeed
Such heartpierced demonstration But alas
Being a natural sister of our sex
Your sorrow beats so ardently upon me
That it shall make a counterreflect gainst
My brothers heart and warm it to some pity
Though it were made of stone Pray have good comfort
THESEUS
Forward to th temple Leave not out a jot
O th sacred ceremony
FIRST QUEEN
O this celebration
Will longer last and be more costly than
Your suppliants war Remember that your fame
Knolls in the ear o th world what you do quickly
Is not done rashly your first thought is more
Than others laboured meditance your premeditating
More than their actions But O Jove your actions
Soon as they move as ospreys do the fish
Subdue before they touch Think dear Duke think
What beds our slain kings have
SECOND QUEEN
What griefs our beds
That our dear lords have none
THIRD QUEEN
None fit for th dead
Those that with cords knives drams precipitance
Weary of this worlds light have to themselves
Been deaths most horrid agents human grace
Affords them dust and shadow
FIRST QUEEN
But our lords
Lie blistring fore the visitating sun
And were good kings when living
THESEUS
It is true and I will give you comfort
To give your dead lords graves
The which to do must make some work with Creon
FIRST QUEEN
And that work presents itself to th doing
Now twill take form the heats are gone tomorrow
Then bootless toil must recompense itself
With its own sweat Now hes secure
Not dreams we stand before your puissance
Rinsing our holy begging in our eyes
To make petition clear
SECOND QUEEN
Now you may take him drunk with his victory
THIRD QUEEN
And his army full of bread and sloth
THESEUS
Artesius that best knowest
How to draw out fit to this enterprise
The primst for this proceeding and the number
To carry such a business forth and levy
Our worthiest instruments whilst we dispatch
This grand act of our life this daring deed
Of fate in wedlock
FIRST QUEEN
Dowagers take hands
Let us be widows to our woes delay
Commends us to a famishing hope
ALL THE QUEENS
Farewell
SECOND QUEEN
We come unseasonably but when could grief
Cull forth as unpanged judgement can fittst time
For best solicitation
THESEUS
Why good ladies
This is a service whereto I am going
Greater than any war it more imports me
Than all the actions that I have foregone
Or futurely can cope
FIRST QUEEN
The more proclaiming
Our suit shall be neglected when her arms
Able to lock Jove from a synod shall
By warranting moonlight corselet thee O when
Her twinning cherries shall their sweetness fall
Upon thy tasteful lips what wilt thou think
Of rotten kings or blubbered queens What care
For what thou feelst not what thou feelst being able
To make Mars spurn his drum O if thou couch
But one night with her every hour in t will
Take hostage of thee for a hundred and
Thou shalt remember nothing more than what
That banquet bids thee to
HIPPOLYTA
Though much unlike
You should be so transported as much sorry
I should be such a suitor yet I think
Did I not by th abstaining of my joy
Which breeds a deeper longing cure their surfeit
That craves a present medcine I should pluck
All ladies scandal on me Therefore sir
She kneels
As I shall here make trial of my prayers
Either presuming them to have some force
Or sentencing for aye their vigor dumb
Prorogue this business we are going about and hang
Your shield afore your heart about that neck
Which is my fee and which I freely lend
To do these poor queens service
ALL QUEENS
To Emilia O help now
Our cause cries for your knee
EMILIA
To Theseus kneeling If you grant not
My sister her petition in that force
With that celerity and nature which
She makes it in from henceforth Ill not dare
To ask you anything nor be so hardy
Ever to take a husband
THESEUS
Pray stand up
I am entreating of myself to do
They rise
That which you kneel to have mePirithous
Lead on the bride get you and pray the gods
For success and return omit not anything
In the pretended celebrationQueens
Follow your soldier To Artesius As before hence you
And at the banks of Aulis meet us with
The forces you can raise where we shall find
The moiety of a number for a business
More bigger looked
Exit Artesius
To Hippolyta Since that our theme is haste
I stamp this kiss upon thy currant lip
Sweet keep it as my token Set you forward
For I will see you gone
The wedding procession moves towards the temple
Farewell my beauteous sisterPirithous
Keep the feast full bate not an hour on t
PIRITHOUS
Sir
Ill follow you at heels The feasts solemnity
Shall want till your return
THESEUS
Cousin I charge you
Budge not from Athens We shall be returning
Ere you can end this feast of which I pray you
Make no abatement Once more farewell all
Exeunt all but Theseus and the Queens
FIRST QUEEN
Thus dost thou still make good the tongue o th world
SECOND QUEEN
And earnst a deity equal with Mars
THIRD QUEEN
If not above him for
Thou being but mortal makst affections bend
To godlike honours they themselves some say
Groan under such a mastry
THESEUS
As we are men
Thus should we do being sensually subdued
We lose our human title Good cheer ladies
Now turn we towards your comforts
Flourish Exeunt
SCENE II Thebes The Court of the Palace
Enter Palamon and Arcite
ARCITE
Dear Palamon dearer in love than blood
And our prime cousin yet unhardened in
The crimes of nature let us leave the city
Thebes and the temptings in t before we further
Sully our gloss of youth
And here to keep in abstinence we shame
As in incontinence for not to swim
I th aid o th current were almost to sink
At least to frustrate striving and to follow
The common stream twould bring us to an eddy
Where we should turn or drown if labour through
Our gain but life and weakness
PALAMON
Your advice
Is cried up with example What strange ruins
Since first we went to school may we perceive
Walking in Thebes Scars and bare weeds
The gain o th martialist who did propound
To his bold ends honour and golden ingots
Which though he won he had not and now flirted
By peace for whom he fought Who then shall offer
To Marss soscorned altar I do bleed
When such I meet and wish great Juno would
Resume her ancient fit of jealousy
To get the soldier work that peace might purge
For her repletion and retain anew
Her charitable heart now hard and harsher
Than strife or war could be
ARCITE
Are you not out
Meet you no ruin but the soldier in
The cranks and turns of Thebes You did begin
As if you met decays of many kinds
Perceive you none that do arouse your pity
But th unconsidered soldier
PALAMON
Yes I pity
Decays whereer I find them but such most
That sweating in an honourable toil
Are paid with ice to cool em
ARCITE
Tis not this
I did begin to speak of This is virtue
Of no respect in Thebes I spake of Thebes
How dangerous if we will keep our honours
It is for our residing where every evil
Hath a good colour where every seeming goods
A certain evil where not to be een jump
As they are here were to be strangers and
Such things to be mere monsters
PALAMON
Tis in our power
Unless we fear that apes can tutor sto
Be masters of our manners What need I
Affect anothers gait which is not catching
Where there is faith Or to be fond upon
Anothers way of speech when by mine own
I may be reasonably conceived saved too
Speaking it truly Why am I bound
By any generous bond to follow him
Follows his tailor haply so long until
The followed make pursuit Or let me know
Why mine own barber is unblessed with him
My poor chin too for tis not scissored just
To such a favourites glass What canon is there
That does command my rapier from my hip
To dangle t in my hand or to go tiptoe
Before the street be foul Either I am
The forehorse in the team or I am none
That draw i th sequent trace These poor slight sores
Need not a plantain that which rips my bosom
Almost to th hearts
ARCITE
Our uncle Creon
PALAMON
He
A most unbounded tyrant whose successes
Makes heaven unfeared and villainy assured
Beyond its power theres nothing almost puts
Faith in a fever and deifies alone
Voluble chance who only attributes
The faculties of other instruments
To his own nerves and act commands men service
And what they win in t boot and glory one
That fears not to do harm good dares not Let
The blood of mine thats sib to him be sucked
From me with leeches let them break and fall
Off me with that corruption
ARCITE
Clearspirited cousin
Lets leave his court that we may nothing share
Of his loud infamy for our milk
Will relish of the pasture and we must
Be vile or disobedient not his kinsmen
In blood unless in quality
PALAMON
Nothing truer
I think the echoes of his shames have deafed
The ears of heavenly justice Widows cries
Descend again into their throats and have not
Due audience of the gods
Enter Valerius
Valerius
VALERIUS
The King calls for you yet be leadenfooted
Till his great rage be off him Phbus when
He broke his whipstock and exclaimed against
The horses of the sun but whispered to
The loudness of his fury
PALAMON
Small winds shake him
But whats the matter
VALERIUS
Theseus who where he threats appalls hath sent
Deadly defiance to him and pronounces
Ruin to Thebes who is at hand to seal
The promise of his wrath
ARCITE
Let him approach
But that we fear the gods in him he brings not
A jot of terror to us Yet what man
Thirds his own worththe case is each of ours
When that his actions dregged with mind assured
Tis bad he goes about
PALAMON
Leave that unreasoned
Our services stand now for Thebes not Creon
Yet to be neutral to him were dishonour
Rebellious to oppose therefore we must
With him stand to the mercy of our fate
Who hath bounded our last minute
ARCITE
So we must
To Valerius Is t said this wars afoot Or it shall be
On fail of some condition
VALERIUS
Tis in motion
The intelligence of state came in the instant
With the defier
PALAMON
Lets to the King who were he
A quarter carrier of that honour which
His enemy come in the blood we venture
Should be as for our health which were not spent
Rather laid out for purchase But alas
Our hands advanced before our hearts what will
The fall o th stroke do damage
ARCITE
Let th event
That nevererring arbitrator tell us
When we know all ourselves and let us follow
The becking of our chance
Exeunt
SCENE III Before the gates of Athens
Enter Pirithous Hippolyta and Emilia
PIRITHOUS
No further
HIPPOLYTA
Sir farewell Repeat my wishes
To our great lord of whose success I dare not
Make any timorous question yet I wish him
Excess and overflow of power an t might be
To dure illdealing fortune Speed to him
Store never hurts good governors
PIRITHOUS
Though I know
His ocean needs not my poor drops yet they
Must yield their tribute there My precious maid
Those best affections that the heavens infuse
In their besttempered pieces keep enthroned
In your dear heart
EMILIA
Thanks sir Remember me
To our allroyal brother for whose speed
The great Bellona Ill solicit and
Since in our terrene state petitions are not
Without gifts understood Ill offer to her
What I shall be advised she likes Our hearts
Are in his army in his tent
HIPPOLYTA
In s bosom
We have been soldiers and we cannot weep
When our friends don their helms or put to sea
Or tell of babes broached on the lance or women
That have sod their infants inand after eat them
The brine they wept at killing em Then if
You stay to see of us such spinsters we
Should hold you here for ever
PIRITHOUS
Peace be to you
As I pursue this war which shall be then
Beyond further requiring
Exit Pirithous
EMILIA
How his longing
Follows his friend Since his depart his sports
Though craving seriousness and skill passed slightly
His careless execution where nor gain
Made him regard or loss consider but
Playing one business in his hand another
Directing in his head his mind nurse equal
To these so differing twins Have you observed him
Since our great lord departed
HIPPOLYTA
With much labour
And I did love him for t They two have cabined
In many as dangerous as poor a corner
Peril and want contending they have skiffed
Torrents whose roaring tyranny and power
I th least of these was dreadful and they have
Fought out together where Deaths self was lodged
Yet fate hath brought them off Their knot of love
Tied weaved entangled with so true so long
And with a finger of so deep a cunning
May be outworn never undone I think
Theseus cannot be umpire to himself
Cleaving his conscience into twain and doing
Each side like justice which he loves best
EMILIA
Doubtless
There is a best and reason has no manners
To say it is not you I was acquainted
Once with a time when I enjoyed a playfellow
You were at wars when she the grave enriched
Who made too proud the bed took leave o th moon
Which then looked pale at parting when our count
Was each eleven
HIPPOLYTA
Twas Flavina
EMILIA
Yes
You talk of Pirithous and Theseus love
Theirs has more ground is more maturely seasoned
More buckled with strong judgement and their needs
The one of th other may be said to water
Their intertangled roots of love but I
And she I sigh and spoke of were things innocent
Loved for we did and like the elements
That know not what nor why yet do effect
Rare issues by their operance our souls
Did so to one another What she liked
Was then of me approved what not condemned
No more arraignment The flower that I would pluck
And put between my breasts O then but beginning
To swell about the blossomshe would long
Till she had such another and commit it
To the like innocent cradle where phnixlike
They died in perfume On my head no toy
But was her pattern her affectionspretty
Though haply her careless wearI followed
For my most serious decking had mine ear
Stoln some new air or at adventure hummed one
From musical coinage why it was a note
Whereon her spirits would sojournrather dwell on
And sing it in her slumbers This rehearsal
Which furyinnocent wots well comes in
Like old importments bastardhas this end
That the true love tween maid and maid may be
More than in sex individual
HIPPOLYTA
Youre out of breath
And this highspeeded pace is but to say
That you shall never like the maid Flavina
Love any thats called man
EMILIA
I am sure I shall not
HIPPOLYTA
Now alack weak sister
I must no more believe thee in this point
Though in t I know thou dost believe thyself
Than I will trust a sickly appetite
That loathes even as it longs But sure my sister
If I were ripe for your persuasion you
Have said enough to shake me from the arm
Of the allnoble Theseus for whose fortunes
I will now in and kneel with great assurance
That we more than his Pirithous possess
The high throne in his heart
EMILIA
I am not
Against your faith yet I continue mine
Exeunt
SCENE IV A field before Thebes
Cornets A battle struck within then a retreat Flourish Then enter Theseus as victor with a Herald other Lords and Soldiers The three Queens meet him and fall on their faces before him
FIRST QUEEN
To thee no star be dark
SECOND QUEEN
Both heaven and earth
Friend thee for ever
THIRD QUEEN
All the good that may
Be wished upon thy head I cry Amen to t
THESEUS
Th impartial gods who from the mounted heavens
View us their mortal herd behold who err
And in their time chastise Go and find out
The bones of your dead lords and honour them
With treble ceremony rather than a gap
Should be in their dear rites we would supply t
But those we will depute which shall invest
You in your dignities and even each thing
Our haste does leave imperfect So adieu
And heavens good eyes look on you
Exeunt Queens
Enter a Herald and Soldiers bearing Palamon and Arcite on hearses
What are those
HERALD
Men of great quality as may be judged
By their appointment Some of Thebes have told s
They are sisters children nephews to the King
THESEUS
By th helm of Mars I saw them in the war
Like to a pair of lions smeared with prey
Make lanes in troops aghast I fixed my note
Constantly on them for they were a mark
Worth a gods view What prisoner was t that told me
When I enquired their names
HERALD
Wi leave theyre called Arcite and Palamon
THESEUS
Tis right those those They are not dead
HERALD
Nor in a state of life Had they been taken
When their last hurts were given twas possible
They might have been recovered yet they breathe
And have the name of men
THESEUS
Then like men use em
The very lees of such millions of rates
Exceed the wine of others All our surgeons
Convent in their behoof our richest balms
Rather than niggard waste Their lives concern us
Much more than Thebes is worth Rather than have em
Freed of this plight and in their morning state
Sound and at liberty I would em dead
But fortythousandfold we had rather have em
Prisoners to us than death Bear em speedily
From our kind air to them unkind and minister
What man to man may do for our sake more
Since I have known frights fury friends behests
Loves provocations zeal a mistress task
Desire of liberty a fever madness
Hath set a mark which nature could not reach to
Without some imposition sickness in will
Oerwrestling strength in reason For our love
And great Apollos mercy all our best
Their best skill tender Lead into the city
Where having bound things scattered we will post
To Athens fore our army
Flourish Exeunt
SCENE V Another part of the same more remote from Thebes
Music Enter the Queens with the hearses of their knights in a funeral solemnity c
SONG
Urns and odours bring away
Vapours sighs darken the day
Our dole more deadly looks than dying
Balms and gums and heavy cheers
Sacred vials filled with tears
And clamours through the wild air flying
Come all sad and solemn shows
That are quickeyed Pleasures foes
We convent naught else but woes
We convent naught else but woes
THIRD QUEEN
This funeral path brings to your households grave
Joy seize on you again peace sleep with him
SECOND QUEEN
And this to yours
FIRST QUEEN
Yours this way Heavens lend
A thousand differing ways to one sure end
THIRD QUEEN
This worlds a city full of straying streets
And deaths the marketplace where each one meets
Exeunt severally
ACT II
SCENE I Athens A garden with a castle in the background
Enter Jailer and Wooer
JAILER
I may depart with little while I live something I may cast to you not much Alas the prison I keep though it be for great ones yet they seldom come before one salmon you shall take a number of minnows I am given out to be better lined than it can appear to me report is a true speaker I would I were really that I am delivered to be Marry what I have be it what it will I will assure upon my daughter at the day of my death
WOOER
Sir I demand no more than your own offer and I will estate your daughter in what I have promised
JAILER
Well we will talk more of this when the solemnity is past But have you a full promise of her When that shall be seen I tender my consent
Enter the Jailers Daughter carrying rushes
WOOER
I have sir Here she comes
JAILER
Your friend and I have chanced to name you here upon the old business But no more of that now so soon as the court hurry is over we will have an end of it I th meantime look tenderly to the two prisoners I can tell you they are princes
DAUGHTER
These strewings are for their chamber Tis pity they are in prison and twere pity they should be out I do think they have patience to make any adversity ashamed The prison itself is proud of em and they have all the world in their chamber
JAILER
They are famed to be a pair of absolute men
DAUGHTER
By my troth I think fame but stammers em they stand a grise above the reach of report
JAILER
I heard them reported in the battle to be the only doers
DAUGHTER
Nay most likely for they are noble sufferers I marvel how they would have looked had they been victors that with such a constant nobility enforce a freedom out of bondage making misery their mirth and affliction a toy to jest at
JAILER
Do they so
DAUGHTER
It seems to me they have no more sense of their captivity than I of ruling Athens They eat well look merrily discourse of many things but nothing of their own restraint and disasters Yet sometime a divided sigh martyred as twere i th deliverance will break from one of themwhen the other presently gives it so sweet a rebuke that I could wish myself a sigh to be so chid or at least a sigher to be comforted
WOOER
I never saw em
JAILER
The Duke himself came privately in the night and so did they
Enter Palamon and Arcite above
What the reason of it is I know not Look yonder they are thats Arcite looks out
DAUGHTER
No sir no thats Palamon Arcite is the lower of the twain you may perceive a part of him
JAILER
Go to leave your pointing they would not make us their object Out of their sight
DAUGHTER
It is a holiday to look on them Lord the difference of men
Exeunt
SCENE II The prison
Enter Palamon and Arcite in prison
PALAMON
How do you noble cousin
ARCITE
How do you sir
PALAMON
Why strong enough to laugh at misery
And bear the chance of war yet we are prisoners
I fear for ever cousin
ARCITE
I believe it
And to that destiny have patiently
Laid up my hour to come
PALAMON
O cousin Arcite
Where is Thebes now Where is our noble country
Where are our friends and kindreds Never more
Must we behold those comforts never see
The hardy youths strive for the games of honour
Hung with the painted favours of their ladies
Like tall ships under sail then start amongst em
And as an east wind leave em all behind us
Like lazy clouds whilst Palamon and Arcite
Even in the wagging of a wanton leg
Outstripped the peoples praises won the garlands
Ere they have time to wish em ours O never
Shall we two exercise like twins of honour
Our arms again and feel our fiery horses
Like proud seas under us Our good swords now
Better the redeyed god of war neer wore
Ravished our sides like age must run to rust
And deck the temples of those gods that hate us
These hands shall never draw em out like lightning
To blast whole armies more
ARCITE
No Palamon
Those hopes are prisoners with us Here we are
And here the graces of our youths must wither
Like a tootimely spring here age must find us
And which is heaviest Palamon unmarried
The sweet embraces of a loving wife
Loaden with kisses armed with thousand Cupids
Shall never clasp our necks no issue know us
No figures of ourselves shall we eer see
To glad our age and like young eagles teach em
Boldly to gaze against bright arms and say
Remember what your fathers were and conquer
The faireyed maids shall weep our banishments
And in their songs curse everblinded Fortune
Till she for shame see what a wrong she has done
To youth and nature This is all our world
We shall know nothing here but one another
Hear nothing but the clock that tells our woes
The vine shall grow but we shall never see it
Summer shall come and with her all delights
But deadcold winter must inhabit here still
PALAMON
Tis too true Arcite To our Theban hounds
That shook the aged forest with their echoes
No more now must we hallow no more shake
Our pointed javelins whilst the angry swine
Flies like a Parthian quiver from our rages
Struck with our wellsteeled darts All valiant uses
The food and nourishment of noble minds
In us two here shall perish we shall die
Which is the curse of honour lastly
Children of grief and ignorance
ARCITE
Yet cousin
Even from the bottom of these miseries
From all that fortune can inflict upon us
I see two comforts rising two mere blessings
If the gods please to hold here a brave patience
And the enjoying of our griefs together
Whilst Palamon is with me let me perish
If I think this our prison
PALAMON
Certainly
Tis a main goodness cousin that our fortunes
Were twined together tis most true two souls
Put in two noble bodies let em suffer
The gall of hazard so they grow together
Will never sink they must not say they could
A willing man dies sleeping and alls done
ARCITE
Shall we make worthy uses of this place
That all men hate so much
PALAMON
How gentle cousin
ARCITE
Lets think this prison holy sanctuary
To keep us from corruption of worse men
We are young and yet desire the ways of honour
That liberty and common conversation
The poison of pure spirits might like women
Woo us to wander from What worthy blessing
Can be but our imaginations
May make it ours And here being thus together
We are an endless mine to one another
We are one anothers wife ever begetting
New births of love we are father friends acquaintance
We are in one another families
I am your heir and you are mine This place
Is our inheritance no hard oppressor
Dare take this from us here with a little patience
We shall live long and loving No surfeits seek us
The hand of war hurts none here nor the seas
Swallow their youth Were we at liberty
A wife might part us lawfully or business
Quarrels consume us envy of ill men
Crave our acquaintance I might sicken cousin
Where you should never know it and so perish
Without your noble hand to close mine eyes
Or prayers to the gods A thousand chances
Were we from hence would sever us
PALAMON
You have made me
I thank you cousin Arcitealmost wanton
With my captivity What a misery
It is to live abroad and everywhere
Tis like a beast methinks I find the court here
I am sure a more content and all those pleasures
That woo the wills of men to vanity
I see through now and am sufficient
To tell the world tis but a gaudy shadow
That old Time as he passes by takes with him
What had we been old in the court of Creon
Where sin is justice lust and ignorance
The virtues of the great ones Cousin Arcite
Had not the loving gods found this place for us
We had died as they do ill old men unwept
And had their epitaphs the peoples curses
Shall I say more
ARCITE
I would hear you still
PALAMON
Ye shall
Is there record of any two that loved
Better than we do Arcite
ARCITE
Sure there cannot
PALAMON
I do not think it possible our friendship
Should ever leave us
ARCITE
Till our deaths it cannot
Enter Emilia and her Woman below
And after death our spirits shall be led
To those that love eternally Speak on sir
EMILIA
This garden has a world of pleasures int
What flower is this
WOMAN
Tis called narcissus madam
EMILIA
That was a fair boy certain but a fool
To love himself Were there not maids enough
ARCITE
Pray forward
PALAMON
Yes
EMILIA
Or were they all hardhearted
WOMAN
They could not be to one so fair
EMILIA
Thou wouldst not
WOMAN
I think I should not madam
EMILIA
Thats a good wench
But take heed to your kindness though
WOMAN
Why madam
EMILIA
Men are mad things
ARCITE
Will ye go forward cousin
EMILIA
Canst not thou work such flowers in silk wench
WOMAN
Yes
EMILIA
Ill have a gown full of em and of these
This is a pretty colour will t not do
Rarely upon a skirt wench
WOMAN
Dainty madam
ARCITE
Cousin cousin How do you sir Why Palamon
PALAMON
Never till now I was in prison Arcite
ARCITE
Why whats the matter man
PALAMON
Behold and wonder
By heaven she is a goddess
ARCITE
Ha
PALAMON
Do reverence She is a goddess Arcite
EMILIA
Of all flowers
Methinks a rose is best
WOMAN
Why gentle madam
EMILIA
It is the very emblem of a maid
For when the west wind courts her gently
How modestly she blows and paints the sun
With her chaste blushes When the north comes near her
Rude and impatient then like chastity
She locks her beauties in her bud again
And leaves him to base briers
WOMAN
Yet good madam
Sometimes her modesty will blow so far
She falls for t A maid
If she have any honour would be loath
To take example by her
EMILIA
Thou art wanton
ARCITE
She is wondrous fair
PALAMON
She is all the beauty extant
EMILIA
The sun grows high lets walk in Keep these flowers
Well see how near art can come near their colours
I am wondrous merryhearted I could laugh now
WOMAN
I could lie down I am sure
EMILIA
And take one with you
WOMAN
Thats as we bargain madam
EMILIA
Well agree then
Exeunt Emilia and Woman
PALAMON
What think you of this beauty
ARCITE
Tis a rare one
PALAMON
Ist but a rare one
ARCITE
Yes a matchless beauty
PALAMON
Might not a man well lose himself and love her
ARCITE
I cannot tell what you have done I have
Beshrew mine eyes fort Now I feel my shackles
PALAMON
You love her then
ARCITE
Who would not
PALAMON
And desire her
ARCITE
Before my liberty
PALAMON
I saw her first
ARCITE
Thats nothing
PALAMON
But it shall be
ARCITE
I saw her too
PALAMON
Yes but you must not love her
ARCITE
I will not as you do to worship her
As she is heavenly and a blessed goddess
I love her as a woman to enjoy her
So both may love
PALAMON
You shall not love at all
ARCITE
Not love at all Who shall deny me
PALAMON
I that first saw her I that took possession
First with mine eye of all those beauties in her
Revealed to mankind If thou lovest her
Or entertainst a hope to blast my wishes
Thou art a traitor Arcite and a fellow
False as thy title to her Friendship blood
And all the ties between us I disclaim
If thou once think upon her
ARCITE
Yes I love her
And if the lives of all my name lay on it
I must do so I love her with my soul
If that will lose ye farewell Palamon
I say again I love and in loving her maintain
I am as worthy and as free a lover
And have as just a title to her beauty
As any Palamon or any living
That is a mans son
PALAMON
Have I called thee friend
ARCITE
Yes and have found me so Why are you moved thus
Let me deal coldly with you am not I
Part of your blood part of your soul You have told me
That I was Palamon and you were Arcite
PALAMON
Yes
ARCITE
Am not I liable to those affections
Those joys griefs angers fears my friend shall suffer
PALAMON
Ye may be
ARCITE
Why then would you deal so cunningly
So strangely so unlike a noble kinsman
To love alone Speak truly do you think me
Unworthy of her sight
PALAMON
No but unjust
If thou pursue that sight
ARCITE
Because another
First sees the enemy shall I stand still
And let mine honour down and never charge
PALAMON
Yes if he be but one
ARCITE
But say that one
Had rather combat me
PALAMON
Let that one say so
And use thy freedom Else if thou pursuest her
Be as that cursed man that hates his country
A branded villain
ARCITE
You are mad
PALAMON
I must be
Till thou art worthy Arcite it concerns me
And in this madness if I hazard thee
And take thy life I deal but truely
ARCITE
Fie sir
You play the child extremely I will love her
I must I ought to do so and I dare
And all this justly
PALAMON
O that now that now
Thy false self and thy friend had but this fortune
To be one hour at liberty and grasp
Our good swords in our hands I would quickly teach thee
What twere to filch affection from another
Thou art baser in it than a cutpurse
Put but thy head out of this window more
And as I have a soul Ill nail thy life to t
ARCITE
Thou darst not fool thou canst not thou art feeble
Put my head out Ill throw my body out
And leap the garden when I see her next
And pitch between her arms to anger thee
Enter Jailer
PALAMON
No more the keepers coming I shall live
To knock thy brains out with my shackles
ARCITE
Do
JAILER
By your leave gentlemen
PALAMON
Now honest keeper
JAILER
Lord Arcite you must presently to th Duke
The cause I know not yet
ARCITE
I am ready keeper
JAILER
Prince Palamon I must awhile bereave you
Of your fair cousins company
Exeunt Arcite and Jailer
PALAMON
And me too
Even when you please of lifeWhy is he sent for
It may be he shall marry her hes goodly
And like enough the Duke hath taken notice
Both of his blood and body But his falsehood
Why should a friend be treacherous If that
Get him a wife so noble and so fair
Let honest men neer love again Once more
I would but see this fair one Blessed garden
And fruit and flowers more blessed that still blossom
As her bright eyes shine on ye Would I were
For all the fortune of my life hereafter
Yon little tree yon blooming apricock
How I would spread and fling my wanton arms
In at her window I would bring her fruit
Fit for the gods to feed on youth and pleasure
Still as she tasted should be doubled on her
And if she be not heavenly I would make her
So near the gods in nature they should fear her
Enter Jailer
And then I am sure she would love me How now keeper
Wheres Arcite
JAILER
Banished Prince Pirithous
Obtained his liberty but never more
Upon his oath and life must he set foot
Upon this kingdom
PALAMON
Hes a blessed man
He shall see Thebes again and call to arms
The bold young men that when he bids em charge
Fall on like fire Arcite shall have a fortune
If he dare make himself a worthy lover
Yet in the field to strike a battle for her
And if he lose her then hes a cold coward
How bravely may he bear himself to win her
If he be noble Arcite thousand ways
Were I at liberty I would do things
Of such a virtuous greatness that this lady
This blushing virgin should take manhood to her
And seek to ravish me
JAILER
My lord for you
I have this charge to
PALAMON
To discharge my life
JAILER
No but from this place to remove your lordship
The windows are too open
PALAMON
Devils take em
That are so envious to me Prithee kill me
JAILER
And hang fort afterward
PALAMON
By this good light
Had I a sword I would kill thee
JAILER
Why my Lord
PALAMON
Thou bringst such pelting scurvy news continually
Thou art not worthy life I will not go
JAILER
Indeed you must my lord
PALAMON
May I see the garden
JAILER
No
PALAMON
Then I am resolved I will not go
JAILER
I must constrain you then and for you are dangerous
Ill clap more irons on you
PALAMON
Do good keeper
Ill shake em so ye shall not sleep
Ill make you a new morris Must I go
JAILER
There is no remedy
PALAMON
Farewell kind window
May rude wind never hurt theeO my lady
If ever thou hast felt what sorrow was
Dream how I sufferCome now bury me
Exeunt Palamon and Jailer
SCENE III The country near Athens
Enter Arcite
ARCITE
Banished the kingdom Tis a benefit
A mercy I must thank em for but banished
The free enjoying of that face I die for
O twas a studied punishment a death
Beyond imagination such a vengeance
That were I old and wicked all my sins
Could never pluck upon me Palamon
Thou hast the start now thou shalt stay and see
Her bright eyes break each morning gainst thy window
And let in life into thee thou shalt feed
Upon the sweetness of a noble beauty
That nature neer exceeded nor neer shall
Good gods what happiness has Palamon
Twenty to one hell come to speak to her
And if she be as gentle as shes fair
I know shes his he has a tongue will tame
Tempests and make the wild rocks wanton
Come what can come
The worst is death I will not leave the kingdom
I know mine own is but a heap of ruins
And no redress there If I go he has her
I am resolved another shape shall make me
Or end my fortunes Either way I am happy
Ill see her and be near her or no more
Enter four Countrymen and one with a garland before them
FIRST COUNTRYMAN
My masters Ill be there thats certain
SECOND COUNTRYMAN
And Ill be there
THIRD COUNTRYMAN
And I
FOURTH COUNTRYMAN
Why then have with you boys Tis but a chiding
Let the plough play today Ill tickle t out
Of the jades tails tomorrow
FIRST COUNTRYMAN
I am sure
To have my wife as jealous as a turkey
But thats all one Ill go through let her mumble
SECOND COUNTRYMAN
Clap her aboard tomorrow night and stow her
And alls made up again
THIRD COUNTRYMAN
Ay do but put
A fescue in her fist and you shall see her
Take a new lesson out and be a good wench
Do we all hold against the Maying
FOURTH COUNTRYMAN
Hold
What should ail us
THIRD COUNTRYMAN
Arcas will be there
SECOND COUNTRYMAN
And Sennois
And Rycas and three better lads neer danced
Under green tree And ye know what wenches ha
But will the dainty domine the schoolmaster
Keep touch do you think For he does all ye know
THIRD COUNTRYMAN
Hell eat a hornbook ere he fail Go to
The matters too far driven between him
And the tanners daughter to let slip now
And she must see the Duke and she must dance too
FOURTH COUNTRYMAN
Shall we be lusty
SECOND COUNTRYMAN
All the boys in Athens
Blow wind i th breech on s And here Ill be
And there Ill be for our town and here again
And there again Ha boys hey for the weavers
FIRST COUNTRYMAN
This must be done i th woods
FOURTH COUNTRYMAN
O pardon me
SECOND COUNTRYMAN
By any means our thing of learning says so
Where he himself will edify the Duke
Most parlously in our behalfs Hes excellent i th woods
Bring him to th plains his learning makes no cry
THIRD COUNTRYMAN
Well see the sports then every man to s tackle
And sweet companions lets rehearse by any means
Before the ladies see us and do sweetly
And God knows what may come on t
FOURTH COUNTRYMAN
Content the sports once ended well perform
Away boys and hold
ARCITE
By your leaves honest friends pray you whither go you
FOURTH COUNTRYMAN
Whither Why what a questions that
ARCITE
Yes tis a question
To me that know not
THIRD COUNTRYMAN
To the games my friend
SECOND COUNTRYMAN
Where were you bred you know it not
ARCITE
Not far sir
Are there such games today
FIRST COUNTRYMAN
Yes marry are there
And such as you never saw the Duke himself
Will be in person there
ARCITE
What pastimes are they
SECOND COUNTRYMAN
Wrestling and runningTis a pretty fellow
THIRD COUNTRYMAN
Thou wilt not go along
ARCITE
Not yet sir
FOURTH COUNTRYMAN
Well sir
Take your own time Come boys
FIRST COUNTRYMAN
My mind misgives me
This fellow has a vengeance trick o th hip
Mark how his bodys made for t
SECOND COUNTRYMAN
Ill be hanged though
If he dare venture Hang him plum porridge
He wrestle He roast eggs Come lets be gone lads
Exeunt Countrymen
ARCITE
This is an offered opportunity
I durst not wish for Well I could have wrestled
The best men called it excellentand run
Swifter than wind upon a field of corn
Curling the wealthy ears never flew Ill venture
And in some poor disguise be there Who knows
Whether my brows may not be girt with garlands
And happiness prefer me to a place
Where I may ever dwell in sight of her
Exit Arcite
SCENE IV Athens A room in the prison
Enter Jailers Daughter alone
DAUGHTER
Why should I love this gentleman Tis odds
He never will affect me I am base
My father the mean keeper of his prison
And he a prince To marry him is hopeless
To be his whore is witless Out upon t
What pushes are we wenches driven to
When fifteen once has found us First I saw him
I seeing thought he was a goodly man
He has as much to please a woman in him
If he please to bestow it so as ever
These eyes yet looked on Next I pitied him
And so would any young wench o my conscience
That ever dreamed or vowed her maidenhead
To a young handsome man Then I loved him
Extremely loved him infinitely loved him
And yet he had a cousin fair as he too
But in my heart was Palamon and there
Lord what a coil he keeps To hear him
Sing in an evening what a heaven it is
And yet his songs are sad ones Fairer spoken
Was never gentleman When I come in
To bring him water in a morning first
He bows his noble body then salutes me thus
Fair gentle maid good morrow May thy goodness
Get thee a happy husband Once he kissed me
I loved my lips the better ten days after
Would he would do so evry day He grieves much
And me as much to see his misery
What should I do to make him know I love him
For I would fain enjoy him Say I ventured
To set him free What says the law then
Thus much for law or kindred I will do it
And this night or tomorrow he shall love me
Exit
SCENE V An open place in Athens
A short flourish of cornets and shouts within Enter Theseus Hippolyta Pirithous Emilia Arcite in disguise as a countryman with a garland Attendants and others
THESEUS
You have done worthily I have not seen
Since Hercules a man of tougher sinews
Whateer you are you run the best and wrestle
That these times can allow
ARCITE
I am proud to please you
THESEUS
What country bred you
ARCITE
This but far off Prince
THESEUS
Are you a gentleman
ARCITE
My father said so
And to those gentle uses gave me life
THESEUS
Are you his heir
ARCITE
His youngest sir
THESEUS
Your father
Sure is a happy sire then What profess you
ARCITE
A little of all noble qualities
I could have kept a hawk and well have hallowed
To a deep cry of dogs I dare not praise
My feat in horsemanship yet they that knew me
Would say it was my best piece last and greatest
I would be thought a soldier
THESEUS
You are perfect
PIRITHOUS
Upon my soul a proper man
EMILIA
He is so
PIRITHOUS
How do you like him lady
HIPPOLYTA
I admire him
I have not seen so young a man so noble
If he say true of his sort
EMILIA
Believe
His mother was a wondrous handsome woman
His face methinks goes that way
HIPPOLYTA
But his body
And fiery mind illustrate a brave father
PIRITHOUS
Mark how his virtue like a hidden sun
Breaks through his baser garments
HIPPOLYTA
Hes well got sure
THESEUS
What made you seek this place sir
ARCITE
Noble Theseus
To purchase name and do my ablest service
To such a wellfound wonder as thy worth
For only in thy court of all the world
Dwells faireyed Honour
PIRITHOUS
All his words are worthy
THESEUS
Sir we are much indebted to your travel
Nor shall you lose your wishPirithous
Dispose of this fair gentleman
PIRITHOUS
Thanks Theseus
Whateer you are youre mine and I shall give you
To a most noble service to this lady
This bright young virgin pray observe her goodness
You have honoured her fair birthday with your virtues
And as your due youre hers kiss her fair hand sir
ARCITE
Sir youre a noble giverDearest beauty
Thus let me seal my vowed faith
He kisses her hand
When your servant
Your most unworthy creature but offends you
Command him die he shall
EMILIA
That were too cruel
If you deserve well sir I shall soon see t
Youre mine and somewhat better than your rank
Ill use you
PIRITHOUS
Ill see you furnished and because you say
You are a horseman I must needs entreat you
This afternoon to ride but tis a rough one
ARCITE
I like him better Prince I shall not then
Freeze in my saddle
THESEUS
Sweet you must be ready
And you Emiliaand you friendand all
Tomorrow by the sun to do observance
To flowery May in Dians woodWait well sir
Upon your mistressEmily I hope
He shall not go afoot
EMILIA
That were a shame sir
While I have horsesTake your choice and what
You want at any time let me but know it
If you serve faithfully I dare assure you
Youll find a loving mistress
ARCITE
If I do not
Let me find that my father ever hated
Disgrace and blows
THESEUS
Go lead the way you have won it
It shall be so you shall receive all dues
Fit for the honour you have won twere wrong else
Sister beshrew my heart you have a servant
That if I were a woman would be master
But you are wise
EMILIA
I hope too wise for that sir
Flourish Exeunt
SCENE VI Athens Before the prison
Enter Jailers Daughter alone
DAUGHTER
Let all the dukes and all the devils roar
He is at liberty I have ventured for him
And out I have brought him to a little wood
A mile hence I have sent him where a cedar
Higher than all the rest spreads like a plane
Fast by a brook and there he shall keep close
Till I provide him files and food for yet
His iron bracelets are not off O Love
What a stouthearted child thou art My father
Durst better have endured cold iron than done it
I love him beyond love and beyond reason
Or wit or safety I have made him know it
I care not I am desperate If the law
Find me and then condemn me for t some wenches
Some honesthearted maids will sing my dirge
And tell to memory my death was noble
Dying almost a martyr That way he takes
I purpose is my way too Sure he cannot
Be so unmanly as to leave me here
If he do maids will not so easily
Trust men again And yet he has not thanked me
For what I have done no not so much as kissed me
And that methinks is not so well nor scarcely
Could I persuade him to become a free man
He made such scruples of the wrong he did
To me and to my father Yet I hope
When he considers more this love of mine
Will take more root within him Let him do
What he will with me so he use me kindly
For use me so he shall or Ill proclaim him
And to his face no man Ill presently
Provide him necessaries and pack my clothes up
And where there is a path of ground Ill venture
So he be with me By him like a shadow
Ill ever dwell Within this hour the hubbub
Will be all oer the prison I am then
Kissing the man they look for Farewell father
Get many more such prisoners and such daughters
And shortly you may keep yourself Now to him
Exit
ACT III
SCENE I A forest near Athens
Cornets in sundry places Noise and hallowing as people aMaying Enter Arcite alone
ARCITE
The Duke has lost Hippolyta each took
A several land This is a solemn rite
They owe bloomed May and the Athenians pay it
To th heart of ceremony O Queen Emilia
Fresher than May sweeter
Than her gold buttons on the boughs or all
Th enameled knacks o th mead or gardenyea
We challenge too the bank of any nymph
That makes the stream seem flowers thou O jewel
O th wood o th world hast likewise blessed a pace
With thy sole presence In thy rumination
That I poor man might eftsoons come between
And chop on some cold thought Thrice blessed chance
To drop on such a mistress expectation
Most guiltless on t Tell me O Lady Fortune
Next after Emily my sovereign how far
I may be proud She takes strong note of me
Hath made me near her and this beauteous morn
The primst of all the year presents me with
A brace of horses two such steeds might well
Be by a pair of kings backed in a field
That their crowns titles tried Alas alas
Poor cousin Palamon poor prisoner thou
So little dreamst upon my fortune that
Thou thinkst thyself the happier thing to be
So near Emilia me thou deemst at Thebes
And therein wretched although free But if
Thou knewst my mistress breathed on me and that
I eared her language lived in her eye O coz
What passion would enclose thee
Enter Palamon as out of a bush with his shackles he bends his fist at Arcite
PALAMON
Traitor kinsman
Thou shouldst perceive my passion if these signs
Of prisonment were off me and this hand
But owner of a sword By all oaths in one
I and the justice of my love would make thee
A confessed traitor O thou most perfidious
That ever gently looked the voidst of honour
That eer bore gentle token falsest cousin
That ever blood made kin Callst thou her thine
Ill prove it in my shackles with these hands
Void of appointment that thou liest and art
A very thief in love a chaffy lord
Nor worth the name of villain Had I a sword
And these houseclogs away
ARCITE
Dear cousin Palamon
PALAMON
Cozener Arcite give me language such
As thou hast showed me feat
ARCITE
Not finding in
The circuit of my breast any gross stuff
To form me like your blazon holds me to
This gentleness of answer Tis your passion
That thus mistakes the which to you being enemy
Cannot to me be kind Honour and honesty
I cherish and depend on howsoeer
You skip them in me and with them fair coz
Ill maintain my proceedings Pray be pleased
To show in generous terms your griefs since that
Your questions with your equal who professes
To clear his own way with the mind and sword
Of a true gentleman
PALAMON
That thou durst Arcite
ARCITE
My coz my coz you have been well advertised
How much I dare youve seen me use my sword
Against th advice of fear Sure of another
You would not hear me doubted but your silence
Should break out though i th sanctuary
PALAMON
Sir
I have seen you move in such a place which well
Might justify your manhood you were called
A good knight and a bold But the whole weeks not fair
If any day it rain Their valiant temper
Men lose when they incline to treachery
And then they fight like compelled bears would fly
Were they not tied
ARCITE
Kinsman you might as well
Speak this and act it in your glass as to
His ear which now disdains you
PALAMON
Come up to me
Quit me of these cold gyves give me a sword
Though it be rusty and the charity
Of one meal lend me Come before me then
A good sword in thy hand and do but say
That Emily is thine I will forgive
The trespass thou hast done me yea my life
If then thou carry t and brave souls in shades
That have died manly which will seek of me
Some news from earth they shall get none but this
That thou art brave and noble
ARCITE
Be content
Again betake you to your hawthorn house
With counsel of the night I will be here
With wholesome viands These impediments
Will I file off you shall have garments and
Perfumes to kill the smell o th prison After
When you shall stretch yourself and say but Arcite
I am in plight there shall be at your choice
Both sword and armour
PALAMON
Oh you heavens dares any
So noble bear a guilty business None
But only Arcite therefore none but Arcite
In this kind is so bold
ARCITE
Sweet Palamon
PALAMON
I do embrace you and your offer for
Your offer do t I only sir your person
Without hypocrisy I may not wish
More than my swords edge on t
Wind horns of cornets
ARCITE
You hear the horns
Enter your musit lest this match between s
Be crossed ere met Give me your hand farewell
Ill bring you every needful thing I pray you
Take comfort and be strong
PALAMON
Pray hold your promise
And do the deed with a bent brow Most certain
You love me not be rough with me and pour
This oil out of your language By this air
I could for each word give a cuff my stomach
Not reconciled by reason
ARCITE
Plainly spoken
Yet pardon me hard language When I spur
My horse I chide him not content and anger
In me have but one face
Wind horns
Hark sir they call
The scattered to the banquet You must guess
I have an office there
PALAMON
Sir your attendance
Cannot please heaven and I know your office
Unjustly is achieved
ARCITE
Tis a good title
I am persuaded this question sick between s
By bleeding must be cured I am a suitor
That to your sword you will bequeath this plea
And talk of it no more
PALAMON
But this one word
You are going now to gaze upon my mistress
For note you mine she is
ARCITE
Nay then
PALAMON
Nay pray you
You talk of feeding me to breed me strength
You are going now to look upon a sun
That strengthens what it looks on there
You have a vantage oer me But enjoy t till
I may enforce my remedy Farewell
Exeunt
SCENE II Another Part of the forest
Enter Jailers Daughter alone
DAUGHTER
He has mistook the brake I meant is gone
After his fancy Tis now wellnigh morning
No matter would it were perpetual night
And darkness lord o th world Hark tis a wolf
In me hath grief slain fear and but for one thing
I care for nothing and thats Palamon
I reck not if the wolves would jaw me so
He had this file What if I hallowed for him
I cannot hallow If I whooped what then
If he not answered I should call a wolf
And do him but that service I have heard
Strange howls this livelong night why may t not be
They have made prey of him He has no weapons
He cannot run the jingling of his gyves
Might call fell things to listen who have in them
A sense to know a man unarmed and can
Smell where resistance is Ill set it down
Hes torn to pieces they howled many together
And then they fed on him So much for that
Be bold to ring the bell How stand I then
Alls chared when he is gone No no I lie
My fathers to be hanged for his escape
Myself to beg if I prized life so much
As to deny my act but that I would not
Should I try death by dozens I am moped
Food took I none these two days
Sipped some water I have not closed mine eyes
Save when my lids scoured off their brine Alas
Dissolve my life Let not my sense unsettle
Lest I should drown or stab or hang myself
O state of nature fail together in me
Since thy best props are warped So which way now
The best way is the next way to a grave
Each errant step beside is torment Lo
The moon is down the crickets chirp the screech owl
Calls in the dawn All offices are done
Save what I fail in But the point is this
An end and that is all
Exit
SCENE III The same part of the forest as in scene I
Enter Arcite with meat wine and files
ARCITE
I should be near the placeHo Cousin Palamon
PALAMON
From the bush Arcite
ARCITE
The same I have brought you food and files
Come forth and fear not heres no Theseus
Enter Palamon
PALAMON
Nor none so honest Arcite
ARCITE
Thats no matter
Well argue that hereafter Come take courage
You shall not die thus beastly Here sir drink
I know you are faintthen Ill talk further with you
PALAMON
Arcite thou mightst now poison me
ARCITE
I might
But I must fear you first Sit down and good now
No more of these vain parleys let us not
Having our ancient reputation with us
Make talk for fools and cowards To your health
Drinks
PALAMON
Do
ARCITE
Pray sit down then and let me entreat you
By all the honesty and honour in you
No mention of this woman twill disturb us
We shall have time enough
PALAMON
Well sir Ill pledge you
Drinks
ARCITE
Drink a good hearty draught it breeds good blood man
Do not you feel it thaw you
PALAMON
Stay Ill tell you
After a draught or two more
ARCITE
Spare it not the Duke has more coz Eat now
PALAMON
Yes
Eats
ARCITE
I am glad you have so good a stomach
PALAMON
I am gladder I have so good meat to t
ARCITE
Ist not mad lodging
Here in the wild woods cousin
PALAMON
Yes for them
That have wild consciences
ARCITE
How tastes your victuals
Your hunger needs no sauce I see
PALAMON
Not much
But if it did yours is too tart sweet cousin
What is this
ARCITE
Venison
PALAMON
Tis a lusty meat
Give me more wine Here Arcite to the wenches
We have known in our days The Lord Stewards daughter
Do you remember her
ARCITE
After you coz
PALAMON
She loved a blackhaired man
ARCITE
She did so well sir
PALAMON
And I have heard some call him Arcite and
ARCITE
Out witht faith
PALAMON
She met him in an arbour
What did she there coz Play o th virginals
ARCITE
Something she did sir
PALAMON
Made her groan a month for t
Or two or three or ten
ARCITE
The Marshals sister
Had her share too as I remember cousin
Else there be tales abroad Youll pledge her
PALAMON
Yes
ARCITE
A pretty brown wench tis There was a time
When young men went ahunting and a wood
And a broad beech and thereby hangs a tale
Heigh ho
PALAMON
For Emily upon my life Fool
Away with this strained mirth I say again
That sigh was breathed for Emily Base cousin
Darst thou break first
ARCITE
You are wide
PALAMON
By heaven and earth
Theres nothing in thee honest
ARCITE
Then Ill leave you
You are a beast now
PALAMON
As thou makst me traitor
ARCITE
Theres all things needful files and shirts and perfumes
Ill come again some two hours hence and bring
That that shall quiet all
PALAMON
A sword and armour
ARCITE
Fear me not You are now too foul Farewell
Get off your trinkets you shall want naught
PALAMON
Sirrah
ARCITE
Ill hear no more
Exit
PALAMON
If he keep touch he dies for t
Exit
SCENE IV Another part of the forest
Enter Jailers Daughter
DAUGHTER
I am very cold and all the stars are out too
The little stars and all that look like aglets
The sun has seen my folly Palamon
Alas no hes in heaven Where am I now
Yonders the sea and theres a ship how t tumbles
And theres a rock lies watching under water
Now now it beats upon it now now now
Theres a leak sprung a sound one How they cry
Run her before the wind youll lose all else
Up with a course or two and tack about boys
Good night good night youre gone I am very hungry
Would I could find a fine frog he would tell me
News from all parts o th world then would I make
A carrack of a cockle shell and sail
By east and northeast to the king of pygmies
For he tells fortunes rarely Now my father
Twenty to one is trussed up in a trice
Tomorrow morning Ill say never a word
Sings
For Ill cut my green coat a foot above my knee
And Ill clip my yellow locks an inch below mine eye
Hey nonny nonny nonny
Hes buy me a white cut forth for to ride
And Ill go seek him through the world that is so wide
Hey nonny nonny nonny
O for a prick now like a nightingale
To put my breast against I shall sleep like a top else
Exit
SCENE V Another part of the forest
Enter a Schoolmaster and five Countrymen one dressed as a Bavian
SCHOOLMASTER
Fie fie
What tediosity and disinsanity
Is here among ye Have my rudiments
Been laboured so long with ye milked unto ye
And by a figure even the very plumbroth
And marrow of my understanding laid upon ye
And do you still cry Where and How and Wherefore
You most coarsefrieze capacities ye jean judgements
Have I said Thus let be and There let be
And Then let be and no man understand me
Proh Deum medius fidius ye are all dunces
For why
Here stand I here the Duke comes there are you
Close in the thicket the Duke appears I meet him
And unto him I utter learned things
And many figures he hears and nods and hums
And then cries Rare and I go forward At length
I fling my cap upmark there Then do you
As once did Meleager and the boar
Break comely out before him like true lovers
Cast yourselves in a body decently
And sweetly by a figure trace and turn boys
FIRST COUNTRYMAN
And sweetly we will do it Master Gerald
SECOND COUNTRYMAN
Draw up the company Wheres the taborer
THIRD COUNTRYMAN
Why Timothy
TABORER
Here my mad boys have at ye
SCHOOLMASTER
But I say wheres their women
Enter five Countrywomen
FOURTH COUNTRYMAN
Heres Friz and Maudlin
SECOND COUNTRYMAN
And little Luce with the white legs and bouncing Barbary
FIRST COUNTRYMAN
And freckled Nel that never failed her master
SCHOOLMASTER
Where be your ribbons maids Swim with your bodies
And carry it sweetly and deliverly
And now and then a favour and a frisk
NEL
Let us alone sir
SCHOOLMASTER
Wheres the rest o th music
THIRD COUNTRYMAN
Dispersed as you commanded
SCHOOLMASTER
Couple then
And see whats wanting Wheres the Bavian
My friend carry your tail without offence
Or scandal to the ladies and be sure
You tumble with audacity and manhood
And when you bark do it with judgement
BAVIAN
Yes sir
SCHOOLMASTER
Quo usque tandem Here is a woman wanting
FOURTH COUNTRYMAN
We may go whistle all the fats i th fire
SCHOOLMASTER
We have
as learned authors utter washed a tile
we have been fatuus and laboured vainly
SECOND COUNTRYMAN
This is that scornful piece that scurvy hilding
That gave her promise faithfully she would be here
Cicely the sempsters daughter
The next gloves that I give her shall be dogskin
Nay an she fail me onceYou can tell Arcas
She swore by wine and bread she would not break
SCHOOLMASTER
An eel and woman
A learned poet says unless by th tail
And with thy teeth thou hold will either fail
In manners this was false position
FIRST COUNTRYMAN
A fire ill take her does she flinch now
THIRD COUNTRYMAN
What
Shall we determine sir
SCHOOLMASTER
Nothing
Our business is become a nullity
Yea and a woeful and a piteous nullity
FOURTH COUNTRYMAN
Now when the credit of our town lay on it
Now to be frampul now to piss o th nettle
Go thy ways Ill remember thee Ill fit thee
Enter Jailers Daughter
DAUGHTER
Sings
The George Alow came from the south
From the coast of Barbarya
And there he met with brave gallants of war
By one by two by threea
Well hailed well hailed you jolly gallants
And whither now are you bounda
O let me have your company
Till I come to the sounda
There was three fools fell out about an howlet
The one said it was an owl
The other he said nay
The third he said it was a hawk
And her bells were cut away
THIRD COUNTRYMAN
Theres a dainty mad woman Master
Comes i th nick as mad as a March hare
If we can get her dance we are made again
I warrant her shell do the rarest gambols
FIRST COUNTRYMAN
A madwoman We are made boys
SCHOOLMASTER
And are you mad good woman
DAUGHTER
I would be sorry else
Give me your hand
SCHOOLMASTER
Why
DAUGHTER
I can tell your fortune
You are a fool Tell ten I have posed him Buzz
Friend you must eat no white bread if you do
Your teeth will bleed extremely Shall we dance ho
I know you youre a tinker sirrah tinker
Stop no more holes but what you should
SCHOOLMASTER
Dii boni A tinker damsel
DAUGHTER
Or a conjurer
Raise me a devil now and let him play
Qui passa o th bells and bones
SCHOOLMASTER
Go take her
And fluently persuade her to a peace
Et opus exegi quod nec Jovis ira nec ignis
Strike up and lead her in
SECOND COUNTRYMAN
Come lass lets trip it
DAUGHTER
Ill lead
THIRD COUNTRYMAN
Do do
SCHOOLMASTER
Persuasively and cunningly
Away boys I hear the horns Give me some meditation
And mark your cue
Exeunt all but Schoolmaster
Pallas inspire me
Enter Theseus Pirithous Hippolyta Emilia and train
THESEUS
This way the stag took
SCHOOLMASTER
Stay and edify
THESEUS
What have we here
PIRITHOUS
Some country sport upon my life sir
THESEUS
Well sir go forward we will edify
Ladies sit down Well stay it
SCHOOLMASTER
Thou doughty Duke all hail All hail sweet ladies
THESEUS
This is a cold beginning
SCHOOLMASTER
If you but favour our country pastime made is
We are a few of those collected here
That ruder tongues distinguish villager
And to say verity and not to fable
We are a merry rout or else a rabble
Or company or by a figure chorus
That fore thy dignity will dance a morris
And I that am the rectifier of all
By title pdagogus that let fall
The birch upon the breeches of the small ones
And humble with a ferula the tall ones
Do here present this machine or this frame
And dainty Duke whose doughty dismal fame
From Dis to Ddalus from post to pillar
Is blown abroad help me thy poor wellwiller
And with thy twinkling eyes look right and straight
Upon this mighty Morr of mickle weight
Is now comes in which being glued together
Makes Morris and the cause that we came hither
The body of our sport of no small study
I first appear though rude and raw and muddy
To speak before thy noble grace this tenner
At whose great feet I offer up my penner
The next the Lord of May and Lady bright
The Chambermaid and Servingman by night
That seek out silent hanging then mine Host
And his fat Spouse that welcomes to their cost
The galled traveller and with a beckning
Informs the tapster to inflame the reckning
Then the beesteating Clown and next the Fool
The Bavian with long tail and eke long tool
Cum multis aliis that make a dance
Say Ay and all shall presently advance
THESEUS
Ay ay by any means dear Domine
PIRITHOUS
Produce
SCHOOLMASTER
Intrate filii Come forth and foot it
Music Enter the Countrymen Countrywomen and Jailers Daughter they perform a morris dance
Ladies if we have been merry
And have pleased ye with a derry
And a derry and a down
Say the schoolmasters no clown
Duke if we have pleased thee too
And have done as good boys should do
Give us but a tree or twain
For a Maypole and again
Ere another year run out
Well make thee laugh and all this rout
THESEUS
Take twenty DomineHow does my sweetheart
HIPPOLYTA
Never so pleased sir
EMILIA
Twas an excellent dance
And for a preface I never heard a better
THESEUS
Schoolmaster I thank youOne seeem all rewarded
PIRITHOUS
And heres something to paint your pole withal
He gives money
THESEUS
Now to our sports again
SCHOOLMASTER
May the stag thou huntst stand long
And thy dogs be swift and strong
May they kill him without lets
And the ladies eat his dowsets
Exeunt Theseus Pirithous Hippolyta Emilia Arcite and Train Horns winded as they go out
Come we are all made Dii deque omnes
You have danced rarely wenches
Exeunt
SCENE VI The same part of the forest as in scene III
Enter Palamon from the bush
PALAMON
About this hour my cousin gave his faith
To visit me again and with him bring
Two swords and two good armours If he fail
Hes neither man nor soldier When he left me
I did not think a week could have restored
My lost strength to me I was grown so low
And crestfalln with my wants I thank thee Arcite
Thou art yet a fair foe and I feel myself
With this refreshing able once again
To outdure danger To delay it longer
Would make the world think when it comes to hearing
That I lay fatting like a swine to fight
And not a soldier Therefore this blest morning
Shall be the last and that sword he refuses
If it but hold I kill him with Tis justice
So love and fortune for me
Enter Arcite with armours and swords
O good morrow
ARCITE
Good morrow noble kinsman
PALAMON
I have put you
To too much pains sir
ARCITE
That too much fair cousin
Is but a debt to honour and my duty
PALAMON
Would you were so in all sir I could wish ye
As kind a kinsman as you force me find
A beneficial foe that my embraces
Might thank ye not my blows
ARCITE
I shall think either
Well done a noble recompence
PALAMON
Then I shall quit you
ARCITE
Defy me in these fair terms and you show
More than a mistress to me No more anger
As you love anything thats honourable
We were not bred to talk man when we are armed
And both upon our guards then let our fury
Like meeting of two tides fly strongly from us
And then to whom the birthright of this beauty
Truly pertainswithout upbraidings scorns
Despisings of our persons and such poutings
Fitter for girls and schoolboyswill be seen
And quickly yours or mine Will t please you arm sir
Or if you feel yourself not fitting yet
And furnished with your old strength Ill stay cousin
And every day discourse you into health
As I am spared Your person I am friends with
And I could wish I had not said I loved her
Though I had died but loving such a lady
And justifying my love I must not fly from t
PALAMON
Arcite thou art so brave an enemy
That no man but thy cousins fit to kill thee
I am well and lusty choose your arms
ARCITE
Choose you sir
PALAMON
Wilt thou exceed in all or dost thou do it
To make me spare thee
ARCITE
If you think so cousin
You are deceived for as I am a soldier
I will not spare you
PALAMON
Thats well said
ARCITE
Youll find it
PALAMON
Then as I am an honest man and love
With all the justice of affection
Ill pay thee soundly
He chooses armour
This Ill take
ARCITE
Thats mine then
Ill arm you first
PALAMON
Do
Arcite begins arming him
Pray thee tell me cousin
Where gotst thou this good armour
ARCITE
Tis the Dukes
And to say true I stole it Do I pinch you
PALAMON
No
ARCITE
Ist not too heavy
PALAMON
I have worn a lighter
But I shall make it serve
ARCITE
Ill buckle t close
PALAMON
By any means
ARCITE
You care not for a grand guard
PALAMON
No no well use no horses I perceive
You would fain be at that fight
ARCITE
I am indifferent
PALAMON
Faith so am I Good cousin thrust the buckle
Through far enough
ARCITE
I warrant you
PALAMON
My casque now
ARCITE
Will you fight barearmed
PALAMON
We shall be the nimbler
ARCITE
But use your gauntlets though Those are o th least
Prithee take mine good cousin
PALAMON
Thank you Arcite
How do I look Am I falln much away
ARCITE
Faith very little love has used you kindly
PALAMON
Ill warrant thee Ill strike home
ARCITE
Do and spare not
Ill give you cause sweet cousin
PALAMON
Now to you sir
He begins to arm Arcite
Methinks this armours very like that Arcite
Thou worst that day the three kings fell but lighter
ARCITE
That was a very good one and that day
I well remember you outdid me cousin
I never saw such valour When you charged
Upon the left wing of the enemy
I spurred hard to come up and under me
I had a right good horse
PALAMON
You had indeed
A bright bay I remember
ARCITE
Yes but all
Was vainly laboured in me you outwent me
Nor could my wishes reach you Yet a little
I did by imitation
PALAMON
More by virtue
You are modest cousin
ARCITE
When I saw you charge first
Me thought I heard a dreadful clap of thunder
Break from the troop
PALAMON
But still before that flew
The lightning of your valour Stay a little
Is not this piece too strait
ARCITE
No no tis well
PALAMON
I would have nothing hurt thee but my sword
A bruise would be dishonour
ARCITE
Now I am perfect
PALAMON
Stand off then
ARCITE
Take my sword I hold it better
PALAMON
I thank ye no keep it your life lies on it
Heres one if it but hold I ask no more
For all my hopes My cause and honour guard me
ARCITE
And me my love
They bow several ways then advance and stand
Is there aught else to say
PALAMON
This only and no more Thou art mine aunts son
And that blood we desire to shed is mutual
In me thine and in thee mine My sword
Is in my hand and if thou killest me
The gods and I forgive thee If there be
A place prepared for those that sleep in honour
I wish his weary soul that falls may win it
Fight bravely cousin give me thy noble hand
ARCITE
Here Palamon This hand shall never more
Come near thee with such friendship
PALAMON
I commend thee
ARCITE
If I fall curse me and say I was a coward
For none but such dare die in these just trials
Once more farewell my cousin
PALAMON
Farewell Arcite
They fight Horns within They stand
ARCITE
Lo cousin lo our folly has undone us
PALAMON
Why
ARCITE
This is the Duke ahunting as I told you
If we be found we are wretched O retire
For honours sake and safety presently
Into your bush again Sir we shall find
Too many hours to die in Gentle cousin
If you be seen you perish instantly
For breaking prison and I if you reveal me
For my contempt Then all the world will scorn us
And say we had a noble difference
But base disposers of it
PALAMON
No no cousin
I will no more be hidden nor put off
This great adventure to a second trial
I know your cunning and I know your cause
He that faints now shame take him Put thyself
Upon thy present guard
ARCITE
You are not mad
PALAMON
Or I will make thadvantage of this hour
Mine own and what to come shall threaten me
I fear less than my fortune Know weak cousin
I love Emilia and in that Ill bury
Thee and all crosses else
ARCITE
Then come what can come
Thou shalt know Palamon I dare as well
Die as discourse or sleep Only this fears me
The law will have the honour of our ends
Have at thy life
PALAMON
Look to thine own well Arcite
They fight Horns within They stand
Enter Theseus Hippolyta Emilia Pirithous and train
THESEUS
What ignorant and mad malicious traitors
Are you that gainst the tenor of my laws
Are making battle thus like knights appointed
Without my leave and officers of arms
By Castor both shall die
PALAMON
Hold thy word Theseus
We are certainly both traitors both despisers
Of thee and of thy goodness I am Palamon
That cannot love thee he that broke thy prison
Think well what that deserves And this is Arcite
A bolder traitor never trod thy ground
A falser neer seemed friend This is the man
Was begged and banished this is he contemns thee
And what thou darst do and in this disguise
Against thine own edict follows thy sister
That fortunate bright star the fair Emilia
Whose servantif there be a right in seeing
And first bequeathing of the soul tojustly
I am and which is more dares think her his
This treachery like a most trusty lover
I called him now to answer If thou best
As thou art spoken great and virtuous
The true decider of all injuries
Say Fight again and thou shalt see me Theseus
Do such a justice thou thyself wilt envy
Then take my life Ill woo thee to t
PIRITHOUS
O heaven
What more than man is this
THESEUS
I have sworn
ARCITE
We seek not
Thy breath of mercy Theseus Tis to me
A thing as soon to die as thee to say it
And no more moved Where this man calls me traitor
Let me say thus much if in love be treason
In service of so excellent a beauty
As I love most and in that faith will perish
As I have brought my life here to confirm it
As I have served her truest worthiest
As I dare kill this cousin that denies it
So let me be most traitor and you please me
For scorning thy edict Duke ask that lady
Why she is fair and why her eyes command me
Stay here to love her and if she say traitor
I am a villain fit to lie unburied
PALAMON
Thou shalt have pity of us both O Theseus
If unto neither thou show mercy Stop
As thou art just thy noble ear against us
As thou art valiant for thy cousins soul
Whose twelve strong labours crown his memory
Lets die together at one instant Duke
Only a little let him fall before me
That I may tell my soul he shall not have her
THESEUS
I grant your wish for to say true your cousin
Has ten times more offended for I gave him
More mercy than you found sir your offences
Being no more than his None here speak for em
For ere the sun set both shall sleep for ever
HIPPOLYTA
Alas the pity Now or never sister
Speak not to be denied That face of yours
Will bear the curses else of after ages
For these lost cousins
EMILIA
In my face dear sister
I find no anger to em nor no ruin
The misadventure of their own eyes kill em
Yet that I will be woman and have pity
My knees shall grow to th ground but Ill get mercy
She kneels
Help me dear sister in a deed so virtuous
The powers of all women will be with us
Most royal brother
HIPPOLYTA
Kneels Sir by our tie of marriage
EMILIA
By your own spotless honour
HIPPOLYTA
By that faith
That fair hand and that honest heart you gave me
EMILIA
By that you would have pity in another
By your own virtues infinite
HIPPOLYTA
By valour
By all the chaste nights I have ever pleased you
THESEUS
These are strange conjurings
PIRITHOUS
Nay then Ill in too
Kneels
By all our friendship sir by all our dangers
By all you love most wars and this sweet lady
EMILIA
By that you would have trembled to deny
A blushing maid
HIPPOLYTA
By your own eyes by strength
In which you swore I went beyond all women
Almost all men and yet I yielded Theseus
PIRITHOUS
To crown all this by your most noble soul
Which cannot want due mercy I beg first
HIPPOLYTA
Next hear my prayers
EMILIA
Last let me entreat sir
PIRITHOUS
For mercy
HIPPOLYTA
Mercy
EMILIA
Mercy on these princes
THESEUS
Ye make my faith reel Say I felt
Compassion toem both how would you place it
Emilia Hippolyta and Pirithous rise
EMILIA
Upon their lives But with their banishments
THESEUS
You are a right woman sister you have pity
But want the understanding where to use it
If you desire their lives invent a way
Safer than banishment Can these two live
And have the agony of love about em
And not kill one another Every day
Theyd fight about you hourly bring your honour
In public question with their swords Be wise then
And here forget em it concerns your credit
And my oath equally I have said they die
Better they fall by th law than one another
Bow not my honour
EMILIA
O my noble brother
That oath was rashly made and in your anger
Your reason will not hold it if such vows
Stand for express will all the world must perish
Besides I have another oath gainst yours
Of more authority I am sure more love
Not made in passion neither but good heed
THESEUS
What is it sister
PIRITHOUS
Urge it home brave lady
EMILIA
That you would neer deny me anything
Fit for my modest suit and your free granting
I tie you to your word now if ye fail in t
Think how you maim your honour
For now I am set abegging sir I am deaf
To all but your compassionhow their lives
Might breed the ruin of my name Opinion
Shall anything that loves me perish for me
That were a cruel wisdom Do men prune
The straight young boughs that blush with thousand blossoms
Because they may be rotten O Duke Theseus
The goodly mothers that have groaned for these
And all the longing maids that ever loved
If your vow stand shall curse me and my beauty
And in their funeral songs for these two cousins
Despise my cruelty and cry woe worth me
Till I am nothing but the scorn of women
For heavens sake save their lives and banish em
THESEUS
On what conditions
EMILIA
Swear em never more
To make me their contention or to know me
To tread upon thy dukedom and to be
Wherever they shall travel ever strangers
To one another
PALAMON
Ill be cut apieces
Before I take this oath Forget I love her
O all ye gods despise me then Thy banishment
I not mislike so we may fairly carry
Our swords and cause along else never trifle
But take our lives Duke I must love and will
And for that love must and dare kill this cousin
On any piece the earth has
THESEUS
Will you Arcite
Take these conditions
PALAMON
Hes a villain then
PIRITHOUS
These are men
ARCITE
No never Duke Tis worse to me than begging
To take my life so basely Though I think
I never shall enjoy her yet Ill preserve
The honour of affection and die for her
Make death a devil
THESEUS
What may be done For now I feel compassion
PIRITHOUS
Let it not fall again sir
THESEUS
Say Emilia
If one of them were dead as one must are you
Content to take th other to your husband
They cannot both enjoy you They are princes
As goodly as your own eyes and as noble
As ever fame yet spoke of Look upon em
And if you can love end this difference
I give consentAre you content too princes
BOTH
With all our souls
THESEUS
He that she refuses
Must die then
BOTH
Any death thou canst invent Duke
PALAMON
If I fall from that mouth I fall with favour
And lovers yet unborn shall bless my ashes
ARCITE
If she refuse me yet my grave will wed me
And soldiers sing my epitaph
THESEUS
Make choice then
EMILIA
I cannot sir they are both too excellent
For me a hair shall never fall of these men
HIPPOLYTA
What will become of em
THESEUS
Thus I ordain it
And by mine honour once again it stands
Or both shall die You shall both to your country
And each within this month accompanied
With three fair knights appear again in this place
In which Ill plant a pyramid and whether
Before us that are here can force his cousin
By fair and knightly strength to touch the pillar
He shall enjoy her th other lose his head
And all his friends nor shall he grudge to fall
Nor think he dies with interest in this lady
Will this content ye
PALAMON
Yes Here cousin Arcite
I am friends again till that hour
He offers his hand
ARCITE
I embrace ye
THESEUS
Are you content sister
EMILIA
Yes I must sir
Else both miscarry
THESEUS
Come shake hands again then
And take heed as you are gentlemen this quarrel
Sleep till the hour prefixed and hold your course
PALAMON
We dare not fail thee Theseus
They shake hands
THESEUS
Come Ill give ye
Now usage like to princes and to friends
When ye return who wins Ill settle here
Who loses yet Ill weep upon his bier
Exeunt
ACT IV
SCENE I Athens A room in the prison
Enter Jailer and his Friend
JAILER
Hear you no more Was nothing said of me
Concerning the escape of Palamon
Good sir remember
FIRST FRIEND
Nothing that I heard
For I came home before the business
Was fully ended Yet I might perceive
Ere I departed a great likelihood
Of both their pardons for Hippolyta
And faireyed Emily upon their knees
Begged with such handsome pity that the Duke
Methought stood staggering whether he should follow
His rash oath or the sweet compassion
Of those two ladies And to second them
That truly noble prince Pirithous
Half his own heart set in too that I hope
All shall be well Neither heard I one question
Of your name or his scape
JAILER
Pray heaven it hold so
Enter Second Friend
SECOND FRIEND
Be of good comfort man I bring you news
Good news
JAILER
They are welcome
SECOND FRIEND
Palamon has cleared you
And got your pardon and discovered how
And by whose means he escaped which was your daughters
Whose pardon is procured too and the prisoner
Not to be held ungrateful to her goodness
Has given a sum of money to her marriage
A large one Ill assure you
JAILER
You are a good man
And ever bring good news
FIRST FRIEND
How was it ended
SECOND FRIEND
Why as it should be they that never begged
But they prevailed had their suits fairly granted
The prisoners have their lives
FIRST FRIEND
I knew twould be so
SECOND FRIEND
But there be new conditions which youll hear of
At better time
JAILER
I hope they are good
SECOND FRIEND
They are honourable
How good theyll prove I know not
FIRST FRIEND
Twill be known
Enter Wooer
WOOER
Alas sir wheres your daughter
JAILER
Why do you ask
WOOER
O sir when did you see her
SECOND FRIEND
How he looks
JAILER
This morning
WOOER
Was she well Was she in health sir
When did she sleep
FIRST FRIEND
These are strange questions
JAILER
I do not think she was very well for now
You make me mind her but this very day
I asked her questions and she answered me
So far from what she was so childishly
So sillily as if she were a fool
An innocent and I was very angry
But what of her sir
WOOER
Nothing but my pity
But you must know it and as good by me
As by another that less loves her
JAILER
Well sir
FIRST FRIEND
Not right
SECOND FRIEND
Not well
WOOER
No sir not well
Tis too true she is mad
FIRST FRIEND
It cannot be
WOOER
Believe youll find it so
JAILER
I half suspected
What you have told me The gods comfort her
Either this was her love to Palamon
Or fear of my miscarrying on his scape
Or both
WOOER
Tis likely
JAILER
But why all this haste sir
WOOER
Ill tell you quickly As I late was angling
In the great lake that lies behind the palace
From the far shore thick set with reeds and sedges
As patiently I was attending sport
I heard a voice a shrill one and attentive
I gave my ear when I might well perceive
Twas one that sung and by the smallness of it
A boy or woman I then left my angle
To his own skill came near but yet perceived not
Who made the sound the rushes and the reeds
Had so encompassed it I laid me down
And listened to the words she sung for then
Through a small glade cut by the fishermen
I saw it was your daughter
JAILER
Pray go on sir
WOOER
She sung much but no sense only I heard her
Repeat this often Palamon is gone
Is gone to th wood to gather mulberries
Ill find him out tomorrow
FIRST FRIEND
Pretty soul
WOOER
His shackles will betray him hell be taken
And what shall I do then Ill bring a bevy
A hundred blackeyed maids that love as I do
With chaplets on their heads of daffadillies
With cherry lips and cheeks of damask roses
And all well dance an antic fore the Duke
And beg his pardon Then she talked of you sir
That you must lose your head tomorrow morning
And she must gather flowers to bury you
And see the house made handsome Then she sung
Nothing but Willow willow willow and between
Ever was Palamon fair Palamon
And Palamon was a tall young man The place
Was kneedeep where she sat her careless tresses
A wreath of bulrush rounded about her stuck
Thousand fresh waterflowers of several colours
That methought she appeared like the fair nymph
That feeds the lake with waters or as Iris
Newly dropped down from heaven Rings she made
Of rushes that grew by and to em spoke
The prettiest posies Thus our true loves tied
This you may loose not me and many a one
And then she wept and sung again and sighed
And with the same breath smiled and kissed her hand
SECOND FRIEND
Alas what pity it is
WOOER
I made in to her
She saw me and straight sought the flood I saved her
And set her safe to land when presently
She slipped away and to the city made
With such a cry and swiftness that believe me
She left me far behind her Three or four
I saw from far off cross herone of em
I knew to be your brotherwhere she stayed
And fell scarce to be got away I left them with her
And hither came to tell you
Enter Jailers Brother Jailers Daughter and others
Here they are
DAUGHTER
Sings
May you never more enjoy the light c
Is not this a fine song
BROTHER
O a very fine one
DAUGHTER
I can sing twenty more
BROTHER
I think you can
DAUGHTER
Yes truly can I I can sing The Broom
and Bonny Robin Are not you a tailor
BROTHER
Yes
DAUGHTER
Wheres my wedding gown
BROTHER
Ill bring it tomorrow
DAUGHTER
Do very rarely I must be abroad else
To call the maids and pay the minstrels
For I must lose my maidenhead by cocklight
Twill never thrive else
Sings O fair O sweet c
BROTHER
To Jailer You must een take it patiently
JAILER
Tis true
DAUGHTER
Good evn good men pray did you ever hear
Of one young Palamon
JAILER
Yes wench we know him
DAUGHTER
Ist not a fine young gentleman
JAILER
Tis love
BROTHER
By no means cross her she is then distempered
Far worse than now she shows
FIRST FRIEND
Yes hes a fine man
DAUGHTER
O is he so You have a sister
FIRST FRIEND
Yes
DAUGHTER
But she shall never have him tell her so
For a trick that I know youd best look to her
For if she see him once shes gone shes done
And undone in an hour All the young maids
Of our town are in love with him but I laugh at em
And let em all alone Is t not a wise course
FIRST FRIEND
Yes
DAUGHTER
There is at least two hundred now with child by him
There must be four yet I keep close for all this
Close as a cockle and all these must be boys
He has the trick on t and at ten years old
They must be all gelt for musicians
And sing the wars of Theseus
SECOND FRIEND
This is strange
DAUGHTER
As ever you heard but say nothing
FIRST FRIEND
No
DAUGHTER
They come from all parts of the dukedom to him
Ill warrant ye he had not so few last night
As twenty to dispatch Hell tickle t up
In two hours if his hand be in
JAILER
Shes lost
Past all cure
BROTHER
Heaven forbid man
DAUGHTER
Come hither you are a wise man
FIRST FRIEND
Aside Does she know him
SECOND FRIEND
Aside No would she did
DAUGHTER
You are master of a ship
JAILER
Yes
DAUGHTER
Wheres your compass
JAILER
Here
DAUGHTER
Set it to th north
And now direct your course to th wood where Palamon
Lies longing for me For the tackling
Let me alone Come weigh my hearts cheerly
ALL
Owgh owgh owgh Tis up the winds fair
Top the bowline out with the mainsail
Wheres your whistle master
BROTHER
Lets get her in
JAILER
Up to the top boy
BROTHER
Wheres the pilot
FIRST FRIEND
Here
DAUGHTER
What kennst thou
SECOND FRIEND
A fair wood
DAUGHTER
Bear for it master Tack about
Sings
When Cinthia with her borrowed light c
Exeunt
SCENE II A Room in the Palace
Enter Emilia alone with two pictures
EMILIA
Yet I may bind those wounds up that must open
And bleed to death for my sake else Ill choose
And end their strife Two such young handsome men
Shall never fall for me their weeping mothers
Following the dead cold ashes of their sons
Shall never curse my cruelty
Looks at one of the pictures
Good heaven
What a sweet face has Arcite If wise Nature
With all her best endowments all those beauties
She sows into the births of noble bodies
Were here a mortal woman and had in her
The coy denials of young maids yet doubtless
She would run mad for this man What an eye
Of what a fiery sparkle and quick sweetness
Has this young prince Here Love himself sits smiling
Just such another wanton Ganymede
Set Jove afire with and enforced the god
Snatch up the goodly boy and set him by him
A shining constellation What a brow
Of what a spacious majesty he carries
Arched like the greateyed Junos but far sweeter
Smoother than Pelops shoulder Fame and Honour
Methinks from hence as from a promontory
Pointed in heaven should clap their wings and sing
To all the underworld the loves and fights
Of gods and such men near em
Looks at the other picture
Palamon
Is but his foil to him a mere dull shadow
Hes swart and meagre of an eye as heavy
As if he had lost his mother a still temper
No stirring in him no alacrity
Of all this sprightly sharpness not a smile
Yet these that we count errors may become him
Narcissus was a sad boy but a heavenly
O who can find the bent of womans fancy
I am a fool my reason is lost in me
I have no choice and I have lied so lewdly
That women ought to beat me On my knees
I ask thy pardon Palamon thou art alone
And only beautiful and these the eyes
These the bright lamps of beauty that command
And threaten love and what young maid dare cross em
What a bold gravity and yet inviting
Has this brown manly face O Love this only
From this hour is complexion Lie there Arcite
She puts aside his picture
Thou art a changeling to him a mere gypsy
And this the noble body I am sotted
Utterly lost My virgins faith has fled me
For if my brother but even now had asked me
Whether I loved I had run mad for Arcite
Now if my sister more for Palamon
Stand both together Now come ask me brother
Alas I know not Ask me now sweet sister
I may go look What a mere child is Fancy
That having two fair gauds of equal sweetness
Cannot distinguish but must cry for both
Enter a Gentleman
EMILIA
How now sir
GENTLEMAN
From the noble Duke your brother
Madam I bring you news The knights are come
EMILIA
To end the quarrel
GENTLEMAN
Yes
EMILIA
Would I might end first
What sins have I committed chaste Diana
That my unspotted youth must now be soiled
With blood of princes and my chastity
Be made the altar where the lives of lovers
Two greater and two better never yet
Made mothers joymust be the sacrifice
To my unhappy beauty
Enter Theseus Hippolyta Pirithous and Attendants
THESEUS
Bring em in
Quickly by any means I long to see em
Your two contending lovers are returned
And with them their fair knights Now my fair sister
You must love one of them
EMILIA
I had rather both
So neither for my sake should fall untimely
THESEUS
Who saw em
PIRITHOUS
I a while
GENTLEMAN
And I
Enter Messenger
THESEUS
From whence come you sir
MESSENGER
From the knights
THESEUS
Pray speak
You that have seen them what they are
MESSENGER
I will sir
And truly what I think Six braver spirits
Than these they have brought if we judge by the outside
I never saw nor read of He that stands
In the first place with Arcite by his seeming
Should be a stout man by his face a prince
His very looks so say him his complexion
Nearer a brown than black stern and yet noble
Which shows him hardy fearless proud of dangers
The circles of his eyes show fire within him
And as a heated lion so he looks
His hair hangs long behind him black and shining
Like ravens wings his shoulders broad and strong
Armed long and round and on his thigh a sword
Hung by a curious baldric when he frowns
To seal his will with Better o my conscience
Was never soldiers friend
THESEUS
Thou hast well described him
PIRITHOUS
Yet a great deal short
Methinks of him thats first with Palamon
THESEUS
Pray speak him friend
PIRITHOUS
I guess he is a prince too
And if it may be greater for his show
Has all the ornament of honour in t
Hes somewhat bigger than the knight he spoke of
But of a face far sweeter his complexion
Is as a ripe grape ruddy He has felt
Without doubt what he fights for and so apter
To make this cause his own In s face appears
All the fair hopes of what he undertakes
And when hes angry then a settled valour
Not tainted with extremes runs through his body
And guides his arm to brave things Fear he cannot
He shows no such soft temper His heads yellow
Hardhaired and curled thicktwined like ivy tods
Not to undo with thunder In his face
The livery of the warlike maid appears
Pure red and white for yet no beard has blessed him
And in his rolling eyes sits Victory
As if she ever meant to crown his valour
His nose stands high a character of honour
His red lips after fights are fit for ladies
EMILIA
Must these men die too
PIRITHOUS
When he speaks his tongue
Sounds like a trumpet All his lineaments
Are as a man would wish em strong and clean
He wears a wellsteeled axe the staff of gold
His age some fiveandtwenty
MESSENGER
Theres another
A little man but of a tough soul seeming
As great as any fairer promises
In such a body yet I never looked on
PIRITHOUS
O he thats frecklefaced
MESSENGER
The same my lord
Are they not sweet ones
PIRITHOUS
Yes they are well
MESSENGER
Methinks
Being so few and well disposed they show
Great and fine art in nature Hes whitehaired
Not wanton white but such a manly colour
Next to an auburn tough and nimbleset
Which shows an active soul His arms are brawny
Lined with strong sinews To the shoulderpiece
Gently they swell like women newconceived
Which speaks him prone to labour never fainting
Under the weight of arms stouthearted still
But when he stirs a tiger Hes greyeyed
Which yields compassion where he conquers sharp
To spy advantages and where he finds em
Hes swift to make em his He does no wrongs
Nor takes none Hes roundfaced and when he smiles
He shows a lover when he frowns a soldier
About his head he wears the winners oak
And in it stuck the favour of his lady
His age some sixandthirty In his hand
He bears a chargingstaff embossed with silver
THESEUS
Are they all thus
PIRITHOUS
They are all the sons of honour
THESEUS
Now as I have a soul I long to seeem
Lady you shall see men fight now
HIPPOLYTA
I wish it
But not the cause my lord They would show
Bravely about the titles of two kingdoms
Tis pity love should be so tyrannous
O my softhearted sister what think you
Weep not till they weep blood Wench it must be
THESEUS
You have steeled em with your beauty
Honoured friend
To you I give the field pray order it
Fitting the persons that must use it
PIRITHOUS
Yes sir
THESEUS
Come Ill go visit em I cannot stay
Their fame has fired me so till they appear
Good friend be royal
PIRITHOUS
There shall want no bravery
Exeunt all but Emilia
EMILIA
Poor wench go weep for whosoever wins
Loses a noble cousin for thy sins
Exit
SCENE III A room in the prison
Enter Jailer Wooer and Doctor
DOCTOR
Her distraction is more at some time of the moon than at other some is it not
JAILER
She is continually in a harmless distemper sleeps little altogether without appetite save often drinking dreaming of another world and a better and what broken piece of matter soeer shes about the name Palamon lards it that she farces every business withal fits it to every question
Enter Jailers Daughter
Look where she comes you shall perceive her behaviour
DAUGHTER
I have forgot it quite The burden on t was Downa downa and penned by no worse man than Geraldo Emilias schoolmaster Hes as fantastical too as ever he may go upons legs for in the next world will Dido see Palamon and then will she be out of love with neas
DOCTOR
What stuffs here Poor soul
JAILER
Even thus all day long
DAUGHTER
Now for this charm that I told you of you must bring a piece of silver on the tip of your tongue or no ferry Then if it be your chance to come where the blessed spirits are theres a sight now We maids that have our livers perished cracked to pieces with love we shall come there and do nothing all day long but pick flowers with Proserpine Then will I make Palamon a nosegay then let him mark methen
DOCTOR
How prettily shes amiss Note her a little further
DAUGHTER
Faith Ill tell you sometime we go to barleybreak we of the blessed Alas tis a sore life they have i th other placesuch burning frying boiling hissing howling chattering cursingO they have shrewd measure take heed If one be mad or hang or drown themselves thither they go Jupiter bless us And there shall we be put in a cauldron of lead and usurers grease amongst a whole million of cutpurses and there boil like a gammon of bacon that will never be enough
DOCTOR
How her brain coins
DAUGHTER
Lords and courtiers that have got maids with child they are in this place They shall stand in fire up to the navel and in ice up to the heart and there th offending part burns and the deceiving part freezes In troth a very grievous punishment as one would think for such a trifle Believe me one would marry a leprous witch to be rid on t Ill assure you
DOCTOR
How she continues this fancy Tis not an engraffed madness but a most thick and profound melancholy
DAUGHTER
To hear there a proud lady and a proud city wife howl together I were a beast an Id call it good sport One cries O this smoke th other This fire one cries O that ever I did it behind the arras and then howls th other curses a suing fellow and her garden house
Sings
I will be true my stars my fate c
Exit Jailers Daughter
JAILER
What think you of her sir
DOCTOR
I think she has a perturbed mind which I cannot minister to
JAILER
Alas what then
DOCTOR
Understand you she ever affected any man ere she beheld Palamon
JAILER
I was once sir in great hope she had fixed her liking on this gentleman my friend
WOOER
I did think so too and would account I had a great pennorth ont to give half my state that both she and I at this present stood unfeignedly on the same terms
DOCTOR
That intemperate surfeit of her eye hath distempered the other senses They may return and settle again to execute their preordained faculties but they are now in a most extravagant vagary This you must do confine her to a place where the light may rather seem to steal in than be permitted Take upon you young sir her friend the name of Palamon say you come to eat with her and to commune of love This will catch her attention for this her mind beats upon other objects that are inserted tween her mind and eye become the pranks and friskins of her madness Sing to her such green songs of love as she says Palamon hath sung in prison Come to her stuck in as sweet flowers as the season is mistress of and thereto make an addition of some other compounded odours which are grateful to the sense All this shall become Palamon for Palamon can sing and Palamon is sweet and every good thing Desire to eat with her carve her drink to her and still among intermingle your petition of grace and acceptance into her favour Learn what maids have been her companions and playferes and let them repair to her with Palamon in their mouths and appear with tokens as if they suggested for him It is a falsehood she is in which is with falsehoods to be combated This may bring her to eat to sleep and reduce whats now out of square in her into their former law and regiment I have seen it approved how many times I know not but to make the number more I have great hope in this I will between the passages of this project come in with my appliance Let us put it in execution and hasten the success which doubt not will bring forth comfort
Exeunt
ACT V
SCENE I Athens Before the Temples of Mars Venus and Diana
Flourish Enter Theseus Pirithous Hippolyta and Attendants
THESEUS
Now let em enter and before the gods
Tender their holy prayers Let the temples
Burn bright with sacred fires and the altars
In hallowed clouds commend their swelling incense
To those above us Let no due be wanting
They have a noble work in hand will honour
The very powers that love em
PIRITHOUS
Sir they enter
Enter Palamon and Arcite and their Knights
THESEUS
You valiant and stronghearted enemies
You royal german foes that this day come
To blow that nearness out that flames between ye
Lay by your anger for an hour and dovelike
Before the holy altars of your helpers
The allfeared gods bow down your stubborn bodies
Your ire is more than mortal so your help be
And as the gods regard ye fight with justice
Ill leave you to your prayers and betwixt ye
I part my wishes
PIRITHOUS
Honour crown the worthiest
Exeunt Theseus and his Train
PALAMON
The glass is running now that cannot finish
Till one of us expire Think you but thus
That were there aught in me which strove to show
Mine enemy in this business were t one eye
Against another arm oppressed by arm
I would destroy th offender coz I would
Though parcel of myself Then from this gather
How I should tender you
ARCITE
I am in labour
To push your name your ancient love our kindred
Out of my memory and i th selfsame place
To seat something I would confound So hoist we
The sails that must these vessels port even where
The heavenly limiter pleases
PALAMON
You speak well
Before I turn let me embrace thee cousin
This I shall never do again
ARCITE
One farewell
PALAMON
Why let it be so Farewell coz
ARCITE
Farewell sir
Exeunt Palamon and his Knights
Knights kinsmen lovers yea my sacrifices
True worshippers of Mars whose spirit in you
Expels the seeds of fear and th apprehension
Which still is father of it go with me
Before the god of our profession There
Require of him the hearts of lions and
The breath of tigers yea the fierceness too
Yea the speed alsoto go on I mean
Else wish we to be snails You know my prize
Must be dragged out of blood force and great feat
Must put my garland on where she sticks
The queen of flowers Our intercession then
Must be to him that makes the camp a cistern
Brimmed with the blood of men Give me your aid
And bend your spirits towards him
They advance to the altar of Mars fall on their faces before it and then kneel
Thou mighty one that with thy power hast turned
Green Neptune into purple whose approach
Comets prewarn whose havoc in vast field
Unearthed skulls proclaim whose breath blows down
The teeming Ceres foison who dost pluck
With hand armipotent from forth blue clouds
The masoned turrets that both makst and breakst
The stony girths of cities me thy pupil
Youngest follower of thy drum instruct this day
With military skill that to thy laud
I may advance my streamer and by thee
Be styled the lord o th day Give me great Mars
Some token of thy pleasure
Here they fall on their faces as formerly and there is heard clanging of armour with a short thunder as the burst of a battle whereupon they all rise and bow to the altar
O great corrector of enormous times
Shaker of oerrank states thou grand decider
Of dusty and old titles that healst with blood
The earth when it is sick and curst the world
O th pleurisy of people I do take
Thy signs auspiciously and in thy name
To my design march boldlyLet us go
Exeunt
Enter Palamon and his Knights with the former observance
PALAMON
Our stars must glister with new fire or be
Today extinct Our argument is love
Which if the goddess of it grant she gives
Victory too Then blend your spirits with mine
You whose free nobleness do make my cause
Your personal hazard To the goddess Venus
Commend we our proceeding and implore
Her power unto our party
Here they kneel as formerly
Hail sovereign queen of secrets who hast power
To call the fiercest tyrant from his rage
And weep unto a girl that hast the might
Even with an eyeglance to choke Marss drum
And turn th alarm to whispers that canst make
A cripple flourish with his crutch and cure him
Before Apollo that mayst force the king
To be his subjects vassal and induce
Stale gravity to dance The polled bachelor
Whose youth like wanton boys through bonfires
Have skipped thy flame at seventy thou canst catch
And make him to the scorn of his hoarse throat
Abuse young lays of love What godlike power
Hast thou not power upon To Phbus thou
Addst flames hotter than his the heavenly fires
Did scorch his mortal son thine him The huntress
All moist and cold some say began to throw
Her bow away and sigh Take to thy grace
Me thy vowed soldier who do bear thy yoke
As twere a wreath of roses yet is heavier
Than lead itself stings more than nettles
I have never been foulmouthed against thy law
Neer revealed secret for I knew nonewould not
Had I kenned all that were I never practised
Upon mans wife nor would the libels read
Of liberal wits I never at great feasts
Sought to betray a beauty but have blushed
At simpering sirs that did I have been harsh
To large confessors and have hotly asked them
If they had mothersI had one a woman
And women twere they wronged I knew a man
Of eighty winters this I told them who
A lass of fourteen brided twas thy power
To put life into dust The aged cramp
Had screwed his square foot round
The gout had knit his fingers into knots
Torturing convulsions from his globy eyes
Had almost drawn their spheres that what was life
In him seemed torture This anatomy
Had by his young fair fere a boy and I
Believed it was his for she swore it was
And who would not believe her Brief I am
To those that prate and have done no companion
To those that boast and have not a defier
To those that would and cannot a rejoicer
Yea him I do not love that tells close offices
The foulest way nor names concealments in
The boldest language Such a one I am
And vow that lover never yet made sigh
Truer than I O then most soft sweet goddess
Give me the victory of this question which
Is true loves merit and bless me with a sign
Of thy great pleasure
Here music is heard doves are seen to flutter They fall again upon their faces then on their knees
O thou that from eleven to ninety reignst
In mortal bosoms whose chase is this world
And we in herds thy game I give thee thanks
For this fair token which being laid unto
Mine innocent true heart arms in assurance
My body to this businessLet us rise
And bow before the goddess
They rise and bow
Time comes on
Exeunt
Still music of recorders Enter Emilia in white her hair about her shoulders wearing a wheaten wreath One in white holding up her train her hair stuck with flowers One before her carrying a silver hind in which is conveyed incense and sweet odours which being set upon the altar of Diana her maids standing aloof she sets fire to it then they curtsy and kneel
EMILIA
O sacred shadowy cold and constant queen
Abandoner of revels mute contemplative
Sweet solitary white as chaste and pure
As windfanned snow who to thy female knights
Allowst no more blood than will make a blush
Which is their orders robe I here thy priest
Am humbled fore thine altar O vouchsafe
With that thy rare green eye which never yet
Beheld thing maculate look on thy virgin
And sacred silver mistress lend thine ear
Which neer heard scurrile term into whose port
Neer entered wanton sound to my petition
Seasoned with holy fear This is my last
Of vestal office I am bridehabited
But maidenhearted A husband I have pointed
But do not know him Out of two I should
Choose one and pray for his success but I
Am guiltless of election Of mine eyes
Were I to lose one they are equal precious
I could doom neither that which perished should
Go to t unsentenced Therefore most modest queen
He of the two pretenders that best loves me
And has the truest title in t let him
Take off my wheaten garland or else grant
The file and quality I hold I may
Continue in thy band
Here the hind vanishes under the altar and in the place ascends a rose tree having one rose upon it
See what our general of ebbs and flows
Out from the bowels of her holy altar
With sacred act advances but one rose
If well inspired this battle shall confound
Both these brave knights and I a virgin flower
Must grow alone unplucked
Here is heard a sudden twang of instruments and the rose falls from the tree
The flower is falln the tree descends O mistress
Thou here dischargest me I shall be gathered
I think so but I know not thine own will
Unclasp thy mysteryI hope shes pleased
Her signs were gracious
They curtsy and exeunt
SCENE II Athens A Room in the Prison
Enter Doctor Jailer and Wooer in the habit of Palamon
DOCTOR
Has this advice I told you done any good upon her
WOOER
O very much The maids that kept her company
Have half persuaded her that I am Palamon
Within this halfhour she came smiling to me
And asked me what I would eat and when I would kiss her
I told her Presently and kissed her twice
DOCTOR
Twas well done Twenty times had been far better
For there the cure lies mainly
WOOER
Then she told me
She would watch with me tonight for well she knew
What hour my fit would take me
DOCTOR
Let her do so
And when your fit comes fit her home and presently
WOOER
She would have me sing
DOCTOR
You did so
WOOER
No
DOCTOR
Twas very ill done then
You should observe her every way
WOOER
Alas
I have no voice sir to confirm her that way
DOCTOR
Thats all one if ye make a noise
If she entreat again do anything
Lie with her if she ask you
JAILER
Hoa there doctor
DOCTOR
Yes in the way of cure
JAILER
But first by your leave
I th way of honesty
DOCTOR
Thats but a niceness
Neer cast your child away for honesty
Cure her first this way then if she will be honest
She has the path before her
JAILER
Thank ye Doctor
DOCTOR
Pray bring her in
And lets see how she is
JAILER
I will and tell her
Her Palamon stays for her But Doctor
Methinks you are i th wrong still
Exit Jailer
DOCTOR
Go go
You fathers are fine fools Her honesty
An we should give her physic till we find that
WOOER
Why do you think she is not honest sir
DOCTOR
How old is she
WOOER
Shes eighteen
DOCTOR
She may be
But thats all one tis nothing to our purpose
Whateer her father says if you perceive
Her mood inclining that way that I spoke of
Videlicet the way of fleshyou have me
WOOER
Yes very well sir
DOCTOR
Please her appetite
And do it home it cures her ipso facto
The melancholy humour that infects her
WOOER
I am of your mind Doctor
Enter Jailer Jailers Daughter and Maid
DOCTOR
Youll find it so She comes pray humour her
JAILER
Come your love Palamon stays for you child
And has done this long hour to visit you
DAUGHTER
I thank him for his gentle patience
Hes a kind gentleman and I am much bound to him
Did you neer see the horse he gave me
JAILER
Yes
DAUGHTER
How do you like him
JAILER
Hes a very fair one
DAUGHTER
You never saw him dance
JAILER
No
DAUGHTER
I have often
He dances very finely very comely
And for a jig come cut and long tail to him
He turns ye like a top
JAILER
Thats fine indeed
DAUGHTER
Hell dance the morris twenty mile an hour
And that will founder the best hobbyhorse
If I have any skill in all the parish
And gallops to the tune of Light o love
What think you of this horse
JAILER
Having these virtues
I think he might be brought to play at tennis
DAUGHTER
Alas thats nothing
JAILER
Can he write and read too
DAUGHTER
A very fair hand and casts himself th accounts
Of all his hay and provender That hostler
Must rise betime that cozens him You know
The chestnut mare the Duke has
JAILER
Very well
DAUGHTER
She is horribly in love with him poor beast
But he is like his master coy and scornful
JAILER
What dowry has she
DAUGHTER
Some two hundred bottles
And twenty strike of oates but hell neer have her
He lisps ins neighing able to entice
A millers mare Hell be the death of her
DOCTOR
What stuff she utters
JAILER
Make curtsy here your love comes
Enter Wooer and Doctor come forward
WOOER
Pretty soul
How do ye Thats a fine maid theres a curtsy
DAUGHTER
Yours to command i th way of honesty
How far ist now to th end o th world my masters
DOCTOR
Why a days journey wench
DAUGHTER
Will you go with me
WOOER
What shall we do there wench
DAUGHTER
Why play at stoolball
What is there else to do
WOOER
I am content
If we shall keep our wedding there
DAUGHTER
Tis true
For there I will assure you we shall find
Some blind priest for the purpose that will venture
To marry us for here they are nice and foolish
Besides my father must be hanged tomorrow
And that would be a blot i th business
Are not you Palamon
WOOER
Do not you know me
DAUGHTER
Yes but you care not for me I have nothing
But this poor petticoat and two coarse smocks
WOOER
Thats all one I will have you
DAUGHTER
Will you surely
WOOER
Taking her hand Yes by this fair hand will I
DAUGHTER
Well to bed then
WOOER
Een when you will
Kisses her
DAUGHTER
Rubs off the kiss O sir you would fain be nibbling
WOOER
Why do you rub my kiss off
DAUGHTER
Tis a sweet one
And will perfume me finely against the wedding
Is not this your cousin Arcite
She indicates the Doctor
DOCTOR
Yes sweetheart
And I am glad my cousin Palamon
Has made so fair a choice
DAUGHTER
Do you think hell have me
DOCTOR
Yes without doubt
DAUGHTER
Do you think so too
JAILER
Yes
DAUGHTER
We shall have many children To Doctor Lord how youre grown
My Palamon I hope will grow too finely
Now hes at liberty Alas poor chicken
He was kept down with hard meat and ill lodging
But Ill kiss him up again
Enter a Messenger
MESSENGER
What do you here Youll lose the noblest sight
That eer was seen
JAILER
Are they i th field
MESSENGER
They are
You bear a charge there too
JAILER
Ill away straight
I must een leave you here
DOCTOR
Nay well go with you
I will not lose the sight
JAILER
How did you like her
DOCTOR
Ill warrant you within these three or four days
Ill make her right again You must not from her
But still preserve her in this way
WOOER
I will
DOCTOR
Lets get her in
WOOER
Come sweet well go to dinner
And then well play at cards
DAUGHTER
And shall we kiss too
WOOER
A hundred times
DAUGHTER
And twenty
WOOER
Ay and twenty
DAUGHTER
And then well sleep together
DOCTOR
Take her offer
WOOER
Yes marry will we
DAUGHTER
But you shall not hurt me
WOOER
I will not sweet
DAUGHTER
If you do love Ill cry
Exeunt
SCENE III A part of the Forest near Athens and near the Place appointed for the Combat
Flourish Enter Theseus Hippolyta Emilia Pirithous and some Attendants
EMILIA
Ill no step further
PIRITHOUS
Will you lose this sight
EMILIA
I had rather see a wren hawk at a fly
Than this decision Every blow that falls
Threats a brave life each stroke laments
The place whereon it falls and sounds more like
A bell than blade I will stay here
It is enough my hearing shall be punished
With what shall happen gainst the which there is
No deafing but to hear not taint mine eye
With dread sights it may shun
PIRITHOUS
Sir my good lord
Your sister will no further
THESEUS
O she must
She shall see deeds of honour in their kind
Which sometime show well penciled Nature now
Shall make and act the story the belief
Both sealed with eye and ear You must be present
You are the victors meed the price and garland
To crown the questions title
EMILIA
Pardon me
If I were there Id wink
THESEUS
You must be there
This trial is as twere i th night and you
The only star to shine
EMILIA
I am extinct
There is but envy in that light which shows
The one the other Darkness which ever was
The dam of horror who does stand accursed
Of many mortal millions may even now
By casting her black mantle over both
That neither could find other get herself
Some part of a good name and many a murder
Set off whereto shes guilty
HIPPOLYTA
You must go
EMILIA
In faith I will not
THESEUS
Why the knights must kindle
Their valour at your eye Know of this war
You are the treasure and must needs be by
To give the service pay
EMILIA
Sir pardon me
The title of a kingdom may be tried
Out of itself
THESEUS
Well well then at your pleasure
Those that remain with you could wish their office
To any of their enemies
HIPPOLYTA
Farewell sister
I am like to know your husband fore yourself
By some small start of time He whom the gods
Do of the two know best I pray them he
Be made your lot
Exeunt all but Emilia
EMILIA
Arcite is gently visaged yet his eye
Is like an engine bent or a sharp weapon
In a soft sheath mercy and manly courage
Are bedfellows in his visage Palamon
Has a most menacing aspect his brow
Is graved and seems to bury what it frowns on
Yet sometimes tis not so but alters to
The quality of his thoughts Long time his eye
Will dwell upon his object Melancholy
Becomes him nobly so does Arcites mirth
But Palamons sadness is a kind of mirth
So mingled as if mirth did make him sad
And sadness merry Those darker humours that
Stick misbecomingly on others on them
Live in fair dwelling
Cornets Trumpets sound as to a charge
Hark how yon spurs to spirit do incite
The princes to their proof Arcite may win me
And yet may Palamon wound Arcite to
The spoiling of his figure O what pity
Enough for such a chance If I were by
I might do hurt for they would glance their eyes
Towards my seat and in that motion might
Omit a ward or forfeit an offence
Which craved that very time It is much better
I am not there
Cornets A great cry and noise within crying Palamon
Oh better never born
Than minister to such harm
Enter Servant
What is the chance
SERVANT
The crys Palamon
EMILIA
Then he has won Twas ever likely
He looked all grace and success and he is
Doubtless the primst of men I prithee run
And tell me how it goes
Shout and cornets crying Palamon
SERVANT
Still Palamon
EMILIA
Run and enquire
Exit Servant
Poor servant thou hast lost
Upon my right side still I wore thy picture
Palamons on the left Why so I know not
I had no end in t else chance would have it so
On the sinister side the heart lies Palamon
Had the bestboding chance
Another cry and shout within and cornets
This burst of clamour
Is sure th end o th combat
Enter Servant
SERVANT
They said that Palamon had Arcites body
Within an inch o th pyramid that the cry
Was general Palamon But anon
Th assistants made a brave redemption and
The two bold titlers at this instant are
Hand to hand at it
EMILIA
Were they metamorphosed
Both into oneO why There were no woman
Worth so composed a man Their single share
Their nobleness peculiar to them gives
The prejudice of disparity values shortness
To any lady breathing
Cornets Cry within Arcite Arcite
More exulting
Palamon still
SERVANT
Nay now the sound is Arcite
EMILIA
I prithee lay attention to the cry
Set both thine ears to th business
Cornets A great shout and cry Arcite victory
SERVANT
The cry is
Arcite and Victory Hark Arcite victory
The combats consummation is proclaimed
By the wind instruments
EMILIA
Halfsights saw
That Arcite was no babe Gods lid his richness
And costliness of spirit looked through him it could
No more be hid in him than fire in flax
Than humble banks can go to law with waters
That driftwinds force to raging I did think
Good Palamon would miscarry yet I knew not
Why I did think so Our reasons are not prophets
When oft our fancies are They are coming off
Alas poor Palamon
Cornets Enter Theseus Hippolyta Pirithous Arcite as victor and Attendants
THESEUS
Lo where our sister is in expectation
Yet quaking and unsettledFairest Emily
The gods by their divine arbitrament
Have given you this knight he is a good one
As ever struck at head Give me your hands
Receive you her you him be plighted with
A love that grows as you decay
ARCITE
Emily
To buy you I have lost whats dearest to me
Save what is bought and yet I purchase cheaply
As I do rate your value
THESEUS
O loved sister
He speaks now of as brave a knight as eer
Did spur a noble steed Surely the gods
Would have him die a bachelor lest his race
Should show i th world too godlike His behaviour
So charmed me that methought Alcides was
To him a sow of lead If I could praise
Each part of him to th all I have spoke your Arcite
Did not lose by t for he that was thus good
Encountered yet his better I have heard
Two emulous Philomels beat the ear o th night
With their contentious throats now one the higher
Anon the other then again the first
And byandby outbreasted that the sense
Could not be judge between em So it fared
Good space between these kinsmen till heavens did
Make hardly one the winnerWear the garland
With joy that you have wonFor the subdued
Give them our present justice since I know
Their lives but pinch em Let it here be done
The scenes not for our seeing Go we hence
Right joyful with some sorrowArm your prize
I know you will not lose herHippolyta
I see one eye of yours conceives a tear
The which it will deliver
Flourish
EMILIA
Is this winning
O all you heavenly powers where is your mercy
But that your wills have said it must be so
And charge me live to comfort this unfriended
This miserable prince that cuts away
A life more worthy from him than all women
I should and would die too
HIPPOLYTA
Infinite pity
That four such eyes should be so fixed on one
That two must needs be blind for t
THESEUS
So it is
Exeunt
SCENE IV The same a Block prepared
Enter Palamon and his Knights pinioned Jailer Executioner and Guard
PALAMON
Theres many a man alive that hath outlived
The love o th people yea i th selfsame state
Stands many a father with his child Some comfort
We have by so considering We expire
And not without mens pity to live still
Have their good wishes we prevent
The loathsome misery of age beguile
The gout and rheum that in lag hours attend
For gray approachers we come towards the gods
Young and unwappered not halting under crimes
Many and stale That sure shall please the gods
Sooner than such to give us nectar with em
For we are more clear spirits My dear kinsmen
Whose lives for this poor comfort are laid down
You have sold em too too cheap
FIRST KNIGHT
What ending could be
Of more content Oer us the victors have
Fortune whose title is as momentary
As to us death is certain A grain of honour
They not oerweigh us
SECOND KNIGHT
Let us bid farewell
And with our patience anger tottering Fortune
Who at her certainst reels
THIRD KNIGHT
Come who begins
PALAMON
Een he that led you to this banquet shall
Taste to you allAh ha my friend my friend
Your gentle daughter gave me freedom once
Youll see t done now for ever Pray how does she
I heard she was not well her kind of ill
Gave me some sorrow
JAILER
Sir shes well restored
And to be married shortly
PALAMON
By my short life
I am most glad ont Tis the latest thing
I shall be glad of prithee tell her so
Commend me to her and to piece her portion
Tender her this
Gives him his purse
FIRST KNIGHT
Nay lets be offerers all
SECOND KNIGHT
Is it a maid
PALAMON
Verily I think so
A right good creature more to me deserving
Then I can quite or speak of
ALL KNIGHTS
Commend us to her
They give their purses
JAILER
The gods requite you all and make her thankful
PALAMON
Adieu and let my life be now as short
As my leavetaking
Lays his head on the block
FIRST KNIGHT
Lead courageous cousin
SECOND AND THIRD KNIGHT
Well follow cheerfully
A great noise within crying Run Save Hold
Enter in haste a Messenger
MESSENGER
Hold hold O hold hold hold
Enter Pirithous in haste
PIRITHOUS
Hold ho It is a cursed haste you made
If you have done so quicklyNoble Palamon
The gods will show their glory in a life
That thou art yet to lead
PALAMON
Can that be
When Venus I have said is false How do things fare
PIRITHOUS
Arise great sir and give the tidings ear
That are most dearly sweet and bitter
PALAMON
What
Hath waked us from our dream
PIRITHOUS
List then Your cousin
Mounted upon a steed that Emily
Did first bestow on him a black one owing
Not a hairworth of white which some will say
Weakens his price and many will not buy
His goodness with this note which superstition
Here finds allowanceon this horse is Arcite
Trotting the stones of Athens which the calkins
Did rather tell than trample for the horse
Would make his length a mile if t pleased his rider
To put pride in him As he thus went counting
The flinty pavement dancing as twere to th music
His own hooves madefor as they say from iron
Came musics originwhat envious flint
Cold as old Saturn and like him possessed
With fire malevolent darted a spark
Or what fierce sulphur else to this end made
I comment not the hot horse hot as fire
Took toy at this and fell to what disorder
His power could give his will bounds comes on end
Forgets schooldoing being therein trained
And of kind manage Piglike he whines
At the sharp rowel which he frets at rather
Than any jot obeys seeks all foul means
Of boistrous and rough jadry to disseat
His lord that kept it bravely When naught served
When neither curb would crack girth break nor diffring plunges
Disroot his rider whence he grew but that
He kept him tween his legs on his hind hoofs
On end he stands
That Arcites legs being higher than his head
Seemed with strange art to hang His victors wreath
Even then fell off his head and presently
Backward the jade comes oer and his full poise
Becomes the riders load Yet is he living
But such a vessel tis that floats but for
The surge that next approaches He much desires
To have some speech with you Lo he appears
Enter Theseus Hippolyta Emilia Arcite in a chair
PALAMON
O miserable end of our alliance
The gods are mighty Arcite if thy heart
Thy worthy manly heart be yet unbroken
Give me thy last words I am Palamon
One that yet loves thee dying
ARCITE
Take Emilia
And with her all the worlds joy Reach thy hand
Farewell I have told my last hour I was false
Yet never treacherous Forgive me cousin
One kiss from fair Emilia
Emilia kisses Arcite
Tis done
Take her I die
PALAMON
Thy brave soul seek Elysium
Arcite dies
EMILIA
Ill close thine eyes Prince blessed souls be with thee
Thou art a right good man and while I live
This day I give to tears
PALAMON
And I to honour
THESEUS
In this place first you fought een very here
I sundered you Acknowledge to the gods
Our thanks that you are living
His part is played and though it were too short
He did it well your day is lengthened and
The blissful dew of heaven does arrose you
The powerful Venus well hath graced her altar
And given you your love Our master Mars
Hath vouched his oracle and to Arcite gave
The grace of the contention So the deities
Have showed due justiceBear this hence
PALAMON
O cousin
That we should things desire which do cost us
The loss of our desire That naught could buy
Dear love but loss of dear love
Arcites body is carried out
THESEUS
Never Fortune
Did play a subtler game The conquered triumphs
The victor has the loss yet in the passage
The gods have been most equal Palamon
Your kinsman hath confessed the right o th lady
Did lie in you for you first saw her and
Even then proclaimed your fancy He restored her
As your stoln jewel and desired your spirit
To send him hence forgiven The gods my justice
Take from my hand and they themselves become
The executioners Lead your lady off
And call your lovers from the stage of death
Whom I adopt my friends A day or two
Let us look sadly and give grace unto
The funeral of Arcite in whose end
The visages of bridegrooms well put on
And smile with Palamon for whom an hour
But one hour since I was as dearly sorry
As glad of Arcite and am now as glad
As for him sorry O you heavenly charmers
What things you make of us For what we lack
We laugh for what we have are sorry still
Are children in some kind Let us be thankful
For that which is and with you leave dispute
That are above our question Lets go off
And bear us like the time
Flourish Exeunt
EPILOGUE
Enter Epilogue
EPILOGUE
I would now ask ye how you like the play
But as it is with schoolboys cannot say
I am cruel fearful Pray yet stay a while
And let me look upon ye No man smile
Then it goes hard I see He that has
Loved a young handsome wench then show his face
Tis strange if none be hereand if he will
Against his conscience let him hiss and kill
Our market Tis in vain I see to stay ye
Have at the worst can come then Now what say ye
And yet mistake me not I am not bold
We have no such cause If the tale we have told
For tis no otherany way content ye
For to that honest purpose it was meant ye
We have our end and you shall have ere long
I dare say many a better to prolong
Your old loves to us We and all our might
Rest at your service Gentlemen good night
Flourish Exit
FINIS
THE WINTERS TALE
Contents
ACT I
Scene I Sicilia An Antechamber in Leontes Palace
Scene II The same A Room of State in the Palace
ACT II
Scene I Sicilia A Room in the Palace
Scene II The same The outer Room of a Prison
Scene III The same A Room in the Palace
ACT III
Scene I Sicilia A Street in some Town
Scene II The same A Court of Justice
Scene III Bohemia A desert Country near the Sea
ACT IV
Scene I Prologue
Scene II Bohemia A Room in the palace of Polixenes
Scene III The same A Road near the Shepherds cottage
Scene IV The same A Shepherds Cottage
ACT V
Scene I Sicilia A Room in the palace of Leontes
Scene II The same Before the Palace
Scene III The same A Room in Paulinas house
Dramatis Person
LEONTES King of Sicilia
MAMILLIUS his son
CAMILLO Sicilian Lord
ANTIGONUS Sicilian Lord
CLEOMENES Sicilian Lord
DION Sicilian Lord
POLIXENES King of Bohemia
FLORIZEL his son
ARCHIDAMUS a Bohemian Lord
An Old Shepherd reputed father of Perdita
CLOWN his son
AUTOLYCUS a rogue
A Mariner
A Gaoler
Servant to the Old Shepherd
Other Sicilian Lords
Sicilian Gentlemen
Officers of a Court of Judicature
HERMIONE Queen to Leontes
PERDITA daughter to Leontes and Hermione
PAULINA wife to Antigonus
EMILIA a lady attending on the Queen
MOPSA shepherdess
DORCAS shepherdess
Other Ladies attending on the Queen
Lords Ladies and Attendants Satyrs for a Dance Shepherds Shepherdesses Guards c
TIME as Chorus
Scene Sometimes in Sicilia sometimes in Bohemia
ACT I
SCENE I Sicilia An Antechamber in Leontes Palace
Enter Camillo and Archidamus
ARCHIDAMUS
If you shall chance Camillo to visit Bohemia on the like occasion whereon my services are now on foot you shall see as I have said great difference betwixt our Bohemia and your Sicilia
CAMILLO
I think this coming summer the King of Sicilia means to pay Bohemia the visitation which he justly owes him
ARCHIDAMUS
Wherein our entertainment shall shame us we will be justified in our loves For indeed
CAMILLO
Beseech you
ARCHIDAMUS
Verily I speak it in the freedom of my knowledge We cannot with such magnificencein so rareI know not what to say We will give you sleepy drinks that your senses unintelligent of our insufficience may though they cannot praise us as little accuse us
CAMILLO
You pay a great deal too dear for whats given freely
ARCHIDAMUS
Believe me I speak as my understanding instructs me and as mine honesty puts it to utterance
CAMILLO
Sicilia cannot show himself overkind to Bohemia They were trained together in their childhoods and there rooted betwixt them then such an affection which cannot choose but branch now Since their more mature dignities and royal necessities made separation of their society their encounters though not personal have been royally attorneyed with interchange of gifts letters loving embassies that they have seemed to be together though absent shook hands as over a vast and embraced as it were from the ends of opposed winds The heavens continue their loves
ARCHIDAMUS
I think there is not in the world either malice or matter to alter it You have an unspeakable comfort of your young Prince Mamillius It is a gentleman of the greatest promise that ever came into my note
CAMILLO
I very well agree with you in the hopes of him It is a gallant child one that indeed physics the subject makes old hearts fresh They that went on crutches ere he was born desire yet their life to see him a man
ARCHIDAMUS
Would they else be content to die
CAMILLO
Yes if there were no other excuse why they should desire to live
ARCHIDAMUS
If the king had no son they would desire to live on crutches till he had one
Exeunt
SCENE II The same A Room of State in the Palace
Enter Leontes Polixenes Hermione Mamillius Camillo and Attendants
POLIXENES
Nine changes of the watery star hath been
The shepherds note since we have left our throne
Without a burden Time as long again
Would be filld up my brother with our thanks
And yet we should for perpetuity
Go hence in debt and therefore like a cipher
Yet standing in rich place I multiply
With one we thank you many thousands more
That go before it
LEONTES
Stay your thanks a while
And pay them when you part
POLIXENES
Sir thats tomorrow
I am questiond by my fears of what may chance
Or breed upon our absence that may blow
No sneaping winds at home to make us say
This is put forth too truly Besides I have stayd
To tire your royalty
LEONTES
We are tougher brother
Than you can put us to t
POLIXENES
No longer stay
LEONTES
One sevenight longer
POLIXENES
Very sooth tomorrow
LEONTES
Well part the time between s then and in that
Ill no gainsaying
POLIXENES
Press me not beseech you so
There is no tongue that moves none none i th world
So soon as yours could win me so it should now
Were there necessity in your request although
Twere needful I denied it My affairs
Do even drag me homeward which to hinder
Were in your love a whip to me my stay
To you a charge and trouble to save both
Farewell our brother
LEONTES
Tonguetied our queen Speak you
HERMIONE
I had thought sir to have held my peace until
You had drawn oaths from him not to stay You sir
Charge him too coldly Tell him you are sure
All in Bohemias well this satisfaction
The bygone day proclaimed Say this to him
Hes beat from his best ward
LEONTES
Well said Hermione
HERMIONE
To tell he longs to see his son were strong
But let him say so then and let him go
But let him swear so and he shall not stay
Well thwack him hence with distaffs
To Polixenes Yet of your royal presence Ill adventure
The borrow of a week When at Bohemia
You take my lord Ill give him my commission
To let him there a month behind the gest
Prefixd fors partingyet good deed Leontes
I love thee not a jar of th clock behind
What lady she her lord Youll stay
POLIXENES
No madam
HERMIONE
Nay but you will
POLIXENES
I may not verily
HERMIONE
Verily
You put me off with limber vows but I
Though you would seek t unsphere the stars with oaths
Should yet say Sir no going Verily
You shall not go A ladys verily is
As potent as a lords Will go yet
Force me to keep you as a prisoner
Not like a guest so you shall pay your fees
When you depart and save your thanks How say you
My prisoner or my guest By your dread verily
One of them you shall be
POLIXENES
Your guest then madam
To be your prisoner should import offending
Which is for me less easy to commit
Than you to punish
HERMIONE
Not your gaoler then
But your kind hostess Come Ill question you
Of my lords tricks and yours when you were boys
You were pretty lordings then
POLIXENES
We were fair queen
Two lads that thought there was no more behind
But such a day tomorrow as today
And to be boy eternal
HERMIONE
Was not my lord
The verier wag o th two
POLIXENES
We were as twinnd lambs that did frisk i th sun
And bleat the one at th other What we changd
Was innocence for innocence we knew not
The doctrine of illdoing nor dreamd
That any did Had we pursud that life
And our weak spirits neer been higher reard
With stronger blood we should have answerd heaven
Boldly Not guilty the imposition cleard
Hereditary ours
HERMIONE
By this we gather
You have trippd since
POLIXENES
O my most sacred lady
Temptations have since then been born to s for
In those unfledgd days was my wife a girl
Your precious self had then not crossd the eyes
Of my young playfellow
HERMIONE
Grace to boot
Of this make no conclusion lest you say
Your queen and I are devils Yet go on
Th offences we have made you do well answer
If you first sinnd with us and that with us
You did continue fault and that you slippd not
With any but with us
LEONTES
Is he won yet
HERMIONE
Hell stay my lord
LEONTES
At my request he would not
Hermione my dearest thou never spokst
To better purpose
HERMIONE
Never
LEONTES
Never but once
HERMIONE
What have I twice said well when wast before
I prithee tell me Cram s with praise and make s
As fat as tame things one good deed dying tongueless
Slaughters a thousand waiting upon that
Our praises are our wages You may ride s
With one soft kiss a thousand furlongs ere
With spur we heat an acre But to th goal
My last good deed was to entreat his stay
What was my first It has an elder sister
Or I mistake you O would her name were Grace
But once before I spoke to the purposewhen
Nay let me havet I long
LEONTES
Why that was when
Three crabbed months had sourd themselves to death
Ere I could make thee open thy white hand
And clap thyself my love then didst thou utter
I am yours for ever
HERMIONE
Tis Grace indeed
Why lo you now I have spoke to th purpose twice
The one for ever earnd a royal husband
Th other for some while a friend
Giving her hand to Polixenes
LEONTES
Aside Too hot too hot
To mingle friendship far is mingling bloods
I have tremor cordis on me My heart dances
But not for joynot joy This entertainment
May a free face put on derive a liberty
From heartiness from bounty fertile bosom
And well become the agent t may I grant
But to be paddling palms and pinching fingers
As now they are and making practisd smiles
As in a lookingglass and then to sigh as twere
The mort o th deer O that is entertainment
My bosom likes not nor my brows Mamillius
Art thou my boy
MAMILLIUS
Ay my good lord
LEONTES
I fecks
Why thats my bawcock What hast smutchd thy nose
They say it is a copy out of mine Come captain
We must be neat not neat but cleanly captain
And yet the steer the heifer and the calf
Are all calld neatStill virginalling
Upon his palmHow now you wanton calf
Art thou my calf
MAMILLIUS
Yes if you will my lord
LEONTES
Thou wantst a rough pash and the shoots that I have
To be full like meyet they say we are
Almost as like as eggs women say so
That will say anything But were they false
As oerdyd blacks as wind as waters false
As dice are to be wishd by one that fixes
No bourn twixt his and mine yet were it true
To say this boy were like me Come sir page
Look on me with your welkin eye sweet villain
Most dearst my collop Can thy dammayt be
Affection thy intention stabs the centre
Thou dost make possible things not so held
Communicatst with dreamshow can this be
With whats unreal thou coactive art
And fellowst nothing then tis very credent
Thou mayst cojoin with something and thou dost
And that beyond commission and I find it
And that to the infection of my brains
And hardening of my brows
POLIXENES
What means Sicilia
HERMIONE
He something seems unsettled
POLIXENES
How my lord
What cheer How ist with you best brother
HERMIONE
You look
As if you held a brow of much distraction
Are you movd my lord
LEONTES
No in good earnest
How sometimes nature will betray its folly
Its tenderness and make itself a pastime
To harder bosoms Looking on the lines
Of my boys face methoughts I did recoil
Twentythree years and saw myself unbreechd
In my green velvet coat my dagger muzzled
Lest it should bite its master and so prove
As ornaments oft do too dangerous
How like methought I then was to this kernel
This squash this gentleman Mine honest friend
Will you take eggs for money
MAMILLIUS
No my lord Ill fight
LEONTES
You will Why happy man be s dole My brother
Are you so fond of your young prince as we
Do seem to be of ours
POLIXENES
If at home sir
Hes all my exercise my mirth my matter
Now my sworn friend and then mine enemy
My parasite my soldier statesman all
He makes a Julys day short as December
And with his varying childness cures in me
Thoughts that would thick my blood
LEONTES
So stands this squire
Officd with me We two will walk my lord
And leave you to your graver steps Hermione
How thou lovst us show in our brothers welcome
Let what is dear in Sicily be cheap
Next to thyself and my young rover hes
Apparent to my heart
HERMIONE
If you would seek us
We are yours i the garden Shall s attend you there
LEONTES
To your own bents dispose you youll be found
Be you beneath the sky Aside I am angling now
Though you perceive me not how I give line
Go to go to
How she holds up the neb the bill to him
And arms her with the boldness of a wife
To her allowing husband
Exeunt Polixenes Hermione and Attendants
Gone already
Inchthick kneedeep oer head and ears a forkd one
Go play boy play Thy mother plays and I
Play too but so disgracd a part whose issue
Will hiss me to my grave contempt and clamour
Will be my knell Go play boy play There have been
Or I am much deceivd cuckolds ere now
And many a man there is even at this present
Now while I speak this holds his wife by th arm
That little thinks she has been sluicd in s absence
And his pond fishd by his next neighbour by
Sir Smile his neighbour Nay theres comfort in t
Whiles other men have gates and those gates opend
As mine against their will Should all despair
That hath revolted wives the tenth of mankind
Would hang themselves Physic fort theres none
It is a bawdy planet that will strike
Where tis predominant and tis powerful think it
From east west north and south Be it concluded
No barricado for a belly Knowt
It will let in and out the enemy
With bag and baggage Many thousand of us
Have the disease and feelt notHow now boy
MAMILLIUS
I am like you they say
LEONTES
Why thats some comfort
What Camillo there
CAMILLO
Ay my good lord
LEONTES
Go play Mamillius thourt an honest man
Exit Mamillius
Camillo this great sir will yet stay longer
CAMILLO
You had much ado to make his anchor hold
When you cast out it still came home
LEONTES
Didst note it
CAMILLO
He would not stay at your petitions made
His business more material
LEONTES
Didst perceive it
Aside Theyre here with me already whispring rounding
Sicilia is a soforth Tis far gone
When I shall gust it lastHow camet Camillo
That he did stay
CAMILLO
At the good queens entreaty
LEONTES
At the queens bet good should be pertinent
But so it is it is not Was this taken
By any understanding pate but thine
For thy conceit is soaking will draw in
More than the common blocks Not noted ist
But of the finer natures by some severals
Of headpiece extraordinary lower messes
Perchance are to this business purblind say
CAMILLO
Business my lord I think most understand
Bohemia stays here longer
LEONTES
Ha
CAMILLO
Stays here longer
LEONTES
Ay but why
CAMILLO
To satisfy your highness and the entreaties
Of our most gracious mistress
LEONTES
Satisfy
Th entreaties of your mistress Satisfy
Let that suffice I have trusted thee Camillo
With all the nearest things to my heart as well
My chambercounsels wherein priestlike thou
Hast cleansd my bosom I from thee departed
Thy penitent reformd But we have been
Deceivd in thy integrity deceivd
In that which seems so
CAMILLO
Be it forbid my lord
LEONTES
To bide upont thou art not honest or
If thou inclinst that way thou art a coward
Which hoxes honesty behind restraining
From course requird or else thou must be counted
A servant grafted in my serious trust
And therein negligent or else a fool
That seest a game playd home the rich stake drawn
And takst it all for jest
CAMILLO
My gracious lord
I may be negligent foolish and fearful
In every one of these no man is free
But that his negligence his folly fear
Among the infinite doings of the world
Sometime puts forth In your affairs my lord
If ever I were wilfulnegligent
It was my folly if industriously
I playd the fool it was my negligence
Not weighing well the end if ever fearful
To do a thing where I the issue doubted
Whereof the execution did cry out
Against the nonperformance twas a fear
Which oft affects the wisest these my lord
Are such allowd infirmities that honesty
Is never free of But beseech your Grace
Be plainer with me let me know my trespass
By its own visage if I then deny it
Tis none of mine
LEONTES
Ha not you seen Camillo
But thats past doubt you have or your eyeglass
Is thicker than a cuckolds horn or heard
For to a vision so apparent rumour
Cannot be mute or thought for cogitation
Resides not in that man that does not think
My wife is slippery If thou wilt confess
Or else be impudently negative
To have nor eyes nor ears nor thought then say
My wifes a hobbyhorse deserves a name
As rank as any flaxwench that puts to
Before her trothplight sayt and justifyt
CAMILLO
I would not be a standerby to hear
My sovereign mistress clouded so without
My present vengeance taken shrew my heart
You never spoke what did become you less
Than this which to reiterate were sin
As deep as that though true
LEONTES
Is whispering nothing
Is leaning cheek to cheek is meeting noses
Kissing with inside lip Stopping the career
Of laughter with a sigha note infallible
Of breaking honestyhorsing foot on foot
Skulking in corners Wishing clocks more swift
Hours minutes Noon midnight and all eyes
Blind with the pin and web but theirs theirs only
That would unseen be wicked Is this nothing
Why then the world and all thats int is nothing
The covering sky is nothing Bohemia nothing
My wife is nothing nor nothing have these nothings
If this be nothing
CAMILLO
Good my lord be curd
Of this diseasd opinion and betimes
For tis most dangerous
LEONTES
Say it be tis true
CAMILLO
No no my lord
LEONTES
It is you lie you lie
I say thou liest Camillo and I hate thee
Pronounce thee a gross lout a mindless slave
Or else a hovering temporizer that
Canst with thine eyes at once see good and evil
Inclining to them both Were my wifes liver
Infected as her life she would not live
The running of one glass
CAMILLO
Who does infect her
LEONTES
Why he that wears her like her medal hanging
About his neck Bohemia who if I
Had servants true about me that bare eyes
To see alike mine honour as their profits
Their own particular thrifts they would do that
Which should undo more doing ay and thou
His cupbearerwhom I from meaner form
Have benchd and reard to worship who mayst see
Plainly as heaven sees earth and earth sees heaven
How I am galledmightst bespice a cup
To give mine enemy a lasting wink
Which draught to me were cordial
CAMILLO
Sir my lord
I could do this and that with no rash potion
But with a lingring dram that should not work
Maliciously like poison But I cannot
Believe this crack to be in my dread mistress
So sovereignly being honourable
I have lovd thee
LEONTES
Make that thy question and go rot
Dost think I am so muddy so unsettled
To appoint myself in this vexation sully
The purity and whiteness of my sheets
Which to preserve is sleep which being spotted
Is goads thorns nettles tails of wasps
Give scandal to the blood o th prince my son
Who I do think is mine and love as mine
Without ripe moving tot Would I do this
Could man so blench
CAMILLO
I must believe you sir
I do and will fetch off Bohemia fort
Provided that when hes removd your highness
Will take again your queen as yours at first
Even for your sons sake and thereby for sealing
The injury of tongues in courts and kingdoms
Known and allied to yours
LEONTES
Thou dost advise me
Even so as I mine own course have set down
Ill give no blemish to her honour none
CAMILLO
My lord
Go then and with a countenance as clear
As friendship wears at feasts keep with Bohemia
And with your queen I am his cupbearer
If from me he have wholesome beverage
Account me not your servant
LEONTES
This is all
Dot and thou hast the one half of my heart
Dot not thou splittst thine own
CAMILLO
Ill dot my lord
LEONTES
I will seem friendly as thou hast advisd me
Exit
CAMILLO
O miserable lady But for me
What case stand I in I must be the poisoner
Of good Polixenes and my ground to dot
Is the obedience to a master one
Who in rebellion with himself will have
All that are his so too To do this deed
Promotion follows If I could find example
Of thousands that had struck anointed kings
And flourishd after Id not dot But since
Nor brass nor stone nor parchment bears not one
Let villainy itself forsweart I must
Forsake the court to dot or no is certain
To me a breakneck Happy star reign now
Here comes Bohemia
Enter Polixenes
POLIXENES
This is strange Methinks
My favour here begins to warp Not speak
Good day Camillo
CAMILLO
Hail most royal sir
POLIXENES
What is the news i th court
CAMILLO
None rare my lord
POLIXENES
The king hath on him such a countenance
As he had lost some province and a region
Lovd as he loves himself Even now I met him
With customary compliment when he
Wafting his eyes to the contrary and falling
A lip of much contempt speeds from me and
So leaves me to consider what is breeding
That changes thus his manners
CAMILLO
I dare not know my lord
POLIXENES
How dare not Do not Do you know and dare not
Be intelligent to me Tis thereabouts
For to yourself what you do know you must
And cannot say you dare not Good Camillo
Your changd complexions are to me a mirror
Which shows me mine changd too for I must be
A party in this alteration finding
Myself thus alterd witht
CAMILLO
There is a sickness
Which puts some of us in distemper but
I cannot name the disease and it is caught
Of you that yet are well
POLIXENES
How caught of me
Make me not sighted like the basilisk
I have lookd on thousands who have sped the better
By my regard but killd none so Camillo
As you are certainly a gentleman thereto
Clerklike experiencd which no less adorns
Our gentry than our parents noble names
In whose success we are gentleI beseech you
If you know aught which does behove my knowledge
Thereof to be informd imprisont not
In ignorant concealment
CAMILLO
I may not answer
POLIXENES
A sickness caught of me and yet I well
I must be answerd Dost thou hear Camillo
I conjure thee by all the parts of man
Which honour does acknowledge whereof the least
Is not this suit of mine that thou declare
What incidency thou dost guess of harm
Is creeping toward me how far off how near
Which way to be prevented if to be
If not how best to bear it
CAMILLO
Sir I will tell you
Since I am chargd in honour and by him
That I think honourable Therefore mark my counsel
Which must be evn as swiftly followd as
I mean to utter it or both yourself and me
Cry lost and so goodnight
POLIXENES
On good Camillo
CAMILLO
I am appointed him to murder you
POLIXENES
By whom Camillo
CAMILLO
By the king
POLIXENES
For what
CAMILLO
He thinks nay with all confidence he swears
As he had seent or been an instrument
To vice you tot that you have touchd his queen
Forbiddenly
POLIXENES
O then my best blood turn
To an infected jelly and my name
Be yokd with his that did betray the Best
Turn then my freshest reputation to
A savour that may strike the dullest nostril
Where I arrive and my approach be shunnd
Nay hated too worse than the greatst infection
That eer was heard or read
CAMILLO
Swear his thought over
By each particular star in heaven and
By all their influences you may as well
Forbid the sea for to obey the moon
As or by oath remove or counsel shake
The fabric of his folly whose foundation
Is pild upon his faith and will continue
The standing of his body
POLIXENES
How should this grow
CAMILLO
I know not but I am sure tis safer to
Avoid whats grown than question how tis born
If therefore you dare trust my honesty
That lies enclosed in this trunk which you
Shall bear along impawnd away tonight
Your followers I will whisper to the business
And will by twos and threes at several posterns
Clear them o th city For myself Ill put
My fortunes to your service which are here
By this discovery lost Be not uncertain
For by the honour of my parents I
Have utterd truth which if you seek to prove
I dare not stand by nor shall you be safer
Than one condemned by the kings own mouth
Thereon his execution sworn
POLIXENES
I do believe thee
I saw his heart in s face Give me thy hand
Be pilot to me and thy places shall
Still neighbour mine My ships are ready and
My people did expect my hence departure
Two days ago This jealousy
Is for a precious creature as shes rare
Must it be great and as his persons mighty
Must it be violent and as he does conceive
He is dishonourd by a man which ever
Professd to him why his revenges must
In that be made more bitter Fear oershades me
Good expedition be my friend and comfort
The gracious queen part of his theme but nothing
Of his illtaen suspicion Come Camillo
I will respect thee as a father if
Thou bearst my life off hence Let us avoid
CAMILLO
It is in mine authority to command
The keys of all the posterns please your highness
To take the urgent hour Come sir away
Exeunt
ACT II
SCENE I Sicilia A Room in the Palace
Enter Hermione Mamillius and Ladies
HERMIONE
Take the boy to you he so troubles me
Tis past enduring
FIRST LADY
Come my gracious lord
Shall I be your playfellow
MAMILLIUS
No Ill none of you
FIRST LADY
Why my sweet lord
MAMILLIUS
Youll kiss me hard and speak to me as if
I were a baby still I love you better
SECOND LADY
And why so my lord
MAMILLIUS
Not for because
Your brows are blacker yet black brows they say
Become some women best so that there be not
Too much hair there but in a semicircle
Or a halfmoon made with a pen
SECOND LADY
Who taught this
MAMILLIUS
I learnd it out of womens faces Pray now
What colour are your eyebrows
FIRST LADY
Blue my lord
MAMILLIUS
Nay thats a mock I have seen a ladys nose
That has been blue but not her eyebrows
FIRST LADY
Hark ye
The queen your mother rounds apace We shall
Present our services to a fine new prince
One of these days and then youd wanton with us
If we would have you
SECOND LADY
She is spread of late
Into a goodly bulk good time encounter her
HERMIONE
What wisdom stirs amongst you Come sir now
I am for you again Pray you sit by us
And tell s a tale
MAMILLIUS
Merry or sad shallt be
HERMIONE
As merry as you will
MAMILLIUS
A sad tales best for winter I have one
Of sprites and goblins
HERMIONE
Lets have that good sir
Come on sit down Come on and do your best
To fright me with your sprites youre powerful at it
MAMILLIUS
There was a man
HERMIONE
Nay come sit down then on
MAMILLIUS
Dwelt by a churchyard I will tell it softly
Yond crickets shall not hear it
HERMIONE
Come on then
And givet me in mine ear
Enter Leontes Antigonus Lords and Guards
LEONTES
Was he met there his train Camillo with him
FIRST LORD
Behind the tuft of pines I met them never
Saw I men scour so on their way I eyd them
Even to their ships
LEONTES
How blest am I
In my just censure in my true opinion
Alack for lesser knowledge How accursd
In being so blest There may be in the cup
A spider steepd and one may drink depart
And yet partake no venom for his knowledge
Is not infected but if one present
Th abhorrd ingredient to his eye make known
How he hath drunk he cracks his gorge his sides
With violent hefts I have drunk and seen the spider
Camillo was his help in this his pander
There is a plot against my life my crown
Alls true that is mistrusted That false villain
Whom I employd was preemployd by him
He has discoverd my design and I
Remain a pinchd thing yea a very trick
For them to play at will How came the posterns
So easily open
FIRST LORD
By his great authority
Which often hath no less prevaild than so
On your command
LEONTES
I knowt too well
Give me the boy I am glad you did not nurse him
Though he does bear some signs of me yet you
Have too much blood in him
HERMIONE
What is this sport
LEONTES
Bear the boy hence he shall not come about her
Away with him and let her sport herself
With that shes big with for tis Polixenes
Has made thee swell thus
Exit Mamillius with some of the Guards
HERMIONE
But Id say he had not
And Ill be sworn you would believe my saying
Howeer you learn th nayward
LEONTES
You my lords
Look on her mark her well Be but about
To say she is a goodly lady and
The justice of your hearts will thereto add
Tis pity shes not honest honourable
Praise her but for this her withoutdoor form
Which on my faith deserves high speech and straight
The shrug the hum or ha these petty brands
That calumny doth useO I am out
That mercy does for calumny will sear
Virtue itselfthese shrugs these hums and has
When you have said shes goodly come between
Ere you can say shes honest but be it known
From him that has most cause to grieve it should be
Shes an adultress
HERMIONE
Should a villain say so
The most replenishd villain in the world
He were as much more villain you my lord
Do but mistake
LEONTES
You have mistook my lady
Polixenes for Leontes O thou thing
Which Ill not call a creature of thy place
Lest barbarism making me the precedent
Should a like language use to all degrees
And mannerly distinguishment leave out
Betwixt the prince and beggar I have said
Shes an adultress I have said with whom
More shes a traitor and Camillo is
A federary with her and one that knows
What she should shame to know herself
But with her most vile principal that shes
A bedswerver even as bad as those
That vulgars give boldst titles ay and privy
To this their late escape
HERMIONE
No by my life
Privy to none of this How will this grieve you
When you shall come to clearer knowledge that
You thus have publishd me Gentle my lord
You scarce can right me throughly then to say
You did mistake
LEONTES
No If I mistake
In those foundations which I build upon
The centre is not big enough to bear
A schoolboys top Away with her to prison
He who shall speak for her is afar off guilty
But that he speaks
HERMIONE
Theres some ill planet reigns
I must be patient till the heavens look
With an aspect more favourable Good my lords
I am not prone to weeping as our sex
Commonly are the want of which vain dew
Perchance shall dry your pities But I have
That honourable grief lodgd here which burns
Worse than tears drown beseech you all my lords
With thoughts so qualified as your charities
Shall best instruct you measure me and so
The kings will be performd
LEONTES
Shall I be heard
HERMIONE
Who ist that goes with me Beseech your highness
My women may be with me for you see
My plight requires it Do not weep good fools
There is no cause when you shall know your mistress
Has deservd prison then abound in tears
As I come out this action I now go on
Is for my better grace Adieu my lord
I never wishd to see you sorry now
I trust I shall My women come you have leave
LEONTES
Go do our bidding Hence
Exeunt Queen and Ladies with Guards
FIRST LORD
Beseech your highness call the queen again
ANTIGONUS
Be certain what you do sir lest your justice
Prove violence in the which three great ones suffer
Yourself your queen your son
FIRST LORD
For her my lord
I dare my life lay down and will dot sir
Please you to accept it that the queen is spotless
I th eyes of heaven and to youI mean
In this which you accuse her
ANTIGONUS
If it prove
Shes otherwise Ill keep my stables where
I lodge my wife Ill go in couples with her
Than when I feel and see her no further trust her
For every inch of woman in the world
Ay every dram of womans flesh is false
If she be
LEONTES
Hold your peaces
FIRST LORD
Good my lord
ANTIGONUS
It is for you we speak not for ourselves
You are abusd and by some putteron
That will be damnd fort would I knew the villain
I would landdamn him Be she honourflawd
I have three daughters the eldest is eleven
The second and the third nine and some five
If this prove true theyll pay fort By mine honour
Ill geld em all fourteen they shall not see
To bring false generations they are coheirs
And I had rather glib myself than they
Should not produce fair issue
LEONTES
Cease no more
You smell this business with a sense as cold
As is a dead mans nose but I do seet and feelt
As you feel doing thus and see withal
The instruments that feel
ANTIGONUS
If it be so
We need no grave to bury honesty
Theres not a grain of it the face to sweeten
Of the whole dungy earth
LEONTES
What Lack I credit
FIRST LORD
I had rather you did lack than I my lord
Upon this ground and more it would content me
To have her honour true than your suspicion
Be blamd fort how you might
LEONTES
Why what need we
Commune with you of this but rather follow
Our forceful instigation Our prerogative
Calls not your counsels but our natural goodness
Imparts this which if you or stupified
Or seeming so in skill cannot or will not
Relish a truth like us inform yourselves
We need no more of your advice the matter
The loss the gain the ordring ont is all
Properly ours
ANTIGONUS
And I wish my liege
You had only in your silent judgement tried it
Without more overture
LEONTES
How could that be
Either thou art most ignorant by age
Or thou wert born a fool Camillos flight
Added to their familiarity
Which was as gross as ever touchd conjecture
That lackd sight only nought for approbation
But only seeing all other circumstances
Made up to th deed doth push on this proceeding
Yet for a greater confirmation
For in an act of this importance twere
Most piteous to be wild I have dispatchd in post
To sacred Delphos to Apollos temple
Cleomenes and Dion whom you know
Of stuffd sufficiency now from the oracle
They will bring all whose spiritual counsel had
Shall stop or spur me Have I done well
FIRST LORD
Well done my lord
LEONTES
Though I am satisfied and need no more
Than what I know yet shall the oracle
Give rest to the minds of others such as he
Whose ignorant credulity will not
Come up to th truth So have we thought it good
From our free person she should be confind
Lest that the treachery of the two fled hence
Be left her to perform Come follow us
We are to speak in public for this business
Will raise us all
ANTIGONUS
Aside To laughter as I take it
If the good truth were known
Exeunt
SCENE II The same The outer Room of a Prison
Enter Paulina a Gentleman and Attendants
PAULINA
The keeper of the prison call to him
Let him have knowledge who I am
Exit the Gentleman
Good lady
No court in Europe is too good for thee
What dost thou then in prison
Enter Gentleman with the Gaoler
Now good sir
You know me do you not
GAOLER
For a worthy lady
And one who much I honour
PAULINA
Pray you then
Conduct me to the queen
GAOLER
I may not madam
To the contrary I have express commandment
PAULINA
Heres ado to lock up honesty and honour from
Th access of gentle visitors Ist lawful pray you
To see her women any of them Emilia
GAOLER
So please you madam
To put apart these your attendants I
Shall bring Emilia forth
PAULINA
I pray now call her
Withdraw yourselves
Exeunt Gentleman and Attendants
GAOLER
And madam
I must be present at your conference
PAULINA
Well bet so prithee
Exit Gaoler
Heres such ado to make no stain a stain
As passes colouring
Reenter Gaoler with Emilia
Dear gentlewoman
How fares our gracious lady
EMILIA
As well as one so great and so forlorn
May hold together on her frights and griefs
Which never tender lady hath borne greater
She is something before her time deliverd
PAULINA
A boy
EMILIA
A daughter and a goodly babe
Lusty and like to live the queen receives
Much comfort in t says My poor prisoner
I am as innocent as you
PAULINA
I dare be sworn
These dangerous unsafe lunes i th king beshrew them
He must be told ont and he shall the office
Becomes a woman best Ill taket upon me
If I prove honeymouthd let my tongue blister
And never to my redlookd anger be
The trumpet any more Pray you Emilia
Commend my best obedience to the queen
If she dares trust me with her little babe
Ill showt the king and undertake to be
Her advocate to th loudst We do not know
How he may soften at the sight o th child
The silence often of pure innocence
Persuades when speaking fails
EMILIA
Most worthy madam
Your honour and your goodness is so evident
That your free undertaking cannot miss
A thriving issue there is no lady living
So meet for this great errand Please your ladyship
To visit the next room Ill presently
Acquaint the queen of your most noble offer
Who but today hammerd of this design
But durst not tempt a minister of honour
Lest she should be denied
PAULINA
Tell her Emilia
Ill use that tongue I have if wit flow from t
As boldness from my bosom lett not be doubted
I shall do good
EMILIA
Now be you blest for it
Ill to the queen please you come something nearer
GAOLER
Madam if t please the queen to send the babe
I know not what I shall incur to pass it
Having no warrant
PAULINA
You need not fear it sir
This child was prisoner to the womb and is
By law and process of great nature thence
Freed and enfranchisd not a party to
The anger of the king nor guilty of
If any be the trespass of the queen
GAOLER
I do believe it
PAULINA
Do not you fear upon mine honour I
Will stand betwixt you and danger
Exeunt
SCENE III The same A Room in the Palace
Enter Leontes Antigonus Lords and other Attendants
LEONTES
Nor night nor day no rest it is but weakness
To bear the matter thus mere weakness If
The cause were not in beingpart o th cause
She th adultress for the harlot king
Is quite beyond mine arm out of the blank
And level of my brain plotproof But she
I can hook to me Say that she were gone
Given to the fire a moiety of my rest
Might come to me again Whos there
FIRST ATTENDANT
My lord
LEONTES
How does the boy
FIRST ATTENDANT
He took good rest tonight
Tis hopd his sickness is dischargd
LEONTES
To see his nobleness
Conceiving the dishonour of his mother
He straight declind droopd took it deeply
Fastend and fixd the shame ont in himself
Threw off his spirit his appetite his sleep
And downright languishd Leave me solely go
See how he fares
Exit First Attendant
Fie fie no thought of him
The very thought of my revenges that way
Recoil upon me in himself too mighty
And in his parties his alliance Let him be
Until a time may serve For present vengeance
Take it on her Camillo and Polixenes
Laugh at me make their pastime at my sorrow
They should not laugh if I could reach them nor
Shall she within my power
Enter Paulina carrying a baby with Antigonus lords and servants
FIRST LORD
You must not enter
PAULINA
Nay rather good my lords be second to me
Fear you his tyrannous passion more alas
Than the queens life a gracious innocent soul
More free than he is jealous
ANTIGONUS
Thats enough
SERVANT
Madam he hath not slept tonight commanded
None should come at him
PAULINA
Not so hot good sir
I come to bring him sleep Tis such as you
That creep like shadows by him and do sigh
At each his needless heavingssuch as you
Nourish the cause of his awaking I
Do come with words as medcinal as true
Honest as either to purge him of that humour
That presses him from sleep
LEONTES
What noise there ho
PAULINA
No noise my lord but needful conference
About some gossips for your highness
LEONTES
How
Away with that audacious lady Antigonus
I chargd thee that she should not come about me
I knew she would
ANTIGONUS
I told her so my lord
On your displeasures peril and on mine
She should not visit you
LEONTES
What canst not rule her
PAULINA
From all dishonesty he can In this
Unless he take the course that you have done
Commit me for committing honourtrust it
He shall not rule me
ANTIGONUS
La you now you hear
When she will take the rein I let her run
But shell not stumble
PAULINA
Good my liege I come
And I beseech you hear me who professes
Myself your loyal servant your physician
Your most obedient counsellor yet that dares
Less appear so in comforting your evils
Than such as most seem yoursI say I come
From your good queen
LEONTES
Good queen
PAULINA
Good queen my lord good queen I say good queen
And would by combat make her good so were I
A man the worst about you
LEONTES
Force her hence
PAULINA
Let him that makes but trifles of his eyes
First hand me on mine own accord Ill off
But first Ill do my errand The good queen
For she is good hath brought you forth a daughter
Here tis commends it to your blessing
Laying down the child
LEONTES
Out
A mankind witch Hence with her out o door
A most intelligencing bawd
PAULINA
Not so
I am as ignorant in that as you
In so entitling me and no less honest
Than you are mad which is enough Ill warrant
As this world goes to pass for honest
LEONTES
Traitors
Will you not push her out To Antigonus Give her the bastard
Thou dotard Thou art womantird unroosted
By thy Dame Partlet here Take up the bastard
Taket up I say givet to thy crone
PAULINA
For ever
Unvenerable be thy hands if thou
Takst up the princess by that forced baseness
Which he has put upon t
LEONTES
He dreads his wife
PAULINA
So I would you did then twere past all doubt
Youd call your children yours
LEONTES
A nest of traitors
ANTIGONUS
I am none by this good light
PAULINA
Nor I nor any
But one thats here and thats himself For he
The sacred honour of himself his queens
His hopeful sons his babes betrays to slander
Whose sting is sharper than the swords and will not
For as the case now stands it is a curse
He cannot be compelld tot once remove
The root of his opinion which is rotten
As ever oak or stone was sound
LEONTES
A callat
Of boundless tongue who late hath beat her husband
And now baits me This brat is none of mine
It is the issue of Polixenes
Hence with it and together with the dam
Commit them to the fire
PAULINA
It is yours
And might we lay th old proverb to your charge
So like you tis the worse Behold my lords
Although the print be little the whole matter
And copy of the father eye nose lip
The trick of s frown his forehead nay the valley
The pretty dimples of his chin and cheek his smiles
The very mould and frame of hand nail finger
And thou good goddess Nature which hast made it
So like to him that got it if thou hast
The ordering of the mind too mongst all colours
No yellow in t lest she suspect as he does
Her children not her husbands
LEONTES
A gross hag
And losel thou art worthy to be hangd
That wilt not stay her tongue
ANTIGONUS
Hang all the husbands
That cannot do that feat youll leave yourself
Hardly one subject
LEONTES
Once more take her hence
PAULINA
A most unworthy and unnatural lord
Can do no more
LEONTES
Ill have thee burnt
PAULINA
I care not
It is an heretic that makes the fire
Not she which burns in t Ill not call you tyrant
But this most cruel usage of your queen
Not able to produce more accusation
Than your own weakhingd fancy something savours
Of tyranny and will ignoble make you
Yea scandalous to the world
LEONTES
On your allegiance
Out of the chamber with her Were I a tyrant
Where were her life She durst not call me so
If she did know me one Away with her
PAULINA
I pray you do not push me Ill be gone
Look to your babe my lord tis yours Jove send her
A better guiding spirit What needs these hands
You that are thus so tender oer his follies
Will never do him good not one of you
So so Farewell we are gone
Exit
LEONTES
Thou traitor hast set on thy wife to this
My child Away witht Even thou that hast
A heart so tender oer it take it hence
And see it instantly consumd with fire
Even thou and none but thou Take it up straight
Within this hour bring me word tis done
And by good testimony or Ill seize thy life
With that thou else callst thine If thou refuse
And wilt encounter with my wrath say so
The bastard brains with these my proper hands
Shall I dash out Go take it to the fire
For thou setst on thy wife
ANTIGONUS
I did not sir
These lords my noble fellows if they please
Can clear me in t
LORDS
We can my royal liege
He is not guilty of her coming hither
LEONTES
Youre liars all
FIRST LORD
Beseech your highness give us better credit
We have always truly servd you and beseech
So to esteem of us And on our knees we beg
As recompense of our dear services
Past and to come that you do change this purpose
Which being so horrible so bloody must
Lead on to some foul issue We all kneel
LEONTES
I am a feather for each wind that blows
Shall I live on to see this bastard kneel
And call me father better burn it now
Than curse it then But be it let it live
It shall not neither To Antigonus You sir come you hither
You that have been so tenderly officious
With Lady Margery your midwife there
To save this bastards lifefor tis a bastard
So sure as this beards grey What will you adventure
To save this brats life
ANTIGONUS
Anything my lord
That my ability may undergo
And nobleness impose at least thus much
Ill pawn the little blood which I have left
To save the innocent Anything possible
LEONTES
It shall be possible Swear by this sword
Thou wilt perform my bidding
ANTIGONUS
I will my lord
LEONTES
Mark and perform it seest thou for the fail
Of any point int shall not only be
Death to thyself but to thy lewdtongud wife
Whom for this time we pardon We enjoin thee
As thou art liegeman to us that thou carry
This female bastard hence and that thou bear it
To some remote and desert place quite out
Of our dominions and that there thou leave it
Without more mercy to it own protection
And favour of the climate As by strange fortune
It came to us I do in justice charge thee
On thy souls peril and thy bodys torture
That thou commend it strangely to some place
Where chance may nurse or end it Take it up
ANTIGONUS
I swear to do this though a present death
Had been more merciful Come on poor babe
Some powerful spirit instruct the kites and ravens
To be thy nurses Wolves and bears they say
Casting their savageness aside have done
Like offices of pity Sir be prosperous
In more than this deed does require And blessing
Against this cruelty fight on thy side
Poor thing condemnd to loss
Exit with the child
LEONTES
No Ill not rear
Anothers issue
Enter a Servant
SERVANT
Please your highness posts
From those you sent to th oracle are come
An hour since Cleomenes and Dion
Being well arrivd from Delphos are both landed
Hasting to th court
FIRST LORD
So please you sir their speed
Hath been beyond account
LEONTES
Twentythree days
They have been absent tis good speed foretells
The great Apollo suddenly will have
The truth of this appear Prepare you lords
Summon a session that we may arraign
Our most disloyal lady for as she hath
Been publicly accusd so shall she have
A just and open trial While she lives
My heart will be a burden to me Leave me
And think upon my bidding
Exeunt
ACT III
SCENE I Sicilia A Street in some Town
Enter Cleomenes and Dion
CLEOMENES
The climates delicate the air most sweet
Fertile the isle the temple much surpassing
The common praise it bears
DION
I shall report
For most it caught me the celestial habits
Methinks I so should term them and the reverence
Of the grave wearers O the sacrifice
How ceremonious solemn and unearthly
It was i th offering
CLEOMENES
But of all the burst
And the eardeafning voice o th oracle
Kin to Joves thunder so surprised my sense
That I was nothing
DION
If the event o th journey
Prove as successful to the queenO bet so
As it hath been to us rare pleasant speedy
The time is worth the use ont
CLEOMENES
Great Apollo
Turn all to th best These proclamations
So forcing faults upon Hermione
I little like
DION
The violent carriage of it
Will clear or end the business when the oracle
Thus by Apollos great divine seald up
Shall the contents discover something rare
Even then will rush to knowledge Go Fresh horses
And gracious be the issue
Exeunt
SCENE II The same A Court of Justice
Enter Leontes Lords and Officers appear properly seated
LEONTES
This sessions to our great grief we pronounce
Even pushes gainst our heart the party tried
The daughter of a king our wife and one
Of us too much belovd Let us be cleard
Of being tyrannous since we so openly
Proceed in justice which shall have due course
Even to the guilt or the purgation
Produce the prisoner
OFFICER
It is his highness pleasure that the queen
Appear in person here in court Silence
Hermione is brought in guarded Paulina and Ladies attending
LEONTES
Read the indictment
OFFICER
Reads Hermione queen to the worthy Leontes king of Sicilia thou art here accused and arraigned of high treason in committing adultery with Polixenes king of Bohemia and conspiring with Camillo to take away the life of our sovereign lord the king thy royal husband the pretence whereof being by circumstances partly laid open thou Hermione contrary to the faith and allegiance of a true subject didst counsel and aid them for their better safety to fly away by night
HERMIONE
Since what I am to say must be but that
Which contradicts my accusation and
The testimony on my part no other
But what comes from myself it shall scarce boot me
To say Not guilty Mine integrity
Being counted falsehood shall as I express it
Be so receivd But thus if powers divine
Behold our human actions as they do
I doubt not then but innocence shall make
False accusation blush and tyranny
Tremble at patience You my lord best know
Who least will seem to do so my past life
Hath been as continent as chaste as true
As I am now unhappy which is more
Than history can pattern though devisd
And playd to take spectators For behold me
A fellow of the royal bed which owe
A moiety of the throne a great kings daughter
The mother to a hopeful prince here standing
To prate and talk for life and honour fore
Who please to come and hear For life I prize it
As I weigh grief which I would spare For honour
Tis a derivative from me to mine
And only that I stand for I appeal
To your own conscience sir before Polixenes
Came to your court how I was in your grace
How merited to be so since he came
With what encounter so uncurrent I
Have straind t appear thus if one jot beyond
The bound of honour or in act or will
That way inclining hardend be the hearts
Of all that hear me and my nearst of kin
Cry fie upon my grave
LEONTES
I neer heard yet
That any of these bolder vices wanted
Less impudence to gainsay what they did
Than to perform it first
HERMIONE
Thats true enough
Though tis a saying sir not due to me
LEONTES
You will not own it
HERMIONE
More than mistress of
Which comes to me in name of fault I must not
At all acknowledge For Polixenes
With whom I am accusd I do confess
I lovd him as in honour he requird
With such a kind of love as might become
A lady like me with a love even such
So and no other as yourself commanded
Which not to have done I think had been in me
Both disobedience and ingratitude
To you and toward your friend whose love had spoke
Ever since it could speak from an infant freely
That it was yours Now for conspiracy
I know not how it tastes though it be dishd
For me to try how all I know of it
Is that Camillo was an honest man
And why he left your court the gods themselves
Wotting no more than I are ignorant
LEONTES
You knew of his departure as you know
What you have undertaen to do in s absence
HERMIONE
Sir
You speak a language that I understand not
My life stands in the level of your dreams
Which Ill lay down
LEONTES
Your actions are my dreams
You had a bastard by Polixenes
And I but dreamd it As you were past all shame
Those of your fact are so so past all truth
Which to deny concerns more than avails for as
Thy brat hath been cast out like to itself
No father owning it which is indeed
More criminal in thee than it so thou
Shalt feel our justice in whose easiest passage
Look for no less than death
HERMIONE
Sir spare your threats
The bug which you would fright me with I seek
To me can life be no commodity
The crown and comfort of my life your favour
I do give lost for I do feel it gone
But know not how it went My second joy
And firstfruits of my body from his presence
I am barrd like one infectious My third comfort
Starrd most unluckily is from my breast
The innocent milk in its most innocent mouth
Hald out to murder myself on every post
Proclaimd a strumpet with immodest hatred
The childbed privilege denied which longs
To women of all fashion lastly hurried
Here to this place i th open air before
I have got strength of limit Now my liege
Tell me what blessings I have here alive
That I should fear to die Therefore proceed
But yet hear this mistake me not no life
I prize it not a straw but for mine honour
Which I would free if I shall be condemnd
Upon surmises all proofs sleeping else
But what your jealousies awake I tell you
Tis rigour and not law Your honours all
I do refer me to the oracle
Apollo be my judge
FIRST LORD
This your request
Is altogether just therefore bring forth
And in Apollos name his oracle
Exeunt certain Officers
HERMIONE
The Emperor of Russia was my father
O that he were alive and here beholding
His daughters trial that he did but see
The flatness of my misery yet with eyes
Of pity not revenge
Enter Officers with Cleomenes and Dion
OFFICER
You here shall swear upon this sword of justice
That you Cleomenes and Dion have
Been both at Delphos and from thence have brought
This sealdup oracle by the hand deliverd
Of great Apollos priest and that since then
You have not dared to break the holy seal
Nor read the secrets int
CLEOMENES DION
All this we swear
LEONTES
Break up the seals and read
OFFICER
Reads Hermione is chaste Polixenes blameless Camillo a true subject Leontes a jealous tyrant his innocent babe truly begotten and the king shall live without an heir if that which is lost be not found
LORDS
Now blessed be the great Apollo
HERMIONE
Praised
LEONTES
Hast thou read truth
OFFICER
Ay my lord even so
As it is here set down
LEONTES
There is no truth at all i th oracle
The sessions shall proceed this is mere falsehood
Enter a Servant hastily
SERVANT
My lord the king the king
LEONTES
What is the business
SERVANT
O sir I shall be hated to report it
The prince your son with mere conceit and fear
Of the queens speed is gone
LEONTES
How gone
SERVANT
Is dead
LEONTES
Apollos angry and the heavens themselves
Do strike at my injustice
Hermione faints
How now there
PAULINA
This news is mortal to the queen Look down
And see what death is doing
LEONTES
Take her hence
Her heart is but oerchargd she will recover
I have too much believd mine own suspicion
Beseech you tenderly apply to her
Some remedies for life
Exeunt Paulina and Ladies with Hermione
Apollo pardon
My great profaneness gainst thine oracle
Ill reconcile me to Polixenes
New woo my queen recall the good Camillo
Whom I proclaim a man of truth of mercy
For being transported by my jealousies
To bloody thoughts and to revenge I chose
Camillo for the minister to poison
My friend Polixenes which had been done
But that the good mind of Camillo tardied
My swift command though I with death and with
Reward did threaten and encourage him
Not doing it and being done He most humane
And filld with honour to my kingly guest
Unclaspd my practice quit his fortunes here
Which you knew great and to the certain hazard
Of all incertainties himself commended
No richer than his honour How he glisters
Thorough my rust And how his piety
Does my deeds make the blacker
Enter Paulina
PAULINA
Woe the while
O cut my lace lest my heart cracking it
Break too
FIRST LORD
What fit is this good lady
PAULINA
What studied torments tyrant hast for me
What wheels racks fires what flaying boiling
In leads or oils What old or newer torture
Must I receive whose every word deserves
To taste of thy most worst Thy tyranny
Together working with thy jealousies
Fancies too weak for boys too green and idle
For girls of nine O think what they have done
And then run mad indeed stark mad for all
Thy bygone fooleries were but spices of it
That thou betraydst Polixenes twas nothing
That did but show thee of a fool inconstant
And damnable ingrateful nor wast much
Thou wouldst have poisond good Camillos honour
To have him kill a king poor trespasses
More monstrous standing by whereof I reckon
The casting forth to crows thy baby daughter
To be or none or little though a devil
Would have shed water out of fire ere donet
Nor ist directly laid to thee the death
Of the young prince whose honourable thoughts
Thoughts high for one so tender cleft the heart
That could conceive a gross and foolish sire
Blemishd his gracious dam this is not no
Laid to thy answer but the lastO lords
When I have said cry Woethe queen the queen
The sweetst dearst creatures dead and vengeance fort
Not droppd down yet
FIRST LORD
The higher powers forbid
PAULINA
I say shes dead Ill sweart If word nor oath
Prevail not go and see if you can bring
Tincture or lustre in her lip her eye
Heat outwardly or breath within Ill serve you
As I would do the gods But O thou tyrant
Do not repent these things for they are heavier
Than all thy woes can stir Therefore betake thee
To nothing but despair A thousand knees
Ten thousand years together naked fasting
Upon a barren mountain and still winter
In storm perpetual could not move the gods
To look that way thou wert
LEONTES
Go on go on
Thou canst not speak too much I have deservd
All tongues to talk their bitterest
FIRST LORD
Say no more
Howeer the business goes you have made fault
I th boldness of your speech
PAULINA
I am sorry for t
All faults I make when I shall come to know them
I do repent Alas I have showd too much
The rashness of a woman he is touchd
To th noble heart Whats gone and whats past help
Should be past grief Do not receive affliction
At my petition I beseech you rather
Let me be punishd that have minded you
Of what you should forget Now good my liege
Sir royal sir forgive a foolish woman
The love I bore your queenlo fool again
Ill speak of her no more nor of your children
Ill not remember you of my own lord
Who is lost too Take your patience to you
And Ill say nothing
LEONTES
Thou didst speak but well
When most the truth which I receive much better
Than to be pitied of thee Prithee bring me
To the dead bodies of my queen and son
One grave shall be for both Upon them shall
The causes of their death appear unto
Our shame perpetual Once a day Ill visit
The chapel where they lie and tears shed there
Shall be my recreation So long as nature
Will bear up with this exercise so long
I daily vow to use it Come and lead me
To these sorrows
Exeunt
SCENE III Bohemia A desert Country near the Sea
Enter Antigonus with the Child and a Mariner
ANTIGONUS
Thou art perfect then our ship hath touchd upon
The deserts of Bohemia
MARINER
Ay my lord and fear
We have landed in ill time the skies look grimly
And threaten present blusters In my conscience
The heavens with that we have in hand are angry
And frown upon s
ANTIGONUS
Their sacred wills be done Go get aboard
Look to thy bark Ill not be long before
I call upon thee
MARINER
Make your best haste and go not
Too far i th land tis like to be loud weather
Besides this place is famous for the creatures
Of prey that keep upon t
ANTIGONUS
Go thou away
Ill follow instantly
MARINER
I am glad at heart
To be so rid o th business
Exit
ANTIGONUS
Come poor babe
I have heard but not believd the spirits of the dead
May walk again if such thing be thy mother
Appeard to me last night for neer was dream
So like a waking To me comes a creature
Sometimes her head on one side some another
I never saw a vessel of like sorrow
So filld and so becoming in pure white robes
Like very sanctity she did approach
My cabin where I lay thrice bowd before me
And gasping to begin some speech her eyes
Became two spouts The fury spent anon
Did this break from her Good Antigonus
Since fate against thy better disposition
Hath made thy person for the throwerout
Of my poor babe according to thine oath
Places remote enough are in Bohemia
There weep and leave it crying And for the babe
Is counted lost for ever Perdita
I prithee callt For this ungentle business
Put on thee by my lord thou neer shalt see
Thy wife Paulina more And so with shrieks
She melted into air Affrighted much
I did in time collect myself and thought
This was so and no slumber Dreams are toys
Yet for this once yea superstitiously
I will be squard by this I do believe
Hermione hath sufferd death and that
Apollo would this being indeed the issue
Of King Polixenes it should here be laid
Either for life or death upon the earth
Of its right father Blossom speed thee well There lie and there thy character there these
Laying down the child and a bundle
Which may if fortune please both breed thee pretty
And still rest thine The storm begins poor wretch
That for thy mothers fault art thus exposd
To loss and what may follow Weep I cannot
But my heart bleeds and most accursd am I
To be by oath enjoind to this Farewell
The day frowns more and more Thourt like to have
A lullaby too rough I never saw
The heavens so dim by day A savage clamour
Well may I get aboard This is the chase
I am gone for ever
Exit pursued by a bear
Enter an old Shepherd
SHEPHERD
I would there were no age between ten and threeandtwenty or that youth would sleep out the rest for there is nothing in the between but getting wenches with child wronging the ancientry stealing fightingHark you now Would any but these boiled brains of nineteen and twoandtwenty hunt this weather They have scared away two of my best sheep which I fear the wolf will sooner find than the master if anywhere I have them tis by the seaside browsing of ivy Good luck an t be thy will what have we here
Taking up the child
Mercy on s a bairn A very pretty bairn A boy or a child I wonder A pretty one a very pretty one Sure some scape Though I am not bookish yet I can read waitinggentlewoman in the scape This has been some stairwork some trunkwork some behinddoorwork They were warmer that got this than the poor thing is here Ill take it up for pity yet Ill tarry till my son come he halloed but even now Whoahohoa
Enter Clown
CLOWN
Hilloa loa
SHEPHERD
What art so near If thoult see a thing to talk on when thou art dead and rotten come hither What ailst thou man
CLOWN
I have seen two such sights by sea and by land But I am not to say it is a sea for it is now the sky betwixt the firmament and it you cannot thrust a bodkins point
SHEPHERD
Why boy how is it
CLOWN
I would you did but see how it chafes how it rages how it takes up the shore But thats not to the point O the most piteous cry of the poor souls sometimes to see em and not to see em Now the ship boring the moon with her mainmast and anon swallowed with yest and froth as youd thrust a cork into a hogshead And then for the land service to see how the bear tore out his shoulderbone how he cried to me for help and said his name was Antigonus a nobleman But to make an end of the ship to see how the sea flapdragond it but first how the poor souls roared and the sea mocked them and how the poor gentleman roared and the bear mocked him both roaring louder than the sea or weather
SHEPHERD
Name of mercy when was this boy
CLOWN
Now now I have not winked since I saw these sights the men are not yet cold under water nor the bear half dined on the gentleman Hes at it now
SHEPHERD
Would I had been by to have helped the old man
CLOWN
I would you had been by the ship side to have helped her there your charity would have lacked footing
SHEPHERD
Heavy matters heavy matters But look thee here boy Now bless thyself thou metst with things dying I with things newborn Heres a sight for thee Look thee a bearingcloth for a squires child Look thee here take up take up boy opent So lets see It was told me I should be rich by the fairies This is some changeling opent Whats within boy
CLOWN
Youre a made old man If the sins of your youth are forgiven you youre well to live Gold all gold
SHEPHERD
This is fairy gold boy and twill prove so Up with it keep it close home home the next way We are lucky boy and to be so still requires nothing but secrecy Let my sheep go come good boy the next way home
CLOWN
Go you the next way with your findings Ill go see if the bear be gone from the gentleman and how much he hath eaten They are never curst but when they are hungry if there be any of him left Ill bury it
SHEPHERD
Thats a good deed If thou mayest discern by that which is left of him what he is fetch me to th sight of him
CLOWN
Marry will I and you shall help to put him i th ground
SHEPHERD
Tis a lucky day boy and well do good deeds on t
Exeunt
ACT IV
SCENE I
Enter Time the Chorus
TIME
I that please some try all both joy and terror
Of good and bad that makes and unfolds error
Now take upon me in the name of Time
To use my wings Impute it not a crime
To me or my swift passage that I slide
Oer sixteen years and leave the growth untried
Of that wide gap since it is in my power
To oerthrow law and in one selfborn hour
To plant and oerwhelm custom Let me pass
The same I am ere ancientst order was
Or what is now received I witness to
The times that brought them in so shall I do
To th freshest things now reigning and make stale
The glistering of this present as my tale
Now seems to it Your patience this allowing
I turn my glass and give my scene such growing
As you had slept between Leontes leaving
Th effects of his fond jealousies so grieving
That he shuts up himself imagine me
Gentle spectators that I now may be
In fair Bohemia and remember well
I mentioned a son o th kings which Florizel
I now name to you and with speed so pace
To speak of Perdita now grown in grace
Equal with wondering What of her ensues
I list not prophesy but let Times news
Be known when tis brought forth A shepherds daughter
And what to her adheres which follows after
Is th argument of Time Of this allow
If ever you have spent time worse ere now
If never yet that Time himself doth say
He wishes earnestly you never may
Exit
SCENE II Bohemia A Room in the palace of Polixenes
Enter Polixenes and Camillo
POLIXENES
I pray thee good Camillo be no more importunate tis a sickness denying thee anything a death to grant this
CAMILLO
It is fifteen years since I saw my country Though I have for the most part been aired abroad I desire to lay my bones there Besides the penitent king my master hath sent for me to whose feeling sorrows I might be some allay or I oerween to think sowhich is another spur to my departure
POLIXENES
As thou lovst me Camillo wipe not out the rest of thy services by leaving me now the need I have of thee thine own goodness hath made better not to have had thee than thus to want thee Thou having made me businesses which none without thee can sufficiently manage must either stay to execute them thyself or take away with thee the very services thou hast done which if I have not enough considered as too much I cannot to be more thankful to thee shall be my study and my profit therein the heaping friendships Of that fatal country Sicilia prithee speak no more whose very naming punishes me with the remembrance of that penitent as thou callst him and reconciled king my brother whose loss of his most precious queen and children are even now to be afresh lamented Say to me when sawest thou the Prince Florizel my son Kings are no less unhappy their issue not being gracious than they are in losing them when they have approved their virtues
CAMILLO
Sir it is three days since I saw the prince What his happier affairs may be are to me unknown but I have missingly noted he is of late much retired from court and is less frequent to his princely exercises than formerly he hath appeared
POLIXENES
I have considered so much Camillo and with some care so far that I have eyes under my service which look upon his removedness from whom I have this intelligence that he is seldom from the house of a most homely shepherd a man they say that from very nothing and beyond the imagination of his neighbours is grown into an unspeakable estate
CAMILLO
I have heard sir of such a man who hath a daughter of most rare note the report of her is extended more than can be thought to begin from such a cottage
POLIXENES
Thats likewise part of my intelligence but I fear the angle that plucks our son thither Thou shalt accompany us to the place where we will not appearing what we are have some question with the shepherd from whose simplicity I think it not uneasy to get the cause of my sons resort thither Prithee be my present partner in this business and lay aside the thoughts of Sicilia
CAMILLO
I willingly obey your command
POLIXENES
My best Camillo We must disguise ourselves
Exeunt
SCENE III The same A Road near the Shepherds cottage
Enter Autolycus singing
AUTOLYCUS
When daffodils begin to peer
With hey the doxy over the dale
Why then comes in the sweet o the year
For the red blood reigns in the winters pale
The white sheet bleaching on the hedge
With hey the sweet birds O how they sing
Doth set my pugging tooth on edge
For a quart of ale is a dish for a king
The lark that tirralirra chants
With hey with hey the thrush and the jay
Are summer songs for me and my aunts
While we lie tumbling in the hay
I have served Prince Florizel and in my time wore threepile but now I am out of service
But shall I go mourn for that my dear
The pale moon shines by night
And when I wander here and there
I then do most go right
If tinkers may have leave to live
And bear the sowskin budget
Then my account I well may give
And in the stocks avouch it
My traffic is sheets when the kite builds look to lesser linen My father named me Autolycus who being I as am littered under Mercury was likewise a snapperup of unconsidered trifles With die and drab I purchased this caparison and my revenue is the silly cheat Gallows and knock are too powerful on the highway Beating and hanging are terrors to me For the life to come I sleep out the thought of it A prize a prize
Enter Clown
CLOWN
Let me see every leven wether tods every tod yields pound and odd shilling fifteen hundred shorn what comes the wool to
AUTOLYCUS
Aside If the springe hold the cocks mine
CLOWN
I cannot dot without counters Let me see what am I to buy for our sheepshearing feast Three pound of sugar five pound of currants ricewhat will this sister of mine do with rice But my father hath made her mistress of the feast and she lays it on She hath made me fourandtwenty nosegays for the shearers threeman songmen all and very good ones but they are most of them means and basses but one puritan amongst them and he sings psalms to hornpipes I must have saffron to colour the warden pies mace dates none thats out of my note nutmegs seven a race or two of ginger but that I may beg four pound of prunes and as many of raisins o th sun
AUTOLYCUS
Grovelling on the ground O that ever I was born
CLOWN
I th name of me
AUTOLYCUS
O help me help me Pluck but off these rags and then death death
CLOWN
Alack poor soul thou hast need of more rags to lay on thee rather than have these off
AUTOLYCUS
O sir the loathsomeness of them offends me more than the stripes I have received which are mighty ones and millions
CLOWN
Alas poor man a million of beating may come to a great matter
AUTOLYCUS
I am robbed sir and beaten my money and apparel taen from me and these detestable things put upon me
CLOWN
What by a horseman or a footman
AUTOLYCUS
A footman sweet sir a footman
CLOWN
Indeed he should be a footman by the garments he has left with thee if this be a horsemans coat it hath seen very hot service Lend me thy hand Ill help thee come lend me thy hand
Helping him up
AUTOLYCUS
O good sir tenderly O
CLOWN
Alas poor soul
AUTOLYCUS
O good sir softly good sir I fear sir my shoulder blade is out
CLOWN
How now canst stand
AUTOLYCUS
Softly dear sir Picks his pocket good sir softly You ha done me a charitable office
CLOWN
Dost lack any money I have a little money for thee
AUTOLYCUS
No good sweet sir no I beseech you sir I have a kinsman not past threequarters of a mile hence unto whom I was going I shall there have money or anything I want Offer me no money I pray you that kills my heart
CLOWN
What manner of fellow was he that robbed you
AUTOLYCUS
A fellow sir that I have known to go about with trollmydames I knew him once a servant of the prince I cannot tell good sir for which of his virtues it was but he was certainly whipped out of the court
CLOWN
His vices you would say theres no virtue whipped out of the court They cherish it to make it stay there and yet it will no more but abide
AUTOLYCUS
Vices I would say sir I know this man well He hath been since an apebearer then a processserver a bailiff Then he compassed a motion of the Prodigal Son and married a tinkers wife within a mile where my land and living lies and having flown over many knavish professions he settled only in rogue Some call him Autolycus
CLOWN
Out upon him prig for my life prig he haunts wakes fairs and bearbaitings
AUTOLYCUS
Very true sir he sir he thats the rogue that put me into this apparel
CLOWN
Not a more cowardly rogue in all Bohemia If you had but looked big and spit at him hed have run
AUTOLYCUS
I must confess to you sir I am no fighter I am false of heart that way and that he knew I warrant him
CLOWN
How do you now
AUTOLYCUS
Sweet sir much better than I was I can stand and walk I will even take my leave of you and pace softly towards my kinsmans
CLOWN
Shall I bring thee on the way
AUTOLYCUS
No goodfaced sir no sweet sir
CLOWN
Then fare thee well I must go buy spices for our sheepshearing
AUTOLYCUS
Prosper you sweet sir
Exit Clown
Your purse is not hot enough to purchase your spice Ill be with you at your sheepshearing too If I make not this cheat bring out another and the shearers prove sheep let me be unrolled and my name put in the book of virtue
Sings
Jog on jog on the footpath way
And merrily hent the stilea
A merry heart goes all the day
Your sad tires in a milea
Exit
SCENE IV The same A Shepherds Cottage
Enter Florizel and Perdita
FLORIZEL
These your unusual weeds to each part of you
Do give a life no shepherdess but Flora
Peering in Aprils front This your sheepshearing
Is as a meeting of the petty gods
And you the queen on t
PERDITA
Sir my gracious lord
To chide at your extremes it not becomes me
O pardon that I name them Your high self
The gracious mark o th land you have obscurd
With a swains wearing and me poor lowly maid
Most goddesslike prankd up But that our feasts
In every mess have folly and the feeders
Digest it with a custom I should blush
To see you so attird swoon I think
To show myself a glass
FLORIZEL
I bless the time
When my good falcon made her flight across
Thy fathers ground
PERDITA
Now Jove afford you cause
To me the difference forges dread Your greatness
Hath not been usd to fear Even now I tremble
To think your father by some accident
Should pass this way as you did O the Fates
How would he look to see his work so noble
Vilely bound up What would he say Or how
Should I in these my borrowd flaunts behold
The sternness of his presence
FLORIZEL
Apprehend
Nothing but jollity The gods themselves
Humbling their deities to love have taken
The shapes of beasts upon them Jupiter
Became a bull and bellowd the green Neptune
A ram and bleated and the firerobd god
Golden Apollo a poor humble swain
As I seem now Their transformations
Were never for a piece of beauty rarer
Nor in a way so chaste since my desires
Run not before mine honour nor my lusts
Burn hotter than my faith
PERDITA
O but sir
Your resolution cannot hold when tis
Opposd as it must be by the power of the king
One of these two must be necessities
Which then will speak that you must change this purpose
Or I my life
FLORIZEL
Thou dearest Perdita
With these forcd thoughts I prithee darken not
The mirth o th feast Or Ill be thine my fair
Or not my fathers For I cannot be
Mine own nor anything to any if
I be not thine To this I am most constant
Though destiny say no Be merry gentle
Strangle such thoughts as these with anything
That you behold the while Your guests are coming
Lift up your countenance as it were the day
Of celebration of that nuptial which
We two have sworn shall come
PERDITA
O lady Fortune
Stand you auspicious
FLORIZEL
See your guests approach
Address yourself to entertain them sprightly
And lets be red with mirth
Enter Shepherd with Polixenes and Camillo disguised Clown Mopsa Dorcas with others
SHEPHERD
Fie daughter When my old wife livd upon
This day she was both pantler butler cook
Both dame and servant welcomd all servd all
Would sing her song and dance her turn now here
At upper end o th table now i th middle
On his shoulder and his her face o fire
With labour and the thing she took to quench it
She would to each one sip You are retired
As if you were a feasted one and not
The hostess of the meeting pray you bid
These unknown friends to s welcome for it is
A way to make us better friends more known
Come quench your blushes and present yourself
That which you are mistress o th feast Come on
And bid us welcome to your sheepshearing
As your good flock shall prosper
PERDITA
To Polixenes Sir welcome
It is my fathers will I should take on me
The hostessship o the day
To Camillo Youre welcome sir
Give me those flowers there Dorcas Reverend sirs
For you theres rosemary and rue these keep
Seeming and savour all the winter long
Grace and remembrance be to you both
And welcome to our shearing
POLIXENES
Shepherdess
A fair one are youwell you fit our ages
With flowers of winter
PERDITA
Sir the year growing ancient
Not yet on summers death nor on the birth
Of trembling winter the fairest flowers o th season
Are our carnations and streakd gillyvors
Which some call natures bastards of that kind
Our rustic gardens barren and I care not
To get slips of them
POLIXENES
Wherefore gentle maiden
Do you neglect them
PERDITA
For I have heard it said
There is an art which in their piedness shares
With great creating nature
POLIXENES
Say there be
Yet nature is made better by no mean
But nature makes that mean So over that art
Which you say adds to nature is an art
That nature makes You see sweet maid we marry
A gentler scion to the wildest stock
And make conceive a bark of baser kind
By bud of nobler race This is an art
Which does mend nature change it rather but
The art itself is nature
PERDITA
So it is
POLIXENES
Then make your garden rich in gillyvors
And do not call them bastards
PERDITA
Ill not put
The dibble in earth to set one slip of them
No more than were I painted I would wish
This youth should say twere well and only therefore
Desire to breed by me Heres flowers for you
Hot lavender mints savory marjoram
The marigold that goes to bed with th sun
And with him rises weeping These are flowers
Of middle summer and I think they are given
To men of middle age Youre very welcome
CAMILLO
I should leave grazing were I of your flock
And only live by gazing
PERDITA
Out alas
Youd be so lean that blasts of January
Would blow you through and through To Florizel Now my fairst friend
I would I had some flowers o th spring that might
Become your time of day and yours and yours
That wear upon your virgin branches yet
Your maidenheads growing O Proserpina
From the flowers now that frighted thou letst fall
From Diss waggon daffodils
That come before the swallow dares and take
The winds of March with beauty violets dim
But sweeter than the lids of Junos eyes
Or Cythereas breath pale primroses
That die unmarried ere they can behold
Bright Phoebus in his strength a malady
Most incident to maids bold oxlips and
The crown imperial lilies of all kinds
The flowerdeluce being one O these I lack
To make you garlands of and my sweet friend
To strew him oer and oer
FLORIZEL
What like a corse
PERDITA
No like a bank for love to lie and play on
Not like a corse or if not to be buried
But quick and in mine arms Come take your flowers
Methinks I play as I have seen them do
In Whitsun pastorals Sure this robe of mine
Does change my disposition
FLORIZEL
What you do
Still betters what is done When you speak sweet
Id have you do it ever When you sing
Id have you buy and sell so so give alms
Pray so and for the ordring your affairs
To sing them too When you do dance I wish you
A wave o th sea that you might ever do
Nothing but that move still still so
And own no other function Each your doing
So singular in each particular
Crowns what you are doing in the present deeds
That all your acts are queens
PERDITA
O Doricles
Your praises are too large But that your youth
And the true blood which peeps fairly through t
Do plainly give you out an unstained shepherd
With wisdom I might fear my Doricles
You wood me the false way
FLORIZEL
I think you have
As little skill to fear as I have purpose
To put you to t But come our dance I pray
Your hand my Perdita So turtles pair
That never mean to part
PERDITA
Ill swear for em
POLIXENES
This is the prettiest lowborn lass that ever
Ran on the greensward Nothing she does or seems
But smacks of something greater than herself
Too noble for this place
CAMILLO
He tells her something
That makes her blood look out Good sooth she is
The queen of curds and cream
CLOWN
Come on strike up
DORCAS
Mopsa must be your mistress marry garlic to mend her kissing with
MOPSA
Now in good time
CLOWN
Not a word a word we stand upon our manners
Come strike up
Music Here a dance Of Shepherds and Shepherdesses
POLIXENES
Pray good shepherd what fair swain is this
Which dances with your daughter
SHEPHERD
They call him Doricles and boasts himself
To have a worthy feeding But I have it
Upon his own report and I believe it
He looks like sooth He says he loves my daughter
I think so too for never gazd the moon
Upon the water as hell stand and read
As twere my daughters eyes And to be plain
I think there is not half a kiss to choose
Who loves another best
POLIXENES
She dances featly
SHEPHERD
So she does anything though I report it
That should be silent If young Doricles
Do light upon her she shall bring him that
Which he not dreams of
Enter a Servant
SERVANT
O master if you did but hear the pedlar at the door you would never dance again after a tabor and pipe no the bagpipe could not move you He sings several tunes faster than youll tell money He utters them as he had eaten ballads and all mens ears grew to his tunes
CLOWN
He could never come better he shall come in I love a ballad but even too well if it be doleful matter merrily set down or a very pleasant thing indeed and sung lamentably
SERVANT
He hath songs for man or woman of all sizes No milliner can so fit his customers with gloves He has the prettiest lovesongs for maids so without bawdry which is strange with such delicate burdens of dildos and fadings jump her and thump her and where some stretchmouthed rascal would as it were mean mischief and break a foul gap into the matter he makes the maid to answer Whoop do me no harm good man puts him off slights him with Whoop do me no harm good man
POLIXENES
This is a brave fellow
CLOWN
Believe me thou talkest of an admirable conceited fellow Has he any unbraided wares
SERVANT
He hath ribbons of all the colours i th rainbow points more than all the lawyers in Bohemia can learnedly handle though they come to him by th gross inkles caddisses cambrics lawns why he sings em over as they were gods or goddesses you would think a smock were a sheangel he so chants to the sleevehand and the work about the square on t
CLOWN
Prithee bring him in and let him approach singing
PERDITA
Forewarn him that he use no scurrilous words in s tunes
Exit Servant
CLOWN
You have of these pedlars that have more in them than youd think sister
PERDITA
Ay good brother or go about to think
Enter Autolycus singing
AUTOLYCUS
Lawn as white as driven snow
Cypress black as eer was crow
Gloves as sweet as damask roses
Masks for faces and for noses
Buglebracelet necklace amber
Perfume for a ladys chamber
Golden quoifs and stomachers
For my lads to give their dears
Pins and pokingsticks of steel
What maids lack from head to heel
Come buy of me come come buy come buy
Buy lads or else your lasses cry
Come buy
CLOWN
If I were not in love with Mopsa thou shouldst take no money of me but being enthralled as I am it will also be the bondage of certain ribbons and gloves
MOPSA
I was promised them against the feast but they come not too late now
DORCAS
He hath promised you more than that or there be liars
MOPSA
He hath paid you all he promised you Maybe he has paid you more which will shame you to give him again
CLOWN
Is there no manners left among maids Will they wear their plackets where they should bear their faces Is there not milkingtime when you are going to bed or kilnhole to whistle of these secrets but you must be tittletattling before all our guests Tis well they are whispering Clamour your tongues and not a word more
MOPSA
I have done Come you promised me a tawdry lace and a pair of sweet gloves
CLOWN
Have I not told thee how I was cozened by the way and lost all my money
AUTOLYCUS
And indeed sir there are cozeners abroad therefore it behoves men to be wary
CLOWN
Fear not thou man Thou shalt lose nothing here
AUTOLYCUS
I hope so sir for I have about me many parcels of charge
CLOWN
What hast here Ballads
MOPSA
Pray now buy some I love a ballad in print alife for then we are sure they are true
AUTOLYCUS
Heres one to a very doleful tune How a usurers wife was brought to bed of twenty moneybags at a burden and how she longed to eat adders heads and toads carbonadoed
MOPSA
Is it true think you
AUTOLYCUS
Very true and but a month old
DORCAS
Bless me from marrying a usurer
AUTOLYCUS
Heres the midwifes name tot one Mistress Taleporter and five or six honest wives that were present Why should I carry lies abroad
MOPSA
Pray you now buy it
CLOWN
Come on lay it by and lets first see more ballads Well buy the other things anon
AUTOLYCUS
Heres another ballad of a fish that appeared upon the coast on Wednesday the fourscore of April forty thousand fathom above water and sung this ballad against the hard hearts of maids It was thought she was a woman and was turned into a cold fish for she would not exchange flesh with one that loved her The ballad is very pitiful and as true
DORCAS
Is it true too think you
AUTOLYCUS
Five justices hands at it and witnesses more than my pack will hold
CLOWN
Lay it by too another
AUTOLYCUS
This is a merry ballad but a very pretty one
MOPSA
Lets have some merry ones
AUTOLYCUS
Why this is a passing merry one and goes to the tune of Two maids wooing a man Theres scarce a maid westward but she sings it Tis in request I can tell you
MOPSA
We can both sing it if thoult bear a part thou shalt hear tis in three parts
DORCAS
We had the tune on t a month ago
AUTOLYCUS
I can bear my part you must know tis my occupation have at it with you
SONG
AUTOLYCUS
Get you hence for I must go
Where it fits not you to know
DORCAS
Whither
MOPSA
O whither
DORCAS
Whither
MOPSA
It becomes thy oath full well
Thou to me thy secrets tell
DORCAS
Me too Let me go thither
MOPSA
Or thou goest to th grange or mill
DORCAS
If to either thou dost ill
AUTOLYCUS
Neither
DORCAS
What neither
AUTOLYCUS
Neither
DORCAS
Thou hast sworn my love to be
MOPSA
Thou hast sworn it more to me
Then whither goest Say whither
CLOWN
Well have this song out anon by ourselves My father and the gentlemen are in sad talk and well not trouble them Come bring away thy pack after me Wenches Ill buy for you both Pedlar lets have the first choice Follow me girls
Exit with Dorcas and Mopsa
AUTOLYCUS
Aside And you shall pay well for em
SONG
Will you buy any tape
Or lace for your cape
My dainty duck my deara
Any silk any thread
Any toys for your head
Of the newst and finst finst weara
Come to the pedlar
Moneys a meddler
That doth utter all mens warea
Exit
Enter Servant
SERVANT
Master there is three carters three shepherds three neatherds three swineherds that have made themselves all men of hair They call themselves saltiers and they have dance which the wenches say is a gallimaufry of gambols because they are not in t but they themselves are o the mind if it be not too rough for some that know little but bowling it will please plentifully
SHEPHERD
Away well none on t Here has been too much homely foolery already I know sir we weary you
POLIXENES
You weary those that refresh us pray lets see these four threes of herdsmen
SERVANT
One three of them by their own report sir hath danced before the king and not the worst of the three but jumps twelve foot and a half by th square
SHEPHERD
Leave your prating since these good men are pleased let them come in but quickly now
SERVANT
Why they stay at door sir
Exit
Enter Twelve Rustics habited like Satyrs They dance and then exeunt
POLIXENES
O father youll know more of that hereafter
To Camillo Is it not too far gone Tis time to part them
Hes simple and tells much To Florizel How now fair shepherd
Your heart is full of something that does take
Your mind from feasting Sooth when I was young
And handed love as you do I was wont
To load my she with knacks I would have ransackd
The pedlars silken treasury and have pourd it
To her acceptance You have let him go
And nothing marted with him If your lass
Interpretation should abuse and call this
Your lack of love or bounty you were straited
For a reply at least if you make a care
Of happy holding her
FLORIZEL
Old sir I know
She prizes not such trifles as these are
The gifts she looks from me are packd and lockd
Up in my heart which I have given already
But not deliverd O hear me breathe my life
Before this ancient sir who it should seem
Hath sometime lovd I take thy hand this hand
As soft as doves down and as white as it
Or Ethiopians tooth or the fannd snow thats bolted
By th northern blasts twice oer
POLIXENES
What follows this
How prettily the young swain seems to wash
The hand was fair before I have put you out
But to your protestation Let me hear
What you profess
FLORIZEL
Do and be witness to t
POLIXENES
And this my neighbour too
FLORIZEL
And he and more
Than he and men the earth the heavens and all
That were I crownd the most imperial monarch
Thereof most worthy were I the fairest youth
That ever made eye swerve had force and knowledge
More than was ever mans I would not prize them
Without her love for her employ them all
Commend them and condemn them to her service
Or to their own perdition
POLIXENES
Fairly offerd
CAMILLO
This shows a sound affection
SHEPHERD
But my daughter
Say you the like to him
PERDITA
I cannot speak
So well nothing so well no nor mean better
By th pattern of mine own thoughts I cut out
The purity of his
SHEPHERD
Take hands a bargain
And friends unknown you shall bear witness tot
I give my daughter to him and will make
Her portion equal his
FLORIZEL
O that must be
I th virtue of your daughter one being dead
I shall have more than you can dream of yet
Enough then for your wonder But come on
Contract us fore these witnesses
SHEPHERD
Come your hand
And daughter yours
POLIXENES
Soft swain awhile beseech you
Have you a father
FLORIZEL
I have but what of him
POLIXENES
Knows he of this
FLORIZEL
He neither does nor shall
POLIXENES
Methinks a father
Is at the nuptial of his son a guest
That best becomes the table Pray you once more
Is not your father grown incapable
Of reasonable affairs is he not stupid
With age and altring rheums can he speak hear
Know man from man dispute his own estate
Lies he not bedrid and again does nothing
But what he did being childish
FLORIZEL
No good sir
He has his health and ampler strength indeed
Than most have of his age
POLIXENES
By my white beard
You offer him if this be so a wrong
Something unfilial reason my son
Should choose himself a wife but as good reason
The father all whose joy is nothing else
But fair posterity should hold some counsel
In such a business
FLORIZEL
I yield all this
But for some other reasons my grave sir
Which tis not fit you know I not acquaint
My father of this business
POLIXENES
Let him know t
FLORIZEL
He shall not
POLIXENES
Prithee let him
FLORIZEL
No he must not
SHEPHERD
Let him my son he shall not need to grieve
At knowing of thy choice
FLORIZEL
Come come he must not
Mark our contract
POLIXENES
Discovering himself Mark your divorce young sir
Whom son I dare not call thou art too base
To be acknowledged thou a sceptres heir
That thus affects a sheephook Thou old traitor
I am sorry that by hanging thee I can
But shorten thy life one week And thou fresh piece
Of excellent witchcraft whom of force must know
The royal fool thou copst with
SHEPHERD
O my heart
POLIXENES
Ill have thy beauty scratchd with briers and made
More homely than thy state For thee fond boy
If I may ever know thou dost but sigh
That thou no more shalt see this knack as never
I mean thou shalt well bar thee from succession
Not hold thee of our blood no not our kin
Far than Deucalion off Mark thou my words
Follow us to the court Thou churl for this time
Though full of our displeasure yet we free thee
From the dead blow of it And you enchantment
Worthy enough a herdsman yea him too
That makes himself but for our honour therein
Unworthy thee If ever henceforth thou
These rural latches to his entrance open
Or hoop his body more with thy embraces
I will devise a death as cruel for thee
As thou art tender to t
Exit
PERDITA
Even here undone
I was not much afeard for once or twice
I was about to speak and tell him plainly
The selfsame sun that shines upon his court
Hides not his visage from our cottage but
Looks on alike To Florizel Willt please you sir be gone
I told you what would come of this Beseech you
Of your own state take care This dream of mine
Being now awake Ill queen it no inch farther
But milk my ewes and weep
CAMILLO
Why how now father
Speak ere thou diest
SHEPHERD
I cannot speak nor think
Nor dare to know that which I know O sir
You have undone a man of fourscore three
That thought to fill his grave in quiet yea
To die upon the bed my father died
To lie close by his honest bones but now
Some hangman must put on my shroud and lay me
Where no priest shovels in dust O cursed wretch
That knewst this was the prince and wouldst adventure
To mingle faith with him Undone undone
If I might die within this hour I have livd
To die when I desire
Exit
FLORIZEL
Why look you so upon me
I am but sorry not afeard delayd
But nothing altred what I was I am
More straining on for plucking back not following
My leash unwillingly
CAMILLO
Gracious my lord
You know your fathers temper at this time
He will allow no speech which I do guess
You do not purpose to him and as hardly
Will he endure your sight as yet I fear
Then till the fury of his highness settle
Come not before him
FLORIZEL
I not purpose it
I think Camillo
CAMILLO
Even he my lord
PERDITA
How often have I told you twould be thus
How often said my dignity would last
But till twere known
FLORIZEL
It cannot fail but by
The violation of my faith and then
Let nature crush the sides o th earth together
And mar the seeds within Lift up thy looks
From my succession wipe me father I
Am heir to my affection
CAMILLO
Be advisd
FLORIZEL
I am and by my fancy If my reason
Will thereto be obedient I have reason
If not my senses better pleasd with madness
Do bid it welcome
CAMILLO
This is desperate sir
FLORIZEL
So call it but it does fulfil my vow
I needs must think it honesty Camillo
Not for Bohemia nor the pomp that may
Be thereat gleand for all the sun sees or
The close earth wombs or the profound seas hides
In unknown fathoms will I break my oath
To this my fair belovd Therefore I pray you
As you have ever been my fathers honourd friend
When he shall miss meas in faith I mean not
To see him any morecast your good counsels
Upon his passion let myself and fortune
Tug for the time to come This you may know
And so deliver I am put to sea
With her whom here I cannot hold on shore
And most opportune to her need I have
A vessel rides fast by but not prepard
For this design What course I mean to hold
Shall nothing benefit your knowledge nor
Concern me the reporting
CAMILLO
O my lord
I would your spirit were easier for advice
Or stronger for your need
FLORIZEL
Hark Perdita Takes her aside
To Camillo Ill hear you by and by
CAMILLO
Hes irremovable
Resolvd for flight Now were I happy if
His going I could frame to serve my turn
Save him from danger do him love and honour
Purchase the sight again of dear Sicilia
And that unhappy king my master whom
I so much thirst to see
FLORIZEL
Now good Camillo
I am so fraught with curious business that
I leave out ceremony
CAMILLO
Sir I think
You have heard of my poor services i th love
That I have borne your father
FLORIZEL
Very nobly
Have you deservd it is my fathers music
To speak your deeds not little of his care
To have them recompensd as thought on
CAMILLO
Well my lord
If you may please to think I love the king
And through him whats nearest to him which is
Your gracious self embrace but my direction
If your more ponderous and settled project
May suffer alteration On mine honour
Ill point you where you shall have such receiving
As shall become your highness where you may
Enjoy your mistress from the whom I see
Theres no disjunction to be made but by
As heavens forfend your ruin Marry her
And with my best endeavours in your absence
Your discontenting father strive to qualify
And bring him up to liking
FLORIZEL
How Camillo
May this almost a miracle be done
That I may call thee something more than man
And after that trust to thee
CAMILLO
Have you thought on
A place whereto youll go
FLORIZEL
Not any yet
But as th unthoughton accident is guilty
To what we wildly do so we profess
Ourselves to be the slaves of chance and flies
Of every wind that blows
CAMILLO
Then list to me
This follows if you will not change your purpose
But undergo this flight make for Sicilia
And there present yourself and your fair princess
For so I see she must be fore Leontes
She shall be habited as it becomes
The partner of your bed Methinks I see
Leontes opening his free arms and weeping
His welcomes forth asks thee the son forgiveness
As twere i th fathers person kisses the hands
Of your fresh princess oer and oer divides him
Twixt his unkindness and his kindness Th one
He chides to hell and bids the other grow
Faster than thought or time
FLORIZEL
Worthy Camillo
What colour for my visitation shall I
Hold up before him
CAMILLO
Sent by the king your father
To greet him and to give him comforts Sir
The manner of your bearing towards him with
What you as from your father shall deliver
Things known betwixt us three Ill write you down
The which shall point you forth at every sitting
What you must say that he shall not perceive
But that you have your fathers bosom there
And speak his very heart
FLORIZEL
I am bound to you
There is some sap in this
CAMILLO
A course more promising
Than a wild dedication of yourselves
To unpathd waters undreamd shores most certain
To miseries enough no hope to help you
But as you shake off one to take another
Nothing so certain as your anchors who
Do their best office if they can but stay you
Where youll be loath to be Besides you know
Prosperitys the very bond of love
Whose fresh complexion and whose heart together
Affliction alters
PERDITA
One of these is true
I think affliction may subdue the cheek
But not take in the mind
CAMILLO
Yea say you so
There shall not at your fathers house these seven years
Be born another such
FLORIZEL
My good Camillo
She is as forward of her breeding as
She is i th rear our birth
CAMILLO
I cannot say tis pity
She lacks instructions for she seems a mistress
To most that teach
PERDITA
Your pardon sir for this
Ill blush you thanks
FLORIZEL
My prettiest Perdita
But O the thorns we stand upon Camillo
Preserver of my father now of me
The medicine of our house how shall we do
We are not furnishd like Bohemias son
Nor shall appear in Sicilia
CAMILLO
My lord
Fear none of this I think you know my fortunes
Do all lie there it shall be so my care
To have you royally appointed as if
The scene you play were mine For instance sir
That you may know you shall not wantone word
They talk aside
Enter Autolycus
AUTOLYCUS
Ha ha what a fool Honesty is and Trust his sworn brother a very simple gentleman I have sold all my trumpery Not a counterfeit stone not a ribbon glass pomander brooch tablebook ballad knife tape glove shoetie bracelet hornring to keep my pack from fasting They throng who should buy first as if my trinkets had been hallowed and brought a benediction to the buyer by which means I saw whose purse was best in picture and what I saw to my good use I remembered My clown who wants but something to be a reasonable man grew so in love with the wenches song that he would not stir his pettitoes till he had both tune and words which so drew the rest of the herd to me that all their other senses stuck in ears you might have pinched a placket it was senseless twas nothing to geld a codpiece of a purse I would have filed keys off that hung in chains no hearing no feeling but my sirs song and admiring the nothing of it So that in this time of lethargy I picked and cut most of their festival purses and had not the old man come in with a whoobub against his daughter and the kings son and scared my choughs from the chaff I had not left a purse alive in the whole army
Camillo Florizel and Perdita come forward
CAMILLO
Nay but my letters by this means being there
So soon as you arrive shall clear that doubt
FLORIZEL
And those that youll procure from king Leontes
CAMILLO
Shall satisfy your father
PERDITA
Happy be you
All that you speak shows fair
CAMILLO
Seeing Autolycus Who have we here
Well make an instrument of this omit
Nothing may give us aid
AUTOLYCUS
Aside If they have overheard me nowwhy hanging
CAMILLO
How now good fellow why shakest thou so Fear not man heres no harm intended to thee
AUTOLYCUS
I am a poor fellow sir
CAMILLO
Why be so still heres nobody will steal that from thee yet for the outside of thy poverty we must make an exchange therefore discase thee instantlythou must think theres a necessity intand change garments with this gentleman though the pennyworth on his side be the worst yet hold thee theres some boot
Giving money
AUTOLYCUS
I am a poor fellow sir Aside I know ye well enough
CAMILLO
Nay prithee dispatch the gentleman is half flayed already
AUTOLYCUS
Are you in earnest sir Aside I smell the trick ont
FLORIZEL
Dispatch I prithee
AUTOLYCUS
Indeed I have had earnest but I cannot with conscience take it
CAMILLO
Unbuckle unbuckle
Florizel and Autolycus exchange garments
Fortunate mistresslet my prophecy
Come home to youyou must retire yourself
Into some covert Take your sweethearts hat
And pluck it oer your brows muffle your face
Dismantle you and as you can disliken
The truth of your own seeming that you may
For I do fear eyes over to shipboard
Get undescried
PERDITA
I see the play so lies
That I must bear a part
CAMILLO
No remedy
Have you done there
FLORIZEL
Should I now meet my father
He would not call me son
CAMILLO
Nay you shall have no hat Giving it to Perdita
Come lady come Farewell my friend
AUTOLYCUS
Adieu sir
FLORIZEL
O Perdita what have we twain forgot
Pray you a word
They converse apart
CAMILLO
Aside What I do next shall be to tell the king
Of this escape and whither they are bound
Wherein my hope is I shall so prevail
To force him after in whose company
I shall review Sicilia for whose sight
I have a womans longing
FLORIZEL
Fortune speed us
Thus we set on Camillo to the seaside
CAMILLO
The swifter speed the better
Exeunt Florizel Perdita and Camillo
AUTOLYCUS
I understand the business I hear it To have an open ear a quick eye and a nimble hand is necessary for a cutpurse a good nose is requisite also to smell out work for the other senses I see this is the time that the unjust man doth thrive What an exchange had this been without boot What a boot is here with this exchange Sure the gods do this year connive at us and we may do anything extempore The prince himself is about a piece of iniquity stealing away from his father with his clog at his heels if I thought it were a piece of honesty to acquaint the king withal I would not dot I hold it the more knavery to conceal it and therein am I constant to my profession
Enter Clown and Shepherd
Aside aside here is more matter for a hot brain every lanes end every shop church session hanging yields a careful man work
CLOWN
See see what a man you are now There is no other way but to tell the king shes a changeling and none of your flesh and blood
SHEPHERD
Nay but hear me
CLOWN
Nay but hear me
SHEPHERD
Go to then
CLOWN
She being none of your flesh and blood your flesh and blood has not offended the king and so your flesh and blood is not to be punished by him Show those things you found about her those secret things all but what she has with her this being done let the law go whistle I warrant you
SHEPHERD
I will tell the king all every word yea and his sons pranks too who I may say is no honest man neither to his father nor to me to go about to make me the kings brotherinlaw
CLOWN
Indeed brotherinlaw was the farthest off you could have been to him and then your blood had been the dearer by I know how much an ounce
AUTOLYCUS
Aside Very wisely puppies
SHEPHERD
Well let us to the king there is that in this fardel will make him scratch his beard
AUTOLYCUS
Aside I know not what impediment this complaint may be to the flight of my master
CLOWN
Pray heartily he be at palace
AUTOLYCUS
Aside Though I am not naturally honest I am so sometimes by chance Let me pocket up my pedlars excrement Takes off his false beard How now rustics whither are you bound
SHEPHERD
To the palace an it like your worship
AUTOLYCUS
Your affairs there what with whom the condition of that fardel the place of your dwelling your names your ages of what having breeding and anything that is fitting to be known discover
CLOWN
We are but plain fellows sir
AUTOLYCUS
A lie you are rough and hairy Let me have no lying It becomes none but tradesmen and they often give us soldiers the lie but we pay them for it with stamped coin not stabbing steel therefore they do not give us the lie
CLOWN
Your worship had like to have given us one if you had not taken yourself with the manner
SHEPHERD
Are you a courtier an t like you sir
AUTOLYCUS
Whether it like me or no I am a courtier Seest thou not the air of the court in these enfoldings hath not my gait in it the measure of the court receives not thy nose courtodour from me reflect I not on thy baseness courtcontempt Thinkst thou for that I insinuate or toaze from thee thy business I am therefore no courtier I am courtier capape and one that will either push on or pluck back thy business there Whereupon I command thee to open thy affair
SHEPHERD
My business sir is to the king
AUTOLYCUS
What advocate hast thou to him
SHEPHERD
I know not an t like you
CLOWN
Advocates the courtword for a pheasant Say you have none
SHEPHERD
None sir I have no pheasant cock nor hen
AUTOLYCUS
How blessd are we that are not simple men
Yet nature might have made me as these are
Therefore I will not disdain
CLOWN
This cannot be but a great courtier
SHEPHERD
His garments are rich but he wears them not handsomely
CLOWN
He seems to be the more noble in being fantastical a great man Ill warrant I know by the picking ons teeth
AUTOLYCUS
The fardel there Whats i th fardel Wherefore that box
SHEPHERD
Sir there lies such secrets in this fardel and box which none must know but the king and which he shall know within this hour if I may come to th speech of him
AUTOLYCUS
Age thou hast lost thy labour
SHEPHERD
Why sir
AUTOLYCUS
The king is not at the palace he is gone aboard a new ship to purge melancholy and air himself for if thou beest capable of things serious thou must know the king is full of grief
SHEPHERD
So tis said sir about his son that should have married a shepherds daughter
AUTOLYCUS
If that shepherd be not in handfast let him fly The curses he shall have the tortures he shall feel will break the back of man the heart of monster
CLOWN
Think you so sir
AUTOLYCUS
Not he alone shall suffer what wit can make heavy and vengeance bitter but those that are germane to him though removed fifty times shall all come under the hangman which though it be great pity yet it is necessary An old sheepwhistling rogue a ramtender to offer to have his daughter come into grace Some say he shall be stoned but that death is too soft for him say I Draw our throne into a sheepcote All deaths are too few the sharpest too easy
CLOWN
Has the old man eer a son sir do you hear an t like you sir
AUTOLYCUS
He has a son who shall be flayed alive then nointed over with honey set on the head of a wasps nest then stand till he be three quarters and a dram dead then recovered again with aquavit or some other hot infusion then raw as he is and in the hottest day prognostication proclaims shall he be set against a brick wall the sun looking with a southward eye upon him where he is to behold him with flies blown to death But what talk we of these traitorly rascals whose miseries are to be smiled at their offences being so capital Tell me for you seem to be honest plain men what you have to the king Being something gently considered Ill bring you where he is aboard tender your persons to his presence whisper him in your behalfs and if it be in man besides the king to effect your suits here is man shall do it
CLOWN
He seems to be of great authority close with him give him gold and though authority be a stubborn bear yet he is oft led by the nose with gold show the inside of your purse to the outside of his hand and no more ado Remember stond and flayed alive
SHEPHERD
An t please you sir to undertake the business for us here is that gold I have Ill make it as much more and leave this young man in pawn till I bring it you
AUTOLYCUS
After I have done what I promised
SHEPHERD
Ay sir
AUTOLYCUS
Well give me the moiety Are you a party in this business
CLOWN
In some sort sir but though my case be a pitiful one I hope I shall not be flayed out of it
AUTOLYCUS
O thats the case of the shepherds son Hang him hell be made an example
CLOWN
Comfort good comfort We must to the king and show our strange sights He must know tis none of your daughter nor my sister we are gone else Sir I will give you as much as this old man does when the business is performed and remain as he says your pawn till it be brought you
AUTOLYCUS
I will trust you Walk before toward the seaside go on the righthand I will but look upon the hedge and follow you
CLOWN
We are blessed in this man as I may say even blessed
SHEPHERD
Lets before as he bids us He was provided to do us good
Exeunt Shepherd and Clown
AUTOLYCUS
If I had a mind to be honest I see Fortune would not suffer me she drops booties in my mouth I am courted now with a double occasion gold and a means to do the prince my master good which who knows how that may turn back to my advancement I will bring these two moles these blind ones aboard him If he think it fit to shore them again and that the complaint they have to the king concerns him nothing let him call me rogue for being so far officious for I am proof against that title and what shame else belongs to t To him will I present them There may be matter in it
Exit
ACT V
SCENE I Sicilia A Room in the palace of Leontes
Enter Leontes Cleomenes Dion Paulina and others
CLEOMENES
Sir you have done enough and have performd
A saintlike sorrow no fault could you make
Which you have not redeemd indeed paid down
More penitence than done trespass at the last
Do as the heavens have done forget your evil
With them forgive yourself
LEONTES
Whilst I remember
Her and her virtues I cannot forget
My blemishes in them and so still think of
The wrong I did myself which was so much
That heirless it hath made my kingdom and
Destroyd the sweetst companion that eer man
Bred his hopes out of
PAULINA
True too true my lord
If one by one you wedded all the world
Or from the all that are took something good
To make a perfect woman she you killd
Would be unparalleld
LEONTES
I think so Killd
She I killd I did so but thou strikst me
Sorely to say I did it is as bitter
Upon thy tongue as in my thought Now good now
Say so but seldom
CLEOMENES
Not at all good lady
You might have spoken a thousand things that would
Have done the time more benefit and gracd
Your kindness better
PAULINA
You are one of those
Would have him wed again
DION
If you would not so
You pity not the state nor the remembrance
Of his most sovereign name consider little
What dangers by his highness fail of issue
May drop upon his kingdom and devour
Incertain lookerson What were more holy
Than to rejoice the former queen is well
What holier than for royaltys repair
For present comfort and for future good
To bless the bed of majesty again
With a sweet fellow to t
PAULINA
There is none worthy
Respecting her thats gone Besides the gods
Will have fulfilld their secret purposes
For has not the divine Apollo said
Is t not the tenor of his oracle
That king Leontes shall not have an heir
Till his lost child be found Which that it shall
Is all as monstrous to our human reason
As my Antigonus to break his grave
And come again to me who on my life
Did perish with the infant Tis your counsel
My lord should to the heavens be contrary
Oppose against their wills To Leontes Care not for issue
The crown will find an heir Great Alexander
Left his to th worthiest so his successor
Was like to be the best
LEONTES
Good Paulina
Who hast the memory of Hermione
I know in honour O that ever I
Had squard me to thy counsel Then even now
I might have lookd upon my queens full eyes
Have taken treasure from her lips
PAULINA
And left them
More rich for what they yielded
LEONTES
Thou speakst truth
No more such wives therefore no wife one worse
And better usd would make her sainted spirit
Again possess her corpse and on this stage
Where we offenders now appear soulvexed
And begin Why to me
PAULINA
Had she such power
She had just cause
LEONTES
She had and would incense me
To murder her I married
PAULINA
I should so
Were I the ghost that walkd Id bid you mark
Her eye and tell me for what dull part in t
You chose her then Id shriek that even your ears
Should rift to hear me and the words that followd
Should be Remember mine
LEONTES
Stars stars
And all eyes else dead coals Fear thou no wife
Ill have no wife Paulina
PAULINA
Will you swear
Never to marry but by my free leave
LEONTES
Never Paulina so be blessd my spirit
PAULINA
Then good my lords bear witness to his oath
CLEOMENES
You tempt him overmuch
PAULINA
Unless another
As like Hermione as is her picture
Affront his eye
CLEOMENES
Good madam
PAULINA
I have done
Yet if my lord will marryif you will sir
No remedy but you willgive me the office
To choose you a queen she shall not be so young
As was your former but she shall be such
As walkd your first queens ghost it should take joy
To see her in your arms
LEONTES
My true Paulina
We shall not marry till thou bidst us
PAULINA
That
Shall be when your first queens again in breath
Never till then
Enter a Servant
SERVANT
One that gives out himself Prince Florizel
Son of Polixenes with his princess she
The fairest I have yet beheld desires access
To your high presence
LEONTES
What with him he comes not
Like to his fathers greatness his approach
So out of circumstance and sudden tells us
Tis not a visitation framd but forcd
By need and accident What train
SERVANT
But few
And those but mean
LEONTES
His princess say you with him
SERVANT
Ay the most peerless piece of earth I think
That eer the sun shone bright on
PAULINA
O Hermione
As every present time doth boast itself
Above a better gone so must thy grave
Give way to whats seen now Sir you yourself
Have said and writ sobut your writing now
Is colder than that themeShe had not been
Nor was not to be equalld thus your verse
Flowd with her beauty once tis shrewdly ebbd
To say you have seen a better
SERVANT
Pardon madam
The one I have almost forgotyour pardon
The other when she has obtaind your eye
Will have your tongue too This is a creature
Would she begin a sect might quench the zeal
Of all professors else make proselytes
Of who she but bid follow
PAULINA
How not women
SERVANT
Women will love her that she is a woman
More worth than any man men that she is
The rarest of all women
LEONTES
Go Cleomenes
Yourself assisted with your honourd friends
Bring them to our embracement
Exeunt Cleomenes and others
Still tis strange
He thus should steal upon us
PAULINA
Had our prince
Jewel of children seen this hour he had paird
Well with this lord There was not full a month
Between their births
LEONTES
Prithee no more cease Thou knowst
He dies to me again when talkd of sure
When I shall see this gentleman thy speeches
Will bring me to consider that which may
Unfurnish me of reason They are come
Enter Florizel Perdita Cleomenes and others
Your mother was most true to wedlock prince
For she did print your royal father off
Conceiving you Were I but twentyone
Your fathers image is so hit in you
His very air that I should call you brother
As I did him and speak of something wildly
By us performd before Most dearly welcome
And your fair princessgoddess O alas
I lost a couple that twixt heaven and earth
Might thus have stood begetting wonder as
You gracious couple do And then I lost
All mine own follythe society
Amity too of your brave father whom
Though bearing misery I desire my life
Once more to look on him
FLORIZEL
By his command
Have I here touchd Sicilia and from him
Give you all greetings that a king at friend
Can send his brother and but infirmity
Which waits upon worn times hath something seizd
His wishd ability he had himself
The lands and waters twixt your throne and his
Measurd to look upon you whom he loves
He bade me say somore than all the sceptres
And those that bear them living
LEONTES
O my brother
Good gentlemanthe wrongs I have done thee stir
Afresh within me and these thy offices
So rarely kind are as interpreters
Of my behindhand slackness Welcome hither
As is the spring to the earth And hath he too
Exposd this paragon to the fearful usage
At least ungentle of the dreadful Neptune
To greet a man not worth her pains much less
Th adventure of her person
FLORIZEL
Good my lord
She came from Libya
LEONTES
Where the warlike Smalus
That noble honourd lord is feard and lovd
FLORIZEL
Most royal sir from thence from him whose daughter
His tears proclaimd his parting with her thence
A prosperous southwind friendly we have crossd
To execute the charge my father gave me
For visiting your highness my best train
I have from your Sicilian shores dismissd
Who for Bohemia bend to signify
Not only my success in Libya sir
But my arrival and my wifes in safety
Here where we are
LEONTES
The blessed gods
Purge all infection from our air whilst you
Do climate here You have a holy father
A graceful gentleman against whose person
So sacred as it is I have done sin
For which the heavens taking angry note
Have left me issueless And your fathers blessd
As he from heaven merits it with you
Worthy his goodness What might I have been
Might I a son and daughter now have lookd on
Such goodly things as you
Enter a Lord
LORD
Most noble sir
That which I shall report will bear no credit
Were not the proof so nigh Please you great sir
Bohemia greets you from himself by me
Desires you to attach his son who has
His dignity and duty both cast off
Fled from his father from his hopes and with
A shepherds daughter
LEONTES
Wheres Bohemia speak
LORD
Here in your city I now came from him
I speak amazedly and it becomes
My marvel and my message To your court
Whiles he was hastningin the chase it seems
Of this fair couplemeets he on the way
The father of this seeming lady and
Her brother having both their country quitted
With this young prince
FLORIZEL
Camillo has betrayd me
Whose honour and whose honesty till now
Endurd all weathers
LORD
Lay t so to his charge
Hes with the king your father
LEONTES
Who Camillo
LORD
Camillo sir I spake with him who now
Has these poor men in question Never saw I
Wretches so quake they kneel they kiss the earth
Forswear themselves as often as they speak
Bohemia stops his ears and threatens them
With divers deaths in death
PERDITA
O my poor father
The heaven sets spies upon us will not have
Our contract celebrated
LEONTES
You are married
FLORIZEL
We are not sir nor are we like to be
The stars I see will kiss the valleys first
The odds for high and lows alike
LEONTES
My lord
Is this the daughter of a king
FLORIZEL
She is
When once she is my wife
LEONTES
That once I see by your good fathers speed
Will come on very slowly I am sorry
Most sorry you have broken from his liking
Where you were tied in duty and as sorry
Your choice is not so rich in worth as beauty
That you might well enjoy her
FLORIZEL
Dear look up
Though Fortune visible an enemy
Should chase us with my father power no jot
Hath she to change our loves Beseech you sir
Remember since you owd no more to time
Than I do now with thought of such affections
Step forth mine advocate At your request
My father will grant precious things as trifles
LEONTES
Would he do so Id beg your precious mistress
Which he counts but a trifle
PAULINA
Sir my liege
Your eye hath too much youth in t not a month
Fore your queen died she was more worth such gazes
Than what you look on now
LEONTES
I thought of her
Even in these looks I made To Florizel But your petition
Is yet unanswerd I will to your father
Your honour not oerthrown by your desires
I am friend to them and you upon which errand
I now go toward him therefore follow me
And mark what way I make Come good my lord
Exeunt
SCENE II The same Before the Palace
Enter Autolycus and a Gentleman
AUTOLYCUS
Beseech you sir were you present at this relation
FIRST GENTLEMAN
I was by at the opening of the fardel heard the old shepherd deliver the manner how he found it whereupon after a little amazedness we were all commanded out of the chamber only this methought I heard the shepherd say he found the child
AUTOLYCUS
I would most gladly know the issue of it
FIRST GENTLEMAN
I make a broken delivery of the business but the changes I perceived in the king and Camillo were very notes of admiration They seemed almost with staring on one another to tear the cases of their eyes There was speech in their dumbness language in their very gesture they looked as they had heard of a world ransomed or one destroyed A notable passion of wonder appeared in them but the wisest beholder that knew no more but seeing could not say if th importance were joy or sorrow but in the extremity of the one it must needs be Here comes a gentleman that happily knows more
Enter a Gentleman
The news Rogero
SECOND GENTLEMAN
Nothing but bonfires the oracle is fulfilled the kings daughter is found such a deal of wonder is broken out within this hour that balladmakers cannot be able to express it Here comes the Lady Paulinas steward he can deliver you more
Enter a third Gentleman
How goes it now sir This news which is called true is so like an old tale that the verity of it is in strong suspicion Has the king found his heir
THIRD GENTLEMAN
Most true if ever truth were pregnant by circumstance That which you hear youll swear you see there is such unity in the proofs The mantle of Queen Hermiones her jewel about the neck of it the letters of Antigonus found with it which they know to be his character the majesty of the creature in resemblance of the mother the affection of nobleness which nature shows above her breeding and many other evidences proclaim her with all certainty to be the kings daughter Did you see the meeting of the two kings
SECOND GENTLEMAN
No
THIRD GENTLEMAN
Then you have lost a sight which was to be seen cannot be spoken of There might you have beheld one joy crown another so and in such manner that it seemed sorrow wept to take leave of them for their joy waded in tears There was casting up of eyes holding up of hands with countenance of such distraction that they were to be known by garment not by favour Our king being ready to leap out of himself for joy of his found daughter as if that joy were now become a loss cries O thy mother thy mother then asks Bohemia forgiveness then embraces his soninlaw then again worries he his daughter with clipping her now he thanks the old shepherd which stands by like a weatherbitten conduit of many kings reigns I never heard of such another encounter which lames report to follow it and undoes description to do it
SECOND GENTLEMAN
What pray you became of Antigonus that carried hence the child
THIRD GENTLEMAN
Like an old tale still which will have matter to rehearse though credit be asleep and not an ear open He was torn to pieces with a bear this avouches the shepherds son who has not only his innocence which seems much to justify him but a handkerchief and rings of his that Paulina knows
FIRST GENTLEMAN
What became of his bark and his followers
THIRD GENTLEMAN
Wrecked the same instant of their masters death and in the view of the shepherd so that all the instruments which aided to expose the child were even then lost when it was found But O the noble combat that twixt joy and sorrow was fought in Paulina She had one eye declined for the loss of her husband another elevated that the oracle was fulfilled She lifted the princess from the earth and so locks her in embracing as if she would pin her to her heart that she might no more be in danger of losing
FIRST GENTLEMAN
The dignity of this act was worth the audience of kings and princes for by such was it acted
THIRD GENTLEMAN
One of the prettiest touches of all and that which angled for mine eyes caught the water though not the fish was when at the relation of the queens death with the manner how she came to it bravely confessed and lamented by the king how attentiveness wounded his daughter till from one sign of dolour to another she did with an Alas I would fain say bleed tears for I am sure my heart wept blood Who was most marble there changed colour some swooned all sorrowed if all the world could have seen it the woe had been universal
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Are they returned to the court
THIRD GENTLEMAN
No the princess hearing of her mothers statue which is in the keeping of Paulinaa piece many years in doing and now newly performed by that rare Italian master Julio Romano who had he himself eternity and could put breath into his work would beguile Nature of her custom so perfectly he is her ape he so near to Hermione hath done Hermione that they say one would speak to her and stand in hope of answer Thither with all greediness of affection are they gone and there they intend to sup
SECOND GENTLEMAN
I thought she had some great matter there in hand for she hath privately twice or thrice a day ever since the death of Hermione visited that removed house Shall we thither and with our company piece the rejoicing
FIRST GENTLEMAN
Who would be thence that has the benefit of access Every wink of an eye some new grace will be born Our absence makes us unthrifty to our knowledge Lets along
Exeunt Gentlemen
AUTOLYCUS
Now had I not the dash of my former life in me would preferment drop on my head I brought the old man and his son aboard the prince told him I heard them talk of a fardel and I know not what But he at that time overfond of the shepherds daughter so he then took her to be who began to be much seasick and himself little better extremity of weather continuing this mystery remained undiscoverd But tis all one to me for had I been the finderout of this secret it would not have relishd among my other discredits
Enter Shepherd and Clown
Here come those I have done good to against my will and already appearing in the blossoms of their fortune
SHEPHERD
Come boy I am past more children but thy sons and daughters will be all gentlemen born
CLOWN
You are well met sir You denied to fight with me this other day because I was no gentleman born See you these clothes Say you see them not and think me still no gentleman born you were best say these robes are not gentlemen born Give me the lie do and try whether I am not now a gentleman born
AUTOLYCUS
I know you are now sir a gentleman born
CLOWN
Ay and have been so any time these four hours
SHEPHERD
And so have I boy
CLOWN
So you have but I was a gentleman born before my father for the kings son took me by the hand and called me brother and then the two kings called my father brother and then the prince my brother and the princess my sister called my father father and so we wept and there was the first gentlemanlike tears that ever we shed
SHEPHERD
We may live son to shed many more
CLOWN
Ay or else twere hard luck being in so preposterous estate as we are
AUTOLYCUS
I humbly beseech you sir to pardon me all the faults I have committed to your worship and to give me your good report to the prince my master
SHEPHERD
Prithee son do for we must be gentle now we are gentlemen
CLOWN
Thou wilt amend thy life
AUTOLYCUS
Ay an it like your good worship
CLOWN
Give me thy hand I will swear to the prince thou art as honest a true fellow as any is in Bohemia
SHEPHERD
You may say it but not swear it
CLOWN
Not swear it now I am a gentleman Let boors and franklins say it Ill swear it
SHEPHERD
How if it be false son
CLOWN
If it be neer so false a true gentleman may swear it in the behalf of his friend And Ill swear to the prince thou art a tall fellow of thy hands and that thou wilt not be drunk but I know thou art no tall fellow of thy hands and that thou wilt be drunk but Ill swear it and I would thou wouldst be a tall fellow of thy hands
AUTOLYCUS
I will prove so sir to my power
CLOWN
Ay by any means prove a tall fellow if I do not wonder how thou darst venture to be drunk not being a tall fellow trust me not Hark the kings and the princes our kindred are going to see the queens picture Come follow us well be thy good masters
Exeunt
SCENE III The same A Room in Paulinas house
Enter Leontes Polixenes Florizel Perdita Camillo Paulina Lords and Attendants
LEONTES
O grave and good Paulina the great comfort
That I have had of thee
PAULINA
What sovereign sir
I did not well I meant well All my services
You have paid home but that you have vouchsafd
With your crownd brother and these your contracted
Heirs of your kingdoms my poor house to visit
It is a surplus of your grace which never
My life may last to answer
LEONTES
O Paulina
We honour you with trouble But we came
To see the statue of our queen your gallery
Have we passd through not without much content
In many singularities but we saw not
That which my daughter came to look upon
The statue of her mother
PAULINA
As she livd peerless
So her dead likeness I do well believe
Excels whatever yet you lookd upon
Or hand of man hath done therefore I keep it
Lonely apart But here it is prepare
To see the life as lively mockd as ever
Still sleep mockd death Behold and say tis well
Paulina undraws a curtain and discovers Hermione standing as a statue
I like your silence it the more shows off
Your wonder but yet speak First you my liege
Comes it not something near
LEONTES
Her natural posture
Chide me dear stone that I may say indeed
Thou art Hermione or rather thou art she
In thy not chiding for she was as tender
As infancy and grace But yet Paulina
Hermione was not so much wrinkled nothing
So aged as this seems
POLIXENES
O not by much
PAULINA
So much the more our carvers excellence
Which lets go by some sixteen years and makes her
As she livd now
LEONTES
As now she might have done
So much to my good comfort as it is
Now piercing to my soul O thus she stood
Even with such life of majesty warm life
As now it coldly stands when first I wood her
I am ashamd does not the stone rebuke me
For being more stone than it O royal piece
Theres magic in thy majesty which has
My evils conjurd to remembrance and
From thy admiring daughter took the spirits
Standing like stone with thee
PERDITA
And give me leave
And do not say tis superstition that
I kneel and then implore her blessing Lady
Dear queen that ended when I but began
Give me that hand of yours to kiss
PAULINA
O patience
The statue is but newly fixd the colours
Not dry
CAMILLO
My lord your sorrow was too sore laid on
Which sixteen winters cannot blow away
So many summers dry Scarce any joy
Did ever so long live no sorrow
But killd itself much sooner
POLIXENES
Dear my brother
Let him that was the cause of this have power
To take off so much grief from you as he
Will piece up in himself
PAULINA
Indeed my lord
If I had thought the sight of my poor image
Would thus have wrought youfor the stone is mine
Id not have showd it
LEONTES
Do not draw the curtain
PAULINA
No longer shall you gaze ont lest your fancy
May think anon it moves
LEONTES
Let be let be
Would I were dead but that methinks already
What was he that did make it See my lord
Would you not deem it breathd And that those veins
Did verily bear blood
POLIXENES
Masterly done
The very life seems warm upon her lip
LEONTES
The fixture of her eye has motion in t
As we are mockd with art
PAULINA
Ill draw the curtain
My lords almost so far transported that
Hell think anon it lives
LEONTES
O sweet Paulina
Make me to think so twenty years together
No settled senses of the world can match
The pleasure of that madness Let t alone
PAULINA
I am sorry sir I have thus far stirrd you but
I could afflict you further
LEONTES
Do Paulina
For this affliction has a taste as sweet
As any cordial comfort Still methinks
There is an air comes from her What fine chisel
Could ever yet cut breath Let no man mock me
For I will kiss her
PAULINA
Good my lord forbear
The ruddiness upon her lip is wet
Youll mar it if you kiss it stain your own
With oily painting Shall I draw the curtain
LEONTES
No not these twenty years
PERDITA
So long could I
Stand by a looker on
PAULINA
Either forbear
Quit presently the chapel or resolve you
For more amazement If you can behold it
Ill make the statue move indeed descend
And take you by the hand But then youll think
Which I protest against I am assisted
By wicked powers
LEONTES
What you can make her do
I am content to look on what to speak
I am content to hear for tis as easy
To make her speak as move
PAULINA
It is requird
You do awake your faith Then all stand still
Or those that think it is unlawful business
I am about let them depart
LEONTES
Proceed
No foot shall stir
PAULINA
Music awake her strike Music
Tis time descend be stone no more approach
Strike all that look upon with marvel Come
Ill fill your grave up stir nay come away
Bequeath to death your numbness for from him
Dear life redeems you You perceive she stirs
Hermione comes down from the pedestal
Start not her actions shall be holy as
You hear my spell is lawful Do not shun her
Until you see her die again for then
You kill her double Nay present your hand
When she was young you wood her now in age
Is she become the suitor
LEONTES
Embracing her O shes warm
If this be magic let it be an art
Lawful as eating
POLIXENES
She embraces him
CAMILLO
She hangs about his neck
If she pertain to life let her speak too
POLIXENES
Ay and make it manifest where she has livd
Or how stoln from the dead
PAULINA
That she is living
Were it but told you should be hooted at
Like an old tale but it appears she lives
Though yet she speak not Mark a little while
Please you to interpose fair madam Kneel
And pray your mothers blessing Turn good lady
Our Perdita is found
Presenting Perdita who kneels to Hermione
HERMIONE
You gods look down
And from your sacred vials pour your graces
Upon my daughters head Tell me mine own
Where hast thou been preservd where livd how found
Thy fathers court for thou shalt hear that I
Knowing by Paulina that the oracle
Gave hope thou wast in being have preservd
Myself to see the issue
PAULINA
Theres time enough for that
Lest they desire upon this push to trouble
Your joys with like relation Go together
You precious winners all your exultation
Partake to everyone I an old turtle
Will wing me to some witherd bough and there
My mate thats never to be found again
Lament till I am lost
LEONTES
O peace Paulina
Thou shouldst a husband take by my consent
As I by thine a wife this is a match
And made between s by vows Thou hast found mine
But how is to be questiond for I saw her
As I thought dead and have in vain said many
A prayer upon her grave Ill not seek far
For him I partly know his mindto find thee
An honourable husband Come Camillo
And take her by the hand whose worth and honesty
Is richly noted and here justified
By us a pair of kings Lets from this place
What look upon my brother both your pardons
That eer I put between your holy looks
My ill suspicion This your soninlaw
And son unto the king whom heavens directing
Is trothplight to your daughter Good Paulina
Lead us from hence where we may leisurely
Each one demand and answer to his part
Performd in this wide gap of time since first
We were disseverd Hastily lead away
Exeunt
A LOVERS COMPLAINT
From off a hill whose concave womb reworded
A plaintful story from a sistring vale
My spirits tattend this double voice accorded
And down I laid to list the sadtund tale
Ere long espied a fickle maid full pale
Tearing of papers breaking rings atwain
Storming her world with sorrows wind and rain
Upon her head a platted hive of straw
Which fortified her visage from the sun
Whereon the thought might think sometime it saw
The carcass of a beauty spent and done
Time had not scythed all that youth begun
Nor youth all quit but spite of heavens fell rage
Some beauty peeped through lattice of seard age
Oft did she heave her napkin to her eyne
Which on it had conceited characters
Laundring the silken figures in the brine
That seasoned woe had pelleted in tears
And often reading what contents it bears
As often shrieking undistinguishd woe
In clamours of all size both high and low
Sometimes her levelld eyes their carriage ride
As they did battry to the spheres intend
Sometime diverted their poor balls are tied
To thorbed earth sometimes they do extend
Their view right on anon their gazes lend
To every place at once and nowhere fixd
The mind and sight distractedly commixd
Her hair nor loose nor tied in formal plat
Proclaimd in her a careless hand of pride
For some untuckd descended her sheavd hat
Hanging her pale and pined cheek beside
Some in her threaden fillet still did bide
And true to bondage would not break from thence
Though slackly braided in loose negligence
A thousand favours from a maund she drew
Of amber crystal and of beaded jet
Which one by one she in a river threw
Upon whose weeping margent she was set
Like usury applying wet to wet
Or monarchs hands that lets not bounty fall
Where want cries some but where excess begs all
Of folded schedules had she many a one
Which she perusd sighd tore and gave the flood
Crackd many a ring of posied gold and bone
Bidding them find their sepulchres in mud
Found yet mo letters sadly pennd in blood
With sleided silk feat and affectedly
Enswathd and seald to curious secrecy
These often bathd she in her fluxive eyes
And often kissd and often gave to tear
Cried O false blood thou register of lies
What unapproved witness dost thou bear
Ink would have seemd more black and damned here
This said in top of rage the lines she rents
Big discontent so breaking their contents
A reverend man that grazed his cattle nigh
Sometime a blusterer that the ruffle knew
Of court of city and had let go by
The swiftest hours observed as they flew
Towards this afflicted fancy fastly drew
And privilegd by age desires to know
In brief the grounds and motives of her woe
So slides he down upon his grained bat
And comely distant sits he by her side
When he again desires her being sat
Her grievance with his hearing to divide
If that from him there may be aught applied
Which may her suffering ecstasy assuage
Tis promised in the charity of age
Father she says though in me you behold
The injury of many a blasting hour
Let it not tell your judgement I am old
Not age but sorrow over me hath power
I might as yet have been a spreading flower
Fresh to myself if I had selfapplied
Love to myself and to no love beside
But woe is me Too early I attended
A youthful suit it was to gain my grace
O one by natures outwards so commended
That maidens eyes stuck over all his face
Love lackd a dwelling and made him her place
And when in his fair parts she did abide
She was new lodgd and newly deified
His browny locks did hang in crooked curls
And every light occasion of the wind
Upon his lips their silken parcels hurls
Whats sweet to do to do will aptly find
Each eye that saw him did enchant the mind
For on his visage was in little drawn
What largeness thinks in paradise was sawn
Small show of man was yet upon his chin
His phoenix down began but to appear
Like unshorn velvet on that termless skin
Whose bare outbraggd the web it seemed to wear
Yet showd his visage by that cost more dear
And nice affections wavering stood in doubt
If best were as it was or best without
His qualities were beauteous as his form
For maidentongued he was and thereof free
Yet if men movd him was he such a storm
As oft twixt May and April is to see
When winds breathe sweet unruly though they be
His rudeness so with his authorizd youth
Did livery falseness in a pride of truth
Well could he ride and often men would say
That horse his mettle from his rider takes
Proud of subjection noble by the sway
What rounds what bounds what course what stop he makes
And controversy hence a question takes
Whether the horse by him became his deed
Or he his manage by th welldoing steed
But quickly on this side the verdict went
His real habitude gave life and grace
To appertainings and to ornament
Accomplishd in himself not in his case
All aids themselves made fairer by their place
Came for additions yet their purposd trim
Piecd not his grace but were all gracd by him
So on the tip of his subduing tongue
All kind of arguments and question deep
All replication prompt and reason strong
For his advantage still did wake and sleep
To make the weeper laugh the laugher weep
He had the dialect and different skill
Catching all passions in his craft of will
That he did in the general bosom reign
Of young of old and sexes both enchanted
To dwell with him in thoughts or to remain
In personal duty following where he haunted
Consents bewitchd ere he desire have granted
And dialogued for him what he would say
Askd their own wills and made their wills obey
Many there were that did his picture get
To serve their eyes and in it put their mind
Like fools that in th imagination set
The goodly objects which abroad they find
Of lands and mansions theirs in thought assignd
And labouring in moe pleasures to bestow them
Than the true gouty landlord which doth owe them
So many have that never touchd his hand
Sweetly supposd them mistress of his heart
My woeful self that did in freedom stand
And was my own feesimple not in part
What with his art in youth and youth in art
Threw my affections in his charmed power
Reservd the stalk and gave him all my flower
Yet did I not as some my equals did
Demand of him nor being desired yielded
Finding myself in honour so forbid
With safest distance I mine honour shielded
Experience for me many bulwarks builded
Of proofs newbleeding which remaind the foil
Of this false jewel and his amorous spoil
But ah Who ever shunnd by precedent
The destind ill she must herself assay
Or forced examples gainst her own content
To put the bypassd perils in her way
Counsel may stop a while what will not stay
For when we rage advice is often seen
By blunting us to make our wills more keen
Nor gives it satisfaction to our blood
That we must curb it upon others proof
To be forbode the sweets that seems so good
For fear of harms that preach in our behoof
O appetite from judgement stand aloof
The one a palate hath that needs will taste
Though reason weep and cry It is thy last
For further I could say This mans untrue
And knew the patterns of his foul beguiling
Heard where his plants in others orchards grew
Saw how deceits were gilded in his smiling
Knew vows were ever brokers to defiling
Thought characters and words merely but art
And bastards of his foul adulterate heart
And long upon these terms I held my city
Till thus he gan besiege me Gentle maid
Have of my suffering youth some feeling pity
And be not of my holy vows afraid
Thats to ye sworn to none was ever said
For feasts of love I have been calld unto
Till now did neer invite nor never woo
All my offences that abroad you see
Are errors of the blood none of the mind
Love made them not with acture they may be
Where neither party is nor true nor kind
They sought their shame that so their shame did find
And so much less of shame in me remains
By how much of me their reproach contains
Among the many that mine eyes have seen
Not one whose flame my heart so much as warmed
Or my affection put to th smallest teen
Or any of my leisures ever charmed
Harm have I done to them but neer was harmed
Kept hearts in liveries but mine own was free
And reignd commanding in his monarchy
Look here what tributes wounded fancies sent me
Of pallid pearls and rubies red as blood
Figuring that they their passions likewise lent me
Of grief and blushes aptly understood
In bloodless white and the encrimsond mood
Effects of terror and dear modesty
Encampd in hearts but fighting outwardly
And lo behold these talents of their hair
With twisted metal amorously empleachd
I have receivd from many a several fair
Their kind acceptance weepingly beseechd
With th annexions of fair gems enrichd
And deepbraind sonnets that did amplify
Each stones dear nature worth and quality
The diamond why twas beautiful and hard
Whereto his invisd properties did tend
The deep green emerald in whose fresh regard
Weak sights their sickly radiance do amend
The heavenhued sapphire and the opal blend
With objects manifold each several stone
With wit well blazond smild or made some moan
Lo all these trophies of affections hot
Of pensivd and subdued desires the tender
Nature hath chargd me that I hoard them not
But yield them up where I myself must render
That is to you my origin and ender
For these of force must your oblations be
Since I their altar you empatron me
O then advance of yours that phraseless hand
Whose white weighs down the airy scale of praise
Take all these similes to your own command
Hallowed with sighs that burning lungs did raise
What me your minister for you obeys
Works under you and to your audit comes
Their distract parcels in combined sums
Lo this device was sent me from a nun
Or sister sanctified of holiest note
Which late her noble suit in court did shun
Whose rarest havings made the blossoms dote
For she was sought by spirits of richest coat
But kept cold distance and did thence remove
To spend her living in eternal love
But O my sweet what labour ist to leave
The thing we have not mastring what not strives
Planing the place which did no form receive
Playing patient sports in unconstrained gyves
She that her fame so to herself contrives
The scars of battle scapeth by the flight
And makes her absence valiant not her might
O pardon me in that my boast is true
The accident which brought me to her eye
Upon the moment did her force subdue
And now she would the caged cloister fly
Religious love put out religions eye
Not to be tempted would she be immurd
And now to tempt all liberty procurd
How mighty then you are O hear me tell
The broken bosoms that to me belong
Have emptied all their fountains in my well
And mine I pour your ocean all among
I strong oer them and you oer me being strong
Must for your victory us all congest
As compound love to physic your cold breast
My parts had powr to charm a sacred nun
Who disciplind and dieted in grace
Believd her eyes when they tassail begun
All vows and consecrations giving place
O most potential love Vow bond nor space
In thee hath neither sting knot nor confine
For thou art all and all things else are thine
When thou impressest what are precepts worth
Of stale example When thou wilt inflame
How coldly those impediments stand forth
Of wealth of filial fear law kindred fame
Loves arms are peace gainst rule gainst sense gainst shame
And sweetens in the suffring pangs it bears
The aloes of all forces shocks and fears
Now all these hearts that do on mine depend
Feeling it break with bleeding groans they pine
And supplicant their sighs to your extend
To leave the battry that you make gainst mine
Lending soft audience to my sweet design
And credent soul to that strongbonded oath
That shall prefer and undertake my troth
This said his watry eyes he did dismount
Whose sights till then were levelld on my face
Each cheek a river running from a fount
With brinish current downward flowed apace
O how the channel to the stream gave grace
Who glazd with crystal gate the glowing roses
That flame through water which their hue encloses
O father what a hell of witchcraft lies
In the small orb of one particular tear
But with the inundation of the eyes
What rocky heart to water will not wear
What breast so cold that is not warmed here
O cleft effect Cold modesty hot wrath
Both fire from hence and chill extincture hath
For lo his passion but an art of craft
Even there resolvd my reason into tears
There my white stole of chastity I daffd
Shook off my sober guards and civil fears
Appear to him as he to me appears
All melting though our drops this diffrence bore
His poisond me and mine did him restore
In him a plenitude of subtle matter
Applied to cautels all strange forms receives
Of burning blushes or of weeping water
Or swooning paleness and he takes and leaves
In eithers aptness as it best deceives
To blush at speeches rank to weep at woes
Or to turn white and swoon at tragic shows
That not a heart which in his level came
Could scape the hail of his allhurting aim
Showing fair nature is both kind and tame
And veild in them did win whom he would maim
Against the thing he sought he would exclaim
When he most burned in heartwishd luxury
He preachd pure maid and praisd cold chastity
Thus merely with the garment of a grace
The naked and concealed fiend he coverd
That thunexperient gave the tempter place
Which like a cherubin above them hoverd
Who young and simple would not be so loverd
Ay me I fell and yet do question make
What I should do again for such a sake
O that infected moisture of his eye
O that false fire which in his cheek so glowd
O that forcd thunder from his heart did fly
O that sad breath his spongy lungs bestowd
O all that borrowed motion seeming owed
Would yet again betray the forebetrayed
And new pervert a reconciled maid
THE PASSIONATE PILGRIM
I
When my love swears that she is made of truth
I do believe her though I know she lies
That she might think me some untutord youth
Unskilful in the worlds false forgeries
Thus vainly thinking that she thinks me young
Although I know my years be past the best
I smiling credit her falsespeaking tongue
Outfacing faults in love with loves ill rest
But wherefore says my love that she is young
And wherefore say not I that I am old
O loves best habit is a soothing tongue
And age in love loves not to have years told
Therefore Ill lie with love and love with me
Since that our faults in love thus smotherd be
II
Two loves I have of comfort and despair
That like two spirits do suggest me still
My better angel is a man right fair
My worser spirit a woman colourd ill
To win me soon to hell my female evil
Tempteth my better angel from my side
And would corrupt my saint to be a devil
Wooing his purity with her fair pride
And whether that my angel be turnd fiend
Suspect I may yet not directly tell
For being both to me both to each friend
I guess one angel in anothers hell
The truth I shall not know but live in doubt
Till my bad angel fire my good one out
III
Did not the heavenly rhetoric of thine eye
Gainst whom the world could not hold argument
Persuade my heart to this false perjury
Vows for thee broke deserve not punishment
A woman I forswore but I will prove
Thou being a goddess I forswore not thee
My vow was earthly thou a heavenly love
Thy grace being gaind cures all disgrace in me
My vow was breath and breath a vapour is
Then thou fair sun that on this earth doth shine
Exhale this vapour vow in thee it is
If broken then it is no fault of mine
If by me broke what fool is not so wise
To break an oath to win a paradise
IV
Sweet Cytherea sitting by a brook
With young Adonis lovely fresh and green
Did court the lad with many a lovely look
Such looks as none could look but beautys queen
She told him stories to delight his ear
She showd him favours to allure his eye
To win his heart she touchd him here and there
Touches so soft still conquer chastity
But whether unripe years did want conceit
Or he refusd to take her figurd proffer
The tender nibbler would not touch the bait
But smile and jest at every gentle offer
Then fell she on her back fair queen and toward
He rose and ran away ah fool too froward
V
If love make me forsworn how shall I swear to love
O never faith could hold if not to beauty vowed
Though to myself forsworn to thee Ill constant prove
Those thoughts to me like oaks to thee like osiers bowed
Study his bias leaves and makes his book thine eyes
Where all those pleasures live that art can comprehend
If knowledge be the mark to know thee shall suffice
Well learned is that tongue that well can thee commend
All ignorant that soul that sees thee without wonder
Which is to me some praise that I thy parts admire
Thine eye Joves lightning seems thy voice his dreadful thunder
Which not to anger bent is music and sweet fire
Celestial as thou art O do not love that wrong
To sing heavens praise with such an earthly tongue
VI
Scarce had the sun dried up the dewy morn
And scarce the herd gone to the hedge for shade
When Cytherea all in love forlorn
A longing tarriance for Adonis made
Under an osier growing by a brook
A brook where Adon used to cool his spleen
Hot was the day she hotter that did look
For his approach that often there had been
Anon he comes and throws his mantle by
And stood stark naked on the brooks green brim
The sun lookd on the world with glorious eye
Yet not so wistly as this queen on him
He spying her bouncd in whereas he stood
O Jove quoth she why was not I a flood
VII
Fair is my love but not so fair as fickle
Mild as a dove but neither true nor trusty
Brighter than glass and yet as glass is brittle
Softer than wax and yet as iron rusty
A lily pale with damask dye to grace her
None fairer nor none falser to deface her
Her lips to mine how often hath she joined
Between each kiss her oaths of true love swearing
How many tales to please me hath she coined
Dreading my love the loss thereof still fearing
Yet in the midst of all her pure protestings
Her faith her oaths her tears and all were jestings
She burnt with love as straw with fire flameth
She burnt out love as soon as straw outburneth
She framd the love and yet she foild the framing
She bade love last and yet she fell aturning
Was this a lover or a lecher whether
Bad in the best though excellent in neither
VIII
If music and sweet poetry agree
As they must needs the sister and the brother
Then must the love be great twixt thee and me
Because thou lovst the one and I the other
Dowland to thee is dear whose heavenly touch
Upon the lute doth ravish human sense
Spenser to me whose deep conceit is such
As passing all conceit needs no defence
Thou lovst to hear the sweet melodious sound
That Phbus lute the queen of music makes
And I in deep delight am chiefly drownd
Whenas himself to singing he betakes
One god is god of both as poets feign
One knight loves both and both in thee remain
IX
Fair was the morn when the fair queen of love
Paler for sorrow than her milkwhite dove
For Adons sake a youngster proud and wild
Her stand she takes upon a steepup hill
Anon Adonis comes with horn and hounds
She silly queen with more than loves good will
Forbade the boy he should not pass those grounds
Once quoth she did I see a fair sweet youth
Here in these brakes deepwounded with a boar
Deep in the thigh a spectacle of ruth
See in my thigh quoth she here was the sore
She showed hers he saw more wounds than one
And blushing fled and left her all alone
X
Sweet rose fair flower untimely pluckd soon vaded
Pluckd in the bud and vaded in the spring
Bright orient pearl alack too timely shaded
Fair creature killd too soon by deaths sharp sting
Like a green plum that hangs upon a tree
And falls through wind before the fall should be
I weep for thee and yet no cause I have
For why thou leftst me nothing in thy will
And yet thou leftst me more than I did crave
For why I craved nothing of thee still
O yes dear friend I pardon crave of thee
Thy discontent thou didst bequeath to me
XI
Venus with young Adonis sitting by her
Under a myrtle shade began to woo him
She told the youngling how god Mars did try her
And as he fell to her she fell to him
Even thus quoth she the warlike god embracd me
And then she clippd Adonis in her arms
Even thus quoth she the warlike god unlaced me
As if the boy should use like loving charms
Even thus quoth she he seized on my lips
And with her lips on his did act the seizure
And as she fetched breath away he skips
And would not take her meaning nor her pleasure
Ah that I had my lady at this bay
To kiss and clip me till I run away
XII
Crabbed age and youth cannot live together
Youth is full of pleasance age is full of care
Youth like summer morn age like winter weather
Youth like summer brave age like winter bare
Youth is full of sport ages breath is short
Youth is nimble age is lame
Youth is hot and bold age is weak and cold
Youth is wild and age is tame
Age I do abhor thee youth I do adore thee
O my love my love is young
Age I do defy thee O sweet shepherd hie thee
For methinks thou stayst too long
XIII
Beauty is but a vain and doubtful good
A shining gloss that vadeth suddenly
A flower that dies when first it gins to bud
A brittle glass thats broken presently
A doubtful good a gloss a glass a flower
Lost vaded broken dead within an hour
And as goods lost are seld or never found
As vaded gloss no rubbing will refresh
As flowers dead lie witherd on the ground
As broken glass no cement can redress
So beauty blemishd once for evers lost
In spite of physic painting pain and cost
XIV
Good night good rest Ah neither be my share
She bade good night that kept my rest away
And daffd me to a cabin hangd with care
To descant on the doubts of my decay
Farewell quoth she and come again tomorrow
Fare well I could not for I suppd with sorrow
Yet at my parting sweetly did she smile
In scorn or friendship nill I conster whether
T may be she joyd to jest at my exile
T may be again to make me wander thither
Wander a word for shadows like myself
As take the pain but cannot pluck the pelf
Lord how mine eyes throw gazes to the east
My heart doth charge the watch the morning rise
Doth cite each moving sense from idle rest
Not daring trust the office of mine eyes
While Philomela sits and sings I sit and mark
And wish her lays were tuned like the lark
For she doth welcome daylight with her ditty
And drives away dark dreaming night
The night so packd I post unto my pretty
Heart hath his hope and eyes their wished sight
Sorrow changd to solace solace mixd with sorrow
For why she sighd and bade me come tomorrow
Were I with her the night would post too soon
But now are minutes added to the hours
To spite me now each minute seems a moon
Yet not for me shine sun to succour flowers
Pack night peep day good day of night now borrow
Short night tonight and length thyself tomorrow
XV
It was a lordings daughter the fairest one of three
That liked of her master as well as well might be
Till looking on an Englishman the fairest that eye could see
Her fancy fell aturning
Long was the combat doubtful that love with love did fight
To leave the master loveless or kill the gallant knight
To put in practice either alas it was a spite
Unto the silly damsel
But one must be refused more mickle was the pain
That nothing could be used to turn them both to gain
For of the two the trusty knight was wounded with disdain
Alas she could not help it
Thus art with arms contending was victor of the day
Which by a gift of learning did bear the maid away
Then lullaby the learned man hath got the lady gay
For now my song is ended
XVI
On a day alack the day
Love whose month was ever May
Spied a blossom passing fair
Playing in the wanton air
Through the velvet leaves the wind
All unseen gan passage find
That the lover sick to death
Wishd himself the heavens breath
Air quoth he thy cheeks may blow
Air would I might triumph so
But alas my hand hath sworn
Neer to pluck thee from thy thorn
Vow alack for youth unmeet
Youth so apt to pluck a sweet
Thou for whom Jove would swear
Juno but an Ethiope were
And deny himself for Jove
Turning mortal for thy love
XVII
My flocks feed not my ewes breed not
My rams speed not all is amis
Love is dying faiths defying
Hearts denying causer of this
All my merry jigs are quite forgot
All my ladys love is lost God wot
Where her faith was firmely fixd in love
There a nay is placd without remove
One silly cross wrought all my loss
O frowning fortune cursed fickle dame
For now I see inconstancy
More in women than in men remain
In black mourn I all fears scorn I
Love hath forlorn me living in thrall
Heart is bleeding all help needing
O cruel speeding fraughted with gall
My shepherds pipe can sound no deal
My weathers bell rings doleful knell
My curtal dog that wont to have playd
Plays not at all but seems afraid
With sighs so deep procures to weep
In howling wise to see my doleful plight
How sighs resound through heartless ground
Like a thousand vanquishd men in bloody fight
Clear wells spring not sweet birds sing not
Green plants bring not forth their dye
Herds stands weeping flocks all sleeping
Nymphs black peeping fearfully
All our pleasure known to us poor swains
All our merry meetings on the plains
All our evening sport from us is fled
All our love is lost for love is dead
Farewel sweet love thy like neer was
For a sweet content the cause of all my woe
Poor Corydon must live alone
Other help for him I see that there is none
XVIII
Whenas thine eye hath chose the dame
And stalld the deer that thou shouldst strike
Let reason rule things worthy blame
As well as fancy partial might
Take counsel of some wiser head
Neither too young nor yet unwed
And when thou comst thy tale to tell
Smooth not thy tongue with filed talk
Least she some subtle practice smell
A cripple soon can find a halt
But plainly say thou lovst her well
And set her person forth to sale
What though her frowning brows be bent
Her cloudy looks will calm ere night
And then too late she will repent
That thus dissembled her delight
And twice desire ere it be day
That which with scorn she put away
What though she strive to try her strength
And ban and brawl and say thee nay
Her feeble force will yield at length
When craft hath taught her thus to say
Had women been so strong as men
In faith you had not had it then
And to her will frame all thy ways
Spare not to spend and chiefly there
Where thy desert may merit praise
By ringing in thy ladys ear
The strongest castle tower and town
The golden bullet beats it down
Serve always with assured trust
And in thy suit be humble true
Unless thy lady prove unjust
Press never thou to choose a new
When time shall serve be thou not slack
To proffer though she put thee back
The wiles and guiles that women work
Dissembled with an outward show
The tricks and toys that in them lurk
The cock that treads them shall not know
Have you not heard it said full oft
A womans nay doth stand for nought
Think women still to strive with men
To sin and never for to saint
There is no heaven by holy then
When time with age shall them attaint
Were kisses all the joys in bed
One woman would another wed
But soft enoughtoo muchI fear
Lest that my mistress hear my song
She will not stick to round me on th ear
To teach my tongue to be so long
Yet will she blush here be it said
To hear her secrets so bewrayd
XIX
Live with me and be my love
And we will all the pleasures prove
That hills and valleys dales and fields
And all the craggy mountains yield
There will we sit upon the rocks
And see the shepherds feed their flocks
By shallow rivers by whose falls
Melodious birds sing madrigals
There will I make thee a bed of roses
With a thousand fragrant posies
A cap of flowers and a kirtle
Embroidered all with leaves of myrtle
A belt of straw and ivy buds
With coral clasps and amber studs
And if these pleasures may thee move
Then live with me and be my love
Loves Answer
If that the world and love were young
And truth in every shepherds tongue
These pretty pleasures might me move
To live with thee and be thy love
XX
As it fell upon a day
In the merry month of May
Sitting in a pleasant shade
Which a grove of myrtles made
Beasts did leap and birds did sing
Trees did grow and plants did spring
Everything did banish moan
Save the nightingale alone
She poor bird as all forlorn
Leand her breast uptill a thorn
And there sung the dolefullst ditty
That to hear it was great pitty
Fie fie fie now would she cry
Tereu Tereu by and by
That to hear her so complain
Scarce I could from tears refrain
For her griefs so lively shown
Made me think upon mine own
Ah thought I thou mournst in vain
None takes pitty on thy pain
Senseless trees they cannot hear thee
Ruthless bears they will not cheer thee
King Pandion he is dead
All thy friends are lappd in lead
All thy fellow birds do sing
Careless of thy sorrowing
Whilst as fickle fortune smiled
Thou and I were both beguiled
Every one that flatters thee
Is no friend in misery
Words are easy like the wind
Faithful friends are hard to find
Every man will be thy friend
Whilst thou hast wherewith to spend
But if store of crowns be scant
No man will supply thy want
If that one be prodigal
Bountiful they will him call
And with suchlike flattering
Pity but he were a king
If he be addict to vice
Quickly him they will entice
If to women he be bent
They have at commandement
But if Fortune once do frown
Then farewell his great renown
They that fawnd on him before
Use his company no more
He that is thy friend indeed
He will help thee in thy need
If thou sorrow he will weep
If thou wake he cannot sleep
Thus of every grief in heart
He with thee doth bear a part
These are certain signs to know
Faithful friend from flattring foe
THE PHOENIX AND THE TURTLE
Let the bird of loudest lay
On the sole Arabian tree
Herald sad and trumpet be
To whose sound chaste wings obey
But thou shrieking harbinger
Foul precurrer of the fiend
Augur of the fevers end
To this troop come thou not near
From this session interdict
Every fowl of tyrant wing
Save the eagle featherd king
Keep the obsequy so strict
Let the priest in surplice white
That defunctive music can
Be the deathdivining swan
Lest the requiem lack his right
And thou trebledated crow
That thy sable gender makst
With the breath thou givst and takst
Mongst our mourners shalt thou go
Here the anthem doth commence
Love and constancy is dead
Phoenix and the turtle fled
In a mutual flame from hence
So they lovd as love in twain
Had the essence but in one
Two distincts division none
Number there in love was slain
Hearts remote yet not asunder
Distance and no space was seen
Twixt this turtle and his queen
But in them it were a wonder
So between them love did shine
That the turtle saw his right
Flaming in the phoenix sight
Either was the others mine
Property was thus appalled
That the self was not the same
Single natures double name
Neither two nor one was called
Reason in itself confounded
Saw division grow together
To themselves yet either neither
Simple were so well compounded
That it cried How true a twain
Seemeth this concordant one
Love hath reason reason none
If what parts can so remain
Whereupon it made this threne
To the phoenix and the dove
Cosupremes and stars of love
As chorus to their tragic scene
THRENOS
Beauty truth and rarity
Grace in all simplicity
Here enclosd in cinders lie
Death is now the phoenix nest
And the turtles loyal breast
To eternity doth rest
Leaving no posterity
Twas not their infirmity
It was married chastity
Truth may seem but cannot be
Beauty brag but tis not she
Truth and beauty buried be
To this urn let those repair
That are either true or fair
For these dead birds sigh a prayer
THE RAPE OF LUCRECE
TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
HENRY WRIOTHESLEY EARL OF SOUTHAMPTON
and Baron of Titchfield
The love I dedicate to your Lordship is without end whereof this pamphlet without beginning is but a superfluous moiety The warrant I have of your honourable disposition not the worth of my untutored lines makes it assured of acceptance What I have done is yours what I have to do is yours being part in all I have devoted yours Were my worth greater my duty would show greater meantime as it is it is bound to your Lordship to whom I wish long life still lengthened with all happiness
Your Lordships in all duty
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
THE ARGUMENT
Lucius Tarquinius for his excessive pride surnamed Superbus after he had caused his own fatherinlaw Servius Tullius to be cruelly murdered and contrary to the Roman laws and customs not requiring or staying for the peoples suffrages had possessed himself of the kingdom went accompanied with his sons and other noblemen of Rome to besiege Ardea During which siege the principal men of the army meeting one evening at the tent of Sextus Tarquinius the kings son in their discourses after supper everyone commended the virtues of his own wife among whom Collatinus extolled the incomparable chastity of his wife Lucretia In that pleasant humour they all posted to Rome and intending by their secret and sudden arrival to make trial of that which everyone had before avouched only Collatinus finds his wife though it were late in the night spinning amongst her maids the other ladies were all found dancing and revelling or in several disports Whereupon the noblemen yielded Collatinus the victory and his wife the fame At that time Sextus Tarquinius being inflamed with Lucreces beauty yet smothering his passions for the present departed with the rest back to the camp from whence he shortly after privily withdrew himself and was according to his estate royally entertained and lodged by Lucrece at Collatium The same night he treacherously stealeth into her chamber violently ravished her and early in the morning speedeth away Lucrece in this lamentable plight hastily dispatched messengers one to Rome for her father another to the camp for Collatine They came the one accompanied with Junius Brutus the other with Publius Valerius and finding Lucrece attired in mourning habit demanded the cause of her sorrow She first taking an oath of them for her revenge revealed the actor and whole manner of his dealing and withal suddenly stabbed herself Which done with one consent they all vowed to root out the whole hated family of the Tarquins and bearing the dead body to Rome Brutus acquainted the people with the doer and manner of the vile deed with a bitter invective against the tyranny of the king wherewith the people were so moved that with one consent and a general acclamation the Tarquins were all exiled and the state government changed from kings to consuls
From the besieged Ardea all in post
Borne by the trustless wings of false desire
Lustbreathed Tarquin leaves the Roman host
And to Collatium bears the lightless fire
Which in pale embers hid lurks to aspire
And girdle with embracing flames the waist
Of Collatines fair love Lucrece the chaste
Haply that name of chaste unhapply set
This bateless edge on his keen appetite
When Collatine unwisely did not let
To praise the clear unmatched red and white
Which triumphed in that sky of his delight
Where mortal stars as bright as heavens beauties
With pure aspects did him peculiar duties
For he the night before in Tarquins tent
Unlocked the treasure of his happy state
What priceless wealth the heavens had him lent
In the possession of his beauteous mate
Reckning his fortune at such high proud rate
That kings might be espoused to more fame
But king nor peer to such a peerless dame
O happiness enjoyed but of a few
And if possessed as soon decayed and done
As is the mornings silver melting dew
Against the golden splendour of the sun
An expired date cancelled ere well begun
Honour and beauty in the owners arms
Are weakly fortressed from a world of harms
Beauty itself doth of itself persuade
The eyes of men without an orator
What needeth then apologies be made
To set forth that which is so singular
Or why is Collatine the publisher
Of that rich jewel he should keep unknown
From thievish ears because it is his own
Perchance his boast of Lucrece sovreignty
Suggested this proud issue of a king
For by our ears our hearts oft tainted be
Perchance that envy of so rich a thing
Braving compare disdainfully did sting
His highpitched thoughts that meaner men should vaunt
That golden hap which their superiors want
But some untimely thought did instigate
His alltootimeless speed if none of those
His honour his affairs his friends his state
Neglected all with swift intent he goes
To quench the coal which in his liver glows
O rash false heat wrapped in repentant cold
Thy hasty spring still blasts and neer grows old
When at Collatium this false lord arrived
Well was he welcomed by the Roman dame
Within whose face beauty and virtue strived
Which of them both should underprop her fame
When virtue bragged beauty would blush for shame
When beauty boasted blushes in despite
Virtue would stain that oer with silver white
But beauty in that white intituled
From Venus doves doth challenge that fair field
Then virtue claims from beauty beautys red
Which virtue gave the golden age to gild
Their silver cheeks and called it then their shield
Teaching them thus to use it in the fight
When shame assailed the red should fence the white
This heraldry in Lucrece face was seen
Argued by beautys red and virtues white
Of eithers colour was the other queen
Proving from worlds minority their right
Yet their ambition makes them still to fight
The sovereignty of either being so great
That oft they interchange each others seat
Their silent war of lilies and of roses
Which Tarquin viewed in her fair faces field
In their pure ranks his traitor eye encloses
Where lest between them both it should be killed
The coward captive vanquished doth yield
To those two armies that would let him go
Rather than triumph in so false a foe
Now thinks he that her husbands shallow tongue
The niggard prodigal that praised her so
In that high task hath done her beauty wrong
Which far exceeds his barren skill to show
Therefore that praise which Collatine doth owe
Enchanted Tarquin answers with surmise
In silent wonder of stillgazing eyes
This earthly saint adored by this devil
Little suspecteth the false worshipper
For unstained thoughts do seldom dream on evil
Birds never limed no secret bushes fear
So guiltless she securely gives good cheer
And reverend welcome to her princely guest
Whose inward ill no outward harm expressed
For that he coloured with his high estate
Hiding base sin in pleats of majesty
That nothing in him seemed inordinate
Save sometime too much wonder of his eye
Which having all all could not satisfy
But poorly rich so wanteth in his store
That cloyed with much he pineth still for more
But she that never coped with stranger eyes
Could pick no meaning from their parling looks
Nor read the subtle shining secrecies
Writ in the glassy margents of such books
She touched no unknown baits nor feared no hooks
Nor could she moralize his wanton sight
More than his eyes were opened to the light
He stories to her ears her husbands fame
Won in the fields of fruitful Italy
And decks with praises Collatines high name
Made glorious by his manly chivalry
With bruised arms and wreaths of victory
Her joy with heavedup hand she doth express
And wordless so greets heaven for his success
Far from the purpose of his coming thither
He makes excuses for his being there
No cloudy show of stormy blustring weather
Doth yet in his fair welkin once appear
Till sable Night mother of dread and fear
Upon the world dim darkness doth display
And in her vaulty prison stows the day
For then is Tarquin brought unto his bed
Intending weariness with heavy sprite
For after supper long he questioned
With modest Lucrece and wore out the night
Now leaden slumber with lifes strength doth fight
And every one to rest themselves betake
Save thieves and cares and troubled minds that wake
As one of which doth Tarquin lie revolving
The sundry dangers of his wills obtaining
Yet ever to obtain his will resolving
Though weakbuilt hopes persuade him to abstaining
Despair to gain doth traffic oft for gaining
And when great treasure is the meed proposed
Though death be adjunct theres no death supposed
Those that much covet are with gain so fond
For what they have not that which they possess
They scatter and unloose it from their bond
And so by hoping more they have but less
Or gaining more the profit of excess
Is but to surfeit and such griefs sustain
That they prove bankrout in this poorrich gain
The aim of all is but to nurse the life
With honour wealth and ease in waning age
And in this aim there is such thwarting strife
That one for all or all for one we gage
As life for honour in fell battles rage
Honour for wealth and oft that wealth doth cost
The death of all and all together lost
So that in ventring ill we leave to be
The things we are for that which we expect
And this ambitious foul infirmity
In having much torments us with defect
Of that we have So then we do neglect
The thing we have and all for want of wit
Make something nothing by augmenting it
Such hazard now must doting Tarquin make
Pawning his honour to obtain his lust
And for himself himself he must forsake
Then where is truth if there be no selftrust
When shall he think to find a stranger just
When he himself himself confounds betrays
To slandrous tongues and wretched hateful days
Now stole upon the time the dead of night
When heavy sleep had closed up mortal eyes
No comfortable star did lend his light
No noise but owls and wolves deathboding cries
Now serves the season that they may surprise
The silly lambs Pure thoughts are dead and still
While lust and murder wake to stain and kill
And now this lustful lord leaped from his bed
Throwing his mantle rudely oer his arm
Is madly tossed between desire and dread
Th one sweetly flatters th other feareth harm
But honest fear bewitched with lusts foul charm
Doth too too oft betake him to retire
Beaten away by brainsick rude desire
His falchion on a flint he softly smiteth
That from the cold stone sparks of fire do fly
Whereat a waxen torch forthwith he lighteth
Which must be lodestar to his lustful eye
And to the flame thus speaks advisedly
As from this cold flint I enforced this fire
So Lucrece must I force to my desire
Here pale with fear he doth premeditate
The dangers of his loathsome enterprise
And in his inward mind he doth debate
What following sorrow may on this arise
Then looking scornfully he doth despise
His naked armour of stillslaughtered lust
And justly thus controls his thoughts unjust
Fair torch burn out thy light and lend it not
To darken her whose light excelleth thine
And die unhallowed thoughts before you blot
With your uncleanness that which is divine
Offer pure incense to so pure a shrine
Let fair humanity abhor the deed
That spots and stains loves modest snowwhite weed
O shame to knighthood and to shining arms
O foul dishonour to my households grave
O impious act including all foul harms
A martial man to be soft fancys slave
True valour still a true respect should have
Then my digression is so vile so base
That it will live engraven in my face
Yea though I die the scandal will survive
And be an eyesore in my golden coat
Some loathsome dash the herald will contrive
To cipher me how fondly I did dote
That my posterity shamed with the note
Shall curse my bones and hold it for no sin
To wish that I their father had not been
What win I if I gain the thing I seek
A dream a breath a froth of fleeting joy
Who buys a minutes mirth to wail a week
Or sells eternity to get a toy
For one sweet grape who will the vine destroy
Or what fond beggar but to touch the crown
Would with the sceptre straight be strucken down
If Collatinus dream of my intent
Will he not wake and in a desprate rage
Post hither this vile purpose to prevent
This siege that hath engirt his marriage
This blur to youth this sorrow to the sage
This dying virtue this surviving shame
Whose crime will bear an everduring blame
O what excuse can my invention make
When thou shalt charge me with so black a deed
Will not my tongue be mute my frail joints shake
Mine eyes forgo their light my false heart bleed
The guilt being great the fear doth still exceed
And extreme fear can neither fight nor fly
But cowardlike with trembling terror die
Had Collatinus killed my son or sire
Or lain in ambush to betray my life
Or were he not my dear friend this desire
Might have excuse to work upon his wife
As in revenge or quittal of such strife
But as he is my kinsman my dear friend
The shame and fault finds no excuse nor end
Shameful it is ay if the fact be known
Hateful it is there is no hate in loving
Ill beg her love But she is not her own
The worst is but denial and reproving
My will is strong past reasons weak removing
Who fears a sentence or an old mans saw
Shall by a painted cloth be kept in awe
Thus graceless holds he disputation
Tween frozen conscience and hotburning will
And with good thoughts makes dispensation
Urging the worser sense for vantage still
Which in a moment doth confound and kill
All pure effects and doth so far proceed
That what is vile shows like a virtuous deed
Quoth he She took me kindly by the hand
And gazed for tidings in my eager eyes
Fearing some hard news from the warlike band
Where her beloved Collatinus lies
O how her fear did make her colour rise
First red as roses that on lawn we lay
Then white as lawn the roses took away
And how her hand in my hand being locked
Forced it to tremble with her loyal fear
Which struck her sad and then it faster rocked
Until her husbands welfare she did hear
Whereat she smiled with so sweet a cheer
That had Narcissus seen her as she stood
Selflove had never drowned him in the flood
Why hunt I then for colour or excuses
All orators are dumb when beauty pleadeth
Poor wretches have remorse in poor abuses
Love thrives not in the heart that shadows dreadeth
Affection is my captain and he leadeth
And when his gaudy banner is displayed
The coward fights and will not be dismayed
Then childish fear avaunt Debating die
Respect and reason wait on wrinkled age
My heart shall never countermand mine eye
Sad pause and deep regard beseems the sage
My part is youth and beats these from the stage
Desire my pilot is beauty my prize
Then who fears sinking where such treasure lies
As corn oergrown by weeds so heedful fear
Is almost choked by unresisted lust
Away he steals with opening listning ear
Full of foul hope and full of fond mistrust
Both which as servitors to the unjust
So cross him with their opposite persuasion
That now he vows a league and now invasion
Within his thought her heavenly image sits
And in the selfsame seat sits Collatine
That eye which looks on her confounds his wits
That eye which him beholds as more divine
Unto a view so false will not incline
But with a pure appeal seeks to the heart
Which once corrupted takes the worser part
And therein heartens up his servile powers
Who flattered by their leaders jocund show
Stuff up his lust as minutes fill up hours
And as their captain so their pride doth grow
Paying more slavish tribute than they owe
By reprobate desire thus madly led
The Roman lord marcheth to Lucrece bed
The locks between her chamber and his will
Each one by him enforced retires his ward
But as they open they all rate his ill
Which drives the creeping thief to some regard
The threshold grates the door to have him heard
Nightwandring weasels shriek to see him there
They fright him yet he still pursues his fear
As each unwilling portal yields him way
Through little vents and crannies of the place
The wind wars with his torch to make him stay
And blows the smoke of it into his face
Extinguishing his conduct in this case
But his hot heart which fond desire doth scorch
Puffs forth another wind that fires the torch
And being lighted by the light he spies
Lucretias glove wherein her needle sticks
He takes it from the rushes where it lies
And griping it the needle his finger pricks
As who should say This glove to wanton tricks
Is not inured Return again in haste
Thou seest our mistress ornaments are chaste
But all these poor forbiddings could not stay him
He in the worst sense construes their denial
The doors the wind the glove that did delay him
He takes for accidental things of trial
Or as those bars which stop the hourly dial
Who with a lingring stay his course doth let
Till every minute pays the hour his debt
So so quoth he these lets attend the time
Like little frosts that sometime threat the spring
To add a more rejoicing to the prime
And give the sneaped birds more cause to sing
Pain pays the income of each precious thing
Huge rocks high winds strong pirates shelves and sands
The merchant fears ere rich at home he lands
Now is he come unto the chamber door
That shuts him from the heaven of his thought
Which with a yielding latch and with no more
Hath barred him from the blessed thing he sought
So from himself impiety hath wrought
That for his prey to pray he doth begin
As if the heavens should countenance his sin
But in the midst of his unfruitful prayer
Having solicited th eternal power
That his foul thoughts might compass his fair fair
And they would stand auspicious to the hour
Even there he starts Quoth he I must deflower
The powers to whom I pray abhor this fact
How can they then assist me in the act
Then Love and Fortune be my gods my guide
My will is backed with resolution
Thoughts are but dreams till their effects be tried
The blackest sin is cleared with absolution
Against loves fire fears frost hath dissolution
The eye of heaven is out and misty night
Covers the shame that follows sweet delight
This said his guilty hand plucked up the latch
And with his knee the door he opens wide
The dove sleeps fast that this nightowl will catch
Thus treason works ere traitors be espied
Who sees the lurking serpent steps aside
But she sound sleeping fearing no such thing
Lies at the mercy of his mortal sting
Into the chamber wickedly he stalks
And gazeth on her yet unstained bed
The curtains being close about he walks
Rolling his greedy eyeballs in his head
By their high treason is his heart misled
Which gives the watchword to his hand full soon
To draw the cloud that hides the silver moon
Look as the fair and fierypointed sun
Rushing from forth a cloud bereaves our sight
Even so the curtain drawn his eyes begun
To wink being blinded with a greater light
Whether it is that she reflects so bright
That dazzleth them or else some shame supposed
But blind they are and keep themselves enclosed
O had they in that darksome prison died
Then had they seen the period of their ill
Then Collatine again by Lucrece side
In his clear bed might have reposed still
But they must ope this blessed league to kill
And holythoughted Lucrece to their sight
Must sell her joy her life her worlds delight
Her lily hand her rosy cheek lies under
Cozning the pillow of a lawful kiss
Who therefore angry seems to part in sunder
Swelling on either side to want his bliss
Between whose hills her head entombed is
Where like a virtuous monument she lies
To be admired of lewd unhallowed eyes
Without the bed her other fair hand was
On the green coverlet whose perfect white
Showed like an April daisy on the grass
With pearly sweat resembling dew of night
Her eyes like marigolds had sheathed their light
And canopied in darkness sweetly lay
Till they might open to adorn the day
Her hair like golden threads played with her breath
O modest wantons wanton modesty
Showing lifes triumph in the map of death
And deaths dim look in lifes mortality
Each in her sleep themselves so beautify
As if between them twain there were no strife
But that life lived in death and death in life
Her breasts like ivory globes circled with blue
A pair of maiden worlds unconquered
Save of their lord no bearing yoke they knew
And him by oath they truly honoured
These worlds in Tarquin new ambition bred
Who like a foul usurper went about
From this fair throne to heave the owner out
What could he see but mightily he noted
What did he note but strongly he desired
What he beheld on that he firmly doted
And in his will his wilful eye he tired
With more than admiration he admired
Her azure veins her alabaster skin
Her coral lips her snowwhite dimpled chin
As the grim lion fawneth oer his prey
Sharp hunger by the conquest satisfied
So oer this sleeping soul doth Tarquin stay
His rage of lust by grazing qualified
Slaked not suppressed for standing by her side
His eye which late this mutiny restrains
Unto a greater uproar tempts his veins
And they like straggling slaves for pillage fighting
Obdurate vassals fell exploits effecting
In bloody death and ravishment delighting
Nor childrens tears nor mothers groans respecting
Swell in their pride the onset still expecting
Anon his beating heart alarum striking
Gives the hot charge and bids them do their liking
His drumming heart cheers up his burning eye
His eye commends the leading to his hand
His hand as proud of such a dignity
Smoking with pride marched on to make his stand
On her bare breast the heart of all her land
Whose ranks of blue veins as his hand did scale
Left their round turrets destitute and pale
They mustring to the quiet cabinet
Where their dear governess and lady lies
Do tell her she is dreadfully beset
And fright her with confusion of their cries
She much amazed breaks ope her lockedup eyes
Who peeping forth this tumult to behold
Are by his flaming torch dimmed and controlled
Imagine her as one in dead of night
From forth dull sleep by dreadful fancy waking
That thinks she hath beheld some ghastly sprite
Whose grim aspect sets every joint a shaking
What terror tis but she in worser taking
From sleep disturbed heedfully doth view
The sight which makes supposed terror true
Wrapped and confounded in a thousand fears
Like to a newkilled bird she trembling lies
She dares not look yet winking there appears
Quickshifting antics ugly in her eyes
Such shadows are the weak brains forgeries
Who angry that the eyes fly from their lights
In darkness daunts them with more dreadful sights
His hand that yet remains upon her breast
Rude ram to batter such an ivory wall
May feel her heart poor citizen distressed
Wounding itself to death rise up and fall
Beating her bulk that his hand shakes withal
This moves in him more rage and lesser pity
To make the breach and enter this sweet city
First like a trumpet doth his tongue begin
To sound a parley to his heartless foe
Who oer the white sheet peers her whiter chin
The reason of this rash alarm to know
Which he by dumb demeanour seeks to show
But she with vehement prayers urgeth still
Under what colour he commits this ill
Thus he replies The colour in thy face
That even for anger makes the lily pale
And the red rose blush at her own disgrace
Shall plead for me and tell my loving tale
Under that colour am I come to scale
Thy neverconquered fort the fault is thine
For those thine eyes betray thee unto mine
Thus I forestall thee if thou mean to chide
Thy beauty hath ensnared thee to this night
Where thou with patience must my will abide
My will that marks thee for my earths delight
Which I to conquer sought with all my might
But as reproof and reason beat it dead
By thy bright beauty was it newly bred
I see what crosses my attempt will bring
I know what thorns the growing rose defends
I think the honey guarded with a sting
All this beforehand counsel comprehends
But will is deaf and hears no heedful friends
Only he hath an eye to gaze on beauty
And dotes on what he looks gainst law or duty
I have debated even in my soul
What wrong what shame what sorrow I shall breed
But nothing can affections course control
Or stop the headlong fury of his speed
I know repentant tears ensue the deed
Reproach disdain and deadly enmity
Yet strike I to embrace mine infamy
This said he shakes aloft his Roman blade
Which like a falcon towring in the skies
Coucheth the fowl below with his wings shade
Whose crooked beak threats if he mount he dies
So under his insulting falchion lies
Harmless Lucretia marking what he tells
With trembling fear as fowl hear falcons bells
Lucrece quoth he this night I must enjoy thee
If thou deny then force must work my way
For in thy bed I purpose to destroy thee
That done some worthless slave of thine Ill slay
To kill thine honour with thy lifes decay
And in thy dead arms do I mean to place him
Swearing I slew him seeing thee embrace him
So thy surviving husband shall remain
The scornful mark of every open eye
Thy kinsmen hang their heads at this disdain
Thy issue blurred with nameless bastardy
And thou the author of their obloquy
Shalt have thy trespass cited up in rhymes
And sung by children in succeeding times
But if thou yield I rest thy secret friend
The fault unknown is as a thought unacted
A little harm done to a great good end
For lawful policy remains enacted
The poisonous simple sometimes is compacted
In a pure compound being so applied
His venom in effect is purified
Then for thy husband and thy childrens sake
Tender my suit Bequeath not to their lot
The shame that from them no device can take
The blemish that will never be forgot
Worse than a slavish wipe or birthhours blot
For marks descried in mens nativity
Are natures faults not their own infamy
Here with a cockatrice deadkilling eye
He rouseth up himself and makes a pause
While she the picture of pure piety
Like a white hind under the gripes sharp claws
Pleads in a wilderness where are no laws
To the rough beast that knows no gentle right
Nor aught obeys but his foul appetite
But when a blackfaced cloud the world doth threat
In his dim mist th aspiring mountains hiding
From earths dark womb some gentle gust doth get
Which blows these pitchy vapours from their biding
Hindring their present fall by this dividing
So his unhallowed haste her words delays
And moody Pluto winks while Orpheus plays
Yet foul nightwaking cat he doth but dally
While in his holdfast foot the weak mouse panteth
Her sad behaviour feeds his vulture folly
A swallowing gulf that even in plenty wanteth
His ear her prayers admits but his heart granteth
No penetrable entrance to her plaining
Tears harden lust though marble wear with raining
Her pitypleading eyes are sadly fixed
In the remorseless wrinkles of his face
Her modest eloquence with sighs is mixed
Which to her oratory adds more grace
She puts the period often from his place
And midst the sentence so her accent breaks
That twice she doth begin ere once she speaks
She conjures him by high almighty Jove
By knighthood gentry and sweet friendships oath
By her untimely tears her husbands love
By holy human law and common troth
By heaven and earth and all the power of both
That to his borrowed bed he make retire
And stoop to honour not to foul desire
Quoth she Reward not hospitality
With such black payment as thou hast pretended
Mud not the fountain that gave drink to thee
Mar not the thing that cannot be amended
End thy ill aim before the shoot be ended
He is no woodman that doth bend his bow
To strike a poor unseasonable doe
My husband is thy friend for his sake spare me
Thyself art mighty for thine own sake leave me
Myself a weakling do not then ensnare me
Thou lookst not like deceit do not deceive me
My sighs like whirlwinds labour hence to heave thee
If ever man were moved with womans moans
Be moved with my tears my sighs my groans
All which together like a troubled ocean
Beat at thy rocky and wrackthreatning heart
To soften it with their continual motion
For stones dissolved to water do convert
O if no harder than a stone thou art
Melt at my tears and be compassionate
Soft pity enters at an iron gate
In Tarquins likeness I did entertain thee
Hast thou put on his shape to do him shame
To all the host of heaven I complain me
Thou wrongst his honour woundst his princely name
Thou art not what thou seemst and if the same
Thou seemst not what thou art a god a king
For kings like gods should govern everything
How will thy shame be seeded in thine age
When thus thy vices bud before thy spring
If in thy hope thou darst do such outrage
What darst thou not when once thou art a king
O be remembered no outrageous thing
From vassal actors can be wiped away
Then kings misdeeds cannot be hid in clay
This deed will make thee only loved for fear
But happy monarchs still are feared for love
With foul offenders thou perforce must bear
When they in thee the like offences prove
If but for fear of this thy will remove
For princes are the glass the school the book
Where subjects eyes do learn do read do look
And wilt thou be the school where Lust shall learn
Must he in thee read lectures of such shame
Wilt thou be glass wherein it shall discern
Authority for sin warrant for blame
To privilege dishonour in thy name
Thou backst reproach against longliving laud
And makst fair reputation but a bawd
Hast thou command By him that gave it thee
From a pure heart command thy rebel will
Draw not thy sword to guard iniquity
For it was lent thee all that brood to kill
Thy princely office how canst thou fulfill
When patterned by thy fault foul Sin may say
He learned to sin and thou didst teach the way
Think but how vile a spectacle it were
To view thy present trespass in another
Mens faults do seldom to themselves appear
Their own transgressions partially they smother
This guilt would seem deathworthy in thy brother
O how are they wrapped in with infamies
That from their own misdeeds askance their eyes
To thee to thee my heavedup hands appeal
Not to seducing lust thy rash relier
I sue for exiled majestys repeal
Let him return and flattring thoughts retire
His true respect will prison false desire
And wipe the dim mist from thy doting eyne
That thou shalt see thy state and pity mine
Have done quoth he My uncontrolled tide
Turns not but swells the higher by this let
Small lights are soon blown out huge fires abide
And with the wind in greater fury fret
The petty streams that pay a daily debt
To their salt sovereign with their fresh falls haste
Add to his flow but alter not his taste
Thou art quoth she a sea a sovereign king
And lo there falls into thy boundless flood
Black lust dishonour shame misgoverning
Who seek to stain the ocean of thy blood
If all these petty ills shall change thy good
Thy sea within a puddles womb is hearsed
And not the puddle in thy sea dispersed
So shall these slaves be king and thou their slave
Thou nobly base they basely dignified
Thou their fair life and they thy fouler grave
Thou loathed in their shame they in thy pride
The lesser thing should not the greater hide
The cedar stoops not to the base shrubs foot
But low shrubs wither at the cedars root
So let thy thoughts low vassals to thy state
No more quoth he by heaven I will not hear thee
Yield to my love If not enforced hate
Instead of loves coy touch shall rudely tear thee
That done despitefully I mean to bear thee
Unto the base bed of some rascal groom
To be thy partner in this shameful doom
This said he sets his foot upon the light
For light and lust are deadly enemies
Shame folded up in blind concealing night
When most unseen then most doth tyrannize
The wolf hath seized his prey the poor lamb cries
Till with her own white fleece her voice controlled
Entombs her outcry in her lips sweet fold
For with the nightly linen that she wears
He pens her piteous clamours in her head
Cooling his hot face in the chastest tears
That ever modest eyes with sorrow shed
O that prone lust should stain so pure a bed
The spots whereof could weeping purify
Her tears should drop on them perpetually
But she hath lost a dearer thing than life
And he hath won what he would lose again
This forced league doth force a further strife
This momentary joy breeds months of pain
This hot desire converts to cold disdain
Pure Chastity is rifled of her store
And Lust the thief far poorer than before
Look as the fullfed hound or gorged hawk
Unapt for tender smell or speedy flight
Make slow pursuit or altogether balk
The prey wherein by nature they delight
So surfeittaking Tarquin fares this night
His taste delicious in digestion souring
Devours his will that lived by foul devouring
O deeper sin than bottomless conceit
Can comprehend in still imagination
Drunken desire must vomit his receipt
Ere he can see his own abomination
While lust is in his pride no exclamation
Can curb his heat or rein his rash desire
Till like a jade selfwill himself doth tire
And then with lank and lean discoloured cheek
With heavy eye knit brow and strengthless pace
Feeble desire all recreant poor and meek
Like to a bankrout beggar wails his case
The flesh being proud desire doth fight with Grace
For there it revels and when that decays
The guilty rebel for remission prays
So fares it with this faultful lord of Rome
Who this accomplishment so hotly chased
For now against himself he sounds this doom
That through the length of times he stands disgraced
Besides his souls fair temple is defaced
To whose weak ruins muster troops of cares
To ask the spotted princess how she fares
She says her subjects with foul insurrection
Have battered down her consecrated wall
And by their mortal fault brought in subjection
Her immortality and made her thrall
To living death and pain perpetual
Which in her prescience she controlled still
But her foresight could not forestall their will
Een in this thought through the dark night he stealeth
A captive victor that hath lost in gain
Bearing away the wound that nothing healeth
The scar that will despite of cure remain
Leaving his spoil perplexed in greater pain
She bears the load of lust he left behind
And he the burden of a guilty mind
He like a thievish dog creeps sadly thence
She like a wearied lamb lies panting there
He scowls and hates himself for his offence
She desperate with her nails her flesh doth tear
He faintly flies sweating with guilty fear
She stays exclaiming on the direful night
He runs and chides his vanished loathed delight
He thence departs a heavy convertite
She there remains a hopeless castaway
He in his speed looks for the morning light
She prays she never may behold the day
For day quoth she nights scapes doth open lay
And my true eyes have never practised how
To cloak offences with a cunning brow
They think not but that every eye can see
The same disgrace which they themselves behold
And therefore would they still in darkness be
To have their unseen sin remain untold
For they their guilt with weeping will unfold
And grave like water that doth eat in steel
Upon my cheeks what helpless shame I feel
Here she exclaims against repose and rest
And bids her eyes hereafter still be blind
She wakes her heart by beating on her breast
And bids it leap from thence where it may find
Some purer chest to close so pure a mind
Frantic with grief thus breathes she forth her spite
Against the unseen secrecy of night
O comfortkilling night image of hell
Dim register and notary of shame
Black stage for tragedies and murders fell
Vast sinconcealing chaos nurse of blame
Blind muffled bawd dark harbour for defame
Grim cave of death whispring conspirator
With closetongued treason and the ravisher
O hateful vaporous and foggy night
Since thou art guilty of my cureless crime
Muster thy mists to meet the eastern light
Make war against proportioned course of time
Or if thou wilt permit the sun to climb
His wonted height yet ere he go to bed
Knit poisonous clouds about his golden head
With rotten damps ravish the morning air
Let their exhaled unwholesome breaths make sick
The life of purity the supreme fair
Ere he arrive his weary noontide prick
And let thy misty vapours march so thick
That in their smoky ranks his smothered light
May set at noon and make perpetual night
Were Tarquin night as he is but nights child
The silvershining queen he would distain
Her twinkling handmaids too by him defiled
Through Nights black bosom should not peep again
So should I have copartners in my pain
And fellowship in woe doth woe assuage
As palmers chat makes short their pilgrimage
Where now I have no one to blush with me
To cross their arms and hang their heads with mine
To mask their brows and hide their infamy
But I alone alone must sit and pine
Seasoning the earth with showers of silver brine
Mingling my talk with tears my grief with groans
Poor wasting monuments of lasting moans
O night thou furnace of foul reeking smoke
Let not the jealous day behold that face
Which underneath thy black allhiding cloak
Immodesty lies martyred with disgrace
Keep still possession of thy gloomy place
That all the faults which in thy reign are made
May likewise be sepulchred in thy shade
Make me not object to the telltale day
The light will show charactered in my brow
The story of sweet chastitys decay
The impious breach of holy wedlock vow
Yea the illiterate that know not how
To cipher what is writ in learned books
Will quote my loathsome trespass in my looks
The nurse to still her child will tell my story
And fright her crying babe with Tarquins name
The orator to deck his oratory
Will couple my reproach to Tarquins shame
Feastfinding minstrels tuning my defame
Will tie the hearers to attend each line
How Tarquin wronged me I Collatine
Let my good name that senseless reputation
For Collatines dear love be kept unspotted
If that be made a theme for disputation
The branches of another root are rotted
And undeserved reproach to him allotted
That is as clear from this attaint of mine
As I ere this was pure to Collatine
O unseen shame invisible disgrace
O unfelt sore crestwounding private scar
Reproach is stamped in Collatinus face
And Tarquins eye may read the mot afar
How he in peace is wounded not in war
Alas how many bear such shameful blows
Which not themselves but he that gives them knows
If Collatine thine honour lay in me
From me by strong assault it is bereft
My honey lost and I a dronelike bee
Have no perfection of my summer left
But robbed and ransacked by injurious theft
In thy weak hive a wandring wasp hath crept
And sucked the honey which thy chaste bee kept
Yet am I guilty of thy honours wrack
Yet for thy honour did I entertain him
Coming from thee I could not put him back
For it had been dishonour to disdain him
Besides of weariness he did complain him
And talked of virtue O unlookedfor evil
When virtue is profaned in such a devil
Why should the worm intrude the maiden bud
Or hateful cuckoos hatch in sparrows nests
Or toads infect fair founts with venom mud
Or tyrant folly lurk in gentle breasts
Or kings be breakers of their own behests
But no perfection is so absolute
That some impurity doth not pollute
The aged man that coffers up his gold
Is plagued with cramps and gouts and painful fits
And scarce hath eyes his treasure to behold
But like stillpining Tantalus he sits
And useless barns the harvest of his wits
Having no other pleasure of his gain
But torment that it cannot cure his pain
So then he hath it when he cannot use it
And leaves it to be mastered by his young
Who in their pride do presently abuse it
Their father was too weak and they too strong
To hold their cursedblessed fortune long
The sweets we wish for turn to loathed sours
Even in the moment that we call them ours
Unruly blasts wait on the tender spring
Unwholesome weeds take root with precious flowers
The adder hisses where the sweet birds sing
What virtue breeds iniquity devours
We have no good that we can say is ours
But illannexed Opportunity
Or kills his life or else his quality
O Opportunity thy guilt is great
Tis thou that executst the traitors treason
Thou sets the wolf where he the lamb may get
Whoever plots the sin thou pointst the season
Tis thou that spurnst at right at law at reason
And in thy shady cell where none may spy him
Sits Sin to seize the souls that wander by him
Thou makst the vestal violate her oath
Thou blowst the fire when temperance is thawed
Thou smotherst honesty thou murderst troth
Thou foul abettor thou notorious bawd
Thou plantest scandal and displacest laud
Thou ravisher thou traitor thou false thief
Thy honey turns to gall thy joy to grief
Thy secret pleasure turns to open shame
Thy private feasting to a public fast
Thy smoothing titles to a ragged name
Thy sugared tongue to bitter wormwood taste
Thy violent vanities can never last
How comes it then vile Opportunity
Being so bad such numbers seek for thee
When wilt thou be the humble suppliants friend
And bring him where his suit may be obtained
When wilt thou sort an hour great strifes to end
Or free that soul which wretchedness hath chained
Give physic to the sick ease to the pained
The poor lame blind halt creep cry out for thee
But they neer meet with Opportunity
The patient dies while the physician sleeps
The orphan pines while the oppressor feeds
Justice is feasting while the widow weeps
Advice is sporting while infection breeds
Thou grantst no time for charitable deeds
Wrath envy treason rape and murders rages
Thy heinous hours wait on them as their pages
When truth and virtue have to do with thee
A thousand crosses keep them from thy aid
They buy thy help but Sin neer gives a fee
He gratis comes and thou art well appaid
As well to hear as grant what he hath said
My Collatine would else have come to me
When Tarquin did but he was stayed by thee
Guilty thou art of murder and of theft
Guilty of perjury and subornation
Guilty of treason forgery and shift
Guilty of incest that abomination
An accessory by thine inclination
To all sins past and all that are to come
From the creation to the general doom
Misshapen Time copesmate of ugly night
Swift subtle post carrier of grisly care
Eater of youth false slave to false delight
Base watch of woes sins packhorse virtues snare
Thou nursest all and murdrest all that are
O hear me then injurious shifting Time
Be guilty of my death since of my crime
Why hath thy servant Opportunity
Betrayed the hours thou gavst me to repose
Cancelled my fortunes and enchained me
To endless date of neverending woes
Times office is to fine the hate of foes
To eat up errors by opinion bred
Not spend the dowry of a lawful bed
Times glory is to calm contending kings
To unmask falsehood and bring truth to light
To stamp the seal of time in aged things
To wake the morn and sentinel the night
To wrong the wronger till he render right
To ruinate proud buildings with thy hours
And smear with dust their glittring golden towers
To fill with wormholes stately monuments
To feed oblivion with decay of things
To blot old books and alter their contents
To pluck the quills from ancient ravens wings
To dry the old oaks sap and cherish springs
To spoil antiquities of hammered steel
And turn the giddy round of Fortunes wheel
To show the beldam daughters of her daughter
To make the child a man the man a child
To slay the tiger that doth live by slaughter
To tame the unicorn and lion wild
To mock the subtle in themselves beguiled
To cheer the ploughman with increaseful crops
And waste huge stones with little waterdrops
Why workst thou mischief in thy pilgrimage
Unless thou couldst return to make amends
One poor retiring minute in an age
Would purchase thee a thousand thousand friends
Lending him wit that to bad debtors lends
O this dread night wouldst thou one hour come back
I could prevent this storm and shun thy wrack
Thou ceaseless lackey to eternity
With some mischance cross Tarquin in his flight
Devise extremes beyond extremity
To make him curse this cursed crimeful night
Let ghastly shadows his lewd eyes affright
And the dire thought of his committed evil
Shape every bush a hideous shapeless devil
Disturb his hours of rest with restless trances
Afflict him in his bed with bedrid groans
Let there bechance him pitiful mischances
To make him moan but pity not his moans
Stone him with hardned hearts harder than stones
And let mild women to him lose their mildness
Wilder to him than tigers in their wildness
Let him have time to tear his curled hair
Let him have time against himself to rave
Let him have time of Times help to despair
Let him have time to live a loathed slave
Let him have time a beggars orts to crave
And time to see one that by alms doth live
Disdain to him disdained scraps to give
Let him have time to see his friends his foes
And merry fools to mock at him resort
Let him have time to mark how slow time goes
In time of sorrow and how swift and short
His time of folly and his time of sport
And ever let his unrecalling crime
Have time to wail th abusing of his time
O Time thou tutor both to good and bad
Teach me to curse him that thou taughtst this ill
At his own shadow let the thief run mad
Himself himself seek every hour to kill
Such wretched hands such wretched blood should spill
For who so base would such an office have
As slandrous deathsman to so base a slave
The baser is he coming from a king
To shame his hope with deeds degenerate
The mightier man the mightier is the thing
That makes him honoured or begets him hate
For greatest scandal waits on greatest state
The moon being clouded presently is missed
But little stars may hide them when they list
The crow may bathe his coalblack wings in mire
And unperceived fly with the filth away
But if the like the snowwhite swan desire
The stain upon his silver down will stay
Poor grooms are sightless night kings glorious day
Gnats are unnoted wheresoeer they fly
But eagles gazed upon with every eye
Out idle words servants to shallow fools
Unprofitable sounds weak arbitrators
Busy yourselves in skillcontending schools
Debate where leisure serves with dull debaters
To trembling clients be you mediators
For me I force not argument a straw
Since that my case is past the help of law
In vain I rail at Opportunity
At Time at Tarquin and uncheerful night
In vain I cavil with mine infamy
In vain I spurn at my confirmed despite
This helpless smoke of words doth me no right
The remedy indeed to do me good
Is to let forth my foul defiled blood
Poor hand why quiverst thou at this decree
Honour thyself to rid me of this shame
For if I die my honour lives in thee
But if I live thou livst in my defame
Since thou couldst not defend thy loyal dame
And wast afeared to scratch her wicked foe
Kill both thyself and her for yielding so
This said from her betumbled couch she starteth
To find some desprate instrument of death
But this no slaughterhouse no tool imparteth
To make more vent for passage of her breath
Which thronging through her lips so vanisheth
As smoke from tna that in air consumes
Or that which from discharged cannon fumes
In vain quoth she I live and seek in vain
Some happy mean to end a hapless life
I feared by Tarquins falchion to be slain
Yet for the selfsame purpose seek a knife
But when I feared I was a loyal wife
So am I nowO no that cannot be
Of that true type hath Tarquin rifled me
O that is gone for which I sought to live
And therefore now I need not fear to die
To clear this spot by death at least I give
A badge of fame to slanders livery
A dying life to living infamy
Poor helpless help the treasure stoln away
To burn the guiltless casket where it lay
Well well dear Collatine thou shalt not know
The stained taste of violated troth
I will not wrong thy true affection so
To flatter thee with an infringed oath
This bastard graff shall never come to growth
He shall not boast who did thy stock pollute
That thou art doting father of his fruit
Nor shall he smile at thee in secret thought
Nor laugh with his companions at thy state
But thou shalt know thy intrest was not bought
Basely with gold but stoln from forth thy gate
For me I am the mistress of my fate
And with my trespass never will dispense
Till life to death acquit my forced offence
I will not poison thee with my attaint
Nor fold my fault in cleanlycoined excuses
My sable ground of sin I will not paint
To hide the truth of this false nights abuses
My tongue shall utter all mine eyes like sluices
As from a mountainspring that feeds a dale
Shall gush pure streams to purge my impure tale
By this lamenting Philomel had ended
The welltuned warble of her nightly sorrow
And solemn night with slow sad gait descended
To ugly hell when lo the blushing morrow
Lends light to all fair eyes that light will borrow
But cloudy Lucrece shames herself to see
And therefore still in night would cloistered be
Revealing day through every cranny spies
And seems to point her out where she sits weeping
To whom she sobbing speaks O eye of eyes
Why pryst thou through my window Leave thy peeping
Mock with thy tickling beams eyes that are sleeping
Brand not my forehead with thy piercing light
For day hath naught to do whats done by night
Thus cavils she with everything she sees
True grief is fond and testy as a child
Who wayward once his mood with naught agrees
Old woes not infant sorrows bear them mild
Continuance tames the one the other wild
Like an unpractised swimmer plunging still
With too much labour drowns for want of skill
So she deepdrenched in a sea of care
Holds disputation with each thing she views
And to herself all sorrow doth compare
No object but her passions strength renews
And as one shifts another straight ensues
Sometime her grief is dumb and hath no words
Sometime tis mad and too much talk affords
The little birds that tune their mornings joy
Make her moans mad with their sweet melody
For mirth doth search the bottom of annoy
Sad souls are slain in merry company
Grief best is pleased with griefs society
True sorrow then is feelingly sufficed
When with like semblance it is sympathized
Tis double death to drown in ken of shore
He ten times pines that pines beholding food
To see the salve doth make the wound ache more
Great grief grieves most at that would do it good
Deep woes roll forward like a gentle flood
Who being stopped the bounding banks oerflows
Grief dallied with nor law nor limit knows
You mocking birds quoth she your tunes entomb
Within your hollowswelling feathered breasts
And in my hearing be you mute and dumb
My restless discord loves no stops nor rests
A woeful hostess brooks not merry guests
Relish your nimble notes to pleasing ears
Distress likes dumps when time is kept with tears
Come Philomel that singst of ravishment
Make thy sad grove in my disheveled hair
As the dank earth weeps at thy languishment
So I at each sad strain will strain a tear
And with deep groans the diapason bear
For burdenwise Ill hum on Tarquin still
While thou on Tereus descants better skill
And whiles against a thorn thou bearst thy part
To keep thy sharp woes waking wretched I
To imitate thee well against my heart
Will fix a sharp knife to affright mine eye
Who if it wink shall thereon fall and die
These means as frets upon an instrument
Shall tune our heartstrings to true languishment
And for poor bird thou singst not in the day
As shaming any eye should thee behold
Some dark deep desert seated from the way
That knows not parching heat nor freezing cold
Will we find out and there we will unfold
To creatures stern sad tunes to change their kinds
Since men prove beasts let beasts bear gentle minds
As the poor frighted deer that stands at gaze
Wildly determining which way to fly
Or one encompassed with a winding maze
That cannot tread the way out readily
So with herself is she in mutiny
To live or die which of the twain were better
When life is shamed and Death reproachs debtor
To kill myself quoth she alack what were it
But with my body my poor souls pollution
They that lose half with greater patience bear it
Than they whose whole is swallowed in confusion
That mother tries a merciless conclusion
Who having two sweet babes when death takes one
Will slay the other and be nurse to none
My body or my soul which was the dearer
When the one pure the other made divine
Whose love of either to myself was nearer
When both were kept for heaven and Collatine
Ay me the bark pilled from the lofty pine
His leaves will wither and his sap decay
So must my soul her bark being pilled away
Her house is sacked her quiet interrupted
Her mansion battered by the enemy
Her sacred temple spotted spoiled corrupted
Grossly engirt with daring infamy
Then let it not be called impiety
If in this blemished fort I make some hole
Through which I may convey this troubled soul
Yet die I will not till my Collatine
Have heard the cause of my untimely death
That he may vow in that sad hour of mine
Revenge on him that made me stop my breath
My stained blood to Tarquin Ill bequeath
Which by him tainted shall for him be spent
And as his due writ in my testament
My honour Ill bequeath unto the knife
That wounds my body so dishonoured
Tis honour to deprive dishonoured life
The one will live the other being dead
So of shames ashes shall my fame be bred
For in my death I murder shameful scorn
My shame so dead mine honour is new born
Dear lord of that dear jewel I have lost
What legacy shall I bequeath to thee
My resolution love shall be thy boast
By whose example thou revenged mayst be
How Tarquin must be used read it in me
Myself thy friend will kill myself thy foe
And for my sake serve thou false Tarquin so
This brief abridgement of my will I make
My soul and body to the skies and ground
My resolution husband do thou take
Mine honour be the knifes that makes my wound
My shame be his that did my fame confound
And all my fame that lives disbursed be
To those that live and think no shame of me
Thou Collatine shalt oversee this will
How was I overseen that thou shalt see it
My blood shall wash the slander of mine ill
My lifes foul deed my lifes fair end shall free it
Faint not faint heart but stoutly say So be it
Yield to my hand my hand shall conquer thee
Thou dead both die and both shall victors be
This plot of death when sadly she had laid
And wiped the brinish pearl from her bright eyes
With untuned tongue she hoarsely called her maid
Whose swift obedience to her mistress hies
For fleetwinged duty with thoughts feathers flies
Poor Lucrece cheeks unto her maid seem so
As winter meads when sun doth melt their snow
Her mistress she doth give demure goodmorrow
With soft slow tongue true mark of modesty
And sorts a sad look to her ladys sorrow
For why her face wore sorrows livery
But durst not ask of her audaciously
Why her two suns were cloudeclipsed so
Nor why her fair cheeks overwashed with woe
But as the earth doth weep the sun being set
Each flower moistened like a melting eye
Even so the maid with swelling drops gan wet
Her circled eyne enforced by sympathy
Of those fair suns set in her mistress sky
Who in a saltwaved ocean quench their light
Which makes the maid weep like the dewy night
A pretty while these pretty creatures stand
Like ivory conduits coral cisterns filling
One justly weeps the other takes in hand
No cause but company of her drops spilling
Their gentle sex to weep are often willing
Grieving themselves to guess at others smarts
And then they drown their eyes or break their hearts
For men have marble women waxen minds
And therefore are they formed as marble will
The weak oppressed th impression of strange kinds
Is formed in them by force by fraud or skill
Then call them not the authors of their ill
No more than wax shall be accounted evil
Wherein is stamped the semblance of a devil
Their smoothness like a goodly champaign plain
Lays open all the little worms that creep
In men as in a roughgrown grove remain
Cavekeeping evils that obscurely sleep
Through crystal walls each little mote will peep
Though men can cover crimes with bold stern looks
Poor womens faces are their own faults books
No man inveigh against the withered flower
But chide rough winter that the flower hath killed
Not that devoured but that which doth devour
Is worthy blame O let it not be hild
Poor womens faults that they are so fulfilled
With mens abuses Those proud lords to blame
Make weakmade women tenants to their shame
The precedent whereof in Lucrece view
Assailed by night with circumstances strong
Of present death and shame that might ensue
By that her death to do her husband wrong
Such danger to resistance did belong
The dying fear through all her body spread
And who cannot abuse a body dead
By this mild patience bid fair Lucrece speak
To the poor counterfeit of her complaining
My girl quoth she on what occasion break
Those tears from thee that down thy cheeks are raining
If thou dost weep for grief of my sustaining
Know gentle wench it small avails my mood
If tears could help mine own would do me good
But tell me girl when wentand there she stayed
Till after a deep groanTarquin from hence
Madam ere I was up replied the maid
The more to blame my sluggard negligence
Yet with the fault I thus far can dispense
Myself was stirring ere the break of day
And ere I rose was Tarquin gone away
But lady if your maid may be so bold
She would request to know your heaviness
O peace quoth Lucrece If it should be told
The repetition cannot make it less
For more it is than I can well express
And that deep torture may be called a hell
When more is felt than one hath power to tell
Go get me hither paper ink and pen
Yet save that labour for I have them here
What should I sayOne of my husbands men
Bid thou be ready by and by to bear
A letter to my lord my love my dear
Bid him with speed prepare to carry it
The cause craves haste and it will soon be writ
Her maid is gone and she prepares to write
First hovering oer the paper with her quill
Conceit and grief an eager combat fight
What wit sets down is blotted straight with will
This is too curiousgood this blunt and ill
Much like a press of people at a door
Throng her inventions which shall go before
At last she thus begins Thou worthy lord
Of that unworthy wife that greeteth thee
Health to thy person Next vouchsafe t afford
If ever love thy Lucrece thou wilt see
Some present speed to come and visit me
So I commend me from our house in grief
My woes are tedious though my words are brief
Here folds she up the tenor of her woe
Her certain sorrow writ uncertainly
By this short schedule Collatine may know
Her grief but not her griefs true quality
She dares not thereof make discovery
Lest he should hold it her own gross abuse
Ere she with blood had stained her stained excuse
Besides the life and feeling of her passion
She hoards to spend when he is by to hear her
When sighs and groans and tears may grace the fashion
Of her disgrace the better so to clear her
From that suspicion which the world might bear her
To shun this blot she would not blot the letter
With words till action might become them better
To see sad sights moves more than hear them told
For then the eye interprets to the ear
The heavy motion that it doth behold
When every part a part of woe doth bear
Tis but a part of sorrow that we hear
Deep sounds make lesser noise than shallow fords
And sorrow ebbs being blown with wind of words
Her letter now is sealed and on it writ
At Ardea to my lord with more than haste
The post attends and she delivers it
Charging the sourfaced groom to hie as fast
As lagging fowls before the northern blast
Speed more than speed but dull and slow she deems
Extremely still urgeth such extremes
The homely villain curtsies to her low
And blushing on her with a steadfast eye
Receives the scroll without or yea or no
And forth with bashful innocence doth hie
But they whose guilt within their bosoms lie
Imagine every eye beholds their blame
For Lucrece thought he blushed to see her shame
When silly groom God wot it was defect
Of spirit life and bold audacity
Such harmless creatures have a true respect
To talk in deeds while others saucily
Promise more speed but do it leisurely
Even so this pattern of the wornout age
Pawned honest looks but laid no words to gage
His kindled duty kindled her mistrust
That two red fires in both their faces blazed
She thought he blushed as knowing Tarquins lust
And blushing with him wistly on him gazed
Her earnest eye did make him more amazed
The more she saw the blood his cheeks replenish
The more she thought he spied in her some blemish
But long she thinks till he return again
And yet the duteous vassal scarce is gone
The weary time she cannot entertain
For now tis stale to sigh to weep to groan
So woe hath wearied woe moan tired moan
That she her plaints a little while doth stay
Pausing for means to mourn some newer way
At last she calls to mind where hangs a piece
Of skilful painting made for Priams Troy
Before the which is drawn the power of Greece
For Helens rape the city to destroy
Threatning cloudkissing Ilion with annoy
Which the conceited painter drew so proud
As heaven it seemed to kiss the turrets bowed
A thousand lamentable objects there
In scorn of Nature Art gave lifeless life
Many a dry drop seemed a weeping tear
Shed for the slaughtered husband by the wife
The red blood reeked to show the painters strife
The dying eyes gleamed forth their ashy lights
Like dying coals burnt out in tedious nights
There might you see the labouring pioneer
Begrimed with sweat and smeared all with dust
And from the towers of Troy there would appear
The very eyes of men through loopholes thrust
Gazing upon the Greeks with little lust
Such sweet observance in this work was had
That one might see those faroff eyes look sad
In great commanders grace and majesty
You might behold triumphing in their faces
In youth quick bearing and dexterity
And here and there the painter interlaces
Pale cowards marching on with trembling paces
Which heartless peasants did so well resemble
That one would swear he saw them quake and tremble
In Ajax and Ulysses O what art
Of physiognomy might one behold
The face of either ciphered eithers heart
Their face their manners most expressly told
In Ajax eyes blunt rage and rigour rolled
But the mild glance that sly Ulysses lent
Showed deep regard and smiling government
There pleading might you see grave Nestor stand
As twere encouraging the Greeks to fight
Making such sober action with his hand
That it beguiled attention charmed the sight
In speech it seemed his beard all silver white
Wagged up and down and from his lips did fly
Thin winding breath which purled up to the sky
About him were a press of gaping faces
Which seemed to swallow up his sound advice
All jointly listning but with several graces
As if some mermaid did their ears entice
Some high some low the painter was so nice
The scalps of many almost hid behind
To jump up higher seemed to mock the mind
Here one mans hand leaned on anothers head
His nose being shadowed by his neighbours ear
Here one being thronged bears back all bolln and red
Another smothered seems to pelt and swear
And in their rage such signs of rage they bear
As but for loss of Nestors golden words
It seemed they would debate with angry swords
For much imaginary work was there
Conceit deceitful so compact so kind
That for Achilles image stood his spear
Griped in an armed hand himself behind
Was left unseen save to the eye of mind
A hand a foot a face a leg a head
Stood for the whole to be imagined
And from the walls of strongbesieged Troy
When their brave hope bold Hector marched to field
Stood many Trojan mothers sharing joy
To see their youthful sons bright weapons wield
And to their hope they such odd action yield
That through their light joy seemed to appear
Like bright things stained a kind of heavy fear
And from the strand of Dardan where they fought
To Simois reedy banks the red blood ran
Whose waves to imitate the battle sought
With swelling ridges and their ranks began
To break upon the galled shore and then
Retire again till meeting greater ranks
They join and shoot their foam at Simois banks
To this wellpainted piece is Lucrece come
To find a face where all distress is stelled
Many she sees where cares have carved some
But none where all distress and dolour dwelled
Till she despairing Hecuba beheld
Staring on Priams wounds with her old eyes
Which bleeding under Pyrrhus proud foot lies
In her the painter had anatomized
Times ruin beautys wrack and grim cares reign
Her cheeks with chops and wrinkles were disguised
Of what she was no semblance did remain
Her blue blood changed to black in every vein
Wanting the spring that those shrunk pipes had fed
Showed life imprisoned in a body dead
On this sad shadow Lucrece spends her eyes
And shapes her sorrow to the beldams woes
Who nothing wants to answer her but cries
And bitter words to ban her cruel foes
The painter was no god to lend her those
And therefore Lucrece swears he did her wrong
To give her so much grief and not a tongue
Poor instrument quoth she without a sound
Ill tune thy woes with my lamenting tongue
And drop sweet balm in Priams painted wound
And rail on Pyrrhus that hath done him wrong
And with my tears quench Troy that burns so long
And with my knife scratch out the angry eyes
Of all the Greeks that are thine enemies
Show me the strumpet that began this stir
That with my nails her beauty I may tear
Thy heat of lust fond Paris did incur
This load of wrath that burning Troy doth bear
Thy eye kindled the fire that burneth here
And here in Troy for trespass of thine eye
The sire the son the dame and daughter die
Why should the private pleasure of some one
Become the public plague of many moe
Let sin alone committed light alone
Upon his head that hath transgressed so
Let guiltless souls be freed from guilty woe
For ones offence why should so many fall
To plague a private sin in general
Lo here weeps Hecuba here Priam dies
Here manly Hector faints here Troilus swounds
Here friend by friend in bloody channel lies
And friend to friend gives unadvised wounds
And one mans lust these many lives confounds
Had doting Priam checked his sons desire
Troy had been bright with fame and not with fire
Here feelingly she weeps Troys painted woes
For sorrow like a heavyhanging bell
Once set on ringing with his own weight goes
Then little strength rings out the doleful knell
So Lucrece set awork sad tales doth tell
To pencilled pensiveness and coloured sorrow
She lends them words and she their looks doth borrow
She throws her eyes about the painting round
And who she finds forlorn she doth lament
At last she sees a wretched image bound
That piteous looks to Phrygian shepherds lent
His face though full of cares yet showed content
Onward to Troy with the blunt swains he goes
So mild that patience seemed to scorn his woes
In him the painter laboured with his skill
To hide deceit and give the harmless show
An humble gait calm looks eyes wailing still
A brow unbent that seemed to welcome woe
Cheeks neither red nor pale but mingled so
That blushing red no guilty instance gave
Nor ashy pale the fear that false hearts have
But like a constant and confirmed devil
He entertained a show so seeming just
And therein so ensconced his secret evil
That jealousy itself could not mistrust
Falsecreeping craft and perjury should thrust
Into so bright a day such blackfaced storms
Or blot with hellborn sin such saintlike forms
The wellskilled workman this mild image drew
For perjured Sinon whose enchanting story
The credulous Old Priam after slew
Whose words like wildfire burnt the shining glory
Of richbuilt Ilion that the skies were sorry
And little stars shot from their fixed places
When their glass fell wherein they viewed their faces
This picture she advisedly perused
And chid the painter for his wondrous skill
Saying some shape in Sinons was abused
So fair a form lodged not a mind so ill
And still on him she gazed and gazing still
Such signs of truth in his plain face she spied
That she concludes the picture was belied
It cannot be quoth she that so much guile
She would have said can lurk in such a look
But Tarquins shape came in her mind the while
And from her tongue can lurk from cannot took
It cannot be she in that sense forsook
And turned it thus It cannot be I find
But such a face should bear a wicked mind
For even as subtle Sinon here is painted
So sobersad so weary and so mild
As if with grief or travail he had fainted
To me came Tarquin armed too beguiled
With outward honesty but yet defiled
With inward vice As Priam him did cherish
So did I Tarquin so my Troy did perish
Look look how listening Priam wets his eyes
To see those borrowed tears that Sinon sheds
Priam why art thou old and yet not wise
For every tear he falls a Trojan bleeds
His eye drops fire no water thence proceeds
Those round clear pearls of his that move thy pity
Are balls of quenchless fire to burn thy city
Such devils steal effects from lightless hell
For Sinon in his fire doth quake with cold
And in that cold hotburning fire doth dwell
These contraries such unity do hold
Only to flatter fools and make them bold
So Priams trust false Sinons tears doth flatter
That he finds means to burn his Troy with water
Here all enraged such passion her assails
That patience is quite beaten from her breast
She tears the senseless Sinon with her nails
Comparing him to that unhappy guest
Whose deed hath made herself herself detest
At last she smilingly with this gives oer
Fool fool quoth she his wounds will not be sore
Thus ebbs and flows the current of her sorrow
And time doth weary time with her complaining
She looks for night and then she longs for morrow
And both she thinks too long with her remaining
Short time seems long in sorrows sharp sustaining
Though woe be heavy yet it seldom sleeps
And they that watch see time how slow it creeps
Which all this time hath overslipped her thought
That she with painted images hath spent
Being from the feeling of her own grief brought
By deep surmise of others detriment
Losing her woes in shows of discontent
It easeth some though none it ever cured
To think their dolour others have endured
But now the mindful messenger come back
Brings home his lord and other company
Who finds his Lucrece clad in mourning black
And round about her teardistained eye
Blue circles streamed like rainbows in the sky
These watergalls in her dim element
Foretell new storms to those already spent
Which when her sadbeholding husband saw
Amazedly in her sad face he stares
Her eyes though sod in tears looked red and raw
Her lively colour killed with deadly cares
He hath no power to ask her how she fares
Both stood like old acquaintance in a trance
Met far from home wondring each others chance
At last he takes her by the bloodless hand
And thus begins What uncouth ill event
Hath thee befalln that thou dost trembling stand
Sweet love what spite hath thy fair colour spent
Why art thou thus attired in discontent
Unmask dear dear this moody heaviness
And tell thy grief that we may give redress
Three times with sighs she gives her sorrow fire
Ere once she can discharge one word of woe
At length addressed to answer his desire
She modestly prepares to let them know
Her honour is taen prisoner by the foe
While Collatine and his consorted lords
With sad attention long to hear her words
And now this pale swan in her watry nest
Begins the sad dirge of her certain ending
Few words quoth she shall fit the trespass best
Where no excuse can give the fault amending
In me more woes than words are now depending
And my laments would be drawn out too long
To tell them all with one poor tired tongue
Then be this all the task it hath to say
Dear husband in the interest of thy bed
A stranger came and on that pillow lay
Where thou wast wont to rest thy weary head
And what wrong else may be imagined
By foul enforcement might be done to me
From that alas thy Lucrece is not free
For in the dreadful dead of dark midnight
With shining falchion in my chamber came
A creeping creature with a flaming light
And softly cried Awake thou Roman dame
And entertain my love else lasting shame
On thee and thine this night I will inflict
If thou my loves desire do contradict
For some hardfavoured groom of thine quoth he
Unless thou yoke thy liking to my will
Ill murder straight and then Ill slaughter thee
And swear I found you where you did fulfil
The loathsome act of lust and so did kill
The lechers in their deed This act will be
My fame and thy perpetual infamy
With this I did begin to start and cry
And then against my heart he sets his sword
Swearing unless I took all patiently
I should not live to speak another word
So should my shame still rest upon record
And never be forgot in mighty Rome
The adulterate death of Lucrece and her groom
Mine enemy was strong my poor self weak
And far the weaker with so strong a fear
My bloody judge forbade my tongue to speak
No rightful plea might plead for justice there
His scarlet lust came evidence to swear
That my poor beauty had purloined his eyes
And when the judge is robbed the prisoner dies
O teach me how to make mine own excuse
Or at the least this refuge let me find
Though my gross blood be stained with this abuse
Immaculate and spotless is my mind
That was not forced that never was inclined
To accessary yieldings but still pure
Doth in her poisoned closet yet endure
Lo here the hopeless merchant of this loss
With head declined and voice dammed up with woe
With sad set eyes and wretched arms across
From lips newwaxen pale begins to blow
The grief away that stops his answer so
But wretched as he is he strives in vain
What he breathes out his breath drinks up again
As through an arch the violent roaring tide
Outruns the eye that doth behold his haste
Yet in the eddy boundeth in his pride
Back to the strait that forced him on so fast
In rage sent out recalled in rage being past
Even so his sighs his sorrows make a saw
To push grief on and back the same grief draw
Which speechless woe of his poor she attendeth
And his untimely frenzy thus awaketh
Dear lord thy sorrow to my sorrow lendeth
Another power no flood by raining slaketh
My woe too sensible thy passion maketh
More feelingpainful Let it then suffice
To drown one woe one pair of weeping eyes
And for my sake when I might charm thee so
For she that was thy Lucrece now attend me
Be suddenly revenged on my foe
Thine mine his own Suppose thou dost defend me
From what is past The help that thou shalt lend me
Comes all too late yet let the traitor die
For sparing justice feeds iniquity
But ere I name him you fair lords quoth she
Speaking to those that came with Collatine
Shall plight your honourable faiths to me
With swift pursuit to venge this wrong of mine
For tis a meritorious fair design
To chase injustice with revengeful arms
Knights by their oaths should right poor ladies harms
At this request with noble disposition
Each present lord began to promise aid
As bound in knighthood to her imposition
Longing to hear the hateful foe bewrayed
But she that yet her sad task hath not said
The protestation stops O speak quoth she
How may this forced stain be wiped from me
What is the quality of my offence
Being constrained with dreadful circumstance
May my pure mind with the foul act dispense
My lowdeclined honour to advance
May any terms acquit me from this chance
The poisoned fountain clears itself again
And why not I from this compelled stain
With this they all at once began to say
Her bodys stain her mind untainted clears
While with a joyless smile she turns away
The face that map which deep impression bears
Of hard misfortune carved in it with tears
No no quoth she no dame hereafter living
By my excuse shall claim excuses giving
Here with a sigh as if her heart would break
She throws forth Tarquins name He he she says
But more than he her poor tongue could not speak
Till after many accents and delays
Untimely breathings sick and short assays
She utters this He he fair lords tis he
That guides this hand to give this wound to me
Even here she sheathed in her harmless breast
A harmful knife that thence her soul unsheathed
That blow did bail it from the deep unrest
Of that polluted prison where it breathed
Her contrite sighs unto the clouds bequeathed
Her winged sprite and through her wounds doth fly
Lifes lasting date from cancelled destiny
Stonestill astonished with this deadly deed
Stood Collatine and all his lordly crew
Till Lucrece father that beholds her bleed
Himself on her selfslaughtered body threw
And from the purple fountain Brutus drew
The murdrous knife and as it left the place
Her blood in poor revenge held it in chase
And bubbling from her breast it doth divide
In two slow rivers that the crimson blood
Circles her body in on every side
Who like a latesacked island vastly stood
Bare and unpeopled in this fearful flood
Some of her blood still pure and red remained
And some looked black and that false Tarquin stained
About the mourning and congealed face
Of that black blood a watry rigol goes
Which seems to weep upon the tainted place
And ever since as pitying Lucrece woes
Corrupted blood some watery token shows
And blood untainted still doth red abide
Blushing at that which is so putrified
Daughter dear daughter old Lucretius cries
That life was mine which thou hast here deprived
If in the child the fathers image lies
Where shall I live now Lucrece is unlived
Thou wast not to this end from me derived
If children predecease progenitors
We are their offspring and they none of ours
Poor broken glass I often did behold
In thy sweet semblance my old age new born
But now that fair fresh mirror dim and old
Shows me a bareboned death by time outworn
O from thy cheeks my image thou hast torn
And shivered all the beauty of my glass
That I no more can see what once I was
O time cease thou thy course and last no longer
If they surcease to be that should survive
Shall rotten death make conquest of the stronger
And leave the faltring feeble souls alive
The old bees die the young possess their hive
Then live sweet Lucrece live again and see
Thy father die and not thy father thee
By this starts Collatine as from a dream
And bids Lucretius give his sorrow place
And then in keycold Lucrece bleeding stream
He falls and bathes the pale fear in his face
And counterfeits to die with her a space
Till manly shame bids him possess his breath
And live to be revenged on her death
The deep vexation of his inward soul
Hath served a dumb arrest upon his tongue
Who mad that sorrow should his use control
Or keep him from hearteasing words so long
Begins to talk but through his lips do throng
Weak words so thick come in his poor hearts aid
That no man could distinguish what he said
Yet sometime Tarquin was pronounced plain
But through his teeth as if the name he tore
This windy tempest till it blow up rain
Held back his sorrows tide to make it more
At last it rains and busy winds give oer
Then son and father weep with equal strife
Who should weep most for daughter or for wife
The one doth call her his the other his
Yet neither may possess the claim they lay
The father says Shes mine O mine she is
Replies her husband Do not take away
My sorrows interest let no mourner say
He weeps for her for she was only mine
And only must be wailed by Collatine
O quoth Lucretius I did give that life
Which she too early and too late hath spilled
Woe woe quoth Collatine she was my wife
I owed her and tis mine that she hath killed
My daughter and my wife with clamours filled
The dispersed air who holding Lucrece life
Answered their cries my daughter and my wife
Brutus who plucked the knife from Lucrece side
Seeing such emulation in their woe
Began to clothe his wit in state and pride
Burying in Lucrece wound his follys show
He with the Romans was esteemed so
As silly jeering idiots are with kings
For sportive words and uttring foolish things
But now he throws that shallow habit by
Wherein deep policy did him disguise
And armed his longhid wits advisedly
To check the tears in Collatinus eyes
Thou wronged lord of Rome quoth he arise
Let my unsounded self supposed a fool
Now set thy longexperienced wit to school
Why Collatine is woe the cure for woe
Do wounds help wounds or grief help grievous deeds
Is it revenge to give thyself a blow
For his foul act by whom thy fair wife bleeds
Such childish humour from weak minds proceeds
Thy wretched wife mistook the matter so
To slay herself that should have slain her foe
Courageous Roman do not steep thy heart
In such relenting dew of lamentations
But kneel with me and help to bear thy part
To rouse our Roman gods with invocations
That they will suffer these abominations
Since Rome herself in them doth stand disgraced
By our strong arms from forth her fair streets chased
Now by the Capitol that we adore
And by this chaste blood so unjustly stained
By heavens fair sun that breeds the fat earths store
By all our country rights in Rome maintained
And by chaste Lucrece soul that late complained
Her wrongs to us and by this bloody knife
We will revenge the death of this true wife
This said he struck his hand upon his breast
And kissed the fatal knife to end his vow
And to his protestation urged the rest
Who wondring at him did his words allow
Then jointly to the ground their knees they bow
And that deep vow which Brutus made before
He doth again repeat and that they swore
When they had sworn to this advised doom
They did conclude to bear dead Lucrece thence
To show her bleeding body thorough Rome
And so to publish Tarquins foul offence
Which being done with speedy diligence
The Romans plausibly did give consent
To Tarquins everlasting banishment
VENUS AND ADONIS
Vilia miretur vulgus mihi flavus Apollo
Pocula Castalia plena ministret aqua
TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
HENRY WRIOTHESLEY EARL OF SOUTHAMPTON
and Baron of Titchfield
Right Honourable I know not how I shall offend in dedicating my unpolished lines to your lordship nor how the world will censure me for choosing so strong a prop to support so weak a burthen only if your honour seem but pleased I account myself highly praised and vow to take advantage of all idle hours till I have honoured you with some graver labour But if the first heir of my invention prove deformed I shall be sorry it had so noble a godfather and never after ear so barren a land for fear it yield me still so bad a harvest I leave it to your honourable survey and your honour to your hearts content which I wish may always answer your own wish and the worlds hopeful expectation
Your honours in all duty
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
VENUS AND ADONIS
Even as the sun with purplecolourd face
Had taen his last leave of the weeping morn
Rosecheekd Adonis hied him to the chase
Hunting he lovd but love he laughd to scorn 4
Sickthoughted Venus makes amain unto him
And like a boldfacd suitor gins to woo him
Thrice fairer than myself thus she began
The fields chief flower sweet above compare 8
Stain to all nymphs more lovely than a man
More white and red than doves or roses are
Nature that made thee with herself at strife
Saith that the world hath ending with thy life 12
Vouchsafe thou wonder to alight thy steed
And rein his proud head to the saddlebow
If thou wilt deign this favour for thy meed
A thousand honey secrets shalt thou know 16
Here come and sit where never serpent hisses
And being set Ill smother thee with kisses
And yet not cloy thy lips with loathd satiety
But rather famish them amid their plenty 20
Making them red and pale with fresh variety
Ten kisses short as one one long as twenty
A summers day will seem an hour but short
Being wasted in such timebeguiling sport 24
With this she seizeth on his sweating palm
The precedent of pith and livelihood
And trembling in her passion calls it balm
Earths sovereign salve to do a goddess good 28
Being so enragd desire doth lend her force
Courageously to pluck him from his horse
Over one arm the lusty coursers rein
Under her other was the tender boy 32
Who blushd and pouted in a dull disdain
With leaden appetite unapt to toy
She red and hot as coals of glowing fire
He red for shame but frosty in desire 36
The studded bridle on a ragged bough
Nimbly she fastensO how quick is love
The steed is stalled up and even now
To tie the rider she begins to prove 40
Backward she pushd him as she would be thrust
And governd him in strength though not in lust
So soon was she along as he was down
Each leaning on their elbows and their hips 44
Now doth she stroke his cheek now doth he frown
And gins to chide but soon she stops his lips
And kissing speaks with lustful language broken
If thou wilt chide thy lips shall never open 48
He burns with bashful shame she with her tears
Doth quench the maiden burning of his cheeks
Then with her windy sighs and golden hairs
To fan and blow them dry again she seeks 52
He saith she is immodest blames her miss
What follows more she murders with a kiss
Even as an empty eagle sharp by fast
Tires with her beak on feathers flesh and bone 56
Shaking her wings devouring all in haste
Till either gorge be stuffd or prey be gone
Even so she kissd his brow his cheek his chin
And where she ends she doth anew begin 60
Forcd to content but never to obey
Panting he lies and breatheth in her face
She feedeth on the steam as on a prey
And calls it heavenly moisture air of grace 64
Wishing her cheeks were gardens full of flowers
So they were dewd with such distilling showers
Look how a bird lies tangled in a net
So fastend in her arms Adonis lies 68
Pure shame and awd resistance made him fret
Which bred more beauty in his angry eyes
Rain added to a river that is rank
Perforce will force it overflow the bank 72
Still she entreats and prettily entreats
For to a pretty ear she tunes her tale
Still is he sullen still he lours and frets
Twixt crimson shame and anger ashy pale 76
Being red she loves him best and being white
Her best is betterd with a more delight
Look how he can she cannot choose but love
And by her fair immortal hand she swears 80
From his soft bosom never to remove
Till he take truce with her contending tears
Which long have raind making her cheeks all wet
And one sweet kiss shall pay this countless debt
Upon this promise did he raise his chin 85
Like a divedapper peering through a wave
Who being lookd on ducks as quickly in
So offers he to give what she did crave 88
But when her lips were ready for his pay
He winks and turns his lips another way
Never did passenger in summers heat
More thirst for drink than she for this good turn 92
Her help she sees but help she cannot get
She bathes in water yet her fire must burn
O pity gan she cry flinthearted boy
Tis but a kiss I beg why art thou coy 96
I have been wood as I entreat thee now
Even by the stern and direful god of war
Whose sinewy neck in battle neer did bow
Who conquers where he comes in every jar 100
Yet hath he been my captive and my slave
And beggd for that which thou unaskd shalt have
Over my altars hath he hung his lance
His batterd shield his uncontrolled crest 104
And for my sake hath learnd to sport and dance
To toy to wanton dally smile and jest
Scorning his churlish drum and ensign red
Making my arms his field his tent my bed 108
Thus he that overruld I overswayd
Leading him prisoner in a red rose chain
Strongtemperd steel his stronger strength obeyd
Yet was he servile to my coy disdain 112
Oh be not proud nor brag not of thy might
For mastring her that foild the god of fight
Touch but my lips with those fair lips of thine
Though mine be not so fair yet are they red 116
The kiss shall be thine own as well as mine
What seest thou in the ground hold up thy head
Look in mine eyeballs there thy beauty lies
Then why not lips on lips since eyes in eyes 120
Art thou ashamd to kiss then wink again
And I will wink so shall the day seem night
Love keeps his revels where there are but twain
Be bold to play our sport is not in sight 124
These blueveind violets whereon we lean
Never can blab nor know not what we mean
The tender spring upon thy tempting lip 127
Shows thee unripe yet mayst thou well be tasted
Make use of time let not advantage slip
Beauty within itself should not be wasted
Fair flowers that are not gatherd in their prime
Rot and consume themselves in little time 132
Were I hardfavourd foul or wrinkled old
Illnurturd crooked churlish harsh in voice
Oerworn despised rheumatic and cold
Thicksighted barren lean and lacking juice 136
Then mightst thou pause for then I were not for thee
But having no defects why dost abhor me
Thou canst not see one wrinkle in my brow 139
Mine eyes are grey and bright and quick in turning
My beauty as the spring doth yearly grow
My flesh is soft and plump my marrow burning
My smooth moist hand were it with thy hand felt
Would in thy palm dissolve or seem to melt 144
Bid me discourse I will enchant thine ear
Or like a fairy trip upon the green
Or like a nymph with long dishevelld hair
Dance on the sands and yet no footing seen 148
Love is a spirit all compact of fire
Not gross to sink but light and will aspire
Witness this primrose bank whereon I lie 151
These forceless flowers like sturdy trees support me
Two strengthless doves will draw me through the sky
From morn till night even where I list to sport me
Is love so light sweet boy and may it be
That thou shouldst think it heavy unto thee 156
Is thine own heart to thine own face affected
Can thy right hand seize love upon thy left
Then woo thyself be of thyself rejected
Steal thine own freedom and complain on theft 160
Narcissus so himself himself forsook
And died to kiss his shadow in the brook
Torches are made to light jewels to wear
Dainties to taste fresh beauty for the use 164
Herbs for their smell and sappy plants to bear
Things growing to themselves are growths abuse
Seeds spring from seeds and beauty breedeth beauty
Thou wast begot to get it is thy duty 168
Upon the earths increase why shouldst thou feed
Unless the earth with thy increase be fed
By law of nature thou art bound to breed
That thine may live when thou thyself art dead 172
And so in spite of death thou dost survive
In that thy likeness still is left alive
By this the lovesick queen began to sweat
For where they lay the shadow had forsook them 176
And Titan tired in the midday heat
With burning eye did hotly overlook them
Wishing Adonis had his team to guide
So he were like him and by Venus side 180
And now Adonis with a lazy spright
And with a heavy dark disliking eye
His louring brows oerwhelming his fair sight
Like misty vapours when they blot the sky 184
Souring his cheeks cries Fie no more of love
The sun doth burn my face I must remove
Ay me quoth Venus young and so unkind
What bare excuses makst thou to be gone 188
Ill sigh celestial breath whose gentle wind
Shall cool the heat of this descending sun
Ill make a shadow for thee of my hairs
If they burn too Ill quench them with my tears 192
The sun that shines from heaven shines but warm
And lo I lie between that sun and thee
The heat I have from thence doth little harm
Thine eye darts forth the fire that burneth me 196
And were I not immortal life were done
Between this heavenly and earthly sun
Art thou obdurate flinty hard as steel
Nay more than flint for stone at rain relenteth 200
Art thou a womans son and canst not feel
What tis to love how want of love tormenteth
O had thy mother borne so hard a mind
She had not brought forth thee but died unkind 204
What am I that thou shouldst contemn me this
Or what great danger dwells upon my suit
What were thy lips the worse for one poor kiss
Speak fair but speak fair words or else be mute 208
Give me one kiss Ill give it thee again
And one for intrest if thou wilt have twain
Fie lifeless picture cold and senseless stone
Wellpainted idol image dull and dead 212
Statue contenting but the eye alone
Thing like a man but of no woman bred
Thou art no man though of a mans complexion
For men will kiss even by their own direction 216
This said impatience chokes her pleading tongue
And swelling passion doth provoke a pause
Red cheeks and fiery eyes blaze forth her wrong
Being judge in love she cannot right her cause 220
And now she weeps and now she fain would speak
And now her sobs do her intendments break
Sometimes she shakes her head and then his hand
Now gazeth she on him now on the ground 224
Sometimes her arms infold him like a band
She would he will not in her arms be bound
And when from thence he struggles to be gone
She locks her lily fingers one in one 228
Fondling she saith since I have hemmd thee here
Within the circuit of this ivory pale
Ill be a park and thou shalt be my deer
Feed where thou wilt on mountain or in dale 232
Graze on my lips and if those hills be dry
Stray lower where the pleasant fountains lie
Within this limit is relief enough
Sweet bottom grass and high delightful plain 236
Round rising hillocks brakes obscure and rough
To shelter thee from tempest and from rain
Then be my deer since I am such a park 239
No dog shall rouse thee though a thousand bark
At this Adonis smiles as in disdain
That in each cheek appears a pretty dimple
Love made those hollows if himself were slain
He might be buried in a tomb so simple 244
Foreknowing well if there he came to lie
Why there love livd and there he could not die
These lovely caves these round enchanting pits
Opend their mouths to swallow Venus liking 248
Being mad before how doth she now for wits
Struck dead at first what needs a second striking
Poor queen of love in thine own law forlorn
To love a cheek that smiles at thee in scorn 252
Now which way shall she turn what shall she say
Her words are done her woes the more increasing
The time is spent her object will away
And from her twining arms doth urge releasing 256
Pity she cries some favour some remorse
Away he springs and hasteth to his horse
But lo from forth a copse that neighbours by
A breeding jennet lusty young and proud 260
Adonis tramping courser doth espy
And forth she rushes snorts and neighs aloud
The strongneckd steed being tied unto a tree
Breaketh his rein and to her straight goes he 264
Imperiously he leaps he neighs he bounds
And now his woven girths he breaks asunder
The bearing earth with his hard hoof he wounds
Whose hollow womb resounds like heavens thunder
The iron bit he crusheth tween his teeth 269
Controlling what he was controlled with
His ears upprickd his braided hanging mane
Upon his compassd crest now stand on end 272
His nostrils drink the air and forth again
As from a furnace vapours doth he send
His eye which scornfully glisters like fire
Shows his hot courage and his high desire 276
Sometime he trots as if he told the steps
With gentle majesty and modest pride
Anon he rears upright curvets and leaps
As who should say Lo thus my strength is tried
And this I do to captivate the eye 281
Of the fair breeder that is standing by
What recketh he his riders angry stir
His flattering Holla or his Stand I say 284
What cares he now for curb or pricking spur
For rich caparisons or trappings gay
He sees his love and nothing else he sees
For nothing else with his proud sight agrees 288
Look when a painter would surpass the life
In limning out a wellproportiond steed
His art with natures workmanship at strife
As if the dead the living should exceed 292
So did this horse excel a common one
In shape in courage colour pace and bone
Roundhoofd shortjointed fetlocks shag and long
Broad breast full eye small head and nostril wide
High crest short ears straight legs and passing strong
Thin mane thick tail broad buttock tender hide
Look what a horse should have he did not lack
Save a proud rider on so proud a back 300
Sometimes he scuds far off and there he stares
Anon he starts at stirring of a feather
To bid the wind a base he now prepares
And where he run or fly they know not whether 304
For through his mane and tail the high wind sings
Fanning the hairs who wave like featherd wings
He looks upon his love and neighs unto her
She answers him as if she knew his mind 308
Being proud as females are to see him woo her
She puts on outward strangeness seems unkind
Spurns at his love and scorns the heat he feels
Beating his kind embracements with her heels 312
Then like a melancholy malcontent
He vails his tail that like a falling plume
Cool shadow to his melting buttock lent
He stamps and bites the poor flies in his fume 316
His love perceiving how he was enragd
Grew kinder and his fury was assuagd
His testy master goeth about to take him
When lo the unbackd breeder full of fear 320
Jealous of catching swiftly doth forsake him
With her the horse and left Adonis there
As they were mad unto the wood they hie them
Outstripping crows that strive to overfly them 324
All swoln with chafing down Adonis sits
Banning his boisterous and unruly beast
And now the happy season once more fits
That lovesick love by pleading may be blest 328
For lovers say the heart hath treble wrong
When it is barrd the aidance of the tongue
An oven that is stoppd or river stayd
Burneth more hotly swelleth with more rage 332
So of concealed sorrow may be said
Free vent of words loves fire doth assuage
But when the hearts attorney once is mute
The client breaks as desperate in his suit 336
He sees her coming and begins to glow
Even as a dying coal revives with wind
And with his bonnet hides his angry brow
Looks on the dull earth with disturbed mind 340
Taking no notice that she is so nigh
For all askance he holds her in his eye
O what a sight it was wistly to view
How she came stealing to the wayward boy 344
To note the fighting conflict of her hue
How white and red each other did destroy
But now her cheek was pale and by and by
It flashd forth fire as lightning from the sky 348
Now was she just before him as he sat
And like a lowly lover down she kneels
With one fair hand she heaveth up his hat
Her other tender hand his fair cheek feels 352
His tendrer cheek receives her soft hands print
As apt as newfalln snow takes any dint
Oh what a war of looks was then between them
Her eyes petitioners to his eyes suing 356
His eyes saw her eyes as they had not seen them
Her eyes wood still his eyes disdaind the wooing
And all this dumb play had his acts made plain
With tears which choruslike her eyes did rain
Full gently now she takes him by the hand 361
A lily prisond in a gaol of snow
Or ivory in an alabaster band
So white a friend engirts so white a foe 364
This beauteous combat wilful and unwilling
Showd like two silver doves that sit abilling
Once more the engine of her thoughts began
O fairest mover on this mortal round 368
Would thou wert as I am and I a man
My heart all whole as thine thy heart my wound
For one sweet look thy help I would assure thee
Though nothing but my bodys bane would cure thee
Give me my hand saith he why dost thou feel it
Give me my heart saith she and thou shalt have it
O give it me lest thy hard heart do steel it
And being steeld soft sighs can never grave it 376
Then loves deep groans I never shall regard
Because Adonis heart hath made mine hard
For shame he cries let go and let me go
My days delight is past my horse is gone 380
And tis your fault I am bereft him so
I pray you hence and leave me here alone
For all my mind my thought my busy care
Is how to get my palfrey from the mare 384
Thus she replies Thy palfrey as he should
Welcomes the warm approach of sweet desire
Affection is a coal that must be coold
Else sufferd it will set the heart on fire 388
The sea hath bounds but deep desire hath none
Therefore no marvel though thy horse be gone
How like a jade he stood tied to the tree
Servilely masterd with a leathern rein 392
But when he saw his love his youths fair fee
He held such petty bondage in disdain
Throwing the base thong from his bending crest
Enfranchising his mouth his back his breast 396
Who sees his truelove in her naked bed
Teaching the sheets a whiter hue than white
But when his glutton eye so full hath fed
His other agents aim at like delight 400
Who is so faint that dare not be so bold
To touch the fire the weather being cold
Let me excuse thy courser gentle boy
And learn of him I heartily beseech thee 404
To take advantage on presented joy
Though I were dumb yet his proceedings teach thee
O learn to love the lesson is but plain
And once made perfect never lost again 408
I know not love quoth he nor will not know it
Unless it be a boar and then I chase it
Tis much to borrow and I will not owe it
My love to love is love but to disgrace it 412
For I have heard it is a life in death
That laughs and weeps and all but with a breath
Who wears a garment shapeless and unfinishd
Who plucks the bud before one leaf put forth 416
If springing things be any jot diminishd
They wither in their prime prove nothing worth
The colt thats backd and burdend being young
Loseth his pride and never waxeth strong 420
You hurt my hand with wringing Let us part
And leave this idle theme this bootless chat
Remove your siege from my unyielding heart
To loves alarms it will not ope the gate 424
Dismiss your vows your feigned tears your flattry
For where a heart is hard they make no battry
What canst thou talk quoth she hast thou a tongue
O would thou hadst not or I had no hearing 428
Thy mermaids voice hath done me double wrong
I had my load before now pressd with bearing
Melodious discord heavenly tune harshsounding
Ears deep sweet music and hearts deep sore wounding
Had I no eyes but ears my ears would love 433
That inward beauty and invisible
Or were I deaf thy outward parts would move
Each part in me that were but sensible 436
Though neither eyes nor ears to hear nor see
Yet should I be in love by touching thee
Say that the sense of feeling were bereft me
And that I could not see nor hear nor touch 440
And nothing but the very smell were left me
Yet would my love to thee be still as much
For from the stillitory of thy face excelling
Comes breath perfumd that breedeth love by smelling
But oh what banquet wert thou to the taste 445
Being nurse and feeder of the other four
Would they not wish the feast might ever last
And bid suspicion doublelock the door
Lest jealousy that sour unwelcome guest
Should by his stealing in disturb the feast 448
Once more the rubycolourd portal opend
Which to his speech did honey passage yield 452
Like a red morn that ever yet betokend
Wrack to the seaman tempest to the field
Sorrow to shepherds woe unto the birds
Gusts and foul flaws to herdmen and to herds 456
This ill presage advisedly she marketh
Even as the wind is hushd before it raineth
Or as the wolf doth grin before he barketh
Or as the berry breaks before it staineth 460
Or like the deadly bullet of a gun
His meaning struck her ere his words begun
And at his look she flatly falleth down
For looks kill love and love by looks reviveth 464
A smile recures the wounding of a frown
But blessed bankrout that by love so thriveth
The silly boy believing she is dead
Claps her pale cheek till clapping makes it red 468
And all amazd brake off his late intent
For sharply he did think to reprehend her
Which cunning love did wittily prevent
Fair fall the wit that can so well defend her 472
For on the grass she lies as she were slain
Till his breath breatheth life in her again
He wrings her nose he strikes her on the cheeks
He bends her fingers holds her pulses hard 476
He chafes her lips a thousand ways he seeks
To mend the hurt that his unkindness marrd
He kisses her and she by her good will
Will never rise so he will kiss her still 480
The night of sorrow now is turnd to day
Her two blue windows faintly she upheaveth
Like the fair sun when in his fresh array
He cheers the morn and all the world relieveth 484
And as the bright sun glorifies the sky
So is her face illumind with her eye
Whose beams upon his hairless face are fixd
As if from thence they borrowd all their shine 488
Were never four such lamps together mixd
Had not his clouded with his brows repine
But hers which through the crystal tears gave light
Shone like the moon in water seen by night 492
O where am I quoth she in earth or heaven
Or in the ocean drenchd or in the fire
What hour is this or morn or weary even
Do I delight to die or life desire 496
But now I livd and life was deaths annoy
But now I died and death was lively joy
O thou didst kill me kill me once again
Thy eyes shrewd tutor that hard heart of thine 500
Hath taught them scornful tricks and such disdain
That they have murderd this poor heart of mine
And these mine eyes true leaders to their queen
But for thy piteous lips no more had seen 504
Long may they kiss each other for this cure
Oh never let their crimson liveries wear
And as they last their verdure still endure
To drive infection from the dangerous year 508
That the stargazers having writ on death
May say the plague is banishd by thy breath
Pure lips sweet seals in my soft lips imprinted
What bargains may I make still to be sealing 512
To sell myself I can be well contented
So thou wilt buy and pay and use good dealing
Which purchase if thou make for fear of slips
Set thy seal manual on my waxred lips 516
A thousand kisses buys my heart from me
And pay them at thy leisure one by one
What is ten hundred touches unto thee
Are they not quickly told and quickly gone 520
Say for nonpayment that the debt should double
Is twenty hundred kisses such a trouble
Fair queen quoth he if any love you owe me
Measure my strangeness with my unripe years 524
Before I know myself seek not to know me
No fisher but the ungrown fry forbears
The mellow plum doth fall the green sticks fast
Or being early pluckd is sour to taste 528
Look the worlds comforter with weary gait
His days hot task hath ended in the west
The owl nights herald shrieks tis very late
The sheep are gone to fold birds to their nest 532
And coalblack clouds that shadow heavens light
Do summon us to part and bid good night
Now let me say good night and so say you
If you will say so you shall have a kiss 536
Good night quoth she and ere he says adieu
The honey fee of parting tenderd is
Her arms do lend his neck a sweet embrace
Incorporate then they seem face grows to face 540
Till breathless he disjoind and backward drew
The heavenly moisture that sweet coral mouth
Whose precious taste her thirsty lips well knew
Whereon they surfeit yet complain on drouth 544
He with her plenty pressd she faint with dearth
Their lips together glued fall to the earth
Now quick desire hath caught the yielding prey
And gluttonlike she feeds yet never filleth 548
Her lips are conquerors his lips obey
Paying what ransom the insulter willeth
Whose vulture thought doth pitch the price so high
That she will draw his lips rich treasure dry 552
And having felt the sweetness of the spoil
With blindfold fury she begins to forage
Her face doth reek and smoke her blood doth boil
And careless lust stirs up a desperate courage 556
Planting oblivion beating reason back
Forgetting shames pure blush and honours wrack
Hot faint and weary with her hard embracing
Like a wild bird being tamd with too much handling
Or as the fleetfoot roe thats tird with chasing 561
Or like the froward infant stilld with dandling
He now obeys and now no more resisteth
While she takes all she can not all she listeth 564
What wax so frozen but dissolves with tempring
And yields at last to every light impression
Things out of hope are compassd oft with ventring
Chiefly in love whose leave exceeds commission 568
Affection faints not like a palefacd coward
But then woos best when most his choice is froward
When he did frown O had she then gave over
Such nectar from his lips she had not suckd 572
Foul words and frowns must not repel a lover
What though the rose have prickles yet tis pluckd
Were beauty under twenty locks kept fast
Yet love breaks through and picks them all at last
For pity now she can no more detain him 577
The poor fool prays her that he may depart
She is resolvd no longer to restrain him
Bids him farewell and look well to her heart 580
The which by Cupids bow she doth protest
He carries thence encaged in his breast
Sweet boy she says this night Ill waste in sorrow
For my sick heart commands mine eyes to watch 584
Tell me loves master shall we meet tomorrow
Say shall we shall we wilt thou make the match
He tells her no tomorrow he intends
To hunt the boar with certain of his friends 588
The boar quoth she whereat a sudden pale
Like lawn being spread upon the blushing rose
Usurps her cheek she trembles at his tale
And on his neck her yoking arms she throws 592
She sinketh down still hanging by his neck
He on her belly falls she on her back
Now is she in the very lists of love
Her champion mounted for the hot encounter 596
All is imaginary she doth prove
He will not manage her although he mount her
That worse than Tantalus is her annoy
To clip Elysium and to lack her joy 600
Even as poor birds deceivd with painted grapes
Do surfeit by the eye and pine the maw
Even so she languisheth in her mishaps
As those poor birds that helpless berries saw 604
The warm effects which she in him finds missing
She seeks to kindle with continual kissing
But all in vain good queen it will not be
She hath assayd as much as may be provd 608
Her pleading hath deservd a greater fee
Shes love she loves and yet she is not lovd
Fie fie he says you crush me let me go
You have no reason to withhold me so 612
Thou hadst been gone quoth she sweet boy ere this
But that thou toldst me thou wouldst hunt the boar
Oh be advisd thou knowst not what it is
With javelins point a churlish swine to gore 616
Whose tushes never sheathd he whetteth still
Like to a mortal butcher bent to kill
On his bowback he hath a battle set
Of bristly pikes that ever threat his foes 620
His eyes like glowworms shine when he doth fret
His snout digs sepulchres whereer he goes
Being movd he strikes whateer is in his way
And whom he strikes his crooked tushes slay 624
His brawny sides with hairy bristles armed
Are better proof than thy spears point can enter
His short thick neck cannot be easily harmed
Being ireful on the lion he will venture 628
The thorny brambles and embracing bushes
As fearful of him part through whom he rushes
Alas he naught esteems that face of thine
To which loves eyes pay tributary gazes 632
Nor thy soft hands sweet lips and crystal eyne
Whose full perfection all the world amazes
But having thee at vantage wondrous dread
Would root these beauties as he roots the mead
Oh let him keep his loathsome cabin still 637
Beauty hath naught to do with such foul fiends
Come not within his danger by thy will
They that thrive well take counsel of their friends
When thou didst name the boar not to dissemble
I feard thy fortune and my joints did tremble
Didst thou not mark my face was it not white
Sawst thou not signs of fear lurk in mine eye 644
Grew I not faint and fell I not downright
Within my bosom whereon thou dost lie
My boding heart pants beats and takes no rest
But like an earthquake shakes thee on my breast
For where love reigns disturbing jealousy 649
Doth call himself affections sentinel
Gives false alarms suggesteth mutiny
And in a peaceful hour doth cry Kill kill 652
Distempring gentle love in his desire
As air and water do abate the fire
This sour informer this batebreeding spy
This canker that eats up loves tender spring 656
This carrytale dissentious jealousy
That sometime true news sometime false doth bring
Knocks at my heart and whispers in mine ear
That if I love thee I thy death should fear 660
And more than so presenteth to mine eye
The picture of an angry chafing boar
Under whose sharp fangs on his back doth lie
An image like thyself all staind with gore 664
Whose blood upon the fresh flowers being shed
Doth make them droop with grief and hang the head
What should I do seeing thee so indeed
That tremble at thimagination 668
The thought of it doth make my faint heart bleed
And fear doth teach it divination
I prophesy thy death my living sorrow
If thou encounter with the boar tomorrow 672
But if thou needs wilt hunt be ruld by me
Uncouple at the timorous flying hare
Or at the fox which lives by subtilty
Or at the roe which no encounter dare 676
Pursue these fearful creatures oer the downs
And on thy wellbreathd horse keep with thy hounds
And when thou hast on foot the purblind hare
Mark the poor wretch to overshoot his troubles 680
How he outruns the wind and with what care
He cranks and crosses with a thousand doubles
The many musits through the which he goes
Are like a labyrinth to amaze his foes 684
Sometime he runs among a flock of sheep
To make the cunning hounds mistake their smell
And sometime where earthdelving conies keep
To stop the loud pursuers in their yell 688
And sometime sorteth with a herd of deer
Danger deviseth shifts wit waits on fear
For there his smell with others being mingled 691
The hot scentsnuffing hounds are driven to doubt
Ceasing their clamorous cry till they have singled
With much ado the cold fault cleanly out
Then do they spend their mouths echo replies
As if another chase were in the skies 696
By this poor Wat far off upon a hill
Stands on his hinder legs with listning ear
To hearken if his foes pursue him still
Anon their loud alarums he doth hear 700
And now his grief may be compared well
To one sore sick that hears the passing bell
Then shalt thou see the dewbedabbled wretch
Turn and return indenting with the way 704
Each envious briar his weary legs do scratch
Each shadow makes him stop each murmur stay
For misery is trodden on by many
And being low never relievd by any 708
Lie quietly and hear a little more
Nay do not struggle for thou shalt not rise
To make thee hate the hunting of the boar
Unlike myself thou hearst me moralize 712
Applying this to that and so to so
For love can comment upon every woe
Where did I leave No matter where quoth he
Leave me and then the story aptly ends 716
The night is spent Why what of that quoth she
I am quoth he expected of my friends
And now tis dark and going I shall fall
In night quoth she desire sees best of all 720
But if thou fall oh then imagine this
The earth in love with thee thy footing trips
And all is but to rob thee of a kiss 723
Rich preys make true men thieves so do thy lips
Make modest Dian cloudy and forlorn
Lest she should steal a kiss and die forsworn
Now of this dark night I perceive the reason
Cynthia for shame obscures her silver shine 728
Till forging nature be condemnd of treason
For stealing moulds from heaven that were divine
Wherein she framd thee in high heavens despite
To shame the sun by day and her by night 732
And therefore hath she bribd the destinies
To cross the curious workmanship of nature
To mingle beauty with infirmities
And pure perfection with impure defeature 736
Making it subject to the tyranny
Of mad mischances and much misery
As burning fevers agues pale and faint
Lifepoisoning pestilence and frenzies wood 740
The marroweating sickness whose attaint
Disorder breeds by heating of the blood
Surfeits imposthumes grief and damnd despair
Swear natures death for framing thee so fair 744
And not the least of all these maladies
But in one minutes fight brings beauty under
Both favour savour hue and qualities
Whereat thimpartial gazer late did wonder 748
Are on the sudden wasted thawd and done
As mountain snow melts with the midday sun
Therefore despite of fruitless chastity
Lovelacking vestals and selfloving nuns 752
That on the earth would breed a scarcity
And barren dearth of daughters and of sons
Be prodigal the lamp that burns by night
Dries up his oil to lend the world his light 756
What is thy body but a swallowing grave
Seeming to bury that posterity
Which by the rights of time thou needs must have
If thou destroy them not in dark obscurity 760
If so the world will hold thee in disdain
Sith in thy pride so fair a hope is slain
So in thyself thyself art made away
A mischief worse than civil homebred strife 764
Or theirs whose desperate hands themselves do slay
Or butcher sire that reeves his son of life
Foul cankring rust the hidden treasure frets
But gold thats put to use more gold begets 768
Nay then quoth Adon you will fall again
Into your idle overhandled theme
The kiss I gave you is bestowd in vain
And all in vain you strive against the stream 772
For by this blackfacd night desires foul nurse
Your treatise makes me like you worse and worse
If love have lent you twenty thousand tongues
And every tongue more moving than your own 776
Bewitching like the wanton mermaids songs
Yet from mine ear the tempting tune is blown
For know my heart stands armed in mine ear
And will not let a false sound enter there 780
Lest the deceiving harmony should run
Into the quiet closure of my breast
And then my little heart were quite undone
In his bedchamber to be barrd of rest 784
No lady no my heart longs not to groan
But soundly sleeps while now it sleeps alone
What have you urgd that I cannot reprove
The path is smooth that leadeth on to danger 790
I hate not love but your device in love
That lends embracements unto every stranger
You do it for increase O strange excuse
When reason is the bawd to lusts abuse 792
Call it not love for love to heaven is fled
Since sweating lust on earth usurpd his name
Under whose simple semblance he hath fed
Upon fresh beauty blotting it with blame 796
Which the hot tyrant stains and soon bereaves
As caterpillars do the tender leaves
Love comforteth like sunshine after rain
But lusts effect is tempest after sun 800
Loves gentle spring doth always fresh remain
Lusts winter comes ere summer half be done
Love surfeits not lust like a glutton dies
Love is all truth lust full of forged lies 804
More I could tell but more I dare not say
The text is old the orator too green
Therefore in sadness now I will away
My face is full of shame my heart of teen 808
Mine ears that to your wanton talk attended
Do burn themselves for having so offended
With this he breaketh from the sweet embrace 811
Of those fair arms which bound him to her breast
And homeward through the dark laund runs apace
Leaves love upon her back deeply distressd
Look how a bright star shooteth from the sky
So glides he in the night from Venus eye 816
Which after him she darts as one on shore
Gazing upon a late embarked friend
Till the wild waves will have him seen no more
Whose ridges with the meeting clouds contend 820
So did the merciless and pitchy night
Fold in the object that did feed her sight
Whereat amazd as one that unaware
Hath droppd a precious jewel in the flood 824
Or stonishd as nightwanderers often are
Their light blown out in some mistrustful wood
Even so confounded in the dark she lay
Having lost the fair discovery of her way 828
And now she beats her heart whereat it groans
That all the neighbour caves as seeming troubled
Make verbal repetition of her moans
Passion on passion deeply is redoubled 832
Ay me she cries and twenty times Woe woe
And twenty echoes twenty times cry so
She marking them begins a wailing note
And sings extemporally a woeful ditty 836
How love makes young men thrall and old men dote
How love is wise in folly foolish witty
Her heavy anthem still concludes in woe
And still the choir of echoes answer so 840
Her song was tedious and outwore the night
For lovers hours are long though seeming short
If pleasd themselves others they think delight
In such like circumstance with such like sport 844
Their copious stories oftentimes begun
End without audience and are never done
For who hath she to spend the night withal
But idle sounds resembling parasites 848
Like shrilltongud tapsters answering every call
Soothing the humour of fantastic wits
She says Tis so they answer all Tis so
And would say after her if she said No 852
Lo here the gentle lark weary of rest
From his moist cabinet mounts up on high
And wakes the morning from whose silver breast
The sun ariseth in his majesty 856
Who doth the world so gloriously behold
That cedar tops and hills seem burnishd gold
Venus salutes him with this fair good morrow
Oh thou clear god and patron of all light 860
From whom each lamp and shining star doth borrow
The beauteous influence that makes him bright
There lives a son that suckd an earthly mother
May lend thee light as thou dost lend to other
This said she hasteth to a myrtle grove 865
Musing the morning is so much oerworn
And yet she hears no tidings of her love
She hearkens for his hounds and for his horn 868
Anon she hears them chant it lustily
And all in haste she coasteth to the cry
And as she runs the bushes in the way
Some catch her by the neck some kiss her face 872
Some twine about her thigh to make her stay
She wildly breaketh from their strict embrace
Like a milch doe whose swelling dugs do ache
Hasting to feed her fawn hid in some brake 876
By this she hears the hounds are at a bay
Whereat she starts like one that spies an adder
Wreathd up in fatal folds just in his way
The fear whereof doth make him shake and shudder 880
Even so the timorous yelping of the hounds
Appals her senses and her spirit confounds
For now she knows it is no gentle chase
But the blunt boar rough bear or lion proud 884
Because the cry remaineth in one place
Where fearfully the dogs exclaim aloud
Finding their enemy to be so curst
They all strain courtsy who shall cope him first 888
This dismal cry rings sadly in her ear
Through which it enters to surprise her heart
Who overcome by doubt and bloodless fear
With coldpale weakness numbs each feeling part 892
Like soldiers when their captain once doth yield
They basely fly and dare not stay the field
Thus stands she in a trembling ecstasy
Till cheering up her senses sore dismayd 896
She tells them tis a causeless fantasy
And childish error that they are afraid
Bids them leave quaking bids them fear no more
And with that word she spied the hunted boar 900
Whose frothy mouth bepainted all with red
Like milk and blood being mingled both together
A second fear through all her sinews spread
Which madly hurries her she knows not whither 904
This way she runs and now she will no further
But back retires to rate the boar for murther
A thousand spleens bear her a thousand ways
She treads the path that she untreads again 908
Her more than haste is mated with delays
Like the proceedings of a drunken brain
Full of respects yet naught at all respecting
In hand with all things naught at all effecting
Here kenneld in a brake she finds a hound 913
And asks the weary caitiff for his master
And there another licking of his wound
Gainst venomd sores the only sovereign plaster 916
And here she meets another sadly scowling
To whom she speaks and he replies with howling
When he hath ceasd his illresounding noise
Another flapmouthd mourner black and grim 920
Against the welkin volleys out his voice
Another and another answer him
Clapping their proud tails to the ground below
Shaking their scratchd ears bleeding as they go
Look how the worlds poor people are amazed 925
At apparitions signs and prodigies
Whereon with fearful eyes they long have gazed
Infusing them with dreadful prophecies 928
So she at these sad signs draws up her breath
And sighing it again exclaims on death
Hardfavourd tyrant ugly meagre lean 931
Hateful divorce of love thus chides she death
Grimgrinning ghost earths worm what dost thou mean
To stifle beauty and to steal his breath
Who when he livd his breath and beauty set
Gloss on the rose smell to the violet 936
If he be dead O no it cannot be
Seeing his beauty thou shouldst strike at it
O yes it may thou hast no eyes to see
But hatefully at random dost thou hit 940
Thy mark is feeble age but thy false dart
Mistakes that aim and cleaves an infants heart
Hadst thou but bid beware then he had spoke
And hearing him thy power had lost his power 944
The destinies will curse thee for this stroke
They bid thee crop a weed thou pluckst a flower
Loves golden arrow at him should have fled
And not deaths ebon dart to strike him dead 948
Dost thou drink tears that thou provokst such weeping
What may a heavy groan advantage thee
Why hast thou cast into eternal sleeping
Those eyes that taught all other eyes to see 952
Now nature cares not for thy mortal vigour
Since her best work is ruind with thy rigour
Here overcome as one full of despair
She vaild her eyelids who like sluices stoppd 956
The crystal tide that from her two cheeks fair
In the sweet channel of her bosom droppd
But through the floodgates breaks the silver rain
And with his strong course opens them again 960
O how her eyes and tears did lend and borrow
Her eyes seen in the tears tears in her eye
Both crystals where they viewd each others sorrow
Sorrow that friendly sighs sought still to dry 964
But like a stormy day now wind now rain
Sighs dry her cheeks tears make them wet again
Variable passions throng her constant woe
As striving who should best become her grief 968
All entertaind each passion labours so
That every present sorrow seemeth chief
But none is best then join they all together
Like many clouds consulting for foul weather 972
By this far off she hears some huntsman holla
A nurses song neer pleasd her babe so well
The dire imagination she did follow
This sound of hope doth labour to expel 976
For now reviving joy bids her rejoice
And flatters her it is Adonis voice
Whereat her tears began to turn their tide
Being prisond in her eye like pearls in glass 980
Yet sometimes falls an orient drop beside
Which her cheek melts as scorning it should pass
To wash the foul face of the sluttish ground
Who is but drunken when she seemeth drownd
O hardbelieving love how strange it seems 985
Not to believe and yet too credulous
Thy weal and woe are both of them extremes
Despair and hope make thee ridiculous 988
The one doth flatter thee in thoughts unlikely
In likely thoughts the other kills thee quickly
Now she unweaves the web that she hath wrought
Adonis lives and death is not to blame 992
It was not she that calld him all to naught
Now she adds honours to his hateful name
She clepes him king of graves and grave for kings
Imperious supreme of all mortal things 996
No no quoth she sweet death I did but jest
Yet pardon me I felt a kind of fear
Whenas I met the boar that bloody beast
Which knows no pity but is still severe 1000
Then gentle shadowtruth I must confess
I raild on thee fearing my loves decease
Tis not my fault the boar provokd my tongue
Be wreakd on him invisible commander 1004
Tis he foul creature that hath done thee wrong
I did but act hes author of my slander
Grief hath two tongues and never woman yet
Could rule them both without ten womens wit
Thus hoping that Adonis is alive 1009
Her rash suspect she doth extenuate
And that his beauty may the better thrive
With death she humbly doth insinuate 1012
Tells him of trophies statues tombs and stories
His victories his triumphs and his glories
O love quoth she how much a fool was I
To be of such a weak and silly mind 1016
To wail his death who lives and must not die
Till mutual overthrow of mortal kind
For he being dead with him is beauty slain
And beauty dead black Chaos comes again 1020
Fie fie fond love thou art as full of fear
As one with treasure laden hemmd with thieves
Trifles unwitnessed with eye or ear
Thy coward heart with false bethinking grieves 1024
Even at this word she hears a merry horn
Whereat she leaps that was but late forlorn
As falcon to the lure away she flies
The grass stoops not she treads on it so light 1028
And in her haste unfortunately spies
The foul boars conquest on her fair delight
Which seen her eyes as murderd with the view
Like stars ashamd of day themselves withdrew
Or as the snail whose tender horns being hit 1033
Shrinks backwards in his shelly cave with pain
And there all smotherd up in shade doth sit
Long after fearing to creep forth again 1036
So at his bloody view her eyes are fled
Into the deep dark cabins of her head
Where they resign their office and their light
To the disposing of her troubled brain 1040
Who bids them still consort with ugly night
And never wound the heart with looks again
Who like a king perplexed in his throne
By their suggestion gives a deadly groan 1044
Whereat each tributary subject quakes
As when the wind imprisond in the ground
Struggling for passage earths foundation shakes
Which with cold terror doth mens minds confound
This mutiny each part doth so surprise 1049
That from their dark beds once more leap her eyes
And being opend threw unwilling light
Upon the wide wound that the boar had trenchd
In his soft flank whose wonted lily white 1053
With purple tears that his wound wept was drenchd
No flower was nigh no grass herb leaf or weed
But stole his blood and seemd with him to bleed
This solemn sympathy poor Venus noteth 1057
Over one shoulder doth she hang her head
Dumbly she passions franticly she doteth
She thinks he could not die he is not dead 1060
Her voice is stoppd her joints forget to bow
Her eyes are mad that they have wept till now
Upon his hurt she looks so steadfastly
That her sight dazzling makes the wound seem three
And then she reprehends her mangling eye 1065
That makes more gashes where no breach should be
His face seems twain each several limb is doubled
For oft the eye mistakes the brain being troubled
My tongue cannot express my grief for one 1069
And yet quoth she behold two Adons dead
My sighs are blown away my salt tears gone
Mine eyes are turnd to fire my heart to lead 1072
Heavy hearts lead melt at mine eyes red fire
So shall I die by drops of hot desire
Alas poor world what treasure hast thou lost
What face remains alive thats worth the viewing
Whose tongue is music now what canst thou boast
Of things long since or anything ensuing 1078
The flowers are sweet their colours fresh and trim
But true sweet beauty livd and died with him
Bonnet nor veil henceforth no creature wear 1081
Nor sun nor wind will ever strive to kiss you
Having no fair to lose you need not fear
The sun doth scorn you and the wind doth hiss you
But when Adonis livd sun and sharp air 1085
Lurkd like two thieves to rob him of his fair
And therefore would he put his bonnet on
Under whose brim the gaudy sun would peep 1088
The wind would blow it off and being gone
Play with his locks then would Adonis weep
And straight in pity of his tender years
They both would strive who first should dry his tears
To see his face the lion walkd along 1093
Behind some hedge because he would not fear him
To recreate himself when he hath sung
The tiger would be tame and gently hear him 1096
If he had spoke the wolf would leave his prey
And never fright the silly lamb that day
When he beheld his shadow in the brook
The fishes spread on it their golden gills 1100
When he was by the birds such pleasure took
That some would sing some other in their bills
Would bring him mulberries and ripered cherries
He fed them with his sight they him with berries
But this foul grim and urchinsnouted boar 1105
Whose downward eye still looketh for a grave
Neer saw the beauteous livery that he wore
Witness the entertainment that he gave 1108
If he did see his face why then I know
He thought to kiss him and hath killd him so
Tis true tis true thus was Adonis slain
He ran upon the boar with his sharp spear 1112
Who did not whet his teeth at him again
But by a kiss thought to persuade him there
And nuzzling in his flank the loving swine
Sheathd unaware the tusk in his soft groin 1116
Had I been toothd like him I must confess
With kissing him I should have killd him first
But he is dead and never did he bless
My youth with his the more am I accurst 1120
With this she falleth in the place she stood
And stains her face with his congealed blood
She looks upon his lips and they are pale
She takes him by the hand and that is cold 1124
She whispers in his ears a heavy tale
As if they heard the woeful words she told
She lifts the cofferlids that close his eyes
Where lo two lamps burnt out in darkness lies
Two glasses where herself herself beheld 1129
A thousand times and now no more reflect
Their virtue lost wherein they late excelld
And every beauty robbd of his effect 1132
Wonder of time quoth she this is my spite
That thou being dead the day should yet be light
Since thou art dead lo here I prophesy
Sorrow on love hereafter shall attend 1136
It shall be waited on with jealousy
Find sweet beginning but unsavoury end
Neer settled equally but high or low
That all loves pleasure shall not match his woe
It shall be fickle false and full of fraud 1141
Bud and be blasted in a breathing while
The bottom poison and the top oerstrawd
With sweets that shall the truest sight beguile 1144
The strongest body shall it make most weak
Strike the wise dumb and teach the fool to speak
It shall be sparing and too full of riot
Teaching decrepit age to tread the measures 1148
The staring ruffian shall it keep in quiet
Pluck down the rich enrich the poor with treasures
It shall be raging mad and silly mild
Make the young old the old become a child 1152
It shall suspect where is no cause of fear
It shall not fear where it should most mistrust
It shall be merciful and too severe
And most deceiving when it seems most just 1156
Perverse it shall be where it shows most toward
Put fear to valour courage to the coward
It shall be cause of war and dire events
And set dissension twixt the son and sire 1160
Subject and servile to all discontents
As dry combustious matter is to fire
Sith in his prime death doth my love destroy
They that love best their love shall not enjoy 1164
By this the boy that by her side lay killd
Was melted like a vapour from her sight
And in his blood that on the ground lay spilld
A purple flower sprung up chequerd with white 1168
Resembling well his pale cheeks and the blood
Which in round drops upon their whiteness stood
She bows her head the newsprung flower to smell
Comparing it to her Adonis breath 1172
And says within her bosom it shall dwell
Since he himself is reft from her by death
She crops the stalk and in the breach appears
Greendropping sap which she compares to tears
Poor flower quoth she this was thy fathers guise
Sweet issue of a more sweetsmelling sire
For every little grief to wet his eyes
To grow unto himself was his desire 1180
And so tis thine but know it is as good
To wither in my breast as in his blood
Here was thy fathers bed here in my breast
Thou art the next of blood and tis thy right 1184
Lo in this hollow cradle take thy rest
My throbbing heart shall rock thee day and night
There shall not be one minute in an hour
Wherein I will not kiss my sweet loves flower
Thus weary of the world away she hies 1189
And yokes her silver doves by whose swift aid
Their mistress mounted through the empty skies
In her light chariot quickly is conveyd 1192
Holding their course to Paphos where their queen
Means to immure herself and not be seen