Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Rosemary Gaby
Not Peer Reviewed

Henry IV, Part 1 (Quarto 1, 1598)

of Henry the fourth.
As now we meete. You haue deceiu'd our trust,
And made vs doffe our easie roabes of peace,
2650To crush our old limbs in vngentle steele,
This is not well my Lord, this is not well.
What say you to it? will you againe vnknit
This churlish knot of all abhorred war?
And moue in that obedient orbe againe,
2655Where you did giue a faire and naturall light,
And be no more an exhalde meteor,
A prodigie of feare, and a portent
Of broched mischiefe to the vnborne times.
Worst. Heare me my liege:
2660For mine own part I could be well content,
To entertaine the lag end of my life
With quiet houres. For I protest
I haue not sought the day of this dislike.
King. You haue not sought it, how comes it then?
2665Fal. Rebellion lay in his way, and he found it.
Prin. Peace chewet, peace.
Wor. It pleasd your maiesty to turne your lookes
Of fauor from my selfe, and all our house,
And yet I must remember you my Lord,
2670We were the first and dearest of your friends,
For you my staffe of office did I breake
In Richards time, and posted day and night
To meet you on the way, and kisse your hand,
When yet you were in place, and in account
2675Nothing so strong and fortunate as I.
It was my selfe, my brother and his sonne,
That brought you home, and boldly did outdare
The dangers of the time. You swore to vs,
And you did sware that oath at Dancaster,
2680That you did nothing purpose gainst the state,
Nor clame no further then your new falne right,
The seat of Gaunt, Dukedom of Lancaster:
To this we swore our aide: but in short space
It rainde downe fortune showring on your head,
2685And such a floud of greatnesse fell on you,
I2. What