Toolbox



Textual Analysis

[ Go ]

Shakespeare on Stage
American Shakespeare Center, Return to the Forbidden Planet. To Dec. 1, 2013.
American Shakespeare Center, The Duchess of Malfi. To Jun. 15, 2013.
Folger Shakespeare Library, Twelfth Night. To Jun. 9, 2013.
American Shakespeare Center, Love's Labour's Lost. To Jun. 15, 2013.
American Shakespeare Center, Twelfth Night. To Jun. 16, 2013.
More Performances…
‌

Henry IV, Part 1 (Quarto 1, 1598)

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Rosemary Gaby
Not Peer Reviewed
The history
What with our helpe, what with the absent king,
What with the iniuries of a wanton time,
The seeming sufferances that you had borne,
And the contrarious winds that held the king
2690So long in his vnlucky Irish wars,
That all in England did repute him dead:
And from this swarme of faire aduantages,
You tooke occasion to be quickly wooed
To gripe the general sway into your hand,
2695Forgot your oath to vs at Dancaster,
And being fed by vs, you vsd vs so
As that vngentle gull the Cuckoes bird
Vseth the sparrow, did oppresse our neast,
Grew by our feeding to so great a bulke,
2700That euen our loue durst not come neare your sight,
For feare of swallowing: but with nimble wing
We were inforst for safety sake to flie
Out of your sight, and raise this present head,
Whereby we stand opposed by such meanes,
2705As you your selfe haue forgde against your selfe
By vnkind vsage, daungerous countenance,
And violation of all faith and troth,
Sworne to vs in your yonger enterprize.
King. These things indeed you haue articulate,
2710Proclaimd at market Crosses, read in Churches,
To face the garment of rebellion
With some fine colour that may please the eye
Of fickle changlings and poore discontents,
Which gape and rub the elbow at the newes
2715Of hurly burly innouation,
And neuer yet did insurrection want
Such water colors to impaint his cause
Nor moody beggars staruing for a time,
Of pell mell hauocke and confusion.
2720Prin. In both your armies there is many a soule,
Shall pay full dearely for this incounter
If once they ioine in trial, tell your nephew
The prince of Wales doth ioine with all the world
In