William Shakespeare - The Complete Works

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HENRY THE SIXTH PART 3 Background THE play printed in the 1623 Folio as The Third Part of Henry the Sixth, with the Death of the Duke of York was described on the title-page of its first, unauthoritative publication in 1595 as The True Tragedy of Richard, Duke of York, and the Death of Good King Henry the Sixth, with the whole Contention between the two houses Lancaster and York. It is clearly a continuation of The First Part of the Contention, taking up the story where that play had ended, with the aspirations of Richard, Duke of York to the English throne, and was probably composed immediately afterwards. The final scenes of The First Part of the Contention briefly introduce two of York's sons, Edward (the eldest) and Richard (already described as a æfoul, indigested lump, / As crooked in . . . manners as (in) shapeÆ). They, along with their brothers Edmund, Earl of Rutland, and George (later Duke of Clarence), figure more prominently in Richard Duke of York. The first scenes show York apparently fulfilling his ambition, as Henry VI weakly cedes his rights to the throne after his death; but Queen Margaret leads an army against York, and, when he is captured, personally taunts him with news of the murder of his youngest son, stabs York to death, and commands that his head be æset on York gatesÆ. (This powerful scene includes the line æO tiger's heart wrapped in a woman's hideÆ, paraphrased by Robert Greene before September 1592, which establishes the upward limit of the play's date.) Though Richard of York dies early in the action, the remainder of the play centres on his sons' efforts (aided by Warwick's politic schemings) to avenge his death and to establish the dominance of Yorkists over Lancastrians. The balance of power shifts frequently, and the brothers' alliance crumbles, but finally Queen Margaret, with her French allies, is defeated and captured, and Richard of York's surviving sons avenge their father's death by killing her son, Edward, before her eyes. Richard of Gloucester starts to clear his way to the throne by murdering æGood King HenryÆ in the Tower, and the play ends with the new King Edward IV exulting in his æcountry's peace and brothers' lovesÆ while Richard makes clear to the audience that Edward's self-confidence is ill- founded. Though the play is loud and strife-ridden with war, power politics, and personal ambition, a concern with humane values emerges in the subtle and touching continuing portrayal of the quietist Henry VI, a saintly fool who meditates on the superiority of humble contentment to regal misery in an emblematic scene (2.5) that epitomizes the tragedy of civil strife. Richard Duke of York, like The First Part of the Contention, draws extensively on English chronicle history. Historically, the period of the action covers about sixteen years (1455 to 1471), but events are telescoped and rearranged; for instance, the opening scenes move rapidly from the Battle of St Albans (1445) to York's death (1450); the future Richard III was only three years old, and living abroad, at the time of this opening battle in which he takes an active part; and Richard's murder of Henry owes more to legend than to fact. THE PERSONS OF THE PLAY Of the King's Party KING HENRY VI QUEEN MARGARET PRINCE EDWARD, their son Duke of SOMERSET Duke of EXETER Earl of NORTHUMBERLAND Earl of WESTMORLAND Lord CLIFFORD Lord Stafford SOMERVILLE Henry, young Earl of Richmond A SOLDIERwho has killed his father A HUNTSMANwho guards King Edward The Divided House of Neville Earl of WARWICK, first of York's party, later of Lancaster's Marquis of MONTAGUE, his brother, of York's party Earl of OXFORD, their brother-in-law, of Lancaster's party Lord HASTINGS, their brother-in-law, of York's party Of the Duke of York's Party Richard Plantagenet, Duke of YORK EDWARD, Earl of March, his son, later Duke of York and KING EDWARD IV LADY GRAY, a widow, later Edward's wife and queen Earl RIVERS, her brother GEORGE, Edward's brother, later Duke OF CLARENCE RICHARD, Edward's brother, later Duke OF GLOUCESTER Earl of RUTLAND, Edward's brother Rutland's TUTOR, a chaplain SIR JOHNMortimer, York's uncle Sir Hugh Mortimer, his brother Duke of NORFOLK Sir William Stanley Earl of Pembroke Sir John MONTGOMERY A NOBLEMAN Two GAMEKEEPERS Three WATCHMEN, who guard King Edward's tent LIEUTENANTof the Tower The French KING LOUIS LADY BONA, his sister-in-law Lord Bourbon, the French High Admiral Others A SOLDIERwho has killed his son Mayor of Coventry MAYORof York Aldermen of York Soldiers, messengers, and attendants Act 1 Scene 1 (A chair of state. Alarum. Enter Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York, his two sons Edward, Earl of March, and Crookback Richard, the Duke of Norfolk, the Marquis of Montague, and the Earl of Warwick, with drummers and soldiers. They all wear white roses in their hats) l1l Warwick I wonder how the King escaped our hands? l2l York While we pursued the horsemen of the north, l3l He slyly stole away and left his men; l4l Whereat the great lord of Northumberland, l5l Whose warlike ears could never brook retreat, l6l Cheered up the drooping army; and himself, l7l Lord Clifford, and Lord Stafford, all abreast, l8l Charged our main battleÆs front, and, breaking in, l9l Were by the swords of common soldiers slain. l10l Edward Lord StaffordÆs father, Duke of Buckingham, l11l Is either slain or wounded dangerous. l12l I cleft his beaver with a downright blow. l13l That this is true, father, behold his blood. (He shows a bloody sword) l14l Montague (to York) And, brother, hereÆs the Earl of WiltshireÆs blood, (He shows a bloody sword) l15l Whom I encountered as the battles joined. Richard (to Somerset's head, which he shows) l16l Speak thou for me, and tell them what I did. l17l York Richard hath best deserved of all my sons. l18l (To the head) But is your grace dead, my lord of Somerset? l19l Norfolk Such hap have all the line of John of Gaunt. l20l Richard Thus do I hope to shake King HenryÆs head. (He holds aloft the head, then throws it down) l21l Warwick And so do I, victorious prince of York. l22l Before I see thee seated in that throne l23l Which now the house of Lancaster usurps, l24l I vow by heaven these eyes shall never close. l25l This is the palace of the fearful King, l26l And this (pointing to the chair of state), the regal seatùpossess it, York, l27l For this is thine, and not King HenryÆs heirsÆ. l28l York Assist me then, sweet Warwick, and I will, l29l For hither we have broken in by force. l30l Norfolk WeÆll all assist youùhe that flies shall die. l31l York Thanks, gentle Norfolk. Stay by me, my lords l32l And soldiersùstay, and lodge by me this night. (They go up upon the state) l33l Warwick And when the King comes, offer him no violence l34l Unless he seek to thrust you out perforce. (The soldiers withdraw) l35l York The Queen this day here holds her Parliament, l36l But little thinks we shall be of her council; l37l By words or blows here let us win our right. l38l Richard Armed as we are, letÆs stay within this house. l39l Warwick ôThe Bloody Parliamentö shall this be called, l40l Unless Plantagenet, Duke of York, be king, l41l And bashful Henry deposed, whose cowardice l42l Hath made us bywords to our enemies. l43l York Then leave me not, my lords. Be resoluteù l44l I mean to take possession of my right. l45l Warwick Neither the King nor he that loves him bestù l46l The proudest he that holds up Lancasterù l47l Dares stir a wing if Warwick shake his bells. l48l IÆll plant Plantagenet, root him up who dares. l49l Resolve thee, Richardùclaim the English crown. (York sits in the chair.) (Flourish. Enter King Henry, Lord Clifford, the Earls of Northumberland and Westmorland, the Duke of Exeter, and the rest. [They all wear red roses in their hats]) l50l King Henry My lords, look where the sturdy rebel sitsù l51l Even in the chair of state! Belike he means, l52l Backed by the power of Warwick, that false peer, l53l To aspire unto the crown and reign as king. l54l Earl of Northumberland, he slew thy fatherù l55l And thine, Lord Cliffordùand you both have vowed revenge l56l On him, his sons, his favourites, and his friends. l57l Northumberland If I be not, heavens be revenged on me. l58l Clifford The hope thereof makes Clifford mourn in steel. l59l Westmorland What, shall we suffer this? LetÆs pluck him down. l60l My heart for anger burnsùI cannot brook it. l61l King Henry Be patient, gentle Earl of Westmorland. l62l Clifford Patience is for poltroons, such as he. (indicating York) l63l He durst not sit there had your father lived. l64l My gracious lord, here in the Parliament l65l Let us assail the family of York. l66l Northumberland Well hast thou spoken, cousin, be it so. l67l King Henry Ah, know you not the city favours them, l68l And they have troops of soldiers at their beck? l69l Exeter But when the Duke is slain, theyÆll quickly fly. l70l King Henry Far be the thought of this from HenryÆs heart, l71l To make a shambles of the Parliament House. l72l Cousin of Exeter, frowns, words, and threats l73l Shall be the war that Henry means to use. l74l (To York) Thou factious Duke of York, descend my throne l75l And kneel for grace and mercy at my feet. l76l I am thy sovereign. York I am thine. l77l Exeter For shame, come downùhe made thee Duke of York. l78l York It was mine inheritance, as the earldom was. l79l Exeter Thy father was a traitor to the crown. l80l Warwick Exeter, thou art a traitor to the crown l81l In following this usurping Henry. l82l Clifford Whom should he follow but his natural king? l83l Warwick True, Clifford, and thatÆs Richard Duke of York. l84l King Henry (to York) And shall I stand and thou sit in my throne? l85l York It must and shall be soùcontent thyself. l86l Warwick (to King Henry) Be Duke of Lancaster, let him be king. l87l Westmorland He is both king and Duke of Lancasterù l88l And that, the Lord of Westmorland shall maintain. l89l Warwick And Warwick shall disprove it. You forget l90l That we are those which chased you from the field, l91l And slew your fathers, and, with colours spread, l92l Marched through the city to the palace gates. l93l Northumberland Yes, Warwick, I remember it to my grief, l94l And, by his soul, thou and thy house shall rue it. l95l Westmorland (to York) Plantagenet, of thee, and these thy sons, l96l Thy kinsmen, and thy friends, IÆll have more lives l97l Than drops of blood were in my fatherÆs veins. l98l Clifford (to Warwick) Urge it no more, lest that, instead of words, l99l I send thee, Warwick, such a messenger l100l As shall revenge his death before I stir. l101l Warwick (to York) Poor Clifford, how I scorn his worthless threats. l102l York (to King Henry) Will you we show our title to the crown? l103l If not, our swords shall plead it in the field. l104l King Henry What title hast thou, traitor, to the crown? l105l Thy father was, as thou art, Duke of York; l106l Thy grandfather, Roger Mortimer, Earl of March. l107l I am the son of Henry the Fifth, l108l Who made the Dauphin and the French to stoop l109l And seized upon their towns and provinces. l110l Warwick Talk not of France, sith thou hast lost it all. l111l King Henry The Lord Protector lost it, and not I. l112l When I was crowned, I was but nine months old. l113l Richard You are old enough now, and yet, methinks, you lose. l114l (To York) Father, tear the crown from the usurperÆs head. l115l Edward (to York) Sweet father, do soùset it on your head. l116l Montague (to York) Good brother, as thou lovÆst and honourÆst arms, l117l LetÆs fight it out and not stand cavilling thus. l118l Richard Sound drums and trumpets, and the King will fly. l119l York Sons, peace! l120l [Northumberland] Peace, thouùand give King Henry leave to speak. l121l King Henry Ah, York, why seekest thou to depose me? l122l Are we not both Plantagenets by birth, l123l And from two brothers lineally descent? l124l Suppose by right and equity thou be kingù l125l ThinkÆst thou that I will leave my kingly throne, l126l Wherein my grandsire and my father sat? l127l Noùfirst shall war unpeople this my realm; l128l Ay, and their colours, often borne in France, l129l And now in England to our heartÆs great sorrow, l130l Shall be my winding-sheet. Why faint you, lords? l131l My titleÆs good, and better far than his. l132l Warwick Prove it, Henry, and thou shalt be king. l133l King Henry Henry the Fourth by conquest got the crown. l134l York ÆTwas by rebellion against his king. l135l King Henry (aside) I know not what to sayùmy titleÆs weak. l136l (To York) Tell me, may not a king adopt an heir? l137l York What then? l138l King Henry An if he may, then am I lawful kingù l139l For Richard, in the view of many lords, l140l Resigned the crown to Henry the Fourth, l141l Whose heir my father was, and I am his. l142l York He rose against him, being his sovereign, l143l And made him to resign his crown perforce. l144l Warwick Suppose, my lords, he did it unconstrainedù l145l Think you Ætwere prejudicial to his crown? l146l Exeter No, for he could not so resign his crown l147l But that the next heir should succeed and reign. l148l King Henry Art thou against us, Duke of Exeter? l149l Exeter His is the right, and therefore pardon me. l150l York Why whisper you, my lords, and answer not? l151l Exeter (to King Henry) My conscience tells me he is lawful king. l152l King Henry (aside) All will revolt from me and turn to him. l153l Northumberland (to York) Plantagenet, for all the claim thou layÆst, l154l Think not that Henry shall be so deposed. l155l Warwick Deposed he shall be, in despite of all. l156l Northumberland Thou art deceivedùÆtis not thy southern power l157l Of Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, nor of Kent, l158l Which makes thee thus presumptuous and proud, l159l Can set the Duke up in despite of me. l160l Clifford King Henry, be thy title right or wrong, l161l Lord Clifford vows to fight in thy defence. l162l May that ground gape and swallow me alive l163l Where I shall kneel to him that slew my father. l164l King Henry O, Clifford, how thy words revive my heart! l165l York Henry of Lancaster, resign thy crown. l166l What mutter you, or what conspire you, lords? l167l Warwick Do right unto this princely Duke of York, l168l Or I will fill the house with armΦd men l169l And over the chair of state, where now he sits, l170l Write up his title with usurping blood. (He stamps with his foot and the soldiers show themselves) l171l King Henry My lord of Warwick, hear me but one wordù l172l Let me for this my lifetime reign as king. l173l York Confirm the crown to me and to mine heirs, l174l And thou shalt reign in quiet while thou livÆst. l175l King Henry I am content. Richard Plantagenet, l176l Enjoy the kingdom after my decease. l177l Clifford What wrong is this unto the prince your son? l178l Warwick What good is this to England and himself? l179l Westmorland Base, fearful, and despairing Henry. l180l Clifford How hast thou injured both thyself and us? l181l Westmorland I cannot stay to hear these articles. l182l Northumberland Nor I. l183l Clifford Come, cousin, let us tell the Queen these news. Westmorland (to King Henry) l184l Farewell, faint-hearted and degenerate king, l185l In whose cold blood no spark of honour bides. (Exit with his soldiers) Northumberland (to King Henry) l186l Be thou a prey unto the house of York, l187l And die in bands for this unmanly deed. (Exit with his soldiers) l188l Clifford (to King Henry) In dreadful war mayst thou be overcome, l189l Or live in peace, abandoned and despised. (Exit with his soldiers) Warwick (to King Henry) l190l Turn this way, Henry, and regard them not. Exeter (to King Henry) l191l They seek revenge and therefore will not yield. l192l King Henry Ah, Exeter. Warwick Why should you sigh, my lord? l193l King Henry Not for myself, Lord Warwick, but my son, l194l Whom I unnaturally shall disinherit. l195l But be it as it may. (To York) I here entail l196l The crown to thee and to thine heirs for ever, l197l Conditionally, that here thou take thine oath l198l To cease this civil war, and whilst I live l199l To honour me as thy king and sovereign, l200l And nor by treason nor hostility l201l To seek to put me down and reign thyself. l202l York This oath I willingly take and will perform. l203l Warwick Long live King Henry. (To York) Plantagenet, embrace him. (York descends. Henry and York embrace) l204l King Henry (to York) And long live thou, and these thy forward sons. l205l York Now York and Lancaster are reconciled. l206l Exeter Accursed be he that seeks to make them foes. (Sennet. Here York's train comes down from the state) York (to King Henry) l207l Farewell, my gracious lord, IÆll to my castle. (Exeunt York, Edward, and Richard, with soldiers) l208l Warwick And IÆll keep London with my soldiers. (Exit with soldiers) l209l Norfolk And I to Norfolk with my followers. (Exit with soldiers) l210l Montague And I unto the sea from whence I came. (Exit with soldiers) l211l King Henry And I with grief and sorrow to the court. (King Henry and Exeter turn to leave.) (Enter Queen Margaret and Prince Edward) l212l Exeter Here comes the Queen, whose looks bewray her anger. l213l IÆll steal away. King Henry Exeter, so will I. l214l Queen Margaret Nay, go not from meùI will follow thee. l215l King Henry Be patient, gentle Queen, and I will stay. l216l Queen Margaret Who can be patient in such extremes? l217l Ah, wretched man, would I had died a maid l218l And never seen thee, never borne thee son, l219l Seeing thou hast proved so unnatural a father. l220l Hath he deserved to lose his birthright thus? l221l Hadst thou but loved him half so well as I, l222l Or felt that pain which I did for him once, l223l Or nourished him as I did with my blood, l224l Thou wouldst have left thy dearest heart-blood there l225l Rather than have made that savage Duke thine heir l226l And disinherited thine only son. l227l Prince Edward Father, you cannot disinherit me. l228l If you be king, why should not I succeed? l229l King Henry Pardon me, Margaret; pardon me, sweet sonù l230l The Earl of Warwick and the Duke enforced me. l231l Queen Margaret Enforced thee? Art thou king, and wilt be forced? l232l I shame to hear thee speak! Ah, timorous wretch, l233l Thou hast undone thyself, thy son, and me, l234l And givÆn unto the house of York such head l235l As thou shalt reign but by their sufferance. l236l To entail him and his heirs unto the crownù l237l What is it, but to make thy sepulchre l238l And creep into it far before thy time? l239l Warwick is Chancellor and the Lord of Calais; l240l Stern Falconbridge commands the narrow seas; l241l The Duke is made Protector of the Realm; l242l And yet shalt thou be safe? Such safety finds l243l The trembling lamb environΦd with wolves. l244l Had I been there, which am a seely woman, l245l The soldiers should have tossed me on their pikes l246l Before I would have granted to that act. l247l But thou preferrÆst thy life before thine honour. l248l And seeing thou dost, I here divorce myself l249l Both from thy table, Henry, and thy bed, l250l Until that act of Parliament be repealed l251l Whereby my son is disinherited. l252l The northern lords that have forsworn thy colours l253l Will follow mine, if once they see them spreadù l254l And spread they shall be, to thy foul disgrace l255l And the utter ruin of the house of York. l256l Thus do I leave thee. (To Prince Edward) Come, son, letÆs away. l257l Our army is readyùcome, weÆll after them. l258l King Henry Stay, gentle Margaret, and hear me speak. l259l Queen Margaret Thou hast spoke too much already. (To Prince Edward) Get thee gone. l260l King Henry Gentle son Edward, thou wilt stay with me? l261l Queen Margaret Ay, to be murdered by his enemies. Prince Edward (to King Henry) l262l When I return with victory from the field, l263l IÆll see your grace. Till then, IÆll follow her. l264l Queen Margaret Come, son, awayùwe may not linger thus. (Exit with Prince Edward) l265l King Henry Poor Queen, how love to me and to her son l266l Hath made her break out into terms of rage. l267l Revenged may she be on that hateful Duke, l268l Whose haughty spirit, wingΦd with desire, l269l Will coast my crown, and, like an empty eagle, l270l Tire on the flesh of me and of my son. l271l The loss of those three lords torments my heart. l272l IÆll write unto them and entreat them fair. l273l Come, cousin, you shall be the messenger. l274l Exeter And I, I hope, shall reconcile them all. (Flourish. Exeunt)