Internet Shakespeare Editions

Toolbox




Jump to line
Help on texts

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    Not Peer Reviewed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.
    65Bard. As good as heart can wish:
    The King is almost wounded to the death,
    And in the fortune of my Lord your sonne,
    Prince Harry slaine outright, and both the Blunts
    Kild by the hand of Dowglas, yong prince Iohn,
    70And Westmerland and Stafford fled the field,
    And Harry Monmouthes brawne, the hulke sir Iohn,
    Is prisoner to your sonne: O such a day!
    So fought, so followed, and so fairely wonne,
    Came not till now to dignifie the times
    75Since Caesars fortunes.
    Earle How is this deriu'd?
    Saw you the field? came you from Shrewsbury?
    Bar. I spake with one, my lord, that came from thence, enter Trauers.
    A gentleman well bred, and of good name,
    80That freely rendred me these newes for true.
    Earle Here comes my seruant Trauers who I sent
    On tuesday last to listen after newes.
    Bar. My lord, I ouer-rode him on the way,
    85And he is furnisht with no certainties,
    More then he haply may retale from me.
    Earle Now Trauers, what good tidings comes with you?
    Trauers My lord, sir Iohn Vmfreuile turnd me backe
    With ioyfull tidings, and being better horst,
    90Out rode me, after him came spurring hard,
    A gentleman almost forespent with speede,
    That stopt by me to breathe his bloudied horse,
    He askt the way to Chester, and of him
    I did demand what newes from Shrewsbury,
    95He told me that rebellion had bad lucke,
    And that yong Harrie Percies spur was cold:
    With that he gaue his able horse the head,
    And bending forward, strooke his armed heeles,
    Against the panting sides of his poore iade,
    100Vp to the rowell head, and starting so,
    He seem'd in running to deuoure the way,
    A3 Stay-