Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Rosemary Gaby
Not Peer Reviewed

Henry IV, Part 1 (Quarto 1, 1598)

of Henry the fourth.
More then a little, is by much too much.
So when he had occasion to be seene,
He was but as the Cuckoe is in Iune,
1895Heard, not regarded: Seene, but with such eies
As sicke and blunted with communitie,
Affoord no extraordinary gaze.
Such as is bent on sun-like maiestie,
When it shines seldome in admiring eies,
1900But rather drowzd, and hung their eie-lids down,
Slept in his face, and rendred such aspect
As cloudy men vse to their aduersaries,
Being with his presence glutted, gordge, and full.
And in that very line Harry standest thou,
1905For thou hast lost thy princely priuiledge
With vile participation. Not an eye
But is a weary of thy common sight,
Saue mine, which hath desired to see thee more,
Which now doth that I would not haue it do,
1910Make blind it selfe with foolish tendernesse.
Prin. I shall hereafter my thrice gratious Lord,
Be more my selfe.
King. For all the world,
As thou art to this houre was Richard then,
1915When I from France set foot at Rauenspurgh,
And euen as I was than, is Percy now,
Now by my scepter, and my soule to boote,
He hath more worthie interest to the state
Then thou the shadow of succession.
1920For of no right, nor colour like to right,
He doth fill fields with harnesse in the realme,
Turnes head against the lions armed iawes,
And being no more in debt to yeares, then thou
Leads ancient Lords, and reuerend Bishops on
1925To bloudie battailes, and to bruising armes.
What neuer dying honour hath he got
Against renowmed Dowglas? Whose high deeds,
Whose hot incursions, and great name in armes,
Holds from al souldiors chiefe maioritie
1930And militarie title capitall.
G.1. Through