King. Stay, Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester: ere thou go,
Give up thy staff: Henry will to himself
Protector be; and God shall be my hope, 24
My stay, my guide, and lantern to my feet.
And go in peace, Humphrey; no less belov'd
Than when thou wert protector to thy king.
Queen. I see no reason why a king of years 28
Should be to be protected like a child.
God and King Henry govern England's realm.
Give up your staff, sir, and the king his realm.
Glo. My staff! here, noble Henry, is my staff: 32
As willingly do I the same resign
As e'er thy father Henry made it mine;
And even as willingly at thy feet I leave it
As others would ambitiously receive it. 36
Farewell, good king! when I am dead and gone,
May honourable peace attend thy throne.
Queen. Why, now is Henry king, and Margaret queen;
And Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, scarce himself, 40
That bears so shrewd a maim: two pulls at once;
His lady banish'd, and a limb lopp'd off,
This staff of honour raught: there let it stand,
Where it best fits to be, in Henry's hand. 44
Suf. Thus droops this lofty pine and hangs his sprays;
Thus Eleanor's pride dies in her youngest days.
York. Lords, let him go. Please it your majesty
This is the day appointed for the combat; 48
And ready are the appellant and defendant,
23 staff: badge of office
29 be to be: need to be
41 so . . . maim: so sore a mutilation
pulls: pluckings of feathers (?)
43 raught: seized
46 youngest: latest, most recent (?); cf. n.
49 appellant: challenger
