Shakespeare - First Folio facsimile (1910)/The Second Part of King Henry the Sixth/Act 4 Scene 4

by William Shakespeare

Enter the King with a Supplication, and the Queene with
Suffolkes head, the Duke of Buckingham, and the
Lord Say.

Queene.
Oft haue I heard that greefe softens the mind,
And makes it fearefull and degenerate,
Thinke therefore on reuenge, and cease to weepe.
But who can cease to weepe, and looke on this.
Heere may his head lye on my throbbing brest:
But where's the body that I should imbrace?

Buc.
What answer makes your Grace to the Rebells Supplication?

King.
Ile send some holy Bishop to intreat:
For God forbid, so many simple soules
Should perish by the Sword. And I my selfe,
Rather then bloody Warre shall cut them short,
Will parley with Iacke Cade their Generall.
But stay, Ile read it ouer once againe.

Qu.
Ah barbarous villaines: Hath this louely face,
Rul'd like a wandering Plannet ouer me,
And could it not inforce them to relent,
That were vnworthy to behold the same.

King.
Lord Say, Iacke Cade hath sworne to huae thy head.

Say.
I, but I hope your Highnesse shall haue his.

King.
How now Madam?
Still lamenting and mourning for Suffolkes death?
I feare me (Loue) if that I had beene dead,
Thou would'st not haue mourn'd so much for me.

Qu.
No my Loue, I should not mourne, but dye for thee.

Enter a Messenger.

King.
How now? What newes? Why com'st thou in such haste?

Mes.
The Rebels are in Southwatke: Fly my Lord:
Iacke Cade proclaimes himselfe Lord Mortimer,
Descended from the Duke of Clarence house,
And calles your Grace Vsurper, openly,
And vowes to Crowne himselfe in Westminster.
His Army is a ragged multitude
Of Hindes and Pezants, rude and mercilesse:
Sir Humfrey Stafford, and his Brothers death,
Hath giuen them heart and courage to proceede:
All Schollers, Lawyers, Courtiers, Gentlemen,
They call false Catterpillers, and intend their death.

Kin.
Oh gracelesse men: they know not what they do.

Buck.
My gracious Lord, retire to Killingworth,
Vntill a power be rais'd to put them downe.

Qu.
Ah were the Duke of Suffolke now aliue,
These Kentish Rebels would be soone appeas'd.

King.
Lord Say, the Traitors hateth thee,
Therefore away with vs to Killingworth.

Say.
So might your Graces person be in danger:
The sight of me is odious in their eyes:
And therefore in this Citty will I stay,
And liue alone as secret as I may.

Enter another Messenger.

Mess.
Iacke Cade hath gotten London-bridge.
The Citizens flye and forsake their houses:
The Rascall people, thirsting after prey,
Ioyne with the Traitor, and they ioyntly sweare
To spoyle the City, and your Royall Court.

Buc.
Then linger not my Lord, away, take horse.

King.
Come Margaret, God our hope will succor vs.

Qu.
My hope is gone, now Suffolke is deceast.

King.
Farewell my Lord, trust not the Kentish Rebels

Buc.
Trust no body for feare you betraid.

Say.
The trust I haue, is in mine innocence,
Exeunt.And therefore am I bold and resolute.

 

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