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  • Title: Henry VI, Part 2 (Folio 1, 1623)

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    Not Peer Reviewed

    Henry VI, Part 2 (Folio 1, 1623)

    Sound Trumpets. Enter King, Queene, and
    Somerset on the Tarras.
    2850King. Was euer King that ioy'd an earthly Throne,
    And could command no more content then I?
    No sooner was I crept out of my Cradle,
    But I was made a King, at nine months olde.
    Was neuer Subiect long'd to be a King,
    2855As I do long and wish to be a Subiect.
    Enter Buckingham and Clifford.
    Buc. Health and glad tydings to your Maiesty.
    Kin. Why Buckingham, is the Traitor Cade surpris'd?
    Or is he but retir'd to make him strong?
    2860Enter Multitudes with Halters about their
    Neckes.
    Clif. He is fled my Lord, and all his powers do yeeld,
    And humbly thus with halters on their neckes,
    Expect your Highnesse doome of life, or death.
    2865King. Then heauen set ope thy euerlasting gates,
    To entertaine my vowes of thankes and praise.
    Souldiers, this day haue you redeem'd your liues,
    And shew'd how well you loue your Prince & Countrey:
    Continue still in this so good a minde,
    2870And Henry though he be infortunate,
    Assure your selues will neuer be vnkinde:
    And so with thankes, and pardon to you all,
    I do dismisse you to your seuerall Countries.
    All. God saue the King, God saue the King.
    2875Enter a Messenger.
    Mes. Please it your Grace to be aduertised,
    The Duke of Yorke is newly come from Ireland,
    And with a puissant and a mighty power
    Of Gallow-glasses and stout Kernes,
    2880Is marching hitherward in proud array,
    And still proclaimeth as he comes along,
    His Armes are onely to remoue from thee
    The Duke of Somerset, whom he tearmes a Traitor.
    King. Thus stands my state, 'twixt Cade and Yorke
    2885 distrest,
    Like to a Ship, that hauing scap'd a Tempest,
    Is straight way calme, and boorded with a Pyrate.
    But now is Cade driuen backe, his men dispierc'd,
    And now is Yorke in Armes, to second him.
    2890I pray thee Buckingham go and meete him,
    And aske him what's the reason of these Armes:
    Tell him, Ile send Duke Edmund to the Tower,
    And Somerset we will commit thee thither,
    Vntill his Army be dismist from him.
    2895Somerset. My Lord,
    Ile yeelde my selfe to prison willingly,
    Or vnto death, to do my Countrey good.
    King. In any case, be not to rough in termes,
    For he is fierce, and cannot brooke hard Language.
    2900Buc. I will my Lord, and doubt not so to deale,
    As all things shall redound vnto your good.
    King. Come wife, let's in, and learne to gouern better,
    For yet may England curse my wretched raigne.
    Flourish. Exeunt.
    Enter
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