Read the full text of Henry VI Part 2 Act 2 Scene 4 with a side-by-side translation HERE.
- Out on the streets, Gloucester enters in mourning clothes. His wife enters, barefoot, with a white sheet on her back that proclaims her crimes to the world. So that's what Henry meant when he ordered her to perform three days of penance.
- Eleanor tells her husband that she's sick of all eyes being on her. People stare at her in the streets, and she's publicly shamed.
- Gloucester tells her to be patient but also she says she shouldn't be punished, since she's the Protector's wife.
- Eleanor says that people are out to get rid of him, too.
- Gloucester doesn't believe his wife. He's loyal and crimeless—who would want to punish him?
- Whatever, Gloucester; something tells us Eleanor's not too far off base on this one.
- Just then, a herald enters to take Gloucester to parliament at Holden at Bury. He says goodbye to Eleanor through his tears.
- Since her penance is done, Eleanor is instructed to throw off her sheet and follow Stanley to her banishment. She says that her shame will stick around long after the sheet's gone.