Internet Shakespeare Editions

Author: William Shakespeare
Not Peer Reviewed

Henry VI, Part 2 (Quarto 1, 1594)

The first part of the contention of the two famous
145As if our King were bound vnto your will,
145.1And might not do his will without your leaue,
Proud Protector, enuy in thine eyes I see,
The big swolne venome of thy hatefull heart,
That dares presume gainst that thy Soueraigne likes.
Humphr. Nay my Lord tis not my words that troubles you,
But my presence, proud Prelate as thou art:
148.1But ile begone, and giue thee leaue to speake.
Farewell my Lords, and say when I am gone,
I prophesied France would be lost ere long.
153.1 Exet Duke Humphrey.
Card. There goes our Protector in a rage,
155My Lords you know he is my great enemy,
155.1And though he be Protector of the land,
And thereby couers his deceitfull thoughts,
For well you see, if he but walke the streets,
165The common people swarme about him straight,
Crying Iesus blesse your royall exellence,
With God preserue the good Duke Humphrey.
170And many things besides that are not knowne,
Which time will bring to light in smooth Duke Humphrey.
But I will after him, and if I can
Ile laie a plot to heaue him from his seate.
178.1 Exet Cardinall.
Buck. But let vs watch this haughtie Cardinall,
181.1Cosen of Somerset be rulde by me,
Weele watch Duke Humphrey and the Cardinall too,
And put them from the marke they faine would hit.
Somerset. Thanks cosin Buckingham, ioyne thou with me,
175And both of vs with the Duke of Suffolke,
Weele quickly heaue Duke Humphrey from his seate.
176.1Buck. Content, Come then let vs about it straight,
185For either thou or I will be Protector.
Exet Buckingham and Somerset.
Salsb. Pride went before, Ambition follows after.
Whilst these do seeke their owne preferments thus,
My