Internet Shakespeare Editions

Toolbox




Jump to line
Help on texts
About this text
Print this page

About this text

  • Title: Henry IV, Part 2 (Quarto 1, 1600)
  • Editor: Rosemary Gaby

    • Copyright Rosemary Gaby. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: Rosemary Gaby
    Not Peer Reviewed

    Henry IV, Part 2 (Quarto 1, 1600)

    Henry the fourth.
    And the deuision of our amitie.
    War. There is a historie in all mens liues,
    Figuring the natures of the times deceast:
    1500The which obseru'd, a man may prophecie,
    With a neere ayme of the maine chance of things,
    As yet not come to life, who in their seedes,
    And weake beginning lie intreasured:
    Such thinges become the hatch and broode of time,
    1505And by the necessary forme of this,
    King Richard might create a perfect guesse,
    That great Northumberland then false to him,
    Would of that seede growe to a greater falsenesse,
    Which should not find a ground to roote vpon
    1510Vnlesse on you.
    King. Are these thinges then necessities,
    Then let vs meet them like necessities,
    And that same word euen now cries out on vs:
    They say the Bishop and Northumberland,
    1515Are fiftie thousand strong.
    War. It cannot be my Lord,
    Rumour doth double like the voice, and eccho
    The numbers of the feared, please it your grace,
    To go to bedde: vpon my soule, my Lord,
    1520The Powers that you alreadie haue sent foorth,
    Shall bring this prise in very easily:
    To comfort you the more, I haue receiued,
    A certain instance that Glendour is dead:
    Your Maiestie hath beene this fortnight ill,
    1525And these vnseasoned howers perforce must adde
    Vnto your sicknesse.
    King. I will take your counsaile,
    And were these inward warres once out of hand,
    We would (deare Lords) vnto the holy land. exeunt
    Enter Iustice Shallow, and Iustice
    Silence.
    E5 Shal.
    About
    Contact us
    Content quality
    Site guide
    © Internet Shakespeare Editions
    Copyright details
    Privacy policy
    This site is supported by:
    University of Victoria
    Friends of the ISE
    SSHRC