Original Text |
Translated Text |
| Source: Folger Shakespeare Library |
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Enter King Henry, with a supplication, and
Queen Margaret with Suffolk’s head, the Duke
of Buckingham, and the Lord Saye. QUEEN MARGARET, aside
Oft have I heard that grief softens the mind
And makes it fearful and degenerate.
Think therefore on revenge, and cease to weep.
But who can cease to weep and look on this?
Here may his head lie on my throbbing breast, 5
But where’s the body that I should embrace? | Back in London, it's a terrible, no good, very bad day for Margaret and
Henry. Margaret holds Suffolk's head and wishes she could hug his body.
Ew. |
BUCKINGHAM, to King Henry
What answer makes your Grace to the rebels’
supplication? KING HENRY
I’ll send some holy bishop to entreat,
For God forbid so many simple souls 10
Should perish by the sword! And I myself,
Rather than bloody war shall cut them short,
Will parley with Jack Cade, their general.
But stay, I’ll read it over once again. He reads. QUEEN MARGARET, aside
Ah, barbarous villains! Hath this lovely face 15
Ruled, like a wandering planet, over me,
And could it not enforce them to relent
That were unworthy to behold the same? | Meanwhile, Henry reads Cade's demands about his rebellion. Even though they're together, Margaret and Henry are worlds apart, dealing with separate problems. Henry tells Lord Saye that Cade wants his head. Saye responds that Henry should take Cade's head. Good comeback, dude. Margaret claims that if Suffolk were alive, he'd know how to put an end to the rebels. |
KING HENRY
Lord Saye, Jack Cade hath sworn to have thy head. SAYE
Ay, but I hope your Highness shall have his. 20 KING HENRY How now, madam?
Still lamenting and mourning for Suffolk’s death?
I fear me, love, if that I had been dead,
Thou wouldst not have mourned so much for me. QUEEN MARGARET
No, my love, I should not mourn, but die for thee. 25 Enter a Messenger. KING HENRY
How now, what news? Why com’st thou in such
haste? MESSENGER
The rebels are in Southwark. Fly, my lord!
Jack Cade proclaims himself Lord Mortimer,
Descended from the Duke of Clarence’ house, 30
And calls your Grace usurper, openly,
And vows to crown himself in Westminster.
His army is a ragged multitude
Of hinds and peasants, rude and merciless.
Sir Humphrey Stafford and his brother’s death 35
Hath given them heart and courage to proceed.
All scholars, lawyers, courtiers, gentlemen
They call false caterpillars and intend their death. KING HENRY
O, graceless men, they know not what they do! BUCKINGHAM
My gracious lord, retire to Killingworth 40
Until a power be raised to put them down. | Then a messenger enters with the news that Cade is claiming to be
Mortimer. Hearing this, Buckingham thinks it's a good idea to get the
heck out of London. He suggests that Henry go to Killingworth, where he
won't be in danger. |
QUEEN MARGARET
Ah, were the Duke of Suffolk now alive,
These Kentish rebels would be soon appeased! KING HENRY Lord Saye, the traitors hateth thee;
Therefore away with us to Killingworth. 45 SAYE
So might your Grace’s person be in danger.
The sight of me is odious in their eyes;
And therefore in this city will I stay
And live alone as secret as I may. Enter another Messenger. SECOND MESSENGER
Jack Cade hath gotten London Bridge. 50
The citizens fly and forsake their houses.
The rascal people, thirsting after prey,
Join with the traitor, and they jointly swear
To spoil the city and your royal court. | Saye wants to go with Henry, but he thinks that might put the king's life at risk, so he stays. Another messenger enters to say that Cade is at London Bridge, and the only thing falling down is Henry's control over the city. More and more citizens are joining Cade and his army. |
BUCKINGHAM
Then linger not, my lord. Away! Take horse! 55 KING HENRY
Come, Margaret. God, our hope, will succor us. QUEEN MARGARET
My hope is gone, now Suffolk is deceased. KING HENRY, to Saye
Farewell, my lord. Trust not the Kentish rebels. BUCKINGHAM
Trust nobody, for fear you be betrayed. SAYE
The trust I have is in mine innocence, 60
And therefore am I bold and resolute. They exit. | "Let's get going then," Buckingham says. "We might as well, since all hope is lost," Margaret says. And they're off. Saye is now alone in London, but he's not worried, because he's innocent. Where have we heard that before? Oh, yeah: from Gloucester, right before he was murdered. |