ACT 1
Scene 1
Flourish of trumpets, then hautboys. Enter King Henry, Duke Humphrey of Gloucester, Salisbury, Warwick, and Cardinal Beaufort, on the one side; Queen Margaret, Suffolk, York, Somerset, and Buckingham, on the other.
...welcome my love.
kneel.
Long live Queen Margaret, England’s happiness!
...thank you all.
Flourish. All rise.
...pray read on.
picks up the paper and 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
England’s own proper cost and charges, without
having any dowry.
...had never been!
Nephew, what means this passionate discourse,
This peroration with such circumstance?
For France, ’tis ours, and we will keep it still.
... France Before—
My lord of Gloucester, now you grow too hot.
It was the pleasure of my lord the King.
...lost ere long.
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,
There’s 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 favor 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.
...from his seat.
This weighty business will not brook delay.
I’ll to the Duke of Suffolk presently.
Cardinal exits.
Scene 3
...the happy helm.
Sound a sennet. Enter King Henry, Duke Humphrey of Gloucester, Cardinal, Somerset, wearing the red rose, Buckingham, Salisbury; York and Warwick, both wearing the white rose; and the Duchess of Gloucester.
...is the worthier.
Ambitious Warwick, let thy betters speak.
...to thy sovereignty.
to Gloucester
The Commons hast thou racked; the clergy’s bags
Are lank and lean with thy extortions.
...thee sent away.
Flourish. They exit.
ACT 2
Scene 1
...tomorrow night. Away!
Enter King Henry, Queen Margaret, Gloucester the Lord Protector, Cardinal, and Suffolk, and Attendants, with Falconers hallowing.
...bird can soar.
I thought as much. He would be above the clouds.
...of everlasting joy.
to Gloucester
Thy heaven is on Earth; thine eyes and thoughts
Beat on a crown, the treasure of thy heart.
Pernicious Protector, dangerous peer,
That smooth’st it so with king and commonweal!
...peacemakers on Earth.
Let me be blessèd for the peace I make
Against this proud Protector with my sword!
...come to that!
aside to Gloucester
Marry, when thou dar’st!
...answer thy abuse.
aside to Gloucester
Ay, where thou dar’st not peep. An if thou dar’st,
This evening, on the east side of the grove.
...now, my lords?
Believe me, cousin Gloucester,
Had not your man put up the fowl so suddenly,
We had had more sport. (Aside to Gloucester.)
Come with thy two-hand sword.
...of the grove.
aside to Gloucester
I am with you.
...fence shall fail.
aside to Gloucester
Medice, teipsum;
Protector, see to ’t well; protect yourself.
...Wife and Others.
Here comes the townsmen on procession
To present your Highness with the man.
...call him so.
What, art thou lame?
...whence they came.
Duke Humphrey has done a miracle today.
...Grace shall understand.
And so, my Lord Protector, by this means
Your lady is forthcoming yet at London.
Aside to Gloucester.
This news, I think, hath turned your weapon’s edge;
’Tis like, my lord, you will not keep your hour.
...cause prevails.
Flourish. They exit.
ACT 3
Scene 1
...see my prison.
Sound a sennet. Enter King Henry, Queen Margaret, Cardinal, Suffolk, York, Buckingham, Salisbury, and Warwick, and Others to the Parliament.
...of deep deceit.
Did he not, contrary to form of law,
Devise strange deaths for small offenses done?
...asked for restitution.
It serves you well, my lord, to say so much.
...beat a dog.”
My liege, his railing is intolerable.
If those that care to keep your royal person
From treason’s secret knife and traitor’s rage
Be thus upbraided, chid, and rated at,
And the offender granted scope of speech,
’Twill make them cool in zeal unto your Grace.
...is your prisoner.
to his Men
Sirs, take away the Duke, and guard him sure.
...have of him.
That he should die is worthy policy,
But yet we want a color for his death.
’Tis meet he be condemned by course of law.
...be his priest.
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 I’ll provide his executioner.
I tender so the safety of my liege.
...hope of help.
A breach that craves a quick expedient stop!
What counsel give you in this weighty cause?
...that wishest shame!
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?
...false Duke Humphrey.
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.
...lord of York.
All but York exit.
Scene 2
...Away, be gone.
Sound trumpets. Enter King Henry, Queen Margaret, Cardinal, Somerset, with Attendants.
...Marry, God forfend!
God’s secret judgment. I did dream tonight
The Duke was dumb and could not speak a word.
...impart to thee.
All but the Queen and Suffolk exit.
Scene 3
...way for me.
Enter King Henry, Salisbury and Warwick, to the Cardinal in bed, raving and staring.
...to thy sovereign.
If thou be’st Death, I’ll give thee England’s treasure,
Enough to purchase such another island,
So thou wilt let me live and feel no pain.
...speaks to thee.
Bring me unto my trial when you will.
Died he not in his bed? Where should he die?
Can I make men live, whe’er they will or no?
O, torture me no more! I will confess.
Alive again? Then show me where he is.
I’ll give a thousand pound to look upon him.
He hath no eyes! The dust hath blinded them.
Comb down his hair. Look, look. It stands upright,
Like lime-twigs set to catch my wingèd soul.
Give me some drink, and bid the apothecary
Bring the strong poison that I bought of him.
...of thy hope.
The Cardinal dies.
...all to meditation.
After the curtains are closed around the bed, they exit. The bed is removed.