Page:Henry IV Part 2 (1921) Yale.djvu/157

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King Henry the Fourth
145

I most humbly render it into your Maiesties hands
And the happiest man aliue, that my father liue:
And liue my Lord and Father for euer.

Hen. 4. Stand vp my sonne,
Thine answere hath sounded wel in mine eares,
For I must nedes confesse that I was in a very sound sleepe.
But come neare my sonne,
And let me put thee in possession whilst I liue.

Hen. 5. Well may I take it at your maiesties hands,
But it shall neuer touch my head so long as my father liues.

He taketh the crowne.

The King blesses his son, prophesies a glorious reign, calls for music, draws the curtains of his bed, and dies. After the coronation of the new King there is a conversation between the King and three of his old followers, Ned, Tom, and Iockey, who accost him as he appears in state with the Archbishop of Canterbury, and remind him of his promise to make Ned Lord Chief Justice.

Hen. 5. I prethee Ned, mend thy manners,
And be more modester in thy tearmes,
For my vnfeigned greefe is not to be ruled by thy flattering
And dissembling talke. Thou saiest I am chaunged,
So I am indeed, and so must thou be and that quickly,
Or else I must cause thee to be chaunged.

Tom. I trust we haue not offended your grace no way.

Hen. 5. Ah, Tom, your former life greeves me,
And makes me to abandon and abolish your company for euer.