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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    Not Peer Reviewed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)

    The first part of the contention of the two famous
    3080Queene. He shall not hide himselfe for feare of Yorke,
    But beard and braue him proudly to his face.
    Yorke. Whose that, proud Somerset at libertie?
    Base fearefull Henry that thus dishonor'st me,
    By heauen, thou shalt not gouerne ouer me:
    I cannot brooke that Traitors presence here,
    Nor will I subiect be to such a King,
    3090That knowes not how to gouerne nor to rule,
    Resigne thy Crowne proud Lancaster to me,
    That thou vsurped hast so long by force,
    For now is Yorke resolu'd to claime his owne,
    And rise aloft into faire Englands Throane.
    Somer. Proud Traitor, I arest thee on high treason,
    Against thy soueraigne Lord, yeeld thee false Yorke,
    For here I sweare, thou shalt vnto the Tower,
    3103.1For these proud words which thou hast giuen the king.
    Yorke. Thou art deceiued, my sonnes shalbe my baile,
    And send thee there in dispight of him.
    Hoe, where are you boyes?
    Queene. Call Clifford hither presently.
    Enter the Duke of Yorkes sonnes, Edward the Earle of March, and
    3117.1 crook-backe Richard, at the one doore, with Drumme and sol-
    diers, and at the other doore, enter Clifford and his sonne, with
    3119.1 Drumme and souldiers, and Clifford kneeles to Henry, and
    speakes.
    Cliff. Long liue my noble Lord, and soueraigne King.
    Yorke. We thanke thee Clifford.
    Nay, do not affright vs with thy lookes,
    3125If thou didst mistake, we pardon thee, kneele againe.
    Cliff. Why, I did no way mistake, this is my King.
    What is he mad? to Bedlam with him.
    King. I, a bedlam frantike humor driues him thus
    3130To leauy Armes against his lawfull King.
    Clif. Why doth not your grace send him to the Tower?
    Queene. He is arested, but will not obey,
    His sonnes he saith, shall be his baile.
    3135Yorke. How say you boyes, will you not?
    Edward. Yes noble father, if our words will serue.
    Richard.