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  • Title: Henry VI, Part 2 (Quarto 1, 1594)

  • 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    Not Peer Reviewed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 (Quarto 1, 1594)

    Houses, of Yorke and Lancaster.
    King. Cold newes indeed Lord Somerset,
    But Gods will be done.
    Yorke. Cold newes for me, for I had hope of France,
    1385Euen as I haue of fertill England.
    1390Enter Duke Humphrey.
    Hum. Pardon my liege, that I haue staid so long.
    Suffol. Nay, Gloster know, that thou art come too soone,
    Vnlesse thou proue more loyall then thou art,
    1395We do arrest thee on high treason here.
    Humph. Why Suffolkes Duke thou shalt not see me blush
    Nor change my countenance for thine arrest,
    Whereof am I guiltie, who are my accusers?
    York. Tis thought my lord, your grace tooke bribes from France,
    And stopt the soldiers of their paie,
    1405By which his Maiestie hath lost all France.
    Humph. Is it but thought so, and who are they that thinke so?
    1410So God helpe me, as I haue watcht the night
    Euer intending good for England still,
    That penie that euer I tooke from France,
    Be brought against me at the iudgement day.
    I neuer robd the soldiers of their paie,
    1415Many a pound of mine owne propper cost
    Haue I sent ouer for the soldiers wants,
    Because I would not racke the needie Commons.
    Car. In your Protectorship you did deuise
    Strange torments for offendors, by which meanes
    England hath bene defamde by tyrannie.
    Hum. Why tis wel knowne that whilst I was protector
    1425Pitie was all the fault that was in me,
    A murtherer or foule felonous theefe,
    That robs and murthers silly passengers,
    I tortord aboue the rate of common law.
    Suffolk. Tush my Lord, these be things of no account,
    But greater matters are laid vnto your charge,
    I do arrest thee on high treason here,
    And commit thee to my good Lord Cardinall,
    Vntill such time as thou canst cleare thy selfe.
    King. Good vnkle obey to his arrest,
    I haue