No Fear Shakespeare: Henry VI, Part 3: Act 1 Scene 1

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Alarum. Enter RICHARD PLANTAGENET, DUKE OF YORK; EDWARD; RICHARD; NORFOLK; MONTAGUE; WARWICK; and SOLDIERS, all wearing the white rose.	Call to arms. RICHARD PLANTAGENET, DUKE OF YORK; EDWARD; RICHARD; NORFOLK; MONTAGUE; WARWICK; and SOLDIER all enter wearing the white rose.
WARWICK I wonder how the King escaped our hands.	WARWICK How do you think the king escaped?
YORK While we pursued the horsemen of the north, He slyly stole away and left his men; Whereat the great lord of Northumberland, 5 Whose warlike ears could never brook retreat, Cheered 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.	YORK While we were chasing the northern men on horseback, he snuck away and left his men behind. The lord of Northumberland, however, is too great a warrior to allow retreat. So, he encouraged his army and, alongside Lord Clifford and Lord Stafford, charged our front line and broke through it—but the lords were killed by the swords of our ordinary soldiers.
EDWARD 10 Lord Stafford’s father, Duke of Buckingham, Is either slain or wounded dangerous. I cleft his beaver with a downright blow. That this is true, father, behold his blood. He shows his bloody sword.	EDWARD Lord Stafford’s father, the Duke of Buckingham, is either killed or critically wounded. I split his helmet with a downward blow. Look, father, here is his blood. He shows his bloody sword.
MONTAGUE , to YORK, showing his sword And, brother, here’s the Earl of Wiltshire’s blood, 15 Whom I encountered as the battles joined.	MONTAGUE , to YORK, showing his sword And, brother, here’s the Earl of Wiltshire’s blood. I encountered him when our armies faced off.
RICHARD , holding up a severed head Speak thou for me, and tell them what I did.	RICHARD , holding up a severed head Speak for me, and tell them what I did Richard is addressing Somerset’s head. Speak 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?	YORK Of all my sons, Richard has done best. But are you really dead, my lord of Somerset?
NORFOLK Such hope have all the line of John of Gaunt!	NORFOLK Every descendant of John of Gaunt The founder of the House of Lancaster, Henry VI’s family. John of Gaunt can expect the same.
RICHARD 20 Thus do I hope to shake King Henry’s head.	RICHARD I hope to hold and shake the head of King Henry himself.
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. 25 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’.	WARWICK So do I, victorious prince of York. I swear to the heavens that I won’t rest until I see you seated on the throne that’s been stolen by the house of Lancaster. This palace and its royal throne are occupied by a frightened king. Take it, York—it belongs to you and your heirs, not King Henry and his.
YORK Assist me, then, sweet Warwick, and I will, For hither we have broken in by force.	YORK Help me, then, kind Warwick, and I will take it. We’ve already broken into the palace.
NORFOLK 30 We’ll all assist you. He that flies shall die.	NORFOLK We’ll all help you. Whoever runs away will die.
YORK Thanks, gentle Norfolk. Stay by me, my lords.— And soldiers, stay and lodge by me this night. They go up onto a dais or platform.	YORK Thanks, Norfolk, you are honorable. Stay near me, my lords. And soldiers, you stay near me tonight too. They go up onto a platform.
WARWICK And when the King comes, offer him no violence Unless he seek to thrust you out perforce. SOLDIERS exit or retire out of sight.	WARWICK And when the king comes, don’t attack him unless he tries to push you out of the palace by force. SOLDIERS exit or retire out of sight.
YORK 35 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.	YORK The queen’s holding her parliamentary meeting here today, but she has no idea that we’ll be attending it. Whether by words or violence, let’s take what rightfully belongs to us.
RICHARD Armed as we are, let’s stay within this house.	RICHARD Since we’re armed, let’s occupy the house.
WARWICK “The Bloody Parliament” shall this be called 40 Unless Plantagenet, Duke of York, be king And bashful Henry deposed, whose cowardice Hath made us bywords to our enemies.	WARWICK Today will be known as the “Bloody Parliament” unless Henry willingly steps down and lets Richard Plantagenet, the Duke of York, become king. So far, Henry, the coward that he is, has convinced his friends to hate us.
YORK Then leave me not, my lords; be resolute. I mean to take possession of my right.	YORK That’s why you shouldn’t leave my side. Be strong. I intend to take what belongs to me.
WARWICK 45 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. YORK sits in the chair of state.	WARWICK Neither the king nor those who love him the most—his proudest supporters of the House of Lancaster—will dare to make a move when I come at them, shaking my bells Warwick is comparing himself to a falcon, to which falconers would attach bells. shaking my bells . Plantagenet Richard Plantagenet, the Duke of York. Plantagenet , I’ll firmly plant you in the soil of the kingdom. See if anyone dares to try and uproot you. Be decisive, Richard, and claim the English crown.
Flourish. Enter KING HENRY, CLIFFORD, NORTHUMBERLAND, WESTMORLAND, EXETER, and THE REST, all wearing the red rose.	Trumpets. KING HENRY, CLIFFORD, NORTHUMBERLAND, WESTMORLAND, EXETER, and THE REST all enter wearing the red rose.
KING HENRY 50 My lords, look where the sturdy rebel sits, Even in the chair of state! Belike he means, Backed by the power of Warwick, that false peer, To aspire unto the crown and reign as king. Earl of Northumberland, he slew thy father, 55 And thine, Lord Clifford, and you both have vowed revenge On him, his sons, his favorites, and his friends.	KING HENRY My lords, look at the brave rebel sitting on the throne! I guess he’s planning to take the crown and rule as king—with the help of that false nobleman, Warwick. Earl of Northumberland and Lord Clifford, this man killed both your fathers, and you both vowed to get your revenge on him, his sons, his supporters, and his friends.
NORTHUMBERLAND If I be not, heavens be revenged on me!	NORTHUMBERLAND And if I don’t get, may the heavens get revenge on me!
CLIFFORD The hope thereof makes Clifford mourn in steel.	CLIFFORD My hope of revenge is why I’m mourning in steel armor and not black clothes.
WESTMORLAND 60 What, shall we suffer this? Let’s pluck him down. My heart for anger burns. I cannot brook it.	WESTMORLAND Are we going to let them occupy our palace like this? Let’s pull York off the throne. My heart is burning with anger. I can’t take it.
KING HENRY Be patient, gentle Earl of Westmorland.	KING HENRY Be patient, noble Earl of Westmorland.
CLIFFORD Patience is for poltroons such as he. He durst not sit there had your father lived. 65 My gracious lord, here in the Parliament Let us assail the family of York.	CLIFFORD Patience is for cowards like him. He wouldn’t dare sit there if your father were still alive. My good lord, give us permission to attack the family of York here in the parliamentary court.
NORTHUMBERLAND Well hast thou spoken, cousin. Be it so.	NORTHUMBERLAND You’ve spoken well, cousin. I agree.
KING HENRY Ah, know you not the city favors them, And they have troops of soldiers at their beck?	KING HENRY Don’t you know that the city’s on their side? And they have armed forces at their command.
EXETER 70 But when the Duke is slain, they’ll quickly fly.	EXETER Once the Duke of York is killed, they’ll quickly scatter.
KING HENRY 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.— 75 Thou factious Duke of York, descend my throne And kneel for grace and mercy at my feet. I am thy sovereign.	KING HENRY I have no intention of turning our parliament into a slaughterhouse! Cousin of Exeter, I plan to use frowns, words, and threats to fight these men. Now, rebellious Duke of York, get down from my throne and kneel at my feet if you want my kindness and mercy. I am your king.
YORK I am thine.	YORK I am yours.
EXETER For shame, come down. He made thee Duke of 80 York.	EXETER Shame on you, come down. He’s the one who made you Duke of York.
YORK It was my inheritance, as the earldom was.	YORK My dukedom was part of my inheritance, just like my earldom was.
EXETER Thy father was a traitor to the crown.	EXETER Your father was a traitor to the kingdom.
WARWICK Exeter, thou art a traitor to the crown In following this usurping Henry.	WARWICK Exeter, you’re the traitor by following Henry, who stole the crown.
CLIFFORD 85 Whom should he follow but his natural king?	CLIFFORD Who else should he follow but the real king?
WARWICK True, Clifford, that’s Richard, Duke of York.	WARWICK That’s true, Clifford—and the real king is Richard, Duke of York.
KING HENRY , to YORK And shall I stand, and thou sit in my throne?	KING HENRY , to YORK And I’m supposed to stand here while you sit on my throne?
YORK It must and shall be so. Content thyself.	YORK That’s how it must be—and how it will be. Accept it.
WARWICK , to KING HENRY Be Duke of Lancaster. Let him be king.	WARWICK , to KING HENRY You be the Duke of Lancaster, and let York be king.
WESTMORLAND 90 He is both king and Duke of Lancaster, And that the lord of Westmorland shall maintain.	WESTMORLAND Henry is both king and the Duke of Lancaster, and I’ll stand by that.
WARWICK And Warwick shall disprove it. You forget That we are those which chased you from the field And slew your fathers and, with colors spread, 95 Marched through the city to the palace gates.	WARWICK And I’ll prove that you’re wrong. You’ve forgotten that we’re the ones who chased you from the battlefield, killed your fathers, and marched through the city, our flags flying, to the palace gates.
NORTHUMBERLAND Yes, Warwick, I remember it to my grief; And by his soul, thou and thy house shall rue it.	NORTHUMBERLAND Yes, Warwick, I remember, and it breaks my heart. But I swear on my father’s soul, you and your family will regret it.
WESTMORLAND Plantagenet, of thee and these thy sons, Thy kinsmen, and thy friends, I’ll have more lives 100 Than drops of blood were in my father’s veins.	WESTMORLAND Plantagenet, I’m going to take more lives from you, your sons, your family, and your friends than there were drops of blood 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.	CLIFFORD Warwick, if you keep going on like this, I’ll send a messenger to kill you without my having to lift a finger.
WARWICK Poor Clifford, how I scorn his worthless threats!	WARWICK Poor Clifford, I have no respect for his worthless threats!
YORK 105 Will you we show our title to the crown? If not, our swords shall plead it in the field.	YORK Do you want us to show you our title to the crown? If not, we’ll have to make our case with swords on the battlefield.
KING HENRY What title hast thou, traitor, to the crown? Thy father was as thou art, Duke of York; Thy grandfather, Roger Mortimer, Earl of March. 110 I am the son of Henry the Fifth, Who made the Dauphin and the French to stoop And seized upon their towns and provinces.	KING HENRY What title to the crown does a traitor like you have? You’ve only inherited the titles of your father—the Duke of York—and your grandfather Roger Mortimer—the Earl of March. I’m the son of Henry the Fifth, the king who brought the Dauphin and the French to their knees and captured their towns and provinces.
WARWICK Talk not of France, sith thou hast lost it all.	WARWICK Don’t bother talking about France when you’ve lost it all.
KING HENRY The Lord Protector lost it and not I. 115 When I was crowned, I was but nine months old.	KING HENRY Gloucester, the lord protector, lost it, not me. I was only nine months old when I was crowned.
RICHARD You are old enough now, and yet, methinks, you lose.— Father, tear the crown from the usurper’s head.	RICHARD Well, you’re old enough now, and yet it seems to me you’re still losing things. Father, take the crown from this false king’s head.
EDWARD Sweet father, do so. Set it on your head.	EDWARD Kind father, do it. Put it on your head.
MONTAGUE , to YORK 120 Good brother, as thou lov’st and honorest arms, Let’s fight it out and not stand caviling thus.	MONTAGUE , to YORK Good brother, since you have love and respect for combat, let’s fight them and not stand around bickering like this.
RICHARD Sound drums and trumpets, and the King will fly.	RICHARD Sound the drums and trumpets, and the king will run for his life.
YORK Sons, peace!	YORK My sons, remain peaceful!
KING HENRY Peace thou, and give King Henry leave to speak!	KING HENRY Yes, be peaceful and let me speak!
WARWICK 125 Plantagenet shall speak first. Hear him, lords, And be you silent and attentive too, For he that interrupts him shall not live.	WARWICK Plantagenet will speak first. Listen to him, lords, and be silent and attentive. Anyone who interrupts him dies.
KING HENRY Think’st thou that I will leave my kingly throne, Wherein my grandsire and my father sat? 130 No. First shall war unpeople this my realm; Ay, and their colors, 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.	KING HENRY Do you think I’m going to give up my kingly throne, where my grandfather and my father sat? No. War will have to wipe out my kingdom before that happens. You’ll have to drape my dead body with your flag, which you’ve carried in France and now, to my heart’s great sorrow, in England. Why have you lost faith in me, lords? My title’s good—far better than York’s.
WARWICK 135 Prove it, Henry, and thou shalt be king.	WARWICK Prove it, Henry, and you’ll be king.
KING HENRY Henry the Fourth by conquest got the crown.	KING HENRY Henry the Fourth won the crown by conquering the kingdom.
YORK ’Twas by rebellion against his king.	YORK It was by rebelling against his king.
KING HENRY , aside I know not what to say; my title’s weak.— Tell me, may not a king adopt an heir?	KING HENRY , aside I don’t know what to say. My claim is weak.—Tell me, can’t a king adopt an heir?
YORK 140 What then?	YORK So what?
KING HENRY An if he may, then am I lawful king; For Richard, in the view of many lords, Resigned the crown to Henry the Fourth, Whose heir my father was, and I am his.	KING HENRY Well, if he can, then I’m the rightful king. As many lords see it, Richard gave up the crown to Henry the Fourth. My father was the heir of Henry the Fourth, and I’m the heir of my father.
YORK 145 He rose against him, being his sovereign, And made him to resign his crown perforce.	YORK He rebelled against his king and forced him to give up the crown.
WARWICK Suppose, my lords, he did it unconstrained, Think you ’twere prejudicial to his crown?	WARWICK My lords, supposing Richard had willingly given it up, wouldn’t that be in violation of his duty?
EXETER No, for he could not so resign his crown 150 But that the next heir should succeed and reign.	EXETER No, because if he’d given up his crown, then the next heir would succeed him and be ruler.
KING HENRY Art thou against us, Duke of Exeter?	KING HENRY Are you against me, Duke of Exeter?
EXETER His is the right, and therefore pardon me.	EXETER I’m sorry—York is the rightful king.
YORK Why whisper you, my lords, and answer not?	YORK My lords, why are you whispering instead of speaking up?
EXETER My conscience tells me he is lawful king.	EXETER My conscience tells me York is the lawful king.
KING HENRY , aside 155 All will revolt from me and turn to him.	KING HENRY , aside They’re all going to rebel against me and turn to York.
NORTHUMBERLAND , to YORK Plantagenet, for all the claim thou lay’st, Think not that Henry shall be so deposed.	NORTHUMBERLAND , to YORK Plantagenet, despite your claim, don’t think that Henry’s going to be removed from the throne.
WARWICK Deposed he shall be, in despite of all.	WARWICK He will be removed, no matter what.
NORTHUMBERLAND Thou art deceived. ’Tis not thy southern power 160 Of Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, nor of Kent, Which makes thee thus presumptuous and proud, Can set the Duke up in despite of me.	NORTHUMBERLAND You’re too confident about your southern forces—those from Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Kent. They can’t overpower me and make York king.
CLIFFORD King Henry, be thy title right or wrong, Lord Clifford vows to fight in thy defense. 165 May that ground gape and swallow me alive Where I shall kneel to him that slew my father.	CLIFFORD King Henry, whether you have a right to your title or not, I will fight to defend you. If I ever kneel to the man who killed my father, may the ground open up and swallow me alive.
KING HENRY O Clifford, how thy words revive my heart!	KING HENRY Oh, Clifford, your words revive my heart!
YORK Henry of Lancaster, resign thy crown.— What mutter you, or what conspire you, lords?	YORK Henry of Lancaster, give up your crown. Lords, what are you muttering about? Are you planning something?
WARWICK , to KING HENRY 170 Do right unto this princely Duke of York, Or I will fill the house with armèd men, And over the chair of state, where now he sits, Write up his title with usurping blood. He stamps with his foot, and the SOLDIERS show themselves.	WARWICK , to KING HENRY Do for the Duke of York what’s right—otherwise, I’ll fill the palace with armed men and write his name on the throne in your blood. He stomps his foot, and the SOLDIERS show themselves.
KING HENRY My lord of Warwick, hear but one word: 175 Let me for this my lifetime reign as king.	KING HENRY My lord of Warwick, will you at least let me continue to rule as king for the remainder of my life?
YORK Confirm the crown to me and to mine heirs, And thou shalt reign in quiet while thou liv’st.	YORK If you confirm that the crown belongs to me and my heirs, then you can quietly rule while you’re still alive.
KING HENRY I am content. Richard Plantagenet, Enjoy the kingdom after my decease.	KING HENRY I’m satisfied with that. Richard Plantagenet, enjoy the kingdom after I’m dead.
CLIFFORD 180 What wrong is this unto the Prince your son!	CLIFFORD You’re being unfair to your son, the prince.
WARWICK What good is this to England and himself!	WARWICK But you’ve done good for England and so for him too.
WESTMORLAND Base, fearful, and despairing Henry!	WESTMORLAND Lowly, cowardly, and hopeless Henry!
CLIFFORD How hast thou injured both thyself and us!	CLIFFORD You’ve greatly injured both yourself and us!
WESTMORLAND I cannot stay to hear these articles.	WESTMORLAND I can’t stay to listen to the details of this agreement.
NORTHUMBERLAND 185 Nor I.	NORTHUMBERLAND I can’t either.
CLIFFORD Come, cousin, let us tell the Queen these news.	CLIFFORD Come, cousin, let’s go tell the queen the news.
WESTMORLAND Farewell, faint-hearted and degenerate king, In whose cold blood no spark of honor bides.	WESTMORLAND Goodbye, cowardly, weak king. Not a bit of honor runs through your cold blood.
NORTHUMBERLAND Be thou a prey unto the house of York, 190 And die in bands for this unmanly deed.	NORTHUMBERLAND I hope the house of York comes after you and you die in chains for this unmanly act.
CLIFFORD In dreadful war mayst thou be overcome, Or live in peace abandoned and despised!	CLIFFORD I hope you die in a terrible war. And if you live in peace, then I hope everyone hates and abandons you!
WESTMORLAND , NORTHUMBERLAND, CLIFFORD, and their SOLDIERS exit.	WESTMORLAND , NORTHUMBERLAND, CLIFFORD, and their SOLDIERS exit.
WARWICK Turn this way, Henry, and regard them not.	WARWICK Look at me, Henry, not them.
EXETER They seek revenge and therefore will not yield.	EXETER They want revenge and won’t surrender.
KING HENRY 195 Ah, Exeter!	KING HENRY Ah, Exeter!
WARWICK Why should you sigh, my lord?	WARWICK Why are you sighing, my lord?
KING HENRY Not for myself, Lord Warwick, but my son, Whom I unnaturally shall disinherit. But be it as it may. (To YORK.) I here entail 200 The crown to thee and to thine heirs forever, Conditionally, that here thou take an oath To cease this civil war and, whilst I live, To honor me as thy king and sovereign, And neither by treason nor hostility 205 To seek to put me down and reign thyself.	KING HENRY Not for myself, Lord Warwick, but for my son. I’ve gone against nature and taken away his inheritance. But so be it. (To YORK.) I hereby give the crown to you and your heirs forever on the condition that you promise to stop this civil war and to honor me as your king while I’m alive and not try, by treason or hostility, to overthrow me and rule yourself.
YORK This oath I willingly take and will perform.	YORK I promise.
WARWICK Long live King Henry! Plantagenet, embrace him. YORK stands, and KING HENRY ascends the dais.	WARWICK Long live King Henry! Plantagenet, embrace him. YORK stands, and KING HENRY ascends the dais.
KING HENRY , to YORK And long live thou and these thy forward sons! They embrace.	KING HENRY , to YORK And may you and your ambitious sons live a long time!
YORK Now York and Lancaster are reconciled.	YORK Now the houses of York and Lancaster have made peace.
EXETER 210 Accursed be he that seeks to make them foes. Sennet. Here they come down.	EXETER Damn anyone who tries to make them enemies again. Trumpets. Here they come down.
YORK , to KING HENRY Farewell, my gracious lord. I’ll to my castle.	YORK , to KING HENRY Goodbye, my kind lord. I’m going to my castle.
WARWICK And I’ll keep London with my soldiers.	WARWICK And I’ll protect London with my soldiers.
NORFOLK And I to Norfolk with my followers.	NORFOLK And I’m going to Norfolk with my followers.
MONTAGUE And I unto the sea, from whence I came.	MONTAGUE And I’m going to sea, where I came from.
YORK , EDWARD, RICHARD, WARWICK, NORFOLK, MONTAGUE, and their SOLDIERS exit.	YORK , EDWARD, RICHARD, WARWICK, NORFOLK, MONTAGUE, and their SOLDIERS exit.
KING HENRY 215 And I with grief and sorrow to the court.	KING HENRY And I, with grief and sorrow, will go to the palace court.
Enter QUEEN MARGARET, with PRINCE EDWARD.	QUEEN MARGARET enters with PRINCE EDWARD.
EXETER Here comes the Queen, whose looks bewray her anger. I’ll steal away.	EXETER Here comes the queen. You can see that she’s angry. I’m going to slip out.
KING HENRY Exeter, so will I. They begin to exit.	KING HENRY So will I, Exeter. They begin to exit.
QUEEN MARGARET 220 Nay, go not from me. I will follow thee.	QUEEN MARGARET No, don’t leave me. I’ll follow you.
KING HENRY Be patient, gentle queen, and I will stay.	KING HENRY If you remain calm, my gentle queen, then 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, 225 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 nourished him as I did with my blood, 230 Thou wouldst have left thy dearest heart-blood there, Rather than have made that savage duke thine heir And disinherited thine only son.	QUEEN MARGARET Who can be calm under such extreme circumstances? Ah, you miserable man. I wish that I had died a virgin and never met you. I wish I’d never given you a son, since you’ve turned out to be such a bad father. Does our son deserve to lose his birthright like this? If you loved him half as much as I do—if you’d felt labor pain or nourished him from your own body as I did—then you would have rather died than give your son’s inheritance to that savage duke.
PRINCE EDWARD Father, you cannot disinherit me. 235 If you be king, why should not I succeed?	PRINCE EDWARD Father, you can’t take away my inheritance. If you’re king, then how could I not be the one to succeed you?
KING HENRY Pardon me, Margaret.—Pardon me, sweet son. The Earl of Warwick and the Duke enforced me.	KING HENRY I’m sorry, Margaret. I’m sorry, my sweet son. The Earl of Warwick and the Duke of York forced me into this.
QUEEN MARGARET Enforced thee? Art thou king and wilt be forced? I shame to hear thee speak. Ah, timorous wretch, 240 Thou hast undone thyself, thy son, and me, And giv’n 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 sepulcher 245 And creep into it far before thy time? Warwick is Chancellor and the lord of Callice; Stern Falconbridge commands the Narrow Seas; The Duke is made Protector of the realm; And yet shalt thou be safe? Such safety finds 250 The trembling lamb environèd with wolves. Had I been there, which am a silly woman, The soldiers should have tossed me on their pikes Before I would have granted to that act. But thou preferr’st thy life before thine honor. 255 And seeing thou dost, I here divorce myself Both from thy table, Henry, and thy bed, Until that act of Parliament be repealed Whereby my son is disinherited. The northern lords that have forsworn thy colors 260 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.	QUEEN MARGARET Forced you? How can a king be forced to do something? I’m ashamed to hear you talk like this. Ah, you miserable coward, you’ve ruined yourself, your son, and me. The authority you’ve given York’s family leaves you in charge only so long as they allow it! Giving him and his heirs the crown—what is that but digging yourself an early grave? Warwick is chancellor and lord of Calais, that cruel Falconbridge commands the narrow seas This refers to the Dover Strait, a narrow part of the channel running between England and France. narrow seas , and the Duke of York has been made protector of the kingdom. And yet does any of that make you safe? You’re like a trembling lamb surrounded by wolves. If I, a defenseless woman, had been there, they would’ve had to put my head on a pike before I agreed to their demands. But you prefer your life over your honor. And since that’s the case, I won’t be eating or sleeping with you, Henry, until that act of parliament that takes away my son’s inheritance has been repealed. The northern lords who have renounced your flag will obey mine once they see it spread. And I will spread it, disgracing you and destroying York’s family. So, I’m leaving you. Come, my son, let’s go. Our army is ready. Let’s go meet them.
KING HENRY 265 Stay, gentle Margaret, and hear me speak.	KING HENRY Stay, noble Margaret, and listen to what I have to say.
QUEEN MARGARET Thou hast spoke too much already. Get thee gone.	QUEEN MARGARET You’ve said enough already. Get out of here.
KING HENRY Gentle son Edward, thou wilt stay with me?	KING HENRY My noble son Edward, will you stay with me?
QUEEN MARGARET Ay, to be murdered by his enemies!	QUEEN MARGARET Sure, so he can be murdered by his enemies!
PRINCE EDWARD When I return with victory from the field, 270 I’ll see your Grace. Till then, I’ll follow her.	PRINCE EDWARD When I’ve won the battle, then I’ll see you. Until then, I’m following my mother.
QUEEN MARGARET Come, son, away. We may not linger thus.	QUEEN MARGARET Come on, son, let’s not waste any more time.
QUEEN MARGARET and PRINCE EDWARD exit.	QUEEN MARGARET and PRINCE EDWARD exit.
KING HENRY 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, 275 Whose haughty spirit, wingèd 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. 280 Come, cousin, you shall be the messenger.	KING HENRY My poor queen! She’s angry because she loves me and her son so much! I hope she gets revenge on that hateful duke. His arrogance, driven by desire, will cost me my crown. He’s like a hungry eagle, feasting on the flesh of me and my son. It breaks my heart that I’ve lost those three lords. I’ll send an eloquent letter to them and see what can be done. Come, cousin, you’ll be my messenger.
EXETER And I, I hope, shall reconcile them all. Flourish. They exit.	EXETER I hope I can make peace. Trumpets. They exit.

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Alarum. Enter RICHARD PLANTAGENET, DUKE OF YORK; EDWARD; RICHARD; NORFOLK; MONTAGUE; WARWICK; and SOLDIERS, all wearing the white rose.	Call to arms. RICHARD PLANTAGENET, DUKE OF YORK; EDWARD; RICHARD; NORFOLK; MONTAGUE; WARWICK; and SOLDIER all enter wearing the white rose.
WARWICK I wonder how the King escaped our hands.	WARWICK How do you think the king escaped?
YORK While we pursued the horsemen of the north, He slyly stole away and left his men; Whereat the great lord of Northumberland, 5 Whose warlike ears could never brook retreat, Cheered 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.	YORK While we were chasing the northern men on horseback, he snuck away and left his men behind. The lord of Northumberland, however, is too great a warrior to allow retreat. So, he encouraged his army and, alongside Lord Clifford and Lord Stafford, charged our front line and broke through it—but the lords were killed by the swords of our ordinary soldiers.
EDWARD 10 Lord Stafford’s father, Duke of Buckingham, Is either slain or wounded dangerous. I cleft his beaver with a downright blow. That this is true, father, behold his blood. He shows his bloody sword.	EDWARD Lord Stafford’s father, the Duke of Buckingham, is either killed or critically wounded. I split his helmet with a downward blow. Look, father, here is his blood. He shows his bloody sword.
MONTAGUE , to YORK, showing his sword And, brother, here’s the Earl of Wiltshire’s blood, 15 Whom I encountered as the battles joined.	MONTAGUE , to YORK, showing his sword And, brother, here’s the Earl of Wiltshire’s blood. I encountered him when our armies faced off.
RICHARD , holding up a severed head Speak thou for me, and tell them what I did.	RICHARD , holding up a severed head Speak for me, and tell them what I did Richard is addressing Somerset’s head. Speak 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?	YORK Of all my sons, Richard has done best. But are you really dead, my lord of Somerset?
NORFOLK Such hope have all the line of John of Gaunt!	NORFOLK Every descendant of John of Gaunt The founder of the House of Lancaster, Henry VI’s family. John of Gaunt can expect the same.
RICHARD 20 Thus do I hope to shake King Henry’s head.	RICHARD I hope to hold and shake the head of King Henry himself.
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. 25 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’.	WARWICK So do I, victorious prince of York. I swear to the heavens that I won’t rest until I see you seated on the throne that’s been stolen by the house of Lancaster. This palace and its royal throne are occupied by a frightened king. Take it, York—it belongs to you and your heirs, not King Henry and his.
YORK Assist me, then, sweet Warwick, and I will, For hither we have broken in by force.	YORK Help me, then, kind Warwick, and I will take it. We’ve already broken into the palace.
NORFOLK 30 We’ll all assist you. He that flies shall die.	NORFOLK We’ll all help you. Whoever runs away will die.
YORK Thanks, gentle Norfolk. Stay by me, my lords.— And soldiers, stay and lodge by me this night. They go up onto a dais or platform.	YORK Thanks, Norfolk, you are honorable. Stay near me, my lords. And soldiers, you stay near me tonight too. They go up onto a platform.
WARWICK And when the King comes, offer him no violence Unless he seek to thrust you out perforce. SOLDIERS exit or retire out of sight.	WARWICK And when the king comes, don’t attack him unless he tries to push you out of the palace by force. SOLDIERS exit or retire out of sight.
YORK 35 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.	YORK The queen’s holding her parliamentary meeting here today, but she has no idea that we’ll be attending it. Whether by words or violence, let’s take what rightfully belongs to us.
RICHARD Armed as we are, let’s stay within this house.	RICHARD Since we’re armed, let’s occupy the house.
WARWICK “The Bloody Parliament” shall this be called 40 Unless Plantagenet, Duke of York, be king And bashful Henry deposed, whose cowardice Hath made us bywords to our enemies.	WARWICK Today will be known as the “Bloody Parliament” unless Henry willingly steps down and lets Richard Plantagenet, the Duke of York, become king. So far, Henry, the coward that he is, has convinced his friends to hate us.
YORK Then leave me not, my lords; be resolute. I mean to take possession of my right.	YORK That’s why you shouldn’t leave my side. Be strong. I intend to take what belongs to me.
WARWICK 45 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. YORK sits in the chair of state.	WARWICK Neither the king nor those who love him the most—his proudest supporters of the House of Lancaster—will dare to make a move when I come at them, shaking my bells Warwick is comparing himself to a falcon, to which falconers would attach bells. shaking my bells . Plantagenet Richard Plantagenet, the Duke of York. Plantagenet , I’ll firmly plant you in the soil of the kingdom. See if anyone dares to try and uproot you. Be decisive, Richard, and claim the English crown.
Flourish. Enter KING HENRY, CLIFFORD, NORTHUMBERLAND, WESTMORLAND, EXETER, and THE REST, all wearing the red rose.	Trumpets. KING HENRY, CLIFFORD, NORTHUMBERLAND, WESTMORLAND, EXETER, and THE REST all enter wearing the red rose.
KING HENRY 50 My lords, look where the sturdy rebel sits, Even in the chair of state! Belike he means, Backed by the power of Warwick, that false peer, To aspire unto the crown and reign as king. Earl of Northumberland, he slew thy father, 55 And thine, Lord Clifford, and you both have vowed revenge On him, his sons, his favorites, and his friends.	KING HENRY My lords, look at the brave rebel sitting on the throne! I guess he’s planning to take the crown and rule as king—with the help of that false nobleman, Warwick. Earl of Northumberland and Lord Clifford, this man killed both your fathers, and you both vowed to get your revenge on him, his sons, his supporters, and his friends.
NORTHUMBERLAND If I be not, heavens be revenged on me!	NORTHUMBERLAND And if I don’t get, may the heavens get revenge on me!
CLIFFORD The hope thereof makes Clifford mourn in steel.	CLIFFORD My hope of revenge is why I’m mourning in steel armor and not black clothes.
WESTMORLAND 60 What, shall we suffer this? Let’s pluck him down. My heart for anger burns. I cannot brook it.	WESTMORLAND Are we going to let them occupy our palace like this? Let’s pull York off the throne. My heart is burning with anger. I can’t take it.
KING HENRY Be patient, gentle Earl of Westmorland.	KING HENRY Be patient, noble Earl of Westmorland.
CLIFFORD Patience is for poltroons such as he. He durst not sit there had your father lived. 65 My gracious lord, here in the Parliament Let us assail the family of York.	CLIFFORD Patience is for cowards like him. He wouldn’t dare sit there if your father were still alive. My good lord, give us permission to attack the family of York here in the parliamentary court.
NORTHUMBERLAND Well hast thou spoken, cousin. Be it so.	NORTHUMBERLAND You’ve spoken well, cousin. I agree.
KING HENRY Ah, know you not the city favors them, And they have troops of soldiers at their beck?	KING HENRY Don’t you know that the city’s on their side? And they have armed forces at their command.
EXETER 70 But when the Duke is slain, they’ll quickly fly.	EXETER Once the Duke of York is killed, they’ll quickly scatter.
KING HENRY 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.— 75 Thou factious Duke of York, descend my throne And kneel for grace and mercy at my feet. I am thy sovereign.	KING HENRY I have no intention of turning our parliament into a slaughterhouse! Cousin of Exeter, I plan to use frowns, words, and threats to fight these men. Now, rebellious Duke of York, get down from my throne and kneel at my feet if you want my kindness and mercy. I am your king.
YORK I am thine.	YORK I am yours.
EXETER For shame, come down. He made thee Duke of 80 York.	EXETER Shame on you, come down. He’s the one who made you Duke of York.
YORK It was my inheritance, as the earldom was.	YORK My dukedom was part of my inheritance, just like my earldom was.
EXETER Thy father was a traitor to the crown.	EXETER Your father was a traitor to the kingdom.
WARWICK Exeter, thou art a traitor to the crown In following this usurping Henry.	WARWICK Exeter, you’re the traitor by following Henry, who stole the crown.
CLIFFORD 85 Whom should he follow but his natural king?	CLIFFORD Who else should he follow but the real king?
WARWICK True, Clifford, that’s Richard, Duke of York.	WARWICK That’s true, Clifford—and the real king is Richard, Duke of York.
KING HENRY , to YORK And shall I stand, and thou sit in my throne?	KING HENRY , to YORK And I’m supposed to stand here while you sit on my throne?
YORK It must and shall be so. Content thyself.	YORK That’s how it must be—and how it will be. Accept it.
WARWICK , to KING HENRY Be Duke of Lancaster. Let him be king.	WARWICK , to KING HENRY You be the Duke of Lancaster, and let York be king.
WESTMORLAND 90 He is both king and Duke of Lancaster, And that the lord of Westmorland shall maintain.	WESTMORLAND Henry is both king and the Duke of Lancaster, and I’ll stand by that.
WARWICK And Warwick shall disprove it. You forget That we are those which chased you from the field And slew your fathers and, with colors spread, 95 Marched through the city to the palace gates.	WARWICK And I’ll prove that you’re wrong. You’ve forgotten that we’re the ones who chased you from the battlefield, killed your fathers, and marched through the city, our flags flying, to the palace gates.
NORTHUMBERLAND Yes, Warwick, I remember it to my grief; And by his soul, thou and thy house shall rue it.	NORTHUMBERLAND Yes, Warwick, I remember, and it breaks my heart. But I swear on my father’s soul, you and your family will regret it.
WESTMORLAND Plantagenet, of thee and these thy sons, Thy kinsmen, and thy friends, I’ll have more lives 100 Than drops of blood were in my father’s veins.	WESTMORLAND Plantagenet, I’m going to take more lives from you, your sons, your family, and your friends than there were drops of blood 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.	CLIFFORD Warwick, if you keep going on like this, I’ll send a messenger to kill you without my having to lift a finger.
WARWICK Poor Clifford, how I scorn his worthless threats!	WARWICK Poor Clifford, I have no respect for his worthless threats!
YORK 105 Will you we show our title to the crown? If not, our swords shall plead it in the field.	YORK Do you want us to show you our title to the crown? If not, we’ll have to make our case with swords on the battlefield.
KING HENRY What title hast thou, traitor, to the crown? Thy father was as thou art, Duke of York; Thy grandfather, Roger Mortimer, Earl of March. 110 I am the son of Henry the Fifth, Who made the Dauphin and the French to stoop And seized upon their towns and provinces.	KING HENRY What title to the crown does a traitor like you have? You’ve only inherited the titles of your father—the Duke of York—and your grandfather Roger Mortimer—the Earl of March. I’m the son of Henry the Fifth, the king who brought the Dauphin and the French to their knees and captured their towns and provinces.
WARWICK Talk not of France, sith thou hast lost it all.	WARWICK Don’t bother talking about France when you’ve lost it all.
KING HENRY The Lord Protector lost it and not I. 115 When I was crowned, I was but nine months old.	KING HENRY Gloucester, the lord protector, lost it, not me. I was only nine months old when I was crowned.
RICHARD You are old enough now, and yet, methinks, you lose.— Father, tear the crown from the usurper’s head.	RICHARD Well, you’re old enough now, and yet it seems to me you’re still losing things. Father, take the crown from this false king’s head.
EDWARD Sweet father, do so. Set it on your head.	EDWARD Kind father, do it. Put it on your head.
MONTAGUE , to YORK 120 Good brother, as thou lov’st and honorest arms, Let’s fight it out and not stand caviling thus.	MONTAGUE , to YORK Good brother, since you have love and respect for combat, let’s fight them and not stand around bickering like this.
RICHARD Sound drums and trumpets, and the King will fly.	RICHARD Sound the drums and trumpets, and the king will run for his life.
YORK Sons, peace!	YORK My sons, remain peaceful!
KING HENRY Peace thou, and give King Henry leave to speak!	KING HENRY Yes, be peaceful and let me speak!
WARWICK 125 Plantagenet shall speak first. Hear him, lords, And be you silent and attentive too, For he that interrupts him shall not live.	WARWICK Plantagenet will speak first. Listen to him, lords, and be silent and attentive. Anyone who interrupts him dies.
KING HENRY Think’st thou that I will leave my kingly throne, Wherein my grandsire and my father sat? 130 No. First shall war unpeople this my realm; Ay, and their colors, 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.	KING HENRY Do you think I’m going to give up my kingly throne, where my grandfather and my father sat? No. War will have to wipe out my kingdom before that happens. You’ll have to drape my dead body with your flag, which you’ve carried in France and now, to my heart’s great sorrow, in England. Why have you lost faith in me, lords? My title’s good—far better than York’s.
WARWICK 135 Prove it, Henry, and thou shalt be king.	WARWICK Prove it, Henry, and you’ll be king.
KING HENRY Henry the Fourth by conquest got the crown.	KING HENRY Henry the Fourth won the crown by conquering the kingdom.
YORK ’Twas by rebellion against his king.	YORK It was by rebelling against his king.
KING HENRY , aside I know not what to say; my title’s weak.— Tell me, may not a king adopt an heir?	KING HENRY , aside I don’t know what to say. My claim is weak.—Tell me, can’t a king adopt an heir?
YORK 140 What then?	YORK So what?
KING HENRY An if he may, then am I lawful king; For Richard, in the view of many lords, Resigned the crown to Henry the Fourth, Whose heir my father was, and I am his.	KING HENRY Well, if he can, then I’m the rightful king. As many lords see it, Richard gave up the crown to Henry the Fourth. My father was the heir of Henry the Fourth, and I’m the heir of my father.
YORK 145 He rose against him, being his sovereign, And made him to resign his crown perforce.	YORK He rebelled against his king and forced him to give up the crown.
WARWICK Suppose, my lords, he did it unconstrained, Think you ’twere prejudicial to his crown?	WARWICK My lords, supposing Richard had willingly given it up, wouldn’t that be in violation of his duty?
EXETER No, for he could not so resign his crown 150 But that the next heir should succeed and reign.	EXETER No, because if he’d given up his crown, then the next heir would succeed him and be ruler.
KING HENRY Art thou against us, Duke of Exeter?	KING HENRY Are you against me, Duke of Exeter?
EXETER His is the right, and therefore pardon me.	EXETER I’m sorry—York is the rightful king.
YORK Why whisper you, my lords, and answer not?	YORK My lords, why are you whispering instead of speaking up?
EXETER My conscience tells me he is lawful king.	EXETER My conscience tells me York is the lawful king.
KING HENRY , aside 155 All will revolt from me and turn to him.	KING HENRY , aside They’re all going to rebel against me and turn to York.
NORTHUMBERLAND , to YORK Plantagenet, for all the claim thou lay’st, Think not that Henry shall be so deposed.	NORTHUMBERLAND , to YORK Plantagenet, despite your claim, don’t think that Henry’s going to be removed from the throne.
WARWICK Deposed he shall be, in despite of all.	WARWICK He will be removed, no matter what.
NORTHUMBERLAND Thou art deceived. ’Tis not thy southern power 160 Of Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, nor of Kent, Which makes thee thus presumptuous and proud, Can set the Duke up in despite of me.	NORTHUMBERLAND You’re too confident about your southern forces—those from Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Kent. They can’t overpower me and make York king.
CLIFFORD King Henry, be thy title right or wrong, Lord Clifford vows to fight in thy defense. 165 May that ground gape and swallow me alive Where I shall kneel to him that slew my father.	CLIFFORD King Henry, whether you have a right to your title or not, I will fight to defend you. If I ever kneel to the man who killed my father, may the ground open up and swallow me alive.
KING HENRY O Clifford, how thy words revive my heart!	KING HENRY Oh, Clifford, your words revive my heart!
YORK Henry of Lancaster, resign thy crown.— What mutter you, or what conspire you, lords?	YORK Henry of Lancaster, give up your crown. Lords, what are you muttering about? Are you planning something?
WARWICK , to KING HENRY 170 Do right unto this princely Duke of York, Or I will fill the house with armèd men, And over the chair of state, where now he sits, Write up his title with usurping blood. He stamps with his foot, and the SOLDIERS show themselves.	WARWICK , to KING HENRY Do for the Duke of York what’s right—otherwise, I’ll fill the palace with armed men and write his name on the throne in your blood. He stomps his foot, and the SOLDIERS show themselves.
KING HENRY My lord of Warwick, hear but one word: 175 Let me for this my lifetime reign as king.	KING HENRY My lord of Warwick, will you at least let me continue to rule as king for the remainder of my life?
YORK Confirm the crown to me and to mine heirs, And thou shalt reign in quiet while thou liv’st.	YORK If you confirm that the crown belongs to me and my heirs, then you can quietly rule while you’re still alive.
KING HENRY I am content. Richard Plantagenet, Enjoy the kingdom after my decease.	KING HENRY I’m satisfied with that. Richard Plantagenet, enjoy the kingdom after I’m dead.
CLIFFORD 180 What wrong is this unto the Prince your son!	CLIFFORD You’re being unfair to your son, the prince.
WARWICK What good is this to England and himself!	WARWICK But you’ve done good for England and so for him too.
WESTMORLAND Base, fearful, and despairing Henry!	WESTMORLAND Lowly, cowardly, and hopeless Henry!
CLIFFORD How hast thou injured both thyself and us!	CLIFFORD You’ve greatly injured both yourself and us!
WESTMORLAND I cannot stay to hear these articles.	WESTMORLAND I can’t stay to listen to the details of this agreement.
NORTHUMBERLAND 185 Nor I.	NORTHUMBERLAND I can’t either.
CLIFFORD Come, cousin, let us tell the Queen these news.	CLIFFORD Come, cousin, let’s go tell the queen the news.
WESTMORLAND Farewell, faint-hearted and degenerate king, In whose cold blood no spark of honor bides.	WESTMORLAND Goodbye, cowardly, weak king. Not a bit of honor runs through your cold blood.
NORTHUMBERLAND Be thou a prey unto the house of York, 190 And die in bands for this unmanly deed.	NORTHUMBERLAND I hope the house of York comes after you and you die in chains for this unmanly act.
CLIFFORD In dreadful war mayst thou be overcome, Or live in peace abandoned and despised!	CLIFFORD I hope you die in a terrible war. And if you live in peace, then I hope everyone hates and abandons you!
WESTMORLAND , NORTHUMBERLAND, CLIFFORD, and their SOLDIERS exit.	WESTMORLAND , NORTHUMBERLAND, CLIFFORD, and their SOLDIERS exit.
WARWICK Turn this way, Henry, and regard them not.	WARWICK Look at me, Henry, not them.
EXETER They seek revenge and therefore will not yield.	EXETER They want revenge and won’t surrender.
KING HENRY 195 Ah, Exeter!	KING HENRY Ah, Exeter!
WARWICK Why should you sigh, my lord?	WARWICK Why are you sighing, my lord?
KING HENRY Not for myself, Lord Warwick, but my son, Whom I unnaturally shall disinherit. But be it as it may. (To YORK.) I here entail 200 The crown to thee and to thine heirs forever, Conditionally, that here thou take an oath To cease this civil war and, whilst I live, To honor me as thy king and sovereign, And neither by treason nor hostility 205 To seek to put me down and reign thyself.	KING HENRY Not for myself, Lord Warwick, but for my son. I’ve gone against nature and taken away his inheritance. But so be it. (To YORK.) I hereby give the crown to you and your heirs forever on the condition that you promise to stop this civil war and to honor me as your king while I’m alive and not try, by treason or hostility, to overthrow me and rule yourself.
YORK This oath I willingly take and will perform.	YORK I promise.
WARWICK Long live King Henry! Plantagenet, embrace him. YORK stands, and KING HENRY ascends the dais.	WARWICK Long live King Henry! Plantagenet, embrace him. YORK stands, and KING HENRY ascends the dais.
KING HENRY , to YORK And long live thou and these thy forward sons! They embrace.	KING HENRY , to YORK And may you and your ambitious sons live a long time!
YORK Now York and Lancaster are reconciled.	YORK Now the houses of York and Lancaster have made peace.
EXETER 210 Accursed be he that seeks to make them foes. Sennet. Here they come down.	EXETER Damn anyone who tries to make them enemies again. Trumpets. Here they come down.
YORK , to KING HENRY Farewell, my gracious lord. I’ll to my castle.	YORK , to KING HENRY Goodbye, my kind lord. I’m going to my castle.
WARWICK And I’ll keep London with my soldiers.	WARWICK And I’ll protect London with my soldiers.
NORFOLK And I to Norfolk with my followers.	NORFOLK And I’m going to Norfolk with my followers.
MONTAGUE And I unto the sea, from whence I came.	MONTAGUE And I’m going to sea, where I came from.
YORK , EDWARD, RICHARD, WARWICK, NORFOLK, MONTAGUE, and their SOLDIERS exit.	YORK , EDWARD, RICHARD, WARWICK, NORFOLK, MONTAGUE, and their SOLDIERS exit.
KING HENRY 215 And I with grief and sorrow to the court.	KING HENRY And I, with grief and sorrow, will go to the palace court.
Enter QUEEN MARGARET, with PRINCE EDWARD.	QUEEN MARGARET enters with PRINCE EDWARD.
EXETER Here comes the Queen, whose looks bewray her anger. I’ll steal away.	EXETER Here comes the queen. You can see that she’s angry. I’m going to slip out.
KING HENRY Exeter, so will I. They begin to exit.	KING HENRY So will I, Exeter. They begin to exit.
QUEEN MARGARET 220 Nay, go not from me. I will follow thee.	QUEEN MARGARET No, don’t leave me. I’ll follow you.
KING HENRY Be patient, gentle queen, and I will stay.	KING HENRY If you remain calm, my gentle queen, then 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, 225 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 nourished him as I did with my blood, 230 Thou wouldst have left thy dearest heart-blood there, Rather than have made that savage duke thine heir And disinherited thine only son.	QUEEN MARGARET Who can be calm under such extreme circumstances? Ah, you miserable man. I wish that I had died a virgin and never met you. I wish I’d never given you a son, since you’ve turned out to be such a bad father. Does our son deserve to lose his birthright like this? If you loved him half as much as I do—if you’d felt labor pain or nourished him from your own body as I did—then you would have rather died than give your son’s inheritance to that savage duke.
PRINCE EDWARD Father, you cannot disinherit me. 235 If you be king, why should not I succeed?	PRINCE EDWARD Father, you can’t take away my inheritance. If you’re king, then how could I not be the one to succeed you?
KING HENRY Pardon me, Margaret.—Pardon me, sweet son. The Earl of Warwick and the Duke enforced me.	KING HENRY I’m sorry, Margaret. I’m sorry, my sweet son. The Earl of Warwick and the Duke of York forced me into this.
QUEEN MARGARET Enforced thee? Art thou king and wilt be forced? I shame to hear thee speak. Ah, timorous wretch, 240 Thou hast undone thyself, thy son, and me, And giv’n 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 sepulcher 245 And creep into it far before thy time? Warwick is Chancellor and the lord of Callice; Stern Falconbridge commands the Narrow Seas; The Duke is made Protector of the realm; And yet shalt thou be safe? Such safety finds 250 The trembling lamb environèd with wolves. Had I been there, which am a silly woman, The soldiers should have tossed me on their pikes Before I would have granted to that act. But thou preferr’st thy life before thine honor. 255 And seeing thou dost, I here divorce myself Both from thy table, Henry, and thy bed, Until that act of Parliament be repealed Whereby my son is disinherited. The northern lords that have forsworn thy colors 260 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.	QUEEN MARGARET Forced you? How can a king be forced to do something? I’m ashamed to hear you talk like this. Ah, you miserable coward, you’ve ruined yourself, your son, and me. The authority you’ve given York’s family leaves you in charge only so long as they allow it! Giving him and his heirs the crown—what is that but digging yourself an early grave? Warwick is chancellor and lord of Calais, that cruel Falconbridge commands the narrow seas This refers to the Dover Strait, a narrow part of the channel running between England and France. narrow seas , and the Duke of York has been made protector of the kingdom. And yet does any of that make you safe? You’re like a trembling lamb surrounded by wolves. If I, a defenseless woman, had been there, they would’ve had to put my head on a pike before I agreed to their demands. But you prefer your life over your honor. And since that’s the case, I won’t be eating or sleeping with you, Henry, until that act of parliament that takes away my son’s inheritance has been repealed. The northern lords who have renounced your flag will obey mine once they see it spread. And I will spread it, disgracing you and destroying York’s family. So, I’m leaving you. Come, my son, let’s go. Our army is ready. Let’s go meet them.
KING HENRY 265 Stay, gentle Margaret, and hear me speak.	KING HENRY Stay, noble Margaret, and listen to what I have to say.
QUEEN MARGARET Thou hast spoke too much already. Get thee gone.	QUEEN MARGARET You’ve said enough already. Get out of here.
KING HENRY Gentle son Edward, thou wilt stay with me?	KING HENRY My noble son Edward, will you stay with me?
QUEEN MARGARET Ay, to be murdered by his enemies!	QUEEN MARGARET Sure, so he can be murdered by his enemies!
PRINCE EDWARD When I return with victory from the field, 270 I’ll see your Grace. Till then, I’ll follow her.	PRINCE EDWARD When I’ve won the battle, then I’ll see you. Until then, I’m following my mother.
QUEEN MARGARET Come, son, away. We may not linger thus.	QUEEN MARGARET Come on, son, let’s not waste any more time.
QUEEN MARGARET and PRINCE EDWARD exit.	QUEEN MARGARET and PRINCE EDWARD exit.
KING HENRY 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, 275 Whose haughty spirit, wingèd 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. 280 Come, cousin, you shall be the messenger.	KING HENRY My poor queen! She’s angry because she loves me and her son so much! I hope she gets revenge on that hateful duke. His arrogance, driven by desire, will cost me my crown. He’s like a hungry eagle, feasting on the flesh of me and my son. It breaks my heart that I’ve lost those three lords. I’ll send an eloquent letter to them and see what can be done. Come, cousin, you’ll be my messenger.
EXETER And I, I hope, shall reconcile them all. Flourish. They exit.	EXETER I hope I can make peace. Trumpets. They exit.

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Henry VI, Part 3

William Shakespeare

Original Text

Modern Text

Speak for me, and tell them what I did

John of Gaunt

shaking my bells

Plantagenet

narrow seas

Original Text

Modern Text

Speak for me, and tell them what I did

John of Gaunt

shaking my bells

Plantagenet

narrow seas

Popular pages: Henry VI, Part 3

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