diff --git "a/input.txt" "b/input.txt" deleted file mode 100644--- "a/input.txt" +++ /dev/null @@ -1,40000 +0,0 @@ -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 Marcius is chief enemy to the people. - -All: -We know't, we know't. - -First Citizen: -Let us kill him, and we'll have corn at our own price. -Is't a verdict? - -All: -No more talking on't; 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 particularise 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 Marcius? - -All: -Against him first: he's 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 soft-conscienced 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 till 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. -What shouts are these? The other side o' the city -is risen: why stay we prating here? to the Capitol! - -All: -Come, come. - -First Citizen: -Soft! who comes here? - -Second Citizen: -Worthy Menenius Agrippa; one that hath always loved -the people. - -First Citizen: -He's one honest enough: would all the rest were so! - -MENENIUS: -What work's, 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 the senate; they have -had inkling this fortnight what we intend to do, -which now we'll 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' the state, who care for you like fathers, -When you curse them as enemies. - -First Citizen: -Care for us! True, indeed! They ne'er cared for us -yet: suffer us to famish, and their store-houses -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 -there's 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 stale 't a little more. - -First Citizen: -Well, I'll hear it, sir: yet you must not think to -fob off our disgrace with a tale: but, an 't please -you, deliver. - -MENENIUS: -There was a time when all the body's members -Rebell'd against the belly, thus accused it: -That only like a gulf it did remain -I' the midst o' the body, idle and unactive, -Still cupboarding the viand, never bearing -Like labour with the rest, where the 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 answer'd-- - -First Citizen: -Well, sir, what answer made the belly? - -MENENIUS: -Sir, I shall tell you. With a kind of smile, -Which ne'er came from the lungs, but even thus-- -For, look you, I may make the belly smile -As well as speak--it tauntingly replied -To the 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 belly's answer? What! -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 -In 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 restrain'd, -Who is the sink o' the 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 you'll bestow a small--of what you have little-- -Patience awhile, you'll hear the belly's answer. - -First Citizen: -Ye're long about it. - -MENENIUS: -Note me this, good friend; -Your most grave belly was deliberate, -Not rash like his accusers, and thus answer'd: -'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 store-house 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 the seat o' the 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 friends,'--this 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 to't? - -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' the 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' the lowest, basest, poorest, -Of this most wise rebellion, thou go'st foremost: -Thou rascal, that art worst in blood to run, -Lead'st 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. -Hail, noble Marcius! - -MARCIUS: -Thanks. What's the matter, you dissentious rogues, -That, rubbing the poor itch of your opinion, -Make yourselves scabs? - -First Citizen: -We have ever your good word. - -MARCIUS: -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 man's 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. What's 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 another? What's their seeking? - -MENENIUS: -For corn at their own rates; whereof, they say, -The city is well stored. - -MARCIUS: -Hang 'em! They say! -They'll sit by the fire, and presume to know -What's done i' the Capitol; who's 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 there's -grain enough! -Would the nobility lay aside their ruth, -And let me use my sword, I'll make a quarry -With thousands of these quarter'd 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? - -MARCIUS: -They are dissolved: hang 'em! -They said they were an-hungry; sigh'd 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 answer'd, -And a petition granted them, a strange one-- -To break the heart of generosity, -And make bold power look pale--they threw their caps -As they would hang them on the horns o' the moon, -Shouting their emulation. - -MENENIUS: -What is granted them? - -MARCIUS: -Five tribunes to defend their vulgar wisdoms, -Of their own choice: one's Junius Brutus, -Sicinius Velutus, and I know not--'Sdeath! -The rabble should have first unroof'd the city, -Ere so prevail'd with me: it will in time -Win upon power and throw forth greater themes -For insurrection's arguing. - -MENENIUS: -This is strange. - -MARCIUS: -Go, get you home, you fragments! - -Messenger: -Where's Caius Marcius? - -MARCIUS: -Here: what's the matter? - -Messenger: -The news is, sir, the Volsces are in arms. - -MARCIUS: -I am glad on 't: then we shall ha' means to vent -Our musty superfluity. See, our best elders. - -First Senator: -Marcius, 'tis true that you have lately told us; -The Volsces are in arms. - -MARCIUS: -They have a leader, -Tullus Aufidius, that will put you to 't. -I sin in envying his nobility, -And were I any thing but what I am, -I would wish me only he. - -COMINIUS: -You have fought together. - -MARCIUS: -Were half to half the world by the ears and he. -Upon my party, I'ld revolt to make -Only my wars with him: he is a lion -That I am proud to hunt. - -First Senator: -Then, worthy Marcius, -Attend upon Cominius to these wars. - -COMINIUS: -It is your former promise. - -MARCIUS: -Sir, it is; -And I am constant. Titus Lartius, thou -Shalt see me once more strike at Tullus' face. -What, art thou stiff? stand'st out? - -TITUS: -No, Caius Marcius; -I'll lean upon one crutch and fight with t'other, -Ere stay behind this business. - -MENENIUS: -O, true-bred! - -First Senator: -Your company to the Capitol; where, I know, -Our greatest friends attend us. - -TITUS: - -COMINIUS: -Noble Marcius! - -First Senator: - -MARCIUS: -Nay, let them follow: -The Volsces have much corn; take these rats thither -To gnaw their garners. Worshipful mutiners, -Your valour puts well forth: pray, follow. - -SICINIUS: -Was ever man so proud as is this Marcius? - -BRUTUS: -He has no equal. - -SICINIUS: -When we were chosen tribunes for the people,-- - -BRUTUS: -Mark'd you his lip and eyes? - -SICINIUS: -Nay. but his taunts. - -BRUTUS: -Being moved, he will not spare to gird the gods. - -SICINIUS: -Be-mock 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 he's well graced, can not -Better be held nor more attain'd than by -A place below the first: for what miscarries -Shall be the general's fault, though he perform -To the utmost of a man, and giddy censure -Will then cry out of Marcius 'O if he -Had borne the business!' - -SICINIUS: -Besides, if things go well, -Opinion that so sticks on Marcius shall -Of his demerits rob Cominius. - -BRUTUS: -Come: -Half all Cominius' honours are to Marcius. -Though Marcius earned them not, and all his faults -To Marcius shall be honours, though indeed -In aught he merit not. - -SICINIUS: -Let's hence, and hear -How the dispatch is made, and in what fashion, -More than his singularity, he goes -Upon this present action. - -BRUTUS: -Lets along. - -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 words: I think -I have the letter here; yes, here it is. -'They have press'd a power, but it is not known -Whether for east or west: the dearth is great; -The people mutinous; and it is rumour'd, -Cominius, Marcius 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 army's 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 veil'd till when -They needs must show themselves; which -in the hatching, -It seem'd, appear'd to Rome. By the discovery. -We shall be shorten'd 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 Corioli: -If they set down before 's, for the remove -Bring your army; but, I think, you'll find -They've 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 Marcius 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. - -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 -tender-bodied 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 person. that it was -no better than picture-like to hang by the wall, if -renown made it not stir, was 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 man-child -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 -Marcius, I had rather had eleven die nobly for their -country than one voluptuously surfeit out of action. - -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 husband's drum, -See him pluck Aufidius down by the 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 mail'd hand then wiping, forth he goes, -Like to a harvest-man that's task'd 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, look'd not lovelier -Than Hector's forehead when it spit forth blood -At Grecian sword, contemning. Tell Valeria, -We are fit to bid her welcome. - -VIRGILIA: -Heavens bless my lord from fell Aufidius! - -VOLUMNIA: -He'll beat Aufidius 'head below his knee -And tread upon his neck. - -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 house-keepers. -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 school-master. - -VALERIA: -O' my word, the father's son: I'll 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 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 it, how he mammocked -it! - -VOLUMNIA: -One on 's father's 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 husewife 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; I'll 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 I'll 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, it's 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 Corioli; 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 every -thing hereafter. - -VOLUMNIA: -Let her alone, lady: as she is now, she will but -disease our better mirth. - -VALERIA: -In troth, I think she would. Fare you well, then. -Come, good sweet lady. Prithee, 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. - -MARCIUS: -Yonder comes news. A wager they have met. - -LARTIUS: -My horse to yours, no. - -MARCIUS: -'Tis done. - -LARTIUS: -Agreed. - -MARCIUS: -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. - -MARCIUS: -I'll buy him of you. - -LARTIUS: -No, I'll nor sell nor give him: lend you him I will -For half a hundred years. Summon the town. - -MARCIUS: -How far off lie these armies? - -Messenger: -Within this mile and half. - -MARCIUS: -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 friends! Come, blow thy blast. -Tutus Aufidius, is he within your walls? - -First Senator: -No, nor a man that fears you less than he, -That's lesser than a little. -Hark! our drums -Are bringing forth our youth. We'll break our walls, -Rather than they shall pound us up: our gates, -Which yet seem shut, we, have but pinn'd with rushes; -They'll open of themselves. -Hark you. far off! -There is Aufidius; list, what work he makes -Amongst your cloven army. - -MARCIUS: -O, they are at it! - -LARTIUS: -Their noise be our instruction. Ladders, ho! - -MARCIUS: -They fear us not, but issue forth their city. -Now put your shields before your hearts, and fight -With hearts more proof than shields. Advance, -brave Titus: -They do disdain us much beyond our thoughts, -Which makes me sweat with wrath. Come on, my fellows: -He that retires I'll take him for a Volsce, -And he shall feel mine edge. - -MARCIUS: -All the contagion of the south light on you, -You shames of Rome! you herd of--Boils and plagues -Plaster you o'er, that you may be abhorr'd -Further 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, I'll leave the foe -And make my wars on you: look to't: come on; -If you'll stand fast, we'll beat them to their wives, -As they us to our trenches followed. -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. - -First Soldier: -Fool-hardiness; not I. - -Second Soldier: -Nor I. - -First Soldier: -See, they have shut him in. - -All: -To the pot, I warrant him. - -LARTIUS: -What is become of Marcius? - -All: -Slain, sir, doubtless. - -First Soldier: -Following the fliers at the very heels, -With them he enters; who, upon the sudden, -Clapp'd 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, stands up. Thou art left, Marcius: -A carbuncle entire, as big as thou art, -Were not so rich a jewel. Thou wast a soldier -Even to Cato's wish, not fierce and terrible -Only in strokes; but, with thy grim looks and -The thunder-like percussion of thy sounds, -Thou madst thine enemies shake, as if the world -Were feverous and did tremble. - -First Soldier: -Look, sir. - -LARTIUS: -O,'tis Marcius! -Let's fetch him off, or make remain alike. - -First Roman: -This will I carry to Rome. - -Second Roman: -And I this. - -Third Roman: -A murrain on't! I took this for silver. - -MARCIUS: -See here these movers that do prize their hours -At a crack'd drachm! 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! -And hark, what noise the general makes! To him! -There is the man of my soul's 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 bleed'st; -Thy exercise hath been too violent for -A second course of fight. - -MARCIUS: -Sir, praise me not; -My work hath yet not warm'd 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! - -MARCIUS: -Thy friend no less -Than those she placeth highest! So, farewell. - -LARTIUS: -Thou worthiest Marcius! -Go, sound thy trumpet in the market-place; -Call thither all the officers o' the town, -Where they shall know our mind: away! - -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. Ye Roman gods! -Lead their successes as we wish our own, -That both our powers, with smiling -fronts encountering, -May give you thankful sacrifice. -Thy news? - -Messenger: -The citizens of Corioli have issued, -And given to Lartius and to Marcius battle: -I saw our party to their trenches driven, -And then I came away. - -COMINIUS: -Though thou speak'st truth, -Methinks thou speak'st not well. -How long is't 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. - -COMINIUS: -Who's yonder, -That does appear as he were flay'd? O gods -He has the stamp of Marcius; and I have -Before-time seen him thus. - -MARCIUS: - -COMINIUS: -The shepherd knows not thunder from a tabour -More than I know the sound of Marcius' tongue -From every meaner man. - -MARCIUS: -Come I too late? - -COMINIUS: -Ay, if you come not in the blood of others, -But mantled in your own. - -MARCIUS: -O, let me clip ye -In arms as sound as when I woo'd, in heart -As merry as when our nuptial day was done, -And tapers burn'd to bedward! - -COMINIUS: -Flower of warriors, -How is it with Titus Lartius? - -MARCIUS: -As with a man busied about decrees: -Condemning some to death, and some to exile; -Ransoming him, or pitying, threatening the other; -Holding Corioli 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? -Where is he? call him hither. - -MARCIUS: -Let him alone; -He did inform the truth: but for our gentlemen, -The common file--a plague! tribunes for them!-- -The mouse ne'er shunn'd the cat as they did budge -From rascals worse than they. - -COMINIUS: -But how prevail'd you? - -MARCIUS: -Will the time serve to tell? I do not think. -Where is the enemy? are you lords o' the field? -If not, why cease you till you are so? - -COMINIUS: -Marcius, -We have at disadvantage fought and did -Retire to win our purpose. - -MARCIUS: -How lies their battle? know you on which side -They have placed their men of trust? - -COMINIUS: -As I guess, Marcius, -Their bands i' the vaward are the Antiates, -Of their best trust; o'er them Aufidius, -Their very heart of hope. - -MARCIUS: -I do beseech you, -By all the battles wherein we have fought, -By the blood we have shed together, by the 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. - -MARCIUS: -Those are they -That most are willing. If any such be here-- -As it were sin to doubt--that love this painting -Wherein you see me smear'd; if any fear -Lesser his person than an ill report; -If any think brave death outweighs bad life -And that his country's dearer than himself; -Let him alone, or so many so minded, -Wave thus, to express his disposition, -And follow Marcius. -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 obey'd. Please you to march; -And four 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. - -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 upon's. -Our guider, come; to the Roman camp conduct us. - -MARCIUS: -I'll fight with none but thee; for I do hate thee -Worse than a promise-breaker. - -AUFIDIUS: -We hate alike: -Not Afric owns a serpent I abhor -More than thy fame and envy. Fix thy foot. - -MARCIUS: -Let the first budger die the other's slave, -And the gods doom him after! - -AUFIDIUS: -If I fly, Marcius, -Holloa me like a hare. - -MARCIUS: -Within these three hours, Tullus, -Alone I fought in your Corioli walls, -And made what work I pleased: 'tis not my blood -Wherein thou seest me mask'd; for thy revenge -Wrench up thy power to the highest. - -AUFIDIUS: -Wert thou the Hector -That was the whip of your bragg'd progeny, -Thou shouldst not scape me here. -Officious, and not valiant, you have shamed me -In your condemned seconds. - -COMINIUS: -If I should tell thee o'er this thy day's work, -Thou'ldst not believe thy deeds: but I'll report it -Where senators shall mingle tears with smiles, -Where great patricians shall attend and shrug, -I' the 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 camest thou to a morsel of this feast, -Having fully dined before. - -LARTIUS: -O general, -Here is the steed, we the caparison: -Hadst thou beheld-- - -MARCIUS: -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 done; that's what I can; induced -As you have been; that's for my country: -He that has but effected his good will -Hath overta'en 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 vouch'd, -Would seem but modest: therefore, I beseech you -In sign of what you are, not to reward -What you have done--before our army hear me. - -MARCIUS: -I have some wounds upon me, and they smart -To hear themselves remember'd. - -COMINIUS: -Should they not, -Well might they fester 'gainst ingratitude, -And tent themselves with death. Of all the horses, -Whereof we have ta'en good and good store, of all -The treasure in this field achieved and city, -We render you the tenth, to be ta'en forth, -Before the common distribution, at -Your only choice. - -MARCIUS: -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. - -MARCIUS: -May these same instruments, which you profane, -Never sound more! when drums and trumpets shall -I' the field prove flatterers, let courts and cities be -Made all of false-faced soothing! -When steel grows soft as the parasite's silk, -Let him be made a coverture for the wars! -No more, I say! For that I have not wash'd -My nose that bled, or foil'd some debile wretch.-- -Which, without note, here's many else have done,-- -You 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, we'll 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 Marcius -Wears this war's 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 Corioli, call him, -With all the applause and clamour of the host, -CAIUS MARCIUS CORIOLANUS! Bear -The addition nobly ever! - -All: -Caius Marcius 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 the fairness of my power. - -COMINIUS: -So, to our tent; -Where, ere we do repose us, we will write -To Rome of our success. You, Titus Lartius, -Must to Corioli 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: -Take't; 'tis yours. What is't? - -CORIOLANUS: -I sometime lay here in Corioli -At a poor man's house; he used me kindly: -He cried to me; I saw him prisoner; -But then Aufidius was within my view, -And wrath o'erwhelm'd my pity: I request you -To give my poor host freedom. - -COMINIUS: -O, well begg'd! -Were he the butcher of my son, he should -Be free as is the wind. Deliver him, Titus. - -LARTIUS: -Marcius, 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 look'd to: come. - -AUFIDIUS: -The town is ta'en! - -First Soldier: -'Twill be deliver'd 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' the part that is at mercy? Five times, Marcius, -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 the elements, -If e'er again I meet him beard to beard, -He's mine, or I am his: mine emulation -Hath not that honour in't it had; for where -I thought to crush him in an equal force, -True sword to sword, I'll potch at him some way -Or wrath or craft may get him. - -First Soldier: -He's the devil. - -AUFIDIUS: -Bolder, though not so subtle. My valour's poison'd -With only suffering 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 Marcius: where I find him, were it -At home, upon my brother's guard, even there, -Against the hospitable canon, would I -Wash my fierce hand in's heart. Go you to the city; -Learn how 'tis held; and what they are that must -Be hostages for Rome. - -First Soldier: -Will not you go? - -AUFIDIUS: -I am attended at the cypress grove: I pray you-- -'Tis south the city mills--bring me word thither -How the world goes, that to the pace of it -I may spur on my journey. - -First Soldier: -I shall, sir. - -MENENIUS: -The augurer tells me we shall have news to-night. - -BRUTUS: -Good or bad? - -MENENIUS: -Not according to the prayer of the people, for they -love not Marcius. - -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 Marcius. - -BRUTUS: -He's a lamb indeed, that baes like a bear. - -MENENIUS: -He's a bear indeed, that lives like a lamb. You two -are old men: tell me one thing that I shall ask you. - -Both: -Well, sir. - -MENENIUS: -In what enormity is Marcius poor in, that you two -have not in abundance? - -BRUTUS: -He's 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' the -right-hand file? do you? - -Both: -Why, how are we censured? - -MENENIUS: -Because you talk of pride now,--will you not be angry? - -Both: -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 Marcius 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 infant-like 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! - -BRUTUS: -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 in't; said to be something imperfect in -favouring the first complaint; hasty and tinder-like -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 are--I cannot call you Lycurguses--if the drink -you give me touch my palate adversely, I make a -crooked face at it. I can't 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 you have good faces. If you see this in -the map of my microcosm, follows it that I am known -well enough too? what barm 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 any thing. You -are ambitious for poor knaves' caps and legs: you -wear out a good wholesome forenoon in hearing a -cause between an orange wife and a fosset-seller; -and then rejourn the controversy of three pence 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 botcher's -cushion, or to be entombed in an ass's pack- -saddle. Yet you must be saying, Marcius is proud; -who in a cheap estimation, is worth predecessors -since Deucalion, though peradventure some of the -best of 'em were hereditary hangmen. God-den 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. -How now, my as fair as noble ladies,--and the moon, -were she earthly, no nobler,--whither do you follow -your eyes so fast? - -VOLUMNIA: -Honourable Menenius, my boy Marcius approaches; for -the love of Juno, let's go. - -MENENIUS: -Ha! Marcius coming home! - -VOLUMNIA: -Ay, worthy Menenius; and with most prosperous -approbation. - -MENENIUS: -Take my cap, Jupiter, and I thank thee. Hoo! -Marcius coming home! - -VOLUMNIA: -Nay,'tis true. - -VOLUMNIA: -Look, here's a letter from him: the state hath -another, his wife another; and, I think, there's one -at home for you. - -MENENIUS: -I will make my very house reel tonight: a letter for -me! - -VIRGILIA: -Yes, certain, there's a letter for you; I saw't. - -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 for't. - -MENENIUS: -So do I too, if it be not too much: brings a' -victory in his pocket? the wounds become him. - -VOLUMNIA: -On's 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, I'll warrant him that: -an he had stayed by him, I would not have been so -fidiused for all the chests in Corioli, and the gold -that's in them. Is the senate possessed of this? - -VOLUMNIA: -Good ladies, let's go. Yes, 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, there's 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, wow. - -MENENIUS: -True! I'll be sworn they are true. -Where is he wounded? -God save your good worships! Marcius is coming -home: he has more cause to be proud. Where is he wounded? - -VOLUMNIA: -I' the shoulder and i' the 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' the body. - -MENENIUS: -One i' the neck, and two i' the thigh,--there's -nine that I know. - -VOLUMNIA: -He had, before this last expedition, twenty-five -wounds upon him. - -MENENIUS: -Now it's twenty-seven: every gash was an enemy's grave. -Hark! the trumpets. - -VOLUMNIA: -These are the ushers of Marcius: before him he -carries noise, and behind him he leaves tears: -Death, that dark spirit, in 's nervy arm doth lie; -Which, being advanced, declines, and then men die. - -Herald: -Know, Rome, that all alone Marcius did fight -Within Corioli gates: where he hath won, -With fame, a name to Caius Marcius; these -In honour follows Coriolanus. -Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus! - -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, petition'd all the gods -For my prosperity! - -VOLUMNIA: -Nay, my good soldier, up; -My gentle Marcius, worthy Caius, and -By deed-achieving honour newly named,-- -What is it?--Coriolanus must I call thee?-- -But O, thy wife! - -CORIOLANUS: -My gracious silence, hail! -Wouldst thou have laugh'd had I come coffin'd home, -That weep'st to see me triumph? Ay, my dear, -Such eyes the widows in Corioli wear, -And mothers that lack sons. - -MENENIUS: -Now, the gods crown thee! - -CORIOLANUS: -And live you yet? -O my sweet lady, pardon. - -VOLUMNIA: -I know not where to turn: O, welcome home: -And welcome, general: and ye're 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 on's 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: - -VOLUMNIA: -I have lived -To see inherited my very wishes -And the buildings of my fancy: only -There's 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! - -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, -Clambering the walls to eye him: stalls, bulks, windows, -Are smother'd up, leads fill'd, and ridges horsed -With variable complexions, all agreeing -In earnestness to see him: seld-shown flamens -Do press among the popular throngs and puff -To win a vulgar station: or veil'd dames -Commit the war of white and damask in -Their nicely-gawded cheeks to the wanton spoil -Of Phoebus' burning kisses: such a pother -As if that whatsoever god who leads him -Were slily 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 temperately transport his honours -From where he should begin and end, but will -Lose those he hath won. - -BRUTUS: -In that there's 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 honours, which -That he will give them make I as little question -As he is proud to do't. - -BRUTUS: -I heard him swear, -Were he to stand for consul, never would he -Appear i' the market-place nor on him put -The napless vesture of humility; -Nor showing, as the manner is, his wounds -To the 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 to's 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 the 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 people--which time shall not want, -If he be put upon 't; and that's as easy -As to set dogs on sheep--will be his fire -To kindle their dry stubble; and their blaze -Shall darken him for ever. - -BRUTUS: -What's the matter? - -Messenger: -You are sent for to the Capitol. 'Tis thought -That Marcius shall be consul: -I have seen the dumb men throng to see him and -The blind to bear him speak: matrons flung gloves, -Ladies and maids their scarfs and handkerchers, -Upon him as he pass'd: the nobles bended, -As to Jove's statue, and the commons made -A shower and thunder with their caps and shouts: -I never saw the like. - -BRUTUS: -Let's to the Capitol; -And carry with us ears and eyes for the time, -But hearts for the event. - -SICINIUS: -Have with you. - -First Officer: -Come, come, they are almost here. How many stand -for consulships? - -Second Officer: -Three, they say: but 'tis thought of every one -Coriolanus will carry it. - -First Officer: -That's a brave fellow; but he's vengeance proud, and -loves not the common people. - -Second Officer: -Faith, there had been many great men that have -flattered the people, who ne'er 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 see't. - -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 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, -bonneted, without any further deed to have them at -an 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; he is a worthy man: make way, they -are coming. - -MENENIUS: -Having determined of the Volsces and -To send for Titus Lartius, it remains, -As the main point of this our after-meeting, -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 well-found successes, to report -A little of that worthy work perform'd -By Caius Marcius Coriolanus, whom -We met here both to thank and to remember -With honours like himself. - -First Senator: -Speak, good Cominius: -Leave nothing out for length, and make us think -Rather our state's defective for requital -Than we to stretch it out. -Masters o' the 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: -That's off, that's 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. -Nay, keep your place. - -First Senator: -Sit, Coriolanus; never shame to hear -What you have nobly done. - -CORIOLANUS: -Your horror's pardon: -I had rather have my wounds to heal again -Than hear say how I got them. - -BRUTUS: -Sir, I hope -My words disbench'd 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' the sun -When the alarum were struck than idly sit -To hear my nothings monster'd. - -MENENIUS: -Masters of the people, -Your multiplying spawn how can he flatter-- -That's thousand to one good one--when you now see -He had rather venture all his limbs for honour -Than one on's ears to hear it? Proceed, Cominius. - -COMINIUS: -I shall lack voice: the deeds of Coriolanus -Should not be utter'd 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: be bestrid -An o'er-press'd Roman and i' the consul's view -Slew three opposers: Tarquin's self he met, -And struck him on his knee: in that day's feats, -When he might act the woman in the scene, -He proved best man i' the field, and for his meed -Was brow-bound with the oak. His pupil age -Man-enter'd thus, he waxed like a sea, -And in the brunt of seventeen battles since -He lurch'd all swords of the garland. For this last, -Before and in Corioli, let me say, -I cannot speak him home: he stopp'd the fliers; -And by his rare example made the coward -Turn terror into sport: as weeds before -A vessel under sail, so men obey'd -And fell below his stem: his sword, death's 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 enter'd -The mortal gate of the city, which he painted -With shunless destiny; aidless came off, -And with a sudden reinforcement struck -Corioli like a planet: now all's his: -When, by and by, the din of war gan pierce -His ready sense; then straight his doubled spirit -Re-quicken'd what in flesh was fatigate, -And to the battle came he; where he did -Run reeking o'er the lives of men, as if -'Twere a perpetual spoil: and till we call'd -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 kick'd at, -And look'd 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: -He's right noble: -Let him be call'd for. - -First Senator: -Call Coriolanus. - -Officer: -He doth appear. - -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 o'erleap 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 to't: -Pray you, go fit you to the custom and -Take to you, as your predecessors have, -Your honour with your form. - -CORIOLANUS: -It is apart -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 the unaching scars which I should hide, -As if I had received them for the hire -Of their breath only! - -MENENIUS: -Do not stand upon't. -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! - -BRUTUS: -You see how he intends to use the people. - -SICINIUS: -May they perceive's intent! He will require them, -As if he did contemn what he requested -Should be in them to give. - -BRUTUS: -Come, we'll inform them -Of our proceedings here: on the marketplace, -I know, they do attend us. - -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 many-headed 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' the 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 man's -will;'tis strongly wedged up in a block-head, 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 -that's no matter, the greater part carries it. I -say, if he would incline to the people, there was -never a worthier man. -Here he comes, and in the gown of humility: mark his -behavior. We are not to stay all together, but to -come by him where he stands, by ones, by twos, and -by threes. He's to make his requests by -particulars; wherein every one of us has a single -honour, in giving him our own voices with our own -tongues: therefore follow me, and I direct you how -you shall go by him. - -All: -Content, content. - -MENENIUS: -O sir, you are not right: have you not known -The worthiest men have done't? - -CORIOLANUS: -What must I say? -'I Pray, sir'--Plague upon't! I cannot bring -My tongue to such a pace:--'Look, sir, my wounds! -I got them in my country's service, when -Some certain of your brethren roar'd and ran -From the 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: -You'll mar all: -I'll leave you: pray you, speak to 'em, I pray you, -In wholesome manner. - -CORIOLANUS: -Bid them wash their faces -And keep their teeth clean. -So, here comes a brace. -You know the cause, air, of my standing here. - -Third Citizen: -We do, sir; tell us what hath brought you to't. - -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 any thing, we hope to -gain by you. - -CORIOLANUS: -Well then, I pray, your price o' the consulship? - -First Citizen: -The price is to ask it kindly. - -CORIOLANUS: -Kindly! Sir, I pray, let me ha't: I have wounds to -show you, which shall be yours in private. Your -good voice, sir; what say you? - -Second Citizen: -You shall ha' it, worthy sir. - -CORIOLANUS: -A match, sir. There's in all two worthy voices -begged. I have your alms: adieu. - -Third Citizen: -But this is something odd. - -Second Citizen: -An 'twere to give again,--but 'tis no matter. - -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 further. - -Both Citizens: -The gods give you joy, sir, heartily! - -CORIOLANUS: -Most sweet voices! -Better it is to die, better to starve, -Than crave the hire which first we do deserve. -Why in this woolvish toge should I stand here, -To beg of Hob and Dick, that do appear, -Their needless vouches? Custom calls me to't: -What custom wills, in all things should we do't, -The dust on antique time would lie unswept, -And mountainous error be too highly heapt -For truth to o'er-peer. 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 suffer'd, the other will I do. -Here come more voices. -Your voices: for your voices I have fought; -Watch'd 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 -man's voice. - -Seventh Citizen: -Therefore let him be consul: the gods give him joy, -and make him good friend to the people! - -All Citizens: -Amen, amen. God save thee, noble consul! - -CORIOLANUS: -Worthy voices! - -MENENIUS: -You have stood your limitation; and the tribunes -Endue you with the people's voice: remains -That, in the 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 summon'd -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 I'll straight do; and, knowing myself again, -Repair to the senate-house. - -MENENIUS: -I'll keep you company. Will you along? - -BRUTUS: -We stay here for the people. - -SICINIUS: -Fare you well. -He has it now, and by his looks methink -'Tis warm at 's heart. - -BRUTUS: -With a proud heart he wore his humble weeds. -will you dismiss the people? - -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 mock'd us when he begg'd 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 show'd us -His marks of merit, wounds received for's country. - -SICINIUS: -Why, so he did, I am sure. - -Citizens: -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 see't, -Or, seeing it, of such childish friendliness -To yield your voices? - -BRUTUS: -Could you not have told him -As you were lesson'd, 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' the body of the weal; and now, arriving -A place of potency and sway o' the state, -If he should still malignantly remain -Fast foe to the 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 fore-advised, had touch'd his spirit -And tried his inclination; from him pluck'd -Either his gracious promise, which you might, -As cause had call'd you up, have held him to -Or else it would have gall'd his surly nature, -Which easily endures not article -Tying him to aught; so putting him to rage, -You should have ta'en the advantage of his choler -And pass'd 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 sued-for tongues? - -Third Citizen: -He's not confirm'd; we may deny him yet. - -Second Citizen: -And will deny him: -I'll 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 scorn'd you; but your loves, -Thinking upon his services, took from you -The 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' the Marcians, from whence came -That Ancus Marcius, Numa's daughter's son, -Who, after great Hostilius, here was king; -Of the same house Publius and Quintus were, -That our beat water brought by conduits hither; -And -Twice being -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 he's your fixed enemy, and revoke -Your sudden approbation. - -BRUTUS: -Say, you ne'er had done't-- -Harp on that still--but by our putting on; -And presently, when you have drawn your number, -Repair to the Capitol. - -All: -We will so: almost all -Repent in their election. - -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 the Capitol, come: -We will be there before the stream o' the people; -And this shall seem, as partly 'tis, their own, -Which we have goaded onward. - -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. -Upon's 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 safe-guard 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 call'd 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. -Behold, these are the tribunes of the people, -The tongues o' the 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 pass'd the noble and the common? - -BRUTUS: -Cominius, no. - -CORIOLANUS: -Have I had children's voices? - -First Senator: -Tribunes, give way; he shall to the market-place. - -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: -Suffer't, and live with such as cannot rule -Nor ever will be ruled. - -BRUTUS: -Call't not a plot: -The people cry you mock'd them, and of late, -When corn was given them gratis, you repined; -Scandal'd the suppliants for the people, call'd them -Time-pleasers, flatterers, foes to nobleness. - -CORIOLANUS: -Why, this was known before. - -BRUTUS: -Not to them all. - -CORIOLANUS: -Have you inform'd them sithence? - -BRUTUS: -How! I inform them! - -CORIOLANUS: -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: -Let's be calm. - -COMINIUS: -The people are abused; set on. This paltering -Becomes not Rome, nor has Coriolanus -Deserved this so dishonour'd rub, laid falsely -I' the plain way of his merit. - -CORIOLANUS: -Tell me of corn! -This was my speech, and I will speak't 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, rank-scented 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 plough'd for, sow'd, -and scatter'd, -By mingling them with us, the honour'd 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 tatter us, yet sought -The very way to catch them. - -BRUTUS: -You speak o' the people, -As if you were a god to punish, not -A man of their infirmity. - -SICINIUS: -'Twere well -We let the people know't. - -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 here to choose an officer, -That with his peremptory 'shall,' being but -The horn and noise o' the monster's, wants not spirit -To say he'll 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 learn'd, -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 great'st 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 frown 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 the other. - -COMINIUS: -Well, on to the market-place. - -CORIOLANUS: -Whoever gave that counsel, to give forth -The corn o' the 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 nourish'd disobedience, fed -The ruin of the state. - -BRUTUS: -Why, shall the people give -One that speaks thus their voice? - -CORIOLANUS: -I'll give my reasons, -More worthier than their voices. They know the corn -Was not our recompense, resting well assured -That ne'er did service for't: being press'd to the war, -Even when the navel of the state was touch'd, -They would not thread the gates. This kind of service -Did not deserve corn gratis. Being i' the war -Their mutinies and revolts, wherein they show'd -Most valour, spoke not for them: the accusation -Which they have often made against the senate, -All cause unborn, could never be the motive -Of our so frank donation. Well, what then? -How shall this bisson multitude digest -The senate's courtesy? Let deeds express -What's 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' the senate and bring in -The crows to peck the eagles. - -MENENIUS: -Come, enough. - -BRUTUS: -Enough, with over-measure. - -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 ignorance,--it must omit -Real necessities, and give way the while -To unstable slightness: purpose so barr'd, -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 on't, that prefer -A noble life before a long, and wish -To jump a body with a dangerous physic -That's sure of death without it, at 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 become't, -Not having the power to do the good it would, -For the in which doth control't. - -BRUTUS: -Has said enough. - -SICINIUS: -Has spoken like a traitor, and shall answer -As traitors do. - -CORIOLANUS: -Thou wretch, despite o'erwhelm thee! -What should the people do with these bald tribunes? -On whom depending, their obedience fails -To the greater bench: in a rebellion, -When what's 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' the dust. - -BRUTUS: -Manifest treason! - -SICINIUS: -This a consul? no. - -BRUTUS: -The aediles, ho! -Let him be apprehended. - -SICINIUS: -Go, call the people: -in whose name myself -Attach thee as a traitorous innovator, -A foe to the public weal: obey, I charge thee, -And follow to thine answer. - -CORIOLANUS: -Hence, old goat! - -Senators, &C: -We'll surety him. - -COMINIUS: -Aged sir, hands off. - -CORIOLANUS: -Hence, rotten thing! or I shall shake thy bones -Out of thy garments. - -SICINIUS: -Help, ye citizens! - -MENENIUS: -On both sides more respect. - -SICINIUS: -Here's he that would take from you all your power. - -BRUTUS: -Seize him, AEdiles! - -Citizens: -Down with him! down with him! - -Senators, &C: -Weapons, weapons, weapons! -'Tribunes!' 'Patricians!' 'Citizens!' 'What, ho!' -'Sicinius!' 'Brutus!' 'Coriolanus!' 'Citizens!' -'Peace, peace, peace!' 'Stay, hold, peace!' - -MENENIUS: -What is about to be? I am out of breath; -Confusion's near; I cannot speak. You, tribunes -To the people! Coriolanus, patience! -Speak, good Sicinius. - -SICINIUS: -Hear me, people; peace! - -Citizens: -Let's hear our tribune: peace Speak, speak, speak. - -SICINIUS: -You are at point to lose your liberties: -Marcius would have all from you; Marcius, -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? - -Citizens: -True, -The people are the city. - -BRUTUS: -By the consent of all, we were establish'd -The people's magistrates. - -Citizens: -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' the people, in whose power -We were elected theirs, Marcius is worthy -Of present death. - -SICINIUS: -Therefore lay hold of him; -Bear him to the rock Tarpeian, and from thence -Into destruction cast him. - -BRUTUS: -AEdiles, seize him! - -Citizens: -Yield, Marcius, yield! - -MENENIUS: -Hear me one word; -Beseech you, tribunes, hear me but a word. - -AEdile: -Peace, peace! - -MENENIUS: - -BRUTUS: -Sir, those cold ways, -That seem like prudent helps, are very poisonous -Where the disease is violent. Lay hands upon him, -And bear him to the rock. - -CORIOLANUS: -No, I'll die here. -There's some among you have beheld me fighting: -Come, try upon yourselves what you have seen me. - -MENENIUS: -Down with that sword! Tribunes, withdraw awhile. - -BRUTUS: -Lay hands upon him. - -COMINIUS: -Help Marcius, help, -You that be noble; help him, young and old! - -Citizens: -Down with him, down with him! - -MENENIUS: -Go, get you to your house; be gone, away! -All will be naught else. - -Second Senator: -Get you gone. - -COMINIUS: -Stand fast; -We have as many friends as enemies. - -MENENIUS: -Sham 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: be gone, beseech you. - -COMINIUS: -Come, sir, along with us. - -CORIOLANUS: -I would they were barbarians--as they are, -Though in Rome litter'd--not Romans--as they are not, -Though calved i' the porch o' the Capitol-- - -MENENIUS: -Be gone; -Put not your worthy rage into your tongue; -One time will owe another. - -CORIOLANUS: -On fair ground -I could beat forty of them. - -COMINIUS: -I could myself -Take up a brace o' the best of them; yea, the -two tribunes: -But now 'tis odds beyond arithmetic; -And manhood is call'd foolery, when it stands -Against a falling fabric. Will you hence, -Before the tag return? whose rage doth rend -Like interrupted waters and o'erbear -What they are used to bear. - -MENENIUS: -Pray you, be gone: -I'll try whether my old wit be in request -With those that have but little: this must be patch'd -With cloth of any colour. - -COMINIUS: -Nay, come away. - -A Patrician: -This man has marr'd his fortune. - -MENENIUS: -His nature is too noble for the world: -He would not flatter Neptune for his trident, -Or Jove for's power to thunder. His heart's his mouth: -What his breast forges, that his tongue must vent; -And, being angry, does forget that ever -He heard the name of death. -Here's goodly work! - -Second Patrician: -I would they were abed! - -MENENIUS: -I would they were in Tiber! What the vengeance! -Could he not speak 'em fair? - -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 nought. - -First Citizen: -He shall well know -The noble tribunes are the people's mouths, -And we their hands. - -Citizens: -He shall, sure on't. - -MENENIUS: -Sir, sir,-- - -SICINIUS: -Peace! - -MENENIUS: -Do not cry havoc, where you should but hunt -With modest warrant. - -SICINIUS: -Sir, how comes't that you -Have holp to make this rescue? - -MENENIUS: -Hear me speak: -As I do know the consul's worthiness, -So can I name his faults,-- - -SICINIUS: -Consul! what consul? - -MENENIUS: -The consul Coriolanus. - -BRUTUS: -He consul! - -Citizens: -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 to-night. - -MENENIUS: -Now the good gods forbid -That our renowned Rome, whose gratitude -Towards her deserved children is enroll'd -In Jove's own book, like an unnatural dam -Should now eat up her own! - -SICINIUS: -He's a disease that must be cut away. - -MENENIUS: -O, he's a limb that has but a disease; -Mortal, to cut it off; to cure it, easy. -What has he done to Rome that's worthy death? -Killing our enemies, the blood he hath lost-- -Which, I dare vouch, is more than that he hath, -By many an ounce--he dropp'd it for his country; -And what is left, to lose it by his country, -Were to us all, that do't and suffer it, -A brand to the end o' the world. - -SICINIUS: -This is clean kam. - -BRUTUS: -Merely awry: when he did love his country, -It honour'd him. - -MENENIUS: -The service of the foot -Being once gangrened, is not then respected -For what before it was. - -BRUTUS: -We'll 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 tiger-footed rage, when it shall find -The harm of unscann'd swiftness, will too late -Tie leaden pounds to's heels. Proceed by process; -Lest parties, as he is beloved, break 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' the wars -Since he could draw a sword, and is ill school'd -In bolted language; meal and bran together -He throws without distinction. Give me leave, -I'll 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 people's officer. -Masters, lay down your weapons. - -BRUTUS: -Go not home. - -SICINIUS: -Meet on the market-place. We'll attend you there: -Where, if you bring not Marcius, we'll proceed -In our first way. - -MENENIUS: -I'll bring him to you. -Let me desire your company: he must come, -Or what is worst will follow. - -First Senator: -Pray you, let's to him. - -CORIOLANUS: -Let them puff 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. - -A 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. -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 show'd them how ye were disposed -Ere they lack'd power to cross you. - -CORIOLANUS: -Let them hang. - -A Patrician: -Ay, and burn too. - -MENENIUS: -Come, come, you have been too rough, something -too rough; -You must return and mend it. - -First Senator: -There's no remedy; -Unless, by not so doing, our good city -Cleave in the midst, and perish. - -VOLUMNIA: -Pray, be counsell'd: -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 the herd, but that -The violent fit o' the time craves it as physic -For the whole state, I would put mine armour on, -Which I can scarcely bear. - -CORIOLANUS: -What must I do? - -MENENIUS: -Return to the 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 do't 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 unsever'd friends, -I' the war do grow together: grant that, and tell me, -In peace what each of them by the 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 the people; not by your own instruction, -Nor by the 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 bosom's 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 stretch'd it--here be with them-- -Thy knee bussing the stones--for in such business -Action is eloquence, and the eyes of the ignorant -More learned than the ears--waving 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 ask'd, 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. Here is Cominius. - -COMINIUS: -I have been i' the market-place; and, sir,'tis fit -You make strong party, or defend yourself -By calmness or by absence: all's 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 base tongue give my noble heart -A lie that it must bear? Well, I will do't: -Yet, were there but this single plot to lose, -This mould of Marcius, they to dust should grind it -And throw't against the wind. To the market-place! -You have put me now to such a part which never -I shall discharge to the life. - -COMINIUS: -Come, come, we'll 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 do't: -Away, my disposition, and possess me -Some harlot's spirit! my throat of war be turn'd, -Which quired 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 beggar's tongue -Make motion through my lips, and my arm'd knees, -Who bow'd but in my stirrup, bend like his -That hath received an alms! I will not do't, -Lest I surcease to honour mine own truth -And by my body's 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 suck'dst it from me, -But owe thy pride thyself. - -CORIOLANUS: -Pray, be content: -Mother, I am going to the market-place; -Chide me no more. I'll 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. I'll return consul; -Or never trust to what my tongue can do -I' the way of flattery further. - -VOLUMNIA: -Do your will. - -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! - -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 ne'er distributed. -What, will he come? - -AEdile: -He's coming. - -BRUTUS: -How accompanied? - -AEdile: -With old Menenius, and those senators -That always favour'd him. - -SICINIUS: -Have you a catalogue -Of all the voices that we have procured -Set down by the 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 bear me say 'It shall be so -I' the right and strength o' the 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' the truth o' the 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 give 't them. - -BRUTUS: -Go about it. -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 rein'd again to temperance; then he speaks -What's in his heart; and that is there which looks -With us to break his neck. - -SICINIUS: -Well, here he comes. - -MENENIUS: -Calmly, I do beseech you. - -CORIOLANUS: -Ay, as an ostler, that for the poorest piece -Will bear the knave by the volume. The honour'd gods -Keep Rome in safety, and the chairs of justice -Supplied with worthy men! plant love among 's! -Throng our large temples with the shows of peace, -And not our streets with war! - -First Senator: -Amen, amen. - -MENENIUS: -A noble wish. - -SICINIUS: -Draw near, ye people. - -AEdile: -List to your tribunes. Audience: peace, I say! - -CORIOLANUS: -First, hear me speak. - -Both Tribunes: -Well, say. Peace, 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 people's 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' the holy churchyard. - -CORIOLANUS: -Scratches with briers, -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 pass'd for consul with full voice, -I am so dishonour'd 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 season'd 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' the lowest hell fold-in the people! -Call me their traitor! Thou injurious tribune! -Within thine eyes sat twenty thousand deaths, -In thy hand clutch'd 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? - -Citizens: -To the rock, to the 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 him; even this, -So criminal and in such capital kind, -Deserves the 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: -I know no further: -Let them pronounce the steep Tarpeian death, -Vagabond exile, raying, pent to linger -But with a grain a day, I would not buy -Their mercy at the price of one fair word; -Nor cheque my courage for what they can give, -To have't 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' the 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' the people's name, -I say it shall be so. - -Citizens: -It shall be so, it shall be so; let him away: -He's banish'd, and it shall be so. - -COMINIUS: -Hear me, my masters, and my common friends,-- - -SICINIUS: -He's 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 country's good with a respect more tender, -More holy and profound, than mine own life, -My dear wife's estimate, her womb's increase, -And treasure of my loins; then if I would -Speak that,-- - -SICINIUS: -We know your drift: speak what? - -BRUTUS: -There's no more to be said, but he is banish'd, -As enemy to the people and his country: -It shall be so. - -Citizens: -It shall be so, it shall be so. - -CORIOLANUS: -You common cry of curs! whose breath I hate -As reek o' the 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 ignorance, which finds not till it feels, -Making not reservation of yourselves, -Still your own foes, deliver 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. - -AEdile: -The people's enemy is gone, is gone! - -Citizens: -Our enemy is banish'd! he is gone! Hoo! hoo! - -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. - -Citizens: -Come, come; let's see him out at gates; come. -The gods preserve our noble tribunes! Come. - -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 extremity was the trier of spirits; -That common chances common men could bear; -That when the sea was calm all boats alike -Show'd mastership in floating; fortune's 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 conn'd them. - -VIRGILIA: -O heavens! O heavens! - -CORIOLANUS: -Nay! 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 lack'd. Nay, mother. -Resume that spirit, when you were wont to say, -If you had been the wife of Hercules, -Six of his labours you'ld have done, and saved -Your husband so much sweat. Cominius, -Droop not; adieu. Farewell, my wife, my mother: -I'll do well yet. Thou old and true Menenius, -Thy tears are salter than a younger man's, -And venomous to thine eyes. My sometime general, -I have seen thee stem, and thou hast oft beheld -Heart-hardening spectacles; tell these sad women -'Tis fond to wail inevitable strokes, -As 'tis to laugh at 'em. My mother, you wot well -My hazards still have been your solace: and -Believe't not lightly--though I go alone, -Like to a lonely dragon, that his fen -Makes fear'd and talk'd of more than seen--your son -Will or exceed the common or be caught -With cautelous baits and practise. - -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' the way before thee. - -CORIOLANUS: -O the gods! - -COMINIUS: -I'll 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 -O'er the vast world to seek a single man, -And lose advantage, which doth ever cool -I' the 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 -That's 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: -That's worthily -As any ear can hear. Come, let's not weep. -If I could shake off but one seven years -From these old arms and legs, by the good gods, -I'ld with thee every foot. - -CORIOLANUS: -Give me thy hand: Come. - -SICINIUS: -Bid them all home; he's gone, and we'll no further. -The nobility are vex'd, 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 a-doing. - -SICINIUS: -Bid them home: -Say their great enemy is gone, and they -Stand in their ancient strength. - -BRUTUS: -Dismiss them home. -Here comes his mother. - -SICINIUS: -Let's not meet her. - -BRUTUS: -Why? - -SICINIUS: -They say she's mad. - -BRUTUS: -They have ta'en note of us: keep on your way. - -VOLUMNIA: -O, ye're well met: the hoarded plague o' the 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. -Will you be gone? - -VIRGILIA: - -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 Rome's good. I'll tell thee what; yet 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! -He'ld 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, let us 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 lady's husband here, this, do you see-- -Whom you have banish'd, does exceed you all. - -BRUTUS: -Well, well, we'll leave you. - -SICINIUS: -Why stay we to be baited -With one that wants her wits? - -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 to't. - -MENENIUS: -You have told them home; -And, by my troth, you have cause. You'll sup with me? - -VOLUMNIA: -Anger's my meat; I sup upon myself, -And so shall starve with feeding. Come, let's go: -Leave this faint puling and lament as I do, -In anger, Juno-like. Come, come, come. - -MENENIUS: -Fie, fie, fie! - -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. What's the -news in Rome? I have a note from the Volscian state, -to find you out there: you have well saved me a -day's 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 man's wife is -when she's 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 the entertainment, -and to be on foot at an hour's 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. - -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. -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. -O world, thy slippery turns! Friends now fast sworn, -Whose double bosoms seem to wear one heart, -Whose house, 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 birth-place hate I, and my love's upon -This enemy town. I'll enter: if he slay me, -He does fair justice; if he give me way, -I'll do his country service. - -First Servingman: -Wine, wine, wine! What service -is here! I think our fellows are asleep. - -Second Servingman: -Where's Cotus? my master calls -for him. Cotus! - -CORIOLANUS: -A goodly house: the feast smells well; but I -Appear not like a guest. - -First Servingman: -What would you have, friend? whence are you? -Here's no place for you: pray, go to the door. - -CORIOLANUS: -I have deserved no better entertainment, -In being Coriolanus. - -Second Servingman: -Whence are you, sir? Has the porter his eyes in his -head; that he gives entrance to such companions? -Pray, get you out. - -CORIOLANUS: -Away! - -Second Servingman: -Away! get you away. - -CORIOLANUS: -Now thou'rt troublesome. - -Second Servingman: -Are you so brave? I'll have you talked with anon. - -Third Servingman: -What fellow's this? - -First Servingman: -A strange one as ever I looked on: I cannot get him -out of the 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 marvellous poor one. - -CORIOLANUS: -True, so I am. - -Third Servingman: -Pray you, poor gentleman, take up some other -station; here's no place for you; pray you, avoid: come. - -CORIOLANUS: -Follow your function, go, and batten on cold bits. - -Third Servingman: -What, you will not? Prithee, tell my master what a -strange guest he has here. - -Second Servingman: -And I shall. - -Third Servingman: -Where dwellest thou? - -CORIOLANUS: -Under the canopy. - -Third Servingman: -Under the canopy! - -CORIOLANUS: -Ay. - -Third Servingman: -Where's that? - -CORIOLANUS: -I' the city of kites and crows. - -Third Servingman: -I' the city of kites and crows! What an ass it is! -Then thou dwellest 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 pratest, and pratest; serve with thy -trencher, hence! - -AUFIDIUS: -Where is this fellow? - -Second Servingman: -Here, sir: I'ld have beaten him like a dog, but for -disturbing the lords within. - -AUFIDIUS: -Whence comest thou? what wouldst thou? thy name? -Why speak'st not? speak, man: what's thy name? - -CORIOLANUS: -If, Tullus, -Not yet thou knowest 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, what's thy name? -Thou hast a grim appearance, and thy face -Bears a command in't; though thy tackle's torn. -Thou show'st a noble vessel: what's thy name? - -CORIOLANUS: -Prepare thy brow to frown: know'st -thou me yet? - -AUFIDIUS: -I know thee not: thy name? - -CORIOLANUS: -My name is Caius Marcius, 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 devour'd the rest; -And suffer'd me by the voice of slaves to be -Whoop'd out of Rome. Now this extremity -Hath brought me to thy hearth; not out of hope-- -Mistake me not--to save my life, for if -I had fear'd death, of all the men i' the 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 canker'd country with the spleen -Of all the under fiends. But if so be -Thou darest 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 follow'd thee with hate, -Drawn tuns of blood out of thy country's breast, -And cannot live but to thy shame, unless -It be to do thee service. - -AUFIDIUS: -O Marcius, Marcius! -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,' I'ld not believe them more -Than thee, all noble Marcius. Let me twine -Mine arms about that body, where against -My grained ash an hundred times hath broke -And scarr'd 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 -Sigh'd 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 other's throat, -And waked half dead with nothing. Worthy Marcius, -Had we no quarrel else to Rome, but that -Thou art thence banish'd, we would muster all -From twelve to seventy, and pouring war -Into the bowels of ungrateful Rome, -Like a bold flood o'er-bear. O, come, go in, -And take our friendly senators by the 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 -The one half of my commission; and set down-- -As best thou art experienced, since thou know'st -Thy country's strength and weakness,--thine 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 e'er an enemy; -Yet, Marcius, that was much. Your hand: most welcome! - -First Servingman: -Here's 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, methought,--I -cannot tell how to term it. - -First Servingman: -He had so; looking as it were--would I were hanged, -but I thought there was more in him than I could think. - -Second Servingman: -So did I, I'll be sworn: he is simply the rarest -man i' the world. - -First Servingman: -I think he is: but a greater soldier than he you wot on. - -Second Servingman: -Who, my master? - -First Servingman: -Nay, it's 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. - -Third Servingman: -O slaves, I can tell you news,-- news, you rascals! - -First Servingman: -What, what, what? let's partake. - -Third Servingman: -I would not be a Roman, of all nations; I had as -lieve be a condemned man. - -First Servingman: -Wherefore? wherefore? - -Third Servingman: -Why, here's he that was wont to thwack our general, -Caius Marcius. - -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 -on't: before Corioli he scotched him and notched -him like a carbon ado. - -Second Servingman: -An he had been cannibally given, he might have -broiled 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' the 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 with's hand and -turns up the white o' the eye to his discourse. But -the bottom of the news is that our general is cut i' -the middle and but one half of what he was -yesterday; for the other has half, by the entreaty -and grant of the whole table. He'll go, he says, -and sowl the porter of Rome gates by the ears: he -will mow all down before him, and leave his passage polled. - -Second Servingman: -And he's as like to do't as any man I can imagine. - -Third Servingman: -Do't! he will do't; 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 whilst he's in directitude. - -First Servingman: -Directitude! what's 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 conies after rain, and revel all with -him. - -First Servingman: -But when goes this forward? - -Third Servingman: -To-morrow; to-day; presently; you shall have the -drum struck up this afternoon: 'tis, as it were, a -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 ballad-makers. - -First Servingman: -Let me have war, say I; it exceeds peace as far as -day does night; it's spritely, waking, audible, and -full of vent. Peace is a very apoplexy, lethargy; -mulled, deaf, sleepy, insensible; a getter of more -bastard children than war's 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! - -SICINIUS: -We hear not of him, neither need we fear him; -His remedies are tame i' the 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 by't, behold -Dissentious numbers pestering streets than see -Our tradesmen with in their shops and going -About their functions friendly. - -BRUTUS: -We stood to't in good time. -Is this Menenius? - -SICINIUS: -'Tis he,'tis he: O, he is grown most kind of late. - -Both Tribunes: -Hail sir! - -MENENIUS: -Hail to you both! - -SICINIUS: -Your Coriolanus -Is not much miss'd, but with his friends: -The commonwealth doth stand, and so would do, -Were he more angry at it. - -MENENIUS: -All's 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. - -Citizens: -The gods preserve you both! - -SICINIUS: -God-den, our neighbours. - -BRUTUS: -God-den to you all, god-den 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 wish'd Coriolanus -Had loved you as we did. - -Citizens: -Now the gods keep you! - -Both Tribunes: -Farewell, farewell. - -SICINIUS: -This is a happier and more comely time -Than when these fellows ran about the streets, -Crying confusion. - -BRUTUS: -Caius Marcius was -A worthy officer i' the war; but insolent, -O'ercome with pride, ambitious past all thinking, -Self-loving,-- - -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. - -AEdile: -Worthy tribunes, -There is a slave, whom we have put in prison, -Reports, the Volsces with two several powers -Are enter'd in the Roman territories, -And with the deepest malice of the war -Destroy what lies before 'em. - -MENENIUS: -'Tis Aufidius, -Who, hearing of our Marcius' banishment, -Thrusts forth his horns again into the world; -Which were inshell'd when Marcius stood for Rome, -And durst not once peep out. - -SICINIUS: -Come, what talk you -Of Marcius? - -BRUTUS: -Go see this rumourer whipp'd. 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 have 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. - -Messenger: -The nobles in great earnestness are going -All to the senate-house: some news is come -That turns their countenances. - -SICINIUS: -'Tis this slave;-- -Go whip him, 'fore the people's eyes:--his raising; -Nothing but his report. - -Messenger: -Yes, worthy sir, -The slave's report is seconded; and more, -More fearful, is deliver'd. - -SICINIUS: -What more fearful? - -Messenger: -It is spoke freely out of many mouths-- -How probable I do not know--that Marcius, -Join'd with Aufidius, leads a power 'gainst Rome, -And vows revenge as spacious as between -The young'st and oldest thing. - -SICINIUS: -This is most likely! - -BRUTUS: -Raised only, that the weaker sort may wish -Good Marcius home again. - -SICINIUS: -The very trick on't. - -MENENIUS: -This is unlikely: -He and Aufidius can no more atone -Than violentest contrariety. - -Second Messenger: -You are sent for to the senate: -A fearful army, led by Caius Marcius -Associated with Aufidius, rages -Upon our territories; and have already -O'erborne their way, consumed with fire, and took -What lay before them. - -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 dishonour'd to your noses,-- - -MENENIUS: -What's the news? what's the news? - -COMINIUS: -Your temples burned in their cement, and -Your franchises, whereon you stood, confined -Into an auger's bore. - -MENENIUS: -Pray now, your news? -You have made fair work, I fear me.--Pray, your news?-- -If Marcius should be join'd 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 apron-men; you that stood so up much -on the voice of occupation and -The breath of garlic-eaters! - -COMINIUS: -He will 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 you'll look pale -Before you find it other. All the regions -Do smilingly revolt; and who resist -Are mock'd for valiant ignorance, -And perish constant fools. Who is't 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 do't 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 show'd 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, cease.' You have made fair hands, -You and your crafts! you have crafted fair! - -COMINIUS: -You have brought -A trembling upon Rome, such as was never -So incapable of help. - -Both 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' the city. - -COMINIUS: -But I fear -They'll 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. - -MENENIUS: -Here come 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 he's coming; -And not a hair upon a soldier's 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. - -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: -Ye re goodly things, you voices! - -MENENIUS: -You have made -Good work, you and your cry! Shall's to the Capitol? - -COMINIUS: -O, ay, what else? - -SICINIUS: -Go, masters, get you home; be not dismay'd: -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, let's home. -I ever said we were i' the wrong when we banished -him. - -Second Citizen: -So did we all. But, come, let's home. - -BRUTUS: -I do not like this news. - -SICINIUS: -Nor I. - -BRUTUS: -Let's to the Capitol. Would half my wealth -Would buy this for a lie! - -SICINIUS: -Pray, let us go. - -AUFIDIUS: -Do they still fly to the Roman? - -Lieutenant: -I do not know what witchcraft's in him, but -Your soldiers use him as the grace 'fore meat, -Their talk at table, and their thanks at end; -And you are darken'd 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 that's no changeling; and I must excuse -What cannot be amended. - -Lieutenant: -Yet I wish, sir,-- -I mean for your particular,--you had not -Join'd 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 the vulgar eye, that he bears all things fairly. -And shows good husbandry for the Volscian state, -Fights dragon-like, and does achieve as soon -As draw his sword; yet he hath left undone -That which shall break his neck or hazard mine, -Whene'er we come to our account. - -Lieutenant: -Sir, I beseech you, think you he'll 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 he'll 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 the casque to the cushion, but commanding peace -Even with the same austerity and garb -As he controll'd the war; but one of these-- -As he hath spices of them all, not all, -For I dare so far free him--made him fear'd, -So hated, and so banish'd: but he has a merit, -To choke it in the utterance. So our virtues -Lie in the interpretation of the time: -And power, unto itself most commendable, -Hath not a tomb so evident as a chair -To 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, let's away. When, Caius, Rome is thine, -Thou art poor'st of all; then shortly art thou mine. - -MENENIUS: -No, I'll not go: you hear what he hath said -Which was sometime his general; who loved him -In a most dear particular. He call'd me father: -But what o' that? Go, you that banish'd him; -A mile before his tent fall down, and knee -The way into his mercy: nay, if he coy'd -To hear Cominius speak, I'll 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: forbad all names; -He was a kind of nothing, titleless, -Till he had forged himself a name o' the fire -Of burning Rome. - -MENENIUS: -Why, so: you have made good work! -A pair of tribunes that have rack'd for 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 punish'd. - -MENENIUS: -Very well: -Could he say less? - -COMINIUS: -I offer'd to awaken his regard -For's 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 the 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 so never-needed help, yet do not -Upbraid's with our distress. But, sure, if you -Would be your country's pleader, your good tongue, -More than the instant army we can make, -Might stop our countryman. - -MENENIUS: -No, I'll 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 Marcius. - -MENENIUS: -Well, and say that Marcius -Return me, as Cominius is return'd, -Unheard; what then? -But as a discontented friend, grief-shot -With his unkindness? say't be so? - -SICINIUS: -Yet your good will -must have that thanks from Rome, after the measure -As you intended well. - -MENENIUS: -I'll undertake 't: -I think he'll 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 unfill'd, our blood is cold, and then -We pout upon the morning, are unapt -To give or to forgive; but when we have stuff'd -These and these conveyances of our blood -With wine and feeding, we have suppler souls -Than in our priest-like fasts: therefore I'll watch him -Till he be dieted to my request, -And then I'll set upon him. - -BRUTUS: -You know the very road into his kindness, -And cannot lose your way. - -MENENIUS: -Good faith, I'll prove him, -Speed how it will. I shall ere long have knowledge -Of my success. - -COMINIUS: -He'll 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 gaoler to his pity. I kneel'd before him; -'Twas very faintly he said 'Rise;' dismiss'd 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, let's hence, -And with our fair entreaties haste them on. - -First Senator: -Stay: whence are you? - -Second Senator: -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 Senator: -From whence? - -MENENIUS: -From Rome. - -First Senator: -You may not pass, you must return: our general -Will no more hear from thence. - -Second Senator: -You'll see your Rome embraced with fire before -You'll 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 touch'd your ears it is Menenius. - -First Senator: -Be it so; go back: the virtue of your name -Is not here passable. - -MENENIUS: -I tell thee, fellow, -The general is my lover: I have been -The book of his good acts, whence men have read -His name unparallel'd, haply amplified; -For I have ever verified my friends, -Of whom he's chief, with 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 stamp'd the leasing: therefore, fellow, -I must have leave to pass. - -First Senator: -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 Senator: -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 Senator: -You are a Roman, are you? - -MENENIUS: -I am, as thy general is. - -First Senator: -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 Senator: -Come, my captain knows you not. - -MENENIUS: -I mean, thy general. - -First Senator: -My general cares not for you. Back, I say, go; lest -I let forth your half-pint of blood; back,--that's -the utmost of your having: back. - -MENENIUS: -Nay, but, fellow, fellow,-- - -CORIOLANUS: -What's the matter? - -MENENIUS: -Now, you companion, I'll 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 standest not i' the state of -hanging, or of some death more long in -spectatorship, and crueller in suffering; behold now -presently, and swoon for what's to come upon thee. -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, here's -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, be gone. -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 -And would have rent it. Another word, Menenius, -I will not hear thee speak. This man, Aufidius, -Was my beloved in Rome: yet thou behold'st! - -AUFIDIUS: -You keep a constant temper. - -First Senator: -Now, sir, is your name Menenius? - -Second Senator: -'Tis a spell, you see, of much power: you know the -way home again. - -First Senator: -Do you hear how we are shent for keeping your -greatness back? - -Second Senator: -What cause, do you think, I have to swoon? - -MENENIUS: -I neither care for the world nor your general: for -such things as you, I can scarce think there's any, -ye're 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! - -First Senator: -A noble fellow, I warrant him. - -Second Senator: -The worthy fellow is our general: he's the rock, the -oak not to be wind-shaken. - -CORIOLANUS: -We will before the walls of Rome tomorrow -Set down our host. My partner in this action, -You must report to the Volscian lords, how plainly -I have borne this business. - -AUFIDIUS: -Only their ends -You have respected; stopp'd 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 a crack'd 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 show'd sourly to him, once more offer'd -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. Ha! what shout is this? -Shall I be tempted to infringe my vow -In the same time 'tis made? I will not. -My wife comes foremost; then the honour'd mould -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 curt'sy 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: I'll 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.' 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 virgin'd it e'er since. You gods! I prate, -And the most noble mother of the world -Leave unsaluted: sink, my knee, i' the earth; -Of thy deep duty more impression show -Than that of common sons. - -VOLUMNIA: -O, stand up blest! -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. - -CORIOLANUS: -What is this? -Your knees to me? to your corrected son? -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 -That's curdied by the frost from purest snow -And hangs on Dian's temple: dear Valeria! - -VOLUMNIA: -This is a poor epitome of yours, -Which by the 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' the wars -Like a great sea-mark, standing every flaw, -And saving those that eye thee! - -VOLUMNIA: -Your knee, sirrah. - -CORIOLANUS: -That's my brave boy! - -VOLUMNIA: -Even he, your wife, this lady, and myself, -Are suitors to you. - -CORIOLANUS: -I beseech you, peace: -Or, if you'ld 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 Rome's mechanics: tell me not -Wherein I seem unnatural: desire not -To ally my rages and revenges with -Your colder reasons. - -VOLUMNIA: -O, no more, no more! -You have said you will not grant us any thing; -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 we'll -Hear nought 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 country's bowels out. And to poor we -Thine enmity's most capital: thou barr'st us -Our prayers to the gods, which is a comfort -That all but we enjoy; for how can we, -Alas, how can we for 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 thorough our streets, or else -triumphantly tread on thy country's ruin, -And bear the palm for having bravely shed -Thy wife and children's 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 to't, thou shalt not--on thy mother's 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 MARCIUS: -A' shall not tread on me; -I'll run away till I am bigger, but then I'll fight. - -CORIOLANUS: -Not of a woman's tenderness to be, -Requires nor child nor woman's face to see. -I have sat too long. - -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 show'd;' the Romans, -'This we received;' and each in either side -Give the all-hail to thee and cry 'Be blest -For making up this peace!' Thou know'st, great son, -The end of war's uncertain, but this certain, -That, if thou conquer Rome, the benefit -Which thou shalt thereby reap is such a name, -Whose repetition will be dogg'd with curses; -Whose chronicle thus writ: 'The man was noble, -But with his last attempt he wiped it out; -Destroy'd his country, and his name remains -To the ensuing age abhorr'd.' 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' the air, -And yet to charge thy sulphur with a bolt -That should but rive an oak. Why dost not speak? -Think'st thou it honourable for a noble man -Still to remember wrongs? Daughter, speak you: -He cares not for your weeping. Speak thou, boy: -Perhaps thy childishness will move him more -Than can our reasons. There's no man in the world -More bound to 's mother; yet here he lets me prate -Like one i' the stocks. Thou hast never in thy life -Show'd thy dear mother any courtesy, -When she, poor hen, fond of no second brood, -Has cluck'd thee to the wars and safely home, -Loaden with honour. Say my request's unjust, -And spurn me back: but if it be not so, -Thou art not honest; and the gods will plague thee, -That thou restrain'st from me the duty which -To a mother's part belongs. He 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; -This is the last: so we will home to Rome, -And die among our neighbours. Nay, behold 's: -This boy, that cannot tell what he would have -But kneels and holds up bands for fellowship, -Does reason our petition with more strength -Than thou hast to deny 't. Come, let us go: -This fellow had a Volscian to his mother; -His wife is in Corioli and his child -Like him by chance. Yet give us our dispatch: -I am hush'd until our city be a-fire, -And then I'll speak a little. - -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 son,--believe it, O, believe it, -Most dangerously you have with him prevail'd, -If not most mortal to him. But, let it come. -Aufidius, though I cannot make true wars, -I'll 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 you'll make, advise me: for my part, -I'll not to Rome, I'll back with you; and pray you, -Stand to me in this cause. O mother! wife! - -AUFIDIUS: - -CORIOLANUS: -Ay, by and by; -But we will drink together; and you shall bear -A better witness back than words, which we, -On like conditions, will have counter-seal'd. -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. - -MENENIUS: -See you yond coign o' the Capitol, yond -corner-stone? - -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 in't: our throats are -sentenced and stay upon execution. - -SICINIUS: -Is't 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 Marcius is grown -from man to dragon: he has wings; he's 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 eight-year-old 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. - -Messenger: -Sir, if you'ld 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, -They'll give him death by inches. - -SICINIUS: -What's the news? - -Second Messenger: -Good news, good news; the ladies have prevail'd, -The Volscians are dislodged, and Marcius gone: -A merrier day did never yet greet Rome, -No, not the expulsion of the Tarquins. - -SICINIUS: -Friend, -Art thou certain this is true? is it most certain? - -Second Messenger: -As certain as I know the sun is fire: -Where have you lurk'd, that you make doubt of it? -Ne'er through an arch so hurried the blown tide, -As the recomforted through the gates. Why, hark you! -The trumpets, sackbuts, psalteries and fifes, -Tabours and cymbals and the shouting Romans, -Make the sun dance. Hark you! - -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 pray'd well to-day: -This morning for ten thousand of your throats -I'd not have given a doit. Hark, how they joy! - -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? - -Second Messenger: -Almost at point to enter. - -SICINIUS: -We will meet them, -And help the joy. - -First 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 banish'd Marcius, -Repeal him with the welcome of his mother; -Cry 'Welcome, ladies, welcome!' - -All: -Welcome, ladies, Welcome! - -AUFIDIUS: -Go tell the lords o' the city I am here: -Deliver them this paper: having read it, -Bid them repair to the market place; 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 enter'd and -Intends to appear before the people, hoping -To purge herself with words: dispatch. -Most welcome! - -First Conspirator: -How is it with our general? - -AUFIDIUS: -Even so -As with a man by his own alms empoison'd, -And with his charity slain. - -Second Conspirator: -Most noble sir, -If you do hold the same intent wherein -You wish'd us parties, we'll 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 there's 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 pawn'd -Mine honour for his truth: who being so heighten'd, -He water'd his new plants with dews of flattery, -Seducing so my friends; and, to this end, -He bow'd 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 banish'd for't, 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 seem'd 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 marvell'd at it, and, in the last, -When he had carried Rome and that we look'd -For no less spoil than glory,-- - -AUFIDIUS: -There was it: -For which my sinews shall be stretch'd upon him. -At a few drops of women's rheum, which are -As cheap as lies, he sold the blood and labour -Of our great action: therefore shall he die, -And I'll renew me in his fall. But, hark! - -First Conspirator: -Your native town you enter'd 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. - -All The 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? - -Lords: -We have. - -First Lord: -And grieve to hear't. -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 yielding,--this admits no excuse. - -AUFIDIUS: -He approaches: you shall hear him. - -CORIOLANUS: -Hail, lords! I am return'd your soldier, -No more infected with my country's 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 -Do 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 the Romans: and we here deliver, -Subscribed by the consuls and patricians, -Together with the seal o' the senate, what -We have compounded on. - -AUFIDIUS: -Read it not, noble lords; -But tell the traitor, in the high'st degree -He hath abused your powers. - -CORIOLANUS: -Traitor! how now! - -AUFIDIUS: -Ay, traitor, Marcius! - -CORIOLANUS: -Marcius! - -AUFIDIUS: -Ay, Marcius, Caius Marcius: dost thou think -I'll grace thee with that robbery, thy stol'n name -Coriolanus in Corioli? -You lords and heads o' the state, perfidiously -He has betray'd your business, and given up, -For certain drops of salt, your city Rome, -I say 'your city,' to his wife and mother; -Breaking his oath and resolution like -A twist of rotten silk, never admitting -Counsel o' the war, but at his nurse's tears -He whined and roar'd away your victory, -That pages blush'd at him and men of heart -Look'd wondering each at other. - -CORIOLANUS: -Hear'st 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 impress'd upon him; that -Must bear my beating to his grave--shall 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 dove-cote, I -Flutter'd your Volscians in Corioli: -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 for't. - -All The People: -'Tear him to pieces.' 'Do it presently.' 'He kill'd -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' the 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! - -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 him. Masters all, be quiet; -Put up your swords. - -AUFIDIUS: -My lords, when you shall know--as in this rage, -Provoked by him, you cannot--the great danger -Which this man's life did owe you, you'll rejoice -That he is thus cut off. Please it your honours -To call me to your senate, I'll 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. -Let's make the best of it. - -AUFIDIUS: -My rage is gone; -And I am struck with sorrow. Take him up. -Help, three o' the chiefest soldiers; I'll be one. -Beat thou the drum, that it speak mournfully: -Trail your steel pikes. Though in this city he -Hath widow'd and unchilded many a one, -Which to this hour bewail the injury, -Yet he shall have a noble memory. Assist. - -GLOUCESTER: -Now is the winter of our discontent -Made glorious summer by this sun of York; -And all the clouds that lour'd upon our house -In the deep bosom of the ocean 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. -Grim-visaged war hath smooth'd his wrinkled front; -And now, instead of mounting barded steeds -To fright the souls of fearful adversaries, -He capers nimbly in a lady's chamber -To the lascivious pleasing of a lute. -But I, that am not shaped for sportive tricks, -Nor made to court an amorous looking-glass; -I, that am rudely stamp'd, and want love's majesty -To strut before a wanton ambling nymph; -I, that am curtail'd of this fair proportion, -Cheated of feature by dissembling nature, -Deformed, unfinish'd, 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 well-spoken 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 mew'd up, -About a prophecy, which says that 'G' -Of Edward's heirs the murderer shall be. -Dive, thoughts, down to my soul: here -Clarence comes. -Brother, good day; what means this armed guard -That waits upon your grace? - -CLARENCE: -His majesty -Tendering my person's safety, hath appointed -This conduct to convey me to the Tower. - -GLOUCESTER: -Upon what cause? - -CLARENCE: -Because my name is George. - -GLOUCESTER: -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 shall be new-christen'd in the Tower. -But what's 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 cross-row 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 -Have moved his highness to commit me now. - -GLOUCESTER: -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, -Anthony Woodville, her brother there, -That made him send Lord Hastings to the Tower, -From whence this present day he is deliver'd? -We are not safe, Clarence; we are not safe. - -CLARENCE: -By heaven, I think there's no man is secure -But the queen's kindred and night-walking heralds -That trudge betwixt the king and Mistress Shore. -Heard ye not what an humble suppliant -Lord hastings was to her for his delivery? - -GLOUCESTER: -Humbly complaining to her deity -Got my lord chamberlain his liberty. -I'll 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 o'erworn widow and herself, -Since that our brother dubb'd them gentlewomen. -Are mighty gossips in this 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 his brother. - -GLOUCESTER: -Even so; an't please your worship, Brakenbury, -You may partake of any thing 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 Shore's wife hath a pretty foot, -A cherry lip, a bonny eye, a passing pleasing tongue; -And that the queen's kindred are made gentle-folks: -How say you sir? Can you deny all this? - -BRAKENBURY: -With this, my lord, myself have nought to do. - -GLOUCESTER: -Naught to do with mistress Shore! I tell thee, fellow, -He that doth naught with her, excepting one, -Were best he do it secretly, alone. - -BRAKENBURY: -What one, my lord? - -GLOUCESTER: -Her husband, knave: wouldst thou betray me? - -BRAKENBURY: -I beseech your grace to pardon me, and withal -Forbear your conference with the noble duke. - -CLARENCE: -We know thy charge, Brakenbury, and will obey. - -GLOUCESTER: -We are the queen's abjects, and must obey. -Brother, farewell: I will unto the king; -And whatsoever you will employ me in, -Were it to call King Edward's widow sister, -I will perform it to enfranchise you. -Meantime, this deep disgrace in brotherhood -Touches me deeper than you can imagine. - -CLARENCE: -I know it pleaseth neither of us well. - -GLOUCESTER: -Well, your imprisonment shall not be long; -Meantime, have patience. - -CLARENCE: -I must perforce. Farewell. - -GLOUCESTER: -Go, tread the path that thou shalt ne'er 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 new-deliver'd Hastings? - -HASTINGS: -Good time of day unto my gracious lord! - -GLOUCESTER: -As much unto my good lord chamberlain! -Well are you welcome to the open air. -How hath your lordship brook'd 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. - -GLOUCESTER: -No doubt, no doubt; and so shall Clarence too; -For they that were your enemies are his, -And have prevail'd as much on him as you. - -HASTINGS: -More pity that the eagle should be mew'd, -While kites and buzzards prey at liberty. - -GLOUCESTER: -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. - -GLOUCESTER: -Now, by Saint Paul, this 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. -What, is he in his bed? - -HASTINGS: -He is. - -GLOUCESTER: -Go you before, and I will follow you. -He cannot live, I hope; and must not die -Till George be pack'd with post-horse up to heaven. -I'll in, to urge his hatred more to Clarence, -With lies well steel'd with weighty arguments; -And, if I fall 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 I'll marry Warwick's youngest daughter. -What though I kill'd 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. - -LADY ANNE: -Set down, set down your honourable load, -If honour may be shrouded in a hearse, -Whilst I awhile obsequiously lament -The untimely fall of virtuous Lancaster. -Poor key-cold 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 slaughter'd son, -Stabb'd 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. -Cursed be the hand that made these fatal holes! -Cursed be 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 venom'd 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 he made -A miserable by the death of him -As I am made by my poor lord and thee! -Come, now towards Chertsey with your holy load, -Taken from Paul's to be interred there; -And still, as you are weary of the weight, -Rest you, whiles I lament King Henry's corse. - -GLOUCESTER: -Stay, you that bear the corse, and set it down. - -LADY ANNE: -What black magician conjures up this fiend, -To stop devoted charitable deeds? - -GLOUCESTER: -Villains, set down the corse; or, by Saint Paul, -I'll make a corse of him that disobeys. - -Gentleman: -My lord, stand back, and let the coffin pass. - -GLOUCESTER: -Unmanner'd dog! stand thou, when I command: -Advance thy halbert higher than my breast, -Or, by Saint Paul, I'll strike thee to my foot, -And spurn upon thee, beggar, for thy boldness. - -LADY 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 be gone. - -GLOUCESTER: -Sweet saint, for charity, be not so curst. - -LADY ANNE: -Foul devil, for God's sake, hence, and trouble us not; -For thou hast made the happy earth thy hell, -Fill'd 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 Henry's wounds -Open their congeal'd 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 deed, inhuman and unnatural, -Provokes this deluge most unnatural. -O God, which this blood madest, revenge his death! -O earth, which this blood drink'st 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 king's blood -Which his hell-govern'd arm hath butchered! - -GLOUCESTER: -Lady, you know no rules of charity, -Which renders good for bad, blessings for curses. - -LADY ANNE: -Villain, thou know'st no law of God nor man: -No beast so fierce but knows some touch of pity. - -GLOUCESTER: -But I know none, and therefore am no beast. - -LADY ANNE: -O wonderful, when devils tell the truth! - -GLOUCESTER: -More wonderful, when angels are so angry. -Vouchsafe, divine perfection of a woman, -Of these supposed-evils, to give me leave, -By circumstance, but to acquit myself. - -LADY ANNE: -Vouchsafe, defused infection of a man, -For these known evils, but to give me leave, -By circumstance, to curse thy cursed self. - -GLOUCESTER: -Fairer than tongue can name thee, let me have -Some patient leisure to excuse myself. - -LADY ANNE: -Fouler than heart can think thee, thou canst make -No excuse current, but to hang thyself. - -GLOUCESTER: -By such despair, I should accuse myself. - -LADY ANNE: -And, by despairing, shouldst thou stand excused; -For doing worthy vengeance on thyself, -Which didst unworthy slaughter upon others. - -GLOUCESTER: -Say that I slew them not? - -LADY ANNE: -Why, then they are not dead: -But dead they are, and devilish slave, by thee. - -GLOUCESTER: -I did not kill your husband. - -LADY ANNE: -Why, then he is alive. - -GLOUCESTER: -Nay, he is dead; and slain by Edward's hand. - -LADY ANNE: -In thy foul throat thou liest: Queen Margaret saw -Thy murderous falchion smoking in his blood; -The which thou once didst bend against her breast, -But that thy brothers beat aside the point. - -GLOUCESTER: -I was provoked by her slanderous tongue, -which laid their guilt upon my guiltless shoulders. - -LADY ANNE: -Thou wast provoked by thy bloody mind. -Which never dreamt on aught but butcheries: -Didst thou not kill this king? - -GLOUCESTER: -I grant ye. - -LADY 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! - -GLOUCESTER: -The fitter for the King of heaven, that hath him. - -LADY ANNE: -He is in heaven, where thou shalt never come. - -GLOUCESTER: -Let him thank me, that holp to send him thither; -For he was fitter for that place than earth. - -LADY ANNE: -And thou unfit for any place but hell. - -GLOUCESTER: -Yes, one place else, if you will hear me name it. - -LADY ANNE: -Some dungeon. - -GLOUCESTER: -Your bed-chamber. - -LADY ANNE: -I'll rest betide the chamber where thou liest! - -GLOUCESTER: -So will it, madam till I lie with you. - -LADY ANNE: -I hope so. - -GLOUCESTER: -I know so. But, gentle Lady Anne, -To leave this keen encounter of our wits, -And fall somewhat into a slower method, -Is not the causer of the timeless deaths -Of these Plantagenets, Henry and Edward, -As blameful as the executioner? - -LADY ANNE: -Thou art the cause, and most accursed effect. - -GLOUCESTER: -Your beauty was the cause of that effect; -Your beauty: which did haunt me in my sleep -To undertake the death of all the world, -So I might live one hour in your sweet bosom. - -LADY ANNE: -If I thought that, I tell thee, homicide, -These nails should rend that beauty from my cheeks. - -GLOUCESTER: -These eyes could never endure sweet beauty's wreck; -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. - -LADY ANNE: -Black night o'ershade thy day, and death thy life! - -GLOUCESTER: -Curse not thyself, fair creature thou art both. - -LADY ANNE: -I would I were, to be revenged on thee. - -GLOUCESTER: -It is a quarrel most unnatural, -To be revenged on him that loveth you. - -LADY ANNE: -It is a quarrel just and reasonable, -To be revenged on him that slew my husband. - -GLOUCESTER: -He that bereft thee, lady, of thy husband, -Did it to help thee to a better husband. - -LADY ANNE: -His better doth not breathe upon the earth. - -GLOUCESTER: -He lives that loves thee better than he could. - -LADY ANNE: -Name him. - -GLOUCESTER: -Plantagenet. - -LADY ANNE: -Why, that was he. - -GLOUCESTER: -The selfsame name, but one of better nature. - -LADY ANNE: -Where is he? - -GLOUCESTER: -Here. -Why dost thou spit at me? - -LADY ANNE: -Would it were mortal poison, for thy sake! - -GLOUCESTER: -Never came poison from so sweet a place. - -LADY ANNE: -Never hung poison on a fouler toad. -Out of my sight! thou dost infect my eyes. - -GLOUCESTER: -Thine eyes, sweet lady, have infected mine. - -LADY ANNE: -Would they were basilisks, to strike thee dead! - -GLOUCESTER: -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 aspect with store of childish drops: -These eyes that never shed remorseful tear, -No, when my father York and Edward wept, -To hear the piteous moan that Rutland made -When black-faced Clifford shook his sword at him; -Nor when thy warlike father, like a child, -Told the sad story of my father's death, -And twenty times made pause to sob and weep, -That all the standers-by had wet their cheeks -Like trees bedash'd 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. -Teach not thy lips such scorn, for they were made -For kissing, lady, not for such contempt. -If thy revengeful heart cannot forgive, -Lo, here I lend thee this sharp-pointed sword; -Which if thou please to hide in this true bosom. -And let the soul forth that adoreth thee, -I lay it naked to the deadly stroke, -And humbly beg the death upon my knee. -Nay, do not pause; for I did kill King Henry, -But 'twas thy beauty that provoked me. -Nay, now dispatch; 'twas I that stabb'd young Edward, -But 'twas thy heavenly face that set me on. -Take up the sword again, or take up me. - -LADY ANNE: -Arise, dissembler: though I wish thy death, -I will not be the executioner. - -GLOUCESTER: -Then bid me kill myself, and I will do it. - -LADY ANNE: -I have already. - -GLOUCESTER: -Tush, that was in thy rage: -Speak it again, and, even with the word, -That hand, which, for thy love, did kill thy love, -Shall, for thy love, kill a far truer love; -To both their deaths thou shalt be accessary. - -LADY ANNE: -I would I knew thy heart. - -GLOUCESTER: -'Tis figured in my tongue. - -LADY ANNE: -I fear me both are false. - -GLOUCESTER: -Then never man was true. - -LADY ANNE: -Well, well, put up your sword. - -GLOUCESTER: -Say, then, my peace is made. - -LADY ANNE: -That shall you know hereafter. - -GLOUCESTER: -But shall I live in hope? - -LADY ANNE: -All men, I hope, live so. - -GLOUCESTER: -Vouchsafe to wear this ring. - -LADY ANNE: -To take is not to give. - -GLOUCESTER: -Look, how this ring encompasseth finger. -Even so thy breast encloseth my poor heart; -Wear both of them, for both of them are thine. -And if thy poor devoted suppliant may -But beg one favour at thy gracious hand, -Thou dost confirm his happiness for ever. - -LADY ANNE: -What is it? - -GLOUCESTER: -That it would please thee leave these sad designs -To him that hath more cause to be a mourner, -And presently repair to Crosby Place; -Where, after I have solemnly interr'd -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. - -LADY 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. - -GLOUCESTER: -Bid me farewell. - -LADY ANNE: -'Tis more than you deserve; -But since you teach me how to flatter you, -Imagine I have said farewell already. - -GLOUCESTER: -Sirs, take up the corse. - -GENTLEMEN: -Towards Chertsey, noble lord? - -GLOUCESTER: -No, to White-Friars; there attend my coining. -Was ever woman in this humour woo'd? -Was ever woman in this humour won? -I'll have her; but I will not keep her long. -What! I, that kill'd her husband and his father, -To take her in her heart's 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 nothing 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, -Stabb'd 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 debase her eyes on me, -That cropp'd the golden prime of this sweet prince, -And made her widow to a woful bed? -On me, whose all not equals Edward's moiety? -On me, that halt and am unshapen 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. -I'll be at charges for a looking-glass, -And entertain some score or two of tailors, -To study fashions to adorn my body: -Since I am crept in favour with myself, -Will maintain it with some little cost. -But first I'll 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. - -RIVERS: -Have patience, madam: there's no doubt his majesty -Will soon recover his accustom'd health. - -GREY: -In that you brook it in, it makes him worse: -Therefore, for God's sake, entertain good comfort, -And cheer his grace with quick and merry words. - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -If he were dead, what would betide of me? - -RIVERS: -No other harm but loss of such a lord. - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -The loss of such a lord includes all harm. - -GREY: -The heavens have bless'd you with a goodly son, -To be your comforter when he is gone. - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -Oh, 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 that he shall be protector? - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -It is determined, not concluded yet: -But so it must be, if the king miscarry. - -GREY: -Here come the lords of Buckingham and Derby. - -BUCKINGHAM: -Good time of day unto your royal grace! - -DERBY: -God make your majesty joyful as you have been! - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -The Countess Richmond, good my Lord of Derby. -To your good prayers will scarcely say amen. -Yet, Derby, notwithstanding she's your wife, -And loves not me, be you, good lord, assured -I hate not you for her proud arrogance. - -DERBY: -I do beseech you, either not believe -The envious slanders of her false accusers; -Or, if she be accused in true report, -Bear with her weakness, which, I think proceeds -From wayward sickness, and no grounded malice. - -RIVERS: -Saw you the king to-day, my Lord of Derby? - -DERBY: -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: -Madam, we did: he desires to make atonement -Betwixt the Duke of Gloucester and your brothers, -And betwixt them and my lord chamberlain; -And sent to warn them to his royal presence. - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -Would all were well! but that will never be -I fear our happiness is at the highest. - -GLOUCESTER: -They do me wrong, and I will not endure it: -Who are they that complain 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 speak fair, -Smile in men's 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 -By silken, sly, insinuating Jacks? - -RIVERS: -To whom in all this presence speaks your grace? - -GLOUCESTER: -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 person,-- -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, of his own royal disposition, -And not provoked by any suitor else; -Aiming, belike, at your interior hatred, -Which in your outward actions shows itself -Against my kindred, brothers, and myself, -Makes him to send; that thereby he may gather -The ground of your ill-will, and so remove it. - -GLOUCESTER: -I cannot tell: the world is grown so bad, -That wrens make prey where eagles dare not perch: -Since every Jack became a gentleman -There's 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! - -GLOUCESTER: -Meantime, God grants that we have need of you: -Your brother is imprison'd by your means, -Myself disgraced, and the nobility -Held in contempt; whilst many fair 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 enjoy'd, -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. - -GLOUCESTER: -You may deny that you were not the cause -Of my Lord Hastings' late imprisonment. - -RIVERS: -She may, my lord, for-- - -GLOUCESTER: -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 deserts. -What may she not? She may, yea, marry, may she-- - -RIVERS: -What, marry, may she? - -GLOUCESTER: -What, marry, may she! marry with a king, -A bachelor, a handsome stripling too: -I wis 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 -With those gross taunts I often have endured. -I had rather be a country servant-maid -Than a great queen, with this condition, -To be thus taunted, scorn'd, and baited at: -Small joy have I in being England's queen. - -QUEEN MARGARET: -And lessen'd be that small, God, I beseech thee! -Thy honour, state and seat is due to me. - -GLOUCESTER: -What! threat you me with telling of the king? -Tell him, and spare not: look, what I have said -I will avouch in presence of the king: -I dare adventure to be sent to the Tower. -'Tis time to speak; my pains are quite forgot. - -QUEEN MARGARET: -Out, devil! I remember them too well: -Thou slewest my husband Henry in the Tower, -And Edward, my poor son, at Tewksbury. - -GLOUCESTER: -Ere you were queen, yea, or your husband king, -I was a pack-horse in his great affairs; -A weeder-out of his proud adversaries, -A liberal rewarder of his friends: -To royalize his blood I spilt mine own. - -QUEEN MARGARET: -Yea, and much better blood than his or thine. - -GLOUCESTER: -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 Margaret's battle at Saint Alban's slain? -Let me put in your minds, if you forget, -What you have been ere now, and what you are; -Withal, what I have been, and what I am. - -QUEEN MARGARET: -A murderous villain, and so still thou art. - -GLOUCESTER: -Poor Clarence did forsake his father, Warwick; -Yea, and forswore himself,--which Jesu pardon!-- - -QUEEN MARGARET: -Which God revenge! - -GLOUCESTER: -To fight on Edward's party for the crown; -And for his meed, poor lord, he is mew'd up. -I would to God my heart were flint, like Edward's; -Or Edward's soft and pitiful, like mine -I am too childish-foolish for this world. - -QUEEN MARGARET: -Hie thee to hell for shame, and leave the 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 follow'd then our lord, our lawful king: -So should we you, if you should be our king. - -GLOUCESTER: -If I should be! I had rather be a pedlar: -Far be it from my heart, the thought of it! - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -As little joy, my lord, as you suppose -You should enjoy, were you this country's king, -As little joy may you suppose in me. -That I enjoy, being the queen thereof. - -QUEEN MARGARET: -A little joy enjoys the queen thereof; -For I am she, and altogether joyless. -I can no longer hold me patient. -Hear me, you wrangling pirates, that fall out -In sharing that which you have pill'd from me! -Which of you trembles not that looks on me? -If not, that, I being queen, you bow like subjects, -Yet that, by you deposed, you quake like rebels? -O gentle villain, do not turn away! - -GLOUCESTER: -Foul wrinkled witch, what makest thou in my sight? - -QUEEN MARGARET: -But repetition of what thou hast marr'd; -That will I make before I let thee go. - -GLOUCESTER: -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 owest to me; -And thou a kingdom; all of you allegiance: -The sorrow that I have, by right is yours, -And all the pleasures you usurp are mine. - -GLOUCESTER: -The curse my noble father laid on thee, -When thou didst crown his warlike brows with paper -And with thy scorns drew'st rivers from his eyes, -And then, to dry them, gavest the duke a clout -Steep'd in the faultless blood of pretty Rutland-- -His curses, then from bitterness of soul -Denounced against thee, are all fall'n 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 e'er 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 York's dread curse prevail so much with heaven? -That Henry's death, my lovely Edward's death, -Their kingdom's loss, my woful banishment, -Could 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! -If not by war, by surfeit die your king, -As ours by murder, to make him a king! -Edward thy son, which now is Prince of Wales, -For Edward my son, which 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 children's loss; -And see another, as I see thee now, -Deck'd in thy rights, as thou art stall'd in mine! -Long die thy happy days before thy death; -And, after many lengthen'd hours of grief, -Die neither mother, wife, nor England's queen! -Rivers and Dorset, you were standers by, -And so wast thou, Lord Hastings, when my son -Was stabb'd with bloody daggers: God, I pray him, -That none of you may live your natural age, -But by some unlook'd accident cut off! - -GLOUCESTER: -Have done thy charm, thou hateful wither'd 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 world's peace! -The worm of conscience still begnaw thy soul! -Thy friends suspect for traitors while thou livest, -And take deep traitors for thy dearest friends! -No sleep close up that deadly eye of thine, -Unless it be whilst some tormenting dream -Affrights thee with a hell of ugly devils! -Thou elvish-mark'd, abortive, rooting hog! -Thou that wast seal'd in thy nativity -The slave of nature and the son of hell! -Thou slander of thy mother's heavy womb! -Thou loathed issue of thy father's loins! -Thou rag of honour! thou detested-- - -GLOUCESTER: -Margaret. - -QUEEN MARGARET: -Richard! - -GLOUCESTER: -Ha! - -QUEEN MARGARET: -I call thee not. - -GLOUCESTER: -I cry thee mercy then, for I had thought -That thou hadst call'd me all these bitter names. - -QUEEN MARGARET: -Why, so I did; but look'd for no reply. -O, let me make the period to my curse! - -GLOUCESTER: -'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 strew'st thou sugar on that bottled spider, -Whose deadly web ensnareth thee about? -Fool, fool! thou whet'st a knife to kill thyself. -The time will come when thou shalt wish for me -To help thee curse that poisonous bunchback'd toad. - -HASTINGS: -False-boding 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 fire-new 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. - -GLOUCESTER: -Good counsel, marry: learn it, learn it, marquess. - -DORSET: -It toucheth you, my lord, as much as me. - -GLOUCESTER: -Yea, and much more: but I was born so high, -Our aery buildeth in the cedar's 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 out-shining beams thy cloudy wrath -Hath in eternal darkness folded up. -Your aery buildeth in our aery's nest. -O God, that seest it, do not suffer it! -As it was won with blood, lost be it so! - -BUCKINGHAM: -Have done! for shame, if not for charity. - -QUEEN MARGARET: -Urge neither charity nor shame to me: -Uncharitably with me have you dealt, -And shamefully by you my hopes are butcher'd. -My charity is outrage, life my shame -And in that shame still live my sorrow's rage. - -BUCKINGHAM: -Have done, have done. - -QUEEN MARGARET: -O princely Buckingham I'll kiss thy hand, -In sign of league and amity with thee: -Now fair befal 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'll not believe but they ascend the sky, -And there awake God's 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. - -GLOUCESTER: -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 God's! - -HASTINGS: -My hair doth stand on end to hear her curses. - -RIVERS: -And so doth mine: I muse why she's at liberty. - -GLOUCESTER: -I cannot blame her: by God's 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. - -GLOUCESTER: -But 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 frank'd up to fatting for his pains -God pardon them that are the cause of it! - -RIVERS: -A virtuous and a Christian-like conclusion, -To pray for them that have done scathe to us. - -GLOUCESTER: -So do I ever: -being well-advised. -For had I cursed now, I had cursed myself. - -CATESBY: -Madam, his majesty doth call for you, -And for your grace; and you, my noble lords. - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -Catesby, we come. Lords, will you go with us? - -RIVERS: -Madam, we will attend your grace. - -GLOUCESTER: -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 laid in darkness, -I do beweep to many simple gulls -Namely, to Hastings, Derby, Buckingham; -And say it is 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, Vaughan, 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 old odd ends stolen out of holy writ; -And seem a saint, when most I play the devil. -But, soft! here come my executioners. -How now, my hardy, stout resolved mates! -Are you now going to dispatch this deed? - -First Murderer: -We are, my lord; and come to have the warrant -That we may be admitted where he is. - -GLOUCESTER: -Well thought upon; I have it here about me. -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 well-spoken, and perhaps -May move your hearts to pity if you mark him. - -First Murderer: -Tush! -Fear not, my lord, we will not stand to prate; -Talkers are no good doers: be assured -We come to use our hands and not our tongues. - -GLOUCESTER: -Your eyes drop millstones, when fools' eyes drop tears: -I like you, lads; about your business straight; -Go, go, dispatch. - -First Murderer: -We will, my noble lord. - -BRAKENBURY: -Why looks your grace so heavily today? - -CLARENCE: -O, I have pass'd a miserable night, -So full of ugly sights, of ghastly dreams, -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! - -BRAKENBURY: -What was your dream? I long to hear you tell it. - -CLARENCE: -Methoughts that I had broken from the Tower, -And was embark'd 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 fearful times, -During the wars of York and Lancaster -That had befall'n 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. -Lord, Lord! methought, what pain it was to drown! -What dreadful noise of waters in mine ears! -What ugly sights of death within mine eyes! -Methought I saw a thousand fearful wrecks; -Ten thousand men that fishes gnaw'd upon; -Wedges of gold, great anchors, heaps of pearl, -Inestimable stones, unvalued jewels, -All scatter'd in the bottom of the sea: -Some lay in dead men's skulls; and, in those holes -Where eyes did once inhabit, there were crept, -As 'twere in scorn of eyes, reflecting gems, -Which woo'd the slimy bottom of the deep, -And mock'd the dead bones that lay scatter'd by. - -BRAKENBURY: -Had you such leisure in the time of death -To gaze upon the secrets of the deep? - -CLARENCE: -Methought I had; and often did I strive -To yield the ghost: but still the envious flood -Kept in my soul, and would not let it forth -To seek the empty, vast and wandering air; -But smother'd it within my panting bulk, -Which almost burst to belch it in the sea. - -BRAKENBURY: -Awaked you not with this sore agony? - -CLARENCE: -O, no, my dream was lengthen'd after life; -O, then began the tempest to my soul, -Who pass'd, methought, the melancholy flood, -With that grim ferryman which poets write of, -Unto the kingdom of perpetual night. -The first that there did greet my stranger soul, -Was my great father-in-law, renowned Warwick; -Who cried aloud, 'What scourge for perjury -Can this dark monarchy afford false Clarence?' -And so he vanish'd: then came wandering by -A shadow like an angel, with bright hair -Dabbled in blood; and he squeak'd out aloud, -'Clarence is come; false, fleeting, perjured Clarence, -That stabb'd me in the field by Tewksbury; -Seize on him, Furies, take him to your torments!' -With that, methoughts, a legion of foul fiends -Environ'd me about, 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 the dream. - -BRAKENBURY: -No marvel, my lord, though it affrighted you; -I promise, I am afraid to hear you tell it. - -CLARENCE: -O Brakenbury, I have done those things, -Which now bear evidence against my soul, -For Edward's 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! -I pray thee, gentle keeper, stay by me; -My soul is heavy, and I fain would sleep. - -BRAKENBURY: -I will, my lord: God give your grace good rest! -Sorrow breaks seasons and reposing hours, -Makes the night morning, and the noon-tide night. -Princes have but their tides for their glories, -An outward honour for an inward toil; -And, for unfelt imagination, -They often feel a world of restless cares: -So that, betwixt their tides and low names, -There's nothing differs but the outward fame. - -First Murderer: -Ho! who's here? - -BRAKENBURY: -In God's name what are you, and how came you hither? - -First Murderer: -I would speak with Clarence, and I came hither on my legs. - -BRAKENBURY: -Yea, are you so brief? - -Second Murderer: -O sir, it is better to be brief than tedious. Show -him our commission; talk no more. - -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. -Here are the keys, there sits the duke asleep: -I'll to the king; and signify to him -That thus I have resign'd my charge to you. - -First Murderer: -Do so, it is a point of wisdom: fare you well. - -Second Murderer: -What, shall we stab him as he sleeps? - -First Murderer: -No; then he will say 'twas done cowardly, when he wakes. - -Second Murderer: -When he wakes! why, fool, he shall never wake till -the judgment-day. - -First Murderer: -Why, then he will say we stabbed him sleeping. - -Second Murderer: -The urging of that word 'judgment' hath bred a kind -of remorse in me. - -First Murderer: -What, art thou afraid? - -Second Murderer: -Not to kill him, having a warrant for it; but to be -damned for killing him, from which no warrant can defend us. - -First Murderer: -I thought thou hadst been resolute. - -Second Murderer: -So I am, to let him live. - -First Murderer: -Back to the Duke of Gloucester, tell him so. - -Second Murderer: -I pray thee, stay a while: I hope my holy humour -will change; 'twas wont to hold me but while one -would tell 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 deed is done. - -Second Murderer: -'Zounds, he dies: I had forgot the reward. - -First Murderer: -Where is thy conscience now? - -Second Murderer: -In the Duke of Gloucester's purse. - -First Murderer: -So when he opens his purse to give us our reward, -thy conscience flies out. - -Second Murderer: -Let it go; there's few or none will entertain it. - -First Murderer: -How if it come to thee again? - -Second Murderer: -I'll not meddle with it: it is a dangerous thing: it -makes a man a coward: a man cannot steal, but it -accuseth him; he cannot swear, but it cheques him; -he cannot lie with his neighbour's wife, but it -detects him: 'tis a blushing shamefast spirit that -mutinies in a man's bosom; it fills one full of -obstacles: it made me once restore a purse of gold -that I found; it beggars any man that keeps it: it -is turned out of all towns and cities for a -dangerous thing; and every man that means to live -well endeavours to trust to himself and to live -without it. - -First Murderer: -'Zounds, it is even now at my elbow, persuading me -not to kill the duke. - -Second Murderer: -Take the devil in thy mind, and relieve him not: he -would insinuate with thee but to make thee sigh. - -First Murderer: -Tut, I am strong-framed, he cannot prevail with me, -I warrant thee. - -Second Murderer: -Spoke like a tail fellow that respects his -reputation. Come, shall we to this gear? - -First Murderer: -Take him over the costard with the hilts of thy -sword, and then we will chop him in the malmsey-butt -in the next room. - -Second Murderer: -O excellent devise! make a sop of him. - -First Murderer: -Hark! he stirs: shall I strike? - -Second Murderer: -No, first let's 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 God's name, what art thou? - -Second 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. - -Second Murderer: -My voice is now the king's, 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? - -Both: -To, to, to-- - -CLARENCE: -To murder me? - -Both: -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 call'd forth from out a world of men -To slay the innocent? What is my offence? -Where are the evidence that do 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 Christ's 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 the king. - -CLARENCE: -Erroneous vassal! the great King of kings -Hath in the tables of his law commanded -That thou shalt do no murder: and wilt thou, then, -Spurn at his edict and fulfil a man's? -Take heed; for he holds vengeance in his hands, -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 holy 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 -Unrip'dst the bowels of thy sovereign's son. - -Second Murderer: -Whom thou wert sworn to cherish and defend. - -First Murderer: -How canst thou urge God's dreadful law to us, -When thou hast broke it in so dear degree? - -CLARENCE: -Alas! for whose sake did I that ill deed? -For Edward, for my brother, for his sake: Why, sirs, -He sends ye not to murder me for this -For in this sin he is as deep as I. -If God will be revenged for this deed. -O, know you yet, he doth it publicly, -Take not the quarrel from his powerful arm; -He needs no indirect nor lawless course -To cut off those that have offended him. - -First Murderer: -Who made thee, then, a bloody minister, -When gallant-springing brave Plantagenet, -That princely novice, was struck dead by thee? - -CLARENCE: -My brother's love, the devil, and my rage. - -First Murderer: -Thy brother's love, our duty, and thy fault, -Provoke us hither now to slaughter thee. - -CLARENCE: -Oh, if you love my brother, hate not me; -I am his brother, and I love him well. -If you be 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. - -Both: -Ay, so we will. - -CLARENCE: -Tell him, when that our princely father York -Bless'd 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 be lesson'd us to weep. - -CLARENCE: -O, do not slander him, for he is kind. - -First Murderer: -Right, -As snow in harvest. Thou deceivest thyself: -'Tis he that sent us hither now to slaughter thee. - -CLARENCE: -It cannot be; for when I parted with him, -He hugg'd me in his arms, and swore, with sobs, -That he would labour my delivery. - -Second Murderer: -Why, so he doth, now he delivers thee -From this world's thraldom to the joys of heaven. - -First Murderer: -Make peace with God, for you must die, my lord. - -CLARENCE: -Hast thou that holy feeling in thy soul, -To counsel me to make my peace with God, -And art thou yet to thy own soul so blind, -That thou wilt war with God by murdering me? -Ah, sirs, consider, he 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! 'tis cowardly and womanish. - -CLARENCE: -Not to relent is beastly, savage, devilish. -Which of you, if you were a prince's son, -Being pent from liberty, as I am now, -if two such murderers as yourselves came to you, -Would not entreat for life? -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, -As you would beg, were you in my distress -A begging prince what beggar pities not? - -Second Murderer: -Look behind you, my lord. - -First Murderer: -Take that, and that: if all this will not do, -I'll drown you in the malmsey-butt within. - -Second Murderer: -A bloody deed, and desperately dispatch'd! -How fain, like Pilate, would I wash my hands -Of this most grievous guilty murder done! - -First Murderer: -How now! what mean'st thou, that thou help'st me not? -By heavens, the duke shall know how slack thou art! - -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. - -First Murderer: -So do not I: go, coward as thou art. -Now must I hide his body in some hole, -Until the duke take order for his burial: -And when I have my meed, I must away; -For this will out, and here I must not stay. - -KING EDWARD IV: -Why, so: now have I done a good day's work: -You peers, continue this united league: -I every day expect an embassage -From my Redeemer to redeem me hence; -And now in peace my soul shall part to heaven, -Since I have set my friends at peace on earth. -Rivers and Hastings, take each other's hand; -Dissemble not your hatred, swear your love. - -RIVERS: -By heaven, my heart is purged from grudging hate: -And with my hand I seal my true heart's love. - -HASTINGS: -So thrive I, as I truly swear the like! - -KING EDWARD IV: -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 other's end. - -HASTINGS: -So prosper I, as I swear perfect love! - -RIVERS: -And I, as I love Hastings with my heart! - -KING EDWARD IV: -Madam, yourself are not exempt in this, -Nor your 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: -Here, Hastings; I will never more remember -Our former hatred, so thrive I and mine! - -KING EDWARD IV: -Dorset, embrace him; Hastings, love lord marquess. - -DORSET: -This interchange of love, I here protest, -Upon my part shall be unviolable. - -HASTINGS: -And so swear I, my lord - -KING EDWARD IV: -Now, princely Buckingham, seal thou this league -With thy embracements to my wife's allies, -And make me happy in your unity. - -BUCKINGHAM: -Whenever Buckingham doth turn his hate -On you or yours, -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 zeal to yours. - -KING EDWARD IV: -A pleasing cordial, princely Buckingham, -is this thy vow unto my sickly heart. -There wanteth now our brother Gloucester here, -To make the perfect period of this peace. - -BUCKINGHAM: -And, in good time, here comes the noble duke. - -GLOUCESTER: -Good morrow to my sovereign king and queen: -And, princely peers, a happy time of day! - -KING EDWARD IV: -Happy, indeed, as we have spent the day. -Brother, we done deeds of charity; -Made peace enmity, fair love of hate, -Between these swelling wrong-incensed peers. - -GLOUCESTER: -A blessed labour, my most sovereign liege: -Amongst 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 men's 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, Lord Rivers, and, Lord Grey, of you; -That without desert have frown'd on me; -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 to-night -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 liege, I do beseech your majesty -To take our brother Clarence to your grace. - -GLOUCESTER: -Why, madam, have I offer'd love for this -To be so bouted in this royal presence? -Who knows not that the noble duke is dead? -You do him injury to scorn his corse. - -RIVERS: -Who knows not he is dead! who knows he is? - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -All seeing heaven, what a world is this! - -BUCKINGHAM: -Look I so pale, Lord Dorset, as the rest? - -DORSET: -Ay, my good lord; and no one in this presence -But his red colour hath forsook his cheeks. - -KING EDWARD IV: -Is Clarence dead? the order was reversed. - -GLOUCESTER: -But he, poor soul, 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, but not in blood, -Deserve not worse than wretched Clarence did, -And yet go current from suspicion! - -DORSET: -A boon, my sovereign, for my service done! - -KING EDWARD IV: -I pray thee, peace: my soul is full of sorrow. - -DORSET: -I will not rise, unless your highness grant. - -KING EDWARD IV: -Then speak at once what is it thou demand'st. - -DORSET: -The forfeit, sovereign, of my servant's life; -Who slew to-day a righteous gentleman -Lately attendant on the Duke of Norfolk. - -KING EDWARD IV: -Have a tongue to doom my brother's death, -And shall the same give pardon to a slave? -My brother slew no man; his fault was thought, -And yet his punishment was cruel death. -Who sued to me for him? who, in my rage, -Kneel'd at my feet, and bade me be advised -Who spake of brotherhood? who spake 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 by 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 own garments, and gave himself, -All thin and naked, to the numb cold night? -All this from my remembrance brutish wrath -Sinfully pluck'd, 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 plead 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. -Oh, poor Clarence! - -GLOUCESTER: -This is the fruit of rashness! Mark'd you not -How that the guilty kindred of the queen -Look'd pale when they did hear of Clarence' death? -O, they did urge it still unto the king! -God will revenge it. But come, let us in, -To comfort Edward with our company. - -BUCKINGHAM: -We wait upon your grace. - -Boy: -Tell me, good grandam, is our father dead? - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -No, boy. - -Boy: -Why do you wring your hands, and beat your breast, -And cry 'O Clarence, my unhappy son!' - -Girl: -Why do you look on us, and shake your head, -And call us wretches, orphans, castaways -If that our noble father be alive? - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -My pretty cousins, you mistake me much; -I do lament the sickness of the king. -As loath to lose him, not your father's death; -It were lost sorrow to wail one that's lost. - -Boy: -Then, grandam, you conclude that he is dead. -The king my uncle is to blame for this: -God will revenge it; whom I will importune -With daily prayers all to that effect. - -Girl: -And so will I. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -Peace, children, peace! the king doth love you well: -Incapable and shallow innocents, -You cannot guess who caused your father's death. - -Boy: -Grandam, we can; for my good uncle Gloucester -Told me, the king, provoked by the queen, -Devised impeachments to imprison him : -And when my uncle told me so, he wept, -And hugg'd me in his arm, and kindly kiss'd my cheek; -Bade me rely on him as on my father, -And he would love me dearly as his child. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -Oh, that deceit should steal such gentle shapes, -And with a virtuous vizard hide foul guile! -He is my son; yea, and therein my shame; -Yet from my dugs he drew not this deceit. - -Boy: -Think you my uncle did dissemble, grandam? - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -Ay, boy. - -Boy: -I cannot think it. Hark! what noise is this? - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -Oh, who shall hinder me to wail and weep, -To chide my fortune, and torment myself? -I'll join with black despair against my soul, -And to myself become an enemy. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -What means this scene of rude impatience? - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -To make an act of tragic violence: -Edward, my lord, your son, our king, is dead. -Why grow the branches now the root is wither'd? -Why wither not the leaves the sap being gone? -If you will live, lament; if die, be brief, -That our swift-winged souls may catch the king's; -Or, like obedient subjects, follow him -To his new kingdom of perpetual rest. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -Ah, so much interest have I in thy sorrow -As I had title in thy noble husband! -I have bewept a worthy husband's death, -And lived by looking on his images: -But now two mirrors of his princely semblance -Are crack'd in pieces by malignant death, -And I for comfort have but one false glass, -Which 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 thee: -But death hath snatch'd my husband from mine arms, -And pluck'd two crutches from my feeble limbs, -Edward and Clarence. O, what cause have I, -Thine being but a moiety of my grief, -To overgo thy plaints and drown thy cries! - -Boy: -Good aunt, you wept not for our father's death; -How can we aid you with our kindred tears? - -Girl: -Our fatherless distress was left unmoan'd; -Your widow-dolour 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 govern'd by the watery moon, -May send forth plenteous tears to drown the world! -Oh for my husband, for my dear lord Edward! - -Children: -Oh for our father, for our dear lord Clarence! - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -Alas for both, both mine, Edward and Clarence! - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -What stay had I but Edward? and he's gone. - -Children: -What stay had we but Clarence? and he's gone. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -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 OF YORK: -Was never mother had so dear a loss! -Alas, I am the mother of these moans! -Their woes are parcell'd, mine are 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 distress'd, -Pour all your tears! I am your sorrow's nurse, -And I will pamper it with lamentations. - -DORSET: -Comfort, dear mother: God is much displeased -That you take with unthankfulness, his doing: -In common worldly things, 'tis call'd ungrateful, -With dull unwilligness 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 crown'd; in him your comfort lives: -Drown desperate sorrow in dead Edward's grave, -And plant your joys in living Edward's throne. - -GLOUCESTER: -Madam, have comfort: all of us have cause -To wail the dimming of our shining star; -But none can cure their 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. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -God bless thee; and put meekness in thy mind, -Love, charity, obedience, and true duty! - -GLOUCESTER: - -BUCKINGHAM: -You cloudy princes and heart-sorrowing peers, -That bear this mutual heavy load of moan, -Now cheer each other in each other's love -Though we have spent our harvest of this king, -We are to reap the harvest of his son. -The broken rancour of your high-swoln hearts, -But lately splinter'd, knit, and join'd together, -Must gently be preserved, cherish'd, and kept: -Me seemeth good, that, with some little train, -Forthwith from Ludlow the young prince be fetch'd -Hither to London, to be crown'd our king. - -RIVERS: -Why with some little train, my Lord of Buckingham? - -BUCKINGHAM: -Marry, my lord, lest, by a multitude, -The new-heal'd wound of malice should break out, -Which would be so much the more dangerous -By how much the estate is green and yet ungovern'd: -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. - -GLOUCESTER: -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. - -GLOUCESTER: -Then be it so; and go we to determine -Who they shall be that straight shall post to Ludlow. -Madam, and you, my mother, will you go -To give your censures in this weighty business? - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -With all our harts. - -BUCKINGHAM: -My lord, whoever journeys to the Prince, -For God's sake, let not us two be behind; -For, by the way, I'll sort occasion, -As index to the story we late talk'd of, -To part the queen's proud kindred from the king. - -GLOUCESTER: -My other self, my counsel's consistory, -My oracle, my prophet! My dear cousin, -I, like a child, will go by thy direction. -Towards Ludlow then, for we'll not stay behind. - -First Citizen: -Neighbour, well met: whither away so fast? - -Second Citizen: -I promise you, I scarcely know myself: -Hear you the news abroad? - -First Citizen: -Ay, that the king is dead. - -Second Citizen: -Bad news, by'r lady; seldom comes the better: -I fear, I fear 'twill prove a troublous world. - -Third Citizen: -Neighbours, God speed! - -First Citizen: -Give you good morrow, sir. - -Third Citizen: -Doth this news hold of good King Edward's 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 God's good grace his son shall reign. - -Third Citizen: -Woe to the land that's govern'd by a child! - -Second Citizen: -In him there is a hope of government, -That in his nonage council under him, -And in his full and ripen'd years himself, -No doubt, shall then and till then govern well. - -First Citizen: -So stood the state when Henry the Sixth -Was crown'd 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 enrich'd -With politic grave counsel; then the king -Had virtuous uncles to protect his grace. - -First Citizen: -Why, so hath this, both by the father and mother. - -Third Citizen: -Better it were they all came by the father, -Or by the father there were none at all; -For emulation now, who shall be nearest, -Will touch us all too near, if God prevent not. -O, full of danger is the Duke of Gloucester! -And the queen's 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 shall be well. - -Third Citizen: -When clouds appear, wise men put on their cloaks; -When great leaves fall, the 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 souls of men are full of dread: -Ye cannot reason almost with a man -That looks not heavily and full of fear. - -Third Citizen: -Before the times of change, still is it so: -By a divine instinct men's minds mistrust -Ensuing dangers; as by proof, we see -The waters swell before a boisterous 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: I'll bear you company. - -ARCHBISHOP OF YORK: -Last night, I hear, they lay at Northampton; -At Stony-Stratford will they be to-night: -To-morrow, or next day, they will be here. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -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 -Hath almost overta'en him in his growth. - -YORK: -Ay, mother; but I would not have it so. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -Why, my young cousin, it is good to grow. - -YORK: -Grandam, one night, as we did sit at supper, -My uncle Rivers talk'd 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 OF YORK: -Good faith, good faith, the saying did not hold -In him that did object the same to thee; -He was the wretched'st thing when he was young, -So long a-growing and so leisurely, -That, if this rule were true, he should be gracious. - -ARCHBISHOP OF YORK: -Why, madam, so, no doubt, he is. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -I hope he is; but yet let mothers doubt. - -YORK: -Now, by my troth, if I had been remember'd, -I could have given my uncle's grace a flout, -To touch his growth nearer than he touch'd mine. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -How, my pretty York? I pray thee, 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 OF YORK: -I pray thee, pretty York, who told thee this? - -YORK: -Grandam, his nurse. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -His nurse! why, she was dead ere thou wert born. - -YORK: -If 'twere not she, I cannot tell who told me. - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -A parlous boy: go to, you are too shrewd. - -ARCHBISHOP OF YORK: -Good madam, be not angry with the child. - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -Pitchers have ears. - -ARCHBISHOP OF YORK: -Here comes a messenger. What news? - -Messenger: -Such news, my lord, as grieves me to unfold. - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -How fares the prince? - -Messenger: -Well, madam, and in health. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -What is thy news then? - -Messenger: -Lord Rivers and Lord Grey are sent to Pomfret, -With them Sir Thomas Vaughan, prisoners. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -Who hath committed them? - -Messenger: -The mighty dukes -Gloucester and Buckingham. - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -For what offence? - -Messenger: -The sum of all I can, I have disclosed; -Why or for what these nobles were committed -Is all unknown to me, my gracious lady. - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -Ay me, I see the downfall of our house! -The tiger now hath seized the gentle hind; -Insulting tyranny begins to jet -Upon the innocent and aweless throne: -Welcome, destruction, death, and massacre! -I see, as in a map, the end of all. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -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 toss'd, -For me to joy and weep their gain and loss: -And being seated, and domestic broils -Clean over-blown, themselves, the conquerors. -Make war upon themselves; blood against blood, -Self against self: O, preposterous -And frantic outrage, end thy damned spleen; -Or let me die, to look on death no more! - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -Come, come, my boy; we will to sanctuary. -Madam, farewell. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -I'll go along with you. - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -You have no cause. - -ARCHBISHOP OF YORK: -My gracious lady, go; -And thither bear your treasure and your goods. -For my part, I'll resign unto your grace -The seal I keep: and so betide to me -As well I tender you and all of yours! -Come, I'll conduct you to the sanctuary. - -BUCKINGHAM: -Welcome, sweet prince, to London, to your chamber. - -GLOUCESTER: -Welcome, dear cousin, my thoughts' sovereign -The weary way hath made you melancholy. - -PRINCE EDWARD: -No, uncle; but our crosses on the way -Have made it tedious, wearisome, and heavy -I want more uncles here to welcome me. - -GLOUCESTER: -Sweet prince, the untainted virtue of your years -Hath not yet dived into the world's 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 sugar'd words, -But look'd not on the poison of their hearts : -God keep you from them, and from such false friends! - -PRINCE EDWARD: -God keep me from false friends! but they were none. - -GLOUCESTER: -My lord, the mayor of London comes to greet you. - -Lord Mayor: -God bless your grace with health and happy days! - -PRINCE EDWARD: -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! - -BUCKINGHAM: -And, in good time, here comes the sweating lord. - -PRINCE EDWARD: -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 senseless--obstinate, 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 claim'd 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 sanctuary men; -But sanctuary children ne'er till now. - -CARDINAL: -My lord, you shall o'er-rule my mind for once. -Come on, Lord Hastings, will you go with me? - -HASTINGS: -I go, my lord. - -PRINCE EDWARD: -Good lords, make all the speedy haste you may. -Say, uncle Gloucester, if our brother come, -Where shall we sojourn till our coronation? - -GLOUCESTER: -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 EDWARD: -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 re-edified. - -PRINCE EDWARD: -Is it upon record, or else reported -Successively from age to age, he built it? - -BUCKINGHAM: -Upon record, my gracious lord. - -PRINCE EDWARD: -But say, my lord, it were not register'd, -Methinks the truth should live from age to age, -As 'twere retail'd to all posterity, -Even to the general all-ending day. - -GLOUCESTER: - -PRINCE EDWARD: -What say you, uncle? - -GLOUCESTER: -I say, without characters, fame lives long. -Thus, like the formal vice, Iniquity, -I moralize two meanings in one word. - -PRINCE EDWARD: -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. -I'll tell you what, my cousin Buckingham,-- - -BUCKINGHAM: -What, my gracious lord? - -PRINCE EDWARD: -An if I live until I be a man, -I'll win our ancient right in France again, -Or die a soldier, as I lived a king. - -GLOUCESTER: - -BUCKINGHAM: -Now, in good time, here comes the Duke of York. - -PRINCE EDWARD: -Richard of York! how fares our loving brother? - -YORK: -Well, my dread lord; so must I call you now. - -PRINCE EDWARD: -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. - -GLOUCESTER: -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. - -GLOUCESTER: -He hath, my lord. - -YORK: -And therefore is he idle? - -GLOUCESTER: -O, my fair cousin, I must not say so. - -YORK: -Then is he more beholding to you than I. - -GLOUCESTER: -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. - -GLOUCESTER: -My dagger, little cousin? with all my heart. - -PRINCE EDWARD: -A beggar, brother? - -YORK: -Of my kind uncle, that I know will give; -And being but a toy, which is no grief to give. - -GLOUCESTER: -A greater gift than that I'll give my cousin. - -YORK: -A greater gift! O, that's the sword to it. - -GLOUCESTER: -A gentle cousin, were it light enough. - -YORK: -O, then, I see, you will part but with light gifts; -In weightier things you'll say a beggar nay. - -GLOUCESTER: -It is too heavy for your grace to wear. - -YORK: -I weigh it lightly, were it heavier. - -GLOUCESTER: -What, would you have my weapon, little lord? - -YORK: -I would, that I might thank you as you call me. - -GLOUCESTER: -How? - -YORK: -Little. - -PRINCE EDWARD: -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 sharp-provided wit he reasons! -To mitigate the scorn he gives his uncle, -He prettily and aptly taunts himself: -So cunning and so young is wonderful. - -GLOUCESTER: -My lord, will't 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 EDWARD: -My lord protector needs will have it so. - -YORK: -I shall not sleep in quiet at the Tower. - -GLOUCESTER: -Why, what should you fear? - -YORK: -Marry, my uncle Clarence' angry ghost: -My grandam told me he was murdered there. - -PRINCE EDWARD: -I fear no uncles dead. - -GLOUCESTER: -Nor none that live, I hope. - -PRINCE EDWARD: -An if they live, I hope I need not fear. -But come, my lord; and with a heavy heart, -Thinking on them, go I unto the Tower. - -BUCKINGHAM: -Think you, my lord, this little prating York -Was not incensed by his subtle mother -To taunt and scorn you thus opprobriously? - -GLOUCESTER: -No doubt, no doubt; O, 'tis a parlous boy; -Bold, quick, ingenious, forward, capable -He is all the mother's, 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 know'st our reasons urged upon the way; -What think'st 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 father's sake so loves the prince, -That he will not be won to aught against him. - -BUCKINGHAM: -What think'st thou, then, of Stanley? what will 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 doth he stand affected to our purpose; -And summon him to-morrow to the Tower, -To sit about the coronation. -If thou dost find him tractable to us, -Encourage him, and show him all our reasons: -If he be leaden, icy-cold, unwilling, -Be thou so too; and so break off your talk, -And give us notice of his inclination: -For we to-morrow hold divided councils, -Wherein thyself shalt highly be employ'd. - -GLOUCESTER: -Commend me to Lord William: tell him, Catesby, -His ancient knot of dangerous adversaries -To-morrow are let blood at Pomfret-castle; -And bid my friend, 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 may. - -GLOUCESTER: -Shall we hear from you, Catesby, ere we sleep? - -CATESBY: -You shall, my lord. - -GLOUCESTER: -At Crosby Place, there shall you find us both. - -BUCKINGHAM: -Now, my lord, what shall we do, if we perceive -Lord Hastings will not yield to our complots? - -GLOUCESTER: -Chop off his head, man; somewhat we will do: -And, look, when I am king, claim thou of me -The earldom of Hereford, and the moveables -Whereof the king my brother stood possess'd. - -BUCKINGHAM: -I'll claim that promise at your grace's hands. - -GLOUCESTER: -And look to have it yielded with all willingness. -Come, let us sup betimes, that afterwards -We may digest our complots in some form. - -Messenger: -What, ho! my lord! - -HASTINGS: - -Messenger: -A messenger from the Lord Stanley. - -HASTINGS: -What is't o'clock? - -Messenger: -Upon the stroke of four. - -HASTINGS: -Cannot thy master sleep these tedious nights? - -Messenger: -So it should seem by that I have to say. -First, he commends him to your noble lordship. - -HASTINGS: -And then? - -Messenger: -And then he sends you word -He dreamt to-night the boar had razed his helm: -Besides, he says there are two councils held; -And that may be determined at the one -which may make you and him to rue at the other. -Therefore he sends to know your lordship's pleasure, -If presently you will 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 councils -His honour and myself are at the one, -And at the other is my servant Catesby -Where nothing can proceed that toucheth us -Whereof I shall not have intelligence. -Tell him his fears are shallow, wanting instance: -And for his dreams, I wonder he is so fond -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: -My gracious lord, I'll tell him what you say. - -CATESBY: -Many good morrows to my noble lord! - -HASTINGS: -Good morrow, Catesby; you are early stirring -What news, what news, in this our tottering state? - -CATESBY: -It is a reeling world, indeed, my lord; -And I believe twill never stand upright -Tim Richard wear the garland of the realm. - -HASTINGS: -How! wear the garland! dost thou mean the crown? - -CATESBY: -Ay, my good lord. - -HASTINGS: -I'll have this crown of mine cut from my shoulders -Ere I will 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 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 mine enemies: -But, that I'll give my voice on Richard's side, -To bar my master's 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 twelve-month hence, -That they who brought me in my master's hate -I live to look upon their tragedy. -I tell thee, Catesby-- - -CATESBY: -What, my lord? - -HASTINGS: -Ere a fortnight make me elder, -I'll send some packing that yet think not on it. - -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, who think themselves as safe -As thou and I; who, as thou know'st, are dear -To princely Richard and to Buckingham. - -CATESBY: -The princes both make high account of you; -For they account his head upon the bridge. - -HASTINGS: -I know they do; and I have well deserved it. -Come on, come on; where is your boar-spear, 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 life, I do protest, -Was it more precious to me than '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 state was sure, -And they indeed had no cause to mistrust; -But yet, you see how soon the day o'ercast. -This sudden stag 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? -To-day the lords you talk of are beheaded. - -LORD STANLEY: -They, for their truth, might better wear their heads -Than some that have accused them wear their hats. -But come, my lord, let us away. - -HASTINGS: -Go on before; I'll talk with this good fellow. -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 I met thee last where now we meet: -Then was I going prisoner to the Tower, -By the suggestion of the queen's allies; -But now, I tell thee--keep it to thyself-- -This day those enemies are put to death, -And I in better state than e'er I was. - -Pursuivant: -God hold it, to your honour's good content! - -HASTINGS: -Gramercy, fellow: there, drink that for me. - -Pursuivant: -God save your lordship! - -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. - -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, -Those men you talk of came into my mind. -What, go you toward the Tower? - -BUCKINGHAM: -I do, my lord; but long I shall not stay -I shall return before your lordship thence. - -HASTINGS: -'Tis like enough, for I stay dinner there. - -BUCKINGHAM: - -HASTINGS: -I'll wait upon your lordship. - -RATCLIFF: -Come, bring forth the prisoners. - -RIVERS: -Sir Richard Ratcliff, let me tell thee this: -To-day shalt thou behold a subject die -For truth, for duty, and for loyalty. - -GREY: -God keep the prince from all the pack of you! -A knot you are of damned blood-suckers! - -VAUGHAN: -You live that shall cry woe for this after. - -RATCLIFF: -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 hack'd to death; -And, for more slander to thy dismal seat, -We give thee up our guiltless blood to drink. - -GREY: -Now Margaret's curse is fall'n upon our heads, -For standing by when Richard stabb'd her son. - -RIVERS: -Then cursed she Hastings, then cursed she Buckingham, -Then cursed she Richard. O, remember, God -To hear her prayers 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 know'st, unjustly must be spilt. - -RATCLIFF: -Make haste; the hour of death is expiate. - -RIVERS: -Come, Grey, come, Vaughan, let us all embrace: -And take our leave, until we meet in heaven. - -HASTINGS: -My lords, at once: the cause why we are met -Is, to determine of the coronation. -In God's name, speak: when is the royal day? - -BUCKINGHAM: -Are all things fitting for that royal time? - -DERBY: -It is, and wants but nomination. - -BISHOP OF ELY: -To-morrow, then, I judge a happy day. - -BUCKINGHAM: -Who knows the lord protector's mind herein? -Who is most inward with the royal duke? - -BISHOP OF ELY: -Your grace, we think, should soonest know his mind. - -BUCKINGHAM: -Who, I, my lord I we know each other's faces, -But for our hearts, he knows no more of mine, -Than I of yours; -Nor I no more of his, 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 deliver'd -His gracious pleasure any way therein: -But you, my noble lords, may name the time; -And in the duke's behalf I'll give my voice, -Which, I presume, he'll take in gentle part. - -BISHOP OF ELY: -Now in good time, here comes the duke himself. - -GLOUCESTER: -My noble lords and cousins all, good morrow. -I have been long a sleeper; but, I hope, -My absence doth neglect no great designs, -Which by my presence might have been concluded. - -BUCKINGHAM: -Had not you come upon your cue, my lord -William Lord Hastings had pronounced your part,-- -I mean, your voice,--for crowning of the king. - -GLOUCESTER: -Than my Lord Hastings no man might be bolder; -His lordship knows me well, and loves me well. - -HASTINGS: -I thank your grace. - -GLOUCESTER: -My lord of Ely! - -BISHOP OF ELY: -My lord? - -GLOUCESTER: -When I was last in Holborn, -I saw good strawberries in your garden there -I do beseech you send for some of them. - -BISHOP OF ELY: -Marry, and will, my lord, with all my heart. - -GLOUCESTER: -Cousin of Buckingham, a word with you. -Catesby hath sounded Hastings in our business, -And finds the testy gentleman so hot, -As he will lose his head ere give consent -His master's son, as worshipful as he terms it, -Shall lose the royalty of England's throne. - -BUCKINGHAM: -Withdraw you hence, my lord, I'll follow you. - -DERBY: -We have not yet set down this day of triumph. -To-morrow, in mine opinion, is too sudden; -For I myself am not so well provided -As else I would be, were the day prolong'd. - -BISHOP OF ELY: -Where is my lord protector? I have sent for these -strawberries. - -HASTINGS: -His grace looks cheerfully and smooth to-day; -There's some conceit or other likes him well, -When he doth bid good morrow with such a spirit. -I think there's never a man in Christendom -That can less hide his love or hate than he; -For by his face straight shall you know his heart. - -DERBY: -What of his heart perceive you in his face -By any likelihood he show'd to-day? - -HASTINGS: -Marry, that with no man here he is offended; -For, were he, he had shown it in his looks. - -DERBY: -I pray God he be not, I say. - -GLOUCESTER: -I pray you all, tell me what they deserve -That do conspire my death with devilish plots -Of damned witchcraft, and that have prevail'd -Upon my body with their hellish charms? - -HASTINGS: -The tender love I bear your grace, my lord, -Makes me most forward in this noble presence -To doom the offenders, whatsoever they be -I say, my lord, they have deserved death. - -GLOUCESTER: -Then be your eyes the witness of this ill: -See how I am bewitch'd; behold mine arm -Is, like a blasted sapling, wither'd up: -And this is Edward's wife, that monstrous witch, -Consorted with that harlot strumpet Shore, -That by their witchcraft thus have marked me. - -HASTINGS: -If they have done this thing, my gracious lord-- - -GLOUCESTER: -If I thou protector of this damned strumpet-- -Tellest thou 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. -Lovel and Ratcliff, look that it be done: -The rest, that love me, rise and follow me. - -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; -But I disdain'd it, and did scorn to fly: -Three times to-day my foot-cloth horse did stumble, -And startled, when he look'd upon the Tower, -As loath to bear me to the slaughter-house. -O, now I want the priest that spake to me: -I now repent I told the pursuivant -As 'twere triumphing at mine enemies, -How they at Pomfret bloodily were butcher'd, -And I myself secure in grace and favour. -O Margaret, Margaret, now thy heavy curse -Is lighted on poor Hastings' wretched head! - -RATCLIFF: -Dispatch, my lord; 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 hopes 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. - -LOVEL: -Come, come, dispatch; 'tis bootless to exclaim. - -HASTINGS: -O bloody Richard! miserable England! -I prophesy the fearful'st time to thee -That ever wretched age hath look'd upon. -Come, lead me to the block; bear him my head. -They smile at me that shortly shall be dead. - -GLOUCESTER: -Come, cousin, canst thou quake, and change thy colour, -Murder thy breath in the middle of a word, -And then begin again, and stop again, -As if thou wert 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 any time, to grace my stratagems. -But what, is Catesby gone? - -GLOUCESTER: -He is; and, see, he brings the mayor along. - -BUCKINGHAM: -Lord mayor,-- - -GLOUCESTER: -Look to the drawbridge there! - -BUCKINGHAM: -Hark! a drum. - -GLOUCESTER: -Catesby, o'erlook the walls. - -BUCKINGHAM: -Lord mayor, the reason we have sent-- - -GLOUCESTER: -Look back, defend thee, here are enemies. - -BUCKINGHAM: -God and our innocency defend and guard us! - -GLOUCESTER: -Be patient, they are friends, Ratcliff and Lovel. - -LOVEL: -Here is the head of that ignoble traitor, -The dangerous and unsuspected Hastings. - -GLOUCESTER: -So dear I loved the man, that I must weep. -I took him for the plainest harmless creature -That breathed upon this earth a Christian; -Made him my book wherein my soul recorded -The history of all her secret thoughts: -So smooth he daub'd his vice with show of virtue, -That, his apparent open guilt omitted, -I mean, his conversation with Shore's wife, -He lived from all attainder of suspect. - -BUCKINGHAM: -Well, well, he was the covert'st shelter'd traitor -That ever lived. -Would you imagine, or almost believe, -Were't not that, by great preservation, -We live to tell it you, the subtle traitor -This day had plotted, in the council-house -To murder me and my good Lord of Gloucester? - -Lord Mayor: -What, had he so? - -GLOUCESTER: -What, think You we are Turks or infidels? -Or that we would, against the form of law, -Proceed thus rashly to the villain's death, -But that the extreme peril of the case, -The peace of England and our persons' safety, -Enforced us to this execution? - -Lord Mayor: -Now, fair befall you! he deserved his death; -And you my good lords, both have well proceeded, -To warn false traitors from the like attempts. -I never look'd for better at his hands, -After he once fell in with Mistress Shore. - -GLOUCESTER: -Yet had not we determined he should die, -Until your lordship came to see his death; -Which now the loving haste of these our friends, -Somewhat against our meaning, have prevented: -Because, my lord, we would have had you heard -The traitor speak, and timorously confess -The manner and the purpose of his treason; -That you might well have signified the same -Unto the citizens, who haply may -Misconstrue us in him and wail his death. - -Lord Mayor: -But, my good lord, your grace's word shall serve, -As well as I had seen and heard him speak -And doubt you not, right noble princes both, -But I'll acquaint our duteous citizens -With all your just proceedings in this cause. - -GLOUCESTER: -And to that end we wish'd your lord-ship here, -To avoid the carping censures of the world. - -BUCKINGHAM: -But since you come too late of our intents, -Yet witness what you hear we did intend: -And so, my good lord mayor, we bid farewell. - -GLOUCESTER: -Go, after, after, cousin Buckingham. -The mayor towards Guildhall hies him in all post: -There, at your meet'st advantage of the time, -Infer the bastardy of Edward's children: -Tell them how Edward put to death a citizen, -Only for saying he would make his son -Heir to the crown; meaning 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 to their servants, daughters, wives, -Even where his lustful eye or savage heart, -Without control, listed to make his prey. -Nay, for a need, thus far come near my person: -Tell them, when that my mother went with child -Of that unsatiate Edward, noble York -My princely father then had wars in France -And, by just 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: -But touch this sparingly, as 'twere far off, -Because you know, my lord, my mother lives. - -BUCKINGHAM: -Fear not, my lord, I'll play the orator -As if the golden fee for which I plead -Were for myself: and so, my lord, adieu. - -GLOUCESTER: -If you thrive well, bring them to Baynard's Castle; -Where you shall find me well accompanied -With reverend fathers and well-learned bishops. - -BUCKINGHAM: -I go: and towards three or four o'clock -Look for the news that the Guildhall affords. - -GLOUCESTER: -Go, Lovel, with all speed to Doctor Shaw; -Go thou to Friar Penker; bid them both -Meet me within this hour at Baynard's Castle. -Now will I in, to take some privy order, -To draw the brats of Clarence out of sight; -And to give notice, that no manner of person -At any time have recourse unto the princes. - -Scrivener: -This is the indictment of the good Lord Hastings; -Which in a set hand fairly is engross'd, -That it may be this day read over in Paul's. -And mark how well the sequel hangs together: -Eleven hours I spent to write it over, -For yesternight by Catesby was it brought me; -The precedent was full as long a-doing: -And yet within these five hours lived Lord Hastings, -Untainted, unexamined, free, at liberty -Here's a good world the while! Why who's so gross, -That seeth not this palpable device? -Yet who's so blind, but says he sees it not? -Bad is the world; and all will come to nought, -When such bad dealings must be seen in thought. - -GLOUCESTER: -How now, my lord, what say the citizens? - -BUCKINGHAM: -Now, by the holy mother of our Lord, -The citizens are mum and speak not a word. - -GLOUCESTER: -Touch'd you the bastardy of Edward's children? - -BUCKINGHAM: -I did; with his contract with Lady Lucy, -And his contract by deputy in France; -The insatiate greediness of his desires, -And his enforcement of the city wives; -His tyranny for trifles; his own bastardy, -As being got, your father then in France, -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 dicipline in war, wisdom in peace, -Your bounty, virtue, fair humility: -Indeed, left nothing fitting for the purpose -Untouch'd, or slightly handled, in discourse -And when mine oratory grew to an end -I bid them that did love their country's good -Cry 'God save Richard, England's royal king!' - -GLOUCESTER: -Ah! and did they so? - -BUCKINGHAM: -No, so God help me, they spake not a word; -But, like dumb statues or breathing stones, -Gazed each on other, and look'd deadly pale. -Which when I saw, I reprehended them; -And ask'd the mayor what meant this wilful silence: -His answer was, the people were not wont -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 inferr'd;' -But nothing spake in warrant from himself. -When he had done, some followers of mine own, -At the lower end of the hall, hurl'd up their caps, -And some ten voices cried 'God save King Richard!' -And thus I took the vantage of those few, -'Thanks, gentle citizens and friends,' quoth I; -'This general applause and loving shout -Argues your wisdoms and your love to Richard:' -And even here brake off, and came away. - -GLOUCESTER: -What tongueless blocks were they! would not they speak? - -BUCKINGHAM: -No, by my troth, my lord. - -GLOUCESTER: -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 prayer-book in your hand, -And stand betwixt two churchmen, good my lord; -For on that ground I'll build a holy descant: -And be not easily won to our request: -Play the maid's part, still answer nay, and take it. - -GLOUCESTER: -I go; and if you plead as well for them -As I can say nay to thee for myself, -No doubt well bring it to a happy issue. - -BUCKINGHAM: -Go, go, up to the leads; the lord mayor knocks. -Welcome my lord; I dance attendance here; -I think the duke will not be spoke withal. -Here comes his servant: how now, Catesby, -What says he? - -CATESBY: -My lord: he doth entreat your grace; -To visit him to-morrow or next day: -He is within, with two right reverend fathers, -Divinely bent to meditation; -And no worldly suit would he be moved, -To draw him from his holy exercise. - -BUCKINGHAM: -Return, good Catesby, to thy lord again; -Tell him, myself, the mayor and citizens, -In deep designs and matters of great moment, -No less importing than our general good, -Are come to have some conference with his grace. - -CATESBY: -I'll tell him what you say, my lord. - -BUCKINGHAM: -Ah, ha, my lord, this prince is not an Edward! -He is not lolling on a lewd day-bed, -But on his knees at meditation; -Not dallying with a brace of courtezans, -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 gracious prince -Take on himself the sovereignty thereof: -But, sure, I fear, we shall ne'er win him to it. - -Lord Mayor: -Marry, God forbid his grace should say us nay! - -BUCKINGHAM: -I fear he will. -How now, Catesby, what says your lord? - -CATESBY: -My lord, -He wonders to what end you have assembled -Such troops of citizens to speak with him, -His grace not being warn'd thereof before: -My lord, he fears you mean no good to him. - -BUCKINGHAM: -Sorry I am my noble cousin should -Suspect me, that I mean no good to him: -By heaven, I come in perfect love to him; -And so once more return and tell his grace. -When holy and devout religious men -Are at their beads, 'tis hard to draw them thence, -So sweet is zealous contemplation. - -Lord Mayor: -See, where he stands between 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 ears to our request; -And pardon us the interruption -Of thy devotion and right Christian zeal. - -GLOUCESTER: -My lord, there needs no such apology: -I rather do beseech you pardon me, -Who, earnest in the service of my God, -Neglect the visitation of my friends. -But, leaving this, what is your grace's pleasure? - -BUCKINGHAM: -Even that, I hope, which pleaseth God above, -And all good men of this ungovern'd isle. - -GLOUCESTER: -I do suspect I have done some offence -That seems disgracious in the city's eyes, -And that you come to reprehend my ignorance. - -BUCKINGHAM: -You have, my lord: would it might please your grace, -At our entreaties, to amend that fault! - -GLOUCESTER: -Else wherefore breathe I in a Christian land? - -BUCKINGHAM: -Then know, it is your fault that you resign -The supreme seat, the throne majestical, -The scepter'd 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: -Whilst, in the mildness of your sleepy thoughts, -Which here we waken to our country's good, -This noble isle doth want her proper limbs; -Her face defaced with scars of infamy, -Her royal stock graft with ignoble plants, -And almost shoulder'd in the swallowing gulf -Of blind forgetfulness and dark oblivion. -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 another's 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 suit come I to move your grace. - -GLOUCESTER: -I know not whether to depart in silence, -Or bitterly to speak in your reproof. -Best fitteth my degree or your condition -If not to answer, you might haply think -Tongue-tied ambition, not replying, yielded -To bear the golden yoke of sovereignty, -Which fondly you would here impose on me; -If to reprove you for this suit of yours, -So season'd with your faithful love to me. -Then, on the other side, I cheque'd 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 my ripe revenue and due by birth -Yet so much is my poverty of spirit, -So mighty and so many my defects, -As I had rather hide me from my greatness, -Being a bark to brook no mighty sea, -Than in my greatness covet to be hid, -And in the vapour of my glory smother'd. -But, God be thank'd, there's no need of me, -And much I need to help you, if need were; -The royal tree hath left us royal fruit, -Which, mellow'd by the stealing hours of time, -Will well become the seat of majesty, -And make, no doubt, us happy by his reign. -On him I lay what 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 brother's son: -So say we too, but not by Edward's wife; -For first he was contract to Lady Lucy-- -Your mother lives a witness to that vow-- -And afterward by substitute betroth'd -To Bona, sister to the King of France. -These both put by a poor petitioner, -A care-crazed mother of a many children, -A beauty-waning and distressed widow, -Even in the afternoon of her best days, -Made prize and purchase of his lustful eye, -Seduced the pitch and height of all his thoughts -To base declension and loathed bigamy -By her, in his unlawful bed, he got -This Edward, whom our manners term 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 proffer'd benefit of dignity; -If non to bless us and the land withal, -Yet to draw forth your noble ancestry -From the corruption of abusing times, -Unto a lineal true-derived course. - -Lord Mayor: -Do, good my lord, your citizens entreat you. - -BUCKINGHAM: -Refuse not, mighty lord, this proffer'd love. - -CATESBY: -O, make them joyful, grant their lawful suit! - -GLOUCESTER: -Alas, why would you heap these 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 brother's son; -As well we know your tenderness of heart -And gentle, kind, effeminate remorse, -Which we have noted in you to your kin, -And egally indeed to all estates,-- -Yet whether you accept our suit or no, -Your brother's 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! I'll entreat no more. - -GLOUCESTER: -O, do not swear, my lord of Buckingham. - -CATESBY: -Call them again, my lord, and accept their suit. - -ANOTHER: -Do, good my lord, lest all the land do rue it. - -GLOUCESTER: -Would you enforce me to a world of care? -Well, call them again. I am not made of stone, -But penetrable to your. kind entreats, -Albeit against my conscience and my soul. -Cousin of Buckingham, and you sage, grave men, -Since you will buckle fortune on my back, -To bear her burthen, whether I will or no, -I must have patience to endure the load: -But if black scandal or foul-faced reproach -Attend the sequel of your imposition, -Your mere enforcement shall acquittance me -From all the impure blots and stains thereof; -For God he knows, and you may partly see, -How far I am from the desire thereof. - -Lord Mayor: -God bless your grace! we see it, and will say it. - -GLOUCESTER: -In saying so, you shall but say the truth. - -BUCKINGHAM: -Then I salute you with this kingly title: -Long live Richard, England's royal king! - -Lord Mayor: -Amen. - -BUCKINGHAM: -To-morrow will it please you to be crown'd? - -GLOUCESTER: -Even when you please, since you will have it so. - -BUCKINGHAM: -To-morrow, then, we will attend your grace: -And so most joyfully we take our leave. - -GLOUCESTER: -Come, let us to our holy task again. -Farewell, good cousin; farewell, gentle friends. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -Who meets us here? my niece Plantagenet -Led in the hand of her kind aunt of Gloucester? -Now, for my life, she's wandering to the Tower, -On pure heart's love to greet the tender princes. -Daughter, well met. - -LADY ANNE: -God give your graces both -A happy and a joyful time of day! - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -As much to you, good sister! Whither away? - -LADY 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: we'll enter all together. -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 straitly charged the contrary. - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -The king! why, who's that? - -BRAKENBURY: -I cry you mercy: I mean the lord protector. - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -The Lord protect him from that kingly title! -Hath he set bounds betwixt their love and me? -I am their mother; who should keep me from them? - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -I am their fathers mother; I will see them. - -LADY ANNE: -Their aunt I am in law, in love their mother: -Then bring me to their sights; I'll bear thy blame -And take thy office from thee, on my peril. - -BRAKENBURY: -No, madam, no; I may not leave it so: -I am bound by oath, and therefore pardon me. - -LORD STANLEY: -Let me but meet you, ladies, one hour hence, -And I'll salute your grace of York as mother, -And reverend looker on, of two fair queens. -Come, madam, you must straight to Westminster, -There to be crowned Richard's royal queen. - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -O, cut my lace in sunder, that my pent heart -May have some scope to beat, or else I swoon -With this dead-killing news! - -LADY 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 hence! -Death and destruction dog thee at the heels; -Thy mother's 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 slaughter-house, -Lest thou increase the number of the dead; -And make me die the thrall of Margaret's curse, -Nor mother, wife, nor England's counted queen. - -LORD 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 -To meet you on the way, and welcome you. -Be not ta'en tardy by unwise delay. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -O ill-dispersing wind of misery! -O my accursed womb, the bed of death! -A cockatrice hast thou hatch'd to the world, -Whose unavoided eye is murderous. - -LORD STANLEY: -Come, madam, come; I in all haste was sent. - -LADY ANNE: -And I in all unwillingness will go. -I would to God that the inclusive verge -Of golden metal that must round my brow -Were red-hot steel, to sear me to the brain! -Anointed let me be with deadly venom, -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. - -LADY ANNE: -No! why? When he that is my husband now -Came to me, as I follow'd Henry's corse, -When scarce the blood was well wash'd from his hands -Which issued from my other angel husband -And that dead saint which then I weeping follow'd; -O, when, I say, I look'd on Richard's face, -This was my wish: 'Be thou,' quoth I, ' accursed, -For making me, so young, so old a widow! -And, when thou wed'st, let sorrow haunt thy bed; -And be thy wife--if any be so mad-- -As miserable by the life of thee -As thou hast made me by my dear lord's death! -Lo, ere I can repeat this curse again, -Even in so short a space, my woman's heart -Grossly grew captive to his honey words -And proved the subject of my own soul's curse, -Which ever since hath kept my eyes from rest; -For never yet one hour in his bed -Have I enjoy'd the golden dew of sleep, -But have been waked by his timorous dreams. -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. - -LADY ANNE: -No more than from my soul I mourn for yours. - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -Farewell, thou woful welcomer of glory! - -LADY ANNE: -Adieu, poor soul, that takest thy leave of it! - -DUCHESS OF YORK: - -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 ones! -Rude ragged nurse, old sullen playfellow -For tender princes, use my babies well! -So foolish sorrow bids your stones farewell. - -KING RICHARD III: -Stand all apart Cousin of Buckingham! - -BUCKINGHAM: -My gracious sovereign? - -KING RICHARD III: -Give me thy hand. -Thus high, by thy advice -And thy assistance, is King Richard seated; -But shall we wear these honours for a day? -Or shall they last, and we rejoice in them? - -BUCKINGHAM: -Still live they and for ever may they last! - -KING RICHARD III: -O Buckingham, now do I play the touch, -To try if thou be current gold indeed -Young Edward lives: think now what I would say. - -BUCKINGHAM: -Say on, my loving lord. - -KING RICHARD III: -Why, Buckingham, I say, I would be king, - -BUCKINGHAM: -Why, so you are, my thrice renowned liege. - -KING RICHARD III: -Ha! am I king? 'tis so: but Edward lives. - -BUCKINGHAM: -True, noble prince. - -KING RICHARD III: -O bitter consequence, -That Edward still should live! 'True, noble prince!' -Cousin, thou wert not wont to be so dull: -Shall I be plain? I wish the bastards dead; -And I would have it suddenly perform'd. -What sayest thou? speak suddenly; be brief. - -BUCKINGHAM: -Your grace may do your pleasure. - -KING RICHARD III: -Tut, tut, thou art all ice, thy kindness freezeth: -Say, have I thy consent that they shall die? - -BUCKINGHAM: -Give me some breath, some little pause, my lord -Before I positively herein: -I will resolve your grace immediately. - -CATESBY: - -KING RICHARD III: -I will converse with iron-witted fools -And unrespective boys: none are for me -That look into me with considerate eyes: -High-reaching Buckingham grows circumspect. -Boy! - -Page: -My lord? - -KING RICHARD III: -Know'st thou not any whom corrupting gold -Would tempt unto a close exploit of death? - -Page: -My lord, I know a discontented gentleman, -Whose humble means match not his haughty mind: -Gold were as good as twenty orators, -And will, no doubt, tempt him to any thing. - -KING RICHARD III: -What is his name? - -Page: -His name, my lord, is Tyrrel. - -KING RICHARD III: -I partly know the man: go, call him hither. -The deep-revolving witty Buckingham -No more shall be the neighbour to my counsel: -Hath he so long held out with me untired, -And stops he now for breath? -How now! what news with you? - -STANLEY: -My lord, I hear the Marquis Dorset's fled -To Richmond, in those parts beyond the sea -Where he abides. - -KING RICHARD III: -Catesby! - -CATESBY: -My lord? - -KING RICHARD III: -Rumour it abroad -That Anne, my wife, is sick and like to die: -I will take order for her keeping close. -Inquire me out some mean-born gentleman, -Whom I will marry straight to Clarence' daughter: -The boy is foolish, and I fear not him. -Look, how thou dream'st! I say again, give out -That Anne my wife is sick and like to die: -About it; for it stands me much upon, -To stop all hopes whose growth may damage me. -I must be married to my brother's daughter, -Or else my kingdom stands on brittle glass. -Murder her brothers, and then marry her! -Uncertain way of gain! But I am in -So far in blood that sin will pluck on sin: -Tear-falling pity dwells not in this eye. -Is thy name Tyrrel? - -TYRREL: -James Tyrrel, and your most obedient subject. - -KING RICHARD III: -Art thou, indeed? - -TYRREL: -Prove me, my gracious sovereign. - -KING RICHARD III: -Darest thou resolve to kill a friend of mine? - -TYRREL: -Ay, my lord; -But I had rather kill two enemies. - -KING RICHARD III: -Why, there thou hast it: two deep enemies, -Foes to my rest and my sweet sleep's disturbers -Are they that I would have thee deal upon: -Tyrrel, I mean those bastards in the Tower. - -TYRREL: -Let me have open means to come to them, -And soon I'll rid you from the fear of them. - -KING RICHARD III: -Thou sing'st sweet music. Hark, come hither, Tyrrel -Go, by this token: rise, and lend thine ear: -There is no more but so: say it is done, -And I will love thee, and prefer thee too. - -TYRREL: -'Tis done, my gracious lord. - -KING RICHARD III: -Shall we hear from thee, Tyrrel, ere we sleep? - -TYRREL: -Ye shall, my Lord. - -BUCKINGHAM: -My Lord, I have consider'd in my mind -The late demand that you did sound me in. - -KING RICHARD III: -Well, let that pass. Dorset is fled to Richmond. - -BUCKINGHAM: -I hear that news, my lord. - -KING RICHARD III: -Stanley, he is your wife's son well, look to it. - -BUCKINGHAM: -My lord, I claim your gift, my due by promise, -For which your honour and your faith is pawn'd; -The earldom of Hereford and the moveables -The which you promised I should possess. - -KING RICHARD III: -Stanley, look to your wife; if she convey -Letters to Richmond, you shall answer it. - -BUCKINGHAM: -What says your highness to my just demand? - -KING RICHARD III: -As I remember, Henry the Sixth -Did prophesy that Richmond should be king, -When Richmond was a little peevish boy. -A king, perhaps, perhaps,-- - -BUCKINGHAM: -My lord! - -KING RICHARD III: -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 III: -Richmond! When last I was at Exeter, -The mayor in courtesy show'd me the castle, -And call'd it Rougemont: at which name I started, -Because a bard of Ireland told me once -I should not live long after I saw Richmond. - -BUCKINGHAM: -My Lord! - -KING RICHARD III: -Ay, what's o'clock? - -BUCKINGHAM: -I am thus bold to put your grace in mind -Of what you promised me. - -KING RICHARD III: -Well, but what's o'clock? - -BUCKINGHAM: -Upon the stroke of ten. - -KING RICHARD III: -Well, let it strike. - -BUCKINGHAM: -Why let it strike? - -KING RICHARD III: -Because that, like a Jack, thou keep'st the stroke -Betwixt thy begging and my meditation. -I am not in the giving vein to-day. - -BUCKINGHAM: -Why, then resolve me whether you will or no. - -KING RICHARD III: -Tut, tut, -Thou troublest me; am not in the vein. - -BUCKINGHAM: -Is it even so? rewards he my true service -With such deep contempt made I him king for this? -O, let me think on Hastings, and be gone -To Brecknock, while my fearful head is on! - -TYRREL: -The tyrannous and bloody deed is done. -The most arch of piteous massacre -That ever yet this land was guilty of. -Dighton and Forrest, whom I did suborn -To do this ruthless piece of butchery, -Although they were flesh'd villains, bloody dogs, -Melting with tenderness and kind compassion -Wept like two children in their deaths' sad stories. -'Lo, thus' quoth Dighton, 'lay those tender babes:' -'Thus, thus,' quoth Forrest, 'girdling one another -Within their innocent alabaster arms: -Their lips were four red roses on a stalk, -Which in their summer beauty kiss'd 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 stopp'd -Whilst Dighton thus told on: 'We smothered -The most replenished sweet work of nature, -That from the prime creation e'er she framed.' -Thus both are gone with conscience and remorse; -They could not speak; and so I left them both, -To bring this tidings to the bloody king. -And here he comes. -All hail, my sovereign liege! - -KING RICHARD III: -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, my lord. - -KING RICHARD III: -But didst thou see them dead? - -TYRREL: -I did, my lord. - -KING RICHARD III: -And buried, gentle Tyrrel? - -TYRREL: -The chaplain of the Tower hath buried them; -But how or in what place I do not know. - -KING RICHARD III: -Come to me, Tyrrel, soon at after supper, -And 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 soon. -The son of Clarence have I pent up close; -His daughter meanly have I match'd in marriage; -The sons of Edward sleep in Abraham's bosom, -And Anne my wife hath bid the world good night. -Now, for I know the Breton Richmond aims -At young Elizabeth, my brother's daughter, -And, by that knot, looks proudly o'er the crown, -To her I go, a jolly thriving wooer. - -CATESBY: -My lord! - -KING RICHARD III: -Good news or bad, that thou comest in so bluntly? - -CATESBY: -Bad news, my lord: Ely is fled to Richmond; -And Buckingham, back'd with the hardy Welshmen, -Is in the field, and still his power increaseth. - -KING RICHARD III: -Ely with Richmond troubles me more near -Than Buckingham and his rash-levied army. -Come, I have heard that fearful commenting -Is leaden servitor to dull delay; -Delay leads impotent and snail-paced beggary -Then fiery expedition be my wing, -Jove's Mercury, and herald for a king! -Come, muster men: my counsel is my shield; -We must be brief when traitors brave the field. - -QUEEN MARGARET: -So, now prosperity begins to mellow -And drop into the rotten mouth of death. -Here in these confines slily have I lurk'd, -To watch the waning of mine adversaries. -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? - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -Ah, my young princes! ah, my tender babes! -My unblown flowers, new-appearing sweets! -If yet your gentle souls fly in the air -And be not fix'd in doom perpetual, -Hover about me with your airy wings -And hear your mother's lamentation! - -QUEEN MARGARET: -Hover about her; say, that right for right -Hath dimm'd your infant morn to aged night. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -So many miseries have crazed my voice, -That my woe-wearied tongue is mute and dumb, -Edward Plantagenet, why art thou dead? - -QUEEN MARGARET: -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: -When holy Harry died, and my sweet son. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -Blind sight, dead life, poor mortal living ghost, -Woe's scene, world's shame, grave's due by life usurp'd, -Brief abstract and record of tedious days, -Rest thy unrest on England's lawful earth, -Unlawfully made drunk with innocents' blood! - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -O, that thou wouldst as well afford a grave -As thou canst yield a melancholy seat! -Then would I hide my bones, not rest them here. -O, who hath any cause to mourn but I? - -QUEEN MARGARET: -If ancient sorrow be most reverend, -Give mine the benefit of seniory, -And let my woes frown on the upper hand. -If sorrow can admit society, -Tell o'er your woes again by viewing mine: -I had an Edward, till a Richard kill'd him; -I had a Harry, till a Richard kill'd him: -Thou hadst an Edward, till a Richard kill'd him; -Thou hadst a Richard, till a Richard killed him; - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -I had a Richard too, and thou didst kill him; -I had a Rutland too, thou holp'st to kill him. - -QUEEN MARGARET: -Thou hadst a Clarence too, and Richard kill'd him. -From forth the kennel of thy womb hath crept -A hell-hound that doth hunt us all to death: -That dog, that had his teeth before his eyes, -To worry lambs and lap their gentle blood, -That foul defacer of God's handiwork, -That excellent grand tyrant of the earth, -That reigns in galled eyes of weeping souls, -Thy womb let loose, to chase us to our graves. -O upright, just, and true-disposing God, -How do I thank thee, that this carnal cur -Preys on the issue of his mother's body, -And makes her pew-fellow with others' moan! - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -O Harry's 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 stabb'd my Edward: -Thy other Edward dead, to quit my Edward; -Young York he is but boot, because both they -Match not the high perfection of my loss: -Thy Clarence he is dead that kill'd my Edward; -And the beholders of this tragic play, -The adulterate Hastings, Rivers, Vaughan, Grey, -Untimely smother'd in their dusky graves. -Richard yet lives, hell's 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 convey'd away. -Cancel his bond of life, dear God, I prey, -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 bunch-back'd toad! - -QUEEN MARGARET: -I call'd thee then vain flourish of my fortune; -I call'd thee then poor shadow, painted queen; -The presentation of but what I was; -The flattering index of a direful pageant; -One heaved a-high, to be hurl'd down below; -A mother only mock'd with two sweet babes; -A dream of what thou wert, a breath, a bubble, -A sign of dignity, a garish flag, -To be the aim of every dangerous shot, -A queen in jest, only to fill the scene. -Where is thy husband now? where be thy brothers? -Where are thy children? wherein dost thou, joy? -Who sues to thee and cries 'God save the queen'? -Where be the bending peers that flatter'd thee? -Where be the thronging troops that follow'd 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 queen, a very caitiff crown'd with care; -For one being sued to, one that humbly sues; -For one that scorn'd at me, now scorn'd of me; -For one being fear'd of all, now fearing one; -For one commanding all, obey'd of none. -Thus hath the course of justice wheel'd about, -And left thee but a very prey to time; -Having no more but thought of what thou wert, -To torture thee the more, being what thou art. -Thou didst usurp my place, and dost thou not -Usurp the just proportion of my sorrow? -Now thy proud neck bears half my burthen'd yoke; -From which even here I slip my weary neck, -And leave the burthen of it all on thee. -Farewell, York's wife, and queen of sad mischance: -These English woes will make me smile in France. - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -O thou well skill'd in curses, stay awhile, -And teach me how to curse mine enemies! - -QUEEN MARGARET: -Forbear to sleep the nights, and fast the days; -Compare dead happiness with living woe; -Think that thy babes were fairer than they were, -And he that slew them fouler than he is: -Bettering thy loss makes the bad causer 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. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -Why should calamity be full of words? - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -Windy attorneys to their client woes, -Airy succeeders of intestate joys, -Poor breathing orators of miseries! -Let them have scope: though what they do impart -Help not all, yet do they ease the heart. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -If so, then be not tongue-tied: go with me. -And in the breath of bitter words let's smother -My damned son, which thy two sweet sons smother'd. -I hear his drum: be copious in exclaims. - -KING RICHARD III: -Who intercepts my expedition? - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -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: -Hidest thou that forehead with a golden crown, -Where should be graven, if that right were right, -The slaughter of the prince that owed that crown, -And the dire death of my two sons and brothers? -Tell me, thou villain slave, where are my children? - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -Thou toad, thou toad, where is thy brother Clarence? -And little Ned Plantagenet, his son? - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -Where is kind Hastings, Rivers, Vaughan, Grey? - -KING RICHARD III: -A flourish, trumpets! strike alarum, drums! -Let not the heavens hear these tell-tale women -Rail on the Lord's enointed: strike, I say! -Either be patient, and entreat me fair, -Or with the clamorous report of war -Thus will I drown your exclamations. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -Art thou my son? - -KING RICHARD III: -Ay, I thank God, my father, and yourself. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -Then patiently hear my impatience. - -KING RICHARD III: -Madam, I have a touch of your condition, -Which cannot brook the accent of reproof. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -O, let me speak! - -KING RICHARD III: -Do then: but I'll not hear. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -I will be mild and gentle in my speech. - -KING RICHARD III: -And brief, good mother; for I am in haste. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -Art thou so hasty? I have stay'd for thee, -God knows, in anguish, pain and agony. - -KING RICHARD III: -And came I not at last to comfort you? - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -No, by the holy rood, thou know'st it well, -Thou camest on earth to make the earth my hell. -A grievous burthen was thy birth to me; -Tetchy and wayward was thy infancy; -Thy school-days frightful, desperate, wild, and furious, -Thy prime of manhood daring, bold, and venturous, -Thy age confirm'd, proud, subdued, bloody, -treacherous, -More mild, but yet more harmful, kind in hatred: -What comfortable hour canst thou name, -That ever graced me in thy company? - -KING RICHARD III: -Faith, none, but Humphrey Hour, that call'd -your grace -To breakfast once forth of my company. -If I be so disgracious in your sight, -Let me march on, and not offend your grace. -Strike the drum. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -I prithee, hear me speak. - -KING RICHARD III: -You speak too bitterly. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -Hear me a word; -For I shall never speak to thee again. - -KING RICHARD III: -So. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -Either thou wilt die, by God's just ordinance, -Ere from this war thou turn a conqueror, -Or I with grief and extreme age shall perish -And never look upon thy face again. -Therefore take with thee my most heavy curse; -Which, in the day of battle, tire thee more -Than all the complete armour that thou wear'st! -My prayers on the adverse party fight; -And there the little souls of Edward's children -Whisper the spirits of thine enemies -And promise them success and victory. -Bloody thou art, bloody will be thy end; -Shame serves thy life and doth thy death attend. - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -Though far more cause, yet much less spirit to curse -Abides in me; I say amen to all. - -KING RICHARD III: -Stay, madam; I must speak a word with you. - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -I have no more sons of the royal blood -For thee to murder: for my daughters, Richard, -They shall be praying nuns, not weeping queens; -And therefore level not to hit their lives. - -KING RICHARD III: -You have a daughter call'd Elizabeth, -Virtuous and fair, royal and gracious. - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -And must she die for this? O, let her live, -And I'll corrupt her manners, stain her beauty; -Slander myself as false to Edward's bed; -Throw over her the veil of infamy: -So she may live unscarr'd of bleeding slaughter, -I will confess she was not Edward's daughter. - -KING RICHARD III: -Wrong not her birth, she is of royal blood. - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -To save her life, I'll say she is not so. - -KING RICHARD III: -Her life is only safest in her birth. - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -And only in that safety died her brothers. - -KING RICHARD III: -Lo, at their births good stars were opposite. - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -No, to their lives bad friends were contrary. - -KING RICHARD III: -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 bless'd thee with a fairer life. - -KING RICHARD III: -You speak as if that I had slain my cousins. - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -Cousins, indeed; and by their uncle cozen'd -Of comfort, kingdom, kindred, freedom, life. -Whose hand soever lanced their tender hearts, -Thy head, all indirectly, gave direction: -No doubt the murderous knife was dull and blunt -Till it was whetted on thy stone-hard 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 anchor'd in thine eyes; -And I, in such a desperate bay of death, -Like a poor bark, of sails and tackling reft, -Rush all to pieces on thy rocky bosom. - -KING RICHARD III: -Madam, so thrive I in my enterprise -And dangerous success of bloody wars, -As I intend more good to you and yours, -Than ever you or yours were by me wrong'd! - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -What good is cover'd with the face of heaven, -To be discover'd, that can do me good? - -KING RICHARD III: -The advancement of your children, gentle lady. - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -Up to some scaffold, there to lose their heads? - -KING RICHARD III: -No, to the dignity and height of honour -The high imperial type of this earth's 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 III: -Even all I have; yea, 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 be process of thy kindness -Last longer telling than thy kindness' date. - -KING RICHARD III: -Then know, that from my soul I love thy daughter. - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -My daughter's mother thinks it with her soul. - -KING RICHARD III: -What do you think? - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -That thou dost love my daughter from thy soul: -So from thy soul's love didst thou love her brothers; -And from my heart's love I do thank thee for it. - -KING RICHARD III: -Be not so hasty to confound my meaning: -I mean, that with my soul I love thy daughter, -And mean to make her queen of England. - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -Say then, who dost thou mean shall be her king? - -KING RICHARD III: -Even he that makes her queen who should be else? - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -What, thou? - -KING RICHARD III: -I, even I: what think you of it, madam? - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -How canst thou woo her? - -KING RICHARD III: -That would I learn of you, -As one that are best acquainted with her humour. - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -And wilt thou learn of me? - -KING RICHARD III: -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 she will weep: -Therefore present to her--as sometime Margaret -Did to thy father, steep'd in Rutland's blood,-- -A handkerchief; which, say to her, did drain -The purple sap from her sweet brother's body -And bid her dry her weeping eyes therewith. -If this inducement force her not to love, -Send her a story of thy noble acts; -Tell her thou madest away her uncle Clarence, -Her uncle Rivers; yea, and, for her sake, -Madest quick conveyance with her good aunt Anne. - -KING RICHARD III: -Come, come, you mock me; this is not the way -To win our 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 III: -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 III: -Look, what is done cannot be now amended: -Men shall deal unadvisedly sometimes, -Which after hours give leisure to repent. -If I did take the kingdom from your sons, -To make amends, Ill give it to your daughter. -If I have kill'd the issue of your womb, -To quicken your increase, I will beget -Mine issue of your blood upon your daughter -A grandam's 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 an 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 -Repair'd 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, transform'd 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 wooer's tale -Put in her tender heart the aspiring flame -Of golden sovereignty; acquaint the princess -With the sweet silent hours of marriage joys -And when this arm of mine hath chastised -The petty rebel, dull-brain'd Buckingham, -Bound with triumphant garlands will I come -And lead thy daughter to a conqueror's bed; -To whom I will retail my conquest won, -And she shall be sole victress, Caesar's Caesar. - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -What were I best to say? her father's 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 III: -Infer fair England's peace by this alliance. - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -Which she shall purchase with still lasting war. - -KING RICHARD III: -Say that the king, which may command, entreats. - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -That at her hands which the king's King forbids. - -KING RICHARD III: -Say, she shall be a high and mighty queen. - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -To wail the tide, as her mother doth. - -KING RICHARD III: -Say, I will love her everlastingly. - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -But how long shall that title 'ever' last? - -KING RICHARD III: -Sweetly in force unto her fair life's end. - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -But how long fairly shall her sweet lie last? - -KING RICHARD III: -So long as heaven and nature lengthens it. - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -So long as hell and Richard likes of it. - -KING RICHARD III: -Say, I, her sovereign, am her subject love. - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -But she, your subject, loathes such sovereignty. - -KING RICHARD III: -Be eloquent in my behalf to her. - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -An honest tale speeds best being plainly told. - -KING RICHARD III: -Then in plain terms tell her my loving tale. - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -Plain and not honest is too harsh a style. - -KING RICHARD III: -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 grave. - -KING RICHARD III: -Harp not on that string, madam; that is past. - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -Harp on it still shall I till heart-strings break. - -KING RICHARD III: -Now, by my George, my garter, and my crown,-- - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -Profaned, dishonour'd, and the third usurp'd. - -KING RICHARD III: -I swear-- - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -By nothing; for this is no oath: -The George, profaned, hath lost his holy honour; -The garter, blemish'd, pawn'd his knightly virtue; -The crown, usurp'd, disgraced his kingly glory. -if something thou wilt swear to be believed, -Swear then by something that thou hast not wrong'd. - -KING RICHARD III: -Now, by the world-- - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -'Tis full of thy foul wrongs. - -KING RICHARD III: -My father's death-- - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -Thy life hath that dishonour'd. - -KING RICHARD III: -Then, by myself-- - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -Thyself thyself misusest. - -KING RICHARD III: -Why then, by God-- - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -God's wrong is most of all. -If thou hadst fear'd to break an oath by Him, -The unity the king thy brother made -Had not been broken, nor my brother slain: -If thou hadst fear'd to break an oath by Him, -The imperial metal, circling now thy brow, -Had graced the tender temples of my child, -And both the princes had been breathing here, -Which now, two tender playfellows to dust, -Thy broken faith hath made a prey for worms. -What canst thou swear by now? - -KING RICHARD III: -The time to come. - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -That thou hast wronged in the time o'erpast; -For I myself have many tears to wash -Hereafter time, for time past wrong'd by thee. -The children live, whose parents thou hast -slaughter'd, -Ungovern'd youth, to wail it in their age; -The parents live, whose children thou hast butcher'd, -Old wither'd plants, to wail it with their age. -Swear not by time to come; for that thou hast -Misused ere used, by time misused o'erpast. - -KING RICHARD III: -As I intend to prosper and repent, -So thrive I in my dangerous attempt -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 proceedings, if, with pure heart's love, -Immaculate devotion, holy thoughts, -I tender not thy beauteous princely daughter! -In her consists my happiness and thine; -Without her, follows to this land and me, -To thee, herself, 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, good mother,--I must can you so-- -Be the attorney of my love to her: -Plead what I will be, not what I have been; -Not my deserts, but what I will deserve: -Urge the necessity and state of times, -And be not peevish-fond in great designs. - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -Shall I be tempted of the devil thus? - -KING RICHARD III: -Ay, if the devil tempt thee to do good. - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -Shall I forget myself to be myself? - -KING RICHARD III: -Ay, if yourself's remembrance wrong yourself. - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -But thou didst kill my children. - -KING RICHARD III: -But in your daughter's womb I bury them: -Where in that nest of spicery they shall breed -Selves of themselves, to your recomforture. - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -Shall I go win my daughter to thy will? - -KING RICHARD III: -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 III: -Bear her my true love's kiss; and so, farewell. -Relenting fool, and shallow, changing woman! -How now! what news? - -RATCLIFF: -My gracious sovereign, on the western coast -Rideth a puissant navy; to the shore -Throng many doubtful hollow-hearted friends, -Unarm'd, and unresolved to beat them back: -'Tis thought that Richmond is their admiral; -And there they hull, expecting but the aid -Of Buckingham to welcome them ashore. - -KING RICHARD III: -Some light-foot friend post to the Duke of Norfolk: -Ratcliff, thyself, or Catesby; where is he? - -CATESBY: -Here, my lord. - -KING RICHARD III: -Fly to the duke: -Post thou to Salisbury -When thou comest thither-- -Dull, unmindful villain, -Why stand'st thou still, and go'st not to the duke? - -CATESBY: -First, mighty sovereign, let me know your mind, -What from your grace I shall deliver to him. - -KING RICHARD III: -O, true, good Catesby: bid him levy straight -The greatest strength and power he can make, -And meet me presently at Salisbury. - -CATESBY: -I go. - -RATCLIFF: -What is't your highness' pleasure I shall do at -Salisbury? - -KING RICHARD III: -Why, what wouldst thou do there before I go? - -RATCLIFF: -Your highness told me I should post before. - -KING RICHARD III: -My mind is changed, sir, my mind is changed. -How now, what news with you? - -STANLEY: -None good, my lord, to please you with the hearing; -Nor none so bad, but it may well be told. - -KING RICHARD III: -Hoyday, a riddle! neither good nor bad! -Why dost thou run so many mile about, -When thou mayst tell thy tale a nearer way? -Once more, what news? - -STANLEY: -Richmond is on the seas. - -KING RICHARD III: -There let him sink, and be the seas on him! -White-liver'd runagate, what doth he there? - -STANLEY: -I know not, mighty sovereign, but by guess. - -KING RICHARD III: -Well, sir, as you guess, as you guess? - -STANLEY: -Stirr'd up by Dorset, Buckingham, and Ely, -He makes for England, there to claim the crown. - -KING RICHARD III: -Is the chair empty? is the sword unsway'd? -Is the king dead? the empire unpossess'd? -What heir of York is there alive but we? -And who is England's king but great York's heir? -Then, tell me, what doth he upon the sea? - -STANLEY: -Unless for that, my liege, I cannot guess. - -KING RICHARD III: -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, mighty liege; therefore mistrust me not. - -KING RICHARD III: -Where is thy power, then, to beat him back? -Where are thy tenants and thy followers? -Are they not now upon the western shore. -Safe-conducting the rebels from their ships! - -STANLEY: -No, my good lord, my friends are in the north. - -KING RICHARD III: -Cold friends to Richard: what do they in the north, -When they should serve their sovereign in the west? - -STANLEY: -They have not been commanded, mighty sovereign: -Please it your majesty to give me leave, -I'll muster up my friends, and meet your grace -Where and what time your majesty shall please. - -KING RICHARD III: -Ay, ay. thou wouldst be gone to join with Richmond: -I will not trust you, sir. - -STANLEY: -Most mighty sovereign, -You have no cause to hold my friendship doubtful: -I never was nor never will be false. - -KING RICHARD III: -Well, -Go muster men; but, hear you, leave behind -Your son, George Stanley: look your faith be firm. -Or else his head's assurance is but frail. - -STANLEY: -So deal with him as I prove true to you. - -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 brother there, -With many more confederates, are in arms. - -Second Messenger: -My liege, in Kent the Guildfords are in arms; -And every hour more competitors -Flock to their aid, and still their power increaseth. - -Third Messenger: -My lord, the army of the Duke of Buckingham-- - -KING RICHARD III: -Out on you, owls! nothing but songs of death? -Take that, until thou bring me better news. - -Third Messenger: -The news I have to tell your majesty -Is, that by sudden floods and fall of waters, -Buckingham's army is dispersed and scatter'd; -And he himself wander'd away alone, -No man knows whither. - -KING RICHARD III: -I cry thee mercy: -There is my purse to cure that blow of thine. -Hath any well-advised friend proclaim'd -Reward to him that brings the traitor in? - -Third Messenger: -Such proclamation hath been made, my liege. - -Fourth Messenger: -Sir Thomas Lovel and Lord Marquis Dorset, -'Tis said, my liege, in Yorkshire are in arms. -Yet this good comfort bring I to your grace, -The Breton navy is dispersed by tempest: -Richmond, in Yorkshire, sent out a boat -Unto the shore, to ask those on the banks -If they were his assistants, yea or no; -Who answer'd him, they came from Buckingham. -Upon his party: he, mistrusting them, -Hoisted sail and made away for Brittany. - -KING RICHARD III: -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. - -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 III: -Away towards Salisbury! while we reason here, -A royal battle might be won and lost -Some one take order Buckingham be brought -To Salisbury; the rest march on with me. - -DERBY: -Sir Christopher, tell Richmond this from me: -That in the sty of this most bloody boar -My son George Stanley is frank'd up in hold: -If I revolt, off goes young George's head; -The fear of that withholds my present aid. -But, tell me, where is princely Richmond now? - -CHRISTOPHER: -At Pembroke, or at Harford-west, in Wales. - -DERBY: -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 more of noble fame and worth: -And towards London they do bend their course, -If by the way they be not fought withal. - -DERBY: -Return unto thy lord; commend me to him: -Tell him the queen hath heartily consented -He shall espouse Elizabeth her daughter. -These letters will resolve him of my mind. Farewell. - -BUCKINGHAM: -Will not King Richard let me speak with him? - -Sheriff: -No, my good lord; therefore be patient. - -BUCKINGHAM: -Hastings, and Edward's children, Rivers, Grey, -Holy King Henry, and thy fair son Edward, -Vaughan, and all that have miscarried -By underhand corrupted foul injustice, -If that your moody discontented souls -Do through the clouds behold this present hour, -Even for revenge mock my destruction! -This is All-Souls' day, fellows, is it not? - -Sheriff: -It is, my lord. - -BUCKINGHAM: -Why, then All-Souls' day is my body's doomsday. -This is the day that, in King Edward's time, -I wish't might fall on me, when I was found -False to his children or his wife's allies -This is the day wherein I wish'd to fall -By the false faith of him I trusted most; -This, this All-Souls' day to my fearful soul -Is the determined respite of my wrongs: -That high All-Seer that I dallied with -Hath turn'd my feigned prayer on my head -And given in earnest what I begg'd in jest. -Thus doth he force the swords of wicked men -To turn their own points on their masters' bosoms: -Now Margaret's curse is fallen upon my head; -'When he,' quoth she, 'shall split thy heart with sorrow, -Remember Margaret was a prophetess.' -Come, sirs, convey me to the block of shame; -Wrong hath but wrong, and blame the due of blame. - -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 march'd on without impediment; -And here receive we from our father Stanley -Lines of fair comfort and encouragement. -The wretched, bloody, and usurping boar, -That spoil'd your summer fields and fruitful vines, -Swills your warm blood like wash, and makes his trough -In your embowell'd bosoms, this foul swine -Lies now even in the centre of this isle, -Near to the town of Leicester, as we learn -From Tamworth thither is but one day's march. -In God's name, cheerly on, courageous friends, -To reap the harvest of perpetual peace -By this one bloody trial of sharp war. - -OXFORD: -Every man's conscience is a thousand swords, -To fight against that bloody homicide. - -HERBERT: -I doubt not but his friends will fly to us. - -BLUNT: -He hath no friends but who are friends for fear. -Which in his greatest need will shrink from him. - -RICHMOND: -All for our vantage. Then, in God's name, march: -True hope is swift, and flies with swallow's wings: -Kings it makes gods, and meaner creatures kings. - -KING RICHARD III: -Here pitch our tents, 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 III: -My Lord of Norfolk,-- - -NORFOLK: -Here, most gracious liege. - -KING RICHARD III: -Norfolk, we must have knocks; ha! must we not? - -NORFOLK: -We must both give and take, my gracious lord. - -KING RICHARD III: -Up with my tent there! here will I lie tonight; -But where to-morrow? Well, all's one for that. -Who hath descried the number of the foe? - -NORFOLK: -Six or seven thousand is their utmost power. - -KING RICHARD III: -Why, our battalion trebles that account: -Besides, the king's name is a tower of strength, -Which they upon the adverse party want. -Up with my tent there! Valiant gentlemen, -Let us survey the vantage of the field -Call for some men of sound direction -Let's want no discipline, make no delay, -For, lords, to-morrow is a busy day. - -RICHMOND: -The weary sun hath made a golden set, -And by the bright track of his fiery car, -Gives signal, of a goodly day to-morrow. -Sir William Brandon, you shall bear my standard. -Give me some ink and paper in my tent -I'll draw the form and model of our battle, -Limit each leader to his several charge, -And part in just proportion our small strength. -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 good night to him -And by the second hour in the morning -Desire the earl to see me in my tent: -Yet one thing more, good Blunt, before thou go'st, -Where is Lord Stanley quarter'd, dost thou know? - -BLUNT: -Unless I have mista'en his colours much, -Which well I am assured I have not done, -His regiment lies half a mile at least -South from the mighty power of the king. - -RICHMOND: -If without peril it be possible, -Good Captain Blunt, bear my good-night to him, -And give him from me this most needful scroll. - -BLUNT: -Upon my life, my lord, I'll under-take it; -And so, God give you quiet rest to-night! - -RICHMOND: -Good night, good Captain Blunt. Come gentlemen, -Let us consult upon to-morrow's business -In to our tent; the air is raw and cold. - -KING RICHARD III: -What is't o'clock? - -CATESBY: -It's supper-time, my lord; -It's nine o'clock. - -KING RICHARD III: -I will not sup to-night. -Give me some ink and paper. -What, is my beaver easier than it was? -And all my armour laid into my tent? - -CATESBY: -If is, my liege; and all things are in readiness. - -KING RICHARD III: -Good Norfolk, hie thee to thy charge; -Use careful watch, choose trusty sentinels. - -NORFOLK: -I go, my lord. - -KING RICHARD III: -Stir with the lark to-morrow, gentle Norfolk. - -NORFOLK: -I warrant you, my lord. - -KING RICHARD III: -Catesby! - -CATESBY: -My lord? - -KING RICHARD III: -Send out a pursuivant at arms -To Stanley's regiment; bid him bring his power -Before sunrising, lest his son George fall -Into the blind cave of eternal night. -Fill me a bowl of wine. Give me a watch. -Saddle white Surrey for the field to-morrow. -Look that my staves be sound, and not too heavy. -Ratcliff! - -RATCLIFF: -My lord? - -KING RICHARD III: -Saw'st thou the melancholy Lord Northumberland? - -RATCLIFF: -Thomas the Earl of Surrey, and himself, -Much about cock-shut time, from troop to troop -Went through the army, cheering up the soldiers. - -KING RICHARD III: -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? - -RATCLIFF: -It is, my lord. - -KING RICHARD III: -Bid my guard watch; leave me. -Ratcliff, about the mid of night come to my tent -And help to arm me. Leave me, I say. - -DERBY: -Fortune and victory sit on thy helm! - -RICHMOND: -All comfort that the dark night can afford -Be to thy person, noble father-in-law! -Tell me, how fares our loving mother? - -DERBY: -I, by attorney, bless thee from thy mother -Who prays continually for Richmond's 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 mortal-staring war. -I, as I may--that which I would I cannot,-- -With best advantage will deceive the time, -And aid thee in this doubtful shock of arms: -But on thy side I may not be too forward -Lest, being seen, thy brother, tender George, -Be executed in his father's sight. -Farewell: the leisure and the fearful time -Cuts off the ceremonious vows of love -And ample interchange of sweet discourse, -Which so long sunder'd 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: -I'll strive, with troubled thoughts, to take a nap, -Lest leaden slumber peise me down to-morrow, -When I should mount with wings of victory: -Once more, good night, kind lords and gentlemen. -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 -The 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! - -Ghost of Prince Edward: - -Ghost of King Henry VI: - -Ghost of CLARENCE: - -Ghost of RIVERS: - -Ghost of GREY: - -Ghost of VAUGHAN: - -All: - -Ghost of HASTINGS: - -Ghosts of young Princes: - -Ghost of LADY ANNE: - -Ghost of BUCKINGHAM: - -KING RICHARD III: -Give me another horse: bind up my wounds. -Have mercy, Jesu!--Soft! 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? there's none else by: -Richard loves Richard; that is, I am I. -Is there a murderer here? No. Yes, I am: -Then fly. What, from myself? Great reason 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 high'st degree -Murder, stem 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 shall pity me: -Nay, wherefore should they, since that I myself -Find in myself no pity to myself? -Methought the souls of all that I had murder'd -Came to my tent; and every one did threat -To-morrow's vengeance on the head of Richard. - -RATCLIFF: -My lord! - -KING RICHARD III: -'Zounds! who is there? - -RATCLIFF: -Ratcliff, 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 III: -O Ratcliff, I have dream'd a fearful dream! -What thinkest thou, will our friends prove all true? - -RATCLIFF: -No doubt, my lord. - -KING RICHARD III: -O Ratcliff, I fear, I fear,-- - -RATCLIFF: -Nay, good my lord, be not afraid of shadows. - -KING RICHARD III: -By the apostle Paul, shadows to-night -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. -It is not yet near day. Come, go with me; -Under our tents I'll play the eaves-dropper, -To see if any mean to shrink from me. - -LORDS: -Good morrow, Richmond! - -RICHMOND: -Cry mercy, lords and watchful gentlemen, -That you have ta'en a tardy sluggard here. - -LORDS: -How have you slept, my lord? - -RICHMOND: -The sweetest sleep, and fairest-boding dreams -That ever enter'd in a drowsy head, -Have I since your departure had, my lords. -Methought their souls, whose bodies Richard murder'd, -Came to my tent, and cried on victory: -I promise you, my soul 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. -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 high-rear'd bulwarks, stand before our faces; -Richard except, those whom we fight against -Had rather have us win than him they follow: -For what is he they follow? truly, gentlemen, -A bloody tyrant and a homicide; -One raised in blood, and one in blood establish'd; -One that made means to come by what he hath, -And slaughter'd those that were the means to help him; -Abase foul stone, made precious by the foil -Of England's chair, where he is falsely set; -One that hath ever been God's enemy: -Then, if you fight against God's 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 country's foes, -Your country's 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 children's children quit 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 earth's 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! - -KING RICHARD III: -What said Northumberland as touching Richmond? - -RATCLIFF: -That he was never trained up in arms. - -KING RICHARD III: -He said the truth: and what said Surrey then? - -RATCLIFF: -He smiled and said 'The better for our purpose.' - -KING RICHARD III: -He was in the right; and so indeed it is. -Ten the clock there. Give me a calendar. -Who saw the sun to-day? - -RATCLIFF: -Not I, my lord. - -KING RICHARD III: -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. Ratcliff! - -RATCLIFF: -My lord? - -KING RICHARD III: -The sun will not be seen to-day; -The sky doth frown and lour upon our army. -I would these dewy tears were from the ground. -Not shine to-day! Why, what is that to me -More than to Richmond? for the selfsame heaven -That frowns on me looks sadly upon him. - -NORFOLK: -Arm, arm, my lord; the foe vaunts in the field. - -KING RICHARD III: -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 think'st thou, Norfolk? - -NORFOLK: -A good direction, warlike sovereign. -This found I on my tent this morning. - -KING RICHARD III: - -Messenger: -My lord, he doth deny to come. - -KING RICHARD III: -Off with his son George's head! - -NORFOLK: -My lord, the enemy is past the marsh -After the battle let George Stanley die. - -KING RICHARD III: -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. - -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! - -KING RICHARD III: -A horse! a horse! my kingdom for a horse! - -CATESBY: -Withdraw, my lord; I'll help you to a horse. - -KING RICHARD III: -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 to-day instead of him. -A horse! a horse! my kingdom for a horse! - -RICHMOND: -God and your arms be praised, victorious friends, -The day is ours, the bloody dog is dead. - -DERBY: -Courageous Richmond, well hast thou acquit thee. -Lo, here, this long-usurped royalty -From the dead temples of this bloody wretch -Have I pluck'd off, to grace thy brows withal: -Wear it, enjoy it, and make much of it. - -RICHMOND: -Great God of heaven, say Amen to all! -But, tell me, is young George Stanley living? - -DERBY: -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? - -DERBY: -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 ta'en the sacrament, -We will unite the white rose and the red: -Smile heaven upon this fair conjunction, -That long have frown'd upon their enmity! -What traitor hears me, and says not amen? -England hath long been mad, and scarr'd herself; -The brother blindly shed the brother's blood, -The father rashly slaughter'd his own son, -The son, compell'd, been butcher to the sire: -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 God's fair ordinance conjoin together! -And let their heirs, God, if thy will be so. -Enrich the time to come with smooth-faced peace, -With smiling plenty and fair prosperous days! -Abate the edge of traitors, gracious Lord, -That would reduce these bloody days again, -And make poor England weep in streams of blood! -Let them not live to taste this land's increase -That would with treason wound this fair land's peace! -Now civil wounds are stopp'd, peace lives again: -That she may long live here, God say amen! - -KING RICHARD II: -Old John of Gaunt, time-honour'd Lancaster, -Hast thou, according to thy oath and band, -Brought hither Henry Hereford thy bold son, -Here to make good the boisterous late appeal, -Which then our leisure would not let us hear, -Against the Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Mowbray? - -JOHN OF GAUNT: -I have, my liege. - -KING RICHARD II: -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? - -JOHN OF GAUNT: -As near as I could sift him on that argument, -On some apparent danger seen in him -Aim'd at your highness, no inveterate malice. - -KING RICHARD II: -Then call them to our presence; face to face, -And frowning brow to brow, ourselves will hear -The accuser and the accused freely speak: -High-stomach'd are they both, and full of ire, -In rage deaf as the sea, hasty as fire. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -Many years of happy days befal -My gracious sovereign, my most loving liege! - -THOMAS MOWBRAY: -Each day still better other's happiness; -Until the heavens, envying earth's good hap, -Add an immortal title to your crown! - -KING RICHARD II: -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? - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -First, heaven be the record to my speech! -In the devotion of a subject's love, -Tendering 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 traitor's name stuff I thy throat; -And wish, so please my sovereign, ere I move, -What my tongue speaks my right drawn sword may prove. - -THOMAS MOWBRAY: -Let not my cold words here accuse my zeal: -'Tis not the trial of a woman's war, -The bitter clamour of two eager tongues, -Can arbitrate this cause betwixt us twain; -The blood is hot that must be cool'd for this: -Yet can I not of such tame patience boast -As to be hush'd and nought 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 return'd -These terms of treason doubled down his throat. -Setting aside his high blood's 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, -Where ever Englishman durst set his foot. -Mean time let this defend my loyalty, -By all my hopes, most falsely doth he lie. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -Pale trembling coward, there I throw my gage, -Disclaiming here the kindred of the king, -And lay aside my high blood's royalty, -Which fear, not reverence, makes thee to except. -If guilty dread have left thee so much strength -As to take up mine honour's 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 worse devise. - -THOMAS MOWBRAY: -I take it up; and by that sword I swear -Which gently laid my knighthood on my shoulder, -I'll 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 II: -What doth our cousin lay to Mowbray's charge? -It must be great that can inherit us -So much as of a thought of ill in him. - -HENRY 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 detain'd 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 survey'd 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 Gloucester's death, -Suggest his soon-believing adversaries, -And consequently, like a traitor coward, -Sluiced out his innocent soul through streams of blood: -Which blood, like sacrificing Abel's, 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 II: -How high a pitch his resolution soars! -Thomas of Norfolk, what say'st thou to this? - -THOMAS 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 II: -Mowbray, impartial are our eyes and ears: -Were he my brother, nay, my kingdom's heir, -As he is but my father's brother's son, -Now, by my sceptre's 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. - -THOMAS 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 Gloucester's 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 begg'd -Your grace's pardon, and I hope I had it. -This is my fault: as for the rest appeall'd, -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 traitor's foot, -To prove myself a loyal gentleman -Even in the best blood chamber'd in his bosom. -In haste whereof, most heartily I pray -Your highness to assign our trial day. - -KING RICHARD II: -Wrath-kindled gentlemen, be ruled by me; -Let's 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; -We'll calm the Duke of Norfolk, you your son. - -JOHN OF GAUNT: -To be a make-peace shall become my age: -Throw down, my son, the Duke of Norfolk's gage. - -KING RICHARD II: -And, Norfolk, throw down his. - -JOHN OF GAUNT: -When, Harry, when? -Obedience bids I should not bid again. - -KING RICHARD II: -Norfolk, throw down, we bid; there is no boot. - -THOMAS 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 dishonour's use thou shalt not have. -I am disgraced, impeach'd and baffled here, -Pierced to the soul with slander's venom'd spear, -The which no balm can cure but his heart-blood -Which breathed this poison. - -KING RICHARD II: -Rage must be withstood: -Give me his gage: lions make leopards tame. - -THOMAS 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 ten-times-barr'd-up 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 II: -Cousin, throw up your gage; do you begin. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -O, God defend my soul from such deep sin! -Shall I seem crest-fall'n in my father's sight? -Or with pale beggar-fear impeach my height -Before this out-dared 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 Mowbray's face. - -KING RICHARD II: -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 Lambert's day: -There shall your swords and lances arbitrate -The swelling difference of your settled hate: -Since we can not atone you, we shall see -Justice design the victor's chivalry. -Lord marshal, command our officers at arms -Be ready to direct these home alarms. - -JOHN OF GAUNT: -Alas, the part I had in Woodstock's 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? -Edward's 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 nature's course, -Some of those branches by the Destinies cut; -But Thomas, my dear lord, my life, my Gloucester, -One vial full of Edward's sacred blood, -One flourishing branch of his most royal root, -Is crack'd, and all the precious liquor spilt, -Is hack'd down, and his summer leaves all faded, -By envy's hand and murder's bloody axe. -Ah, Gaunt, his blood was thine! that bed, that womb, -That metal, that self-mould, that fashion'd 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 father's death, -In that thou seest thy wretched brother die, -Who was the model of thy father's life. -Call it not patience, Gaunt; it is despair: -In suffering thus thy brother to be slaughter'd, -Thou showest the naked pathway to thy life, -Teaching stern murder how to butcher thee: -That which in mean men we intitle patience -Is pale cold cowardice in noble breasts. -What shall I say? to safeguard thine own life, -The best way is to venge my Gloucester's death. - -JOHN OF GAUNT: -God's is the quarrel; for God's 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? - -JOHN OF GAUNT: -To God, the widow's 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 husband's wrongs on Hereford's spear, -That it may enter butcher Mowbray's breast! -Or, if misfortune miss the first career, -Be Mowbray's sins so heavy in his bosom, -They may break his foaming courser's back, -And throw the rider headlong in the lists, -A caitiff recreant to my cousin Hereford! -Farewell, old Gaunt: thy sometimes brother's wife -With her companion grief must end her life. - -JOHN OF 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 him--ah, what?-- -With all good speed at Plashy visit me. -Alack, and what shall good old York there see -But empty lodgings and unfurnish'd 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 every where. -Desolate, desolate, will I hence and die: -The last leave of thee takes my weeping eye. - -Lord Marshal: -My Lord Aumerle, is Harry Hereford arm'd? - -DUKE OF AUMERLE: -Yea, at all points; and longs to enter in. - -Lord Marshal: -The Duke of Norfolk, sprightfully and bold, -Stays but the summons of the appellant's trumpet. - -DUKE OF AUMERLE: -Why, then, the champions are prepared, and stay -For nothing but his majesty's approach. - -KING RICHARD II: -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. - -Lord Marshal: -In God's name and the king's, say who thou art -And why thou comest thus knightly clad in arms, -Against what man thou comest, and what thy quarrel: -Speak truly, on thy knighthood and thy oath; -As so defend thee heaven and thy valour! - -THOMAS 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! - -KING RICHARD II: -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. - -Lord Marshal: -What is thy name? and wherefore comest thou hither, -Before King Richard in his royal lists? -Against whom comest thou? and what's thy quarrel? -Speak like a true knight, so defend thee heaven! - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -Harry of Hereford, Lancaster and Derby -Am I; who ready here do stand in arms, -To prove, by God's grace and my body's valour, -In lists, on Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk, -That he is a traitor, foul and dangerous, -To God of heaven, King Richard and to me; -And as I truly fight, defend me heaven! - -Lord Marshal: -On pain of death, no person be so bold -Or daring-hardy as to touch the lists, -Except the marshal and such officers -Appointed to direct these fair designs. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -Lord marshal, let me kiss my sovereign's 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. - -Lord Marshal: -The appellant in all duty greets your highness, -And craves to kiss your hand and take his leave. - -KING RICHARD II: -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 to-day thou shed, -Lament we may, but not revenge thee dead. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -O let no noble eye profane a tear -For me, if I be gored with Mowbray's spear: -As confident as is the falcon's 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 lance's point, -That it may enter Mowbray's waxen coat, -And furbish new the name of John a Gaunt, -Even in the lusty havior of his son. - -JOHN OF 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. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -Mine innocency and Saint George to thrive! - -THOMAS MOWBRAY: -However God or fortune cast my lot, -There lives or dies, true to King Richard's throne, -A loyal, just and upright gentleman: -Never did captive with a freer heart -Cast off his chains of bondage and embrace -His golden uncontroll'd 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 II: -Farewell, my lord: securely I espy -Virtue with valour couched in thine eye. -Order the trial, marshal, and begin. - -Lord Marshal: -Harry of Hereford, Lancaster and Derby, -Receive thy lance; and God defend the right! - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -Strong as a tower in hope, I cry amen. - -Lord Marshal: -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. - -Lord Marshal: -Sound, trumpets; and set forward, combatants. -Stay, the king hath thrown his warder down. - -KING RICHARD II: -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. -Draw near, -And list what with our council we have done. -For that our kingdom's earth should not be soil'd -With that dear blood which it hath fostered; -And for our eyes do hate the dire aspect -Of civil wounds plough'd up with neighbours' sword; -And for we think the eagle-winged pride -Of sky-aspiring and ambitious thoughts, -With rival-hating envy, set on you -To wake our peace, which in our country's cradle -Draws the sweet infant breath of gentle sleep; -Which so roused up with boisterous untuned drums, -With harsh resounding 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 kindred's blood, -Therefore, we banish you our territories: -You, cousin Hereford, upon pain of life, -Till twice five summers have enrich'd our fields -Shall not regreet our fair dominions, -But tread the stranger paths of banishment. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -Your will be done: this must my comfort be, -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 II: -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. - -THOMAS MOWBRAY: -A heavy sentence, my most sovereign liege, -And all unlook'd 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 learn'd these forty years, -My native English, now I must forego: -And now my tongue's 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 engaol'd my tongue, -Doubly portcullis'd 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 II: -It boots thee not to be compassionate: -After our sentence plaining comes too late. - -THOMAS MOWBRAY: -Then thus I turn me from my country's light, -To dwell in solemn shades of endless night. - -KING RICHARD II: -Return again, and take an oath with thee. -Lay on our royal sword your banish'd 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 other's love in banishment; -Nor never look upon each other's face; -Nor never write, regreet, nor reconcile -This louring tempest of your home-bred hate; -Nor never by advised purpose meet -To plot, contrive, or complot any ill -'Gainst us, our state, our subjects, or our land. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -I swear. - -THOMAS MOWBRAY: -And I, to keep all this. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -Norfolk, so far as to mine enemy:-- -By this time, had the king permitted us, -One of our souls had wander'd in the air. -Banish'd this frail sepulchre of our flesh, -As now our flesh is banish'd from this land: -Confess thy treasons ere thou fly the realm; -Since thou hast far to go, bear not along -The clogging burthen of a guilty soul. - -THOMAS MOWBRAY: -No, Bolingbroke: if ever I were traitor, -My name be blotted from the book of life, -And I from heaven banish'd 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 world's my way. - -KING RICHARD II: -Uncle, even in the glasses of thine eyes -I see thy grieved heart: thy sad aspect -Hath from the number of his banish'd years -Pluck'd four away. -Six frozen winter spent, -Return with welcome home from banishment. - -HENRY 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. - -JOHN OF GAUNT: -I thank my liege, that in regard of me -He shortens four years of my son's 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 oil-dried lamp and time-bewasted 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 II: -Why uncle, thou hast many years to live. - -JOHN OF 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 II: -Thy son is banish'd upon good advice, -Whereto thy tongue a party-verdict gave: -Why at our justice seem'st thou then to lour? - -JOHN OF 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 destroy'd. -Alas, I look'd 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 II: -Cousin, farewell; and, uncle, bid him so: -Six years we banish him, and he shall go. - -DUKE OF AUMERLE: -Cousin, farewell: what presence must not know, -From where you do remain let paper show. - -Lord Marshal: -My lord, no leave take I; for I will ride, -As far as land will let me, by your side. - -JOHN OF GAUNT: -O, to what purpose dost thou hoard thy words, -That thou return'st no greeting to thy friends? - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -I have too few to take my leave of you, -When the tongue's office should be prodigal -To breathe the abundant dolour of the heart. - -JOHN OF GAUNT: -Thy grief is but thy absence for a time. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -Joy absent, grief is present for that time. - -JOHN OF GAUNT: -What is six winters? they are quickly gone. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -To men in joy; but grief makes one hour ten. - -JOHN OF GAUNT: -Call it a travel that thou takest for pleasure. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -My heart will sigh when I miscall it so, -Which finds it an inforced pilgrimage. - -JOHN OF GAUNT: -The sullen passage of thy weary steps -Esteem as foil wherein thou art to set -The precious jewel of thy home return. - -HENRY 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? - -JOHN OF 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 go'st, not whence thou comest: -Suppose the singing birds musicians, -The grass whereon thou tread'st the presence strew'd, -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. - -HENRY 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 summer's heat? -O, no! the apprehension of the good -Gives but the greater feeling to the worse: -Fell sorrow's tooth doth never rankle more -Than when he bites, but lanceth not the sore. - -JOHN OF GAUNT: -Come, come, my son, I'll bring thee on thy way: -Had I thy youth and cause, I would not stay. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -Then, England's ground, farewell; sweet soil, adieu; -My mother, and my nurse, that bears me yet! -Where'er I wander, boast of this I can, -Though banish'd, yet a trueborn Englishman. - -KING RICHARD II: -We did observe. Cousin Aumerle, -How far brought you high Hereford on his way? - -DUKE OF AUMERLE: -I brought high Hereford, if you call him so, -But to the next highway, and there I left him. - -KING RICHARD II: -And say, what store of parting tears were shed? - -DUKE OF AUMERLE: -Faith, none for me; except the north-east 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 II: -What said our cousin when you parted with him? - -DUKE OF 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 seem'd buried in my sorrow's grave. -Marry, would the word 'farewell' have lengthen'd 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 II: -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 oyster-wench; -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 II: -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 inforced 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. -Bushy, what news? - -BUSHY: -Old John of Gaunt is grievous sick, my lord, -Suddenly taken; and hath sent post haste -To entreat your majesty to visit him. - -KING RICHARD II: -Where lies he? - -BUSHY: -At Ely House. - -KING RICHARD II: -Now put it, God, in the physician's 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, let's all go visit him: -Pray God we may make haste, and come too late! - -All: -Amen. - -JOHN OF GAUNT: -Will the king come, that I may breathe my last -In wholesome counsel to his unstaid youth? - -DUKE OF YORK: -Vex not yourself, nor strive not with your breath; -For all in vain comes counsel to his ear. - -JOHN OF 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 listen'd more -Than they whom youth and ease have taught to glose; -More are men's ends mark'd 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 life's counsel would not hear, -My death's sad tale may yet undeaf his ear. - -DUKE OF YORK: -No; it is stopp'd with other flattering sounds, -As praises, of whose taste 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 tardy apish nation -Limps after in base imitation. -Where doth the world thrust forth a vanity-- -So it be new, there's 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 wit's regard. -Direct not him whose way himself will choose: -'Tis breath thou lack'st, and that breath wilt thou lose. - -JOHN OF 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 scepter'd isle, -This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars, -This other Eden, demi-paradise, -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, -Fear'd 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 world's ransom, blessed Mary's Son, -This land of such dear souls, this dear dear land, -Dear for her reputation through the world, -Is now leased out, I 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 watery 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! - -DUKE OF 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 II: -What comfort, man? how is't with aged Gaunt? - -JOHN OF 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 watch'd; -Watching breeds leanness, leanness is all gaunt: -The pleasure that some fathers feed upon, -Is my strict fast; I mean, my children's 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 II: -Can sick men play so nicely with their names? - -JOHN OF 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 II: -Should dying men flatter with those that live? - -JOHN OF GAUNT: -No, no, men living flatter those that die. - -KING RICHARD II: -Thou, now a-dying, say'st thou flatterest me. - -JOHN OF GAUNT: -O, no! thou diest, though I the sicker be. - -KING RICHARD II: -I am in health, I breathe, and see thee ill. - -JOHN OF GAUNT: -Now He that made me knows I see thee ill; -Ill in myself to see, and in thee seeing ill. -Thy death-bed is no lesser than thy land -Wherein thou liest in reputation sick; -And thou, too careless patient as thou art, -Commit'st 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, incaged in so small a verge, -The waste is no whit lesser than thy land. -O, had thy grandsire with a prophet's eye -Seen how his son's son should destroy his sons, -From forth thy reach he would have laid thy shame, -Deposing thee before thou wert possess'd, -Which art possess'd 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 II: -A lunatic lean-witted fool, -Presuming on an ague's privilege, -Darest with thy frozen admonition -Make pale our cheek, chasing the royal blood -With fury from his native residence. -Now, by my seat's right royal majesty, -Wert thou not brother to great Edward's son, -This tongue that runs so roundly in thy head -Should run thy head from thy unreverent shoulders. - -JOHN OF GAUNT: -O, spare me not, my brother Edward's son, -For that I was his father Edward's son; -That blood already, like the pelican, -Hast thou tapp'd out and drunkenly caroused: -My brother Gloucester, plain well-meaning soul, -Whom fair befal in heaven 'mongst happy souls! -May be a precedent and witness good -That thou respect'st not spilling Edward's blood: -Join with the present sickness that I have; -And thy unkindness be like crooked age, -To crop at once a too long wither'd 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. - -KING RICHARD II: -And let them die that age and sullens have; -For both hast thou, and both become the grave. - -DUKE OF 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 II: -Right, you say true: as Hereford's love, so his; -As theirs, so mine; and all be as it is. - -NORTHUMBERLAND: -My liege, old Gaunt commends him to your majesty. - -KING RICHARD II: -What says he? - -NORTHUMBERLAND: -Nay, nothing; all is said -His tongue is now a stringless instrument; -Words, life and all, old Lancaster hath spent. - -DUKE OF YORK: -Be York the next that must be bankrupt so! -Though death be poor, it ends a mortal woe. - -KING RICHARD II: -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 rug-headed 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, corn, revenues and moveables, -Whereof our uncle Gaunt did stand possess'd. - -DUKE OF YORK: -How long shall I be patient? ah, how long -Shall tender duty make me suffer wrong? -Not Gloucester's death, nor Hereford's banishment -Not Gaunt's rebukes, nor England's 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 sovereign's face. -I am the last of noble Edward's 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 look'd he, -Accomplish'd with the number of thy hours; -But when he frown'd, it was against the French -And not against his friends; his noble hand -Did will what he did spend and spent not that -Which his triumphant father's hand had won; -His hands were guilty of no kindred 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 II: -Why, uncle, what's the matter? - -DUKE OF YORK: -O my liege, -Pardon me, if you please; if not, I, pleased -Not to be pardon'd, am content withal. -Seek you to seize and gripe into your hands -The royalties and rights of banish'd 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 well-deserving son? -Take Hereford's rights away, and take from Time -His charters and his customary rights; -Let not to-morrow then ensue to-day; -Be not thyself; for how art thou a king -But by fair sequence and succession? -Now, afore God--God forbid I say true!-- -If you do wrongfully seize Hereford's rights, -Call in the letters patent that he hath -By his attorneys-general to sue -His livery, and deny his offer'd homage, -You pluck a thousand dangers on your head, -You lose a thousand well-disposed hearts -And prick my tender patience, to those thoughts -Which honour and allegiance cannot think. - -KING RICHARD II: -Think what you will, we seize into our hands -His plate, his goods, his money and his lands. - -DUKE OF YORK: -I'll not be by the while: my liege, farewell: -What will ensue hereof, there's none can tell; -But by bad courses may be understood -That their events can never fall out good. - -KING RICHARD II: -Go, Bushy, to the Earl of Wiltshire straight: -Bid him repair to us to Ely House -To see this business. To-morrow 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: to-morrow must we part; -Be merry, for our time of stay is short - -NORTHUMBERLAND: -Well, lords, the Duke of Lancaster is dead. - -LORD ROSS: -And living too; for now his son is duke. - -LORD WILLOUGHBY: -Barely in title, not in revenue. - -NORTHUMBERLAND: -Richly in both, if justice had her right. - -LORD ROSS: -My heart is great; but it must break with silence, -Ere't be disburden'd with a liberal tongue. - -NORTHUMBERLAND: -Nay, speak thy mind; and let him ne'er speak more -That speaks thy words again to do thee harm! - -LORD 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. - -LORD 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. - -LORD ROSS: -The commons hath he pill'd with grievous taxes, -And quite lost their hearts: the nobles hath he fined -For ancient quarrels, and quite lost their hearts. - -LORD WILLOUGHBY: -And daily new exactions are devised, -As blanks, benevolences, and I wot not what: -But what, o' God's name, doth become of this? - -NORTHUMBERLAND: -Wars have not wasted it, for warr'd he hath not, -But basely yielded upon compromise -That which his noble ancestors achieved with blows: -More hath he spent in peace than they in wars. - -LORD ROSS: -The Earl of Wiltshire hath the realm in farm. - -LORD WILLOUGHBY: -The king's grown bankrupt, like a broken man. - -NORTHUMBERLAND: -Reproach and dissolution hangeth over him. - -LORD ROSS: -He hath not money for these Irish wars, -His burthenous taxations notwithstanding, -But by the robbing of the banish'd duke. - -NORTHUMBERLAND: -His noble kinsman: most degenerate king! -But, lords, we hear this fearful tempest sing, -Yet see no shelter to avoid the storm; -We see the wind sit sore upon our sails, -And yet we strike not, but securely perish. - -LORD ROSS: -We see the very wreck that we must suffer; -And unavoided is the danger now, -For suffering so the causes of our wreck. - -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. - -LORD WILLOUGHBY: -Nay, let us share thy thoughts, as thou dost ours. - -LORD 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 Port le 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 Quoint, -All these well furnish'd by the Duke of Bretagne -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 country's broken wing, -Redeem from broking pawn the blemish'd crown, -Wipe off the dust that hides our sceptre's 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. - -LORD ROSS: -To horse, to horse! urge doubts to them that fear. - -LORD WILLOUGHBY: -Hold out my horse, and I will first be there. - -BUSHY: -Madam, your majesty is too much sad: -You promised, when you parted with the king, -To lay aside life-harming 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 fortune's womb, -Is coming towards me, and my inward soul -With nothing trembles: at some thing 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 sorrow's 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 lord's departure, -Find shapes of grief, more than himself, to wail; -Which, look'd on as it is, is nought but shadows -Of what it is not. Then, thrice-gracious queen, -More than your lord's departure weep not: more's not seen; -Or if it be, 'tis with false sorrow's eye, -Which for things true weeps things imaginary. - -QUEEN: -It may be so; but yet my inward soul -Persuades me it is otherwise: howe'er it be, -I cannot but be sad; so heavy sad -As, though on 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 had 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. - -GREEN: -God save your majesty! and well met, gentlemen: -I hope the king is not yet shipp'd for Ireland. - -QUEEN: -Why hopest thou so? 'tis better hope he is; -For his designs crave haste, his haste good hope: -Then wherefore dost thou hope he is not shipp'd? - -GREEN: -That he, our hope, might have retired his power, -And driven into despair an enemy's hope, -Who strongly hath set footing in this land: -The banish'd 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 Henry Percy, -The Lords of Ross, Beaumond, and Willoughby, -With all their powerful friends, are fled to him. - -BUSHY: -Why have you not proclaim'd Northumberland -And all the rest revolted faction traitors? - -GREEN: -We have: whereupon the Earl of Worcester -Hath broke his staff, resign'd 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 sorrow's dismal heir: -Now hath my soul brought forth her prodigy, -And I, a gasping new-deliver'd mother, -Have woe to woe, sorrow to sorrow join'd. - -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 keeper back of death, -Who gently would dissolve the bands of life, -Which false hope lingers in extremity. - -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 God's sake, speak comfortable words. - -DUKE OF YORK: -Should I do so, I should belie my thoughts: -Comfort's 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 flatter'd him. - -Servant: -My lord, your son was gone before I came. - -DUKE OF 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 Hereford's side. -Sirrah, get thee to Plashy, to my sister Gloucester; -Bid her send me presently a thousand pound: -Hold, take my ring. - -Servant: -My lord, I had forgot to tell your lordship, -To-day, as I came by, I called there; -But I shall grieve you to report the rest. - -DUKE OF YORK: -What is't, knave? - -Servant: -An hour before I came, the duchess died. - -DUKE OF 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 brother's. -What, are there no posts dispatch'd for Ireland? -How shall we do for money for these wars? -Come, sister,--cousin, I would say--pray, pardon me. -Go, fellow, get thee home, provide some carts -And bring away the armour that is there. -Gentlemen, will you go muster men? -If I know how or which way to order these affairs -Thus thrust disorderly into my hands, -Never believe me. Both are my kinsmen: -The one is my sovereign, whom both my oath -And duty bids defend; the other again -Is my kinsman, whom the king hath wrong'd, -Whom conscience and my kindred bids to right. -Well, somewhat we must do. Come, cousin, I'll -Dispose of you. -Gentlemen, go, muster up your men, -And meet me presently at Berkeley. -I should to Plashy too; -But time will not permit: all is uneven, -And every thing is left at six and seven. - -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's 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 condemn'd. - -BAGOT: -If judgement 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 -The hateful commons will 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 heart's presages be not vain, -We three here art that ne'er shall meet again. - -BUSHY: -That's as York thrives to beat back Bolingbroke. - -GREEN: -Alas, poor duke! the task he undertakes -Is numbering 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. - -HENRY 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 Cotswold 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 enjoy'd: by this the weary lords -Shall make their way seem short, as mine hath done -By sight of what I have, your noble company. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -Of much less value is my company -Than your good words. But who comes here? - -NORTHUMBERLAND: -It is my son, young Harry Percy, -Sent from my brother Worcester, whencesoever. -Harry, how fares your uncle? - -HENRY PERCY: -I had thought, my lord, to have learn'd his health of you. - -NORTHUMBERLAND: -Why, is he not with the queen? - -HENRY 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. - -HENRY 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? - -HENRY PERCY: -No, my good lord, for that is not forgot -Which ne'er 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. - -HENRY 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. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -I thank thee, gentle Percy; and be sure -I count myself in nothing else so happy -As in a soul remembering my good friends; -And, as my fortune ripens with thy love, -It shall be still thy true love's 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? - -HENRY PERCY: -There stands the castle, by yon tuft of trees, -Mann'd 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. - -NORTHUMBERLAND: -Here come the Lords of Ross and Willoughby, -Bloody with spurring, fiery-red with haste. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -Welcome, my lords. I wot your love pursues -A banish'd traitor: all my treasury -Is yet but unfelt thanks, which more enrich'd -Shall be your love and labour's recompense. - -LORD ROSS: -Your presence makes us rich, most noble lord. - -LORD WILLOUGHBY: -And far surmounts our labour to attain it. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -Evermore thanks, the exchequer of the poor; -Which, till my infant fortune comes to years, -Stands for my bounty. But who comes here? - -NORTHUMBERLAND: -It is my Lord of Berkeley, as I guess. - -LORD BERKELEY: -My Lord of Hereford, my message is to you. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -My lord, my answer is--to 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. - -LORD BERKELEY: -Mistake me not, my lord; 'tis not my meaning -To raze 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 self-born arms. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -I shall not need transport my words by you; -Here comes his grace in person. My noble uncle! - -DUKE OF YORK: -Show me thy humble heart, and not thy knee, -Whose duty is deceiveable and false. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -My gracious uncle-- - -DUKE OF YORK: -Tut, tut! -Grace me no grace, nor uncle me no uncle: -I am no traitor's uncle; and that word 'grace.' -In an ungracious mouth is but profane. -Why have those banish'd and forbidden legs -Dared once to touch a dust of England's ground? -But then more 'why?' why have they dared to march -So many miles upon her peaceful bosom, -Frighting her pale-faced villages with war -And ostentation of despised arms? -Comest 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 the 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! - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -My gracious uncle, let me know my fault: -On what condition stands it and wherein? - -DUKE OF YORK: -Even in condition of the worst degree, -In gross rebellion and detested treason: -Thou art a banish'd man, and here art come -Before the expiration of thy time, -In braving arms against thy sovereign. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -As I was banish'd, I was banish'd 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 condemn'd -A wandering vagabond; my rights and royalties -Pluck'd from my arms perforce and given away -To upstart unthrifts? Wherefore was I born? -If that my cousin king be King of 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 father's goods are all distrain'd and sold, -And these and all are all amiss employ'd. -What would you have me do? I am a subject, -And I 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. - -LORD ROSS: -It stands your grace upon to do him right. - -LORD WILLOUGHBY: -Base men by his endowments are made great. - -DUKE OF YORK: -My lords of England, let me tell you this: -I have had feeling of my cousin's 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 ne'er see joy that breaks that oath! - -DUKE OF 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 ill left: -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 to 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. - -HENRY 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. - -DUKE OF YORK: -It may be I will go with you: but yet I'll pause; -For I am loath to break our country's laws. -Nor friends nor foes, to me welcome you are: -Things past redress are now with me past care. - -Captain: -My lord of Salisbury, we have stay'd ten days, -And hardly kept our countrymen together, -And yet we hear no tidings from the king; -Therefore we will disperse ourselves: farewell. - -EARL OF 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 wither'd -And meteors fright the fixed stars of heaven; -The pale-faced moon looks bloody on the earth -And lean-look'd 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. - -EARL OF 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. - -HENRY 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 stain'd the beauty of a fair queen's 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 stoop'd my neck under your injuries, -And sigh'd my English breath in foreign clouds, -Eating the bitter bread of banishment; -Whilst you have fed upon my signories, -Dispark'd my parks and fell'd my forest woods, -From my own windows torn my household coat, -Razed out my imprese, leaving me no sign, -Save men's 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 deliver'd 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. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -My Lord Northumberland, see them dispatch'd. -Uncle, you say the queen is at your house; -For God's sake, fairly let her be entreated: -Tell her I send to her my kind commends; -Take special care my greetings be deliver'd. - -DUKE OF YORK: -A gentleman of mine I have dispatch'd -With letters of your love to her at large. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -Thank, gentle uncle. Come, lords, away. -To fight with Glendower and his complices: -Awhile to work, and after holiday. - -KING RICHARD II: -Barkloughly castle call they this at hand? - -DUKE OF AUMERLE: -Yea, my lord. How brooks your grace the air, -After your late tossing on the breaking seas? - -KING RICHARD II: -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 long-parted mother with her child -Plays fondly with her tears and smiles in meeting, -So, weeping, smiling, greet I thee, my earth, -And do thee favours with my royal hands. -Feed not thy sovereign's foe, my gentle earth, -Nor with thy sweets comfort his ravenous sense; -But let thy spiders, that suck up thy venom, -And heavy-gaited 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 sovereign's 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 rebellion's arms. - -BISHOP OF 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, heaven's offer we refuse, -The proffer'd means of succor and redress. - -DUKE OF 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 II: -Discomfortable cousin! know'st 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 pluck'd from off their backs, -Stand bare and naked, trembling at themselves? -So when this thief, this traitor, Bolingbroke, -Who all this while hath revell'd in the night -Whilst we were wandering 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 self-affrighted 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 press'd -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. -Welcome, my lord how far off lies your power? - -EARL OF 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! -To-day, to-day, unhappy day, too late, -O'erthrows thy joys, friends, fortune and thy state: -For all the Welshmen, hearing thou wert dead. -Are gone to Bolingbroke, dispersed and fled. - -DUKE OF AUMERLE: -Comfort, my liege; why looks your grace so pale? - -KING RICHARD II: -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. - -DUKE OF AUMERLE: -Comfort, my liege; remember who you are. - -KING RICHARD II: -I had forgot myself; am I not king? -Awake, thou coward majesty! thou sleepest. -Is not the king's 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? - -SIR STEPHEN SCROOP: -More health and happiness betide my liege -Than can my care-tuned tongue deliver him! - -KING RICHARD II: -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, -We'll 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 and decay: -The worst is death, and death will have his day. - -SIR STEPHEN SCROOP: -Glad am I that your highness is so arm'd -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. -White-beards have arm'd their thin and hairless scalps -Against thy majesty; boys, with women's voices, -Strive to speak big and clap their female joints -In stiff unwieldy arms against thy crown: -The very beadsmen learn to bend their bows -Of double-fatal yew against thy state; -Yea, distaff-women manage rusty bills -Against thy seat: both young and old rebel, -And all goes worse than I have power to tell. - -KING RICHARD II: -Too well, too well thou tell'st 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. - -SIR STEPHEN SCROOP: -Peace have they made with him indeed, my lord. - -KING RICHARD II: -O villains, vipers, damn'd without redemption! -Dogs, easily won to fawn on any man! -Snakes, in my heart-blood warm'd, 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 offence! - -SIR STEPHEN 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 death's destroying wound -And lie full low, graved in the hollow ground. - -DUKE OF AUMERLE: -Is Bushy, Green, and the Earl of Wiltshire dead? - -SIR STEPHEN SCROOP: -Ay, all of them at Bristol lost their heads. - -DUKE OF AUMERLE: -Where is the duke my father with his power? - -KING RICHARD II: -No matter where; of comfort no man speak: -Let's talk of graves, of worms, and epitaphs; -Make dust our paper and with rainy eyes -Write sorrow on the bosom of the earth, -Let's 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 Bolingbroke's, -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 God's 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 poison'd by their wives: some sleeping kill'd; -All murder'd: 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 fear'd and kill with looks, -Infusing him with self and vain conceit, -As if this flesh which walls about our life, -Were brass impregnable, and humour'd 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? - -BISHOP OF CARLISLE: -My lord, wise men ne'er 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 slain; no worse can come to fight: -And fight and die is death destroying death; -Where fearing dying pays death servile breath. - -DUKE OF AUMERLE: -My father hath a power; inquire of him -And learn to make a body of a limb. - -KING RICHARD II: -Thou chidest me well: proud Bolingbroke, I come -To change blows with thee for our day of doom. -This ague fit of fear is over-blown; -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. - -SIR STEPHEN SCROOP: -Men judge by the complexion of the sky -The state and 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 join'd with Bolingbroke, -And all your northern castles yielded up, -And all your southern gentlemen in arms -Upon his party. - -KING RICHARD II: -Thou hast said enough. -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, I'll hate him everlastingly -That bids me be of comfort any more. -Go to Flint castle: there I'll pine away; -A king, woe's 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. - -DUKE OF AUMERLE: -My liege, one word. - -KING RICHARD II: -He does me double wrong -That wounds me with the flatteries of his tongue. -Discharge my followers: let them hence away, -From Richard's night to Bolingbroke's fair day. - -HENRY 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. - -DUKE OF 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. - -DUKE OF 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 head's length. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -Mistake not, uncle, further than you should. - -DUKE OF YORK: -Take not, good cousin, further than you should. -Lest you mistake the heavens are o'er our heads. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -I know it, uncle, and oppose not myself -Against their will. But who comes here? -Welcome, Harry: what, will not this castle yield? - -HENRY PERCY: -The castle royally is mann'd, my lord, -Against thy entrance. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -Royally! -Why, it contains no king? - -HENRY 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 reverence; who, I cannot learn. - -NORTHUMBERLAND: -O, belike it is the Bishop of Carlisle. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -Noble lords, -Go to the rude ribs of that ancient castle; -Through brazen trumpet send the breath of parley -Into his ruin'd ears, and thus deliver: -Henry Bolingbroke -On both his knees doth kiss King Richard's 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 repeal'd -And lands restored again be freely granted: -If not, I'll use the advantage of my power -And lay the summer's dust with showers of blood -Rain'd from the wounds of slaughter'd 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 Richard's land, -My stooping duty tenderly shall show. -Go, signify as much, while here we march -Upon the grassy carpet of this plain. -Let's march without the noise of threatening drum, -That from this castle's tatter'd 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 thundering shock -At meeting tears the cloudy cheeks of heaven. -Be he the fire, I'll be the yielding water: -The rage be his, whilst on the earth I rain -My waters; on the earth, and not on him. -March on, and mark King Richard how he looks. -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. - -DUKE OF YORK: -Yet looks he like a king: behold, his eye, -As bright as is the eagle's, lightens forth -Controlling majesty: alack, alack, for woe, -That any harm should stain so fair a show! - -KING RICHARD II: -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 Bolingbroke--for yond 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 England's face, -Change the complexion of her maid-pale 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 rush'd upon! Thy thrice noble cousin -Harry Bolingbroke doth humbly kiss thy hand; -And by the honourable tomb he swears, -That stands upon your royal grandsire's 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, is just; -And, as I am a gentleman, I credit him. - -KING RICHARD II: -Northumberland, say thus the king returns: -His noble cousin is right welcome hither; -And all the number of his fair demands -Shall be accomplish'd without contradiction: -With all the gracious utterance thou hast -Speak to his gentle hearing kind commends. -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? - -DUKE OF AUMERLE: -No, good my lord; let's fight with gentle words -Till time lend friends and friends their helpful swords. - -KING RICHARD II: -O God, O God! that e'er 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! -Swell'st thou, proud heart? I'll give thee scope to beat, -Since foes have scope to beat both thee and me. - -DUKE OF AUMERLE: -Northumberland comes back from Bolingbroke. - -KING RICHARD II: -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? o' God's name, let it go: -I'll give my jewels for a set of beads, -My gorgeous palace for a hermitage, -My gay apparel for an almsman's gown, -My figured goblets for a dish of wood, -My sceptre for a palmer's walking staff, -My subjects for a pair of carved saints -And my large kingdom for a little grave, -A little little grave, an obscure grave; -Or I'll be buried in the king's highway, -Some way of common trade, where subjects' feet -May hourly trample on their sovereign's head; -For on my heart they tread now whilst I live; -And buried once, why not upon my head? -Aumerle, thou weep'st, my tender-hearted cousin! -We'll 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 digg'd 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 II: -Down, down I come; like glistering Phaethon, -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 night-owls shriek where mounting larks -should sing. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -What says his majesty? - -NORTHUMBERLAND: -Sorrow and grief of heart -Makes him speak fondly, like a frantic man -Yet he is come. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -Stand all apart, -And show fair duty to his majesty. -My gracious lord,-- - -KING RICHARD II: -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. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -My gracious lord, I come but for mine own. - -KING RICHARD II: -Your own is yours, and I am yours, and all. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -So far be mine, my most redoubted lord, -As my true service shall deserve your love. - -KING RICHARD II: -Well you deserve: they well deserve to have, -That know the strong'st 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, I'll give, and willing too; -For do we must what force will have us do. -Set on towards London, cousin, is it so? - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -Yea, my good lord. - -KING RICHARD II: -Then I must not say no. - -QUEEN: -What sport shall we devise here in this garden, -To drive away the heavy thought of care? - -Lady: -Madam, we'll play at bowls. - -QUEEN: -'Twill make me think the world is full of rubs, -And that my fortune rubs against the bias. - -Lady: -Madam, we'll 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, we'll tell tales. - -QUEEN: -Of sorrow or of joy? - -Lady: -Of either, madam. - -QUEEN: -Of neither, girl: -For 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, I'll 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: -Let's step into the shadow of these trees. -My wretchedness unto a row of pins, -They'll talk of state; for every one doth so -Against a change; woe is forerun with woe. - -Gardener: -Go, bind thou up yon 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 fast growing sprays, -That look too lofty in our commonwealth: -All must be even in our government. -You thus employ'd, I will go root away -The noisome weeds, which without profit suck -The soil's 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 sea-walled garden, the whole land, -Is full of weeds, her fairest flowers choked up, -Her fruit-trees all upturned, her hedges ruin'd, -Her knots disorder'd and her wholesome herbs -Swarming with caterpillars? - -Gardener: -Hold thy peace: -He that hath suffer'd this disorder'd spring -Hath now himself met with the fall of leaf: -The weeds which his broad-spreading leaves did shelter, -That seem'd in eating him to hold him up, -Are pluck'd 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 trimm'd and dress'd his land -As we this garden! We at time of year -Do wound the bark, the skin of our fruit-trees, -Lest, being over-proud 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 borne the crown, -Which waste of idle hours hath quite thrown down. - -Servant: -What, think you then the king shall be deposed? - -Gardener: -Depress'd he is already, and deposed -'Tis doubt he will be: letters came last night -To a dear friend of the good Duke of York's, -That tell black tidings. - -QUEEN: -O, I am press'd to death through want of speaking! -Thou, old Adam's 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? -Darest thou, thou little better thing than earth, -Divine his downfall? Say, where, when, and how, -Camest 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 weigh'd: -In your lord's 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 every one 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 think'st -To serve me last, that I may longest keep -Thy sorrow in my breast. Come, ladies, go, -To meet at London London's king in woe. -What, was I born to this, that my sad look -Should grace the triumph of great Bolingbroke? -Gardener, for telling me these news of woe, -Pray God the plants thou graft'st may never grow. - -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 -I'll 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. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -Call forth Bagot. -Now, Bagot, freely speak thy mind; -What thou dost know of noble Gloucester's death, -Who wrought it with the king, and who perform'd -The bloody office of his timeless end. - -BAGOT: -Then set before my face the Lord Aumerle. - -HENRY 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 deliver'd. -In that dead time when Gloucester's 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 uncle's 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 Bolingbroke's return to England; -Adding withal how blest this land would be -In this your cousin's death. - -DUKE OF 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 soil'd -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 heart-blood, though being all too base -To stain the temper of my knightly sword. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -Bagot, forbear; thou shalt not take it up. - -DUKE OF AUMERLE: -Excepting one, I would he were the best -In all this presence that hath moved me so. - -LORD 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 stand'st, -I heard thee say, and vauntingly thou spakest it -That thou wert cause of noble Gloucester's death. -If thou deny'st it twenty times, thou liest; -And I will turn thy falsehood to thy heart, -Where it was forged, with my rapier's point. - -DUKE OF AUMERLE: -Thou darest not, coward, live to see that day. - -LORD FITZWATER: -Now by my soul, I would it were this hour. - -DUKE OF AUMERLE: -Fitzwater, thou art damn'd to hell for this. - -HENRY PERCY: -Aumerle, thou liest; his honour is as true -In this appeal as thou art all 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 darest. - -DUKE OF AUMERLE: -An if I do not, may my hands rot off -And never brandish more revengeful steel -Over the glittering helmet of my foe! - -Lord: -I task the earth to the like, forsworn Aumerle; -And spur thee on with full as many lies -As may be holloa'd in thy treacherous ear -From sun to sun: there is my honour's pawn; -Engage it to the trial, if thou darest. - -DUKE OF AUMERLE: -Who sets me else? by heaven, I'll throw at all: -I have a thousand spirits in one breast, -To answer twenty thousand such as you. - -DUKE OF SURREY: -My Lord Fitzwater, I do remember well -The very time Aumerle and you did talk. - -LORD FITZWATER: -'Tis very true: you were in presence then; -And you can witness with me this is true. - -DUKE OF SURREY: -As false, by heaven, as heaven itself is true. - -LORD FITZWATER: -Surrey, thou liest. - -DUKE OF SURREY: -Dishonourable boy! -That lie shall lie so heavy on my sword, -That it shall render vengeance and revenge -Till thou the lie-giver and that lie do lie -In earth as quiet as thy father's skull: -In proof whereof, there is my honour's pawn; -Engage it to the trial, if thou darest. - -LORD 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 banish'd Norfolk say -That thou, Aumerle, didst send two of thy men -To execute the noble duke at Calais. - -DUKE OF AUMERLE: -Some honest Christian trust me with a gage -That Norfolk lies: here do I throw down this, -If he may be repeal'd, to try his honour. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -These differences shall all rest under gage -Till Norfolk be repeal'd: repeal'd he shall be, -And, though mine enemy, restored again -To all his lands and signories: when he's return'd, -Against Aumerle we will enforce his trial. - -BISHOP OF CARLISLE: -That honourable day shall ne'er be seen. -Many a time hath banish'd Norfolk fought -For Jesu Christ in glorious Christian field, -Streaming the ensign of the Christian cross -Against black pagans, Turks, and Saracens: -And toil'd with works of war, retired himself -To Italy; and there at Venice gave -His body to that pleasant country's earth, -And his pure soul unto his captain Christ, -Under whose colours he had fought so long. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -Why, bishop, is Norfolk dead? - -BISHOP OF CARLISLE: -As surely as I live, my lord. - -HENRY 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. - -DUKE OF YORK: -Great Duke of Lancaster, I come to thee -From plume-pluck'd 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, fourth of that name! - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -In God's name, I'll ascend the regal throne. - -BISHOP OF 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 Richard's subject? -Thieves are not judged but they are by to hear, -Although apparent guilt be seen in them; -And shall the figure of God's 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, -Stirr'd up by God, thus boldly for his king: -My Lord of Hereford here, whom you call king, -Is a foul traitor to proud Hereford's 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 call'd -The field of Golgotha and dead men's 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, child's 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. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -Fetch hither Richard, that in common view -He may surrender; so we shall proceed -Without suspicion. - -DUKE OF YORK: -I will be his conduct. - -HENRY 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 look'd for at your helping hands. - -KING RICHARD II: -Alack, why am I sent for to a king, -Before I have shook off the regal thoughts -Wherewith I reign'd? I hardly yet have learn'd -To insinuate, flatter, bow, and bend my limbs: -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? - -DUKE OF 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 II: -Give me the crown. Here, cousin, seize the crown; -Here cousin: -On this side my hand, and on that side yours. -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. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -I thought you had been willing to resign. - -KING RICHARD II: -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. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -Part of your cares you give me with your crown. - -KING RICHARD II: -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. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -Are you contented to resign the crown? - -KING RICHARD II: -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 duty's rites: -All pomp and majesty I do forswear; -My manors, rents, revenues I forego; -My acts, decrees, and statutes I deny: -God pardon all oaths that are broke to me! -God keep all vows unbroke that swear to thee! -Make me, that nothing have, with nothing grieved, -And thou with all pleased, that hast all achieved! -Long mayst thou live in Richard's seat to sit, -And soon lie Richard in an earthly pit! -God save King Harry, unking'd Richard says, -And send him many years of sunshine days! -What more remains? - -NORTHUMBERLAND: -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 II: -Must I do so? and must I ravel out -My weaved-up folly? 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, -Mark'd with a blot, damn'd in the book of heaven: -Nay, all of you that stand and look upon, -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 deliver'd me to my sour cross, -And water cannot wash away your sin. - -NORTHUMBERLAND: -My lord, dispatch; read o'er these articles. - -KING RICHARD II: -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 soul's consent -To 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 II: -No lord of thine, thou haught insulting man, -Nor no man's lord; I have no name, no title, -No, not that name was given me at the font, -But 'tis usurp'd: 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 water-drops! -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. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -Go some of you and fetch a looking-glass. - -NORTHUMBERLAND: -Read o'er this paper while the glass doth come. - -KING RICHARD II: -Fiend, thou torment'st me ere I come to hell! - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -Urge it no more, my Lord Northumberland. - -NORTHUMBERLAND: -The commons will not then be satisfied. - -KING RICHARD II: -They shall be satisfied: I'll read enough, -When I do see the very book indeed -Where all my sins are writ, and that's myself. -Give me the 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 flattering 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? -Was this the face that faced so many follies, -And was at last out-faced by Bolingbroke? -A brittle glory shineth in this face: -As brittle as the glory is the face; -For there it is, crack'd in a hundred shivers. -Mark, silent king, the moral of this sport, -How soon my sorrow hath destroy'd my face. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -The shadow of your sorrow hath destroy'd -The shadow or your face. - -KING RICHARD II: -Say that again. -The shadow of my sorrow! ha! let's see: -'Tis very true, my grief lies all within; -And these external manners 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 givest -Me cause to wail but teachest me the way -How to lament the cause. I'll beg one boon, -And then be gone and trouble you no more. -Shall I obtain it? - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -Name it, fair cousin. - -KING RICHARD II: -'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. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -Yet ask. - -KING RICHARD II: -And shall I have? - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -You shall. - -KING RICHARD II: -Then give me leave to go. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -Whither? - -KING RICHARD II: -Whither you will, so I were from your sights. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -Go, some of you convey him to the Tower. - -KING RICHARD II: -O, good! convey? conveyers are you all, -That rise thus nimbly by a true king's fall. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -On Wednesday next we solemnly set down -Our coronation: lords, prepare yourselves. - -Abbot: -A woeful pageant have we here beheld. - -BISHOP OF CARLISLE: -The woe's to come; the children yet unborn. -Shall feel this day as sharp to them as thorn. - -DUKE OF 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; and I'll lay -A plot shall show us all a merry day. - -QUEEN: -This way the king will come; this is the way -To Julius Caesar's ill-erected tower, -To whose flint bosom my condemned lord -Is doom'd a prisoner by proud Bolingbroke: -Here let us rest, if this rebellious earth -Have any resting for her true king's queen. -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 true-love tears. -Ah, thou, the model where old Troy did stand, -Thou map of honour, thou King Richard's tomb, -And not King Richard; thou most beauteous inn, -Why should hard-favour'd grief be lodged in thee, -When triumph is become an alehouse guest? - -KING RICHARD II: -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 world's crown, -Which our profane hours here have stricken down. - -QUEEN: -What, is my Richard both in shape and mind -Transform'd and weaken'd? 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 o'erpower'd; and wilt thou, pupil-like, -Take thy correction mildly, kiss the rod, -And fawn on rage with base humility, -Which art a lion and a king of beasts? - -KING RICHARD II: -A king of beasts, indeed; if aught but beasts, -I had been still a happy king of men. -Good sometime queen, prepare thee hence for France: -Think I am dead and that even here thou takest, -As from my death-bed, thy last living leave. -In winter's 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 coal-black, -For the deposing of a rightful king. - -NORTHUMBERLAND: -My lord, the mind of Bolingbroke is changed: -You must to Pomfret, not unto the Tower. -And, madam, there is order ta'en for you; -With all swift speed you must away to France. - -KING RICHARD II: -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 -Shalt 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 know'st the way -To plant unrightful kings, wilt know again, -Being ne'er 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 II: -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 toward 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 short'st of day. - -QUEEN: -And must we be divided? must we part? - -KING RICHARD II: -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 II: -So two, together weeping, make one woe. -Weep thou for me in France, I for thee here; -Better far off than near, be ne'er the near. -Go, count thy way with sighs; I mine with groans. - -QUEEN: -So longest way shall have the longest moans. - -KING RICHARD II: -Twice for one step I'll groan, the way being short, -And piece the way out with a heavy heart. -Come, come, in wooing sorrow let's 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. - -QUEEN: -Give me mine own again; 'twere no good part -To take on me to keep and kill thy heart. -So, now I have mine own again, be gone, -That I might strive to kill it with a groan. - -KING RICHARD II: -We make woe wanton with this fond delay: -Once more, adieu; the rest let sorrow say. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -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. - -DUKE OF YORK: -Where did I leave? - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -At that sad stop, my lord, -Where rude misgovern'd hands from windows' tops -Threw dust and rubbish on King Richard's head. - -DUKE OF YORK: -Then, as I said, the duke, great Bolingbroke, -Mounted upon a hot and fiery steed -Which his aspiring rider seem'd 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 steed's neck, -Bespake them thus: 'I thank you, countrymen:' -And thus still doing, thus he pass'd along. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -Alack, poor Richard! where rode he the whilst? - -DUKE OF YORK: -As in a theatre, the eyes of men, -After a well-graced 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, men's 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, steel'd -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. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -Here comes my son Aumerle. - -DUKE OF YORK: -Aumerle that was; -But that is lost for being Richard's friend, -And, madam, you must call him Rutland now: -I am in parliament pledge for his truth -And lasting fealty to the new-made king. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -Welcome, my son: who are the violets now -That strew the green lap of the new come spring? - -DUKE OF AUMERLE: -Madam, I know not, nor I greatly care not: -God knows I had as lief be none as one. - -DUKE OF YORK: -Well, bear you well in this new spring of time, -Lest you be cropp'd before you come to prime. -What news from Oxford? hold those justs and triumphs? - -DUKE OF AUMERLE: -For aught I know, my lord, they do. - -DUKE OF YORK: -You will be there, I know. - -DUKE OF AUMERLE: -If God prevent not, I purpose so. - -DUKE OF YORK: -What seal is that, that hangs without thy bosom? -Yea, look'st thou pale? let me see the writing. - -DUKE OF AUMERLE: -My lord, 'tis nothing. - -DUKE OF YORK: -No matter, then, who see it; -I will be satisfied; let me see the writing. - -DUKE OF 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. - -DUKE OF YORK: -Which for some reasons, sir, I mean to see. -I fear, I fear,-- - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -What should you fear? -'Tis nothing but some bond, that he is enter'd into -For gay apparel 'gainst the triumph day. - -DUKE OF 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. - -DUKE OF AUMERLE: -I do beseech you, pardon me; I may not show it. - -DUKE OF YORK: -I will be satisfied; let me see it, I say. -Treason! foul treason! Villain! traitor! slave! - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -What is the matter, my lord? - -DUKE OF YORK: -Ho! who is within there? -Saddle my horse. -God for his mercy, what treachery is here! - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -Why, what is it, my lord? - -DUKE OF YORK: -Give me my boots, I say; saddle my horse. -Now, by mine honour, by my life, by my troth, -I will appeach the villain. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -What is the matter? - -DUKE OF YORK: -Peace, foolish woman. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -I will not peace. What is the matter, Aumerle. - -DUKE OF AUMERLE: -Good mother, be content; it is no more -Than my poor life must answer. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -Thy life answer! - -DUKE OF YORK: -Bring me my boots: I will unto the king. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -Strike him, Aumerle. Poor boy, thou art amazed. -Hence, villain! never more come in my sight. - -DUKE OF YORK: -Give me my boots, I say. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -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 mother's name? -Is he not like thee? is he not thine own? - -DUKE OF YORK: -Thou fond mad woman, -Wilt thou conceal this dark conspiracy? -A dozen of them here have ta'en the sacrament, -And interchangeably set down their hands, -To kill the king at Oxford. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -He shall be none; -We'll keep him here: then what is that to him? - -DUKE OF YORK: -Away, fond woman! were he twenty times my son, -I would appeach him. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -Hadst thou groan'd 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. - -DUKE OF YORK: -Make way, unruly woman! - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -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. -I'll 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 pardon'd thee. Away, be gone! - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -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; -Which he, young wanton and effeminate boy, -Takes on the point of honour to support -So dissolute a crew. - -HENRY PERCY: -My lord, some two days since I saw the prince, -And told him of those triumphs held at Oxford. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -And what said the gallant? - -HENRY PERCY: -His answer was, he would unto the stews, -And from the common'st creature pluck a glove, -And wear it as a favour; and with that -He would unhorse the lustiest challenger. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -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? - -DUKE OF AUMERLE: -Where is the king? - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -What means our cousin, that he stares and looks -So wildly? - -DUKE OF AUMERLE: -God save your grace! I do beseech your majesty, -To have some conference with your grace alone. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -Withdraw yourselves, and leave us here alone. -What is the matter with our cousin now? - -DUKE OF AUMERLE: -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. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -Intended or committed was this fault? -If on the first, how heinous e'er it be, -To win thy after-love I pardon thee. - -DUKE OF AUMERLE: -Then give me leave that I may turn the key, -That no man enter till my tale be done. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -Have thy desire. - -DUKE OF YORK: - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -Villain, I'll make thee safe. - -DUKE OF AUMERLE: -Stay thy revengeful hand; thou hast no cause to fear. - -DUKE OF YORK: - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -What is the matter, uncle? speak; -Recover breath; tell us how near is danger, -That we may arm us to encounter it. - -DUKE OF YORK: -Peruse this writing here, and thou shalt know -The treason that my haste forbids me show. - -DUKE OF AUMERLE: -Remember, as thou read'st, thy promise pass'd: -I do repent me; read not my name there -My heart is not confederate with my hand. - -DUKE OF YORK: -It was, villain, ere thy hand did set it down. -I tore it from the traitor's 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. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -O heinous, strong and bold conspiracy! -O loyal father of a treacherous son! -Thou sheer, immaculate and silver fountain, -From when 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. - -DUKE OF YORK: -So shall my virtue be his vice's 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 kill'st me in his life; giving him breath, -The traitor lives, the true man's put to death. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -What shrill-voiced suppliant makes this eager cry? - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -A woman, and thy aunt, great king; 'tis I. -Speak with me, pity me, open the door. -A beggar begs that never begg'd before. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -Our scene is alter'd from a serious thing, -And now changed to 'The Beggar and the King.' -My dangerous cousin, let your mother in: -I know she is come to pray for your foul sin. - -DUKE OF YORK: -If thou do pardon, whosoever pray, -More sins for this forgiveness prosper may. -This fester'd joint cut off, the rest rest sound; -This let alone will all the rest confound. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -O king, believe not this hard-hearted man! -Love loving not itself none other can. - -DUKE OF YORK: -Thou frantic woman, what dost thou make here? -Shall thy old dugs once more a traitor rear? - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -Sweet York, be patient. Hear me, gentle liege. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -Rise up, good aunt. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -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. - -DUKE OF AUMERLE: -Unto my mother's prayers I bend my knee. - -DUKE OF YORK: -Against them both my true joints bended be. -Ill mayst thou thrive, if thou grant any grace! - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -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 shall kneel till to the ground they grow: -His prayers are full of false hypocrisy; -Ours of true zeal and deep integrity. -Our prayers do out-pray his; then let them have -That mercy which true prayer ought to have. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -Good aunt, stand up. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -Nay, do not say, 'stand up;' -Say, 'pardon' first, and afterwards 'stand up.' -And if I were thy nurse, thy tongue to teach, -'Pardon' should be the first word of thy speech. -I never long'd 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. - -DUKE OF YORK: -Speak it in French, king; say, 'pardonne moi.' - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -Dost thou teach pardon pardon to destroy? -Ah, my sour husband, my hard-hearted lord, -That set'st 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. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -Good aunt, stand up. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -I do not sue to stand; -Pardon is all the suit I have in hand. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -I pardon him, as God shall pardon me. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -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. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -With all my heart -I pardon him. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -A god on earth thou art. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -But for our trusty brother-in-law 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 where'er 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 too, adieu: -Your mother well hath pray'd, and prove you true. - -DUCHESS OF YORK: -Come, my old son: I pray God make thee new. - -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 wistly look'd on me, -And who should say, 'I would thou wert the man' -That would divorce this terror from my heart;' -Meaning the king at Pomfret. Come, let's go: -I am the king's friend, and will rid his foe. - -KING RICHARD II: -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 I'll hammer it out. -My brain I'll prove the female to my soul, -My soul the father; and these two beget -A generation of still-breeding 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 intermix'd -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 small needle's 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 fortune's 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 king'd again: and by and by -Think that I am unking'd by Bolingbroke, -And straight am nothing: but whate'er 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? -Ha, ha! keep time: how sour sweet music is, -When time is broke and no proportion kept! -So is it in the music of men's lives. -And here have I the daintiness of ear -To cheque time broke in a disorder'd 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 numbering clock: -My thoughts are minutes; and with sighs they jar -Their watches on unto mine eyes, the outward watch, -Whereto my finger, like a dial's 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 Bolingbroke's 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 all-hating world. - -Groom: -Hail, royal prince! - -KING RICHARD II: -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 master's face. -O, how it yearn'd 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 dress'd! - -KING RICHARD II: -Rode he on Barbary? Tell me, gentle friend, -How went he under him? - -Groom: -So proudly as if he disdain'd the ground. - -KING RICHARD II: -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 burthen like an ass, -Spurr'd, gall'd and tired by jouncing Bolingbroke. - -Keeper: -Fellow, give place; here is no longer stay. - -KING RICHARD II: -If thou love me, 'tis time thou wert away. - -Groom: -What my tongue dares not, that my heart shall say. - -Keeper: -My lord, will't please you to fall to? - -KING RICHARD II: -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. - -KING RICHARD II: -The devil take Henry of Lancaster and thee! -Patience is stale, and I am weary of it. - -Keeper: -Help, help, help! - -KING RICHARD II: -How now! what means death in this rude assault? -Villain, thy own hand yields thy death's instrument. -Go thou, and fill another room in hell. -That hand shall burn in never-quenching fire -That staggers thus my person. Exton, thy fierce hand -Hath with the king's blood stain'd the king's own land. -Mount, mount, my soul! thy seat is up on high; -Whilst my gross flesh sinks downward, here to die. - -EXTON: -As full of valour as of royal blood: -Both have I spill'd; 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 I'll bear -Take hence the rest, and give them burial here. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -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 ta'en or slain we hear not. -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 Oxford, Salisbury, Blunt, and Kent: -The manner of their taking may appear -At large discoursed in this paper here. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -We thank thee, gentle Percy, for thy pains; -And to thy worth will add right worthy gains. - -LORD 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. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -Thy pains, Fitzwater, shall not be forgot; -Right noble is thy merit, well I wot. - -HENRY 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. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -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 livest in peace, die free from strife: -For though mine enemy thou hast ever been, -High sparks of honour in thee have I seen. - -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. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -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. - -HENRY BOLINGBROKE: -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 through 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 that I do lament, -And put on sullen black incontinent: -I'll 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. - - -SAMPSON: -Gregory, o' my word, we'll not carry coals. - -GREGORY: -No, for then we should be colliers. - -SAMPSON: -I mean, an we be in choler, we'll 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 runn'st away. - -SAMPSON: -A dog of that house shall move me to stand: I will -take the wall of any man or maid of Montague's. - -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 -Montague's 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 cruel with the -maids, and 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 -two of the house of the Montagues. - -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 a disgrace to them, if they bear it. - -ABRAHAM: -Do you bite your thumb at us, sir? - -SAMPSON: -I do bite my thumb, sir. - -ABRAHAM: -Do you bite your thumb at us, sir? - -SAMPSON: - -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? - -ABRAHAM: -Quarrel sir! no, sir. - -SAMPSON: -If you do, sir, I am for you: I serve as good a man as you. - -ABRAHAM: -No better. - -SAMPSON: -Well, sir. - -GREGORY: -Say 'better:' here comes one of my master's kinsmen. - -SAMPSON: -Yes, better, sir. - -ABRAHAM: -You lie. - -SAMPSON: -Draw, if you be men. Gregory, remember thy swashing blow. - -BENVOLIO: -Part, fools! -Put up your swords; you know not what you do. - -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! - -First Citizen: -Clubs, bills, and partisans! strike! beat them down! -Down with the Capulets! down with the Montagues! - -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. - -MONTAGUE: -Thou villain Capulet,--Hold me not, let me go. - -LADY MONTAGUE: -Thou shalt not stir a foot to seek a foe. - -PRINCE: -Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace, -Profaners of this neighbour-stained 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 mistemper'd 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 disturb'd the quiet of our streets, -And made Verona's ancient citizens -Cast by their grave beseeming ornaments, -To wield old partisans, in hands as old, -Canker'd with peace, to part your canker'd 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 further pleasure in this case, -To old Free-town, our common judgment-place. -Once more, on pain of death, all men depart. - -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 prepared, -Which, as he breathed defiance to my ears, -He swung about his head and cut the winds, -Who nothing hurt withal hiss'd 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 to-day? -Right glad I am he was not at this fray. - -BENVOLIO: -Madam, an hour before the worshipp'd sun -Peer'd 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 the city's 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, -That most are busied when they're most alone, -Pursued my humour not pursuing his, -And gladly shunn'd who gladly fled from me. - -MONTAGUE: -Many a morning hath he there been seen, -With tears augmenting the fresh morning dew. -Adding to clouds more clouds with his deep sighs; -But all so soon as the all-cheering sun -Should in the furthest east begin to draw -The shady curtains from Aurora's bed, -Away from the light steals home my heavy son, -And private in his chamber pens himself, -Shuts up his windows, locks far 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 importuned him by any means? - -MONTAGUE: -Both by myself and many other friends: -But he, his own affections' counsellor, -Is to himself--I 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. - -BENVOLIO: -See, where he comes: so please you, step aside; -I'll know his grievance, or be much denied. - -MONTAGUE: -I would thou wert so happy by thy stay, -To hear true shrift. Come, madam, let's away. - -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 Romeo's 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. -Here's much to do with hate, but more with love. -Why, then, O brawling love! O loving hate! -O any thing, of nothing first create! -O heavy lightness! serious vanity! -Mis-shapen chaos of well-seeming forms! -Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, -sick health! -Still-waking 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 heart's oppression. - -ROMEO: -Why, such is love's 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 raised with the fume of sighs; -Being purged, a fire sparkling in lovers' eyes; -Being vex'd a sea nourish'd with lovers' tears: -What is it else? a madness most discreet, -A choking gall and a preserving sweet. -Farewell, my coz. - -BENVOLIO: -Soft! I will go along; -An if you leave me so, you do me wrong. - -ROMEO: -Tut, I have lost myself; I am not here; -This is not Romeo, he's 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: -Ah, word ill urged to one that is so ill! -In sadness, cousin, I do love a woman. - -BENVOLIO: -I aim'd so near, when I supposed you loved. - -ROMEO: -A right good mark-man! And she's fair I love. - -BENVOLIO: -A right fair mark, fair coz, is soonest hit. - -ROMEO: -Well, in that hit you miss: she'll not be hit -With Cupid's arrow; she hath Dian's wit; -And, in strong proof of chastity well arm'd, -From love's weak childish bow she lives unharm'd. -She will not stay the siege of loving terms, -Nor bide the encounter of assailing eyes, -Nor ope her lap to saint-seducing gold: -O, she is 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 starved 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 ruled 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 put 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 pass'd that passing fair? -Farewell: thou canst not teach me to forget. - -BENVOLIO: -I'll pay that doctrine, or else die in debt. - -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 lived at odds so long. -But now, my lord, what say you to my suit? - -CAPULET: -But saying o'er 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 marr'd are those so early made. -The earth hath swallow'd 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; -An she agree, within her scope of choice -Lies my consent and fair according voice. -This night I hold an old accustom'd 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 -Earth-treading stars that make dark heaven light: -Such comfort as do lusty young men feel -When well-apparell'd 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, and to them say, -My house and welcome on their pleasure stay. - -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. - -BENVOLIO: -Tut, man, one fire burns out another's burning, -One pain is lessen'd by another's anguish; -Turn giddy, and be holp by backward turning; -One desperate grief cures with another's languish: -Take thou some new infection to thy eye, -And the rank poison of the old will die. - -ROMEO: -Your plaintain-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 mad-man is; -Shut up in prison, kept without my food, -Whipp'd and tormented and--God-den, good fellow. - -Servant: -God gi' god-den. 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 any thing 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. -'Signior Martino and his wife and daughters; -County Anselme and his beauteous sisters; the lady -widow of Vitravio; Signior Placentio and his lovely -nieces; Mercutio and his brother Valentine; mine -uncle Capulet, his wife and daughters; my fair niece -Rosaline; Livia; Signior Valentio and his cousin -Tybalt, Lucio and the lively Helena.' A fair -assembly: whither should they come? - -Servant: -Up. - -ROMEO: -Whither? - -Servant: -To supper; to our house. - -ROMEO: -Whose house? - -Servant: -My master's. - -ROMEO: -Indeed, I should have ask'd you that before. - -Servant: -Now I'll 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! - -BENVOLIO: -At this same ancient feast of Capulet's -Sups the fair Rosaline whom thou so lovest, -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 fires; -And these, who often drown'd could never die, -Transparent heretics, be burnt for liars! -One fairer than my love! the all-seeing sun -Ne'er saw her match since first the world begun. - -BENVOLIO: -Tut, you saw her fair, none else being by, -Herself poised with herself in either eye: -But in that crystal scales let there be weigh'd -Your lady's 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: -I'll go along, no such sight to be shown, -But to rejoice in splendor of mine own. - -LADY CAPULET: -Nurse, where's 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! Where's this girl? What, 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 remember'd me, thou's hear our counsel. -Thou know'st my daughter's of a pretty age. - -Nurse: -Faith, I can tell her age unto an hour. - -LADY CAPULET: -She's not fourteen. - -Nurse: -I'll lay fourteen of my teeth,-- -And yet, to my teeth be it spoken, I have but four-- -She is not fourteen. How long is it now -To Lammas-tide? - -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 she--God 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 wean'd,--I 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 dove-house 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 dove-house: '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 the rood, -She could have run and waddled all about; -For even the day before, she broke her brow: -And then my husband--God be with his soul! -A' was a merry man--took 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, an 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 its brow -A bump as big as a young cockerel's stone; -A parlous knock; and it cried bitterly: -'Yea,' quoth my husband,'fall'st 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 e'er I nursed: -An 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 suck'd 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 world--why, he's a man of wax. - -LADY CAPULET: -Verona's summer hath not such a flower. - -Nurse: -Nay, he's 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 o'er the volume of young Paris' face, -And find delight writ there with beauty's pen; -Examine every married lineament, -And see how one another lends content -And what obscured 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 many's 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: -I'll 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. - -Servant: -Madam, the guests are come, supper served up, you -called, my young lady asked for, the nurse cursed in -the pantry, and every thing in extremity. I must -hence to wait; I beseech you, follow straight. - -LADY CAPULET: -We follow thee. -Juliet, the county stays. - -Nurse: -Go, girl, seek happy nights to happy days. - -ROMEO: -What, shall this speech be spoke for our excuse? -Or shall we on without a apology? - -BENVOLIO: -The date is out of such prolixity: -We'll have no Cupid hoodwink'd with a scarf, -Bearing a Tartar's painted bow of lath, -Scaring the ladies like a crow-keeper; -Nor no without-book prologue, faintly spoke -After the prompter, for our entrance: -But let them measure us by what they will; -We'll 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 Cupid's 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 love's 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: -A visor for a visor! what care I -What curious eye doth quote deformities? -Here are the beetle brows 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 proverb'd with a grandsire phrase; -I'll be a candle-holder, and look on. -The game was ne'er so fair, and I am done. - -MERCUTIO: -Tut, dun's the mouse, the constable's own word: -If thou art dun, we'll draw thee from the mire -Of this sir-reverence love, wherein thou stick'st -Up to the ears. Come, we burn daylight, ho! - -ROMEO: -Nay, that's not so. - -MERCUTIO: -I mean, sir, in delay -We waste our lights in vain, like lamps 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 dream'd a dream to-night. - -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 agate-stone -On the fore-finger of an alderman, -Drawn with a team of little atomies -Athwart men's noses as they lie asleep; -Her wagon-spokes made of long spiders' legs, -The cover of the wings of grasshoppers, -The traces of the smallest spider's web, -The collars of the moonshine's watery beams, -Her whip of cricket's bone, the lash of film, -Her wagoner a small grey-coated gnat, -Not so big as a round little worm -Prick'd from the lazy finger of a maid; -Her chariot is an empty hazel-nut -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; -O'er courtiers' knees, that dream on court'sies straight, -O'er lawyers' fingers, who straight dream on fees, -O'er 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 o'er a courtier's nose, -And then dreams he of smelling out a suit; -And sometime comes she with a tithe-pig's tail -Tickling a parson's nose as a' lies asleep, -Then dreams, he of another benefice: -Sometime she driveth o'er a soldier's neck, -And then dreams he of cutting foreign throats, -Of breaches, ambuscadoes, 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 talk'st 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 wooes -Even now the frozen bosom of the north, -And, being anger'd, puffs away from thence, -Turning his face to the dew-dropping 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 night's revels and expire the term -Of a despised life closed in my breast -By some vile forfeit of untimely death. -But He, that hath the steerage of my course, -Direct my sail! On, lusty gentlemen. - -BENVOLIO: -Strike, drum. - -First Servant: -Where's 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 men's -hands and they unwashed too, 'tis a foul thing. - -First Servant: -Away with the joint-stools, remove the -court-cupboard, look to the plate. Good thou, save -me a piece of marchpane; and, as thou lovest 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. - -CAPULET: -Welcome, gentlemen! ladies that have their toes -Unplagued with corns will have a bout with you. -Ah ha, my mistresses! which of you all -Will now deny to dance? she that makes dainty, -She, I'll 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 lady's 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. -More light, you knaves; and turn the tables up, -And quench the fire, the room is grown too hot. -Ah, sirrah, this unlook'd-for sport comes well. -Nay, sit, nay, sit, good cousin Capulet; -For you and I are past our dancing days: -How long is't now since last yourself and I -Were in a mask? - -Second Capulet: -By'r lady, thirty years. - -CAPULET: -What, man! 'tis not so much, 'tis not so much: -'Tis since the nuptials of Lucentio, -Come pentecost as quickly as it will, -Some five and twenty years; and then we mask'd. - -Second Capulet: -'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: - -Servant: -I know not, sir. - -ROMEO: -O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright! -It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night -Like a rich jewel in an Ethiope's ear; -Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear! -So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows, -As yonder lady o'er her fellows shows. -The measure done, I'll watch her place of stand, -And, touching hers, make blessed my rude hand. -Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight! -For I ne'er 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, cover'd 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; -He bears him like a portly gentleman; -And, to say truth, Verona brags of him -To be a virtuous and well-govern'd 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, -And ill-beseeming semblance for a feast. - -TYBALT: -It fits, when such a villain is a guest: -I'll not endure him. - -CAPULET: -He shall be endured: -What, goodman boy! I say, he shall: go to; -Am I the master here, or you? go to. -You'll not endure him! God shall mend my soul! -You'll make a mutiny among my guests! -You will set cock-a-hoop! you'll be the man! - -TYBALT: -Why, uncle, 'tis a shame. - -CAPULET: -Go to, go to; -You are a saucy boy: is't so, indeed? -This trick may chance to scathe you, I know what: -You must contrary me! marry, 'tis time. -Well said, my hearts! You are a princox; go: -Be quiet, or--More light, more light! For shame! -I'll 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. - -ROMEO: - -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 prayer's effect I take. -Thus from my lips, by yours, my sin is purged. - -JULIET: -Then have my lips the sin that they have took. - -ROMEO: -Sin from thy lips? O trespass sweetly urged! -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 nursed her daughter, that you talk'd 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 foe's debt. - -BENVOLIO: -Away, begone; 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 e'en so? why, then, I thank you all -I thank you, honest gentlemen; good night. -More torches here! Come on then, let's to bed. -Ah, sirrah, by my fay, it waxes late: -I'll to my rest. - -JULIET: -Come hither, nurse. What is yond gentleman? - -Nurse: -The son and heir of old Tiberio. - -JULIET: -What's he that now is going out of door? - -Nurse: -Marry, that, I think, be young Petrucio. - -JULIET: -What's he that follows there, 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: -What's this? what's this? - -JULIET: -A rhyme I learn'd even now -Of one I danced withal. - -Nurse: -Anon, anon! -Come, let's away; the strangers all are gone. - -Chorus: -Now old desire doth in his death-bed lie, -And young affection gapes to be his heir; -That fair for which love groan'd for and would die, -With tender Juliet match'd, is now not fair. -Now Romeo is beloved and loves again, -Alike betwitched by the charm of looks, -But to his foe supposed he must complain, -And she steal love's 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 any where: -But passion lends them power, time means, to meet -Tempering extremities with extreme sweet. - -ROMEO: -Can I go forward when my heart is here? -Turn back, dull earth, and find thy centre out. - -BENVOLIO: -Romeo! my cousin Romeo! - -MERCUTIO: -He is wise; -And, on my lie, hath stol'n him home to bed. - -BENVOLIO: -He ran this way, and leap'd this orchard wall: -Call, good Mercutio. - -MERCUTIO: -Nay, I'll 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 'Ay me!' pronounce but 'love' and 'dove;' -Speak to my gossip Venus one fair word, -One nick-name for her purblind son and heir, -Young Adam Cupid, he that shot so trim, -When King Cophetua loved the beggar-maid! -He heareth not, he stirreth not, he moveth not; -The ape is dead, and I must conjure him. -I conjure thee by Rosaline's 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: -And 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 conjured 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. -Romeo, that she were, O, that she were -An open et caetera, thou a poperin pear! -Romeo, good night: I'll to my truckle-bed; -This field-bed 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. - -ROMEO: -He jests at scars that never felt a wound. -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 o'er my head -As is a winged messenger of heaven -Unto the white-upturned wondering eyes -Of mortals that fall back to gaze on him -When he bestrides the lazy-pacing 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 I'll no longer be a Capulet. - -ROMEO: - -JULIET: -'Tis but thy name that is my enemy; -Thou art thyself, though not a Montague. -What's Montague? it is nor hand, nor foot, -Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part -Belonging to a man. O, be some other name! -What's in a name? that which we call a rose -By any other name would smell as sweet; -So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd, -Retain that dear perfection which he owes -Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name, -And for that name which is no part of thee -Take all myself. - -ROMEO: -I take thee at thy word: -Call me but love, and I'll be new baptized; -Henceforth I never will be Romeo. - -JULIET: -What man art thou that thus bescreen'd 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 not yet drunk a hundred words -Of that tongue's utterance, yet I know the sound: -Art thou not Romeo and a Montague? - -ROMEO: -Neither, fair saint, if either thee dislike. - -JULIET: -How camest 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 love's light wings did I o'er-perch these walls; -For stony limits cannot hold love out, -And what love can do that dares love attempt; -Therefore thy kinsmen are no let 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 night's cloak to hide me from their sight; -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 found'st thou out this place? - -ROMEO: -By love, who first did prompt me to inquire; -He lent me counsel and I lent him eyes. -I am no pilot; yet, wert thou as far -As that vast shore wash'd with the farthest sea, -I would adventure for such merchandise. - -JULIET: -Thou know'st the mask of night is on my face, -Else would a maiden blush bepaint my cheek -For that which thou hast heard me speak to-night -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 swear'st, -Thou mayst prove false; at lovers' perjuries -Then say, Jove laughs. O gentle Romeo, -If thou dost love, pronounce it faithfully: -Or if thou think'st I am too quickly won, -I'll frown and be perverse an 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 'havior light: -But trust me, gentleman, I'll prove more true -Than those that have more cunning to be strange. -I should have been more strange, I must confess, -But that thou overheard'st, ere I was ware, -My true love's 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 swear -That tips with silver all these fruit-tree tops-- - -JULIET: -O, swear not by the moon, the inconstant 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 I'll believe thee. - -ROMEO: -If my heart's dear love-- - -JULIET: -Well, do not swear: although I joy in thee, -I have no joy of this contract to-night: -It is too rash, too unadvised, 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 summer's 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 to-night? - -ROMEO: -The exchange of thy love's 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! -Anon, good nurse! Sweet Montague, be true. -Stay but a little, I will come again. - -ROMEO: -O blessed, blessed night! I am afeard. -Being in night, all this is but a dream, -Too flattering-sweet to be substantial. - -JULIET: -Three words, dear Romeo, and good night indeed. -If that thy bent of love be honourable, -Thy purpose marriage, send me word to-morrow, -By one that I'll procure to come to thee, -Where and what time thou wilt perform the rite; -And all my fortunes at thy foot I'll lay -And follow thee my lord throughout the world. - -Nurse: - -JULIET: -I come, anon.--But if thou mean'st not well, -I do beseech thee-- - -Nurse: - -JULIET: -By and by, I come:-- -To cease thy suit, and leave me to my grief: -To-morrow will I send. - -ROMEO: -So thrive my soul-- - -JULIET: -A thousand times good night! - -ROMEO: -A thousand times the worse, to want thy light. -Love goes toward love, as schoolboys from -their books, -But love from love, toward school with heavy looks. - -JULIET: -Hist! Romeo, hist! O, for a falconer's voice, -To lure this tassel-gentle 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 Romeo's name. - -ROMEO: -It is my soul that calls upon my name: -How silver-sweet sound lovers' tongues by night, -Like softest music to attending ears! - -JULIET: -Romeo! - -ROMEO: -My dear? - -JULIET: -At what o'clock to-morrow -Shall I send to thee? - -ROMEO: -At 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 I'll 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 further than a wanton's bird; -Who 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 loving-jealous 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. - -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 father's cell, -His help to crave, and my dear hap to tell. - -FRIAR LAURENCE: -The grey-eyed morn smiles on the frowning night, -Chequering the eastern clouds with streaks of light, -And flecked darkness like a drunkard reels -From forth day's path and Titan's fiery wheels: -Now, ere the sun advance his burning eye, -The day to cheer and night's dank dew to dry, -I must up-fill this osier cage of ours -With baleful weeds and precious-juiced flowers. -The earth that's nature's 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 herbs, plants, stones, and their true qualities: -For nought so vile that on the earth doth live -But to the earth some special good doth give, -Nor aught so good but strain'd from that fair use -Revolts from true birth, stumbling on abuse: -Virtue itself turns vice, being misapplied; -And vice sometimes by action dignified. -Within the infant rind of this small 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 herbs, grace and rude will; -And where the worser is predominant, -Full soon the canker death eats up that plant. - -ROMEO: -Good morrow, father. - -FRIAR LAURENCE: -Benedicite! -What early tongue so sweet saluteth me? -Young son, it argues a distemper'd head -So soon to bid good morrow to thy bed: -Care keeps his watch in every old man's eye, -And where care lodges, sleep will never lie; -But where unbruised youth with unstuff'd brain -Doth couch his limbs, there golden sleep doth reign: -Therefore thy earliness doth me assure -Thou art up-roused by some distemperature; -Or if not so, then here I hit it right, -Our Romeo hath not been in bed to-night. - -ROMEO: -That last is true; the sweeter rest was mine. - -FRIAR LAURENCE: -God pardon sin! wast thou with Rosaline? - -ROMEO: -With Rosaline, my ghostly father? no; -I have forgot that name, and that name's woe. - -FRIAR LAURENCE: -That's my good son: but where hast thou been, then? - -ROMEO: -I'll tell thee, ere thou ask it me again. -I have been feasting with mine enemy, -Where on a sudden one hath wounded me, -That's 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 LAURENCE: -Be plain, good son, and homely in thy drift; -Riddling confession finds but riddling shrift. - -ROMEO: -Then plainly know my heart's dear love is set -On the fair daughter of rich Capulet: -As mine on hers, so hers is set on mine; -And all combined, save what thou must combine -By holy marriage: when and where and how -We met, we woo'd and made exchange of vow, -I'll tell thee as we pass; but this I pray, -That thou consent to marry us to-day. - -FRIAR LAURENCE: -Holy Saint Francis, what a change is here! -Is Rosaline, whom thou didst love so dear, -So soon forsaken? young men's love then lies -Not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes. -Jesu Maria, what a deal of brine -Hath wash'd 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 ring yet in my ancient ears; -Lo, here upon thy cheek the stain doth sit -Of an old tear that is not wash'd off yet: -If e'er thou wast thyself and these woes thine, -Thou and these woes were all for Rosaline: -And art thou changed? pronounce this sentence then, -Women may fall, when there's no strength in men. - -ROMEO: -Thou chid'st me oft for loving Rosaline. - -FRIAR LAURENCE: -For doting, not for loving, pupil mine. - -ROMEO: -And bad'st me bury love. - -FRIAR LAURENCE: -Not in a grave, -To lay one in, another out to have. - -ROMEO: -I pray thee, chide not; she whom I love now -Doth grace for grace and love for love allow; -The other did not so. - -FRIAR LAURENCE: -O, she knew well -Thy love did read by rote and could not spell. -But come, young waverer, come, go with me, -In one respect I'll 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 LAURENCE: -Wisely and slow; they stumble that run fast. - -MERCUTIO: -Where the devil should this Romeo be? -Came he not home to-night? - -BENVOLIO: -Not to his father's; I spoke with his man. - -MERCUTIO: -Ah, that same pale hard-hearted wench, that Rosaline. -Torments him so, that he will sure run mad. - -BENVOLIO: -Tybalt, the kinsman of old Capulet, -Hath sent a letter to his father's 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 letter's master, how he -dares, being dared. - -MERCUTIO: -Alas poor Romeo! he is already dead; stabbed with a -white wench's black eye; shot through the ear with a -love-song; the very pin of his heart cleft with the -blind bow-boy's butt-shaft: and is he a man to -encounter Tybalt? - -BENVOLIO: -Why, what is Tybalt? - -MERCUTIO: -More than prince of cats, I can tell you. O, he is -the courageous captain of compliments. He fights as -you sing prick-song, keeps time, distance, and -proportion; rests me 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 -hai! - -BENVOLIO: -The what? - -MERCUTIO: -The pox of such antic, lisping, affecting -fantasticoes; these new tuners of accents! '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 fashion-mongers, these -perdona-mi's, who stand so much on the new form, -that they cannot at ease on the old bench? O, their -bones, their bones! - -BENVOLIO: -Here comes Romeo, here comes Romeo. - -MERCUTIO: -Without his roe, like a dried herring: flesh, flesh, -how art thou fishified! Now is he for the numbers -that Petrarch flowed in: Laura to his lady was but a -kitchen-wench; marry, she had a better love to -be-rhyme her; Dido a dowdy; Cleopatra a gipsy; -Helen and Hero hildings and harlots; Thisbe a grey -eye or so, but not to the purpose. Signior -Romeo, bon jour! there's 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 ship, 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: -That's as much as to say, such a case as yours -constrains a man to bow in the hams. - -ROMEO: -Meaning, to court'sy. - -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: -Well said: 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 sole singular. - -ROMEO: -O single-soled jest, solely singular for the -singleness. - -MERCUTIO: -Come between us, good Benvolio; my wits faint. - -ROMEO: -Switch and spurs, switch and spurs; or I'll cry a match. - -MERCUTIO: -Nay, if thy wits run the wild-goose chase, I have -done, for thou hast more of the wild-goose 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 any thing 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 well served in to a sweet goose? - -MERCUTIO: -O here's 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. - -ROMEO: -Here's goodly gear! - -MERCUTIO: -A sail, a sail! - -BENVOLIO: -Two, two; a shirt and a smock. - -Nurse: -Peter! - -PETER: -Anon! - -Nurse: -My fan, Peter. - -MERCUTIO: -Good Peter, to hide her face; for her fan's the -fairer face. - -Nurse: -God ye good morrow, gentlemen. - -MERCUTIO: -God ye good den, fair gentlewoman. - -Nurse: -Is it good den? - -MERCUTIO: -'Tis no less, I tell you, 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, i' faith; -wisely, wisely. - -Nurse: -if you be he, sir, I desire some confidence with -you. - -BENVOLIO: -She will indite 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. -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 father's? we'll -to dinner, thither. - -ROMEO: -I will follow you. - -MERCUTIO: -Farewell, ancient lady; farewell, -'lady, lady, lady.' - -Nurse: -Marry, farewell! 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: -An a' speak any thing against me, I'll take him -down, an a' were lustier than he is, and twenty such -Jacks; and if I cannot, I'll find those that shall. -Scurvy knave! I am none of his flirt-gills; I am -none of his skains-mates. And thou must stand by -too, and suffer every knave to use me at his pleasure? - -PETER: -I saw no man use you a 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 bade me inquire you -out; what she bade me say, I will keep to myself: -but first let me tell ye, if ye should lead her into -a fool's paradise, as they say, it were a very gross -kind of behavior, 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, i' faith, 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 Laurence' cell -Be shrived 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 top-gallant of my joy -Must be my convoy in the secret night. -Farewell; be trusty, and I'll quit thy pains: -Farewell; commend me to thy mistress. - -Nurse: -Now God in heaven bless thee! Hark you, sir. - -ROMEO: -What say'st thou, my dear nurse? - -Nurse: -Is your man secret? Did you ne'er hear say, -Two may keep counsel, putting one away? - -ROMEO: -I warrant thee, my man's as true as steel. - -NURSE: -Well, sir; my mistress is the sweetest lady--Lord, -Lord! when 'twas a little prating thing:--O, 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, I'll 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! that's the dog's name; R is for -the--No; 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! - -PETER: -Anon! - -Nurse: -Peter, take my fan, and go before and apace. - -JULIET: -The clock struck nine when I did send the nurse; -In half an hour she promised to return. -Perchance she cannot meet him: that's not so. -O, she is lame! love's heralds should be thoughts, -Which ten times faster glide than the sun's beams, -Driving back shadows over louring hills: -Therefore do nimble-pinion'd doves draw love, -And therefore hath the wind-swift Cupid wings. -Now is the sun upon the highmost hill -Of this day's journey, and from nine till twelve -Is three long hours, yet she is not come. -Had she affections and warm youthful blood, -She would 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. -O God, she comes! -O honey nurse, what news? -Hast thou met with him? Send thy man away. - -Nurse: -Peter, stay at the gate. - -JULIET: -Now, good sweet nurse,--O Lord, why look'st thou sad? -Though news be sad, yet tell them merrily; -If good, thou shamest the music of sweet news -By playing it to me with so sour a face. - -Nurse: -I am a-weary, 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 awhile? -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 I'll stay the circumstance: -Let me be satisfied, is't 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 man's, yet his leg excels -all men's; 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, I'll 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' t' other side,--O, my back, my back! -Beshrew your heart for sending me about, -To catch my death with jaunting up and down! - -JULIET: -I' faith, 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 virtuous,--Where 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 God's 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: -Here's such a coil! come, what says Romeo? - -Nurse: -Have you got leave to go to shrift to-day? - -JULIET: -I have. - -Nurse: -Then hie you hence to Friar Laurence' cell; -There stays a husband to make you a wife: -Now comes the wanton blood up in your cheeks, -They'll 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 bird's 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; I'll to dinner: hie you to the cell. - -JULIET: -Hie to high fortune! Honest nurse, farewell. - -FRIAR LAURENCE: -So smile the heavens upon this holy act, -That after hours 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 love-devouring death do what he dare; -It is enough I may but call her mine. - -FRIAR LAURENCE: -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. -Here comes the lady: O, so light a foot -Will ne'er wear out the everlasting flint: -A lover may bestride the gossamer -That idles in the wanton summer air, -And yet not fall; so light is vanity. - -JULIET: -Good even to my ghostly confessor. - -FRIAR LAURENCE: -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 heap'd like mine and that thy skill be more -To blazon it, then sweeten with thy breath -This neighbour air, and let rich music's tongue -Unfold the imagined 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 LAURENCE: -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. - -BENVOLIO: -I pray thee, good Mercutio, let's 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 those 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 -it 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 fun 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 old riband? and yet thou -wilt tutor me from quarrelling! - -BENVOLIO: -An 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! - -BENVOLIO: -By my head, here come the Capulets. - -MERCUTIO: -By my heel, I care not. - -TYBALT: -Follow me close, for I will speak to them. -Gentlemen, good den: 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, an you -will give me occasion. - -MERCUTIO: -Could you not take some occasion without giving? - -TYBALT: -Mercutio, thou consort'st with Romeo,-- - -MERCUTIO: -Consort! what, dost thou make us minstrels? an -thou make minstrels of us, look to hear nothing but -discords: here's my fiddlestick; here's 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: -Men's eyes were made to look, and let them gaze; -I will not budge for no man's pleasure, I. - -TYBALT: -Well, peace be with you, sir: here comes my man. - -MERCUTIO: -But I'll be hanged, sir, if he wear your livery: -Marry, go before to field, he'll be your follower; -Your worship in that sense may call him 'man.' - -TYBALT: -Romeo, the hate 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 know'st 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 injured 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 my own,--be satisfied. - -MERCUTIO: -O calm, dishonourable, vile submission! -Alla stoccata carries it away. -Tybalt, you rat-catcher, 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 pitcher -by the ears? make haste, lest mine be about your -ears ere it be out. - -TYBALT: -I am for you. - -ROMEO: -Gentle Mercutio, put thy rapier up. - -MERCUTIO: -Come, sir, your passado. - -ROMEO: -Draw, Benvolio; beat down their weapons. -Gentlemen, for shame, forbear this outrage! -Tybalt, Mercutio, the prince expressly hath -Forbidden bandying in Verona streets: -Hold, Tybalt! good Mercutio! - -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. - -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 to-morrow, 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 -arithmetic! Why 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! - -ROMEO: -This gentleman, the prince's near ally, -My very friend, hath got his mortal hurt -In my behalf; my reputation stain'd -With Tybalt's slander,--Tybalt, that an hour -Hath been my kinsman! O sweet Juliet, -Thy beauty hath made me effeminate -And in my temper soften'd valour's steel! - -BENVOLIO: -O Romeo, Romeo, brave Mercutio's dead! -That gallant spirit hath aspired the clouds, -Which too untimely here did scorn the earth. - -ROMEO: -This day's black fate on more days doth depend; -This but begins the woe, others must end. - -BENVOLIO: -Here comes the furious Tybalt back again. - -ROMEO: -Alive, in triumph! and Mercutio slain! -Away to heaven, respective lenity, -And fire-eyed fury be my conduct now! -Now, Tybalt, take the villain back again, -That late thou gavest me; for Mercutio's 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. - -BENVOLIO: -Romeo, away, be gone! -The citizens are up, and Tybalt slain. -Stand not amazed: the prince will doom thee death, -If thou art taken: hence, be gone, away! - -ROMEO: -O, I am fortune's fool! - -BENVOLIO: -Why dost thou stay? - -First Citizen: -Which way ran he that kill'd 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. - -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 brother's child! -O prince! O cousin! husband! O, the blood is spilt -O 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 Romeo's hand did slay; -Romeo that spoke him fair, bade him bethink -How nice the quarrel was, and urged withal -Your high displeasure: all this uttered -With gentle breath, calm look, knees humbly bow'd, -Could not take truce with the unruly spleen -Of Tybalt deaf to peace, but that he tilts -With piercing steel at bold Mercutio's 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 entertain'd revenge, -And to 't 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 Mercutio's 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 hate's proceeding, -My blood for your rude brawls doth lie a-bleeding; -But I'll 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's found, that hour is his last. -Bear hence this body and attend our will: -Mercy but murders, pardoning those that kill. - -JULIET: -Gallop apace, you fiery-footed steeds, -Towards Phoebus' lodging: such a wagoner -As Phaethon would whip you to the west, -And bring in cloudy night immediately. -Spread thy close curtain, love-performing night, -That runaway's eyes may wink and Romeo -Leap to these arms, untalk'd 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 sober-suited matron, all in black, -And learn me how to lose a winning match, -Play'd for a pair of stainless maidenhoods: -Hood my unmann'd blood, bating in my cheeks, -With thy black mantle; till strange love, grown 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 on a raven's back. -Come, gentle night, come, loving, black-brow'd night, -Give me my Romeo; and, when he 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 possess'd it, and, though I am sold, -Not yet enjoy'd: 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 Romeo's name speaks heavenly eloquence. -Now, nurse, what news? What hast thou there? the cords -That Romeo bid thee fetch? - -Nurse: -Ay, ay, the cords. - -JULIET: -Ay me! what news? why dost thou wring thy hands? - -Nurse: -Ah, well-a-day! he's dead, he's dead, he's dead! -We are undone, lady, we are undone! -Alack the day! he's gone, he's kill'd, he's 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 roar'd in dismal hell. -Hath Romeo slain himself? say thou but 'I,' -And that bare vowel 'I' shall poison more -Than the death-darting eye of cockatrice: -I am not I, if there be such an I; -Or those eyes shut, that make thee answer 'I.' -If he be slain, say 'I'; 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 mark!--here on his manly breast: -A piteous corse, a bloody piteous corse; -Pale, pale as ashes, all bedaub'd in blood, -All in gore-blood; I swounded at the sight. - -JULIET: -O, break, my heart! poor bankrupt, break at once! -To prison, eyes, ne'er 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 slaughter'd, and is Tybalt dead? -My dear-loved 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 kill'd him, he is banished. - -JULIET: -O God! did Romeo's hand shed Tybalt's 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! -Dove-feather'd raven! wolvish-ravening lamb! -Despised substance of divinest show! -Just opposite to what thou justly seem'st, -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 moral 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: -There's no trust, -No faith, no honesty in men; all perjured, -All forsworn, all naught, all dissemblers. -Ah, where's my man? give me some aqua vitae: -These griefs, these woes, these sorrows make me old. -Shame come to Romeo! - -JULIET: -Blister'd be thy tongue -For such a wish! he was not born to shame: -Upon his brow shame is ashamed to sit; -For 'tis a throne where honour may be crown'd -Sole monarch of the universal earth. -O, what a beast was I to chide at him! - -Nurse: -Will you speak well of him that kill'd 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 three-hours wife, have mangled it? -But, wherefore, villain, didst thou kill my cousin? -That villain cousin would have kill'd 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 Tybalt's dead, that would have slain my husband: -All this is comfort; wherefore weep I then? -Some word there was, worser than Tybalt's death, -That murder'd 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. Tybalt's death -Was woe enough, if it had ended there: -Or, if sour woe delights in fellowship -And needly will be rank'd with other griefs, -Why follow'd not, when she said 'Tybalt's dead,' -Thy father, or thy mother, nay, or both, -Which modern lamentations might have moved? -But with a rear-ward following Tybalt's death, -'Romeo is banished,' to 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 word's death; no words can that woe sound. -Where is my father, and my mother, nurse? - -Nurse: -Weeping and wailing over Tybalt's 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 Romeo's banishment. -Take up those cords: poor ropes, you are beguiled, -Both you and I; for Romeo is exiled: -He made you for a highway to my bed; -But I, a maid, die maiden-widowed. -Come, cords, come, nurse; I'll to my wedding-bed; -And death, not Romeo, take my maidenhead! - -Nurse: -Hie to your chamber: I'll find Romeo -To comfort you: I wot well where he is. -Hark ye, your Romeo will be here at night: -I'll to him; he is hid at Laurence' cell. - -JULIET: -O, find him! give this ring to my true knight, -And bid him come to take his last farewell. - -FRIAR LAURENCE: -Romeo, come forth; come forth, thou fearful man: -Affliction is enamour'd of thy parts, -And thou art wedded to calamity. - -ROMEO: -Father, what news? what is the prince's doom? -What sorrow craves acquaintance at my hand, -That I yet know not? - -FRIAR LAURENCE: -Too familiar -Is my dear son with such sour company: -I bring thee tidings of the prince's doom. - -ROMEO: -What less than dooms-day is the prince's doom? - -FRIAR LAURENCE: -A gentler judgment vanish'd from his lips, -Not body's death, but body's 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 LAURENCE: -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 banish'd from the world, -And world's exile is death: then banished, -Is death mis-term'd: calling death banishment, -Thou cutt'st my head off with a golden axe, -And smilest upon the stroke that murders me. - -FRIAR LAURENCE: -O deadly sin! O rude unthankfulness! -Thy fault our law calls death; but the kind prince, -Taking thy part, hath rush'd aside the law, -And turn'd 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 my seize -On the white wonder of dear Juliet's 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: -Flies may do this, but I from this must fly: -They are free men, but I am banished. -And say'st thou yet that exile is not death? -Hadst thou no poison mix'd, no sharp-ground knife, -No sudden mean of death, though ne'er so mean, -But 'banished' to kill me?--'banished'? -O friar, the damned use that word in hell; -Howlings attend it: how hast thou the heart, -Being a divine, a ghostly confessor, -A sin-absolver, and my friend profess'd, -To mangle me with that word 'banished'? - -FRIAR LAURENCE: -Thou fond mad man, hear me but speak a word. - -ROMEO: -O, thou wilt speak again of banishment. - -FRIAR LAURENCE: -I'll give thee armour to keep off that word: -Adversity's 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 prince's doom, -It helps not, it prevails not: talk no more. - -FRIAR LAURENCE: -O, then I see that madmen have no ears. - -ROMEO: -How should they, when that wise men have no eyes? - -FRIAR LAURENCE: -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. - -FRIAR LAURENCE: -Arise; one knocks; good Romeo, hide thyself. - -ROMEO: -Not I; unless the breath of heartsick groans, -Mist-like, infold me from the search of eyes. - -FRIAR LAURENCE: -Hark, how they knock! Who's there? Romeo, arise; -Thou wilt be taken. Stay awhile! Stand up; -Run to my study. By and by! God's will, -What simpleness is this! I come, I come! -Who knocks so hard? whence come you? what's your will? - -Nurse: - -FRIAR LAURENCE: -Welcome, then. - -Nurse: -O holy friar, O, tell me, holy friar, -Where is my lady's lord, where's Romeo? - -FRIAR LAURENCE: -There on the ground, with his own tears made drunk. - -Nurse: -O, he is even in my mistress' case, -Just in her case! O woful sympathy! -Piteous predicament! Even so lies she, -Blubbering and weeping, weeping and blubbering. -Stand up, stand up; stand, and you be a man: -For Juliet's sake, for her sake, rise and stand; -Why should you fall into so deep an O? - -ROMEO: -Nurse! - -Nurse: -Ah sir! ah sir! Well, death's the end of all. - -ROMEO: -Spakest thou of Juliet? how is it with her? -Doth she not think me an old murderer, -Now I have stain'd the childhood of our joy -With blood removed but little from her own? -Where is she? and how doth she? and what says -My conceal'd lady to our cancell'd 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 name's cursed hand -Murder'd 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. - -FRIAR LAURENCE: -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! -Or ill-beseeming beast in seeming both! -Thou hast amazed me: by my holy order, -I thought thy disposition better temper'd. -Hast thou slain Tybalt? wilt thou slay thyself? -And stay thy lady too that lives in thee, -By doing damned hate upon thyself? -Why rail'st 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 shamest thy shape, thy love, thy wit; -Which, like a usurer, abound'st 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 vow'd to cherish; -Thy wit, that ornament to shape and love, -Misshapen in the conduct of them both, -Like powder in a skitless soldier's flask, -Is set afire by thine own ignorance, -And thou dismember'd 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 slew'st Tybalt; there are thou happy too: -The law that threaten'd death becomes thy friend -And turns it to exile; there art thou happy: -A pack of blessings lights up upon thy back; -Happiness courts thee in her best array; -But, like a misbehaved and sullen wench, -Thou pout'st upon 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 went'st 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 stay'd here all the night -To hear good counsel: O, what learning is! -My lord, I'll 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. - -ROMEO: -How well my comfort is revived by this! - -FRIAR LAURENCE: -Go hence; good night; and here stands all your state: -Either be gone before the watch be set, -Or by the break of day disguised from hence: -Sojourn in Mantua; I'll 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. - -CAPULET: -Things have fall'n out, sir, so unluckily, -That we have had no time to move our daughter: -Look you, she loved her kinsman Tybalt dearly, -And so did I:--Well, we were born to die. -'Tis very late, she'll not come down to-night: -I promise you, but for your company, -I would have been a-bed an hour ago. - -PARIS: -These times of woe afford no time to woo. -Madam, good night: commend me to your daughter. - -LADY CAPULET: -I will, and know her mind early to-morrow; -To-night she is mew'd up to her heaviness. - -CAPULET: -Sir Paris, I will make a desperate tender -Of my child's love: I think she will be ruled -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, -O' Thursday let it be: o' Thursday, tell her, -She shall be married to this noble earl. -Will you be ready? do you like this haste? -We'll keep no great ado,--a 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 we'll have some half a dozen friends, -And there an end. But what say you to Thursday? - -PARIS: -My lord, I would that Thursday were to-morrow. - -CAPULET: -Well get you gone: o' Thursday be it, then. -Go you to Juliet ere you go to bed, -Prepare her, wife, against this wedding-day. -Farewell, my lord. Light to my chamber, ho! -Afore me! it is so very very late, -That we may call it early by and by. -Good night. - -JULIET: -Wilt thou be gone? it is not yet near day: -It was the nightingale, and not the lark, -That pierced the fearful hollow of thine ear; -Nightly she sings on yon 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: -Night's 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: -Yon light is not day-light, I know it, I: -It is some meteor that the sun exhales, -To be to thee this night a torch-bearer, -And light thee on thy way to Mantua: -Therefore stay yet; thou need'st not to be gone. - -ROMEO: -Let me be ta'en, let me be put to death; -I am content, so thou wilt have it so. -I'll say yon grey is not the morning's eye, -'Tis but the pale reflex of Cynthia's 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 is't, my soul? let's 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 changed voices too! -Since arm from arm that voice doth us affray, -Hunting thee hence with hunt's-up to the day, -O, now be gone; more light and light it grows. - -ROMEO: -More light and light; more dark and dark our woes! - -Nurse: -Madam! - -JULIET: -Nurse? - -Nurse: -Your lady mother is coming to your chamber: -The day is broke; be wary, look about. - -JULIET: -Then, window, let day in, and let life out. - -ROMEO: -Farewell, farewell! one kiss, and I'll descend. - -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 think'st 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 ill-divining soul! -Methinks I see thee, now thou art below, -As one dead in the bottom of a tomb: -Either my eyesight fails, or thou look'st pale. - -ROMEO: -And trust me, love, in my eye so do you: -Dry sorrow drinks our blood. Adieu, adieu! - -JULIET: -O fortune, fortune! all men call thee fickle: -If thou art fickle, what dost thou with him. -That is renown'd for faith? Be fickle, fortune; -For then, I hope, thou wilt not keep him long, -But send him back. - -LADY CAPULET: - -JULIET: -Who is't that calls? is it my lady mother? -Is she not down so late, or up so early? -What unaccustom'd cause procures her hither? - -LADY CAPULET: -Why, how now, Juliet! - -JULIET: -Madam, I am not well. - -LADY CAPULET: -Evermore weeping for your cousin's death? -What, wilt thou wash him from his grave with tears? -An 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, -Cannot choose but ever weep the friend. - -LADY CAPULET: -Well, girl, thou weep'st not so much for his death, -As that the villain lives which slaughter'd him. - -JULIET: -What villain madam? - -LADY CAPULET: -That same villain, Romeo. - -JULIET: - -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 cousin's death! - -LADY CAPULET: -We will have vengeance for it, fear thou not: -Then weep no more. I'll send to one in Mantua, -Where that same banish'd runagate doth live, -Shall give him such an unaccustom'd 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 him--dead-- -Is my poor heart for a kinsman vex'd. -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 named, and cannot come to him. -To wreak the love I bore my cousin -Upon his body that slaughter'd him! - -LADY CAPULET: -Find thou the means, and I'll find such a man. -But now I'll 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 expect'st not nor I look'd 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 Peter's Church, -Shall happily make thee there a joyful bride. - -JULIET: -Now, by Saint Peter's 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. - -CAPULET: -When the sun sets, the air doth drizzle dew; -But for the sunset of my brother's son -It rains downright. -How now! a conduit, girl? what, still in tears? -Evermore showering? In one little body -Thou counterfeit'st 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 tempest-tossed body. How now, wife! -Have you deliver'd 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, chop-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 Peter's Church, -Or I will drag thee on a hurdle thither. -Out, you green-sickness carrion! out, you baggage! -You tallow-face! - -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 what: get thee to church o' 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 god-den. - -Nurse: -May not one speak? - -CAPULET: -Peace, you mumbling fool! -Utter your gravity o'er a gossip's bowl; -For here we need it not. - -LADY CAPULET: -You are too hot. - -CAPULET: -God's bread! it makes me mad: -Day, night, hour, tide, time, work, play, -Alone, in company, still my care hath been -To have her match'd: and having now provided -A gentleman of noble parentage, -Of fair demesnes, youthful, and nobly train'd, -Stuff'd, as they say, with honourable parts, -Proportion'd as one's thought would wish a man; -And then to have a wretched puling fool, -A whining mammet, in her fortune's tender, -To answer 'I'll not wed; I cannot love, -I am too young; I pray you, pardon me.' -But, as you will not wed, I'll pardon you: -Graze where you will you shall not house with me: -Look to't, think on't, I do not use to jest. -Thursday is near; lay hand on heart, advise: -An you be mine, I'll give you to my friend; -And you be not, hang, beg, starve, die in -the streets, -For, by my soul, I'll ne'er acknowledge thee, -Nor what is mine shall never do thee good: -Trust to't, bethink you; I'll not be forsworn. - -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 I'll not speak a word: -Do as thou wilt, for I have done with thee. - -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 say'st thou? hast thou not a word of joy? -Some comfort, nurse. - -Nurse: -Faith, here it is. -Romeo is banish'd; and all the world to nothing, -That he dares ne'er 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, he's a lovely gentleman! -Romeo's 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 displeased my father, to Laurence' cell, -To make confession and to be absolved. - -Nurse: -Marry, I will; and this is wisely done. - -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 praised him with above compare -So many thousand times? Go, counsellor; -Thou and my bosom henceforth shall be twain. -I'll to the friar, to know his remedy: -If all else fail, myself have power to die. - -FRIAR LAURENCE: -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 LAURENCE: -You say you do not know the lady's mind: -Uneven is the course, I like it not. - -PARIS: -Immoderately she weeps for Tybalt's death, -And therefore have I little talk'd of love; -For Venus smiles not in a house of tears. -Now, sir, her father counts it dangerous -That she doth 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 LAURENCE: - -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 LAURENCE: -That's 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 abused with tears. - -JULIET: -The tears have got small victory by that; -For it was bad enough before their spite. - -PARIS: -Thou wrong'st 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 slander'd 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 LAURENCE: -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. - -JULIET: -O shut the door! and when thou hast done so, -Come weep with me; past hope, past cure, past help! - -FRIAR LAURENCE: -Ah, 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 hear'st 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 I'll help it presently. -God join'd my heart and Romeo's, thou our hands; -And ere this hand, by thee to Romeo seal'd, -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 long-experienced time, -Give me some present counsel, or, behold, -'Twixt my extremes and me this bloody knife -Shall play the umpire, 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 speak'st speak not of remedy. - -FRIAR LAURENCE: -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 copest with death himself to scape from it: -And, if thou darest, I'll 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 shut me nightly in a charnel-house, -O'er-cover'd quite with dead men's rattling bones, -With reeky shanks and yellow chapless skulls; -Or bid me go into a new-made 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 unstain'd wife to my sweet love. - -FRIAR LAURENCE: -Hold, then; go home, be merry, give consent -To marry Paris: Wednesday is to-morrow: -To-morrow 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, deprived of supple government, -Shall, stiff and stark and cold, appear like death: -And in this borrow'd 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 uncover'd on the bier -Thou shalt be borne to that same ancient vault -Where all the kindred of the Capulets lie. -In the mean time, 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 LAURENCE: -Hold; get you gone, be strong and prosperous -In this resolve: I'll 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! - -CAPULET: -So many guests invite as here are writ. -Sirrah, go hire me twenty cunning cooks. - -Second Servant: -You shall have none ill, sir; for I'll 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, be gone. -We shall be much unfurnished for this time. -What, is my daughter gone to Friar Laurence? - -Nurse: -Ay, forsooth. - -CAPULET: -Well, he may chance to do some good on her: -A peevish self-will'd harlotry it is. - -Nurse: -See where she comes from shrift with merry look. - -CAPULET: -How now, my headstrong! where have you been gadding? - -JULIET: -Where I have learn'd me to repent the sin -Of disobedient opposition -To you and your behests, and am enjoin'd -By holy Laurence to fall prostrate here, -And beg your pardon: pardon, I beseech you! -Henceforward I am ever ruled by you. - -CAPULET: -Send for the county; go tell him of this: -I'll have this knot knit up to-morrow morning. - -JULIET: -I met the youthful lord at Laurence' cell; -And gave him what becomed love I might, -Not step o'er the bounds of modesty. - -CAPULET: -Why, I am glad on't; this is well: stand up: -This is as't should be. Let me see the county; -Ay, marry, go, I say, and fetch him hither. -Now, afore God! this reverend holy friar, -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 to-morrow? - -LADY CAPULET: -No, not till Thursday; there is time enough. - -CAPULET: -Go, nurse, go with her: we'll to church to-morrow. - -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; -I'll not to bed to-night; let me alone; -I'll play the housewife for this once. What, ho! -They are all forth. Well, I will walk myself -To County Paris, to prepare him up -Against to-morrow: my heart is wondrous light, -Since this same wayward girl is so reclaim'd. - -JULIET: -Ay, those attires are best: but, gentle nurse, -I pray thee, leave me to myself to-night, -For I have need of many orisons -To move the heavens to smile upon my state, -Which, well thou know'st, is cross, and full of sin. - -LADY CAPULET: -What, are you busy, ho? need you my help? - -JULIET: -No, madam; we have cull'd such necessaries -As are behoveful for our state to-morrow: -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. - -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: -I'll call them back again to comfort me: -Nurse! What 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 to-morrow morning? -No, no: this shall forbid it: lie thou there. -What if it be a poison, which the friar -Subtly hath minister'd to have me dead, -Lest in this marriage he should be dishonour'd, -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? there's 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 these many hundred years, the bones -Of all my buried ancestors are packed: -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 forefather's joints? -And pluck the mangled Tybalt from his shroud? -And, in this rage, with some great kinsman's bone, -As with a club, dash out my desperate brains? -O, look! methinks I see my cousin's ghost -Seeking out Romeo, that did spit his body -Upon a rapier's point: stay, Tybalt, stay! -Romeo, I come! this do I drink to thee. - -LADY CAPULET: -Hold, take these keys, and fetch more spices, nurse. - -Nurse: -They call for dates and quinces in the pastry. - -CAPULET: -Come, stir, stir, stir! the second cock hath crow'd, -The curfew-bell hath rung, 'tis three o'clock: -Look to the baked meats, good Angelica: -Spare not for the cost. - -Nurse: -Go, you cot-quean, go, -Get you to bed; faith, You'll be sick to-morrow -For this night's watching. - -CAPULET: -No, not a whit: what! I have watch'd ere now -All night for lesser cause, and ne'er been sick. - -LADY CAPULET: -Ay, you have been a mouse-hunt in your time; -But I will watch you from such watching now. - -CAPULET: -A jealous hood, a jealous hood! -Now, fellow, -What's there? - -First Servant: -Things for the cook, sir; but I know not what. - -CAPULET: -Make haste, make haste. -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. - -CAPULET: -Mass, and well said; a merry whoreson, ha! -Thou shalt be logger-head. Good faith, 'tis day: -The county will be here with music straight, -For so he said he would: I hear him near. -Nurse! Wife! What, ho! What, nurse, I say! -Go waken Juliet, go and trim her up; -I'll go and chat with Paris: hie, make haste, -Make haste; the bridegroom he is come already: -Make haste, I say. - -Nurse: -Mistress! what, mistress! Juliet! fast, I warrant her, she: -Why, lamb! why, lady! fie, you slug-a-bed! -Why, love, I say! madam! sweet-heart! 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 must needs wake her. Madam, madam, madam! -Ay, let the county take you in your bed; -He'll fright you up, i' faith. Will it not be? -What, dress'd! and in your clothes! and down again! -I must needs wake you; Lady! lady! lady! -Alas, alas! Help, help! my lady's dead! -O, well-a-day, that ever I was born! -Some aqua vitae, ho! My lord! my lady! - -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. - -CAPULET: -For shame, bring Juliet forth; her lord is come. - -Nurse: -She's dead, deceased, she's dead; alack the day! - -LADY CAPULET: -Alack the day, she's dead, she's dead, she's dead! - -CAPULET: -Ha! let me see her: out, alas! she's 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 ta'en her hence to make me wail, -Ties up my tongue, and will not let me speak. - -FRIAR LAURENCE: -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 wife. There she lies, -Flower as she was, deflowered by him. -Death is my son-in-law, Death is my heir; -My daughter he hath wedded: I will die, -And leave him all; life, living, all is Death's. - -PARIS: -Have I thought long to see this morning's face, -And doth it give me such a sight as this? - -LADY CAPULET: -Accursed, unhappy, wretched, hateful day! -Most miserable hour that e'er 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 catch'd it from my sight! - -Nurse: -O woe! O woful, woful, woful day! -Most lamentable day, most woful 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 woful day, O woful day! - -PARIS: -Beguiled, divorced, wronged, spited, slain! -Most detestable death, by thee beguil'd, -By cruel cruel thee quite overthrown! -O love! O life! not life, but love in death! - -CAPULET: -Despised, distressed, hated, martyr'd, kill'd! -Uncomfortable time, why camest 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 LAURENCE: -Peace, ho, for shame! confusion's 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 advanced: -And weep ye now, seeing she is advanced -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: -She's not well married that lives married long; -But she's best married that dies married young. -Dry up your tears, and stick your rosemary -On this fair corse; and, as the custom is, -In all her best array bear her to church: -For though fond nature bids us an lament, -Yet nature's tears are reason's 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 LAURENCE: -Sir, go you in; and, madam, go with him; -And go, Sir Paris; every one prepare -To follow this fair corse unto her grave: -The heavens do lour upon you for some ill; -Move them no more by crossing their high will. - -First Musician: -Faith, we may put up our pipes, and be gone. - -Nurse: -Honest goodfellows, 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. - -PETER: -Musicians, O, musicians, 'Heart's ease, Heart's -ease:' O, an you will have me live, play 'Heart's ease.' - -First Musician: -Why 'Heart's ease?' - -PETER: -O, musicians, because my heart itself plays 'My -heart is full of woe:' 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 I will give you the serving-creature. - -PETER: -Then will I lay the serving-creature's dagger on -your pate. I will carry no crotchets: I'll re you, -I'll fa you; do you note me? - -First Musician: -An 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 dry-beat you -with an iron wit, and put up my iron dagger. Answer -me like men: -'When griping grief 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? - -Musician: -Marry, sir, because silver hath a sweet sound. - -PETER: -Pretty! What say you, Hugh Rebeck? - -Second Musician: -I say 'silver sound,' because musicians sound for silver. - -PETER: -Pretty 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.' - -First Musician: -What a pestilent knave is this same! - -Second Musician: -Hang him, Jack! Come, we'll in here; tarry for the -mourners, and stay dinner. - -ROMEO: -If I may trust the flattering truth of sleep, -My dreams presage some joyful news at hand: -My bosom's lord sits lightly in his throne; -And all this day an unaccustom'd 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 breathed such life with kisses in my lips, -That I revived, and was an emperor. -Ah me! how sweet is love itself possess'd, -When but love's shadows are so rich in joy! -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 Capel's monument, -And her immortal part with angels lives. -I saw her laid low in her kindred's 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 know'st my lodging: get me ink and paper, -And hire post-horses; I will hence to-night. - -BALTHASAR: -I do beseech you, sir, have patience: -Your looks are pale and wild, and do import -Some misadventure. - -ROMEO: -Tush, thou art deceived: -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; I'll be with thee straight. -Well, Juliet, I will lie with thee to-night. -Let's see for means: O mischief, thou art swift -To enter in the thoughts of desperate men! -I do remember an apothecary,-- -And hereabouts he dwells,--which late I noted -In tatter'd 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 stuff'd, and other skins -Of ill-shaped 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 scatter'd, to make up a show. -Noting this penury, to myself I said -'An 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 beggar's shop is shut. -What, ho! 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 soon-speeding gear -As will disperse itself through all the veins -That the life-weary taker may fall dead -And that the trunk may be discharged of breath -As violently as hasty powder fired -Doth hurry from the fatal cannon's womb. - -Apothecary: -Such mortal drugs I have; but Mantua's law -Is death to any he that utters them. - -ROMEO: -Art thou so bare and full of wretchedness, -And fear'st 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 world's 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 dispatch you straight. - -ROMEO: -There is thy gold, worse poison to men's souls, -Doing more murders 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 Juliet's grave; for there must I use thee. - -FRIAR JOHN: -Holy Franciscan friar! brother, ho! - -FRIAR LAURENCE: -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 bare-foot 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, -Seal'd up the doors, and would not let us forth; -So that my speed to Mantua there was stay'd. - -FRIAR LAURENCE: -Who bare my letter, then, to Romeo? - -FRIAR JOHN: -I could not send it,--here it is again,-- -Nor get a messenger to bring it thee, -So fearful were they of infection. - -FRIAR LAURENCE: -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, I'll go and bring it thee. - -FRIAR LAURENCE: -Now must I to the monument alone; -Within 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, closed in a dead man's tomb! - -PARIS: -Give me thy torch, boy: hence, and stand aloof: -Yet put it out, for I would not be seen. -Under yond yew-trees lay thee all along, -Holding thine 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 hear'st something approach. -Give me those flowers. Do as I bid thee, go. - -PAGE: - -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 distill'd by moans: -The obsequies that I for thee will keep -Nightly shall be to strew thy grave and weep. -The boy gives warning something doth approach. -What cursed foot wanders this way to-night, -To cross my obsequies and true love's rite? -What with a torch! muffle me, night, awhile. - -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, -Whate'er thou hear'st 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 lady's 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 savage-wild, -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: - -ROMEO: -Thou detestable maw, thou womb of death, -Gorged with the dearest morsel of the earth, -Thus I enforce thy rotten jaws to open, -And, in despite, I'll cram thee with more food! - -PARIS: -This is that banish'd haughty Montague, -That murder'd my love's cousin, with which grief, -It is supposed, the fair creature died; -And here is come to do some villanous shame -To the dead bodies: I will apprehend him. -Stop thy unhallow'd toil, vile Montague! -Can vengeance be pursued 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 arm'd against myself: -Stay not, be gone; live, and hereafter say, -A madman's mercy bade thee run away. - -PARIS: -I do defy thy conjurations, -And apprehend thee for a felon here. - -ROMEO: -Wilt thou provoke me? then have at thee, boy! - -PAGE: -O Lord, they fight! I will go call the watch. - -PARIS: -O, I am slain! -If thou be merciful, -Open the tomb, lay me with Juliet. - -ROMEO: -In faith, I will. Let me peruse this face. -Mercutio's 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 misfortune's book! -I'll bury thee in a triumphant grave; -A grave? O no! a lantern, slaughter'd 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 interr'd. -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 suck'd the honey of thy breath, -Hath had no power yet upon thy beauty: -Thou art not conquer'd; beauty's ensign yet -Is crimson in thy lips and in thy cheeks, -And death's 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 chamber-maids; O, here -Will I set up my everlasting rest, -And shake the yoke of inauspicious stars -From this world-wearied 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 sea-sick weary bark! -Here's to my love! -O true apothecary! -Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die. - -FRIAR LAURENCE: -Saint Francis be my speed! how oft to-night -Have my old feet stumbled at graves! Who's there? - -BALTHASAR: -Here's one, a friend, and one that knows you well. - -FRIAR LAURENCE: -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 Capel's monument. - -BALTHASAR: -It doth so, holy sir; and there's my master, -One that you love. - -FRIAR LAURENCE: -Who is it? - -BALTHASAR: -Romeo. - -FRIAR LAURENCE: -How long hath he been there? - -BALTHASAR: -Full half an hour. - -FRIAR LAURENCE: -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 LAURENCE: -Stay, then; I'll 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 LAURENCE: -Romeo! -Alack, alack, what blood is this, which stains -The stony entrance of this sepulchre? -What mean these masterless and gory swords -To lie discolour'd by this place of peace? -Romeo! O, pale! Who else? what, Paris too? -And steep'd in blood? Ah, what an unkind hour -Is guilty of this lamentable chance! -The lady 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? - -FRIAR LAURENCE: -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, I'll 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. -What's here? a cup, closed in my true love's hand? -Poison, I see, hath been his timeless end: -O churl! drunk 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 die with a restorative. -Thy lips are warm. - -First Watchman: - -JULIET: -Yea, noise? then I'll be brief. O happy dagger! -This is thy sheath; -there rust, and let me die. - -PAGE: -This is the place; there, where the torch doth burn. - -First Watchman: -The ground is bloody; search about the churchyard: -Go, some of you, whoe'er you find attach. -Pitiful sight! here lies the county slain, -And Juliet bleeding, warm, and newly dead, -Who here hath lain these two days buried. -Go, tell the prince: run to the Capulets: -Raise up the Montagues: some others search: -We see the ground whereon these woes do lie; -But the true ground of all these piteous woes -We cannot without circumstance descry. - -Second Watchman: -Here's Romeo's man; we found him in the churchyard. - -First Watchman: -Hold him in safety, till the prince come hither. - -Third Watchman: -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 Watchman: -A great suspicion: stay the friar too. - -PRINCE: -What misadventure is so early up, -That calls our person from our morning's rest? - -CAPULET: -What should it be, that they so shriek abroad? - -LADY CAPULET: -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 Watchman: -Sovereign, here lies the County Paris slain; -And Romeo dead; and Juliet, dead before, -Warm and new kill'd. - -PRINCE: -Search, seek, and know how this foul murder comes. - -First Watchman: -Here is a friar, and slaughter'd Romeo's man; -With instruments upon them, fit to open -These dead men's tombs. - -CAPULET: -O heavens! O wife, look how our daughter bleeds! -This dagger hath mista'en--for, lo, his house -Is empty on the back of Montague,-- -And it mis-sheathed in my daughter's bosom! - -LADY CAPULET: -O me! this sight of death is as a bell, -That warns my old age to a sepulchre. - -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 to-night; -Grief of my son's exile hath stopp'd 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 LAURENCE: -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 excused. - -PRINCE: -Then say at once what thou dost know in this. - -FRIAR LAURENCE: -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 Romeo's faithful wife: -I married them; and their stol'n marriage-day -Was Tybalt's dooms-day, whose untimely death -Banish'd the new-made bridegroom from the city, -For whom, and not for Tybalt, Juliet pined. -You, to remove that siege of grief from her, -Betroth'd and would have married her perforce -To County Paris: then comes she to me, -And, with wild looks, bid me devise some mean -To rid her from this second marriage, -Or in my cell there would she kill herself. -Then gave I her, so tutor'd 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 borrow'd grave, -Being the time the potion's force should cease. -But he which bore my letter, Friar John, -Was stay'd by accident, and yesternight -Return'd my letter back. Then all alone -At the prefixed hour of her waking, -Came I to take her from her kindred's 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 aught in this -Miscarried by my fault, let my old life -Be sacrificed, some hour before his time, -Unto the rigour of severest law. - -PRINCE: -We still have known thee for a holy man. -Where's Romeo's man? what can he say in this? - -BALTHASAR: -I brought my master news of Juliet's 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 threatened me with death, going in the vault, -I departed not and left him there. - -PRINCE: -Give me the letter; I will look on it. -Where is the county's page, that raised the watch? -Sirrah, what made your master in this place? - -PAGE: -He came with flowers to strew his lady's 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 friar's 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 punish'd. - -CAPULET: -O brother Montague, give me thy hand: -This is my daughter's jointure, for no more -Can I demand. - -MONTAGUE: -But I can give thee more: -For I will raise her statue in pure gold; -That while 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 Romeo's by his lady's 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 pardon'd, and some punished: -For never was a story of more woe -Than this of Juliet and her Romeo. - -WARWICK: -I wonder how the king escaped our hands. - -YORK: -While we pursued the horsemen of the north, -He slily stole away and left his men: -Whereat the great Lord of Northumberland, -Whose warlike ears could never brook retreat, -Cheer'd up the drooping army; and himself, -Lord Clifford and Lord Stafford, all abreast, -Charged our main battle's front, and breaking in -Were by the swords of common soldiers slain. - -EDWARD: -Lord Stafford's father, Duke of Buckingham, -Is either slain or wounded dangerously; -I cleft his beaver with a downright blow: -That this is true, father, behold his blood. - -MONTAGUE: -And, brother, here's the Earl of Wiltshire's blood, -Whom I encounter'd as the battles join'd. - -RICHARD: -Speak thou for me and tell them what I did. - -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 Henry's 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 Henry's heirs' - -YORK: -Assist me, then, sweet Warwick, and I will; -For hither we have broken in by force. - -NORFOLK: -We'll 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 no violence, -Unless he seek to thrust you out perforce. - -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: -Arm'd as we are, let's stay within this house. - -WARWICK: -The bloody parliament shall this be call'd, -Unless Plantagenet, Duke of York, be king, -And bashful Henry deposed, whose cowardice -Hath made us by-words to our enemies. - -YORK: -Then leave me not, my lords; be 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. -I'll plant Plantagenet, root him up who dares: -Resolve thee, Richard; claim the English crown. - -KING HENRY VI: -My lords, look where the sturdy rebel sits, -Even in the chair of state: belike he means, -Back'd 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 vow'd 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? let's pluck him down: -My heart for anger burns; I cannot brook it. - -KING HENRY VI: -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 VI: -Ah, know you not the city favours them, -And they have troops of soldiers at their beck? - -EXETER: -But when the duke is slain, they'll quickly fly. - -KING HENRY VI: -Far be the thought of this from Henry's 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. -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; and that's Richard Duke of York. - -KING HENRY VI: -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 -March'd 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 kinsman and thy friends, I'll have more lives -Than drops of blood were in my father's 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 VI: -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 VI: -The lord protector lost it, and not I: -When I was crown'd I was but nine months old. - -RICHARD: -You are old enough now, and yet, methinks, you lose. -Father, tear the crown from the usurper's head. - -EDWARD: -Sweet father, do so; set it on your head. - -MONTAGUE: -Good brother, as thou lovest and honourest arms, -Let's fight it out and not stand cavilling thus. - -RICHARD: -Sound drums and trumpets, and the king will fly. - -YORK: -Sons, peace! - -KING HENRY VI: -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 VI: -Think'st 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 heart's great sorrow, -Shall be my winding-sheet. Why faint you, lords? -My title's good, and better far than his. - -WARWICK: -Prove it, Henry, and thou shalt be king. - -KING HENRY VI: -Henry the Fourth by conquest got the crown. - -YORK: -'Twas by rebellion against his king. - -KING HENRY VI: - -YORK: -What then? - -KING HENRY VI: -An if he may, then am I lawful king; -For Richard, in the view of many lords, -Resign'd 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 unconstrain'd, -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 VI: -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 VI: - -NORTHUMBERLAND: -Plantagenet, for all the claim thou lay'st, -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 VI: -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. - -KING HENRY VI: -My Lord of Warwick, hear me but one word: -Let me for this my life-time reign as king. - -YORK: -Confirm the crown to me and to mine heirs, -And thou shalt reign in quiet while thou livest. - -KING HENRY VI: -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, faint-hearted 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 abandon'd and despised! - -WARWICK: -Turn this way, Henry, and regard them not. - -EXETER: -They seek revenge and therefore will not yield. - -KING HENRY VI: -Ah, Exeter! - -WARWICK: -Why should you sigh, my lord? - -KING HENRY VI: -Not for myself, Lord Warwick, but my son, -Whom I unnaturally shall disinherit. -But be it as it may: 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. - -WARWICK: -Long live King Henry! Plantagenet embrace him. - -KING HENRY VI: -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! - -YORK: -Farewell, my gracious lord; I'll to my castle. - -WARWICK: -And I'll keep London with my soldiers. - -NORFOLK: -And I to Norfolk with my followers. - -MONTAGUE: -And I unto the sea from whence I came. - -KING HENRY VI: -And I, with grief and sorrow, to the court. - -EXETER: -Here comes the queen, whose looks bewray her anger: -I'll steal away. - -KING HENRY VI: -Exeter, so will I. - -QUEEN MARGARET: -Nay, go not from me; I will follow thee. - -KING HENRY VI: -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 nourish'd him as I did with my blood, -Thou wouldst have left thy dearest heart-blood there, -Rather than have 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 VI: -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 toss'd me on their pikes -Before I would have granted to that act. -But thou preferr'st thy life before thine honour: -And seeing thou dost, I here divorce myself -Both from thy table, Henry, and thy bed, -Until that act of parliament be repeal'd -Whereby my son is disinherited. -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, let's away; -Our army is ready; come, we'll after them. - -KING HENRY VI: -Stay, gentle Margaret, and hear me speak. - -QUEEN MARGARET: -Thou hast spoke too much already: get thee gone. - -KING HENRY VI: -Gentle son Edward, thou wilt stay with me? - -QUEEN MARGARET: -Ay, to be murder'd by his enemies. - -PRINCE EDWARD: -When I return with victory from the field -I'll see your grace: till then I'll follow her. - -QUEEN MARGARET: -Come, son, away; we may not linger thus. - -KING HENRY VI: -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: -I'll write unto them and entreat them fair. -Come, cousin you shall be the messenger. - -EXETER: -And I, I hope, shall reconcile them all. -3 KING HENRY VI - -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. - -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: -I'll prove the contrary, if you'll 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 finger thus? I cannot rest -Until the white rose that I wear be dyed -Even in the lukewarm blood of Henry's heart. - -YORK: -Richard, enough; I will be king, or die. -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 employ'd, what resteth more, -But that I seek occasion how to rise, -And yet the king not privy to my drift, -Nor any of the house of Lancaster? -But, stay: what news? Why comest 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! think'st 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; I'll win them, fear it not: -And thus most humbly I do take my leave. -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. - -JOHN MORTIMER: -She shall not need; we'll meet her in the field. - -YORK: -What, with five thousand men? - -RICHARD: -Ay, with five hundred, father, for a need: -A woman's general; what should we fear? - -EDWARD: -I hear their drums: let's 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, -When as the enemy hath been ten to one: -Why should I not now have the like success? -3 KING HENRY VI - -RUTLAND: -Ah, whither shall I fly to 'scape their hands? -Ah, tutor, look where bloody Clifford comes! - -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! - -CLIFFORD: -How now! is he dead already? or is it fear -That makes him close his eyes? I'll open them. - -RUTLAND: -So looks the pent-up lion o'er the wretch -That trembles under his devouring paws; -And so he walks, insulting o'er his prey, -And so he comes, to rend his limbs asunder. -Ah, gentle Clifford, kill me with thy sword, -And not with such a cruel threatening look. -Sweet Clifford, hear me speak before I die. -I am too mean a subject for thy wrath: -Be thou revenged on men, and let me live. - -CLIFFORD: -In vain thou speak'st, poor boy; my father's blood -Hath stopp'd the passage where thy words should enter. - -RUTLAND: -Then let my father's blood open it again: -He is a man, and, Clifford, cope with him. - -CLIFFORD: -Had thy brethren here, their lives and thine -Were not revenge sufficient for me; -No, if I digg'd 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-- - -RUTLAND: -O, let me pray before I take my death! -To thee I pray; sweet Clifford, pity me! - -CLIFFORD: -Such pity as my rapier's 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. - -RUTLAND: -Di faciant laudis summa sit ista tuae! - -CLIFFORD: -Plantagenet! I come, Plantagenet! -And this thy son's blood cleaving to my blade -Shall rust upon my weapon, till thy blood, -Congeal'd with this, do make me wipe off both. -3 KING HENRY VI - -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 hunger-starved wolves. -My sons, God knows what hath bechanced them: -But this I know, they have demean'd themselves -Like men born to renown by life or death. -Three times did Richard make a lane to me. -And thrice cried 'Courage, father! fight it out!' -And full as oft came Edward to my side, -With purple falchion, painted to the hilt -In blood of those that had encounter'd 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 bodged again; as I have seen a swan -With bootless labour swim against the tide -And spend her strength with over-matching waves. -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 number'd that make up my life; -Here must I stay, and here my life must end. -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, show'd unto my father. -Now Phaethon hath tumbled from his car, -And made an evening at the noontide prick. - -YORK: -My ashes, as the phoenix, may bring forth -A bird that will revenge upon you all: -And in that hope I throw mine eyes to heaven, -Scorning whate'er you can afflict me with. -Why come you not? what! multitudes, and fear? - -CLIFFORD: -So cowards fight when they can fly no further; -So doves do peck the falcon's 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 o'er-run my former time; -And, if though 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 traitor's 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 war's prize to take all vantages; -And ten to one is no impeach of valour. - -CLIFFORD: -Ay, ay, so strives the woodcock with the gin. - -NORTHUMBERLAND: -So doth the cony struggle in the net. - -YORK: -So triumph thieves upon their conquer'd booty; -So true men yield, with robbers so o'ermatch'd. - -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 England's king? -Was't you that revell'd 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 where's that valiant crook-back prodigy, -Dicky your boy, that with his grumbling voice -Was wont to cheer his dad in mutinies? -Or, with the rest, where is your darling Rutland? -Look, York: I stain'd this napkin with the blood -That valiant Clifford, with his rapier's point, -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. -What, hath thy fiery heart so parch'd thine entrails -That not a tear can fall for Rutland's 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 fee'd, I see, to make me sport: -York cannot speak, unless he wear a crown. -A crown for York! and, lords, bow low to him: -Hold you his hands, whilst I do set it on. -Ay, marry, sir, now looks he like a king! -Ay, this is he that took King Henry's chair, -And this is he was his adopted heir. -But how is it that great Plantagenet -Is crown'd so soon, and broke his solemn oath? -As I bethink me, you should not be king -Till our King Henry had shook hands with death. -And will you pale your head in Henry's glory, -And rob his temples of the diadem, -Now in his life, against your holy oath? -O, 'tis a fault too too unpardonable! -Off with the crown, and with the crown his head; -And, whilst we breathe, take time to do him dead. - -CLIFFORD: -That is my office, for my father's sake. - -QUEEN MARGARET: -Nay, stay; lets hear the orisons he makes. - -YORK: -She-wolf of France, but worse than wolves of France, -Whose tongue more poisons than the adder's tooth! -How ill-beseeming is it in thy sex -To triumph, like an Amazonian trull, -Upon their woes whom fortune captivates! -But that thy face is, vizard-like, unchanging, -Made impudent with use of evil deeds, -I would assay, proud queen, to make thee blush. -To tell thee whence thou camest, of whom derived, -Were shame enough to shame thee, wert thou not shameless. -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 wonder'd 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 tiger's heart wrapt in a woman's hide! -How couldst thou drain the life-blood of the child, -To bid the father wipe his eyes withal, -And yet be seen to bear a woman's face? -Women are soft, mild, pitiful and flexible; -Thou stern, obdurate, flinty, rough, remorseless. -Bids't 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 Rutland's 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 cheque my eyes from tears. - -YORK: -That face of his the hungry cannibals -Would not have touch'd, would not have stain'd with blood: -But you are more inhuman, more inexorable, -O, ten times more, than tigers of Hyrcania. -See, ruthless queen, a hapless father's tears: -This cloth thou dip'dst in blood of my sweet boy, -And I with tears do wash the blood away. -Keep thou the napkin, and go boast of this: -And if thou tell'st the heavy story right, -Upon my soul, the hearers will shed tears; -Yea even my foes will shed fast-falling tears, -And say 'Alas, it was a piteous deed!' -There, take the crown, and, with the crown, my curse; -And in thy need such comfort come to thee -As now I reap at thy too cruel hand! -Hard-hearted Clifford, take me from the world: -My soul to heaven, my blood upon your heads! - -NORTHUMBERLAND: -Had he been slaughter-man 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, weeping-ripe, my Lord Northumberland? -Think but upon the wrong he did us all, -And that will quickly dry thy melting tears. - -CLIFFORD: -Here's for my oath, here's for my father's death. - -QUEEN MARGARET: -And here's to right our gentle-hearted king. - -YORK: -Open Thy gate of mercy, gracious God! -My soul flies through these wounds to seek out Thee. - -QUEEN MARGARET: -Off with his head, and set it on York gates; -So York may overlook the town of York. -3 KING HENRY VI - -EDWARD: -I wonder how our princely father 'scaped, -Or whether he be 'scaped away or no -From Clifford's and Northumberland's pursuit: -Had he been ta'en, we should have heard the news; -Had he been slain, we should have heard the news; -Or had he 'scaped, methinks we should have heard -The happy tidings of his good escape. -How fares my brother? why is he so sad? - -RICHARD: -I cannot joy, until I be resolved -Where our right valiant father is become. -I saw him in the battle range about; -And watch'd him how he singled Clifford forth. -Methought he bore him in the thickest troop -As doth a lion in a herd of neat; -Or as a bear, encompass'd round with dogs, -Who having pinch'd a few and made them cry, -The rest stand all aloof, and bark at him. -So fared our father with his enemies; -So fled his enemies my warlike father: -Methinks, 'tis prize enough to be his son. -See how the morning opes her golden gates, -And takes her farewell of the glorious sun! -How well resembles it the prime of youth, -Trimm'd like a younker prancing to his love! - -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 sever'd in a pale clear-shining sky. -See, see! they join, embrace, and seem to kiss, -As if they vow'd some league inviolable: -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 over-shine the earth as this the world. -Whate'er 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. -But what art thou, whose heavy looks foretell -Some dreadful story hanging on thy tongue? - -Messenger: -Ah, one that was a woful looker-on -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 enter'd Troy. -But Hercules himself must yield to odds; -And many strokes, though with a little axe, -Hew down and fell the hardest-timber'd oak. -By many hands your father was subdued; -But only slaughter'd by the ireful arm -Of unrelenting Clifford and the queen, -Who crown'd the gracious duke in high despite, -Laugh'd in his face; and when with grief he 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 e'er I view'd. - -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 vanquish'd him, -For hand to hand he would have vanquish'd thee. -Now my soul's palace is become a prison: -Ah, would she break from hence, that this my body -Might in the ground be closed up in rest! -For never henceforth shall I joy again, -Never, O never shall I see more joy! - -RICHARD: -I cannot weep; for all my body's moisture -Scarce serves to quench my furnace-burning heart: -Nor can my tongue unload my heart's great burthen; -For selfsame wind that 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; I'll 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 eagle's bird, -Show thy descent by gazing 'gainst the sun: -For chair and dukedom, throne and kingdom say; -Either that is thine, or else thou wert not his. - -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 word's 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 three dearly as his soul's redemption, -Is by the stern Lord Clifford done to death. - -WARWICK: -Ten days ago I drown'd these news in tears; -And now, to add more measure to your woes, -I come to tell you things sith then befall'n. -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, -Muster'd my soldiers, gather'd flocks of friends, -And very well appointed, as I thought, -March'd toward Saint Alban's to intercept the queen, -Bearing the king in my behalf along; -For by my scouts I was advertised -That she was coming with a full intent -To dash our late decree in parliament -Touching King Henry's oath and your succession. -Short tale to make, we at Saint Alban's met -Our battles join'd, and both sides fiercely fought: -But whether 'twas the coldness of the king, -Who look'd full gently on his warlike queen, -That robb'd my soldiers of their heated spleen; -Or whether 'twas report of her success; -Or more than common fear of Clifford's rigour, -Who thunders to his captives blood and death, -I cannot judge: but to conclude with truth, -Their weapons like to lightning came and went; -Our soldiers', like the night-owl's lazy flight, -Or like an idle thresher with a flail, -Fell gently down, as if they struck their friends. -I cheer'd 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, post-haste, 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 ne'er 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 Henry's 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 what's to be done? -Shall we go throw away our coats of steel, -And wrap our bodies in black mourning gowns, -Numbering our Ave-Maries with our beads? -Or shall we on the helmets of our foes -Tell our devotion with revengeful arms? -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 more proud birds, -Have wrought the easy-melting 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: -Ne'er 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 fail'st--as 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 England's royal throne; -For King of England shalt thou be proclaim'd -In every borough as we pass along; -And he that throws not up his cap for joy -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! - -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, let's away. -3 KING HENRY VI - -QUEEN MARGARET: -Welcome, my lord, to this brave town of York. -Yonder's the head of that arch-enemy -That sought to be encompass'd with your crown: -Doth not the object cheer your heart, my lord? - -KING HENRY VI: -Ay, as the rocks cheer them that fear their wreck: -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 serpent's 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 doth 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 man's 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 climb'd unto their nest, -Offer their own lives in their young's defence? -For shame, my liege, make them your precedent! -Were it not pity that this goodly boy -Should lose his birthright by his father's fault, -And long hereafter say unto his child, -'What my great-grandfather and his 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 VI: -Full well hath Clifford play'd 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? -I'll 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 thousand-fold more care to keep -Than in possession and 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 VI: -Edward Plantagenet, arise a knight; -And learn this lesson, draw thy sword in right. - -PRINCE: -My gracious father, by your kingly leave, -I'll 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. - -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 VI: -Why, that's my fortune too; therefore I'll 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!' - -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, crook-back, here I stand to answer thee, -Or any he the proudest of thy sort. - -RICHARD: -'Twas you that kill'd young Rutland, was it not? - -CLIFFORD: -Ay, and old York, and yet not satisfied. - -RICHARD: -For God's sake, lords, give signal to the fight. - -WARWICK: -What say'st thou, Henry, wilt thou yield the crown? - -QUEEN MARGARET: -Why, how now, long-tongued Warwick! dare you speak? -When you and I met at Saint Alban's 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 big-swoln heart -Upon that Clifford, that cruel child-killer. - -CLIFFORD: -I slew thy father, call'st thou him a child? - -RICHARD: -Ay, like a dastard and a treacherous coward, -As thou didst kill our tender brother Rutland; -But ere sunset I'll make thee curse the deed. - -KING HENRY VI: -Have done with words, my lords, and hear me speak. - -QUEEN MARGARET: -Defy them then, or else hold close thy lips. - -KING HENRY VI: -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 Clifford's manhood lies upon his tongue. - -EDWARD: -Say, Henry, shall I have my right, or no? -A thousand men have broke their fasts to-day, -That ne'er 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 every thing is right. - -RICHARD: -Whoever got thee, there thy mother stands; -For, well I wot, thou hast thy mother's tongue. - -QUEEN MARGARET: -But thou art neither like thy sire nor dam; -But like a foul mis-shapen stigmatic, -Mark'd 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 call'd the sea,-- -Shamest thou not, knowing whence thou art extraught, -To let thy tongue detect thy base-born 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 ne'er was Agamemnon's brother wrong'd -By that false woman, as this king by thee. -His father revell'd in the heart of France, -And tamed the king, and made the dauphin stoop; -And had he match'd 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 brew'd a shower for him, -That wash'd his father's fortunes forth of France, -And heap'd sedition on his crown at home. -For what hath broach'd this tumult but thy pride? -Hadst thou been meek, our title still had slept; -And we, in pity of the gentle king, -Had slipp'd 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, -We'll 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, we'll no longer stay: -These words will cost ten thousand lives this day. -3 KING HENRY VI - -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 robb'd my strong-knit sinews of their strength, -And spite of spite needs must I rest awhile. - -EDWARD: -Smile, gentle heaven! or strike, ungentle death! -For this world frowns, and Edward's sun is clouded. - -WARWICK: -How now, my lord! what hap? what hope of good? - -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. - -RICHARD: -Ah, Warwick, why hast thou withdrawn thyself? -Thy brother's blood the thirsty earth hath drunk, -Broach'd with the steely point of Clifford's lance; -And in the very pangs of death he cried, -Like to a dismal clangour heard from far, -'Warwick, revenge! brother, revenge my death!' -So, underneath the belly of their steeds, -That stain'd their fetlocks in his smoking blood, -The noble gentleman gave up the ghost. - -WARWICK: -Then let the earth be drunken with our blood: -I'll kill my horse, because I will not fly. -Why stand we like soft-hearted women here, -Wailing our losses, whiles the foe doth rage; -And look upon, as if the tragedy -Were play'd in jest by counterfeiting actors? -Here on my knee I vow to God above, -I'll 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 earth's cold face, -I throw my hands, mine eyes, my heart to thee, -Thou setter up and plucker down of kings, -Beseeching thee, if with they 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, -Where'er 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 spring-time 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. -3 KING HENRY VI - -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 environ'd with a brazen wall. - -CLIFFORD: -Now, Richard, I am with thee here alone: -This is the hand that stabb'd thy father York; -And this the hand that slew thy brother Rutland; -And here's the heart that triumphs in their death -And cheers these hands that slew thy sire and brother -To execute the like upon thyself; -And so, have at thee! - -RICHARD: -Nay Warwick, single out some other chase; -For I myself will hunt this wolf to death. -3 KING HENRY VI - -KING HENRY VI: -This battle fares like to the morning's 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 of this fell war. -Here on this molehill will I sit me down. -To whom God will, there be the victory! -For Margaret my queen, and Clifford too, -Have chid me from the battle; swearing both -They prosper best of all when I am thence. -Would I were dead! if God's good will were so; -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 bring 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, -Pass'd 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 embroider'd canopy -To kings that fear their subjects' treachery? -O, yes, it doth; a thousand-fold it doth. -And to conclude, the shepherd's homely curds, -His cold thin drink out of his leather bottle. -His wonted sleep under a fresh tree's shade, -All which secure and sweetly he enjoys, -Is far beyond a prince's delicates, -His viands sparkling in a golden cup, -His body couched in a curious bed, -When care, mistrust, and treason waits on him. - -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. -Who's this? O God! it is my father's face, -Whom in this conflict I unwares have kill'd. -O heavy times, begetting such events! -From London by the king was I press'd forth; -My father, being the Earl of Warwick's man, -Came on the part of York, press'd by his master; -And I, who at his hands received my life, him -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 flow'd their fill. - -KING HENRY VI: -O piteous spectacle! O bloody times! -Whiles lions war and battle for their dens, -Poor harmless lambs abide their enmity. -Weep, wretched man, I'll aid thee tear for tear; -And let our hearts and eyes, like civil war, -Be blind with tears, and break o'ercharged with grief. - -Father: -Thou that so stoutly hast 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 foeman's face? -Ah, no, no, no, it is mine only son! -Ah, boy, if any life be left in thee, -Throw up thine eye! see, see what showers arise, -Blown with the windy tempest of my heart, -Upon thy words, 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 VI: -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 father's death -Take on with me and ne'er be satisfied! - -Father: -How will my wife for slaughter of my son -Shed seas of tears and ne'er be satisfied! - -KING HENRY VI: -How will the country for these woful chances -Misthink the king and not be satisfied! - -Son: -Was ever son so rued a father's death? - -Father: -Was ever father so bemoan'd his son? - -KING HENRY VI: -Was ever king so grieved for subjects' woe? -Much is your sorrow; mine ten times so much. - -Son: -I'll bear thee hence, where I may weep my fill. - -Father: -These arms of mine shall be thy winding-sheet; -My heart, sweet boy, shall be thy sepulchre, -For from my heart thine image ne'er 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. -I'll bear thee hence; and let them fight that will, -For I have murdered where I should not kill. - -KING HENRY VI: -Sad-hearted men, much overgone with care, -Here sits a king more woful than you are. - -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 grasp'd 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: I'll away before. - -KING HENRY VI: -Nay, take me with thee, good sweet Exeter: -Not that I fear to stay, but love to go -Whither the queen intends. Forward; away! -3 KING HENRY VI - -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 body's parting with my soul! -My love and fear glued many friends to thee; -And, now I fall, thy tough commixture melts. -Impairing Henry, strengthening misproud York, -The common people swarm like summer flies; -And whither fly the gnats but to the sun? -And who shines now but Henry's enemies? -O Phoebus, hadst thou never given consent -That Phaethon should cheque thy fiery steeds, -Thy burning car never had scorch'd the earth! -And, Henry, hadst thou sway'd 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 stabb'd your fathers' bosoms, split my breast. - -EDWARD: -Now breathe we, lords: good fortune bids us pause, -And smooth the frowns of war with peaceful looks. -Some troops pursue the bloody-minded queen, -That led calm Henry, though he were a king, -As doth a sail, fill'd 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 mark'd him for the grave: -And wheresoe'er he is, he's surely dead. - -EDWARD: -Whose soul is that which takes her heavy leave? - -RICHARD: -A deadly groan, like life and death's departing. - -EDWARD: -See who it is: and, now the battle's ended, -If friend or foe, let him be gently used. - -RICHARD: -Revoke that doom of mercy, for 'tis Clifford; -Who not contented that he lopp'd the branch -In hewing Rutland when his leaves put forth, -But 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 father's head, which Clifford placed there; -Instead whereof let this supply the room: -Measure for measure must be answered. - -EDWARD: -Bring forth that fatal screech-owl to our house, -That nothing sung but death to us and ours: -Now death shall stop his dismal threatening sound, -And his ill-boding tongue no more shall speak. - -WARWICK: -I think his understanding is bereft. -Speak, Clifford, dost thou know who speaks to thee? -Dark cloudy death o'ershades 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 think'st, 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 pitied'st Rutland; I will pity thee. - -GEORGE: -Where's 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 he's dead; and, by my soul, -If this right hand would buy two hour's 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 unstanched thirst -York and young Rutland could not satisfy. - -WARWICK: -Ay, but he's dead: off with the traitor's head, -And rear it in the place your father's stands. -And now to London with triumphant march, -There to be crowned England's 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 scatter'd foe that hopes to rise again; -For though they cannot greatly sting to hurt, -Yet look to have them buzz to offend thine ears. -First will I see the coronation; -And then to Brittany I'll 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 Gloucester's dukedom is too ominous. - -WARWICK: -Tut, that's a foolish observation: -Richard, be Duke of Gloucester. Now to London, -To see these honours in possession. -3 KING HENRY VI - -First Keeper: -Under this thick-grown brake we'll 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. - -Second Keeper: -I'll stay above the hill, so both may shoot. - -First Keeper: -That cannot be; the noise of thy cross-bow -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, -I'll tell thee what befell me on a day -In this self-place where now we mean to stand. - -Second Keeper: -Here comes a man; let's stay till he be past. - -KING HENRY VI: -From Scotland am I stol'n, even of pure love, -To greet mine own land with my wishful sight. -No, Harry, Harry, 'tis no land of thine; -Thy place is fill'd, thy sceptre wrung from thee, -Thy balm wash'd 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? - -First Keeper: -Ay, here's a deer whose skin's a keeper's fee: -This is the quondam king; let's seize upon him. - -KING HENRY VI: -Let me embrace thee, sour adversity, -For wise men say it is the wisest course. - -Second Keeper: -Why linger we? let us lay hands upon him. - -First Keeper: -Forbear awhile; we'll hear a little more. - -KING HENRY VI: -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 king's sister -To wife for Edward: if this news be true, -Poor queen and son, your labour is but lost; -For Warwick is a subtle orator, -And Lewis a prince soon won with moving words. -By this account then Margaret may win him; -For she's a woman to be pitied much: -Her sighs will make a battery in his breast; -Her tears will pierce into a marble heart; -The tiger will be mild whiles she doth mourn; -And Nero will be tainted with remorse, -To hear and see her plaints, her brinish tears. -Ay, but she's 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 install'd; -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 Edward's place. -O Margaret, thus 'twill be; and thou, poor soul, -Art then forsaken, as thou went'st forlorn! - -Second Keeper: -Say, what art thou that talk'st of kings and queens? - -KING HENRY VI: -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? - -Second Keeper: -Ay, but thou talk'st as if thou wert a king. - -KING HENRY VI: -Why, so I am, in mind; and that's enough. - -Second Keeper: -But, if thou be a king, where is thy crown? - -KING HENRY VI: -My crown is in my heart, not on my head; -Not decked with diamonds and Indian stones, -Nor to be seen: my crown is called content: -A crown it is that seldom kings enjoy. - -Second Keeper: -Well, if you be a king crown'd 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 VI: -But did you never swear, and break an oath? - -Second Keeper: -No, never such an oath; nor will not now. - -KING HENRY VI: -Where did you dwell when I was King of England? - -Second Keeper: -Here in this country, where we now remain. - -KING HENRY VI: -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? - -First Keeper: -No; -For we were subjects but while you were king. - -KING HENRY VI: -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 I'll obey. - -First Keeper: -We are true subjects to the king, King Edward. - -KING HENRY VI: -So would you be again to Henry, -If he were seated as King Edward is. - -First Keeper: -We charge you, in God's name, and the king's, -To go with us unto the officers. - -KING HENRY VI: -In God's name, lead; your king's name be obey'd: -And what God will, that let your king perform; -And what he will, I humbly yield unto. -3 KING HENRY VI - -KING EDWARD IV: -Brother of Gloucester, at Saint Alban's field -This lady's husband, Sir Richard Grey, was slain, -His lands 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. - -GLOUCESTER: -Your highness shall do well to grant her suit; -It were dishonour to deny it her. - -KING EDWARD IV: -It were no less; but yet I'll make a pause. - -GLOUCESTER: - -CLARENCE: - -GLOUCESTER: - -KING EDWARD IV: -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. - -GLOUCESTER: - -CLARENCE: - -GLOUCESTER: - -KING EDWARD IV: -How many children hast thou, widow? tell me. - -CLARENCE: - -GLOUCESTER: - -LADY GREY: -Three, my most gracious lord. - -GLOUCESTER: - -KING EDWARD IV: -'Twere pity they should lose their father's lands. - -LADY GREY: -Be pitiful, dread lord, and grant it then. - -KING EDWARD IV: -Lords, give us leave: I'll try this widow's wit. - -GLOUCESTER: - -KING EDWARD IV: -Now tell me, madam, do you love your children? - -LADY GREY: -Ay, full as dearly as I love myself. - -KING EDWARD IV: -And would you not do much to do them good? - -LADY GREY: -To do them good, I would sustain some harm. - -KING EDWARD IV: -Then get your husband's lands, to do them good. - -LADY GREY: -Therefore I came unto your majesty. - -KING EDWARD IV: -I'll tell you how these lands are to be got. - -LADY GREY: -So shall you bind me to your highness' service. - -KING EDWARD IV: -What service wilt thou do me, if I give them? - -LADY GREY: -What you command, that rests in me to do. - -KING EDWARD IV: -But you will take exceptions to my boon. - -LADY GREY: -No, gracious lord, except I cannot do it. - -KING EDWARD IV: -Ay, but thou canst do what I mean to ask. - -LADY GREY: -Why, then I will do what your grace commands. - -GLOUCESTER: - -CLARENCE: - -LADY GREY: -Why stops my lord, shall I not hear my task? - -KING EDWARD IV: -An easy task; 'tis but to love a king. - -LADY GREY: -That's soon perform'd, because I am a subject. - -KING EDWARD IV: -Why, then, thy husband's lands I freely give thee. - -LADY GREY: -I take my leave with many thousand thanks. - -GLOUCESTER: - -KING EDWARD IV: -But stay thee, 'tis the fruits of love I mean. - -LADY GREY: -The fruits of love I mean, my loving liege. - -KING EDWARD IV: -Ay, but, I fear me, in another sense. -What love, think'st 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 IV: -No, by my troth, I did not mean such love. - -LADY GREY: -Why, then you mean not as I thought you did. - -KING EDWARD IV: -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 IV: -To tell thee plain, I aim to lie with thee. - -LADY GREY: -To tell you plain, I had rather lie in prison. - -KING EDWARD IV: -Why, then thou shalt not have thy husband's lands. - -LADY GREY: -Why, then mine honesty shall be my dower; -For by that loss I will not purchase them. - -KING EDWARD IV: -Therein thou wrong'st 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 IV: -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. - -GLOUCESTER: - -CLARENCE: - -KING EDWARD IV: - -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 IV: -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 IV: -You cavil, widow: I did mean, my queen. - -LADY GREY: -'Twill grieve your grace my sons should call you father. - -KING EDWARD IV: -No more than when my daughters call thee mother. -Thou art a widow, and thou hast some children; -And, by God's 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. - -GLOUCESTER: - -CLARENCE: - -KING EDWARD IV: -Brothers, you muse what chat we two have had. - -GLOUCESTER: -The widow likes it not, for she looks very sad. - -KING EDWARD IV: -You'll think it strange if I should marry her. - -CLARENCE: -To whom, my lord? - -KING EDWARD IV: -Why, Clarence, to myself. - -GLOUCESTER: -That would be ten days' wonder at the least. - -CLARENCE: -That's a day longer than a wonder lasts. - -GLOUCESTER: -By so much is the wonder in extremes. - -KING EDWARD IV: -Well, jest on, brothers: I can tell you both -Her suit is granted for her husband's lands. - -Nobleman: -My gracious lord, Henry your foe is taken, -And brought your prisoner to your palace gate. - -KING EDWARD IV: -See that he be convey'd 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. - -GLOUCESTER: -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 soul's desire and me-- -The lustful Edward's title buried-- -Is Clarence, Henry, and his son young Edward, -And all the unlook'd for 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 far-off shore where he would tread, -Wishing his foot were equal with his eye, -And chides the sea that sunders him from thence, -Saying, he'll 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, I'll cut the causes off, -Flattering me with impossibilities. -My eye's too quick, my heart o'erweens 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? -I'll make my heaven in a lady's 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 mother's 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 wither'd 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 unlick'd bear-whelp -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 cheque, to o'erbear such -As are of better person than myself, -I'll make my heaven to dream upon the crown, -And, whiles I live, to account this world but hell, -Until my mis-shaped trunk that bears 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 rends 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 whiles 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. -I'll drown more sailors than the mermaid shall; -I'll slay more gazers than the basilisk; -I'll play the orator as well as Nestor, -Deceive more slily 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, I'll pluck it down. -3 KING HENRY VI - -KING LEWIS XI: -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 Albion's 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 XI: -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 drown'd in cares. - -KING LEWIS XI: -Whate'er it be, be thou still like thyself, -And sit thee by our side: -Yield not thy neck -To fortune's 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 tongue-tied 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 banish'd man, -And forced to live in Scotland a forlorn; -While proud ambitious Edward Duke of York -Usurps the regal title and the seat -Of England's true-anointed lawful king. -This is the cause that I, poor Margaret, -With this my son, Prince Edward, Henry's 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 treasures seized, our soldiers put to flight, -And, as thou seest, ourselves in heavy plight. - -KING LEWIS XI: -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 XI: -The more I stay, the more I'll succor thee. - -QUEEN MARGARET: -O, but impatience waiteth on true sorrow. -And see where comes the breeder of my sorrow! - -KING LEWIS XI: -What's he approacheth boldly to our presence? - -QUEEN MARGARET: -Our Earl of Warwick, Edward's greatest friend. - -KING LEWIS XI: -Welcome, brave Warwick! What brings thee to France? - -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 a nuptial knot, if thou vouchsafe to grant -That virtuous Lady Bona, thy fair sister, -To England's king in lawful marriage. - -QUEEN MARGARET: - -WARWICK: - -QUEEN MARGARET: -King Lewis and Lady Bona, hear me speak, -Before you answer Warwick. His demand -Springs not from Edward's well-meant 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 Henry's 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 are 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 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 kingdom's worth. - -OXFORD: -Why, Warwick, canst thou speak against thy liege, -Whom thou obeyed'st 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 mellow'd 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 XI: -Queen Margaret, Prince Edward, and Oxford, -Vouchsafe, at our request, to stand aside, -While I use further conference with Warwick. - -QUEEN MARGARET: -Heavens grant that Warwick's words bewitch him not! - -KING LEWIS XI: -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 XI: -But is he gracious in the people's eye? - -WARWICK: -The more that Henry was unfortunate. - -KING LEWIS XI: -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 fix'd in virtue's ground, -The leaves and fruit maintain'd with beauty's sun, -Exempt from envy, but not from disdain, -Unless the Lady Bona quit his pain. - -KING LEWIS XI: -Now, sister, let us hear your firm resolve. - -BONA: -Your grant, or your denial, shall be mine: -Yet I confess that often ere this day, -When I have heard your king's desert recounted, -Mine ear hath tempted judgment to desire. - -KING LEWIS XI: -Then, Warwick, thus: our sister shall be Edward's; -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 Henry's friend. - -KING LEWIS XI: -And still is friend to him and Margaret: -But if your title to the crown be weak, -As may appear by Edward's 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, peace, -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 lord's false love; -For both of you are birds of selfsame feather. - -KING LEWIS XI: -Warwick, this is some post to us or thee. - -Post: - -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 all's for the best. - -KING LEWIS XI: -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 heart's discontent. - -KING LEWIS XI: -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 the 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 Edward's love and Warwick's 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 Edward's, -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 the abuse done to my niece? -Did I impale him with the regal crown? -Did I put Henry from his native right? -And am I guerdon'd 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 turn'd my hate to love; -And I forgive and quite forget old faults, -And joy that thou becomest King Henry's 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, -I'll undertake to land them on our coast -And force the tyrant from his seat by war. -'Tis not his new-made bride shall succor him: -And as for Clarence, as my letters tell me, -He's 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 queen's are one. - -WARWICK: -And mine, fair lady Bona, joins with yours. - -KING LEWIS XI: -And mine with hers, and thine, and Margaret's. -Therefore at last I firmly am resolved -You shall have aid. - -QUEEN MARGARET: -Let me give humble thanks for all at once. - -KING LEWIS XI: -Then, England's messenger, return in post, -And tell false Edward, thy supposed king, -That Lewis of France is sending over masquers -To revel it with him and his new bride: -Thou seest what's past, go fear thy king withal. - -BONA: -Tell him, in hope he'll prove a widower shortly, -I'll 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 I'll uncrown him ere't be long. -There's thy reward: be gone. - -KING LEWIS XI: -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, -I'll 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 Warwick's 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. - -KING LEWIS XI: -Why stay we now? These soldiers shall be levied, -And thou, Lord Bourbon, our high admiral, -Shalt waft them over with our royal fleet. -I long till Edward fall by war's mischance, -For mocking marriage with a dame of France. - -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 I'll be chief to bring him down again: -Not that I pity Henry's misery, -But seek revenge on Edward's mockery. -3 KING HENRY VI - -GLOUCESTER: -Now tell me, brother Clarence, what think you -Of this new marriage with the Lady Grey? -Hath not our brother made a worthy choice? - -CLARENCE: -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. - -GLOUCESTER: -And his well-chosen bride. - -CLARENCE: -I mind to tell him plainly what I think. - -KING EDWARD IV: -Now, brother of Clarence, how like you our choice, -That you stand pensive, as half malcontent? - -CLARENCE: -As well as Lewis of France, or the Earl of Warwick, -Which are so weak of courage and in judgment -That they'll take no offence at our abuse. - -KING EDWARD IV: -Suppose they take offence without a cause, -They are but Lewis and Warwick: I am Edward, -Your king and Warwick's, and must have my will. - -GLOUCESTER: -And shall have your will, because our king: -Yet hasty marriage seldom proveth well. - -KING EDWARD IV: -Yea, brother Richard, are you offended too? - -GLOUCESTER: -Not I: -No, God forbid that I should wish them sever'd -Whom God hath join'd together; ay, and 'twere pity -To sunder them that yoke so well together. - -KING EDWARD IV: -Setting your scorns and your mislike aside, -Tell me some reason why the Lady Grey -Should not become my wife and England's queen. -And you too, Somerset and Montague, -Speak freely what you think. - -CLARENCE: -Then this is mine opinion: that King Lewis -Becomes your enemy, for mocking him -About the marriage of the Lady Bona. - -GLOUCESTER: -And Warwick, doing what you gave in charge, -Is now dishonoured by this new marriage. - -KING EDWARD IV: -What if both Lewis and Warwick be appeased -By such invention as I can devise? - -MONTAGUE: -Yet, to have join'd with France in such alliance -Would more have strengthen'd this our commonwealth -'Gainst foreign storms than any home-bred marriage. - -HASTINGS: -Why, knows not Montague that of itself -England is safe, if true within itself? - -MONTAGUE: -But the safer when 'tis back'd with France. - -HASTINGS: -'Tis better using France than trusting France: -Let us be back'd with God and with the seas -Which He hath given for fence impregnable, -And with their helps only defend ourselves; -In them and in ourselves our safety lies. - -CLARENCE: -For this one speech Lord Hastings well deserves -To have the heir of the Lord Hungerford. - -KING EDWARD IV: -Ay, what of that? it was my will and grant; -And for this once my will shall stand for law. - -GLOUCESTER: -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. - -CLARENCE: -Or else you would not have bestow'd the heir -Of the Lord Bonville on your new wife's son, -And leave your brothers to go speed elsewhere. - -KING EDWARD IV: -Alas, poor Clarence! is it for a wife -That thou art malcontent? I will provide thee. - -CLARENCE: -In choosing for yourself, you show'd your judgment, -Which being shallow, you give me leave -To play the broker in mine own behalf; -And to that end I shortly mind to leave you. - -KING EDWARD IV: -Leave me, or tarry, Edward will be king, -And not be tied unto his brother's 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 dislike, to whom I would be pleasing, -Doth cloud my joys with danger and with sorrow. - -KING EDWARD IV: -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. - -GLOUCESTER: - -KING EDWARD IV: -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 IV: -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 masquers -To revel it with him and his new bride.' - -KING EDWARD IV: -Is Lewis so brave? belike he thinks me Henry. -But what said Lady Bona to my marriage? - -Post: -These were her words, utter'd with mad disdain: -'Tell him, in hope he'll prove a widower shortly, -I'll wear the willow garland for his sake.' - -KING EDWARD IV: -I blame not her, she could say little less; -She had the wrong. But what said Henry's 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 IV: -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 I'll uncrown him ere't be long.' - -KING EDWARD IV: -Ha! durst the traitor breathe out so proud words? -Well I will arm me, being thus forewarn'd: -They shall have wars and pay for their presumption. -But say, is Warwick friends with Margaret? - -Post: -Ay, gracious sovereign; they are so link'd in -friendship -That young Prince Edward marries Warwick's daughter. - -CLARENCE: -Belike the elder; Clarence will have the younger. -Now, brother king, farewell, and sit you fast, -For I will hence to Warwick's 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. - -GLOUCESTER: - -KING EDWARD IV: -Clarence and Somerset both gone to Warwick! -Yet am I arm'd 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. -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 Edward's cause! - -KING EDWARD IV: -Now, brother Richard, will you stand by us? - -GLOUCESTER: -Ay, in despite of all that shall withstand you. - -KING EDWARD IV: -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. -3 KING HENRY VI - -WARWICK: -Trust me, my lord, all hitherto goes well; -The common people by numbers swarm to us. -But see where Somerset and Clarence come! -Speak suddenly, my lords, are we all friends? - -CLARENCE: -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 pawn'd an open hand in sign of love; -Else might I think that Clarence, Edward's brother, -Were but a feigned friend to our proceedings: -But welcome, sweet Clarence; my daughter shall be thine. -And now what rests but, in night's coverture, -Thy brother being carelessly encamp'd, -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 cover'd with the night's black mantle, -At unawares may beat down Edward's 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. -Why, then, let's on our way in silent sort: -For Warwick and his friends, God and Saint George! -3 KING HENRY VI - -First Watchman: -Come on, my masters, each man take his stand: -The king by this is set him down to sleep. - -Second Watchman: -What, will he not to bed? - -First Watchman: -Why, no; for he hath made a solemn vow -Never to lie and take his natural rest -Till Warwick or himself be quite suppress'd. - -Second Watchman: -To-morrow then belike shall be the day, -If Warwick be so near as men report. - -Third Watchman: -But say, I pray, what nobleman is that -That with the king here resteth in his tent? - -First Watchman: -'Tis the Lord Hastings, the king's chiefest friend. - -Third 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? - -Second Watchman: -'Tis the more honour, because more dangerous. - -Third Watchman: -Ay, but give me worship and quietness; -I like it better than a dangerous honour. -If Warwick knew in what estate he stands, -'Tis to be doubted he would waken him. - -First Watchman: -Unless our halberds did shut up his passage. - -Second Watchman: -Ay, wherefore else guard we his royal tent, -But to defend his person from night-foes? - -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. - -First Watchman: -Who goes there? - -Second Watchman: -Stay, or thou diest! - -SOMERSET: -What are they that fly there? - -WARWICK: -Richard and Hastings: let them go; here is The duke. - -KING EDWARD IV: -The duke! Why, Warwick, when we parted, -Thou call'dst me king. - -WARWICK: -Ay, but the case is alter'd: -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 people's welfare, -Nor how to shroud yourself from enemies? - -KING EDWARD IV: -Yea, brother of Clarence, are 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 fortune's malice overthrow my state, -My mind exceeds the compass of her wheel. - -WARWICK: -Then, for his mind, be Edward England's king: -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 convey'd -Unto my brother, Archbishop of York. -When I have fought with Pembroke and his fellows, -I'll follow you, and tell what answer -Lewis and the Lady Bona send to him. -Now, for a while farewell, good Duke of York. - -KING EDWARD IV: -What fates impose, that men must needs abide; -It boots not to resist both wind and tide. - -OXFORD: -What now remains, my lords, for us to do -But march to London with our soldiers? - -WARWICK: -Ay, that's the first thing that we have to do; -To free King Henry from imprisonment -And see him seated in the regal throne. -3 KING HENRY VI - -RIVERS: -Madam, what makes you in this sudden change? - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -Why brother Rivers, are you yet to learn -What late misfortune is befall'n King Edward? - -RIVERS: -What! loss of some pitch'd 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 betray'd 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 Warwick's 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 life's decay. -And I the rather wean me from despair -For love of Edward's offspring in my womb: -This is it that makes me bridle passion -And bear with mildness my misfortune's cross; -Ay, ay, for this I draw in many a tear -And stop the rising of blood-sucking sighs, -Lest with my sighs or tears I blast or drown -King Edward's fruit, true heir to the English crown. - -RIVERS: -But, madam, where is Warwick then become? - -QUEEN ELIZABETH: -I am inform'd that he comes towards London, -To set the crown once more on Henry's head: -Guess thou the rest; King Edward's friends must down, -But, to prevent the tyrant's violence,-- -For trust not him that hath once broken faith,-- -I'll hence forthwith unto the sanctuary, -To save at least the heir of Edward's 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. -3 KING HENRY VI - -GLOUCESTER: -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 his 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. - -Huntsman: -This way, my lord; for this way lies the game. - -KING EDWARD IV: -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 bishop's deer? - -GLOUCESTER: -Brother, the time and case requireth haste: -Your horse stands ready at the park-corner. - -KING EDWARD IV: -But whither shall we then? - -HASTINGS: -To Lynn, my lord, -And ship from thence to Flanders. - -GLOUCESTER: -Well guess'd, believe me; for that was my meaning. - -KING EDWARD IV: -Stanley, I will requite thy forwardness. - -GLOUCESTER: -But wherefore stay we? 'tis no time to talk. - -KING EDWARD IV: -Huntsman, what say'st thou? wilt thou go along? - -Huntsman: -Better do so than tarry and be hang'd. - -GLOUCESTER: -Come then, away; let's ha' no more ado. - -KING EDWARD IV: -Bishop, farewell: shield thee from Warwick's frown; -And pray that I may repossess the crown. -3 KING HENRY VI - -KING HENRY VI: -Master lieutenant, now that God and friends -Have shaken Edward from the regal seat, -And turn'd 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 VI: -For what, lieutenant? for well using me? -Nay, be thou sure I'll 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 set'st me free, -And chiefly therefore I thank God and thee; -He was the author, thou the instrument. -Therefore, that I may conquer fortune's spite -By living low, where fortune cannot hurt me, -And that the people of this blessed land -May not be punish'd 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 fortune's 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. - -CLARENCE: -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 VI: -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 sin's rebuke and my Creator's praise. - -WARWICK: -What answers Clarence to his sovereign's will? - -CLARENCE: -That he consents, if Warwick yield consent; -For on thy fortune I repose myself. - -WARWICK: -Why, then, though loath, yet must I be content: -We'll yoke together, like a double shadow -To Henry's 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. - -CLARENCE: -What else? and that succession be determined. - -WARWICK: -Ay, therein Clarence shall not want his part. - -KING HENRY VI: -But, with the first of all your chief affairs, -Let me entreat, for 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. - -CLARENCE: -It shall be done, my sovereign, with all speed. - -KING HENRY VI: -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 VI: -Come hither, England's hope. -If secret powers -Suggest but truth to my divining thoughts, -This pretty lad will prove our country's 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. - -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 convey'd by Richard Duke of Gloucester -And the Lord Hastings, who attended him -In secret ambush on the forest side -And from the bishop's 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. - -SOMERSET: -My lord, I like not of this flight of Edward's; -For doubtless Burgundy will yield him help, -And we shall have more wars before 't be long. -As Henry's 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 we'll 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, let's about it speedily. -3 KING HENRY VI - -KING EDWARD IV: -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 Henry's regal crown. -Well have we pass'd and now repass'd 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? - -GLOUCESTER: -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 IV: -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, I'll knock once more to summon them. - -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 IV: -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 IV: -Why, and I challenge nothing but my dukedom, -As being well content with that alone. - -GLOUCESTER: - -HASTINGS: -Why, master mayor, why stand you in a doubt? -Open the gates; we are King Henry's friends. - -Mayor: -Ay, say you so? the gates shall then be open'd. - -GLOUCESTER: -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 enter'd, -I doubt not, I, but we shall soon persuade -Both him and all his brothers unto reason. - -KING EDWARD IV: -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; -For Edward will defend the town and thee, -And all those friends that deign to follow me. - -GLOUCESTER: -Brother, this is Sir John Montgomery, -Our trusty friend, unless I be deceived. - -KING EDWARD IV: -Welcome, Sir John! But why come you in arms? - -MONTAGUE: -To help King Edward in his time of storm, -As every loyal subject ought to do. - -KING EDWARD IV: -Thanks, good Montgomery; but we now forget -Our title to the crown and only claim -Our dukedom till God please to send the rest. - -MONTAGUE: -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. - -KING EDWARD IV: -Nay, stay, Sir John, awhile, and we'll debate -By what safe means the crown may be recover'd. - -MONTAGUE: -What talk you of debating? in few words, -If you'll not here proclaim yourself our king, -I'll leave you to your fortune and be gone -To keep them back that come to succor you: -Why shall we fight, if you pretend no title? - -GLOUCESTER: -Why, brother, wherefore stand you on nice points? - -KING EDWARD IV: -When we grow stronger, then we'll make our claim: -Till then, 'tis wisdom to conceal our meaning. - -HASTINGS: -Away with scrupulous wit! now arms must rule. - -GLOUCESTER: -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 IV: -Then be it as you will; for 'tis my right, -And Henry but usurps the diadem. - -MONTAGUE: -Ay, now my sovereign speaketh like himself; -And now will I be Edward's champion. - -HASTINGS: -Sound trumpet; Edward shall be here proclaim'd: -Come, fellow-soldier, make thou proclamation. - -Soldier: -Edward the Fourth, by the grace of God, king of -England and France, and lord of Ireland, &c. - -MONTAGUE: -And whosoe'er gainsays King Edward's right, -By this I challenge him to single fight. - -All: -Long live Edward the Fourth! - -KING EDWARD IV: -Thanks, brave Montgomery; and thanks unto you all: -If fortune serve me, I'll requite this kindness. -Now, for this night, let's harbour here in York; -And when the morning sun shall raise his car -Above the border of this horizon, -We'll 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, we'll meet both thee and Warwick. -Come on, brave soldiers: doubt not of the day, -And, that once gotten, doubt not of large pay. -3 KING HENRY VI - -WARWICK: -What counsel, lords? Edward from Belgia, -With hasty Germans and blunt Hollanders, -Hath pass'd in safety through the narrow seas, -And with his troops doth march amain to London; -And many giddy people flock to him. - -KING HENRY VI: -Let's levy men, and beat him back again. - -CLARENCE: -A little fire is quickly trodden out; -Which, being suffer'd, rivers cannot quench. - -WARWICK: -In Warwickshire I have true-hearted 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 command'st: -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 VI: -Farewell, my Hector, and my Troy's true hope. - -CLARENCE: -In sign of truth, I kiss your highness' hand. - -KING HENRY VI: -Well-minded Clarence, be thou fortunate! - -MONTAGUE: -Comfort, my lord; and so I take my leave. - -OXFORD: -And thus I seal my truth, and bid adieu. - -KING HENRY VI: -Sweet Oxford, and my loving Montague, -And all at once, once more a happy farewell. - -WARWICK: -Farewell, sweet lords: let's meet at Coventry. - -KING HENRY VI: -Here at the palace I will rest awhile. -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 VI: -That's not my fear; my meed hath got me fame: -I have not stopp'd 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 allay'd their swelling griefs, -My mercy dried their water-flowing tears; -I have not been desirous of their wealth, -Nor much oppress'd them with great subsidies. -Nor forward of revenge, though they much err'd: -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. - -EXETER: -Hark, hark, my lord! what shouts are these? - -KING EDWARD IV: -Seize on the shame-faced 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 sha$l suck them dry, -And swell so much the higher by their ebb. -Hence with him to the Tower; let him not speak. -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 hoped-for hay. - -GLOUCESTER: -Away betimes, before his forces join, -And take the great-grown traitor unawares: -Brave warriors, march amain towards Coventry. -3 KING HENRY VI - -WARWICK: -Where is the post that came from valiant Oxford? -How far hence is thy lord, mine honest fellow? - -First Messenger: -By this at Dunsmore, marching hitherward. - -WARWICK: -How far off is our brother Montague? -Where is the post that came from Montague? - -Second Messenger: -By this at Daintry, with a puissant troop. - -WARWICK: -Say, Somerville, what says my loving son? -And, by thy guess, how nigh is Clarence now? - -SOMERSET: -At Southam I did leave him with his forces, -And do expect him here some two hours hence. - -WARWICK: -Then Clarence is at hand, I hear his drum. - -SOMERSET: -It is not his, my lord; here Southam lies: -The drum your honour hears marcheth from Warwick. - -WARWICK: -Who should that be? belike, unlook'd-for friends. - -SOMERSET: -They are at hand, and you shall quickly know. - -KING EDWARD IV: -Go, trumpet, to the walls, and sound a parle. - -GLOUCESTER: -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 IV: -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 pluck'd thee own, -Call Warwick patron and be penitent? -And thou shalt still remain the Duke of York. - -GLOUCESTER: -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? - -GLOUCESTER: -Ay, by my faith, for a poor earl to give: -I'll do thee service for so good a gift. - -WARWICK: -'Twas I that gave the kingdom to thy brother. - -KING EDWARD IV: -Why then 'tis mine, if but by Warwick's 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 IV: -But Warwick's king is Edward's prisoner: -And, gallant Warwick, do but answer this: -What is the body when the head is off? - -GLOUCESTER: -Alas, that Warwick had no more forecast, -But, whiles he thought to steal the single ten, -The king was slily finger'd from the deck! -You left poor Henry at the Bishop's palace, -And, ten to one, you'll meet him in the Tower. - -EDWARD: -'Tis even so; yet you are Warwick still. - -GLOUCESTER: -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 IV: -Sail how thou canst, have wind and tide thy friend, -This hand, fast wound about thy coal-black hair -Shall, whiles thy head is warm and new cut off, -Write in the dust this sentence with thy blood, -'Wind-changing Warwick now can change no more.' - -WARWICK: -O cheerful colours! see where Oxford comes! - -OXFORD: -Oxford, Oxford, for Lancaster! - -GLOUCESTER: -The gates are open, let us enter too. - -KING EDWARD IV: -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, -We'll quickly rouse the traitors in the same. - -WARWICK: -O, welcome, Oxford! for we want thy help. - -MONTAGUE: -Montague, Montague, for Lancaster! - -GLOUCESTER: -Thou and thy brother both shall buy this treason -Even with the dearest blood your bodies bear. - -KING EDWARD IV: -The harder match'd, the greater victory: -My mind presageth happy gain and conquest. - -SOMERSET: -Somerset, Somerset, for Lancaster! - -GLOUCESTER: -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. - -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 brother's love! -Come, Clarence, come; thou wilt, if Warwick call. - -CLARENCE: -Father of Warwick, know you what this means? -Look here, I throw my infamy at thee -I will not ruinate my father's house, -Who gave his blood to lime the stones together, -And set up Lancaster. Why, trow'st 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 Jephthah's, when he sacrificed his daughter. -I am so sorry for my trespass made -That, to deserve well at my brother's hands, -I here proclaim myself thy mortal foe, -With resolution, wheresoe'er I meet thee-- -As I will meet thee, if thou stir abroad-- -To plague thee for thy foul misleading me. -And so, proud-hearted 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 IV: -Now welcome more, and ten times more beloved, -Than if thou never hadst deserved our hate. - -GLOUCESTER: -Welcome, good Clarence; this is brotherlike. - -WARWICK: -O passing traitor, perjured and unjust! - -KING EDWARD IV: -What, Warwick, wilt thou leave the town and fight? -Or shall we beat the stones about thine ears? - -WARWICK: -Alas, I am not coop'd here for defence! -I will away towards Barnet presently, -And bid thee battle, Edward, if thou darest. - -KING EDWARD IV: -Yes, Warwick, Edward dares, and leads the way. -Lords, to the field; Saint George and victory! -3 KING HENRY VI - -KING EDWARD IV: -So, lie thou there: die thou, and die our fear; -For Warwick was a bug that fear'd us all. -Now, Montague, sit fast; I seek for thee, -That Warwick's bones may keep thine company. - -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 axe's edge, -Whose arms gave shelter to the princely eagle, -Under whose shade the ramping lion slept, -Whose top-branch overpeer'd Jove's spreading tree -And kept low shrubs from winter's powerful wind. -These eyes, that now are dimm'd with death's black veil, -Have been as piercing as the mid-day sun, -To search the secret treasons of the world: -The wrinkles in my brows, now filled with blood, -Were liken'd oft to kingly sepulchres; -For who lived king, but I could dig his grave? -And who durst mine when Warwick bent his brow? -Lo, now my glory smear'd 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 body's length. -Why, what is pomp, rule, reign, but earth and dust? -And, live we how we can, yet die we must. - -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, could'st 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 lovest 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 clamour 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. - -OXFORD: -Away, away, to meet the queen's great power! -3 KING HENRY VI - -KING EDWARD IV: -Thus far our fortune keeps an upward course, -And we are graced with wreaths of victory. -But, in the midst of this bright-shining day, -I spy a black, suspicious, threatening 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. - -CLARENCE: -A little gale will soon disperse that cloud -And blow it to the source from whence it came: -The very beams will dry those vapours up, -For every cloud engenders not a storm. - -GLOUCESTER: -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 IV: -We are advertised by our loving friends -That they do hold their course toward Tewksbury: -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. -3 KING HENRY VI - -QUEEN MARGARET: -Great lords, wise men ne'er 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 holding-anchor lost, -And half our sailors swallow'd 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 topmost; what of him? -Our slaughter'd 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 allow'd the skilful pilot's 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 wreck. -As good to chide the waves as speak them fair. -And what is Edward but 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; that's a threefold death. -This speak I, lords, to let you understand, -If case some one of you would fly from us, -That there's no hoped-for mercy with the 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 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 mock'd and wonder'd at. - -QUEEN MARGARET: -Thanks, gentle Somerset; sweet Oxford, thanks. - -PRINCE EDWARD: -And take his thanks that yet hath nothing else. - -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 he's 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. - -KING EDWARD IV: -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 mine eyes. -Therefore, no more but this: Henry, your sovereign, -Is prisoner to the foe; his state usurp'd, -His realm a slaughter-house, his subjects slain, -His statutes cancell'd and his treasure spent; -And yonder is the wolf that makes this spoil. -You fight in justice: then, in God's name, lords, -Be valiant and give signal to the fight. -3 KING HENRY VI - -KING EDWARD IV: -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, I'll not trouble thee with words. - -SOMERSET: -Nor I, but stoop with patience to my fortune. - -QUEEN MARGARET: -So part we sadly in this troublous world, -To meet with joy in sweet Jerusalem. - -KING EDWARD IV: -Is proclamation made, that who finds Edward -Shall have a high reward, and he his life? - -GLOUCESTER: -It is: and lo, where youthful Edward comes! - -KING EDWARD IV: -Bring forth the gallant, let us hear him speak. -What! can so young a thorn begin to prick? -Edward, what satisfaction canst thou make -For bearing arms, for stirring up my subjects, -And all the trouble thou hast turn'd me to? - -PRINCE EDWARD: -Speak like a subject, proud ambitious York! -Suppose that I am now my father's mouth; -Resign thy chair, and where I stand kneel thou, -Whilst I propose the selfsame words to thee, -Which traitor, thou wouldst have me answer to. - -QUEEN MARGARET: -Ah, that thy father had been so resolved! - -GLOUCESTER: -That you might still have worn the petticoat, -And ne'er have stol'n the breech from Lancaster. - -PRINCE EDWARD: -Let AEsop fable in a winter's night; -His currish riddles sort not with this place. - -GLOUCESTER: -By heaven, brat, I'll plague ye for that word. - -QUEEN MARGARET: -Ay, thou wast born to be a plague to men. - -GLOUCESTER: -For God's sake, take away this captive scold. - -PRINCE EDWARD: -Nay, take away this scolding crookback rather. - -KING EDWARD IV: -Peace, wilful boy, or I will charm your tongue. - -CLARENCE: -Untutor'd lad, thou art too malapert. - -PRINCE EDWARD: -I know my duty; you are all undutiful: -Lascivious Edward, and thou perjured George, -And thou mis-shapen Dick, I tell ye all -I am your better, traitors as ye are: -And thou usurp'st my father's right and mine. - -KING EDWARD IV: -Take that, thou likeness of this railer here. - -GLOUCESTER: -Sprawl'st thou? take that, to end thy agony. - -CLARENCE: -And there's for twitting me with perjury. - -QUEEN MARGARET: -O, kill me too! - -GLOUCESTER: -Marry, and shall. - -KING EDWARD IV: -Hold, Richard, hold; for we have done too much. - -GLOUCESTER: -Why should she live, to fill the world with words? - -KING EDWARD IV: -What, doth she swoon? use means for her recovery. - -GLOUCESTER: -Clarence, excuse me to the king my brother; -I'll hence to London on a serious matter: -Ere ye come there, be sure to hear some news. - -CLARENCE: -What? what? - -GLOUCESTER: -The Tower, the Tower. - -QUEEN MARGARET: -O Ned, sweet Ned! speak to thy mother, boy! -Canst thou not speak? O traitors! murderers! -They that stabb'd Caesar shed no blood at all, -Did not offend, nor were not worthy blame, -If this foul deed were by to equal it: -He was a man; this, in respect, a child: -And men ne'er spend their fury on a child. -What's worse than murderer, that I may name it? -No, no, my heart will burst, and 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 cropp'd! -You have no children, butchers! if you had, -The thought of them would have stirr'd up remorse: -But if you ever chance to have a child, -Look in his youth to have him so cut off -As, deathmen, you have rid this sweet young prince! - -KING EDWARD IV: -Away with her; go, bear her hence perforce. - -QUEEN MARGARET: -Nay, never bear me hence, dispatch me here, -Here sheathe thy sword, I'll pardon thee my death: -What, wilt thou not? then, Clarence, do it thou. - -CLARENCE: -By heaven, I will not do thee so much ease. - -QUEEN MARGARET: -Good Clarence, do; sweet Clarence, do thou do it. - -CLARENCE: -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 devil's butcher, -Hard-favour'd Richard? Richard, where art thou? -Thou art not here: murder is thy alms-deed; -Petitioners for blood thou ne'er put'st back. - -KING EDWARD IV: -Away, I say; I charge ye, bear her hence. - -QUEEN MARGARET: -So come to you and yours, as to this Prince! - -KING EDWARD IV: -Where's Richard gone? - -CLARENCE: -To London, all in post; and, as I guess, -To make a bloody supper in the Tower. - -KING EDWARD IV: -He's sudden, if a thing comes in his head. -Now march we hence: discharge the common sort -With pay and thanks, and let's away to London -And see our gentle queen how well she fares: -By this, I hope, she hath a son for me. -3 KING HENRY VI - -GLOUCESTER: -Good day, my lord. What, at your book so hard? - -KING HENRY VI: -Ay, my good lord:--my 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.' - -GLOUCESTER: -Sirrah, leave us to ourselves: we must confer. - -KING HENRY VI: -So flies the reckless shepherd from the wolf; -So first the harmless sheep doth yield his fleece -And next his throat unto the butcher's knife. -What scene of death hath Roscius now to act? - -GLOUCESTER: -Suspicion always haunts the guilty mind; -The thief doth fear each bush an officer. - -KING HENRY VI: -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 kill'd. - -GLOUCESTER: -Why, what a peevish fool was that of Crete, -That taught his son the office of a fowl! -An yet, for all his wings, the fool was drown'd. - -KING HENRY VI: -I, Daedalus; my poor boy, Icarus; -Thy father, Minos, that denied our course; -The sun that sear'd 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 dagger's point -Than can my ears that tragic history. -But wherefore dost thou come? is't for my life? - -GLOUCESTER: -Think'st thou I am an executioner? - -KING HENRY VI: -A persecutor, I am sure, thou art: -If murdering innocents be executing, -Why, then thou art an executioner. - -GLOUCESTER: -Thy son I kill'd for his presumption. - -KING HENRY VI: -Hadst thou been kill'd 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 man's sigh and many a widow's, -And many an orphan's water-standing eye-- -Men for their sons, wives for their husbands, -And orphans for their parents timeless death-- -Shall rue the hour that ever thou wast born. -The owl shriek'd at thy birth,--an evil sign; -The night-crow cried, aboding luckless time; -Dogs howl'd, and hideous tempest shook down trees; -The raven rook'd her on the chimney's top, -And chattering pies in dismal discords sung. -Thy mother felt more than a mother's pain, -And, yet brought forth less than a mother's hope, -To wit, an indigested and deformed lump, -Not like the fruit of such a goodly tree. -Teeth hadst thou in thy head when thou wast born, -To signify thou camest to bite the world: -And, if the rest be true which I have heard, -Thou camest-- - -GLOUCESTER: -I'll hear no more: die, prophet in thy speech: -For this amongst the rest, was I ordain'd. - -KING HENRY VI: -Ay, and for much more slaughter after this. -God forgive my sins, and pardon thee! - -GLOUCESTER: -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 king's death! -O, may such purple tears be alway 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: -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 usurp'd our right? -The midwife wonder'd 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 crook'd my mind to answer it. -I have no brother, I am like no brother; -And this word 'love,' which graybeards call divine, -Be resident in men like one another -And not in me: I am myself alone. -Clarence, beware; thou keep'st me from the light: -But I will sort a pitchy day for thee; -For I will buz abroad such prophecies -That Edward shall be fearful of his life, -And then, to purge his fear, I'll be thy death. -King Henry and the prince his son are gone: -Clarence, thy turn is next, and then the rest, -Counting myself but bad till I be best. -I'll throw thy body in another room -And triumph, Henry, in thy day of doom. -3 KING HENRY VI - -KING EDWARD IV: -Once more we sit in England's royal throne, -Re-purchased with the blood of enemies. -What valiant foemen, like to autumn's corn, -Have we mow'd down, in tops of all their pride! -Three Dukes of Somerset, threefold renown'd -For hardy and undoubted champions; -Two Cliffords, as the father and the son, -And two Northumberlands; two braver men -Ne'er spurr'd their coursers at the trumpet's sound; -With them, the two brave bears, Warwick and Montague, -That in their chains fetter'd the kingly lion -And made the forest tremble when they roar'd. -Thus have we swept suspicion from our seat -And made our footstool of security. -Come hither, Bess, and let me kiss my boy. -Young Ned, for thee, thine uncles and myself -Have in our armours watch'd the winter's night, -Went all afoot in summer's scalding heat, -That thou mightst repossess the crown in peace; -And of our labours thou shalt reap the gain. - -GLOUCESTER: - -KING EDWARD IV: -Clarence and Gloucester, love my lovely queen; -And kiss your princely nephew, brothers both. - -CLARENCE: -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. - -GLOUCESTER: -And, that I love the tree from whence thou sprang'st, -Witness the loving kiss I give the fruit. - -KING EDWARD IV: -Now am I seated as my soul delights, -Having my country's peace and brothers' loves. - -CLARENCE: -What will your grace have done with Margaret? -Reignier, her father, to the king of France -Hath pawn'd the Sicils and Jerusalem, -And hither have they sent it for her ransom. - -KING EDWARD IV: -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. - -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 magnificence--in so rare--I 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 what's 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 over-kind 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. - -POLIXENES: -Nine changes of the watery star hath been -The shepherd's note since we have left our throne -Without a burthen: time as long again -Would be find 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 moe -That go before it. - -LEONTES: -Stay your thanks a while; -And pay them when you part. - -POLIXENES: -Sir, that's to-morrow. -I am question'd 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 stay'd -To tire your royalty. - -LEONTES: -We are tougher, brother, -Than you can put us to't. - -POLIXENES: -No longer stay. - -LEONTES: -One seven-night longer. - -POLIXENES: -Very sooth, to-morrow. - -LEONTES: -We'll part the time between's then; and in that -I'll no gainsaying. - -POLIXENES: -Press me not, beseech you, so. -There is no tongue that moves, none, none i' the 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: -Tongue-tied, our queen? -speak you. - -HERMIONE: -I had thought, sir, to have held my peace until -You have drawn oaths from him not to stay. You, sir, -Charge him too coldly. Tell him, you are sure -All in Bohemia's well; this satisfaction -The by-gone day proclaim'd: say this to him, -He's 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, -We'll thwack him hence with distaffs. -Yet of your royal presence I'll adventure -The borrow of a week. When at Bohemia -You take my lord, I'll give him my commission -To let him there a month behind the gest -Prefix'd for's parting: yet, good deed, Leontes, -I love thee not a jar o' the clock behind -What lady-she her lord. You'll 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 to unsphere the -stars with oaths, -Should yet say 'Sir, no going.' Verily, -You shall not go: a lady's 'Verily' 's -As potent as a lord's. Will you 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, I'll question you -Of my lord's 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 to-morrow as to-day, -And to be boy eternal. - -HERMIONE: -Was not my lord -The verier wag o' the two? - -POLIXENES: -We were as twinn'd lambs that did frisk i' the sun, -And bleat the one at the other: what we changed -Was innocence for innocence; we knew not -The doctrine of ill-doing, nor dream'd -That any did. Had we pursued that life, -And our weak spirits ne'er been higher rear'd -With stronger blood, we should have answer'd heaven -Boldly 'not guilty;' the imposition clear'd -Hereditary ours. - -HERMIONE: -By this we gather -You have tripp'd since. - -POLIXENES: -O my most sacred lady! -Temptations have since then been born to's; for -In those unfledged days was my wife a girl; -Your precious self had then not cross'd the eyes -Of my young play-fellow. - -HERMIONE: -Grace to boot! -Of this make no conclusion, lest you say -Your queen and I are devils: yet go on; -The offences we have made you do we'll answer, -If you first sinn'd with us and that with us -You did continue fault and that you slipp'd not -With any but with us. - -LEONTES: -Is he won yet? - -HERMIONE: -He'll stay my lord. - -LEONTES: -At my request he would not. -Hermione, my dearest, thou never spokest -To better purpose. - -HERMIONE: -Never? - -LEONTES: -Never, but once. - -HERMIONE: -What! have I twice said well? when was't 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 beat an acre. But to the 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 purpose: when? -Nay, let me have't; I long. - -LEONTES: -Why, that was when -Three crabbed months had sour'd 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 the purpose twice: -The one for ever earn'd a royal husband; -The other for some while a friend. - -LEONTES: - -MAMILLIUS: -Ay, my good lord. - -LEONTES: -I' fecks! -Why, that's my bawcock. What, hast -smutch'd 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 call'd neat.--Still virginalling -Upon his palm!--How now, you wanton calf! -Art thou my calf? - -MAMILLIUS: -Yes, if you will, my lord. - -LEONTES: -Thou want'st a rough pash and the shoots that I have, -To be full like me: yet they say we are -Almost as like as eggs; women say so, -That will say anything but were they false -As o'er-dyed blacks, as wind, as waters, false -As dice are to be wish'd 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 dear'st! my collop! Can thy dam?--may't be?-- -Affection! thy intention stabs the centre: -Thou dost make possible things not so held, -Communicatest with dreams;--how can this be?-- -With what's unreal thou coactive art, -And fellow'st nothing: then 'tis very credent -Thou mayst co-join 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 is't with you, best brother? - -HERMIONE: -You look as if you held a brow of much distraction -Are you moved, 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 boy's face, methoughts I did recoil -Twenty-three years, and saw myself unbreech'd, -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, I'll 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, -He's all my exercise, my mirth, my matter, -Now my sworn friend and then mine enemy, -My parasite, my soldier, statesman, all: -He makes a July's day short as December, -And with his varying childness cures in me -Thoughts that would thick my blood. - -LEONTES: -So stands this squire -Officed with me: we two will walk, my lord, -And leave you to your graver steps. Hermione, -How thou lovest us, show in our brother's welcome; -Let what is dear in Sicily be cheap: -Next to thyself and my young rover, he's -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: you'll be found, -Be you beneath the sky. -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! -Gone already! -Inch-thick, knee-deep, o'er head and -ears a fork'd one! -Go, play, boy, play: thy mother plays, and I -Play too, but so disgraced 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 deceived, cuckolds ere now; -And many a man there is, even at this present, -Now while I speak this, holds his wife by the arm, -That little thinks she has been sluiced in's absence -And his pond fish'd by his next neighbour, by -Sir Smile, his neighbour: nay, there's comfort in't -Whiles other men have gates and those gates open'd, -As mine, against their will. Should all despair -That have revolted wives, the tenth of mankind -Would hang themselves. Physic for't there is 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; know't; -It will let in and out the enemy -With bag and baggage: many thousand on's -Have the disease, and feel't not. How now, boy! - -MAMILLIUS: -I am like you, they say. - -LEONTES: -Why that's some comfort. What, Camillo there? - -CAMILLO: -Ay, my good lord. - -LEONTES: -Go play, Mamillius; thou'rt an honest man. -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? -They're here with me already, whispering, rounding -'Sicilia is a so-forth:' 'tis far gone, -When I shall gust it last. How came't, Camillo, -That he did stay? - -CAMILLO: -At the good queen's entreaty. - -LEONTES: -At the queen's be't: '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, is't, -But of the finer natures? by some severals -Of head-piece 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! -The entreaties of your mistress! satisfy! -Let that suffice. I have trusted thee, Camillo, -With all the nearest things to my heart, as well -My chamber-councils, wherein, priest-like, thou -Hast cleansed my bosom, I from thee departed -Thy penitent reform'd: but we have been -Deceived in thy integrity, deceived -In that which seems so. - -CAMILLO: -Be it forbid, my lord! - -LEONTES: -To bide upon't, thou art not honest, or, -If thou inclinest that way, thou art a coward, -Which hoxes honesty behind, restraining -From course required; or else thou must be counted -A servant grafted in my serious trust -And therein negligent; or else a fool -That seest a game play'd home, the rich stake drawn, -And takest 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 wilful-negligent, -It was my folly; if industriously -I play'd the fool, it was my negligence, -Not weighing well the end; if ever fearful -To do a thing, where I the issue doubted, -Where of the execution did cry out -Against the non-performance, 'twas a fear -Which oft infects the wisest: these, my lord, -Are such allow'd 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 that's past doubt, you have, or your eye-glass -Is thicker than a cuckold's 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 wife's a hobby-horse, deserves a name -As rank as any flax-wench that puts to -Before her troth-plight: say't and justify't. - -CAMILLO: -I would not be a stander-by 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 laughing with a sigh?--a note infallible -Of breaking honesty--horsing 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 that's in't 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 cured -Of this diseased 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 wife's 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 a 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 cupbearer,--whom I from meaner form -Have benched and reared to worship, who mayst see -Plainly as heaven sees earth and earth sees heaven, -How I am galled,--mightst 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 lingering 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 loved 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' the prince my son, -Who I do think is mine and love as mine, -Without ripe moving to't? Would I do this? -Could man so blench? - -CAMILLO: -I must believe you, sir: -I do; and will fetch off Bohemia for't; -Provided that, when he's removed, your highness -Will take again your queen as yours at first, -Even for your son's 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: -I'll 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: -Do't and thou hast the one half of my heart; -Do't not, thou split'st thine own. - -CAMILLO: -I'll do't, my lord. - -LEONTES: -I will seem friendly, as thou hast advised me. - -CAMILLO: -O miserable lady! But, for me, -What case stand I in? I must be the poisoner -Of good Polixenes; and my ground to do't -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 flourish'd after, I'ld not do't; but since -Nor brass nor stone nor parchment bears not one, -Let villany itself forswear't. I must -Forsake the court: to do't, or no, is certain -To me a break-neck. Happy star, reign now! -Here comes Bohemia. - -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' the court? - -CAMILLO: -None rare, my lord. - -POLIXENES: -The king hath on him such a countenance -As he had lost some province and a region -Loved 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 changeth 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 changed complexions are to me a mirror -Which shows me mine changed too; for I must be -A party in this alteration, finding -Myself thus alter'd with 't. - -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 look'd on thousands, who have sped the better -By my regard, but kill'd none so. Camillo,-- -As you are certainly a gentleman, thereto -Clerk-like experienced, which no less adorns -Our gentry than our parents' noble names, -In whose success we are gentle,--I beseech you, -If you know aught which does behove my knowledge -Thereof to be inform'd, imprison't not -In ignorant concealment. - -CAMILLO: -I may not answer. - -POLIXENES: -A sickness caught of me, and yet I well! -I must be answer'd. 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 charged in honour and by him -That I think honourable: therefore mark my counsel, -Which must be even as swiftly follow'd as -I mean to utter it, or both yourself and me -Cry lost, and so good night! - -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 seen't or been an instrument -To vice you to't, that you have touch'd his queen -Forbiddenly. - -POLIXENES: -O, then my best blood turn -To an infected jelly and my name -Be yoked 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 shunn'd, -Nay, hated too, worse than the great'st infection -That e'er 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 piled 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 what's grown than question how 'tis born. -If therefore you dare trust my honesty, -That lies enclosed in this trunk which you -Shall bear along impawn'd, away to-night! -Your followers I will whisper to the business, -And will by twos and threes at several posterns -Clear them o' the city. For myself, I'll 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 utter'd truth: which if you seek to prove, -I dare not stand by; nor shall you be safer -Than one condemn'd by the king's 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 she's rare, -Must it be great, and as his person's mighty, -Must it be violent, and as he does conceive -He is dishonour'd by a man which ever -Profess'd to him, why, his revenges must -In that be made more bitter. Fear o'ershades me: -Good expedition be my friend, and comfort -The gracious queen, part of his theme, but nothing -Of his ill-ta'en suspicion! Come, Camillo; -I will respect thee as a father if -Thou bear'st 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. - -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, I'll none of you. - -First Lady: -Why, my sweet lord? - -MAMILLIUS: -You'll 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 half-moon made with a pen. - -Second Lady: -Who taught you this? - -MAMILLIUS: -I learnt it out of women's faces. Pray now -What colour are your eyebrows? - -First Lady: -Blue, my lord. - -MAMILLIUS: -Nay, that's a mock: I have seen a lady's 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 you'ld 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 shall't be? - -HERMIONE: -As merry as you will. - -MAMILLIUS: -A sad tale's best for winter: I have one -Of sprites and goblins. - -HERMIONE: -Let's have that, good sir. -Come on, sit down: come on, and do your best -To fright me with your sprites; you're 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 give't me in mine ear. - -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 eyed them -Even to their ships. - -LEONTES: -How blest am I -In my just censure, in my true opinion! -Alack, for lesser knowledge! how accursed -In being so blest! There may be in the cup -A spider steep'd, and one may drink, depart, -And yet partake no venom, for his knowledge -Is not infected: but if one present -The abhorr'd 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; -All's true that is mistrusted: that false villain -Whom I employ'd was pre-employ'd by him: -He has discover'd my design, and I -Remain a pinch'd 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 prevail'd than so -On your command. - -LEONTES: -I know't 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 she's big with; for 'tis Polixenes -Has made thee swell thus. - -HERMIONE: -But I'ld say he had not, -And I'll be sworn you would believe my saying, -Howe'er you lean to the 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 bearts will thereto add -'Tis pity she's not honest, honourable:' -Praise her but for this her without-door form, -Which on my faith deserves high speech, and straight -The shrug, the hum or ha, these petty brands -That calumny doth use--O, I am out-- -That mercy does, for calumny will sear -Virtue itself: these shrugs, these hums and ha's, -When you have said 'she's goodly,' come between -Ere you can say 'she's honest:' but be 't known, -From him that has most cause to grieve it should be, -She's an adulteress. - -HERMIONE: -Should a villain say so, -The most replenish'd 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 I'll 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 -She's an adulteress; I have said with whom: -More, she's 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 she's -A bed-swerver, even as bad as those -That vulgars give bold'st 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 publish'd 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 school-boy's top. Away with her! to prison! -He who shall speak for her is afar off guilty -But that he speaks. - -HERMIONE: -There's 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 lodged 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 king's will be perform'd! - -LEONTES: -Shall I be heard? - -HERMIONE: -Who is't 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 deserved 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 wish'd to see you sorry; now -I trust I shall. My women, come; you have leave. - -LEONTES: -Go, do our bidding; hence! - -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 do't, sir, -Please you to accept it, that the queen is spotless -I' the eyes of heaven and to you; I mean, -In this which you accuse her. - -ANTIGONUS: -If it prove -She's otherwise, I'll keep my stables where -I lodge my wife; I'll go in couples with her; -Than when I feel and see her no farther trust her; -For every inch of woman in the world, -Ay, every dram of woman's 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 abused and by some putter-on -That will be damn'd for't; would I knew the villain, -I would land-damn him. Be she honour-flaw'd, -I have three daughters; the eldest is eleven -The second and the third, nine, and some five; -If this prove true, they'll pay for't: -by mine honour, -I'll geld 'em all; fourteen they shall not see, -To bring false generations: they are co-heirs; -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 man's nose: but I do see't and feel't -As you feel doing thus; and see withal -The instruments that feel. - -ANTIGONUS: -If it be so, -We need no grave to bury honesty: -There's 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 blamed for't 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 stupefied -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 ordering on't, is all -Properly ours. - -ANTIGONUS: -And I wish, my liege, -You had only in your silent judgment tried it, -Without more overture. - -LEONTES: -How could that be? -Either thou art most ignorant by age, -Or thou wert born a fool. Camillo's flight, -Added to their familiarity, -Which was as gross as ever touch'd conjecture, -That lack'd sight only, nought for approbation -But only seeing, all other circumstances -Made up to the 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 dispatch'd in post -To sacred Delphos, to Apollo's temple, -Cleomenes and Dion, whom you know -Of stuff'd 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 the truth. So have we thought it good -From our free person she should be confined, -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: - -PAULINA: -The keeper of the prison, call to him; -let him have knowledge who I am. -Good lady, -No court in Europe is too good for thee; -What dost thou then in prison? -Now, good sir, -You know me, do you not? - -Gaoler: -For a worthy lady -And one whom 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: -Here's ado, -To lock up honesty and honour from -The access of gentle visitors! -Is't 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. - -Gaoler: -And, madam, -I must be present at your conference. - -PAULINA: -Well, be't so, prithee. -Here's such ado to make no stain a stain -As passes colouring. -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 born greater, -She is something before her time deliver'd. - -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 innocent as you.' - -PAULINA: -I dare be sworn -These dangerous unsafe lunes i' the king, -beshrew them! -He must be told on't, and he shall: the office -Becomes a woman best; I'll take't upon me: -If I prove honey-mouth'd let my tongue blister -And never to my red-look'd 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, -I'll show't the king and undertake to be -Her advocate to the loud'st. We do not know -How he may soften at the sight o' the 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, I'll presently -Acquaint the queen of your most noble offer; -Who but to-day hammer'd of this design, -But durst not tempt a minister of honour, -Lest she should be denied. - -PAULINA: -Tell her, Emilia. -I'll use that tongue I have: if wit flow from't -As boldness from my bosom, let 't not be doubted -I shall do good. - -EMILIA: -Now be you blest for it! -I'll 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 enfranchised, 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. - -LEONTES: -Nor night nor day no rest: it is but weakness -To bear the matter thus; mere weakness. If -The cause were not in being,--part o' the cause, -She the adulteress; for the harlot king -Is quite beyond mine arm, out of the blank -And level of my brain, plot-proof; 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. Who's there? - -First Servant: -My lord? - -LEONTES: -How does the boy? - -First Servant: -He took good rest to-night; -'Tis hoped his sickness is discharged. - -LEONTES: -To see his nobleness! -Conceiving the dishonour of his mother, -He straight declined, droop'd, took it deeply, -Fasten'd and fix'd the shame on't in himself, -Threw off his spirit, his appetite, his sleep, -And downright languish'd. Leave me solely: go, -See how he fares. -Fie, fie! no thought of him: -The 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. - -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 queen's life? a gracious innocent soul, -More free than he is jealous. - -ANTIGONUS: -That's enough. - -Second 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 heavings, such as you -Nourish the cause of his awaking: I -Do come with words as medicinal 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 charged thee that she should not come about me: -I knew she would. - -ANTIGONUS: -I told her so, my lord, -On your displeasure's 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 honour, trust it, -He shall not rule me. - -ANTIGONUS: -La you now, you hear: -When she will take the rein I let her run; -But she'll not stumble. - -PAULINA: -Good my liege, I come; -And, I beseech you, hear me, who profess -Myself your loyal servant, your physician, -Your most obedient counsellor, yet that dare -Less appear so in comforting your evils, -Than such as most seem yours: I 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 I'll off; -But first I'll do my errand. The good queen, -For she is good, hath brought you forth a daughter; -Here 'tis; commends it to your blessing. - -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, I'll warrant, -As this world goes, to pass for honest. - -LEONTES: -Traitors! -Will you not push her out? Give her the bastard. -Thou dotard! thou art woman-tired, unroosted -By thy dame Partlet here. Take up the bastard; -Take't up, I say; give't to thy crone. - -PAULINA: -For ever -Unvenerable be thy hands, if thou -Takest 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 -You'ld call your children yours. - -LEONTES: -A nest of traitors! - -ANTIGONUS: -I am none, by this good light. - -PAULINA: -Nor I, nor any -But one that's here, and that's himself, for he -The sacred honour of himself, his queen's, -His hopeful son's, his babe's, betrays to slander, -Whose sting is sharper than the sword's; -and will not-- -For, as the case now stands, it is a curse -He cannot be compell'd to't--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 the 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 husband's! - -LEONTES: -A gross hag -And, lozel, thou art worthy to be hang'd, -That wilt not stay her tongue. - -ANTIGONUS: -Hang all the husbands -That cannot do that feat, you'll leave yourself -Hardly one subject. - -LEONTES: -Once more, take her hence. - -PAULINA: -A most unworthy and unnatural lord -Can do no more. - -LEONTES: -I'll ha' thee burnt. - -PAULINA: -I care not: -It is an heretic that makes the fire, -Not she which burns in't. I'll not call you tyrant; -But this most cruel usage of your queen, -Not able to produce more accusation -Than your own weak-hinged 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; I'll 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 o'er his follies, -Will never do him good, not one of you. -So, so: farewell; we are gone. - -LEONTES: -Thou, traitor, hast set on thy wife to this. -My child? away with't! Even thou, that hast -A heart so tender o'er it, take it hence -And see it instantly consumed 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 I'll seize thy life, -With what thou else call'st 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 set'st 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: -You're liars all. - -First Lord: -Beseech your highness, give us better credit: -We have always truly served you, and beseech you -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. You, sir, come you hither; -You that have been so tenderly officious -With Lady Margery, your midwife there, -To save this bastard's life,--for 'tis a bastard, -So sure as this beard's grey, ---what will you adventure -To save this brat's life? - -ANTIGONUS: -Any thing, my lord, -That my ability may undergo -And nobleness impose: at least thus much: -I'll pawn the little blood which I have left -To save the innocent: any thing 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, see'st thou! for the fail -Of any point in't shall not only be -Death to thyself but to thy lewd-tongued wife, -Whom for this time we pardon. We enjoin thee, -As thou art liege-man 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 its own protection -And favour of the climate. As by strange fortune -It came to us, I do in justice charge thee, -On thy soul's peril and thy body's 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, condemn'd to loss! - -LEONTES: -No, I'll not rear -Another's issue. - -Servant: -Please your highness, posts -From those you sent to the oracle are come -An hour since: Cleomenes and Dion, -Being well arrived from Delphos, are both landed, -Hasting to the court. - -First Lord: -So please you, sir, their speed -Hath been beyond account. - -LEONTES: -Twenty-three 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 accused, so shall she have -A just and open trial. While she lives -My heart will be a burthen to me. Leave me, -And think upon my bidding. - -CLEOMENES: -The climate's 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' the offering! - -CLEOMENES: -But of all, the burst -And the ear-deafening voice o' the oracle, -Kin to Jove's thunder, so surprised my sense. -That I was nothing. - -DION: -If the event o' the journey -Prove as successful to the queen,--O be't so!-- -As it hath been to us rare, pleasant, speedy, -The time is worth the use on't. - -CLEOMENES: -Great Apollo -Turn all to the 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 Apollo's great divine seal'd up, -Shall the contents discover, something rare -Even then will rush to knowledge. Go: fresh horses! -And gracious be the issue! - -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 beloved. Let us be clear'd -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! - -LEONTES: -Read the indictment. - -Officer: - -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 received. 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 devised -And play'd to take spectators. For behold me -A fellow of the royal bed, which owe -A moiety of the throne a great king's 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 strain'd to appear thus: if one jot beyond -The bound of honour, or in act or will -That way inclining, harden'd be the hearts -Of all that hear me, and my near'st of kin -Cry fie upon my grave! - -LEONTES: -I ne'er heard yet -That any of these bolder vices wanted -Less impudence to gainsay what they did -Than to perform it first. - -HERMIONE: -That's true enough; -Through '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 accused, I do confess -I loved him as in honour he required, -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, -Even since it could speak, from an infant, freely -That it was yours. Now, for conspiracy, -I know not how it tastes; though it be dish'd -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 underta'en 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 I'll lay down. - -LEONTES: -Your actions are my dreams; -You had a bastard by Polixenes, -And I but dream'd 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 first-fruits of my body, from his presence -I am barr'd, like one infectious. My third comfort -Starr'd most unluckily, is from my breast, -The innocent milk in its most innocent mouth, -Haled out to murder: myself on every post -Proclaimed a strumpet: with immodest hatred -The child-bed privilege denied, which 'longs -To women of all fashion; lastly, hurried -Here to this place, i' the 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 condemn'd -Upon surmises, all proofs sleeping else -But what your jealousies awake, I tell you -'Tis rigor 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. - -HERMIONE: -The Emperor of Russia was my father: -O that he were alive, and here beholding -His daughter's trial! that he did but see -The flatness of my misery, yet with eyes -Of pity, not revenge! - -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 -The seal'd-up oracle, by the hand deliver'd -Of great Apollo's priest; and that, since then, -You have not dared to break the holy seal -Nor read the secrets in't. - -CLEOMENES: -All this we swear. - -LEONTES: -Break up the seals and read. - -Officer: - -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' the oracle: -The sessions shall proceed: this is mere falsehood. - -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 queen's speed, is gone. - -LEONTES: -How! gone! - -Servant: -Is dead. - -LEONTES: -Apollo's angry; and the heavens themselves -Do strike at my injustice. -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 o'ercharged; she will recover: -I have too much believed mine own suspicion: -Beseech you, tenderly apply to her -Some remedies for life. -Apollo, pardon -My great profaneness 'gainst thine oracle! -I'll 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 't and being done: he, most humane -And fill'd with honour, to my kingly guest -Unclasp'd my practise, quit his fortunes here, -Which you knew great, and to the hazard -Of all encertainties himself commended, -No richer than his honour: how he glisters -Thorough my rust! and how his pity -Does my deeds make the blacker! - -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 by-gone fooleries were but spices of it. -That thou betray'dst Polixenes,'twas nothing; -That did but show thee, of a fool, inconstant -And damnable ingrateful: nor was't much, -Thou wouldst have poison'd good Camillo's 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 done't: -Nor is't 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 -Blemish'd his gracious dam: this is not, no, -Laid to thy answer: but the last,--O lords, -When I have said, cry 'woe!' the queen, the queen, -The sweet'st, dear'st creature's dead, -and vengeance for't -Not dropp'd down yet. - -First Lord: -The higher powers forbid! - -PAULINA: -I say she's dead; I'll swear't. 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, I'll 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 deserved -All tongues to talk their bitterest. - -First Lord: -Say no more: -Howe'er the business goes, you have made fault -I' the 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 show'd too much -The rashness of a woman: he is touch'd -To the noble heart. What's gone and what's past help -Should be past grief: do not receive affliction -At my petition; I beseech you, rather -Let me be punish'd, 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 queen--lo, fool again!-- -I'll speak of her no more, nor of your children; -I'll not remember you of my own lord, -Who is lost too: take your patience to you, -And I'll 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 I'll 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 -Unto these sorrows. - -ANTIGONUS: -Thou art perfect then, our ship hath touch'd 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: I'll not be long before -I call upon thee. - -Mariner: -Make your best haste, and go not -Too far i' the 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: -I'll follow instantly. - -Mariner: -I am glad at heart -To be so rid o' the business. - -ANTIGONUS: -Come, poor babe: -I have heard, but not believed, -the spirits o' the dead -May walk again: if such thing be, thy mother -Appear'd to me last night, for ne'er 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 fill'd and so becoming: in pure white robes, -Like very sanctity, she did approach -My cabin where I lay; thrice bow'd 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 thrower-out -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, call't. For this ungentle business -Put on thee by my lord, thou ne'er 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 squared by this. I do believe -Hermione hath suffer'd 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; -Which may, if fortune please, both breed thee, pretty, -And still rest thine. The storm begins; poor wretch, -That for thy mother's fault art thus exposed -To loss and what may follow! Weep I cannot, -But my heart bleeds; and most accursed am I -To be by oath enjoin'd to this. Farewell! -The day frowns more and more: thou'rt 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. - -Shepherd: -I would there were no age between sixteen and -three-and-twenty, or that youth would sleep out the -rest; for there is nothing in the between but -getting wenches with child, wronging the ancientry, -stealing, fighting--Hark you now! Would any but -these boiled brains of nineteen and two-and-twenty -hunt this weather? They have scared away two of my -best sheep, which I fear the wolf will sooner find -than the master: if any where I have them, 'tis by -the seaside, browsing of ivy. Good luck, an't be thy -will what have we here! Mercy on 's, a barne a very -pretty barne! 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 -waiting-gentlewoman in the 'scape. This has been -some stair-work, some trunk-work, some -behind-door-work: they were warmer that got this -than the poor thing is here. I'll take it up for -pity: yet I'll tarry till my son come; he hallooed -but even now. Whoa, ho, hoa! - -Clown: -Hilloa, loa! - -Shepherd: -What, art so near? If thou'lt see a thing to talk -on when thou art dead and rotten, come hither. What -ailest 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 bodkin's 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 that's not 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 main-mast, and anon -swallowed with yest and froth, as you'ld thrust a -cork into a hogshead. And then for the -land-service, to see how the bear tore out his -shoulder-bone; 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 flap-dragoned -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: he's 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 mettest with things -dying, I with things newborn. Here's a sight for -thee; look thee, a bearing-cloth for a squire's -child! look thee here; take up, take up, boy; -open't. So, let's see: it was told me I should be -rich by the fairies. This is some changeling: -open't. What's within, boy? - -Clown: -You're a made old man: if the sins of your youth -are forgiven you, you're well to live. Gold! all gold! - -Shepherd: -This is fairy gold, boy, and 'twill prove so: up -with't, 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. I'll 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, I'll bury -it. - -Shepherd: -That's a good deed. If thou mayest discern by that -which is left of him what he is, fetch me to the -sight of him. - -Clown: -Marry, will I; and you shall help to put him i' the ground. - -Shepherd: -'Tis a lucky day, boy, and we'll do good deeds on't. - -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 -O'er sixteen years and leave the growth untried -Of that wide gap, since it is in my power -To o'erthrow law and in one self-born hour -To plant and o'erwhelm custom. Let me pass -The same I am, ere ancient'st order was -Or what is now received: I witness to -The times that brought them in; so shall I do -To the 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, -The 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' the king's, 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 prophecy; but let Time's news -Be known when 'tis brought forth. -A shepherd's daughter, -And what to her adheres, which follows after, -Is the 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. - -POLIXENES: -I pray thee, good Camillo, be no more importunate: -'tis a sickness denying thee any thing; 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 o'erween to -think so, which is another spur to my departure. - -POLIXENES: -As thou lovest 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 callest 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: -That's 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 son's 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. - -AUTOLYCUS: -When daffodils begin to peer, -With heigh! the doxy over the dale, -Why, then comes in the sweet o' the year; -For the red blood reigns in the winter's pale. -The white sheet bleaching on the hedge, -With heigh! 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 tirra-lyra chants, -With heigh! with heigh! 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 three-pile; 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 sow-skin 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, as I am, littered under Mercury, was likewise -a snapper-up 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! - -Clown: -Let me see: every 'leven wether tods; every tod -yields pound and odd shilling; fifteen hundred -shorn. what comes the wool to? - -AUTOLYCUS: - -Clown: -I cannot do't without counters. Let me see; what am -I to buy for our sheep-shearing feast? Three pound -of sugar, five pound of currants, rice,--what 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 four and twenty nose-gays for -the shearers, three-man-song-men all, and very good -ones; but they are most of them means and bases; but -one puritan amongst them, and he sings psalms to -horn-pipes. I must have saffron to colour the warden -pies; mace; dates?--none, that's 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' the sun. - -AUTOLYCUS: -O that ever I was born! - -Clown: -I' the 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 -ta'en 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 horseman's coat, -it hath seen very hot service. Lend me thy hand, -I'll help thee: come, lend me thy hand. - -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: - -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 three quarters of a mile hence, -unto whom I was going; I shall there have money, or -any thing 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 -troll-my-dames; 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; there's 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 ape-bearer; then a -process-server, a bailiff; then he compassed a -motion of the Prodigal Son, and married a tinker's -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 bear-baitings. - -AUTOLYCUS: -Very true, sir; he, sir, he; that's 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, he'ld 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 kinsman's. - -Clown: -Shall I bring thee on the way? - -AUTOLYCUS: -No, good-faced sir; no, sweet sir. - -Clown: -Then fare thee well: I must go buy spices for our -sheep-shearing. - -AUTOLYCUS: -Prosper you, sweet sir! -Your purse is not hot enough to purchase your spice. -I'll be with you at your sheep-shearing 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! -Jog on, jog on, the foot-path way, -And merrily hent the stile-a: -A merry heart goes all the day, -Your sad tires in a mile-a. - -FLORIZEL: -These your unusual weeds to each part of you -Do give a life: no shepherdess, but Flora -Peering in April's front. This your sheep-shearing -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' the land, you have obscured -With a swain's wearing, and me, poor lowly maid, -Most goddess-like prank'd 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 attired, sworn, I think, -To show myself a glass. - -FLORIZEL: -I bless the time -When my good falcon made her flight across -Thy father's ground. - -PERDITA: -Now Jove afford you cause! -To me the difference forges dread; your greatness -Hath not been used 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 borrow'd 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 bellow'd; the green Neptune -A ram, and bleated; and the fire-robed 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 -Opposed, 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 forced thoughts, I prithee, darken not -The mirth o' the feast. Or I'll be thine, my fair, -Or not my father's. For I cannot be -Mine own, nor any thing 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 any thing -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 let's be red with mirth. - -Shepherd: -Fie, daughter! when my old wife lived, upon -This day she was both pantler, butler, cook, -Both dame and servant; welcomed all, served all; -Would sing her song and dance her turn; now here, -At upper end o' the table, now i' the 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' the feast: come on, -And bid us welcome to your sheep-shearing, -As your good flock shall prosper. - -PERDITA: - -POLIXENES: -Shepherdess, -A fair one are you--well you fit our ages -With flowers of winter. - -PERDITA: -Sir, the year growing ancient, -Not yet on summer's death, nor on the birth -Of trembling winter, the fairest -flowers o' the season -Are our carnations and streak'd gillyvors, -Which some call nature's bastards: of that kind -Our rustic garden's 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: -I'll 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. Here's flowers for you; -Hot lavender, mints, savoury, marjoram; -The marigold, that goes to bed wi' the sun -And with him rises weeping: these are flowers -Of middle summer, and I think they are given -To men of middle age. You're very welcome. - -CAMILLO: -I should leave grazing, were I of your flock, -And only live by gazing. - -PERDITA: -Out, alas! -You'd be so lean, that blasts of January -Would blow you through and through. -Now, my fair'st friend, -I would I had some flowers o' the spring that might -Become your time of day; and yours, and yours, -That wear upon your virgin branches yet -Your maidenheads growing: O Proserpina, -For the flowers now, that frighted thou let'st fall -From Dis's waggon! daffodils, -That come before the swallow dares, and take -The winds of March with beauty; violets dim, -But sweeter than the lids of Juno's eyes -Or Cytherea's breath; pale primroses -That die unmarried, ere they can behold -Bight Phoebus in his strength--a malady -Most incident to maids; bold oxlips and -The crown imperial; lilies of all kinds, -The flower-de-luce being one! O, these I lack, -To make you garlands of, and my sweet friend, -To strew him o'er and o'er! - -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. -I'ld have you do it ever: when you sing, -I'ld have you buy and sell so, so give alms, -Pray so; and, for the ordering your affairs, -To sing them too: when you do dance, I wish you -A wave o' the 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 deed, -That all your acts are queens. - -PERDITA: -O Doricles, -Your praises are too large: but that your youth, -And the true blood which peepeth fairly through't, -Do plainly give you out an unstain'd shepherd, -With wisdom I might fear, my Doricles, -You woo'd 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: -I'll swear for 'em. - -POLIXENES: -This is the prettiest low-born lass that ever -Ran on the green-sward: 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! - -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 gazed the moon -Upon the water as he'll stand and read -As 'twere my daughter's 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 any thing; 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. - -Servant: -O master, if you did but hear the pedlar at the -door, you would never dance again after a tabour and -pipe; no, the bagpipe could not move you: he sings -several tunes faster than you'll tell money; he -utters them as he had eaten ballads and all men's -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 love-songs for maids; so without -bawdry, which is strange; with such delicate -burthens of dildos and fadings, 'jump her and thump -her;' and where some stretch-mouthed 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 an the colours i' the rainbow; -points more than all the lawyers in Bohemia can -learnedly handle, though they come to him by the -gross: inkles, caddisses, cambrics, lawns: why, he -sings 'em over as they were gods or goddesses; you -would think a smock were a she-angel, he so chants -to the sleeve-hand 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. - -Clown: -You have of these pedlars, that have more in them -than you'ld think, sister. - -PERDITA: -Ay, good brother, or go about to think. - -AUTOLYCUS: -Lawn as white as driven snow; -Cyprus black as e'er was crow; -Gloves as sweet as damask roses; -Masks for faces and for noses; -Bugle bracelet, necklace amber, -Perfume for a lady's chamber; -Golden quoifs and stomachers, -For my lads to give their dears: -Pins and poking-sticks 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; may be, 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 milking-time, when you are -going to bed, or kiln-hole, to whistle off these -secrets, but you must be tittle-tattling 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 o' -life, for then we are sure they are true. - -AUTOLYCUS: -Here's one to a very doleful tune, how a usurer's -wife was brought to bed of twenty money-bags at a -burthen 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: -Here's the midwife's name to't, one Mistress -Tale-porter, 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 let's first see moe -ballads; we'll buy the other things anon. - -AUTOLYCUS: -Here's another ballad of a fish, that appeared upon -the coast on Wednesday the four-score 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: -Let's have some merry ones. - -AUTOLYCUS: -Why, this is a passing merry one and goes to -the tune of 'Two maids wooing a man:' there's -scarce a maid westward but she sings it; 'tis in -request, I can tell you. - -MOPSA: -We can both sing it: if thou'lt 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. - -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 the orange 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: -We'll have this song out anon by ourselves: my -father and the gentlemen are in sad talk, and we'll -not trouble them. Come, bring away thy pack after -me. Wenches, I'll buy for you both. Pedlar, let's -have the first choice. Follow me, girls. - -AUTOLYCUS: -And you shall pay well for 'em. -Will you buy any tape, -Or lace for your cape, -My dainty duck, my dear-a? -Any silk, any thread, -Any toys for your head, -Of the new'st and finest, finest wear-a? -Come to the pedlar; -Money's a medler. -That doth utter all men's ware-a. - -Servant: -Master, there is three carters, three shepherds, -three neat-herds, three swine-herds, that have made -themselves all men of hair, they call themselves -Saltiers, and they have a 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! we'll 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, let's 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 the squier. - -Shepherd: -Leave your prating: since these good men are -pleased, let them come in; but quickly now. - -Servant: -Why, they stay at door, sir. - -POLIXENES: -O, father, you'll know more of that hereafter. -Is it not too far gone? 'Tis time to part them. -He's simple and tells much. -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 ransack'd -The pedlar's silken treasury and have pour'd 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 pack'd and lock'd -Up in my heart; which I have given already, -But not deliver'd. O, hear me breathe my life -Before this ancient sir, who, it should seem, -Hath sometime loved! I take thy hand, this hand, -As soft as dove's down and as white as it, -Or Ethiopian's tooth, or the fann'd -snow that's bolted -By the northern blasts twice o'er. - -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 crown'd 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 man's, 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 offer'd. - -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 the pattern of mine own thoughts I cut out -The purity of his. - -Shepherd: -Take hands, a bargain! -And, friends unknown, you shall bear witness to 't: -I give my daughter to him, and will make -Her portion equal his. - -FLORIZEL: -O, that must be -I' the 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 altering rheums? can he speak? hear? -Know man from man? dispute his own estate? -Lies he not bed-rid? 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: -Mark your divorce, young sir, -Whom son I dare not call; thou art too base -To be acknowledged: thou a sceptre's heir, -That thus affect'st a sheep-hook! 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, who of force must know -The royal fool thou copest with,-- - -Shepherd: -O, my heart! - -POLIXENES: -I'll have thy beauty scratch'd 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, we'll 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. - -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. Will't 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, I'll 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 knew'st this was the prince, -and wouldst adventure -To mingle faith with him! Undone! undone! -If I might die within this hour, I have lived -To die when I desire. - -FLORIZEL: -Why look you so upon me? -I am but sorry, not afeard; delay'd, -But nothing alter'd: what I was, I am; -More straining on for plucking back, not following -My leash unwillingly. - -CAMILLO: -Gracious my lord, -You know your father's 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' the 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 advised. - -FLORIZEL: -I am, and by my fancy: if my reason -Will thereto be obedient, I have reason; -If not, my senses, better pleased 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 glean'd, for all the sun sees or -The close earth wombs or the profound sea hides -In unknown fathoms, will I break my oath -To this my fair beloved: therefore, I pray you, -As you have ever been my father's honour'd friend, -When he shall miss me,--as, in faith, I mean not -To see him any more,--cast 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 our need I have -A vessel rides fast by, but not prepared -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 -I'll hear you by and by. - -CAMILLO: -He's irremoveable, -Resolved 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' the love -That I have borne your father? - -FLORIZEL: -Very nobly -Have you deserved: it is my father's music -To speak your deeds, not little of his care -To have them recompensed as thought on. - -CAMILLO: -Well, my lord, -If you may please to think I love the king -And through him what is 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, -I'll point you where you shall have such receiving -As shall become your highness; where you may -Enjoy your mistress, from the whom, I see, -There's no disjunction to be made, but by-- -As heavens forefend!--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 you'll go? - -FLORIZEL: -Not any yet: -But as the unthought-on 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' the father's person; kisses the hands -Of your fresh princess; o'er and o'er divides him -'Twixt his unkindness and his kindness; the 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, I'll 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 father's bosom there -And speak his very heart. - -FLORIZEL: -I am bound to you: -There is some sap in this. - -CAMILLO: -A cause more promising -Than a wild dedication of yourselves -To unpath'd waters, undream'd 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 you'll be loath to be: besides you know -Prosperity's 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 father's house these -seven years -Be born another such. - -FLORIZEL: -My good Camillo, -She is as forward of her breeding as -She is i' the 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 -I'll 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 furnish'd like Bohemia's 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 want, one word. - -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, table-book, ballad, -knife, tape, glove, shoe-tie, bracelet, horn-ring, -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 could have filed keys off that hung in -chains: no hearing, no feeling, but my sir's 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 whoo-bub against his daughter and the king's -son and scared my choughs from the chaff, I had not -left a purse alive in the whole army. - -CAMILLO: -Nay, but my letters, by this means being there -So soon as you arrive, shall clear that doubt. - -FLORIZEL: -And those that you'll procure from King Leontes-- - -CAMILLO: -Shall satisfy your father. - -PERDITA: -Happy be you! -All that you speak shows fair. - -CAMILLO: -Who have we here? -We'll make an instrument of this, omit -Nothing may give us aid. - -AUTOLYCUS: -If they have overheard me now, why, hanging. - -CAMILLO: -How now, good fellow! why shakest thou so? Fear -not, man; here's no harm intended to thee. - -AUTOLYCUS: -I am a poor fellow, sir. - -CAMILLO: -Why, be so still; here's nobody will steal that from -thee: yet for the outside of thy poverty we must -make an exchange; therefore discase thee instantly, ---thou must think there's a necessity in't,--and -change garments with this gentleman: though the -pennyworth on his side be the worst, yet hold thee, -there's some boot. - -AUTOLYCUS: -I am a poor fellow, sir. -I know ye well enough. - -CAMILLO: -Nay, prithee, dispatch: the gentleman is half -flayed already. - -AUTOLYCUS: -Are you in earnest, sir? -I smell the trick on't. - -FLORIZEL: -Dispatch, I prithee. - -AUTOLYCUS: -Indeed, I have had earnest: but I cannot with -conscience take it. - -CAMILLO: -Unbuckle, unbuckle. -Fortunate mistress,--let my prophecy -Come home to ye!--you must retire yourself -Into some covert: take your sweetheart's hat -And pluck it o'er 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. -Come, lady, come. Farewell, my friend. - -AUTOLYCUS: -Adieu, sir. - -FLORIZEL: -O Perdita, what have we twain forgot! -Pray you, a word. - -CAMILLO: - -FLORIZEL: -Fortune speed us! -Thus we set on, Camillo, to the sea-side. - -CAMILLO: -The swifter speed the better. - -AUTOLYCUS: -I understand the business, I hear it: to have an -open ear, a quick eye, and a nimble hand, is -necessary for a cut-purse; 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 any thing -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 -do't: I hold it the more knavery to conceal it; -and therein am I constant to my profession. -Aside, aside; here is more matter for a hot brain: -every lane's 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 -she's 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 -son's pranks too; who, I may say, is no honest man, -neither to his father nor to me, to go about to make -me the king's brother-in-law. - -Clown: -Indeed, brother-in-law 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: - -Shepherd: -Well, let us to the king: there is that in this -fardel will make him scratch his beard. - -AUTOLYCUS: - -Clown: -Pray heartily he be at palace. - -AUTOLYCUS: - -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 any -thing 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 court-odor from me? reflect I -not on thy baseness court-contempt? Thinkest thou, -for that I insinuate, or toaze from thee thy -business, I am therefore no courtier? I am courtier -cap-a-pe; 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: -Advocate's the court-word for a pheasant: say you -have none. - -Shepherd: -None, sir; I have no pheasant, cock nor hen. - -AUTOLYCUS: -How blessed 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, I'll warrant; I know by the picking -on's teeth. - -AUTOLYCUS: -The fardel there? what's i' the 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 the -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. - -Shepard: -So 'tis said, sir; about his son, that should have -married a shepherd's daughter. - -AUTOLYCUS: -If that shepherd be not in hand-fast, 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 sheep-whistling rogue a -ram-tender, 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 -sheep-cote! all deaths are too few, the sharpest too easy. - -Clown: -Has the old man e'er 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 -wasp's nest; then stand till he be three quarters -and a dram dead; then recovered again with -aqua-vitae or some other hot infusion; then, raw as -he is, and in the hottest day prognostication -proclaims, shall be 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, I'll 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 'stoned,' and 'flayed alive.' - -Shepherd: -An't please you, sir, to undertake the business for -us, here is that gold I have: I'll 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, that's the case of the shepherd's son: hang him, -he'll 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 sea-side; -go on the right hand: I will but look upon the -hedge and follow you. - -Clown: -We are blest in this man, as I may say, even blest. - -Shepherd: -Let's before as he bids us: he was provided to do us good. - -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. - -CLEOMENES: -Sir, you have done enough, and have perform'd -A saint-like sorrow: no fault could you make, -Which you have not redeem'd; 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 -Destroy'd the sweet'st companion that e'er 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 kill'd -Would be unparallel'd. - -LEONTES: -I think so. Kill'd! -She I kill'd! I did so: but thou strikest 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 graced -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 lookers on. What were more holy -Than to rejoice the former queen is well? -What holier than, for royalty's 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 that's gone. Besides, the gods -Will have fulfill'd 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. -Care not for issue; -The crown will find an heir: great Alexander -Left his to the 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 squared me to thy counsel! then, even now, -I might have look'd upon my queen's full eyes, -Have taken treasure from her lips-- - -PAULINA: -And left them -More rich for what they yielded. - -LEONTES: -Thou speak'st truth. -No more such wives; therefore, no wife: one worse, -And better used, would make her sainted spirit -Again possess her corpse, and on this stage, -Where we're offenders now, appear soul-vex'd, -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 walk'd, I'ld bid you mark -Her eye, and tell me for what dull part in't -You chose her; then I'ld shriek, that even your ears -Should rift to hear me; and the words that follow'd -Should be 'Remember mine.' - -LEONTES: -Stars, stars, -And all eyes else dead coals! Fear thou no wife; -I'll have no wife, Paulina. - -PAULINA: -Will you swear -Never to marry but by my free leave? - -LEONTES: -Never, Paulina; so be blest my spirit! - -PAULINA: -Then, good my lords, bear witness to his oath. - -CLEOMENES: -You tempt him over-much. - -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 marry,--if you will, sir, -No remedy, but you will,--give me the office -To choose you a queen: she shall not be so young -As was your former; but she shall be such -As, walk'd your first queen's ghost, -it should take joy -To see her in your arms. - -LEONTES: -My true Paulina, -We shall not marry till thou bid'st us. - -PAULINA: -That -Shall be when your first queen's again in breath; -Never till then. - -Gentleman: -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 father's greatness: his approach, -So out of circumstance and sudden, tells us -'Tis not a visitation framed, but forced -By need and accident. What train? - -Gentleman: -But few, -And those but mean. - -LEONTES: -His princess, say you, with him? - -Gentleman: -Ay, the most peerless piece of earth, I think, -That e'er 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 what's seen now! Sir, you yourself -Have said and writ so, but your writing now -Is colder than that theme, 'She had not been, -Nor was not to be equall'd;'--thus your verse -Flow'd with her beauty once: 'tis shrewdly ebb'd, -To say you have seen a better. - -Gentleman: -Pardon, madam: -The one I have almost forgot,--your pardon,-- -The other, when she has obtain'd 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? - -Gentleman: -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 honour'd friends, -Bring them to our embracement. Still, 'tis strange -He thus should steal upon us. - -PAULINA: -Had our prince, -Jewel of children, seen this hour, he had pair'd -Well with this lord: there was not full a month -Between their births. - -LEONTES: -Prithee, no more; cease; thou know'st -He dies to me again when talk'd 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. -Your mother was most true to wedlock, prince; -For she did print your royal father off, -Conceiving you: were I but twenty-one, -Your father's 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 perform'd before. Most dearly welcome! -And your fair princess,--goddess!--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 folly--the 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 touch'd 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 seized -His wish'd ability, he had himself -The lands and waters 'twixt your throne and his -Measured to look upon you; whom he loves-- -He bade me say so--more than all the sceptres -And those that bear them living. - -LEONTES: -O my brother, -Good gentleman! the wrongs I have done thee stir -Afresh within me, and these thy offices, -So rarely kind, are as interpreters -Of my behind-hand slackness. Welcome hither, -As is the spring to the earth. And hath he too -Exposed this paragon to the fearful usage, -At least ungentle, of the dreadful Neptune, -To greet a man not worth her pains, much less -The adventure of her person? - -FLORIZEL: -Good my lord, -She came from Libya. - -LEONTES: -Where the warlike Smalus, -That noble honour'd lord, is fear'd and loved? - -FLORIZEL: -Most royal sir, from thence; from him, whose daughter -His tears proclaim'd his, parting with her: thence, -A prosperous south-wind friendly, we have cross'd, -To execute the charge my father gave me -For visiting your highness: my best train -I have from your Sicilian shores dismiss'd; -Who for Bohemia bend, to signify -Not only my success in Libya, sir, -But my arrival and my wife's 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 father's blest, -As he from heaven merits it, with you -Worthy his goodness. What might I have been, -Might I a son and daughter now have look'd on, -Such goodly things as you! - -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 shepherd's daughter. - -LEONTES: -Where's 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 hastening, in the chase, it seems, -Of this fair couple, meets 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 betray'd me; -Whose honour and whose honesty till now -Endured all weathers. - -Lord: -Lay't so to his charge: -He's 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 low's 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 father's 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 owed 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, I'ld 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. -But your petition -Is yet unanswer'd. I will to your father: -Your honour not o'erthrown 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. - -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 the importance were joy or sorrow; but in the -extremity of the one, it must needs be. -Here comes a gentleman that haply knows more. -The news, Rogero? - -Second Gentleman: -Nothing but bonfires: the oracle is fulfilled; the -king's daughter is found: such a deal of wonder is -broken out within this hour that ballad-makers -cannot be able to express it. -Here comes the Lady Paulina's steward: he can -deliver you more. 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 you'll swear you -see, there is such unity in the proofs. The mantle -of Queen Hermione's, 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 king's daughter. Did you see -the meeting of the two kings? - -Second Gentleman: -No. - -Third Gentleman: -Then have you 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 countenances 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 son-in-law; then again worries he his -daughter with clipping her; now he thanks the old -shepherd, which stands by like a weather-bitten -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 shepherd's 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 master's 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 queen's -death, with the manner how she came to't 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 't, the woe had been universal. - -First Gentleman: -Are they returned to the court? - -Third Gentleman: -No: the princess hearing of her mother's statue, -which is in the keeping of Paulina,--a 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. -Let's along. - -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 shepherd's daughter, -so he then took her to be, who began to be much -sea-sick, and himself little better, extremity of -weather continuing, this mystery remained -undiscovered. But 'tis all one to me; for had I -been the finder out of this secret, it would not -have relished among my other discredits. -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 moe 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 king's 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 gentleman-like -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, I'll swear it. - -Shepherd: -How if it be false, son? - -Clown: -If it be ne'er so false, a true gentleman may swear -it in the behalf of his friend: and I'll 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 I'll 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 darest 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 -queen's picture. Come, follow us: we'll be thy -good masters. - -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 vouchsafed, -With your crown'd 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 pass'd 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 lived peerless, -So her dead likeness, I do well believe, -Excels whatever yet you look'd upon -Or hand of man hath done; therefore I keep it -Lonely, apart. But here it is: prepare -To see the life as lively mock'd as ever -Still sleep mock'd death: behold, and say 'tis well. -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 carver's excellence; -Which lets go by some sixteen years and makes her -As she lived 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 woo'd her! -I am ashamed: does not the stone rebuke me -For being more stone than it? O royal piece, -There's magic in thy majesty, which has -My evils conjured 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 fix'd, the colour's 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 kill'd 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 you,--for the stone is mine-- -I'ld not have show'd it. - -LEONTES: -Do not draw the curtain. - -PAULINA: -No longer shall you gaze on't, 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 breathed? 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 mock'd with art. - -PAULINA: -I'll draw the curtain: -My lord's almost so far transported that -He'll 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 stirr'd you: but -I could afflict you farther. - -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; -You'll 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, -I'll make the statue move indeed, descend -And take you by the hand; but then you'll 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 required -You do awake your faith. Then all stand still; -On: those that think it is unlawful business -I am about, let them depart. - -LEONTES: -Proceed: -No foot shall stir. - -PAULINA: -Music, awake her; strike! -'Tis time; descend; be stone no more; approach; -Strike all that look upon with marvel. Come, -I'll fill your grave up: stir, nay, come away, -Bequeath to death your numbness, for from him -Dear life redeems you. You perceive she stirs: -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 woo'd her; now in age -Is she become the suitor? - -LEONTES: -O, she's 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't manifest where she has lived, -Or how stolen 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 mother's blessing. Turn, good lady; -Our Perdita is found. - -HERMIONE: -You gods, look down -And from your sacred vials pour your graces -Upon my daughter's head! Tell me, mine own. -Where hast thou been preserved? where lived? how found -Thy father's court? for thou shalt hear that I, -Knowing by Paulina that the oracle -Gave hope thou wast in being, have preserved -Myself to see the issue. - -PAULINA: -There's 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 every one. I, an old turtle, -Will wing me to some wither'd bough and there -My mate, that's 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 question'd; for I saw her, -As I thought, dead, and have in vain said many -A prayer upon her grave. I'll not seek far-- -For him, I partly know his mind--to 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. Let's from this place. -What! look upon my brother: both your pardons, -That e'er I put between your holy looks -My ill suspicion. This is your son-in-law, -And son unto the king, who, heavens directing, -Is troth-plight to your daughter. Good Paulina, -Lead us from hence, where we may leisurely -Each one demand an answer to his part -Perform'd in this wide gap of time since first -We were dissever'd: hastily lead away. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -Escalus. - -ESCALUS: -My lord. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -Of government the properties to unfold, -Would seem in me to 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 city's institutions, and the terms -For common justice, you're as pregnant in -As art and practise hath enriched any -That we remember. There is our commission, -From which we would not have you warp. Call hither, -I say, bid come before us Angelo. -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, dress'd 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. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -Look where he comes. - -ANGELO: -Always obedient to your grace's will, -I come to know your pleasure. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -Angelo, -There is a kind of character in thy life, -That to the 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 touch'd -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 stamp'd upon it. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -No more evasion: -We have with a leaven'd 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 unquestion'd -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 the 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 VINCENTIO: -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: -I'll privily away. I love the people, -But do not like to stage me to their eyes: -Through 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. - -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: -I'll wait upon your honour. - -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 -Hungary's! - -Second Gentleman: -Amen. - -LUCIO: -Thou concludest 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. There's 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; thou'rt -a three-piled 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. - -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? - -LUCIO: -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? - -MISTRESS OVERDONE: -Well, well; there's one yonder arrested and carried -to prison was worth five thousand of you all. - -Second Gentleman: -Who's that, I pray thee? - -MISTRESS OVERDONE: -Marry, sir, that's Claudio, Signior Claudio. - -First Gentleman: -Claudio to prison? 'tis not so. - -MISTRESS OVERDONE: -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? - -MISTRESS OVERDONE: -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 -promise-keeping. - -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! let's go learn the truth of it. - -MISTRESS OVERDONE: -Thus, what with the war, what with the sweat, what -with the gallows and what with poverty, I am -custom-shrunk. -How now! what's the news with you? - -POMPEY: -Yonder man is carried to prison. - -MISTRESS OVERDONE: -Well; what has he done? - -POMPEY: -A woman. - -MISTRESS OVERDONE: -But what's his offence? - -POMPEY: -Groping for trouts in a peculiar river. - -MISTRESS OVERDONE: -What, is there a maid with child by him? - -POMPEY: -No, but there's a woman with maid by him. You have -not heard of the proclamation, have you? - -MISTRESS OVERDONE: -What proclamation, man? - -POMPEY: -All houses in the suburbs of Vienna must be plucked down. - -MISTRESS OVERDONE: -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. - -MISTRESS OVERDONE: -But shall all our houses of resort in the suburbs be -pulled down? - -POMPEY: -To the ground, mistress. - -MISTRESS OVERDONE: -Why, here's a change indeed in the commonwealth! -What shall become of me? - -POMPEY: -Come; fear you not: good counsellors lack no -clients: though you change your place, you need not -change your trade; I'll 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. - -MISTRESS OVERDONE: -What's to do here, Thomas tapster? let's withdraw. - -POMPEY: -Here comes Signior Claudio, led by the provost to -prison; and there's Madam Juliet. - -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. - -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 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. What's thy -offence, Claudio? - -CLAUDIO: -What but to speak of would offend again. - -LUCIO: -What, is't murder? - -CLAUDIO: -No. - -LUCIO: -Lechery? - -CLAUDIO: -Call it so. - -Provost: -Away, sir! you must go. - -CLAUDIO: -One word, good friend. Lucio, a word with you. - -LUCIO: -A hundred, if they'll do you any good. -Is lechery so look'd after? - -CLAUDIO: -Thus stands it with me: upon a true contract -I got possession of Julietta's 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 emmence that fills it up, -I stagger in:--but this new governor -Awakes me all the enrolled penalties -Which have, like unscour'd armour, hung by the 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 he's 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 move 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 tick-tack. I'll to her. - -CLAUDIO: -I thank you, good friend Lucio. - -LUCIO: -Within two hours. - -CLAUDIO: -Come, officer, away! - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -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 VINCENTIO: -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, and witless bravery keeps. -I have deliver'd to Lord Angelo, -A man of stricture and firm abstinence, -My absolute power and place here in Vienna, -And he supposes me travell'd to Poland; -For so I have strew'd 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 VINCENTIO: -We have strict statutes and most biting laws. -The needful bits and curbs to headstrong weeds, -Which for this nineteen years we have let slip; -Even like an o'ergrown lion in a cave, -That goes not out to prey. Now, as fond fathers, -Having bound up the threatening twigs of birch, -Only to stick it in their children's sight -For terror, not to use, in time the rod -Becomes more mock'd than fear'd; 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 tied-up justice when you pleased: -And it in you more dreadful would have seem'd -Than in Lord Angelo. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -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 the 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 me -Like a true friar. More 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. - -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: - -ISABELLA: -Who's that which calls? - -FRANCISCA: -It is a man's 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 vow'd, 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. - -ISABELLA: -Peace and prosperity! Who is't that calls - -LUCIO: -Hail, virgin, if you be, as those cheek-roses -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, he's 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: -It is 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 ensky'd and sainted. -By your renouncement an immortal spirit, -And to be talk'd 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: -Some one with child by him? My cousin Juliet? - -LUCIO: -Is she your cousin? - -ISABELLA: -Adoptedly; as school-maids 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 givings-out were of an infinite distance -From his true-meant design. Upon his place, -And with full line of his authority, -Governs Lord Angelo; a man whose blood -Is very snow-broth; 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 pick'd out an act, -Under whose heavy sense your brother's 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 that's 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 for his execution. - -ISABELLA: -Alas! what poor ability's 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: -I'll 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 -I'll send him certain word of my success. - -LUCIO: -I take my leave of you. - -ISABELLA: -Good sir, adieu. - -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 attain'd the effect of your own purpose, -Whether you had not sometime in your life -Err'd in this point which now you censure him, -And pull'd the law upon you. - -ANGELO: -'Tis one thing to be tempted, Escalus, -Another thing to fall. I not deny, -The jury, passing on the prisoner's life, -May in the sworn twelve have a thief or two -Guiltier than him they try. What's open made to justice, -That justice seizes: what know 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 judgment pattern out my death, -And nothing come in partial. Sir, he must die. - -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 to-morrow morning: -Bring him his confessor, let him be prepared; -For that's the utmost of his pilgrimage. - -ESCALUS: - -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! What's your name? and what's the matter? - -ELBOW: -If it Please your honour, I am the poor duke's -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; here's 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; he's 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 hot-house, 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 bawd's 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 woman's means? - -ELBOW: -Ay, sir, by Mistress Overdone's 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: -Do you hear how he misplaces? - -POMPEY: -Sir, she came in great with child; and longing, -saving your honour's 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 three-pence; 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 great-bellied, 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 three-pence 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 Elbow's 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 honour's -leave. And, I beseech you, look into Master Froth -here, sir; a man of four-score pound a year; whose -father died at Hallowmas: was't not at Hallowmas, -Master Froth? - -FROTH: -All-hallond eve. - -POMPEY: -Why, very well; I hope here be truths. He, sir, -sitting, as I say, in a lower chair, sir; 'twas 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: I'll take my leave. -And leave you to the hearing of the cause; -Hoping you'll find good cause to whip them all. - -ESCALUS: -I think no less. Good morrow to your lordship. -Now, sir, come on: what was done to Elbow's 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 gentleman's face. -Good Master Froth, look upon his honour; 'tis for a -good purpose. Doth 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: -I'll 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 -constable's wife any harm? I would know that of -your honour. - -ESCALUS: -He's 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 has 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 -duke's officer. Prove this, thou wicked Hannibal, or -I'll have mine action of battery on thee. - -ESCALUS: -If he took you a box o' the ear, you might have your -action of slander too. - -ELBOW: -Marry, I thank your good worship for it. What is't -your worship's 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 knowest what they -are. - -ELBOW: -Marry, I thank your worship for it. Thou seest, thou -wicked varlet, now, what's come upon thee: thou art -to continue now, thou varlet; thou art to continue. - -ESCALUS: -Where were you born, friend? - -FROTH: -Here in Vienna, sir. - -ESCALUS: -Are you of fourscore pounds a year? - -FROTH: -Yes, an't please you, sir. - -ESCALUS: -So. What trade are you of, sir? - -POMPHEY: -Tapster; a poor widow's tapster. - -ESCALUS: -Your mistress' name? - -POMPHEY: -Mistress Overdone. - -ESCALUS: -Hath she had any more than one husband? - -POMPEY: -Nine, sir; Overdone by the last. - -ESCALUS: -Nine! Come 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 tap-house, but I am drawn -in. - -ESCALUS: -Well, no more of it, Master Froth: farewell. -Come you hither to me, Master tapster. What's 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 to't then. -If your worship will take order for the drabs and -the knaves, you need not to fear the bawds. - -ESCALUS: -There are 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, you'll be glad to give out a -commission for more heads: if this law hold in -Vienna ten year, I'll rent the fairest house in it -after three-pence 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 whipt: so, for this time, Pompey, fare you well. - -POMPEY: -I thank your worship for your good counsel: -but I shall follow it as the flesh and fortune shall -better determine. -Whip me? No, no; let carman whip his jade: -The valiant heart is not whipt out of his trade. - -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 your readiness in the office, you had -continued in it some time. 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 upon 't: 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 worship's house, sir? - -ESCALUS: -To my house. Fare you well. -What's o'clock, 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 there's 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! There is no remedy. -Come, sir. - -Servant: -He's hearing of a cause; he will come straight -I'll tell him of you. - -Provost: -Pray you, do. -I'll 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! - -ANGELO: -Now, what's 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, judgment hath -Repented o'er 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 honour's pardon. -What shall be done, sir, with the groaning Juliet? -She's very near her hour. - -ANGELO: -Dispose of her -To some more fitter place, and that with speed. - -Servant: -Here is the sister of the man condemn'd -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. -See you the fornicatress be removed: -Let have needful, but not lavish, means; -There shall be order for't. - -Provost: -God save your honour! - -ANGELO: -Stay a little while. -You're welcome: what's your will? - -ISABELLA: -I am a woeful suitor to your honour, -Please but your honour hear me. - -ANGELO: -Well; what's 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 condemn'd to die: -I do beseech you, let it be his fault, -And not my brother. - -Provost: - -ANGELO: -Condemn the fault and not the actor of it? -Why, every fault's condemn'd ere it be done: -Mine were the very cipher of a function, -To fine 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! - -LUCIO: - -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 do't. - -ISABELLA: -But can you, if you would? - -ANGELO: -Look, what I will not, that I cannot do. - -ISABELLA: -But might you do't, and do the world no wrong, -If so your heart were touch'd with that remorse -As mine is to him? - -ANGELO: -He's sentenced; 'tis too late. - -LUCIO: - -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 king's crown, nor the deputed sword, -The marshal's truncheon, nor the judge's 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 slipt 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: - -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 judgment, 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 condemn your brother: -Were he my kinsman, brother, or my son, -It should be thus with him: he must die tomorrow. - -ISABELLA: -To-morrow! O, that's sudden! Spare him, spare him! -He's 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? -There's many have committed it. - -LUCIO: - -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 the edict infringe -Had answer'd 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 new, or by remissness new-conceived, -And so in progress to be hatch'd and born, -Are now to have no successive degrees, -But, ere 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 dismiss'd offence would after gall; -And do him right that, answering one foul wrong, -Lives not to act another. Be satisfied; -Your brother dies to-morrow; be content. - -ISABELLA: -So you must be the first that gives this sentence, -And he, that suffer's. O, it is excellent -To have a giant's strength; but it is tyrannous -To use it like a giant. - -LUCIO: - -ISABELLA: -Could great men thunder -As Jove himself does, Jove would ne'er 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 -Split'st the unwedgeable and gnarled oak -Than the soft myrtle: but man, proud man, -Drest in a little brief authority, -Most ignorant of what he's most assured, -His glassy essence, like an angry ape, -Plays such fantastic tricks before high heaven -As make the angels weep; who, with our spleens, -Would all themselves laugh mortal. - -LUCIO: - -Provost: - -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: -Thou'rt i' the right, girl; more o, that. - -ISABELLA: -That in the captain's but a choleric word, -Which in the soldier is flat blasphemy. - -LUCIO: - -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' the top. Go to your bosom; -Knock there, and ask your heart what it doth know -That's like my brother's fault: if it confess -A natural guiltiness such as is his, -Let it not sound a thought upon your tongue -Against my brother's life. - -ANGELO: - -ISABELLA: -Gentle my lord, turn back. - -ANGELO: -I will bethink me: come again tomorrow. - -ISABELLA: -Hark how I'll bribe you: good my lord, turn back. - -ANGELO: -How! bribe me? - -ISABELLA: -Ay, with such gifts that heaven shall share with you. - -LUCIO: - -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 sun-rise, prayers from preserved souls, -From fasting maids whose minds are dedicate -To nothing temporal. - -ANGELO: -Well; come to me to-morrow. - -LUCIO: - -ISABELLA: -Heaven keep your honour safe! - -ANGELO: - -ISABELLA: -At what hour to-morrow -Shall I attend your lordship? - -ANGELO: -At any time 'fore noon. - -ISABELLA: -'Save your honour! - -ANGELO: -From thee, even from thy virtue! -What's this, what's 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 woman's 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 is't 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. Even till now, -When men were fond, I smiled and wonder'd how. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -Hail to you, provost! so I think you are. - -Provost: -I am the provost. What's your will, good friar? - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -Bound by my charity and my blest 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. -Look, here comes one: a gentlewoman of mine, -Who, falling in the flaws of her own youth, -Hath blister'd 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 VINCENTIO: -When must he die? - -Provost: -As I do think, to-morrow. -I have provided for you: stay awhile, -And you shall be conducted. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -Repent you, fair one, of the sin you carry? - -JULIET: -I do; and bear the shame most patiently. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -I'll teach you how you shall arraign your conscience, -And try your penitence, if it be sound, -Or hollowly put on. - -JULIET: -I'll gladly learn. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -Love you the man that wrong'd you? - -JULIET: -Yes, as I love the woman that wrong'd him. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -So then it seems your most offenceful act -Was mutually committed? - -JULIET: -Mutually. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -Then was your sin of heavier kind than his. - -JULIET: -I do confess it, and repent it, father. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -'Tis meet so, daughter: but lest you do repent, -As that the sin hath brought you to this shame, -Which sorrow is always towards 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 VINCENTIO: -There rest. -Your partner, as I hear, must die to-morrow, -And I am going with instruction to him. -Grace go with you, Benedicite! - -JULIET: -Must die to-morrow! O injurious love, -That respites me a life, whose very comfort -Is still a dying horror! - -Provost: -'Tis pity of him. - -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 fear'd and tedious; yea, my gravity, -Wherein--let no man hear me--I 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: -Let's write good angel on the devil's horn: -'Tis not the devil's crest. -How now! who's there? - -Servant: -One Isabel, a sister, desires access to you. - -ANGELO: -Teach her the way. -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 well-wish'd king, -Quit their own part, and in obsequious fondness -Crowd to his presence, where their untaught love -Must needs appear offence. -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 awhile; 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 heaven's 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 brother's life; or, to redeem him, -Give up your body to such sweet uncleanness -As she that he hath stain'd? - -ISABELLA: -Sir, believe this, -I had rather give my body than my soul. - -ANGELO: -I talk not of your soul: our compell'd sins -Stand more for number than for accompt. - -ISABELLA: -How say you? - -ANGELO: -Nay, I'll 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 brother's life: -Might there not be a charity in sin -To save this brother's life? - -ISABELLA: -Please you to do't, -I'll take it as a peril to my soul, -It is no sin at all, but charity. - -ANGELO: -Pleased you to do't 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, I'll 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 craftily; and that's 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, display'd. But mark me; -To be received plain, I'll 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 all-building 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, -The impression of keen whips I'ld wear as rubies, -And strip myself to death, as to a bed -That longing have been sick for, ere I'ld 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 slander'd so? - -ISABELLA: -Ignomy in ransom and free pardon -Are of two houses: lawful mercy -Is nothing kin to foul redemption. - -ANGELO: -You seem'd 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 thy 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. -Women! Help 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, you're none; -If you be one, as you are well express'd -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 entreat 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 it. - -ANGELO: -He shall not, Isabel, if you give me love. - -ISABELLA: -I know your virtue hath a licence in't, -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 for't: -Sign me a present pardon for my brother, -Or with an outstretch'd throat I'll tell the world aloud -What man thou art. - -ANGELO: -Who will believe thee, Isabel? -My unsoil'd name, the austereness of my life, -My vouch against you, and my place i' the 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 lingering sufferance. Answer me to-morrow, -Or, by the affection that now guides me most, -I'll prove a tyrant to him. As for you, -Say what you can, my false o'erweighs your true. - -ISABELLA: -To whom should I complain? Did I tell this, -Who would believe me? O perilous mouths, -That bear in them one and the self-same tongue, -Either of condemnation or approof; -Bidding the law make court'sy to their will: -Hooking both right and wrong to the appetite, -To follow as it draws! I'll to my brother: -Though he hath fallen 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, he'ld yield them up, -Before his sister should her body stoop -To such abhorr'd pollution. -Then, Isabel, live chaste, and, brother, die: -More than our brother is our chastity. -I'll tell him yet of Angelo's request, -And fit his mind to death, for his soul's rest. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -So then you hope of pardon from Lord Angelo? - -CLAUDIO: -The miserable have no other medicine -But only hope: -I've hope to live, and am prepared to die. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -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 keep'st, -Hourly afflict: merely, thou art death's fool; -For him thou labour'st by thy flight to shun -And yet runn'st toward him still. Thou art not noble; -For all the accommodations that thou bear'st -Are nursed by baseness. Thou'rt 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 provokest; yet grossly fear'st -Thy death, which is no more. Thou art not thyself; -For thou exist'st on many a thousand grains -That issue out of dust. Happy thou art not; -For what thou hast not, still thou strivest to get, -And what thou hast, forget'st. Thou art not certain; -For thy complexion shifts to strange effects, -After the moon. If thou art rich, thou'rt poor; -For, like an ass whose back with ingots bows, -Thou bear's 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 after-dinner's 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. What's yet in this -That bears the name of life? Yet in this life -Lie hid moe 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: - -Provost: -Who's there? come in: the wish deserves a welcome. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -Dear sir, ere long I'll visit you again. - -CLAUDIO: -Most holy sir, I thank you. - -ISABELLA: -My business is a word or two with Claudio. - -Provost: -And very welcome. Look, signior, here's your sister. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -Provost, a word with you. - -Provost: -As many as you please. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -Bring me to hear them speak, where I may be concealed. - -CLAUDIO: -Now, sister, what's 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; -To-morrow 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 you'll 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 world's vastidity you had, -To a determined scope. - -CLAUDIO: -But in what nature? - -ISABELLA: -In such a one as, you consenting to't, -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. Darest 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 father's grave -Did utter forth a voice. Yes, thou must die: -Thou art too noble to conserve a life -In base appliances. This outward-sainted deputy, -Whose settled visage and deliberate word -Nips youth i' the head and follies doth emmew -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 prenzie Angelo! - -ISABELLA: -O, 'tis the cunning livery of hell, -The damned'st body to invest and cover -In prenzie 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't thee, from this rank offence, -So to offend him still. This night's the time -That I should do what I abhor to name, -Or else thou diest to-morrow. - -CLAUDIO: -Thou shalt not do't. - -ISABELLA: -O, were it but my life, -I'ld 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 the 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 region of thick-ribbed ice; -To be imprison'd 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 howling: 'tis 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 brother's 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? -Is't not a kind of incest, to take life -From thine own sister's shame? What should I think? -Heaven shield my mother play'd my father fair! -For such a warped slip of wilderness -Ne'er issued from his blood. Take my defiance! -Die, perish! Might but my bending down -Reprieve thee from thy fate, it should proceed: -I'll pray a thousand prayers for thy death, -No word to save thee. - -CLAUDIO: -Nay, hear me, Isabel. - -ISABELLA: -O, fie, fie, fie! -Thy sin's not accidental, but a trade. -Mercy to thee would prove itself a bawd: -'Tis best thou diest quickly. - -CLAUDIO: -O hear me, Isabella! - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -Vouchsafe a word, young sister, but one word. - -ISABELLA: -What is your will? - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -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 awhile. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -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 essay of her -virtue to practise his judgment 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 VINCENTIO: -Hold you there: farewell. -Provost, a word with you! - -Provost: -What's your will, father - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -That now you are come, you will be gone. Leave me -awhile with the maid: my mind promises with my -habit no loss shall touch her by my company. - -Provost: -In good time. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -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 VINCENTIO: -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 VINCENTIO: -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 VINCENTIO: -She should this Angelo have married; was affianced -to her by 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 well-seeming Angelo. - -ISABELLA: -Can this be so? did Angelo so leave her? - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -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 VINCENTIO: -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 VINCENTIO: -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 VINCENTIO: -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 Luke's: 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. - -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 VINCENTIO: -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 and lamb-skins too, to signify, that -craft, being richer than innocency, stands for the facing. - -ELBOW: -Come your way, sir. 'Bless you, good father friar. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -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 VINCENTIO: -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 VINCENTIO: -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 VINCENTIO: -That we were all, as some would seem to be, -From our faults, as faults from seeming, free! - -ELBOW: -His neck will come to your waist,--a cord, sir. - -POMPEY: -I spy comfort; I cry bail. Here's 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 Pygmalion's images, newly made woman, to be -had now, for putting the hand in the pocket and -extracting it clutch'd? What reply, ha? What -sayest thou to this tune, matter and method? Is't -not drowned i' the last rain, ha? What sayest -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 VINCENTIO: -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 Pompey. 'Bless you, friar. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -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 now. What news abroad, friar? -what news? - -ELBOW: -Come your ways, sir; come. - -LUCIO: -Go to kennel, Pompey; go. -What news, friar, of the duke? - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -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 VINCENTIO: -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 to 't. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -He does well in 't. - -LUCIO: -A little more lenity to lechery would do no harm in -him: something too crabbed that way, friar. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -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 VINCENTIO: -How should he be made, then? - -LUCIO: -Some report a sea-maid spawned him; some, that he -was begot between two stock-fishes. 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 generative; that's infallible. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -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 VINCENTIO: -I never heard the absent duke much detected for -women; he was not inclined that way. - -LUCIO: -O, sir, you are deceived. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -'Tis not possible. - -LUCIO: -Who, not the duke? yes, your beggar of fifty; and -his use was to put a ducat in her clack-dish: the -duke had crotchets in him. He would be drunk too; -that let me inform you. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -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 VINCENTIO: -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 VINCENTIO: -Wise! why, no question but he was. - -LUCIO: -A very superficial, ignorant, unweighing fellow. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -Either this is the 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 -bringings-forth, 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 VINCENTIO: -Love talks with better knowledge, and knowledge with -dearer love. - -LUCIO: -Come, sir, I know what I know. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -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 VINCENTIO: -He shall know you better, sir, if I may live to -report you. - -LUCIO: -I fear you not. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -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; you'll forswear this again. - -LUCIO: -I'll be hanged first: thou art deceived in me, -friar. But no more of this. Canst thou tell if -Claudio die to-morrow or no? - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -Why should he die, sir? - -LUCIO: -Why? For filling a bottle with a tundish. I would -the duke we talk of were returned again: the -ungenitured agent will unpeople the province with -continency; sparrows must not build in his -house-eaves, 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. He's not 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. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -No might nor greatness in mortality -Can censure 'scape; back-wounding calumny -The whitest virtue strikes. What king so strong -Can tie the gall up in the slanderous tongue? -But who comes here? - -ESCALUS: -Go; away with her to prison! - -MISTRESS OVERDONE: -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. - -MISTRESS OVERDONE: -My lord, this is one Lucio's information against me. -Mistress Kate Keepdown was with child by him in the -duke's 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 licence: let him be -called before us. Away with her to prison! Go to; -no more words. -Provost, my brother Angelo will not be altered; -Claudio must die to-morrow: 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 the entertainment of death. - -ESCALUS: -Good even, good father. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -Bliss and goodness on you! - -ESCALUS: -Of whence are you? - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -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' the world? - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -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 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 accurst: much -upon this riddle runs the wisdom of the world. This -news is old enough, yet it is every day's news. I -pray you, sir, of what disposition was the duke? - -ESCALUS: -One that, above all other strifes, contended -especially to know himself. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -What pleasure was he given to? - -ESCALUS: -Rather rejoicing to see another merry, than merry at -any thing 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 VINCENTIO: -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 is he -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 VINCENTIO: -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 VINCENTIO: -Peace be with you! -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 self-offences 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, -Making practise on the times, -To draw with idle spiders' strings -Most ponderous and substantial things! -Craft against vice I must apply: -With Angelo to-night shall lie -His old betrothed but despised; -So disguise shall, by the disguised, -Pay with falsehood false exacting, -And perform an old contracting. - - -MARIANA: -Break off thy song, and haste thee quick away: -Here comes a man of comfort, whose advice -Hath often still'd my brawling discontent. -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 VINCENTIO: -'Tis good; though music oft hath such a charm -To make bad good, and good provoke to harm. -I pray, you, tell me, hath any body inquired -for me here to-day? much upon this time have -I promised here to meet. - -MARIANA: -You have not been inquired after: -I have sat here all day. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -I do constantly believe you. The time is come even -now. I shall crave your forbearance a little: may -be I will call upon you anon, for some advantage to yourself. - -MARIANA: -I am always bound to you. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -Very well met, and well come. -What is the news from this good deputy? - -ISABELLA: -He hath a garden circummured with brick, -Whose western side is with a vineyard back'd; -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 upon him. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -But shall you on your knowledge find this way? - -ISABELLA: -I have ta'en a due and wary note upon't: -With whispering and most guilty diligence, -In action all of precept, he did show me -The way twice o'er. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -Are there no other tokens -Between you 'greed concerning her observance? - -ISABELLA: -No, none, but only a repair i' the dark; -And that I have possess'd 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 VINCENTIO: -'Tis well borne up. -I have not yet made known to Mariana -A word of this. What, ho! within! come forth! -I pray you, be acquainted with this maid; -She comes to do you good. - -ISABELLA: -I do desire the like. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -Do you persuade yourself that I respect you? - -MARIANA: -Good friar, I know you do, and have found it. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -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: -Will't please you walk aside? - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -O place and greatness! millions of false eyes -Are stuck upon thee: volumes of report -Run with these false and most contrarious quests -Upon thy doings: thousand escapes of wit -Make thee the father of their idle dreams -And rack thee in their fancies. -Welcome, how agreed? - -ISABELLA: -She'll take the enterprise upon her, father, -If you advise it. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -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 VINCENTIO: -Nor, gentle daughter, fear you not at all. -He is your husband on a pre-contract: -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 corn's to reap, for yet our tithe's to sow. - -Provost: -Come hither, sirrah. Can you cut off a man's head? - -POMPEY: -If the man be a bachelor, sir, I can; but if he be a -married man, he's his wife's head, and I can never -cut off a woman's head. - -Provost: -Come, sir, leave me your snatches, and yield me a -direct answer. To-morrow 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 -fellow partner. - -Provost: -What, ho! Abhorson! Where's Abhorson, there? - -ABHORSON: -Do you call, sir? - -Provost: -Sirrah, here's a fellow will help you to-morrow 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. - -POMPEY: -Pray, sir, by your good favour,--for surely, sir, a -good favour you have, but that you have a hanging -look,--do 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 man's 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 man's -apparel fits your thief. - -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 -to-morrow four o'clock. - -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: -The one has my pity; not a jot the other, -Being a murderer, though he were my brother. -Look, here's the warrant, Claudio, for thy death: -'Tis now dead midnight, and by eight to-morrow -Thou must be made immortal. Where's Barnardine? - -CLAUDIO: -As fast lock'd up in sleep as guiltless labour -When it lies starkly in the traveller's bones: -He will not wake. - -Provost: -Who can do good on him? -Well, go, prepare yourself. -But, hark, what noise? -Heaven give your spirits comfort! -By and by. -I hope it is some pardon or reprieve -For the most gentle Claudio. -Welcome father. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -The best and wholesomest spirts of the night -Envelope you, good Provost! Who call'd here of late? - -Provost: -None, since the curfew rung. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -Not Isabel? - -Provost: -No. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -They will, then, ere't be long. - -Provost: -What comfort is for Claudio? - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -There's some in hope. - -Provost: -It is a bitter deputy. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -Not so, not so; his life is parallel'd -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 meal'd with that -Which he corrects, then were he tyrannous; -But this being so, he's just. -Now are they come. -This is a gentle provost: seldom when -The steeled gaoler is the friend of men. -How now! what noise? That spirit's possessed with haste -That wounds the unsisting postern with these strokes. - -Provost: -There he must stay until the officer -Arise to let him in: he is call'd up. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -Have you no countermand for Claudio yet, -But he must die to-morrow? - -Provost: -None, sir, none. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -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 -Profess'd the contrary. -This is his lordship's man. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -And here comes Claudio's pardon. - -Messenger: - -Provost: -I shall obey him. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: - -Provost: -I told you. Lord Angelo, belike thinking me remiss -in mine office, awakens me with this unwonted -putting-on; methinks strangely, for he hath not used it before. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -Pray you, let's hear. - -Provost: - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -What is that Barnardine who is to be executed in the -afternoon? - -Provost: -A Bohemian born, but here nursed un and bred; one -that is a prisoner nine years old. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -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 VINCENTIO: -It is now apparent? - -Provost: -Most manifest, and not denied by himself. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -Hath he born 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 what's past, present, or to come; insensible of -mortality, and desperately mortal. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -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 VINCENTIO: -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 VINCENTIO: -In the delaying death. - -Provost: -A lack, 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 Claudio's, to cross this in the smallest. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -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 born to Angelo. - -Provost: -Angelo hath seen them both, and will discover the favour. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -O, death's 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 any thing -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 VINCENTIO: -Were you sworn to the duke, or to the deputy? - -Provost: -To him, and to his substitutes. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -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 VINCENTIO: -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 VINCENTIO: -The contents of this is the return of the duke: you -shall anon over-read 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 tenor; -perchance of the duke's death; perchance entering -into some monastery; but, by chance, nothing of what -is writ. Look, the 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 Barnardine's 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. - -POMPEY: -I am as well acquainted here as I was in our house -of profession: one would think it were Mistress -Overdone's own house, for here be many of her old -customers. First, here's young Master Rash; he's in -for a commodity of brown paper and old ginger, -ninescore 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 Three-pile the mercer, for some four suits of -peach-coloured satin, which now peaches him a -beggar. Then have we here young Dizy, and young -Master Deep-vow, and Master Copperspur, and Master -Starve-lackey the rapier and dagger man, and young -Drop-heir that killed lusty Pudding, and Master -Forthlight the tilter, and brave Master Shooty the -great traveller, and wild Half-can that stabbed -Pots, and, I think, forty more; all great doers in -our trade, and are now 'for the Lord's sake.' - -ABHORSON: -Sirrah, bring Barnardine hither. - -POMPEY: -Master Barnardine! you must rise and be hanged. -Master Barnardine! - -ABHORSON: -What, ho, Barnardine! - -BARNARDINE: - -POMPEY: -Your friends, sir; the hangman. You must be so -good, sir, to rise and be put to death. - -BARNARDINE: - -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. - -ABHORSON: -Is the axe upon the block, sirrah? - -POMPEY: -Very ready, sir. - -BARNARDINE: -How now, Abhorson? what's the news with you? - -ABHORSON: -Truly, sir, I would desire you to clap into your -prayers; for, look you, the warrant's come. - -BARNARDINE: -You rogue, I have been drinking all night; I am not -fitted for 't. - -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. - -ABHORSON: -Look you, sir; here comes your ghostly father: do -we jest now, think you? - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -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, that's certain. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -O, sir, you must: and therefore I beseech you -Look forward on the journey you shall go. - -BARNARDINE: -I swear I will not die to-day for any man's -persuasion. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -But hear you. - -BARNARDINE: -Not a word: if you have any thing to say to me, -come to my ward; for thence will not I to-day. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -Unfit to live or die: O gravel heart! -After him, fellows; bring him to the block. - -Provost: -Now, sir, how do you find the prisoner? - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -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 Claudio's 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 VINCENTIO: -O, 'tis an accident that heaven provides! -Dispatch it presently; the hour draws on -Prefix'd 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 VINCENTIO: -Let this be done. -Put them in secret holds, both Barnardine and Claudio: -Ere twice the sun hath made his journal greeting -To the under generation, you shall find -Your safety manifested. - -Provost: -I am your free dependant. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -Quick, dispatch, and send the head to Angelo. -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 I'll desire -To meet me at the consecrated fount -A league below the city; and from thence, -By cold gradation and well-balanced form, -We shall proceed with Angelo. - -Provost: -Here is the head; I'll carry it myself. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -Convenient is it. Make a swift return; -For I would commune with you of such things -That want no ear but yours. - -Provost: -I'll make all speed. - -ISABELLA: - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -The tongue of Isabel. She's come to know -If yet her brother's 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. - -ISABELLA: -Ho, by your leave! - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -Good morning to you, fair and gracious daughter. - -ISABELLA: -The better, given me by so holy a man. -Hath yet the deputy sent my brother's pardon? - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -He hath released him, Isabel, from the world: -His head is off and sent to Angelo. - -ISABELLA: -Nay, but it is not so. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -It is no other: show your wisdom, daughter, -In your close patience. - -ISABELLA: -O, I will to him and pluck out his eyes! - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -You shall not be admitted to his sight. - -ISABELLA: -Unhappy Claudio! wretched Isabel! -Injurious world! most damned Angelo! - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -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 to-morrow; nay, 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 VINCENTIO: -This letter, then, to Friar Peter give; -'Tis that he sent me of the duke's return: -Say, by this token, I desire his company -At Mariana's house to-night. Her cause and yours -I'll 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 course. Who's here? - -LUCIO: -Good even. Friar, where's the provost? - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -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 to 't. But they say the duke will be here -to-morrow. By my troth, Isabel, I loved thy brother: -if the old fantastical duke of dark corners had been -at home, he had lived. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -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: -he's a better woodman than thou takest him for. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -Well, you'll answer this one day. Fare ye well. - -LUCIO: -Nay, tarry; I'll go along with thee -I can tell thee pretty tales of the duke. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -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 VINCENTIO: -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 VINCENTIO: -Sir, your company is fairer than honest. Rest you well. - -LUCIO: -By my troth, I'll go with thee to the lane's end: -if bawdy talk offend you, we'll have very little of -it. Nay, friar, I am a kind of burr; I shall stick. - -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' the morn; I'll 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. - -ANGELO: -Good night. -This deed unshapes me quite, makes me unpregnant -And dull to all proceedings. A deflower'd 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 of a credent bulk, -That no particular scandal once can touch -But it confounds the breather. He should have lived, -Save that riotous youth, with dangerous sense, -Might in the times to come have ta'en revenge, -By so receiving a dishonour'd life -With ransom of such shame. Would yet he had lived! -A lack, when once our grace we have forgot, -Nothing goes right: we would, and we would not. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -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 Valentinus, 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. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -I thank thee, Varrius; thou hast made good haste: -Come, we will walk. There's other of our friends -Will greet us here anon, my gentle Varrius. - -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 -That's bitter to sweet end. - -MARIANA: -I would 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! - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -My very worthy cousin, fairly met! -Our old and faithful friend, we are glad to see you. - -ANGELO: -Happy return be to your royal grace! - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -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 VINCENTIO: -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 razure of oblivion. Give me your hand, -And let the subject see, to make them know -That outward courtesies would fain proclaim -Favours that keep within. Come, Escalus, -You must walk by us on our other hand; -And good supporters are you. - -FRIAR PETER: -Now is your time: speak loud and kneel before him. - -ISABELLA: -Justice, O royal duke! Vail your regard -Upon a wrong'd, I 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 VINCENTIO: -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 Angelo's forsworn; is it not strange? -That Angelo's a murderer; is 't not strange? -That Angelo is an adulterous thief, -An hypocrite, a virgin-violator; -Is it not strange and strange? - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -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 the end of reckoning. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -Away with her! Poor soul, -She speaks this in the infirmity of sense. - -ISABELLA: -O prince, I conjure thee, as thou believest -There is another comfort than this world, -That thou neglect me not, with that opinion -That I am touch'd with madness! Make not impossible -That which but seems unlike: 'tis not impossible -But one, the wicked'st 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 arch-villain; believe it, royal prince: -If he be less, he's nothing; but he's more, -Had I more name for badness. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -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 e'er 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 VINCENTIO: -Many that are not mad -Have, sure, more lack of reason. What would you say? - -ISABELLA: -I am the sister of one Claudio, -Condemn'd upon the act of fornication -To lose his head; condemn'd by Angelo: -I, in probation of a sisterhood, -Was sent to by my brother; one Lucio -As then the messenger,-- - -LUCIO: -That's I, an't like your grace: -I came to her from Claudio, and desired her -To try her gracious fortune with Lord Angelo -For her poor brother's pardon. - -ISABELLA: -That's he indeed. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -You were not bid to speak. - -LUCIO: -No, my good lord; -Nor wish'd to hold my peace. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -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 VINCENTIO: -The warrants for yourself; take heed to't. - -ISABELLA: -This gentleman told somewhat of my tale,-- - -LUCIO: -Right. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -It may be right; but you are i' the wrong -To speak before your time. Proceed. - -ISABELLA: -I went -To this pernicious caitiff deputy,-- - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -That's somewhat madly spoken. - -ISABELLA: -Pardon it; -The phrase is to the matter. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -Mended again. The matter; proceed. - -ISABELLA: -In brief, to set the needless process by, -How I persuaded, how I pray'd, and kneel'd, -How he refell'd me, and how I replied,-- -For this was of much length,--the 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 brother's head. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -This is most likely! - -ISABELLA: -O, that it were as like as it is true! - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -By heaven, fond wretch, thou knowist not what thou speak'st, -Or else thou art suborn'd against his honour -In hateful practise. 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 weigh'd thy brother by himself -And not have cut him off. Some one hath set you on: -Confess the truth, and say by whose advice -Thou camest here to complain. - -ISABELLA: -And is this all? -Then, O you blessed ministers above, -Keep me in patience, and with ripen'd time -Unfold the evil which is here wrapt up -In countenance! Heaven shield your grace from woe, -As I, thus wrong'd, hence unbelieved go! - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -I know you'ld 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 practise. -Who knew of Your intent and coming hither? - -ISABELLA: -One that I would were here, Friar Lodowick. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -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 VINCENTIO: -Words against me? this is 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 VINCENTIO: -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 he's reported by this gentleman; -And, on my trust, a man that never yet -Did, as he vouches, misreport your grace. - -LUCIO: -My lord, most villanously; 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 he's 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 VINCENTIO: -Good friar, let's hear it. -Do you not smile at this, Lord Angelo? -O heaven, the vanity of wretched fools! -Give us some seats. Come, cousin Angelo; -In this I'll be impartial; be you judge -Of your own cause. 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 VINCENTIO: -What, are you married? - -MARIANA: -No, my lord. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -Are you a maid? - -MARIANA: -No, my lord. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -A widow, then? - -MARIANA: -Neither, my lord. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -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 VINCENTIO: -Silence that fellow: I would he had some cause -To prattle for himself. - -LUCIO: -Well, my lord. - -MARIANA: -My lord; I do confess I ne'er 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 VINCENTIO: -For the benefit of silence, would thou wert so too! - -LUCIO: -Well, my lord. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -This is no witness for Lord Angelo. - -MARIANA: -Now I come to't my lord -She that accuses him of fornication, -In self-same manner doth accuse my husband, -And charges him my lord, with such a time -When I'll depose I had him in mine arms -With all the effect of love. - -ANGELO: -Charges she more than me? - -MARIANA: -Not that I know. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -No? you say your husband. - -MARIANA: -Why, just, my lord, and that is Angelo, -Who thinks he knows that he ne'er knew my body, -But knows he thinks that he knows Isabel's. - -ANGELO: -This is a strange abuse. Let's see thy face. - -MARIANA: -My husband bids me; now I will unmask. -This is that face, thou cruel Angelo, -Which once thou sworest was worth the looking on; -This is the hand which, with a vow'd contract, -Was fast belock'd in thine; this is the body -That took away the match from Isabel, -And did supply thee at thy garden-house -In her imagined person. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -Know you this woman? - -LUCIO: -Carnally, she says. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -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 man's wife as strongly -As words could make up vows: and, my good lord, -But Tuesday night last gone in's garden-house -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 touch'd. 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 practise out. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -Ay, with my heart -And punish them to your height of pleasure. -Thou foolish friar, and thou pernicious woman, -Compact with her that's gone, think'st thou thy oaths, -Though they would swear down each particular saint, -Were testimonies against his worth and credit -That's seal'd 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 VINCENTIO: -Go do it instantly. -And you, my noble and well-warranted 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, we'll do it throughly. -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 -villanous 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. -Pray you, my lord, give me leave to question; you -shall see how I'll 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, -she'll be ashamed. - -ESCALUS: -I will go darkly to work with her. - -LUCIO: -That's the way; for women are light at midnight. - -ESCALUS: -Come on, mistress: here's 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 VINCENTIO: -'Tis false. - -ESCALUS: -How! know you where you are? - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -Respect to your great place! and let the devil -Be sometime honour'd for his burning throne! -Where is the duke? 'tis he should hear me speak. - -ESCALUS: -The duke's in us; and we will hear you speak: -Look you speak justly. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -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 duke's unjust, -Thus to retort your manifest appeal, -And put your trial in the villain's mouth -Which here you come to accuse. - -LUCIO: -This is the rascal; this is he I spoke of. - -ESCALUS: -Why, thou unreverend and unhallow'd friar, -Is't not enough thou hast suborn'd 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 the duke himself, to tax him with injustice? -Take him hence; to the rack with him! We'll touse you -Joint by joint, but we will know his purpose. -What 'unjust'! - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -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 looker on here in Vienna, -Where I have seen corruption boil and bubble -Till it o'er-run the stew; laws for all faults, -But faults so countenanced, that the strong statutes -Stand like the forfeits in a barber's 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 VINCENTIO: -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 VINCENTIO: -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 VINCENTIO: -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 VINCENTIO: -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 giglots too, and -with the other confederate companion! - -DUKE VINCENTIO: - -ANGELO: -What, resists he? Help him, Lucio. - -LUCIO: -Come, sir; come, sir; come, sir; foh, sir! Why, you -bald-pated, lying rascal, you must be hooded, must -you? Show your knave's visage, with a pox to you! -show your sheep-biting face, and be hanged an hour! -Will't not off? - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -Thou art the first knave that e'er madest a duke. -First, provost, let me bail these gentle three. -Sneak not away, sir; for the friar and you -Must have a word anon. Lay hold on him. - -LUCIO: -This may prove worse than hanging. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: - -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 look'd 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 VINCENTIO: -Come hither, Mariana. -Say, wast thou e'er contracted to this woman? - -ANGELO: -I was, my lord. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -Go take her hence, and marry her instantly. -Do you the office, friar; which consummate, -Return him here again. Go with him, provost. - -ESCALUS: -My lord, I am more amazed at his dishonour -Than at the strangeness of it. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -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 -Attorney'd at your service. - -ISABELLA: -O, give me pardon, -That I, your vassal, have employ'd and pain'd -Your unknown sovereignty! - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -You are pardon'd, Isabel: -And now, dear maid, be you as free to us. -Your brother's 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 brain'd 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. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -For this new-married man approaching here, -Whose salt imagination yet hath wrong'd -Your well defended honour, you must pardon -For Mariana's sake: but as he adjudged your brother,-- -Being criminal, in double violation -Of sacred chastity and of promise-breach -Thereon dependent, for your brother's 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 fault's thus manifested; -Which, though thou wouldst deny, denies thee vantage. -We do condemn thee to the very block -Where Claudio stoop'd 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 VINCENTIO: -It is your husband mock'd 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 withal, -To buy you a better husband. - -MARIANA: -O my dear lord, -I crave no other, nor no better man. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -Never crave him; we are definitive. - -MARIANA: -Gentle my liege,-- - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -You do but lose your labour. -Away with him to death! -Now, sir, to you. - -MARIANA: -O my good lord! Sweet Isabel, take my part; -Lend me your knees, and all my life to come -I'll lend you all my life to do you service. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -Against all sense you do importune her: -Should she kneel down in mercy of this fact, -Her brother's 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; I'll 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 VINCENTIO: -He dies for Claudio's death. - -ISABELLA: -Most bounteous sir, -Look, if it please you, on this man condemn'd, -As if my brother lived: I partly think -A due sincerity govern'd 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 o'ertake his bad intent, -And must be buried but as an intent -That perish'd by the way: thoughts are no subjects; -Intents but merely thoughts. - -MARIANA: -Merely, my lord. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -Your suit's 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 VINCENTIO: -Had you a special warrant for the deed? - -Provost: -No, my good lord; it was by private message. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -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 VINCENTIO: -What's he? - -Provost: -His name is Barnardine. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -I would thou hadst done so by Claudio. -Go fetch him hither; let me look upon him. - -ESCALUS: -I am sorry, one so learned and so wise -As you, Lord Angelo, have still appear'd, -Should slip so grossly, both in the heat of blood. -And lack of temper'd judgment 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. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -Which is that Barnardine? - -Provost: -This, my lord. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -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 squarest thy life according. Thou'rt condemn'd: -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 hand. What muffled fellow's 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. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: - -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 whipt. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -Whipt first, sir, and hanged after. -Proclaim it, provost, round about the city. -Is any woman wrong'd by this lewd fellow, -As I have heard him swear himself there's one -Whom he begot with child, let her appear, -And he shall marry her: the nuptial finish'd, -Let him be whipt and hang'd. - -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 VINCENTIO: -Upon mine honour, thou shalt marry her. -Thy slanders I forgive; and therewithal -Remit thy other forfeits. Take him to prison; -And see our pleasure herein executed. - -LUCIO: -Marrying a punk, my lord, is pressing to death, -whipping, and hanging. - -DUKE VINCENTIO: -Slandering a prince deserves it. -She, Claudio, that you wrong'd, look you restore. -Joy to you, Mariana! Love her, Angelo: -I have confess'd her and I know her virtue. -Thanks, good friend Escalus, for thy much goodness: -There's more behind that is more gratulate. -Thanks, provost, for thy care and secrecy: -We shill employ thee in a worthier place. -Forgive him, Angelo, that brought you home -The head of Ragozine for Claudio's: -The offence pardons itself. Dear Isabel, -I have a motion much imports your good; -Whereto if you'll a willing ear incline, -What's mine is yours and what is yours is mine. -So, bring us to our palace; where we'll show -What's yet behind, that's meet you all should know. - -SLY: -I'll pheeze you, in faith. - -Hostess: -A pair of stocks, you rogue! - -SLY: -Ye are a baggage: the Slys are no rogues; look in -the chronicles; we came in with Richard Conqueror. -Therefore paucas pallabris; let the world slide: sessa! - -Hostess: -You will not pay for the glasses you have burst? - -SLY: -No, not a denier. Go by, Jeronimy: go to thy cold -bed, and warm thee. - -Hostess: -I know my remedy; I must go fetch the -third--borough. - -SLY: -Third, or fourth, or fifth borough, I'll answer him -by law: I'll not budge an inch, boy: let him come, -and kindly. - -Lord: -Huntsman, I charge thee, tender well my hounds: -Brach Merriman, the poor cur is emboss'd; -And couple Clowder with the deep--mouth'd brach. -Saw'st thou not, boy, how Silver made it good -At the hedge-corner, in the coldest fault? -I would not lose the dog for twenty pound. - -First Huntsman: -Why, Belman is as good as he, my lord; -He cried upon it at the merest loss -And twice to-day pick'd 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: -To-morrow I intend to hunt again. - -First Huntsman: -I will, my lord. - -Lord: -What's here? one dead, or drunk? See, doth he breathe? - -Second Huntsman: -He breathes, my lord. Were he not warm'd 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 convey'd to bed, -Wrapp'd 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 waked. - -Lord: -Even as a flattering dream or worthless fancy. -Then take him up and manage well the jest: -Carry him gently to my fairest chamber -And hang it round with all my wanton pictures: -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 rose-water and bestrew'd with flowers, -Another bear the ewer, the third a diaper, -And say 'Will't please your lordship cool your hands?' -Some one be ready with a costly suit -And ask him what apparel he will wear; -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 is, say that he dreams, -For he is nothing but a mighty lord. -This do and do it kindly, gentle sirs: -It will be pastime passing excellent, -If it be husbanded with modesty. - -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. -Sirrah, go see what trumpet 'tis that sounds: -Belike, some noble gentleman that means, -Travelling some journey, to repose him here. -How now! who is it? - -Servant: -An't please your honour, players -That offer service to your lordship. - -Lord: -Bid them come near. -Now, fellows, you are welcome. - -Players: -We thank your honour. - -Lord: -Do you intend to stay with me tonight? - -A Player: -So please your lordship to accept our duty. - -Lord: -With all my heart. This fellow I remember, -Since once he play'd a farmer's eldest son: -'Twas where you woo'd the gentlewoman so well: -I have forgot your name; but, sure, that part -Was aptly fitted and naturally perform'd. - -A Player: -I think 'twas Soto that your honour means. - -Lord: -'Tis very true: thou didst it excellent. -Well, you are come to me in a 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 to-night: -But I am doubtful of your modesties; -Lest over-eyeing of his odd behavior,-- -For yet his honour never heard a play-- -You break into some merry passion -And so offend him; for I tell you, sirs, -If you should smile he grows impatient. - -A Player: -Fear not, my lord: we can contain ourselves, -Were he the veriest antic in the world. - -Lord: -Go, sirrah, take them to the buttery, -And give them friendly welcome every one: -Let them want nothing that my house affords. -Sirrah, go you to Barthol'mew my page, -And see him dress'd in all suits like a lady: -That done, conduct him to the drunkard's chamber; -And call him 'madam,' do him obeisance. -Tell him from me, as he will win my love, -He bear himself with honourable action, -Such as he hath observed in noble ladies -Unto their lords, by them accomplished: -Such duty to the drunkard let him do -With soft low tongue and lowly courtesy, -And say 'What is't your honour will command, -Wherein your lady and your humble wife -May show her duty and make known her love?' -And then with kind embracements, tempting kisses, -And with declining head into his bosom, -Bid him shed tears, as being overjoy'd -To see her noble lord restored to health, -Who for this seven years hath esteem'd him -No better than a poor and loathsome beggar: -And if the boy have not a woman's gift -To rain a shower of commanded tears, -An onion will do well for such a shift, -Which in a napkin being close convey'd -Shall in despite enforce a watery eye. -See this dispatch'd with all the haste thou canst: -Anon I'll give thee more instructions. -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. -I'll in to counsel them; haply my presence -May well abate the over-merry spleen -Which otherwise would grow into extremes. - -SLY: -For God's sake, a pot of small ale. - -First Servant: -Will't please your lordship drink a cup of sack? - -Second Servant: -Will't please your honour taste of these conserves? - -Third Servant: -What raiment will your honour wear to-day? - -SLY: -I am Christophero Sly; call not me 'honour' nor -'lordship:' I ne'er drank sack in my life; and if -you give me any conserves, give me conserves of -beef: ne'er ask me what raiment I'll wear; for I -have no more doublets than backs, no more stockings -than legs, nor no more shoes than feet; nay, -sometimes more feet than shoes, or such shoes as my -toes look through the over-leather. - -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 Sly's son of Burtonheath, by birth a -pedlar, by education a cardmaker, by transmutation a -bear-herd, and now by present profession a tinker? -Ask Marian Hacket, the fat ale-wife 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: here's-- - -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, -And twenty caged nightingales do sing: -Or wilt thou sleep? we'll have thee to a couch -Softer and sweeter than the lustful bed -On purpose trimm'd up for Semiramis. -Say thou wilt walk; we will bestrew the ground: -Or wilt thou ride? thy horses shall be trapp'd, -Their harness studded all with gold and pearl. -Dost thou love hawking? thou hast hawks will soar -Above the morning lark or wilt thou hunt? -Thy hounds shall make the welkin answer them -And fetch shrill echoes from the hollow earth. - -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: -We'll show thee Io as she was a maid, -And how she was beguiled and surprised, -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 o'er-run 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 dream'd 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: -Will't please your mightiness to wash your hands? -O, how we joy to see your wit restored! -O, that once more you knew but what you are! -These fifteen years you have been in a dream; -Or when you waked, so waked as if you slept. - -SLY: -These fifteen years! by my fay, a goodly nap. -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 seal'd quarts: -Sometimes you would call out for Cicely Hacket. - -SLY: -Ay, the woman's maid of the house. - -Third Servant: -Why, sir, you know no house nor no such maid, -Nor no such men as you have reckon'd up, -As Stephen Sly and did 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. - -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: -Al'ce madam, or Joan madam? - -Lord: -'Madam,' and nothing else: so lords -call ladies. - -SLY: -Madam wife, they say that I have dream'd -And slept above some fifteen year or more. - -Page: -Ay, and the time seems thirty unto me, -Being all this time abandon'd from your bed. - -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 charged, -In peril to incur your former malady, -That I should yet absent me from your bed: -I hope this reason stands for my excuse. - -SLY: -Ay, 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. - -Messenger: -Your honour's players, heating your amendment, -Are come to play a pleasant comedy; -For so your doctors hold it very meet, -Seeing too much sadness hath congeal'd 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 -comondy a Christmas gambold or a tumbling-trick? - -Page: -No, my good lord; it is more pleasing stuff. - -SLY: -What, household stuff? - -Page: -It is a kind of history. - -SLY: -Well, well see't. Come, madam wife, sit by my side -and let the world slip: we shall ne'er be younger. - -LUCENTIO: -Tranio, since for the great desire I had -To see fair Padua, nursery of arts, -I am arrived for fruitful Lombardy, -The pleasant garden of great Italy; -And by my father's love and leave am arm'd -With his good will and thy good company, -My trusty servant, well approved in all, -Here let us breathe and haply institute -A course of learning and ingenious studies. -Pisa renown'd for grave citizens -Gave me my being and my father first, -A merchant of great traffic through the world, -Vincetino come of Bentivolii. -Vincetino's son brought up in Florence -It shall become to serve all hopes conceived, -To deck his fortune with his virtuous deeds: -And therefore, Tranio, for the time I study, -Virtue and that part of philosophy -Will I apply that treats of happiness -By virtue specially to be achieved. -Tell me thy mind; for I have Pisa left -And am to Padua come, as he that leaves -A shallow plash to plunge him in the deep -And with satiety seeks to quench his thirst. - -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, -Let's be no stoics nor no stocks, I pray; -Or so devote to Aristotle's cheques -As Ovid be an outcast quite abjured: -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 ta'en: -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 a while: what company is this? - -TRANIO: -Master, some show to welcome us to town. - -BAPTISTA: -Gentlemen, importune me no farther, -For how I firmly am resolved you know; -That is, not bestow my youngest daughter -Before I have a husband for the elder: -If either of you both love Katharina, -Because I know you well and love you well, -Leave shall you have to court her at your pleasure. - -GREMIO: - -KATHARINA: -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. - -KATHARINA: -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 three-legg'd stool -And paint your face and use you like a fool. - -HORTENSIA: -From all such devils, good Lord deliver us! - -GREMIO: -And me too, good Lord! - -TRANIO: -Hush, master! here's some good pastime toward: -That wench is stark mad or wonderful froward. - -LUCENTIO: -But in the other's silence do I see -Maid's mild behavior and sobriety. -Peace, Tranio! - -TRANIO: -Well said, master; mum! and gaze your fill. - -BAPTISTA: -Gentlemen, that I may soon make good -What I have said, Bianca, get you in: -And let it not displease thee, good Bianca, -For I will love thee ne'er the less, my girl. - -KATHARINA: -A pretty peat! it is best -Put finger in the eye, an 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 took and practise by myself. - -LUCENTIO: -Hark, Tranio! thou may'st hear Minerva speak. - -HORTENSIO: -Signior Baptista, will you be so strange? -Sorry am I that our good will effects -Bianca's 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 resolved: -Go in, 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. Katharina, you may stay; -For I have more to commune with Bianca. - -KATHARINA: -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? - -GREMIO: -You may go to the devil's dam: your gifts are so -good, here's none will hold you. Their love is not -so great, Hortensio, but 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 both, -that we may yet again have access to our fair -mistress and be happy rivals in Bianco's love, to -labour and effect one thing specially. - -GREMIO: -What's 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, an 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 whipped at the high cross -every morning. - -HORTENSIO: -Faith, as you say, there's small choice in rotten -apples. But come; since this bar in law makes us -friends, it shall be so far forth friendly -maintained all by helping Baptista's eldest daughter -to a husband we set his youngest free for a husband, -and then have to't a fresh. 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. - -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 touch'd you, nought remains but so, -'Redime te captum quam queas minimo.' - -LUCENTIO: -Gramercies, lad, go forward; this contents: -The rest will comfort, for thy counsel's sound. - -TRANIO: -Master, you look'd so longly on the maid, -Perhaps you mark'd not what's 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 kiss'd the Cretan strand. - -TRANIO: -Saw you no more? mark'd 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 eldest 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 mew'd her up, -Because she will not be annoy'd with suitors. - -LUCENTIO: -Ah, Tranio, what a cruel father's he! -But art thou not advised, 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: -That's your device. - -LUCENTIO: -It is: may it be done? - -TRANIO: -Not possible; for who shall bear your part, -And be in Padua here Vincentio's 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 lie distinguish'd by our faces -For man or master; then it follows thus; -Thou shalt be master, Tranio, in my stead, -Keep house and port and servants as I should: -I will some other be, some Florentine, -Some Neapolitan, or meaner man of Pisa. -'Tis hatch'd and shall be so: Tranio, at once -Uncase thee; take my colour'd hat and cloak: -When Biondello comes, he waits on thee; -But I will charm him first to keep his tongue. - -TRANIO: -So had you need. -In brief, sir, sith it your pleasure is, -And I am tied to be obedient; -For so your father charged me at our parting, -'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 thrall'd my wounded eye. -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 stolen your clothes? Or -you stolen his? or both? pray, what's 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 countenance on, -And I for my escape have put on his; -For in a quarrel since I came ashore -I kill'd 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! ne'er a whit. - -LUCENTIO: -And not a jot of Tranio in your mouth: -Tranio is changed into 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 Baptista's youngest daughter. -But, sirrah, not for my sake, but your master's, 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, let's go: one thing more rests, that -thyself execute, to make one among these wooers: if -thou ask me why, sufficeth, my reasons are both good -and weighty. - -First Servant: -My lord, you nod; you do not mind the play. - -SLY: -Yes, by Saint Anne, do I. 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! - -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 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 I'll knock your knave's 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, an you'll not knock, I'll ring it; -I'll try how you can sol, fa, and sing it. - -GRUMIO: -Help, masters, help! my master is mad. - -PETRUCHIO: -Now, knock when I bid you, sirrah villain! - -HORTENSIO: -How now! what's 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 case 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, -two and thirty, a pip out? Whom would to God I had -well knock'd 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 Grumio's pledge: -Why, this's 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 deceased; -And I have thrust myself into this maze, -Haply to wive and thrive as best I may: -Crowns in my purse I have and goods at home, -And so am come abroad to see the world. - -HORTENSIO: -Petruchio, shall I then come roundly to thee -And wish thee to a shrewd ill-favour'd wife? -Thou'ldst thank me but a little for my counsel: -And yet I'll promise thee she shall be rich -And very rich: but thou'rt too much my friend, -And I'll not wish thee to her. - -PETRUCHIO: -Signior Hortensio, 'twixt such friends as we -Few words suffice; and therefore, if thou know -One rich enough to be Petruchio's wife, -As wealth is burden of my wooing dance, -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, -Affection's edge in me, were she as rough -As are the swelling Adriatic seas: -I come to wive it wealthily in Padua; -If wealthily, then happily in Padua. - -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 aglet-baby; or an old trot with ne'er -a tooth in her head, though she have as many diseases -as two and fifty horses: why, nothing comes amiss, -so money comes withal. - -HORTENSIO: -Petruchio, since we are stepp'd thus far in, -I will continue that I broach'd in jest. -I can, Petruchio, help thee to a wife -With wealth enough and young and beauteous, -Brought up as best becomes a gentlewoman: -Her only fault, and 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 know'st not gold's effect: -Tell me her father's 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 Katharina Minola, -Renown'd 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, an 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, that's nothing; an he begin once, he'll rail in -his rope-tricks. I'll tell you what sir, an she -stand him but a little, he will throw a figure in -her face and so disfigure her with it that she -shall have no more eyes to see withal than a cat. -You know him not, sir. - -HORTENSIO: -Tarry, Petruchio, I must go with thee, -For in Baptista's keep my treasure is: -He hath the jewel of my life in hold, -His youngest daughter, beautiful Binaca, -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 rehearsed, -That ever Katharina will be woo'd; -Therefore this order hath Baptista ta'en, -That none shall have access unto Bianca -Till Katharina the curst have got a husband. - -GRUMIO: -Katharina the curst! -A title for a maid of all titles the worst. - -HORTENSIO: -Now shall my friend Petruchio do me grace, -And offer me disguised 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: -Here's no knavery! See, to beguile the old folks, -how the young folks lay their heads together! -Master, master, look about you: who goes there, ha? - -HORTENSIO: -Peace, Grumio! it is the rival of my love. -Petruchio, stand by a while. - -GRUMIO: -A proper stripling and an amorous! - -GREMIO: -O, very well; I have perused the note. -Hark you, sir: I'll 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 Baptista's liberality, -I'll mend it with a largess. Take your paper too, -And let me have them very well perfumed -For she is sweeter than perfume itself -To whom they go to. What will you read to her? - -LUCENTIO: -Whate'er I read to her, I'll plead for you -As for my patron, stand you so assured, -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 promised to inquire carefully -About a schoolmaster for the fair Bianca: -And by good fortune I have lighted well -On this young man, for learning and behavior -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 promised me to help me to another, -A fine musician to instruct our mistress; -So shall I no whit be behind in duty -To fair Bianca, so beloved of me. - -GREMIO: -Beloved of me; and that my deeds shall prove. - -GRUMIO: -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, -I'll 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 Katharina, -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, say'st me so, friend? What countryman? - -PETRUCHIO: -Born in Verona, old Antonio's 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, to't i' God's name: -You shall have me assisting you in all. -But will you woo this wild-cat? - -PETRUCHIO: -Will I live? - -GRUMIO: -Will he woo her? ay, or I'll 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 puff'd up with winds -Rage like an angry boar chafed with sweat? -Have I not heard great ordnance in the field, -And heaven's 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 woman's tongue, -That gives not half so great a blow to hear -As will a chestnut in a farmer's fire? -Tush, tush! fear boys with bugs. - -GRUMIO: -For he fears none. - -GREMIO: -Hortensio, hark: -This gentleman is happily arrived, -My mind presumes, for his own good and ours. - -HORTENSIO: -I promised we would be contributors -And bear his charging of wooing, whatsoe'er. - -GREMIO: -And so we will, provided that he win her. - -GRUMIO: -I would I were as sure of a good dinner. - -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: is't 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, let's away. - -LUCENTIO: -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 you'll know, -That she's the choice love of Signior Gremio. - -HORTENSIO: -That she's 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 Leda's 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 out-talk us all. - -LUCENTIO: -Sir, give him head: I know he'll 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 Baptista's 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 first's 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: -O excellent motion! Fellows, let's be gone. - -HORTENSIO: -The motion's good indeed and be it so, -Petruchio, I shall be your ben venuto. - -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, I'll 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. - -KATHARINA: -Of all thy suitors, here I charge thee, tell -Whom thou lovest 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. - -KATHARINA: -Minion, thou liest. Is't not Hortensio? - -BIANCA: -If you affect him, sister, here I swear -I'll plead for you myself, but you shall have -him. - -KATHARINA: -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. - -KATHARINA: -If that be jest, then all the rest was so. - -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 helding of a devilish spirit, -Why dost thou wrong her that did ne'er wrong thee? -When did she cross thee with a bitter word? - -KATHARINA: -Her silence flouts me, and I'll be revenged. - -BAPTISTA: -What, in my sight? Bianca, get thee in. - -KATHARINA: -What, will you not suffer me? Nay, now I see -She is your treasure, she must have a husband; -I must dance bare-foot on her wedding day -And for your love to her lead apes in hell. -Talk not to me: I will go sit and weep -Till I can find occasion of revenge. - -BAPTISTA: -Was ever gentleman thus grieved as I? -But who comes here? - -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 -Call'd Katharina, fair and virtuous? - -BAPTISTA: -I have a daughter, sir, called Katharina. - -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 behavior, -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, -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: -You're welcome, sir; and he, for your good sake. -But for my daughter Katharina, 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; Antonio's 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: -Baccare! 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, -that hath 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. -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, -Take you the lute, and you the set of books; -You shall go see your pupils presently. -Holla, within! -Sirrah, lead these gentlemen -To my daughters; and tell them both, -These are their tutors: bid them use them well. -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 better'd rather than decreased: -Then tell me, if I get your daughter's 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, I'll assure her of -Her widowhood, be it that she survive me, -In all my lands and leases whatsoever: -Let specialties be therefore drawn between us, -That covenants may be kept on either hand. - -BAPTISTA: -Ay, when the special thing is well obtain'd, -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 proud-minded; -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 arm'd for some unhappy words. - -PETRUCHIO: -Ay, to the proof; as mountains are for winds, -That shake not, though they blow perpetually. - -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 she'll 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 bow'd her hand to teach her fingering; -When, with a most impatient devilish spirit, -'Frets, call you these?' quoth she; 'I'll fume -with them:' -And, with that word, she struck me on the head, -And through the instrument my pate made way; -And there I stood amazed for a while, -As on a pillory, looking through the 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 e'er I did: -O, how I long to have some chat with her! - -BAPTISTA: -Well, go with me and be not so discomfited: -Proceed in practise with my younger daughter; -She's 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. -I will attend her here, -And woo her with some spirit when she comes. -Say that she rail; why then I'll tell her plain -She sings as sweetly as a nightingale: -Say that she frown, I'll say she looks as clear -As morning roses newly wash'd with dew: -Say she be mute and will not speak a word; -Then I'll commend her volubility, -And say she uttereth piercing eloquence: -If she do bid me pack, I'll give her thanks, -As though she bid me stay by her a week: -If she deny to wed, I'll crave the day -When I shall ask the banns and when be married. -But here she comes; and now, Petruchio, speak. -Good morrow, Kate; for that's your name, I hear. - -KATHARINA: -Well have you heard, but something hard of hearing: -They call me Katharina that do talk of me. - -PETRUCHIO: -You lie, in faith; for you are call'd plain Kate, -And bonny Kate and sometimes Kate the curst; -But Kate, the prettiest Kate in Christendom -Kate of Kate Hall, my super-dainty Kate, -For dainties are all Kates, and therefore, Kate, -Take this of me, Kate of my consolation; -Hearing thy mildness praised in every town, -Thy virtues spoke of, and thy beauty sounded, -Yet not so deeply as to thee belongs, -Myself am moved to woo thee for my wife. - -KATHARINA: -Moved! in good time: let him that moved you hither -Remove you hence: I knew you at the first -You were a moveable. - -PETRUCHIO: -Why, what's a moveable? - -KATHARINA: -A join'd-stool. - -PETRUCHIO: -Thou hast hit it: come, sit on me. - -KATHARINA: -Asses are made to bear, and so are you. - -PETRUCHIO: -Women are made to bear, and so are you. - -KATHARINA: -No such jade as you, if me you mean. - -PETRUCHIO: -Alas! good Kate, I will not burden thee; -For, knowing thee to be but young and light-- - -KATHARINA: -Too light for such a swain as you to catch; -And yet as heavy as my weight should be. - -PETRUCHIO: -Should be! should--buzz! - -KATHARINA: -Well ta'en, and like a buzzard. - -PETRUCHIO: -O slow-wing'd turtle! shall a buzzard take thee? - -KATHARINA: -Ay, for a turtle, as he takes a buzzard. - -PETRUCHIO: -Come, come, you wasp; i' faith, you are too angry. - -KATHARINA: -If I be waspish, best beware my sting. - -PETRUCHIO: -My remedy is then, to pluck it out. - -KATHARINA: -Ay, if the fool could find it where it lies, - -PETRUCHIO: -Who knows not where a wasp does -wear his sting? In his tail. - -KATHARINA: -In his tongue. - -PETRUCHIO: -Whose tongue? - -KATHARINA: -Yours, if you talk of tails: and so farewell. - -PETRUCHIO: -What, with my tongue in your tail? nay, come again, -Good Kate; I am a gentleman. - -KATHARINA: -That I'll try. - -PETRUCHIO: -I swear I'll cuff you, if you strike again. - -KATHARINA: -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! - -KATHARINA: -What is your crest? a coxcomb? - -PETRUCHIO: -A combless cock, so Kate will be my hen. - -KATHARINA: -No cock of mine; you crow too like a craven. - -PETRUCHIO: -Nay, come, Kate, come; you must not look so sour. - -KATHARINA: -It is my fashion, when I see a crab. - -PETRUCHIO: -Why, here's no crab; and therefore look not sour. - -KATHARINA: -There is, there is. - -PETRUCHIO: -Then show it me. - -KATHARINA: -Had I a glass, I would. - -PETRUCHIO: -What, you mean my face? - -KATHARINA: -Well aim'd of such a young one. - -PETRUCHIO: -Now, by Saint George, I am too young for you. - -KATHARINA: -Yet you are wither'd. - -PETRUCHIO: -'Tis with cares. - -KATHARINA: -I care not. - -PETRUCHIO: -Nay, hear you, Kate: in sooth you scape not so. - -KATHARINA: -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 are pleasant, gamesome, passing courteous, -But slow in speech, yet sweet as spring-time 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 entertain'st thy wooers, -With gentle conference, soft and affable. -Why does the world report that Kate doth limp? -O slanderous world! Kate like the hazel-twig -Is straight and slender and as brown in hue -As hazel nuts and sweeter than the kernels. -O, let me see thee walk: thou dost not halt. - -KATHARINA: -Go, fool, and whom thou keep'st 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! - -KATHARINA: -Where did you study all this goodly speech? - -PETRUCHIO: -It is extempore, from my mother-wit. - -KATHARINA: -A witty mother! witless else her son. - -PETRUCHIO: -Am I not wise? - -KATHARINA: -Yes; keep you warm. - -PETRUCHIO: -Marry, so I mean, sweet Katharina, 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. -Here comes your father: never make denial; -I must and will have Katharina 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 Katharina! in your dumps? - -KATHARINA: -Call you me daughter? now, I promise you -You have show'd a tender fatherly regard, -To wish me wed to one half lunatic; -A mad-cup ruffian and a swearing Jack, -That thinks with oaths to face the matter out. - -PETRUCHIO: -Father, 'tis thus: yourself and all the world, -That talk'd of her, have talk'd amiss of her: -If she be curst, it is for policy, -For she's not froward, but modest as the dove; -She is not hot, but temperate as the morn; -For patience she will prove a second Grissel, -And Roman Lucrece for her chastity: -And to conclude, we have 'greed so well together, -That upon Sunday is the wedding-day. - -KATHARINA: -I'll see thee hang'd on Sunday first. - -GREMIO: -Hark, Petruchio; she says she'll see thee -hang'd first. - -TRANIO: -Is this your speeding? nay, then, good night our part! - -PETRUCHIO: -Be patient, gentlemen; I choose her for myself: -If she and I be pleased, what's that to you? -'Tis bargain'd '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 wedding-day. -Provide the feast, father, and bid the guests; -I will be sure my Katharina shall be fine. - -BAPTISTA: -I know not what to say: but give me your hands; -God send you joy, Petruchio! 'tis a match. - -GREMIO: -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. - -GREMIO: -Was ever match clapp'd up so suddenly? - -BAPTISTA: -Faith, gentlemen, now I play a merchant's 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, Baptists, 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: -Graybeard, 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: I will compound this strife: -'Tis deeds must win the prize; and he of both -That can assure my daughter greatest dower -Shall have my Bianca's 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 stuff'd my crowns; -In cypress chests my arras counterpoints, -Costly apparel, tents, and canopies, -Fine linen, Turkey cushions boss'd with pearl, -Valance of Venice gold in needlework, -Pewter and brass and all things that belong -To house or housekeeping: then, at my farm -I have a hundred milch-kine to the pail, -Sixscore 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 to-morrow, 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 father's heir and only son: -If I may have your daughter to my wife, -I'll leave her houses three or four as good, -Within rich Pisa walls, as any one -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 pinch'd 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 choked you with an argosy? - -TRANIO: -Gremio, 'tis known my father hath no less -Than three great argosies; besides two galliases, -And twelve tight galleys: these I will assure her, -And twice as much, whate'er thou offer'st next. - -GREMIO: -Nay, I have offer'd all, I have no more; -And she can have no more than all I have: -If you like me, she shall have me and mine. - -TRANIO: -Why, then the maid is mine from all the world, -By your firm promise: Gremio is out-vied. - -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, where's her dower? - -TRANIO: -That's 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 resolved: on Sunday next you know -My daughter Katharina is to be married: -Now, on the Sunday following, shall Bianca -Be bride to you, if you this assurance; -If not, Signior Gremio: -And so, I take my leave, and thank you both. - -GREMIO: -Adieu, good neighbour. -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. - -TRANIO: -A vengeance on your crafty wither'd hide! -Yet I have faced it with a card of ten. -'Tis in my head to do my master good: -I see no reason but supposed Lucentio -Must get a father, call'd 'supposed Vincentio;' -And that's a wonder: fathers commonly -Do get their children; but in this case of wooing, -A child shall get a sire, if I fail not of my cunning. - -LUCENTIO: -Fiddler, forbear; you grow too forward, sir: -Have you so soon forgot the entertainment -Her sister Katharina 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 ordain'd! -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; -I'll 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 tuned. - -HORTENSIO: -You'll leave his lecture when I am in tune? - -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 -a-wooing, 'Priami,' is my man Tranio, 'regia,' -bearing my port, 'celsa senis,' that we might -beguile the old pantaloon. - -HORTENSIO: -Madam, my instrument's in tune. - -BIANCA: -Let's hear. 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. -How fiery and forward our pedant is! -Now, for my life, the knave doth court my love: -Pedascule, I'll watch you better yet. - -BIANCA: -In time I may believe, yet I mistrust. - -LUCENTIO: -Mistrust it not: for, sure, AEacides -Was Ajax, call'd 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 masters, take it not unkindly, pray, -That I have been thus pleasant with you both. - -HORTENSIO: -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, -And watch withal; for, but I be deceived, -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: - -Servant: -Mistress, your father prays you leave your books -And help to dress your sister's chamber up: -You know to-morrow is the wedding-day. - -BIANCA: -Farewell, sweet masters both; I must be gone. - -LUCENTIO: -Faith, mistress, then I have no cause to stay. - -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 wandering eyes on every stale, -Seize thee that list: if once I find thee ranging, -Hortensio will be quit with thee by changing. - -BAPTISTA: - -KATHARINA: -No shame but mine: I must, forsooth, be forced -To give my hand opposed against my heart -Unto a mad-brain rudesby full of spleen; -Who woo'd in haste and means to wed at leisure. -I told you, I, he was a frantic fool, -Hiding his bitter jests in blunt behavior: -And, to be noted for a merry man, -He'll woo a thousand, 'point the day of marriage, -Make feasts, invite friends, and proclaim the banns; -Yet never means to wed where he hath woo'd. -Now must the world point at poor Katharina, -And say, 'Lo, there is mad Petruchio's wife, -If it would please him come and marry her!' - -TRANIO: -Patience, good Katharina, and Baptista too. -Upon my life, Petruchio means but well, -Whatever fortune stays him from his word: -Though he be blunt, I know him passing wise; -Though he be merry, yet withal he's honest. - -KATHARINA: -Would Katharina had never seen him though! - -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. - -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 Petruchio's 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 candle-cases, one buckled, -another laced, an old rusty sword ta'en out of the -town-armory, 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 wingdalls, sped with -spavins, rayed with yellows, past cure of the fives, -stark spoiled with the staggers, begnawn with the -bots, swayed in the back and shoulder-shotten; -near-legged before and with, a half-chequed bit -and a head-stall of sheeps leather which, being -restrained to keep him from stumbling, hath been -often burst and now repaired with knots; one girth -six time pieced and a woman's 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 boot-hose on the other, gartered with a red -and blue list; an old hat and 'the humour of forty -fancies' pricked in't for a feather: a monster, a -very monster in apparel, and not like a Christian -footboy or a gentleman's lackey. - -TRANIO: -'Tis some odd humour pricks him to this fashion; -Yet oftentimes he goes but mean-apparell'd. - -BAPTISTA: -I am glad he's come, howsoe'er 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, that's 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. - -PETRUCHIO: -Come, where be these gallants? who's at home? - -BAPTISTA: -You are welcome, sir. - -PETRUCHIO: -And yet I come not well. - -BAPTISTA: -And yet you halt not. - -TRANIO: -Not so well apparell'd -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 wedding-day: -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 eye-sore to our solemn festival! - -TRANIO: -And tells us, what occasion of import -Hath all so long detain'd 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 I'll visit her. - -BAPTISTA: -But thus, I trust, you will not marry her. - -PETRUCHIO: -Good sooth, even thus; therefore ha' done with words: -To me she's 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! - -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: -I'll after him, and see the event of this. - -TRANIO: -But to her love concerneth us to add -Her father's liking: which to bring to pass, -As I before unparted to your worship, -I am to get a man,--whate'er he be, -It skills not much. we'll fit him to our turn,-- -And he shall be Vincentio of Pisa; -And make assurance here in Padua -Of greater sums than I have promised. -So shall you quietly enjoy your hope, -And marry sweet Bianca with consent. - -LUCENTIO: -Were it not that my fellow-school-master -Doth watch Bianca's steps so narrowly, -'Twere good, methinks, to steal our marriage; -Which once perform'd, let all the world say no, -I'll keep mine own, despite of all the world. - -TRANIO: -That by degrees we mean to look into, -And watch our vantage in this business: -We'll over-reach the greybeard, Gremio, -The narrow-prying father, Minola, -The quaint musician, amorous Licio; -All for my master's sake, Lucentio. -Signior Gremio, came you from the church? - -GREMIO: -As willingly as e'er 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 he's a devil, a devil, a very fiend. - -TRANIO: -Why, she's a devil, a devil, the devil's dam. - -GREMIO: -Tut, she's a lamb, a dove, a fool to him! -I'll tell you, Sir Lucentio: when the priest -Should ask, if Katharina should be his wife, -'Ay, by gogs-wouns,' quoth he; and swore so loud, -That, all-amazed, the priest let fall the book; -And, as he stoop'd again to take it up, -The mad-brain'd 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 stamp'd 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 aboard, carousing to his mates -After a storm; quaff'd off the muscadel -And threw the sops all in the sexton's face; -Having no other reason -But that his beard grew thin and hungerly -And seem'd to ask him sops as he was drinking. -This done, he took the bride about the neck -And kiss'd her lips with such a clamorous smack -That at the parting all the church did echo: -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. - -PETRUCHIO: -Gentlemen and friends, I thank you for your pains: -I know you think to dine with me to-day, -And have prepared great store of wedding cheer; -But so it is, my haste doth call me hence, -And therefore here I mean to take my leave. - -BAPTISTA: -Is't possible you will away to-night? - -PETRUCHIO: -I must away to-day, 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. - -KATHARINA: -Let me entreat you. - -PETRUCHIO: -I am content. - -KATHARINA: -Are you content to stay? - -PETRUCHIO: -I am content you shall entreat me stay; -But yet not stay, entreat me how you can. - -KATHARINA: -Now, if you love me, stay. - -PETRUCHIO: -Grumio, my horse. - -GRUMIO: -Ay, sir, they be ready: the oats have eaten the horses. - -KATHARINA: -Nay, then, -Do what thou canst, I will not go to-day; -No, nor to-morrow, 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, I'll not be gone till I please myself: -'Tis like you'll prove a jolly surly groom, -That take it on you at the first so roundly. - -PETRUCHIO: -O Kate, content thee; prithee, be not angry. - -KATHARINA: -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. - -KATARINA: -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 any thing; -And here she stands, touch her whoever dare; -I'll 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: -I'll buckler thee against a million. - -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, what's your opinion of your sister? - -BIANCA: -That, being mad herself, she's 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 bridegroom's place: -And let Bianca take her sister's room. - -TRANIO: -Shall sweet Bianca practise how to bride it? - -BAPTISTA: -She shall, Lucentio. Come, gentlemen, let's go. - -GRUMIO: -Fie, fie on all tired jades, on all mad masters, and -all foul ways! Was ever man so beaten? was ever -man so rayed? was ever man so weary? I am sent -before to make a fire, and 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. - -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 she's 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 three-inch 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 hand, she 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: -There's fire ready; and therefore, good Grumio, the news. - -GRUMIO: -Why, 'Jack, boy! ho! boy!' and as much news as -will thaw. - -CURTIS: -Come, you are so full of cony-catching! - -GRUMIO: -Why, therefore fire; for I have caught extreme cold. -Where's the cook? is supper ready, the house -trimmed, rushes strewed, cobwebs swept; the -serving-men in their new fustian, their white -stockings, and every officer his wedding-garment on? -Be the jacks fair within, the jills fair without, -the carpets laid, and every thing 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: -Let's ha't, good Grumio. - -GRUMIO: -Lend thine ear. - -CURTIS: -Here. - -GRUMIO: -There. - -CURTIS: -This is 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: -What's 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 brushed and their -garters of an indifferent knit: let them curtsy -with their left legs and not presume to touch a hair -of my master's horse-tail 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. - -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: -E'en at hand, alighted by this; and therefore be -not--Cock's passion, silence! I hear my master. - -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 SERVING-MEN: -Here, here, sir; here, sir. - -PETRUCHIO: -Here, sir! here, sir! here, sir! here, sir! -You logger-headed and unpolish'd grooms! -What, no attendance? no regard? no duty? -Where is the foolish knave I sent before? - -GRUMIO: -Here, sir; as foolish as I was before. - -PETRUCHIO: -You peasant swain! you whoreson malt-horse drudge! -Did I not bid thee meet me in the park, -And bring along these rascal knaves with thee? - -GRUMIO: -Nathaniel's coat, sir, was not fully made, -And Gabriel's pumps were all unpink'd i' the heel; -There was no link to colour Peter's hat, -And Walter's dagger was not come from sheathing: -There were none fine but Adam, Ralph, and Gregory; -The rest were ragged, old, and beggarly; -Yet, as they are, here are they come to meet you. - -PETRUCHIO: -Go, rascals, go, and fetch my supper in. -Where is the life that late I led-- -Where are those--Sit down, Kate, and welcome.-- -Sound, sound, sound, sound! -Why, when, I say? Nay, 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: -Take that, and mend the plucking off the other. -Be merry, Kate. Some water, here; what, ho! -Where's my spaniel Troilus? Sirrah, get you hence, -And bid my cousin Ferdinand come hither: -One, Kate, that you must kiss, and be acquainted with. -Where are my slippers? Shall I have some water? -Come, Kate, and wash, and welcome heartily. -You whoreson villain! will you let it fall? - -KATHARINA: -Patience, I pray you; 'twas a fault unwilling. - -PETRUCHIO: -A whoreson beetle-headed, flap-ear'd knave! -Come, Kate, sit down; I know you have a stomach. -Will you give thanks, sweet Kate; or else shall I? -What's 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? -Theretake it to you, trenchers, cups, and all; -You heedless joltheads and unmanner'd slaves! -What, do you grumble? I'll be with you straight. - -KATHARINA: -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 over-roasted flesh. -Be patient; to-morrow 't shall be mended, -And, for this night, we'll fast for company: -Come, I will bring thee to thy bridal chamber. - -NATHANIEL: -Peter, didst ever see the like? - -PETER: -He kills her in her own humour. - -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. - -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 full-gorged, -For then she never looks upon her lure. -Another way I have to man my haggard, -To make her come and know her keeper's call, -That is, to watch her, as we watch these kites -That bate and beat and will not be obedient. -She eat no meat to-day, nor none shall eat; -Last night she slept not, nor to-night she shall not; -As with the meat, some undeserved fault -I'll find about the making of the bed; -And here I'll 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 I'll rail and brawl -And with the clamour keep her still awake. -This is a way to kill a wife with kindness; -And thus I'll curb her mad and headstrong humour. -He that knows better how to tame a shrew, -Now let him speak: 'tis charity to show. - -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. - -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! - -HORTENSIO: -Quick proceeders, marry! Now, tell me, I pray, -You that durst swear at your mistress Bianca -Loved 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 call'd 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 no more, but do forswear her, -As one unworthy all the former favours -That I have fondly flatter'd her withal. - -TRANIO: -And here I take the 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 loved me -As I have loved 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. - -TRANIO: -Mistress Bianca, bless you with such grace -As 'longeth to a lover's blessed case! -Nay, I have ta'en 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, he'll have a lusty widow now, -That shall be wood and wedded in a day. - -BIANCA: -God give him joy! - -TRANIO: -Ay, and he'll tame her. - -BIANCA: -He says so, Tranio. - -TRANIO: -Faith, he is gone unto the taming-school. - -BIANCA: -The taming-school! 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. - -BIONDELLO: -O master, master, I have watch'd so long -That I am dog-weary: 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 format 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, -I'll 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. - -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 for 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 any one in Mantua -To come to Padua. Know you not the cause? -Your ships are stay'd at Venice, and the duke, -For private quarrel 'twixt your duke and him, -Hath publish'd and proclaim'd it openly: -'Tis, marvel, but that you are but newly come, -You might have heard it else proclaim'd about. - -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: - -TRANIO: -To save your life in this extremity, -This favour will I do you for his sake; -And think it not the worst of an your fortunes -That you are like to Sir Vincentio. -His name and credit shall you undertake, -And in my house you shall be friendly lodged: -Look that you take upon you as you should; -You understand me, sir: so shall you stay -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 look'd for every day, -To pass assurance of a dower in marriage -'Twixt me and one Baptista's daughter here: -In all these circumstances I'll instruct you: -Go with me to clothe you as becomes you. - -GRUMIO: -No, no, forsooth; I dare not for my life. - -KATHARINA: -The more my wrong, the more his spite appears: -What, did he marry me to famish me? -Beggars, that come unto my father's door, -Upon entreaty have a present aims; -If not, elsewhere they meet with charity: -But I, who never knew how to entreat, -Nor never needed that I should entreat, -Am starved for meat, giddy for lack of sleep, -With oath 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 neat's foot? - -KATHARINA: -'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 broil'd? - -KATHARINA: -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? - -KATHARINA: -A dish that I do love to feed upon. - -GRUMIO: -Ay, but the mustard is too hot a little. - -KATHARINA: -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. - -KATHARINA: -Then both, or one, or any thing thou wilt. - -GRUMIO: -Why then, the mustard without the beef. - -KATHARINA: -Go, get thee gone, thou false deluding slave, -That feed'st me with the very name of meat: -Sorrow on thee and all the pack of you, -That triumph thus upon my misery! -Go, get thee gone, I say. - -PETRUCHIO: -How fares my Kate? What, sweeting, all amort? - -HORTENSIO: -Mistress, what cheer? - -KATHARINA: -Faith, as cold as can be. - -PETRUCHIO: -Pluck up thy spirits; look cheerfully upon me. -Here love; thou see'st how diligent I am -To dress thy meat myself and bring it thee: -I am sure, sweet Kate, this kindness merits thanks. -What, not a word? Nay, then thou lovest it not; -And all my pains is sorted to no proof. -Here, take away this dish. - -KATHARINA: -I pray you, let it stand. - -PETRUCHIO: -The poorest service is repaid with thanks; -And so shall mine, before you touch the meat. - -KATHARINA: -I thank you, sir. - -HORTENSIO: -Signior Petruchio, fie! you are to blame. -Come, mistress Kate, I'll bear you company. - -PETRUCHIO: - -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 walnut-shell, -A knack, a toy, a trick, a baby's cap: -Away with it! come, let me have a bigger. - -KATHARINA: -I'll 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: - -KATHARINA: -Why, sir, I trust I may have leave to speak; -And speak I will; I am no child, no babe: -Your betters have endured 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 say'st true; it is a paltry cap, -A custard-coffin, a bauble, a silken pie: -I love thee well, in that thou likest it not. - -KATHARINA: -Love me or love me not, I like the cap; -And it I will have, or I will have none. - -PETRUCHIO: -Thy gown? why, ay: come, tailor, let us see't. -O mercy, God! what masquing stuff is here? -What's this? a sleeve? 'tis like a demi-cannon: -What, up and down, carved like an apple-tart? -Here's snip and nip and cut and slish and slash, -Like to a censer in a barber's shop: -Why, what, i' devil's name, tailor, call'st thou this? - -HORTENSIO: - -Tailor: -You bid me make it orderly and well, -According to the fashion and the time. - -PETRUCHIO: -Marry, and did; but if you be remember'd, -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: -I'll none of it: hence! make your best of it. - -KATHARINA: -I never saw a better-fashion'd 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, three-quarters, half-yard, quarter, nail! -Thou flea, thou nit, thou winter-cricket thou! -Braved in mine own house with a skein of thread? -Away, thou rag, thou quantity, thou remnant; -Or I shall so be-mete thee with thy yard -As thou shalt think on prating whilst thou livest! -I tell thee, I, that thou hast marr'd her gown. - -Tailor: -Your worship is deceived; 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 faced nor braved. 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: - -GRUMIO: -Master, if ever I said loose-bodied 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: - -GRUMIO: -I confess the cape. - -Tailor: - -GRUMIO: -I confess two sleeves. - -Tailor: - -PETRUCHIO: -Ay, there's the villany. - -GRUMIO: -Error i' the bill, sir; error i' the bill. -I commanded the sleeves should be cut out and -sewed up again; and that I'll prove upon thee, -though thy little finger be armed in a thimble. - -Tailor: -This is true that I say: an I had thee -in place where, thou shouldst know it. - -GRUMIO: -I am for thee straight: take thou the -bill, give me thy mete-yard, and spare not me. - -HORTENSIO: -God-a-mercy, 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 master's use. - -GRUMIO: -Villain, not for thy life: take up my mistress' -gown for thy master's use! - -PETRUCHIO: -Why, sir, what's your conceit in that? - -GRUMIO: -O, sir, the conceit is deeper than you think for: -Take up my mistress' gown to his master's use! -O, fie, fie, fie! - -PETRUCHIO: - -HORTENSIO: -Tailor, I'll pay thee for thy gown tomorrow: -Take no unkindness of his hasty words: -Away! I say; commend me to thy master. - -PETRUCHIO: -Well, come, my Kate; we will unto your father's -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 fathers 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 account'st it shame. lay it on me; -And therefore frolic: we will hence forthwith, -To feast and sport us at thy father's house. -Go, call my men, and let us straight to him; -And bring our horses unto Long-lane end; -There will we mount, and thither walk on foot -Let's see; I think 'tis now some seven o'clock, -And well we may come there by dinner-time. - -KATHARINA: -I dare assure you, sir, 'tis almost two; -And 'twill be supper-time 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 to-day; and ere I do, -It shall be what o'clock I say it is. - -HORTENSIO: - -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 school'd. - -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 look'd for him this day in Padua. - -TRANIO: -Thou'rt a tall fellow: hold thee that to drink. -Here comes Baptista: set your countenance, sir. -Signior Baptista, you are happily met. -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: -And, for the good report I hear of you -And for the love he beareth to your daughter -And she to him, to stay him not too long, -I am content, in a good father's care, -To have him match'd; 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 bestow'd; -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 ta'en -As shall with either part's 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, an it like you: -There doth my father lie; and there, this night, -We'll pass the business privately and well. -Send for your daughter by your servant here: -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. Biondello, hie you home, -And bid Bianca make her ready straight; -And, if you will, tell what hath happened, -Lucentio's father is arrived in Padua, -And how she's like to be Lucentio's wife. - -BIONDELLO: -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. - -BIONDELLO: -Cambio! - -LUCENTIO: -What sayest 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 of Saint Luke's church is at your -command at all hours. - -LUCENTIO: -And what of all this? - -BIONDELLO: -I cannot tell; expect they are busied about a -counterfeit assurance: take you 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 no more to say, But bid Bianca farewell for -ever and a day. - -LUCENTIO: -Hearest 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 -Luke's, to bid the priest be ready to come against -you come with your appendix. - -LUCENTIO: -I may, and will, if she be so contented: -She will be pleased; then wherefore should I doubt? -Hap what hap may, I'll roundly go about her: -It shall go hard if Cambio go without her. - -PETRUCHIO: -Come on, i' God's name; once more toward our father's. -Good Lord, how bright and goodly shines the moon! - -KATHARINA: -The moon! the sun: it is not moonlight now. - -PETRUCHIO: -I say it is the moon that shines so bright. - -KATHARINA: -I know it is the sun that shines so bright. - -PETRUCHIO: -Now, by my mother's son, and that's myself, -It shall be moon, or star, or what I list, -Or ere I journey to your father's house. -Go on, and fetch our horses back again. -Evermore cross'd and cross'd; nothing but cross'd! - -HORTENSIO: -Say as he says, or we shall never go. - -KATHARINA: -Forward, I pray, since we have come so far, -And be it moon, or sun, or what you please: -An if you please to call it a rush-candle, -Henceforth I vow it shall be so for me. - -PETRUCHIO: -I say it is the moon. - -KATHARINA: -I know it is the moon. - -PETRUCHIO: -Nay, then you lie: it is the blessed sun. - -KATHARINA: -Then, God be bless'd, 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 named, even that it is; -And so it shall be so for Katharina. - -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. -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 beauty's sake. - -HORTENSIO: -A' will make the man mad, to make a woman of him. - -KATHARINA: -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 bed-fellow! - -PETRUCHIO: -Why, how now, Kate! I hope thou art not mad: -This is a man, old, wrinkled, faded, wither'd, -And not a maiden, as thou say'st he is. - -KATHARINA: -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 amazed me, -My name is call'd 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 we 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 grieved: she is of good esteem, -Her dowery 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 it true? or else is it 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. - -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. - -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, I'll see the church o' your back; and -then come back to my master's as soon as I can. - -GREMIO: -I marvel Cambio comes not all this while. - -PETRUCHIO: -Sir, here's the door, this is Lucentio's house: -My father's bears more toward the market-place; -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. - -GREMIO: -They're busy within; you were best knock louder. - -Pedant: -What's he that knocks as he would beat down the gate? - -VINCENTIO: -Is Signior Lucentio within, sir? - -Pedant: -He's 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: - -Pedant: -Lay hands on the villain: I believe a' means to -cozen somebody in this city under my countenance. - -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: - -BIONDELLO: -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 master's father, Vincentio? - -BIONDELLO: -What, my old worshipful old master? yes, marry, sir: -see where he looks out of the window. - -VINCENTIO: -Is't so, indeed. - -BIONDELLO: -Help, help, help! here's a madman will murder me. - -Pedant: -Help, son! help, Signior Baptista! - -PETRUCHIO: -Prithee, Kate, let's stand aside and see the end of -this controversy. - -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! what's 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 duke's name. O, my -son, my son! Tell me, thou villain, where is my son Lucentio? - -TRANIO: -Call forth 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 -cony-catched 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 hailed and abused: O -monstrous villain! - -BIONDELLO: -O! we are spoiled and--yonder he is: deny him, -forswear him, or else we are all undone. - -LUCENTIO: - -VINCENTIO: -Lives my sweet son? - -BIANCA: -Pardon, dear father. - -BAPTISTA: -How hast thou offended? -Where is Lucentio? - -LUCENTIO: -Here's Lucentio, -Right son to the right Vincentio; -That have by marriage made thy daughter mine, -While counterfeit supposes bleared thine eyne. - -GREMIO: -Here's packing, with a witness to deceive us all! - -VINCENTIO: -Where is that damned villain Tranio, -That faced and braved me in this matter so? - -BAPTISTA: -Why, tell me, is not this my Cambio? - -BIANCA: -Cambio is changed into Lucentio. - -LUCENTIO: -Love wrought these miracles. Bianca's love -Made me exchange my state with Tranio, -While he did bear my countenance in the town; -And happily I have arrived at the last -Unto the wished haven of my bliss. -What Tranio did, myself enforced him to; -Then pardon him, sweet father, for my sake. - -VINCENTIO: -I'll slit the villain's nose, that would have sent -me to the gaol. - -BAPTISTA: -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 villany. - -BAPTISTA: -And I, to sound the depth of this knavery. - -LUCENTIO: -Look not pale, Bianca; thy father will not frown. - -GREMIO: -My cake is dough; but I'll in among the rest, -Out of hope of all, but my share of the feast. - -KATHARINA: -Husband, let's follow, to see the end of this ado. - -PETRUCHIO: -First kiss me, Kate, and we will. - -KATHARINA: -What, in the midst of the street? - -PETRUCHIO: -What, art thou ashamed of me? - -KATHARINA: -No, sir, God forbid; but ashamed to kiss. - -PETRUCHIO: -Why, then let's home again. Come, sirrah, let's away. - -KATHARINA: -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. - -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 self-same kindness welcome thine. -Brother Petruchio, sister Katharina, -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. - -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. - -KATHARINA: -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. - -KATHARINA: -'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 husband's sorrow by his woe: -And now you know my meaning, - -KATHARINA: -A very mean meaning. - -Widow: -Right, I mean you. - -KATHARINA: -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: -That's my office. - -PETRUCHIO: -Spoke like an officer; ha' to thee, lad! - -BAPTISTA: -How likes Gremio these quick-witted folks? - -GREMIO: -Believe me, sir, they butt together well. - -BIANCA: -Head, and butt! an hasty-witted body -Would say your head and butt were head and horn. - -VINCENTIO: -Ay, mistress bride, hath that awaken'd you? - -BIANCA: -Ay, but not frighted me; therefore I'll 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. - -PETRUCHIO: -She hath prevented me. Here, Signior Tranio. -This bird you aim'd at, though you hit her not; -Therefore a health to all that shot and miss'd. - -TRANIO: -O, sir, Lucentio slipp'd 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 gall'd me, I confess; -And, as the jest did glance away from me, -'Tis ten to one it maim'd 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 -Let's each one send unto his wife; -And he whose wife is most obedient -To come at first when he doth send for her, -Shall win the wager which we will propose. - -HORTENSIO: -Content. What is the wager? - -LUCENTIO: -Twenty crowns. - -PETRUCHIO: -Twenty crowns! -I'll 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. - -BAPTISTA: -Son, I'll be your half, Bianca comes. - -LUCENTIO: -I'll have no halves; I'll bear it all myself. -How now! what news? - -BIONDELLO: -Sir, my mistress sends you word -That she is busy and she cannot come. - -PETRUCHIO: -How! she is 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. - -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. -Now, where's 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 endured! -Sirrah Grumio, go to your mistress; -Say, I command her to come to me. - -HORTENSIO: -I know her answer. - -PETRUCHIO: -What? - -HORTENSIO: -She will not. - -PETRUCHIO: -The fouler fortune mine, and there an end. - -BAPTISTA: -Now, by my holidame, here comes Katharina! - -KATHARINA: -What is your will, sir, that you send for me? - -PETRUCHIO: -Where is your sister, and Hortensio's wife? - -KATHARINA: -They sit conferring by the parlor 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. - -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, -And awful rule and right supremacy; -And, to be short, what not, that's sweet and happy? - -BAPTISTA: -Now, fair befal 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 changed, as she had never been. - -PETRUCHIO: -Nay, I will win my wager better yet -And show more sign of her obedience, -Her new-built virtue and obedience. -See where she comes and brings your froward wives -As prisoners to her womanly persuasion. -Katharina, that cap of yours becomes you not: -Off with that bauble, throw it under-foot. - -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 an hundred crowns since supper-time. - -BIANCA: -The more fool you, for laying on my duty. - -PETRUCHIO: -Katharina, I charge thee, tell these headstrong women -What duty they do owe their lords and husbands. - -Widow: -Come, come, you're 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. - -KATHARINA: -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 moved is like a fountain troubled, -Muddy, ill-seeming, 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 ashamed 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 husband's foot: -In token of which duty, if he please, -My hand is ready; may it do him ease. - -PETRUCHIO: -Why, there's a wench! Come on, and kiss me, Kate. - -LUCENTIO: -Well, go thy ways, old lad; for thou shalt ha't. - -VINCENTIO: -'Tis a good hearing when children are toward. - -LUCENTIO: -But a harsh hearing when women are froward. - -PETRUCHIO: -Come, Kate, we'll to bed. -We three are married, but you two are sped. -'Twas I won the wager, though you hit the white; -And, being a winner, God give you good night! - -HORTENSIO: -Now, go thy ways; thou hast tamed a curst shrew. - -LUCENTIO: -'Tis a wonder, by your leave, she will be tamed so. - -Master: -Boatswain! - -Boatswain: -Here, master: what cheer? - -Master: -Good, speak to the mariners: fall to't, yarely, -or we run ourselves aground: bestir, bestir. - -Boatswain: -Heigh, my hearts! cheerly, cheerly, my hearts! -yare, yare! Take in the topsail. Tend to the -master's whistle. Blow, till thou burst thy wind, -if room enough! - -ALONSO: -Good boatswain, have care. Where's the master? -Play the men. - -Boatswain: -I pray now, keep below. - -ANTONIO: -Where is the master, boatswain? - -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 hap. Cheerly, good hearts! Out -of our way, I say. - -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 hanged, our case is miserable. - -Boatswain: -Down with the topmast! yare! lower, lower! Bring -her to try with main-course. -A plague upon this howling! they are louder than -the weather or our office. -Yet again! what do you here? Shall we give o'er -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: -I'll warrant him for drowning; though the ship were -no stronger than a nutshell and as leaky as an -unstanched wench. - -Boatswain: -Lay her a-hold, a-hold! set her two courses off to -sea again; lay her off. - -Mariners: -All lost! to prayers, to prayers! all lost! - -Boatswain: -What, must our mouths be cold? - -GONZALO: -The king and prince at prayers! let's assist them, -For our case is as theirs. - -SEBASTIAN: -I'm out of patience. - -ANTONIO: -We are merely cheated of our lives by drunkards: -This wide-chapp'd rascal--would thou mightst lie drowning -The washing of ten tides! - -GONZALO: -He'll be hang'd yet, -Though every drop of water swear against it -And gape at widest to glut him. - -ANTONIO: -Let's all sink with the king. - -SEBASTIAN: -Let's take leave of him. - -GONZALO: -Now would I give a thousand furlongs of sea for an -acre of barren ground, long heath, brown furze, any -thing. The wills above be done! but I would fain -die a dry death. - -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 the welkin's 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, -Dash'd all to pieces. O, the cry did knock -Against my very heart. Poor souls, they perish'd. -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 swallow'd and -The fraughting souls within her. - -PROSPERO: -Be collected: -No more amazement: tell your piteous heart -There's 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 me. So: -Lie there, my art. Wipe thou thine eyes; have comfort. -The direful spectacle of the wreck, which touch'd -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 heard'st cry, which thou saw'st sink. Sit down; -For thou must now know farther. - -MIRANDA: -You have often -Begun to tell me what I am, but stopp'd -And left me to a bootless inquisition, -Concluding 'Stay: not yet.' - -PROSPERO: -The hour's 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 any thing 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 remember'st aught ere thou camest here, -How thou camest 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 thou his only heir -And princess no worse issued. - -MIRANDA: -O the heavens! -What foul play had we, that we came from thence? -Or blessed was't we did? - -PROSPERO: -Both, both, my girl: -By foul play, as thou say'st, were we heaved thence, -But blessedly holp hither. - -MIRANDA: -O, my heart bleeds -To think o' the teen that I have turn'd you to, -Which is from my remembrance! Please you, farther. - -PROSPERO: -My brother and thy uncle, call'd Antonio-- -I pray thee, mark me--that a brother should -Be so perfidious!--he whom next thyself -Of all the world I loved 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 to advance and who -To trash for over-topping, new created -The creatures that were mine, I say, or changed 'em, -Or else new form'd 'em; having both the key -Of officer and office, set all hearts i' the state -To what tune pleased his ear; that now he was -The ivy which had hid my princely trunk, -And suck'd my verdure out on't. Thou attend'st 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 retired, -O'er-prized all popular rate, in my false brother -Awaked 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 the 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 play'd -And him he play'd 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' the King of Naples -To give him annual tribute, do him homage, -Subject his coronet to his crown and bend -The dukedom yet unbow'd--alas, 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. -The King of Naples, being an enemy -To me inveterate, hearkens my brother's suit; -Which was, that he, in lieu o' the 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 the purpose did Antonio open -The gates of Milan, and, i' the dead of darkness, -The ministers for the purpose hurried thence -Me and thy crying self. - -MIRANDA: -Alack, for pity! -I, not remembering how I cried out then, -Will cry it o'er again: it is a hint -That wrings mine eyes to't. - -PROSPERO: -Hear a little further -And then I'll bring thee to the present business -Which now's upon's; 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 boat, not rigg'd, -Nor tackle, sail, nor mast; the very rats -Instinctively had quit it: there they hoist us, -To cry to the sea that roar'd to us, to sigh -To the winds whose pity, sighing back again, -Did us but loving wrong. - -MIRANDA: -Alack, what trouble -Was I then to you! - -PROSPERO: -O, a cherubim -Thou wast that did preserve me. Thou didst smile. -Infused with a fortitude from heaven, -When I have deck'd the sea with drops full salt, -Under my burthen groan'd; which raised 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, 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 loved my books, he furnish'd 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 sea-sorrow. -Here in this island we arrived; and here -Have I, thy schoolmaster, made thee more profit -Than other princesses 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 sea-storm? - -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 inclined to sleep; 'tis a good dulness, -And give it way: I know thou canst not choose. -Come away, servant, come. I am ready now. -Approach, my Ariel, come. - -ARIEL: -All hail, great master! grave sir, hail! I come -To answer thy best pleasure; be't to fly, -To swim, to dive into the fire, to ride -On the curl'd clouds, to thy strong bidding task -Ariel and all his quality. - -PROSPERO: -Hast thou, spirit, -Perform'd to point the tempest that I bade thee? - -ARIEL: -To every article. -I boarded the king's ship; now on the beak, -Now in the waist, the deck, in every cabin, -I flamed amazement: sometime I'ld divide, -And burn in many places; on the topmast, -The yards and bowsprit, would I flame distinctly, -Then meet and join. Jove's lightnings, the precursors -O' the dreadful thunder-claps, more momentary -And sight-outrunning 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 play'd -Some tricks of desperation. All but mariners -Plunged in the foaming brine and quit the vessel, -Then all afire with me: the king's son, Ferdinand, -With hair up-staring,--then like reeds, not hair,-- -Was the first man that leap'd; cried, 'Hell is empty -And all the devils are here.' - -PROSPERO: -Why that's my spirit! -But was not this nigh shore? - -ARIEL: -Close by, my master. - -PROSPERO: -But are they, Ariel, safe? - -ARIEL: -Not a hair perish'd; -On their sustaining garments not a blemish, -But fresher than before: and, as thou badest me, -In troops I have dispersed them 'bout the isle. -The king's 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 king's ship -The mariners say how thou hast disposed -And all the rest o' the fleet. - -ARIEL: -Safely in harbour -Is the king's ship; in the deep nook, where once -Thou call'dst me up at midnight to fetch dew -From the still-vex'd Bermoothes, there she's hid: -The mariners all under hatches stow'd; -Who, with a charm join'd to their suffer'd labour, -I have left asleep; and for the rest o' the fleet -Which I dispersed, they all have met again -And are upon the Mediterranean flote, -Bound sadly home for Naples, -Supposing that they saw the king's ship wreck'd -And his great person perish. - -PROSPERO: -Ariel, thy charge -Exactly is perform'd: but there's more work. -What is the time o' the 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 promised, -Which is not yet perform'd me. - -PROSPERO: -How now? moody? -What is't 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 thee no mistakings, served -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 think'st 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' the earth -When it is baked 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 forget'st. This damn'd witch Sycorax, -For mischiefs manifold and sorceries terrible -To enter human hearing, from Argier, -Thou know'st, was banish'd: for one thing she did -They would not take her life. Is not this true? - -ARIEL: -Ay, sir. - -PROSPERO: -This blue-eyed hag was hither brought with child -And here was left by the sailors. Thou, my slave, -As thou report'st thyself, wast then her servant; -And, for thou wast a spirit too delicate -To act her earthy and abhorr'd 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 -Imprison'd 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 mill-wheels strike. Then was this island-- -Save for the son that she did litter here, -A freckled whelp hag-born--not honour'd 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 know'st -What torment I did find thee in; thy groans -Did make wolves howl and penetrate the breasts -Of ever angry bears: it was a torment -To lay upon the damn'd, which Sycorax -Could not again undo: it was mine art, -When I arrived and heard thee, that made gape -The pine and let thee out. - -ARIEL: -I thank thee, master. - -PROSPERO: -If thou more murmur'st, I will rend an oak -And peg thee in his knotty entrails till -Thou hast howl'd away twelve winters. - -ARIEL: -Pardon, master; -I will be correspondent to command -And do my spiriting gently. - -PROSPERO: -Do so, and after two days -I will discharge thee. - -ARIEL: -That's my noble master! -What shall I do? say what; what shall I do? - -PROSPERO: -Go make thyself like a nymph o' the 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! -Awake, dear heart, awake! thou hast slept well; Awake! - -MIRANDA: -The strangeness of your story put -Heaviness in me. - -PROSPERO: -Shake it off. Come on; -We'll 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: - -PROSPERO: -Come forth, I say! there's other business for thee: -Come, thou tortoise! when? -Fine apparition! My quaint Ariel, -Hark in thine ear. - -ARIEL: -My lord it shall be done. - -PROSPERO: -Thou poisonous slave, got by the devil himself -Upon thy wicked dam, come forth! - -CALIBAN: -As wicked dew as e'er my mother brush'd -With raven's feather from unwholesome fen -Drop on you both! a south-west blow on ye -And blister you all o'er! - -PROSPERO: -For this, be sure, to-night thou shalt have cramps, -Side-stitches that shall pen thy breath up; urchins -Shall, for that vast of night that they may work, -All exercise on thee; thou shalt be pinch'd -As thick as honeycomb, each pinch more stinging -Than bees that made 'em. - -CALIBAN: -I must eat my dinner. -This island's mine, by Sycorax my mother, -Which thou takest from me. When thou camest first, -Thou strokedst me and madest 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 loved thee -And show'd thee all the qualities o' the isle, -The fresh springs, brine-pits, barren place and fertile: -Cursed 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' the island. - -PROSPERO: -Thou most lying slave, -Whom stripes may move, not kindness! I have used thee, -Filth as thou art, with human care, and lodged thee -In mine own cell, till thou didst seek to violate -The honour of my child. - -CALIBAN: -O ho, O 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 endow'd 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 confined into this rock, -Who hadst deserved 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: -Hag-seed, hence! -Fetch us in fuel; and be quick, thou'rt best, -To answer other business. Shrug'st thou, malice? -If thou neglect'st or dost unwillingly -What I command, I'll 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. -I must obey: his art is of such power, -It would control my dam's god, Setebos, -and make a vassal of him. - -PROSPERO: -So, slave; hence! -Come unto these yellow sands, -And then take hands: -Courtsied when you have and kiss'd -The wild waves whist, -Foot it featly here and there; -And, sweet sprites, the burthen bear. -Hark, hark! - -FERDINAND: -Where should this music be? i' the air or the earth? -It sounds no more: and sure, it waits upon -Some god o' the island. Sitting on a bank, -Weeping again the king my father's wreck, -This music crept by me upon the waters, -Allaying both their fury and my passion -With its sweet air: thence I have follow'd it, -Or it hath drawn me rather. But 'tis gone. -No, it begins again. -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 sea-change -Into something rich and strange. -Sea-nymphs hourly ring his knell -Hark! now I hear them,--Ding-dong, bell. - -FERDINAND: -The ditty does remember my drown'd father. -This is no mortal business, nor no sound -That the earth owes. I hear it now above me. - -PROSPERO: -The fringed curtains of thine eye advance -And say what thou seest yond. - -MIRANDA: -What is't? 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 wreck; and, but he's something stain'd -With grief that's beauty's canker, thou 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: - -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 wreck'd. - -MIRANDA: -Alack, for mercy! - -FERDINAND: -Yes, faith, and all his lords; the Duke of Milan -And his brave son being twain. - -PROSPERO: - -MIRANDA: -Why speaks my father so ungently? This -Is the third man that e'er I saw, the first -That e'er I sigh'd for: pity move my father -To be inclined my way! - -FERDINAND: -O, if a virgin, -And your affection not gone forth, I'll make you -The queen of Naples. - -PROSPERO: -Soft, sir! one word more. -They are both in either's powers; but this swift business -I must uneasy make, lest too light winning -Make the prize light. -One word more; I charge thee -That thou attend me: thou dost here usurp -The name thou owest 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: -There's 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: -Follow me. -Speak not you for him; he's a traitor. Come; -I'll manacle thy neck and feet together: -Sea-water shalt thou drink; thy food shall be -The fresh-brook muscles, wither'd roots and husks -Wherein the acorn cradled. Follow. - -FERDINAND: -No; -I will resist such entertainment till -Mine enemy has more power. - -MIRANDA: -O dear father, -Make not too rash a trial of him, for -He's gentle and not fearful. - -PROSPERO: -What? I say, -My foot my tutor? Put thy sword up, traitor; -Who makest a show but darest not strike, thy conscience -Is so possess'd 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; -I'll be his surety. - -PROSPERO: -Silence! one word more -Shall make me chide thee, if not hate thee. What! -An advocate for an imposter! hush! -Thou think'st there is no more such shapes as he, -Having seen but him and Caliban: foolish wench! -To the 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: -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 father's loss, the weakness which I feel, -The wreck of all my friends, nor this man's 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' the earth -Let liberty make use of; space enough -Have I in such a prison. - -PROSPERO: - -MIRANDA: -Be of comfort; -My father's of a better nature, sir, -Than he appears by speech: this is unwonted -Which now came from him. - -PROSPERO: -Thou shalt be free -As mountain winds: but then exactly do -All points of my command. - -ARIEL: -To the syllable. - -PROSPERO: -Come, follow. Speak not for him. - -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 sailor's 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 o'er so. - -SEBASTIAN: -Look he's winding up the watch of his wit; -by and by it will strike. - -GONZALO: -Sir,-- - -SEBASTIAN: -One: tell. - -GONZALO: -When every grief is entertain'd that's offer'd, -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,-- - -SEBASTIAN: -Ha, ha, ha! So, you're 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 perfumed by a fen. - -GONZALO: -Here is everything advantageous to life. - -ANTONIO: -True; save means to live. - -SEBASTIAN: -Of that there's 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 in't. - -ANTONIO: -He misses not much. - -SEBASTIAN: -No; he doth but mistake the truth totally. - -GONZALO: -But the rarity of it is,--which is indeed almost -beyond credit,-- - -SEBASTIAN: -As many vouched rarities are. - -GONZALO: -That our garments, being, as they were, drenched in -the sea, hold notwithstanding their freshness and -glosses, being rather new-dyed 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 king's 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 Dido's 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. - -SEBASTIAN: -His word is more than the miraculous harp; he hath -raised 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. - -GONZALO: -Ay. - -ANTONIO: -Why, in good time. - -GONZALO: -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 e'er 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 fished for. - -GONZALO: -When I wore it at your daughter's 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 ne'er 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 oar'd -Himself with his good arms in lusty stroke -To the shore, that o'er his wave-worn basis bow'd, -As stooping to relieve him: I not doubt -He came alive to land. - -ALONSO: -No, no, he's 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 banish'd from your eye, -Who hath cause to wet the grief on't. - -ALONSO: -Prithee, peace. - -SEBASTIAN: -You were kneel'd to and importuned otherwise -By all of us, and the fair soul herself -Weigh'd between loathness and obedience, at -Which end o' the 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 fault's your own. - -ALONSO: -So is the dear'st o' the 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: -He'ld sow't with nettle-seed. - -SEBASTIAN: -Or docks, or mallows. - -GONZALO: -And were the king on't, what would I do? - -SEBASTIAN: -'Scape being drunk for want of wine. - -GONZALO: -I' the 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 on't. - -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 its 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, -To excel the golden age. - -SEBASTIAN: -God save his majesty! - -ANTONIO: -Long live Gonzalo! - -GONZALO: -And,--do 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 flat-long. - -GONZALO: -You are gentlemen of brave metal; you would lift -the moon out of her sphere, if she would continue -in it five weeks without changing. - -SEBASTIAN: -We would so, and then go a bat-fowling. - -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. - -ALONSO: -What, all so soon asleep! I wish mine eyes -Would, with themselves, shut up my thoughts: I find -They are inclined 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. - -SEBASTIAN: -What a strange drowsiness possesses them! - -ANTONIO: -It is the quality o' the climate. - -SEBASTIAN: -Why -Doth it not then our eyelids sink? I find not -Myself disposed to sleep. - -ANTONIO: -Nor I; my spirits are nimble. -They fell together all, as by consent; -They dropp'd, as by a thunder-stroke. What might, -Worthy Sebastian? O, what might?--No more:-- -And yet me thinks I see it in thy face, -What thou shouldst be: the 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 speak'st -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 let'st thy fortune sleep--die, rather; wink'st -Whiles thou art waking.